There’s no shortage of upcoming Nintendo Switch games coming in 2025, with next year seeing some of the Japanese company’s heavy hitters coming out. Additionally, we should hear word about the hotly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 in the early months of next year as well. 

We’re expecting big things, as the swan song for Nintendo Switch games could be on the horizon. After all, the hybrid handheld-home console hybrid is closing in on eight years old. We’ve selected the 10 biggest upcoming Switch games that you need to have on your radar, from those with confirmed release dates, release windows, and yet-to-be-determined.

Most anticipated upcoming Nintendo Switch games in 2025

10. Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

• Release date: January 16, 2025 

Short of calling the game Donkey Kong Country Returns Again, the latest port of the 2010 Wii classic will shortly make its way to the Nintendo Switch. It’s worth pointing out that its 2014 sequel, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, made the swing over in 2018, so it’s been a long time since fans of the barrel-tossing ape have had something to play on the go. 

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is more than just a 1080p upscale of the previously 480p iconic platformer. This latest version also includes two-player co-op over 80 different levels, which includes additions brought in by the 2013 3DS version, which also overhauled the control scheme, too. The most exciting thing of all? You won’t be waiting long as the title drops on January 16, 2025; talk about kicking things off with a (barrel) blast. 

9. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

• Release date: January 31, 2025 

While it feels like its predecessor just released, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is just on the (event) horizon. You’re once again in the shoes of a sleeper, an emulated human mind bound in an artificial body, and you’re on the run from your maker and gangs. The solution? Take a ship, forge an uneasy alliance, and forge a new path yourself. As with the first game, you’re left to your own devices on how to do this, thanks to deep mechanics inspired by tabletop RPGs. 

At the heart of the experience is the returning dice system, which has been revised and improved for Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector. As you get hurt, your dice become less effective, but if you continue to take risks and push yourself, you can get a winning hand. It’s a delicate balance of risk and reward in a dark, dystopian world. Its pleasing graphics and intricate nature make it a perfect fit for the Nintendo Switch.

8. Civilization 7

• Release date: February 11, 2025 

Fans of some of the best strategy games on Nintendo Switch aren’t going to want to miss out on Civilization 7. The latest in the leading Sid Meier brand arrives on February 11, 2025, and promises some sweeping overhauls and exciting new additions as you aim to build an advanced civilization of your own. 

As with other games in the series, Civilization 7 will see play as influential historical figures, evolving your empire to new heights with an impressive level of detail. The game is said to feature an overhauled tutorial mode and new gameplay systems, which make it ideal for newcomers as well. It looks beautiful, too, making it an easy pick to play on the TV instead of the handheld mode for the best visibility.

7. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition

• Release date: March 20, 2025 

If you have never played Xenoblade Chronicles X when it debuted on the ill-fated Wii U back in 2015, then now’s the perfect time to dive in. Additionally, if you were one of the 13.56 million people who owned the home console, then chances are you’d buy it again anyway. This feature-length RPG will keep you busy for potentially 250+ hours if you want to see and do everything in it, with a main story that eclipses the original in length and variety.

Xenoblade Chronicles X was easily among the best-looking Wii U games ever made, and it’s set to be stunning on the moderately powerful Nintendo Switch, too. The USP of the game is its giant mechs, known as Skells, as well as the customization options. Once you’re done playing alone, you can go online with up to 32 players, which can further flesh out your total playtime. Buying from Nintendo itself even nets you two weeks of Nintendo Switch Online as well.

6. Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DX

• Release date: TBC 2025

Shovel Knight can easily be considered one of the best Nintendo Switch games of all time, and Shovel of Hope DX looks to be the definitive adventure starring the tool-wielding hero. Described as an “enhanced edition of the pixel-perfect adventure that started it all”, this version of the game features 20 playable characters, online multiplayer, cheats, save states, and every expansion released for the title to date. 

Interestingly, this includes the challenge stages, Custom Knight, and the Battle Ghost Arena, as well as the beloved expansions such as Plague of Shadows, King of Cards, and Specter of Torment. It’s a port that appears to be bursting with content and an ideal Nintendo Switch game to play on the TV or bring with you on the go. No exact release date has been confirmed yet. However, Yacht Club Games has said it will be sometime in 2025.

5. Star Overdrive

• Release date: TBC 2025

Star Overdrive is one of the most exciting indie games coming to the Nintendo Switch in 2025. You play as a hoverboard rider on an open-world alien planet who must navigate the harsh environments, solve puzzles, and fight massive bosses. It’s easily Caracel Games’ biggest and most ambitious project to date, and it features a gorgeous cell-shaded art style that should really pop on the hardware.

It’s been confirmed that there are a total of four biomes to explore, all of which have been crafted to accommodate the hoverboard for traversal, as well as containing secrets to uncover. Star Overdrive looks like a throwback to a simpler time of 3D collect-a-thon adventure games, which should be perfect for playing on the go or enjoying on the big screen. No release window has been offered outside of next year, but we are hopeful it will be sooner rather than later.

4. Hollow Knight Silksong

• Release date: TBC 2025 (Rumored) 

Another year, another opportunity to wait for Hollow Knight Silksong to materialize. The hotly anticipated sequel to the 2017 cult-hit Metroidvania has been a long time in the making, enduring numerous delays since it was first unveiled back in early 2019. 2025 has not been confirmed to be the window for the game; however, rumors have been circulating around next year as a potential release year, and it’s been long enough. 

Hollow Knight Silksong takes place in a new kingdom from the predecessor. You’ll see far more greenery in the sequel as there will be forests, grottos, moors, and cities overrun with nature’s influence. There will be over 150 enemies to face and run from, and the new Silk Soul mode will dial up the difficulty for a harder challenge. Combine that with incredible visuals, and you will have one of the Nintendo Switch’s biggest upcoming games to date. 

3. Professor Layton and the New World of Steam

• Release date: TBC 2025

It’s been a long time since Professor Layton last graced a Nintendo console. He previously was synonymous with the company’s handhelds, defining the Nintendo DS and 3DS generations with the stylish anime-inspired puzzler point-and-clicks. Well, in 2025, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam will bring the series back to form for a new generation. Considering the last mainline entry, Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy, debuted in 2013, this one can’t come soon enough. 

Powered by the Nintendo Switch, the New World of Steam is easily the most visually striking in the Professor Layton series. A new reveal trailer showcases a darker tone for the story than what we’ve typically seen in the franchise, with the steampunk-inspired world under threat by Gunman King Joe. As well as exploring the new setting, puzzles are the name of the game, and there’s no shortage to choose from, as you’ll get to solve “the most puzzles in the series’ history”.

2. Pokémon Legends: Z-A

• Release date: TBC 2025

Concrete details around Pokémon Legends: Z-A are admittedly scarce. However, we do know that the latest in the long-running monster-catching series will arrive worldwide in 2025. Set in the all-new Luminose City, a proposed safe haven for humans and Pokémon to live in harmony like never before, there’s a lot of hype behind this upcoming Nintendo Switch game. 

It’s worth noting that the Legends tag in the title of Z-A infers a more action-orientated approach to the slower-paced RPG entries in the franchise. Considering that Pokémon Legends: Arceus is among the best Nintendo Switch games, we are hoping for big things with this follow-up. We’re hopeful that more details will be revealed soon; however, we expect this game to be released towards the end of next year, which is in line with what’s typically seen in the series.

1. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

• Release date: TBC 2025

Without question, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is our most anticipated Nintendo Switch game for 2025. It’s been 17 long years since the release of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, with the premiere first-person shooter series reserved for portable spin-offs ever since. Metroid Prime 4 was first teased to be in production all the way back in June 2017, shortly after the release of the hardware, so to see it be one of the (potentially) final games for the console feels fitting. 

Released almost seven years to the day of its initial teasing, the Metroid Prime 4: Beyond announcement trailer delivers on the action. Samus returns, as does the Morph Ball form, and the Space Pirates for good measure, too. The long wait is nearly over, as we’ll get to see what could be the final entry in the Metroid Prime series play out at last. Following Metroid Dread and the excellent Metroid Prime Remastered, it’s been an incredible time to be a fan of the bounty hunter.

The post The most anticipated upcoming Nintendo Switch games in 2025 appeared first on ReadWrite.

The best Nintendo Switch games for kids aren’t created equally. The perenially popular home console and handheld hybrid system is home to hundreds of titles aimed at younger gamers, but we’ve narrowed things down to a definitive top 10, which was no easy feat. You’ll find everything from party games, racers, platformers, open-world releases, and more.

We’ve considered everything from the best Switch games for families to younger kids, so no one will be left out by any titles on the list. This includes both single-player and multiplayer releases, both locally and online. However, we recommend that you monitor your child’s online play usage with parental controls for the best experience.

Here are ReadWrite’s picks for the top 10 best Nintendo Switch games for kids in 2024.

Best Nintendo Switch games for kids in 2024

10. Super Mario Party Jamboree

The latest in the long-running franchise at the time of writing, Super Mario Party Jamboree also happens to be a series best. The third game in the Super Mario Party line on Nintendo Switch, Jamboree thrives due to its seven detailed boards, 112 minigames, and a slew of different modes. There’s the usual Mario Party mode, of course, but also a mode featuring the new Jamboree buddy, as well as Pro rules, and the sprawling Koopathlon, too.

Thanks to its wealth of content and family-friendly edge, Super Mario Party Jamboree can be considered among the best Nintendo Switch party games for kids. The minigames are at an all-time high here, with dozens of 4-player free-for-alls, many one vs three bouts, and exciting new rhythm and survival-based challenges. Whether that means they will be waggling the Joy-Con around or locking in with a Pro controller, there will be something for everyone here.

9. Bluey: The Videogame

Bluey: The Videogame is exactly as it sounds; it’s an interactive experience based upon the perennially popular early years cartoon series. Comprised of what’s described as “four interactive episodes”, young children will be able to explore popular locales from the television show, such as the Creek, Playgrounds, and the Heeler House itself.

It also features minigames based on notable moments from the Bluey show, including Chattermax Chase and Keepy Uppy. It can be played in single-player or local multiplayer if there’s more than one child in the household, too. Bluey: The Videogame has light collect-a-thon elements, such as a sticker book to fill out throughout the game world, outfits to unlock, and secret references to the series.

The entire experience can be finished in as little as an hour, but exploring around can triple the playtime, making it one of the best Switch games for young kids around.

8. WarioWare: Move It!

The WarioWare games have been synonymous with family play for decades, and the latest entry is no exception to the rule. In many ways, it’s the spiritual successor to the fan-favorite Smooth Moves, which debuted on the Wii all the way back in 2006 with its emphasis on motion-controlled fun.

WarioWare: Move It! contains a total of 223 microgames throughout the experience, which is beaten out only by WarioWare Gold (a 3DS compilation) for the most amount of content. You’ll be shaking, swinging, shimmying, drawing, and dancing to win out. Unlike its predecessor, Get it Together, this one is far easier for younger kids to understand with its copyable poses and motion-based activities. For this reason, it’s one of the best Switch games for kids of all ages.

7. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

While Animal Crossing: New Horizons isn’t as popular as it was during its peak in 2020 and 2021, the chilled-out life simulator still has a ton of things to do for young kids. Whether that’s going fishing and farming or getting into the weeds of detailed interior decorating for the homes you can acquire.

Exploring the island won’t get old any time soon, but as soon as your kid has done everything around them, they can travel to other islands using Nook Miles, meet new people, and then (eventually) pay off the debt to Tom Nook himself. There are over 100 hours worth of content to explore, so they won’t become bored any time soon. For this reason, Animal Crossing: New Horizons ranks among the best single-player games for kids.

6. Spyro Reignited Trilogy

As its name implies, Spyro Reignited Trilogy isn’t just a single Switch game but a total of three classic titles, beautifully remade for a new generation of young gamers. Spyro may be more well-known to today’s kids as the mascot of the popular toys-to-life series Skylanders, but this package gorgeously showcases what made the purple dragon so beloved in the first place.

The Reignited Trilogy includes remakes of Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage, and Spyro: Year of the Dragon. Each of the original games can be finished in around six hours, for around 18 hours of total playtime if you’re rushing through. With that said, the early Spyro games are bonafide collect-a-thons; there are upwards of 30 hours of things to do. Spyro Reignited Trilogy is one of the best Switch games for older kids, thanks to its open-level design and exploration.

