Giovanni Pernice makes ruthless decision as he returns to British TV: ‘We have to split’

January 5, 2025

Former Strictly star Giovanni Pernice has admitted that he was willing to ditch friend Kai Widdrington in an attempt to win Celebrity Hunted.

The Italian dancer has teamed up with Kai for the Channel 4 show and marks his return to British TV after competing on Strictly for the last time in 2023.

Giovanni remained in the headlines last year after a long investigation took place about his behaviour behind the scenes on Strictly. In the end, the BBC cleared Giovanni of physical aggression towards his dance partner Amanda Abbington. However, the corporation upheld six of the 17 complaints.

Celebrity Hunted marks Giovanni’s first UK TV show since Strictly (Credit: YouTube)

Giovanni Pernice to star in Celebrity Hunted

The premise of the show sees the pair compete against five other famous pairings being chased across the UK by a team of former cops. Known for his competitive personality, Giovanni has confessed that he’s willing to ditch his pal Kai to improve his chances of winning.

“It was super stressful. Me and Kai are the best of mates, but I’m very competitive and he is not at the same level when it comes to competitiveness. In fact, you will see we split up. I was thinking, I want to win this, but Kai was thinking about where we could stay that was nice.

“He was like: ‘Here is cool, it’s relaxed, it’s warm, let’s eat.’ And I was like: ‘I don’t need to eat. I don’t want to be warm. I want to escape the Hunters!’”

Giovanni Pernice and Kai Widdrington running — Giovanni reveals he and Kai ‘split up’ during their mission (Credit: Channel 4)

‘There were a few times we nearly got caught’

During their mission, Giovanni revealed there were “a few times we nearly got caught”. As a result, he told Kai that they needed to split up because Giovanni “really wanted to win this”. As a result, Kai agreed to the decision. But will it pay off?

Following their time on the show, he believes viewers will learn more about what he and Kai are like away from Strictly.

“We bicker and argue like an old married couple. Hopefully it’s going to be entertaining. But it is genuinely us being ourselves. It’s not put on,” Giovanni said.

Celebrity Hunted stars Sunday (January 5) on Channel 4 at 9pm.

Read more: Strictly star Giovanni Pernice ‘confirms’ new romance with show co-star Bianca Guaccero

Celebrity Hunted | Official Trailer | Channel 4

So how to you think they’ll get on? Tell us on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.

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Nikki Glaser Expects to Be ‘Canceled’ After Hosting Golden Globes

Metaverse Fashion Week Online

January 5, 2025

Nikki Glaser Expects to Be ‘Canceled’ After Hosting Golden Globes

Is Nikki Glaser about to get canceled?

The comic has a long history of pushing the envelope with her edgy standup performances.

But she worries she might finally take things too far when she hosts the Golden Globes tonight.

Nikki Glaser attends the 5th Annual Jam For Janie GRAMMY Awards Viewing Party at Hollywood Palladium on February 4, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Elyse Jankowski/Getty Images)

Back in August, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Nikki would be the emcee for Hollywood’s most irreverent award show.

And right off the bat, the host assured fans that she would not go easy on Hollywood’s best and brightest.

Nikki Glaser Announces Golden Globes Gig

“I am absolutely thrilled to be hosting the Golden Globes,” Glaser wrote in a statement to the outlet.

“It’s one of my favorite nights of television and now I get a front row seat (actually, I think I have to host from the stage).

Nikki Glaser attends the 25th Annual Mark Twain Prize For American Humor at The Kennedy Center on March 24, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)

“The Golden Globes is not only a huge night for TV and film but also for comedy. It’s one of the few times that show business not only allows but encourages itself to be lovingly mocked (at least I hope so),” she continued.

“(God I hope so.) It’s an exciting, yet challenging gig because it’s live, unpredictable and in front of Hollywood’s biggest stars (who also might be getting wasted while seated next to their recent exes).”

Recent Globes hosts have generated more controversy than laughs.

Nikki Glaser attends Netflix Is A Joke Festival: Outside Joke at Hollywood Palladium on May 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images for Netflix)

And while Nikki is obviously hoping to reverse that trend, she also has no intention of playing it safe.

Nikki Glaser Says She Might Get ‘Canceled’ For Globes Jokes

“Some of my favorite jokes of all time have come from past Golden Globes opening monologues when Tina [Fey], Amy [Poehler] or Ricky [Gervais] have said exactly what we all didn’t know we desperately needed to hear,” she said in her statement.

“I just hope to continue in that time-honored tradition (that might also get me canceled).

“This is truly a dream job. Plus, I no longer have to feel guilty for every TV show and movie I’ve binged over the past year. It was all worth it. (Below Deck: Sailing Yacht Season Four will be nominated, right?)”

Nikki Glaser attends the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Sadly, the Below Deck franchise will probably go un-nominated yet again.

But there’s still plenty to be excited about, as one of the comedy world’s sharpest and most unpredictable talents prepares to roast Hollywood’s biggest stars.

As her work at the recent Tom Brady roast reminded us, Nikki is not a fan of holding back.

So while we hope she won’t get canceled, we also hope she won’t pull any punches with her celebrity audience.

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This Week in Crypto Games: Hamster Kombat ‘HamsterVerse’, Telegram Game Airdrop Updates – Decrypt

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January 5, 2025

This Week in Crypto Games: Hamster Kombat ‘HamsterVerse’, Telegram Game Airdrop Updates – Decrypt

The crypto and NFT gaming space is busier than ever lately, what with prominent games starting to release, token airdrops piling up, and a seemingly constant array of other things happening at all times. It’s a lot to take in!

Luckily, Decrypt’s GG is all over it. And if you need a quick way to get caught up on the latest moves around crypto video games, we’re happy to present This Week in Crypto Games.

