Twitter has lost another head of trust and safety after Elon Musk purchased the company last year. According to Reuters, Ella Irwin, the website's top executive for content moderation has resigned. Fortune has also reported earlier that her company Slack account has already been deactivated. While Irwin has confirmed her resignation to both organizations, she didn't elaborate on the reason for her departure. The executive took over the role as head of trust and safety after Yoel Roth left the same position in November 2022, publicly walking back on his previous statement that Twitter would be safer under Musk. 

Like Roth, Irwin seemed to be supportive of the Twitter owner — who sees himself as a "free speech absolutist" — and defended him from critics of his approach to content moderation. She said in the past that Musk gave her team the go-ahead to prioritize safety and not to worry about affecting user numbers. The Center for Countering Digital Hate recently reported that Twitter has been failing to properly and quickly address 99 percent of hate speech, including neo-Nazi, racist, homophobic and transphobic content, posted on the website by Twitter Blue users. 

Although Irwin hasn't revealed why she left the company, her departure seemed to have taken place right after conservative publication The Daily Wire said Twitter canceled their deal to premiere its What is a Woman? film on the website. The outlet's co-founder said Twitter offered it the opportunity to "buy a package to host the movie on a dedicated event page and to promote the event to every Twitter user over the first 10 hours." However, the website reportedly withdrew its offer after reviewing a screener and told the outlet that it could no longer purchase the package. Twitter also apparently told the outlet that it will limit the reach of the film, as well as label it with "hateful conduct" due to "misgendering."

To note, Twitter's hateful conduct policy states that it considers "hateful imagery to be logos, symbols, or images whose purpose is to promote hostility and malice against others based on their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or ethnicity/national origin." Anything "depicting hateful imagery is not permitted within live video, account bio, profile or header images."

As a response to The Daily Wire co-founder's post, Musk tweeted that the decision was a "mistake by many people at Twitter" and that the film was "definitely allowed." He added that not using someone's pronouns is "at most rude and certainly breaks no laws" and that he objects "to rude behavior, ostracism or threats of violence if the wrong pronoun or name is used."

In follow-up tweets, Musk said Twitter is updating its system so that The Daily Wire's followers will see the film in their feed. However, it will not be recommended or advertised to non-followers.

Last year, Nintendo put its eShop in "maintenance mode" in Russia, which prevented access to the eShop for customers in the country. Now, the company is making it official: Nintendo is halting all sales in Russia.

Nintendo of Europe announced that as of May 31st, 2023, the company will halt all new eShop sales in Russia. This means that you won’t be able to make any new purchases from the store or redeem digital codes. Nintendo says all credit card information and PayPal details will be deleted for security reasons and that you won’t be able to create new Nintendo Accounts as long as Russia is set as the country.

The good news is users with a Russian eShop account will still be able to download previously-purchased games and DLC "for the foreseeable future." It’s unclear at this time how long Nintendo plans on keeping the eShop available for these users.

"As of May 31, 2023, and for the foreseeable future, Russian customers with an existing Nintendo Account will be able to redownload digital content that they have previously purchased. It will not be possible to make any new purchases or use download codes within [the] Nintendo eShop in Russia."

We’ve reached out to Nintendo for additional comment and will update this story when we’ve heard back.

Both Microsoft and Sony halted all sales from Russia over a year ago as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Game studios such as Epic, Activision Blizzard and EA made similar moves and halted sales in the country at around the same time. Nintendo joining the mix means that no major console makers currently allow its Russian users to purchase new games in the country.

By now, it’s well-known that Xbox-exclusive Redfall was a colossal commercial and critical dud when it launched last month. Its somewhat intriguing concept — vampires inhabiting a well-to-do Massachusetts island — was held back by bugs and an overall lack of polish. (The description “not fit for public consumption” summarized Jessica Conditt’s impressions in Engadget’s review.) Now, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier has pulled back the curtain on alleged behind-the-scenes turmoil that led to Xbox’s latest setback in its mission to catch up with Sony’s and Nintendo’s first-party console sellers.

