Technologies

Play Assassin’s Creed, Aliens and More on Xbox Game Pass Soon

Microsoft is bringing a few more games to Game Pass Standard, too.

The Assassin’s Creed franchise is one of the biggest series in gaming today. Ubisoft, the series’ publisher, said in 2023 that it has sold over 155 million copies of Assassin’s Creed games, making it one of the bestselling franchises in history. Xbox Game Pass subscribers can play one of the most recent entries in the series, Assassin’s Creed: Mirage, on Aug. 7.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a CNET Editors’ Choice award pick, offers hundreds of games you can play on your Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC or mobile device for $20 a month. A subscription gives you access to a large library of games, with new ones, like Doom: The Dark Ages, added monthly, plus other benefits such as online multiplayer and deals on non-Game Pass titles.

Here are the games Microsoft is bringing to Game Pass in August. You can also check out other games the company added to the service in July, like early access to Grounded 2.

Rain World

Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Standard subscribers can play now.

In this survival platformer, you’re a slugcat — both adorable and dangerous — in a broken ecosystem that’s filled with overgrown plants and industrial waste. You have to survive in this world with nothing but your wits and trusty spear. But there are larger enemies out there who think you look like their next meal, so watch your step.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

New to Game Pass Standard on Aug. 6.

Game Pass Standard subscribers can now join the fun of Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, a few months after Microsoft brought this title to Game Pass Ultimate. This sequel to one of 2022’s most popular RPGs launches on Game Pass on Day 1. You play as a sleeper, an emulated human mind in an artificial body, as you try to outrun the corporation that made you and the gang that wants to control you. You’ll commandeer a ship, recruit a crew and take on contracts as you try to build a better future for yourself in this dice-driven sci-fi game.

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders

New to Game Pass Standard on Aug. 6.

Get ready to fall down over and over again as you learn to master the snowy terrain in Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders. This is the sequel to Lonely Mountains: Downhill, but up to eight players can join cross-platform multiplayer matches, so you and your block-headed friends can enjoy the fresh powder together. That doesn’t sound lonely at all.

MechWarrior 5: Clans

New to Game Pass Standard on Aug. 6.

Game Pass Ultimate subscribers could play MechWarrior 5: Clans in November, and Game Pass Standard subscribers can play it soon, too. Step into a towering mech and fight your way across the galaxy in the latest installment of the MechWarrior series. Your territory is being invaded in this game, and you lead a squad of five other mech pilots to turn the invasion back. This isn’t a run-and-gun game, though. You’ll have to coordinate your moves with other units to create the perfect opportunities to attack.

Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap

New to Game Pass Standard on Aug. 6.

The orcs are back in the latest entry in this tower-defense series, but your goal remains the same: kill every last one of them. Each hero in this game has their own unique play style, so pick the one that’s most fun for you. And team up with others in four-player co-op to obliterate the chaotic, cartoonish hordes.

Microsoft brought this title to Game Pass Ultimate subscribers in February, and Game Pass Standard subscribers can get in on all the orc-smashing fun soon, too.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage

Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can play on Aug. 7.

Travel back in time to 9th-century Baghdad in this 2023 installment of the popular Assassin’s Creed franchise. You play as Basim, a cunning street thief who joins an ancient organization called the Hidden Ones. Through this organization, you’ll become a deadly master assassin and change the course of the world.

Aliens: Fireteam Elite

Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Standard subscribers can play on Aug. 12.

Microsoft is bringing this game back to Game Pass after removing it from the service in December 2022. In this survival shooter, you join an elite team of hardened marines as they fight through hordes of xenomorphs from the Alien franchise. You can customize your character and gear as you take on the ever-evolving threat and try to stop it from spreading.

9 Kings (game preview)

Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can play on Aug. 14.

This game takes kingdom builders, deck builders and roguelikes and smashes them together to make something new. You’ll build your kingdom from a humble village to a huge citadel, but you’ll also have to defend your realm from other rulers. You can use knights, warlocks, sentient mushrooms and more in huge battles to fend off others. And you can loot your enemy’s deck to grow your empire and become the King of Kings.