Our weekend roundup serves up the biggest news from the past week-plus—this is an extended edition due to the holidays—along with a few other tidbits you might have missed.

Biggest news

Hamster Kombat TON layer-2: After the fourth-largest gaming token launch of 2024, the makers of Telegram tap-to-earn game Hamster Kombat revealed plans to create a layer-2 network on top of The Open Network (TON).

This came after a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) vote overwhelmingly voted in favor of the move, with 1.1 billion HMSTR token voting power in favor and just 104,368 against. However, it’s worth noting that the top two voters hold over 88% of all voting power as of this writing, giving a couple of whales immense influence.

Prior to this, the devs announced that Hamster Kombat’s hotly anticipated (and much-delayed) second season will be “more than just a game,” with three games now in the works to become the core of an entertainment ecosystem using the IP. Called HamsterVerse, a closed beta is already underway for 30,000 community members.

📋IT’S CLOSED-BETA TESTING TIME 📋

Excited to announce that we have chosen 30,000 community users who will help us and participate in Closed-Beta Testing of Season 2/HamsterVerse!

All the invites were sent through the Hamster Kombat bot on Telegram.

If you haven’t received… pic.twitter.com/X3TqyaTOIR

— Hamster Kombat (@hamster_kombat) December 28, 2024

Off the Grid stands tall: As the end of the year dawned, Avalanche-based shooter Off the Grid raked in some media accolades. Not only did it win GG’s Game of the Year, but the battle royale shooter also won Gam3s’ Game of the Year award and made it to a Rolling Stone year-end gaming list.

Gunzilla Games shared its 2025 plans with Decrypt alongside the GOTY honors. Most notably, this includes an estimated Q1 2025 date for its GUNZ network to enter mainnet, which would enable its GUN token to be freely traded. Before then, the studio wants to launch ranked and solo queue modes, and open up the remaining 80% of the map while kicking off the game’s storyline.

After that, Gunzilla will be looking to onboard third-party developers to the GUNZ network, and is even eying a possible Telegram mini app for the ecosystem. It should be a big year for one of crypto gaming’s biggest success stories to date.

Illuvium’s next steps: Crypto gaming franchise Illuvium announced how it will be moving forward in the new year. The project previously launched three titles that fed into each other, both through shared resources and a narrative loop—but focusing on all three titles has been too challenging. Going forward, the team will prioritize efforts on one game at a time, starting with the auto-battler Illuvium Arena.

The lengthy blog post also touches on plans to reduce microtransactions, add more content, and raise more funding. Perhaps most significantly, the post ponders the possibility of temporarily shutting down the flagship title Illuvium Overworld until it is a “fully realized experience.” But coming into 2025, improving the Overworld MMO experience is said to be the Illuvium team’s “top priority.”

ICYMI

Telegram game Catizen distributed rewards to airdrop pass holders on Friday, which saw holders receive three different tokens.
Iconic gaming brand Atari revealed a new handheld console, the “My Arcade.”
Zoo, a surging Telegram game with over 12 million players, confirmed that its mining phase will end on January 31 and that one in-game ZOO token will be equal to one future on-chain token.
Sonic SVM confirmed that players of its TikTok tap-to-earn game will receive a SONIC airdrop on the Solana blockchain.

Crypto trading card game Parallel crossed 6 million games played in the history of its existence, with developers claiming that it currently averages 200,000 games a week.
Telegram game Cat Gold Miner announced that its token will be listed on Bitget, Gate, MEXC, and other exchanges on Thursday, January 9.
Someone turned the iconic first-person shooter Doom into a CAPTCHA human verification challenge.

GG spotlight

Here are a few of our original stories from this past couple weeks that we think are well worth a weekend read:

Edited by Andrew Hayward

GG Newsletter

Get the latest web3 gaming news, hear directly from gaming studios and influencers covering the space, and receive power-ups from our partners.

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Fortnite is bringing

Gaming

Metaverse Fashion Week Online

January 5, 2025

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you’re reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here

Fortnite has transcended the boundaries of gaming, evolving into a cultural juggernaut that effortlessly integrates into the world of real-life merchandise. Epic Games has forged exciting partnerships with leading brands such as Hasbro that have transformed in-game items into real-world collectibles, including Nerf blasters inspired by the legendary Scar and Rocket Launcher.

Epic Games has thrilled its fanbase by bringing beloved in-game cosmetics to life, transforming iconic items like Pickaxes and Boogie Bomb into toys that are ideal for cosplay. In another crossover, lifestyle collaborations such as Fortnite-themed Crocs seamlessly integrate the game’s striking visuals into everyday fashion, allowing players to embody the vibrant spirit.

Recent leaks in the gaming community indicate that Epic is gearing up to elevate the experience with the launch of “Kicks,” an in-game footwear cosmetic that’s set to bridge the gap between virtual and real-world shoes. Rumors are swirling about an upcoming collaboration with a leading footwear brand, igniting a wave of anticipation among fans.

Fortnite-themed Adidas kicks leaked to hit shelves and Item Shop

According to trusted leaker Loolo, Fortnite is releasing four new shoes with leading footwear brand Adidas on March 22, 2025. The limited-edition shoes will be released in all Adidas outlets and website, as well as will also arrive in the Fortnite Item Shop as Kicks cosmetics.

Fortnite Adidas collab shoes — Four new Fortnite-themed Adidas shoes are releasing soon. Image by Loolo.

The four shoes leaked are as follows:

Battle Ready shoes with Imagined Order and Storm Chasers design with yellow and black stripes.

Fishstick-themed Orange shoes with Fishstick’s eyeballs stuck near the shoe foxing.

