The following is an original work of fan fiction. It will only make sense if you’ve read Corpies and SP4
“Fucking bullshit cock-garglers!”, Hannah, formerly known as Hexcellent, uttered louder than she intended.
Luckily, she was sitting by herself in a third floor private room in the brand new wing of the Sizemore undergraduate library. On the main floor, any sound louder than a fart would’ve earned a collective, “shhhhh,” and annoyed stares from half the people studying. And frankly, as difficult as these Gen Chem practice exams were, the former PEERS would be spitting out a few more expletives before she was done.
Hannah glanced at her watch and sighed heavily. It was 4:43 PM. She still had two and a half hours before she’d need to head to the lift to meet Devon and Kacey, two other first year HCP students, for some evening training. Okay, you got this girl. You just fucked up some amped criminal supers, you can handle goddamn mass to mole composition formula and stoichiom-whatever-the-fuck, she thought to herself. With resigned determination, the HCP student began swiping through class presentation slides on her tablet, reviewing problems she had trouble with. For a solid 2 hours her eyes never left the material and she honestly started to feel more comfortable with what she needed to know. Hannah was in the zone. That was until she was interrupted by a knock on the door.
“What. The actual. Fuck?“, Hannah said slowly as she looked up towards the door and the adjacent window.
The summoner saw two boys standing outside , one of whom was a short muscular guy with dark brown hair that she recognized. She was fairly certain his name Lucas, and that he was another HCP first year. He was in the alternative class though, while Hannah was in combat, so they hadn’t been around each other a whole hell of a lot. The other seemed familiar, but she couldn’t put her finger or on where she’d seen him before. They were each moving their mouths, and pointing a finger at themselves and into the room clearly asking if they could come in. Hannah got up and opened the door.
“Hey, Helen, right? You think that we can study in here with you? All the good tables downstairs are full. I just met Tristan here and he’s in the same predicament as me,” said Lucas before he lowered his voice to a whisper, leaned his head in, and pointed to the boy he referred to as Tristan. “He’s in the same ummm…special program as us. In his 2nd year.”
With that information, Helen realized where she’d seen that guy. He was at the freshman party hosted by the second years. She remembered thinking that he came off as kind of a douchebag by the way he was standing around, nursing the same drink with a smug look on his face the whole time.
“Yeah, sure, whatever. As long as you guys dont act like complete assholes and make a bunch of noise. I gotta focus for about another 30 minutes then the room is yours. Cool?”
“Cool,” the boys said in unison.
“And it’s Hannah by the way. Not Helen. You’re Lucas, right?” She held out her hand towards him.
Lucas politely shook her hand. “Sorry about that Hannah. I’m terrible at remembering names,” he said with a slight shrug. “Just gonna grab a seat on this side so I can stay outta your way.” He held out his arm towards the opposite side of the table from where Hannah had been sitting and started walking over there.
Tristan walked in and closed the door behind himself. He gave Hannah a simple head nod and smirk but never formerly introduced himself. Very similar to his demeanor at the party; as though he couldn’t be bothered.
Yep, arrogant douche, she thought. Then she pictured the look of surprise on the 2nd year’s face if she were to manifest her big furry friend to accidentally-on-purpose kick him in the balls.
Hannah had often wondered if anyone in the HCP realized her summon was the same giant bunny that helped save Brewster almost a year ago. Titan had told her the DVA would hide any association between the tower-sized rabbit and her PEERS persona but she figured that once classmates saw her summon for the first time they’d make the connection. That didn’t seem to be the case though, at least as far as she knew. It helped that when she summoned Hopcules these days, he was about the same height and stature as Titan. None of her combat training took place outside yet, so no one in HCP got to see her manifestation at his full potential size. He’d also taken on more humanistic facial expressions lately and had been appearing in a variety of different clothes and accessories. Hell, the last time she trained with Kacey, the hulking rabbit materialized in a denim vest, a blue bandanna on his head, metal spiked leather bracelets around his wrists, brass knuckles, and with gold chains around his neck. Kacey couldn’t stop laughing during their sparring session until Hopcules had her bound and hog tied. Even with her enhanced strength, she couldn’t break free of what evidently weren’t just plain gold necklaces. It hadn’t dawned on Hannah until later that, the night before, she’d fallen asleep to an old 80s action flick about a renegade cop taking on a vicious street gang. She wondered if tonight her childhood protector would show up in a lab coat, holding a periodic table. The Sizemore freshman briefly shook her head to snap herself out of her thoughts and sat down to resume her work. She’d gotten fully back into her study mode until…
“Yo, does sound carry out of this room?” Tristan asked.
“Seriously?! You do remember that whole bit about NOT being obnoxious assholes, right?”Hannah asked incredulously.
“Damn girl chill. I just wanted to ask my guy here a question and didn’t want to risk being overheard. You should smile more girl. You know what I mean?“
Relax. Breathe. You don’t want to be seen as a troublemaker. It would not be a good idea to kick this fucker’s ass while inside of the school library. Or would it be? No. No. Definitely not a good idea, she thought to herself.
“Well unless you two were standing outside of here practicing at being mimes as a back up in case you don’t make it to graduation, I’m pretty sure this room is well insulated to sound.”
Tristan grunted in indignation and sarcastically replied, “you’re hilarious.”
“I’m definitely going all the way through. No way I won’t graduate,” Lucas chimed in, seemingly oblivious to the tension that’d just arisen between the other two people in the room. I’ve known I wanted to be a hero ever since I was little. My parents have spent a fortune sending me to an elite training camp for the last seven summers to make sure I’d be prepared as possible for the HCP. Plus I’ve had personal coaches work with me for years on new ways to use my power.”
“Bro! That’s what I was wanting to ask you about. I saw the logo on on your bag. Holy shit, did you do the SETA training camps?” asked Tristan.
“Yeah, I take it you’ve heard of it.”
“Hell yeah I have. The Super Elite Training Academy. Who hasn’t? I hear those workouts are so intense. No wonder you’re so jacked. You must’ve been in great shape for your first day here. Mad props bro. Is it true you get to fight against human looking robot…”
“Hey! Tweedledum and tweedle-dickless, I honestly didn’t know there was such a thing as a two-man circle jerk, so I really appreciate the show but is there any chance I can get back to work without any more distractions?“
Lucas had mixture surprise and guilt run across his face. He opened his mouth as though he was about to say something, but then glanced over at Tristan and stayed silent.
“What? You mad because you’re realizing you can’t stack up against the competition. Guess what. My guy here isn’t the only one who’s been preparing for this program long before he was admitted. I’ve been getting ready for years too. Trained in jiu-jitsu and boxing on top of honing my super abilities. Have you even done anything? Or did you just apply and cross your fingers?”
Hannah could see where this was going in. She decided in that moment to just let it play out. Fuck it, she thought. She was basically done studying. Even if she failed the final, which she was confident that she wouldn’t, she’d still pass the class. She stood up, pressed an icon on her tablet touchscreen and began putting other things away in her bag while she spoke. “Actually, I never had any special training as a kid. To tell you the truth, I shouldn’t even be here. I got into some trouble years ago. The kind of trouble that normally prevents one from getting admitted into an HCP. But, I was on a PEERs team for years and I got to do a lot of…
“Ha! You’re telling us you’re fucking a Corpie. Can you believe this, dude?“ Tristan nudged Lucas, looking for his agreement. To his credit, Lucas appeared visibly uncomfortable and leaned away from the other boy.
“Don’t know what it says about your class if they’re letting Corpies in,” continued Tristan with a sneer. “I guess you really do need to study. Obviously you’re the one that needs a back up plan. And here’s another thing little girl. It’s not just about how much you’ve trained beforehand, it’s also about who you know. And I know people. My mom‘s best friend is related to the Hero, Unseelie. So I’ve actually met a few Heroes who I’m sure will vouch for me when the time comes. Pity you can’t say the same. We all know Heroes don’t give two shits about Corpies.”
For a moment Hannah’s face expressed a flat affect. Then suddenly she burst into laughter. And not just some derisive laugh as though she was trying to convey to Tristan that she didn’t take his comments seriously. But an eye watering, oxygen depriving, honest to the Gods belly laugh. The kind of laugh that would’ve been contagious had she been around friends. She carried on for a minute until her amusement died down to a just a mild chortle. Hannah wiped her eyes. “You know people?“ She started laughing again, even louder than the first time. “Oh my Gods. Stop. Stop. I can’t breathe. Is this your fucking power?” Hannah was bent over at the waist still laughing hysterically, holding out one finger as to communicate, “give me a second.” After another minute, she wiped her eyes again, took a big gulp of air, and collected herself. “Woooh. Now that was some funny fucking shit.”
“Who in the hell do you think…“ Tristan started to say through gritted teeth.
“No no no. Please don’t get me started again. I don’t think my ribs can take it,“ said Hannah still chuckling some. “Let’s see what have I done and who do I know? You know I always knew that eventually I’d tell people about this, I just didn’t think it would go down like this.” The summoner raised her hand, then slowly curled it into a fist. Standing 3ft tall and leaning into the corner so as not to be visible to anyone who happened to be looking into the room at that moment, was Hopcules, adorned in the same armor he’d worn on the day he helped to save Brewster. “Look familiar to anyone?”
“That looks like the giant rabbit that fought robots with Titan. Hare-a-clees or something like that. My little sister has like 5 of its t-shirts ,” Lucas responded.
“Wow kid, you really are shit with remembering names. Hop-cu-les is the name I gave him when I was just a kid. Surprised the shit outta me that he came out the size of a skyscraper when those robots nearly killed me and my team, ” Hannah stated nonchalantly as she waved her hand and made Hopcules fade away.
With a grudging realization, Tristan began to ask, “wait, you’re not actually saying…”
“Oh look, captain mc-douche-nozzle is catching on. Somebody give the kid a prize. Yes, dumbass, I’m actually saying I fought with Titan, yes, thee fucking Titan, with every other Hero team in Brewster to stop those mechs from destroying the entire city. I’m saying the strongest hero alive is my personal mentor and it was his recommendation that got me into this program.”
Lucas looked back and forth between Hannah and Tristan having already realized that the sophomore might be one of those guys who’d lash out over his perceived inferiority. Lucas was so curious though he had to ask, “but… But, that rabbit is everywhere these days. Not just T-shirts. Toys, a cartoon, and I just read there’s going to be a next-gen console video game based on his character. If you own the rights to that image, you’d be loaded.“
“Eh,” Hannah said with shrug. “Youre leaving out the movie deal Lenny just got for me, but not something I talk about too much . It leaves me enough to be comfortable and to be able to donate a library wing to the university thats giving me a shot at being a hero.” Hannah responded. She gave Tristan a quick wink and glanced over her shoulder towards the door.
Tristan looked in the same direction and noticed something he hadn’t bothered paying attention to before, a small engraving on the center of the door of a bipedal rabbit. This would’ve been the most surprising thing that he’d seen since he set foot in the room if it wasn’t for the photo that appeared on Hannah’s tablet now facing him. It was an image of five people: Graham De Soto, the new head of the DVA, Titan in his iconic Hero costume, Dean Jackson, a large muscular young man with a shit eating grin who Tristan didn’t recognize, and another person in a generic gray mask, presumably female, and wearing a smile of malicious enjoyment, the same as the women standing before him.
Hannah saw what caught his attention and picked up her tablet. “Oh, did you notice this? I love this picture. Titan called me in for back up as a Temporary Emergency Hero Asset. We beat the shit out of a literal army of enhanced criminal supers and took this picture after everything calmed down. All the other HCP deans were there too. Mr. Desoto actually told me if I ever needed a favor, he owed me one.” Hannah wore a wistful expression as she thought back on that day with fondness.
“Anyway, I gotta get outta here. S’posed to meet up with my training partners. Cause no matter what your background is or who you know, no one is a shoe-in for the final 10. Lucas, feel free to meet us in the combat cells tonight if you want to get a work out in and get tired of hanging out with this fuckwad. Later losers!” Hannah said this last part as she turned around and headed towards door while holding up her middle finger for all to see.
Tristan was obviously livid. His hands had been visibly shaking as he stood and listened to all the ways this 1st year had accomplished more than he’d even thought possible for student. Who does this little bitch think she is? She’s full of shit. She has to be. I’ll show her. From his elbows down, Tristan‘s arms began to darken. In seconds the two appendages looked like small tree trunks, with his fingers elongating into barbed tendril-liked branches rapidly moving towards Hannah.
Although Lucas had worked for years to improve his ability to cast his energy based illusionary environments-referred to by one quirky coach in the past as a “holodeck”- speed was an element that he continued to struggle with. He began to cast a simple illusion of darkness, so as to blind Tristan, but he knew almost immediately that it wouldn’t reach him in time. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw furry white movement. The miniature Hopcules had reappeared and was running towards the back of the chair Tristan had been sitting in. With a parkour maneuver that would make Jackie Chan jealous, Hopcules leapt from the floor to the chair, then from the chair to the rear wall. He torpedoed off of the wall with the force of both hind paws and made contact Tristan’s head, knocking the arrogant second year to the floor. He laid there dazed and confused about what had just struck him as his branches retracted and his arms returned to normal. The summon vanished before he even touched the ground.
Hannah smiled as she exited the room. Thanks be to the Gods. I was hoping that piece of shit would try something so I could have self-defense as an excuse. Kacey and Devon better be ready. I’m already warmed up.

