Latest news with #CivilizationVI
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
UK sailors convinced the Royal Navy to get a computer room on its newest aircraft carrier for esports and video games
Decks below F-35B Lightning II fighters and Wildcat attack helicopters, Chief Petty Officer Martin Miller keeps watch over the Royal Navy's first-ever seafaring computer gaming room. It's not his main job, of course. Miller is one of two logistics store chiefs on board the HMS Prince of Wales, the UK's second aircraft carrier. Business Insider took a look inside the ship as it docked in Singapore during an eight-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific. Miller, the vice-chairman of the Royal Navy's esports committee, voluntarily manages the onboard gaming room, which was set up in February. After wrapping up a typical day at 8 p.m., Miller tends to spend a few hours in the suite, enjoying robust air conditioning and playing the strategy game "Sid Meier's Civilization VI." "Other ships have PlayStations and Xboxes down on the mess deck so they can play where they live, but this is the first ship that's got a PC setup like this," Miller said. Officially dubbed the ship's "esports suite," it's more like a computer lab for now. The facility is an old exam room fitted with LED lights, a widescreen TV, office chairs, and eight beefy Alienware gaming computers. While on the high seas, the carrier's internet is typically only good enough to support simple text messages, so sailors make do with local multiplayer games such as "Halo" and "Team Fortress 2." The suite's gaming gear is sponsored by the Royal Navy, which disburses funds to troops petitioning for official support in a sport. To get money, sports committees must prove their pastime has a large following within and outside the British forces. In March 2024, the UK's defense ministry recognized esports as a military sport, saying it valued digital skills associated with gaming and hoped the activity would help retain young talent. "If you're a top gamer, or a coder, your country needs you," UK Defense Minister John Healey said in a September speech. One of the crew's selling points for the carrier's gaming suite is that it can be a tool for cross-rank team bonding. Mess halls are sometimes equipped with consoles for couch gaming titles like "Mario Kart," but free access to these rooms is bound by seniority. Miller said officers and leaders book the gaming suite via email about three times a week for their teams. Sailors also use it ad-hoc every evening while at sea, he said. Aircraft carriers and amphibious assault vessels, with hundreds or thousands of troops on board, often boast a range of recreational facilities. The Prince of Wales, commissioned in 2019, comes with ice baths, saunas, inflatable swimming pools, a golf simulator, three gyms, and karaoke. But with 1,600 crew, squadron staff, and marines aboard, space on the 72,000-ton vessel can be a luxury. Two of the suite's computers are unused because they can't fit in the room, and Miller said the committee has a near-impossible ambition of installing an F1 driving simulator rig. S/Lt. Joshua Hill, the treasurer of the Royal Navy's esports committee, told BI that its members have been setting up gaming suites like this one in the UK's naval bases. But warships are a different story, and getting a room to build a gaming suite on a carrier was an encouraging sign of Royal Navy support, Hill said. "A lot of our infrastructure in the Navy is used, so trying to find the space that they can give up is what we're struggling with at the moment," said Hill. He doesn't work on the carrier, but is an assistant logistics officer on the HMS Dauntless, an accompanying destroyer. Hill hopes this suite can serve as an example of how computer multiplayer games can be introduced to other UK warships. "The next step is, can we get connectivity?" he said. "That's kind of the aim for stuff on ships as a whole."
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Forget Prime Day, Steam's Summer Sale has unbeatable deals on the best games — here's 15 I'm adding to my cart now
Prime Day deals are just around the corner, but you don't have to wait to save big on the best games. The Steam Summer sale is slashing prices on new games, hidden gems, and classics alike, making it the perfect time to build out your PC library for a fraction of the price. This year's Steam Summer sale is set to run through July 10, and it includes some of the top-reviewed games of 2025 so far. Some of my personal favorite deals are Cult of the Lamb for $12, a devilishly twisted blend of simulation and roguelike games, as well as the hit RPG and early game of the year contender Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for $44.99. Fans of the excellent Fallout TV show can grab the latest series entry, Fallout 76, on Steam for under $10. Or if you're a glutton for punishment, FromSoftware's Elden Ring is marked down to $35 on Steam. Steam has hundreds of games on sale starting at just $2. We've rounded up our 15 favorite game deals in this year's Steam Summer Sale. Whether you prefer playing on one of the best gaming PCs, the best gaming laptops, or a Steam Deck, these are the must-play titles that are actually worth the hype. Civilization VI: was $59 now $2 @ Steam'Just one more turn' is the rallying cry of Civilization VI players everywhere. In this historical turn-based strategy game, you choose one of 18 world civilizations (the Americans, the Chinese, the Egyptians, the Kongo, the Romans and so forth), then lead them all the way from the Stone Age into the Space Age. You can choose to conquer your foes through military might, or lead the world in scientific achievement, or become a utopia for artists and philosophers. With a ton of customization options, Civilization VI can be as chill or