Llama-themed shoes with golden Adidas stripes and a Gold Victory Crown Llama near the shoe collar linings.

Peely themed shoes with a detachable yellow “peelable” cover using a zipper.

After the leak went viral on social media, several Fortnite players had an opinion on their design as well as the release. One such player wrote, “They look somewhat cool but they look like kid sizing. Although I’m interested in the vic royale shoe.”

Another chimed in, “I was like nah but then I saw Fishstick eyes and was like oop!” A third player said, “They would be fools not to include a code to redeem the shoes in-game with the purchase of the real shoes.”

While it isn’t clear whether the owners of the physical shoes would receive a redeemable code for the same in-game Kicks, players are still quite skeptical about spending money on the in-game cosmetic item due to their high pricing in the shop.

Three characters overlooking a vibrant, lush video game landscape with rivers, fields, and distant towns under a clear blue sky.

Fortnite

Platform(s):
Android, iOS, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X

Genre(s):
Action, Massively Multiplayer, Shooter

9
VideoGamer

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Elon Musk’s Revolutionary Vision Unveiled as Bitcoin Approaches $100k | Web3Wire

Web3

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January 5, 2025

Elon Musk’s Revolutionary Vision Unveiled as Bitcoin Approaches 0k | Web3Wire

“`html

The financial world was set abuzz in January 2025 as a massive leak—dubbed the “X Money Leak”—uncovered an ambitious plan by Elon Musk. This revelation comes at a time when Bitcoin is on the cusp of reaching a historic $100,000 mark. Musk, a name synonymous with innovation, is said to have a groundbreaking project that could transform the dynamics of digital assets, shaking the very foundation of how we perceive cryptocurrency.

Understanding the X Money Leak

The leaked documents revealed an extensive plan by Elon Musk, centered around a new type of digital asset strategy. Dubbed as the “X Money” initiative, this project is designed to leverage the global influence of existing Musk ventures while fostering unprecedented synergy within the cryptocurrency market. According to insiders, Musk aims to seamlessly integrate digital currency transactions with his high-profile companies like SpaceX and Tesla, facilitating a more fluid adoption of blockchain technology across industries.

The Role of Tesla and SpaceX

Central to the X Money strategy are Musk’s flagships—Tesla and SpaceX. These companies have been at the forefront of technological advancement and are ideally positioned to play pivotal roles.

Tesla: Already a player in the crypto space with previous Bitcoin investments, Tesla could implement a new payment system built around X Money, allowing seamless transactions for car purchases and energy products.SpaceX: As an aerospace giant, SpaceX is primed to utilize blockchain technology for secure, efficient contracts and logistics management. Envisioning a future where digital currency supports interstellar commerce is part of Musk’s grand vision.

The Implications of Bitcoin Nearing $100k

As Bitcoin inches towards the symbolic $100,000 threshold, this milestone marks a critical moment not only for investors but for the broader acceptance of cryptocurrencies. Here’s why:

Mainstream Adoption: A significant Bitcoin price signals broad acceptance by both retail and institutional investors, increasing confidence in digital assets.Market Dynamics: Enhanced valuations bring intensified market scrutiny, regulation talks, and, potentially, refined industry standards.Technological Advancements: The surge in Bitcoin’s price could drive more innovators and technologists towards exploring blockchain, hence pushing further developments.

Elon Musk’s Influence on Cryptocurrency

Musk is no stranger to the realm of cryptocurrency. His tweets and business decisions have historically sparked market movements. Here’s a look at how Musk has previously impacted the crypto landscape:

Promotion and Tweets: Musk’s endorsement of Bitcoin and Dogecoin on social media platforms usually results in immediate price reactions—both positive and negative.Investment Decisions: Tesla’s decision to invest in Bitcoin influenced other corporations to consider digital assets as part of their treasury strategy.Tech Advocacy: By advocating for sustainable energy solutions in crypto mining, Musk aligns technological advancements with environmental consciousness.

The Potential Impact of X Money

The X Money initiative, as outlined in the leaks, has the potential to serve as a cornerstone for a new era in digital finance. Here’s how:

Interoperability: By enabling various cryptocurrencies to interact seamlessly, X Money aims to tackle one of the biggest challenges in the crypto space.Scalability: Musk’s approach could address scalability issues, making crypto transactions faster and more efficient, thus supporting higher volumes.Regulatory Alignment: Building a platform compliant with global regulations may streamline crypto’s adoption in everyday transactions.

Challenges and Future Prospects

However, this revolutionary plan does not come without challenges:

Regulatory Hurdles: Navigating the complexities of various international regulations would be a significant undertaking.Technological Innovation: Consistent advancements are necessary to overcome potential technical challenges related to security and transaction processing speed.Market Reaction: The cryptocurrency market is notoriously volatile, and any initiative of this magnitude will undoubtedly influence market sentiments.

Despite the challenges, if successful, the X Money initiative could set a precedent for entrepreneur-led innovations in digital currencies, potentially elevating Musk’s influence to new heights.

Conclusion

Elon Musk’s game-changing plan, illuminated by the X Money leak, represents a significant pivot point for the cryptocurrency community as Bitcoin nears the audacious $100k price milestone. The integration of digital currencies within Musk’s sprawling business empire underscores a commitment to technological advancement and financial innovation. Whether the X Money initiative will achieve its ambitious goals remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Musk is set on leaving an indelible mark on the future of digital finance.

Stay tuned as we continue to follow this groundbreaking development and its unfolding impact on the digital asset landscape.

“`

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Camila Cabello Packs on PDA with Henry Junior Chalhoub in St. Barts

Metaverse Fashion Week Online

January 5, 2025

Camila Cabello Packs on PDA with Henry Junior Chalhoub in St. Barts

Camila Cabello has made waves — literally — by going public with her boyfriend, Henry Junior Chalhoub, during a romantic beach day in the Caribbean waters.

