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Team Sussex might already have expected a tough press for their trip to the UK and their supporters feel that the media's treatment of Harry and Meghan is the biggest stitch-up since the Bayeux Tapestry.

But even before Harry's visit had begun there was chaos.

A war of words, with acrimonious rival briefings, had taken place between Prince Harry's team and Buckingham Palace over where he would be staying during his visit.

It emerged he had already been told he wasn't staying there and Buckingham Palace, the establishment that Harry challenges, ended up looking more convincing.

But even worse followed, with such coincidentally bad timing that it would have suited a disaster movie.

At the very start of the first engagement about the Invictus Games, as Prince Harry had taken to the podium, word spread that he had lost all his claims against the publishers of the Daily Mail.

It was a much bigger defeat than many had anticipated, with the news buzzing around phones in the room as he began his speech.

Plans for an on-camera statement from Prince Harry that afternoon were hastily ditched. Press would no longer be able to go inside an event planned for the following day.

Harry - famously nicknamed Harold by his brother William - was having a bad week.

Two of the Invictus events had already been completely overshadowed, taking away attention from his work supporting injured military veterans.

And while Team Sussex stumbled, the Prince of Wales was enjoying a trouble-free visit to Hastings, a place famous for a battle where William defeated Harold.

However at the Invictus event in Birmingham, in the NEC's cavernous exhibition halls, you could see what was being missed.

Here was the Invictus community that is Prince Harry's "second family", people he has known and worked with for many years, a place of trust, where Harry was the hero.

He worked the room - and it was a very big room - with great patience, hugging and chatting, joking, posing for pictures, trying out a few of the sports events. His support was clearly deeply valued.

In a spirit of inclusion, he tried out a new British Sign Language sign that had been designed to say Invictus Games, when you imagine he might have wanted to try out some more direct sign language.

Prince Harry was a relaxed figure here, showing his respect for the competitors who had overcome so much adversity. They inspired him and in turn they showed him their affection.

If the Sussexes seem to travel with unnecessary drama, then what Harry's visit left behind was a poignant sense of lost opportunity. %!s()

Now Ball has the chance to put his analysis directly to work at one of the biggest gaming companies on the planet: Xbox CEO Asha Sharma brought him on as chief strategy officer not long before initiating her "Xbox reset," which will result in 3,200 layoffs and see multiple studios cut loose.

Speaking to The Game Business after he was hired (before this week's "reset"), Ball said that step one for Xbox is shoring up its console business. But new Gears of War games are unlikely to achieve Sharma's ambitious goal to entertain "more than a billion people each day." So what's the plan?

The big-picture Xbox strategy hasn't been shared (and is surely still developing), but Ball's history suggests that Tim Sweeney and Roblox will be major inspirations.

Ball is a big believer in "the metaverse." He authored a book on the idea, "The Metaverse: Building The Spatial Internet," which was published in 2022 and revised in 2024, and co-founded the Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF, an investment fund with stakes in Roblox, Microsoft, Nvidia, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, and a variety of major game publishers and tech firms.

Ball also co-founded a "UGC gaming studio" that says it's creating virtual worlds for Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft. The company, Prosimetrum, is credited as the creator of Steal the Shark, a Fortnite island developed by Brazilian studio Dojo Maps.

Ball is a passive partner in the business, not a decision-maker, according to a source familiar with the matter. Also associated with Prosimetrum is former Square Enix director of business development Jacob Navok, who currently runs AI company Genvid and has argued that "Gen Z loves AI slop."

Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.

A universal definition of "metaverse" doesn't really exist, but in his book, Ball describes it as: "A massively scaled and interoperable network of real-time-rendered immersive virtual worlds that can be experienced synchronously and persistently by an effectively unlimited number of users with an individual sense of presence, and with continuity of data, such as identity, history, entitlements, objects, communications, and payments."

Essentially, it's the virtual world described by '90s sci-fi novel Snow Crash, and more recently Ready Player One: A network of immersive virtual worlds in which everyone's identity is persistent.

Ball does not suggest that this sci-fi vision will come to pass without friction—skeptics have had "a real basis for their skepticism," he says in his book—and it's certainly faced a lot of friction this decade.

Facebook's 2021 rebranding as "Meta" and Mark Zuckerberg's goofy VR avatar were mocked rather than embraced, NFTs were written off by many as worthless status symbols for gullible celebs and vectors for outright scams, VR and AR headsets have yet to sweep away old-fashioned screens, and after a metaverse hiring boom, the tech industry shed thousands of workers.

The Big Xbox Matthew Ball Interview: “The console market is not dying” - YouTube

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Above: Ball's recent interview with The Game Business

But among metaverse true believers, it's an inevitability, not just a dream. Ball concludes that he is "certain that the future will be increasingly centered around real-time-rendered 3D virtual worlds and networks" and predicts that computers and the internet "will evolve and be redesigned in support of the Metaverse." (A thought that could influence future Xbox hardware.)

