This 2000s Video Game Changed the Industry Forever

Video games don’t always reach mass audiences. The medium was once considered a niche hobby for nerds who didn’t have any social lives. It’s a very different world right now compared to decades ago. Gaming is now a mainstream part of pop culture, and one game in particular was more important to this than almost any other.

World of Warcraft careened onto computer screens unlike anything before or since. Blizzard’s massively multiplayer online role-playing game expanded the potential consumer base for gaming in a way that was perfectly suited for the internet era. By 2010, the game’s 12 million subscribers proved that online gaming was now present and the future of virtual entertainment.

Even though World of Warcraft isn’t as popular in 2026, the things that made it so popular are still relevant. Avatars and personalized characters in gaming can be seen in obvious genres like RPGs, but other games that aren’t so similar can be traced back to the game. Fortnite, for example, possesses a virality that wouldn’t have existed if World of Warcraft hadn’t created the environment for online gaming to be a hit.

The game transcended industries, and it even blended the virtual world with the real world as described by Rolling Stone for the game’s 20th anniversary in 2024.

“Much of the game’s enduring and ongoing legacy is the social bonds players have forged in its virtual world. Some say they’ve met many of their closest friends, or even their significant others, while adventuring in Blizzard’s fantasy world.”

World of Warcraft as a social space where friends can meet, relationships can bloom, and guilds of dozens (or hundreds) of players can create lasting communities has been one of the game’s few constants over the years. Blizzard’s MMO sparked an online social revolution before the age of social media, one where players could find common ground in a world they would go on to call a home away from home.”

World of Warcraft holds a special place in gamers’ lives, even if some people developed an unhealthy relationship with the game. Addiction to the title and not going to work or leaving the house became an infamous side effect of the experience. Who are we to judge, though? When something is that immersive, it’s hard to leave. World of Warcraft won’t be abandoning the public’s consciousness in the history books.

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Author: Shawn Laib

Netflix Adds Complete Karate Kid Film Collection for June 2026 Streaming

When a streaming service holds the exclusive rights to one of the biggest, most active original universes on television, it has to keep its audience fed.

Netflix subscribers looking to kick off June 2026 with a massive dose of throwback entertainment just got exactly that. The streaming giant quietly added virtually every film from an iconic, era-defining 1980s martial arts franchise.

As of June 1, the entire original Karate Kid film saga is available to stream on Netflix.

The Complete Miyagi-Verse Collection

For fans who grew up practicing martial arts in their backyards, this surprise drop is the ultimate movie marathon. The catalog addition effectively aggregates the franchise’s entire timeline into one seamless binge.

The collection starts with the foundational 1984 classic The Karate Kid, tracking Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso as he navigates high school bullies with the help of Pat Morita’s legendary, Oscar-nominated performance as Mr. Miyagi. From there, the library expands into the full theatrical continuum:

  • The Karate Kid Part II (1986): Taking the action to Okinawa as Daniel and Miyagi dive deep into family history and honor.
  • The Karate Kid Part III (1989): Returning to valley competition to face off against a hyper-aggressive, vengeful Cobra Kai dojo.
  • The Karate Kid (2010): The hit modern remake starring Jaden Smith and martial arts icon Jackie Chan, which successfully translated the underdog formula for a brand-new generation.

The Ultimate ‘Cobra Kai’ Homework

The timing of this quiet library expansion isn’t an accident. Netflix has long been the exclusive home of Cobra Kai, the wildly successful continuation series that transformed the legacy 1980s franchise into a modern streaming juggernaut.

With Cobra Kai actively building toward its highly anticipated final season milestones, bringing the original films back to the platform acts as the perfect refresher course. It allows casual viewers to easily brush up on the deep-seated rivalries, obscure tournament lore, and vintage training sequences that the television series constantly references and parodies.

By grouping these legacy crowd-pleasers alongside their massive Rocky and Creed franchise drops this week, Netflix is heavily leaning into sports nostalgia to dominate the early summer charts. Whether you’re a lifelong fan looking to revisit the All Valley Karate Tournament or a newcomer wanting to see where the Netflix series began, the collection is officially ready to stream. Just remember: wax on, wax off.

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Author: Rachel Schneider

1977 Rock Hit Named Among Greatest Drum Solos of All Time

Legendary studio drummer Steve Gadd made his debut with Steely Dan on the Aja, which immediately became one of the best drum solos of all time.

Gadd had become known in the music world as one of the best studio drummers in the industry, leading iconic tracks like Paul Simon’s 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover. It was his work on Aja, though, that landed itself on Far Out Magazine’s list of the greatest drums solos of all time.

