First Minister John Swinney has “politely” declined an invitation from Donald Trump “due to the election“.

John Swinney has “politely” turned down an invitation from Donald Trump to attend a state banquet at the White House next week, the Scottish Government has confirmed.

The four-minute phone call from the US president took place on Monday April 20, and it is understood the invitation was the focus of the call.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said the First Minister declined the invitation as the event comes in the midst of campaigning for next month’s Holyrood elections.

It is understood Mr Swinney took the call in his capacity as First Minister, which he remains throughout the election campaign.

The banquet is being held as part of the King and Queen’s forthcoming state visit to the US.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “President Trump called First Minister John Swinney today to invite him to the State Banquet at the White House next week.

“Due to the election, the First Minister politely declined the invitation.”

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.

Neil’s father Peter Howarth died at Ulster Hospital on October 10 2024.

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When Neil Howarth’s father collapsed during a long dog walk, everything in the family’s life was quickly turned upside down.

Peter Howarth had suffered a stroke but tests revealed he also had stage four cancer and he died six months later, a week after the death of his dog Molly.

Life had changed very suddenly, especially for Neil’s mother Rosemary Howarth, but he said support from the charity Marie Curie helped her to process her grief and rebuild her confidence.

READ MORE: Belfast City Marathon is supporting cancer charities across Northern Ireland in AprilREAD MORE: ‘I’ve survived two open heart surgeries and a stroke at just 24 years old’

On Sunday April 26, Neil and his wife Sadhbh will run the TCS London Marathon for Marie Curie, the event’s charity of the year, to raise money so others can benefit from that support.

“My mum relied a lot on my dad to make a lot of the life decisions,” Neil, 36, a software sales director from Greenwich, south-east London, told the Press Association.

“Suddenly her world has changed overnight. So to have people that she can speak to with no judgment, no strong opinions, just to listen and advise, was really, really important for her and made a big difference.”

Peter, an IT helpdesk technician, and Rosemary, a children’s nurse, moved to Portaferry, in County Down, Northern Ireland, from Oxfordshire after they retired.

“They fell in love with Northern Ireland when they saw the coastline, when they got to know the people as well, it made them feel like a real community,” Neil said.

“His dream was to retire and have a view of the sea. He’d done that two years prior so he was only really just getting into it when he got the news.”

Peter was 63 when he collapsed during a long walk with Molly in April 2024.

The cancer diagnosis was a shock to the whole family, Neil said, especially as Peter was “very fit and healthy, very active, didn’t drink and smoke, none of those typical things”.

“I count myself very lucky that we still had a few months after that, we could spend together and make more memories. I try and look at it at that perspective. Some people aren’t as lucky,” said Neil, who moved to Northern Ireland with Sadhbh that summer to help with Peter’s care.

He said his father was “fiercely independent and didn’t want to put people out”, but “the situation changed quite quickly”.

“He spent most of the time at home, there were a few hospital visits and then he very quickly went to the hospital.”

Peter died at Ulster Hospital in Dundonald, County Down, on October 10 2024.

“All the staff in there were amazing with him, very caring and kind,” Neil said.

“They were very, very good to him and to us.”

Life was different for them all but especially for Rosemary after the deaths of both Peter and Molly.

“Her world changed upside down within a week which is even more testament to the support we could get from Marie Curie,” Neil said.

“We gave her some encouragement to use the support line. It’s for everyone, I think that’s what I wanted to get across. She’s not someone who often looks for support and she wasn’t necessarily expecting anything from it but when she’d started that conversation it really helped her to process things.”

He said his father’s death could have left Rosemary, now 75, “very isolated”, but Marie Curie’s support has helped her to become more independent.

“She’s almost had to reinvent herself at her age,” he said.

“For me it’s also very helpful to know that there’s people there to support her and give her advice as well.”

He added: “I look at how she was two years ago and where she is now and it’s a complete difference in terms of what she can do, her independence. She’s back driving again, spending time with the local community.

