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Fabula Rasa: Dead Man Talking, in an interactive VR game that made its global debut at the XR Exhibition at SXSW 2026 this weekend. At the exhibition, I got the chance to try a bunch of virtual and augmented reality experiences — art installations, VR experiences, and satirical projects that defied definition. But after playing Fabula Rasa, I can’t stop thinking about what it means for the future of gaming.

The gameplay of Fabula Rasa is built around fully improvised, AI-generated conversations. You create your own character on the spot, and the game characters and your interactions are all powered by LLMs.

This is what the game forces us to ask: What if there were no more NPCs in video games? What if every character in an RPG had a fully-realized backstory and infinite conversational trees?

Imagine it: you’re playing a game like Red Dead Redemption or Skyrim, except every character you meet — the random henchmen, tavern wenches, pickpockets — can have in-depth conversations with you in real-time. 

You’re no longer choosing from three or four pre-written dialogue options and having circular, process-of-elimination conversations. You’re talking into your headset and making up wholly original stories and side quests as you go. It would bring true role-playing to RPGs.

It’s a reality that’s closer than I realized.

What is Fabula Rasa: Dead Man Talking? 'Fabula Rasa' is a medieval fantasy game driven by AI characters. Credit: Arvore

Fabula Rasa is an experiment. The game was made by the award-winning Brazilian XR studio Arvore. I played the game on a Meta Quest VR headset, but it’s not commercially available yet.

The game has a simple premise: You play a prisoner condemned to death in a medieval kingdom. The entire game takes place in a cage, suspended over a monster pit, as you await the king’s arrival and your eventual execution. You talk to a variety of characters, and depending on your interactions with them, you’ll either be spared or killed. (I went home with a pin that says “I survived the monster pit,” which is apparently the less likely outcome, the game's directors told me.)

Fabula Rasa is an improv experience. The game can be as fun as you are. When I realized a knight in a suit of armor was secretly three cats stacked on top of each other, I told him/them that one of my best friends was actually three dogs in a trenchcoat, which prompted him to argue for a stay of execution on my behalf. It’s silly, cheesy fun.

“In essence, we created sort of an improv theater experience, right?” Arvore’s founder and CEO Ricardo Justus told me. “We did workshops with improv comedians at our studio to learn more about this, and it started working once we started implementing a lot of these improv techniques. So, characters riffing off you. You riffing off the characters. And if you are into it, like into the story, it's really funny and fun.”

Justus told me Fabula Rasa was meant to be replayable, with the ending and characters changing depending on your actions. 

A game where choices matter Credit: Arvore

The game definitely felt like a proof of concept more than a fully realized game, but it’s the concept that’s really interesting.

Games will, of course, still need writers and storylines, but Fabula Rasa shows how AI can open up even more immersion in the game's world.

If that idea could be applied to AAA games, it could rewrite the rules of gaming as we know it.

Justus told me that Arvore uses a patchwork of models to power Fabula Rasa, particularly Claude for dialogue and ElevenLabs for audio. While not perfect, the conversations were surprisingly rich, and you could engage in back-and-forth worldplay.

I decided to play as a humble shoemaker wrongly imprisoned for murder. Twenty minutes later, pleading for my life, I realized the king in the game is literally a very short king. So, I offered to design a pair of high heels that would make him so tall that people would no longer call him “Your highness” ironically. LLMs make this kind of spur-of-the-moment banter possible. And don't forget: this technology is still in its infancy and rapidly improving.

Credit: Arvore AI in gaming isn't going away

Now, to be sure, many gamers hate any hint of AI in gaming. However, Justus told me that Arvore didn’t use AI to replace human developers, writers, or artists. (The game does use AI voice models instead of actors, due to the improvisational nature of the dialogue.) Rather, AI powers the game mechanics and the story itself.

"All the art in the game is handcrafted. Like, we didn't want to use it as a way to shorten production time, right? What we challenged ourselves was, can we use AI as a storytelling medium? And how would that work? And I do think eventually it's gonna be very interesting to apply that to an RPG, like, for example, a big open world game. Almost, like Westworld, you can talk to the characters. We're not there yet, I don't think."

Still, Justus acknowledged that AI in gaming can be controversial.

Any time a studio is caught using AI in game development, they face a strong backlash from a very vocal group of gamers. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was stripped of its Indie Game Awards for using AI background textures. Yet it’s still the most award-winning title of all time. Arc Raiders was the subject of a boycott over AI, and went on to become a global best-seller.

“I think there's a big vocal [group] of people that are very incensed by this, and maybe [more] so than the people who are actually buying games and don't care necessarily. If it's a good game, the process to create it doesn't matter as much from a consumer standpoint. Are there ethical issues of people losing their jobs and stuff like that? Of course there are, right? It’s challenging. But I feel like there isn’t a way back from using AI for development.

