The BBC expert said: “Do not get seduced by this.”

BBC’s Dr Xand has issued a serious warning as a new health trend has been gaining traction online, promoting testosterone tests, supplements and medications to both men and women. The doctor clarified that, while it can offer benefits for certain people, others may be exposing themselves to “fatal” consequences.

The expert warned on Morning Live: “The bad news is that it does not seem to have the benefits that are claimed for it.” He clarified that it may only provide genuine benefits for people whose bodies are not physically producing sufficient amounts of the hormone.

Dr Xand delivered his scathing assessment of a recent claim that testosterone could ‘defy ageing’ for both men and women: “That headline is not just misleading, it is completely incorrect, wrong and dangerous.”

The doctor explained the medication can be “seductive” to people as many may feel they are experiencing the symptoms of low testosterone.

Common symptoms of low testosterone include:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Mood changes
• Low libido
• Losing muscle and bone strength
• Hair changes

He added: “That’s sort of most middle-aged men. Most people can look at that list and go; ‘yeah, a lot of days. I feel a bit like that life gets a bit tougher’. The answer is that it does not solve those problems.

“Those problems are caused by stress, lack of exercise, poor diet, poor sleep, all these things that all of us have in our lives that are hard to solve and those things will lower your testosterone, but pushing your testosterone levels up does not seem to fix it.”

A further worry for Dr Xand is the potential for people to exceed recommended doses: “Then it becomes dangerous. The side effects of testosterone, even at low, doses can include headache, acne, irritability, and aggressiveness mood changes, infertility is probably the biggest one.”

The specialist noted that consuming testosterone at any dosage could permanently impair a person’s fertility and might result in them developing a dependency on the substance.

He added: “If you are taking it as a sort of improvement, wellness, bodybuilding, sports drug, you’re at risk of very severe heart disease. Even fatal side effects. So this is why I think it’s very dangerous. You can manipulate your blood tests so that you can get a low result and get a big prescription from a wellness clinic and that can lead you down a very dangerous road.”

The hormone can significantly influence numerous essential bodily functions, ranging from bone density and muscle mass to hair growth and mood. Both sexes produce the hormone, though women typically require lesser quantities, and testosterone medication was originally intended to assist those whose bodies were unable to produce sufficient levels naturally.

However, it has also been utilised as an anabolic steroid that gained popularity within gym and bodybuilding circles, though it carried a well-documented range of side effects. Only in recent times has it begun to be promoted as more of a holistic wellness product.

Dr Xand explained: “15 years ago, there were lots of concerns with it. We didn’t really know much about it was thought it might increase cancer it might increase heart disease, but it also might do all kinds of great things for you.

“Since then, there have been a couple of big trials that have looked at testosterone therapy in thousands of men in multiple countries in Europe. And so now we have some answers and the good news is that this is an inexpensive drug that does seem to be safe so it doesn’t seem to drive a lot of cancer.

“It does increase your risk of a few non-fatal heart conditions, but at the kind of doses you might get on the NHS it’s not hugely dangerous.”

Historically, women had no dedicated testosterone prescription available to them and were required to use men’s products when prescribed. However, there is potential evidence that testosterone therapy can work well for women during menopause.

Despite this, Dr Xand stressed: “It’s not for everyone and your GP can guide you through it. The marketing is designed to sell you a test to sell you a drug and then to send you all sorts of other things, all of which you should be going to your GP for and looking at.

“Do not believe it. Do not get seduced by this, if you are having a hard time with any aspect of your health, talk to your GP. The NHS is not against using testosterone, it will use it appropriately. Please, please, please do not go to a wellness clinic.”

Municipal elections in the occupied West Bank and in the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah on April 25 have been quickly framed by Fatah, the dominant faction within the Palestinian Authority (PA), as a sweeping victory.

But it’s worth taking a closer look at how the election was organised. Candidates were required to commit to the political programme of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), which which includes the recognition of Israel, the renunciation of terrorism and the pursuit of a two-state solution. It was a condition that was widely seen as effectively excluding Hamas, which does not support these policies.

