Marathon Tops Steam Sales as Google Slashes Play Fees and Boeing Faces NASA Setback

Pale Pikachu Variant Peakychu Appears in New Pokémon Pokopia Game

  • Peakychu shows pale coloring and reduced tail size from electricity overuse.
  • Variant helps sick friends in story set within Pokémon Pokopia world.
  • Debut ties to upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 title release plans.

USA, Mar 05 (TNGB) – Fans discovered a new Pikachu variant called Peakychu inside the upcoming life simulation game Pokémon Pokopia. The character appears unusually pale with drooping features and a noticeably smaller tail after donating excessive electricity to aid ill companions. Developers at the studio incorporated this design to emphasize themes of sacrifice and teamwork among Pokémon. Social media buzz grew quickly following the reveal with players praising the emotional depth.

This variant adds fresh storytelling layers to the franchise without altering core gameplay mechanics.

The game launches later this year on Nintendo hardware and expands the Pokopia universe.

Accenture Buys Downdetector and Speedtest Platforms for 1.2 Billion Dollars

  • Ziff Davis sells Ookla connectivity division in all-cash transaction.
  • Platforms track outages and measure internet speeds for millions daily.
  • Deal allows seller to focus on media assets like gaming sites.

NEW YORK, Mar 05 (TNGB) – Consulting firm Accenture agreed to acquire the connectivity division of Ziff Davis which operates the popular Downdetector outage tracker and Speedtest speed measurement tool. The 1.2 billion dollar cash deal transfers control of Ookla assets that millions rely on for real-time network diagnostics worldwide. Ziff Davis initiated the sale to streamline operations and concentrate on its publishing portfolio including IGN and other entertainment brands. Industry observers note the strategic fit for Accenture’s data-driven services.

The transaction strengthens enterprise tools for monitoring digital infrastructure performance.

Closing is expected within months pending regulatory approvals.

Bungie Shooter Marathon Tops US Steam Sales Chart Ahead of Launch

  • Extraction shooter reaches number one position in United States charts.
  • Title ranks second globally just days before March 5 release date.
  • Pre-launch interest surged following successful Server Slam beta weekend.

LOS ANGELES, Mar 05 (TNGB) – Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter Marathon climbed to the top of Steam’s best-sellers list in the United States and secured second place worldwide. The rankings reflect strong pre-order momentum ahead of the official March 5 launch after a well-received open beta event called Server Slam. Players showed enthusiasm for the PvP focused gameplay despite earlier mixed reactions to initial reveals. The performance underscores sustained demand for competitive multiplayer titles in the current market.

Marathon positions itself as a major contender in the extraction shooter genre.

Early sales figures indicate robust fan support across platforms.

Chickpeas Grow Successfully in Simulated Lunar Soil with Fungi Treatment

  • Plants reached full life cycle in up to 75 percent fake regolith.
  • Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and vermicompost enabled seed production.
  • Results advance prospects for sustainable space agriculture.

USA, Mar 05 (TNGB) – Researchers successfully cultivated chickpeas from seed to harvest in simulated lunar soil mixtures treated with beneficial fungi and worm compost. Up to 75 percent regolith content supported healthy growth flowering and seed set in controlled experiments that tested various amendment ratios. The symbiotic fungi improved nutrient uptake while compost supplied essential organic matter absent in raw extraterrestrial material. Findings demonstrate practical steps toward food production on future lunar bases.

This breakthrough supports long-duration missions beyond Earth orbit.

Further optimization could extend to other staple crops.

  • New Windows Insider preview opens web content inside Copilot window.
  • Feature preserves conversation context and saves opened tabs automatically.
  • Rollout remains gradual with some features still under iteration.

USA, Mar 05 (TNGB) – Microsoft introduced an update for Copilot in Windows that embeds web browsing directly within the assistant’s interface using a side panel. Links now open internally instead of launching the default browser which keeps users from losing context during interactions. The change includes options to synchronize passwords and form data with user permission and stores tabs alongside conversations for easy return. Insiders received the preview version first while broader availability follows testing.

This integration streamlines multitasking without switching applications.

Microsoft continues refining the experience based on feedback.

Science Corp Raises 230 Million Dollars for Brain Implant Development

  • Series C funding brings total raised to 490 million dollars.
  • Company advances PRIMA retinal chip and biohybrid neural interface projects.
  • Ex-Neuralink executive Max Hodak leads efforts toward clinical commercialization.

