Epic Games has removed the newly introduced Mythic Infinity Blade item in Fortnite after it turned out to be too powerful, saying on Twitter that it “messed up” and that the Blade was too strong.

“We messed up and rolled out the Infinity Blade overpowered / without good counters, especially in the end game. The Infinity Blade has been Vaulted and we are re-evaluating our approach to Mythic items,” the studio tweeted.

Earlier this week, Epic announced that it would be removing its Infinity Blade series from the App Store, but revealed that the sword from the game would be popping up in Fortnite as a Mythic weapon.

The Infinity Blade caused a kerfuffle during the North American Winter Royale tournament thanks to its build/harvest capabilities, with Eurogamer reporting that the rolling out of such a powerful weapon at the outset of the tournament angered a number of players who had been grinding for weeks in advance to qualify.

In a post on Reddit following its release, Epic and Fortnite community manager Nathan Mooney discussed the feedback surrounding the Infinity Blade and announced that would have the ability to build and harvest removed so that it provides a greater risk/reward for players.

On the subject of Mythic items, Epic explained that their purpose “is to provide an interaction a step above the Legendary item functionality,” and has said it will continue to introduce them to the game.

“The addition of items in this tier provide new and flavorful ways to interact with the map and generally shake up normal play across default modes.”

Shabana is a freelance writer who enjoys JRPGs, wine, and not finishing games. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

The flu vaccine is once again available and as usual, Canadians are being urged to get the shot. Yet, like most years, fewer than half of us will roll up our sleeves. This unsettling reality doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon.

The reasons behind the lack of uptake are many. Some are health-related, such as allergies, being sick and other pre-existing conditions. Others avoid the shot for non-scientific reasons, including fear and religion. But these individuals combined amount to a small minority of Canada’s population. Figuring out why the rest choose to go without has been for the most part a challenge.

Research into why Canadians may be hesitant to get the flu shot has suggested one of the major problems happens to be a matter of trust. Many people simply do not believe the flu shot is the right choice. No matter how much campaigns may say otherwise, the message doesn’t seem to be heard.

Now that may change thanks to a recent study out of Kenya. A team of researchers have identified an interesting phenomenon with respect to vaccines. They may have figured out why a majority of people may be willing to get a shot but avoid it when the time comes.

In this study, the Kenyan group were not looking at perceptions of the flu vaccination. Instead, they were examining how people felt about an HIV vaccine. Although one has yet to be approved, trials are occurring in different parts of the world including Kenya. The team hoped to find out how many people out of the 100 enrolled would show a willingness to take part in a hypothetical vaccine trial, and then how many would back away. The authors also hoped to find out why people made that decision.

Right from the start, they lost six who simply didn’t want to have anything to do with a trial. The reasons were based on fear, family and indecisiveness. Of the remaining 94 people who were willing, about a third felt they were helping the world in an altruistic way, another third felt they were helping themselves while the final third were simply curious.

The next step was to ask the 94 people to confirm they wish to be part of the trial. Although the authors expected some people to back out, they were surprised to see only 26 agree to join. This meant a loss of three-quarters of the participants.

But that wasn’t the worst of it. When the time came to enrol, the number dropped again. Only 15 of the 26 signed on.

When those who dropped out were asked why they didn’t follow through with the trial, a fascinating revelation was made. The same reasons that kept the original six from joining were mentioned. The factors of fear, family and a lack of being able to commit rushed to the top of the mind, and prevented the individuals from agreeing or joining formally.

For the authors, this surprising outcome revealed an interesting perspective on human nature in relation to clinical trials and by extension, to vaccines. While willingness may be strong in an individual, it may not be able to overtake the factors that lead to hesitancy and/or refusal. This could explain why mass recruitment campaigns may not be as effective as believed. While these are great at identifying willing people, they are not effective in getting people to the next steps. Those require more targeted means, such as community involvement and word of mouth.

As for Canada’s vaccination efforts, the results suggest more is needed than widespread media campaigns, kiosks in drugstores or public clinics, all of which garner willingness. Instead, means are needed to overcome the same hurdles that keep the minority from getting the shot, namely fear, indecision and the combination of families and religion.

If you happen to be willing to get the flu shot, pursue that willingness. There are many options available to you now. If you have any doubts that creep up, make sure to talk with the health provider and ask the questions that concern you. Don’t feel pressure to reach an agreement either. The evidence is strong enough that it will come.

Vaccination is a personal choice and should be made with confidence and trust. While we all could use more people taking the vaccine, making sure you are happy with the decision is the best approach. Not only will you feel good, but it may help ensure you roll up your sleeves again next year.