In the annals of gaming history, few titles command the reverence and adoration as the legendary Doom franchise. Born from the minds of John Romero, John Carmack, Adrian Carmack, and Tom Hall, Doom would go on to lay the foundations for just about every modern video game that exists. It was a true tour de force, a success story few could scarce ever imagine.
Released in 1993, Doom was an immediate smash hit, thanks in no small part to its shareware format, which allowed users to experience the first few levels of Knee Deep In the Dead, and then order the full game via the phone number included. Players could then share the floppy disk with their friends, and so on, and so on. It was a truly revolutionary system, and within a single year, Doom had sold over 2 million copies.
The history of the Doom franchise is one of innovation, ultra violence, and controversy (1999's Columbine High School Massacre), and that reputation is one that continued with 2016's DOOM. DOOM was officially revealed at Quakecon 2014, ten years after Doom 3. Players had long resigned to Doom being considered a dead franchise. A reboot had been in the works for a number of years prior, but never got released, having been quietly cancelled by id in 2010. The future was bleak, but the 30 second long teaser ignited a spark that had been burning dimmer every passing year.
Then came E3 2015.
The hype was unreal. The trailer had everything that fans could possibly want. Gore, intense violence, insane run n gun gameplay, a rip-roaring soundtrack and the MFING CHAINSAW. But fans had been let down before. Would it really hold up its promises?
Yes. Yes, it would.
PART I: Presentation
When DOOM burst onto the scene in 2016, it did so with a visual and auditory spectacle that left players awestruck. From the moment the game boots up, players are made aware that this is not your average shooter. You are greeted with a deep, commanding voice. "Rip and tear, until it is DONE."
Immediately, players are greeted with a scene of carnage and the Doom Slayer chained to a table, which, of course, he instantly breaks free from. A zombie attempts to relieve the Slayer of his life but is beaten to the punch with a prompt skull smashing. After putting the other zombies to rest, he interacts with the panel in the corner, is greeted by one Dr. Samuel Hayden, who attempts to justify the outbreak, and decides he would rather kill shit than listen to excuses and destroys the monitor.
That is the introduction to this game. It never wastes the player's time. We aren't here to listen to long droning monologues or watch MGS style cutscenes. id Software knew their audience, and knew what that audience wanted, and they deliver in spades. This introduction sets the tone for the entire experience: relentless action, unapologetic violence, and a protagonist who is as unstoppable as he is uncompromising. The Doom Slayer's disdain for exposition and his single-minded focus on annihilating demons resonate with players who crave a pure, unadulterated gaming experience.
By eschewing lengthy cutscenes and exposition-heavy dialogue in favor of fast-paced gameplay and visceral action, id Software delivers a game that respects the player's time and delivers exactly what they came for: non-stop demon-slaying action. In an era where many games are criticized for padding their runtime with unnecessary filler, DOOM stands out as a shining example of how to create a focused and engaging experience that keeps players coming back for more.
Rather than bombarding players with lengthy exposition or intrusive cutscenes, DOOM opts for a more environmental storytelling approach. Throughout the game, players can discover audio logs, read text-based terminals, and observe environmental details that provide context and background to the events unfolding around them.
The story of DOOM revolves around the Doom Slayer's mission to stop a demonic invasion unleashed by the Union Aerospace Corporation (UAC) on their Martian facility. As players progress through the game, they uncover details about the UAC's experiments with Hell energy, the origins of the demonic invasion, and the Doom Slayer's own mysterious past.
While the story may not be front and center in DOOM, it nonetheless adds depth and richness to the game world, enhancing the overall experience for players who choose to engage with it. And for those who prefer to focus solely on the action, the story remains secondary, allowing them to enjoy the game on their own terms.
That's all well and good, but what about the actual gameplay? Simply put, it is exhilarating. From the moment you are given control of the Slayer, players are thrust into a frenzy of blood and violence, and it never lets up. At its core, DOOM is a first-person shooter that harkens back to the genre's roots while injecting it with a healthy dose of modern flair. The gameplay is fast-paced, frenetic, and utterly unapologetic in its brutality. You're not just a player – you're the Doom Slayer, a force of nature hell-bent on eradicating every last demon in your path.
Central to the gameplay experience is the game's combat loop, which revolves around a delicate balance of aggression and strategy. In DOOM, there's no hiding behind cover or waiting for your health to regenerate – you're constantly on the move, strafing, dodging, and leaping across the battlefield as you unleash a torrent of bullets, rockets, and plasma upon your enemies.
Weapons include the iconic shotgun, heavy assault rifle, plasma rifle, rocket launcher, and the devastating BFG 9000, among others. Each weapon offers different firing modes, such as single shot, burst fire, and continuous beam, providing players with tactical options in combat. A key aspect of combat is the Glory Kill system, which allows players to perform brutal finishing moves on staggered enemies. Glory Kills not only provide health and ammo but also contribute to the flow of combat by encouraging aggressive play. It is incredibly satisfying to watch the Slayer rip an imp in half or stomp their head into the pavement, and doing so rewards you with a large return of health.
The Chainsaw mechanic is another integral part of combat, allowing players to instantly kill most enemies and gain a large amount of ammo in return. However, Chainsaw fuel is limited and must be managed carefully. Like Glory Kills, watching the chainsaw tear demons apart is incredibly satisfying. Certain demons require more fuel but provide the player with more ammo in return. Balancing which demons you chainsaw and which ones you choose to Glory Kill is an important part of combat.
Exploration is key to progression and is rewarding to those players who choose to do. Hidden throughout the levels of the game are Argent Cells, Praetor Tokens, and Rune Trials. Each of these provide upgrades to your health/shield/ammo, suit, and passive abilities respectively. Also hidden throughout the game are levers that lead you to classic levels from Doom 1 and Doom 2, which then unlock the full level of its respective game, playable from the main menu. You can also find toy models of the Doom Slayer, which unlock various character models to view. On some of these models, the Doom Slayer will perform a unique action when picking it up, such as fist bumping the classic Doomguy. It's a nice and cute little touch added by the developers that does a little to add character to the Slayer, who is a silent protagonist.
id Software masterfully blends modern game design with a deep reverence for the classics, paying homage to the series' storied history while introducing new elements that propel the franchise forward. Central to this approach is the game's character design, which strikes a delicate balance between nostalgia and innovation. At its core is the iconic protagonist, the Doom Slayer, whose design pays homage to the original Doom Marine while incorporating modern updates that make him feel both familiar and fresh. With his battle-worn armor, imposing stature, and silent demeanor, the Doom Slayer is the embodiment of raw power and unrelenting rage.
The game's roster of enemies is a veritable who's who of classic Doom foes, reimagined for the modern era. From the lowly possessed soldiers to the hulking Cyberdemon, each enemy is lovingly crafted to capture the essence of its 1990s counterpart while introducing new mechanics and behaviors that keep players on their toes. Whether you're facing off against the agile Revenants, the relentless Hell Knights, or the grotesque Cacodemons, every encounter is a nostalgic trip down memory lane, punctuated by the satisfying sound of demon flesh being torn asunder.
But the main story is not where it ends. DOOM has an arcade mode, where players can run through the levels again, this time trying for high scores and medals while collecting 1 Ups. It's important to move fast and have accurate aim; the more kills you chain together, the bigger your score is. Getting hit reduces your score. At the end of the level, your score is tallied against others on a leaderboard. It's a great way to incentivize players to keep playing, in order to get a better and better score.
There is also multiplayer, where players compete in various game modes such as classic deathmatch, warpath and free for all. Players can become demons by collecting runes on the battlefield and this gives them a distinct advantage; demons are larger, stronger and more resilient. Players are bizarrely restricted to only two weapons and a loadout in multiplayer, which blew my mind. Loadouts. In a DOOM game. The demons are also massively unbalanced and if one team manages to get a particularly powerful demon such as a baron of hell, then it's a guaranteed win. All in all, the multiplayer just isn't great. You are better off replaying the story or arcade mode, or even SnapMap.
SnapMap is id Software's proprietary level editor, and it puts every other editor on the market to shame. SnapMap is an incredible, intuitive, easy to learn system allowing players to create their own multiplayer, co-op and single player maps. There is an extensive tutorial system that teaches users the basics, and goes up in depth, covering how to use AI triggers, switches, combinations, object layering, actions, recalls, audio cues, etc. Never have I ever seen such an in-depth interface on a console game before. While it is only surface level in the grand scheme of things, SnapMap is a great introduction to teaching users how game development works, and I urge everyone to try it out at least once.
Part II: The Music
In DOOM, the music isn't just a background accompaniment – it's a driving force that propels players forward, electrifying every moment of the gameplay experience. Composed by the incredibly talented Mick Gordon, the soundtrack of DOOM is a relentless onslaught of metal and electronica that perfectly complements the game's fast-paced action and visceral combat. From the moment you boot up the game, you're greeted by the iconic strains of the main theme, a haunting melody that sets the tone for the epic journey that lies ahead. As you traverse the game's environments, the music shifts seamlessly between atmospheric ambience and pulse-pounding metal.
But it's not just the composition of the music that makes it so memorable – it's also the way it's integrated into the gameplay itself. Mick Gordon's dynamic scoring system ensures that the music evolves in real-time based on the player's actions, ramping up in intensity during combat encounters and dialing back during quieter moments of exploration. This creates a sense of momentum and flow that enhances the overall pacing of the game
One of the standout features of the soundtrack is its use of unconventional instrumentation and sound design. Mick Gordon's signature sound combines distorted guitars, pounding drums, and industrial noise to create a sonic palette that is as brutal and unforgiving as the game itself. From the deep, guttural growls of the synth bass to the ear-shredding shrieks of the guitar solos, every element of the music is designed to evoke a sense of chaos and destruction, mirroring the relentless carnage unfolding onscreen.
Of course, no discussion of the music in DOOM would be complete without mentioning the iconic tracks that have become synonymous with the game. From the adrenaline-fueled "Rip & Tear" to the bone-crushing "BFG Division," each track is a masterpiece of composition and production, perfectly capturing the essence of the DOOM experience and elevating it to new heights. Mick Gordon's composition for the DOOM soundtrack is a tour de force in heavy metal and industrial electronica, meticulously crafted to evoke the essence of the game's frenetic gameplay.
The backbone of the soundtrack is the distorted guitar, which provides the driving force behind many of the tracks. Gordon's use of extended-range guitars and custom-tuned instruments gives the music its signature low-end punch, while his aggressive playing style adds a raw, visceral energy to the sound. In addition to guitars, Gordon incorporates a wide range of electronic and synthetic elements into his compositions, including synthesizers, drum machines, and sampled sounds. These elements are used to create atmospheric textures, rhythmic patterns, and dynamic effects.
One of the most innovative aspects of Gordon's sound design is his use of audio manipulation techniques, such as granular synthesis and spectral processing. These techniques allow him to deconstruct and manipulate audio in real-time, creating complex textures and effects.
Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of Mick Gordon's composition for DOOM is his dynamic scoring system, which adjusts the music in real-time based on the player's actions. This system, known as "MIDI-controlled dynamic music," allows the music to seamlessly transition between different layers and variations depending on the intensity of the gameplay. Gordon achieves this dynamic effect by dividing each track into multiple stems or layers, each representing a different element of the music (e.g., drums, guitars, synths). These stems are then triggered and mixed in real-time using MIDI data generated by the game engine, allowing the music to adapt and evolve dynamically as the player progresses through the game.
Part III: Building a Legacy
All too often in this industry, legacy franchises are either left in the dust to be forgotten, or brought back to a limp fanfare, only to be thrust back into the shadows of the past. This happens for a myriad of reasons, and I believe the biggest one is that they don't respect their legacy, and they don't respect the players who engage with them.
At its core, DOOM is a game that understands what players want: fast-paced action, engaging gameplay, and a sense of empowerment. By focusing on these core principles, id Software created an experience that resonated with players old and new, capturing the spirit of the original games while pushing the series forward. Central to this approach is the game's unwavering commitment to respecting the player. From its minimalist storytelling and streamlined level design to its intuitive controls and dynamic difficulty system, DOOM prioritizes the player's experience above all else, ensuring that every moment of the game is engaging, immersive, and satisfying.
One of the most notable ways that DOOM respects the player is through its approach to difficulty. Rather than imposing artificial barriers or punishing players for their mistakes, the game encourages experimentation and mastery through its responsive gameplay mechanics and adaptive enemy AI. Players are given the freedom to approach encounters in their own way, whether it's through brute force, cunning strategy, or a combination of both.
Another key aspect of DOOM's player-centric design is its emphasis on accessibility. From its difficulty settings and intuitive user interface to its robust accessibility features, such as colorblind modes and customizable controls, the game ensures that players of all skill levels and abilities can enjoy the experience without feeling excluded or overwhelmed.
But perhaps the most important way that DOOM respects the player is through its commitment to fun. At its core, DOOM is a game that prioritizes the player's enjoyment above all else, delivering a seamless and exhilarating experience that keeps players coming back for more. Whether you're blasting demons with a shotgun, exploring hidden secrets, or rocking out to Mick Gordon's pulse-pounding soundtrack, DOOM is a game that never stops prioritizing YOU.
DOOM's legacy is one of respect – respect for the player, respect for the franchise, and respect for the medium of video games as a whole. By prioritizing fun, accessibility, and player agency, id Software created an experience that not only honors the legacy of the original games but also sets a new standard for what a modern first-person shooter can be. And for that, we owe them a debt of gratitude.