USA, Mar 05 (TNGB) – Science Corp secured 230 million dollars in Series C financing to accelerate development of its vision-restoring brain and retinal implants. Investors including Lightspeed Venture Partners and Khosla Ventures supported the round which values the company near 1.5 billion dollars. The flagship PRIMA device smaller than a grain of rice pairs with specialized glasses to restore functional sight in patients with advanced macular degeneration. Additional programs target brain surface interfaces using stem cell-derived neurons and organ preservation technology.

The capital infusion supports European regulatory approval milestones.

Clinical expansion targets additional retinal conditions soon.

macOS Tahoe Update Renames M5 CPU Cores to Super Cores

  • Minor software patch retroactively updates naming in system tools.
  • Performance cores on M5 chips now labeled super cores officially.
  • Update also adds compatibility for new Studio Display models.

USA, Mar 05 (TNGB) – Apple released macOS Tahoe version 26.3.1 which renames performance cores on M5 processors to super cores across System Information and Activity Monitor displays. The change applies retroactively to existing M5 Macs while newer Pro and Max variants already ship with the updated terminology including an intermediate performance tier. No hardware modifications or speed improvements accompany the label shift which aligns with Apple’s evolving chip architecture branding. The patch additionally enables support for recently announced Studio Displays powered by A19 series chips.

Users will notice the terminology adjustment immediately after installation.

The update maintains full compatibility with prior M-series hardware.

Google Reduces Play Store Fees to 20 Percent Allows Third Party Stores

  • Standard commission drops from 30 percent on most transactions.
  • Developers gain official pathways for alternative billing and rival stores.
  • Rollout begins in United States United Kingdom and Europe by June.

USA, Mar 05 (TNGB) – Google announced sweeping changes to Play Store policies that cut the standard in-app purchase fee from 30 percent to 20 percent with even lower rates for subscriptions and select new installs. The overhaul includes streamlined support for third-party app stores that meet security standards and easier integration of alternative payment systems. These adjustments stem from the Epic Games antitrust settlement and aim to increase developer flexibility while preserving platform integrity. Additional reductions apply under new programs for games and apps.

The policy expands distribution options for creators worldwide.

Full implementation reaches global markets by 2027.

Activision Reportedly Pushed Call of Duty Story About Iran Invading Israel

  • Former Infinity Ward co-founder claims pressure occurred around 2010.
  • Developers reportedly rejected the proposed campaign setting outright.
  • Statement surfaced amid recent White House use of game footage.

USA, Mar 05 (TNGB) – Chance Glasco co-founder of Infinity Ward alleged that Activision executives pushed for a Call of Duty storyline centered on Iran invading Israel during a period following internal studio changes. Team members at the time reportedly found the concept distasteful and successfully blocked its development. Glasco shared the recollection publicly in response to recent geopolitical content involving the franchise. No official confirmation from Activision emerged regarding the decade-old discussions.

The claim adds context to long-standing debates over narrative choices in military shooters.

Studio leadership at the time prioritized other directions.

  • Justices refused to hear appeal from inventor Stephen Thaler.
  • Ruling upholds requirement for human authorship in copyright protection.
  • Decision leaves AI-only creations without legal ownership rights.

WASHINGTON D.C., Mar 05 (TNGB) – The United States Supreme Court declined to review a case seeking copyright protection for an image created entirely by an AI system developed by Stephen Thaler. The court’s inaction reinforces the longstanding principle that only works with significant human creative input qualify for protection under United States law. Thaler’s device called DABUS generated the artwork which the Copyright Office rejected years earlier. Similar patent attempts by the same inventor also failed in prior rulings.

Creators relying solely on generative tools cannot claim ownership.

The outcome aligns with policies in most major jurisdictions.

Boeing Loses Key Role in NASA Artemis Moon Rocket Program

  • Agency scraps delayed Exploration Upper Stage developed by Boeing.
  • Changes include added test flights and rescheduled lunar missions.
  • Decision addresses ongoing cost overruns and timeline setbacks.

WASHINGTON D.C., Mar 05 (TNGB) – NASA removed Boeing from primary development of the Exploration Upper Stage for the Space Launch System rocket as part of a broader overhaul to the Artemis program. Officials cited repeated delays and budget increases in the decision which shifts work to other contractors and incorporates additional uncrewed test missions. The adjustments aim to reduce risks ahead of crewed landings while maintaining overall Moon program goals. Boeing’s involvement in core SLS elements continues in limited capacity.

The move represents a significant contraction of the company’s contributions.

Artemis timelines now prioritize safety and reliability over original targets.