“That’s all a result of the support that was given at the time to help her through the situation. Without that she wouldn’t be where she is now.”

Neil also ran the TCS London Marathon for Marie Curie in 2025 and he was able to tell his father he had a confirmed place before Peter’s death.

“He’d ran the London Marathon 25 years previously so for me that was a real inspiration that I could follow in his footsteps.

“Although he’d passed before I’d done the London Marathon, I knew he was very proud and there with me as well.”

Neil said running has helped him to process his emotions, adding “it’s also good to be able to give back”.

“From spending time with Marie Curie and doing some of the run clubs I’ve met some of the incredible nurses as well.

“They do some absolutely incredible things day in day out so it’s the least I can do to be honest to raise money.”

On Sunday, tens of thousands of people will head to TCS London Marathon start lines in Blackheath and Greenwich Park in south-east London, including Neil and Sadhbh, 31, a software sales manager.

“I’m about 800m from the start line so a little bit of a head start over everyone else not having to get up at the crack of dawn,” Neil said.

“Unlike the other 60,000 people I’ve got a bit of a lie in on Sunday morning.”

– To sponsor Neil and Sadhbh: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/sadhbh-carson-howarth

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter.

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — A Louisiana father fatally shot eight children, including seven of his own, and shot and wounded his wife and another woman in the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in more than two years.

The attack on Sunday morning unfolded in two homes in a Shreveport neighborhood. The gunman, identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, died after a police pursuit that ended with officers firing on him, authorities said.

Police have not provided a motive for the killings. Family members said Elkins and his wife were separating and community leaders called for a reckoning over domestic violence as the shooting reverberated across the city, including in the classrooms where the children attended school.

Here’s what to know about the attack.

Shootings began before sunrise

The attack began before dawn in a neighborhood south of downtown Shreveport.

Police received the first report around 5:55 a.m. from a caller stating they were on top of a house where someone had been shot, Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. Five minutes later, police were told that Elkins had shot everyone inside the 79th Street house.

Troy Brown, Elkin’s brother-in-law, said his wife and his 12-year-old daughter had escaped through the home’s roof.

Officers arrived within minutes but another call at 6:07 a.m. reported a second attack on nearby Harrison Street, where the caller said Elkins had shot her before fleeing, according to Smith. Police then received word the gunman had stolen a car, leading to a pursuit and eventually an exchange of gunfire.

Elkins was pronounced dead about an hour after police received the first call. It was not clear whether he was killed by officers or from a self-inflicted gunshot, Smith said.

Gunman had felony gun conviction

Court records showed that Elkins was placed on probation in 2019 after pleading guilty to illegal use of weapons. A police report for that case said Elkins fired five rounds at a vehicle and told police that someone inside it had pulled a gun on him.

Under Louisiana law, a person convicted of illegal use of a weapon is banned from having a gun for at least 10 years after completing their sentence and probation. Investigators were not aware of other domestic violence issues involving Elkins, said police spokesperson Chris Bordelon.

Authorities have not said how or where Elkins obtained the weapon used in Sunday’s attack.

Elkins had served in the Louisiana National Guard from 2013 to 2020, held the rank of private and had no deployments, a guard spokesperson said. He was a signal support system specialist and a fire support specialist.

Elkins had voluntarily checked into a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in January for just over a week, according to Brown. He said Elkins appeared “better when he came home” and seemed fine a day before the shooting.

The shooting in Shreveport was the deadliest in the U.S. since January 2024, when eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

The Cheviot, located in Northumberland, earned second place in a ranking compiled by UK outdoor apparel brand Delta Roam, which scored English counties based on elevation, light pollution, latitude, and accessibility.

The Lyrid meteor shower is expected to be visible from the April 16 to the 25, peaking on the night of the 22nd.

Matt Salkeld, spokesperson for Delta Roam, said: “The Lyrid meteor shower is a key moment in the UK’s astrological calendar, providing an exciting visual performance to any lucky spectators between the 16th and 25th April (peaking on the night of the 22nd).”

