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Amazon business and news from across the web.
New PS5 Action Game Gets Stellar Reviews, Enters GOTY DiscussionThe new PlayStation 5 action game 007 First Light, developed by IO Interactive, has launched to critical acclaim with an average score of 89 on OpenCritic. Critics praise its masterful translation of the James Bond fantasy into a 14-hour globetrotting epic, with some calling it the best James Bond game ever made. The game follows a young James Bond's rise through MI6 and is considered a strong contender for Game of the Year.
Jensen Ackles reveals what scene in The Boys season 5 made him walk off set: "Bro was literally on Herogasm but…Jensen Ackles, star of the Amazon series The Boys, revealed that a scene involving Homelander bathing in breast milk caused him to walk off set during filming for season 5. While the show is known for its graphic content, Ackles found this particular scene shocking. A spin-off series starring Ackles, Vought Rising, is also in development.
007 First Light Review Round-up: IOI Delivers The Best Bond Game YetCritical reviews for IO Interactive's 007 First Light are largely positive, with the PlayStation 5 version holding an 88 Metascore and PC an 87. Critics praise the game's presentation, writing, and gameplay, with many calling it the best James Bond game ever made. The game launches today for Deluxe Edition owners and on May 27th for Standard Edition owners on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.
Should I watch Spider-Noir in black and white or in color?The live-action series Spider-Noir, starring Nicolas Cage as Detective Ben Reilly, offers viewers the choice between watching in "Authentic Black and White" or "True-Hue Full Color." While filmed in color, the black-and-white option aims to evoke the 1930s noir aesthetic, with the color version showcasing vibrant comic-book-inspired visuals. The article suggests switching between both formats for a mixed experience.- Lost Ark previews some new cosmetics arriving exclusively to the MMOARPG’s global version this yearLost Ark is set to receive new, exclusive cosmetic items in its global version in 2026, with Smilegate RPG providing a preview. These dragon-themed cosmetics include gear skins, a draconic mount, and a dragon pet, alongside wallpapers depicting the fight with Kazeros.
- Sunday MobilizationThis article analyzes the current state of purchasing Windows laptops in 2026, suggesting it is a poor choice for consumers. It also briefly mentions Amazon's discontinuation of older Kindle models and provides advice for affected users.
Crunchyroll's CEO admits the competition from Netflix and Amazon is "aggressive" but remains "confident" in attracting anime viewers: "This is not just one genre for us, this is the entire thing"Crunchyroll CEO Rahul Purini acknowledges aggressive competition from Netflix and Amazon but remains confident in the platform's ability to attract anime viewers. He highlights Crunchyroll's extensive library, 30-year history in the anime space, and sole focus on anime as key differentiators against competitors.
Amazon Releases First Look at The Boys Prequel Series, Vought RisingAmazon Prime Video has released the first look at Vought Rising, a prequel series to The Boys, set in 1950s New York City. The series will chronicle the origins of Clara Vought, also known as Stormfront, and Soldier Boy, and is scheduled to premiere in 2027. The showrunner for Vought Rising is Paul Grellong, with Eric Kripke, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg among the executive producers.
These are the Memorial Day gaming laptop deals you should actually be looking at this weekendThis article provides a guide to finding the best Memorial Day deals on gaming laptops, acknowledging that supply chain issues have made prices stubborn. Best Buy is highlighted as the top retailer for deals, with other brands like Lenovo, HP, and Dell being more expensive this year. The article also mentions expected deals for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5.
Memorial Day TV sales are taking four-figures off last year's premium panels just in time for the World CupMemorial Day TV sales are offering significant discounts on premium panels, with some deals available before the official holiday. Retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon are featuring price drops on OLED and QLED models, including last year's LG OLED C5 and various Samsung QLEDs. While some recent flagship models are not yet at their lowest prices, consumers can find budget-friendly options from brands like Hisense, TCL, and Vizio.- Daily Video Game Deals May 22 – Unknown 9: Awakening, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES & MoreDaily video game deals for May 22nd include discounts on Unknown 9: Awakening, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, and No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. These deals are available across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms, with specific offers from retailers like Amazon and GameStop. Additionally, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered and Down in Bermuda are free via the Epic Games Store, and a Warhammer Skulls 2026 Game Bundle is available through Humble Bundle.
The biggest missing cameo from The Boys season 5 finale turned it downThe series finale of The Boys season 5 concluded without a highly anticipated cameo from Queen Maeve, despite several hints throughout the season. While characters like Sister Sage and Annie referenced Maeve, the Supe ultimately did not appear in the final confrontation. The article discusses this notable absence and its impact on the series' conclusion.- Comings and GoingsXbox has hired Matthew Ball, a veteran analyst, as its new chief strategy officer. The company also appointed an Amazon veteran to the role of chief technology officer, signaling a strategic shift in leadership.
- Evening MobilizationThis article discusses methods to bypass Amazon's ecosystem for Kindle devices, suggesting that users do not need to resort to hacking. It also touches upon potential issues with iPhone keyboards and how to resolve them.
Xbox Adds Two New Heavy Hitters to Its Leadership TeamXbox has appointed Matthew Ball as Chief Strategy Officer and Scott Van Vliet as Chief Technology Officer to bolster its leadership team. Ball, formerly of Amazon Studios and CEO of Epyllion, brings extensive strategy and investment experience, while Van Vliet has a background with Microsoft products and gaming development. These appointments are part of ongoing leadership changes under CEO Asha Sharma.
Xbox announces hire of veteran analyst Matthew Ball as chief strategy officer, and AI and Amazon veteran as CTOXbox CEO Asha Sharma has appointed industry analyst Matthew Ball as chief strategy officer and Amazon veteran Scott Van Vliet as chief technology officer as part of an ongoing management restructure. Ball, a recognized metaverse expert and longtime gamer, will report directly to Sharma, while Van Vliet will focus on improving the product development pipeline. Chris Schnakenberg was also promoted to corporate vice president of partnerships and business development.
Pokemon Winds and Waves retailer listings go live, may give insight into how much the games will costRetail listings on Amazon Germany suggest that Pokemon Winds and Pokemon Waves may launch at €80 in Europe, potentially translating to $70 or $80 in the U.S. This pricing is discussed in the context of recent Nintendo Switch game prices and potential upcoming price increases for the console.- Amazon’s Throne & Liberty announces the Frozen Divide: Nix expansion coming June 25Amazon and NCsoft have announced the next major expansion for their MMORPG, Throne and Liberty, titled Frozen Divide: Nix. Launching on June 25th, the expansion will introduce a vast new region called Nix, a new Gauntlets weapon, co-op dungeons, and increased level progression. Further updates are planned for July and August, with weekly previews beginning next week.
Amazon Pre-Order Listing Puts Pokémon Winds & Waves At €80An Amazon Germany listing for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 titles Pokémon Winds and Waves has revealed a pre-order price of €79.99, sparking discussion among fans about potential US pricing. While this price point is not unusual for some first-party games in Europe, it could represent an increase for the mainline Pokémon series compared to Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Embracer Group announces plans to spin-off Fellowship EntertainmentEmbracer Group announced plans to spin off Fellowship Entertainment, which will focus on premium intellectual property and development, including titles like Kingdom Come: Deliverance and Tomb Raider. The remaining Embracer entity will implement a more efficient structure with tighter cost control. This news coincides with Embracer's Q4 financial results, which showed a 24% net sales decline and a significant non-cash impairment.