These games are leaving Game Pass on Aug. 15

While Microsoft is adding those games to Game Pass soon, the company is also removing a few others from the service on Aug. 15. So you still have some time to finish any campaigns or sidequests before you have to buy these games separately.

For more on Xbox, discover other games available on Game Pass now, read our hands-on review of the gaming service and learn which Game Pass plan is right for you. You can also check out what to know about upcoming Xbox game price hikes.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, Aug. 6

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Aug. 6

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

I struggled with a few of today’s Mini Crossword clues. 3-Down, with the clue «Fab!» really stumped me. I eventually got it, thanks to the other clues filling in some letters. Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in The Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Stylish
Answer: HIP

4A clue: Something a beach umbrella provides
Answer: SHADE

6A clue: ___ Banks, North Carolina
Answer: OUTER

7A clue: Unlikely to keep you up at night, in a way
Answer: DECAF

8A clue: The eruption of Mount St. Helens released 520 million tons of it
Answer: ASH

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Come out of one’s shell
Answer: HATCH

2D clue: Bright ___
Answer: IDEA

3D clue: «Fab!»
Answer: PERF

4D clue: Starry or Squirt
Answer: SODA

5D clue: Color tones
Answer: HUES

Technologies

Samsung Acknowledges Its ‘Upcoming’ Tri-Fold Phone on Earnings Call

It’s reportedly «preparing to introduce» the unique form factor later this year.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 may have just come out, but it appears the company is already teasing its next foldable phone that takes things to a whole other level.

In an earnings call last week, which Seeking Alpha shared, Samsung noted it’s pushing forward with its triple-screen foldable, which has been rumored for months. It also acknowledged the imminent arrival of its Project Moohan mixed reality headset, which it’s developing with Google. Samsung reportedly said it’s «preparing to introduce» the products this year.

«We will drive sales of our premium mobile AI devices, including our newly launched foldables and aim to lead the market by expanding our ecosystem through innovative form factors like the upcoming Tri-Fold device and our first XR headset,» the company reportedly said on the call.

A representative for Samsung didn’t immediately respond to CNET’s request for comment.

Last month, Android Authority reported that a Samsung executive said the new foldable is «ready to go.» That person reportedly told the publication: «We’ve had a tri-fold for some time, designed and everything. So it’s not a new concept to us. What we’re debating is the viability. When I say the viability, is there really a demand for this form factor?»

It’s an interesting consideration, as there arguably hasn’t been overwhelming demand for thinner phones, and yet Samsung still debuted the slim Galaxy S25 Edge in May — and then carried over that sleek design to the Z Fold 7. But it’s possible that, as Samsung said when it debuted its latest book-style foldable, «feeling is believing,» and people might be keen to get their hands on a phone that feels more innovative than many other devices currently on the market.

Android Authority cites a South Korean publication that says the rumored tri-fold will have a 10-inch OLED display, a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and a triple camera system with a 200-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera — just like the Z Fold 7. It could also have a 10-megapixel selfie camera. Rumors suggest it could cost around $3,000. It could first launch in China and South Korea before the company determines whether to extend availability elsewhere.

Like thin phones, tri-folds are having a moment. Last month, Chinese company Tecno showed off its tri-fold concept, the Phantom Ultimate G Fold. There’s also the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate, which is available now outside the US.

In a press conference during Samsung Unpacked in July, Roh Tae-moon, the acting head of Samsung Electronics’ Device Experience Division, reportedly confirmed plans for the company to launch a tri-fold phone by the end of this year. The device has been dubbed the «Galaxy G Fold,» though Samsung seemingly hasn’t confirmed anything about that naming.

«We are now focusing on perfecting the product and its usability, but we have not decided its name,» The Korea Times quoted Roh. «As the product nears completion, we are planning to make a final decision soon.»

We’ll see if Samsung ends up dropping more teasers in the coming months, like it did in the lead-up to the Z Fold 7.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Aug. 6, #787

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Aug. 6, #787.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle has one of those purple categories at which the New York Times’ editors are experts. They love to add letters to related words to make other words, and it can be tough to see that connection — which is the point of the puzzle. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group, to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Maybe a nametag.

Green group hint: Joking around.

Blue group hint: Think Ali or Tyson.

Purple group hint: Think Schwarzenegger.