The 27-year-old singer was photographed over the weekend showing off her figure in a chic brown and white bikini as she passionately kissed and frolicked in the waters of St. Barts with her wealthy businessman boyfriend.

Camila Cabello Henry Junior Chalhoub kissing st barts

The couple, who have been rumored to be romantically linked since November, were completely smitten as they kissed, held hands, laughed, and soaked up the sun. This marks the first time the pair has seemingly confirmed their relationship, putting an end to months of speculation.

Luigi Mangione-INLINE-MONDAY

The duo was first linked when they were spotted together at an Elie Saab fashion show after-party in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, late last year. Until now, the couple has kept things under wraps, avoiding the spotlight.

Camila Cabello Henry Junior Chalhoub kissing st barts

Cabello, who famously dated Shawn Mendes, appears to have found new happiness with Chalhoub. While neither has officially commented on their relationship, their PDA-packed beach day speaks volumes.

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Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Hope Pushed Aside, Steffy Invades, and Luna Lurks Next Week

Metaverse Fashion Week Online

January 5, 2025

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Hope Pushed Aside, Steffy Invades, and Luna Lurks Next Week

Bold and the Beautiful stirs things up with Hope Logan, Steffy Forrester, and Luna Nozawa when pain, suffering, and intrigue emerge next week on the CBS soap.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Hope Logan’s Perfect Relationship Tested

Next week, Bold and the Beautiful shakes things up for Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) with Daphne Rose (Murielle Hilaire) in town. She is joining forces with Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) as part of his new vision for expanding Forrester Creations into other luxury brands.

Daphne’s French perfume is about to come on board. But this woman brings more than an elegant scent to FC. The Bold and the Beautiful spoilers suggest this new collaborator is about to start turmoil for Hope.

B&B | CBS

Hope Logan declares that her relationship with Carter is the real deal for her. Carter also shared his feelings of devoted love for Hope. But while he showers her with dialog about being his one and only, it sounds too familiar. B&B fans have heard this from him several times before.

Hope Logan is just one of several women who heard the same lines from Carter. Not long ago, he couldn’t live without Zoe Buckingham (Kiara Barnes), or Quinn Fuller (Rena Sofer). Of course, he also laid his spiel on thick to Katie Logan (Heather Barnes). He left Paris Buckingham (Diamond White) standing at the altar. But before he did, she also heard the same lines from him.

So, Bold and the Beautiful viewers have seen Carter switch gears in the blink of an eye. But he was usually the one being dumped. This time may turn out differently. B&B spoilers suggest that Carter is soon smitten by their French visitor.

Hints surface suggesting that Hope Logan could find herself in competition. Her relationship could soon hang in the balance as her soulmate’s eyes may start to wander.

B&B Spoilers: Steffy Forrester Concocts a Plan

The preview for Bold and the Beautiful next week has Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) rallying the troops. She suggests to her father that any member of the family can go into Forrester Creations.

So, if she can’t beat them, she will likely join them, but only to keep a watchful eye on things. Steffy’s ploy comes on the heels of Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) explaining why she became the new CEO. She gave Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) the lowdown on her plan. But, when he passes this along to Steffy Forrester, she likely won’t buy it.

Still, it could be enough to lure her back into the company to see what Brooke is up to. Stranger things have happened on Bold and the Beautiful, but Steffy might see Brooke meant what she said. This might end up as Steffy and Brooke forming a secret partnership to right the wrong of the takeover.

Then another storyline could take off from this point. Brooke would have to betray Hope with her plan. She wants to return the helm of FC to Ridge, Steffy, and Eric Forrester (John McCook), which she stated last week. So, this means Brooke will likely work against Hope. So by wanting the same thing Steffy wants, this could feel like a humongous betrayal to Hope.

Then, with the B&B spoilers suggesting an infatuation for Carter in the works, things could turn out awful for the Logan daughter. Hope could find herself without a man and her mother joining forces with her rival if the tide turns on the CBS soap.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Luna Nozawa Lurks in the Shadows

Bold and the Beautiful has a lurking house guest for Bill Spencer (Don Diamont), Luna Nozawa (Lisa Yamada). He’s given her strict orders that his home is her safe place. But only if she stays on the estate and no one can ever know that she is there.

So the preview next week has Luna in the shadows watching Bill meet his son’s girlfriend for the first time. Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) drops by with Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace). The preview shows Luna smiling as she hides while watching Bill and his son’s interaction.

Some Bold and the Beautiful fans see a sinister smile on Luna Nozawa’s face. Others see a new free Luna, soaking up the nicer things in life, despite being kept secretly behind the Spencer mansion gates.

Keeping this a secret probably won’t last for long. Luna will likely get bored and want a life like she once had. So, despite that ankle bracelet monitoring her location, she likely finds a way to unfasten it during the night when she should be stationary in bed.

This way, the monitor indicates she’s asleep in her room. But instead, she would be free to wander the town in the shadows. So, B&B fans see something creepy in Luna’s future.

So, it is probably just a matter of time before Luna Nozawa causes Bill Spencer to see the error of his ways on the CBS soap.

Head back to Soap Dirt for the latest Bold and the Beautiful spoilers.

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Get Ready to Experience a Tarantino-esque Adventure on Game Pass | TheXboxHub

Gaming

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January 5, 2025

Get Ready to Experience a Tarantino-esque Adventure on Game Pass | TheXboxHub

Buckle up, Game Pass subscribers for there is a single new addition to the ever-expanding library this coming week – and it’s a road trip you won’t want to miss.

