Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Gets PEGI Rating — Official News Is Coming Soon

Hey, Daily Quest readers!

The skies are about to get a whole lot more exciting. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve just picked up its first official age rating in Europe, and that’s usually the clearest sign yet that a proper release date announcement isn’t far behind.

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PEGI Gives Ace Combat 8 a 16 Rating

The European ratings board PEGI has slapped Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve with a 16 rating. The listing only mentions violence and in-game purchases, but the real headline is the “pre-release date” of May 30 that appears next to PC, PlayStation, and Xbox versions.

Age ratings like this almost always appear once the game’s content is locked in and marketing is about to ramp up. A concrete pre-release date on the PEGI page is even stronger evidence that Bandai Namco is getting ready to share more details — possibly as soon as the next big Geoff Keighley event.

What We Know About Ace Combat 8 So Far

This is the first mainline Ace Combat game in over seven years, and Bandai Namco Aces is calling it the culmination of 30 years of experience. The game is set in the Federation of Central Usea and follows a pilot stationed aboard the carrier Endurance. Expect a “deeply emotional story” told through intimate first-person cutscenes alongside the series’ signature high-speed dogfights.

The biggest technical upgrade is the jump to Unreal Engine 5, paired with Bandai Namco’s new internal Cloudly engine. That combination is specifically designed to deliver stunning, light-sensitive clouds and dynamic weather — something the series has always done well, now pushed to a new level.

Platforms and Multiplayer

According to the PEGI listing, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is coming to:

• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X|S
• PC

It will feature online multiplayer and online co-op with full cross-platform play. That’s a big deal for a series that has historically had smaller but very dedicated online communities.

Why This Matters for Fans

For longtime Ace Combat players, this rating is the first concrete step toward a 2026 release after years of silence. The series has always walked the line between realistic flight simulation and over-the-top action, and the new engine tech plus first-person storytelling could finally deliver the emotional weight the franchise has been chasing.

The 16 rating also suggests the game won’t shy away from intense combat sequences, which should please fans who want the dogfights to feel dangerous again.

What Comes Next?

Bandai Namco hasn’t said anything official yet, but the PEGI rating strongly implies we’ll see a proper trailer, release date, and maybe even some gameplay in the very near future. With Summer Game Fest just around the corner, this could be the perfect stage for the first real look at Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve in action. 

Quick Recap

• PEGI 16 rating just dropped in Europe
• Pre-release date listed as May 30
• Unreal Engine 5 + new Cloudly engine for better weather and clouds
• Emotional story set on the carrier Endurance
• Full cross-platform multiplayer and co-op
• 2026 release window still standing

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The wait for the next Ace Combat game has been long, but the PEGI rating is the clearest sign yet that Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is moving from “someday” to “soon.” Whether we get a full reveal at Summer Game Fest or a surprise drop in the coming weeks, the skies are finally clearing.

Stay locked to Daily Quest for the latest on Ace Combat 8 as soon as Bandai Namco makes it official.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Has Parkour — And It's NOT What You Think

Hey, Daily Quest readers.

What if I told you that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is bringing parkour back — but not in the wild, chaotic, gravity-defying way you're used to? Yeah, we're done with that omni-movement madness. Infinity Ward just dropped a bombshell reveal, and the MW4 movement system is already the hottest topic in the entire CoD community. Whether you're a die-hard tactical player or a full-send speed demon, this one affects you directly. Buckle up, because we're breaking down every slide, climb, and ledge-hang that's coming your way when MW4 drops October 23, 2026.

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Wait — Didn't They Say This Would Be Boots-On-The-Ground?

Kind of. But it's way more nuanced than that — and honestly, more exciting.

Players who hated the **omni-movement** of Black Ops 6 and 7 can rejoice, as the reveal of Modern Warfare 4 confirmed that player movement will be dialed back. But "dialed back" doesn't mean boring.  Modern Warfare 4 does remove omni-movement and wall-jump capability, so this is very much a boots-on-the-ground CoD — but it will still feature **refined parkour-style movement**. Infinity Ward is abandoning the omni-movement from Black Ops 7. Instead, Modern Warfare 4 will include a **weightier, tactical style of parkour**. Think Jason Bourne, not Spider-Man. Less flying-through-the-air nonsense, more fluid, purposeful movement with actual weight behind it 

Here's Every New Movement Mechanic Confirmed So Far

This is where it gets juicy. Infinity Ward hasn't just tweaked the system — they've rebuilt it. Here's the full breakdown:

Multiplayer matches in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 are underpinned by an **overhauled movement system** that facilitates smoother slides that carry your momentum, a new ledge grab mechanic, and more. 

The New Moves You Need To Know

• Slide-to-ADS: Standard slide-canceling will be making a return alongside the ability to slide straight into an ADS stance. Insane combo potential incoming.

• Supine Slide: Players can now dive directly into a backward prone position in a move called "Supine Slide." This will allow you to return fire at oncoming enemies while sliding into low cover. This one is going to be chaotic in the best way possible.

• Stamina Sprint: Tactical Sprint is still a part of the gameplay loop, but players will now see their character physically slow down as they run out of stamina. A small but incredibly satisfying touch of realism.

• Pipe Climbing & Ledge Hang: Infinity Ward is heavily prioritising vertical combat in Modern Warfare 4. Players will be able to climb up poles, jump directly from ladders through windows, and also use a ledge-hang mechanic.

• Lateral Mantling: You can now corner-peek while hanging on a building ledge, parkour onto pipes, and slide much more quickly across cars. That is not a drill — corner-peeking from a ledge is a thing now.

Quick-Reference Movement Table

Movement Feature	Returning?	What's New?
Slide-Cancel	✅ Yes	Now slides into ADS
Tactical Sprint	✅ Yes	Stamina visible via slowdown
Wall Jumps	❌ Removed	Replaced with pipe climbing
Omni-Movement	❌ Removed	Replaced with fluid tactical parkour
Ledge Hang	🆕 New	Corner-peek capability added
Supine Slide	🆕 New	Backward dive into prone
Pipe Climbing	🆕 New	Vertical map traversal

So Is This Parkour System Actually Balanced?