demanding as you like, making it great for both newbies and veterans. Jurassic World Evolution 2: was $59 now $2 @ SteamThis park management strategy sequel has some dinosaurs. Heck, it might just have all the dinosaurs. Every major leathery leviathan that appeared in the six movies can be bred in this compelling sim. The actual building mechanics are intuitive, while the mode that lets you relive some of the original movie's most iconic moments is well executed. Disco Elysium The Final Cut: was $39 now $3 @ SteamStudio ZA/UM's award-winning role-playing game sees you step into the shoes of an amnesiac detective tasked with unraveling a murder case. As you hunt down the culprit, you're treated to a running commentary from your inner demons, from one communicating your "lizard brain" impulses to others determining logic, empathy, rhetoric, and a lot more. And they all have a lot to say about the (often piss-poor) decisions you make. Celeste: was $19 now $4 @ SteamRetro-style platformer Celeste already felt like a steal for $20, but with the Steam Summer Sale, it's 75% off. This indie darling is an easy recommendation, featuring some of the most punishing platforming levels, gorgeous art, and poignant storytelling we've seen in years. You step into the hiking boots of Madeline, a young woman on the run from her inner demons (and we mean that both literally and figuratively), to summit Mount Celeste. The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt: was $39 now $7 @ SteamNot to be confused with the flawed Netflix show, The Witcher 3 is simply one of the greatest video games ever made. Thanks to its relatively ripe age, it also runs exceptionally well on Steam Deck. You play Geralt of Rivia, a mercenary monster slayer, on a quest to track down your former ward. But don't be surprised if you get seriously sidetracked by the game's numerous side quests and distractions. Hades: was $24 now $8 @ SteamA gorgeous roguelite with a satisfying story and even better combat. If you can step up to Hades' challenging boss fights, you'll find a game that proves to be incredibly satisfying to master. When you're first starting out and are petting a three-headed dog and getting owned by lowly ghouls, Hades will test your patience, yet it's absolutely worth sticking with. Inscryption: was $19 now $8 @ SteamInscryption was one of the best games of 2021, combining strong card game mechanics with a genuinely creepy story and setting. With roguelike elements and lots of different card combinations to discover, Inscryption takes a long time to master, but you'll learn more about its intriguing story each time you play. It's a good choice for horror and card game fans alike. Fallout 76: was $39 now $9 @ SteamFallout 76 is an online-focused take on the popular post-apocalyptic RPG series and the latest entry in the series. Venture out into the Appalachia wasteland on your own or with a friend by your side to find loot, quests and mutated monsters. For fans of Prime Video's excellent "Fallout" show, this is a great opportunity to dive into the series. Cult of the Lamb: was $24 now $12 @ SteamOne of the stranger games on this list, Cult of the Lamb is part simulation, part roguelike, and part pitch-black comedy. You play as a lamb, slaughtered by a quartet of cruel gods but brought back to life to bring them all down. You do this by battling their followers and recruiting your own in a customizable base in the middle of a world full of dark secrets. Cyberpunk 2077: was $59 now $20 @ SteamSure, Cyberpunk 2077 was a train wreck at launch. But developer CD Projekt Red has spent the last four years getting the open-world RPG into shape, and it's now a hugely compelling experience almost on par with the dev's beloved Witcher franchise. In Cyberpunk, you play a mercenary in Night City looking to make your mark on the world and become a legend — or die trying. Horizon Zero Dawn: was $49 now $29 @ SteamHorizon Zero Dawn is an impressive open-world game with an intriguing sci-fi story and a combat system that's more about precision than brute strength. You play as an archer named Aloy in the post-post-apocalyptic American West, where she must hunt down both human and robotic foes as she learns the truth about her own origins. The sequel Horizon Forbidden West is similarly excellent — and also on sale for 40% off right now. Elden Ring: was $59 now $35 @ SteamThis stunning open-world action RPG comes from "Dark Souls" creator FromSoftware and 'House of the Dragon' author, G.R.R. Martin. An all-time gaming great, it also has a Shadow of the Erdree DLC that plays out like Elden Ring on hard mode. Considering the legendary original game still presents a serious challenge, only the most battle-hardened of Tarnished will be ready for the expansion's brilliant but brutal boss fights. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: was $49 now $44 @ SteamClair Obscur: Expedition 33 is easily the most recent entry on this list, and it's a thoughtful, challenging, high-fidelity marvel. Its engaging combat mechanics play out in a distinct and utterly beautiful fantasy world that RPG fans will be eager to dive into. In our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review, we called it an early contender for game of the year. Marvel's Spider-Man 2: was $59 now $47 @ SteamThe latest spidey adventure from Insomniac Games sees Peter Parker and Miles Morales web-swinging into action for another stellar superhero romp that plays across Marvel's New York. Swap between the Spider-Men and deploy their new powers as you take on new villains from Spidey's rogues' gallery in this excellent action game that looks truly stunning. Monster Hunter Wilds: was $69 now $55 @ SteamMonster Hunter Wilds is the latest entry in the long-running series, and sees you venture into new territory teeming with fearsome creatures to craft. Sticking closely to the series' well-established formula, it combines thrilling battles with deep crafting and customization. And it also boasts a highly cinematic main story campaign that can be played in full four-player co-op.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - Trump's threats to attack Iran are counterproductive