"Again, for this, we handcrafted all the art. We wanted to use AI to tell the story, right?"

SEE ALSO: ARC Raiders opts to replace AI-generated dialogue with professional voice actors AI-powered immersion still has limitations

Unfortunately, it may be awhile before you can play Fabula Rasa.

Arvore’s CEO told me they’re working toward a commercial release, but several hurdles need to be cleared first. Every time the game improvises a scene, it uses costly tokens with the LLM models. Second, the game is powered by frontier models that can’t be run on-device, which means some latency in conversations. 

So, there’s a cost problem and a latency problem.

Still, surely these are solvable problems.

You can find Fabula Rasa at the SXSW XR Exhibition for a little while longer, and you can look for it at future conferences and gaming events.

I played the game for about 30 minutes, but I’ve been thinking about its implications for a lot longer.

You can learn more about Fabula Rasa: Dead Man Talking at the Arvore website.

New from JBL: JBL Live 780NC Wireless Headphones $249.95 at JBL Shop Now JBL 680NC Wireless On-Ear Headphones $159.95 at JBL Get Deal JBL Soundgear Clips Open-Ear Headphones $149.95 Shop Now

Bold colors. Transparent casing. A splashy event at SXSW. JBL is working hard to give stylish music lovers something to get excited about this year.

And at a music event at SXSW 2026 over the weekend, the audio brand announced two new pairs of noise-cancelling headphones: The JBL Live 780NC Over-Ear Headphones and the Live 680NC On-Ear Headphones.

The brand definitely seems to be leaning into wearing your tech as a fashion statement, and the new Live 780NC and 680NC headphones feature stylish color options.

Credit: JBL

The release follows the launch of the brand's new party speaker, the JBL PartyBox On-the-Go 2 Plus. In addition, the JBL open-ear earbuds previously announced at CES 2026 are now available for sale.

We've got all the details on the new products, plus a first look from our colleagues at CNET.

View this post on Instagram Introducing two new JBL Live headphones

The headphones made their official debut at JBL's SXSW activation, the JBL Livebrary, which featured live performances from Steve Aoki and others. Like Apple's AirPods Pro Max, the headphones feature cool color options.

Credit: JBL Credit: JBL

The headphones come in black, green, blue, champagne, and white, giving shoppers more color options than usual. (Unfortunately, not all colors are available at launch.)

The JBL Live 780NC over-ear headphones have premium specs, including 80 hours of battery life (50 hours without ANC). They're priced at $249.95 and are available for order at JBL's online store now.

• Active noise-cancellation supported by 6 microphones

• 40mm dynamic driver with compound diaphragm 

• JBL Spatial Sound 3.0

• LDAC support for high-resolution wireless audio on compatible devices

• 80 hours battery life (50 hours without ANC)

• Quick charge provides 4 hours with 5 minutes of Speed Charge

• 2 beamforming mics with an enhanced AI-trained noise-cancellation algorithm for phone calls

JBL Live 780NC Wireless Headphones $249.95 at JBL
  See It at JBL See It at Amazon

The JBL 680NC on-ear headphones are more affordable at $159.95, but they have most of the same features and come in the same colors. Instead of the six microphones for ANC, they only feature four. In addition, they lack some premium EQ settings. Otherwise, the specs are very similar.

JBL 680NC Wireless On-Ear Headphones $159.95 at JBL
  See It at JBL See It at Amazon

In addition, JBL announced the launch of a new party speaker and some karaoke accessories, which you can read about on the JBL and Harmon websites (JBL is owned by Harman).

Finally, the open-ear line announced at CES 2026 are now available for sale.

We're also very happy to report that although the initial pictures of the transparent JBL Soundgear Clips didn't look all that great, they do look much cooler in person. You can order them at the JBL website or via Amazon for $149.95.

View this post on Instagram

If you purchase any of the new products through Amazon, you'll get 90 days of Amazon Music for free.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Soundgear Clips Open Earbuds $149.95 at Amazon
  Shop Now

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, March 16, 2026:

AcrossBlues, e.g.

• The answer is Music.

Late actress Catherine of "Schitt's Creek"

• The answer is O'Hara.

List included with a board game

• The answer is Rules.

April Fools' shenanigan

• The answer is Prank.

Greek god of the underworld

• The answer is Hades.

DownTransform gradually

• The answer is Morph.

"Star Trek" officer portrayed by Zoe Saldaña

• The answer is Uhura.

Greens, e.g.

• The answer is Salad.

Woman's name that's an anagram of ERNIE

• The answer is Irene.

Containers for reds and whites

• The answer is Casks.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.