5. LEGO Horizon Adventures

The most recent addition to the LEGO game franchise, Horizon Adventures, curiously sees the previously PlayStation-exclusive Horizon franchise (including Zero Dawn, Forbidden West, and Call of the Mountain) coming to a Nintendo platform. The result is a playful and kid-friendly retelling of Zero Dawn, complete with stellar visuals, slapstick comedy, and easy-to-understand gameplay for younger children.

It should be said that LEGO Horizon Adventures may be too simple for older kids, but younger children will no doubt get a kick out of the dinosaur-fighting action. It’s a great prelude to having kids later get into the more adult Horizon games. There’s no shortage of LEGO Switch games available, but Horizon Adventures feels like the most fully-fledged and feature-complete despite its simplicity.

4. Nintendo Switch Sports

While Nintendo Switch Sports isn’t as much of a landmark release as the seminal Wii Sports or its Motion Plus-powered sequel, Wii Sports Resort, the latest iteration for a new generation still carries on the essence of those “exergames” well. In addition to the tried-and-true Tennis, Bowling, and Golf of the original, this version also features Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Badminton, and Chambara.

Nintendo Switch Sports can be played solo against CPUs, in multiplayer duos, or in groups of four players either locally or online. The standout is how the Joy-Con is utilized here; it is much more advanced than the Wii Motion Plus while also being considerably smaller and sleeker; benefitting from HD rumble for haptic feedback doesn’t hurt either. It’s a great pick-up-and-play game for the living room and excels as one of the best Switch games for families.

3. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

A port of the popular Wii U game, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains one of the best Switch racing games for kids to this day. Since its launch shortly after the Nintendo Switch debuted, the Japanese company has continued to support its flagship racer; there are now 96 courses to race across in-game, provided you opt for the Booster Course Pass, which includes every track you could ever want all in one place.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the most replayable Nintendo Switch games ever made, thanks to its surplus of modes available. For single-player and multiplayer, you have the tried-and-true Grand Prix, Time Trials, 200c mode, Battle, and a suite of online modes as well. Whether you’re thinking of a game for living room play or want to expand into online usage for your child, there’s endless replay value with this Switch game.

2. Minecraft

Its peak may have arguably passed, but Minecraft remains incredibly popular with kids even in 2024. Whether they’re just after a way to pass the time in Creative Mode, building whatever they can think of, or want a meaty challenge with Survival Mode, Minecraft remains one of the best Nintendo Switch games for kids of all time. 

The Nintendo Switch version of Minecraft has (largely) received the same level of support as the current-generation console versions, including the Minecraft Marketplace, which can greatly overhaul the game. Many of the “mods” can be accessed for free, but others may require additional purchases with Minecoins. We recommend keeping a watch on your child’s spending if they do want to indulge in the marketplace, but it is a fun way to do more within the game once the Ender Dragon is taken care of.

1. Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!

The Pokémon: Let’s Go games take the top spot as the best Nintendo Switch games for kids. Whether you opt for the version with Pikachu or Eevee, one thing’s for sure: you’ll be getting a grand (but accessible) RPG adventure aimed at young children. In anywhere from 25 to upwards of 50 hours, there’s a ton of content here to explore, all with pleasing visuals and an easy-to-understand gameplay loop. 

That’s because Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! (or Eevee) utilizes motion controls in an immersive way to catch the Pocket Monsters. There’s a lot to add to the Pokédex, too, as all 151 original Pokémon are present and accounted for and brought up to a modern graphics standard for the TV. What’s especially good about this one is how it will set your kid up to play the more action-orientated and challenging games in the series on the Nintendo Switch, such as Legends: Arceus and Scarlet/Violet. 

What’s more, with the Switch 2 confirmed to be backwards compatible, they will get to play the rest of the series here even as they get older.

The post The best Nintendo Switch games for kids in 2024 appeared first on ReadWrite.

The best TVs for Xbox Series X come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s no shortage of viable options to make the most of Microsoft’s most powerful home console.

We’ve narrowed our selection down to the five best offerings on the market across many different budgets and preferences, with considerations made towards panel tech, size, feature sets, and price so you can find the perfect TV for you.

Below, you’ll find that the top five TVs for Xbox Series X incorporate everything from flagship OLED displays and Mini-LEDs with 4K and even 8K resolutions, factoring in framerates from 120Hz to as high as 240Hz, including true HDR for the best image and sound quality possible.

There’s representation from all-star manufacturers such as LG, Samsung, and Sony, so you can buy with confidence without having to roll the dice on a lesser brand.

The best TVs for Xbox Series X in 2024

1. LG C4 OLED – The best TV for Xbox Series X overall

• Sizes available: 42 to 83 inches
• Refresh rate: 120Hz native (up to 144Hz overclocked)
• Panel type: OLED
• MSRP: $1,499 – $5,399

The LG C4 OLED is our number one pick for the best TV for Xbox Series X overall, and it’s clear to see why. The latest in the flagship line-up, the C4 features a stunning OLED panel for deep inky blacks and (seemingly) endless color contrast for vivid images, which will make the best Xbox Series X games pop. 

Speaking of gaming-specific features, the LG C4 OLED natively supports a 120Hz refresh rate. However, this can be bumped up to 144Hz when overclocking. Throw in genuine HDR modes, both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync, as well as the combination of Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, and you have all the makings of an all-star gaming TV in 2024. 

Just keep in mind that the LG C4 OLED doesn’t come cheap. It’s been around a year since the top-end TV first hit the market, and sales are now more commonplace, but you should still expect to spend a fair amount. The starting MSRP for the 48-inch model is $1,499; however, regular sales have seen the model as cheap as $999.99, and you can sometimes find the 65-inch variant as low as $1,499, too. We advise waiting for a sale if you want a larger size.

2. Hisense Class U7 Series – The best budget TV for Xbox Series X

• Sizes available: 55 to 83 inches
• Refresh rate: 60Hz (native) up to 144Hz (overclocked)
• Panel type: OLED
• MSRP: $999 – $2,199

There’s no reason why the best TVs for Xbox Series X have to get up into the four-figure range, and that’s the philosophy behind the Hisense Class U7 series. Utilizing mini-LED panel tech (with local dimming zones and bright color contrast), this budget display is built for gamers with its 144Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, several different HDR modes, and VRR included. 

The best part is that the Hisense Class U7 Series is available from $999.99 for the 65-inch option, with sizes up to 85-inch if you want that wall-filling effect for less. With a peak brightness of up to 1,500 nits and IMAX-certified audio, the TV can be incredibly bright and loud as well, which means it will be perfect for accurately displaying all your Xbox Series X games as they should be played.

3. Samsung QN900D – The best premium TV for Xbox Series X

• Sizes available: 65 to 85 inches 
• Refresh rate: 120Hz (native) up to 240Hz (overclocked)
• Panel type: QLED
• MSRP: $3,299 – $5,799

If you’re looking for a future-proofed TV for the Xbox Series X, then you may want to consider the Samsung QN900D. This is Samsung’s latest 8K flagship panel, which is purpose-built for today’s games but fully equipped for what the near future may hold. Armed with Quantum Dot Mini-LED tech, it’s incredibly bright and benefits from advanced AI-upscaling tech (as well as automatic HDR remastering), which can make 4K games look even better on the TV. 

While 8K60 native is the selling point of the Samsung QN900D, the TV also natively supports not only 4K120 for gaming but also 4K at 240Hz through overclocking. As expected from a flagship 8K display, the QN900D is one of the pricier displays on the market; the starting MSRP is $3,299.99 for the 65-inch version and up to $5,799.99 for the 85-inch variant. However, regular sales have brought the starting price down to as low as $2,599.99.

4. LG G4 – The best big-screen TV for Xbox Series X

• Sizes available: 55 to 97 inches
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Panel type: OLED
• MSRP: $2,199 – $24,999

The LG G4 is one of the brightest OLED TVs on the market, with a reported peak brightness of 3,000 nits, being around double what many other flagships can typically do. Combine this with all the must-have features for Xbox Series X gaming: VRR, AMAD FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision, and true HDR support, and you have an encompassing panel for gaming and media playback. 

The LG G4 only comes in large sizes, with everything from 55 to 83 inches present and accounted for. However, should money allow, you can go up to a monstrous 97-inch display for an eye-watering $24,999 (although discounts have seen it lowered to $19,999). That’s going to be well out of the realm of feasibility for most people, but it is an option; we recommend either the 77 or 83-inch version for the best big-screen experience.

5. Sony Bravia 7 – The best mid-range TV for Xbox Series X

• Sizes available: 55 to 85 inches
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Panel type: Mini-LED
• MSRP: $1,899 – $3,499

If you’re looking to strike a delicate middle-ground between a budget and premium gaming TV, then the Sony Bravia 7 is more than up to the task. Armed with a 4K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, it’s ready to max out Xbox Series X games without breaking a sweat. One of Sony’s brightest TVs ever made, with Mini-LED panel tech for vivid colors and thousands of local dimming zones for dark blacks, you won’t quite be getting the same level of color contrast as with OLED, but the end results will certainly be comparable.

The Sony Bravia 7 starts at $1,899 for the 55-inch model and goes up to $3,499 for the largest 85-inch variant. However, frequent discounts have made this mid-range Xbox Series X far more affordable, as you can find it for as low as $1,299 for the smallest version and $2,499 when buying directly from the manufacturer. The XR processor inside is one of the best AI chips ever seen in a TV, too, for enhanced image quality, motion blur reduction, and HDR that’s optimized for gaming. Of course, there’s VRR and ALLM here for those higher framerates as well.

How to choose the right TV for your Xbox Series X

Investing in a TV for your Xbox Series X is one of the biggest gaming purchases that you’ll ever make, so you will need to do your research and consider a few crucial factors before putting money down. We understand that buying a TV can be challenging, and that’s why we’ve outlined the three biggest considerations when deciding between models: price, features, and size.

Price

Price will arguably be the biggest deciding factor when weighing up which Xbox Series X TV you buy. In an ideal world, we would all have the biggest and most expensive gaming TVs in our homes, but that’s simply not a possibility for most of us. There’s no minimum price you should aim for; however, be advised that 120Hz models generally start around the $700 mark from manufacturers such as Hisense, but some budget models may be cheaper than this. 

Going any cheaper can mean being stuck at 60Hz or having a weaker panel tech in the TV, such as an edge-lit LED, which can be blurry and dim. In our opinion, it’s worth spending a little more on a gaming TV that’s fast enough and maintains the image quality of today’s demanding games instead of limiting how they can look and play. 

Mini-LED TVs have come a long way in the past few years, becoming cheaper and available in larger panel sizes from trusted manufacturers. They are a viable alternative to OLED TVs in terms of color contrast, thanks to local dimming zones that can make the colors pop. However, this works differently from OLED, which has self-lit individual pixels, unlike much smaller LEDs that illuminate a backlight. OLED has the best blacks and the highest contrasts but far, but you’re typically going to pay double (or more) for the privilege. 

Some flagship OLED gaming TVs in higher sizes can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the size (typically from 43 inches and above). If possible, we recommend heading to a brick-and-mortar store and seeing Mini-LED TVs compared against similar-sized OLED versions to see what looks better and what’s in your budget. Unfortunately, watching videos of the TVs and reading the tech specs won’t always accurately convey the differences. 

Features

We’ve touched upon some features of Xbox Series X TVs above, but the most important you’ll want to look out for will be resolution, refresh rate, HDR support, and game-specific inclusions such as VRR and ALLM. The Xbox Series X supports resolutions of up to 8K. However, most people will be playing in 4K (either at 60fps or 120fps for the games that support this). We recommend a gaming TV with a minimum refresh rate of 120Hz, which will enable you to play at double the typical framerate of standard TVs (some cheaper panels are even locked to a sluggish 50Hz). 

The Xbox Series X supports HDR (High Dynamic Range), which sets an enhanced rate between the darkest and lightest that a game can go for a deeper, richer, and more detailed image. With that said, HDR is not created equal, as there are varying tiers tied to the panel’s peak brightness. DisplayHDR 400 is the lowest, with a 90% DCI-P3 coverage gamut and a 1,300:1 contrast ratio, with DisplayHDR 1400 being much higher, with 95% DCI-P3 coverage and a 50,000:1 contrast ratio. Then we get onto DisplayHDR True Black, a range between 400 and 600, which is made only for OLED TVs and monitors and has the deepest contrast. Before buying a gaming TV, look into which HDR tier it offers and keep what we’ve said in mind. 

