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Valley

Saudi-backed Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Valley of Memories free DLC to be revealed later today

by admin October 6, 2025

Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Valley of Memory – a free major update coming to the Ubisoft Blockbuster – has been officially teased via a new cinematic trailer ahead of a full reveal later today.

According to the teaser video description, that full reveal will arrive at 9AM PT / 12PM ET / 5PM BST / 6PM CEST.

The Valley of Memory DLC, first announced by Ubisoft in August, will be set in the ancient Arabian city of AlUla within Saudi Arabia. The DLC will include a new story chapter, new missions, and a variety of gameplay improvements.

Check out the teaser trailer for Valley of Memories here.Watch on YouTube

The DLC was reportedly developed thanks to a deal between Ubisoft and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, the national wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. Ubisoft declined to comment when asked by Eurogamer back in January.

The Public Investment Fund is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing attempt to diversify income for the oil-rich nation, as well as a dedicated push to improve its global image. Saudi Arabia has been criticised heavily for its history of human rights abuses, and blamed for the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Only last week, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund was part of a three-way bid to turn Electronic Arts private for $55bn. If approved, the American games industry giant will be saddled with $20bn in debt in 2027.

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October 6, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Charlie Kirk Shot at Utah Valley University Event

by admin September 10, 2025

Charlie Kirk, the internet personality and cofounder of Turning Point USA, was shot on Wednesday afternoon at Utah Valley University (UVU), where he was holding an event. His condition is currently unknown.

UVU immediately went into lockdown, according to Deseret News. UVU police confirmed in an emergency bulletin that the shooting of a “visiting speaker” took place on campus. Police say that the suspect is in custody. The identity of the suspect is currently unconfirmed.

UVU police did not answer a call from WIRED. A TP USA spokesperson did not immediately respond to WIRED’s request for comment.

“We are closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,” FBI director Kash Patel said in a statement on X. “Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected. Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation.”

Senator Mike Lee, of Utah, commented about the shooting in a post on X, saying that he’s “tracking the situation” at UVU and “praying for Charlie Kirk and the students there.” Vice President J.D. Vance likewise posted on X: “Saying a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and young father.

In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump said, “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM.” The White House did not immediately respond to WIRED’s request for comment.

Videos of the shooting began to appear on social media on Wednesday afternoon, soon after reports of the shooting began to circulate.

Kirk’s stop in Utah was part of TP USA’s “American Comeback Tour,” where he staged his signature “prove me wrong” debates on campus. At Utah Valley University and Utah State University, the events sparked intense backlash: more than 6,000 students and faculty signed petitions urging Utah State administrators to cancel Kirk’s appearance later this month, arguing his presence conflicts with campus commitments to inclusivity. Critics described the tour as a “campus martyr” strategy designed to generate viral content whether through protests or cancellations.

Kirk, 31, cast the appearances as a defense of free speech and a chance to promote his brand of Christian nationalist conservatism.

Turning Point USA, which began in 2012 as a student group, has grown into a well-funded hub of right-wing activism. Along with its political advocacy arm, Turning Point Action, the organization has become a key player in the MAGA movement, channeling millions of dollars into “chase the vote” campaigns backed by election-denying candidates.

Additional reporting by Makena Kelly, Jake Lahut, and Caroline Haskins.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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September 10, 2025 0 comments

A police officer responding to the incident fatally shot the alleged attacker.

Gaming Gear

Silicon Valley Tech Worker Fatally Shot After Allegedly Stabbing Roommate

by admin September 8, 2025

A Silicon Valley tech worker was fatally shot by police this week after allegedly stabbing a roommate.

Santa Clara police responded to a disturbance call that quickly escalated to a stabbing earlier this week. A police officer responding to the incident fatally shot the alleged attacker.

The four men in the apartment were all “high-tech workers,” though the suspect had been unemployed “for one and a half years already,” the house manager for the property claimed in an interview with local news KTVU. It’s not yet clear which Bay Area tech company the roommates worked for.

The incident took place in the early morning hours on Wednesday at the 1800 block of Eisenhower Drive in Santa Clara, California. The town is at the center of Silicon Valley, housing the headquarters of major technology companies like Nvidia, AMD, Intel, and ServiceNow.

The coroner is still working to locate and notify the next of kin of the suspect, so the name was being withheld as of Friday, Santa Clara police department chief Corey Morgan said in a press briefing on Friday afternoon.

