BioWare co-founder says EA's Saudi Arabia buyout was "the final nail in the coffin" for the studio (GamesRadar)

GRANT BRICKMAN: A BioWare co-founder says the Saudi-led buyout of EA was the final nail in the studio's coffin.

GRANT BRICKMAN: Good morning. A co-founder of BioWare says the Saudi-led buyout of EA was the final nail in the coffin for the studio. ▶

GRETA FOOTNOTE: We first told you last Wednesday that BioWare is closing and its Mass Effect project is ending. Now a founder says why they think it happened. ▶

GRANT BRICKMAN: Over to Gravel Gary, who is at a game studio. I'm told. It looks like a cave to me. ▶

GARY: Morning, Grant. The founder told 80LV it was the crux of it, and that it is a completely different company now. ▶

GARY: The report says Mass Effect 5 developers were reportedly told to tone down inclusivity after the buyout. In August, EA staff anonymously voiced fears to Game Developer. ▶

GARY: The closure shocked just about everyone last week. As a level, this is one I would not replay. Zero stars, reload the last save. ▶

GRETA FOOTNOTE: Thanks, Gary. The article notes BioWare is known for LGBTQ+ representation, which is why this part of the story matters to many fans. ▶

GRANT BRICKMAN: A buyout. So someone bought the studio and then it disappeared. I assume it is a download that never finished. ▶

GRETA FOOTNOTE: It is an acquisition, Grant. We will leave the downloads out of it. ▶

Please state the nature of the medical emergency: Google is building a robot medic for NASA (The Register)

GRETA FOOTNOTE: Google is building a robot medic for NASA, and we asked the street what they think.

GRETA FOOTNOTE: For viewers just joining: we first told you this morning that Google is working with NASA on a robotic medical assistant for astronauts. ▶

GRANT BRICKMAN: A robot doctor in space. Kai has been asking the public what they make of it. Kai, over to you. ▶

KAI: Huge. Google's robot would help with medical tasks, cargo and routine maintenance. I asked the street if they would trust it. ▶

PASSERBY: Medical tasks, cargo and repairs? That is not a robot, that is a very good intern. ▶

PASSERBY: Up to forty-four minutes round trip for a reply from Earth? Yes, I would want the helper on board. ▶

PASSERBY: It runs locally, right? Good. If the Wi-Fi drops on the way to Mars, I do not want to ask a server. ▶

PASSERBY: The headline says state the nature of the medical emergency. I just hope the robot answers politely. ▶

KAI: Huge range of opinions. Nobody asked about the keyboard, though, and that worries me. ▶

GRETA FOOTNOTE: The report says the AI assistant is still being tested on Earth, on copies of ISS computers. The robot with hands comes next. ▶

The Spin Room (PXL)

GRANT BRICKMAN: Two outlets, one game, two very differently worded tip guides.

GRANT BRICKMAN: Good morning, and welcome to the Spin Room. Today: Phantom Blade Zero, and two outlets that cannot agree on how to say hello. ▶

GRETA FOOTNOTE: GamesRadar headlines: "12 Phantom Blade Zero tips for new players to help you navigate the Wulin". It leads with new players and a tidy number. ▶

GRETA FOOTNOTE: PC Gamer headlines: "I've spent over 50 hours in Phantom Blade Zero—here are my top 20 tips to conquer the Wulin". It leads with the writer's hours. ▶

GRANT BRICKMAN: Twelve is clearly the honest number. Twenty tips is showing off. And nobody conquers the Wulin, Greta. I believe it is a noodle bar. ▶

GRETA FOOTNOTE: The Wulin is the world of the game. What happened is simple: both outlets published tips for the same game, one for beginners, one from long experience. ▶

GRETA FOOTNOTE: Spin score: 62 out of 100. The headlines share fairly few words. ▶

GRANT BRICKMAN: Sixty-two. Fine. I stand by the noodle bar. ▶

GRETA FOOTNOTE: Same game, same kind of advice, different words. Please finish your coffee, Grant. ▶