Steve Gadd Lays Down ‘Mind-Blowing’ Solo

Far Out Magazine listed Aja as one of the 10 best drum solos of all time.

“These days, Gadd is one of the most highly recognized drummers in the music industry, and it’s outings like this that cemented his reputation. You could argue that his solos on the track are the elements that have truly contributed to its hallowed reputation,” Far Out Magazine wrote.

“Gadd’s part was recorded in just two takes, and added to the fact that his solos were improvised, it makes this entry truly mind-blowing. Told by the band to “play like hell”, he didn’t disappoint.”

Steve Gadd Forgot He Played Drums on ‘Aja’

Longtime Steely Dan producer Gary Katz spoke with Ultimate Classic Rock and revealed that Gadd completely forgot he played drums on the hit song.

Katz revealed that months went by after Gadd’s performance on the song and the band was still finishing the mix of the album.

“Someone walked in and said, ‘Hey, you know Steve is down the hall, he’s playing with Michael Franks.’ I said, ‘Oh, cool, Donald, I’ll go down and let him know we’re here.’

After playing him Aja, Gadd asked, “Wow, who is playing drums?”

“Donald, Walter and I, Roger Nichols and Elliot, are just looking at each other. Because he wasn’t kidding. I say, ‘You are, stupid!'” Katz revealed. “He went, ‘Really? I’m a mother[expletive]!’ It’s the best laugh we had in all of the years.”

Related: 1966 Rock Hit Named Among Greatest Drum Solos of All Time

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Author: Andrew McCarty

‘60 Minutes’ Correspondent Blasts Editor-In-Chief Bari Weiss for Lack of Qualifications

The latest drama in CBS News’ chaotic period of transition comes from correspondent Scott Pelley, who accused Editor-In-Chief Bari Weiss of destroying 60 Minutes at their latest staff meeting.

Pelley directed anger at new executive producer Nick Bilton, challenging his qualifications and accusing Weiss of “murdering” the program. The New York Times obtained a recording of Pelley confronting Bilton during the meeting.

The meeting began with Bilton’s introductions and an assurance to the remaining 60 Minutes staff that he intended to keep the format the same, but warned that “broadcast is an ice cube that is melting, OK?” implying the show needed to keep up with the times. He also defended Weiss’ decision by saying, “Bari loves this institution.”

Pelley immediately disagreed with Bilton, claiming that the editor-in-chief was instead, “murdering 60 Minutes…She was brought in to kill it, and she’s been doing exactly that.” He continued, slamming Weiss and Bilton further, stating, “She has no qualifications for her job; you have slender qualifications for this job. The changes that she’s made at the ‘Evening News’ have been catastrophic, so why should we expect that any of this is going to be any better?”

The interaction stemmed from Weiss’ overhaul of the 60 Minutes team last Thursday.  Weiss was responsible for firing the previous executive producer, Tanya Simon, as well as correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. Alfonsi had butted heads with Weiss after the controversial 60 Minutes segment about a Salvadoran prison was delayed. The segment ran later, after it went viral, with added comments from the Trump administration that had not existed previously.  Alfonsi told the New York Times it “sends a chilling message to the entire newsroom.”

Tensions had been brewing long before Weiss’ firing spree since she was appointed by CEO David Ellison, son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, last year after Paramount, CBS News’ parent company, merged with Skydance. Weiss worked as an opinion journalist and had no experience in broadcast journalism until taking on the role of editor-in-chief.  Similarly, Bilton worked as a tech journalist and is new to traditional broadcast news.

Throughout the brief meeting—Bilton ended it after 15 minutes—Pelley repeatedly asked the producer why Alfonsi and Vega were fired and why Bilton had taken the job despite “knowing that you will never be welcome here.”

Bilton responded, “I have no problem taking a job in a place that I am not welcome in…I have been a journalist for 25 years, Scott. I’ve sat across from incredibly powerful people like you have, and none of it intimidates me. OK? So you are not going to intimidate me in front of this group of people. I want that to be clear.”

Throughout the staff meeting, Pelley scoffed at Bilton. When Weiss’ Deputy Editor-in-Chief Charles Forelle told Pelley not to be rude, he retorted, “You know what was rude? Black Thursday was rude,” referencing Weiss’ recent firings last week.

At the end, Bilton thanked the staff for being welcoming and reiterated that he was looking forward to one-on-one meetings.  When Bilton left, the rest of the 60 Minutes staff applauded Pelley.

