Previews of the upcoming Fortnite Battle Pass skins for November 2026 have reportedly leaked early. According to users, marketing billboards in Tokyo and Madrid have revealed our first look at what could be the Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season Battle Pass cosmetics.
Fortnite November Battle Pass Leaks Reveal Five Rumored Skins
Screenshot: Epic Games
We are still weeks away from the end of Chapter 7 Season 4 on October 31, and we might already have our first preview of next season’s Battle Pass. Eagle-eyed fans walking around Madrid and Tokyo have spotted marketing billboards that are seemingly teasing the Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season, which launches on November 1.
Here is the current rumored lineup for the Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season Battle Pass:
Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season Battle Pass (Rumored)
Jonesy (Anime/Pirate Remix)
Hope (Anime/Pirate Remix)
Syd (Anime/Pirate Remix)
Evie (Anime/Pirate Remix)
Oscar (Anime/Pirate Remix)
Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season Battle Pass Preview
More importantly, the billboards appear to confirm that the November Fortnite Battle Pass will feature five remix skins. According to several of the images, it looks like we could specifically be getting anime-style versions of Jonesy, Hope, Syd, and Evie.
Interestingly, the new artwork looks straight out of Persona 5, and even features a page-rip effect similar to those seen in the RPG’s cutscenes. For your convenience, here is a look at the four potential upcoming Fortnite Battle Pass skins. The names below are descriptive labels:
Anime Jonesy Skin
Screenshot: Epic Games, HypeX
Anime Hope Skin
Screenshot: Epic Games, HypeX
Anime Evie Skin
Screenshot: Epic Games, HypeX
Anime Syd Skin
Screenshot: Epic Games, HypeX
Note:Epic Games has not officially confirmed these as November Battle Pass skins. However, based on the promotional artwork, the cosmetics appear to feature an anime-inspired style.
Is Fortnite’s November Mini Season Anime-Themed?
Rumors about November’s Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season have been interesting, to say the least. In early October, several dataminers claimed that it would be a One Piece season. While that remains unconfirmed, the new marketing billboards suggest that it could feature both anime and pirate themes instead.
According to a rough translation of the ads the Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season description reads: “Have you seen the treasure? Join the hunt.” With the latest Battle Pass teasers, the anime side of those rumors is starting to look more likely as well, although the artwork alone doesn’t confirm any specific crossovers.
Even the close-ups of the characters’ eyes look very similar to Atlus’ art style in Persona 5, particularly the animated portraits seen during cutscenes. If Jonesy and Hope are both getting anime-style skins, it could be our clearest hint yet at the look Epic is going for with November’s season.
For now, we will have to wait for Epic Games to reveal the full November Fortnite Battle Pass and explain how these characters fit into the Mini Season. With Chapter 7 Season 4 ending on October 31, there isn’t much longer to find out whether the pirate and anime rumors are connected.
Dungeons and Dragons players who want to lean into stealth and high damage attacks have some great options across the three World of Warcraft-inspired Rogue specializations.
Dungeons and Dragons Brings All Three WoW Rogue Specializations To The Tabletop
Screenshot: Wizards of the Coast
Dungeons and Dragons players have a ton of exciting classes and subclasses to pick from as they begin their adventures set in Azeroth. The upcoming World of Warcraft gameplay expansion for the TTRPG brings every class and specialization to the tabletop, including all the stealthy and deadly rogue options.
“Rogues in World of Warcraft are pretty similar to a classic Rogue in Dungeons & Dragons: skulking in the shadows, striking with deadly precision, then moving on to the next job. Nobody wants to see them on the enemy team—but then, you likely never will.”
Here is a breakdown of all three Rogue specializations and the corresponding subclasses that D&D players will use to bring them to life:
Assassination – Use poison extensively, often wielding a pair of daggers coated with deadly toxins.
The Assassin Rogue will focus on poisons, hard and fast damage, high mobility, and will choose the Assassin subclass.
Outlaw – Use agility and guile to dominate in combat while standing toe-to-toe with your enemies.
Outlaw Rogues will select the updated Swashbuckler subclass. Swashbucklers dance and flit across the battlefield, goading and awing (and infuriating) their opponents with equal ease.
Subtlety – Draw on the supernatural magic of the shadows to cloak yourself in darkness and form deadly blades.
The Subtlety Rogue will prioritize the stealth ambush and will select the Soulknife subclass.
Of all the World of Warcraft classes, the Rogue is the one that most nearly maps to an existing Dungeons and Dragons class and existing subclasses. The only notable changes are the updates to the Swashbuckler subclass that will be used to reflect the Outlaw specialization.
Be sure to check back soon for lots more Dungeons and Dragons news and updates as the World of Warcraft gameplay expansion release date approaches.
Dungeons and Dragons is available now at local game shops and digitally through D&D Beyond, Roll20, and other similar online services. The Dungeons and Dragons: World of Warcraft gameplay expansion releases on November 17, 2026.
When Square Enix announced earlier this year that it was making its first HD-2D Final Fantasy game, I was beyond excited. While I’m a massive fan of the 3D era of the series, as a child of the ’90s, I’ve been yearning for the franchise to return to its roots. Thankfully, I can say that Final Fantasy Resonance is not only one of the best JRPGs I’ve played in years, but it fully captures the magic of the early Square Enix games that many have been nostalgic for.
Final Fantasy Resonance Goes Beyond Its Mobile origins
Screenshot: Brent Koepp
One of my biggest questions going into Final Fantasy Resonance was how it would separate itself from Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. For those not in the know, Resonance is partly a reimagining of the 2015 mobile gacha game. However, my worries immediately melted away within the opening minutes of the game.
For starters, the new HD-2D graphics overhaul is a massive one. While Resonance largely follows Brave Exvius’ story, every scene has been completely re-created with new cinematic storytelling. So much so that the two games barely resemble each other visually or even narratively. As far as the graphics themselves go, I would actually go as far as to say this is Square Enix’s best-looking pixel game to date.