Hamas – which is understood to be preparing to hold elections for its leadership, which has been decimated during the 30-month conflict in Gaza – did not field candidates. A number of other groups, including the People’s Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Palestine People’s Party, FIDA, and Palestinian National Initiative, also opted not to field candidates in the election.

It’s important, when looking at the turnout and results, to bear this in mind. In the West Bank, turnout reached around 56%, but Fatah-affiliated lists were elected unopposed in 197 councils, roughly half of all municipalities in this round.

In the Gaza Strip, voting took place only in the central city of Deir al-Balah. Here, turnout was significantly lower, at around 23%, reflecting the mass displacement, incomplete voter registries and widespread loss of life. The Fatah-backed list won six of 15 seats. A list widely seen as aligned with Hamas secured two seats, with the remainder going to non-affiliated groups.

For the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority, these municipal elections serve several purposes. They are presented as a way to reaffirm a political link between the West Bank and Gaza, and to signal a continued role in Gaza’s future governance. They also offer a platform promising reforms to the watching world at a moment when the PA faces pressure to demonstrate political legitimacy.

À lire aussi :
Council elections take place for some Palestinians – but continuing mass displacement makes Gaza poll farcical

While regular municipal elections have been held in the West Bank, presidential and legislative elections have not been held since 2005 and 2006. In the intervening two decades, concerns over the concentration of power under Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas have intensified. In this context, the municipal elections represented a lower-stakes form of participation. It was a way to show electoral activity without reopening the broader question of national leadership.

Rather than a clear mandate, the results point to a constrained political landscape, shaped as much by exclusion and limited participation as by electoral competition. What these elections will change on the ground is unclear, particularly in Gaza, which remains stricken by 30 months of war.

Gaza in ruins

According to the UN, over 1.9 million people – between 80% and 90% of Gaza’s population – are displaced – six months into what is supposed to be a ceasefire. Families live in damaged homes, tents or overcrowded shelters, without reliable access to clean water, electricity, food or healthcare.

According to the World Health Organization, only 19 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals function even partially and nearly half of essential medicines have run out. Conditions in displacement sites are deteriorating. Around 81% of sites show signs of rodents or pests, affecting 1.45 million people and increasing public health risks.

A recent joint World Bank–EU–UN assessment estimates that the recovery and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip will cost more than US$70 billion (£52 billion). The restoration of housing alone accounts for US$18 billion in damage, while more than 68 million tonnes of debris will need to be removed before rebuilding can begin.

But reconstruction depends on access to materials, land and infrastructure and Israel continues to control all of these. Israeli authorities control the entry of aid into Gaza, funnel deliveries through a single crossing, impose inspection regimes that delay or halt shipments, and close crossings altogether. Aid entering Gaza fell by 37% in the three months to April 2026, as raids and other ceasefire violations continue.

Reconstruction without Palestinians

While the people of Gaza remain in these conditions, outsiders are moving ahead with plans to shape Gaza’s future. In November 2025, the UN Security Council endorsed resolution 2803, backing a US-led initiative known as the Board of Peace to oversee the territory. When it first met on February 19, the Board of Peace pledged around US$17 billion – including US$10 billion from the US and additional commitments from Gulf states such as the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Palestinians have no representatives on the Board of Peace, which is chaired by the US president Donald Trump, who also sets the agenda and calls meetings. Israel, however, does, as do Trump’s most prominent envoys, Jared Kushner and Steven Witkoff, who both have considerable business and real estate interests in the Middle East.

Palestinian civil society organisations have warned that the Board of Peace excludes Palestinians from meaningful decision-making and undermines their right to self-determination. European governments have also raised concerns about the concentration of authority in the hands of the US president and the lack of oversight.

Control over funding is also taking shape. The Gaza Reconstruction and Development (Grad) fund is structured as a World Bank Financial Intermediary Fund, with the bank acting as “limited trustee”. In practice, this means the World Bank manages donor money but has no say in how the money is spent. But World Bank president Ajay Banga also sits on the Board of Peace executive board, placing the institution inside the political structure that sets priorities.