Road 96, the critically acclaimed story-driven adventure from DigixArt Entertainment and Ravenscourt Games, is hitting Xbox Game Pass on January 7th, offering a unique experience for those who love a good story and a touch of the open road.

A Journey to Freedom

Originally released in 2022 and as we highlighted in our review of Road 96, this game is a “story-rich journey into the desert that will give you an opportunity to escape, in more ways than one.”

Set against the backdrop of authoritarian rule and oppression, Road 96 takes players on a procedurally generated road trip where they’ll encounter a diverse cast of characters, explore intriguing locations, and make choices that shape their own unique story.

Sound good? We’ve rounded up a ton of other Game Pass gems too, all of which released Day One during 2024.

Features That Will Make You Hit the Road

Ever-Evolving Story: Experience a narrative inspired by the works of Tarantino, the Coen Brothers, and Bong Joon-ho, filled with unexpected twists, turns, and memorable encounters.

Procedural Generation: No two playthroughs are the same, thanks to the game’s procedurally generated elements that create a unique and unpredictable journey every time.

Charming Characters: Meet a cast of quirky and memorable characters, each with their own stories, motivations, and secrets.

Choices That Matter: Make decisions that shape the course of the narrative and determine your fate and the fate of those you encounter.

Stunning Visuals: Immerse yourself in a beautiful and stylized world with vibrant colors and evocative landscapes.

Nostalgic Soundtrack: Enjoy a soundtrack filled with 90s hits that perfectly complement the game’s atmosphere and setting.

A Road Trip with Heart – now on Game Pass

Road 96 is more than just a game; it’s an exploration of freedom, resilience, and the human spirit. As you journey through the game’s world, you’ll encounter characters from all walks of life, each with their own struggles and aspirations.

The game’s narrative touches on themes of political oppression, social inequality, and the search for a better future. But don’t let that put you off – it’s a cracking playthrough.

A Game Pass Gem

With its addition to Game Pass, Road 96 becomes even more accessible to players who are eager to experience its unique blend of storytelling, adventure, and emotional depth. It’s a perfect choice for those who enjoy narrative-driven games and appreciate a touch of indie charm.

Road 96 is available from Jan 7th on Xbox Game Pass. Just head to the Xbox Store and nail the download you need. The game is playable on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

And once you’ve played through this one, consider the follow-up too. Road 96: Mile 0 isn’t quite as good, but it’s still worth checking out.

We’ll keep you in the loop as further Game Pass games are confirmed for 2025 release.

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NFT Recap 2024: What Happened In NFTs This Year?

Metaverse Fashion Week Online

January 5, 2025

NFT Recap 2024: What Happened In NFTs This Year?

January 2024: Mickey Mouse, $PIXEL and Bitcoin ETFs

2024 began by harkening back to the past, as an NFT collection using the now copyright-free Steamboat Willie Mickey Mouse character made waves.

The biggest story of the month was the long-awaited news that the U.S. SEC had finally approved spot Bitcoin ETFs.

On the business front, the IRS introduced new tax obligations, Logan Paul announced a controversial CryptoZoo NFT buyback scheme, and Visa launched a Web3 loyalty program. Also, X waved goodbye to PFP NFTs, Starbucks Korea kicked-off an NFT rewards program, and GameStop announced the closure of their NFT marketplace.

In token news, Pixels unveiled their hotly-anticipated $PIXEL token, the Moca Foundation announced the impending arrival of the $MOCA token, and Phantom held a surprise launch for the $WEN community token.

January also saw both Solana NFTs and Polygon NFTs overtake Ethereum in NFT trading for the first time – with the former also revealing their Solana Saga Chapter 2 mobile phone. Azuki surged in value amid rumors of a Weeb3 Foundation alliance, and they announced their Azuki anime series. Yuga Labs pushed Legends of the Mara to mobile, announced Dookey Dash Unclogged, and both revealed and remastered their Otherside Trip 3 trailer.

Elsewhere, CryptoUndeads minted out, Nifty Island entered open beta, Cool Cats partnered with Immutable, Axie Infinity launched their Homeland beta, Magic Eden introduced their multi-chain wallet, and Pudgy Penguins revealed OverpassIP.

The month also saw the debut of Nifty Notes – our now industry-leading weekly newsletter!

February 2024: ERC-404, Pudgy’s Rise and Record Sales

The biggest story of February 2024 saw Yuga Labs acquire PROOF Collective – with Yuga founder Greg Solano returning as CEO shortly after.

On the token front, this month saw the debut of the ERC-404 standard – with the first-ever ERC-404 token, titled $PANDORA, rapidly rising to a market cap in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The $PIXEL token also saw its trading volume skyrocket, as a Binance listing saw the token achieve over $500 million USD of trading volume in a 24-hour period.

February also saw Doodles partner with Casio G-SHOCK, CryptoPunks unveil their Punk in Residence program, and Magic Eden held their Retro Diamond drop – ahead of the launch of their Ethereum marketplace, and their reveal of the Creator’s Alliance. Yuga Labs had a busy month, with Bored & Hungry expanding to Seoul and Serum City going live – although they saw increased competition from the fast-rising Pudgy Penguins, who partnered with Unstoppable Domains.

Elsewhere, Polkadot set a new record for NFT minting speed, Decentraland pushed towards mobile, MetaMask introduced real-time alerts, the Blast mainnet was launched, Shardbound was reintroduced on Immutable, Parallel entered open beta, and an Autoglyph NFT fetched $14.6 million USD – making it the biggest NFT sale since 2022.

March 2024: Ordinals, Runestone and SBF

Bitcoin Ordinals project Runestone captured the headlines in March 2024, minting and auctioning the largest inscription to date, holding a multi-million dollar airdrop, and forever changing the Bitcoin Ordinals ecosystem.