Lastly, we need to talk about VRR and ALLM. The former stands for Variable Refresh Rate, and the latter means Auto Low Latency Mode; the two features are commonly found together on many gaming TVs and monitors. In short, VRR prevents screen tearing by dynamically scaling the resolution on the screen with no notable artifacts or blurriness. ALLM does what its title says and automatically reduces latency (and lag) for supported devices, such as an Xbox Series X. This means offering the lowest amount of input lag possible by the response time on a TV. Some OLED flagships have response times as low as 0.1ms.

Size

Most people play their Xbox Series X in the living room on a sofa from a fair distance away, meaning a larger gaming TV will be a better choice than a smaller gaming monitor. For this reason, we consider a 43-inch model to be the smallest you should go for when judging which model could fit in your living room. Larger displays will cost more but fill more space on your wall, and there’s a notable difference in sizing up to a 55-inch or 65-inch, which should accommodate most rooms. However, 75-inch and 85-inch variants will deliver that true home cinema experience for those who can afford it.

The post The best TV for Xbox Series X in 2024: Our recommendations appeared first on ReadWrite.

Choosing between the PS5 and PS5 Slim isn’t easy. There are many different factors to consider before putting any money down on one of Sony’s latest consoles.

We’re going over all the need-to-know differences between the standard PlayStation and the mid-generation console redesign, including the differences in the price, features, design, specs, value for money, and more so you can buy with confidence. 

For more, you can check out the PS5 vs PS5 Pro and see our picks for the best PS5 games in 2024.

PS5 vs PS5 Slim price

One of the biggest deciding factors between the PS5 and the PS5 Slim is the price you pay, and it’s not necessarily clear-cut. Starting with the former, the standard “fat” PS5 debuted at $499.99 for the disc version and $399.99 for the Digital Edition. This is similar to the newer PS5 Slim console, which also costs $499.99 for a disc-based version and $399.99 for an all-digital variant.

Where things will differ, however, is in the discounts you’ll expect to pay. The PS5 Slim effectively completely replaced the original PS5 model in late 2023, but the first variant can be spotted from time to time. Discounts around the festive period are common, especially with bundles, so you can find the PS5 Slim as cheap as $374.99 for digital and $424.99 for the disc-based system.

With that said, a major strength of the PS5 Slim is that you have the option of physical or digital after the fact, as you can buy a PS5 disc drive at a later date to slot in. This accessory costs $79.99 on its own. So, you could buy the digital system and then upgrade it to a disc drive later. It will depend on whether you buy at full price or not, as a discounted disc edition system may be cheaper.

The last facet to consider in terms of PS5 vs PS5 Slim price will be the games themselves. Traditionally speaking, physical PS5 games (boxed and on-disc) can be cheaper when bought through online retailers such as Amazon, GameStop, and Best Buy, compared to digital games for sale directly at the PlayStation Store. This isn’t always the case, as sales can happen, but it is a factor in building up a PS5 game library.

• Winner: PS5 Slim

PS5 vs PS5 Slim design and features

Weighing up the PS5 vs PS5 Slim’s design comes down to how much space you have in your living room or on your desk. The original PS5 is taller, wider, and heavier than the PS5 Slim, which is what you would expect. It measures in at an unsubtle 15.4 x 4.1 x 10.2 inches (LxWxD) and is fairly hefty at 9.9 lbs for the disc edition and 8.6 lbs for the digital variant.

The PS5 Slim is notably smaller, thinner, and lighter. It measures 14 x 3.1 x 8.5 inches (LxWxD), which means it is 9% shorter, 24% thinner, and with a lower depth of 16%. It weighs in at 7 lbs even, which is 2.9 lbs lighter than the standard PS5 for a full 29% weight reduction. If you have limited space under your TV, then you may want to consider the PS5 Slim as the full-size PS5, which may be a bit of a beast. 

Dimensions aside, the design philosophy between the PS5 vs PS5 Slim is similar. In what can be considered the most radical departure from the usual PlayStation stylings, the PlayStation 5 features two large plastic white fins on either side of a black middle and a curved look that can be displayed either vertically or horizontally.  

Unfortunately, should you want to display your PS5 Slim vertically, you will need to splash out an additional $29.99 on top of the asking price for the vertical stand. This is not something you had to worry about with the original 2020 PS5 model, however, as Sony included a stand that could support both horizontal and vertical mounting straight out of the box. 

A cosmetic difference between the PS5 vs PS5 Slim designs is how the side panels are handled. Both the original disc and digital models feature a solid left and right plastic side, which can be removed and replaced. That said, the PS5 Slim is similar, but there is a dividing section that splits the top and bottom of the left and right side plates for four total pieces. 

Do you not fancy the standard white PS5 console? Well, Sony’s got you covered. You can purchase PS5 console covers for both the standard PS5, PS5 Digital Edition, and the PS5 Slim — the latter of which includes a bespoke disc drive cover, too. Colors include Sterling Silver, Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue, Midnight Black, Chroma Teal, and Chroma Indigo. The PS5 Slim even recently received a PS1-inspired paint job with the 30th-anniversary collection too. 

As touched upon in the previous section, the PS5 Slim has a major leg up over the original model, so you can slot it in a disc drive at a later date. This level of versatility means you aren’t beholden to just digital games as you would be with the first PS5 digital edition, owing to the new design. For this reason and others listed above, we are confident in awarding the redesign the win here. 

• Winner: PS5 Slim

PS5 vs PS5 Slim specs

Fundamentally, the PS5 and PS5 Slim share many of the same technical specifications, but there are a few distinct differences to be aware of. The most pressing issue is the internal storage solution. The base PS5 featured an 825GB Gen 4.0 NVMe SSD (with around 667.2GB of usable space after the OS and pre-installed functionality), whereas the PS5 Slim bumps things up to 1TB. 

With the newer model, you have around 850GB at your disposal (which is more than the total storage space of the base PS5 altogether). Depending on how many PS5 games you download, that could mean significantly fleshing out your collection and having room to play the selection of PlayStation Plus games available for download, too.  

There’s also a slight difference in the front I/O between the PS5 and PS5 Slim as well. That’s because while the 2020 model only features a single USB-C port, the newer variant doubles up on this connection type for plugging in your DualSense controller and having room for a high-speed external hard drive, etc. The base PS5 featured a USB-A port instead. Aside from this, both PlayStation 5 consoles have two USB-A 3.0 ports on the back for further connectivity. 

Thanks to its increased system storage and improved front I/O, the PS5 Slim has superior specs when compared to the original PS5. However, be aware that there are no performance differences between the two consoles, as you will see between the PS5 vs PS5 Pro.

• Winner: PS5 Slim

Should you buy a PS5 or a PS5 Slim?

For the reasons we’ve outlined above, the PS5 Slim is the superior choice when compared against the standard PS5 console. This is for several different reasons: increased storage, the options of a digital and disc edition, a better front interface, and a smaller and sleeker package make it the better pick of the two.

What’s more, the PS5 Slim benefits from sales as well as bundles, meaning you can get the best value for money if you pick a smart time to shop. In comparison, the original PS5 has essentially disappeared from store shelves.

The post PS5 vs PS5 Slim: What are the key differences? appeared first on ReadWrite.

Virtual reality (VR) is the most immersive way to experience a video game. It allows you to step foot into fictional worlds, unlike any other platform. From shooters that allow you to manually reload weapons, to interactive rhythm games that give you a workout, these games highlight what makes virtual reality so special.

Whether you’re a long-time enthusiast or a newcomer, this list outlines some of the best VR games available to play in 2024.

The list has been made in consideration of multiple genres and platforms and is in no particular order.

Best VR games available

10. Beat Saber

Price: $24.99

Platforms: Steam, Meta

Beat Saber still remains one of the most popular VR games in 2024 because of the variety of songs available. It is a rhythm music game that is easy to pick up, but difficult to master once you reach the more challenging levels. Gameplay consists of striking down incoming blocks in tune with the music, which is constantly updated with both DLC and community additions. Because of its integration of motion controls, it is one of the most active games you can play, encouraging physical movement suitable for players of all fitness levels. Beat Saber is also considered one of the best rhythm games on the Meta Quest 3.

9. SUPERHOT VR

Price: $24.99

Platforms: Steam, Meta

SUPERHOT took the internet by storm when it was first released on February 24, 2016. It’s signature mechanic where time moves only when you do is enhanced in the VR edition as you watch bullets race past you firsthand. The explosive executions have more weight to them as you shoot, cut, and punch your way through every red foe standing in your way. This edition of SUPERHOT is considered one of the best VR titles in 2024 because of its intense level-based combat encounters, which require a strategy to succeed.

8. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes

Price: $14.99

Platforms: Steam, Meta

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes (KTNE) lives up to its namesake as a co-op puzzle-solving VR game. Two players communicate with one another to disarm a bomb; with one player following a series of instructions whilst guiding the other to solve its elaborate puzzles. The bomb procedurally generates a random assortment of puzzles, giving great replay value to the game. KTNE is one of the best multiplayer VR games available, as in many cases only one person is required to have a VR headset while the other can download the official bomb defusal manual separately.

7. No Man’s Sky

Price: $59.99

Platforms: Steam 

No Man’s Sky has had quite the journey since it launched back in 2016, and it has continued to become even more popular in 2024. It is considered both the best sci-fi game available and amongst the top VR games of 2024. The VR experience takes the space adventure to the next level, bringing new levels of interactivity to space-craft piloting and combat, base building, and on-planet exploration. Hello Games has continued to build on this game with a series of updates, including the first half of their graphical overhaul with the No Man’s Sky: Worlds update that was developed for the upcoming Light No Fire RPG.

6. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR

Price: $59.99

Platforms: Steam 

Players can experience the open world of Skyrim in VR, which has proven to be one of the best ways to experience Bethesda’s iconic fantasy RPG title. Being able to physically swing weapons, draw bows, and cast spells brings a new level of engagement to combat. The exploration that was celebrated in the original 2011 release feels more tactile and immersive in VR, with highly detailed landscapes you can see with your own eyes. It is a solid title to experience to help players get up to speed before the release of Elder Scrolls VI.

5. Subnautica

Price: $29.99 

Platforms: Steam

Subnautica becomes the ultimate under water exploration game in VR. Exploration is enhanced as you navigate through its biomes and observe its wildlife. An encounter with a Reaper Leviathan becomes even more intense and horrifying when in VR, as you see and experience everything as if you’re really there. Subnautica is a great sandbox experience that lets players discover the seas at their own pace. It combines the best elements of exploration with core survival mechanics.

4. Rec Room

Price: Free

Platforms: Steam, Meta

Rec Room stands amongst the best VR games for PC due to its social features. It is a title that lets you enjoy party games with friends or simply relax and chat online. It combines the social features of VR Chat with the creative freedom of Roblox. This VR game offers a fun way to connect with others online, giving you the controls to shape your experience. Create your own room or join popular community activities like paintball, escape rooms, dodgeball, and more.

3. Blade & Sorcery

Price: $29.99 

Platforms: Steam, Meta 

Blade & Sorcery is a sandbox game that gives players the freedom to tackle fights however they see fit. It’s believable physics system, making environment and NPC interactions more realistic, creates a VR experience worthy of praise in 2024. The game also boasts extensive mod support, allowing players to change the game from medieval fantasy to other genres such as sci-fi. Ever dream of being able to fight Darth Vader with a light saber while in VR? You can do just that in Blade & Sorcery.

2. Pavlov

Price: $24.99 

Platforms: Steam, Meta

Pavlov is one of the best multiplayer VR games in 2024, taking the popular genre to new heights. It features your typical modes such as team deathmatch, search & destroy, and more. It introduces an additional layer of skill not found in other FPS games. By making players physically aim and reload their weapons, a new layer of skill is introduced to gameplay.  Vankrupt Games also frequently updates the game with new content, and bug fixes, to ensure gameplay doesn’t become stale.

1. Half-Life: Alyx

Price: $59.99

Platform: Steam

The Half-Life series is highly revered among fans because of its world-building and compelling storytelling. Alyx serves as a solid middle ground to the fever dream that is Half-Life 3. The title demonstrates that Valve is still capable of delivering top-tier experiences after all these years. Serving as a prequel to Half-Life 2, we are placed in the shoes of Alyx Vance in the early stages of the Combine’s conquest of Earth. The game makes intuitive use of the gravity gloves, making object retrieval incredibly satisfying and nostalgic. It is our number-one choice for the top VR game of 2024.

