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It is, as with many things in the modern era, a question of data and metrics. While these shows, when cancelled, often inspire a huge swell of fan protests; for Netflix, it’s all about the numbers. While Netflix does not release traditional viewership metrics for public consumption, it has been widely reported that the company makes its decisions based on a simple comparison: viewership vs. renewal cost. If the show in question brings in enough viewers to offset the cost of a new season, it gets renewed, if not, it gets the axe....

However, in October 2020, the service removed its free trial in the U.S., with a spokesperson for Netflix saying, “we’re looking at different marketing promotions in the U.S. to attract new members and give them a great Netflix experience.” This removal of the Netflix free trial reflected the massive changes in the streaming sector is the short term in response to the coronavirus pandemic and in the long term since Netflix launched its first original series in 2013....

Many reasons have been cited for the Brazilian leaving Catalonia for the French capital, but one of the more prominent reasons that the media has suggested is that Neymar left Barcelona to get out of Messi’s shadow and win the Ballon d’Or. However, even after a spectacular first season with Le Parisiens, in which Neymar scored 28 goals and set up an additional 16 goals for his teammates, at an average of around 61 minutes per goal involvement, he is not expected to win the Ballon d’Or....

Over the last 10 years, the studio Just Add Water has constantly re-released the title and kept it widely available. It started with the PlayStation 3 and went on to get PC, Mac, OnLive, Ouya, iOS, Android, PlayStation Vita, and Switch versions. Needless to say, the re-releases have helped the title surpass 1.6 million copies sold. Just recently, the game was ported to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and despite being 17 years old, Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath is still an interesting game to play in 2022....

Unsurprisingly, the release of Overwatch 2 is going to usher in some changes to the gameplay, with Blizzard looking at how the heroes are balanced, adding new PvE modes, and making additional changes and updates to elevate the overall Overwatch experience. As an online team-based shooter, change is nothing new for Overwatch, but it will be interesting to see how these updates shake up the tried and tested formula. One of the big changes that Blizzard has announced for the next Overwatch game is related to Tanks, which will be modified in Overwatch 2 and will even welcome Doomfist to their ranks in a big change-up for the hero....

One of the Titan Pokemon in Gen 9 is Klawf, a Rock-type crab whose habitat seems to be a deserted area in Paldea. Klawf was revealed in the fifth trailer for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet alongside Armarouge and Ceruledge, which are version-exclusive critters that share a pre-evolution. Design-wise, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet may have gone overboard with Armarouge and Ceruledge, as they look more like Mega Man characters than Pokemon, as many fans have pointed out....

Martha Is Dead is set to release next month after facing some delays, and the indie game promises to be a psychological horror with themes of war, memory, and the supernatural, as many survival horror titles do. As an aside, while PT’s name initially sparked intrigue (and some confusion), Martha Is Dead’s title has been repeatedly compared to a meme referencing Batman V. Superman. The game is set in Tuscany in 1944, and Martha Is Dead has the potential to tap into some major horror themes that make it an interesting choice for fans of the genre - particularly those that liked PT....

Two world champions, one challenge and a whole lot of intrigue. The cooperation between AEW and IMPACT has been interesting, and both promotions should be applauded for their efforts to bring two wrestling worlds together. It all culminated with Rich Swann taking on Kenny Omega in a winner-takes-all, title vs. title match. The contest was even topped off by having arguably pro wrestling’s best play-by-play man, Mauro Ranallo, making a special return appearance to call the action....

A virtual reality climate change experience, set to debut at the 2021 Venice Biennale, is meant to simulate Samoa by interacting with the virtual environment and letting you smell local elements. It’s one of a growing number of technologies trying to leverage more of your senses while in VR. “The closer our virtual experiences are to our real ones, the more effective they are,” Aaron Wisniewksi, CEO of OVR Technology, which makes the gear that produces the smell for the exhibit, said in an email interview....