The story shows Arkane Studios’ development lacking direction long before Microsoft acquired Zenimax, the studio’s parent company, in 2020. Hoping to capture some of the lucrative juice propelling mainstream “games as a service” titles like Fortnite and Overwatch, Arkane (known for critically acclaimed single-player titles like Dishonored 2 and Prey) looked to incorporate microtransactions into Redfall early on. In-game monetization was eventually scrapped, but the alleged rough start apparently set the tone for a sloppy and scattered design process.

Developers speaking off the record to Bloomberg described the leadership of co-directors Harvey Smith and Ricardo Bare as unfocused. “Developers under Smith and Bare said the two leads were outwardly excited but as the project progressed failed to provide clear direction,” Bloomberg wrote. “Staff members said that, over time, they grew frustrated with management’s frequently shifting references to other games, such as Far Cry and Borderlands, that left each department with varying ideas of what exactly they were making.” In addition, the sources describe a “fundamental tension” between single-player and multiplayer emphasis, with devs reportedly feeling like the game was trying to accomplish two things and succeeding at neither.

Arkane Austin

Hiring and maintaining existing staff posed another challenge. Developers typically joined Arkane wanting to work on the solo / simulation types of affairs the studio was known for; many employees reportedly left after they found themselves working on what felt like an unfocused multiplayer fiasco. Additionally, the studio’s Austin, TX headquarters meant hiring also had to contend with the state’s regressive social policies under Governor Greg Abbott and the far-right Texas Legislature. “Since Redfall wasn’t yet announced, the studio couldn’t describe its details to prospective employees — a predicament that exacerbated the staffing issues,” Bloomberg added. This was all compounded by the fact that Arkane was trying to make a multiplayer game with a head count built for single-player titles; even outsourcing to other studios reportedly didn’t provide enough help.

After Microsoft acquired ZeniMax, Arkane’s new parent company took a mostly hands-off approach. “Aside from canceling a version of Redfall that had been planned for rival Sony Corp.’s PlayStation, Microsoft allowed ZeniMax to continue operating as it had before, with great autonomy,” said Schreier. As a result, the story details an unsurprising “final frantic months” of development, including multiple delays. It probably didn’t help that Smith and other studio leaders allegedly engaged in magical thinking (or at least magical speaking), promising “Arkane magic” would serve as a last-second fix for the troubled production. That didn’t happen, and several of Bloomberg’s sources said they were surprised to ultimately find the game’s public release essentially unchanged since last playing it in 2021.

Although Microsoft inherited (what sounds like) a titanic mess, the company deserves blame for not recognizing the title’s flaws before launch and either shelving it entirely or perhaps reworking it as a single-player title. We may see how quickly Microsoft can rebound and learn from its mistakes as we approach Starfield’s highly anticipated September arrival. In the meantime, I recommend checking out Bloomberg’s story for much more detail about making the Xbox-exclusive stinker.

It's no secret that Vimeo has shied away from challenging YouTube in favor of serving as a business-friendly video platform, and now that's affecting its living room apps. The company is ending support for its current TV apps on June 27th, including the versions for Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV and Roku devices. They'll no longer be available in app stores, and you won't see any updates. If you want to watch a clip on the big screen, you'll have to stream it from a mobile device using Apple AirPlay or Google Cast. We've asked Vimeo for comment.

The company is fairly clear about its reasoning. The focus on creatives and corporations means those TV apps aren't a priority, and Vimeo shelves products that are "no longer consistent with [its] standards." Vimeo isn't about to maintain apps that don't fit its strategy and will increasingly fall behind, in other words. Casting will provide a "better ongoing experience," the firm claims.

The catch, of course, is that you might still use Vimeo for watching your favorite videos. There won't be an easy way to browse the "Watch Later" queue from the living room. While this won't stop you from watching videos on a TV, this could make marathon viewing sessions more of a hassle. Like it or not, Vimeo is happy to steer you to your computer or phone for any extended streaming.

Getting access to everything you want to watch without a cable subscription is easy these days — but the subscription fees can add up quickly. On average, streaming services charge between $5 and $15 each month for their on-demand libraries. If you're a Verizon Wireless customer, however, you might be able to save a little with a new bundle: starting on June 2nd, the company will offer Netflix's Premium Plan and Paramount+ with Showtime for $25.99 per month. 

