Yesterday, we announced internally that I will be leaving Amazon. After almost 13 years in games, and almost 18 years at the company, my last day will be 4/29. It’s always been in my head to take time off in the middle of my career to spend time with family (before kids are off to college), and to pursue some personal interests while my knees and back are still (relatively) healthy. I have no idea where things will lead from here (maybe even back to Amazon someday) - but I’m excited for the adventure.

And while there’s never really a perfect time to step away from a great role, now is a good time. We’ve launched two top 10 games in the past six months, and have a growing portfolio of promising new games in the pipeline. Prime Gaming is on a strong trajectory, providing more and more great content to players worldwide who are members of Amazon Prime. And we have some newer initiatives that are gaining real traction. Plus importantly, each of these teams are led by excellent leaders. The future is very bright for Amazon Games.

• Fortnite's 'No Building' mode will be made permanent, dataminers say.

• This Fallout New Vegas Mod introduces a playable Android race.

• Margit is EASY - Elden Ring - Carbot. Thanks Simon.

↑ Official trailers. ↓ Content creator videos.

• A Marvelous Ice & Snow Simulation Created in Unreal Engine 5. Thanks Max.
• Firearms Expert Reacts To Borderlands 3’s Guns.

• Ghostwire- Tokyo Ending Explained (With the Director) - IGN.
• Sarkeesian reflects on 10 years of “Tropes vs. Women in Video Games”.

• GDC 2022 highlighted by return-to-office questions, unionization push (may require registration or subscription).

• Elden Ring Soft Cap Cheat Sheet Lets Players Know When to Stop Spending Points in Certain Skills. Thanks Acleacius.

• Gran Turismo 7 will rejigger its game economy after backlash. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Xbox Insider Release Notes - Alpha (2204.220323-2200).
• Xbox Insider Release Notes - Alpha Skip-Ahead (2208.220324-0010).

• Samsung, please copy Apple and bring back phone subscriptions.

• This browser you've never heard of is now worth a billion dollars.
• The Funniest Travel Account on Instagram Is Run by the T.S.A. Seriously (may require registration or subscription). Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Amazon Sets Bond-Themed Competition Series.
• SeaMonkey 2.53.11.1 Release Notes. Thanks Ant.

• Surprise! Intel launches the 5.5GHz Core i9-12900KS with no warning.
• Intel Arc Alchemist GPU Flexes In New Blender Benchmark.
• EVGA and Colorful GeForce RTX 3090 Ti graphics cards are thick and power-hungry.
• iFixit’s Mac Studio teardown reveals monster cooling system.
• Open Source Software Faces Threats of Protestware and Sabotage (may require registration or subscription).
• The 5 Best Uninstallers to Remove Stubborn Apps in Windows.

• FCC puts Kaspersky on security threat list, says it poses “unacceptable risk“.
• Ransomware infections follow precursor malware.
• Fileless Malware on Linux: Anatomy of an Attack.

• Man Arrested for Killing Halo, Overwatch Voice Actress Christiane Louise. Thanks Acleacius.
• Apple would be forced to allow sideloading and third-party app stores under new EU law.

• CPU: Intel Core i5-12600 Review - E-cores or not, That is the Question - TechPowerUp.
• Headset: Sivga Robin (SV021) Closed-Back Over-Ear Headphones Review - TechPowerUp.
• Laptop: Gigabyte Aero 16 YE5 Review- Compact 4K Multimedia Notebook - NotebookCheck.net Reviews.
• RAM: Samsung DDR5-4800 C40 Review- Overclocking Champ - Tom's Hardware.
• Speakers: Creative Stage 360 2.1 Soundbar With Dolby Atmos - Nikk Tech.
• SSD: ADATA XPG Atom 50 Review- A Speedy Gen 4 SSD For Gamers - HotHardware. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• SSD: Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus 4 TB SSD Review - TechPowerUp.

Hankering for a Round-up
Thanks Ant and Neutronbeam.

Brunch Links

• Netflix’s Diana The Musical Sweeps Board At This Year’s Razzie Awards.
• The jokes that have made people laugh for thousands of years.
• Faroe Islands Marks No Time to Die Spoiler. There's a considerate headline lesson for you, Gizmodo.

Stories

• Air ambulance company takes leukemia patient for a high-priced ride. Thanks RedEye9.
• A top-notch hospital in Doha is busy: Only falcons allowed.
• North Korea Hwasong-17 launch gets Hollywood-style effects. Thanks brother19.

Science
Thanks Max.

• Repetitive behaviors more common in dogs of first-time owners: study.
• Antarctic Ice Shelf, Almost as Big as Los Angeles, Completely Collapses.
• "Dopamine Nation": Pain is crucial in an era of easy pleasures.
• Human trials to begin on new male birth control pill.

Media

• How to pick up a duck — a most practical 40-second video that will save you loads of time.

Follow-ups
Thanks Max.

• Omicron deaths of Johnson & Johnson recipients were double the rate of other vaccinated Americans, new data show.
• “Chance of Impact 100%” – Fifth Asteroid Ever Discovered Before Impact.
• Coffee doesn’t increase your risk of heart arrhythmia: new studies.