On Monday, President Trump announced that representatives from Washington and Tehran will meet this Saturday to discuss a potential deal over Iran's nuclear capabilities and that Iran would be in 'great danger' if a deal isn't struck. Yet Trump's previous threats to bomb Iran have hindered the administration's chances of getting the deal it wants. At first glance, the concept behind Trump's threats toward Tehran seems simple enough: If a country doesn't do a given action, the alternative will be much more painful. Unfortunately for the Trump administration, this logic is equivalent to the strategies of gaming aficionados in Risk or Civilization VI. The subject of war and peace is a complicated one. Dealing with Iran is no exception. An enemy's perception of threats is important for deterrence to work. Several factors reduce the credibility of Trump's threats to bomb Iran, and Tehran is likely aware of them. Ultimately, the administration is almost certain to fail to stop Iran from getting the bomb. Trump seems to be relying on the concept of 'madman theory' to coerce Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. This theory calls for the threat issuer to make himself seem irrational and unpredictable, with the goal being to instill fear into the minds of the opposing side, making it concede to the threatening party's demands. At first glance, the madman theory seems to follow the logic of coercion, with its use of threats to manipulate an enemy's behavior. But on further inspection, using madman behavior is a poor bargaining approach in international politics. The madman's outrageous threats lose credibility over time. If war is akin to a game of cards, one side will eventually call a bluff if the other player bluffs on every hand. Once this happens, the bluffer has only two options — play their hand or fold. Furthermore, the target of the madman's threats views the demands as insatiable. Why would the target country concede to the demands if he will just demand more and more? In fact, modern history presents multiple examples of the madman theory failing to coerce the other side. President Richard Nixon's nuclear threats failed to stop the North Vietnamese, and Saddam Hussein's cultivated madman personas led to his downfall. American military limitations further erode Trump's credibility to stop Iran from building a bomb. Though the U.S. is likely to locate and destroy a good number of Iran's nuclear capabilities, it is nearly impossible for the U.S. to destroy all of them. Iran has taken countermeasures to hide and disperse its nuclear facilities and capabilities. Even if the U.S. destroyed all of Iran's nuclear capabilities — an unlikely outcome — Tehran would still possess the knowledge to build nuclear weapons, as getting rid of nuclear weapons does not erase a country's knowledge of how to build them. Taking out Iran's nuclear capabilities might set back its nuclear program, but the underlying problem of Iran becoming a nuclear power would still remain. The credibility odds also don't favor the U.S. on the grand strategic level. Bombing Iran would reduce America's resources for balancing against China and dealing with domestic issues. The logistical and financial costs of bombing Iran wouldn't be cheap. It would take large weapons to take out Iran's hardened nuclear capabilities. To do this, the U.S. would likely use stealth bombers, probably the B-2, and the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator as bombs. Though the exact operational costs are unknown, the B-2 cost roughly $170,000 per hour to fly in 2021, and the MOP bombs cost a total of roughly $8.5 million for the Air Force to procure for FY 2025; only a small number of these have been delivered since 2015. Should the U.S. drop these bunker-buster munitions on the Iranians, what would be the Trump administration's next step? Should the military stop escalating if it fails to take out all of Iran's nuclear capabilities? What would the administration do if Iran retaliates against the U.S. or Israel? Understanding the end goal of armed conflict is something that leaders and policymakers fail to do time and time again. The result is forever wars. Ironically, Trump's threats of preemptive strikes embolden Tehran to build the bomb. Iran's strategic environment is not looking good. Israel has severely weakened Hezbollah and its ally in Syria fell. Iran's weakened allies, coupled with Israel's previous attacks on Iran, make it more likely for Iran to race to getting the bomb in an attempt to increase its bargaining power. A nuclear weapon is the great equalizer in international politics. A return to a realistic foreign policy — one that requires compromise — is the best way for the Trump administration to salvage any nuclear deal with Tehran. This would mean accepting that Iran has nuclear energy capabilities, easing sanctions and stopping the threat of massive retaliation against the country. Over the long term, the administration should disentangle the U.S. from the Middle East, a region where America has no core strategic interests. War is humanity's most unpredictable undertaking. Those who say otherwise, or claim to know how each phase of a conflict will unfold, are either misinformed or purposefully misleading their constituents. Trump should think long and hard about going through with these strikes. His administration and the Pentagon should keep the following quote from the late defense expert Fred Iklé in mind: 'Those with power to start a war frequently come to discover that they lack the power to stop it.' Benjamin D. Giltner is a Washington D.C.-based defense and foreign policy analyst. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
