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Complete Black Ops 7 Beginner’s Guide: Maps, Modes & Mechanics

Black Ops 7 takes Treyarch’s signature action and adds smoother, more responsive movement and truly expansive battlefields. You’ll find that diving and wingsuit drops feel natural, letting you drop into the fight exactly where you need to be. Classic maps return with fresh layouts, and brand-new arenas offer plenty of verticality and sightlines to master. For players interested in learning about different features and enhancements in Black Ops 7, understanding how they align with movement and map design can help you see the game from a broader perspective. Whether you’re used to boots-on-the-ground play or eager to try large-scale 20v20 Skirmish matches, the basics remain the same: move smart, pick your positions carefully, and work with your team.

In this guide, we’ll explain the core mechanics – how movement works, which maps to learn first and how they play out, and what each mode demands from you. You’ll get straightforward tips on picking loadouts, understanding Overload and Skirmish objectives, and setting yourself up for success in every playlist. By the end, you’ll know exactly where to land, how to fight, and what to pack before you even hit “Deploy.”

Mastering Movement Mechanics: From Diving to Wingsuits

Black Ops 7’s movement system, called Omnimovement, blends grounded combat with strategic aerial options. Directional diving lets you drop into cover or dodge fire, while vaulting over obstacles and quick slides keep you mobile on the ground. On larger maps like Skirmish arenas, wingsuit drops speed up rotations and surprise enemies from above.

Key Movement Features

  • Directional Diving

    • Hold dive while moving to drop forward or sideways
    • Use dives to slip under sightlines or take cover
  • Vaulting & Slides

    • Run into low obstacles to bounce up and maintain momentum
    • Slide into prone or vault to quickly change elevation
  • Wingsuit Drops

    • Deploy from spawn or high ground to glide across open zones
    • Aim your camera down to gain speed, up to float over objectives
    • Land with a dive to immediately engage in combat

Master these mechanics in Custom Matches before jumping online. Practice transitioning from slides into dives for sudden direction changes, and experiment with wingsuit drops to find unexpected attack angles on every map.

Map Breakdown: Launch Roster, Remasters & Skirmish Arenas

Black Ops 7 offers a mix of fresh battlegrounds, reworked classics, and massive zones built for 20v20 clashes. Understanding each map’s flow and key areas will help you to control engagements and anticipate enemy movements.

Brand-New Environments

Each new map in the Black Ops 7 launch roster brings unique terrain, sightlines, and vertical layers:

  • Urban Uprising (6v6)
    • Tight street corridors balanced with rooftop access
    • Narrow alleys for close-quarter fights; balconies for taking out enemies at range
  • Arctic Facility (6v6)
    • Indoor labs with tight choke points
    • Outdoor frozen courtyards with sliding ice patches – use caution when diving
  • Skyrise Siege (Skirmish)
    • Multiple high-rise buildings connected by zip lines
    • Ground-level plaza for vehicle support
    • Rooftop platforms ideal for sniper cover

Classic Map Comebacks

Treyarch has remastered several fan favorites to fit Black Ops 7’s style and flow:

  • Magma

    • Now with updated lava hazards that change each round
    • Wider central pit for easier rotations between lanes
  • Hijacked

    • Yacht layout expanded with a lower cargo hold for stealth flanks
    • Added skylights for jump-in ambushes
  • Express

    • Station terminal redesigned to open up sightlines and reduce chokepoints
    • Faster train timing – time your movements or get caught on the tracks

Skirmish and Open-World Zones

Skirmish maps support 20v20 objectives across sprawling environments:

  • Cascade Canyon

    • Three capture points spread across river canyons and cliffside paths
    • Use wingsuit drops to reach flank zones quickly
  • Desert Stronghold

    • Central fortress surrounded by open dunes – expect long-range fights
    • Mobile cover (rock formations) shifts each match, forcing dynamic positioning
  • Forest Forward

    • Dense trees for concealment – watch for enemy ambushes
    • Elevated watchtowers controlling the north and south flanks
    • Underground bunkers linking objectives

Familiarize yourself with each map in Custom and Training modes. Focus on common lanes, high-traffic areas, and available cover. In Skirmish zones, always plan your drop point based on the current objective and remaining teammates – coordination can turn an unfavorable position into a strong counterattack.

Multiplayer Modes Explained: Overload, Skirmish & Core Playlists

Overload – 6v6 Objective Play

Overload returns to small-team action with a focus on moving an EMP device into the enemy base. It plays like a mix of capture-the-flag and Uplink:

  • Device Handling: Pick it up and run, or toss it a short distance to a nearby teammate – each quick handoff keeps the objective moving while limiting how long you’re exposed in the open.
  • Scoring: Deliver the EMP to the target zone for points; holding it too long makes you an easy target.
  • Tips: Move in short bursts between cover, and use tactical grenades to force defenders off the device’s path.

Skirmish – 20v20 Large-Scale Battles

Skirmish ramps up the player count and objectives across sprawling maps:

  • Multiple Objectives: Capture points, escort payloads, or hack terminals all in one match.
  • Wingsuit Rotations: Drop near objectives, then glide into flanks or high ground.
  • Team Roles: Heavy weapons clear paths, scouts cover flanks, and medics keep pushes alive. Aim to stick with at least one other teammate when you fly in – overwhelming force wins objectives.