Looking at brand adoption, Coachella tied up with OpenSea, Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs got involved with Cross the Ages, and Sony filed a ‘super-fungible token’ patent. Starbucks closed their Odyssey NFT rewards program, the MetaBirkin lawsuit continued, Forbes revealed their Legacy Pass NFTs, Wu-Tang Clan headed to Bitcoin Ordinals, Netflix secured UK rights for NFT:WTF?, and former FTX boss Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

In gaming, Otherside held its Apes Come Home event, Gods Unchained hit mobile, the HYCHAIN mainnet went live, Pixels took Ronin to new heights, and OKX and Immutable announced a web3 gaming launchpad – with Immutable also injecting $100 million into web3 gaming with Polygon. On the funding front, Illuvium raised $12 million, Off The Grid raised $30 million, and Parallel raised a staggering $35 million.

Elsewhere, CryptoPunk #3100 sold for $16 million, Kevin Rose caught backlash after selling $1.2 million of his NFTs, Magic Eden airdropped Diamonds to Ethereum OGs, Kaidro held the first free mint on Ronin, Milady raised $18.7 million in just 2 hours, a $WIF Mascot NFT fetched $4.3 million, WAX partnered with Amazon, Azuki unveiled AnimeChain on Arbitrum, and Pudgy Penguins flipped BAYC for the first time.

April 2024: Rewards, $POOP and Runes Protocol

The biggest story of the month was Immutable unveiling their $50 million USD rewards program The Main Quest, with the aim to kick-start long-term growth in the Immutable ecosystem.

On the business front, Square Enix re-released Final Fantasy VII figures without NFT certificates, Mazda partnered with Aster zkEVM, Avenged Sevenfold revealed a Web3 season pass, Samsung released a ‘NFT TV bundle’, and Adidas partnered with STEPN.

Tokens had a strong month, with Doodles creator @poopie launched Poopcoin ($POOP) – announcing Dullsville and the Doodleverse mere days later, and Doodles Space Mission S1 shortly thereafter – $DOGE turned into fractionalised NFTs, and the Bitcoin Runes Protocol made its debut – with Magic Eden Runes and Dog memecoins starring.

In Web3 gaming, Square Enix partnered with Animoca Brands Japan, a16z launched its SPEEDRUN accelerator, and two Web3 gaming handhelds were announced – BitBoy and the SuiPlay0X1. MetalCore held their second closed beta playtest, Ronin welcomed Ragnarok: Monster World, Mythical Games switched to Polkadot, Decentraland announced their first Game Expo, Anichess raised $1.8 million, and Yuga both transferred Legends of the Mara and HV-MTL to Faraway, and announced Moonbirds Universe – with sales of the Moonbirds NFT collection jumping 227%.

Elsewhere, the ENS Points System launched and closed within 5 hours, OpenSea integrated ERC-721C, NFTFEST was announced for June, Bored & Hungry California shut its doors, Dapper Labs‘ legal woes continued, MetaMask began to spotlight eligible airdrops, Christie’s held their first Bitcoin Ordinals auction, and CyberKongz Bitcoin NFTs raised $5 million.

May 2024: Super Punk World, Pudgy Toys and Enter The Garden

May 2024 saw two leading stories. First, Nina Chanel Abney announced and revealed her CryptoPunks-backed Super Punk World collection – though saw it immediately cancelled following community backlash. Second, Pudgy Penguins announced the expansion of Pudgy Toys to Target stores across the U.S. after over 1 million sales – also revealing a partnership with Mythical Games for a Pudgy-themed mobile game.

On the business front, Casio celebrated its 50th anniversary with a watches NFT collection, Cristiano Ronaldo faced legal trouble for his Binance CR7 NFTs, and Quidd partnered with Animoca Brands Japan on Fairy Tail NFTs.

In Web3 gaming, Axie debuted Duet Monsters on mobile, Guild of Guardians’ Age of the Dread began, Medieval Empires hit open beta, Draftables sold out their Founder Pass NFTs in under 10 mins, and Immutable Passport surpassed 1 million signups.

In other news, Azuki premiered The Waiting Man – episode 1 of their Enter The Garden anime – and partnered with Magic Eden on Satoshi Nakamoto hoodies. Blur integrated Blast NFTs, DeGods and y00ts returned to Solana – with Solana also seeing a new SPL-404 NFT standard and LayerZero integration – CryptoPunk #741 sold for $800,000, VeeFriends released Character Caps, Apes Capital was unveiled, Phantom acquired Bitski, OpenSea launched Get Based, Milady Maker shot up in value, Ledger Stax began shipping, and Farcaster sealed a $150 million investment.

June 2024: Telegram Games, Ronin and Web3 AI

Two stories captured particular attention in June 2024. Telegram games began to take off, with Hamster Kombat gathering 78 million players, and the Trezor Safe 5 hardware wallet was released.

In business, Sotherby’s announced a Golden Bored Apes auction, McDonald’s launched a metaverse, Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin saw a related NFT release, Konami launched their Resella service on Avalanche, and OneFootball partnered with Mocaverse.

Web3 gaming saw the launch of the Ronin Forge and the Ronin zkEVM, the reveal of Illuvium’s open beta July release, The Sandbox raise $20 million at a $1 billion valuation, the unveiling of the Polygon Community Grants Program, and Shrapnel’s $100,000 STX3.1 playtest. Also, Parallel released on the Epic Games Store, HYTOPIA entered closed beta, Blocklords Dynasty debuted on Base, MetalCore introduced their $MCG token, Worldwide Webb rebranded to Soulbound, and ZED RUN transitioned to ZEDx.