SAVE OVER $700: As of March 16, the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max with solar generator is on sale for $1,298.99 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: EcoFlow EcoFlow Delta 2 Max (with Solar Generator) $1,298.99 at Amazon
$1,999 Save $700.01   Get Deal

If you’ve been after a solid portable power station, the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max with solar generator is on sale at Amazon. As of March 16, it’s dropped to $1,298.99 from $1,999, a $700 saving on list price. This is a seriously powerful unit, so if you're looking for a whole home backup, this is your lucky day.

This unit charges quickly thanks to its portable solar panels. A single 400W panel can help it reach full charge in just 5.1 hours and two panels in 2.6 hours. It also supports fast AC charging, reaching 80% in 1.1 hours or 43 minutes with combined solar and AC input using EcoFlow’s dual charging technology.

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It's easy to store, with the solar panels folding away and only weighing 35.3 pounds. They're also waterproof and designed for outdoor use, so take them with you when camping or road tripping.

When charged up, this EcoFlow unit can power pretty much all household devices with up to 2,400W output, or up to 3,400W using X-Boost mode for high-wattage appliances. It has 15 outlets that include USB-A, AC, and car outlets. And you'll be glad to know that this power station is designed for serious use over a number of years. This is thanks to its LiFePO4 battery that's rated for 3,000 full cycles (this is equivalent to over 10 years of use), and comes with a five-year service plan.

Get this EcoFlow deal online at Amazon now.

SAVE $22: As of March 16, the Fire Stick 4K Select is on sale for $14.99 with the code FTVSELECT. That's a 55% discount on the list price, and its best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K Select $14.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $25 Use code FTVSELECT at the checkout Get Deal

The Amazon Fire Stick 4K Select is back on sale at Amazon, but this time it has dropped to a new all-time low price of $14.99. That's more than half off ahead of the Spring Sale. The Select is the newest Fire Stick in the range, released as a more affordable way to bring you 4K streaming.

Like all of Amazon's Fire TV Sticks, this one is a breeze to set up. It plugs directly into your TV's HDMI port (if it sits snug against your wall, don't worry, it comes with an HDMI extender cable). After you plug that in, attach the power cable to the device and then power it from your nearest wall outlet. Then turn your TV on and you're good to go.

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It also comes with a remote with Alexa functionality. Press down the blue button to ask the TV to find your favorite show, research something on the internet, or even communicate with your other smart home devices. This remote can also be used to control your TV, allowing you to power it on and off and adjust the volume.

And of course, you'll get access to a wide range of streaming apps including Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, and many more. Not to mention, you'll be watching in brilliant 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range 10+.

Get this Fire TV Stick deal from Amazon now.

TL;DR: On March 19, fans can score a free vanilla soft-serve cone at participating Dairy Queen locations nationwide.

The birds are singing, the temperature is climbing, and yes, that is the sun you can see peeping through the clouds. Spring is just around the corner, and so is Free Cone Day.

Dairy Queen's Free Cone Day is making a triumphant return in 2026. On March 19, you can celebrate this special occasion by enjoying a free vanilla soft-serve cone at participating Dairy Queen locations. Simply stop by your local DQ restaurant to score this delicious treat — there's really no catch.

SEE ALSO: Lego is giving away an exclusive Steering Wheel for free. Here’s how to get yours on March 9.

We recommend visiting Dairy Queen or downloading the Dairy Queen App to find a local restaurant before March 19. When the day comes, you don't want to be messing around online. You want to be prepared. On Free Cone Day, the focus should be on free ice cream and nothing else.

The promotion runs all day while supplies last and there's a limit of one free cone per person. This free giveaway is not valid on delivery or mobile orders and it's worth noting that U.S. Mall locations require a purchase to qualify.

Celebrate Dairy Queen's Cone Day with a free vanilla soft-serve cone on March 19.

Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold was a brave experiment that largely worked out well, but the experiment might be coming to an end.

A new report from Korean outlet Donga claims that Samsung is ending the sales of the TriFold in Korea just three months after launch. In the U.S., the TriFold is still available, but sales will only continue until the current production volume is sold out.

For such a novelty device – the first Samsung tri-folding phone to hit the mass market – the TriFold was a success. Reviewers loved it (I've tried it briefly, and was impressed by the size and quality of its display when fully unfolded), and it was sold out shortly after launch (though this may be attributed to production volume being small), despite its high price tag of $2,899.

But Donga cites industry sources as saying that the TriFold, while successful, had such high production costs that it was unprofitable even at that price. The costs further increased after the prices of certain parts, including memory chips, have risen through the roof.

The report quotes industry insiders as saying that the TriFold was a product to showcase Samsung's tech prowess, and that it was never intended to generate major sales revenue.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: I might be done with iPhones

The question is whether Samsung will follow up with another tri-folding device, or perhaps use some of the tech from the TriFold in one of its upcoming foldables. The company is likely to launch new Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8 next summer, and a possible "Wide" version of the Galaxy Z Fold is rumored as well.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Peter ___ picked...