Core Playlists – Classic Modes Refreshed

Familiar game types are reworked slightly to fit Black Ops 7’s pace and maps:

  • Team Deathmatch: Faster spawns and slightly tighter time-to-kill make every engagement count.
  • Domination: Zones shift location on some maps; watch the minimap for new capture points.
  • Search & Destroy: No respawns raise the stakes – use sound cues and slow pushes to avoid ambushes.

Each mode rewards different skills. Practice Overload to improve your device-handling under fire, dive into Skirmish to master large maps, and run Core Playlists when you want quick, focused rounds on familiar locales.

Core Game Mechanics & Combat Systems

Understanding Black Ops 7’s core systems allows you to adjust your approach and react to any situation effectively. From fine-tuning loadouts to syncing movement with shooting, these mechanics are at the heart of every match.

Loadout Customization & Perks

Creating the right loadout gives you an advantage before the match even starts.

  • Weapon Classes & Attachments

    • SMGs & ARs: SMGs excel in close range; ARs handle mid-to-long-range engagements.
    • Optics & Barrels: Choose sights that match each map’s sightlines, and barrels that balance recoil and ADS speed.
  • Perk Tiers

    • Tier 1 (Stealth & Mobility): Ghost hides you from UAVs; Lightweight boosts sprint speed.
    • Tier 2 (Combat Tools): Fast Hands speeds up reloads; Forward Intel spots nearby killstreaks.
    • Tier 3 (Survivability): Hardline lowers the points needed for scorestreaks; Tactical Mask reduces stun effects.

Begin with a balanced build – an AR with recoil control attachments, Ghost, Fast Hands, and Hardline – and swap perks as you learn which playstyle suits you best.

Scorestreaks, Equipment & Field Upgrades

Choosing the right support tools can boost your momentum.

  • Scorestreak Selection

    • Low-Cost (RC-XD, UAV): Rack up early points for constant intel.
    • Mid-Cost (Air Patrol, Sentry Turret): Control zones and deny enemy pushes.
    • High-Cost (Robotic Dog Unit): Eliminate multiple targets, especially in Skirmish.
  • Lethal & Tactical Gear

    • Frag & Semtex: Great for clearing chokepoints or post-plant situations.
    • Stun & Flash: Slows enemy advances and opens up site entries.
  • Field Upgrades

    • Ballistic Shield: Block narrow corridors for safe pushes.
    • Deployable Cover: Create instant cover in open areas.

Adapt your choices according to the game mode – stick to low-cost streaks in Search & Destroy, but go heavy with mid-cost options in Skirmish to support large-scale pushes.

Combining Movement and Combat

Combining movement techniques with your shooting style keeps you unpredictable.

  • Dive & Shoot: Drop into prone or slide-dive to break enemy aim, then fire on the move.
  • Slide Canceling: Briefly brake slides to recover faster and maintain accuracy.
  • Wingsuit Ambushes: Glide onto rooftops or behind objectives, then dive-shoot into unsuspecting opponents.

Practice switching from a slide into a quick strafe-dive and immediate firing in Custom Matches. When you master these combos, you’ll turn evasive moves into aggressive pressure.

Building Your First Loadout: Weapons, Attachments & Perks

Choosing a solid starter kit helps you to focus on improving rather than wrestling with your gear. Here’s a simple framework to launch you straight into the action.

  1. Weapon Recommendations
  • Close Range:

    • MP7 – Fast fire rate and tight hip-fire spread make it forgiving in tight spaces.
    • Fennec – High damage up close; control recoil by tapping instead of holding the trigger.
  • Mid Range:

    • M4A1 – Balanced recoil and clear sightlines for learning recoil patterns.
    • STB 556 – Good damage at 30-40 meters; keep shots in 3-5 round bursts.
  • Long Range:

    • AX-50 Sniper – One-hit body shots reward careful positioning.
    • Kastov 762 – Handles well at distance when paired with a steady stock attachment.
  1. Attachment Setup
  • Barrels & Muzzles:

    • Pick a barrel that cuts recoil by at least 20% without slowing ADS more than 10%.
    • Add a suppressor to stay off enemy radar when you fire.
  • Stocks & Grips:

    • Use an adjustable stock for faster ADS speed.
    • Foregrip improves horizontal recoil without reducing sprint-to-fire speed.
  • Optics:

    • Stick to a 1.5x-2x red dot or a small magnifier for clear targets at all ranges.
    • Avoid high-zoom scopes until you master map sightlines.
  1. Perk Combinations
  • Stealth Build:

    • Ghost – You won’t appear on UAVs when you move.
    • Quick Fix – Regenerate health faster after a kill.
    • Tracker – See enemy footprints for simple tracking.
  • Mobility Build:

    • Lightweight – Move and aim while sprinting more easily.
    • Fast Hands – Swap weapons and reload in a flash.
    • Vanguard – Shorter slide distance penalty when sliding into prone.
  • Balanced Build:

    • Combine Ghost, Fast Hands, and Hardline to mask movement, reload quickly, and earn streaks faster.

Start with one build, then swap a perk or attachment each match to find what best fits your style. Over time, you’ll know exactly which tools allow you to focus on outplaying your opponent rather than your kit.

Beginner-Friendly Tips: Map Awareness, Positioning & Team Play

Success in Black Ops 7 often comes down to reading the battlefield and working with teammates rather than raw aim. Here are simple tactics to get you started.