Here's the question on every tactical player's mind — and Infinity Ward has a clear answer.

Multiplayer Creative Director **Joe Cecot** addressed questions about Modern Warfare 4's expanded movement system. While the game includes mechanics such as **pipe climbing, improved mantling, slide transitions, and greater movement fluidity**, Cecot stressed that multiplayer maps are not being built as parkour playgrounds. The dev's stance is clear: "With core multiplayer maps, the most important thing for us is mostly the **gunplay**. It's not meant to be all parkour." The dev team explained that they "rebuilt them from the ground up to support that more fluid play," adding: "We want you to still feel like a **gritty badass**, but we also want you to feel like you can move with some parkour, kind of like a call back to the Jason Bourne movies."

That quote alone has me hype level 100. Jason Bourne-style combat? Yes please. The goal seems to be movement that serves gunfights rather than replacing them — and honestly, that's exactly what this franchise needed.

What Else Is Coming in MW4 That You Should Know About

The parkour isn't the only reason the internet is going crazy right now. MW4 is stacked with changes across the board.

The Gunplay Overhaul Is Massive

The gunplay in Modern Warfare 4 is emphasizing precision, with Infinity Ward completely **removing randomized weapon bloom** from past CoD entries. Bullets will now follow a predictable path that aligns perfectly with your weapon's recoil. That's a game-changer for competitive play. Infinity Ward has also **reworked hip-fire mechanics, adjusted visual recoil, improved muzzle smoke behavior, and enhanced visibility** during combat. These are the kinds of unglamorous fixes that actually make the game feel *better* to play.

Kill Block Mode Is Pure Chaos

**Kill Block**, one of the new modes, is a round-based game mode set in a live-fire training facility. It takes place on a unique map where the combat space **reconfigures between rounds**, reshaping sightlines, routes, and cover to keep players adapting in real time. Shaped from a set of purpose-built modular sections capable of creating **more than 500 distinct configurations**, each match creates its own combat rhythm and tactical challenges. Must-grind mode right there.

Two Prestige Paths — You Pick

Players can now choose between two Prestige paths: **Classic Prestige** — a traditional experience that resets Create-a-Class progression in exchange for faster XP gain and exclusive rewards — or **Regular Prestige**, a path that does not reset unlocks. No more being forced into one lane. Love to see it.

No More Ridiculous Crossover Skins

1 There won't be silly skins in MW4 — the community team has confirmed: "No Lady Gaga. No Omni-Man. No Teletubbies. No SpongeBob." Whether you believe that promise or not is another conversation — but it's a promising start.

The Release Date, Platforms & What's at Stake

Developed by Infinity Ward, **Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4** is set for a global launch on **October 23, 2026**, releasing exclusively on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and — for the first time — the **Nintendo Switch 2**. 1 Given how poorly received Black Ops 7 as a whole was, there's a lot riding on Modern Warfare 4, meaning everything will be dissected. Infinity Ward knows this. The entire community knows this. And from what we've seen so far, they're coming in swinging. Like previous years, Modern Warfare 4 will feature an **open beta** ahead of launch, and more details on that hands-on opportunity will be revealed soon. The second that beta date drops, we'll be covering it — you already know.

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Final Verdict — Should You Be Hyped?

Absolutely. Here's the quick summary of why MW4's movement system is genuinely exciting:

• ✅ Omni-movement is gone — no more movement-exploit chaos
• ✅ Parkour is back — but grounded, tactical, and purposeful
• ✅ New mechanics like Supine Slide and Pipe Climbing add vertical depth
• ✅ Gunplay has been completely rebuilt from scratch
• ✅ Kill Block is a fresh, chaotic new mode to sink hours into
• ✅ Two Prestige paths let you play your way

This isn't just a standard CoD refresh. Infinity Ward is clearly trying to course-correct after years of community frustration — and the movement overhaul is the centerpiece of that effort. Whether it actually lands the way they're promising it will? We'll find out in October.

Which MW4 movement mechanic are you most excited to try first — the Supine Slide, the Ledge Hang, or the Pipe Climb? Drop it in the comments below! And if you're as hyped as we are, share this post with your squad so they know what's coming.

Stay questing! 🎮

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The Hidden Blade Problem: Why AC Black Flag Resynced Is Already Frustrating Fans

 

Hey, Daily Quest readers!

When Ubisoft first announced Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, the reaction from fans was overwhelmingly positive. A full remake of one of the most beloved entries in the franchise? Set sail, we're in. But as more gameplay footage has made its way online, the excitement is starting to mix with a familiar kind of frustration — and it all comes down to one of Assassin's Creed's most iconic mechanics: the hidden blade. The community has seen enough, and they're not staying quiet about it.

Let's break down exactly what's going wrong, and whether Ubisoft has time to fix it before launch.

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The Double Assassination Controversy

The flashpoint came when footage from a recent gameplay showcase started circulating online. In a clip shared to X by TikToker and YouTuber MisterAlpha444, taken from the recent gameplay showcase, we see Edward Kenway leaping from rooftops to kill two targets at once, and strolling through archways, casually stabbing two Spanish guards.

 

Sounds cool, right? On paper, absolutely. But the execution left fans deeply unimpressed. Bizarrely, the remake looks less fluid than the original. Instead of organically weaving the animation into Kenway's movement, the camera snaps to focus on the targets in a jarring transition that's only made worse by a sharp metallic clang.

For a game that's supposed to represent a modern, high-fidelity reimagining of a classic, looking and feeling clunkier than a twelve-year-old original is not a great sign.

"Why Are We Hearing Dramatic Clanging?"

The audio design has come under heavy fire from fans as well. Fans noted that "the sound effects are horrible," adding "this is supposed to be a stealth kill — why on earth are we hearing dramatic clanging louder than the actual sword-to-sword combat?"