In documents related to the Grad, the World Bank describes this moment as an opportunity to “fundamentally reshape” Gaza’s economy through private investment. The vision, as has been widely covered in the media, is to transform Gaza into a “hub” in the Imec development corridor that links India to the Middle East and beyond. The rebuilt Gaza would include a major port, high-tech industrial development, data centres and tourism resorts. Little provision has been made for the restoration of Palestinian homes, healthcare or water and power infrastructure.

À lire aussi :
Donald Trump’s vision for Gaza’s future: what a leaked plan tells us about US regional strategy

Recent discussions with the Dubai-based port operator and logistics company DP World appear to highlight Board of Peace priorities. In April 2026, representatives linked to the board explored bringing the company in to manage key parts of Gaza’s supply chains, including warehousing, tracking systems and the movement of both humanitarian and commercial goods.

The talks also included proposals for a new port in Gaza or on the Egyptian coast, as well as a free-trade zone. It’s a plan for market-led development in its most concentrated form, which envisages the reconstruction of Gaza to serve regional and global economic interests. It reflects external priorities, not the needs on the ground in Gaza.

The M61 motorway was blocked due to a vehicle fire near Bolton tonight (Wednesday, April 29).

The fire was on the northbound carriageway between Junction 2 and Junction 3 near Kearsley.

The incident was first reported shortly after 10.30pm, which traffic queueing in the area as a result of the blaze and the road reopening by 11.30pm.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

Inrix, the traffic data company, said: “All traffic being temporarily held due to vehicle fire on M61 Northbound from J2 to J3 A666 St Peters Way (Kearsley roundabout).”

A National Highways spokesperson said: “The M61 in Lancashire is blocked northbound between J2 and J3 near Kearsley following a vehicle fire.

“Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service are leading at scene. There are delays of 20 minutes and approx. 1 mile of congestion on approach. Please allow extra time if you’re travelling in the area.”

Harvey Browne threatened to kill the victim while on court bail

A man has been jailed after trying to drown his pregnant girlfriend. Harvey Browne, 20, tried to push the victim down into bath water at their home in Godmanchester last August.

He also subjected her to physical abuse including punching her in the stomach. Officers arrived after concerned neighbours contacted the police and arrested Browne.

Browne had threatened to kill the victim while on court bail and said he would “put her in a coffin” before police could help her. Browne, of Moselle Avenue, Haringey, Greater London, was arrested for sending communication threatening death or serious harm.

He pleaded guilty to this offence and assault ABH. Browne was sentenced to two years and nine months in a young offender institution at Cambridge Crown Court on Monday, April 27. He was also given a restraining order.

Detective Constable James Lewis, who investigated, said: “This was a brutal assault carried out behind closed doors designed to cause fear and suffering for the victim, who I would like to commend for the courage she has shown throughout the investigation.

“Domestic abuse can take many forms and often escalates quickly. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or controlling behaviour, please know that support is available and we will always take reports seriously.”

To get more news and top stories delivered directly to your phone, join our new WhatsApp community. Click this link to receive your daily dose of CambridgeshireLive content.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Ubisoft is testing the waters with a remake of one of Assassin’s Creed most beloved entries, but this stale franchise is too beholden to past glories.

Few games have made an impact through a single trailer like Assassin’s Creed. The CGI clip, shown at E3 2006, promised an evolution of Ubisoft’s Prince Of Persia acrobatics in an open world historical setting. It was a leading showcase of where third person action games were heading at the start of the Xbox 360 era, and graphically it set the world alight.

The original Assassin’s Creed failed to live up to this promise. It was highly repetitive and pretty shoddy despite its visual splendour, while the sci-fi Animus twist largely got in the way of the 12th century hijinks. The series, however, executed on its original promise with Assassin’s Creed 2, which replicated the Italian Renaissance period with a dynamite (and still series’ best) protagonist in Ezio, who led its two sequels Brotherhood and Revelations.