Notably, Weiss was not at the Monday staff meeting.

Next: CBS News Takes a Risk With New ‘60 Minutes’ Executive Producer

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Author: Lily Elizabeth Bolanos

Private Investigator Shares Bombshell Update on Jodi Huisentruit Disappearance Investigation

A prominent Iowa-based private investigator has shared a significant update on the 31-year mystery of Jodi Huisentruit’s disappearance.

On June 27, 1995, the beloved television anchor for KIMT disappeared outside of her apartment complex in Mason City, Iowa. Huisentruit told a coworker just after 4:00 a.m. that day she had overslept and was on her way to the station.

There were multiple disturbing signs of a struggle, strongly indicating that Huisentruit did not disappear voluntarily. According to FindJodi.com, some of her personal items were strewn about the parking lot outside the apartment, and the key to her car was bent. Witnesses in the area recalled hearing a scream around the time she disappeared.

31 years later, a potentially significant development has emerged in the investigation.

During an interview with KTTC, private investigator Steve Ridge said that he has identified the suspect responsible for Huisentruit’s disappearance. Ridge said he spoke to a woman who received a confession from a former romantic partner.

“Essentially, it’s a woman, who I surfaced, who had a relationship with a suspect in the case almost immediately after Jodi went missing,” Ridge told KTTC. “It was in the months right after.”

The woman told Ridge that the suspect had grown agitated about police constantly following him. According to the woman, the suspect finally snapped and told her he was responsible.

“In a moment of exasperation or anger, he was slamming the steering wheel and saying, ‘I didn’t do it. I didn’t do it,’ but he finally said, ‘I did it.'”

Ridge has been in contact with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, per KTTC. He wouldn’t name the woman or the suspect. However, he told the media outlet that the woman provided several pieces of evidence (such as financial records and photos) to prove she had a relationship with the unnamed suspect.

More to come.

Ridge Has Pledged a $100,000 Reward in Jodi Huisentruit Case

Exterior of KIMT TELEVISION 3, 1995.

(Photo by Steve Kagan/Getty Images)

Huisentruit’s disappearance has drawn massive nationwide coverage. Unsolved Mysteries, 20/20 and America’s Most Wanted aired segments on the case, hoping to receive more tips from the public.

In December, Ridge announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the discovery of Huisentruit’s remains. The offer is in place through June 27.

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Author: Alex Hoegler

Walmart Is Selling Aovopro’s 500W Exmax Foldable E-Scooter for Over 50% Off Right Now

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services.  If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

In This Story

With the rising cost of gas and cars in general, now’s a good time to consider if an electric bike or scooter can fit into your life (and more importantly, save you money). These increasing costs come at a time when these smaller, last-mile transportation devices are actually getting less expensive to own—what used to cost $800 for a capable commuter now sits closer to $300, and the specs have kept pace with the price drops. 

Case in point: Aovopro’s Esmax 500W Foldable Electric Scooter usually costs $539, but this Walmart sale brings the price down to $259. This is popular for its meaty build, from the tires to the steering column to the deck, which are capable of handling any kind of city terrain.

Aovopro Esmax 500W Foldable Electric Scooter, $259 (was $539) at Walmart

The Aovopro Esmax 500W Electric Scooter.

Courtesy of Walmart

What Shoppers Should Know

  • Motor and Range: 500W motor, 27-mile range, 20 mph top speed
  • Battery: 14.5Ah lithium, 5-hour charge time
  • Tires and Suspension: 10-inch puncture pneumatic tires, front and rear shock absorption
  • Brakes and Safety: Dual electronic and drum braking, UL 2272 certified
  • Best For: Urban commuting, last-mile transit, recreational riding

Aovopro’s scooter features a 500W motor and a 14.5Ah battery pack, a combo that gets you 27 miles of range at a 20 mph top speed (covering most real-world commutes without a midday charge). The 10-inch pneumatic tires are the right call at this price point because air-filled tires absorb road imperfections, and the front-and-rear suspension system adds another layer of smoothness on cracked pavement or curbs. It folds down to a manageable 47x18x23 inches and weighs 41 pounds, which isn’t the lightest, but reasonable for a scooter with this much battery on board. 

$260 for a scooter with these specs is genuinely strong value at current market rates. Similar commuter scooters with pneumatic tires, dual suspension, and a 500W motor usually start around $400 and climb quickly from there. Getting all three in the same package under $300 (even at a sale price) is the kind of deal that’s worth taking seriously, especially if you’ve been on the fence about getting an electric scooter. 