It's a fair point. The hidden blade has always been synonymous with silent, surgical precision — a whisper of death rather than a thunderclap. The sharp metallic sound effect attached to these double assassinations feels tonally at odds with everything the hidden blade represents, and fans are feeling it.

Some have noted that the jarring camera cut is likely to mask NPCs being relocated for the animation — but it's a little strange that the older games didn't require this blatant workaround. That observation stings, because it's entirely accurate.

The Bigger Hidden Blade Issue

This frustration doesn't exist in a vacuum. There's a deeper, more structural problem at play. During a Reddit AMA, the developers announced changes to the hidden blade mechanics — unlike in the original game, the hidden blade will no longer be available as a standalone weapon in the inventory. Edward Kenway's primary weapon in open combat will be dual blades, with the hidden blade now used exclusively for fatal contextual finishing moves.

Hidden blades are still used for fatal takedowns, but those can only be triggered after breaking an enemy's guard, making them entirely contextual. This is a downer for many Assassin's Creed fans who turned away from the series once RPG elements were introduced and the blades became less important. The hidden blades were a core part of Assassin's Creed combat in the earlier games — they were available to be equipped as separate weapons and were a lethal one-shot assassination tool for critical situations. 1 Ubisoft still hasn't figured out how to make the hidden blade mesh with the newer style, and that's a problem that has been following the franchise for years. Fans were hoping a return to Black Flag would mean a return to the hidden blade feeling natural and deadly — not awkward and contextual.

Is There Any Hope?

Here's the silver lining. This footage is, as made clear by the disclaimer at the bottom, a "work in progress," which means there is still time for Ubisoft to refine things before the July 9 launch window arrives.

The big request from fans right now is to dull the assassination sound and remove the jarring cuts entirely, essentially returning double assassinations to how they worked in the original games.

And there is precedent for Ubisoft listening. After the initial reveal, Ubisoft was inundated with requests to tone down the distracting parry effects so that they would feel more natural in combat — and changes were made. If that turnaround happened once, it can happen again. The community just needs to keep the pressure on.

Ubisoft also said pistols and other tools will have new animations and applications in the upcoming remake, all designed to make combat more reactive — so it's clear the team is actively iterating. Whether hidden blade animations make it onto that list before launch remains to be seen.

Quick Recap: What Fans Want Fixed

• 🔪 Remove the jarring camera cut during double assassinations
• 🔇 Tone down the metallic sound effect — it should be silent, not clanging
• ⚔️ Restore the hidden blade as a selectable weapon, not just a contextual finisher
• 🎮 Smooth out the animation so it flows naturally like the original

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Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has all the ingredients to be one of 2026's best games — a beloved story, a stunning open world, and the goodwill of a fanbase desperately hungry for a classic AC experience. But right now, the hidden blade issue is a real problem, and it's threatening to undercut an otherwise exciting return to Edward Kenway's world.

Ubisoft has the time and the track record of making fixes based on fan feedback. Here's hoping they're taking notes — because getting the hidden blade right isn't just a nice-to-have. It's the soul of Assassin's Creed.

Stay locked to Daily Quest for all the latest AC Black Flag Resynced news ahead of the July 9 launch.

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Destiny 2's Final Player Count Spike: A Last Hurrah or a Wake-Up Call for Bungie?

Hello, Daily Quest readers!

There's something poetic — and a little heartbreaking — about what's happening with Destiny 2's player count right now. Just days after Bungie confirmed the game's live service era is officially coming to an end, thousands of Guardians who had long since holstered their weapons came flooding back to the Tower one more time. The numbers spiked. The community stirred. And yet, the clock is still ticking toward June 9, 2026 — the date of Destiny 2's final update, Monument of Triumph. So what do these numbers actually mean? Let's dig in.

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The Spike: What the Numbers Show

1 Thousands of players returned to Destiny 2 over the weekend after Bungie confirmed it will be moving on from the game to focus on Marathon. While it's difficult to determine how many people played on PS5 and Xbox Series X, the game came fewer than ten players shy of hitting a concurrent count of 19,000 on Steam, according to SteamDB.

That might not sound like a massive number in isolation — but context is everything here. 1That's the highest player count Destiny 2 has reached on the platform since it dropped below 20,000 back in February and stayed there. For a game that was quietly bleeding players for months, seeing even a modest resurgence feels significant.

It was the first weekend since the announcement that Destiny 2 updates are coming to an end, so a player count spike was expected. When something you love is told it's dying, you tend to show up for it. That's exactly what happened here — a wave of nostalgia, grief, and community solidarity all rolled into one login screen 

How Far Has Destiny 2 Actually Fallen?

To truly appreciate this moment, you need to understand the scale of Destiny 2's decline. Destiny 2 had an all-time peak of 316,750 concurrent players on Steam on February 28, 2023. That was the glory era — the post-Witch Queen golden age of Bungie's flagship shooter.

Despite highs of over 300,000 concurrent players and occasional spikes, Destiny 2's concurrent player count has been on a steady decline for over a year, with the daily peak on Steam dropping from around 26,000 players in January 2026 to just under 11,000 in May.

And it wasn't just player counts that took a hit. Over nine-tenths of all active players on Steam dropped the game in the seven-and-change months since The Edge of Fate's launch — a whopping 91 percent drop — with Bungie placing so much attention on Marathon, meaning updates' release cadence only continued to wither.

Even on Twitch, the contrast is staggering. Just 1,151 people were tuned in to Destiny 2 livestreams at the time of writing, off from a high of 523,610 viewers three years ago. That's a collapse in visibility that's hard to overstate for a game that once dominated every major gaming platform.

Will the Spike Be Enough to Change Anything?

Here's the honest answer: probably not. What will be interesting now is not just if that slightly elevated player count can be sustained — hovering around 20K won't be enough to convince Bungie to change its mind — but whether it continues to rise between now and the game's final update.

