## Ex-Gearbox Publishing devs form new publisher Cooldown Games

Authored by gamedeveloper.com

Former staffers at Gearbox Publishing have founded a new publisher, Cooldown Games.

While some employees remained with Embracer and have rebranded into Arc Games, others were laid off as part of the parent company's restructuring plans.

Skal noted the ongoing struggles with live-service and ongoing games trying to vie for players' time when they already have "forever games" set in stone.

Cooldown-published titles, he reasoned, can serve as good in-between games instead of titles that "ask more of us than we can give.".

"Our team is confident rational business models will be a long-term strength of Cooldown Games and that just might be a refreshing contrast from many recent industry trends," said Gibson in the company announcement.

Developers interested in working with Cooldown can contact the studio here, and those looking for a job can apply here.

Meanwhile, Gibson's interview with Bloomberg, which also details his time at Gearbox Publishing and Embracer before being laid off, is here. »

### Elon Musk's DOGE has a new target for cutting federal spending: the U.S. penny

Authored by cbsnews.com

Billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency has a new target in its sights for trimming federal spending: the U.S. penny.

"The penny costs over 3 cents to make and cost U.S. taxpayers over $179 million in FY2023," DOGE wrote.

President Donald Trump has said DOGE will provide recommendations to "slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure federal agencies." »

### Trump's Enrique Tarrio pardon creates a monster he can't control

Authored by msnbc.com

I try not to be in the business of scaring people, but there are moments when it feels warranted.

But in the process, he may have created something of a Frankenstein’s monster.

So while I know it can feel like a firehose of alarming information, I think this particular story deserves our attention. »

### Trump's canceling of 50 security clearances is unprecedented and partisan, experts say

Authored by nbcnews.com

Previous administrations have been accused of rescinding security clearances based on prejudice or political bias.

Until 1995, for example, gay people often had their security clearances removed as officials claimed they could be subject to blackmail.

Trump also removed the security clearance for John Bolton, his former national security adviser, accusing him of revealing sensitive information in a memoir. »

### Democrats cry foul after Trump fires independent watchdog officials

Authored by bbc.com

Republican senator and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee Chuck Grassley has said he wants "further explanation" from Trump after the president fired at least at dozen inspectors general.

Grassley says there "may be good reason" for the officials to be dismissed, but added: "We need to know that if so.

"Regardless, the 30 day detailed notice of removal that the law demands was not provided to Congress.". »

## In pictures

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