  • Read the Minimap and Ping System
    Keep an eye on enemy blips and objective markers. If you see enemies on the minimap, fall back to cover or reposition to flank them. Use pings to alert teammates of threats or call out enemy locations – even a single ping can turn a failed push into a coordinated defense.
  • Control Key Chokepoints
    Every map has high-traffic lanes – doorways, alley entrances or narrow bridges. Position yourself just behind cover, watch those lanes, and bait enemies into the open. If you hold a chokepoint, you force the enemy to work around you, slowing their attack and giving your team space to respond.
  • Use High Ground and Vertical Routes
    Maps with multiple levels reward players who think in three dimensions. Jump onto crates or ledges to surprise opponents from above. In Skirmish, deploy your wingsuit toward roofs or balconies to drop into the action unchallenged. Always have an escape route – don’t get trapped on a rooftop without a clear way down.
  • Stick to a Small Team
    Solo pushes often result in being outnumbered. Pair up with one or two players and move as a unit. Assign roles – one scout moves ahead while pinging enemies, another provides cover fire, and a third plants or defends objectives. Even basic radio chatter or quick text pings can keep everyone on the same page.
  • Adapt to Enemy Patterns
    If the opposing team favors long-range fights, swap to an AR with a magnifier. If they run SMGs through narrow halls, lay traps with equipment like trip mines or tactical grenades. Watch where they respawn and push from the opposite side to catch them off guard.

By combining steady map awareness, smart positioning, and simple teamwork, you’ll turn beginner mistakes into winning plays. Practice these tips in Casual matches to build habits that stick when the stakes are high.

These core pillars of Black Ops 7 give you everything you need to beat the competition. Nail your slide-dives and wingsuit drops, learn each map’s flow, and lock in a weapon setup that fits your style to the max. Jump into Custom Matches to build muscle memory, then tackle Overload, Skirmish and classic modes to turn what you’ve learned under pressure into victory on the battlefield. After that, go ahead and change one attachment or perk each session and monitor how it affects your play. With steady practice and smart positioning, you’ll go from newcomer to confident competitor in no time at all.

From Arcade to Algorithm: How Casino Design Is Influencing Modern Game Culture

The connection between gambling and gaming has grown increasingly clear in recent years. Where arcades and casinos were once seen as distinct entertainment spaces, today they share more than a few design principles. As digital gaming has developed, many creators have borrowed ideas from casino design to enhance engagement, reward loyalty, and increase the time users spend playing. The colours, pacing, sound cues, and even the psychology behind these systems often mirror what’s been refined for decades on the casino floor. What might have started as a few visual nods has grown into a deeper influence that’s helping shape game culture as a whole.

This change is partly driven by the best online casinos, which have consistently improved how users interact with digital platforms. These platforms are known for quick loading times, responsive gameplay, and reward systems that keep people engaged without becoming overly complicated. They also tend to offer practical benefits like fast withdrawals, easy account setup, and regular promotions that add value to each session. Aspects of this style have filtered into other digital games, especially mobile and free-to-play ones, where developers have adopted similar techniques to boost daily logins, player retention, and in-game purchases. It’s a style built on convenience, speed, and constant stimulation, which are all qualities that appeal to modern players.

Design-wise, the visual influence of casinos is easy to spot. Many current games feature glowing lights, celebratory animations, and stylised win effects that look almost identical to slot machine interfaces. These visual elements aren’t just for show; they play a part in how players feel during a session. By replicating casino-like reward sequences, games can create a sense of excitement or anticipation, even when very little is actually at stake. The goal is to build up positive reinforcement loops that encourage repeat play and longer sessions. These effects are often combined with in-game timers, limited-time offers, and unlockable rewards. They are design choices that are deeply influenced by gambling platforms, even if the gameplay itself remains far removed from traditional casino formats.

As gaming evolves, this crossover with casino design raises some important questions around player experience and transparency. Many games now use randomised reward systems, where outcomes are determined by chance, and the odds are not always made clear. This adds a gambling-like element to games that otherwise have no link to betting. While some players enjoy this unpredictability, others have grown wary of how much real money can be spent on games where success is partially luck-based. The line between entertainment and chance-based systems is becoming increasingly blurred, especially in competitive games where upgrades or cosmetic items can influence the experience. Players often perceive cosmetic purchases not just as vanity items, but as a means of rewarding developers and enhancing social engagement, with motivations tied to autonomy, relatedness, and ongoing investment in their gaming identity

Even with those concerns, the creative opportunities that come from this blending of styles are worth noting. Some developers are using gambling-inspired systems in original ways, creating entirely new types of games that build on the thrill of chance while offering thoughtful or artistic experiences. From card-based story games to risk-and-reward combat mechanics, the influence of casino structure can be seen across many genres. What makes these games different is how they use those elements not just to drive spending, but to shape the narrative or mood. It shows that even features once tied purely to casinos can be used more meaningfully when placed in the right creative hands. For the wider gaming industry, the link between arcade-style design and algorithm-driven gambling has opened the door to more experimentation and a deeper understanding of how players respond to digital experiences.

Book Review: C. Mallon, ‘Dogs’

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Recently I went on a date with someone who showed me a forearm scar he got from hopping a barbed wire fence when he was in high school, trespassing an abandoned pool. The cops came, and his friends ran, leaving him with a mark of teenage stupidity and freedom for the rest of his life. To put it bluntly, I couldn’t empathize — I was a good kid in high school; too busy or too bored to seek out weed or parties. Later, our underground bar flooded during a particularly brutal thunderstorm — “Are we gonna die?” I asked my date, imagining a wall of water rushing in on us. He said no, obviously not.

