Elon Musk’s AI Erroneously Asserts Deepfake Nudity Factory is Now Enclosed by a Subscription Fee

After weeks of uncertainty, Microsoft have finally revealed what their big Xbox business “reset” involves. Spoilers: it’s not great! CEO Asha Sharma has announced that they will lay off 3200 people over the course of their next financial year, beginning today with around 1600 redundancies. In addition, Microsoft are parting ways with five of their best-known studios: Psychonauts developers Double Fine, State of Decay developers Undead Labs, Senua developers Ninja Theory, South of Midnight developers Compulsion, and Dishonored developers Arkane.

Further details are few, but here are the broad strokes: Compulsion and Double Fine are going indie again, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs have found unnamed new owners. Arkane’s status is unclear: the studio’s bosses are currently haggling with a works council of employees over various “strategic options”.

Read more

### The Ambiguous Future of an Independent Venom Game by Insomniac Games

For years, the idea of an independent *Venom* game from Insomniac Games has captivated fans, especially considering the studio’s successful history with the *Spider-Man* series. With the launch of *Spider-Man 2*, which features a segment showcasing Venom as a playable character, speculation surrounding a distinct Venom title has grown stronger. Nonetheless, even with various hints and leaks regarding its creation, an independent Venom game has not been formally announced or launched.

#### Perspectives from Nadji Jeter

Nadji Jeter, the voice of Miles Morales, recently sparked discussions on this matter during an interview. He asserted that there were intentions for a Venom game and even a DLC featuring the character. According to Jeter, the project was under development until the demise of actor Tony Todd, who lent his voice to Venom in *Spider-Man 2*. He noted that he had viewed preliminary designs and the game’s intended direction, emphasizing the dedication to delivering a standalone Venom experience to gamers.

#### Conflicting Reports

However, this narrative has met with doubt. Jason Schreier from Bloomberg swiftly reacted to Jeter’s remarks, suggesting that the actor’s account of the cancellation was not entirely correct. Schreier’s observations created ambiguity regarding whether the independent Venom game was truly still in progress or if he was merely contesting the rationale for its potential cancellation.

#### Confidential Information

The roots of these discussions can be traced back to a cyber intrusion that took place in late December 2023, which disclosed that Insomniac had been developing a standalone Venom game for a significant time even before Todd’s passing. This leak included preliminary plans indicating a projected release window of 2025 for the game. Despite the setbacks and uncertainties surrounding its creation, the leaked information pointed to a standalone Venom title as part of a larger strategy to connect the story and gameplay between *Spider-Man 2* and the forthcoming *Spider-Man 3*.

#### Insomniac’s Upcoming Ventures

By early 2026, Insomniac Games is concentrating on upcoming projects, particularly *Marvel’s Wolverine*, scheduled for release in September. Although there seems to be no immediate information regarding a new *Spider-Man* venture or the standalone Venom game, speculation continues that Insomniac might revisit the concept in the future. The studio’s commitment to exploring a variety of other intellectual properties includes plans for *Ratchet and Clank* as well as a comprehensive *X-Men* game.

#### Summary

The destiny of an independent *Venom* game remains unclear as Insomniac Games balances multiple projects and confronts the complexities of video game development. While Nadji Jeter’s disclosures fueled speculation, the conflicting perspectives from credible industry sources imply that fans may need to exercise patience before witnessing Venom take the limelight in his own game. As Insomniac continues to innovate and broaden its narrative universes, the potential for a future Venom project cannot be completely dismissed.

### Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 Film *Ghost in the Shell*: A Cultural Milestone and Its Departure from the Manga

Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 film *Ghost in the Shell* is celebrated as one of the most impactful anime films ever created, shaping a generation of filmmakers that features prominent figures such as the Wachowskis, Steven Spielberg, and James Cameron. It has received praise for its complexity and artistic value but is also recognized for its departure from Masamune Shirow’s original 1989 manga. This divergence from the source material has ignited significant debate and humor among fans, especially as new adaptations are released.

### The Divergence Between Film and Manga

Numerous fans of *Ghost in the Shell* who were first introduced to the 1995 film have recognized its divergence from Shirow’s manga. Following adaptations, like *Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex* and *Ghost in the Shell: Arise*, preserved certain elements of the original while differing in character interpretation and thematic focus. This lack of adherence has fostered a recurring joke within the fandom; for example, newcomers to the manga frequently encounter the shocking revelations of its more daring content. Scenes depicting explicit sexual scenarios sharply contrast with the film’s serious and philosophical tone.

### Science Saru’s 2026 Adaptation: A Fresh Approach

The July 7, 2026 release of *The Ghost in the Shell* from Science Saru marks a notable shift from earlier adaptations. With a vibrant, quirky, and whimsical tone, this iteration has elicited mixed responses from fans only acquainted with the 1995 film. As anime fandom expands on platforms such as Reddit and X, many viewers who are anime-only have voiced confusion and discontent regarding the more light-hearted approach of Science Saru’s adaptation, claiming it “destroys” the serious tone established in earlier versions.

### Grasping the Manga-True Adaptation

In spite of criticisms, Science Saru’s adaptation has been acclaimed as the first to genuinely reflect Masamune Shirow’s original manga. Critics who deem the new series as an affront to Major Motoko Kusanagi’s character and the narrative’s complexity often disregard the rich and diverse nature of Shirow’s work. Manga enthusiasts have started to contest these critiques, highlighting a misunderstanding rooted in past adaptations that misrepresented characters and themes introduced in the original manga.

### A Cycle of Adaptation and Misperception

The lack of fidelity in previous adaptations contributes to the bewilderment surrounding Science Saru’s version. The depiction of Major Kusanagi in Oshii’s film, portrayed as a stoic, detached persona, has established a standard for how later shows have represented her, frequently neglecting the manga’s broader spectrum of emotions and themes. Influenced by these prior interpretations, audiences may instinctively reject a new depiction that strays from the established duality of dark realism.

The 2017 live-action film featuring Scarlett Johansson exemplifies this cycle—often criticized for failing to capture the essence of the manga or its earlier anime adaptations, it instead reflects Oshii’s gloomier vision.

### A Connection Between Eras

Director Moko-chan of the 2026 adaptation insists that embracing the essence of Shirow’s manga was a central motivation behind their creative decisions. Instead of duplicating narrative points or aesthetics from previous adaptations, the goal was to encapsulate the distinctive character and humor of the original work. This refreshing perspective invites viewers to recognize the unique differences among the adaptations throughout generations, promoting exploration rather than outright rejection.

In summary, while views on the latest adaptation of *Ghost in the Shell* remain divided, there’s a significant reminder of the legacy of Shirow’s original work. As the conversation persists, both manga aficionados and anime fans have opportunities for further exploration and appreciation of the diverse influences of *Ghost in the Shell* across various formats and interpretations.