The incident was reportedly not the first time police had been dispatched to the residence. On Aug. 12, police were called to resolve a disturbance over an air conditioning unit at the household between the same two men, KTVU reported. The house manager allegedly started an eviction process for the suspect after the Aug. 12 incident, and proceedings had wrapped up last week.

What we know about the incident

Shortly after 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Santa Clara police officer Robert Allsup responded to a 911 call from a Santa Clara area apartment.

“As officers were responding to the location, they received information that the situation had escalated and the suspect was now stabbing the victim,” Morgan told press.

After kicking open the front door, the officer says he saw four people in the hallway, with the suspect straddling the victim, pinning the body down to the ground with a knife in his hand, according to body cam images shared with press at a briefing.

When the suspect raised the knife, the officer responded with four gunshots. The police say the suspect fell on the ground, and was later transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, Santa Clara police said.

The stabbing victim survived the attack, and was treated for multiple stab wounds to their hands, chest, lung, and abdomen. Based on witness statements, the police said, the suspect used two knives in the assaults.

The matter is still under investigation.

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September 8, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

ConcernedApe assures that Stardew Valley update 1.7 won’t delay Haunted Chocolatier much – it might even release first

by admin September 7, 2025

Fear not, fans of spirit candy! The recent announcement of Stardew Valley 1.7 update is not evidence that Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone’s next game Haunted Chocolatier has been banished to the realm of vapourware – or so sayeth Barone himself, at least. In a brief and caveat-strewn Q&A, the life sim creator has gone into more depth about development on Stardew, revealing that he’s not as heavily involved with it as with previous updates. As such, he’s still focussing “the vast majority” of his attention on Haunted Chocolatier.

It’s even possible that the latter will release before Stardew Valley’s next update, but let’s not count our Cocoa Loco Little Choc Chicks (£6.99 minus delivery costs) before they’ve hatched.

“Recently, I announced that there will be another major content update for Stardew Valley — the 1.7 update,” writes Barone on his blog. “You might be wondering: If ConcernedApe is working on Stardew Valley 1.7, will that cause Haunted Chocolatier to take longer? The answer: Maybe a little, but not as much as you might think.”

Barone goes onto explain that he’s been working with a small team on Stardew Valley additions and fixes since update 1.3 – he’s still “completely solo” on Haunted Chocolatier “for the time being”.

While he was “fully, personally locked-in on content development” for previous Stardew updates, Barone says that with update 1.7, “I have been trying to take more of a “creative director” role in the team, so that (at least for now) I can focus the vast majority of my attention on Haunted Chocolatier.”

“So far, it’s been pretty good… we are working at a relaxed pace, we have a ton of ideas, and everything has been high quality,” Barone continues. “Eventually, I will have to spend a little more time focused on Stardew Valley, because in order for me to maintain a full connection to the game, I need my hand to touch every piece of new content. And there are some aspects of content development which I insist on doing myself, like the music.

“But with our “no release date” approach to the 1.7 update, it’s not certain when that time will come. It might even be after Haunted Chocolatier comes out. (no guarantees though)”.

Barone adds that “the reality of my life is that I have a very popular 1st game that I still want to take care of, which means that my 2nd game might take a little longer”. Stardew Valley’s audience is “still growing”, he notes, and “it’s hard to just stop improving it when there are still things that can be improved. But I hope the approach I am taking for Stardew Valley 1.7 will help keep Haunted Chocolatier on track.”

Stardewman remains tight-lipped as to what update 1.7 might involve. We don’t know a whole caboodle about Haunted Chocolatier, either, other than that it’s more of an action-RPG than Stardew Valley, and sees you staffing a chocolate shop with ghosts.

Let me laboriously do some Audience Engagement and ask: what kind of chocolate would you be least surprised to discover is made by ghosts? I’ve always found hazelnut truffles a bit sinister. I find that they mysteriously make me fatter – clear indications of paranormal activity.

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September 7, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Watch out, Hollow Knight: Silksong’s hiding a sneaky Stardew Valley creatorman cameo

by admin September 6, 2025

In case you missed it, a plucky little game no one had heard anything about whatsoever arrived yesterday. Hollow Knight: Silksong. Yeah, I know, it’s news to me too. Anyway, what’s also news is that Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone has a voice acting cameo in Skong. Though, he’s being all coy about revealing when and where you can hear his dulcet tones.

This came to light because of some valiant folks who’ve already made it to Silksong’s end credits, presumably having pulled mammoth sessions last night, as our own Ollie did to provide you lot with some helpful early game walkthroughs. Or, you know, they’ve gone to the extras bit of the main menu and pressed the button that rolls the credits.