Have you been affected personally by this or another issue? Share your story on HuffPost Canada blogs. We feature the best of Canadian opinion and perspectives. Find out how to contribute here.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Louisiana-Lafayette senior catcher Lexie Elkins was the No. 1 overall pick by the Pennsylvania Rebellion in the 2016 NPF College Draft presented by Bownet on Thursday evening at the CMA Theater in Nashville, located within the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Elkins was the first player from Louisiana and the Sun Belt Conference to be drafted No. 1.

 “Lexie was at the top of our list from day one,” said PA Rebellion owner Stu Williams. “She does have the power. She rarely strikes out. We are very excited to have her in Pennsylvania. We can’t wait to see how this season unfolds.”

Following Elkins as first round picks were Michigan second baseman Sierra Romero (USSSA Pride), James Madison pitcher/first baseman Jailyn Ford (Akron Racers), Missouri infielder Sami Fagan (Akron Racers), Kentucky pitcher Kelsey Nunley (USSSA Pride) and Nebraska outfielder Kiki Stokes (Scrap Yard Dogs). Stokes becomes the first draft pick in Scrap Yard Dogs’ franchise history.

“The philosophy of this draft was to make sure we had kids who could drive the ball,” Scrap Yard Dawgs general manager Connie May said. “We wanted to make sure they were athletes who had speed so we could have a lot of versatility across the field.

The Dallas Charge and defending Cowles Cup champion Chicago Bandits, who did not have first-round picks, made their first selections in the second round, drafting UAB infielder Caitlyn Attfield and UCF pitcher Shelby Turnier, respectively.

In all, 40 college seniors from 27 NCAA programs were selected by the six NPF team over six rounds. Two-time defending champion Florida led the way with four selections, while Missouri, LSU and Oregon followed with three apiece. Georgia, James Madison, Kentucky and Michigan each had two draftees.

James Madison, Iowa State, Troy, UAB and University of Missouri St. Louis (DII) each had their first-ever NPF draftees. Akron’s sixth-round pick of UMSL pitcher Hannah Perryman made history. Perryman is the first Division II player to be selected in the NPF draft.

The SEC had nine programs and 18 student-athletes represented, followed by the Big 12 with four schools and four players. The Pac-12 had three programs and five draftees and the Sun Belt finished the night with three universities and three players. The Big Ten (2 schools / 3 players), American Athletic Conference (2/2), Colonial Athletic Association (1/2), ACC (1/1) and Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference (1/1) were also represented.

— Quotes courtesy of the NPF

First Round
1. Pennsylvania | Lexie Elkins, C | Louisiana-Lafayette
2. USSSA | Sierra Romero, IF | Michigan
3. Akron | Jailyn Ford, LHP/UT | James Madison
4. Akron | Sami Fagan, IF | Missouri
5. USSSA | Kelsey Nunley, RHP | Kentucky
6. Scrap Yard Dogs | Kiki Stokes, OF | Nebraska

Second Round
7. Scrap Yard Dogs | Emily Crane, OF | Missouri
8. Pennsylvania | Allexis Bennett, OF | UCLA
9. Dallas | Caitlin Attfield, IF | UAB
10. Akron | Alex Hugo, IF | Georgia
11. Chicago | Shelby Turnier. RHP | UCF
12. USSSA | Kelsey Steward, IF | Florida

Third Round
13. USSSA | Haylie McCleney, OF | Alabama
14. Pennsylvania | Chelsea Wilkerson, RHP | Georgia
15. Dallas | Taylor Gadbois, OF | Missouri
16. Pennsylvania | Chaley Brickey, IF | Kansas
17. Chicago | Kelsi Kloss, C | LSU
18. USSSA | Erica Field, C/UT | James Madison
19. Scrap Yard Dogs | Lexi Overstreet | C/UT | Tennessee

Fourth Round
20. Akron | Geri Ann Glasco, UT | Oregon
21. Pennsylvania | Lindsey Stephens, OF | Texas
22. Chicago | Emily Carosone, IF | Auburn
23. Akron | Sandra Simmons, 1B | LSU
24. Chicago | Kristen Brown, SS | North Carolina
25. USSSA | Kirsti Merritt, OF | Florida
26. Scrap Yard Dogs | Christian Stokes, IF | Kentucky

Fifth Round
27. Scrap Yard Dogs | Sara Driesenga, RHP | Michigan
28. Pennsylvania | Brittany Gomez, UT | Iowa State
29. Dallas | Cheridan Hawkins, LHP | Oregon
30. Akron | Hannah Day, C | Troy
31. Akron | Emily Messer, UT | South Alabama
32. USSSA | Heather Stearns, RHP | Baylor
33. Scrap Yard Dogs | Lee Ann Spivey, C/OF | USF