From the grand backdrops of massive cityscapes to dingy dungeons you explore throughout the region, Resonance is filled to the brim with gorgeously detailed levels that find a perfect balance between 3D and 2D retro graphics. It doesn’t just stop there, though. Square Enix has even crafted these new 3D-rendered, pixelated cutscenes that almost feel like early PlayStation-era CGI.
Screenshot: Brent Koepp
Suffice to say, if you missed the old-school Final Fantasy series, FF Resonance not only gives you that in spades, but it also presents it through a modern HD lens that is absolutely stunning.
Final Fantasy Resonance Recaptures the Magic of ’90s Turn-Based Combat
Screenshot: Brent Koepp
More importantly, though, Final Fantasy Resonance plays like a classic Square Enix JRPG from the ’90s with its return to turn-based combat. I know for many fans, this is specifically what they’ve been wanting from the franchise for over a decade now. And oh man, was it completely worth the wait.
In Resonance, you control a team of four party members on the battlefield at any given time. However, your team can actually expand to eight units, as each character can equip a Vision or Esper to join them in battle. Like classic Final Fantasy games, each encounter determines the attack order based on the player characters’ and enemies’ stats.
What adds a new twist is the action bar at the top that shows the attack order in real time. Because of this, players can strategically use elemental attacks to stagger enemies and prevent them from even having a turn. In Final Fantasy Resonance, the core gameplay loop centers around you filling up an enemy’s stagger meter. Staggering is based on enemy weaknesses, which you can exploit with elemental attacks.
Screenshot: Brent Koepp
On paper, this is all a pretty standard classic JRPG formula. However, Square Enix has gone to great lengths to really make the battles feel epic with the new Vision mechanic. Vision attacks trigger a powerful spell that is accompanied by a 3D-pixel cutscene that is mind-blowing every time you see it. Then there are Limit Burst attacks, which feature full HD-2D pixel cutscenes that are just as breathtaking.
A Familiar Story That Keeps You Hooked
Screenshot: Brent Koepp
There are times when you can feel the echoes of Final Fantasy Resonance’s mobile roots. Specifically, the main story, which is an adaptation of the first story arc in Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. However, I actually love this aspect of the game.
If you’ve played a gacha title like Genshin Impact, you know the drill. You discover a new region, spend an entire chapter resolving the story, and then move on to the next region. But I feel like this formula works really well in Resonance, as it almost has a TV-series quality to it.
For example, when you reach the end of each chapter, you are always left on a cliffhanger or a tease for the upcoming region. Which, yeah, makes sense for live-service mobile games that release new content in patch updates. But in Resonance, I found that it kept the story engaging throughout each section, and every arc had me hooked from beginning to end.
Visions Are Final Fantasy Resonance’s Best Feature
Screenshot: Square Enix
Final Fantasy Resonance’s Vision mechanic is its best feature. Throughout the game’s map are Sanctum of Lights locations, which you can enter to recruit heroes from previous Final Fantasy games. From Final Fantasy VII’s Cloud Strife to Final Fantasy X’s Tidus, you can literally add some of the franchise’s biggest characters to your party.
Although Visions are technically summons of previous heroes, they are equipped to each party member through an equipment slot. Interestingly, though, each Vision has its own class. For example, Lightning and Clive Rosfield are both Breakers, which means they are good for staggering enemy defenses.
There are around 26 Visions in Final Fantasy Resonance you can collect. They not only look flashy and are a nostalgia lover’s dream, but they add a lot of strategy to the game. When you equip a Vision, you actually add their powers and moves to the character they are attached to. So if, let’s say, Rain doesn’t have any ice attacks, you can equip a certain Vision to expand his arsenal of moves.
A Massive World With Plenty to Explore
Screenshot: Brent Koepp
Thankfully, I can also say that Final Fantasy Resonance is a massive game. It took me around 45 hours just to beat the main story campaign. And I was missing a lot of side content. Square Enix has packed this game with a lot of interesting side quests that really flesh out the game’s lore and side characters.
For example, there is one quest that has you hunting down specific monster spawns across the entire map, which then lets you unlock new parts for a Chocobo mech that one character brings into battle. No, it’s seriously as awesome as it sounds.
Screenshot: Brent Koepp
Although the game is HD-2D, Final Fantasy Resonance has a sprawling map that can be explored on foot or by summoning your trusty Chocobo mount with the press of a button. However, without getting into spoilers, the JRPG opens up even further as you progress, once you unlock an airship that lets you fly around the entire overworld.
Final Fantasy Resonance Review Verdict
Final Fantasy Resonance is not only a return to Square Enix’s ’90s roots, it’s a beautiful reimagining of what a classic Final Fantasy game would look like in the modern age. This is the Final Fantasy project many fans have been desperately wanting for decades.
Verdict: Best In Its Class (10/10)
Screenshot: Square Enix
Pros
Final Fantasy Resonance brings the series back to turn-based combat, and it’s instantly addicting.
Square Enix has pushed the HD-2D genre to the next level with incredible 3D CGI cutscenes, vision attacks, and pixel animated battle sequences that are jaw dropping.
A massive map that features side quests, hidden items, and unlocks.
Vison’s are an incredible feature that will have you geeking out over recruiting your favorite Final Fantasy hero.
Cons
If you played Brave Exvius, some of the story beats might be too familiar. However, the levels of depth Square Enix has gone to reimagine the title, makes it stand out its own game.
Enemy encounters that trigger when walking around the overworld map can sometimes get fatiguing. Especially if you are higher level and don’t need the XP, but then fail to escape the battle.
Final Fantasy Resonancereleases on PS5, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S and PC on September 24, 2026. A code was provided by Square Enix for the sake of review. Reviewed on PlayStation 5Pro.
A new police probe into the death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain may uphold doubts on his suicide ruling.
The NY Postreports that sources connected to the investigation indicated that Seattle’s Office of Police Accountability has gotten involved. The department is looking into the claims against former Chief Shon Barnes.