The post The best VR Games we played in 2024 – spoiler – some of the old ones are still the best appeared first on ReadWrite.

If you want to know how to use Discord on your PS5 console, then you’re in the right place. Fortunately, it’s easy and straightforward to enable and utilize the popular voice and text chat service on Sony’s latest console. We’ll be taking you through step-by-step instructions on how to link your Discord account, how to set it up, and then how to get the most out of it in 2024. 

How to use Discord on PS5

• Turn on your PS5
• Go to settings
• Go to Users and Accounts
• Find Discord
• Link with Discord via the QR code or the website
• Authorize your Discord account with your PlayStation account
• You’re now set up to use Discord voice chat on PS5

Setting Discord up on PS5 is easy and takes around 30 seconds to do. Firstly, you’ll want to head over to Settings in the top right-hand corner of the PlayStation 5 menu and then scroll down until you reach “Users and Accounts” which will display all available services, including Discord, which can be linked.

Once you press on Discord, you’ll be greeted with a “Link with Discord” screen, which will display both a QR code and a generated code for you to use. As can be seen in the image, you can also manually visit the web address on a different device (like your iOS or Android smartphone) or directly via the PS5’s web browser. To use this method, you can go to www.discord.com/active and then enter the code, which will appear on the right side of the screen.

Next, you’ll need to authorize your PlayStation Network account with your Discord account, which will be the same regardless of whether you use the Discord app or website. You’ll be greeted with a list of accesses that the PlayStation Network will have once your account is linked, including your username, avatar, banner, server history, and the information on your DMs. If you’re happy to authorize after this, then you’ll be ready to use Discord as a voice channel. 

How to use Discord voice chat on PS5

There is still no dedicated Discord application available for PS5. However, as of June 2024, you no longer need to transfer over an existing voice call from other platforms, as you can start calls (or join parties) straight from the Game Base. Once it’s opened up, you’ll see Friends, Party, and Messages as normal, but underneath will be the Discord logo, which then supersedes the chat. 

Previously, you needed to call in via your smartphone or computer. From your desktop, you can click on “Transfer to PlayStation” and then “Join on PlayStation,” which will transfer the call from computer audio to the console. You can speak via the DualSense’s built-in microphone if desired or use a PS5 gaming headset for better sound quality. 

Just as you would find a PlayStation voice chat party, the Discord Voice Chat and its list of members will be listed in its own menu. You’ll be able to use all the functionality of Discord’s voice calling, such as deafen, noise suppression, and non-video participants.

What’s the point of Discord on PS5?

Now that you know how to use Discord on PS5, you may be wondering why you would to or how it differs from the standard PlayStation Party chat we’re all so familiar with. On the surface, the two services seem to serve the same purpose, but Discord has some features you won’t find in the standard PlayStation chat experience. 

The most pressing reason to use Discord on PS5 is to enable crossplay chat with friends and family members who may be on PC, mobile, or Xbox Series X. Now, you’re able to talk with anyone on your Discord friends list (or in the same servers as you) directly from your PS5 console once you’ve set things up and have moved the conversation over to the platform. 

Then there’s the PlayStation party voice chat limit to consider. The standard app has a limit of 16 accounts in one chatroom; however, with Discord, you can speak with up to 100 people, all on the same server. That’s an increase of 525% and means you’ll be able to speak in games that can support such a large player base. 

It is debated whether or not the audio quality of a Discord call is superior to that of the PlayStation Party chat, but some users have argued in favor of the newer method. If you play with a lot of friends online or want to keep up with your various Discord servers all from one place, then using Discord voice chat is now much easier on PlayStation than it was when it first launched in early 2023.

The post How to use Discord on your PS5 console appeared first on ReadWrite.

There’s no shortage of choices for the best Xbox Series X games in 2024, so narrowing things down to just 10 wasn’t easy. Microsoft’s latest home console generation may be lagging behind in sales compared to the PS5, however, there is still a wealth of franchises and console exclusives worth playing on the platform. 

Whether that means running around in the chunky boots of John-117, the Master Chief, going for a personal best lap time in Forza Motorsport, or taking on the world in the latest online shooter, you’ll find only the best games for Xbox Series X listed below.

Best Xbox Series X games in 2024

10. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 may have had a rocky launch, but the latest installment in the aviation simulation series is now cleared for takeoff. The title intelligently uses AI to craft a realistic depiction of the entire world as you fly from dozens of airports across Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, North America, and more. 

The standard edition of the game features a staggering 70 aircraft vehicles. However, varying editions include up to 125, many of which have been introduced into this year’s version of the game for the first time. You can take out the likes of the Airbus A310-300 and Boeing 737 Max for a spin to get a taste of the full commercial flight experience or go a little granular with the Powrachute Sky Rascal and even a Hot Air Ballon. 

Without question, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 ranks among the best simulation games on Xbox Series X, but it’s not without a steep learning curve. There’s a suite of in-depth tutorials to help guide you from an airspace amateur to a seasoned pilot pro; combine that with some exciting missions that will test your skills, and you will have all the makings of an all-star classic. There are a few teething problems and less content from the 2020 iteration, but this should develop with time; the new features more than compensate. 

9. Forza Motorsport (2023)

Rebooting the Forza Motorsport series was no easy feat for Turn 10 Studios. The 2023 entry arrived after several less-than-stellar titles over the previous decade, which left a lot to be desired, such as Forza Motorsport 5 and 6. The latest installment trimmed the fat without sacrificing the content, delivering one of the best racing games on the Xbox Series X to date. 

For a start, Forza Motorsport (2023) is the first in the franchise to be developed exclusively for the Xbox Series X (and PC), finally leaving the aging Xbox One generation behind. This results in an unparalleled level of graphical fidelity and realism, which applies not only to the more than 500 vehicles (over 100 of which are new to the series) but also to the 20 newly constructed tracks to race on as well. 

Petrolheads will no doubt get a kick out of the best cars in Forza Motorsport (2023). You can choose from classics such as the Mercedes-Benz 190E and Ferrari 641 to leading hypercars like the Koenigsegg Jesko, Rimac Nevera, and Hennessey Venom F5. What good are cars if you can’t push them, though? Luckily, you can take to Italy’s Mugello Circuit, South Africa’s Kyalamiu Grand Prix Circuit, and even the twisty Suzuka Circuit found in Japan. There’s also a handful of fictional raceways as well, like Grand Oak and Maple Valley, too.

8. Halo Infinite

Released fairly early into the Xbox Series X’s lifespan, Halo Infinite saw the long-running FPS franchise get a shot in the arm after its predecessor failed to capture the hearts and minds of seasoned fans. As with most mainline entries, you once again play as John-117, the Master Chief, in easily one of the best shooters on Xbox Series X in 2024. 

The Halo Infinite campaign is a series best and will take you anywhere from 10 to 20 hours to complete, depending on whether you take the time to explore or not. For the first time in the franchise, you have a semi-open world to fight in, and Master Chief has a fair few tricks up his sleeve, such as the Grappleshot, which can greatly aid verticality. You’ll need to bring your A-game to push back against the invading Banished on the beautiful but deadly world of Installation 07 (Zeta Halo). 

Another string to Halo Infinite’s armored bow is the fact that you can play the extensive multiplayer modes without paying a penny. For some, the Halo Infinite multiplayer could be all they ever do, battling on dozens of maps such as Aquarius, Bazaar, Chasm, Deadlock, Highpower, Prism, and Streets. Capture the Flag and Slayer return; Infection and King of the Hill are accounted for, and even Oddball shows up again. The multiplayer ranks among the best free Xbox Series X games around, but you shouldn’t miss out on the story either. 

7. Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

A more recent entry for the best Xbox Series X games list, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, finally arrived on the platform in November 2024 despite multiple delays. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely. GSC Game World’s sequel, more than 15 years in the making, translates the tension, horror, and atmosphere of the original PC-exclusive trilogy wonderfully to Unreal Engine 5 and the current generation Xbox platform.

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is far from the easiest or most accessible shooter to get into, but it’s a touch more forgiving than the likes of Shadow of Chernobyl, Clear Sky, and Call of Pripyat without diluting what made those X-Ray engine games so satisfying to play in the first place. Heart of Chornobyl rewards exploration but isn’t without its risks. Dare you venture deep into the darkness of The Zone for the best loot, making uneasy alliances along the way, or do you throw caution to the wind and stick to the daylight? It’s all up to you.

One of the most impressive features about Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (and the series in general) is its leading AI, as enemies can be incredibly aggressive and tactical. This extends to the hardcore mechanics of the title as well, as you’ll need to eat, sleep, stop/slow bleeding, and deal with radiation poisoning. It’s easily the best Xbox Series X survival game you can play right now, but certainly not for the faint of heart.

6. Starfield

Bethesda has a reputation for creating some of the best RPGs on Xbox, and its latest entry largely carries on the trend. The company’s latest IP in over 25 years, Starfield had to get it right when making its first impression when it debuted last year, and thankfully, it does enough to be worth a play in 2024.

You play as a deep space miner who stumbles across a mysterious artifact when out on the job. It takes you on a space-trotting adventure throughout the Milky Way Galaxy. You’ll meet new friends and enemies as you acquire new weapons and armor. Admittedly, the critical path isn’t a developer-best, but the real adventure is in the heart of the side content. It all depends on who you meet and the decisions you make for the full experience.

More recently, Starfield: Shattered Space launched in September 2024, and it centralized the core of the gameplay. Instead of hundreds of planets, you’re exploring just one: Va’ruun’kai, the home planet of House Va’ruun. The moon orbiting Kavnyk means you’ll get to play around with zero gravity mechanics to uncover the story behind the Great Serpent. As with many Bethesda games, you need to use the foundations provided to get the most out of things, but it’s worth doing.

5. Metaphor: ReFantazio

If you’re in the mood for an epic anime adventure, then you’ll want to pick up Metaphor: ReFantazio. The Atlus-developed title takes a new spin on the turn-based action as seen from the company’s previous Persona and Shin Megami Tensei franchises. It’s a fight for the vacant throne in a twisting tale of democracy, power, and corruption that can easily last you upwards of 100 hours if you aim to complete everything.

Despite being released late in 2024, Metaphor: ReFantazio ranks among the best turn-based RPGs on Xbox Series X already, thanks to its stellar visuals, excellent main story, and captivating characters. The aptly named Protagonist is your main character, but there are also others to control, like Grius, Strohl, Junah, Epha, and Heismay. That’s to say nothing of the Follower side quests and other side missions you can go on to deepen your relationships with the roster, too.

4. Dead Space (2023)

After a full decade of dormancy, the Dead Space series came back in top form with a ground-up remake of the first game in the franchise. Developed by EA Motive, Dead Space is a faithful recreation of the 2008 cult classic survival horror hit, armed with some intelligent changes to the physics, level design, bosses, and weapons, which make the 2023 version the definitive way to play.

Dead Space (2023) is an easy contender for the best horror games on Xbox Series X, on a platform that has no shortage of scares, either. One of the biggest additions over the original is the implementation of Isaac Clarke’s voice actor, Gunnar Wright, who reprises his roles from Dead Space 2 and Dead Space 3. Clarke was famously mute in the original, with little in the way of ingenuity or initiative. Now, with a voice, he is an active participant in the events of the story, leading to a far stronger narrative throughline than the “go here, do this” structure of the 2008 game.

Of course, Dead Space (2023) has incredible visuals that really show off the power of the Xbox Series X, especially when enabling ray tracing, which makes the contrast of light and dark even more menacing. You’ll never quite know exactly when a Necromorph will emerge from the shadows, adding to the tension. Combined with the “peeling system”, which shows real-time damage and deformation of enemies, you have one of the most gripping survival horror games on Xbox yet.

3. Tekken 8

Simply put, Tekken 8 is the best fighting game on Xbox Series X. The franchise may have its roots in PlayStation. However, the latest entry looks and plays exceptionally well on Microsoft’s latest console. This entry is exclusive to ninth-generation console hardware and powered by Unreal Engine 5 for incredible graphics and effects combined with a rock-solid 60fps framerate. What’s more, the game supports crossplay, so you can jump on with your friends (or go up against strangers) regardless of their platform of choice. 