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

PIPER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A piece of info.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 16, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

DATUM

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A block of steal.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 16 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 16, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

INGOT

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To show.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

PROVE

Final Hurdle hint

A Jewish figurine.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

GOLEM

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The Oscars are never just about the awards.

Every year, Hollywood’s biggest night delivers a mix of speeches that range from meandering to heartwarming, unexpected wins, awkward jokes, and the occasional moment that immediately takes over the internet. The 2026 Academy Awards were no exception.

From a historic cinematography win to an Oscars crowd waving K-pop light sticks, this year’s ceremony delivered plenty of memorable moments — along with a few that didn't quite land.

Here are the best and worst moments from the 2026 Oscars.

BEST: Conan O'Brien as Aunt Gladys

Leave it to Conan O'Brien to kick off the ceremony with a bit of absurdist physical comedy. During a pretaped opening segment, the host channeled Aunt Gladys from Weapons, a character whose chaotic energy helped earn Amy Madigan the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

In the clip, O'Brien as Gladys is chased through town by a gaggle of children before eventually bursting onto the Oscars stage, children in tow.

BEST: Ryan Coogler and Sinners winning anything

Even if Sinners didn’t ultimately take home Best Picture, the film still had a huge night. Ryan Coogler won his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, while Michael B. Jordan picked up Best Actor, giving the film some of the ceremony's most meaningful victories.

After becoming the most nominated film in Oscar history, the wins felt like a well-earned victory lap for one of the year's biggest cultural moments.

WORST: Cutting off the "Golden" songwriters mid-speech Credit: Stewart Cook/Disney via Getty Images

One of the more awkward moments of the night came when the songwriters behind "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters were cut off mid-acceptance speech by the orchestra. It's a familiar Oscars problem — heartfelt speeches getting rushed for time — but the abrupt cutoff felt especially unfortunate given how big the song has been all year (and how long the Bridesmaids bit ran before it).

WORST: The Bridesmaids reunion that ran a little long Credit: Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty Images

The Bridesmaids reunion delivered a fun hit of comedy nostalgia, with the cast reuniting on stage to celebrate the comedy's 15th anniversary and to present Best Original Score. But what started as a charming throwback slowly stretched into one of the ceremony's longer presentation bits. When winners are getting their speeches cut short, even great comedians can feel like they're taking up too much time.

BEST: Autumn Durald Arkapaw makes Oscars history Credit: Photo by Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images

One of the night's most meaningful wins came when Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman ever to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography, a long-overdue milestone for the category. Moments like this are always a little bittersweet: on one hand, it's an incredible achievement for Durald Arkapaw — on the other, it's hard to believe the Academy is still hitting milestones like this in 2026.

BEST: Michael B. Jordan's emotional Best Actor speech

After winning Best Actor for his performance as twins Smoke and Stack in Sinners, Michael B. Jordan used his speech to thank longtime collaborator Ryan Coogler, saying the director gave him "an opportunity to be seen." It was one of the ceremony’s most heartfelt moments.

Jordan also took a moment to honor the Black actors who came before him, saying, "I stand here because of the people who came before me: Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, Will Smith."

BEST: KPop Demon Hunters winning Best Animated Feature Credit: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

The internet’s favorite animated film finally capped off its dominant awards season run with an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Director Maggie Kang delivered a powerful speech about representation, telling viewers, "This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere."

And as a fun treat for fans, an image of HUNTR/X appeared on the screen behind them, Rumi holding an Oscar.

WORST: Sean Penn not showing up

When Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor, he wasn't there to accept the award. Presenter Kumail Nanjiani joked that the actor "couldn’t be here tonight… or didn’t want to be," which got a laugh but also underscored how odd it felt to hand out a major acting award without the winner present.

BEST: The Oscars briefly becoming a K-pop concert

During the performance of "Golden," singers EJAE, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna turned the Dolby Theatre into something closer to a K-pop concert, with stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, and Emma Stone waving their light sticks in the air.

The number also paid tribute to Korean culture, featuring traditional Korean pansori singers and drummers.

BEST: Misty Copeland's surprise ballet moment

The incendiary Sinners musical number featured a surprise appearance by ballet icon Misty Copeland, adding a striking moment of dance to the performance — and landing just a few feet away from Best Actor nominee Timothée Chalamet, whose recent ballet comments have been circulating online.

BEST: A rare Oscars tie

The ceremony delivered a little welcome chaos when Best Live Action Short Film ended in a tie, with both The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva taking home the award.

It's only the seventh tie in Oscars history, a rare moment that briefly disrupted the ceremony's tidy structure and leaned into delightful disarray.

WORST: Trying a little too hard to be "online"

During one particularly unfunny bit, O'Brien explained that the Oscars wanted to appeal to younger viewers, prompting a barrage of internet-adjacent jokes about "hostmaxxing" and references like "6–7." The Oscars have always tried to stay culturally relevant, but here the attempt at online humor felt less like making a connection and more like watching a brand discover Gen Alpha memes in real-time.