I kept that in mind while reading C. Mallon’s Dogs, a devastating novel filled with rabblerousers and jittery teens who wouldn’t hesitate to hop fences or steal booze, either. In the small town of Carbon, childhood innocence exists so close to teenage cruelty it winds the reader; get used to the muscles in your face dropping from a smile to a grimace in a matter of seconds. Mallon will not spare you — each page drips with the violence of teens fucking, fighting, disabled kids surviving their mothers, surviving getting whacked. Carbon is populated with agents of sadness, micro-stories of trauma Mallon focuses her lens on and moves away after the ache pangs for too long. An epileptic autistic 30-year-old tears Styrofoam apart and shakes hands by “splaying his fingers back out in a pink baby starfish.” A kid playing on the train tracks gets hit, the meat of his legs “fish-mouth, turned to tendrils, shredded,” eventually amputated, then he shops with his sweatpants cut below the stumps, along with his mom, donned in Care Bear scrubs. And then there’s Hal. 

He can describe himself. He’s “a battery,” “a pale horse,” “the butchered calf,” “the byproduct,” “a toothed whale,” “a nothing man,” “a submarine,” “strong, whole, long and tough, broad and built out of gristle, and wire, and iron.” He tells his mother, “I didn’t ever want to be this” — after a book full of irreverent images, choose your favorite to fill in what he means. He doesn’t know what to do with his hands, he’s just happy to be there, his body is a postmodern breakable object reconstructed with language, a thing outside of himself — “I was tied to Hal’s track” — and he is also a teenage boy. And like all teenage boys, “I figured probably I was ruined.” 

Hal is a tenderhearted horny monster, a boy with emotions too big for his body, a body he weaponizes to avoid speaking. He’s perceptive and doesn’t show it, angry and unfortunately does. He is literary and violent, a bully and a victim. He wears mittens and discusses Snoopy. He sings “You Are My Sunshine” to his dog and swallows pills to kill himself. He cuts his hand on a piece of glass so his mother can bandage it. Kevin makes a horrible joke, so Hal fractures his eye socket and destroys his nose. At a party he gets high on Valium and rests with Cody John in a bathtub, and has his parents bathe and clothe him. Kevin and his goons confront Hal later, spitting in Cody John’s face, so Hal mauls him again. He’s nice enough to spare Kevin another trip to the hospital, with Hal “batter[ing] my bandaged hand onto the concrete a thousand times, white cotton shredded, gone dark with the old grease and filth of the lot.”

Hal is a wrestler, along with the rest of his posse, Dylan, Zachary, Carter, and Hal’s crush, Cody John. Dogs is about one night, when the boys get out of practice and drive up to a mountain after dinner at Hal’s to camp out. Hal and Cody John are intense, doomed — think high school Brokeback Mountain — progressive boys insofar as they tell each other they love each other and closed-off to the point where Hal returns a forehead kiss from Cody John with a punch in the ribs. They haven’t done anything together yet — “I was afraid he’d think there was something ugly about it anyhow” — but the book doesn’t need sex scenes to show how intimately familiar the boys are (there is a backseat blowjob, though).

“He was a cardinal bird,” Hal thinks, “I was a canyon.” He’s a “horsefly lassoed on a thread of gold,” “the lone star, the best thing that I ever had.” If I’m quoting a lot, it’s because Hal’s relationship to himself and to Cody John (and the town, his parents, etc.) goes beyond grounded understanding; he (and Mallon) are wordsmiths. It’s through his actions, rather than his conversations, that he truly knows himself, terse as they may be. His every move is unknown to him; Dogs is as propulsive and dynamic as a well-oiled machine. Hal’s problems stem, of course, from trauma — the shattering reveal of which and subsequent mistakes plunge the book into its darkest, most depressing territory. 

Dogs, which has been compared to A Little Life, does what Hanya Yanigihara sets out to do and ends up in a less frenzied place, that being with a fully-formed character and not a pulp of a human (with 500 pages to spare). Yanigihara’s strategy is not morally wrong, as other critics argue, only tiring. Hal’s ending is not sunshiny — as you can expect, it’s the opposite — but his anger and sadness and fears seem earned through the depths of emotions he experiences through his fuck-ups. Same goes for the sympathy I feel for him (I welled up three times). A Little Life felt like a kid stabbing a doll in order to get a reaction from someone; in Dogs, Hal falls through a meat grinder and lives to tell the tale. I’m not told to feel bad for him, I just do from Mallon’s incisive and often stunning prose; it’s brilliant and bodily, pulsing with life and extinguishing it just as quickly.

“They’d make him scared,” Hal imagines the fate of a mistreated dog he sees one day, “They’d shut him in a cage and then when nobody came by for him, when nobody came by to love him and call him their special boy, they’d pin him on a cold table and they’d put him to sleep. There wouldn’t be anybody there with him to smooth his fur flat, hold his chewed ears and tell him that he’d really been the best dog.”

Dogs is a staggering, nauseating display of talent — a hundred arrows into the heart all at once. The journey into the psyche of a troubled, emotional, but good boy, is deft enough to combine the dustbowl hopelessness of Ethel Cain’s discography and the pubescent romantic swells of Call Me By Your Name with a voice that pounces off the page. Mallon punches you in the gut and doesn’t bother to stop when you’ve raised your white flag. When wandering one day, Hal sees the elderly dog from the passage above, tied up in a yard, and sits with him, “Love him the way I was able,” but he doesn’t seem to perceive his warmth. A month later his drunk owner puts two bullets in his head at dawn. “Some dogs,” Hal thinks, “didn’t get what they ought to have got.” Woof.


