VR Tech Times

Reviewed on: PlayStation 5 Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC Publisher: 2K Games Developer: Hangar 13 Release: April 26, 2024 Rating: Everyone In the heyday of the tennis-sim video game genre, Top Spin and Virtua Tennis were the best players in the crowded space. However, in the time since the genre’s boom settled, the offerings have fallen off considerably, with both franchises going more than a decade without a new release. TopSpin 2K25 signals the reemergence of the critically acclaimed series, and though it’s been a while since it stepped on the court, it’s evident the franchise hasn’t lost its stroke. TopSpin 2K25 faithfully recreates the high-speed chess game of real-world tennis. Positioning, spin, timing, and angles are critical to your success. For those unfamiliar with those fundamental tennis tenets, 2K25 does a superb job of onboarding players with TopSpin Academy, which covers everything from where you should stand to how t...

Global NCAP’s Safer Cars for India programme is winding down after over 10 years – the first round of test results were released in January 2014 and included models like the Volkswagen Polo, Maruti Alto 800, Tata Nano and Ford Figo. The latest crash test results that have been announced by the safety organisation are among the last it will publish, as India’s own Bharat NCAP safety assessment programme has begun. Still, just four months into 2024, Global NCAP has already announced results for five new models. Here’s how they performed. 5. Citroen eC3 – 0 stars (20.86 points AOP) Results for the eC3 were released on March 21, 2024. Citroen’s all-electric hatchback currently has the lowest rating among all the cars and SUVs tested by Global NCAP this year. Despite scoring 20.86/34 points in adult occupancy protection, the Citroen eC3 got zero stars as it didn’t have ESC, the seatbelt reminders did not meet standards, and it did not comply with pedestrian safety norms. Protection...

The BMW i4 has become the latest model in the German brand’s international line-up to receive a wide-reaching refresh. The i4 was the best-selling electric BMW worldwide last year; with more than 83,000 sales, the i4 M50 xDrive cemented its position as the best-selling M model in both 2022 and 2023. To help the i4 stand out against an increasing number of rivals such as the Mercedes EQE sedan , BMW has added new technology, subtly updated the exterior and made a host of changes inside. BMW i4 facelift gets new kidney grille and sharper-looking lights New smaller gear selector and reshaped AC vents among the changes inside BMW i4 facelift India launch likely The i4 gets a new matt chrome kidney, with its closed-off front grille receiving a matt silver honeycomb pattern. In M Sport specification, it receives an updated gloss black rear diffuser. The most noticeable changes are to the light units, which give the i4 a sharper look at the front and rear. The low and high beams now g...

For every issue of Game Informer magazine, we print a handful of Game Informer Gold editions . These versions sometimes feature alternate art, have a gold embossed logo on the front, are individually numbered, and feature higher-quality paper. They're very nice, and we reserve them for special occasions like charity auctions or, as is the case here, giveaways. For the recent  Star Wars Outlaws issue, we have two Game Informer Gold editions we are prepared to send to readers. For a chance at winning one of these collectible issues, we want to hear from you about what's on your mind about gaming and Game Informer . Send a message to our Replies section for a chance to be featured in our monthly magazine letters column. If you fill out the form below before May 26, 2024 , you will be entered to win one of two Game Informer Gold copies of our Star Wars Outlaws issue. In terms of the kind of feedback we're looking for, we want thoughtful responses to our content, general t...

Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC Publisher: Ubisoft Developer: Massive Entertainment Release: August 30, 2024 In Star Wars Outlaws, protagonists Kay Vess and Nix must navigate the criminal underworld by interacting with the various crime syndicates thriving in this period between the events of  The Empire Strikes Back  and  Return of the Jedi . Kay's standing with these syndicates is primarily represented by the Reputation System , an ambitious mechanic that tracks her relationship with these criminal organizations. In the recently released story trailer , we hear the names of three of the syndicates present in Star Wars Outlaws: the Hutt Cartel, the Pyke Syndicate, and Crimson Dawn. During our trip to Massive Entertainment, I was able to learn more about the fourth syndicate with which Kay will have to balance her reputation: the Ashiga Clan.  Massive created the Ashiga Clan in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, just like other original eleme...