BEST: A moving tribute to Rob Reiner

The Oscars' In Memoriam segment honored the many artists the industry lost this year, but it paused for a particularly heartfelt tribute to Rob Reiner from his close friend Billy Crystal.

"I met Mr. Rob Reiner in 1975 when I was cast as his best friend in an episode of All in the Family, and it went so well that Rob said, 'It was fun playing your best friend. Why don’t we keep it going?' And it was a thrill to see him evolve from a great comic actor to a master storyteller," Crystal said.

BEST: Javier Bardem gets political This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Throughout the night, many winners alluded to the state of the world in careful, coded ways — speaking about choosing optimism, resilience, or the importance of art in difficult times without naming specifics. Javier Bardem didn't bother with the euphemisms. When he took the stage as a presenter, the actor delivered a brief but direct message: "No to war. Free Palestine." The moment cut through the ceremony's usual diplomatic language and briefly punctured the careful neutrality that tends to define awards shows.

WORST: Conan O'Brien's post-credits sketch

Post-credits scenes after the Oscars should be illegal. The telecast is already too long as it is! After the ceremony ended, the broadcast returned for a sketch where Conan O'Brien was “killed off” and replaced by YouTuber MrBeast — a gag that needed more context to understand and left viewers wondering if the show really needed one more joke.

You might think elite organizational performance comes from talent, discipline, or luck. In reality, consistent excellence is often the output of a well-designed system. Instead of focusing only on individuals, build structures that make learning, accountability, and improvement part of everyday work.  Design work so talent develops daily. Don’t treat development as occasional training or special programs. Instead, structure […]

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Tonight's Moon may look like it is completely out of sight, but if it's a clear night you should be able to spot a very thin sliver of light.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Monday, March 16, the Moon phase is Waning Crescent. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 4% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

Unfortunately, too little of the Moon is lit up to be able to spot any features on its surface tonight.

When is the next Full Moon?

In North America, the next Full Moon is predicted to take place on April 1.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes roughly 29.5 days to orbit Earth, passing through eight distinct phases along the way. Although we always see the same side of the Moon, the amount illuminated by the Sun shifts as it moves, which is why it can appear full, half-lit, or just a thin sliver at different times in the cycle. These shifting appearances are known as the lunar phases, and there are eight altogether:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 16, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 16, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for March 16 Pips

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.

Number (18): Everything in this space must add up to 18. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for March 16 Pips

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for March 16 Pips

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically; 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (15): Everything in this space must add up to 15. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Ryan Coogler's Sinners made Oscar history long before the Academy Awards began. With 16 Academy Award nominations, it's the most Oscar–nominated movie of all time. How many of those nominations did it convert to wins at tonight's ceremony?

Here's a list of the awards Sinners took home.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the 2026 Oscars online for free How many Oscars did Sinners win?

Sinners won four Oscars at the 98th Academy Awards.

Ryan Coogler won his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Throughout this awards season, he has also picked up Best Original Screenplay awards at the Critics' Choice Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and WGA awards.

Ludwig Göransson picked up Sinners' second Oscar win for Best Original Score. This is his third Oscar: He has won previously for his work on Black Panther and Oppenheimer. He is also nominated tonight alongside Raphael Saadiq for Best Original Song for "I Lied to You."

Autumn Durald Arkapaw made Oscars history as the first woman to win Best Cinematography for her work on Sinners. During her acceptance speech, she asked the women in the room to stand up, saying, "I don't get here without you guys."

Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor for his dual roles of twins Smoke and Stack. He becomes the sixth Black man to win an Academy Award for a leading role. In his acceptance speech, he thanked the prior winners, as well as Halle Berry, who remains the only Black woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress.

"I stand here because of the people who came before me," he said. "Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, Will Smith."

What Oscars did Sinners win?

Sinners won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, and Best Actor (Jordan).

This article will be updated throughout the night.

Mashable’s covering all things Oscars 2026, from Academy Awards live updates to red carpet style and the wildest moments from the show. Check back at Mashable.com throughout the night for winners announcements and more.

KPop Demon Hunters' uplifting anthem "Golden" has won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, with the Netflix film taking the Oscars for both its nominated categories.

However, while Kpop Demon Hunters' directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans were able to deliver heartfelt acceptance speeches for Best Animated Feature Film, the songwriters of "Golden" were conspicuously cut off when their own moment came.

SEE ALSO: 'Kpop Demon Hunters' director delivers emotional Oscars speech about representation

"Growing up, you know, people made fun of me for liking K-pop," said a tearful EJAE, still wearing the outfit she had performed "Golden" in earlier in the night. "But now everyone's singing our song, and all the Korean lyrics. I'm so proud. And I realise the song, this award is not about success, it's about resilience. And I'm just so grateful to our team."

