In the present day is an attention-grabbing and quite awe-inspiring day in part of the Americas: we had an annular eclipse. Not like a complete eclipse, the place the moon covers the solar in its entirety, an annual eclipse doesn’t. That is as a result of with the moon is at its furthest level from the earth, our celestial sister is just not shut sufficient to cowl the solar fully. This leads to what i referred to as a Ring of Fireplace – produced when the moon is centered with the solar, leading to a brilliant ring across the darkish spot that’s the moon. It’s tremendous neat.

Right here within the US, the annular eclipse began in Oregon earlier than slicing a swath by way of the Southwest and transferring throughout the Gulf of Mexico into the Yucatan Peninsula. It then headed throughout Central America and curved into the Amazon basin earlier than touring throughout Brazil and ending someplace within the ocean off its jap coast.

The place I dwell, we solely noticed 45% of it as a result of we have been exterior of its major path, and even then, we did not get to see very a lot as a result of Mom Nature determined she wished it to rain right now. Nonetheless, clouds parted a few instances, permitting us to catch a glimpse of the brand new moon passing over the solar earlier than as soon as once more turning into obscured. No ring of fireside for us, although, what we noticed appeared extra like Pac-Man than the rest. Nonetheless, it was very cool. The subsequent annular photo voltaic eclipse seen from the US gained’t occur till 2039, and the one option to view it’s should you dwell in Alaska – as it’s the solely state within the path. Whereas that may be a little bit of a bummer, the US can stay up for a complete eclipse, which is able to happen on April 8, 2024. The place I dwell, we’ll solely must drive a few hours west to expertise it.

Take a look at extra superb pictures of the eclipse over on House.com.

Now that the annular eclipse has run its course, it is time to determine one thing else to do with our time. For VG247 staffers within the UK who did not expertise the celestial occasion, it was weekend enterprise as regular: enjoyable, watching TV, heading to EGX 2023, or simply enjoying video games. For these of us who selected the latter, here is what we’re entering into:

Dom Peppiatt, Editor-in-Chief – Lords of the Fallen

Proper now, Britain is a depressing little land, teeming with ideological nutjobs that might quite see the nation delivered to its knees than act with kindness. It’s hostile, it’s grim, there’s an undertone of distress to every little thing, and people in energy appear to please of their rampant corruption and selfishness. It’s like a piece of fiction, and I want an escape, a launch, some fantasy to balm my shattered nerves.

So, I’m enjoying Lords of the Fallen (2023). It’s set in a depressing little land teeming with ideological nutjobs who would quite see the nation delivered to its knees than act with kindness. It’s hostile, it’s grim, there’s an undertone of distress to every little thing, and people in energy appear to please of their rampant corruption and selfishness. It’s like a piece of–– oh. Oh, no.

Kelsey Raynor, Guides Author – The whole lot at EGX

This weekend I will be enjoying numerous video games as a result of I am at EGX! I am tremendous excited to see how Tremendous Mario Bros. Marvel performs out and loads of different indie video games, too. There’s additionally Pokemon playing cards right here, so we would as properly say goodbye to no matter is left in my checking account proper now!

Mark Warren, Senior Employees Author – Starfield, Madden NFL 24

As somebody who loves enjoying video games that simply form of go on ceaselessly in a way that doesn’t mirror most of my op-eds, I’ll be dividing my time between the sphere and the cosmos this weekend. I’ve simply completed the Freestar Rangers quest arc in Starfield, so I’ve to work out what my ditzy area bandit’s going to do now that he’s completed speaking to the great of us of the not-quite NCR.

I suppose he would possibly look into performing some work for Ryujin Industries as a result of touchdown a crushing company gig in a sport simply after you’ve began a recent (and non-crushing, please don’t fireplace me) job in actual life is sweet escapism. Aside from that, I’ve acquired an attention-grabbing factor I need to check out in Madden NFL 24, so want me luck navigating the terrifying AI go rushes of the NFL.

Rebecca Jones, Guides Author – Ghostwire: Tokyo

For the primary time in years, I am spending many of the weekend on my own, and this morning I started my short-term bachelor way of life by reorganising my sock drawer, so I really feel like I owe it to myself to plan one thing enjoyable for after work. I’ve acquired nowhere particularly to be and uncontested management of the large TV; I must seize this uncommon alternative to go full goblin mode and no-life one thing on the PS5 for a few days! I believe I will use my extra of me-time to make additional headway within the huge open world of Ghostwire: Tokyo, which I am decided to 100% one in every of as of late.

Stephany Nunneley-Jackson, Information Editor – Steam Subsequent Fest Demos

This night, the husband and I are hanging out with my greatest good friend since kindergarten. She has a brand new beau, and desires to introduce him – plus, she’s making dinner, and wow can that girl prepare dinner! I will deliver some do-it-yourself sangria with me and my Playing cards In opposition to Humanity decks so as to add a little bit of hilarity to the night.

When Sunday rolls round, I plan to check out a number of of the demos accessible by way of Steam Subsequent Fest. There are such a lot of I need to attempt that I doubt I can get to by way of the lot over Sunday and Monday. However I’m actually eager to present as many a attempt as attainable. Among the ones I’m eyeing are: Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, Songs Of Silence, Wizard with a Gun, Cattails: Wildwood Story, Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew, The Rewinder, Pioneers of Pagonia, My Horse: Bonded Spirits, and Weko The Masks Gatherer.

As you’ll be able to see, choosing which of them to play or to not play shall be a tricky name.

What about you, of us? What are are your plans this weekend? Are you planning on enjoying any video games? Tell us! We’re nosey like that.