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Newsweek
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Bloober Team Says Its Newest Game Isn't Meant to be About the Pandemic
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Bloober Team, the developer behind the very well received Silent Hill 2 remake, is about to launch a new original game, but despite first appearances, it's not actually about or directly inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cronos: The New Dawn features a devastating pandemic that wiped out a big chunk of humanity and brought the world to its knees, as part of a cataclysmic event called The Change. A twisted, tar-like creature among a mountain of burnt corpses in Cronos: The New Dawn. A twisted, tar-like creature among a mountain of burnt corpses in Cronos: The New Dawn. Bloober Team According to a new interview with DBLTAP, though, the game's co-director Jacek Zieba has revealed that the events of the game weren't inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic – at least not consciously – and that the similarities were mostly coincidental. "It's something we realized after, like 'oh f***, we are making a game about a pandemic.' We didn't intend it, that wasn't the idea," Zieba told DBLTAP. "I think, subconsciously, we may have gone through some kind of therapy by including that. We know it lands as it lands, but [it's not a game about COVID]. There will be some themes – it's horror, we are touching on that – but it's not a game about that. It's a game about change — even symbolic change." The COVID-19 pandemic hit the games industry particularly hard, with a rapid shift to remote working necessitating major changes across the industry that many developers weren't particularly equipped for. Dozens of games, from tiny indies to massive triple-A productions, were delayed or changed significantly as a result, the effects of which are still being seen to this day, five years after the start of the pandemic. That said, it wasn't all doom and gloom for the industry, as Zieba points out. Moving to remote development meant broadening the talent pool when the time came to expand teams for new projects, and Bloober Team – whose projects were previously largely staffed by Polish developers – found a lot of fresh faces who otherwise wouldn't have been able to join the team. "The pandemic also helped us," Zieba says. "Because the games industry in Poland was growing, but without the people that are working remotely right now, I think we wouldn't be in the place we are right now. We hired people not just from Poland, but from Europe and so on. This really leveled us up as developers." Bloober previously revealed in interviews that Cronos: The New Dawn won't have an easy mode, citing the game's horror-focused roots as the primary reason, with Zieba at the time saying "it's survival horror, to make it work it needs to be a bit challenging." "The first experience is the first experience," Zeiba said at the time. "So if you do easy mode, okay, somebody will play it and maybe have less scares or something, but to play as intended, this is why we decided to go with our difficulty at the beginning." Cronos: The New Dawn is set to be released on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam in 2025.
New York Post
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
What is ‘cougar puberty'? The health phase every woman goes through before menopause
An uncomfortable life stage every woman has to go through is getting a fun rebrand. In recent years, menopause has been given a bigger spotlight, with celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Brooke Shields, Halle Berry, Drew Barrymore and Salma Hayek all opening up publicly about their experiences with 'The Change.' But there's a lesser-known and lesser-discussed phase just before menopause that's now getting the TikTok treatment — and makes it seem quite a bit sexier than it actually is. Advertisement 3 There's a new name for perimenopause on social media: cougar puberty. marcink3333 – Perimenopause — the transitional period just before menopause, in which women can also count on symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes and mood changes — has a new name. 'You know what the cool kids are calling it now?' TikTokker @ teased in a viral video this week. 'Cougar puberty.' 'I love the reset vibe for us rather than the game over,' she added. Advertisement Others have been using the term on the app for over a year, with those going through it saying the new terminology makes perfect sense. 'I'm 37 and in the full blown throws of perimenopause and I've always said it's like a second puberty,' said one commenter. 'I feel like I'm going through puberty but with a whole bunch of different symptoms,' said Lisa (@simplythrivewithlisa) in a 2024 video. 