Alongside EJAE, the Oscar also went to fellow songwriters Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, and Teddy Park. Unfortunately, the Oscars didn't give them the opportunity to speak as well. Though Lee stepped up to the microphone after EJAE and began reading a prepared speech, he was abruptly cut off by loud music, signaling to the group to get off the stage. They briefly attempted to continue, pleading with the production via gestures, but were not permitted to do so.

The decision to play off the songwriters was met with ridicule online, with some noting that EJAE's statement had been short and that other winners were given more time. The Oscars ceremony had also dedicated significant time to various skits earlier in the evening, including a lengthy bit featuring the cast of Bridesmaids reading notes ostensibly from the audience.

As such, many on social media felt that cutting off KPop Demon Hunters' acceptance speech was a gross misallocation of time.

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KPop Demon Hunters has racked up a slew of wins across ceremonies such as the Critics' Choice Awards and Golden Globes, as well as several for "Golden" specifically.

Mashable’s covering all things Oscars 2026, from Academy Awards live updates to red carpet style and the wildest moments from the show. Check back at Mashable.com throughout the night for winners announcements and more.

Everyone is doing post-credits scenes now: Marvel, DC, even the Oscars.

The 98th Academy Awards concluded not with One Battle After Another's Best Picture win, but rather with a post-credits scene teasing the future of the ceremony, which moves from ABC to YouTube starting in 2029.

SEE ALSO: 2026 Oscar winners: Updating live

The sketch parodies the death of One Battle After Another's Colonel Lockjaw (Academy Award winner Sean Penn), who is gassed by the white supremacist Christmas Adventurers Club for hiding his interracial relationship with Perfidia Beverly Hills (Teyana Taylor) and their child Willa (Chase Infiniti).

In the sketch, a nervous Conan O'Brien fills in for Lockjaw. Fresh off his hosting gig, he meets with his comedy mentor Jim Downey (Saturday Night Live). Downey declares that O'Brien did such a good job, he's been declared "Oscar Host For Life."

That title comes with a fancy new office and a deadly reveal. Like Lockjaw, O'Brien has been locked in. It's not long before he's been fatally gassed and sent to the crematorium. At the end of the Oscars, it's especially dark.

It gets even darker. After O'Brien's demise, the plaque on his "Host For Life" office gets swapped out for that of the next host: YouTuber MrBeast.

Don't worry, the plaque switch doesn't mean MrBeast is actually hosting the Oscars for life (or even next year). Instead, it's poking fun at the Oscars' imminent switch to YouTube, as well as the broadcast's attempts to stay relevant for younger viewers. O'Brien jokingly suggested some solutions throughout the night, including saying "hostmaxxing" and "6-7" while a Subway Surfers game was played alongside him.

Timothée Chalamet is now a four-time Best Actor loser at the Academy Awards, adding another near-miss to his growing collection after failing to take home the trophy for his role as Marty Mauser in Josh Safdie's Marty Supreme.

Marty Supreme, with nine nominations, did not take home any Oscars.

The competition was stiff, but Michael B. Jordan's electric dual performance in Sinners took home the award.

For a very vocal corner of the internet, the loss was cause for celebration.

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Chalamet has been in the crosshairs lately, largely thanks to comments he made in an interview with Matthew McConaughey, in which he dismissed ballet and opera as arts "no one cares about." The full context of the remarks is more nuanced than the viral clip, but the backlash wasn't really about ballet anyway.

It was the breaking point after years of Chalamet oversaturation, some say, driven by back-to-back blockbuster press cycles for A Complete Unknown and Marty Supreme, leaving large swaths of the internet completely exhausted by his existence. As a reminder, Dune: Part Three is slated to release in December.

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The show itself was also not kind to Timmy over his ballet and opera comments, and host Conan O'Brien made it known.

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But it's surely not Chalamet's last Best Actor nomination. In fact, the internet should prepare to see more of Timmy next awards season after Dune 3 hits theaters.

Mashable covered all things Oscars 2026, from Academy Awards live updates and winners announcements to red carpet style and the wildest moments from the show.

In the end, it was always One Battle After Another. Following its dominant awards season, One Battle After Another took home Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars.

Javier Bardem got straight to the point at the 98th Academy Awards.

Before presenting the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, Javier Bardem uttered six words: "No to war and free Palestine."

SEE ALSO: Oscars 2026 live updates: Paul Thomas Anderson wins Best Director, awkward "Golden" moment

It was the most overtly political statement made at this Oscars ceremony so far, one that began on the red carpet for Bardem.