The deal is available exclusively through Verizon's +play portal, which it introduced last year as a tool to help customers manage their streaming subscriptions and discover new content. It's essentially a service that helps you consolidate all of your streaming bills in one place, and this bundle seems to be an incentive to get more users on the service. To get access, however, you'll need to be a Verizon Wireless customer specifically: subscribers to Verizon Fios don't qualify. 

Netflix's Premium plan costs $19.99 on its own, and you'll pay $11.99 for Paramount+ with Showtime — Verizon's deal can save about $6 a month for a qualifying customer. 

The Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 gameplay that Sony showed during last week’s PlayStation Showcase shed some light on what it will be like to play as both Peter Parker and Miles Morales in the same game. During a spectacular set piece, the action switched between the two characters. One of the burning questions fans were left with was how swapping between the Spider-Men would work throughout the single-player game, and now developer Insomniac has provided an answer.

"When you're playing the main story, we control when you switch between Pete and Miles... it's done in service to the story when we're making those switches, for sure," Spider-Man 2 creative director Bryan Intihar told Eurogamer. "We have content designed around Peter, we have content designed around Miles and we have content where you can play either. You'll be able to, in the open world, freely switch between them with a simple button press."

It seems that the Grand Theft Auto V-style character switching will happen swiftly too, thanks to the PS5’s capabilities. One of the early examples of the console’s speedy loading times was seen in Spider-Man: Miles Morales, where players could use the fast travel system to get from one end of Manhattan to the other in just a couple of seconds.

In addition, Miles and Peter will each have their own skill trees, and there will be a third one that they share so you can use some of the same abilities with either character. "We saw in the gameplay reveal where Miles has the evolved Venom powers, whereas Peter has the Symbiote abilities. And so those, those change a bit of how you play, and you can upgrade those in their respective trees as well,” game director Ryan Smith said.

Meanwhile, by expanding to Queens and Brooklyn in the sequel, Insomniac says the sequel’s map is around double the size of the previous two games. “Since these two areas are somewhat smaller and residential, I think you’ll find them different from Manhattan,” Intihar said in a Gematsu translation of a Famitsu interview. “We’ve prepared some unexpected situations we haven’t done before, like a battle on the river between two of the cities, so I hope you’ll look forward to them.”

Insomniac hasn’t revealed a release date for Spider-Man 2. However, it said the PlayStation 5 exclusive is still on track to arrive this fall.

Feline-focused cyberpunk adventure Stray is officially coming to Mac. The critically-acclaimed title will be available for all Apple silicon models, from the most powerful Mac Studio desktops to standard Macbook Air laptops. This is only for silicon models, however, so older Intel-based Macs need not apply. There’s no release date yet but developer BlueTwelve Studio and publisher Annapurna Interactive urge fans to keep an eye on its Twitter accounts for up-to-date information.

Stray originally launched last year for PS4, PS5 and PC via Steam. The game has gone on to rack up glowing reviews and several industry awards, nabbing Best Independent Game and Best Debut Indie Game at The Game Awards. As the marketing suggests, you play as a cat navigating a cyberpunk world, solving puzzles and fooling around with a robot drone companion.

This is yet another feather in Apple’s gaming cap. For years (decades really) the platform struggled to lure top-tier developers and high-quality titles. This has been changing thanks to the power of Apple’s silicon chipsets and upscaling tools like MetalFX. Hit space sim No Man’s Skyjust launched on Mac computers and the platform currently hosts titles like Resident Evil: Village, Hades, Disco Elysium and more.

When Motorola rebooted the legendary Razr line as a foldable phone in 2019, it felt like such a natural evolution. Unfortunately, we haven’t gotten a ton of updates since then aside from a mildly-upgraded 5G variant in 2020 and a China-only version late last year. But that changes now because today Motorola is announcing not one but two new members of the Razr family with the Razr and Razr+. And after getting a chance to check both of them out, I feel like each one has some interesting features you don’t get on competing devices.

