FromSoftware Remains Committed to Single-Player Experiences, Says Duskbloods Director Miyazaki

/in /tarafından

FromSoftware Assures Fans: Single-Player Games Still a Priority

Following the recent reveal of The Duskbloods — a new exclusive multiplayer title for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 — FromSoftware has reassured fans that its roots in single-player gaming remain firmly planted. The game, which debuted during the Nintendo Direct showcase last week, is slated for a 2026 release and will feature intense PvPvE gameplay, marking a new direction in terms of format but not in overall philosophy.

In the wake of the announcement, some fans speculated whether this meant the studio was shifting focus away from the immersive single-player experiences that helped define its legacy. However, Hidetaka Miyazaki, FromSoftware president and the game director for The Duskbloods, addressed those concerns directly. In an interview with Nintendo’s Creator’s Voice, Miyazaki made it clear that the studio has no intention of abandoning the single-player genre.

Miyazaki emphasized that while multiplayer mechanics — particularly PvPvE — offer exciting design possibilities, they are not a replacement for the studio’s hallmark single-player adventures. He described PvPvE as “very interesting” from a design standpoint, especially in how it allows FromSoftware to blend dynamic enemy encounters with player-driven chaos. Still, he reiterated that single-player narratives and experiences remain a central pillar of the company’s creative direction.

Known for titles like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring, FromSoftware has built a reputation for delivering deeply challenging and richly atmospheric solo games. Miyazaki’s latest comments will come as a welcome confirmation for longtime fans that, even as the studio experiments with new formats, its commitment to crafting memorable single-player worlds remains as strong as ever.

Apple Challenges UK Order on Encryption Access, Tribunal Confirms Appeal

/in /tarafından

Apple Pushes Back Against UK Encryption Access Order, Tribunal Reveals

Apple is formally challenging a directive from the British government that would require the company to create a “back door” into its encrypted cloud services. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), which oversees intelligence and surveillance issues in the UK, confirmed on Monday that the tech giant has launched an appeal against the order.

In a written ruling, the IPT rejected a request by the British government to keep the basic details of the case confidential — including the fact that Apple is the one contesting the demand. This means the public now has visibility into the dispute, which centers around encryption standards and government access to private user data.

While both Apple and the UK Home Office declined to comment immediately, earlier reports from The Washington Post indicated that the UK had issued a “technical capability notice” compelling Apple to make encrypted user data — including messages and photos — accessible, regardless of a user’s location. If enforced, this could set a precedent affecting not just UK users but Apple’s global encryption policies.

Apple has consistently maintained its stance against building back doors into its devices or services, warning that any such access point could be exploited by bad actors, not just government agencies. In response to the UK’s regulatory pressure, Apple recently removed its most advanced cloud encryption feature, Advanced Data Protection, for new users in the UK — a move that underscores the serious implications of the ongoing legal and policy battle.

Gemini 2.5 Pro Enters Public Preview as Google Boosts AI Studio Rate Limits

/in /tarafından

Google Expands Access to Gemini 2.5 Pro with Public Preview and New Pricing

Google has officially transitioned its Gemini 2.5 Pro AI model from experimental preview to public preview, allowing broader access for developers. Initially launched last month with limited rate caps, the advanced language model is now available with increased usage limits via the Gemini API and Google AI Studio. This shift opens the door for more robust experimentation and development, especially for those looking to integrate high-performance AI into their workflows.

According to Google, early interest in Gemini 2.5 Pro exceeded expectations, prompting the company to expand availability. While the model is now accessible through the Gemini API in AI Studio, it is still pending rollout on Vertex AI. Developers can take advantage of the new access tier immediately, giving them greater flexibility and speed in deploying AI-driven applications.

With expanded access comes clarified pricing. Google has introduced a two-tier pricing structure for Gemini 2.5 Pro. Under the standard tier, which includes up to 200,000 tokens, the model is priced at $1.25 per million input tokens and $10 per million output tokens. Input tokens cover all forms of content including text, images, and audio, while output tokens are calculated based on the model’s reasoning and response generation.

For developers who exceed the 200,000-token threshold, the higher tier pricing kicks in at $2.50 per million input tokens and $15 per million output tokens. Meanwhile, Google is continuing to offer the experimental version of Gemini with limited access at no cost. Emphasizing affordability, Google claims its rates are highly competitive — especially when compared to rivals like Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet, which charges $3 and $15 for input and output tokens respectively.