Bardem is sporting two notable pins: A large panel with bloody text reading "No a la guerra" (Spanish for "no to war"), and a circular pin reading "Palestine," along with the image of young boy, Handala, a character created in 1969 by cartoonist Naji al-Ali who has become a symbol of Palestinian resistance.

On the red carpet, Bardem told the Associated Press that the "No a la guerra" pin is the same one he wore to the Oscars in 2003 to protest "the illegal Iraq war."

"[The Oscars] is a great opportunity to say things like 'no to war, no to this illegal war that [is] creating so many deaths,'" he said.

KPop Demon Hunters' HUNTR/X showed the world how it's done, done, done with their Oscars performance of Academy Award-winning hit "Golden."

SEE ALSO: Oscars 2026 live updates: See every major moment

EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami — who provide the singing voices of HUNTR/X members Rumi (voiced by Arden Cho), Mira (voiced by May Hong), and Zoey (voiced by Ji-young Yoo) — took to the Oscars stage in commanding fashion. The performance recreated KPop Demon Hunters' prologue onstage before jumping into a high-energy concert filled with spinning golden flags and those killer high notes.

Plus, HUNTR/X had a little help from the audience, who were holding light sticks that filled the Dolby Theater with — what else? — golden light. While the Oscars performance tragically cut a good chunk of "Golden," at least it gave us Leonardo DiCaprio with a light stick, right?

The "Golden" performance is further proof of HUNTR/X's world domination. "Golden" hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making HUNTR/X the first K-pop girl group to achieve the feat. The song also took home the Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media and picked up four additional nominations, including Song of the Year. 

Earlier in the evening, KPop Demon Hunters won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. "Golden" also dominated this awards season, winning the Critics' Choice Award, Golden Globe for Best Original Song, and the Oscar for Best Original Song.

Before the envelopes are opened and the speeches begin, the Oscars deliver another kind of spectacle: the red carpet.

The 2026 Oscars brought a wave of bold fashion moments to Hollywood’s biggest night, with nominees and presenters arriving in everything from dramatic couture gowns to sleek, modern tailoring. The Oscars red carpet has long been one of fashion's most closely watched stages — a place where designers debut statement looks, and stars define their awards-season style.

SEE ALSO: Oscars 2026 live updates: See every major moment

This year was no exception.

From striking silhouettes to shimmering embellishments and unexpected color choices, several celebrities immediately stood out the moment they stepped in front of the cameras.

Here are some of the best-dressed stars at the 2026 Oscars.

KPop Demon Hunters trio deliver three striking looks Credit: Frazer Harrison/WireImage via Getty Images

May Hong, Arden Cho, and Ji-young Yoo — the speaking voices behind the fictional girl group Huntr/x in KPop Demon Hunters — each delivered a distinct red carpet moment at the Oscars.

Hong leaned into gothic glamour in a sheer black ruffled gown paired with a sharp pixie cut and cascading earrings, while Yoo brought classic elegance in a strapless two-tone ballgown with a pale blue bodice and dramatic navy skirt cinched by a sweeping black bow. Cho opted for full theatrical flair in a black lace mermaid gown from Korean designer Miss Sohee, accented by oversized sculptural green sleeves embroidered with delicate florals, creating an eye-catching fashion statement reminiscent of a traditional Korean hanbok.

Together, the trio's looks struck a balance between old-Hollywood glamour and bold, modern red carpet drama.

The voices of the Saja Boys bring boy-band polish Credit: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

Danny Chung, Neckwav, Andrew Choi, Kevin Woo, and SamUIL Lee — the singing voices behind the fictional K-pop group Saja Boys in KPop Demon Hunters — brought a sleek, boy-band edge to the Oscars red carpet. The group leaned into sharply tailored suits and modern black-tie styling, each member putting his own spin on classic formalwear while maintaining a cohesive group look. The effect felt fitting for a fictional K-pop act making a real-world appearance: polished, coordinated, and undeniably stage-ready.

Chase Infiniti's lavender dreams Credit: John Shearer/WireImage

One Battle After Another's Chase Infiniti brought soft drama to the Oscars red carpet in a custom Louis Vuitton gown in a dreamy lavender hue.

The fitted bodice gave way to cascading tiers of ruffles that spilled into a sweeping train, adding movement and a touch of old-Hollywood romance to the look. Paired with delicate jewelry and long, flowing hair, the ensemble felt elegant, ethereal, and perfectly suited to cap off Infiniti's awards season debut.

Hudson Williams steps onto Hollywood's biggest stage Credit: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams kept things sleek and classic on the red carpet in a sharply tailored Balenciaga suit. The monochromatic black-on-black look — complete with a crisp tie and sculptural lapels — leaned into understated elegance while subtle details, like a Bulgari jeweled brooch and polished accessories, added just enough edge. It's a reminder that sometimes the most striking red carpet looks are also the simplest.