According to the allegations, Barnes “acknowledged evidence collected” at the scene of Cobain’s death was “contradictory” to details of the original police report. In 2025, Barnes had a sit-down with private investigators. He allegedly told them that no blood was found on the hand that Cobain supposedly shot himself with. This was considered a crucial piece of information in police’s suicide determination.
Police ruled Kurt Cobain’s death a suicide shortly after he died in April 1994
Kurt Cobain died on April 5, 1994. Police investigators ultimately ruled his death a suicide. Over the years, theories have purported that Cobain did not kill himself and that there was, in fact, evidence to the contrary.
In early 2026, a group of independent researchers announced that they’d found enough evidence to support the notion that Cobain’s death was a homicide. This “unofficial private sector team of forensic scientists” included independent researcher Michelle Wilkins and investigative specialist Brian Burnett.
“This is a homicide,” Burnett told journalists at the time. “We’ve got to do something about this.” Watkins went on to explain some of the evidence they found. “There are things in the autopsy that go, well, wait, this person didn’t die very quickly of a gunshot blast,” she stated. “The necrosis of the brain and liver happens in an overdose. It doesn’t happen in a shotgun death.”
Until now, Seattle city officials have remained steadfast in upholding Kurt Cobain’s suicide ruling
In response to the original report, the Medical Examiner’s Office spokesperson offered a statement. “King County Medical Examiner’s Office worked with the local law enforcement agency, conducted a full autopsy, and followed all of its procedures in coming to the determination of the manner of death as a suicide,” they stated.
“Our office is always open to revisiting its conclusions if new evidence comes to light,” they continued. “But we’ve seen nothing to date that would warrant re-opening of this case and our previous determination of death.”
A Seattle Police Department spokesperson also issued a statement. “Our detective concluded that he died by suicide,” they stated. “And this continues to be the position held by this department.”
ARC Raiders players have had a chance to experience a PvE version of the game this month, but the testing window has come to a close and the extraction shooter is back to its original PvP tension for now.
ARC Raiders Team Will aNnounce Results of PvE Test in November
Screenshot: Embark Studios
ARC Raiders launched nearly a year ago in late October 2025 and quickly became one of the biggest games of the year. The unique worldbuilding, emergent gameplay moments, and tension of the extraction shooter formula scratched an itch for many gamers.
That said, there are still plenty of players who love the world of ARC Raiders, but aren’t a fan of the constant threat of PvP violence. Embark Studios has been listening to that feedback carefully and recently tested out a PvE matchmaking toggle in the game.
More than 30 million rounds of PvE were played over the testing period, which gives the ARC Raiders team a huge amount of information to analyze. Due to the volume of data, the team is going to need a short period of time to dive into the numbers and draw out the insights.
“On a surface reading, we know that the test has been polarizing. As always, our decision on how to proceed will prioritize the overall health and enjoyability of the game… We don’t yet know what the outcome of the data analysis will be, but we expect to be able to follow up with further information in November.”
As ARC Raiders attempts to ensure that its dedicated fanbase is engaged enough to stick around and continue giving the game their attention, the team needs to strike a balance that will keep the highest percentage of fans and active players happy. It should be very interesting to find out what that looks like when they follow up with an announcement next month.
Be sure to check back soon for lots more ARC Raiders news and updates as the November announcement approaches.
ARC Raiders is available now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series consoles.
Star Wars Battlefront 3 is reportedly in development, according to a new report. However, if accurate, there are several studios such as Bungie and Respawn that are rumored to be involved with the multiplayer’s revival.
Star Wars Battlefront 3 Reportedly in Development at DICE and Respawn
Screenshot: EA
This latest rumor first kicked off when a report surfaced online claiming that Bungie and DICE were potentially the developers for Star Wars Battlefront 3. However, things got interesting quickly when Joe Brammer, CEO of WARDOGS developer Bulkhead, confirmed that he had heard that the leaked multiplayer game is in fact real.
Responding to a post on X about the rumor, Brammer wrote: “DICE and from what I’ve heard Respawn are working on Battlefront 3. Not sure what that means for Battlefield.” Interestingly, Brammer did not mention Bungie in his response, leaving its potential involvement unclear.
DICE and from what I’ve heard Respawn are working on Battlefront 3. Not sure what that means for Battlefield. https://t.co/1vOnaKeT85
Now, it should be pointed out that Brammer qualified his claim with “from what I’ve heard.” Although his position as Bulkhead’s CEO adds some weight to his comments, this still isn’t official confirmation. That said, we should treat this latest rumor with a major grain of salt until an official announcement is made. Even if it is real, it’s unclear how far along the project might be.
Where Bungie Fits Into the Star Wars Battlefront 3 Rumors
Screenshot: EA, Bungie
Brammer’s comments follow an earlier rumor discussed by Jeff Grubb on Game Mess Mornings. Grubb shared claims from Electronic Gaming Monthly’s Quarterman rumor column suggesting that Lucasfilm was looking for a development partner for a new Star Wars Battlefront game, with DICE and Bungie named as potential candidates.
As far as how Bungie factors into this, its potential role remains unclear. With Brammer not mentioning the Destiny 2 studio at all, we don’t know whether it is involved or was simply being considered.
Then again, Brammer also pointed out that this was something he had heard. All this to say, there is a lot of smoke around this Star Wars Battlefront 3 development rumor. However, whether it leads to a new game—and how far away that project might be—is anyone’s guess.
While it might be too soon to celebrate, it does sound like an exciting update for fans of the Star Wars multiplayer series. Given the recent string of incredible Star Wars games, including Galactic Racer and Zero Company, who knows? Maybe Respawn and DICE can breathe some new life into the Battlefront series next.
Challenges with production and shipping are hitting Magic: The Gathering once again and cause some delays for a highly-anticipated Secret Lair bundle.
Reality Fracture Secret Lair Bundle Delayed
Screenshot: Wizards of the Coast
Magic: The Gathering collectors have had a lot of exciting products to consider lately, including the Reality Fracture Secret Lair Bundle. This collection is part of the new Magic initiative to give every new set the Secret Lair treatment.