Barone’s name is just chilling there in a section dedicated to additional characters voices, which also features Team Cherry marketing and publishing fellow Matthew Griffin. Naturally, the question is where do folks have to go to find Barone’s cameo?

According to The Verge, who reached out to ConcernedApe LLC’s head of operations Cole Medeiros, neither he nor Barone would just come out and say where the cameo is, despite confirming it is indeed that Eric Barone. Medeiros told the site that the Stardew and and also Haunted Chocolatier dev would “rather not say which character(s) so as not to spoil any surprises for anyone”.

I’ve not had a chance to join the RPS Skong hive currently reviewing/guiding/Edwining their way through Silksong yet, so I’m gonna take a big old stab in the dark as to which character Barone’s voiced.

It’s this one:

I can’t wait to meet this guy

[image or embed]

— Kelsey (@badkirbys.bsky.social) 4 September 2025 at 09:43

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I stress, that’s a total guess based on zero knowledge or information, just vibes. If it’s correct, everyone who reads this owes me a pound of human flesh to feed Horace. If it’s wrong, I’ll pretend it didn’t happen and probably go dark on the socials for a bit, as is the custom when you’ve callously said something wrong and are a bit embarrassed about it.

Outside of the Barone cameo coming to light, Silksong’s arrival also briefly murdered Steam. The storefront has since been revived by a crack team of medics exhibiting the sort of CPR enthusiasm reserved for those who know their ability to play I Am Jesus Christ’s demo is at stake.

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September 6, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Hollow Knight Silksong features the voice of Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone

by admin September 6, 2025

Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone has voiced a character or two in Hollow Knight Silksong.

Barone’s name was spotted in Silksong’s credits, which you can access from the Extras part of the main menu. And when The Verge asked Stardew Valley studio ConcernedApe if this was the same Eric Barone who worked there, the company’s head of biz dev, Cole Medeiros, confirmed it.

But! Neither Mereidos nor Barone will confirm who Barone voices in Silksong. Medeiros said Barone would rather not say so as not to spoil anything. Barone could potentially be any of the weird and wonderful characters you bump into along the way.

There! Third down on the left. | Image credit: Eurogamer / Team Cherry

This is a news-in-brief story. This is part of our vision to bring you all the big news as part of a daily live report.

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September 6, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Disney Dreamlight Valley Is Getting Horseback Riding In Its Next Expansion

by admin September 5, 2025

The next expansion for Disney Dreamlight Valley is on the way, adding three brand-new biomes, a handful of iconic Disney horses to befriend–and a new horseback riding mechanic. The Wishblossom Ranch expansion doesn’t have a release date yet, but Disney will reveal more about the upcoming content in a showcase stream on October 15.

For now, Disney has teased just part of the upcoming expansion, revealing that one of Wishblossom Ranch’s three new mountainous biomes will be called Wishing Alps. The new content will partner you with characters from across Disney’s slate of films, including Snow White, mischievous pixie Tinkerbell, and Maximus–the noble white steed from Tangled.

These are just some of the characters who will be a part of the Ranch storyline–with Disney teasing in particular that more iconic Disney horses will be joining the equestrian-themed expansion. Alongside existing Disney horse characters, the expansion will also grant players their own customizable mount, which can be tailored to match your own avatar.

It may come as no surprise that the horse-themed expansion will also be adding a brand-new horseback riding mechanic, which will have uses beyond the ranch and into the Valley itself. Disney promises that horseback riding will change the way you travel around the game map and also how you accomplish your various activities across Dreamlight Valley.

This is just some of what is coming in the Wishblossom Ranch expansion, with more to be announced in a showcase stream coming on October 15. The stream will reveal more biomes, characters, and features coming with the expansion, as well as giving a look at some of the ranch and stable decor on the way.

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September 5, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Join Us for WIRED’s “Uncanny Valley” Live

by admin September 2, 2025

With original reporting and sharp analysis, WIRED’s Uncanny Valley podcast covers today’s biggest stories in tech. We demystify companies like Palantir, trends like vibe coding, and figures like Sam Altman; we break down our essential coverage of DOGE and ICE; we guide listeners through breakthrough innovations like generative AI and sweeping policy changes like the Trump administration’s tariffs.