Dogs is out now.

Taylor Swift Announces New Album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’

Taylor Swift has announced her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. Pre-orders for vinyl, CD, and cassette versions of the album are now ongoing via the pop star’s website. Its artwork, tracklist, and release date have yet to be unveiled, but Swift’s website notes that physical copies will ship before October 13.

Swift will promote The Life of a Showgirl with an appearance on New Heights, the podcast hosted by her boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce, on Wednesday, August 13, at 7:00 pm ET. Her last album, The Tortured Poets Department, came out in April 2024.

 

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Vudu (Free section) Alternatives, Mirror Sites & Reddit Updates

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Let’s admit it — nothing’s easier than opening your device and searching for the title you want to watch. It saves your time and most of your money. Similarly, the free section of Vudu gave us blockbuster titles with zero price tags. However, its free content doesn’t always have everything. Likewise, the availability of the “Movies On Us” feature may vary across devices due to different reasons. Thankfully, there are tons of Vudu (Free section) Alternatives out there. From subscription-based to free websites, you won’t run out of streaming options.

This article contains some streaming choices, mirror sites, and Reddit insights.

Five Recommended Vudu (Free section) Alternatives

  • Netflix

Netflix provides unlimited movies, TV series, comedy shows, and more. While it’s not free, its monthly fee is relatively low. Likewise, the premium content makes the subscription price worth it. With something new to discover each week, it remains a gold standard in streaming.

  • Starz

Starz is popular for its mix of licensed films and original content. Similar to Netflix, this platform is not free. However, it frequently has trials and bundle deals. At the time of writing, it is offering a special price of $5 a month for three months.

  • FlixFling

FlixFling blends subscription and rental models into one platform. For as low as $7.99 per month, users can access over 5,000 classics and unique titles. At the same time, it’s available on Android, Apple devices, Roku, Fire TV, and many more. It also claims to have zero ad interruptions.

  • Goku

Goku is a free streaming website that delivers a quality streaming experience. It doesn’t require users to create accounts to watch its library of HD movies and TV series. However, it does come with occasional pop-ups. It’s a great option for Vudu (Free section) alternatives.

  • HuraWatch

HuraWatch promises fast streaming with no ads and no fees. Similarly, the website boasts a large catalog of movies and TV shows in high definition. Viewers can find blockbuster titles across genres. Also, HuraWatch features classic films.

Available Mirror Sites for Vudu (Free section)

Considering the nature of Vudu, it’s not common for it to have mirror sites. If there is, you should be cautious in accessing it. As of writing, the working domain for Vudu is https://athome.fandango.com/.

Reddit News About Vudu (Free section)

Reddit users on the r/vudu thread are sharing their bad experiences with the bundle or sale deals on Vudu. Some are complaining about the SD quality of their purchase. Likewise, other users say that the platform has misleading advertisements.

Final Notes

There are several Vudu (Free section) alternatives to explore. Choices range from paid platforms to free websites. No matter your preferences or budget, there’s always a streaming option that fits. However, you should always stream smart and steer away from risky websites.

Popcornflix Alternatives, Mirror Sites & Reddit Updates

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When online cinema booking became a thing, everyone felt it was a relief from having to line up to buy tickets. However, everything changed when streaming came into the picture. Literally, all you need to do is pull up a chair and press play. No fluff and most of the time, no fees. Similarly, that’s what Popcornflix was famous for. However, many people find the content library lacking as it focuses on classics and indie titles. So, audiences are looking for Popcornflix alternatives that will give them more mainstream picks.

This article covers the top streaming alternatives, proxy sites, and Reddit updates.

Five Recommended Popcornflix Alternatives

  • Disney+

Disney+ allows users to access endless entertainment. Yes, it’s not free. However, it’s hard to beat its massive library. From Marvel hits to the Star Wars franchise, it stays true to being the home of your favorites. Likewise, it offers a collection of titles that viewers can watch without a paid subscription.

  • Kanopy

Kanopy is for viewers who like documentaries, independent movies, foreign films, and classics. Specifically, you can stream thousands of movies for free. All you need is your university login or public library card. Plus, you can stream content on any device.

  • Philo

Philo provides live TV and on-demand content. It’s a solid replacement for users who want more than just movies. For only $28 per month, you’ll have access to the best shows, films, and much more. At the same time, it hosts hundreds of free channels and thousands of ad-supported movie titles.

  • FMovies

FMovies is one of the last standing pioneers of free streaming websites. It continues to draw viewers with its wide variety of content. Until now, audiences have been able to use it to stream everything from blockbusters to foreign films. It’s a solid addition to Popcornflix alternatives.

  • ZMovies

ZMovies offers several choices for streaming. Specifically, this platform has titles from different genres. The selection includes action, animation, comedy, adventure, documentary, and more. However, users should be wary of the pop-up ads.

Available Mirror Sites for Popcornflix

The most recent working links for Popcornflix are the following:

Be careful in accessing mirrors as they may pose digital threats to you and your device.

Reddit News About Popcornflix

There is not much new information on Reddit about Popcornflix. But six months ago, one user on the r/cordcutters thread announced the return of Popcornflix.

Final Notes

Popcornflix alternatives are everywhere. They make your couch your front-row seat to a cinema experience. However, streaming unofficially can lead you to viruses and legal risks. You should always know what you’re clicking.