'And I feel like I'm going crazy and all of these things are happening to my body that I really don't understand.' Advertisement Meanwhile, a few — including author and comedian Kristina Kuzmic and her friend Amy — have used it to describe menopause as a whole, even making T-shirts with the term. 3 Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause, when the period stops completely. Symptoms can include mood swings and hot flashes. Alliance – So… what is perimenopause, and how is it different from menopause? Perimenopause describes a phase that many people think of as menopause itself — but it's actually totally separate. Menopause is when a woman has gone 12 months in a row without a menstrual period. Advertisement There are some fits and starts to get to that point — a woman might not have a period for a few months, then get one, then not again. Women typically find their periods grow irregular for years before they fully stop getting them. That time of irregularity — when a bunch of other symptoms can also occur — is perimenopause. It's when the body is transitioning into menopause, and the hormone changes involved is stopping menstruation can also cause a lot of other symptoms as well. These typically include sleep issues, hot flashes and night sweats, a decreased sex drive, mood swings, vaginal dryness, very heavy periods and the need to pee more often. Depression and anxiety are also common during perimenopause. Other problems can include short-term memory issues and problems concentrating. 3 Other symptoms can include sleep problems, libido changes and fatigue. StockPhotoPro – When does perimenopause happen? For most women, this will being in your mid-40s — but can also start as early as your mid-30s or as late as your early-50s. It usually lasts for about four years, but can be as short as a few months or as long as nearly a decade. Advertisement The average woman in the US reaches menopause at 51. What causes perimenopause? Later in life, women's ovaries start producing less estrogen, a hormone that regulates the reproductive system. That change in estrogen — and changes to progesterone, another hormone — kick off a domino effect of other changes to bodily functions. Advertisement How can you ease perimenopause symptoms? You can't stop perimenopause, but there are ways to ease the symptoms. These include lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, minimizing caffeine and alcohol intake, upping your calcium, and getting more sleep. Some symptoms can be managed with medications like antidepressants, hormonal birth control pills and vaginal creams. Doctors may also recommend hormone therapy.
Scotsman
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Comedian and podcaster Rob Auton announces tour ahead of bringing debut story to Edinburgh Fringe
Multi-award-winning comedian, writer, podcaster, and actor Rob Auton (The Change, Marching Powder, Starstruck) announces a brand new tour with CAN: The Story of a Man Called CAN — his first-ever narrative story, centred on a man who was once the world's leading motivational speaker… until something changed. The show debuts in Edinburgh for the full month this August and tours the UK from 2026. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Rob will kick-start the tour with a return to London's Soho Theatre, performing Downstairs for a week-long run from Monday 19th January to Saturday 24th January at 7.15pm. Rob performs his new hour at the Edinburgh Fringe at Assembly Roxy, Upstairs, from 30th July – 24th August at 1.25pm. Tour tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 18th July and Fringe tickets are on sale now. Full dates and tickets at Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dubbed 'the Fringe's comedian laureate' by the British Comedy Guide, Rob has earned a cult following with his acclaimed comedy, theatre, and spoken word shows exploring specific themes — from time and yellow to hair and even himself — which he has toured nationally and internationally, including the Melbourne International Comedy Festival multiple times. Rob performs his new hour at the Edinburgh Fringe at Assembly Roxy A two-time British Podcast Awards Gold winner, Rob is the creator of The Rob Auton Daily Podcast, which has over 500 episodes and 2 million downloads. Praised by The Observer's Miranda Sawyer for 'making you see the world differently,' the podcast features Rob's uniquely humorous reflections on the everyday, blending spoken word with evocative music. On screen, in the past year alone, Rob has starred opposite Danny Dyer in Marching Powder, appeared in Channel 4's hit comedy The Change, and released his debut stand-up special The Time Show with PLOSIVE and Turtle Canyon Comedy. He also featured in the latest series of Starstruck (BBC), adding to credits including Miracle Workers (TBS), The End of the F**ing World (Netflix/Channel 4), The Russell Howard Hour (Sky), Cold Feet (ITV), and Random Acts (Channel 4). His appearance on Stand-Up Central With Rob Delaney (Comedy Central) went viral, amassing over 21 million views. Rob recently partnered with JF Abraham of acclaimed conceptual pop group Public Service Broadcasting to debut their collaborative project, Words With Music, to a packed tent of thousands at last summer's End of the Road Festival. Following its success, the duo will return to perform again this year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rob's latest book, I Strongly Believe in Incredible Things, was published by HarperCollins' Mudlark. He has also released three earlier books with Burning Eye and a spoken word album on Scroobius Pip's Speech Development Records.