It’s been over 15 years since Assassin’s Creed 2, and while Ubisoft has iterated on the formula with ship battles, role-playing systems, and more varied settings, the series has never achieved the same creative fervor. In many ways, Assassin’s Creed 2 is the series’ equivalent of Activision’s Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, a defining template which was so successful, and worked so well, there’s been little reason to deviate from it since.

Like Call Of Duty, Assassin’s Creed games are now simply part of the furniture in the gaming landscape. They’re consistently solid, and remain a financial bedrock for Ubisoft, but it’s a well-worn, familiar concept which long ago stopped being cutting edge.

Ubisoft’s new strategy for dusting off the cobwebs is trying Capcom’s successful recipe with Resident Evil; in other words, remakes. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced launches in July, but there’s also rumours of additional remakes, including a potential overhaul of the original game from 2007.

The latter, if true, could be an interesting rework because it is a barely playable relic at this point, but based on the conservative improvements seen in the Black Flag Resynced trailer, we don’t have much faith that Ubisoft is looking to meaningfully upgrade anything beyond the obvious.

There are improved visuals, talk of refreshed combat, new parkour animations, and better tailing missions, but you’re still gallivanting through the same V-shaped trees and waiting to parry enemies in an awkward circle.

It’s perhaps unfair to expect a substantial series’ overhaul in a remake, but going back to the bones of a 13 year old game – which doesn’t feel too divorced from last year’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows in terms of gameplay – only reinforces how stagnant and dry the entire series has become.

When you compare it to the player choice seen in Baldur’s Gate 3 or the immersive, layered systems in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Assassin’s Creed feels dated and lifeless.

Ubisoft has little incentive, at least financially, to change anything at this stage but Assassin’s Creed is in dire need of a creative uproot if it wants to continue for the next decade.

Movement-wise, it needs to compete with the slick transitions in Insomniac’s Spider-Man. It could also take some structural cues from Io Interactive’s Hitman, where the sandbox levels are far more dense with assassination opportunities and reactive systems in enclosed scenarios.

Assassin’s Creed games aren’t known for their bold narratives, but maybe a radical, unexpected shift in setting could spark some creative verve. Go more contemporary with a Second World War spy slant, or lean into the sci-fi premise and shoot forwards in time instead. Fundamentally, surprise people with something fresh beyond the swords and sandals.

Ubisoft is promising a ‘very different type of Assassin’s Creed game’ for its next mainline title, codenamed Hexe, which will be a ‘darker, narrative-driven’ experience. It remains to be seen what that means exactly, but based on the studio’s track record over the past decade, it’s hard to imagine it isn’t just another production line sequel with a setting swap.

Assassin’s Creed is one of the biggest franchises in gaming, and was once a creative force in the realm of third person action games, but Ubisoft has allowed it to coast into an outdated and predictable mould. It’s about time it stopped dredging up the past, and gave players an exciting, rejuvenated reason to be excited about its future.

Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter.

To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.

For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.

MORE: GTA 6 flu to return as boss expects fans to call in ‘sick’ at game’s launch

MORE: Hades style Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game is less than £3 right now

MORE: Take-Two boss wants ‘reasonable’ price for GTA 6 as L.A. Noire return teased

Diego Simeone was unhappy with Arsenal’s penalty decision after Atletico Madrid’s 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night.

Viktor Gyokeres put Arsenal in front from the penalty spot late in the first half after he was barged over in the box by Atletico centre-back David Hancko.

Atletico were then awarded a penalty of their own in the second half after the ball struck Ben White’s hand from Marcos Llorente’s shot, and Julian Alvarez stepped up to equalise for Simeone’s side.

Arsenal felt they had a second penalty when Hancko mistimed an interception and stood on Eberechi Eze’s foot, however, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie reversed his initial decision after watching several replays on the VAR screen.

When asked about Gyokeres’ penalty decision in the first half, Simeone said: ‘In my opinion, the first penalty involved contact from behind, the player anticipated the contact and went down.