Tekken 8 features two complete story modes to go through, The Dark Awakens and Unforgettable Echoes, so there’s a wealth of content for single-player gamers as well. In tandem with a detailed practice mode, Arcade Quest, and even the return of Tekken Ball, you have one of the most feature-packed fighters on the platform. It’s not the easiest fighting game to get to grips with, owing to its expansive moves list and 3D range of movement, but it’s worth learning for anyone who wants an engaging and consistently exciting experience.

2. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

It’s no secret that Cyberpunk 2077 was severely problematic at launch and on consoles for several years after its release. CD Projekt Red had spent several years delivering hotfixes and sweeping patch updates to create a now-definitive shooter/RPG on the platform. The Ultimate Edition includes not only the base game (which itself will take you upwards of 30 hours) but also the highly-received Phantom Liberty expansion as well (another 20 or so hours).

The main story of Cyberpunk 2077 is consistently thrilling and immersive. You play as V, a small-time mercenary in Night City who must make a name for themselves by any means necessary. After a failed heist, you’re lumbered with the engram (a personality construct) of long-dead rocker-turned-terrorist Johnny Silver (portrayed by Keanu Reeves) in a tangled twisting tale to save your life. It’s one of the best Xbox Series X games of all time.

Where Cyberpunk 2077 excels most is in its jaw-dropping level of detail, which is present and accounted for on the Xbox Series X; you can even enjoy the game with ray tracing functionality, too. Driving around Night City in the latest cars and motorcycles never gets old; there’s always a story around the corner and people to meet. Whether that’s completing all the gigs to earn enough Eddies for the latest augments at the Ripper Doc or building a minimalist character that prefers traditional firepower.

You have full freedom of choice in how you play; the only question is, do you opt for the quiet life or go out in a blaze of glory?

1. Elden Ring

FromSoftware’s games are renowned for their rewarding level of challenge, and the same is true of Elden Ring. With that said, the Japanese company’s newest effort takes the previously linear formula to the open world, giving you the freedom to go wherever you want and take on challenges as you see fit. This commitment to non-linearity, coupled with satisfying combat mechanics and traversal, makes Elden Ring the definitive Xbox Series X game in 2024.

While there are over a dozen main Elden Ring bosses, you’ll likely encounter many more as you make your way through the Lands Between. Whether this means taking on early-game foes in Limgrave, such as the Tree Sentinel, Stonedigger Troll, or Mad Pumpkin Head, or making a beeline to the critical path, all play styles are equally valid as it’s your adventure ultimately.

The different classes you choose will determine your Elden Ring experience. You can go in as a Warrior, a Samurai, or a Vagabond, or try something different as a Prisoner, Confessor, Wretch, or Astrologer. There’s an in-depth character creator to build the right protagonist. That’s all to say nothing of the beloved Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, which adds anywhere from 25 to 50 hours onto an already (likely) 100+ hour experience. If you buy one game for your Xbox Series X and want a compelling challenge, make it this one.

The post The best Xbox Series X games we played in 2024 appeared first on ReadWrite.

Finding out how to use Discord on Xbox Series X is nice and easy and typically ready to go in around 30 seconds. We’re showing you how to get set up, the features available in Discord, and going over the advantages and (potential) disadvantages of the audio app when compared to the standard Xbox Live party chat in 2024.

How to use Discord on Xbox Series X

• Power on your Xbox Series X
• Press the Xbox button to open the guide
• Go to Profile & System, then Settings
• Open Account and find Linked social accounts
• Press Discord and then Link
• Authorize from the mobile app or web browser
• You’re now ready to use Discord on Xbox Series X

There are multiple ways to authorize Discord on Xbox Series X, such as linking accounts directly from the app without having to turn your console on. In order to do this, you just need to open the Discord app, Add a new connection, select Xbox, and then Authorize accounts, which will link the app to your Xbox account, too. The process is identical when opening up Discord on the website if you would rather not go through multiple platforms.

How to join a Discord call on Xbox Series X

Once you’ve set up Discord on Xbox Series X, you’ll be able to use the software as natively as you would with the standard Xbox Live party chat. To join (or start) a Discord call from the console, all you need to do is press the Xbox button on your controller, open the guide, go to Parties & chats, and then select Discord. From there, you’ll be able to jump into a server and then any relevant voice channels. Alternatively, you can call any of your friends (or people on the server) individually. 

Alternatively, you can transfer a Discord call from the desktop app, web browser, or mobile app onto the Xbox Series X if you want to keep an existing voice chat going. You’ll need to enable remote features in order to do this, but it only takes a moment too. Press the Xbox button to open the guide, go to Profile & system, find Settings, open Device & connections, then press Remote Features. Simply select Enable Remote Features and make sure your console is set to Sleep under the power options. If sleep mode isn’t enabled, you won’t be able to use the remote features when transferring Discord calls. 

Now that we’ve gone over how to join and transfer Discord calls from Xbox Series X, it’s time to learn how to leave a call or drop out from a voice channel, and this couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is press the Xbox button to open the guide, go to Parties & chats, open Discord, and then press Disconnect. It’s nice and straightforward and works seamlessly with the console. 

What can you do with Discord on Xbox Series X?

There are many advantages to using Discord on Xbox Series X over the in-built Xbox Live party chat that you need to know. For a start, you can only speak to up to 16 people at a time through the built-in chat; however, with Discord, that can increase to up to 100 people. That means if you’re playing a massively multiplayer game, you’ll be able to chat with more friends all in one place, too. 

As you may infer, Discord on Xbox allows you to join voice calls with your friends list and anyone from the servers you’ve joined, whereas the standard Xbox Party Chat limits you only to people who are playing on the same console ecosystem as you. For crossplay games, this can be a huge improvement as you can all talk together regardless of the platform. Considering more and more multiplayer Xbox games these days have crossplay (but not built-in cross-platform VOIP), Discord can be a big help. 

Additionally, you can use Discord on Xbox Series X to stream gameplay to your friends (or server-wide) straight from the console. All you need to do is select Stream your game from the server or DM, which will broadcast a video stream to the server if you all want to watch it together. The quality is respectable at 720p and 30fps for free users. However, Discord Nitro subscribers will be able to stream in 1080p at 60fps, which is much higher quality. With that said, you will need to be a paying member to have access to this upgrade. 

It is also argued that Discord has a higher audio call quality than the standard Xbox Party Chat with the controls you’ll be familiar with on the desktop and mobile app, including noise gates for the microphones to minimize background noise and more sophisticated settings for audio balancing users. We’ve gone over how to set Discord up on Xbox Series, why you should, and the benefits of it. It’s now easier than ever in 2024 to chat and stream with friends.

The post How to use Discord on your Xbox Series X console appeared first on ReadWrite.

As the year draws to a close, a few must-play games of 2024 might have slipped under your radar. The festive season is the perfect time to catch up on the best games you missed out on.

These games offer the highest quality experience available; whether it’s robust game mechanics, stunning graphics, or just a well-written story that tugs at your heartstrings. With the winter sales in full effect, there is no better time to pick up some great games at knockdown prices.

So we present the five best games that you most likely haven’t played this year, but definitely should and wished you picked up sooner. The following is in no particular order and has been made in consideration of a range of platforms and genres.

Best underrated games

Another Crab’s Treasure

Release Date: April 25, 2024

Cost: $29.99

Available platforms: Xbox, Steam, PlayStation, Nintendo

Another Crab’s Treasure is one of the most charming souls-like games worth playing in 2024, but don’t let its colorful style fool you. The game is no less challenging than its peers, combining the iconic melee combat pioneered by FromSoftware with RPG exploration. Players can collect various shells and weapons to create builds that suit their preferred playstyle, offering extensive customization. Xbox players can look forward to accessing this title with a Game Pass subscription, but everyone else can still get in on the underwater adventure for a reasonable price.

Metaphor: ReFantazio

Release Date: October 11, 2024

Cost: $69.99

Available platforms: Steam, PlayStation, Xbox

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a turn-based RPG with a twist, combining the best aspects of strategy and action in an anime-themed AAA experience. Out of all the games to make The Game Awards nominations, Metaphor: ReFantazio was a game many weren’t familiar with. The medieval fantasy tells the story of an orphaned boy in his quest to become the next king of the game’s main setting – Euchronia. With an expansive cast of characters based on magical archetypes, the game boasts scale in terms of content and combat depth. If you’re looking for an open-world RPG to lose yourself into in 2025, then Metaphor: ReFantazio might just be the title you’ve been looking for.

Frostpunk 2

Release Date: September 20, 2024

Cost: $44.99

Available platforms: Steam, Xbox

Frostpunk 2 is the long-anticipated sequel to the classic narrative-driven city builder, which became available day one on Game Pass. It is a title that combines the best elements of city building with survival mechanics, creating an emotionally charged experience where every decision counts. Its complex systems, from oil management to moral dilemmas, make Frostpunk 2 stand out as a must-play game in 2024 and beyond.

An announcement has been made for a PlayStation release, but an exact date has yet to be confirmed at the time of writing this article.

Balatro

An announcement has been made that the game will eventually be released on PlayStation, but an exact date has yet to be confirmed.

Release Date: February 20, 2024

Cost: $14.99

Available platforms: Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, iOS and Android

Balatro is on the cheaper end of this list, but also one of the most underrated games in 2024. This poker-themed roguelike blends deck-building with strategy, rewarding you with powerful cards the longer you survive. Strategically choosing cards, combining effects, and adapting to randomized elements never gets old. Balatro is a must-play game that provides enough variety, challenge, and satisfaction to make any playthrough worthwhile; making it ideal for quick sessions or extended play. If you aren’t one of the millions who have become addicted to it so far, now is as good a time as any.

Animal Well

Release Date: February 20, 2024

Cost: $24.99

Available platforms: Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo

Animal Well was the first major game released by influencer-led publisher – Bigmode. The game emphasizes non-linear exploration in a mysterious, interconnected world as players strive to solve a series of environmental puzzles. It’s a title that features stunning pixelated visuals that combine retro charm with modern sensibilities. It offers a meditative yet engaging experience that stands out as one of the best indie games in 2024, and a solid debut title for Big Mode as a gaming publisher.

Plenty more await

2024 has been a pretty decent year for games so there are plenty out there that didn’t make this top five, but if we had to choose, these are the ones we say you should head for first.

The post The Top Five games you missed this year – you still have time to play them appeared first on ReadWrite.

While the PS5 doesn’t natively let you play PS3 games by inserting a disc or downloading versions from the PlayStation Store, you can play nearly 400 games via the PlayStation Plus Premium’s game streaming service.

There are some heavy hitters from the third-generation PlayStation console available to stream now, so deciding on just a handful isn’t easy. 

To cut through the confusion, we’ve rounded up the 10 best PS3 games you can play on your PS5 in 2024, which incorporates top-tier titles from PlayStation’s history. We have excluded games that have been remastered or remade for the PS4 and PS5 generations, as they are easier to play natively.

There’s no option to download the PS3 games, but you’re going to need a respectable internet connection to ensure smooth gameplay.

Best PS3 games to play on PS5 in 2024

10. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

The Castlevania series has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years thanks to the popular Netflix anime series, and you can play one of the best modern entries in the franchise on PlayStation Plus Premium right now. This Castlevania game puts you in the shoes of Gabriel Belmont, who must defeat the titular Lords of Shadow to bring back his dead wife. The melee combat here is the main focus, being more linear in nature than the sprawling adventure titles seen previously (such as Symphony of the Night and Rondo of Blood before it). 

The story of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is consistently entertaining, with good voice acting and a few surprising twists and turns which will keep you hooked. Set in an alternative timeline, this franchise entry isn’t afraid to mess with the established canon and show events from a new perspective for series veterans, too.

The bosses and character designs are amazing, too; you’ll never forget the first time you face off against Satan, Titan, or the Necromancer. These three encounters alone are worth playing through by themselves.

9. The Darkness

Loosely based on the comic book series of the same name, The Darkness is an absolutely brutal and thrilling first-person shooter that incorporates dark psychological powers into the mix. You play as Jackie Estacado, a young hitman for the Mafia who gets betrayed by members of his family and has his girlfriend die in front of his eyes. This unleashes his inner darkness powers, manifesting as two huge tentacles for him to seek revenge. 

While the narrative is simple and straightforward, the core enjoyment of playing The Darkness comes from the amount of destruction you can cause with your newfound power. Impaling people, ripping out hearts, and using black holes never gets old.