In terms of general design, both the Razr and Razr+ share the same chassis and internal flexible display. The main difference is that the Razr+ sports a 3.6-inch 144Hz pOLED screen on its front – which Motorola claims is the largest exterior display on any foldable available today – while the standard Razr has a much smaller 1.5-inch external panel. The Razr+ also boasts faster performance thanks to a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip that helps the phone achieve a 165Hz refresh rate on its main screen, whereas the Razr uses a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip that can only support 144Hz. Both also feature 30-watt wired charging and wireless Qi charging, though the latter is capped to a slow 5 watts.

Both feature a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, 8GB of RAM and up to 128GB of storage (or 256GB on the Razr+). They have the same 32-megapixel hole-punch selfie cameras on the interior, with the Razr+ packing a 12-MP main rear camera and a 13-MP ultra-wide/macro setup, while the regular Razr’s sensors are 64-MP and 8-MP respectively. And as a nod towards everyday durability, both Razrs do have some form of water resistance, though their IP52 ratings aren’t good for protecting against more than a weak splash or light rain.

With that out of the way, I’m going to focus on the Razr+ because it’s the more interesting of the two. Unlike the previous foldable Razrs from 2019 and 2020, the new model doesn’t sport the line’s iconic chin, which is a bit sad. But in exchange, you get a much bigger screen that feels more usable when compared to rivals like Samsung’s Z Flip 4. And the way the display wraps around the phone’s two main cameras looks better too.

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

On top of that, Motorola optimized the exterior display so you can access your most important apps, notifications and more without things feeling too cramped. Heck, there are even some simple games that have been tweaked specifically for the outside display. That means you can do stuff like look at a map, respond to texts or check your calendar without having to open the phone. This gives you some of the adaptability of a big foldable like the Z Fold 4 but in a more compact device.

Then when you open up the Razr+, you’re greeted by a beautiful 6.9-inch flexible OLED display with great brightness (up to 1,100 nits). And while there technically is a crease that you can feel if you run your fingers over the middle of the screen, visually, it’s almost undetectable. It’s a really nice acheivement and when you combine that with a chassis that folds completely flat and measures just 15.1mm when closed, you start to really appreciate the many subtle design tweaks Moto made to get here. You even get Gorilla Glass Victus in the front and back for a bit of extra toughness (except for on the Viva Magenta model which gets a vegan leather material in the rear).

In a lot of ways, the Razr+’s body feels like a more polished and functional take on the Z Flip 4’s template. The outside screen is bigger and easier to use while the flexible display on the inside doesn’t suffer from any distracting furrows or wrinkles. Moto even included a slightly larger 3,800 mAh battery, which is great because longevity has never been a strong suit of flip-style foldable phones. And thanks to a new hinge that can hold its position when half open, Moto was even able to include a number of nifty camera modes so you can hold the phone like an old-school camcorder, use the exterior screen to give your subjects a preview of your shot or trigger the new Photobooth mode by holding your hand up.

As for the standard Razr, the benefit of having a smaller exterior screen is that it leaves room for a larger sensor on its main camera in addition to a slightly bigger 4,200 mAh battery. And while you don’t get Gorilla Glass Victus on its exterior, subbing that out for vegan leather seems like a great choice both for style and durability.

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

But my favorite thing about the 2023 Razr family is that by expanding the line into two devices, it feels like Motorola is making foldable phones a lot more approachable. At $1,000, the Razr+ is almost bridging the gap between modern flip phones and bigger foldable devices and could be ideal for people who want a compact device that doesn’t sacrifice much in terms of usability.

My one concern at this point is Moto’s timing. Currently, the Razr+ is slated to be available for pre-order starting on June 16th before official sales begin on June 23rd. That’s close to when Samsung typically announces new foldables in the late summer, which means the Razr+ may only be on the market for a month or two before fresh opposition (likely with faster silicon) appears.

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Meanwhile, for those curious about foldable handsets, there’s the standard Razr. Sure, it’s got a slower chip and its exterior screen isn’t meant for much more than checking notifications. The one hang-up is that at least for now, there’s no official info about an expected price or release date. But according to Motorola executives, it will also be “meaningfully cheaper” than the Razr+, which could make it a great entry-level foldable – especially if Moto can get the price down around $750 or less.