Aston Villa 3 - 3 Liverpool

Villa scorers: Youri Tielemans (12'), Jhon Durán (85', 88')
Liverpool scorers: Emiliano Martínez OG (2'), Cody Gakpo (23'), Jarell Quansah (48')
Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
Referee: Simon Hooper
Aston Villa:

Starting XI	Notes	Subs	Notes
Emiliano Martínez	2'	Robin Olsen
Ezri Konsa		Kaine Kesler-Hayden
Diego Carlos		Calum Chambers	79'
Pau Torres		Finley Munroe
Lucas Digne		Clément Lenglet
Youri Tielemans	12' 65'	Nicolò Zaniolo	65' 79'
Douglas Luiz	79'	Tim Iroegbunam
Leon Bailey		Jhon Durán	79' 85' 88'
John McGinn	69'	Omari Kellyman
Moussa Diaby
Ollie Watkins

Manager: Unai Emery (Spain)
Liverpool:

Starting XI	Notes	Subs	Notes
Alisson		Caoimhin Kelleher
Trent Alexander-Arnold		Conor Bradley
Jarell Quansah	48'	Ibrahima Konaté
Virgil van Dijk		Konstantinos Tsimikas
Joe Gomez		Dominik Szoboszlai	75'
Harvey Elliott	38' 75'	Ryan Gravenberch	75'
Wataru Endo	75'	Stefan Bajčetić
Alexis Mac Allister		Curtis Jones	75'
Mohamed Salah		Darwin Núñez	75'
Cody Gakpo	23' 75'
Luis Díaz	75'

Manager: Jürgen Klopp (Germany)
MATCH EVENTS
1': We're off!
2': GOAL LIVERPOOL?!! WHAT JUST HAPPENED?? A tame cross deflects off of Pau Torres, Emiliano Martínez should have it easily but he spills it into the net! One of the best keepers in the world just committed a howler of an own goal!
4': Salah's shot deflects just wide!
5': Gakpo's header loops up into the air and past the goal.
11': Díaz tries to get the ball around Martínez but Martínez deflects it wide, Gakpo tries to clean it up but only slices it into the post and also the flag goes up.
12': GOAL VILLA! Youri Tielemans is completely unmarked at the edge of the box! There's a lovely cutback to reach him and he boots it into the net!
23': GOAL LIVERPOOL!! Gomez fires to the far post, Martínez gets a touch but doesn't stop it and Cody Gakpo is there to smack it in from close range! But wait... Gomez offside? VAR says... it's a goal!
36': Leon Bailey flashes it across face of goal! Diego Carlos just has to get a touch on it but misses!
38': Harvey Elliott kicks away a dead ball for no reason
42': Alexander-Arnold misses the top corner from distance.
43': Diaby is past the backline and then blasts his shot into the outer atmosphere.
45+6': Gakpo cuts it to Salah and Salah mishits it over the net from close range, although Gakpo was well offside anyway.
HT Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool Liverpool with the lead, in part due to an early howler by the Villa keeper
46': We're back!
48': GOAL LIVERPOOL!! Elliott sends a free kick into the box and Jarell Quansah is there to loop a header into the net off the inside of the post!
52': Goal Villa! Bailey crosses it over for Ollie Watkins who can't miss! Is he offside? Unfortunately, yes he is, after a long VAR delay.
54': Terrible pass by Alisson! Bailey gets it over to Watkins who tries to score with a backheel before being closed down but he's off-target and the defense clears it away.
59': Díaz crosses to Salah! Salah scores! Flag goes up.
65': Villa substitution: Nicolò Zaniolo on for Youri Tielemans
67': Diaby thumps a shot into the side netting.
69': SAVE! Zaniolo fires low and Alisson is down at a time.
69': John McGinn pulls back Díaz to stop the counter
75': Liverpool quadruple sub: Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Darwin Núñez and Curtis Jones on for Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, Cody Gakpo and Luis Díaz
77': SAVE! Martínez denies Szoboszlai at the near post.
79': Villa double sub: Jhon Durán and Calum Chambers on for Douglas Luiz and Nicolò Zaniolo, the latter of whom seems to have injured his foot
83': SAVE! TAA fires a belter from distance that surprises everyone but which Martínez manages to palm away.
85': GOAL VILLA!! Chambers picks off a pass and sends it to Jhon Durán who fires through the legs of Mac Allister and hits the bottom corner!
86': SAVE! Núñez fires from distance and forces the save from Martínez
87': Núñez is past the backline, he scores! No he doesn't, flag goes up, VAR confirms. Linesmen getting a workout tonight
88': GOAL VILLA!! Was that a shot?! It was a cross that came off Jhon Durán's knee and went over Alisson into the net!
90+2': Saaaaave! Quansah loses the ball and Diaby fires but Alisson gets one hand in the way!
90+5': Jones runs onto a loose ball and fires!! Fires low and Martínez saves.
FT Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool What an amazing match that was!

GrapheneOS and stock Android are both OS options for phones. GrapheneOS focuses on keeping your info safe. Stock Android, on the other hand, offers many handy features. Let's dive into how these two differ in privacy, security, and what you can do. This way, you can pick the one that suits your needs best.

Key Takeaways:

• GrapheneOS places a strong emphasis on privacy and security, while stock Android focuses on providing convenience features.
• GrapheneOS stays close to upstream and delivers regular updates before stock OS.
• Google apps work on GrapheneOS, but some apps need special permission to install.
• Some banking apps might not work on GrapheneOS. This is because they lack a certification from Google. You might be able to make some of them work by using special settings in the apps.
• Unfortunately, GrapheneOS misses on Android Auto and easy backup solutions.

GrapheneOS Features

GrapheneOS is known for its strong focus on privacy and security. This makes it perfect for those who want to keep their data safe. Now, let's look at what makes GrapheneOS stand out from the rest.

Sandboxed Google Play Services

One of GrapheneOS's key features is sandboxed Google Play services. This means apps can't freely access your private data. They're limited to a safe area. This helps prevent data leaks and stops apps from seeing more than they should.

Regular Updates for Security Maintenance

GrapheneOS keeps devices safe by offering frequent security updates. These updates fix any new vulnerabilities that might arise. This way, the system is always up-to-date, keeping your device secure.

Attack Surface Reduction Measures

GrapheneOS uses techniques to reduce the chances of different types of attacks. It limits how much apps can interact with the system, blocking some attacks right at the start. It also includes special features that make it harder for attackers to exploit the system.

Enhanced Heap Memory Corruption Defense

Heaps are a common target for hackers, but GrapheneOS strengthens against this. It uses its own memory management system to protect against heap corruption. This includes special memory handling to make attacks harder.

Robust Memory Exploit Detection and Prevention

GrapheneOS is ahead of the game in detecting and stopping memory exploits. It has tools that spot and fix important memory bugs. This helps keep your device safe from complex attacks that target memory use.

Official Production Support for Pixel Devices

GrapheneOS supports many Pixel devices officially. This includes the Pixel 8 Pro and other new Pixel devices. Users of Pixel devices can get the added security and privacy GrapheneOS offers.
After learning about GrapheneOS, it's time to look at Stock Android's setup and features in the next section.

Stock Android Setup and Features

Setting up Stock Android on your device is simple. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy. When you turn on your device, you'll follow some steps to make it yours. This includes picking a language, connecting to Wi-Fi, and signing in to Google.
Stock Android works perfectly with Google's many services. Thanks to Google Play services, you get millions of apps and games from the Play Store. Just sign in with your Google account to start downloading your favorite apps, from work tools to social apps.
Stock Android also brings you Google Maps. It gives you precise directions and updates on traffic in real time. It's great for finding your way in a car or on foot, showing you the best routes and interesting places nearby.
With Google Keyboard, typing is easier and better. It guesses your next words, lets you swipe to type, and supports different languages. This means typing on your phone is faster and more accurate.

Key Features of Stock Android:

• Simple and user-friendly setup process
• Integration with Google services, including the Google Play Store
• Google Maps for navigation and exploring new places
• Google Keyboard for enhanced typing experience

Features	Stock Android
User-friendly setup	✓
Google Play Store access	✓
Google Maps integration	✓
Enhanced typing experience with Google Keyboard	✓

Functionality Comparison

GrapheneOS and stock Android are much alike in basic phone tasks. Yet, they have key differences.