Related: Is an Electric Tricycle Worth the Splurge? This One That’s Almost $500 Off at Walmart Might Be

What Shoppers Are Saying

One helpful shopper wrote, “It’s very well built. Feels like I’m riding on a cloud but still stable.” Another reviewer ended up loving this scooter so much that they bought multiple: “I like it so much I’ve purchased four.”

If you’re not sure about this brand, you can rest easy knowing that multiple reviewers vouched for it: “Initially, I had my doubts about purchasing the scooter, but it exceeded my expectations.”

The Aovopro Esmax 500W Foldable Electric Scooter is available now for $259. Since this is a flash deal, it’s a good idea to act soon, because there’s no guarantee that it will be on sale for much longer. 

Shop More Deals

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Author: Cameron Cardwell

Roku Quietly Adds 4 New Free Live Channels for Customers

Earlier this year Roku announced it surpassed 100 million streaming households as many around the world continue to cut cords.

“Surpassing 100 million streaming households is a defining moment, not just for Roku, but for the future of television,” Anthony Wood, Founder and CEO, Roku said in a statement at the time. 

“We’re helping shape the entertainment landscape by making it easier to discover great content, more affordable to watch it, and more effective for advertisers and partners around the world to connect with audiences.”

Roku Adds New Channels in Time for World Cup

In keeping with their mission statement, Roku continues to add new content, including four new channels that come just in time for World Cup action.

Here are the four channels added today, per Cordcutters News:

  • Channel 5243: FIFA Plus Women – Dedicated to women’s soccer with live matches, highlights, and athlete-focused stories.
  • Channel 5306: Stingray Hooked – Immersive fishing adventures, tips, and global angling expeditions.
  • Channel 227: Sports Illustrated – Comprehensive sports news, analysis, and highlights from top leagues.
  • Channel 929: FIFA Plus Espanol – Spanish-language soccer coverage emphasizing women’s games and international events.

Roku Keeps Adding New Content

Late last month, Roku announced the company will increase the amount of licensed programming the platform has from top creators, with FAST channels from Prof G Podcast, iShowSpeed, Jesser, Stokes Twins and future creators.

“We just see that the demand among both audiences and, really significantly, advertisers has just continued to grow, and as Roku thinks about its content offering, we want to make sure that we have a good selection of anything that a consumer wants to watch,” Roku head of content Lisa Holme told the Hollywood Reporter.

The announcement was a part of 19 shows added by Roku in May:

  • Alaska State Troopers
  • A&E Live PD Greatest Shifts
  • Lead Story Breaking News
  • Preston & Brianna
  • The Prof G Channel
  • Stokes Twins
  • America’s Got Talent Relive Last Season
  • Caracol Mix
  • Modern Wisdom
  • Nomad Travel
  • Astro Ciencia
  • ArtFlix
  • Rawhide Pluto
  • The Beverly Hillbillies Pluto
  • Property Brothers
  • Ink Masters Pluto
  • Tosh.o Pluto
  • Complex TV
  • MTV En Espanol

Roku’s content catalogue keeps growing.

Related: Netflix Quietly Cancels New Series After Just 1 Season

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Author: Andrew McCarty

Three Years Ago, Capcom Released One of the Greatest Fighting Games In History

Capcom dominated the scene in the 90s and early 2000s with massive hits like Devil May Cry, Resident Evil, and Street Fighter, but the now-beloved developer and publisher went through a rough patch, especially with its fighting game offerings like Street Fighter X Tekken and the initial launch of Street Fighter V. Luckily, Capcom recovered, and one of its best games just turned three years old.

Today, June 2, 2026, marks the third anniversary of the release of Street Fighter 6, arguably the most well-received and popular fighting game of the modern era. The sixth mainline entry in the long-running series would see Capcom approach single-player content more actively and also refine its online play and tournament scene.

According to Metacritic, Street Fighter 6 sits at a very impressive 92 metascore, ranking higher than both its major competitors that also had new releases in 2023–Mortal Kombat 1 and Tekken 8. Critics praised the game’s art direction, style, easy-to-learn, hard-to-master mechanics, single-player content, online netcode, and improvement over the controversial release of Street Fighter V, which was lacking content and simplified the fighting systems.

There was, however, some criticism from critics and fans aimed at the game’s relatively small base roster of playable characters and the execution of the World Tour mode.