Mahindra has bene dripfeeding details about the upcoming XUV300 facelift (XUV 3XO) and latest set of teasers have revelaed the new dashboard confirming a major design overhaul for the SUV's interior. XUV 3XO to borrow XUV400's dashboard To get dual 10.25-inch digital displays Fuel efficiency, performance also revealed in new teaser Mahindra XUV 3XO: interior highlights, features The XUV 3XO gets a completely new dashboard that is inspired by the XUV400 EV SUV. A larger 10.25-inch free-standing touchscreen infotainment unit takes the centre stage, with the middle AC vents now placed below it horizontally as opposed to the vertical units seen before. The dated HVAC controls on the XUV300 have been replaced by more modern-looking switchgear. The steering wheel is also updated, however, it is different from the one seen on the XUV400 . Right in front of the touchscreen is the new 10.25-inch fully-digital TFT instrument cluster with crisp animations. Moreover, Mahindra has...

Mini has officially unveiled the all-new Aceman EV just ahead of the Beijing motor show, and with this, the carmaker has completed its all-new line-up; the Aceman is positioned between the new Cooper and the Countryman . Mini boss Stefanie Wurst has previously talked about the Aceman’s potential to be the brand’s bestselling model. The Aceman is built on an extended version of the architecture that underpins the electric Cooper. Aceman EV is available with two battery packs Interior remains largely unchanged from new Cooper New JCW Aceman also in the pipeline Mini Aceman: exterior and interior The Mini Aceman measures 4.07 metres in length, 1.75 metres in width and 1.5 metres in height; 192mm longer, 23mm wider and 130mm taller than the Cooper hatchback. The Aceman sits slightly taller than a typical supermini with more of a crossover body that, Mini says, frees up more interior space. The overall aesthetics are slightly sharper than on the Cooper – it gets more angular hea...

The Bajaj Chetak’s most recent update came in 2023 and it brought in cosmetic changes, more features and more range. We have now received images of what appear to be a more affordable variant of the Chetak that will soon go on sale. Spied variant loses some features Gets more vibrant colours Gets monochrome LCD unit While the overall silhouette remains the same, Bajaj appears to have made changes to the equipment list to bring down the price of the Chetak. This new variant also comes with a choice of bright and cheerful colours. For starters, Bajaj has given this variant a set of steel wheels that are mated to a set of drum brakes, as opposed to the alloy wheels and disc brakes available on the current variants. This version has also ditched the key slot in favour of a more conventional and cost-effective physical key slot. Bajaj has also replaced the coloured LCD with the monochrome display that originally debuted on the scooter in 2020. More cost saving can be seen in the...

Renault-Nissan has dropped plans for an entry-level A-segment EV for our market, sources tell us. The alliance is now planning to work on a Creta-sized electric SUV based on the CMF-B EV platform – this new EV platform is being tweaked from the standard CMF-B architecture to support EV powertrain. It should be noted that the upcoming combustion-engined Renault Duster SUV, and its Nissan derivative , will be based on the heavily localised CMF-B platform. Renault-Nissan could bring a Rs 15 lakh C-segment e-SUV Expected to be a global SUV BEV needed to meet CAFE norms Renault-Nissan C-segment EV could be priced from Rs 15 lakh Sources say that the entry-level EV, mooted last year as part of its next steps for the Indian market, was not viable and the company is instead looking at a C-segment EV above 4 metres in length, to challenge the likes of Maruti Suzuki's eVX as well as the Hyundai Creta EV . Sources also tell us that the Renault-Nissan alliance has already started en...