Starting with Reality Fracture, every Magic Multiverse set will feature a Secret Lair Bundle that combines the set’s most popular and powerful new cards with a bit of Secret Lair flair. That means there will be special alternate art that provides a unique touch different from what players would find in Play Boosters.
Unfortunately, this first Secret Lair Bundle has been hit with some familiar issues. Due to production and shipping issues, the Reality Fracture Secret Lair Bundle is delayed globally and may arrive shortly after the October 23 release date. Exact delay timing will vary locally.
Secret Lair Bundles purchased as part of Secret Lair Chaos Vault bundles will follow typical Secret Lair fulfillment based on drop availability and production timing.
The Secret Lair Bundle was announced alongside the Strange School and Duality Distorted products, but the official announcement did not mention any issues with the production or shipping of those products at this time.
Magic: The Gathering and Wizards of the Coast will make an announcement if there are additional changes to Secret Lair Bundle availability.
A few Magic: The Gathering products have had delays recently due to similar shipping and production issues, so this may feel a bit familiar to players who follow the game’s releases closely. Hopefully these issues can be resolved quickly and collectors can get their hands on the new Secret Lair Bundle before long.
Be sure to check back soon for lots more Magic: The Gathering news and updates.
Magic: The Gathering is available now at local game shops and digitally through Magic Arena.
CD Projekt Red has announced that Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.5 is dropping this week. The new patch is tied to the release of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2. Here is the release date and everything we know about it.
Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.5 Release Date
Screenshot: CD Projekt Red
The Cyberpunk 2077 Edgerunners 2 Update 2.5 release date isThursday, October 22, 2026, on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The free patch will arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 shortly afterward.
CD Projekt Red also shared new artwork for the update in a post on X, thanking the artists behind the illustration: “A huge thank you to Taisei Uchida (Original Art), Yukiko Kakita (Ink & Paint Check), and Yuichiro Tozawa (Special Effects) for their contributions to the Cyberpunk 2077 Edgerunners 2 Update (2.5) official illustration.”
CD Projekt Red confirmed that there will be a special Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.5 livestream broadcast on Wednesday, October 21. That means the studio will reveal more details about the surprise expansion in just 24 hours and what features will be included in it.
How to Watch the Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.5 REDstream
Screenshot: CD Projekt Red
CD Projekt Red will reveal more about Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.5 during a special REDstreams broadcast on Wednesday, October 21, at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET / 5 PM CEST.
Players can watch the livestream on Twitch, YouTube, or Steam. According to the studio, the showcase will give us a closer look at the Edgerunners 2 Update, including cyberware customization and a new dual-wielding playstyle.
The Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.5 REDstreams broadcast goes live at the following times on October 21 or October 22, depending on your region:
\Region
Date
Stream start time
United States (Pacific)
Wednesday, October 21
8 AM PDT
United States (Eastern)
Wednesday, October 21
11 AM EDT
Brazil
Wednesday, October 21
12 PM BRT
United Kingdom
Wednesday, October 21
4 PM BST
Central Europe
Wednesday, October 21
5 PM CEST
South Africa
Wednesday, October 21
5 PM SAST
United Arab Emirates
Wednesday, October 21
7 PM GST
India
Wednesday, October 21
8:30 PM IST
Singapore / China
Wednesday, October 21
11 PM SGT / CST
Japan / South Korea
Thursday, October 22
12 AM JST / KST
Australia (Sydney)
Thursday, October 22
2 AM AEDT
New Zealand
Thursday, October 22
4 AM NZDT
What Is in Cyberpunk 2077’s Edgerunners 2 Update?
Screenshot: CD Projekt Red
We currently do not know what new features are coming in the Cyberpunk 2077 Edgerunners 2 Update 2.5. However, CD Projekt Red has confirmed anime-inspired content alongside other new items and features.
This isn’t the first time Cyberpunk 2077 has received a major patch alongside the anime. Back on September 6, 2022, CD Projekt Red released the original Edgerunners Update, also known as Patch 1.6, ahead of the first series’ Netflix premiere.
That update went beyond adding a few references to the show. Players could find anime-inspired equipment in Night City, including a jacket and shotgun featured in the series. It also introduced the Wardrobe system, allowing players to change V’s appearance without changing their clothing stats.
Screenshot: CD Projekt Red
For a better idea of what the original Edgerunners Update included, here are some of its biggest additions:
Anime-inspired content: New equipment, secrets, and Photo Mode features.
Wardrobe system: The ability to save up to six outfits and switch between them.
Three new gigs: Concrete Cage Trap, Desperate Measures, and Nasty Hangover.
New weapons: Six new firearms and five new melee weapons.
Cross-progression: Support for carrying saves between platforms.
Roach Race: A playable arcade minigame.
Photo Mode additions: The option to take pictures with Nibbles.
Of course, that doesn’t mean Update 2.5 will deliver the same additions or be the same size. However, the original Edgerunners patch gives us an idea of how CD Projekt Red has previously brought the anime into the game. For now, we’ll have to wait for the full reveal to see what else is coming to Night City.
Today has strong “we need to talk” energy, but it doesn’t have to end in a fight. Venus and Pluto peak in a testy square, so conversations about money and who does what at home could come up, stargazer. Keep it calm and leave the old scorecard in the drawer. Later, the Moon squares Mercury, and a quick email or text might come across colder than you meant. Read it once more before sending, especially with Mercury retrograde arriving Saturday. Tonight, a Moon-Jupiter opposition makes the online cart look tempting, and every promise sound easy. Sleep on both. By tomorrow, your head and heart should be back on speaking terms.
Zero fires to put out today, and that might drive you nuts. Saturn’s trine to Mars is easing after last week’s peak, so the push you’ve been riding levels off, Aries. Resist the urge to sign up for a marathon out of boredom. Mars in Leo loves a stage, but even headliners need a night off. Your next big move needs a full tank.
Jealousy is an ugly little gremlin, and today it might crawl out from under the bed. Venus squares Pluto at full intensity, Taurus, so a new name orbiting your person could have you drafting worst-case scenarios in the shower. Venus is also cozied up to Haumea, and your instincts know the truth: this bond is solid. Starve the gremlin. Hug your person.