The game is a little clunky by today’s standards and fairly drab graphically, but it delivers an FPS experience that we just don’t get any more in 2024. A remaster has been rumored for years, but until then, this is the best way to play the original.

8. MotorStorm Apocalypse

MotorStorm Apocalypse is one of the best racing games on the PS3, and it’s such a shame it was the last mainline entry in the franchise before it went dormant in 2012.

The fourth game in the series dialed the extremity up to 11 with dozens of vehicles you could ride/drive, from dirt bikes, ATVs, buggies, rally cars, trucks, choppers, supercars, and superbikes. As the name implies, it’s (seemingly) the end of the world, and that’s reflected in how the tracks are handled. 

Destruction is all around you as the terrain breaks as you race on it. MotorStorm Apocalypse comprises 10 main tracks, such as BoardWalk, Good Herb, Terminus, and Skyline. However, there are two to four different versions of these maps that can show different variants; you could drive it in reverse, see new routes emerge borne of destruction, etc.

It’s a really fun and satisfying racer and one you should try out if you’re a PlayStation Plus Premium subscriber.

7. Mega Man 9

Mega Man 9 saw the series go back to its roots after years of so-so entries. It was released back in 2008 at a time when the Blue Bomber was primarily in handheld RPGs for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. Coming a staggering 11 years after Mega Man 8, this game returned to the classic NES 8-bit inspired art style (complete with corresponding cover art) for one of the best adventures you can play through. 

Mega Man 9 features some of the best boss fights in the series and marks the first time a female antagonist was seen with Splash Woman making an appearance. There’s also the fearsome Magma Man, the stone-cold Concrete Man, and the mind-bending Galaxy Man to contend with, too.

The level design here is truly top-tier, and the music is thrilling and consistently memorable. It’s well worth booting up if you missed it when it first debuted.

6. Saint’s Row 2

Arguably the best open-world game on the PS3, Saint’s Row 2 was a massive improvement over its predecessor (a fairly straight-bat GTA clone), which leaned more into the over-the-top action without sacrificing the narrative grit. The game kicks out exactly where the previous entry’s ending cliffhanger left off; the recruit had become the boss and was then blown up and presumed dead. Well, they’re not, and it’s up to you to make up for lost time to reclaim your vice-like grip on Stilwater. 

Whereas Grand Theft Auto 4 had taken the open-world genre into gritty realism, Saint’s Row 2 wasn’t afraid to have fun with its formula.

This is evidenced by the abundance of side content you can partake in, including Demolition Derby, Crowd Control, Drag Trafficking, and the fan-favorite Insurance Fraud. That’s to say nothing of the gripping 20-hour story, as the Boss, alongside main stays Johnny Gat and Shaundi, build street cred to fight back against their rivals: The Brotherhood, Westside Rollerz, Vice Kings, and The Ronin.

5. The Sly Collection

Instead of a single game, the Sly Collection sees a trilogy of releases available to stream via PlayStation Plus Premium, and it’s definitely worth it.

The three games included are Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, Sly 2 Band of Thieves, and Sly 3 Honor Among Thieves, which were remastered in HD for the first time. Unfortunately, they still haven’t been re-released for either the PS4 or PS5, making this the best way to play the original series. 

It’s debated which is the best Sly Cooper game in the collection (some will argue it’s either the second or third entry), but with them all here in one package, you don’t have to choose.

There are around 35 hours of content here (combining the three games), which means you’ll have a full week (or more) to enjoy them. As with MotorStorm, the series has been on ice for over a decade, and Sony appears to have no plans to bring it back any time soon.

4. Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time

There’s no shortage of amazing Ratchet & Clank games released on PlayStation hardware, with the franchise still going strong with the latest entry, Rift Apart, for the PS5.

It’s debated which is the series best, but A Crack in Time is frequently listed at (or near) the top of the pack. That’s for good reason, too. This entry features some of the best weapons and the most creative level design, as Insomniac Games (which would later make Marvel’s Spider-Man) was at its peak in 2009. 

The third game in the Ratchet & Clank Future spin-off series following Tools of Destruction and Quest for Booty, A Crack in Time, feels like an evolved form of everything that came before, with exciting combat and the most ambitious story seen at that point. It involves Clank being kidnapped by Zoni on the orders of Dr. Nefarious, as Ratchet must go on a galaxy-spanning adventure to find him.

3. Fallout: New Vegas

You’ll have Heartaches By The Number once the credits roll on Fallout: New Vegas for the first time. Obsidian’s 2010 masterpiece took the groundwork laid by Bethesda’s 2008 Fallout 3 and injected more of the off-kilter identity seen in the original InterPlay and Black Isle Studios games. You play as the Courier, on your knees overlooking a shallow grave in the middle of the Mojave just outside of New Vegas, and must recover the Platinum Chip that is stolen from you. 

With that said, you don’t necessarily have to do this, nor do you have to chase Benny (your executioner) down and take revenge. That’s the beauty of Fallout: New Vegas, and it has a level of player freedom that is simply not seen in many RPGs, even in 2024.

The story continues forth regardless of what you do, which alliances you make, who you kill, etc. If you’re sick and tired of having your hand held through an adventure, then you’ll want to give this classic a shot.

2. InFamous

Released at the start of the modern superhero boom, InFamous was a very different take to your usual story of good triumphing over evil. You play as Cole MacGrath, a courier who accidentally unleashes the power of the ray sphere and dooms Empire City as it plummets into crime. He awakes, realizing he is a conduit, able to control electricity, and must balance his morality to either become a force for good or flip the script and become a scourge on the city. 

The black-and-white morality system is at the heart of InFamous as you make choices throughout the story. Do you help people or use them as living, breathing batteries? It’s a novel concept, but it ties into the overarching themes of responsibility and heroism.

The game also features an incredible parkour system as you can climb buildings and run around the city; it’s not quite as fast or over-the-top as Prototype (released around the same time) but still very satisfying to do. The franchise continued with the equally good InFamous 2 on PS3 and the surprisingly dark expansion, Festival of Blood, too.

1. God of War HD

While God of War still exists on the PS4 and PS5 generations, the new version of Kratos (and the gameplay in general) is a radical departure from the series’ original identity.

Nowadays, the saga takes place in Norse mythology with cinematic action; the first game from 2005 was more of a spectacle fighter with puzzle-solving elements as the Ghost of Sparta must defeat Ares, the God of War, to get revenge on the deity for tricking him into killing his own family. 

It’s dark and regularly unflinching with some larger-than-life boss encounters, which makes the first God of War game stand out among the spectacle fighter crowd. Kratos isn’t the tender and caring soul we see in the 2018 game or its 2022 sequel, Ragnarok. Instead, he’s a brash and bullish man of sheer force who can (and will) destroy everything and everyone in his way.

The first game sees him tangle with not only Ares but also Hydra, Cerberus, and even Medusa. With remasters rumored for years yet to materialize, this is the best way to play the first game in 2024.

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It’s a little over a year since we brought Readwrite Gaming to life here at Readwrite.com. In the 13 months that have passed we have written thousands of pages and had millions and millions of views., breaking news stories, helpful and timely guides as well as the latest gossip from an industry that has, at times, seemed in real trouble for a second year running.

The year that was 2024

That we now accept swingeing layoffs as the norm is not right, because money is still being made by the bucketload by game’s publishers, let’s not kid ourselves. We, as game journalists, should not be held responsible for teams getting the boot, simply because of an average review score.

Nor has it been easy for the games journalism sides of things. Google has been Google and outright destroyed many good sites’ rankings, leading to plunging ad revenue and leading nervous boardrooms to chop entire workforces at a moment’s notice. And that’s before we talk about AI writers taking over the world. Enjoy that.

Hopefully, the 2025 version of this story will be a little different from this one (and indeed last year’s) but I am not holding my breath.

Despite the setbacks the games industry has still managed to crank out some amazing games this year and this article is a salute to the teams that worked and worked, often under stressful circumstances to produce something marvelous. Let’s have a look at some of those achievements before we give out our gongs for 2024.

2024’s worthy mentions

There have been some marvelous games in 2024 as well as games that caught the attention out of nowhere. Here’s a quick rundown of some that made us look twice.

Palworld

The year started with a surprise and controversy. Palworld’s carefree disregard of Nintendo and its Pokemon created havoc, with millions of sales and dubious mods, all while Nintendo’s legal eagles glared down from above, ultimately making their move later in the year, long after Palworld had raked in bazillions of dollars. Underneath that janky initial build was a game that PC players hadn’t been able to play before, never having really been treated to anything quite so like Pokemon before. To say Palworld was just PC Pokemon does it a great disservice though.

It took the best bits of Pokemon and mixed them with the best bits of PC Gaming (er, guns) and captured early 2024’s imagination.

Infinite Craft

At the same time as Pocketpair was making a fortune, a wacky web dev called Neal.fun was watching his Infinite Craft ‘game’ take over browsers all over the world. Dragging boxes onto boxes to make new boxes is an oversimplification, but such was the drive for people to be the first to make new discoveries, and also Donald Trump and Taylor Swift, people just couldn’t stop playing it. It was the ultimate time bandit. And it was plain weird.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

A real tail end Charlie for the end of 2024. The new Indy game made us hark back to the fantastic first couple of movies and, for some of us, remember our childhoods. Super gameplay, puzzles, and looks made the end of the year so much better.

Balatro

A card game? As a game-of-the-year contender? Baltro sold by the bucketload, got people out and out addicted (without the danger of losing money), and swept all before it when it came to just out-and-out playability. If Vampire Survivors took that crown last year, Balatro’s stunning success did it for 2024.

Readwrite’s Gaming’s Games of the Year

We have picked two to get the final gongs. The reason partly being because both games only appeared on their native formats so it seemed unfair to give a PC title game of the year when no console owner could play it. And vice versa with our console choice.

Somehow in all of this Xbox still got left out, but it kinda brought it on itself really with a very strange year.

Console Game of the Year – Astrobot

What a game. If there was a game you currently need to buy a PlayStation for it’s Astobot. It oozes developer love from the second you boot it up. It’s charming, cute, and oh-so-playable. Astrobot scooped the overall Game of the Year at The Game Awards and it’s hard to argue, even if it was slightly more contentious than 2023’s Baldur’s Gate III.

Astrobot is everything a truly great console game should be – including not being able to play it on PC. A remarkable game.

PC Game of the Year – Satisfactory

Boy, oh boy, what a game again. It had been in Early Access development for five years so you could argue it’s not new, but 2024 saw it release its V1 and it scooped the best PC Game at the Golden Joysticks and it just blew up from there.

Taking the genius of Factorio and making it accessible and great-looking was a huge undertaking. The story fit perfectly and the character of your trusty computer sidekick ADA was just perfect. I don’t get as much time to put into games as I once did but the 400 hours I have in Satisfactory in the last few months are a testament to how little attention I have paid my family.

Satisfactory is a magnificent PC game and deserves every ounce of its success.

And on to 2025. Happy New Year.

The post And… Readwrite’s Game of the Year is… appeared first on ReadWrite.

Starlink has been confirmed as the provider of a landmark coverage milestone in collaboration with New Zealand’s One NZ. 

The telecoms provider claims it is the first company in the world to operate a national satellite text message service via Starlink. 

SpaceX’s satellite-to-cell offering has several partners across the globe, including T-Mobile in the U.S. and others in Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Peru, and Switzerland. 

The breakthrough in coverage is notable but it has to be pointed out that there are limitations to the service. SMS contacts can be sent and received within three minutes, but One NZ has warned the timeframe could increase to “10 minutes or longer” during the initial stages of the rollout. 

Another early issue is that only four phone models are supported at present. They are the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and OPPO Find X8 Pro. 

Further support is expected to be introduced in 2025 as the service evolves.

Voice calls and data to follow, says One NZ

Joe Goddard, One NZ’s Commercial Director said, “We continue to test the capabilities of One NZ Satellite TXT, and this is an initial service that will get better. For example, text messages will take longer to send but will get quicker over time.”

“We’re beginning with a small number of phones as part of the staggered rollout of the technology, and critically, from today customers can send and receive text messages only, but in the future, we expect voice calling and data to also be available, ” he added.

The One NZ satellite text service will be free of charge to customers on existing pay-monthly plans, while the company has not yet indicated if there will be additional specific charges for new customers or those on other tariffs to avail of the satellite-to-phone connection.