“As with many other meteor showers, the best way to catch the Lyrids is to find an unobstructed view of the sky, in an area with as low light pollution as possible.”

The Cheviot, an extinct volcano and the highest point in Northumberland at 815 metres, scored 76.4 out of 90 in Delta Roam’s assessment.

It was praised for its dark skies and public accessibility, though fully wheelchair-accessible routes to the summit are limited.

A nearby alternative path is suitable for wheelchair users, but the main route is more challenging.

The Cheviot finished just behind Dunkery Beacon in Somerset, which topped the list with 77.9 out of 90, largely due to its wheelchair-friendly ‘Miles without Stiles’ route.

Mr Salkeld said: “If you’re an avid stargazer who’s willing to travel to find the best view, or maybe even just curious about where you can catch a glimpse in your local area, then our list of the best spots to watch the Lyrid meteor shower can be a useful guide in ensuring a memorable experience.

“Be sure to take proper safety precautions if attempting to visit an elevated piece of land for the Lyrids, taking along essentials such as torches, warm clothing, charged phones, and maybe a hot drink.

“Once you’re at your designated viewpoint, try a reclined view like lying down on the ground or relaxing in a deckchair, and don’t forget the blankets or a cosy outdoor coat like our Beaumont or Cirrus robes.

“No telescope is required – simply allow your eyes 15 to 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness beforehand, and enjoy the show.”

Northumberland was ranked second out of 42 counties for low light pollution.

Para-Northern, founded in 2017 by Emma Flood, carried out a late-night investigation at the community building on April 10, but what they encountered led the team to abandon the investigation early.

Although the group has 11 members in total, only a small team of four attended the session, which ran from 7.30pm until around 11.30pm, when they decided to leave.

The investigators also chose to strip things back, using minimal equipment so they could rely on their own senses.

Emma Flood leads Para-Northern, aparanormal team investigating hauntings across Bolton (Image: Emma Wood)

The team has investigated the building twice before, but Emma said this visit felt very different from the outset.

She said: “It just didn’t feel like it normally does, like whatever was there didn’t want us to be there.”

During the investigation, the team reported hearing unexplained bangs, including what they described as cupboards being struck from behind them.

While conducting a call-out session in a classroom, Emma said: “I asked, ‘I know you’re here, can you make a sound?’ and we heard banging coming from behind us.”

The group also used experimental listening equipment and a spirit box, picking up repeated references to horse racing, something they later linked to a caretaker believed to have worked at the building who reportedly enjoyed betting on horses.

One of the most unsettling moments came when a sudden, overpowering smell filled the air.

Emma said: “It lasted about 10 seconds, like stale cigarettes, sweat, and a sulphur-type smell.

“None of the team smoke. It came and went, and it felt like something was telling us we needed to leave.”

The team decided to end the investigation early as they became increasingly uneasy.

A team member carrying out the Estes Method at The Hub (Image: Emma Flood)

Emma said: “We all felt really uncomfortable and we wanted to end it while we were still in control.

“It was a really loud bang, much louder than the usual tapping or sounds we hear — it genuinely scared us.

“We checked everything and nothing had fallen or moved. There was no explanation.”

At one point, a team member sitting in a corridor asked for a sign, prompting another loud noise from a nearby office area.

The building, which Emma described as “lovely during the day”, took on a very different feel at night.

She said: “It’s a weird building, it’s so lovely in the day, but at night it’s a completely different vibe.

“When it’s empty, lights off, it feels totally different. Everyone was on edge.”

Emma believes the location may be linked to multiple presences, including what she describes as a young boy near the café area and a calming “caretaker” figure.

However, she also stressed the importance of approaching investigations with caution and respect.

“When you hire a location, you don’t always know what others have done there before.

“We’re very careful, we don’t provoke, we just ask respectful questions.”

The experience has prompted the group to consider taking a short break from investigations at The Hub.