The June 9 protest event, where thousands of Guardians are planning to log in simultaneously to show Sony that the audience still exists, could push those numbers even higher. But Bungie has been clear: its focus is now on Marathon, and there are apparently no plans for anything more than Marathon at this stage. 

Marathon: The Uncomfortable Comparison

It's impossible to talk about Destiny 2's decline without addressing the game Bungie chose over it. Marathon has not only never come close to Destiny 2's Steam peak — it topped out at a concurrent player count of 88,000 when it launched — but right now, there are fewer people playing the game Bungie is about to focus all of its efforts on than the one it has opted to leave behind.

That stat alone tells you everything you need to know about the frustration bubbling through the Destiny community right now. Bungie is doubling down on a game that — at least on Steam — has already lost the majority of its launch audience, while walking away from a franchise that, despite its decline, still has a deeply passionate and vocal fanbase.

A Community Refusing to Say Goodbye

What makes this moment in Destiny 2's history so fascinating is that the community's reaction hasn't been one of passive acceptance. Between the viral petition demanding a Destiny 3, the planned June 9 mass login event, and now this organic player count spike — the Guardians are not going quietly.

Following the end of live service support for Destiny 2, the game will remain playable for the foreseeable future, although it remains to be seen how long the game will be replayable. That means the lights aren't being switched off immediately on June 9 — but without active development, the slow fade is inevitable.

Quick Recap: The Numbers Behind the Story

• 📈 Weekend Steam Peak — Just under 19,000 concurrent players
• 📉 All-Time Steam Peak — 316,750 players (February 2023)
• 🎮 Marathon Steam Peak — 88,000 at launch
• 📅 Final Update — Monument of Triumph drops June 9, 2026
• 🔴 Current Trend — Marathon now has fewer active players than Destiny 2

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Destiny 2's player count spike is equal parts hopeful and heartbreaking. It's a community coming together in the final chapter of a game they've given years of their lives to — and it's a reminder to Bungie and Sony that this franchise still matters deeply to a huge number of people.

Whether those numbers grow between now and June 9, or quietly fade back into decline, one thing is clear: Destiny 2 deserves a better farewell than it's getting. Log in, Guardian. Make it count.

Stay locked to Daily Quest for all the latest Bungie and Destiny 2 news as it unfolds.

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Guardians Are Fighting Back: The Destiny 3 Petition Has More Signatures Than Marathon Has Players

What's up, Daily Quest fam?

If you thought the Destiny community was going to go quietly into the night after Bungie dropped one of the biggest bombshells in live-service history — you thought wrong. Guardians are loud, they're passionate, and right now they're making their voices heard in a way that's impossible to ignore. The Destiny 3 petition demanding Sony greenlight a full sequel has exploded in popularity, and it's now racked up more signatures than Bungie's own new game, Marathon, has players. Let that sink in for a second.

Let's break down what's happening, why it matters, and what it actually means for the future of the franchise.

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How Did We Get Here?

To understand the petition, we first need to understand the gut punch that started it all. Bungie recently confirmed that Destiny 2 is no longer in active development and will not receive any major updates after June 9, 2026. That final update, titled Monument of Triumph, will be released on June 9, 2026 — and with it, nearly a decade of live-service content officially comes to a close.

 The petition began just three days after the news broke that Bungie would be sunsetting Destiny 2 after almost nine years. The community's response was immediate, emotional, and massive.  Fans are saying that they've been a part of the Destiny franchise since 2014 and that seeing it die without a sequel is just sad. 

The Numbers Don't Lie

Here's where things get genuinely eye-opening. The official Destiny 3 petition has reached nearly 190,000 unique verified signatures — well over the estimated number of concurrent Marathon players at its peak, which sits somewhere in the ballpark of 130,000 to 150,000.

To put that in perspective: since Marathon's player count peaked at 88,337 on Steam and the platform ratio sits at roughly 2:1 between Steam and consoles, the hypothetical all-platform peak could be around 150,000 players.

Of course, just because more people have signed the petition than Marathon's peak player count, it doesn't mean that Destiny 3 would necessarily get more players if it ever launched. But as a statement of intent? It's thunderously loud.  It's also worth noting that in the time it takes to write about this story, nearly two thousand more signatures are being added to the petition. The momentum is very real.

Marathon: The "Destiny Killer" That Wasn't

Part of what makes this petition so pointed is what it represents beyond just a demand for a sequel. 1It's still unclear if Destiny 2's decline is due to falling interest in the series or because Bungie wants to focus entirely on Marathon — a game the community has already labeled the "Destiny Killer."

The irony? Marathon hasn't exactly set the world on fire. Bungie was already in a weak position when it launched Marathon, following issues with plagiarism, a management crisis, previous layoffs, and Destiny 2's numbers plummeting. On top of that, community morale had been sinking as fans called for changes that never came — or arrived too late to matter.

Despite the financial success of *The Final Shape* expansion, Bungie underwent massive layoffs affecting approximately 17% of its workforce, and the company's value declined following Marathon's release. It's a messy picture, and the Destiny fanbase is feeling the consequences most acutely. 

The June 9 Protest: Guardians Assemble One Last Time

Beyond just signing a petition, the Destiny community is organizing something even more powerful. With Destiny 2's final update arriving on June 9, fans are encouraging players to return to the game in large numbers in an effort to show Sony that there is still a massive audience invested in the franchise.

On this date, the gaming community plans to log in en masse to demonstrate to Sony the audience's high interest in the series' continuation. It's a clever, symbolic gesture — one final surge of concurrent players to show that the lights aren't out on Destiny just yet. It seems like Destiny 2 developers even left a quiet message for fans with Xur's weapons the past weekend, essentially saying goodbye to both the game they helped build and to the community that formed around it. 

Will Sony Actually Listen?

Here's the honest truth — petitions rarely change corporate decisions in the games industry. But this situation feels different because of the scale and the speed at which the community has mobilized.