Few people on Earth deflect with your level of flair. The Moon squares Mercury this afternoon, putting your quick mind at odds with feelings that won’t sit politely in a corner, Gemini. Jupiter’s square to Mercury tempts you to talk around them for hours. Try one honest sentence instead. The people who love you can handle you messy and unfiltered.
Fair warning: a random video of a rescue dog meeting its new family might absolutely wreck you tonight. The Moon opposes Jupiter this evening, inflating every feeling to twice its size, Cancer. Let the tears roll; no apologies needed. By bedtime, the Moon is closing in on a trine with the Sun, and the good cry leaves you lighter. Soft hearts are strong hearts.
The friends and family discount on your talent officially expires today. Venus is drawing closer to the Sun, Leo, giving your self-worth a glow-up, while the Moon’s trine to the Sun builds toward tomorrow, making the talk easier than expected. Pluto’s square to the Sun adds grit. Quote your full rate without a nervous laugh. Lions don’t haggle with gazelles.
A one-word reply from someone you adore can send you spiraling for the rest of the day. The Moon squares Mercury today, so tone gets scrambled, and your brain fills in the blanks with your harshest guesses, Virgo. Jupiter’s square to Mercury turns one dry “ok” into a whole saga. They’re probably just elbow-deep in their own day. Go touch some grass.
Congratulations on your promotion to unpaid household CFO. Venus squares Pluto at full force today, and lopsided money stuff with a partner or roommate gets hard to ignore, Libra. Rock the boat gently. Venus is also drifting toward the Sun, reminding you of your value, so asking for balance won’t feel petty. Bring the numbers and a smile. Fair is your whole brand.
Cold-shoulder season opens early this year. Venus and Pluto hit the peak of their square, and someone you love might trigger your instinct to go icy and win by waiting them out, Scorpio. You’d win, obviously. Pluto’s building square to the Sun asks what that victory costs, though. Send the first warm text tonight. The first one to thaw wins the bigger prize.
Tonight’s agenda: telling everyone you’re moving overseas, then pricing out flights you can’t afford. A Moon-Jupiter opposition cranks your restless streak to eleven, Sagittarius, and Jupiter’s square to Mercury makes every wild idea sound like a done deal. Dream as big and bold as you want. Just hold off on hitting “purchase” until morning. Freedom feels better with savings intact.
Picture yourself hauling a couch up three flights alone because you hate asking for help. Saturn opposes Makemake, highlighting the tug between self-reliance and community, Capricorn, while Saturn’s easing trine to Mars means you can stop muscling through everything. Saturn retrograde wants you to rethink the lone-wolf thing. Call a friend with a truck. Strong, smart people call in backup.
There’s a meetup for your strangest obsession, and it’s probably closer than you think. The Moon is in your sign, making you magnetic in an off-kilter way, Aquarius, and its building trine to the Sun makes new faces easier to warm up to. Uranus retrograde says your outsider streak is the ticket in. Go once. Weirdos make the best friends.
The fantasy where you quit everything to run a tiny bookshop by the sea is back in heavy rotation. Neptune is retrograde, pulling escapist daydreams to the surface, Pisces, and each one holds a clue. Maybe what you crave is slower mornings and salt air. With Neptune in fiery Aries, you can bring a little of that life home today.
Other than having a living plesiosaur in front of you, you probably won’t get much closer to the creature than by finding some of its bones, but maybe some of its bodily excretions would help you learn what was going on in its now-missing digestive tract. But how do you even come across the, let’s say, puke of a creature that’s been dead for tens of millions of years?
According to new research published in Geological Magazine by geologist Dirk Knaust, oil crews drilling off the Norwegian coast accidentally hauled up 160-million-year-old plesiosaur puke from deep underwater rock cores dating to the Jurassic period.
Samples range from walnut-sized to mango-sized, just in case you never want to look at those foods in the same way again.
160-Million-Year-Old Vomit Could Reveal How Prehistoric Sea Monsters Ate
Plesiosaurs were long-necked aquatic sea monsters that measured 13 to 26 feet long and looked almost exactly like you’d imagine the Loch Ness monster. When the researchers found the fossilized vomit, I didn’t immediately assume it belonged to a Jurassic creature. It could’ve been fossilized poop or maybe storm debris. Maybe it belonged to a fish or squid? But no, because they can’t cough up chunks this big.
If it was a prehistoric shark or a crocodile, they probably would’ve found some fish in there. With all other possibilities ruled out, Cryptoclididae plesiosaurs were the last possibility remaining.
These massive reptiles moved along the deep seafloor using their long necks like vacuum cleaners to scoop up bottom-dwelling invertebrates. Their teeth weren’t strong enough to grind shells, so their stomachs compacted the indigestible stuff into gross pellets they later vomited up.
But what I find most interesting is that plesiosaurs didn’t just puke wherever they swam. Scientists found the items they barfed up in what used to be shallow ancient river deltas. So, like fur seals or marine crocodiles after a big meal, these ancient aquatic beasts probably swam into safe coastal waters to chill out for a bit, eventually puking their meals into the mud before napping and heading back out to sea.
In 1873, an Argentine sailor named Luis Piedra Buena loaded a crew onto a ship called the Espora and headed toward the Strait of Le Maire, a rough stretch of ocean near Patagonia known for tearing hulls to smithereens. He risked his crew’s lives for the noble quest of murdering a bunch of penguins to harvest their grease for oil.
Somewhere along the way, the ship wrecked near Isla de los Estados. Piedra Buena and his crew suddenly became castaways, struggling to survive on unfamiliar shores. The Penguins, having no idea they came this close to being scooped up and turned into lamp oil or whatever, still don’t care about humanity’s plight.
Eventually, the crew slapped together a makeshift sailboat and made it to Chile. The penguins kept on doing their thing.
Archaeologists May Have Found the Lost Shipwreck of 19th-Century Penguin Hunters
Now, according to a study published in the journal Antiquity and reported by IFLScience, archaeologists searching around Franklin Bay have uncovered the ruined wooden ribs of a 19th-century ship, along with a crude castaway camp on a nearby hillside.