In September, Starlink hit the four million customers mark, with a million gained since the end of May alone.

Image credit: Via Midjourney

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Apple is said to have commenced discussions with Tencent Holdings and ByteDance to deliver its Apple Intelligence service to mainland China. 

As initially reported by Reuters, the approach to the Chinese heavyweights is necessary as Apple is required to work with a local AI model provider to make the expansion happen.

With the talks said to be at an early stage, a conclusion is not yet in sight, but there is likely to be plenty of interest in the lucrative contract. 

The Chinese market is very busy, populated with several AI providers, including Baidu. 

It has partnered with Apple but obstacles have appeared in the way of progress, with Baidu’s LLMs experiencing issues with prompts and accuracy in response to ordinary queries. To eradicate certain problems and boost AI performance, the company wanted access to user data, but that would violate Apple’s privacy policy.

iPhones searching for AI breakthrough in China

The ongoing difficulty in adding AI tech to iPhones in China will have a significant impact on sales in the country if a workaround is not reached relatively soon. The US tech giant is already witnessing a declining market share in China which it will be keen to arrest, but the absence of key AI features on its devices is a contributing factor. 

In the third quarter, iPhone sales in China dropped 0.3% which contrasts sharply with the 42% spike in Huawei’s sales for the same period, as outlined by research company IDC. 

This comes after a successful 2023 in China, for Apple.

The September launch of the iPhone 16 in the world’s biggest smartphone market was undermined due to the lack of headline AI features.

In the US, Apple has been able to roll out iPhones powered with ChatGPT but the OpenAI service is not authorized for use in China.

Image credit: Via Midjourney

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MicroStrategy may have to stop buying ever more Bitcoin (BTC) as rumors suggest that the firm is amid a blackout period, which is preventing it from issuing shares or convertible debt.

Publicly traded companies often self-impose these kinds of blackout periods and restrict some financial activities to comply with regulations or avoid attracting regulatory attention. Popular venture capitalist and Framework Ventures founder Vance Spencer claimed that MicroStrategy is going through this kind of limitations right now in a recent X post:

“Saylor has a blackout period all of Jan.”

Spencer claims that MicroStrategy cannot issue any new convertible notes to buy more Bitcoin. He sees it like a switch for liquidity to move from Bitcoin to altcoins:

“[MicroStrategy] goes for it through Dec 31 and then alt season.”

The details

MicroStrategy is a publicly traded business intelligence company founded in 1989 that pivoted to acquire as much Bitcoin as possible in 2020. The company now holds well over 1% of all Bitcoin that will ever exist, and is now well underway to get its hands on 2%.

The company recently acquired its first Bitcoin at over $100,000. According to reports from earlier this week, acquired 15,350 Bitcoin for $1.5 billion at an average price of $100,386 per BTC and achieved a Bitcoin yield of 46.4% quarter to date and 72.4% year to date. The company now holds 439,000 BTC.

The announcement follows a recent Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing by MicroStrategy revealing that the firm acquired about 21,550 BTC for approximately $2.1 billion between Dec. 2 and Dec. 8. The filing reads:

“The Bitcoin purchases were made using proceeds from the issuance and sale of shares under the sales agreement.”

This is true of most of the capital that MicroStrategy used to satisfy its Bitcoin habit. For this reason, news about the imminent absence of the firm’s regular investments into the world’s first cryptocurrency is important in the space if it ends up being confirmed.

The post MicroStrategy may stop hoarding Bitcoin amid blackout allegations appeared first on ReadWrite.

Sony Group has confirmed it is now the largest single shareholder in Kadokawa, in an investment deal worth around 50 billion yen ($320 million). 

The agreement will increase Sony’s holding in the Japanese media conglomerate to 10%, with both entities signing a “strategic capital and business alliance” to pursue further collaboration for mutual benefit.

The deal with the parent company of FromSoftware puts a full takeover on hold, which it was reportedly open to. Sony is said to be keen to exploit opportunities around anime and video games, while a full takeover would have cost more than 10 times the amount it has shelled out for its 10% stake.

Hiroki Totoki, President, COO, and CFO of the Sony Group Corporation said: 

“Through this capital and business alliance, we will become the largest shareholder of Kadokawa, which consistently creates a wide variety of IP, including publications and books, such as light novels and comics, as well as games and anime.”

He added the agreement would see the companies “work closely together” as part of separate, but aligned aspirations. 

Takeshi Natsuno, CEO of Kadokawa Corporation stated, “This alliance is expected to not only further strengthen our IP creation capabilities, but also increase our IP media mix options with Sony’s support for global expansion, allowing us to deliver our IP to more users around the world.” 

Sony is now the largest shareholder in KADOKAWA after acquiring 12M+ new shares, now holding 10% of the company shares pic.twitter.com/Hy5IA5VOyu

— ScreenTime (@screentime) December 19, 2024

Shared interests in anime and scope for growth

Although the announcement was light on the finer details of the enhanced partnership, there was a mention of adapting Kadokawa’s IP into live-action films and TV shows, as well as developing anime, which would utilize Sony’s vast entertainment portfolio capability.

There is plenty of scope for growth and potential success with Kadokawa’s business interests fitting nicely into Sony’s entertainment offerings including anime, manga, TV, and film. 

Kadokawa – which suffered a malicious cyberattack earlier this year – is already a significant publisher of anime, while Sony is the owner of anime streamers Crunchyroll and Funimation.

Sony and Kadokawa have a further shared interest in the prospects of FromSoftware, as the former holds a 14% minority stake, while the latter is the majority owner with around 70% of the video game developer.

Image credit: Via Midjourney

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The Nintendo Switch boasts a plethora of titles you can play on the go and on the couch for free. From whimsical platformers to expansive open world adventures, there’s an abundance of quality titles available without spending a dime.

These top-rated Nintendo Switch games warrant owning the multi-functional console, and can be played at no extra cost. Featuring classic characters that stood the test of time, and new faces upholding Nintendo’s high-quality gaming.

This article goes over must have free Nintendo Switch games to play in 2024. The list takes multiple genres into consideration and is in no particular order.

Best Free Nintendo Switch Games: A Top 10 List

10. Pokemon Unite

Release Date: July 21, 2021

Platforms: Switch, iOS, Android

As one of the most popular franchises ever created, Pokemon spans beyond its iconic turn-based formula. Pokemon Unite is the moba entry to the series, where instead of destroying towers players gather points called Aeos energy to deposit in enemy goal zones.

The characters you play as evolve as you progress through the match, unlocking new and more powerful abilities to eliminate the opposition. The game encourages roles such as attacker, defender, speedster, supporter, and all-rounder. The roles themselves are tailored to Pokémon’s strengths, but there’s less rigidity compared to traditional MOBAs.

Pokemon Unite is one of the best multiplayer Switch games available for free, and can be enjoyed by players of all ages.

9. Fortnite

Release Date: July 21, 2017

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation 

Fortnite has quickly become the most popular game globally, in large part due to its free price tag. The battle royale genre has taken the playerbase by storm, and Fortnite itself has helped influence many recent titles seeking to cash in on the live-service craze.

What makes Fortnite so popular is its seasonal model, regularly adding updates to keep the game from feeling stale. There are also a variety of collaborative skins and events that happen in-game, such as the upcoming Messi collaboration. 

There are also an abundance of other modes available in Fortnite if battle royale isn’t to your liking, such as the newly updated LEGO Fortnite mode.

Fortnite is available on the Nintendo Switch, however players will need to have Nintendo Switch online if they wish to access its multiplayer features.

8. Fall Guys

Release Date: August 4, 2020

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation

Fall Guys is the party royale game to play. Players compete in a game show by navigating through a series of courses to claim the crown. There are a variety of elaborate courses to learn to master as you compete against the rest of the lobby in a race to the finish.

The game also includes a custom mode where players can create their own courses and share with others online, making them as difficult or chaotic as they please.

Fall Guys is free to download as one of the top rated Nintendo Switch games to play. Players can purchase collaborative skins and victory emotes through the in-game shop, allowing players to dress up as some of their favorite characters.

7. Overwatch 2

Release Date: August 10, 2023

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation 

Despite the lack of a promised PVE campaign, Overwatch 2 is still going strong with seasonal updates. The iconic hero shooter is free to download on the Nintendo Switch, where players can get their hands on the latest Scottish tank hero – Hazard.

Overwatch is a popular first person shooter with MOBA mechanics, encouraging teamwork with damage, tank, and support heroes. it boasts a current roster of 42 international heroes battling it out in 5v5 formats. Players have fallen in love with the unique skill sets of each hero and their unique lore profile, on top of an abundance of cosmetic skins to boot.

Overwatch 2 still remains a popular Switch game despite it shortcomings. New players can look forward to a plethora of content to explore and master upon loading the game.

6. Dauntless

Release Date: September 26, 2019

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation

Dauntless is a solid live service alternative for those who want to experience the Monster Hunter magic without paying the AAA price tag. Dauntless boasts a variety of colourful Behemoths to hunt in order to obtain powerful gear and weapons.

The game is constantly getting updated with new events and behemoths to take down, all of which you can enjoy with friends online. It supports cross-platform gameplay, so friends can play together regardless of their device

Its straightforward systems and accessibility features make it one of the easier monster hunting games to play for both casual and experienced gamers to enjoy.

5. Apex Legends

Release Date: February 4, 2019

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation 

Apex Legends combines elements of both hero shooters and battle royales into one complete package – all for free. The game has a diverse roster of legends, each of whom are divided into unique classes based one their specific abilities. For example recon legends gather intel on enemy positions, while controllers bunker down and defend a position by laying down traps.

Respawn entertainment regularly releases updates for Apex Legends, some of which has ties to Titanfall lore. New legends, maps, modes, and skins are released on a frequent basis as a live service.

If you enjoy fast paced, first person hero shooter action, then Apex Legends might be a solid choice for you as a top rated Switch game.

4. Rocket League

Release Date: July 7, 2015

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation

Rocket League is a highly rated Switch game because of its unique gameplay premise, combining rocket paired racing with soccer. Race along walls or spiral through the air as your team tries to hit the ball in the enemy goal post.

If soccer isn’t to your liking, Rocket League also feature other sports such as basketball and hockey in limited time modes for all sports fans to enjoy.

The basic mechanics, like driving and hitting the ball, are straightforward, allowing newcomers to enjoy it right away. But advanced mechanics like aerials, dribbling, and flicks offer a skill ceiling that keeps players coming back to improve.

It’s a tough game to master, but one that’s incredibly satisfying and rewarding once you’re behind the wheel.

3. Brawlhalla

Release Date: October 17, 2017

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, iOS, Android

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the best in its genre, but Brawlhalla is a great free option for those looking to scratch that side scrolling beat ’em up itch. It supports cross-platform play, allowing players on PC, consoles, and mobile devices to compete seamlessly against each other.

The games itself offers a large roster of characters to play as, including skins and characters from other Ubisoft franchises as part of its collaborative updates. You can play as Ezio from Assassin’s creed, or the iconic Rayman himself.

Brawlhalla’s controls are intuitive and easy to learn, but the game offers significant depth for those who want to master it. The mechanics, like precise dodging, string combos, and weapon-specific skills, cater to both casual and competitive players.

2. Sky: Children of the Light

Release Date: July 18, 2019

Platforms: PC, Switch, PlayStation, iOS

Sky: Children of the Light is one of the best family friendly switch games to play in 2024. The game features breath-taking graphics with a focus on ethereal, dreamlike environments. From expansive skies to mystical caves, the art style creates an immersive, almost meditative experience.

The game is designed to be accessible to players of all ages and skill levels. Its intuitive controls and gentle difficulty curve allow casual players to enjoy it while still offering depth for more dedicated players. It’s still far from being a challenging game, opting for a more relaxing gameplay above all else.

There really isn’t a game like it available on the Nintendo Store, and it is free to boot. It’s a game worth installing to see for yourself, and its lack of an up front charge means you have nothing to lose.

1. Warframe

Release Date: March 25, 2013

Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox, PlayStation 

If you’ve ever wanted to see what all the fuss is about for looter shooters, Warframe is a great title to dive into on the Nintendo Switch. one of the most popular Nintendo Switch games available for free, there’s still a lot of content available for players who decide not to spend any cash.