Bobby Whitlock, Derek & the Dominos Co-Founder, Dead at 77

Bobby Whitlock, the American blues-rock musician who co-founded the British band Derek & the Dominos alongside Eric Clapton, has died. His manager, Carol Kaye, said in a statement to Variety that Whitlock died earlier this morning following a cancer diagnosis. He was 77 years old.

Born in Memphis, Whitlock was drawn to music at an early age, taking an interest in learning the keyboard and organ. He became the first white artist signed to Stax Records, but he never released anything for the label. He decided to leave Memphis to play music with the rock and soul duo Delaney & Bonnie, meeting Eric Clapton when he also joined the group. Whitlock went on to contribute keys to Clapton’s self-titled 1970 solo album as well as George Harrison’s solo debut, All Things Must Pass, playing organ, piano, harmonium, tubular bells, and backing vocals on several tracks.

Early in the sessions for All Things Must Pass, Clapton and Whitlock teamed up with Carl Radle and Jim Gordon for the short-lived supergroup Derek & the Dominos. Whitlock co-wrote and sang lead on numerous songs from their first and only album, 1970’s Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. He then embarked on a solo career, releasing a self-titled 1972 album that featured contributions from all of his Derek and the Dominos bandmates and George Harrison. His second album, Raw Velvet, was co-produced by Jimmy Miller, whose connection with the Rolling Stones led to Whitlock him being an uncredited musician on Exile on Main St.

After a few more solo LPs in the 1970s, Whitlock left the music business to live a farm in Mississippi, where he raised his children. In 1999, he returned with the album It’s About Time, and the following year reunited with Eric Clapton for a performance on Jools Holland. In 2010, he published a memoir. “My business is to try to conduct myself as a decent person and a gentleman as much as I can, get through this world, navigate through this without making too many waves,” Whitlock told Everything Knoxville upon being awarded a Brass Music Note on Memphis’ Beale Street Walk of Fame. “But when you make them, make them big – ones to remember. I know the role that I’ve been playing in everyone’s music that I was a part of. Because my addition made that music mine as well – whether it’s a Jeff Healy record or whatever. I put my stamp on it.”

Between City and Shelter: Xin Zhang’s Poetic Response to the Making and Unmaking of Home

Resembling windows, tent and bricks, Xin Zhang’s artworks sit on the theme of urban alienation and migration, asking how home is built, unbuilt and remembered across cities, materials and body. Born on the south coast of China and now living in London, Xin looks back at the shifts between cities to confront origins and identity in their barest form.

Refusing to be grounded by categories, Xin is constantly looking for new language and form. Her design background and trainings in traditional printing at the Royal College of Art laid the ground work for her interdisciplinary practice across printmaking, photography and installation. Fueled by extreme tenderness and passion, it drifts in the in-between and leads us through the limbo of self-recognition.

Under the Roof of an Alienated City

In one of her latest work Insomnia I (2025), where a twisted view of the city floats before a window of light, Xin commented on the alienation of metropolitan life. The photograph conjures a real yet surreal and detached location, gesturing towards a sense of placelessness——an anonymous space of in transit, as described by Marc Auge’s.

The eccentric line ‘where to look under this temporary roof’ is threaded between the layers. Such text recurs across her work as either a narrative, a critique or a confession, offering a glimpse into Xin’s method of working where writing and making feed into one another.

As is looking through a window, Insomnia I articulates urban alienation while opening a space for self-reflection and recognition.

The Gentle Aching of Home

While she remains critical towards the definition of home, Xin’s tender telling of memory and trauma surfaces in Growing Pain(2025) and Of Eros of Dust(2023).

Growing Pain, 2025 UV print on tissue paper, 10×5 cm (individual)

In Growing Pain(2025), columns of brick-like cubics carry grids, stains and handwriting, weightlessly floating and cut into the air. The papery material mimics the shape of the actual brick yet poetically contradicts its concrete heaviness that suggests vulnerability of body. Set against an actual brick wall, the doubling of the image and the object is deliberate: the actual structure and its representation occupy the same visual space but never quite meet.

Deeply personal, Growing pain dirssects into the East-Asian family value and its emphasis on  discipline and self-scarifice——what is being socially produced? Carried by metaphor of ‘brick as body’, the work earns its clarity through an well restraint argument on modern alienation, and the desire to rebuild otherwise.

Of Eros of Dust, 2023
Mix medium, variable size

Originally presented as a half-burned tent on a pile of charred wood and ash, with a flaming red print telling a personal story of love and destruction, Of Eros of Dust(2023) took on a new life in the garden of a traditional hanok in Seoul, installed for the exhibition The Stone We Hold curated by 13B Gallery.

“ Me and Sangwon and Eunwoo (founders and curators of 13B)  spent so much time discussing what’s the best way to install the work over email. We all agreed that we wanted it to evolve from the previous installation and interact with the new context,” Xin shares the story behind.

It now sits quietly in the clearing, a log and the remnants of a bonfire at its side. Unlike its first appearance it expresses longing in a calmer yet firm manner, signaling an evolution in the artist’s own state.

The piece takes on a different perspective on the relationship between self and origin when compared with Insomnia I, which expressed a need of stability, Of Eros of Dust suggests a nomadic and free-spirited view, and a active state of being on the road with no need of permanent structure.

Across the Borders, the Ongoing Quest

Xin’s resent body of work reflects a continuous quest for identity within the them of global migration. She says London has opened a new perspective for her to doubt and question, to search and conclude, while keeping the past in view. What emerges is her rebellion against received structure, articulated in a precise and poetic language, Xin reminded us of how can be call Home.