Similarly, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said in a 2024 conversation with Ball and Snow Crash author Neal Stephenson that, while a certain social media company's attempt to get everyone working in chic virtual offices was "just totally lame," the metaverse is the "inevitable future of real-time 3D in gaming."

Epic continues to pursue its metaverse vision: The recently announced Unreal Engine 6 is all about helping developers link up their in-game economies and social features so that players can take friends and purchases from one game into another.

Hints at Xbox's future

During his interview with The Game Business, Ball recalled Sharma asking him whether Xbox was "fixable." His response: "I'm a strategic optimist. I think it is incredibly defeatist to think that there is any scenario that you can't do better, that you can't improve."

So far, improvement has meant reduction: Aside from parting with four development studios and laying off thousands, Sharma has announced a desire to simplify Xbox's management structure and to invest "with greater focus, greater discipline, and greater clarity."

But Sharma also says that Microsoft is not reducing investment in Xbox, and there are hints about where the money will go (aside from toward getting The Elder Scrolls 6 out the door). The CEO said, for example, that rather than trying to own all the good indie studios, Xbox "will help independent creators succeed by providing open development tools and audiences to realize their vision." There are echoes of Epic's tools and platforms strategy in that remark.

Ball's interest in the metaverse doesn't necessarily mean that he was hired by Xbox to pivot the publisher toward that medium, but it stands to reason that the subject he dedicated book-length analysis to will feature in his advice. At the least, an increased focus on user generated content feels likely, and Microsoft could strengthen its relationship with Epic Games and Unreal Engine ("Fortnite is the future," Ball wrote in 2019).

Regarding UGC, it is notable that Minecraft developer Mojang will now report directly to Sharma, as it's the closest thing Microsoft has to Roblox.

For now, Ball has not hinted at any radical plans for Xbox's future. He said in his Game Business interview that Xbox's console business is "durable and valuable and important" and that upcoming shooter Gears of War: E-Day "looks terrific."

In his book, however, he predicts that the metaverse will be with us quite soon, suggesting that if Xbox is going to take advantage of such a radical transformation—should it actually come to pass—it ought to get to work on it with urgency.

"Though skeptics will shape the discourse," Ball wrote in his book, "I'd guess that by the end of the current decade many if not most of us will agree that the 'Metaverse' has begun (though even in hindsight, there will be no precise date of its start, nor will we be able to predict when it will arrive in full)."

Tyler grew up in Silicon Valley during the '80s and '90s, playing games like Zork and Arkanoid on early PCs. He was later captivated by Myst, SimCity, Civilization, Command & Conquer, all the shooters they call "boomer shooters" now, and PS1 classic Bushido Blade (that's right: he had Bleem!). Tyler joined PC Gamer in 2011, and today he's focused on the site's news coverage. His hobbies include amateur boxing and adding to his 1,200-plus hours in Rocket League. %!s()

Opening in theaters nationwide on Friday, Evil Dead Burn is the third chapter in Raimi, Tapert and Campbell’s reboot of the series that began in 2013 with Fede Alvarez’s remake of the original version of 1981’s The Evil Dead. Then, in 2023, Lee Cronin directed Evil Dead Rise, followed by Sébastien Vaniček’s turn at the helm with Evil Dead Burn.

Note: The rest of this article contains major spoilers in “Evil Dead Burn.”

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Evil Dead Burn largely concentrates on Alice (Souheila Yacoub), who, despite a volatile relationship with her husband, Will Price (George Pullar), is reeling from his tragic death in a car crash. As it turns out, Will’s brother, Joseph (Wednesday star Hunter Doohan), had discovered his grandfather’s research into the Necronomicon, aka the Book of the Dead, and in the process, he unleashes the Deadite Jessica (Greta Van Den Brink), a character from Evil Dead Rise.

After Jessica brutally slaughters two fishermen, she heads to the family home where Joseph unearthed his grandfather’s materials. On the way, however, the Deadite is struck by Will’s car and killed, but she still manages to pass the demonic spirit onto Will.

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After Will’s death, Alice, Joseph, Joseph’s girlfriend Thya (Luciane Buchanan) and the Price sons’ father, Edgar (Erroll Shand), mother, Susan (Tandi Wright), and grandmother, Polly (Maude Davey), retreat to the family’s remote, country home to mourn.

Before the family leaves the funeral home, however, Will breaks out of his coffin and turns Edgar into a Deadite. As a result, Alice and her in-laws’ family are in peril as the newly possessed Deadites look for the Necronomicon, as well as the Kandarian Dagger, which is the only weapon that can kill them.

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What Happens After The End Credits Begin To Roll For ‘Evil Dead Burn’?