Despite the scare, Para-Northern already has future plans lined up, including an investigation at New Brighton tunnels this week and a visit to the Transport Museum in Manchester in May.

The group is also organising a paranormal meet-up in September, where enthusiasts can share experiences and hear from guest speakers.

Emma, who has been fascinated by the paranormal since childhood, said her passion has never faded.

Loudwater Trade & Finance Ltd is recalling its Millennium Peanuts Caramel Milk Chocolate.

Shoppers are being warned not to eat the product and to return it to stores immediately.

Shoppers warned not to eat B&M and Home Bargains chocolate bars due to recall

Friday 17 April 2026 – Loudwater Trade & Finance Ltd is recalling Millennium Peanuts Caramel Milk Chocolate because allergens are not declared in English on the label: https://t.co/WVYw26RsI8#FoodAllergy pic.twitter.com/hvVPZ2igG5

— Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) April 17, 2026

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The recall only affects items with no English ingredients on the pack, specifically the 285g pack size, with any best-before dates.

Loudwater Trade & Finance Ltd has said the chocolate may contain milk, peanuts, and soya, and may contain almonds, cashew nuts, cereals containing gluten, and hazelnuts.

However, these are not declared in English on the label, making it a possible health risk for anyone with allergies or intolerances to the above ingredients.

Those who have already purchased the bars have also been advised to check if theirs contains the full allergen list in English.

Loudwater Trade & Finance Ltd has apologised for any inconvenience caused.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said: “If you have bought the above product and have an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents, an allergy to peanuts, soya, almonds, cashew nuts, an allergy or intolerance to cereals containing gluten or coeliac disease, and/or an allergy to hazelnuts, do not eat it.

“Instead, contact Loudwater Trade & Finance customer careline at support@loudwateruk.com to obtain a full refund or if you require further information.

“Alternatively, return it to your local Home Bargains or B&M store.”

Recommended reading:

What is a product recall?

If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).

The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food.

In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued, which provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.

Have you had to return a product due to a recall before? Let us know in the comments.

There had never been a unanimous NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Until now.

Victor Wembanyama — as expected — was announced Monday as the league’s top defensive player. The San Antonio center was second in the voting for DPOY as a rookie, was the favorite last season until a medical condition ended his season prematurely, then left no doubt this year.

At 22, he’s the youngest winner of the award.

“The real struggle might have been getting to 65 games,” Wembanyama said — referring to the number he needed for award eligibility — on NBC Sports Network. “But I’m super, super happy to win this award and actually super proud to be the first-ever unanimous.”

Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren was second and Detroit’s Ausar Thompson was third after both helped their teams secure No. 1 seeds for the playoffs. But this was never in doubt, not after the 7-foot-4 — or maybe taller — Wembanyama led the NBA in blocked shots for a third consecutive season and generally terrorized opponents any time they wanted to score.

“Best player in the world,” Spurs forward Keldon Johnson said.

The NBA will continue its award announcements Tuesday when the Clutch Player of the Year — either Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Denver’s Jamal Murray — is revealed. Wembanyama is also a finalist for MVP, with the winner of that trophy not set to be revealed until next week at the earliest.

First, the league got this announcement out of the way. And Wembanyama’s win was accompanied by a slew of milestones.

— Every other winner of the award had been at least 23. Wembanyama doesn’t turn 23 until next January.

— The Spurs became the first franchise with four players to win DPOY, which was first handed out in the 1982-83 season. The others? Alvin Robertson in 1986, David Robinson in 1992 and Kawhi Leonard in 2015 and 2016.

— Wembanyama joins Robinson and Michael Jordan as the only players to win both Rookie of the Year and DPOY.

“I’ve had the chance to have great coaches over my career who have taught me great habits on defense,” Wembanyama said.

The biggest accomplishment may be this: Wemby got every voter to agree.

Golden State’s Stephen Curry was the unanimous MVP in 2016 and in the 10 seasons that have followed, there have been only two instances of a player collecting 100% of the first-place votes for an award.