‘In Champions League semi-finals, you need a penalty that is truly a penalty.

‘The referee understood that it was. On the other occasion, thanks to VAR, he understood that it was a penalty because initially it wasn’t a handball, and then, in the second instance, also thanks to VAR, it wasn’t a penalty.

‘VAR sometimes gives you the benefit of the doubt and sometimes it takes it away.’

Arteta, meanwhile, admitted Arsenal were ‘fuming’ with the decision to overturn Eze’s penalty claim in the second half.

‘The decision and then what happens for a period of time. The referee has to watch it 13 times, it’s clearer than that,’ Arteta said.

‘It’s impossible, and yeah, we are all fuming about it.

Asked if Atletico’s supporters and animated coaching staff had an impact on the decision, Arteta replied: ‘That has nothing to do with that.

‘I’m sure they are very well aware of what the reaction is going to be. It’s normal, that reaction, we need to apply the rules.

‘The same thing that I’m saying, that they applied the rules on Ben White’s penalty, that is difficult to accept, but it is a penalty with a handbook.

‘And what they said at the beginning of the season, Ebs is a clear and very obvious penalty. That’s it.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Steven Gerrard urges Mikel Arteta to recall Arsenal duo for Atletico Madrid second leg

MORE: Atletico Madrid update on Julian Alvarez injury blow after Arsenal draw

MORE: Diego Simeone clashes with Ben White after Arsenal draw with Atletico Madrid

Conversations with the monarch are normally kept private, but the president told a white-tie state banquet: “We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever – Charles agrees with me, even more than I do – we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon.”

Stephen Phillips has been a resident of Navigation Road for more than 20 years but says the outdoor space he shares with other residents has “never looked this bad”.

The property’s front gardens are overgrown, he said, with knee-high weeds and shrubbery, despite some residents paying a service charge for the council to maintain the space.

Recommended reading:

Speaking about this, Stephen said: “Over the past couple of years, the standard of upkeep has noticeably declined.”

Stephen Phillips said the weeds have not been maintained by the council since late last year (Image: Newsquest)

He added: “The condition of these spaces has now reached a point where they are becoming an eyesore for residents.

“On Navigation Road, for example, ivy is left to grow unchecked up the walls year after year.

“The grass is often left to grow excessively long before being cut, and when it is eventually maintained, the result is untidy, with cuttings left scattered across footpaths.

“These are not cleared away, leading to grass being walked into nearby flats.”

The grass is left to grow “excessively” long before being cut in areas around Walmgate, Stephen said (Image: Supplied)

Stephen said the council had not cut the communal grass areas at the front and back of his block of flats since late last year.

He said: “I have ongoing concerns about the poor maintenance of public garden areas in York, particularly in the Walmgate area.

“There is a significant issue with weeds. They are growing up to window frames and pushing through cracks in pavements, further contributing to the neglected appearance of the area.

“This situation is disappointing and impacts the overall environment and quality of life for residents.

“I would appreciate it if the council could address these issues and provide information on how and when regular maintenance will be improved.”

City of York Council has been approached for comment and we’ll add it here when we hear back.

The Thursday letters page is frustrated at an increasingly online-only future for digital game downloads, as a reader gets hold of Saros a day early.

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

New hero
I see that Insomanic are talking about showing off more of Marvel’s Wolverine ‘this spring’. But does that mean just the usual not-E3 event, which Sony has taken to doing in late May, which is still technically spring, or do they mean a separate event before that?

I know no-one knows but I would be happy if it got its own one because not only do I want to know more about the game but I kind of want to get it out of the way so Sony can announce more new stuff and show off Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

I’m not convinced that Wolverine is going to be as good or as popular as Spider-Man 2. For a start Wolverine doesn’t have any cool movement system of his own, like web-swinging, and he doesn’t have the same kind of rogue’s gallery as Spidey. I also think the game is going to be too gory for casual gamers, especially as giant robots and magic powers don’t really mix with tons of blood and guts.

