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Nintendo has announced a free update for Pikmin 4 that could remedy one of fans’ biggest complaints about the game. (Yes, free. From Nintendo. We’re shocked too, but we’ll take it.) The update, which arrives in November, adds Fierce mode to make the game more challenging for those who want it. We don’t know exactly what that will look like yet, but a higher difficulty level is a welcome addition to a game that is, for many players including myself, absolutely delightful but much too easy. It may not reach Pikmin 2 heights still, but maybe we’ll see enemies respawn? 

On the opposite end, for players who want to breeze through an even chiller experience than Pikmin 4 already offered, the update also brings Relaxed mode, where enemies won’t bother you unless you attack them first. This mode could go hand in hand with another new feature, the Field Camera, which puts a Pokémon-Snap-style spin on things. With this, you’ll be able to take photos of your Pikmin and squad in the wild, and “set the scene with various angles, hide characters, and decorate your pics with filters, frames and stamps.” It might be nice not to have enemies pestering you while you’re just trying to have a photoshoot. 

The update also brings a Pikmin Bloom staple over to the mainline game: Decor Pikmin. You’ll soon be able to find Pikmin that are decked out in little costumes, and can add these characters to your squad. The announcement hints that snapping a picture of them may be the way to do this. And, Pikmin Bloom players will be able to send these special Decor Pikmin to the app to join their squad over there too. There’s more news for Pikmin Bloom players as well. The mobile game is finally getting Ice Pikmin on November 1. These will sprout from new blue seedlings that will be found, to start, at Restaurant and Roadside locations. 

An Ice Pikmin with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on its head and a pink spoon sticking out sits on a rocky ledge

At the beginning of October, Nintendo got us all worked up about the possibility of new Pikmin content when it dropped an animated short that at first seemed to be Pikmin related, and was later confirmed to be. The company eventually put the hype to rest, explaining that the videos were indeed just the first short films from Nintendo Pictures Co., which will “explore new creative possibilities through video content” — not a promotion for a new game, as fans hoped. But with a new reason to dive back into Pikmin 4 now on the horizon, maybe all the excitement wasn’t for nothing. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/pikmin-4-is-getting-a-free-update-with-hard-mode-decor-pikmin-and-a-camera-to-snap-field-photos-165200723.html?src=rss 

Ever since Rivian spun off its “micromobility business” into a standalone startup called Also earlier this year, there’s been much speculation about what kind of vehicles the company is working on. Now, Also is showing off its first products: a lineup of e-bikes and two pedal-assisted electric quads. 

The TM-B e-bike is Also’s attempt at a do-it-all e-bike that can adapt to different use cases whether that’s daily commuting, trail riding or kid and cargo-hauling. It sports a modular frame that can also accommodate a bench seat or rear cargo rack that supports up to 35KG of weight. It only comes in one frame size, but Also says it should be able to adapt to “multiple body sizes.” 

The removable USB-C battery comes in two sizes: standard, which can power up to 60 miles of riding, and large, which maxes out at 100 miles of range. In terms of power, the TM-B’s throttletops out at 20MPH. Also is taking an interesting approach to its drive system, with a setup it’s labeled “DreamRide.” Instead of a mechanical connection between the bike’s rear wheel and the pedals, the TM-B uses “software-defined pedaling,” which will make the riding experience more customizable, according to Also. 

The Also app and Portal display.

Given the bike’s roots at Rivian, it’s not surprising that there are also a bunch of other tech-enabled features, including a 5-inch touchscreen display, called “Portal,” that supports navigation, music playback and calling features via an accompanying app. There’s also a built-in security system that automatically locks the frame and rear wheel when you walk away.

Also is selling the TM-B in three configurations. The first to ship next spring will be the $4,500 TM-B Limited Launch Edition, which has a range up to 100 miles, support for standard and sport ride modes and features transparent purple accents. The $4,500 TM-B Performance has the same features as the limited edition model, but has a slightly different color scheme, and will be available within the “first half” of 2026. Finally, there’s a base-level TM-B model with a range of up to 60 miles that only comes with standard ride modes. Also hasn’t announced an exact price, but says it will cost less than $4,000 when it ships “later in 2026.” Pre-orders for the Launch Edition are open now and the other two bikes are available to reserve with a $50 deposit. The bikes will also be on display in Rivian showrooms later this year,

Also’s quad for commercial uses cases (left) and a smaller quad for families (right).

The company also previewed two electric, pedal-assisted quads it’s calling TM-Q. The smaller quad is apparently meant for “families and individuals seeking a safe, compact alternative to cars” that can still haul “significant loads.” The larger TM-Q, on the other hand, is meant for commercial deliveries. Also has partnered with Amazon to develop fleets of such vehicles that can be used by delivery drivers. Both quads are intended to be used in bike lanes, according to Also. 

The company didn’t share details about when these vehicles might be available or how much they’ll cost.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/the-first-e-bike-from-rivian-spinoff-also-has-a-virtual-drivetrain-173000250.html?src=rss 

After nine years as CEO of the studio behind Control and Alan Wake, Tero Virtala has departed the role. Remedy cofounder Markus Mäki is taking over on an interim basis (and stepping down as chairman of the board) while the company looks for a permanent CEO. Henri Österlund, a board member since 2017, is Remedy’s new chairman.

“I want to thank Tero Virtala for his substantial contribution to the management of Remedy since 2016,” Mäki said in a statement. “I personally thank Tero for good cooperation and wish him all the best for the future.” Virtala will remain at Remedy for a transition period to help with the handover of CEO duties.

Remedy didn’t spell out the reasons as to why Virtala is leaving as CEO, but said it was by mutual consent. However, it’s been a rough year for Remedy after its latest game, FBC: Firebreak, failed to meet sales expectations. Earlier this month, the company issued a profit warning to investors and lowered “its long-term sales forecast for the game.” Remedy now expects its operating profit for the year to be in the red after recognizing a “non-cash impairment” of €14.9 million ($17.3 million) related to FBC: Firebreak development costs as well as publishing and distribution rights.

FBC: Firebreak (a co-op Control spinoff) arrived in June and while the game reached half a million players in its first 10 days, most were on consoles, where it was available via PlayStation Plus and Game Pass Ultimate. Remedy said in August the game had underperformed on Steam, which the company had intended as its “primary consumer sales channel on PC.”

After feedback from players, Remedy swiftly rolled out multiple patches for FBC: Firebreak — its first multiplayer title — to try to improve the game. It released the first major update for FBC: Firebreak last month to revamp the core gameplay and overhaul the onboarding experience. However, that didn’t fully turn the tide. “Despite improved player and sales metrics after the update, sales have not reached Remedy’s internal targets,” the company said in its profit warning.

Another major FBC: Firebreak update is planned for November, which will add a new game mode as well as cross-platform voice chat. Remedy also has Control 2 in the oven, as well as remakes of the first two Max Payne games.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/remedys-ceo-is-out-amid-the-struggles-of-fbc-firebreak-151023995.html?src=rss