Neta Rozentale Talks Sports Recruiting, Coaches And Athlete Development

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In the world of collegiate sports recruitment, where dreams meet rigorous academic and athletic demands, Neta Rozentale stands out as a guiding force. As a Placement Assistant at ASM Sports in West Palm Beach, Florida, Rozentale leverages her remarkable journey as a former elite international athlete to empower the next generation. Her informed perspective, forged through years of high-level competition and navigating the complex collegiate system, makes her an invaluable resource for aspiring U.S. student-athletes.

Born Janeta Rozentale in the small town of Dobele, Latvia, Neta’s basketball journey began at just nine years old. Though her hometown was quaint, the basketball court in nearby Jelgava, some 30 kilometers away, became her proving ground. By 13, her high-performance talent caught the eye of national selectors, earning her a spot on Latvia’s U-14 national team. Her debut representing her country at the Baltic Cup, where her team clinched first place, was a pivotal moment. “That was my first experience representing my country, and it sparked a journey that would shape her life forever,” Rozentale reflects, highlighting the genesis of her lifelong dedication to the sport.

Her rise through the ranks was swift and impressive. At 15, Rozentale was a key player for the U-16 national team, which achieved a remarkable 5th place at the European Championship. This performance not only showcased their prowess but also secured a coveted spot at the U-17 World Championship in Zaragoza, Spain, the following year. Her progression continued seamlessly, as she went on to represent Latvia at the U-18 and U-20 levels. With the U-18 team, competing against an older age group, she helped secure a fourth-place finish at the European Championship, qualifying for the World Cup in Italy. Around this time, her exceptional talent even earned her an invitation to train with the senior national team, a testament to her burgeoning skill and potential. At 17, Rozentale joined TTT-Riga, Latvia’s premier women’s basketball club, where she also contributed to the junior team’s 3rd place finish in the Latvian Estonian league.

Following a distinguished high school athletic career, Rozentale accepted offers to play and study in the United States, seeking to combine her passion for basketball with academic pursuits. She initially committed to the University of South Florida before transferring to Florida Atlantic University (FAU). There, she spent five transformative years, not only excelling on the court as a Division-1 collegiate basketball athlete from August 2019 to March 2024 but also earning two degrees: a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Sociology (graduating August 2022) and currently pursuing an MBA in Sports Management, anticipated in August 2024, maintaining an impressive 3.8 GPA. Rozentale’s outstanding commitment to academic excellence was further recognized through her inclusion on the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll and other academic accolades.

Now, as a Placement Assistant at ASM Sports, Rozentale bridges the gap between aspiring athletes and their collegiate dreams. Her role is multi-faceted, involving daily interaction with young U.S. athletes, primarily between 14 and 18 years old, who harbor ambitions of playing college sports. She provides crucial guidance on NCAA rules, demystifies different college divisions (DI, DII, DIII, NJCAA, NAIA), and clarifies standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT, along with the process of translating academic grades. Beyond the technicalities, Rozentale imparts invaluable soft skills, teaching athletes how to effectively communicate with coaches, what questions to ask, what to avoid, and how to present themselves professionally. Once an athlete commits, her support extends to admissions, visa preparation, and even housing arrangements, ensuring a smooth transition to their new environment. “Having gone through the entire journey herself, she is passionate about helping young athletes follow their dreams—just like she did,” notes her bio, underscoring the personal investment Rozentale brings to her work.

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Women’s Sports

Addressing the persistent perception of sports as a male-dominated field, Rozentale offers an optimistic outlook, particularly regarding women’s athletics. “I think women’s sports have been growing for the past couple of years, especially women’s basketball,” she asserts. “In recent years, NCAA women’s March Madness is just as anticipated as men’s and it is so amazing to see.” At ASM Sports, supporting both female and male athletes, empowering U.S. players to achieve their dreams, is a core principle. 

“At ASM, we work hard to ensure that female athletes are supported throughout the recruitment process,” Rozentale explains. “We promote them with the same visibility as male athletes, through highlight videos, social media exposure, and direct outreach to coaches.” This commitment reflects the broader positive shift reflecting the rising popularity of women’s sports for both athletes and spectators.

The Holistic Approach to Athlete Development

When asked about the starting point for athlete development, Rozentale emphasizes a holistic perspective. “When helping an athlete develop, the first step is understanding them as a whole—their goals, motivation, challenges, and academic standing if relevant,” she states. 

This foundational understanding allows Rozentale to assess athletes’ current level, evaluating technical skills, tactical understanding, physical condition, and reviewing game footage. Identifying key areas for development, she then meticulously crafts a tailored training plan. 

Setting clear short- and long-term athletic goals is crucial, with regular progress tracking to adjust the plan as needed. Beyond training, supporting exposure is vital, which includes assistance with recruiting, highlight videos, and direct communication with coaches. “Above all, provide consistent support, mentorship, and accountability throughout their journey,” Rozentale advises, highlighting the continuous nature of athlete development.

Empowering Athletes for the Business Side of the Game

In an era where collegiate athletes can capitalize on their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, managing the business aspects of a sports career has never been more critical. Rozentale and ASM Sports prioritize educating athletes on this front. “We train athletes to manage the business side of their career by emphasizing the importance of education,” she explains. “We ensure they understand that academic success is just as important as athletic performance for long-term opportunities.” 