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Kia is gearing up to unveil its first-ever pickup truck, the Hilux rivalling Tasman that will see a global debut in the coming months. Ahead of its full reveal, Kia has teased the Tasman, wrapped in a unique camouflage developed in collaboration with New Zealand-based artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop, inspired by Australia’s diverse landscapes. Kia Tasman will go on sale in Australia first Will be sold in both left and right hand drive markets Will initially come with a 2.2-liter diesel engine Kia Tasman pickup truck: design highlights The Tasman features a boxy design with barely any curvy elements. While the pickup truck is fully wrapped in camo, it features five vertical slats in the front grille, vertically-stacked headlamps with DRLs that possibly extend to the middle horizontally. Moving to the side, it gets chunky wheel arches and muscular alloy wheels with disc brakes on all four wheels. The Tasman features a double cab layout, which will likely be standard. Kia Tasman picku...

While the all-new fourth-generation BMW X3 is scheduled to be revealed in the coming weeks, some details have been revealed about the upcoming SUV. The new X3 will grow in size, be sleeker, and come with a variety of combustion-engined powertrains. Here’s what to expect from the upcoming X3, which is scheduled to be revealed in June this year, and go into production the month after. New BMW X3 drag coefficient lowered from 0.29 to 0.27 Claimed to be more dynamic and comfortable than outgoing G01 generation To get petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrain options New BMW X3: exterior, chassis highlights While the images released by BMW show an X3 wearing quite a lot of camouflage, the brand claims that it has managed to reduce the SUV’s drag coefficient from 0.29 to 0.27, which should help improve its fuel-efficiency. Although the company has not yet revealed its dimensions, expect the new SUV to outgrow the older model’s 4.7m length and near-1.9m width. The new X3 (codename...

Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC Publisher: Ubisoft Developer: Massive Entertainment Release: August 30, 2024 The June 2023 reveal of Star Wars Outlaws gave us our first glimpse of Kay Vess and Nix , the two protagonists of the game. From talking with Massive Entertainment during our recent trip out to Sweden to get our hands on Star Wars Outlaws, it sounds as though their bond will be special. However, they aren't on this journey alone, as they are joined by a trenchcoat-wearing BX-commando droid named ND-5. Though Kay and Nix were greater points of emphasis during our studio visit, we had to ask the developers about the internet-popular droid that joins the Star Wars Outlaws adventure. ND-5 joins Kay Vess in her trip around the Outer Rim and beyond, but he has a long history in the Star Wars galaxy prior to meeting up with Kay. "He is a BX-commando droid – a veteran of the Clone Wars – and he works as an enforcer droid for a character named Jaylen,...

The Kia Carens has undergone Global NCAP’s crash tests under the new protocols, where it received a 3-star rating by the organisation. While it may seem like the Carens has the same result as the last time it was tested by Global NCAP, Kia has volunteered the Carens to be tested under the new protocols that have been put into place since 2022. The road safety organisation also announced that Kia’s MPV was tested twice under the new safety norms, as the Carens was given zero stars for adult occupancy protection at first. Carens made between May 2023 and December 2023 received zero stars Kia improves restraint systems, which sees Carens get 3-star rating Carens receives 5-star rating for child occupancy protection Kia Carens adult occupancy protection rating When the Carens was tested under the new protocols, it was noted that protection offered to the driver’s neck was poor, while protection for the driver’s chest, and driver’s and passenger’s knees was marginal. This resulted...

The MG Comet is one of a number of cars I’ve sampled briefly at a press drive event, and then subsequently ran it as a long termer, but never before have I learnt so much more about a vehicle with the benefit of a protracted time. On one hand, this is because the press drive through the heart of New Delhi (a traffic-filled test befitting of the tiny EV, to be fair) was so short, but on the other hand, the MG Comet is quite unlike anything I’ve ever driven before. Even in cramped Mumbai, there’s rarely a parking spot too small for the Comet. The Tata Nano, of course, springs to mind, and yes, while it had two more doors and a barebones cabin, the general tall-boy, micro-compact concept is remarkably similar. The seating position is akin to that of a barstool, and the first sensation is of awkward unfamiliarity as you come to grips with its vertically oriented ergonomics. The same goes for its tiny footprint and lack of bonnet – can I squeeze through that gap? How much closer to the...