Those were Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year in 2024, and now this.

No player in at least the last 50 seasons — and maybe ever, since it’s hard to say with certainty because some full voting results for awards handed out generations ago are not known publicly — has won two major individual awards unanimously.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Teacher Angela Hall always starts the day gathering her preschool students in a circle in their Shreveport, Louisiana, classroom. The kids giggle. They share. And they look for who’s missing.

“Braylon, he’s not here,” she recalled one of her students saying Monday.

Braylon Snow, who just turned 5, was one of seven siblings who were fatally shot Sunday by their father in an attack that also killed their cousin. The shooting rattled classrooms in Shreveport where teachers like Hall on Monday came face-to-face with distraught parents and a messy stew of emotions.

In Hall’s classroom at Johnnie L. Cochran Head Start, it’s likely students noticed Braylon’s absence immediately. Each day, Hall instructs her students to look around for friends who aren’t there.

“When they come back tomorrow, we can tell them, ‘Hey, we missed you, we’re glad you’re back’” she tells them.

But Hall wasn’t ready to tell the students that the boy she described as a “cool little dude” wasn’t returning. She kept circle-time moving. Numb and heartbroken, she lasted until noon and then went home.

“I’m no good to my babies right now because I just feel like I need to be in a moment of silence and just pray,” she said.

Preschool comes to an end

At Head Start, preparation’s for next month’s graduation ceremony have been in full swing. Hall, an organist and pianist at her local Baptist church, wrote a song for the ceremony.

Students, who dress in caps and gowns for the festivities, have been busy learning the words, excited about the prospect of starting kindergarten in the fall. Hall was working hard to make sure they were ready.

Just last Thursday, she pulled Braylon’s mother aside during morning drop-off, boasting that Braylon was writing his first and last name. Braylon also was getting so independent, squirting syrup for his pancakes onto his plate by himself. He didn’t even need a reminder to wash his hands.

“Braylon doesn’t give me any problems,” she told his mother.

Braylon greeted Hall — known to her students as “Mrs. Hall” — each day with a small wave.

As the year progressed, she nudged more gap-toothed smiles from him. He loved his time on the playground — playing chase, tag and even partaking in “a little wrassling.” She laughed as she remembered it.

“He was for the majority of the time kind of a quiet little soul in the classroom,” she said. “When he did get a little extra energy or something, it was just a joy to see him smile and laugh.”

News of the shooting emerges

But then came Sunday. After church, she went to her mother’s house. It was then that she stumbled across an article about the shooting.

The number of victims was so high she struggled to comprehend it. Then she learned Braylon was among the victims. She also knew one of his brothers. He had been a Head Start student at the school last year.

“I just broke down and just started crying,” she said.

The same thing happened Monday morning at drop off when she locked eyes with a parent. Neither could say anything; the preschoolers were all around them.

“I just immediately broke down,” she said. So too did the parent and a teacher’s aide.

She is relying on her faith now. She prays for the dead, for the families and also for the teachers.

“And I’m just praying for all the educators that were connected to these children because it’s tough because my parents’ babies, they become my babies. And I treat them like they’re my own. So I’m just really praying that he sustains us all during this time.

“Just give us that strength.”

Xavi Simons (Tottenham): I didn’t like the celebration when he scored against Brighton – I thought it was a bit too much, a bit Instagrammy. But Spurs have been poor of late and his quality and the X-Factor he showed with the assist and goal could be how they stay up.

I don’t think they will stay up – I’m really worried for them, but they need him to have five more games like that and that will give them the best chance. Maybe if the defenders started to defend they would have won the game instead of drawing it.

Bernardo Silva (Man City): In the biggest game of the season, with a Ballon d’Or winner in Rodri next to him, and facing Declan Rice – who people have talked about winning the Ballon d’Or – Bernardo Silva was the best player on the pitch as Manchester City beat Arsenal.