On September 9, at 7 pm PDT, WIRED is partnering with KQED for Uncanny Valley’s first live show of the podcast. The first part of the event will feature WIRED editor in chief Katie Drummond in conversation with Jack Conte, CEO of Patreon. As a founder and musician, Conte has been at the forefront of adapting and harnessing the power of changing technological landscapes to the advantage of creatives. This summer, Patreon reached a milestone of $10 billion in payments to creators since the company was founded in 2013.

The roundtable conversation with our cohosts Michael Calore and Lauren Goode will center around how San Francisco grew to be the tech hot spot it is today, and how that role has changed in recent years. Emerging technologies like AI and machine learning have allowed the Bay Area to retain its leadership position—but can it keep it?

You won’t want to miss this event. Get your tickets here.

For those not based in the Bay Area, you can tune in via the livestream on this page:

And if you’re not yet a listener, you can check out past episodes below.

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September 2, 2025 0 comments

Game Reviews

Infinity Nikki’s latest update lets you build your dream home, and pal up with a Stardew Valley Junimo

by admin September 2, 2025

Infinity Nikki has kicked off a surprising new cross-over with its latest update. The new patch, version 1.9, is live now, and heralds the start of a new season alongside the aforementioned collaboration.

You may have assumed that there’s already a lot of cross-over between Infinity Nikki players and Stardew Valley players. Infold Games clearly agrees, because the developer is teaming up with the farming simulator for this next event.

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Patch 1.9 arrived in the game following the usual maintenance. Some parts of the update were available to download ahead of time through the game’s launcher. 1.9 is a fairly substantial patch for Infinity Nikki, not least because of the season it comes with.

Music Season is where the Stardew Valley collaboration lives. The new season is available until September 22, and as the name suggests, there’s music and rhythm games-inspired content here.

A Junimo from the world of Stardew Valley has arrived in Miraland, befriending Nikki. The two will take part in an adventure. Complete it and you’ll earn exclusive collaboration furniture for your home, and an outfit for Nikki.

Watch on YouTube

The story of the update itself doesn’t actually revolve around Stardew Valley. Instead, it’s about Nikki coming across a brooch that belongs to the Evermelody Troupe, which sets her off on a quest to investigate. You’ll visit the Box Theater (haunted by a new enemy) as part of this, and even witness a live rehearsal.

Supporting all that are the new rhythm game mechanics, which include dancing with town NPCs. The update also adds the ability to transform into small animals to uncover clues around Miraland.

The big new gameplay feature in 1.9 is the ability to build a home in Miraland. You can create your own living space, with the help of Yardlings. This is available as part of the Set Off for a Warm Place quest, which will teach you the basics. You can save your home designs, and even share them with others using a unique code.

Before jumping in, make sure you check our updated list of Infinity Nikki codes for September.

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September 2, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

“The cat’s out of the bag” – Stardew Valley update 1.7 revealed, bagged cat content TBC

by admin September 2, 2025

Stardew Valley will get at least one more significant game update, says Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone, mere months after stating that he doesn’t “want to just be the Stardew Valley guy.” It’ll be called update 1.7, and the trimness of the numbering implies that it’ll be a large one. For context, Stardew Valley update 1.6 brought eight player PC co-op, new crops, a lot more NPC dialogue, a mastery system, new pets, and the ability to give those pets hats (which caused a few problems).

“Okay, I revealed this at the concert last night and now the cat’s out of the bag, so I will confirm for everyone: There will be a Stardew Valley 1.7 update,” Barone wrote on Xitter over the weekend. “No release date, no estimate. But it’s happening.”

Barone is theoretically also working on a brand new game, the more combat-focussed RPG Haunted Chocolatier, but Stardew Valley keeps luring him back, for there is always something else to fix or introduce, however daft. “It’s just so much easier to just add more stuff to Stardew Valley than to make a whole new game from scratch,” he said in May. “Because Stardew Valley, all the systems, the major systems, are already all done. That’s the stuff that’s not fun to do. When I make an update, it’s like, throw in this, throw in that, let’s add green rain. These random ideas I have. Whimsical ideas.”

In Barone’s defence, if I had made the fourth best-selling premium PC game of all time, I would feel in no great rush to move on from it. I would tinker for years. Well, I mean, I would actually take a lot of holidays. But in between all those trips to Alton Towers and when not playing Micro Machines in my bedroom-sized caramel fondue, I would do plenty of tinkering. Ah, I imagine George R. R. Martin wishes he could be updating the old GOT novels instead of writing The Winds Of Winter.

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September 2, 2025 0 comments