End credits and post-credits scenes often serve two functions: Either they wrap up a scene from earlier in the film or set up a sequel. The two scenes after the credits involved both scenarios, but there is clearly a catch when it comes to the set-up of the next film in the franchise — Evil Dead Wrath — which is set for a 2028 theatrical release.

The first of the two scenes after the conclusion of Evil Dead Burn comes at the midway point of the end credits and wraps up a scene in the third act of the film. As Alice fends off Will’s wheelchair-bound grandmother-turned-Deadite, Polly, the grandmother is trapped in an inescapable position underneath her wheelchair at the bottom of a stair lift. Polly appears trapped and destined to burn to death in the abode as Alice sets the house ablaze.

In the mid-end credits scene, the Deadite Polly is shown crawling on a blood-streaked road and missing her right leg, which she amputated to escape the house fire. As a woman stops her vehicle to help Polly and asks her what happened, Polly says, “Thank heavens, will you help me? She stole my legs.” As she stares at the woman, Polly then says in her Deadite voice, “But yours will do just fine,” and lunges toward the Good Samaritan and claws her legs as the scene cuts to black.

The post-credits scene begins in the mortuary where Will’s funeral was held, when an undertaker and her daughter walk by shelves of urns containing deceased people’s ashes that weren’t picked up by families. As the employee leaves her daughter with the urns, the young girl reads the names of the deceased in two urns — one of which is Ellie Bixler.

For viewers who have seen Evil Dead Rise, Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) is a mother who lives with her children in a high-rise apartment complex that has been infested with Deadites before she becomes a Deadite herself. Ellie, of course, meets her demise by the conclusion of Evil Dead Rise, which sets up the post-credit scene in Evil Dead Burn.

In the scene the young girl stares in a mirror near the urns, and the Deadite Ellie appears in the reflection and mimics the girl’s moves. After some brief electrical flashes, Deadite Ellie appears outside of the mirror and kills the girl before saying, “Mommy’s back.”

While both scenes appear to be setting up something for Deadites Polly and Ellie in the sequel, there’s already a quandary in play because producer Rob Tapert has confirmed that Evil Dead Wrath will be a prequel that takes place before the events of the original Evil Dead in the early 1970s.

As such, it begs the question of whether the two characters will end up in a sequel after Evil Dead Wrath that’s set in the modern day since Evil Dead Wrath has a 1970s timeline. Another possible character for a future Evil Dead chapter is Alice, who appears in a close-up shot at the end of Evil Dead Burn. The look in her eyes in the scene suggests that Alice has been turned into a Deadite as well.

Fans can theorize for themselves what they believe the end- and post-credits scenes mean when they see Evil Dead Burn, which is playing in theaters nationwide.

Releasing in theaters July 10, Disney’s animated musical “Moana” comes back to life with a brand new live-action remake led by Catherine Laga’aia, who stars as the titular character.

Similar to the original, the film follows Moana’s journey to restore the heart of Te Fiti and help her village people of Motunui. Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as the shapeshifting demigod Maui, who joins Moana on her quest (while also treating audiences to a new and improved rendition of “You’re Welcome.”)

Jemaine Clement also returns to the story as the CGI-version of the crab Tamatoa, who is known for his love of all things shiny. “Moana” will also welcome in new faces to bring the story to life, including Laga’aia, who is making her film debut.

As for those who’ve grown to love the animated film’s chaotic animal sidekicks, you need not worry, as even Pua and Heihei will be returning to tag along on Moana’s journey across the sea.

Here is a look at the key characters and the actors who bring them to life:

• Moana (Catherine Laga’aia)

  

  After Auli’i Cravalho’s angelic voice introduced the world to “How Far I’ll Go” ten years ago, newcomer Catherine Laga’aia leads this new take and appears as the brave titular character who learns to embrace her love of the sea. Born in Sydney, Australia, the 19-year-old breakout star previously appeared in three episodes of “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart” as a young version of Candy, the character played by Frankie Adams. Laga’aia grew up with eight siblings; her father, Jay Lagaʻaia, is also a performer, appearing in Star Wars films like “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith” as Tycho Celchu.

• Maui (Dwayne Johnson)

  

  Dwayne Johnson returns to play the cocky, shapeshifting demigod Maui, who accompanies Moana on her journey to return Te Fiti’s heart and save the island of Motunui. The ten-time WWE world champion quickly became a major blockbuster star through roles in the “Jumanji” films, “Fast & Furious” and “Black Adam.” In recent years, he was in the awards conversation for director Benny Safdie’s “The Smashing Machine” and recently set a lead role in “Sing Sing” director’s new film, “Free Byrd.”