PlayStation is reportedly cautious about greenlighting what would be an incredibly expensive project, but Bungie is expected to begin pitching new projects to PlayStation in the near future — some of which could be new Destiny projects. That's a small but genuinely meaningful window of hope. Unfortunately for fans, the situation still comes down to finances. Despite the success of *The Final Shape*, the release was still followed by major layoffs at Bungie — a brutal reminder that critical acclaim and commercial success don't always translate into studio security. 

Quick Recap: Where Things Stand

• 📋 Destiny 3 Petition — Nearly 190,000 signatures and growing fast
• 🎮 Marathon Peak Players — Estimated 130,000–150,000 across all platforms
• 📅 Destiny 2 Final Update — Monument of Triumph drops June 9, 2026
• 🔴 Destiny 3 Status — Currently not in active development
• 🏢 Sony's Position — Cautious, but new pitches from Bungie are expected

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The Destiny 3 petition is more than just a number on a webpage. It's a community refusing to accept that their franchise is being quietly shelved in favor of a game that hasn't captured anything close to the same passion. Whether Sony takes notice remains to be seen — but right now, the Guardians are making more noise than Marathon ever did at its peak.

Log in on June 9. Sign the petition. Make your voice heard.

Stay locked to Daily Quest for all the latest Destiny and Bungie updates.

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Arthur Morgan's Actor Says RDR3 Is Still a "Long Time" Away — But It's Coming

Hey, Daily Quest readers!

If there's one thing that fans of Rockstar have gotten used to over the past few years, it's waiting. The studio used to put games out pretty regularly a few console generations ago, but that pace massively slowed down as soon as GTA 5 lit the world on fire — and since then, we're lucky to get a new release without needing to buy a whole new console for it. Now, the man who brought one of gaming's most beloved characters to life has weighed in on the future of the franchise — and his message is equal parts hopeful and sobering.  

Red Dead Redemption 3 is almost certainly coming. But don't go canceling any plans for it just yet.

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Why Destiny 3 Development Might Be a Financial Bridge Too Far for Bungie

What’s up, Daily Quest fam?

If you’re anything like us, you’ve spent the last few months riding the high of The Final Shape. It was the culmination of a decade of storytelling, and it naturally left every Guardian asking the same question: "What’s next? Is it time for Destiny 3?"

For a while, rumors of a sequel codenamed "Payback" set the internet on fire. But today, we have to look at some sobering reality. A former high-ranking Bungie developer recently sat down to explain why Destiny 3 development isn't just unlikely right now—it might be financially impossible under Bungie’s current structure.

Let's dive into why the sequel we’ve been dreaming of might be stuck in orbit for a very long time.

 

The Insider Perspective: Steve Cotton Speaks Out

The latest wave of news comes from a recent appearance by Steve Cotton on the Skill Up podcast. For those who don't know the name, Cotton was a massive part of the Destiny journey, serving as the Design Lead on Forsaken—widely considered the best expansion in the franchise’s history.

When asked about the potential for a full sequel, Cotton didn't sugarcoat the situation. He suggested that the sheer scale of investment required to build Destiny 3 from the ground up would be "prohibitive."

 

According to Cotton, the conversation inside Bungie isn't just about "Do we have a cool idea for a sequel?" It’s a much more clinical, financial question: "Can we afford to stop the Destiny 2 machine to build a new one?"

The Massive Price Tag of a Sequel

Why is a sequel so much harder to justify than another expansion? In the world of Destiny 3 development, the costs go far beyond just hiring artists and programmers. Here are the major hurdles Cotton and other industry analysts point toward:

• Engine Overhauls: Destiny 2 has been patched and updated for seven years. Building Destiny 3 would likely require a significant engine upgrade or a total rewrite to justify the "3" on the box. This takes years of work before a single piece of gameplay is even finished. 

• Content Migration: One of the biggest complaints during the transition from Destiny 1 to Destiny 2 was the loss of gear and progress. If Bungie moves to a sequel, they either have to find a way to move thousands of items over (an engineering nightmare) or tell players to start from zero again—a move that risks alienating their most loyal fans. 

• The "Live-Service" Trap: Destiny 2 requires a massive team just to keep the seasonal content flowing. To develop a sequel, Bungie would either have to double their staff (which isn't happening given recent layoffs) or let Destiny 2 go dark for 2–3 years. In the current gaming climate, "going dark" is often a death sentence for a live-service community.

"Frontiers" Over "Payback": The New Strategy

So, if a sequel is off the table, what is Bungie actually doing?

During the 10th-anniversary celebrations, Bungie officially pulled back the curtain on "Frontiers." Instead of the massive, once-a-year expansions like The Final Shape or Lightfall, the studio is pivoting toward a more sustainable model. This includes:

1. Two Medium-Sized Expansions per Year: These will be smaller in scope than The Final Shape but will arrive more frequently to keep the narrative moving.
2. Major Gameplay Innovations: Bungie is looking to refresh the core loops of the game—strikes, raids, and patrols—rather than just adding more of the same.
3. Non-Linear Storytelling: The goal is to move away from the "checklist" style of seasonal progression.

This pivot is a direct response to the financial reality Cotton described. By sticking with Destiny 2, Bungie can iterate on a platform that already exists, keeping the revenue flowing while trying to innovate within the margins.

The Sony Factor and Studio Stability

We can’t talk about Destiny 3 development without mentioning the elephant in the room: Sony. Following the $3.6 billion acquisition, Bungie has undergone significant restructuring and multiple rounds of layoffs.

Sony is looking for a return on their investment. A high-risk gamble like Destiny 3—which could take $500 million or more to develop and market—doesn't align with the current goal of studio stabilization. Bungie needs "sure wins," and maintaining a steady, profitable Destiny 2 is a much safer bet for the corporate overlords at Sony.

What This Means for Players

For the average Guardian, this news is a double-edged sword.