Maybe I’m wrong, because I’ve never read any of the comics, but I’m just not sure there’s much he can really do that would be all that interesting for a video game. Especially as you know he can’t be killed.
Polar

Specialist audience
I’m not sure I really understand who the Steam Machine is for. If you’re a Steam fan already then you’ve got a PC and don’t need a console version of one, especially as it likely won’t even be that powerful.

So it’s for people that want a gaming PC but haven’t got one, but do have £600+ hanging around that they’re willing to spend on one. That doesn’t sound like it’d be a very big group of people to me.

It’s no skin off my back what they do but whenever there’s a flop that always means taking money away from something else to make up for it. I don’t want Steam sales to suck for the next couple of years or Half-Life 3 to get cancelled after all.
Uther

Different games
I was dismayed to read on the Eurogamer site that a slew of movies from the Nintendo Cinematic Universe are in the pipeline. While intrigued at the prospect of a live action Metroid, we can be sure that these movies will be more generic and critically slated than even those of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Worse, they’ll make a ton of money for Nintendo.

What’s good for Nintendo isn’t necessarily good for gaming. With the challenges the video game industry faces, there’ll be a strong temptation to pivot the business further in this direction and focus on monetising their IP in ways unrelated to actual video games, including theme parks, merchandise, shops, and so forth.

It may have been better for gamers if the Super Mario Galaxy movie had bombed.
Ciara
PS: Despite the trigger warning I really thought the news about XCOM would be game related, a remaster or something. I would say then that your warning was insufficient. Admittedly, I didn’t get on with the Marvel spin-off at all. Apart from anything else, too much dialogue to trawl though. I did at least purchase it.

GC: It was game related, just not video games. A Donkey Kong spin-off movie was mooted some time ago; it’s why he’s only a cameo in the Galaxy movie.

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

In the wild
Just scooped up Saros, from CeX of all places, where every title is second-hand and it’s literally impossible to even consider buying a game before it releases. Unlike Amazon or even GAME, you can’t think of pre-ordering any game, you need to wait until it arrives at the store. But somehow it was sitting in a store in Essex, of all places. Two copies were available. I picked up the first copy and before you know it, it’s sold out immediately. Used two vouchers to reduce the cost and I only had to pay £28.95. £34 shaved off the total price.

Speaking of Saros, GC’s review already sold me on the game, but the talk of difficulty modifiers sealed it for me. The fact is that as brilliant as Returnal is, the fact is that the game has a low completion rate unfortunately. At least on PlayStation 5. I can’t speak for PC players. But the fact that Housemarque took the feedback on board and made changes is a promising sign.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely know I’ll be slaughtered time and time again when playing this. Every player will be eventually. But it’s a boon when a title like Hades and Hades 2 don’t offer traditional difficulty settings, but instead offer alternatives to make the difficulty manageable, which I absolutely wish Black Myth: Wukong took in stride. Wukong needed difficulty settings if it wanted to compare itself to God Of War, which always has had difficulty settings. But Wukong didn’t even feature a shield, parry or even block. Even Saros has a shield for defence. Lies Of P has a parry system. Wukong has a skill tied to parrying, which is just very questionable.

Elden Ring used the open world to make traversing The Lands Between a more enjoyable experience. If you found yourself under-levelled for an area, explore elsewhere and come back more equipped. I don’t ask to be mollycoddled by the developers when it comes to such action titles, though I always do appreciate it greatly. But it absolutely is titles such as Hades, Elden Ring, and Saros that I appreciate for their approach to difficulty.

Not every gamer has the time to spend hours on bosses or difficult enemies. So I can safely say that I am looking very forward to Saros and I hope it is easier than Returnal. Because I would like to see Arjun Devraj’s story through to the end and appreciate the world of Carcosa, without giving up in frustration. Because a developer like Housemarque deserves that opportunity.

