The New York Times' Strands puzzle, currently in beta, offers a daily word search variant where players find theme-related words within a 6x8 grid. The aim is to identify a group of words connected by a common theme, with the spangram—a special word linking two opposite sides of the board—indicating what they have in common. Today’s hint, “To infinity, and beyond!”, points to the theme "Toy Story," with the spangram being "TOYSTORY." Theme words include SLINKY, WOODY, BUZZ, WHEEZY, BULLSEYE, ALIEN, and TWITCH. Success depends heavily on familiarity with the film. The puzzle's difficulty varies, offering both easy wins and challenging moments.

During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, actors Sam Crane and Mark Oosterveen, along with filmmaker Pinny Grylls, embarked on an unconventional project: staging Shakespeare’s "Hamlet" within the virtual world of Grand Theft Auto V. Their ambitious endeavor, documented in the film *Grand Theft Hamlet*, highlights the fusion of classic theater and modern gaming as a form of escapism during global isolation. Filmed entirely within the game, the production faced numerous challenges, including player interference and cast changes, but ultimately streamed live in 2022. The documentary, now available on Mubi, explores themes of friendship, creativity, and the imperfection of art, offering a unique blend of mediums that celebrates innovation and resilience.

The author expresses immense excitement for *Twisted Metal* Season 2 on Peacock, particularly focusing on the character Axel. Axel, a fan-favorite from the iconic vehicular combat franchise, has been a standout since *Twisted Metal 2* (1996) due to his unique appearance and tragic backstory. Trapped in a contraption between two massive tractor wheels, Axel's quest for freedom after years of abuse by his father adds depth to his character. While the show may take creative liberties with his design, allowing him mobility not seen in the games, the author is eager to see how his traumatic past and distinctive look are portrayed. Despite the introduction of other beloved characters like Calypso and Mr. Grimm, Axel remains the focal point of the author's anticipation for the series.

NetEase's free-to-play game, *Marvel Rivals*, has garnered over 40 million players and topped Steam’s global top sellers and most-played charts. Launched on December 6, it accumulated 10 million users within 72 hours, with Season 1 in January 2025 driving further success. Despite this, NetEase confirmed layoffs at a U.S. support studio for *Marvel Rivals*. The company reported a 1.5% revenue increase to $2.9 billion in Q4 2024, reaching $11.5 billion annually. Online games contributed 96% of total net revenues, with PC games like *Naraka: Bladepoint* boosting performance. Mobile games' share slightly decreased from 75.2% to 72.7%. Additionally, NetEase paused operations at Worlds Untold and shut down Ouka Studios.

Amazon Prime subscribers can now claim Wolfenstein: Youngblood, a co-operative FPS from MachineGames and Arkane Studios, available for free until March 20. Set almost two decades after Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus, players control siblings Jess and Soph Blazkowicz as they fight Nazis and search for their father, B.J. While the game may not match its predecessors in story depth, it offers immediate satisfaction and engaging gameplay, especially in multiplayer. Additionally, Amazon is offering several other free games this month, including Hardspace: Shipbreaker, BioShock Infinite, and more. These titles are primarily redeemable through platforms like the Microsoft Store, Epic Games Store, GOG, or Amazon Luna, with limited availability on Steam.

At Gonzaga University’s Wolff Auditorium, video game designer Diamond E. Beverly-Porter challenged attendees to explore the intersection of identity, power, and video games. Her lecture, *Play, Power and Possibilities*, part of GU’s Communication Studies Speaker Series, examined how games are potent tools for reinforcing or transforming social biases. Beverly-Porter, an assistant professor at Washington State University, emphasized that technology is not neutral, carrying the subconscious biases of its creators. She introduced the concept of "design-bleed," where virtual experiences influence real-life perceptions, especially for BIPOC individuals. Highlighting her own games, *Affirmations 1.0* and *2.0*, she demonstrated how gaming can foster self-definition and support, addressing issues like impostor syndrome. Her work aims to create inclusive, uplifting spaces in gaming, reflecting diverse identities and promoting positive representation.