On one hand, your vault is safe. All those God-rolls you’ve farmed over the years aren't going anywhere. You won't have to worry about a "Destiny 2.5" reset that wipes your progress. Bungie is committed to making Destiny 2 the "forever home" for the franchise for the foreseeable future.

On the other hand, we have to accept that the technical limitations of Destiny 2 are here to stay. We likely won't see a massive leap in graphics, physics, or fundamental engine mechanics that a true sequel could provide. We are in a period of evolution, not revolution. 

While the rumors of "Payback" might have suggested a sequel was in the works, the financial reality of the modern gaming industry tells a different story. As Steve Cotton highlighted, the cost of starting over is simply too high.

Bungie is betting everything on the "Frontiers" model. They are hoping that by delivering more frequent, varied content, they can keep the flame of Destiny alive without needing to build a whole new fireplace. It’s a pragmatic move, even if it’s not the flashy, "next-gen" announcement many were hoping for

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ARC Raiders Is Rolling Out Denuvo Anti-Cheat – But There’s A BIG Catch

Hey, Daily Quest readers.

ARC Raiders just made one of the most controversial moves possible in PC gaming: it’s adding Denuvo Anti-Cheat. And the second players saw the word “Denuvo,” the internet basically exploded on impact.

But here’s the twist — Embark Studios says this rollout is very different from the DRM horror stories PC gamers usually panic about. The anti-cheat system is only being tested with a limited player pool first, and the developers insist performance impact should stay minimal. 

Still, gamers are skeptical. Very skeptical.

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Why ARC Raiders Is Adding Denuvo

According to Embark, cheating has become a growing issue in ARC Raiders, especially as the extraction shooter’s playerbase keeps expanding.

The studio confirmed:

• Denuvo Anti-Cheat launches May 19

• It’s initially limited to select players

• The rollout follows “positive results” in The Finals

• DRM is NOT being included

That last part is extremely important.

Most PC gamers associate Denuvo with performance-heavy DRM systems, but Embark says this implementation focuses purely on anti-cheat protection.  

PC Players Immediately Went Into Panic Mode

Even without DRM, many players still aren’t happy.

Why? Because Denuvo has built a brutal reputation over the years for:

• Performance concerns

• Kernel-level system access

• Compatibility issues

• Privacy worries

And honestly, once gamers see “kernel-level anti-cheat,” trust disappears fast.

One Reddit thread discussing the announcement instantly filled with worried players asking whether performance would tank or Linux support could break.

Classic PC gaming discourse.

Embark Thinks The Tradeoff Is Worth It

To be fair, cheating problems can absolutely destroy extraction shooters.

When loot, progression, and high-risk runs matter this much, one hacker can completely ruin entire sessions for dozens of players.

Embark says ARC Raiders will continue using:

• Denuvo Anti-Cheat

• Anybrain detection systems

• Player reporting tools

• Internal monitoring systems

And the studio claims the rollout in The Finals worked well enough to justify expanding it.  

So now the real challenge becomes:
Can Embark stop cheaters without upsetting the rest of the playerbase?

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Final Thoughts

ARC Raiders adding Denuvo Anti-Cheat might end up helping the game long-term — especially if cheating was genuinely becoming a serious issue. But convincing PC gamers to trust anything connected to Denuvo is always going to be a massive uphill battle.

Right now, players are basically waiting for one thing:
Performance tests.

Because if frame rates stay stable and cheaters disappear? Opinions could change fast.

What do you think? Is stronger anti-cheat worth the controversy, or should developers avoid kernel-level systems completely? Let me know in the comments — and subscribe/follow @TheDailyQuest0 for more daily gaming quests!

Stay questing!

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Subnautica 2 Players Instantly Broke The “No Killing” Rule With A Wild Fish Mod

Hey, Daily Quest readers.

The Subnautica 2 community wasted absolutely zero time starting chaos underwater. Just days after Unknown Worlds doubled down on its “no killing creatures” philosophy, modders fired back with a brand-new mod that lets players fight — and kill — hostile fish anyway.

And honestly? The internet is completely split.

Some fans love the developers’ peaceful survival vision. Others think getting endlessly bullied by aggressive alien fish without proper defense tools is just frustrating. Now, thanks to modders, players suddenly have another option. 

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The Mod Turns Survival Tools Into Weapons

The “Killable Creatures” mod gives players the ability to damage and kill underwater life using existing equipment.  

That includes:

• Weaponized MultiTool attacks

• Sonic Resonator damage

• The ability to kill aggressive predators

• Even damaging larger leviathan creatures

Classic modding community behavior:

“If the game won’t let us do it, we’ll add it ourselves.”

 

Why This Became Such A Huge Debate 

The controversy exploded after developers said Subnautica 2 is designed around coexistence instead of domination. One developer even told players wanting combat to “go play Sons of the Forest or something.” 

That response triggered major backlash online.

Many players argue they don’t necessarily want full combat systems — they just want ways to defend themselves when hostile creatures constantly attack.

One Reddit user summed it up perfectly:

“The issue isn't killing, the issue is the lack of tools.” 

Honestly, that’s where most of the frustration seems to come from.

 

Fans Are Completely Divided

The Subnautica community is basically in full civil war mode right now.

Team “Let The Devs Cook”

These players think:

• Vulnerability makes the game scarier

• Non-violence fits Subnautica’s identity

• Combat would ruin the atmosphere

Team “Please Let Me Fight Back”

Meanwhile, others argue:

• Predators feel annoying instead of scary

• Constant attacks interrupt exploration

• Removing combat removed player freedom

And because this is PC gaming, mods immediately became the compromise solution.   

Subnautica 2 Is Still MASSIVE Anyway

Despite all the controversy, the game itself is absolutely exploding in popularity.

Reports say Subnautica 2 hit:

• Over 460,000 concurrent Steam players

• More than 1 million copies sold extremely quickly after launch  

So clearly, players are still diving in regardless of the drama.

And honestly? The debate itself probably made the game even more visible online.