While the headline bout involving Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev has captured the imagination of UFC fans, T.J. Dillashaw and Aljamain Sterling’s upcoming bout will be an interesting clash of styles. Sterling quickly announced himself as one of the bantamweight division’s finest grapplers. ‘Funk Master’ possesses a well-rounded grappling skill-set that combines his wrestling experience with exceptional Brazilian jiu-jitsu. T.J. Dillashaw, by contrast, is a more complete fighter who is comfortable in every facet of mixed martial arts....

We no longer have to rely on basic house alarms. Instead, the advent of wireless security cameras—many of which have a whole suite of additional features—means we can protect our properties in ways that never used to be possible. One example of a well-priced yet feature-rich security camera is the Blurams Dome Pro. A single Blurams camera would ordinarily set you back $60, however, MakeUseOf can offer you the same device for just $50 if you sign up for today’s deal....

With Sam Darnold on the shelf with a right shoulder injury , Carolina, at 4-5 and still in the NFC wild-card hunt, was desperate for a better QB situation at midseason than the combination of P.J. Walker and new signee Matt Barkley. Looking at who’s available on the street, Newton felt like the only viable option, because he also was the most familiar option. But that’s the issue — the Panthers’ key braintrust of David Tepper, coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Joe Brady have had their chances to re-sign Newton — not once, not twice, but thrice — and avoid the Bridgewater bump and Darnold disaster in the first place....

Tom Brady and the Bucs won the NFC South despite an 8-9 record, so they’ll play host to the 12-5 Cowboys, who finished second in the NFC East. Last year’s playoffs marked the first time the NFL scheduled a prime-time playoff game for a day other than Saturday or Sunday. The contest was a part of the NFL’s expanded postseason, which now features seven teams from each conference and two additional wild-card games....

While the Intel 670p series of SSDs offered respectable performance, the main draw of QLC SSDs is offering a cheaper price point than TLC SSD alternatives. Moreover, the 670p series doesn’t use PCIe 4.0 technology which makes the high price point even more confusing for customers. Thankfully, Intel slashed the prices within a few days of the release and the 670p series SSDs better reflect their performance to cost ratio....

The first game may not be perfect, but by hanging its narrative on Max and Chloe’s close bond as they work together to uncover the secrets behind Rachel Amber’s mysterious disappearance, Life is Strange remains rooted in a strong foundation. Max’s rewind ability was a fun and unique mechanic, and the nuanced exploration of small-town life was just the right background for the two friends to rekindle their relationship. The other Life is Strange games have found their own success, but none have really come close to replicating what Max and Chloe were able to introduce....

But are Vick’s legal troubles a civil-rights issue? NEWSWEEK’s Joshua Alston spoke to R.L. White, president of the Atlanta NAACP, to find out. Excerpts: NEWSWEEK: What motivated you to call a press conference this week, urging restraint in the media’s coverage of Vick’s case? R.L. White: The biggest factor was that our office had taken so many calls from people who were urging us to take a stand. Is Vick involved with the NAACP somehow?...

On Wednesday, reports emerged that the Pelicans were parting with the veteran coach after he posted a 31-41 record during his lone season in charge of New Orleans. The Pelicans, considered to be a potential playoff team in the Western Conference, finished tied for 11th place in the West. They were two games back from the 10th seed, which would have gained them entry into the NBA’s inaugural play-in tournament, but they couldn’t play well enough to get in....

The Court’s majority opinion identified two fatal defects in the Nebraska law. First, the Court found that Nebraska’s definition of the procedure was so broadly worded that it violated the “undue burden” test that the Court had laid down for anti-abortion measures in the landmark 1992 case, Planned Parenthood v. Casey, another five to four ruling that reaffirmed Roe v. Wade (1973). Most, although not all, of the 30 other states laws outlawing “partial-birth” abortions have similar or identical flaws and are now also unconstitutional....

It’s difficult to think about major changes because we tend to believe that the way things are now is the way they will always be. It was once said that there was no way we’d ever have a telephone in every home because there weren’t enough young women in the country to man the switchboards. But technology evolves and the signs are always there before the switch happens. Contrary to what many people think, Apple didn’t invent the smartphone....