Warframe is a fast paced third person shooter, with a parkour system that allows players to dash, slide, wall-run and glide across the map. Players can use a mix of melee, ranged, and ability-based combat, tailoring their playstyle to suit their preferences.

With over 50 unique Warframes available to earn, there’s a lot of replay value on offer. The developers, Digital Extremes, consistently release updates, including new Warframes, missions, and even open-world expansions. You’ll wan tot jump in ahead of the upcoming Warframe 1999 update coming in December, 2024.

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El Salvador has reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund over a $1.4 billion loan package that will see the Central American nation scale back its Bitcoin program. 

The funding package will be exchanged for a reduction in the country’s domestic Bitcoin activity, subject to final approval from the IMF executive board.  

The drawdown will come from the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility, over 40 months, in support of El Salvador’s reform agenda and in particular, to assist its balance of payment needs.

As detailed by the global financial institution, further funding will be provided by the World Bank and the Inter-American Developmental Bank, as well as other sources, to take the total support package beyond $3.5b.

“The potential risks of the Bitcoin project will be diminished significantly in line with Fund policies,” said the IMF statement.

“Legal reforms will make acceptance of Bitcoin by the private sector voluntary. For the public sector, engagement in Bitcoin-related economic activities and transactions in and purchases of Bitcoin will be confined.”

The IMF and the EL Salvador government have reached a staff-level agreement on a 40-month EFF arrangement to support the government's economic reforms. The agreement with is subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board. https://t.co/1GLjFsEhVl pic.twitter.com/M1U77Flz4f

— IMF (@IMFNews) December 18, 2024

Businesses no longer obliged to accept Bitcoin

Among the measures aimed at improving El Salvador’s economic stability, the IMF deal includes significant changes to Bitcoin’s role within the financial system. 

The digital currency will remain legal tender but this status appears to be undermined as businesses will no longer be obliged to accept it. This goes against Article 7 of El Salvador’s 2021 Bitcoin Law, which decreed that “Every economic agent must accept bitcoin as payment when offered to him by whoever acquires a good or service.”

In the public sector, the government has pledged to gradually reduce its participation in Bitcoin-related activity, including phasing out the state-managed public wallet, Chivo. 

Taxes will only be payable in U.S. dollars, which is another significant blow to Bitcoin’s widely acclaimed status in El Salvador.

As the price of Bitcoin topped $100,000 for the first time earlier this month, President Nayib Bukele welcomed the landmark, stating the value of the nation’s crypto holdings had more than doubled. 

In June 2021, Bukele was at the forefront as El Salvador became the first country to accept Bitcoin as legal tender in the name of financial inclusion, but this latest IMF deal represents a significant change in the country’s economic policy. 

Image credit: Via Ideogram

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With Gladiator II doing the rounds in movie theatres at the moment, there is renewed interest in all things Ancient Rome. One aspect that remains of great interest to many is the city of Pompeii – buried in the aftermath of an eruption of Mount Vesuvius and now part of Roman legend due to the historical significance of the site.

Pompeii: The Legacy takes place 20 years after the eruption in AD79 and puts you in charge of the rebuilding of Pompeii – something that never happened of course in real life.

As the head of a Roman family, you will oversee the reconstruction of Pompeii over several generations, making critical decisions that shape the city’s future. Your city is a dynamic, living system. Construct buildings, manage resources, and ensure your citizens have everything they need to thrive. Every structure, road, and water supply plays a crucial role in keeping the city alive and prosperous.

Infamy, infamy – they’ve all got it infamy

The game looks and sounds like a solid city builder but one that gets me more interested due to the Pompeii angle and you must make old Pompers rise from the ashes again while creating your own Roman dynasty in the process.

The Zagreb. Croatia-based solo dev working on the project is preparing a gameplay trailer as we speak and we are expecting a demo at next year’s June Steam Fest. You can of course wishlist the game on Steam right now to follow progress before you get your hands on things in the middle of next year.

City builders are constantly popular but sometimes struggle to find that little niche that makes them different from all the rest. Taking the real-life disaster in Pompeii and making it great once again might just be that thing.

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Creating compelling, impactful video content is now an essential skill for nearly all businesses. Visual storytelling has far more influence than most people realize, whether it’s done through marketing, entertainment, or across social media platforms.

Achieving success with video content creation requires a blend of technical proficiency, creative vision, and marketing strategy. Viewers must be engaged to give their attention, and the content needs to be convincing to get people to take action.

How to Create Impactful Video Content

Next time you create video content for your brand, use the following tips to maximize engagement and make your content more impactful.

1. Know your audience

Before you start, it’s crucial to define who you’re creating content for and what you’re aiming to achieve. For instance, do you want sales, signups, traffic, or just views? Understanding your market’s desires, needs, aversions, preferences, pain points, and viewing habits should be the driving factor behind every decision you make when creating content.

If you haven’t yet narrowed down your business’ target marketing, now is the time. You’ll never be able to craft compelling content – copy or video – if you don’t know who you’re trying to reach. That’s because the most compelling content is created to address a market’s specific desires, goals, and pain points.

You can’t reach people at a deep level with general content. For example, telling your audience, “We sell the highest quality socks in the world,” won’t do much to inspire sales. However, if you target athletes by saying, “Our socks wick moisture away from your feet to keep you dry and prevent blisters,” you’ll get some attention (and sales).

Keep this in mind when creating video content to drive traffic to your website. Traffic is a vanity metric unless it’s targeted. The only traffic that matters is from your ideal customer. When you know who your market is, you can tailor your video content to reach them, and you’ll get higher-quality visitors who are more likely to buy from you.

2. Use screen recording software

A good screen recorder should be at the top of your list of video content tools. When you create content that needs nuanced demonstrations or explanations, it can help to insert clips taken from a screen recorder. For example, if you’re trying to explain how customers can use the member’s area of your website with ease, it’s easier to record yourself taking those steps compared to trying to explain it all verbally. Most people will understand better with a visual example.

Video recording software is also excellent for adding information and instructions to webinars, presentations, and any other content designed to enhance understanding.

3. Capture attention within the first 5 seconds

The amount of time you have to capture a user’s attention will vary depending on the platform, so it’s best to aim for around five seconds. This will help your videos do well no matter where you publish them. Most people are going to be using a smartphone when they view your content, and if it’s posted to social media, they’ll be scrolling. If you can’t capture attention in five seconds, people will just keep scrolling.

There are some exceptions. For example, desktop users are sitting down at their computers and might be scrolling like mobile users, but they’re going to have a bit more patience. There’s also a chance that some desktop users will be more willing to engage with your video for a little longer to see what it’s all about.

Capturing attention can be as simple as using an attention-grabbing opening statement, an interesting visual, or asking a question that makes users want to keep watching.

4. Prioritize audio quality

Nothing will kill your video content efforts like poor audio. When people can’t hear what you’re saying, or if there are too many pops and muffled sounds, they’ll bounce. Fortunately, you can get a good microphone for a couple hundred bucks. It’s best to avoid mics under $50 because they won’t give you a crisp, clear sound. If they start off that way, it’s only a matter of time before they break.

If you’ve never invested in a good microphone before, start by learning the difference between a lavalier mic and a condenser mic. You may want to use both for different purposes, depending on where you record.

A side note about audio that can’t be stressed enough is having multiple microphones recording at the same time. This way, if your main microphone fails, you’ll have a secondary source of audio.

5. Master the art of pacing

The pace of your video content matters. While it may have been fine to just casually speak in front of the camera years ago, that’s not a good marketing strategy. You need to learn how to keep your content dynamic and pace it to hold attention. This requires varying your visuals, camera angles, and speaking tempo. If you go too slow for too long, you risk losing viewer interest. If your content is too fast, it can be overwhelming. Experiment to find the rhythm that best supports your core message.

6. Tell a good story

Every effective video will have a compelling story, including educational or instructional videos. Facts tell while stories sell. Even if you’re selling an educational product, you can still use stories to explain how it works and what results people can expect. Stories are how people connect emotionally to the world, and the better storyteller you are, the more success you’ll achieve.

7. Optimize video content for each platform

Each platform where you publish video content will have a different audience with unique needs. People don’t behave the exact same way everywhere online, and it’s critical to make video content that reflects this difference. For example, people expect short, concise video content on TikTok, but you can get away with posting longer videos on Facebook. Twitter’s algorithm doesn’t favor external links, and YouTube is ideal for publishing long-form video content.

Of course, if you’re using video content on your website or sales pages, you’ll want to optimize each video for your intended audience.

8. Create a clear call-to-action

Once you get people to watch your videos, you need to give clear instructions regarding what you want them to do next. This is done through a call-to-action (CTA) that tells viewers to do something, like subscribe, visit a website, make a purchase, or try something your video is suggesting.

Your CTA should be natural, clear, and direct. Don’t leave any room for confusion. Tell your audience exactly what action you want them to perform.

9. Invest in editing

Let’s face it: if you’re like most people, you probably don’t like editing your own video content. Whether it’s too tedious, time-consuming, or you don’t feel like you’re good at it, there are a ton of reasons why you’d shy away from editing. However, the process of editing content is important. You can remove bloopers, seamlessly cut out (some) mistakes, and give your videos an overall polished look and feel.

10. Add closed captions

Most video content lacks closed captions, and this would be a huge mistake to skip. Closed captions make videos accessible to people with hearing difficulties, and if you skip them, you’ll lose viewers. Ultimately, losing viewers means losing sales.

11.  Make use of video shorts

Most video platforms have an option to publish short-form videos, sometimes referred to as “stories.” This includes Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, among others. The short videos are typically displayed in a different area than regular videos. However, while these short videos remain accessible on YouTube, they disappear from Instagram and Facebook.

Once you have a decent audience, start publishing video shorts, even if you know they’ll just disappear. It’s a great way to engage your audience with short content that will leave them with a good impression of your brand. You can also use shorts to promote other content, sales, and products.

12. Use hashtags

Even though hashtags seem like they’re just trendy ways to state what your content is about, or make it searchable, they actually help video content rank. The algorithms on social media sites, like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, are designed to incorporate hashtags into ranking factors. There’s no hard rule about how many hashtags you should create per post, but don’t go overboard because too many tags might confuse the algorithm and make your content seem more generic. Keep your hashtags concise and related to your niche and target audience for the best results.

Transform your vision into engaging video content

Creating impactful video content is an ongoing process, and you’ll need to refine your tactics and methods as you learn what works best for your brand. If you’re new to video, remember that even the most successful content creators had to start from scratch.

Whether you’re making video content directly for an audience, or you’re using it for marketing purposes, when you apply the principles in this article, you’ll create videos that resonate with your intended audience.

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OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT can now be accessed through call or sending a WhatsApp text message, with the feature even able to be used on flip phones and landlines.

“You can now talk to ChatGPT by calling 1-800-ChatGPT (1-800-242-8478) in the U.S. or by sending a WhatsApp message to the same number—available everywhere ChatGPT is,” the company stated on X.

This comes as part of the ‘12 Days of OpenAI’ pre-Christmas celebrations, with each day revealing a new feature, update, or change.

You can now talk to ChatGPT by calling 1-800-ChatGPT (1-800-242-8478) in the U.S. or by sending a WhatsApp message to the same number—available everywhere ChatGPT is. pic.twitter.com/R0XOPut7Qw

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) December 18, 2024

Within the introduction of the announcement, the product lead said “the mission of OpenAI is to make artificial intelligence beneficial to all of humanity and part of that is making it as accessible as possible to as many people as we can…”

It’s only those in the United States who can call via the number, but all regions should be able to text through WhatsApp. To begin with, people in the US will get 15 minutes per month of voice calling.

“This is an experimental way to talk to ChatGPT, so availability and limits may change.

“For a fuller experience with access to more features like search, higher limits, and greater personalization, existing users should continue using ChatGPT directly through their accounts.”

How to call ChatGPT or text the chatbot through WhatsApp

To call OpenAI’s chatbot, the number is 1-800-242-8478 and can only be used by those in the US.

Once answered, a robotic voice will say hello and introduce themselves as ChatGPT – an AI system. It also states the conversation may be reviewed for safety, before jumping in to ask how it can help.

The chatbot tool can then respond to questions, queries, and general conversations like it does so online and through the app.

To reach it on WhatsApp, simply type in the number and it will work in the same way as the chatbot online does. Users can ask it questions through the message format and it will respond with the relevant answer and information.

Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram

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