Since its initial release, Street Fighter 6 has stayed relatively the same. Drive Rush is still a very powerful tool that every character has access to. Throw loops dominate the game. And new content is slow to come out. However, that doesn’t seem to be bothering too many players from logging in, hitting the streets, and duking it out with friends or strangers online.

Street Fighter 6 is still getting new content updates, with the latest character, Ingrid, releasing last week and closing out season three. Unlike previous seasons, an announcement for season four has not occurred yet, but it seems likely to happen either at the PlayStation State of Play or Summer Game Fest, both events happening later this week.

Whether the rumored DLC list that includes guest character Tifa Lockhart from Final Fantasy 7 is true or not may be revealed this week.

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Author: Brandon Key

Netflix Quietly Adding 2013 Comedy That Divided Critics, Audience

A new month means new content coming to Netflix.

The massive streaming platform is adding a hoard of new content with over 50 movies for its nearly 200 million monthly users to enjoy.

Among the movies coming to Netflix this month is a 2013 comedy that seemed to divide critics and audiences alike – though not every critic was a fan either.

‘Drinking Buddies’ Flopped at the Box Office

Drinking Buddies delivered an all-star cast of Jason Sudeikis, Olivia Wilde, Anna Kendrick Jake Johnson and Ron Livingston.

“Kate and Luke work together at a craft brewery. They have one of those friendships that feels like it could be something more,” reads the synopsis of the film. “But Kate is with Chris, and Luke is with Jill. And Jill wants to know if Luke is ready to talk about marriage. The answer to that question becomes crystal clear when Luke and Kate unexpectedly find themselves alone for a weekend.”

The strong cast, though, couldn’t save the film from becoming a box office flop. With an estimated budget of $650,000, the 2013 comedy delivered just a hair over $400,000 at the worldwide box office.

Netflix Adding ‘Drinking Buddies’ on June 15

The movie divided critics and fans, with critics giving the film a “certified fresh” ranking of 84% on Rotten Tomatoes while audiences panned the film with a 49%.

Fans will get their choice to decide who is right when the film hits Netflix on June 15.

Here’s everything hitting on the same day as Drinking Buddies:

  • Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution (2020)
  • Flowers in the Attic (2014)
  • Hip Hop Treasures (2023)
  • Origins of Hip Hop (2022)
  • Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)
  • Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013)
  • Stuart Little (1999)
  • The Smurfs (2011)

Drinking Buddies was directed by Joe Swanberg.

Related: Netflix Quietly Cancels New Series After Just 1 Season

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Author: Andrew McCarty

Legendary Hall of Fame NBA Coach Rick Adelman Passes Away at 79

Rick Adelman, who coached the Portland Trail Blazers to a pair of NBA Finals appearances and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021, has died. He was 79.

Adelman died Monday, the National Basketball Coaches Association confirmed in a statement this evening.

“The membership of the National Basketball Coaches Association joins the NBA family in mourning the passing of legendary Head Coach and Hall of Famer, Rick Adelman,” the NBCA release said.

“Adelman will be remembered not only as a coach and a player, but also as a mentor to so many in the basketball community. Rick was a husband to Mary Kay for 56 years; father to Kathy, RJ, Laura, David, Caitlin, and Patrick; and a grandfather of twelve. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Adelman family during this difficult time.”

Adelman made NBA impact as player, coach

A star at Loyola Marymount, Adelman was drafted by the San Diego Clippers in 1968. A 6-foot-1 point guard, he played in 462 regular season games for five franchises across seven NBA seasons, averaging 7.7 points, 3.5 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game.

Adelman’s coaching career began at Chemeketa Community College from 1977-83 before he joined the Trail Blazers’ staff as an assistant from 1983-89. He then took over the reins in Portland, leading the team to the 1990 and 1993 NBA Finals and going 291-154 across six seasons.

After leaving Portland, Adelman spent two years in charge of the Golden State Warriors (1995-97) before being hired by the Sacramento Kings prior to the 1998-99 season. He made the playoffs in all eight seasons in Sacramento, going 395-229 overall and reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2002.

Adelman later coached the Houston Rockets (2007-11) and Minnesota Timberwolves (2011-14). His 1,042 regular season wins rank 10th all time among NBA head coaches, and only four men-Pat Riley, Gregg Popovich, Jerry Sloan and George Karl–coached more games and had a better winning percentage than Adelman’s .582.

Adelman’s son David went on to follow in his father’s footsteps, winning an NBA title as a Denver Nuggets assistant in 2023 and going 54-28 in his first campaign as head coach this season.

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Author: Matt Hladik