As for what is coming throughout May, when it comes to gaming releases, I’m not entirely sold on 007 First Light and Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight. As far as mainstream titles are concerned I’ll be waiting for the reviews, because Crimson Desert taught me to do so.
Shahzaib Sadiq

Take two games
Rockstar Games returning to some of their older franchises is interesting but a) I don’t really believe them and b) I don’t think a lot of them really hold up anymore. L.A. Noire was sold on its graphics when it first came out and nowadays I don’t think there’s any way to update it without totally changing the gameplay. More realistic looking faces just isn’t enough.

What I’d much prefer is if Rockstar was going to make new IP instead. Considering the position they’re in they haven’t used the freedom they have almost at all. There is literally nothing they could want to do next that Take-Two wouldn’t agree to, and yet I have a nasty feeling the only thing they’ll make next is Red Dead Redemption 3.
Campbell

Live service lite
Apparently the PlayStation DRM thing is to close an exploit where people were buying games digitally, taking their console offline and then refunding the game (or something along those lines). Basically, people were abusing the returns system to play a game for free. The DRM is allegedly time-limited and lifts after the return window is closed. Not elegant, but I guess people can’t have nice things.

I agree with the article on PlayStation’s live service approach, i.e. that they basically have live service lite games in their catalogue now, that were ostensibly single-player games, that are more successful than their targeted efforts. I’d include things like Ghost Of Yōtei in that, which has had multiple large content updates to add new multiplayer options since launch.

It seems like a less risky approach and had they tested the waters on small-scale multiplayer modes for The Last Of Us and God Of War maybe they’d have had something to show for the effort expended, instead of cumulative decades of work going in the bin. Going straight to ‘This is the new Star Wars and will make us billions’ was madness. Ho hum, I’m sure they’ve learned their lesson though…
Magnumstache

Culture bomb
That Take-Two boss has always seemed like he knows what’s going on but he’s definitely right when it comes to people taking time off for GTA 6. We’ve had a few people talking about it lately, but that game is going to be like a bomb going off in pop culture. Not only are you going to hear about it everywhere but everyone’s going to be talking about it all the time.

I don’t think movies really have that kind of impact nowadays, but GTA 6 will absolutely be the one thing everyone will be talking about this winter and for months and months afterwards.
Scooter

Don’t miss Gaming news! Add us as a Preferred Source

As a loyal GameCentral reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for gaming stories. We have all the latest video games news, reviews, previews, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.

Advertisement

Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.

Add us as a Preferred Source

Always online
I’m on my second PlayStation 5. I got a disc version 18 months after it launched but I had to travel for my job for most of 2024, so I sold it and got a digital version so that I wouldn’t have to carry discs with me.

None of the games will work if I’m not connected to the internet when I power it on. They require this check a lot more often than every 30 days.

Sony customer service told me that I need to nominate it as my main console. The way they told me to do this was by reading the serial number under my first PlayStation 4, which I sold to get a PS4 Pro years before.

The thing is, I had a small handful of digital games on my disc PlayStation 5 and never had this issue.

It feels like Sony think I’ve shared my account password with someone else to use my digital library. Despite never having had more than one PlayStation console at any one time. Another factor may be that I’ve never registered a card on my PlayStation account, only ever redeem gift cards. So there is nothing like ID attached to it.

It isn’t fun. I exclusively connect to the internet via my phone’s hot spot now, in case my internet connection goes wonky and I won’t be able to play any of the games I paid for fair and square.
Tom Twice

GC: It’s bad and we fear it’s going to get worse over time, for all consoles, as companies try to squeeze out both physical games and any possibility of piracy. The likelihood that Sony, or anyone else, will care about an edge case like this is sadly quite low.

Inbox also-rans
I see Marathon’s player numbers are getting close to under 10,000. That is not good. I really don’t think Bungie is going to last the year at this rate. Should’ve made a game with a story instead.
Casper

I was convinced that there was an Umbrella reference in Dino Crisis, on one of the boxes or something, but now I can’t find any evidence of it. Mandela effect?
Keyts

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

The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

MORE: Games Inbox: Is buying a video game day one a good idea?

MORE: Games Inbox: What new characters will be in the next Smash Bros.?

MORE: Games Inbox: Which is better out of Pragmata and Saros?