The researchers dug up salvaged ship parts, including whole timbers and a deck prism, and found a smattering of distinctly human clutter—glass bottles, buttons, beads, and tools. While this belongs to Piedra Buena and his crew, the most logical explanation, the researchers aren’t claiming that just yet, just to be safe.
There’s more testing to be done, but it’s hard to deny that the location and all the artifacts combined heavily suggest that there may have been a bunch of stranded penguin hunters who may have ripped their ship to shreds to fashion it into an improvised boat that could possibly,maybe, get them to Chile.
As any clued-in gamer can tell you, the prospect of actually owning the video games you’ve purchased has never been shakier. Sony recently tried to convince customers that they don’t own any games digitally purchased from the PlayStation Store, gaslighting us into thinking we’ve merely been buying a limited, revocable software license. There’s a simmering sense that greedy corporate suits are trying to strip us of our right to own things so they can siphon money from our wallets in perpetuity with subscription models.
Is game ownership on the verge of death? Maybe not, if a new bill proposed by Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY) actually makes it through Congress, as reported by Kotaku.
Dubbed the “Power to Players Act” (a nod to the old GameStop slogan), the bill would direct the FTC to enforce real digital ownership. Under the proposal, buying a game would grant full rights to own, play, and transfer it, rather than paying $70 for a glorified Blockbuster rental that disappears when the publisher decides the game no longer needs to exist. And these suits wonder why the piracy scene is thriving.
The ‘Power to Players Act’ Could Give Gamers More Control Over the Games They Buy
Torres is even picked as the poster child for the debate: NBA 2K25. It came out in late 2024, raked in millions by selling 11.5 million units as of August 2025, making it the fifth best-selling game of 2024 in the US and the 18th best-selling game of 2025, and already its publisher, 2K Games, is delisting it and killing its servers, rendering major modes unplayable. Torres’ bill would force publishers to build offline modes for online-dependent games so players can keep using what they bought for $60-$70.
What we’re seeing here is the US version of a legislative push gaining steam worldwide as part of the broader “Stop Killing Games” movement. The movement reached the European Citizens’ Initiative with over 1.29 million signatures, but the European Commission declined to propose new binding laws in June 2026. Torres’s version will no doubt face some heavy pushback from lobbyists who will claim that offline modes are too expensive to build.
Another issue is that most bills die before they reach a vote. But considering that just in the past month or so, AI-driven decompilation tools have so rapidly altered the landscape of the gaming industry, threatening to make every game released instantly open source and available to anyone, maybe there’s a chance that it lights a fire under the butt of some publishers to put some effort into preserving their games lest gamers permanently turn to AI decompilation.
Before alternative music invaded the mainstream in the 1990s, it dominated college radio. Indie bands emerged in the 1980s, appearing on college rock radio shows. As alternative remained in the underground, these bands inspired some of the biggest names in 90s alternative rock, such as Nirvana, Weezer, Green Day, and more. Here are three college rock bands from the 1980s that basically invented the holy grail of 90s bands.
Hüsker Dü
Hailing from St. Paul, Minnesota, Husker Du formed in 1979. Aside from their mark on the Twin Cities underground scene, the band influenced 90s artists such as Nirvana, Green Day, Foo Fighters, Uncle Tupelo, and many others. Specifically, their sophomore album, Zen’s Arcade, blended elements of hardcore punk and indie rock. This became highly influential and crucial to the 90s alternative rock sound. Sadly, Hüsker Dü broke up in 1988, just before alternative rock broke into the mainstream. Still, their massive influence on the decade was duly noted throughout the 90s.
Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes are among the pioneers of folk punk, fusing together traditional folk with punk rock of the late 70s. The group formed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1981. Their self-titled debut album became a college rock radio hit in 1983, generating the band’s signature hit “Blister In The Sun.” Notably, the song was quite different compared to other emerging indie rock bands of the decade. It became the template for Nirvana’s acoustic side of Kurt Cobain’s songwriting. As Nirvana’s Nevermind was rising to the top of the Billboard 200 in January 1992, the band was opening for Violent Femmes on tour.
R.E.M.
Almost no other band dominated college rock radio quite like R.E.M. They were the epitome of college rock radio throughout the decade. The band famously targeted college rock radio stations, offering exclusive interviews and hand-delivering their albums. This led to their early breakout single “Radio Free Europe” becoming a staple on college radio. In the late 80s, the band started to break into the mainstream after their hit “The Only I Love” peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
When alternative music broke into the mainstream in late 1991, R.E.M. became closely associated with this movement. Due to this, their 1991 album Out Of Time became their best-selling release. Additionally, lead singer Michael Stipe’s close friendship with Kurt Cobain was publicly noted during this time as well. The two became so close that Stipe was named the godfather of Cobain’s daughter, Frances Bean Cobain.
50 Cent is taking his bitter feud with Power creator Courtney Kemp to a whole new level. After she replied to some shade he threw at her in an interview, 50 made some allegations regarding Kemp’s personal conduct.
It all started in an October 2026 Variety interview that 50 Cent gave while promoting his new film, Street Fighter. During the conversation, 50 brought up Kemp’s name, saying she is someone he would never work with again.
“I don’t think that she’s wholeheartedly a bad person,” he said. “I just think that it got out of control for her. After the success of Power, she would go, ‘I wrote it.’ Well, you did write it, but I uploaded everything that you wrote, and we got a ‘no’ from everybody before we got a ‘yes,’ and I wrote songs that captured, at its nucleus, each one of the leads that we had and that emotionally captured energy for scenes.”
50 Cent says he would not want to work with ‘Power’ creator Courtney Kemp ever again
50 went on to imply that he has a lot of involvement in getting Starz and then-CEO Chris Albrecht to notice the show. He quipped that Kemp must have “forgot” how crucial is role was. The rapper also claimed that the series’ budget was mismanaged, which led to him criticizing Kemp’s leadership skills. “Half the s**t she was saying just didn’t make sense,” he said.