• Gramma Tala (Rena Owen)

  

  Gramma Tala, played by Rena Owen, is the heart of “Moana” as both Moana’s grandmother and the storyteller who helps the Kakamora tribe reconnect with their roots. Owen, who was born in New Zealand, has worked with the likes of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, appearing in “A.I. Artificial Intelligence,” voicing Taun We in “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” and portraying Nee Alavar in “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.” She recently reprised her role as Taun We in a 2021 episode of “Star Wars: The Bad Batch.”

• Chief Tui (John Tui)

  

  John Tui (“Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,” “Solo: A Star Wars Story”) takes up the mantle of Chief Tui, Moana’s protective father and leader of the people of Motunui. Although encouraging of Moana following in his footsteps as chief, he is wary of her desire to explore the ocean beyond their island home. Temuera Morrison (“Aquaman,” “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”) originated the role, with longtime Lin-Manuel Miranda collaborator Christopher Jackson (“Hamilton,” “In the Heights”) providing the singing voice for Chief Tui in the animated film. 

• Sina (Frankie Adams)

  

  Moana’s perceptive mother, Sina both understands her daughter’s longing for the water but wants to protect her from danger. Samoan New Zealand actor Frankie Adams (“The Expanse,” “Shortland Street”) steps into the role, taking over from Nicole Scherzinger (“Sunset Boulevard,” “The X Factor”) in the original.

• Tamatoa (Jemaine Clement)

  

  Jemaine Clement (“Rio,” “What We Do in the Shadows”) returns as the glitzy king crab Tamatoa, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else delivering the catchy song “Shiny” in the same way. The jewel-encrusted crustacean harbors a grudge against Maui and fiercely guards his shiny collection, including the demigod’s fishhook after it falls into his lair.

• Pua the Pig

  

  Moana’s trusty, if a little skittish, pet pig Pua would follow her anywhere, even if he’s a little unsure of the ocean. The live-action production used a mix of real animals and animatronics to bring Moana’s sidekick to life. The animated Pua was voiced using a combination of real pig vocalizations and sound effects from voice actor Frank Welker, whose long list of credits includes Fred Jones in “Scooby Doo,” Pegasus in “Hercules,” Cri-Kee in “Mulan” and Abu, Rajah and the Cave of Wonders in “Aladdin.”

• Heihei the Rooster

  

  Heihei is a constantly confused rooster who accidentally joins Moana on her quest after seeking refuge in her boat. Always unaware of what’s happening around him, Heihei is simply along for the ride.

• Kakamora

  

  The Kakamora are hostile nomads floating across the sea who are easily identified by their armor made of coconut. Always ready to engage in battle, they are small but dangerous, especially when the hundreds of them band together.

• Te Kā

  

  Te Kā is the giant, dangerous demon of earth and fire Moana must get past to successfully restore the heart of Te Fiti. Gramma Tala first tells Moana the story of Te Kā, who awoke when Maui stole the heart of Te Fiti. While battling the demigod, the heart was ultimately lost in the sea, which only infuriated Te Kā more.

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"For us he is the standard of this idea, of this model. It is a pleasure to have him, and others but especially him. We know that without fail he is always there."

Always there he may be, but Merino himself feared he would not be fit enough to play at this World Cup.

"The fact of being here a few months ago was unthinkable," Merino said after the Portugal win.

"Now I am, as I said before, at the highest point, enjoying one of the happiest moments of my career.

"Now I remember all those bad moments, all the people who have supported me, all the people who have pushed me when even I sometimes found it difficult to believe I could be here."

Merino's heroics will be a familiar sight for Arsenal fans, with the 30-year-old having done similar at the Gunners.

Traditionally a midfielder, his height has seen him utilised as a striker by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, and the first time he was used in such a role was when he memorably came off the bench to score twice against Leicester in a 2-0 win in February last year.

"Merino is just one of those players who arrives at the right time, at the right moment in big games," former England striker Wayne Rooney said on Match of the Day.

De la Fuente added: "He can be the best striker and the best midfielder because of his understanding of the game. He interprets the game perfectly.

"He is committed, he is generous, he is happy to do the work."

This has been a tournament where the big names have stepped up with Argentina great Lionel Messi, France's Mbappe, England's Harry Kane and Erling Haaland of Norway all playing leading roles for their respective teams.

However Spain and Barecelona's teenager star - Lamine Yamal - is yet to truly light up the stage to the extent he did during the national team's successful Euro 2024 campaign.

While the other names are battling it out for the Golden Boot, Lamine Yamal has played six games at this World Cup and scored just one goal.

At times at the tournament he has made the wrong decision, opting to shoot when a pass would have been better, but that is not to say he is not contributing as his dribbling ability and pace helps to make space for players like Merino.

"You'll have Lionel Messi making the wrong decisions at times," Rooney added.

"Let's remember he came into this tournament injured, so he is still finding his rhythm in the game.

"Where he is effective is when he takes the ball, he attracts players towards him, and he creates space for his team-mates." %!s()