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Final Thoughts

The Subnautica 2 “Kill Fish” mod perfectly captures modern gaming culture. Developers have a strong artistic vision, players want more freedom, and modders rush in to create absolute chaos in the middle.

Now the real question is:
Should survival games force players to feel helpless… or always give them a way to fight back?

What do you think? Let me know in the comments — and subscribe/follow @TheDailyQuest0 for more daily gaming quests!

Stay questing!

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“Go Play Something Else” – Subnautica 2 Devs Spark Huge Debate Over Violence In Games

Hey, Daily Quest readers.

Subnautica 2 is making massive waves right now — but not just because of its terrifying oceans and survival gameplay. The developers behind the highly anticipated sequel are facing serious backlash after telling players who want combat and killing mechanics to basically… “play something else.”

And wow, the internet exploded FAST.

Some fans are praising the studio for sticking to its peaceful survival vision. Others think the response came off way too dismissive toward player feedback. Either way, the debate around violence, survival mechanics, and player freedom in Subnautica 2 has suddenly become one of gaming’s hottest discussions this week. 

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Why Players Are Upset

The controversy started after players complained about aggressive underwater creatures attacking bases and constantly harassing exploration.

Many fans expected at least some kind of defensive combat system — especially since the original Subnautica technically allowed players to kill creatures, even if it wasn’t encouraged.

But Unknown Worlds is doubling down hard on its philosophy:

Subnautica is NOT a “killing game.”

One developer reportedly responded:

“Go play Sons of the Forest or something.” 

And yeah… players had thoughts. 

The Core Problem Isn’t Violence — It’s Helplessness

Here’s where things get interesting.

A lot of fans actually agree with the non-violent vision. The original Subnautica became iconic because exploration, fear, and survival mattered more than combat.

But many players argue the current balance feels frustrating rather than immersive.

Main Community Complaints

• Predators attack too often

• Defensive tools feel weak

• Players can’t protect bases properly

• Constant harassment interrupts exploration

One Reddit user summed it up perfectly:

“I don’t want guns. I just want them to leave me alone.” 

Honestly, that’s the vibe a lot of players seem to share right now.

The Devs Are Standing Firm

Despite the backlash, Unknown Worlds says non-violence is a core part of the franchise identity.

The studio wants players to:

• Avoid danger

• Outsmart predators

• Use deterrents instead of weapons

• Respect the ecosystem

And to be fair, that design philosophy is a huge reason Subnautica feels so unique compared to other survival games.  

Instead of becoming “underwater DOOM,” the series has always leaned more toward tension, discovery, and environmental storytelling.

That said… some players think the messaging could’ve been handled way better. 

Modders Already Responded Almost Instantly

In true PC gaming fashion, modders wasted absolutely zero time.

Reports say a “Killable Creatures” mod appeared shortly after the controversy exploded online, allowing players to fight back against hostile creatures again.  

Classic gaming community behavior:

“Fine. We’ll do it ourselves.”

And honestly? That mod will probably become wildly popular.

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Final Thoughts

The Subnautica 2 debate perfectly shows how tricky survival game design can be. Some players want total immersion and vulnerability. Others want at least some level of control when giant alien fish are destroying their underwater home every five minutes.

But one thing’s certain:
People care A LOT about this franchise.

What do you think? Should Subnautica 2 stick to its no-violence philosophy, or should players get more ways to fight back? Let me know in the comments — and subscribe/follow @TheDailyQuest0 for more daily gaming quests!

Stay questing!

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ARC Raiders Is Adding Denuvo Anti-Cheat – And PC Players Are Already Worried

Hey, Daily Quest readers.

ARC Raiders hasn’t even fully settled into its big comeback era yet, and the extraction shooter is already facing a major controversy. Embark Studios has confirmed it’s implementing Denuvo Anti-Cheat into the game starting May 19 — and PC players are having very mixed reactions.

Some fans are cheering because cheating in ARC Raiders has reportedly become a serious problem. Others immediately saw the word “Denuvo” and hit panic mode over performance concerns, privacy worries, and painful memories from other PC launches.

Yep. The anti-cheat wars are officially here.  

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Why Embark Is Adding Denuvo

According to Embark Studios, cheating has become one of the biggest issues affecting ARC Raiders.

The studio says its anti-cheat system already includes:

• Easy Anti-Cheat

• Machine-learning detection systems

• Player telemetry analysis

• Additional undisclosed security layers

Now, Denuvo Anti-Cheat is being added to strengthen detection even further. 

Embark claims kernel-level anti-cheat is basically necessary now because many modern cheats operate directly at that system level.

And honestly? Extraction shooters are especially vulnerable to cheaters since loot and progression matter so much.

One hacker can completely ruin an entire session. 

Why Players Instantly Got Nervous

The problem is simple:

PC gamers hear “Denuvo” and immediately expect drama.

Denuvo has built a controversial reputation over the years because players often associate it with:

• Performance issues

• CPU overhead concerns

• DRM frustrations

• Kernel-level access worries

Even though Denuvo Anti-Cheat is technically different from Denuvo DRM, many players still lump them together instantly. 

And honestly, gaming history hasn’t exactly helped Denuvo’s reputation. 

The Doom Eternal Situation Still Haunts Players

A lot of the backlash traces back to what happened with Doom Eternal.

Back in 2020, id Software added Denuvo Anti-Cheat after launch — and the reaction was brutal. Players complained about security concerns and system-level access, leading Bethesda to remove it shortly afterward.  

So now whenever another big PC game adopts Denuvo-related software, the internet basically goes:

“Oh no. Not this again.”

Classic PC gaming discourse. 

Embark Says Fair Play Comes First

To be fair, Embark seems very aware of the concerns.

The studio says it’s trying to balance:

• Strong cheat protection

• Minimal impact on legitimate players

• Accessibility device support

• Invisible background operation

They also emphasized that anti-cheat is becoming a “studio-wide effort” across their games, including The Finals.  