GrapheneOS Functionality

GrapheneOS values substance over flashy marketing. It cares deeply about privacy and security. By not including Google services, it focuses more on protecting users.
Its main goal is making your device safe from attack. It does this by limiting what attackers can do and safeguarding the core part of the operation system.
It also stops attackers from taking full control even if they somehow get in. This is done through a feature called verified boot.
By removing unneeded code, GrapheneOS makes attacks from far away, close by, or online less likely. It adds layers of protection to apps and the system, making them much harder to exploit.

GrapheneOS Functionality Features	Description
Sandboxed Play Services	A sandboxed Play Services feature that provides better app compatibility, functionality, and security compared to MicroG.
Push Notifications without Play Services	GrapheneOS allows push notifications to work fine without Play Services for many apps.
Privacy-Focused Network Toggle	GrapheneOS offers a network toggle without leaks and prefers fine-grained VPNs for enhanced security.

GrapheneOS finds a sweet spot between being private, easy to use, and secure. It designs features to challenge any threats.

Stock Android Functionality

Stock Android, made by Google, aims for everyone. It has many features that cater to diverse needs.
One highlight is Android Auto, making your phone and car work together. This way, you keep your hands off the phone while driving yet enjoy many useful features.
Another cool feature is Now Playing. It shows what song is playing without you needing to open your phone. This is handy for finding new music.

Stock Android Functionality Features	Description
Android Auto	Android Auto provides seamless integration between Android devices and compatible vehicles for hands-free access to navigation, communication, and entertainment features.
Now Playing	Now Playing feature The identifies and displays the currently playing song on the lock screen.

Such features make stock Android attractive for those who want a versatile system. It's packed with tools and tricks to make your life easier.
Remember, GrapheneOS and stock Android are both good for getting things done. Yet, GrapheneOS shines in protecting your privacy. This might mean fewer but more secure features.

Privacy and Security

When you pick a system for your phone, think about privacy and safety. GrapheneOS and stock Android protect your data in unique ways.

GrapheneOS Privacy and Security Features

GrapheneOS focuses heavily on keeping your data safe. It offers many tools to boost your privacy and security. These include limiting data collection and secure updates.

• Limiting Data Collection: GrapheneOS cuts down on what data gets collected, lowering the chance of others getting it.
• Secure Updates: It ensures your system stays safe by giving you regular, secure updates.
• Restricted Google Services Access: GrapheneOS limits how much Google can see of your personal data.
• Permission Controls: You get to decide what info apps can use. GrapheneOS gives you strong controls over this.

Stock Android Privacy and Security Considerations

Stock Android, made by Google, has its security perks. But it's heavily tied to Google's services. This can lead to less privacy.

• Google Services Integration: It comes filled with Google tools. While convenient, it does raise privacy worries.
• Privacy Settings: It does have some privacy settings. You can adjust app permissions a bit and limit some data access.
• Regular Updates: Google works on updating stock Android often to fix security issues.

Both GrapheneOS and stock Android care about security. However, GrapheneOS's special focus on privacy sets it apart. It's great for anyone who really values their data privacy.

Comparison Table: GrapheneOS vs. Stock Android Privacy and Security

Privacy and Security Features	GrapheneOS	Stock Android
Data Collection	Minimizes data collection	May collect user data through Google services
Updates	Regular secure updates	Regular updates to address security vulnerabilities
Google Services Access	Restricted access to Google services	System-level integration with Google services
Permission Controls	Strict permission controls	Permission customization options

Table: A comparison of privacy and security features offered by GrapheneOS and stock Android
In summary, if you're big on privacy, you'll like what GrapheneOS offers. It's a top choice. But if Google's services matter a lot to you, stock Android might be the way to go. It's not as privacy-focused, but it's great for those that love Google's features.

App Compatibility

GrapheneOS and stock Android both excel in app compatibility, but GrapheneOS faces challenges with some banking apps. These apps need special access. Yet, GrapheneOS aims for the highest privacy and security, sometimes making these needs clash.
Many apps are compatible with GrapheneOS, and the project actively works with developers. It encourages them to make their apps work with GrapheneOS. This allows users to enjoy the operating system's enhanced privacy and security safely.
Stock Android, on the other hand, has superior compatibility with all apps, including those from banks. It works across many devices and is chosen by developers. Its wide use makes it easier for developers to ensure app compatibility.
To make the app experience smoother on GrapheneOS, users can choose alternative apps that work well with the system. Also, the project is always updating to boost app compatibility through community efforts.

Recommended Banking Apps for GrapheneOS

Many banking apps face issues on GrapheneOS. Still, several banking apps perform well on this system:

• Banking App 1: This is a secure and reliable app made for GrapheneOS.
• Banking App 2: It provides an easy and smooth banking experience on GrapheneOS.
• Banking App 3: This app focuses on keeping your financial info secure and private.

Remember, although these apps are compatible with GrapheneOS, it's wise to confirm with your bank or financial institute for the latest compatibility updates.
As GrapheneOS grows, its app compatibility, including banking apps, is expected to get better. The project is dedicated to offering an experience that values security and privacy while ensuring apps work well.

User Feedback and Experience

GrapheneOS is great for privacy and security, which users love. They feel their data is safer and that Google tracks them less. Plus, it works well with most Android apps. This means users can still do what they want while keeping their privacy a top priority.
Some say that stock Android is smoother and has more useful features than GrapheneOS. They think that GrapheneOS focuses too much on privacy and misses out on some key features. For example, it doesn't work as closely with Google services and apps.
GrapheneOS users share their thoughts in forums, social media, and by talking to the team. They give detailed advice, like how to make permission prompts even safer. They also want the Auditor feature to be better explained, especially to journalists.
Users often request a better way to know when there are system updates. They want to be able to choose when to update, so it doesn't disrupt their day. They also ask about how to use the app pinning and auto-reboot timer, looking for more info.
Users also need more info about the Android Recovery system in GrapheneOS. They want to know more about its role in updating the system. And they worry about any issues the updates might bring.
Some users find features in GrapheneOS that remind them of Google. They want clearer information about these features. This way, they can understand them better.
App compatibility is an issue for some. A few apps won’t work on GrapheneOS because they fear security risks. Some just crash. This is why some users carry a second phone for specific apps, like banking or gaming.

User Profile Usage on GrapheneOS

GrapheneOS encourages the use of separate profiles for different apps. This keeps your privacy and security levels high. Users should have profiles for general use, social media, work, and private matters.

GrapheneOS Installation Ease

Installing GrapheneOS is known for being easy among custom OSes. The web interface makes the process straightforward. However, installing it on various computers might need extra steps sometimes.

GrapheneOS Benefits and Drawbacks

Why do people like GrapheneOS? It's great with most apps, makes you more secure, and doesn't let Google track you much. Plus, it backs up your apps very safely.
But it's not perfect. Some apps, like Facebook Messenger, have issues. The fingerprint sensor on the Google Pixel 6 isn’t the best. And sometimes you might face problems with internet when using a VPN.

Google Pixel 6 User Experience

The Google Pixel 6 is seen as a good buy by users. It offers good features and performance for its cost. However, the fingerprint sensor and the size of the phone get mixed reviews. The camera's quality also varies among users.

Overall Recommendation

Despite some issues, GrapheneOS is recommended by many for its strong privacy and security. It's a good choice for those who worry about Google spying on them.

User Feedback Overview

Feedback	Request/Suggestion
Implementation of safeguards in on-demand permission prompts	Enhancing permission controls for improved security
Better explanation and marketing of the Auditor feature	Targeting investigative journalists as potential users
Proposal for a notification system for system updates	Allowing manual installation of updates
Inquiry about the functionality of app pinning with auto-reboot timer	Clarification on how the feature works
Request for clarification on Android Recovery system	Understanding its role and potential issues with OTA updates
Identification of features resembling "Googlisms"	Clear explanations and disclosures for informed usage
Challenges with app compatibility on de-googled version	Issues with banking apps, food delivery apps, Uber, and mobile gaming

Future Development and Updates

GrapheneOS gets better thanks to the hard work of gifted developers. They're always updating it to make it safer and easier to use.
Updates bring new security patches, app changes, and more. For instance, new kernel updates might change to versions like 5.15.151 or 6.1.80. Apps like Vanadium might jump to new versions like 124.0.6367.159.0.
They use tags to give updates for certain devices. For example, a tag like 2024040100 might mean a special update for certain phones. These updates are meant to make your experience even better.
Recently, they made sure that VPN apps can't accidentally leak your web requests. They also update apps like PDF Viewer to make sure they run smoother. These updates are all about making your phone more enjoyable to use.
GrapheneOS also pays special attention to certain phones. For example, the Pixel Fold might receive updates specific to its design. This keeps your device running well and safe.
They change settings to make your phone safer and easier to use. For security, a new memory tag setting is available. You might see different settings based on what phone you have, making everything more user-friendly.
Improving apps is just as important to GrapheneOS. Apps like TalkBack, which helps by reading the screen, might get better with version 14.1. These changes aim to make using your favorite apps a smoother experience.
They also make technical updates to stay cutting-edge. A recent kernel update, like 5.15.149, makes your device more secure and faster.
Even the Camera app and GmsCompatConfig (used for Google services) get updated. This ensures your phone is more dependable and full of new features.

Official Device Support

GrapheneOS officially supports many Pixel models including the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 5a. These devices let you make the most of GrapheneOS's features.
Some Pixel phones, like the Pixel 5, won't get any more updates. Yet, the Pixel 4a and 4 XL keep getting support, like better security. This means you can still use these devices safely.
The 8th generation Pixel devices offer top security levels. They're supported for 7 years from their launch with features custom-tailored to protect your device.
Pixel devices get different levels of support based on their generation. The 8th generation has a longer 7-year support compared to 6th and 7th generation models, which gets 5 years. This shows GrapheneOS's focus on lasting security and usability.

Future Focus and Community Support

The team behind GrapheneOS aims to make major improvements in device, system, and software security. Their focus isn't on supporting every device but on ensuring profound security.
GrapheneOS has a strong community that loves its security. This community's dedication to privacy drives the project's advancement and success.

Related Alternatives

CalyxOS, RattlesnakeOS, DivestOS, and Ubuntu Touch offer different privacy and security features. Exploring these options can help you find the right system for your needs.

Benefits and Drawbacks of GrapheneOS

GrapheneOS offers big benefits for privacy and security. It keeps your data safe and lets you control your online world better. But, there are drawback to consider too.

Benefits of GrapheneOS

• Enhanced Privacy: It reduces the chance of your data being stolen. You get to control what apps can and can't do on your phone.
• Innovative Security Features: It's really good at stopping new security threats. This makes it hard for bad guys to find ways to harm your phone.
• Enhanced Security and Privacy Settings: You can do cool stuff like turn off Wi-Fi automatically or only use the internet through certain apps, making your phone safer.
• Dedicated Effort to Prevent Memory Corruption Bugs: It works really hard to keep its system safe from bugs. This means fewer chances of someone breaking into your phone.
• Secure Apps: It comes with special apps that keep your phone safe. This includes a secure web browser and camera app that protect your data.

Drawbacks of GrapheneOS

• Limited Google Integration: It doesn't come with Google's usual apps. You can add them but this might mean giving up a bit of privacy for certain features.
• App Compatibility: You might struggle to use some apps, like banking apps, because GrapheneOS isn't the regular Android. But, more and more apps are being made to work with it.
• Lack of "Smart" Features: You won't find fancy features, like Google's smart phone answering feature or advanced keyboard tools. You might need to choose between these extras and your privacy.
• Troubleshooting Required: Sometimes things might not work perfectly. You might find some emojis missing or have to fix some app issues yourself. So, some tech skills could come in handy.

Deciding on GrapheneOS means balancing privacy with how easy your phone is to use. It's great for keeping your data safe. But, you might not find all the apps and features you're used to.