In key moments, he understood what the game required, grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and said ‘we win today’. The biggest moment that pops into my head is a cross in the 83rd minute – Bernardo Silva against Viktor Gyokeres to win a header. Bernardo Silva wins it, and blasts Gyokeres in the meantime.

I think he is one of the biggest pieces for Manchester City to replace. Not just with his quality on the ball but also that leadership – it’s going to be hard to replace.

Rayan Cherki (Man City): My favourite player, as you know. The best player to watch in world football for me.

Look at that goal against Arsenal – he goes past Gabriel and Rice as if they are not there. The weight of body to transfer from right foot to left foot. When he shoots, you don’t know which foot is his strongest, he goes with his left foot past people, and scores with his right. He is just an unbelievable footballer.

Pep Guardiola has found another talent. And at 22, he is only going to get better. It’s quite scary when you think about how young this Manchester City team is.

Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingam Forest): Very simple, you score a hat-trick – even if it is against Burnley – you’re in the team of the week. Captain’s performance. That’s all that matters.

The Tuesday letters page argues that the Zelda movie will be good for the game series, as a reader is glad he took a chance on buying Capcom’s Pragmata.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Sooner or later
It really is shocking to know that it’s been a decade since Naughty Dog made a proper new game. Literally, what a waste of time. I don’t imagine they meant for things to turn out like this but even if they’d released The Last Of Us Online in that time, I’d still consider that to have been a waste of their talents, given they still had no plans for a new single-player game.

Hopefully we can start to put all that behind us now with Interstellar: The Heretic Prophet and maybe a new Uncharted. But does anyone really believe there won’t be a The Last Of Us Part 3?

Even if the TV show has lost some of its shine it’s still a huge brand now and there is no way Sony is going to let things go on without a new sequel. They’d sooner shut down Naughty Dog (or at least chase off Neil Druckmann) than let the series end and I’m a little shocked they haven’t insisted on a new one by now.

But even if you assume that when is it coming out? There’s no sign they’ve started any serious work so that’s going be… at least six years? I look forward to seeing what Ellie does as an old grandma in the year 2032 AD.
Purple Ranger

Cinematic storytelling
Everyone seems pretty down on the idea of the Zelda movie and I get why. The Mario movies have had zero plot, the Zelda games have almost zero plot, and the director hasn’t done much that’s interesting. I agree it’s not a very promising set-up.

But I actually have some hope for it. The good news (apart form the hat being in it) is that they’re not doing any particular game but, I assume, a sort of mish-mash of everything Zelda. If they’re sensible they’ll streamline the whole backstory and start a new cinematic history for the series. Give Link and Zelda clear origins, and Ganondorf as well, and you’d already be doing better than the games.

Personally, I like that the games are very light on storytelling, but a movie could be the perfect way to flesh things out and keep everyone happy. Mario doesn’t really have that problem to solve but a movie for Zelda could really help the games.
Vondam

Reverse logic
Opening a store in London and then not telling anyone is the most Nintendo thing ever. I guess they figured it wouldn’t need advertising if it’s central, so that would avoid queues and stuff, but it still comes across as really weird, which I have to admit I like.

For me Japanese companies like Nintendo and Capcom doing odd things and backing games that don’t seem to be obvious sellers is the only thing, other than indie, that keeps me interested in games. I’ve all but given up with everything else, not just because the games board me but because I don’t like supporting these horrible companies.

And no, I won’t make an exception for GTA 6. I’ll be happily playing something else, anything else at that point. I’ll try and find the cheapest looking indie game possible and play that instead, just to be contrary.
Colin

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Swings and roundabouts
RE: Paulie. I generally really like role-playing games and although I thought the presentation of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was brilliant, I didn’t like the combat and just gave up about 20 hours in. Maybe I’ll go back one day, as I feel it’s a game I should like but just didn’t.

I also gave up on The Witcher 3 recently, on my first run, as I found the combat pretty lacklustre and just too much dialogue (much of which I just didn’t find very well written).