A significant part of this training involves demystifying NIL. “We help them understand how NIL works, how to build their personal brand responsibly, and how to identify legitimate opportunities.” Through a comprehensive approach that includes workshops, mentorship, and guidance on communication, networking, and financial literacy, ASM prepares athletes to “think beyond the game and take control of their careers both on and off the field.”

Preparing for the Spotlight: Publicity and Press

The transition to collegiate or professional sports often thrusts young athletes into the public eye. Rozentale dedicates significant effort to preparing them for this reality. “I prepare athletes for publicity and press by teaching them how to effectively communicate with coaches and present themselves with confidence and professionalism,” she elaborates. This includes practical advice on handling interviews, crafting proper emails, and articulating their goals and achievements clearly. She also stresses the importance of managing their social media presence, recognizing its profound impact on public perception. 

“I also help them understand how to manage their social media presence and emphasize the importance of body language and tone,” she adds. Her ultimate goal is to instill a sense of self-awareness and professionalism: “My goal is to make sure they know how to represent themselves well in every interaction, because how they carry themselves off the field is just as important as how they perform on it.”

Recruitment Rates: A Universal Pursuit of Talent

Dispelling notions of high and low recruitment rates across sports, Rozentale offers an insightful perspective. “Every sport has a strong recruitment rate because college coaches are constantly looking for new talent—it’s a critical part of their job, and their careers often depend on the success of their teams,” she asserts. “Coaches are always scouting, evaluating, and connecting with potential recruits across all sports.” 

At ASM Sports, the scope of their work is broad. “The most common ones among our student-athletes are soccer, golf, tennis, basketball, and volleyball,” she notes. However, their expertise is not limited to these. “We support athletes in virtually any sport—whether it’s swimming, track and field, rugby, baseball, or others—our placement team is equipped to help athletes pursue opportunities in their specific discipline.” This comprehensive approach ensures that every aspiring athlete, regardless of their chosen sport, can find the guidance they need.

Neta Rozentale’s journey, from a young Latvian basketball prodigy to a seasoned collegiate athlete and now a dedicated advocate for aspiring student-athletes, is a testament to her commitment to growth and service. Her unique combination of first-hand experience, academic prowess, and a profound understanding of the sports recruitment landscape positions her as a pivotal figure in helping young talent navigate the complexities of achieving their athletic and academic dreams. Her work at ASM Sports, coupled with her extensive volunteer efforts and unwavering dedication, highlights Rozentale’s role not just as a professional, but as a passionate mentor shaping the future of sports.

4 Surprising Ways Forex Trading Mirrors Creative Decision-Making

You might think that creative endeavors exist in a different world from financial ones, like forex trading. But there’s actually a lot of alignment between creative and financial pursuits. After all, traders have to be creative thinkers, ready to pounce on good opportunities and weigh big decisions. Even if traders are working with numbers and charts rather than paintbrushes or cameras, they’re still focused on looking for patterns and trusting their intuition—just like creative individuals. 

Read on to discover four unique ways that forex trading mirrors creative decision-making!

1. Learning to Take Risks

The artistic process is all about taking risks. Fashion designers can score new followers by deviating from current trends in favor of bolder, different designs. Similarly, musicians can take risks by shifting their instrumental arrangements or musical styles on a new album. Forex traders also need to take risks in their daily operations, with data and instincts driving their decisions

Taking risks in creative fields might not pay off. And for forex traders, making the wrong investment could lead to financial loss. But on either path, the advantages of taking risks far outweigh the negatives, giving both creatives and forex traders an opportunity to grow.

2. Turning to Data for Guidance

Data and forex trading might seem like a logical pairing. Forex traders will analyze real-time data as they make decisions about trading currencies. Axi a broker for forex, offers a robust platform with data and trading tools that enable forex traders to gain a thorough analysis of the markets. 

But the notion that creative individuals use data to inform their actions might be less obvious. Musicians, artists, and other creative individuals rely on data to hone their craft, too. For example, game studio designers may determine their next move based on consumer reactions to a new game series. Or fashion designers will assess the consumer response to existing lines as they work toward a launch of their newest collection

3. Studying Patterns

Forex traders look over charts and economic indicators, like inflation rates or employment data, as they approach their work. While creatives aren’t necessarily evaluating candlestick charts or oscillators, they are looking at patterns, too. 

Anything from social conditions to consumer culture can inform how a musician or visual artist crafts their next song or painting. Musicians investigate patterns, like rhythms and beats or chord progressions. How they arrange sequences of music can impact the tone and emotional pull of a song. Likewise, theatre artists have to consider patterns and rhythms as they write a play, generating scripts with peaks and valleys that will keep their audience engaged. 

4. Keeping Emotions Under Control

Emotional control is essential for artists hoping to complete a sculpture or writers trying to finish a novel. Periods of frustration or creative block can test the limits of emotional control, however. And artists frequently deal with burnout or anxiety as they push through an idea. 

Forex traders face similar challenges as they pursue financial analyses that can affect their bottom line. One wrong trade can upend a stable financial situation, so the pressure is high. Consequently, just like creative individuals, forex traders must maintain a level-headed approach as they navigate the international trading landscape. 

A Creative Kinship

Creative choices and forex trading are more similar than most people would guess. Both creatives and forex traders must remain focused on their goals and keep their emotions under control. They have to take risks and live with the consequences. And they need to keep their eye on data and patterns as they consider a new trade or fashion line. With the right strategy, artists and traders can arrive at a successful outcome in their respective fields.