Conclusion

After using GrapheneOS for a year on a Google Pixel 6A, its focus on privacy and security shines. It updates quickly, in about 5 minutes, keeping your phone safe. Occasionally, small graphical glitches happen but are easy to fix.
Most day-to-day apps work well from the Google Play Store and Neo Store. The battery life is outstanding, lasting days even with lots of use.
It integrates well with Google's main products like the Play Store and Calendar. Yet, using these services means thinking about your privacy trade-offs.
When making privacy choices, think about how you use technology and what you're comfortable with. The author has used Apple phones for privacy extensively, which informs this perspective.
GrapheneOS makes Android more secure by adding extra permission controls, reminiscent of iOS. It lets users manage apps' accesses like location and storage.
A Google Pixel phone is a good choice for GrapheneOS because it supports other operating systems. Though some users find the user interface a bit challenging, they like its simple design.
To get push notifications working, the author installed Sandboxed Play Services. Going without Google Play Services can be hard due to its deep ties to Google.
With Android 12, apps start to adapt to your phone’s colors, which looks great, especially on the Pixel 7 Pro. This new look makes the home screen feel personalized and clean.
GrapheneOS takes security and privacy seriously, stepping beyond regular Android. Its multiple profiles help keep your data isolated, enhancing privacy.
Setting up GrapheneOS is easy, thanks to a user-friendly web interface. Most apps work well, giving users a satisfying experience, even with compatibility.
Battery life and performance are as good as regular Android systems, showing it can be just as efficient, with better privacy controls.
With GrapheneOS, users have less tracking and more privacy, surpassing typical Android’s privacy. Yet, there are issues with some specific apps and services.
GrapheneOS with a VPN sometimes has connectivity problems, possibly due to app compatibility. Generally, using it on a Google Pixel 6 is a good experience, despite minor issues.

GrapheneOS	Stock Android
+ Strong focus on privacy and security	+ Wide range of features and convenience
+ Streamlined updates with quick completion time	+ Regular updates and feature additions
+ Smooth app compatibility for day-to-day apps	+ Better compatibility with all apps
+ Impressive battery life	+ Similar battery life and performance
+ Seamless integration with Google products	- System-level integration with Google services
+ Additional privacy controls and permissions toggles	- Limited privacy control over Google services
+ Multiple user profiles for enhanced privacy	+ Standard user profile and features

Considerations for Choosing an Operating System

When you compare GrapheneOS and stock Android, think about what matters most. If you are very concerned about privacy and security, GrapheneOS is great. It keeps your data safe and your device secure. However, if you like having many features, stock Android might suit you better.
GrapheneOS is especially good for Pixel devices. It promises many years of support. For example, 8th generation Pixels get 7 years, while older models get 5 years. GrapheneOS might not work with Android Auto or some banking apps. But it's very secure and focuses on keeping your privacy safe.
Stock Android works well with Google apps and has lots of features. You can use Google Maps and Google Keyboard easily. But, if you switch to GrapheneOS, you lose things like Google Pay and some unique Google features.
Choosing between GrapheneOS and stock Android is all about what you need and like. Think about your privacy wishes and how much you value convenience. Then, you can make a smart choice that meets your needs.

FAQ

What are the key distinctions between GrapheneOS and Stock Android?

GrapheneOS focuses on keeping your data safe and private. Stock Android, on the other hand, comes with many useful features.

What are some of the features provided by GrapheneOS?

GrapheneOS gives you a more private and secure playground. It does this by keeping Google Play services separate. It also keeps your phone updated regularly.

How is the setup process and what features does Stock Android provide?

Stock Android is easy to get started with. It includes popular Google services like the Play Store, Maps, and Keyboard.

What are some of the functionalities offered by GrapheneOS and Stock Android?

Both operating systems let you do the basic stuff. But GrapheneOS skips Android Auto and Stock Android has a cool Now Playing feature.

What distinguishes GrapheneOS and Stock Android in terms of privacy and security?

GrapheneOS works hard to make sure your information stays private. It does this by not sharing much with Google. Stock Android, however, is closely tied with Google services, which might affect your privacy.

How is the app compatibility for GrapheneOS and Stock Android?

GrapheneOS might not work with every app. Some banking apps might not fully function on it. Stock Android usually works well with all apps.

What is the user feedback and experience for GrapheneOS and Stock Android?

Users really like GrapheneOS for its commitment to privacy and security. Stock Android is preferred by those who want a smooth experience with lots of features.

How are the future development and updates for GrapheneOS and Stock Android?

GrapheneOS depends on donations to improve with new features. Both systems get updated regularly. Stock Android gets these updates from a bigger team.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of using GrapheneOS?

Using GrapheneOS means your data is more protected. But you might miss out on using some popular apps and features.

What should I consider when choosing between GrapheneOS and Stock Android?

Think about what matters most to you. If privacy and security are top concerns, GrapheneOS is a great choice. Stock Android is better if you want a smoother experience with many features.

What are some good books or letters I can read About the early church fathers, opinions on icons and veneration of saints
I would prefer too have it be free but it's okay if it's not

Visual Calendaplanner app
Hii! I’m in search of a free iPhone app that I can use as a calendaplanner. I’d prefer to be able to organize using different colors, tags, and icons and to be able to see a month view, week view, and day view.
I’ve struggled for a while cycling through different ones but nothing has really stuck. There’s either a lack of visuals/too ‘minimalistic’, not enough customization (for free), took too long to add things/extremely complicated, etc. I’m 20, but I feel like I kinda have to break things down/gameify/customize them like I’m a kid for things to stick lol
If you have any other free app recommendations for AuDHD (e.c. AAC, Organization, Self Care, Social, Health, quick side hustle, etc.) I’d love to hear those as well! I’m gonna make a pintrest or website with a bunch of different AT that I myself (and other neurodivergents) find helpful to help others find tools they may not have been aware of😊
Lil bout me: [20 y.o. she/hethey/them ADHD, Autistic, Anxiety, Depression, cPTSD Special Education Major College Student summer program 1 on 1 parapro]

Visual Calendaplanner app
Hii! I’m in search of a free iPhone app that I can use as a calendaplanner. I’d prefer to be able to organize using different colors, tags, and icons and to be able to see a month view, week view, and day view.
I’ve struggled for a while cycling through different ones but nothing has really stuck. There’s either a lack of visuals/too ‘minimalistic’, not enough customization (for free), took too long to add things/extremely complicated, etc. I’m 20, but I feel like I kinda have to break things down/gameify/customize them like I’m a kid for things to stick lol
If you have any other free app recommendations for AuDHD (e.c. AAC, Organization, Self Care, Social, Health, quick side hustle, etc.) I’d love to hear those as well! I’m gonna make a pintrest or website with a bunch of different AT that I myself (and other neurodivergents) find helpful to help others find tools they may not have been aware of😊
Lil bout me: [20 y.o. she/hethey/them ADHD, Autistic, Anxiety, Depression, cPTSD Special Education Major College Student summer program 1 on 1 parapro]

Hii! I’m in search of a free iPhone app that I can use as a calendaplanner. I’d prefer to be able to organize using different colors, tags, and icons and to be able to see a month view, week view, and day view.
I’ve struggled for a while cycling through different ones but nothing has really stuck. There’s either a lack of visuals/too ‘minimalistic’, not enough customization (for free), took too long to add things/extremely complicated, etc. I’m 20, but I feel like I kinda have to break things down/gameify/customize them like I’m a kid for things to stick lol
If you have any other free app recommendations for AuDHD (e.c. AAC, Organization, Self Care, Social, Health, quick side hustle, etc.) I’d love to hear those as well! I’m gonna make a pintrest or website with a bunch of different AT that I myself (and other neurodivergents) find helpful to help others find tools they may not have been aware of😊
Lil bout me: [20 y.o. she/hethey/them ADHD, Autistic, Anxiety, Depression, cPTSD Special Education Major College Student summer program 1 on 1 parapro]

For the last few weeks, I have moved from smart TV to Raspberry Pi TV. Took away TCL Roku TV's internet privileges and told it to go to HDMI 1 when turned on. ARC and CEC still work to some extent via connected RPi 5.
I can, via the WebApps Manager from Mint, have webapps for the channels I like. Next project is moving local aerial via gadget to the Pi. Nothing on "real" TV that I can't get on the Pi, with much greater security and privacy. Even subscription channels are fine.
Which makes me think someone could do well with a Pi-based television, even a big flat screen panel into which one could insert his own Pi. The problem with my peripheral version is that of component integration.
For a remote I use one of the cheap Rii kidney-shaped 2.4gHz keyboard -trackpads. This controls volume sometimes, sometimes not. On the other "TV" I use the Kensington wireless K400, sort of the standard, which works well but again doesn't fully integrate. These issues would disappear with a bespoke device.
The UI is already there. Some would choose Kodi -- I'm not among 'em -- and maybe that KDE thing will someday work. But we don't really need them. The default desktop combined with WebApp Manager (or even browser bookmarks) goes a long way. I have the panel or whatever the kicker is called set to be 75 pixels high -- I'm running at 1080p -- and icons set at 75 pixels. Easy to navigate from across the room. This on a 55-inch screen.
I haven't installed Hypnotix, but it seems to be basically a new take on FreeTuxTV, which has been around forever and is available in the RPi repository.
The point is, it works even now. It works very well. With dedicated hardware -- a dumb TV with a place to install a Pi, a good remote -- and maybe some different default software tweaks, we would have an excellent, privacy-conscious television.
It makes at least as much sense as Linux phones, don't you think?

I was very excited to see a Thai character finally added to the game, especially one with a plant theme (one of my favorite themes), though I'm sad to see how much he struggles and how bad he's seen by players. I want to try my hand at a rework to most of his kit to help.
I feel his size is fine when combined with his dash that helps him escape and heals himself, so I won't be changing that. Nor will I be changing his grab, since that can be immensely helpful and can't be replicated otherwise (aside from an enemy Hog I suppose). I also feel his ultimate is fine as is, so I'll be looking at his healing blossoms, needles, passive, and second ability.
To start, I believe he should have a passive that automatically builds up his flower over time. It would activate at the same time as the self healing passive and take about 5 or so seconds to fully charge, so he couldn't just have a fully charged blossom for free all the time. Additionally, his blossom could benefit from a secondary effect where there's a gradual heal over time. He could see a flower bud icon over allies and, the more individual healing blossoms he puts into someone, the more this bud will bloom. The more it blooms, the more it heals over time and the longer it lasts (maximum of 5 seconds). However, it wouldn't be easy to get it to full, as you would need to drop in a lot of healing shots and try to maintain it. Though you could start it right before a fight by spamming the uncharged shots into an ally to give them a bit of healing over time for the start of the fight. Ideally it would be enough to let him have times to damage freely, but not enough to make him out heal everyone else with ease or let him neglect healing.
For his needles, I see a lot of people suggesting a poison effect be added for damage over time. I assume they mean each hit triggers the poison, like an Ana shot, but I have an idea that promotes a bit more skill but also makes him even more of a character that would have to decide to heal or kill. This suggestion being that an enemy hit by enough needles in a given time by that Lifeweaver will start taking poison damage from the needles. Let's say you're firing consistently at a Cassidy and half your shots land. After 3-5 seconds, he would start taking a little extra damage each second even after you stop shooting. Ideally, this damage would be pretty small and not as long as Venom Mine but longer than an Ana shot. It's goal wouldn't be to outright kill, but to try and deter someone if possible. Some heroes, like Reaper and Mei, wouldn't be bothered in the slightest I imagine, but that's fine.
Now, regarding the platform... I think it should go. We know Space Ranger is going to be focused on verticality, so I think giving her an ability to lift allies might be more fitting. Instead, Lifeweaver could work with an ability that grants a temporary damage reduction to an ally. I imagine this as a ring of hard light flowers wrapped together and floating around an ally. The flowers gradually crack as the hero takes damage, but reduces the damage to an extent. This would be best used for helping an ally in a 1v1 or a tank who needs a bit of extra help. It wouldn't reduce damage already being dealt, like a Venom Mine or Virus though, just damage coming from outside the ring after it's applied.
Ideally, Lifeweaver should be a technical hero that takes a balance and the ability to tell when to take action or sit back. Think of it like a gardener, tending to your garden by feeding them, moving them out of the sun, and protecting them from pests.