Scotsman
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Comedian and podcaster Rob Auton brings debut story to Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Multi-award-winning comedian, writer, podcaster, and actor Rob Auton (The Change, Marching Powder, Starstruck) returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with CAN: The Story of a Man Called CAN — his first-ever fictional show, centred on a man who was once the world's leading motivational speaker… until something changed. Following his biggest tour to date with The Eyes Open and Shut Show, Rob performs his new hour at Assembly Roxy, Upstairs, from 30th July – 24th August at 1.25pm. Tickets are on sale now at Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Dubbed 'the Fringe's comedian laureate' by the British Comedy Guide, Rob has earned a cult following with his acclaimed comedy, theatre, and spoken word shows exploring specific themes — from time and yellow to hair and even himself — which he has toured nationally and internationally, including the Melbourne International Comedy Festival multiple times. A two-time British Podcast Awards Gold winner, Rob is the creator of The Rob Auton Daily Podcast, which has over 500 episodes and 2 million downloads. Praised by The Observer's Miranda Sawyer for 'making you see the world differently,' the podcast features Rob's uniquely humorous reflections on the everyday, blending spoken word with evocative music. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad On screen, in the past year alone, Rob has starred opposite Danny Dyer in Marching Powder, appeared in Channel 4's hit comedy The Change, and released his debut stand-up special The Time Show with PLOSIVE and Turtle Canyon Comedy. He also featured in the latest series of Starstruck (BBC), adding to credits including Miracle Workers (TBS), The End of the F**ing World (Netflix/Channel 4), The Russell Howard Hour (Sky), Cold Feet (ITV), and Random Acts (Channel 4). His appearance on Stand-Up Central With Rob Delaney (Comedy Central) went viral, amassing over 21 million views. Rob Auton brings his brand new show, 'CAN: The Story of a Man called CAN', to this year's Edinburgh Fringe. Rob recently partnered with JF Abraham of acclaimed conceptual pop group Public Service Broadcasting to debut their collaborative project, Words With Music, to a packed tent of thousands at last summer's End of the Road Festival. Following its success, the duo will return to perform again this year. Rob's latest book, I Strongly Believe in Incredible Things, was published by HarperCollins' Mudlark. He has also released three earlier books with Burning Eye and a spoken word album on Scroobius Pip's Speech Development Records.
Irish Post
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Bridget Christie's ‘looking forward to' life on the road again as new tour announced
COMEDIAN Bridget Christie claims she is looking forward to life on the road again as she announced a new stand-up tour. The second-generation Irish woman, who was born in Gloucester to parents from counties Roscommon and Leitrim, will be back on stages across the country when her Jacket Potato Pizza show kicks off in 2026. Bridget Christie has announced a new show (Pic: Natasha Pszenicki) The new live show will take her across the UK from January to March, and Christie is pretty excited about it. 'I am very much looking forward to eating motorway services food again and picking my favourite roundabouts,' she said this week. 'Last year Plymouth won.' The news follows the second successful series of Christie's sitcom The Change airing on Channel 4. Christie wrote, executive produced and stars in the show, which centres on fifty-something heroine Lisa – who, after being diagnosed with the menopause, finds herself indulging in a mid-life crisis which sees her drop her home life for an adventure in the wilderness of the Forest of Dean. The Bafta-nominated comedy saw Christie win the Debut Writer award at the New Voice Awards 2024 in recognition of the first series' success and Best Actor at The Edinburgh TV Awards. Jacket Potato Pizza is Bridget's fourteenth live show. For tour listings click here. See More: Bridget Christie, Jacket Potato Pizza, The Change, Tour