In 2025, despite high-quality video games frequently struggling due to market saturation, Ludocene offers a novel solution. Designed by Andy Robertson, this recommendation engine combines elements of dating apps, deck-building games, and personal recommendations. Users swipe through "game cards," each featuring trailers and descriptions, adding favorites to their deck. Based on these choices, Ludocene generates new game suggestions. During a prototype demo, the app introduced lesser-known gems like *A Walk with Yiayia*. To combat algorithmic echo chambers, Ludocene incorporates an "Expert" feature, allowing users to include insights from critics and journalists. With its Kickstarter launch, Ludocene aims to help great games gain visibility and avoid going unnoticed.

Contrary to the belief that video games harm cognitive development, research from Prodigy Education suggests they may enhance skills leading to greater financial success. A survey of 1,001 Americans found that childhood gamers earn $5,451 more annually than non-gamers. Key skills developed through gaming include enhanced problem-solving, crucial for navigating complex professional challenges, with 57% of respondents noting improved abilities. Multiplayer games foster social and teamwork skills, vital for workplace collaboration, and increase promotion likelihood by 71%. Gaming also boosts memory, cognitive flexibility, and technological literacy, supporting better academic performance and career advancement. Additionally, it stimulates creativity, beneficial in innovation-driven industries. These skills collectively contribute to higher earning potential and career growth.

The Capital Region will host the 2025 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) eSports Spring Showdown at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), supported by $100,000 in funding from Rensselaer County and the City of Troy. The three-day event, starting April 3rd, features competitions in Rocket League, Valorant, and Overwatch, with 12 schools competing in each game. Mayor Carmella Mantello anticipates economic benefits for local businesses, while RPI President Marty Schmidt highlights the institution’s strong computer gaming cluster. Students like Alex Kim and Abdul Muizz share their enthusiasm for the tournament, reflecting on past victories and the competitive spirit within the RPI E-Sports community. This event aims to boost tourism and regional revitalization.

Video game-to-anime adaptations vary widely in quality, often struggling to capture the interactive essence of games. However, some stand out by enhancing the original experience. Pokémon, for instance, transforms turn-based battles into dynamic, emotional adventures. Steins;Gate masterfully adapts its visual novel's suspenseful time-travel narrative. Kirby: Right Back at Ya! brings Dream Land to life with charming animation and humor. Persona 4: The Animation blends mystery and school life, staying true to the RPG's spirit. Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai offers epic fantasy with grit. Devil May Cry’s anime deepens character struggles while maintaining stylish combat. Gungrave shifts focus from action to mafia drama and revenge. Halo Legends explores personal stories within the universe. God Eater delves into the cost of war in a post-apocalyptic world. Lastly, Street Fighter II: The Animation adds depth to iconic fights, making each battle feel personal. These adaptations highlight the best of both mediums, creating memorable experiences for fans.

Hasbro, the toy company behind franchises like Dungeons & Dragons and Transformers, has announced a collaboration with Saber Interactive to develop a new "AAA" video game. CEO Chris Cocks revealed this during an earnings call, stating the game will be based on one of Hasbro’s major IPs. Cocks expressed excitement about the project, noting Saber's expertise, particularly the team behind the acclaimed *Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2*. The deal is a co-publishing partnership, with development led by Saber’s Saint Petersburg studio. Speculation surrounds which IP will be featured, with possibilities including Transformers, G.I. Joe, Dungeons & Dragons, or Magic: The Gathering. Hasbro is also pursuing several other self-funded game projects, leveraging experienced developers for titles across its popular franchises.

The Indiana Department of Revenue ruled that a video game publisher’s sales of optional game enhancements, including monthly online subscriptions, in-game items, and virtual currency, are not subject to sales tax. According to Indiana law, sales tax applies to retail transactions involving tangible personal property or specific digital products like software, digital audio, audiovisual works, and books. Since the Company’s offerings do not transfer ownership or possession of such items, they do not qualify as taxable retail transactions. This ruling provides clarity for taxpayers with similar circumstances, aiding them in preparing returns and making tax decisions. It also serves as a reference for persuading taxing authorities on comparable issues.