🎮 Your move

Tips for dads who game, a woman who hustles chess hustlers, and more.

Mornin’. Father’s Day is coming up this weekend, and it’s fitting that 42 years ago today (June 12, 1981), the perfect movie hero for Dads was born.

Not insanely ripped, but in decent shape.

Smart and resourceful, but not an implausible super genius.

Gets his butt kicked. A lot.

Does it all because he just really, really loves museums.

And at age 80, is still at it.

Raise a toast to Raiders of the Lost Ark’s 42nd birthday, and remember it’s not the years, it’s the mileage.

—Eric Alt, Marques Edge, Andrew Nusca

Buffed/Nerfed

What’s up and down in the world rn.

Buffed: Pure energy. Wind and solar energy are finally starting to leave fossil fuels behind, according to a new report released by clean energy think tank Ember. Cautious optimism? We’ll allow it.

Nerfed: Malcolm in the Middle fans. As if the writer’s strike hasn’t dulled the possibility of a Malcolm reunion enough, now Bryan Cranston is saying he’s quitting acting in three years. Life is unfaiiiiir.

Buffed: Farm equipment self-esteem. Impressive for a rusty old John Deere to pass for a super advanced weapon of war in Eastern Europe. You must tell us your secret.

Nerfed: Handling the truth. Two lawyers claim they were duped by ChatGPT into citing a fake legal precedent. Turns out “The People vs. Charlotte’s Web if it were written by Chuck Palahniuk” won’t hold up in court.

Buffed: Dudebros. A study has shown that taurine—a popular ingredient in energy drinks—might slow the aging process. The tests were done on mice, though, so don’t replace your lawn sprinklers with Brawndo just yet. —EA

Cheat Code: How gamer dads maximize their gaming time

Change your game.

(Photo courtesy Ketut Subiyanto)

This weekend is Father’s Day, typically the one time during the year when dads are allowed to indulge a little bit.

But what about the other 364 days? How do you find time to game when you can’t play the “Father’s Day” card?

You just have to be a little crafty, is all.

We asked some of Activision Blizzard King’s gamer dads to tell us some of the funny, sly, and downright diabolical ways they carve out some much-needed playing time. (Names have been removed to avoid blowing up anyone’s spot.)

Here’s what they said:

• “As a new dad (I have seven-month-old), I bought this baby carrier shirt and wore her while I played my Steam Deck.”

• “Do what I do: Coffee IV drip and avoid sleep. Once everyone is tucked away safe and sound at night, it's your time to save the rest of the world (in-game).”

• “Good fathers encourage their children to spend time outdoors. So I set up a projector in the backyard and hooked up my console.”

• “I like playing with friends, so we organize it like poker nights. We coordinate calendars and block out time to play, uninterrupted (most of the time).”

• “It’s important to set boundaries for your kids. I monopolize the console so they have no choice but to do their homework and study. I do it for them.”

• “Have you ever secretly had a Switch on your lap while you and your wife ‘both’ watch The Crown? Just sayin’.”

Speed Run: Anna Cramling is playing games with you

Two-minute talks with today’s movers and shakers.

(Photo courtesy Anna Cramling)

Imagine if Woody Harrelson’s Billy Hoyle from White Men Can’t Jump wasn’t a goofy Midwesterner showing up loudmouths on the basketball court but instead a charming young Swedish woman doing the same thing to wannabe chess hustlers.

Executive Editor Eric Alt sat down with YouTube chess sensation Anna Cramling to discuss being raised by grandmasters, whether or not trash-talking is allowed in chess, and her least favorite board game.

Check it out.

Mixtape Monday

Let’s get this week started right.

Last week’s picks were all about celebrating Pride; this week we’re criss-crossing genres for some truly fusion tracks.

• Armin van Buuren & Punctual (feat. Alika), “On & On.” If you want a little of that weekend feeling to bleed into Monday, consider this your perfect morning brew. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube. (Recommended by Dan Morgan, senior software engineer, Blizzard)

• Fiddlehead, “Sullenboy.” From its opening Iggy Pop-and-The Stooges-inspired riff, this song doesn’t care if it’s too early. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube. (Recommended by Shawn Barnett, senior talent marketing specialist, Blizzard)

• Jessie Ware, “Begin Again.” You can look at Monday as the beginning of another week…or a fresh start. This jazzy head-bopper knows what side it’s on. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube. (Recommended by Adrian Ledda, director of inclusive game design, Activision)

• Refund Sisters, “DON’T TOUCH ME.” OK, fine. Sometimes you want to send a clear message that you need some space. 10-4. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube. (Recommended by Haley Ioppini, mobile operations coordinator, Activision)

• Ren, “Hi Ren.” An intense acoustic guitar-driven rap about mental health from Wales? Yawn. That old chestnut again? A must-listen—as if Eminem was Gollum from Lord of the Rings. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube. (Recommended by Chris Anderson, audiovisual engineer, Blizzard)

That’s it for this week! —EA

Wormhole

Click the following image and…well, we don’t want to ruin the surprise.

Illustration by Johnson Martin

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