Aston Villa 3 - 3 Liverpool

Villa scorers: Youri Tielemans (12'), Jhon Durán (85', 88')
Liverpool scorers: Emiliano Martínez OG (2'), Cody Gakpo (23'), Jarell Quansah (48')
Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham, England
Referee: Simon Hooper
Aston Villa:

Starting XI	Notes	Subs	Notes
Emiliano Martínez	2'	Robin Olsen
Ezri Konsa		Kaine Kesler-Hayden
Diego Carlos		Calum Chambers	79'
Pau Torres		Finley Munroe
Lucas Digne		Clément Lenglet
Youri Tielemans	12' 65'	Nicolò Zaniolo	65' 79'
Douglas Luiz	79'	Tim Iroegbunam
Leon Bailey		Jhon Durán	79' 85' 88'
John McGinn	69'	Omari Kellyman
Moussa Diaby
Ollie Watkins

Manager: Unai Emery (Spain)
Liverpool:

Starting XI	Notes	Subs	Notes
Alisson		Caoimhin Kelleher
Trent Alexander-Arnold		Conor Bradley
Jarell Quansah	48'	Ibrahima Konaté
Virgil van Dijk		Konstantinos Tsimikas
Joe Gomez		Dominik Szoboszlai	75'
Harvey Elliott	38' 75'	Ryan Gravenberch	75'
Wataru Endo	75'	Stefan Bajčetić
Alexis Mac Allister		Curtis Jones	75'
Mohamed Salah		Darwin Núñez	75'
Cody Gakpo	23' 75'
Luis Díaz	75'

Manager: Jürgen Klopp (Germany)
MATCH EVENTS
1': We're off!
2': GOAL LIVERPOOL?!! WHAT JUST HAPPENED?? A tame cross deflects off of Pau Torres, Emiliano Martínez should have it easily but he spills it into the net! One of the best keepers in the world just committed a howler of an own goal!
4': Salah's shot deflects just wide!
5': Gakpo's header loops up into the air and past the goal.
11': Díaz tries to get the ball around Martínez but Martínez deflects it wide, Gakpo tries to clean it up but only slices it into the post and also the flag goes up.
12': GOAL VILLA! Youri Tielemans is completely unmarked at the edge of the box! There's a lovely cutback to reach him and he boots it into the net!
23': GOAL LIVERPOOL!! Gomez fires to the far post, Martínez gets a touch but doesn't stop it and Cody Gakpo is there to smack it in from close range! But wait... Gomez offside? VAR says... it's a goal!
36': Leon Bailey flashes it across face of goal! Diego Carlos just has to get a touch on it but misses!
38': Harvey Elliott kicks away a dead ball for no reason
42': Alexander-Arnold misses the top corner from distance.
43': Diaby is past the backline and then blasts his shot into the outer atmosphere.
45+6': Gakpo cuts it to Salah and Salah mishits it over the net from close range, although Gakpo was well offside anyway.
HT Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool Liverpool with the lead, in part due to an early howler by the Villa keeper
46': We're back!
48': GOAL LIVERPOOL!! Elliott sends a free kick into the box and Jarell Quansah is there to loop a header into the net off the inside of the post!
52': Goal Villa! Bailey crosses it over for Ollie Watkins who can't miss! Is he offside? Unfortunately, yes he is, after a long VAR delay.
54': Terrible pass by Alisson! Bailey gets it over to Watkins who tries to score with a backheel before being closed down but he's off-target and the defense clears it away.
59': Díaz crosses to Salah! Salah scores! Flag goes up.
65': Villa substitution: Nicolò Zaniolo on for Youri Tielemans
67': Diaby thumps a shot into the side netting.
69': SAVE! Zaniolo fires low and Alisson is down at a time.
69': John McGinn pulls back Díaz to stop the counter
75': Liverpool quadruple sub: Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Darwin Núñez and Curtis Jones on for Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, Cody Gakpo and Luis Díaz
77': SAVE! Martínez denies Szoboszlai at the near post.
79': Villa double sub: Jhon Durán and Calum Chambers on for Douglas Luiz and Nicolò Zaniolo, the latter of whom seems to have injured his foot
83': SAVE! TAA fires a belter from distance that surprises everyone but which Martínez manages to palm away.
85': GOAL VILLA!! Chambers picks off a pass and sends it to Jhon Durán who fires through the legs of Mac Allister and hits the bottom corner!
86': SAVE! Núñez fires from distance and forces the save from Martínez
87': Núñez is past the backline, he scores! No he doesn't, flag goes up, VAR confirms. Linesmen getting a workout tonight
88': GOAL VILLA!! Was that a shot?! It was a cross that came off Jhon Durán's knee and went over Alisson into the net!
90+2': Saaaaave! Quansah loses the ball and Diaby fires but Alisson gets one hand in the way!
90+5': Jones runs onto a loose ball and fires!! Fires low and Martínez saves.
FT Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool What an amazing match that was!

Sorry I’m a little late but better late than never
https://forums.forza.net/t/fm-update-8-0-overview-track-toys-tour-and-mobil-1-partnership-13-may-2024/708906
“Update 8 is headlined by the Track Toys Tour alongside its Spotlight cars – three of which are either new or returning to Motorsport – that you can race in weekly events across Career, Multiplayer and Rivals. We’ve also added Mobil 1 track signage at Maple Valley, placed a barrier along the pit exit at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and reset leaderboards for Le Mans layouts following changes made to the track in the previous update.
In addition, starting with Update 8, players with VIP Membership can look forward to an exclusive 15% discount on a car every week in the Showroom, which will now be available alongside the Spotlight cars and the month-long VIP discount car.
Announcements
Blog: Experience Track Toys in Forza Motorsport Update 8 9 Community Update May 2024 1 Release Notes: Forza Support 51 Video: YouTube 168 image Dates
CONTENT OVERVIEW
TRACKS
Mobil 1 & Maple Valley - Maple Valley has been updated with new track signage featuring Mobil 1 branding as part of a partnership between Forza and Mobil 1 to celebrate Mobil 1’s 50th anniversary. Placed a barrier along the pit exit at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. To accommodate this change, leaderboards for this track have been reset. Increased the track material luminance to be more physically correct, improving the overall contrast and color saturation of the track. This affects newly released tracks as well as future track updates. Reset leaderboards for Le Mans track layouts following the changes made to this track in Update 7. Update 8 does not include a new track location – our next track release is scheduled for Update 9, expected to be available in June.
FEATURES AND CHANGES
Livery Editor
Update 8 introduces a Vinyl Material tool to the Livery Editor which can be used to uniformly adjust all vinyl materials on a car from matte (non-reflective) to glossy (reflective). This includes a reset option to revert all vinyls to match car paint glossiness. Imported designs from Forza Horizon 5 using its similar feature will automatically inherit these values. When removing a livery from a vehicle, the color will now be reset to the default manufacturer color instead of the color when the player purchases it. Adjusted the arrangement of hint buttons in Livery Editor at the bottom of the screen. The ‘Find Designs’ menu is now accessible for rental cars when players try to open it from ‘Design & Paint Menu’ and ‘Livery Mode Select’ scenes. Added iconography to layers in the Livery Editor. The player can now see icons to indicate if it’s a mask layer or a locked layer. Other fixes listed in the Release Notes.
Tire Wear Scale
We’ve added a Tire Wear Scale option to Free Play and Private Multiplayer, allowing adjustments to the rate at which tires are worn. 1x is the default value. At 2x, tire wear will occur twice as fast. Values range from .5x to 10x. This setting is found in the Event Setup Rules tab and in the Fuel & Tire menu when on track.
Safety Ratings and Matchmaking
We’ve improved Safety Ratings in Featured Multiplayer by increasing the number of previous races the Safety Rating uses to determine your rating from 10 to 20, and by making on-track collisions more impactful to Safety Rating. These changes will take effect after your first race in Update 8. In addition, we’ve updated the matchmaking algorithm to search for a narrower range of Safety Ratings compared to your own. For example, players with an ‘S’ Safety Rating should no longer be matched with players who have ‘E’ and ‘D’ Safety Ratings. Groups will be connected to matches based on the player with the lowest Safety Rating.
Car Divisions and Events
Corrected an issue where the 1969 Lola #6 Sunoco T70 MkIIIB was eligible for the Vintage Le Mans Prototypes Series rather than the Prototype Group Racing Series. The 2020 KTM X-Bow GT2 and the 2020 Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 are moved from the Forza GT Series to the Modern Factory Racecar Series in Featured Multiplayer. The 2019 Porsche #70 Porsche Motorsport 935 has been added to the Forza GT Series. We’re currently working on recategorizing Forza GT racecars into separate spec divisions and expect to push these changes into the game this summer.
Car Balancing
The following cars have been rebalanced in Featured Multiplayer Spec Series: Featured Multiplayer Spec Series Car Name Change Summary Forza GT Series 2019 Ginetta G55 GT4 Engine torque: +25% Car Mass: +13.4% Front Downforce: -45% Rear Downforce: -45% Early Factory Racecar Series 1997 McLaren F1 GT Increased Power 10% Early Factory Racecar Series 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Strassenversion Increased Power 13% Lowered weight/ballast 3% Early Factory Racecar Series 1989 Ferrari F40 Competizione Increased power 10% Weight decreased 2%
AI Drivatar behavior
We’ve reduced unnecessary braking scenarios for Drivatar AI opponents. Examples of this include braking while attempting to pass, two cars wide in corners, and at the apex of corners.
Other Changes
We’ve updated Featured Multiplayer events to use consistent weather conditions and avoid unpredictable weather transitions mid-race. The Open Class Tour in Career mode has been migrated from the Builders Cup tab to the Featured tab. The Open Class Tour will be found in the Featured tab going forward. Starting with Update 8, VIPs can look forward to an exclusive 15% discount on a car every week in the Showroom alongside the 30% discount on Spotlight cars. Screen Narrator will now read associated credit bonuses as part of the option value names on Free Play Advanced options which affect credits earned during the event. This change also fixes the display of the bonus percentages for all players. Screen Narrator now fully supports the “Series Standings” leaderboard scene accessed from the Builders Cup Event Setup scene. The Tune Setups menu is now fully narrated. Added descriptive text for the SoundCloud Driver Suit.
CARS
Update 8 adds five cars to the game: 2 Reward Cars (Porsche 935 and BMW 1 Series M), and 3 Spotlight cars (Ginetta G40 Junior, Porsche Cayman GTS, and Elemental RP1). These additions bring the total game roster to 590 cars.
Reward Cars
Reward cars are available only from completing events in the Builders Cup Career.
2019 Porsche #70 Porsche Motorsport 935 (Track Toys Tour) 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupé (Open Class Tour) Spotlight Cars & VIP Car Discounts
Spotlight cars are featured in the Showroom each Wednesday at 5pm Pacific Time, available at a 30% discount with in-game credits. These cars can be used in the new Featured Tour, as well as Spotlight Series events in Featured Multiplayer and Rivals. In addition, starting with Update 8, VIPs can also look forward to an exclusive 15% discount on a car every week in the Showroom.
CAREER
Builders Cup overview Featured Tour - Track Toys Tour
The Track Toys Tour invites you to experience high-performance cars that you could see hot lapping on the racetrack. Compete in a single-make race series with Ginetta Juniors, an affordable entry point into motorsport for enthusiasts. Weekend Warriors sees you racing cars like the exceptional 2015 Porsche Cayman GTS which could be taken to the track on a Sunday before being driven to work the following day. Appreciate the unforgettable shape and undeniable performance of the iconic Caterham R500 in Kit Caterhams. And finally, enjoy a celebration of purpose-built track cars like the aerodynamic 2019 Elemental RP1 in Track Toys.
Each Series within the Featured Tour does not have to be completed before the others. Completing all racing events in the Featured Tour by June 26, 2024 to earn the 2019 Porsche #70 Porsche Motorsport 935 reward car (not available in the Buy Cars menu).
Open Class Tour - Track Cars
With each update to Forza Motorsport, the Open Class Tour gets refreshed with new events and a new reward car. Open Class Tour is where you can continue the journey of your favorite cars. Cars that you’ve already built in a different Builders Cup series can be further levelled up and upgraded in the Open Class Tour. In Update 8, the Open Class Tour celebrates track cars as Drivatar opponents race inexpensive and highly modifiable production cars that you would expect to see at your local track on the weekend in D, C, B, and A classes.
Complete all of these series races before June 12, 2024 to earn the 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupé reward car (not available in the Buy Cars menu).
Open Tour (May 15 - June 12) D Class Series C Class Series B Class Series A Class Series Reward Showcase: 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupé
MULTIPLAYER
Multiplayer overview Spec Series Open Series Spotlight Series Dates (5pm PT) Lotus 3-Eleven Spec Series R Class Series P Class Series 2019 Ginetta G40 Junior May 15 - May 22 Early Factory Racecar Series B Class Series D Class Series 2015 Porsche Cayman GTS May 22 - May 29 Mazda Miata Spec Series A Class Series X Class Series 2013 Caterham Superlight R500 May 29 - June 5 Modern Factory Racecar Series S Class Series C Class Series 2019 Elemental RP1 June 5 - June 12 Lotus 3-Eleven Spec Series – May 15-22
The 3-Eleven is an open-cockpit, mid-engine screamer that exemplifies Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s mantra “simplify, then add lightness.” Early Factory Racecar Series – May 22-29
Bespoke racing versions of some of the most sought-after cars from the late 80s and 90s, now valued in millions of dollars by savvy collectors. Mazda Miata Spec Series – May 29 – June 5
The popular MX5 ‘94 version of the best-selling Mazda Miata is perfectly balanced to handle the most demanding road courses with the speed and agility of cars costing much, much more. Modern Factory Racecar Series – June 5-12
Race through a field of ultimate track day specials in the Modern Factory Racecar series. These mid-engine production cars feature unique upgrades designed to achieve extreme performance metrics and ensure victory on the track.
RIVALS
Rivals overview This month’s Featured Rivals event will have you choose your favorite Forza Touring Car and achieve your fastest lap at Viriginia International Raceway – Full Circuit. Cars have been pre-tuned for optimal competition but can be further adjusted to suit your playstyle. VIPs will also race the BAC Mono at Yas Marina - South Circuit. And remember, Spotlight Rivals presents a new opportunity for you to challenge your skills each week!
Later in the month, we’re opening a special Rivals event where you can experience the ultimate track car developed to pay tribute to a world-famous driver – the McLaren Senna – at the same track where he achieved several victories, Silverstone – Grand Prix Circuit. The Senna is one of the lightest and most driver-focused cars McLaren has ever built, with uncompromised performance and aerodynamics that unleash their true capabilities on the racetrack.
Rivals Event Car Track Dates (5pm PT) Featured Spec Any Forza Touring Car VIR - Full May 15 - June 12 VIP – Mano a Mano 2014 BAC Mono Yas Marina - South May 15 - June 12 Celebrate Senna’s Legacy With McLaren 2018 McLaren Senna Silverstone - GP May 29 - June 26 Spotlight – Ginetta 2019 Ginetta G40 Junior Brands Hatch - Indy May 15 - May 22 Spotlight - Porsche 2015 Porsche Cayman GTS Mugello - Club May 22 - May 29 Spotlight - Caterham 2013 Caterham Superlight R500 Grand Oak - Club May 29 - June 5 Spotlight - Elemental 2019 Elemental RP1 Lime Rock - Full June 5 - June 12 GAME FIXES AND RELEASE NOTES
The content update begins rolling out after 10am PT on May 13, 2024. See the full Release Notes at Forza Support. 51
If you experience any issues with the content update installation we recommend that you quit out of your game and restart your device. If this does not solve the issue please report it in FM Report New Issues. Any game crashing issues should be reported directly at Forza Support so the team can investigate your account.”