Elsewhere, Web3 AI drew attention, with Play AI raising $4.3 million and Grass AI growing in popularity. Coinbase Learn was launched, and the Coinbase Smart Wallet was introduced. Dapper Labs settled their NBA Top Shot lawsuit, Doodles Stoodio moved to Base, and Pudgy Penguins announced their Igloo Inc. parent company.

July 2024: Ethereum ETFs, GTA 6 and Fortnite

The biggest story of July 2024 came from the U.S. SEC, as Ethereum ETFs were approved to begin trading on July 24.

On the mainstream end, Attack on Titan entered The Sandbox, rumours began to swirl on the possible inclusion of crypto and NFTs in GTA 6, and Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney indicated that blockchain technology could be added to Fortnite in future.

In Web3 gaming, Deadfellaz began Wallhugger alpha testing, Ubisoft’s Champions Tactics was released – with a free NFT mint – Spellborne entered open beta, Forgotten Runiverse migrated to Ronin, and Pixelverse secured an additional $2 million. Soulbound won the Adventure Together category and Grand Prize at the 2024 Discord App Pitch, Axie Infinity: Homeland’s avatar mode was released, Immortal Rising 2 launched on Immutable, Polygon’s $MATIC migrated to $POL, MetalCore Arena was announced, and the Illuvium mainnet went live.

Elsewhere, ChainGPT updated its AI NFT generator, Consensys acquired Wallet Guard, Ledger revealed their Clear Signing initiative, and Cool Cats launched a manga series. Privasea began to take off, KnownOrigin ceased operations, Aavegotchi went 3D, Doodles Records was unveiled, the Ledger Flex was announced, and RTFKT revealed Project Animus.

August 2024: U.S. SEC, MetaMask Card and AriZona

The two leading stories of August 2024 saw the U.S. SEC issue a Wells notice to OpenSea, and the debut of MetaMask Card.

Looking at business, Doodles partnered with both AriZona and Adidas, Ubisoft partnered with Arbitrum for Captain Laserhawk: the G.A.M.E., Lamborghini partnered with Animoca Brands, Illuvium teamed up with Samsung, and BAYC teamed up with BAPE once again. Also, Sony announced the Soneium blockchain, PGA Tour Rise was revealed, and Donald Trump released Series 4 of his digital trading cards.

Web3 gaming saw Lumiterra enter closed beta, Mocaverse release their Mocaland Experiences in The Sandbox, Off The Grid expand their Pioneers Program, and Ragnarok: Monster World also enter closed beta. Otherside announced Project Dragon Episode 2, Gods Unchained pushed a major update, and Immutable hit a rough patch, with the closure of the Immutable X marketplace, and Ember Sword migrating to Mantle.

In other news, Azuki unveiled an animated shorts series, Trezor celebrated their 10th anniversary, DFZ Labs partnered with Unstoppable Domains, Sotheby’s ran a Digital Art Day sale, and Magic Eden announced their $ME token, and launched their NFT mint terminal.

September 2024: Doodles, Mobiles and Anime.com

September 2024 saw two leading stories. Doodles premiered Dullsville and the Doodleverse at the Toronto International Film Festival, and Solana Mobile revealed the Solana Seeker mobile phone.

In Web3 gaming, MetalCore Season 1 debuted – with a Season 1 NFT sale to boot – Nyan Heroes entered Season 3, and the Sequence Unreal SDK became verified. Ashes of Mankind announced their Revenants NFT drop, CCP Games revealed EVE Frontier, MixMob hit Season 2, seven new games joined Ronin, and the launch date for Illuvium: Beyond Wave 3 was announced.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows however, as Dimensions dropped their blockchain features, and Tales of Elleria announced the end of active development.

Elsewhere, rumours surfaced surrounding blockchain tech and the iPhone 16, ApeCoin revealed their blueprint for ApeChain, Gamma revealed a unified Bitcoin Ordinals and Stacks platform, Azuki revealed anime.com, and Magic Eden and Mocaverse revealed MagicMoca – with the former also adopting optional royalties on EVM blockchains.

October 2024: Off The Grid, ApeChain and X Empire

October 2024 featured a top-tier double whammy, as Off The Grid entered Early Access, and ApeChain was launched with the debut of Top Trader.

Web3 gaming saw Gods Unchained release their Tower of Dread expansion, Wild Forest announce the token generation event (TGE) for their $WF token, CryptoKitties return as a Telegram game, Shardbound hit open beta, and Decentraland launch a desktop client. Guild of Guardians released their Frostmire expansion, PARAVOX announced a $130,000 USD esports tournament, and Parallel announced a $250,000 esports championship.

On top of that, Deadfellaz revealed their Death Touch TCG, Opti Games raised $2 million for Sparkball, MetalCore moved to Solana, and the X Empire airdrop was met with player frustration.

In other news, Consensys announced a 20% cut of their workforce, Google Cloud at Aptos Labs launched GameStack, and GR1D Network debuted web3 gaming credits on Amazon. Sequence partnered with Transak, CryptoPunk #1563 was sold for a questionable $56 million, Faraway unveiled both the Faraway Creator Suite and FChain, and a Captain Laserhawk NFT collection hit Magic Eden. Furthermore, Ubisoft released Champions Tactics, 10KTF was acquired, and Improbable announced the launch of the Somnia blockchain.

November 2024: Trump, McDonald’s and Rektguy

The biggest story of November 2024 was undoubtedly Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, which sent crypto markets soaring.

Another big development gave NFTs huge visibility, with McDonalds partnering with Doodles on a large-scale U.S. holiday campaign.

In Web3 gaming, Immutable was hit with a Wells notice, Pudgy Penguins announced Pudgy Party, and Off The Grid continued to rise – with their Save Democracy pack, the Clash for Cash daily tournaments, and the $600,000 All-Star Invitational. Pixels revealed their 2025 goals, Animoca Brands secured $10 million in funding, Parallel released their Aftermath expansion, Nakamigos’ CLOAKS Games were scheduled for an upcoming release, and Moonray distributed over 220,000 NFTs in just 48 hours.