In response, Kemp responded to 50 Cent with her own statement to Variety. “While 50’s recollection of budgets and production requirements is uninformed,” she stated, “as he was rarely in a budget meeting, I have never once understated his importance in the genesis of Power.”
Kemp continued, “While he did not write nor create the series, he was a large part of its birth. That said, I am completely bewildered by his need to mention me in interviews or podcasts. I have completely moved on in my career, and I hope that the imminent success of Street Fighter allows him to do the same.”
This catches us up to Sunday, October 18. Following Kemp’s published statement, 50 Cent took to Instagram to throw even more ruthless shade at her.
“Wow, Variety [asked] me who I wasn’t looking forward to working with again, so I said Courtney,” he wrote. “I thought I was being nice; I didn’t even mention her sleeping with cast and crew members.” The word “oof” comes to mind.
At this time, Kemp does not appear to have responded further to 50 Cent’s allegations.
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for CinemaCon
In the late 2000s, members of some of the most memorable Myspace-era post-hardcore bands joined forces. On August 30, 2008, Craig Owens of Chiodos and Jonny Craig of Dance Gavin Dance and Emarosa secretly formed a side project called Isles & Glaciers. The two singers’ bands had performed together in Lexington, Kentucky, and rumors of a collaboration were swirling shortly after.
These rumors were later confirmed in September 2008, with an official project announcement later that year on December 15, 2008. With this announcement, two members of Pierce The Veil were attached to the project: vocalist Vic Fuentes and his brother, drummer Mike Fuentes. Additionally, guitarist Nick Martin, who had previously performed in the post-hardcore band Underminded, was in this announcement as well. Martin had also previously worked with Chiodos vocalist Craig Owens in a pop-punk side project called Cinematic Sunrise.
Guitarist Brian Southall was also included in the supergroup announcement. He had previously played in the post-hardcore bands Boys Night Out and fordirelifesake. Southall also spent years as a tour manager for bands such as Motion City Soundtrack and All Time Low, in addition to playing in multiple Myspace-era bands. He transitioned into production in 2018, working with artists such as Billie Eilish and Pharrell Williams. Chiodo’s bassist Matt Goddard also joined the supergroup in late 2008, rounding out the seven-member supergroup.
Isles & Glaciers Released Only One EP in 2010
This supergroup featured three powerful vocalists and multiple guitar players. Despite this, Isles & Glaciers only recorded one EP. Released on March 9, 2010, The Hearts Of Lonely People proved the supergroup had some serious chemistry. Fans were instantly impressed with the release, which went to No. 1 on the US Top Heatseekers albums. Sadly, in 2010, Craig Owens announced that this was a one-time thing and fans shouldn’t expect much more from this supergroup. That turned out to be true, as 15 years later, the group has yet to follow up.
Fans had a glimmer of hope when Vic Fuentes hinted in 2011 that the supergroup may release more material in the future. Despite this, the project has been lost in the past, with no follow-up release. For years, fans have pushed for a reunion, with rumors generating once again in 2026. Nothing has been confirmed, and it appears to be unlikely to ever happen given the severed ties between Craig Owens and Jonny Craig.
Many millennials may have forgotten about this Myspace-era gem that is worth revisiting. Ahead of their release, the band only performed together one time. This took place on March 21, 2009, at a showcase during the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.
Richard Riehle, best known for his show-stealing role as Tom Smykowski in Office Space, has died. He was 78 years old.
As reported by multiple outlets, those close to Riehle confirmed he died on October 15 of natural causes.
Though his answer to the question: “What would you say…you do here?” is perhaps the most quotable of his career, Richard Riehle was a renowned character actor, appearing in hundreds of movies and TV shows over the course of nearly 50 years. Additionally, he performed twice on Broadway, first in Execution of Justice (1986) and then The Iceman Cometh (1999).
No matter your television preferences, you’ve likely seen Riehle in a favorite show. He appeared in everything from NCIS to Modern Family to The West Wing.
The role to which he returned most, however, was none other than Santa Claus. Richard Riehle played jolly old Saint Nick a total of eight times over the course of his career, including five movies, two TV shows, and a straight to TV film.
Riehle is survived by his wife, Jane Latham, and their four children.
We now have a little more insight into the three deaths at Burning Man 2026, and they’re coincidentally connected.
According to the SF Gate, all three men had heart disease. This is per the findings of the Washoe County Medical Examiner. Certainly, as noted, it’s a bizarre and unfortunate coincidence. More specifically, though, there were other factors to each of the men’s deaths.
The first death was 62-year-old lawyer Tshombe Sampson, of Santa Monica, CA. The beloved Burning Man figure reportedly collapsed while attending the fest on Sep. 3. On-hand emergency personnel delivered CPR, but Sampson died at the scene. The medical examiner determined that his cause of death was due to hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Burning Man reportedly averages one death per year, but 2026 sadly saw three deaths
Just one day after Sampson passed away, a 51-year-old man from Truckee fell ill. He began experiencing severe chest pains and was taken away from Burning Man in an ambulance. Sadly, he died on the way to a Reno-area hospital.
In their ruling, the medical examiner determined his death was accidental. It was due to a combination of methamphetamine and MDMA toxicity, as well as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The medical examiner also reported that long-term methamphetamine use was a contributing factor.
Lastly, on Sept. 5, a 60-year-old man was found unresponsive in his trailer. The Yuma, AZ native was pronounced dead at the scene. His death, too, was ruled accidental. The cause was reported as cocaine and methamphetamine toxicity. There was also one contributing factor: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Following the third death, Jerry Allen, Pershing County sheriff and coroner, issued a statement. “Although we average 1 death a year at the Festival, we have had two so far this year within the confines of the Festival, and I have received information regarding a third who died in transit to a hospital in Reno,” he said.
In multiple separate statements, Burning Man organizers offered their sympathies for all the deaths: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the participant’s family, friends, and those affected by this loss.”