Grand revival :D The greatest that will be is making a comeback.
You might be asking yourself: What sort of place is Night City? Well, Night City is the place where the lawless and wealthy rule with an iron vise. Where the morally grey run rampant in the streets while the top 1% sit in their pristine "ivory towers" and watch over the rest of the unfortunate in total safety. Crime? A daily occurence, another regular day for everyone and as easy as breathing for most. Guns? Everybody has to one-up another. Bring an AJAX? Someone is bound to have an HMG. Friends? It's best to keep an eye watching your back before someone sticks a knife in it. It's a dog-eat-dog kind of place in Night City.
So why do people come to Night City? Is it to seek fortune and status? Or to escape from their old lives? Perhaps they are simply here in the endless corp rat race. In this God-forsaken city, you can be anyone. Do anything. Whether you choose to run the Net, become a lawman, carve your name into the underbelly of Night City's merc business, blow shit up, or just simply want to sightsee, you can be anyone.That's what Night City is. The city of dreams.
So, who will you be, choom?
————
Here's what you can expect from Elysium: —> Phantom Liberty-friendly! Don't own Phantom Liberty? Explore Dogtown in Elysium! —> Both server-wide and individually-driven lore —> Friendly and accepting community —> Constantly improving to give you the best possible server experience —> Active owner (Feel free to ping them for help! They'll answer!) —> New to Cyberpunk? We'll help! —> Clean and streamlined roleplaying channels —> Community-made factions —> No limits on creativity
Here's the current Work-In-Progress features that you can expect in the future: —> Simple to understand, but deep combat system built from the ground up —> Quest and raiding system —> Character inventory system —> Community-made custom Iconic equipment —> Community-made shops and shop items

Grand revival :D The greatest that will be is making a comeback.
You might be asking yourself: What sort of place is Night City? Well, Night City is the place where the lawless and wealthy rule with an iron vise. Where the morally grey run rampant in the streets while the top 1% sit in their pristine "ivory towers" and watch over the rest of the unfortunate in total safety. Crime? A daily occurence, another regular day for everyone and as easy as breathing for most. Guns? Everybody has to one-up another. Bring an AJAX? Someone is bound to have an HMG. Friends? It's best to keep an eye watching your back before someone sticks a knife in it. It's a dog-eat-dog kind of place in Night City.
So why do people come to Night City? Is it to seek fortune and status? Or to escape from their old lives? Perhaps they are simply here in the endless corp rat race. In this God-forsaken city, you can be anyone. Do anything. Whether you choose to run the Net, become a lawman, carve your name into the underbelly of Night City's merc business, blow shit up, or just simply want to sightsee, you can be anyone.That's what Night City is. The city of dreams.
So, who will you be, choom?
————
Here's what you can expect from Elysium: —> Phantom Liberty-friendly! Don't own Phantom Liberty? Explore Dogtown in Elysium! —> Both server-wide and individually-driven lore —> Friendly and accepting community —> Constantly improving to give you the best possible server experience —> Active owner (Feel free to ping them for help! They'll answer!) —> New to Cyberpunk? We'll help! —> Clean and streamlined roleplaying channels —> Community-made factions —> No limits on creativity
Here's the current Work-In-Progress features that you can expect in the future: —> Simple to understand, but deep combat system built from the ground up —> Quest and raiding system —> Character inventory system —> Community-made custom Iconic equipment —> Community-made shops and shop items

Grand revival :D The greatest that will be is making a comeback.
You might be asking yourself: What sort of place is Night City? Well, Night City is the place where the lawless and wealthy rule with an iron vise. Where the morally grey run rampant in the streets while the top 1% sit in their pristine "ivory towers" and watch over the rest of the unfortunate in total safety. Crime? A daily occurence, another regular day for everyone and as easy as breathing for most. Guns? Everybody has to one-up another. Bring an AJAX? Someone is bound to have an HMG. Friends? It's best to keep an eye watching your back before someone sticks a knife in it. It's a dog-eat-dog kind of place in Night City.
So why do people come to Night City? Is it to seek fortune and status? Or to escape from their old lives? Perhaps they are simply here in the endless corp rat race. In this God-forsaken city, you can be anyone. Do anything. Whether you choose to run the Net, become a lawman, carve your name into the underbelly of Night City's merc business, blow shit up, or just simply want to sightsee, you can be anyone.That's what Night City is. The city of dreams.
So, who will you be, choom?
————
Here's what you can expect from Elysium:
—> Phantom Liberty-friendly! Don't own Phantom Liberty? Explore Dogtown in Elysium! —> Both server-wide and individually-driven lore —> Friendly and accepting community —> Constantly improving to give you the best possible server experience —> Active owner (Feel free to ping them for help! They'll answer!) —> New to Cyberpunk? We'll help! —> Clean and streamlined roleplaying channels —> Community-made factions —> No limits on creativity
Here's the current Work-In-Progress features that you can expect in the future: —> Simple to understand, but deep combat system built from the ground up —> Quest and raiding system —> Character inventory system —> Community-made custom Iconic equipment —> Community-made shops and shop items

We are working on a list of FREE marketing tools for dropshippers to use in their stores and marketing campaigns. Comment any free marketing tools, apps, plugins, etc... you have found useful in your efforts. When we update the Beginner's Guide to Dropshipping this list will be included.
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Powered by the latest OpenAI GPT's this free chatbot can help you write content or come up with ideas.
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Submit a coupon to this Chrome Extension to improve checkout rates.
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Tell the story of your store on Magellan Commerce. Will rank for you brand name in Google and help you convert branded searches to shoppers.

Shopify Specific Tools

13. Shopify's Offset App - https://apps.shopify.com/offset
Calculates the cost to offset your shipping emissions and uses money to fund environmental initiatives.
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Automatically sets up and runs Google Shopping Ads accounts at no charge to you, but they take a % cut of each sale. is also only compatible with stores in these countries: United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, or Norway.