And considering how many extraction shooters collapse because of cheating problems, you can understand why Embark is taking this seriously.

Still… convincing PC players to trust Denuvo is a completely different challenge.

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Final Thoughts

ARC Raiders adding Denuvo Anti-Cheat might help clean up the game’s cheating problem — but it also opens the door to one of PC gaming’s most controversial debates all over again.

Now the big question is:
Will players accept stronger anti-cheat if the game runs smoothly… or will the backlash explode the second performance issues appear?

What do you think? Is kernel-level anti-cheat necessary for competitive games now, or does Denuvo still cross the line? Let me know in the comments — and subscribe/follow @TheDailyQuest0 for more daily gaming quests!

Stay questing!

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Forza Horizon 6 Launch Times: Exactly When to Play

Hey, Daily Quest readers.

The wait is almost over. Forza Horizon 6 officially launches this week, and Playground Games has finally revealed the global unlock times for both Early Access and the full release. So if you’ve been staring at your preload screen wondering when you can finally hit the streets of Japan at 200 MPH… we’ve got you covered.

And honestly? The hype levels are absolutely ridiculous right now.

Between the massive Japan map, over 500 cars, drifting through neon Tokyo streets, and those gorgeous cherry blossom highways, Forza Horizon 6 already feels like one of Xbox’s biggest launches in years.  

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Early Access Starts May 15

Players who bought the Premium Edition get up to 4 days early access before the full launch.  

 

Early Access Launch Times

Region	Launch Time
US Pacific	May 14 – 9:01 PM PDT
US Eastern	May 15 – 12:01 AM EDT
UK	May 15 – 12:01 AM BST
Europe	May 15 – 12:01 AM CEST
Japan	May 15 – 12:01 AM JST
Australia	May 15 – 12:01 AM AEST

Xbox and Windows players unlock at local midnight, while Steam players launch globally at 4:01 AM UTC.   

So yes… some players are already planning the classic “New Zealand trick” to jump in early.

Gaming traditions never die. 

Full Release Goes Live May 19

For Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition, and Game Pass players, the official launch happens on:

May 19, 2026

And the unlock schedule works almost exactly the same way. 

Full Launch Highlights

• Xbox/Game Pass: Midnight local time

• Steam: Global unlock at 4:01 AM UTC

• Cloud Gaming launches at 6:01 AM UTC

• Preloading is already live

One thing players are definitely noticing?

The file size is HUGE.

Download Sizes

• Xbox Series X: 135 GB

• Xbox Series S: 130 GB

• PC: 160 GB

SSD storage is about to get obliterated.   

Fans Are Already Losing Their Minds

The community hype around Forza Horizon 6 feels absolutely massive right now.

Players are especially excited for:

• The Japan setting

• Mountain drifting roads

• Neon city racing

• Expanded multiplayer

• Over 550 cars at launch

And according to Steam charts and preorder reports, the game is already becoming one of 2026’s biggest racing launches. 

Honestly, this might be the closest the series has come to reaching “perfect fantasy car game” status.

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Final Thoughts

Forza Horizon 6 is almost here, and the launch schedule confirms one thing: the Horizon Festival is about to completely take over the racing genre again.

Now the real question is:

What’s the FIRST car you’re driving through Japan?

What do you think? Let me know in the comments — and subscribe/follow @TheDailyQuest0 for more daily gaming quests!

Stay questing!

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GTA 6 Pre-Orders Going Live Soon – Rockstar's Big Reveal

Hey, Daily Quest readers.

The GTA 6 hype train just slammed into overdrive again. A new leak tied to Best Buy affiliate emails has fans convinced that Grand Theft Auto VI pre-orders could officially begin on May 18, 2026 — and honestly, this might be the most believable rumor we’ve seen yet.

After years of waiting, delays, trailer breakdowns, and internet detective work, players think Rockstar is finally preparing to open the floodgates. And if this leak is legit? We could be only days away from pre-orders, special editions, and maybe even Trailer 3.  

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What The Leak Actually Shows

The rumor exploded after creator Frogboyx1Gaming shared what appears to be a Best Buy affiliate campaign email.

The image references:

• “GTA 6 Pre Order (Physical Game)”

• Campaign dates from May 18–21

• A 5% affiliate compensation rate

The timing instantly caught everyone’s attention because it lines up perfectly with Take-Two’s earnings call on May 21.  

And according to multiple reports, Insider Gaming allegedly verified the authenticity of the email.  

That doesn’t make it officially confirmed — but it definitely makes this rumor harder to ignore. 

Why Fans Think This Leak Might Be Real

The gaming community has seen tons of fake GTA 6 leaks before, but this one feels different for a few reasons.

The Timing Makes Sense

Rockstar already confirmed GTA 6 launches on: November 19, 2026

Opening pre-orders six months before launch would be completely normal for a game this massive. 

Players Are Already Preparing For Absolute Chaos

Social media is completely melting down right now.

Fans are already speculating about:

• Collector’s Editions

• Steelbooks

• Console bundles

• Early access bonuses

• Possible $80 price tag

And yes… people are absolutely worried the Collector’s Edition is going to sell out in five seconds.

Honestly, if pre-orders really open Monday, retailer websites might not survive the impact. 

The Biggest Missing Piece Right Now

There’s still one major thing Rockstar hasn’t shown: Actual gameplay.

Most fans expect another trailer or gameplay showcase before pre-orders officially launch.  

Because let’s be real:
Rockstar doesn’t just quietly release pre-orders for the biggest game of the decade. 

Final Thoughts

Right now, GTA 6 pre-orders are still technically just a rumor — but this leak has way more credibility than most of the fake-outs fans have dealt with over the years.

And if May 18 turns out to be real?

Gaming Twitter is about to become completely unusable.

 

What do you think? Are GTA 6 pre-orders finally happening next week, or should fans stay cautious until Rockstar speaks officially? Let me know in the comments — and subscribe/follow @TheDailyQuest0 for more daily gaming quests!

Stay questing!

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