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HBO to Pay a $250,000 ‘Bug Bounty’ to Hackers

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Several news outlets are reporting a leaked email from HBO that discusses ransom terms for information that was hacked from their servers. The initial breach on July 31st saw hackers take 1.5TB of information supposedly including scripts, episode descriptions, and marketing material, specifically targeting Game of Thrones. Certain individuals also had their emails stolen.

The email from a senior vice president of HBO, dated July 27, shows the network offered to make a ‘bug bounty payment’ of $250,000. ‘Bug bounty’ is essentially a term for paying hackers to expose and demonstrate security problems in companies’ cyber-security.

According to Variety and the Guardian, the email read ‘you have the advantage of having surprised us. In the spirit of professional cooperation, we are asking you to extend your deadline for one week’. Negotiation seemingly continued, with the introduction of monetary ‘good faith, saying ‘as a show of good faith on our side, we are willing to commit to making a bug bounty payment of $250,000 to you as soon as we can establish the necessary account and acquire Bitcoin’.

Offering a ‘bug bounty’ is an interesting development, as it raises the question of whether HBO will, in fact, pay the ‘six months salary’ ransom request made by the hacker previously; an amount that would total between $6 million and $7.5 million. This may result in a dangerous precedent being set, encouraging more people to hack big companies like HBO with the possibility for millions of (or hundreds of thousands at least) dollars to be coerced.

However, it’s worth noting at this point that the authenticity of the email is sketchy, as there is no way of knowing if it has been altered or even fabricated. Some outlets report the email was sent from the same account used to leak stolen data previously, therefore reliable enough to release at this time.

British resident and sucker for over-analysis. Games are the future of Literature and I'll gladly argue that fact for hours.

Gaming

Documentary Explores the Making of the Highly Praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for PS5

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Square Enix has launched a captivating documentary series that explores the intricate process behind the creation of the highly praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. In the first episode, titled “Shaping the World,” the developer delves into the process of reimagining the expansive PS1 map of the original game into a vast sandbox for the PS5. The film includes personal stories shared by directors Naoki Hamaguchi and Tetsuya Nomura, as well as other important members of the team.

This reimagining of the all-time PlayStation classic was truly enjoyable. In our review, we praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for its ability to enhance the already impressive combat system of Remake. The game truly shines in its portrayal of an iconic RPG setting. If you have a deep appreciation for the original PS1 game and found enjoyment in Remake, then Rebirth’s character-focused adventure will surely captivate you from start to finish.

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Gran Turismo 7 for the PS5 and PS4 shows continuous improvement

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While Sony may not classify Gran Turismo 7 as a live-service game, the team at Polyphony Digital certainly approaches it with a similar mindset. The game continues to impress with every new update, and although v1.44 may be smaller compared to previous versions, it still manages to enhance the already extensive content of this simulation racer.

The update, now available worldwide, introduces three new cars: the Audi R8 Coupé V10 Plus ’16, the Lamborghini Urus ’18, and the Toyota GT-One (TS020) ’99. Furthermore, it introduces three fresh events to World Circuits, an extra menu to conquer in the GT Café single-player campaign, and a collection of livery stickers inspired by the upcoming Highspeed Étoile anime, set to debut next week in Japan.

If you’re not already acquainted with Highspeed Étoile, you can watch a trailer right here. “Sony has announced that a collection of 26 stickers, consisting of 8 title logos and 18 main character stickers, will be made available for a limited time,” stated Sony on the PS Blog. In addition, Fukushima will be included as a backdrop in the title’s beloved photography mode.

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TopSpin 2K25 appears to be a standout title in the recent PS5 and PS4 gameplay showcase

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This author has consistently praised the realistic portrayal of tennis in TopSpin 4. After more than a decade, we are thrilled to witness the release of TopSpin 2K25, which expands upon the success of its renowned predecessor. This gameplay video provides a comprehensive overview of the features discussed in our recent preview while also incorporating relevant footage to enhance understanding.

The series’ swing system sets it apart from arcade-style games like Virtua Tennis, as it requires players to charge up their shots in a different way. In order to succeed, timing is crucial, and fortunately, a new meter above your player will assist you in achieving that. Surfaces have their own distinct characteristics, such as clay, where you’ll experience a noticeable amount of sliding.

The game ensures that every player has a distinct set of animations, adding a touch of individuality to each competitor. The courts, found in all Grand Slams, possess a remarkable amount of individuality and charm. It is mentioned in the video that with each in-game season, players can expect a plethora of additional content, such as animation packs. This indicates that there will be plenty to anticipate even after the game’s initial release.

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