So whilst this is clearly a me issue, given both of these games were well received, it just shows you might not like something else which others do.

I did buy Borderlands 4 though, last week, and am really enjoying it! So much fun. Would recommend it!
Tom

GC: Even many fans would agree that The Witcher 3 combat is weak.

Risk and reward
Absolutely loving Pragmata and I’m so glad I took a chance on it at launch. Not only is it a great game but I’m clearly not the only one, as it sold 1 million copies in two days, which must be great for a new IP that’s a relatively hard sell.

I’m sure it’s never going to sell as much as Resident Evil and other even bigger name games but kudos to Capcom for taking the risk and reaping the reward. They’ve still got Onimusha out this year so imagine if that’s good too! What a run they’re having this year.

They’ve always been one of my favourite publishers and they must be one of the few companies that’s actually getting better with time. We all know how much publishers love to copy a successful idea but what’s the betting they don’t bother in this case?

Make a good game? Take a chance on a new IP? Make it a weird dad/daughter sci-fi story with robots as the only enemy? Somehow, I doubt EA or Activision are going to make that effort.
Symbel

Free Sword
I wrote in about the Broken Sword The Smoking Mirror: Reforged Kickstarter last week, which is doing very well currently at £457,437 and then had a bit of surprise on Thursday when I went to download the free game on Epic Store on mobile, to find they are giving away Broken Sword The Shadows Of The Templar: Reforged!

So I downloaded that as soon as I saw it. With Epic Games Store, if you claim the free games every time you claim a game the developer gets paid for you claiming the free game! If you haven’t played the first Broken Sword game I recommend you download it on mobile or tablet from Epic Games Store now until this Thursday at 4pm.
Andrew J.

Out of control
What in the seven blazes is that Forza Horizon 6 controller meant to be? Why would a Forza Horizon game set in Tokyo be that colour, with those patterns?

Not that I’d buy a controller that had a game’s name written all over it (I can’t believe enough people do for that to be a common thing) but I think this proves that Microsoft has lost the plot when it comes to controllers. The Xbox Series X one is a big disappointment and the one for Project Helix needs to be a serious step up.
Siega

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Preferred options
In response to Amesia’s email about always choosing performance mode, I have to say it’s not always the smoothest option. There are plenty of games where the performance mode results in a jittery frame rate, jumping between 30 and 60 fps because the PlayStation 5/Xbox Series X can’t quite manage 60. Whereas switching to 30fps fidelity mode locks the frame rate and therefore looks smoother (and also better resolution and maybe increased settings, ray tracing, etc.).

I would personally watch a video like Digital Foundry to see which is the smoother option on a game-by-game basis. Starfield, Crimson Desert, and Ghost Of Yōtei are some examples off the top of my head that offer a smoother experience in 30fps than they do it performance mode. Obviously, the balanced mode, if available, is a good compromise in these situations, if you have a 120Hz TV that can support 40fps.

On another note, I’d be curious to know how many readers use the Game Mode on their TV? I was recently at a friend’s house and noticed he didn’t. He didn’t even seem to realise it was an option. He turned on the setting and was blown away by how much crisper and more vibrant it looked and even more so by the noticeable increase in controller responsiveness.

He had some motion smoothing setting on as default and it, along with all the other needless TV post effects was resulting in about half a second input lag before we switched to Game Mode. So how many other readers out there are playing with lag and inferior picture quality due to ignoring this important setting?
P Donnelly

GC: An interesting point. Our one switches automatically when it detects a console turned on; we thought that was the norm.

Inbox also-rans
I think the new Sonic game in 2028, after the next Sonic Frontiers game, should feature a new hedgehog character. I want the new hedgehog to be inspired by Gohan, Ryu, and Static Shock.
Scott

The only game to make me cry was one in a ZX80 magazine, where I spent six hours typing in the program and hitting run and nothing happened. Tried multiple times but I don’t think I ever got any of the free game programs to work right.
TWO MACKS

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