McKenna Grace's pink, satin princess moment Credit: Savion Washington/Penske Media via Getty Images

McKenna Grace brought full fairytale glamour to the Oscars red carpet in a sweeping pink satin ballgown. The structured bodice and voluminous skirt created a classic princess silhouette, while matching satin opera sleeves and delicate diamond jewelry added a touch of old-Hollywood elegance.

A bold color for a Best Actress nominee Credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images

Best Actress nominee Renate Reinsve turned heads on the red carpet in a striking strapless red gown that embraced clean, minimalist glamour. The sleek silhouette featured a dramatic thigh-high slit and an elegant train that trailed behind her as she walked, while matching red heels and a classic red lip completed the monochromatic look. Effortlessly confident and timeless, Reinsve's style is as indelible as her performance in Sentimental Value.

A gothic, embroidered red carpet moment for Odessa A'zion

Credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images

Marty Supreme star Odessa A'zion brought a moody, fashion-forward edge to the red carpet in a black embroidered look layered with texture and sparkle. The ensemble paired a plunging velvet dress with delicate floral embellishments and a dramatic embellished jacket, creating a silhouette that felt both romantic and rebellious. Styled with layered jewelry and tousled curls, the look leaned into dark glamour while still feeling effortlessly cool and bohemian.

Huntr/x's "Golden" girls Credit: Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Images

"Golden" girls Audrey Nuna, EJAE, and Rei Ami each brought their own dramatic flair to the Oscars red carpet.

Rei Ami embraced high-fashion drama in a sculptural black look with ornate gold embroidery and a sweeping train, while EJAE shimmered in a strapless gold sequined gown accented with delicate black floral appliqués and fringe detailing. Audrey Nuna delivered one of the night’s most theatrical silhouettes in a voluminous black gown topped with cascading gold embellishments that glittered under the lights and camera flashes.

Together, the trio turned the carpet into a showcase of bold textures, striking silhouettes, and unapologetic star power. This is how it's done.

Jessie Buckley's colorblocking and casual elegance Credit: Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Images

Best Actress favorite Jessie Buckley embraced bold color on the Oscars red carpet in a striking two-tone gown that paired a dramatic red off-the-shoulder satin bodice with a flowing blush pink skirt. The structured top added sculptural drama, while the soft, pleated skirt brought movement and balance to the look.

Styled with delicate jewelry and a classic red lip, Buckley’s ensemble felt both playful and polished — a standout moment for one of the night's leading contenders.

Elle Fanning's ethereal gown, inspired by wisteria Credit: Frazer Harrison/WireImage

Elle Fanning brought dreamy elegance in a strapless Givenchy gown embroidered with delicate wisteria-petal motifs that cascaded across the bodice and the airy tulle skirt. The soft, fairytale silhouette was paired with a striking piece of history: a Chanel diamond necklace dating back to 1903, which added a touch of vintage glamour. Romantic and quietly magical, Fanning's look is fit for a winning moment.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Emma Stone's classic silver sparkle Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Best Actress nominee Emma Stone embraced understated glamour in a sleek silver sequined gown that shimmered with every camera flash. The form-fitting silhouette, empire waist, and delicate cap sleeves gave the look a timeless elegance, while the soft, reflective fabric added just enough drama. Paired with a short, softly styled bob and minimal jewelry, the ensemble felt polished, modern, and, given the plot of Bugonia, kind of celestial.

Teyana Taylor's full feathered drama Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

One Battle After Another's Teyana Taylor delivered one of the night's boldest fashion moments in a striking black-and-white feathered gown that trailed dramatically behind her.

The look paired a sheer, sparkling bodice with sweeping layers of feathers, creating a sculptural and sexy, high-impact silhouette. Finished with statement diamond jewelry and a sharp pixie cut, Taylor's ensemble leaned fully into red carpet theatrics, and the result was impossible to miss.

Timothée Chalamet's sleek all-white statement Credit: ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images

Timothée Chalamet brought his signature red carpet swagger to the Oscars in a sharply tailored all-white suit. The double-breasted look leaned into clean, minimalist lines, while dark sunglasses and stacked rings added a touch of rock-star edge. Paired with crisp white boots and a subtle brooch detail, the ensemble is proof that Chalamet continues to treat the red carpet like his personal runway.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Michael B. Jordan's sharp tailoring with a subtle edge Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Best Actor nominee Michael B. Jordan brought polished sophistication in a sleek black suit with a structured, high-collar silhouette. The minimalist look kept the focus on sharp tailoring and clean lines, while a subtle chain detail at the waist added just the right amount of personality.

Paired with glossy patent shoes and understated accessories, Jordan's ensemble reinforced the idea that classic black-tie style never goes out of fashion.

Mashable’s covering all things Oscars 2026, from Academy Awards live updates to red carpet style and the wildest moments from the show. Check back at Mashable.com throughout the night for winners announcements and more.