What’s up, gamers? Welcome back to another stacked week in tech and gaming news. More updates on Elon Musk‘s ongoing legal battle with Brazil’s courts as Starlink agrees to take down X in the country. We’ve also been blessed (cursed?) with the first teaser trailer for the new Minecraft movie, which was released this week to mixed reactions.
However, it’s been a great month for video games, with stellar releases and more on the way.
Keen to know more? Of course you are. Let’s dive into this week’s must-know tech and gaming stories.
7. Musk’s Starlink Complies With X Ban In Brazil
Habitual L-taker Elon Musk continues to have more legal troubles following last week’s ruling that X (formerly known as Twitter) will be blocked in Brazil.
Brazil’s ruling required all telecommunications companies to cease providing access to X. Anyone caught using a VPN would also be fined $9000.
Disagreeing with the ruling, Starlink informally told telecommunications regulator Anatel that it would not comply with Judge Alexandre de Moraes‘ order. However, after doom posting on X all week, Musk announced later that he would heed de Moraes’ order to keep the satellite internet active.
The Supreme Court of Brazil had frozen Starlink’s financial assets in the country to ensure that X would pay its penalty fees.
Forgive me for watching this unfold with a big ol’ bowl of popcorn, eagerly waiting for more.
6. The New Minecraft Movie Adaptation Just Got A Trailer & Everyone Hates It
Warner Bros. has finally dropped a trailer for its live-action Minecraft film, and uh… ooh boy.
In short, it looks exactly like many worried it would, repeating the same mistakes as the original Sonic movie trailer. In trying to recreate the art style and whimsy of Minecraft‘s design, they’ve instead made a nightmare-inducing monstrosity.
The film, which will star Jason Momoa, Jennifer Coolidge, and Jack Black, should be released on April 4th, 2025.
It’s not like we already had the perfect blueprint out there, guys; I don’t know how you fumbled this so badly.
5. PlayStation Pulls Plug on Concord, Servers Turned Off Today
Sony announced this week that it would be pulling the plug on Firewalk Studio’s Concord, making it unavailable to purchase on any online store. Servers will also shut down today, only two weeks after its launch.
Players who purchased the game online have been receiving refunds. Physical retailers have also contacted members who bought a copy and offered refunds.
It’s still unclear if we’ll ever see more of Concord. While the report from Ryan Davis, the game director at Firewalk Studio, hinted we might see more, even if it did come back, I’m not sure it’ll find an audience keen enough to play it.
4. Screen Australia Announces $2 Million Funding For Game Devs
Great news for Australia’s growing Indie game dev scene as Screen Australia has announced over $2 million in funding to boost the Australian games sector.
This includes support for 12 games through the Games Production Fund, 27 games through the Emerging Gamemakers Fund and funding for three events through the Games Event Fund.
Minister for the Arts Tony Burke has also confirmed these funds are part of a federal government commitment to “nurturing emerging talent in this booming field.”
3 Astro Bot Launches Today
PlayStation’s Astro Bot launched today, and it looks like it’ll be one of the best releases of the year.
Reviews have been universally positive with plenty of publications calling it their Game of the Year. The Guardian said in their review that Astro Bot was “Fun-packed and brimming with personality, this full-length Astro Bot outing pays tribute to PlayStation history while pushing the console’s capabilities.”
I’ve only sunk two hours into the game so far, but I agree full-heartedly and expect Astro Bot to be this generation’s Crash Bandicoot or Spyro. Every ten seconds, you’ll find yourself chuckling at its infectious charm or figuring out a clever puzzle that’ll have you feeling like the smartest person you know.
I am itching to dive back into it and pet the Astro Cow.
2. Report by WHO Reveals Phone Use Doesn’t Give Us Cancer
Great news for those who endlessly browse their phones on the toilet until their legs go numb: According to a review commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO), mobile phone use does not increase the risk of cancer.
Thanks to a four-year scientific review led by scientists at the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and published in the scientific journal Environmental International, we know this isn’t the case.
Ken Karipidis, ARPANSA’s health impact assessment director, confirmed with the Sydney Morning Herald, “The evidence does not show a link between mobile phone use and brain cancer or other head and neck cancers.”
1. Bethesda bans DOOM mod that lets you kill a mech-demon Margaret Thatcher
Bethesda has removed an infamous Doom 2 mod from its certified mod listings following a complaint that said it was too political.
Thatcher’s Techbase, a now-cult-classic Doom 2 mod launched in 2021, would allow players to enter an alternative hellish lair of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
While the mod has been around for years, both Doom 1 and Doom 2 received solid remasters this year with an official mod collection. While the mod is still readily available to download through its official website, players keen to experience the horrors of mech demon Margaret Thatcher will have to go through more hoops to play it.
Image Credit: Omar Marques/Getty Images, Warner Bros.
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