WARNING: This is long as shit. Scroll down if you want to see a TLDR.
Look I’m not going to front and say that I don’t prefer Kendrick to Drake. He’s made two of my top three favorite projects ever even if Drake does have a decent share of projects in that list as well (In order being NWTS, IYRTITL, Views with that last one being a fair bit lower than the others). However I don’t think I’m so unreasonably biased for or against one party that my input is invalid. I’ve always gave Drake his flowers for the disses he released throughout the beef and you can check my post/comment history if you want to verify that. I’ve always been honest with how I felt regarding the big 3 and have had my fair share of criticisms regarding Kendrick. I’m going to break this into three sections. What he did right, what he did wrong, and what he should have done in certain scenarios. With that being said, let’s start with the good.
WHAT DRAKE DID WELL

1. Controlling the Narrative Around Kendrick’s Silence - From the release of Push Ups until Euphoria, Drake was doing great manipulating public perception. ‘Dropping’ Push Ups and then hitting a back to back with Taylor Made was a great move. It pissed Kendrick off, showed how low Drake was willing to go, and made people scrutinize Kendrick for not responding. Pair that with his constant trolling on IG and Drake had people looking at Kendrick worse for not dropping within a week than they did at Drake for not dropping within three. Combine that with having his team push the AI Kendrick song as real for days alongside his other antics and he was up in most people’s eyes for over two weeks.
2. Great Rapping - I’ve always been on Drake for his inconsistency when it come to his rapping quality on his recent albums. Way I’ve seen it he’s an A student who consistently turns in C+ songs because he knows he can get away with it. But every single project he’ll come out with at least one song that reminds me that when Drake is on he’s a top tier MC. With diss tracks, Drake never has that dip in quality. Look at his catalogue. Back to Back, Duppy Freestyle, Family Matters. Except for Charged Up (and a track from this beef I’ll be getting to in a later section) Drake hasn’t released a bad diss track that I can remember. He did a lot of stuff that I really loved here. He absolutely beat Kendrick when it came to the MJ/Prince flips. He consistently had double and triple entendres throughout his best songs and generally didn’t feel overwhelmed or outmatched from a solely lyrical perspective against another all timer. While I expected him to cook, Drake surprised a lot of people with how good he was here.
3. Making the 20v1 Narrative - Drake was smart when it came to how he played this (At least initially but we’ll get back to that). He fed into the Thanos narrative really well on Push Ups and demonstrated exactly why the vast majority of the rappers dissing him waited until someone like Kendrick was leading the charge to say anything about Drake. It really felt like he was taking on the industry by himself and that gosh darn it he was holding his own at worst and winning in the eyes of a lot of people. He made sure to address everyone who came for him on Push Ups and while he didn’t destroy anyone’s career or anything, they were all solid shots and he definitively put himself in the lead.
4. Moments - Drake had a lot of iconic moments throughout the beef. Whether it was telling Metro to shut his hoe ass up and play some drums or crushing the GKMC van or even the first moments when AI Pac and Snoop hopped on Taylor Made, there’s a lot of stuff that got people talking on Drake’s end. A lot of these moments are going to be talked about for years to come and even if not on a wider scale, members of his fanbase will appreciate them for decades to come. Creating moments is one of the most important strategies when having a battle in this day and age. Virality is oftentimes the judgment by which outsiders will judge the beef by when the credits roll.
5. Underhandedness - While it might not seem like a positive, rap beef is rap beef. Lying, low blows and smear campaigns aren’t just accepted but encouraged. You and your opponent are essentially doing your best to try and ruin the other person’s image as much as possible and Drake showed that if nothing else he had the stomach to do whatever it takes to piss of Kendrick and play to the crowd. AI Tupac, baiting Kendrick by mentioning Whitney, making fun of Kendrick for being “abused” etc. While the success of these tactics varied MASSIVELY, I appreciated the fact that Drake showed that for him all restraints were off from the get go.
6. Keeping a few consistent Narratives - Now Drake picked up and put down a lot of angles throughout this beef but he stuck to his guns throughout the latter half on two things, Whitney was cheating on Kendrick and that Kendrick was an abuser. And while he never really got those narratives to stick as much as the ones levied against him, they’re still out there in the public consciousness and he kept the story consistent from Family Matters to the Heart Part 6. If nothing else he kept the allegations in people’s mind and caused people to question Kendrick’s character more.

WHERE DRAKE MESSED UP

1. Overplaying the 20v1 Narrative - Look it was pretty obvious based on the music video and the teaser at the end of Push Ups that Family Matters was at the very least conceptualized before the release of Push Ups. While there were a few modifications like the whole “Nigga I said it I know that you’re mad”, this track would have been thought up while We Still Don’t Trust You was fresh in Drakes mind. As a result he played into the 20v1 narrative heavily. However by the time of Family Matters actually releasing, the only person who responded to Push Ups other than Kendrick was Rick Ross. Euphoria and 6:16 in LA had just dropped and it was pretty clear now that Kendrick was the main threat and who Drake needed to be worried about. Think about how many people were calling Drake Thanos and talking about him taking on the industry after Push Ups released vs in the lead up to Family Matters. He did not need to waste the best beat on Family Matters dissing A$AP fucking Rocky.
2. Underestimating Kendrick - Look let’s be honest for a second. Family Matters was the red button. It had a music video, Got teased on Push Ups, Drake called the beef twice in the second verse plus he announced his leave, and the Heart Part 6 mostly stuck to the same digs at Kendrick. If Drake still had a red button, the Heart Part 6 never gets dropped and we’re all better for it. The issue is that when Drake tried to 8 Mile himself by predicting Kendrick taking the pedo angle on Taylor Made, Drake didn’t actually have a decent response set up as we saw, he was just hoping the nigga would scrap the idea and use something else since he thought mentioning it first would take the sting out of it. When Kendrick predicted Drake saying stuff about his family on Euphoria, it’s because he had something prepared if he did. Drake figured that Kendrick was trying to do the same thing as him and get ahead of the familial problems angle without having a decent response if it went there which is why he still banked on Family Matters being enough. He had no real plan for what to do if Family Matters didn’t kill Kendrick and he certainly didn’t have one for what to do if Kendrick dropped 20 minutes later and overshadowed his release.
3. Making his lies too obvious - Look, this is a rap battle not a court room. The vast majority of claims made on either side are made by someone who has all the motivation in the world to lie about their opponent and isn’t required to give any evidence. Unverified claims are the backbone of most diss tracks. And I’m going to assume a decent amount of those are lies. However the problem Drake had throughout this beef, especially on his last two tracks is that he didn’t just make claims that are unverified but impossible to disprove, he made a bunch of claims that anybody with google or common sense can prove are straight up lies. Drake calling Kendrick an abuser can’t ever be truly disproven, nor can Kendrick saying Drake is a diaper sniper. But Kendrick not giving back to Compton is an easily searchable lie. So is Baby Keem writing Kendrick’s best stuff considering he wasn’t an adult for four of his five studio albums. So is Kendrick not having gang ties. So is Kendrick being molested on Mother I Sober. And as of a couple days ago so is Drake planting the evidence from the cover art of Meet the Grahams and of the secret daughter. A lot of what Kendrick has said is similarly unverified and unreliable but almost none of it is definitively without a shadow of a doubt proven to be false. Now that doesn’t make it true in the slightest but it does make Drake look goofy when he’s talking about all his stuff being facts when he gets caught definitively lying so often. If you’re going to lie on someone, make sure it can’t be debunked.
4. Failing to Consider Public Perception - Drake has always been a very controversial figure in Hip Hop. Whether it be in the early days where people were after him for being too lightskin or too soft or the present where he’s being lambasted for a variety of reasons (some more/less valid than others), he’s never been universally liked at least as a person. Drake is no stranger to controversy and has moved pretty suspiciously both behind the scenes and to our faces. It’s safe to say that while way more people love than hate Drake, he’s polarizing in a way Kendrick isn’t. Prior to Like That the worst thing anyone really said about Kendrick was that they weren’t fans of his music. So when he comes out and says stuff about Drake, it seems more real because Kendrick has no real marks on his credibility the way Drake does. Furthermore when Kendrick alleges that Drake has a secret daughter or likes kids, there’s a lot of heavily publicized behavior of Drake’s that doesn’t confirm but does lend credence to the allegations in a way Kendrick’s doesn’t. Now obviously Drake has a much more public personal life than Kendrick and for all we know the latter actually is a monster behind closed doors while Drake just got caught in a series of unfortunate events. But when one party is already controversial and has a history of consistently weird behavior with underage girls, has a well documented record of promiscuity, and already got one kid exposed in a rap beef and the other has a rather spotless public image as well as nothing supporting the DV case but an allegation from 10+ years ago that got no attention from any major media outlets and that had a lot of pretty obvious holes, the public is a lot more likely to believe one crime happened over the other.
5. The Heart Part 6 - It seems to age worse literally every day it’s out at this point. It’s probably the first or second most poorly received track released since the start of this conflict and my personal least favorite. The big reveal of him secretly manipulating Kendrick sounded like bullshit when it first dropped. If he had the proof, he could have just made it the cover art instead of the Dave Free comment (if it was audio he could have sampled it). He could have won right there. He could have posted it on his story instead of just repeating ‘I don’t have a daughter’ in the face of Meet the Grahams. Anything instead of let two extremely well received diss tracks drop on his head and let a record breaking song come out saying he doesn’t go easy on the young ones. Even if he were telling the truth he’d look like a total goober not a war general. But with everything that came to light with that EbonyPrince2k24 account it’s now a fact Drake lied about planting the evidence and even Akademiks corroborated that. He also came with zero new evidence of his claims on Family Matters which on its own wouldn’t matter since, again, it’s a rap battle. But it rings pretty hollow when he’s seen as less reliable as Kendrick already by the public and he himself is asking for proof from Kendrick and claiming that “All [his] shit is facts”. Probably one of the worst things he did here was also how he defended himself from the allegations of being a baby bandit. A diaper sniper. Catching a bad case of “Teenage Fever”. Being P. Drizzy if you will. I mean aside from all the weird stuff about Kendrick hating child molesters because he was molested as a child (which would have been a bad angle even if it wasn’t easily disprovable), saying that you’re too rich and famous to be a creep is asinine. Weinstein, Epstein, R. Kelly, P. Diddy, Mick Jagger, MJ, Cosby etc. All got away with their depravity for decades before there ever came any mass movement to depose them with most of these guys having careers well after the first allegations were levied with their downfall only coming when their accusers numbered in the low dozens and they were mostly geriatric despite these crimes going back in some case to their twenties. In fact the majority of weirdos you hear about are the higher ups in politics/entertainment etc. It’s such a weird thing to say in your own defense.
6. Gassing Out - It’s very clear what the gameplan was based on Drake’s actions looking back. Put Kendrick in a position where he needed to respond (hopefully with his supposed nuke) then clap back with Family Matters to secure a definitive win in the public eye before riding off into the sunset and taking a much needed vacation. He probably had that break planned before he even dropped his first track. That’s is not what happened. Drake dropped as many tracks in the span of the past four weeks as Kendrick dropped in the span of four days with the latter seemingly upbeat and raring to go on his last track whereas Drake seemed low energy and unceremoniously ended things on the Heart Part 6. Compare his attitude on the Heart Part 6 vs on Taylor Made Freestyle and the difference is very clear. Drake wanted a short and simple battle where he baited a beatable response and then slammed it with Family Matters ala Story of Adidon. Instead he was put in a position where not even 20 minutes after he’d dropped he was already back on the defensive and then a day later got hit with a back to back a lot nastier than even the actual Charged Up/Back to Back combo with the promise of more on the way if Drake didn’t back out. Drake wanted out since Family Matters but if he left the game for a while without responding to Kendrick’s two tracks he’d look like he totally pussed out even if he announced his leave before Meet the Grahams/Not Like Us were released. There was never supposed be a Heart Part 6 and it shows a little too obviously in his voice and lyrics on the track which to an outside observer doesn’t seem strong.

WHAT DRAKE SHOULD HAVE DONE: He should have lied about stuff that was harder to dispute instead of things that could be disproven by any bum with an internet connection and access to Genius. He should have also tailored Family Matters to solely focus on Kendrick with at most a few Ross bars and no one else being mentioned. He could also have put out another bait track heavily mentioning the Duckworth household but only hinting at what he knows hoping to draw out something like Meet the Grahams before releasing Family Matters. He also should have never dropped the Heart Part 6. Legitimately musical silence was the best option if it ever got to that point. Just make a PR statement denying the allegations, leave the beef behind, and go on about your life. This was not totally unwinnable but Drake really messed up tactically towards the end of the beef.
TLDR: Drake did a good job of manipulating the crowd and creating a strong narrative for himself during the weeks from Push Ups to Euphoria, lost momentum for a few days with the release of Kendrick’s first set of tracks, regained it with Family Matters and then shit the bed tactically from then on. This wasn’t an unwinnable fight, he just made bad some very poor decisions towards the end.