08-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump's threats to attack Iran are counterproductive
On Monday, President Trump announced that representatives from Washington and Tehran will meet this Saturday to discuss a potential deal over Iran's nuclear capabilities and that Iran would be in 'great danger' if a deal isn't struck. Yet Trump's previous threats to bomb Iran have hindered the administration's chances of getting the deal it wants. At first glance, the concept behind Trump's threats toward Tehran seems simple enough: If a country doesn't do a given action, the alternative will be much more painful. Unfortunately for the Trump administration, this logic is equivalent to the strategies of gaming aficionados in Risk or Civilization VI. The subject of war and peace is a complicated one. Dealing with Iran is no exception. An enemy's perception of threats is important for deterrence to work. Several factors reduce the credibility of Trump's threats to bomb Iran, and Tehran is likely aware of them. Ultimately, the administration is almost certain to fail to stop Iran from getting the bomb. Trump seems to be relying on the concept of ' madman theory ' to coerce Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. This theory calls for the threat issuer to make himself seem irrational and unpredictable, with the goal being to instill fear into the minds of the opposing side, making it concede to the threatening party's demands. At first glance, the madman theory seems to follow the logic of coercion, with its use of threats to manipulate an enemy's behavior. But on further inspection, using madman behavior is a poor bargaining approach in international politics. The madman's outrageous threats lose credibility over time. If war is akin to a game of cards, one side will eventually call a bluff if the other player bluffs on every hand. Once this happens, the bluffer has only two options — play their hand or fold. Furthermore, the target of the madman's threats views the demands as insatiable. Why would the target country concede to the demands if he will just demand more and more? In fact, modern history presents multiple examples of the madman theory failing to coerce the other side. President Richard Nixon's nuclear threats failed to stop the North Vietnamese, and Saddam Hussein's cultivated madman personas led to his downfall. American military limitations further erode Trump's credibility to stop Iran from building a bomb. Though the U.S. is likely to locate and destroy a good number of Iran's nuclear capabilities, it is nearly impossible for the U.S. to destroy all of them. Iran has taken countermeasures to hide and disperse its nuclear facilities and capabilities. Even if the U.S. destroyed all of Iran's nuclear capabilities — an unlikely outcome — Tehran would still possess the knowledge to build nuclear weapons, as getting rid of nuclear weapons does not erase a country's knowledge of how to build them. Taking out Iran's nuclear capabilities might set back its nuclear program, but the underlying problem of Iran becoming a nuclear power would still remain. The credibility odds also don't favor the U.S. on the grand strategic level. Bombing Iran would reduce America's resources for balancing against China and dealing with domestic issues. The logistical and financial costs of bombing Iran wouldn't be cheap. It would take large weapons to take out Iran's hardened nuclear capabilities. To do this, the U.S. would likely use stealth bombers, probably the B-2, and the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator as bombs. Though the exact operational costs are unknown, the B-2 cost roughly $170,000 per hour to fly in 2021, and the MOP bombs cost a total of roughly $8.5 million for the Air Force to procure for FY 2025; only a small number of these have been delivered since 2015. Should the U.S. drop these bunker-buster munitions on the Iranians, what would be the Trump administration's next step? Should the military stop escalating if it fails to take out all of Iran's nuclear capabilities? What would the administration do if Iran retaliates against the U.S. or Israel? Understanding the end goal of armed conflict is something that leaders and policymakers fail to do time and time again. The result is forever wars. Ironically, Trump's threats of preemptive strikes embolden Tehran to build the bomb. Iran's strategic environment is not looking good. Israel has severely weakened Hezbollah and its ally in Syria fell. Iran's weakened allies, coupled with Israel's previous attacks on Iran, make it more likely for Iran to race to getting the bomb in an attempt to increase its bargaining power. A nuclear weapon is the great equalizer in international politics. A return to a realistic foreign policy — one that requires compromise — is the best way for the Trump administration to salvage any nuclear deal with Tehran. This would mean accepting that Iran has nuclear energy capabilities, easing sanctions and stopping the threat of massive retaliation against the country. Over the long term, the administration should disentangle the U.S. from the Middle East, a region where America has no core strategic interests. War is humanity's most unpredictable undertaking. Those who say otherwise, or claim to know how each phase of a conflict will unfold, are either misinformed or purposefully misleading their constituents. Trump should think long and hard about going through with these strikes. His administration and the Pentagon should keep the following quote from the late defense expert Fred Iklé in mind: 'Those with power to start a war frequently come to discover that they lack the power to stop it.'