On the flipside, Sky Mavis laid off 21% of its workforce – in spite of announcing a new Axie Infinity game for 2025 – and Kraken announced the closure of their NFT marketplace.

Rektguy had a big month, securing $1.5 million in funding for Rekt Brands, launching Rekt Drinks, and following that with the $REKT token. OpenSea V2 was teased, a rumoured OpenSea token drove Gemesis NFT trading, Magic Eden revealed further details on their $ME token, and Azuki brought Fate to Anime.com.

December 2024: Bitcoin, $PENGU and $ME

December 2024 saw Bitcoin hit $100,000 for the first time as both the crypto and NFT markets continued to soar.

The month also saw two big token launches. Pudgy Penguins launched $PENGU – which caused a sharp rise and fall in the floor price of Pudgy Penguins NFTs – which hit a $3 billion market cap, and Magic Eden launched their $ME token – though faced backlash over technical issues with the airdrop. A third upcoming token was rumoured, as OpenSea teased the launch of an $OCEAN token.

Web3 gaming saw EVE Frontier enter Early Access, OverTrip launch on the Epic Games Store, a major update to Off The Grid, Shrapnel’s Neon Machine announce a new CEO, and Nakamigos launch their Rise of the Wolf RPG. Two $150,000,000 Web3 gaming funds were also established, with Beam Ventures in Abu Dhabi, and Big Time Studios with their Open Loot Fund.

Elsewhere, Nike announced the closure of RTFKT – with rivals Adidas revealing their ALTS NFT collection a week later – Animoca Brands backed Igloo Inc., Chonks debuted on Base, CyberKongz disclosed their Wells notice, and Avalanche supported the Beam Network by minting $500,000 of Beam Node Tokens.

That’s a wrap on our NFT recap for 2024.

2024 saw us hit our 5,000th published article – and we’re well on our way to 6,000. With seven years of NFT coverage under our belts and counting, we’re entering 2025 with hope, ambition and excitement – whichever way the market goes!

Our team will be here daily, motivated as ever to report on the latest happenings in NFT industry and beyond. Be sure to visit NFT Plazas for the latest NFT news, and follow our socials below for breaking coverage as it happens, all throughout the year. We wish you all the very best for 2025!

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*All investment/financial opinions expressed by NFT Plazas are from the personal research and experience of our site moderators and are intended as educational material only. Individuals are required to fully research any product prior to making any kind of investment.

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Giovanni Pernice reveals ‘dark times’ over Strictly scandal: ‘Trust me, it wasn’t easy’

Metaverse Fashion Week Online

January 5, 2025

Giovanni Pernice reveals ‘dark times’ over Strictly scandal: ‘Trust me, it wasn’t easy’

Giovanni Pernice has opened up about the Strictly Come Dancing bullying row, revealing that he thought the controversy would mark the end of career.

The Italian dancer left the show earlier this year following complaints from his 2023 partner Amanda Abbington. Amanda claimed she was left suffering from PTSD due to her stint on the show.

Now, Giovanni has looked back on the past twelve months, admitting he went through “dark moments”.

The dancer has opened up about the past year (Credit: ITV)

Giovanni Pernice on Strictly scandal

Giovanni has remained in the headlines over the past year after his 2023 dance partner, Sherlock actor Amanda Abbington, accused him of behaving inappropriately behind the scenes.

As a result, the BBC underwent a long investigation and Giovanni didn’t return to Strictly last year. In the meantime, he appeared on Italy’s edition of the show – and ended up winning it.

In September, the results from the BBC investigation into Amanda Abbington’s allegations saw Giovanni cleared of the most serious claims. These claims included ‘physical aggression’.

However, six allegations relating to verbal bullying and harassment were upheld.

In a recent interview, Giovanni recalled the “dark times” he has faced during the past year.

Giovanni Pernice smiling with his arm around Amanda Abbington on Strictly Come Dancing — Amanda and Giovanni were dance partners on the show (Credit: BBC)

Giovanni Pernice reveals ‘dark times’

“I’m not going to lie, there were dark moments in terms of, you know, this is finished, this is the end of my career. That was one of my down moments,” Giovanni told The Mirror.

“Sorry for my language but 2024 can [expletive] off. I’ve been looking forward to seeing the back of it” the TV star added.

Talking about Amanda’s bombshell claims about him and the show, Giovanni recalled: “Every time she came out with another interview I was always maintaining a calm inside. Trust me, it wasn’t easy, there were dark times.

“But I know what I did – that kept me calm, because I knew the truth from the beginning. I was expecting and waiting that all of this would finish and come back with the results that I wanted it to be.”

Giovanni’s new girlfriend

In other Giovanni Pernice news, the Strictly dancer is currently loved-up with new girlfriend Bianca Guaccero.

Giovanni and Bianca seemingly made their relationship official on Ballando con le Stelle: the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing. The pair made it all the way to the final, and ended up winning the series.

Giovanni and Bianca share an age gap of nine years. Bianca is now 43. She was previously married to the Italian film director, Dario Acocella, from 2013 to 2017.

What’s more, Giovanni recently dropped a major marriage bombshell, revealing: “If we win the show, I’ll seriously think about it [asking Bianca to marry him].”

Read more: Rose Ayling-Ellis missed Strictly anniversary special as she ‘didn’t want to discuss time with Giovanni Pernice’

So what do you think of this story? You can leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.

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Giovanni Pernice to star in Celebrity Hunted

‘There were a few times we nearly got caught’

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