Photo By Michael Macor / The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
We’ve all been there; you discover a band for the first time and they become your entire personality for a few months. Telling everyone about them, listening to their albums on repeat, essentially becoming a walking, talking press release for your new favorite band. For many Millennials in the 2000s, the following indie bands were just some of the artists that became our entire personalities.
The Strokes
Depending on who you ask, The Strokes were either the indie rock band of the early 2000s or annoying nepo baby posers. For those who loved them, though, The Strokes became something of a personality trait. Their 2001 debut EP The Modern Age had several labels fighting over them, with RCA releasing their debut LP It This It that same summer. This record sparked a wildfire of Strokes mania, with “Last Nite” effectively becoming their most well-known song.
The Strokes are often considered a mainstream indie rock band, an oxymoron that most likely frustrates quite a few fans. Still, for many Millennials, they’ve come to symbolize a unique moment during the 2000s. The Strokes were one of the bands at the forefront of indie rock, which gave way to the indie sleaze aesthetic through the 2010s. Whatever your opinion of them, there’s no denying their relevance.
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend debuted their self-titled album in 2008, combining academic style with indie pop sound to create a literate yet laid back album. Albums like Vampire Weekend and Contra from 2010 buzzed with nervy energy in the vocals and instrumentation, but seemed to possess an effortless cool as well. Especially the debut, which featured elements of African pop styles and various string textures. This creates an interesting mix of preppy east coast sentiment and worldly musical interests.
This attitude came from tracks like “A-Punk”, “Oxford Comma”, “The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance”, and “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa”. At the time, Vampire Weekend represented a specific aesthetic of urban college campuses and indie pop academia. And it’s possible that those who latched onto that energy probably ended up getting some sort of liberal arts degree.
Death Cab For Cutie
Death Cab For Cutie is technically a late-90s indie rock band, but they gained more widespread attention in the 2000s with albums like Transatlanticism, Plans, and Narrow Stairs. Additionally, frontman Ben Gibbard’s side project The Postal Service helped give Death Cab a boost. Their sensitive, introspective, often bittersweet and sad indie rock built them a fanbase of devoted Millennials at that time.
Many of those fans remain Death Cab devotees years later. They defined the early 2000s experience for many high schoolers just trying to survive and young adults finding their way in the world. Death Cab For Cutie made a great companion for all kinds of emotional experiences, and their discography still holds up to today’s standards.
A private jet skidded off the runway at Las Vegas’ main airport and crashed into a fence this weekend. New Kids on the Block star Donnie Wahlberg was on board.
In an Instagram post, the 57-year-old boy band singer explained that the incident happened in the late morning at Harry Reid International Airport on Sunday, Oct. 18. “We were taking off and didn’t get up in the air and ran out of runway,” Wahlberg said in a video clip.
“I’m just going to tell you these pilots saved our lives. And God covered us,” he continued. “We just finished praying, and I looked out the window and said, ‘We are not getting up in the air today.’ But we’re safe and thankful, and all is well.”
Wahlberg clarified that the aircraft was able to avoid hitting “heavy” equipment, like other planes. However, it did crash into a fence.
New Kids on the Block member Donnie Wahlberg was on board a private jet that incurred a runway incident at Harry Reid International Airport
In the post’s caption, Wahlberg added more comments and thanked fans for their support. “Getting a lot of concerned messages and texts about my flights failed attempt at leaving Las Vegas this morning. Thank you to all!” he penned. “I appreciate your concern and well wishes.”
He went on to say, “I made this video for my friends and family after the incident, but so many of you all are my family too, so I figured I’d share with you. Yes, it was me and my team/friends onboard the aircraft. It was a rather intense few moments (which felt like a few long minutes).”
“Thankful to God, of course,” Wahlberg continued, “and to our incredible pilots who did an amazing job of keeping us safe and avoiding a serious disaster. The airplane did take some lumps – but we did not. Thank you to all the emergency personnel on the ground in Las Vegas! You all were absolutely wonderful.”
“All glory to God! By His grace, we are all ok,” Wahlberg concluded his message. “His love truly is eternal.”
At this time, no injuries have been reported. It’s unclear who else was on board the plane with Wahlberg.
Southern rapper Pooh Shiesty continues to battle legal troubles before his career can take off. On August 7, 2026, Shiesty released his debut studio album, All Eyes On Shiest, after years of releasing compilations, mixtapes, and singles. Following an arrest in April 2026, the rapper released his debut album while still incarcerated.
Shiesty’s legal troubles date back to October 2020, when he was arrested in connection with a shooting in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida. In June 2021, he was arrested once again in connection with a different shooting in Miami. Later that month, Shiesty, whose real name is Lontrell Donell Williams Jr., was indicted on charges for the Bay Harbor Islands shooting. He pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy in January 2022. Williams was sentenced to five years and three months in prison. On October 6, 2025, Williams was released after serving only three of the five years.
On April 1, 2026, FBI agents in Memphis raided a home owned by Williams with search and arrest warrants. Agents arrested Pooh Shiesty, along with eight others in Memphis, Dallas, Nashville, and Atlanta. Among those arrested were Williams’ father and rapper Big30.
Allegedly, Williams and eight others robbed and kidnapped rapper Radic “Gucci Mane” Davis at a recording studio on January 10, 2026. Reportedly, they used intimidation tactics and an AK-style pistol to force Davis to sign a release from a recording contract. Others involved in the incident robbed two other victims, stealing their Rolex watches and jewelry. While Williams and the co-conspirators remain behind bars, their trial has been pushed back to February 22, 2027.
Shiesty Reports That He Is In Solitary Confinement
On October 15, 2026, Williams filed an emergency motion. He claims he’s been in 23-hour solitary confinement while incarcerated at the Rolling Plains Regional Detention Center in Haskell, Texas. The jail claims it’s for his own protection without providing any specific reason for this. Williams attorney has stated, ” Mr. Williams reports that the isolation is adversely affecting his mental health.” Additionally, his in-person family visitations have been restricted to only two hours per month, half of the four-hour minimum mandated by the Bureau of Prisons standards.
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