But if you’re like me and you’ve been waiting for more foldable phones to hit shelves, between Moto’s two new Razrs and Google’s upcoming Pixel Fold, this summer has gotten a lot more exciting real quick.

Motorola skipped the US market with last year's Razr, but it's coming back — and there may be reasons to consider the company's latest foldable phones over Samsung's rival Galaxy Z Flip series.The company has introduced a 2023 Razr family headlined by the Razr+ (Razr 40 Ultra in Europe), a flagship-level model whose centerpiece is a comparatively huge 3.6-inch, 1,056 x 1,066 external display running at up to 144Hz. The extra real estate allows for quick access "panels" (including a dedicated Spotify panel) and even mini games.

The folding action is also improved. Like the Z Flip, you can now open the device at different angles for hands-free recording and video viewing. A redesigned hinge also makes this the thinnest foldable phone on the market when closed, Motorola claims. The internal 6.9-inch, 165Hz 1080p screen (slightly larger than the 6.7 inches of before) is "nearly creaseless" at the same time, and you'll find spatial audio that includes Dolby Atmos support.

The Razr+ isn't any faster than the 2022 model with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip and 8GB of RAM. Motorola is rethinking its camera approach, mind you. The new phone includes 'just' a 12MP main camera, but dual-pixel autofocus and a wide f/1.5 aperture could make it well-suited to low-light shots. You'll also find a 13MP ultra-wide cam that doubles as a macro shooter, and a 32MP selfie camera sits in a cutout in the main display. The clamshell should last longer, too, thanks to a larger 3,800mAh battery that reportedly lasts all day and night with wireless or 30W wired charging.

The price may be as much of a draw as the phone itself. Motorola will sell the Razr+ with 256GB of storage on June 23rd through its website, AT&T, Google Fi, T-Mobile, Optimum Mobile and Spectrum Mobile for $1,000, or $41.67 per month in a two-year instalment plan. In Europe, it's available now for €1,200. That's well below the price of past US models, and makes it competitive with the Galaxy Z Flip 4 you can buy as of this writing. It's just a question of whether or not you like Motorola's hardware enough to avoid waiting for the likely Galaxy Z Flip 5 launch this summer.

Motorola

There will also be a rare option for the budget-conscious, or those who simply want to reduce the temptation to check their phones. The plain Motorola Razr (Razr 40 elsewhere) has a 6.9-inch, 144Hz 1080p main display with the same hinge tech as the higher-end model, but carries a much smaller 1.5-inch external screen that provides just the essentials — in a sense, it harkens back to older Z Flip models.

You'll have to settle for a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 and 128GB of storage. However, you will get a larger 4,200mAh battery and a higher-resolution 64MP main camera. This may be the better option if you're more interested in longevity than raw speed.

The base Razr will reach North America sometime in the "coming months." Motorola hasn't divulged pricing, but executives say the device will be "meaningfully cheaper" than the Razr+. If so, that could make it one of the first modestly-priced foldables in the US. You won't have to pay top-tier money to get a more pocketable handset, even if you're sacrificing some performance in the process.

Meta announced a slate of upcoming games today for its standalone VR headsets (including the upcoming Meta Quest 3). Apple is expected to enter the virtual headset space next week, so Meta is hoping to make a lasting impression with its lineup of upcoming VR titles from beloved franchises, including Assassin’s Creed, Stranger Things, Ghostbusters and Attack on Titan — along with some VR remakes of old-school classics.

In addition to Asgard's Wrath 2, the most enticing game may be the one we know the least about. Although it was little more than a tease, Meta confirmed that Assassin’s Creed Nexus VRisn’t vaporware after all: The next VR installment in the long-running series will launch in the Meta Quest Store later this year. Unfortunately, further details must wait for its official reveal at Ubisoft Forward on June 12th.

We first learned about an upcoming Stranger Things VR game late last year, and today we got a closer look. The title lets you play as season four villain Vecna as you “invade the dreams and memories of fan-favorite characters and harness telekinetic powers to possess minds and battle creatures.” Gameplay includes grabbing, crushing and throwing opponents using telekinesis and opening and closing portals “at your peril.” Meanwhile, the story will allow you to tap into Vecna’s more human past to “relive memories from [Henry Creel’s] time at Hawkins Lab with Dr. Brenner as you explore an otherworldly, interconnected hive mind.” Stranger Things VR is developed by Tender Claws and will launch this fall on “major VR platforms,” including Meta Quest Pro / 3 / 2.

Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord is another previously announced VR game in the pipeline from an iconic IP. The trailer focuses on the backstory of Gustav Hookfaber, a disgruntled and morally confused scientist who has transformed into the villainous Ghost Lord to wreak havoc on San Francisco. You’ll wield proton packs and other classic equipment for solo or co-op ghost-busting. “Continue the Ghostbusters’ legacy, protect the city from fiendish ghosts, and experience all the humor and frights from the beloved franchise,” the game’s description reads. Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord will launch on Meta headsets this fall.

Although it may not be as familiar to younger audiences, The 7th Guest was one of the coolest spectacles to fire up on your cutting-edge CD-ROM in the mid-90s. About three decades later, you’ll be able to play an updated version of the atmospheric adventure / puzzle game in virtual reality. “[Developer Vertigo Games] is using volumetric video capture to recreate the FMV (full-motion video) storytelling of the original game, bringing the classic adventure to life like never before,” the description reads. “And for the first time ever, the iconic mansion is being recreated in full 3D — though don’t be surprised if it starts shifting around you. After all, it’s haunted.” The 7th Guest arrives later this year for Quest.

Another remake, the ultraviolent 2011 first-person shooterBulletstorm is also getting a VR makeover. And the game’s creatively gruesome “Skillshots” are in tow. “Kick an enemy into a cactus?” the game’s teaser asks rhetorically. “Skillshot. Crush one under a hot dog cart? Skillshot. Grab one with your Energy Leash and fling ‘em into a burner? Definitely a skill shot.” Developer Incuvo and publisher People Can Fly (the original game’s developer) created the VR refresh, which appears to stay true to the title’s over-the-top indulgence. Bulletstorm launches later this year on Quest Pro / 3 / 2.

Manga and anime fans may want to heed the upcoming Quest title Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable. The game places you in the Scout Regiment for solo and co-op play. “[Players] will need to combine entirely free three-dimensional movement through use of their Omni-directional Mobility (ODM Gear with cross-range combat in order to defend themselves against killer titans,” the game’s blurb reads. “As players progress, the battle difficulty will increase, so only those with determination and skills critical to making it through to the final battle will survive.” Attack on Titan VR: Unbreakable arrives “this winter” for Quest.

In a slightly less epic and mythological (but perhaps just as fun) gaming world, PowerWash Simulator is getting a VR variant. “With 1:1 accuracy and control of the Quest Touch controllers, blasting away every speck of dirt and grime is a breeze,” the description says. “Reach up, get down and lean-in to tackle those pesky hard-to-reach spots or sit back and wash your worries away.” In addition, the cleaning sim supports solo play and online multiplayer as you “Absorb the relaxing atmosphere and stress-free pace as you take the pressure off and strip dirt from patios, pavements, vehicles, and public parks.” PowerWash Simulator VR launches later this year on Quest headsets.

Owners of Meta headsets may already be familiar with Schell Games' I Expect You to Die. Dating back to the Oculus Rift launch lineup in 2016, Schell Games’ series combines seated gameplay with clever puzzles in a James Bond-like atmosphere laced with wit and satire. The third installment, I Expect You to Die 3: Cog in the Machine, has you again taking on the evil Dr. Zor. It promises an “expanded narrative” with new levels and “more hours of gameplay” compared to the series’ first two installments. The third game in the series launches this summer for Quest, and the developer says pre-orders will get 10 percent off the game’s full price.

In addition to these familiar franchises, Meta announced several other upcoming games and updates for existing titles. For example, tactical FPS Onward is getting a big 1.11 update that adds new player animations, a redesigned lobby, shooting-range revisions and more. Other new or upcoming Quest titles include the roguelike Ghost Signal: A Stellaris Game, mech-fighter Underdogs, jumpscare horror game Silent Slayer: Vault of the Vampire and a remake of the arcade / Dreamcast rhythm game Samba de Amigo. You can read more about all of the big Quest VR announcements in Meta’s recap.