Sixth Round
34. Scrap Yard Dogs | Taylore Fuller, C/UT | Florida
35. Pennsylvania Rebellion | Kayla Winkfield, IF | Mississippi State
36. Pennsylvania Rebellion | Biana Bell, IF | LSU
37. Akron | Hannah Perryman, LHP | University of Missouri-St. Louis
38. Dallas | Alyssa Gillespie, OF | Oregon
39. USSSA | Aubree Munro, C | Florida
40. Scrap Yard Dawgs | Mikela Manewa, IF | Oregon State

Per NCAA rules, active senior student-athletes cannot sign a professional contract until their college season is complete.

Quotes from around the country

Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Michael Lotief on Lexie Elkins (PA Rebellion)

“Incredible, awesome and surreal were the emotions upon hearing Lexie’s name as the No. 1 pick, and to realize that what ‘we have already known’ – that Lexie is the best of the best – is now known by all. This is an amazing moment in our program’s and University’s history to have the best in their area recognized nationally.

Third overall pick Jailyn Ford – James Madison (Akron Racers)

“I can’t put this feeling into words as I am still taking it all in. This is something I have always looked forward to ever since I started my softball career. I am very excited to have the opportunity to continue playing but we still have work to do in my final season at James Madison.”

James Madison Head Coach Mickey Dean on Ford and Erica Field (USSSA Pride)

“I feel like a proud father for both Erica and Jailyn. It’s great for them to be recognized for all their hard work and dedication. They are two very talented young ladies and I am excited to see that people are appreciating what James Madison is bringing to the softball world.”

Sami Fagan – Missouri (Akron Racers)

“I want to thank my parents and family for supporting me. I also want to thank Coach Phil Bradley for being the best mentor I could have ever asked for. Coach Ehren Earleywine, Coach Gina Schneider, Coach Pete D’Amour, the Mizzou Softball support staff and all of my teammates for making me better every day. Mizzou is my second home and being there was the best four years of my life.”

Erin Crane – Missouri (Scrap Yard Dogs)

“I wanted to go somewhere that I could help make a name and when I saw my name on the screen for the Scrap Yard Dawgs, I knew I had the perfect opportunity to do that with a brand new NPF organization. I’m so happy that I get the chance to tie up my cleats after my time with Mizzou. I can’t thank this program enough for helping me be the player I am now. Thank you to the entire family for believing in me and chasing me around the last four years and even before that. Thank you to Uncle Randy for being the best angel I could ask for. This is going to be a new experience and I’m excited to see where it takes me. Let that dawg hunt!”

Taylor Gadbois – Missouri (Dallas Charge)

“I’m not sure I can imagine not playing with Emily by my side or Sami playing in front of me, but I’m excited to see where this journey takes us all. Texas here I come!”

Chaley Brickey – Kansas (PA Rebellion)

“It’s crazy, this is what I’ve always dreamed of. As a little kid, I used to watch the draft myself and to actually be on the screen is just crazy. I definitely want to thank my mom for all the stuff she has been through to get me to this point.”

Hannah Perryman, UMSL (Akron Racers)

“I am beyond excited to be a Racer! To even be selected, let alone to be the first Division II player, is a dream come true. This is something I’ve always dreamed of and have worked so hard for. To be able to say that I am a professional softball player is the most amazing feeling.”

UAB Head Coach Marla Townsend on Caitlin Attfield (Dallas Charge)

”What an outstanding honor and recognition for one of the most humble people I know. She plays the sport with the upmost respect and integrity for the game. She strives for excellence in everything that she does. I look forward to her touching many lives out on the professional circuit.”

Kellsi Kloss – LSU (Chicago Bandits)

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to play with this organization, while also being so honored that they believed in me and that I deserved the shot to be a professional athlete. It’s humbling to know that I’m going to be surrounded by so many of the athletes that I, and so many others, have looked up to. I want to thank all of my teammates and the coaches who have helped get me to this point and I cannot wait to join the team later this summer.”

Kiki Stokes – Nebraska (Scrap Yard Dogs)

“It was really exciting,” Stokes said. “Everybody around me was screaming and it was surreal to me. I didn’t process at all that I was going to go in the first round. I’m still kind of shaken up about it. I’m really excited about what’s next, and I’m really excited everyone got to be around and witness it. I’m blessed to be able to get to play a game that a lot of people only get to play for four years.”

Nebraska Head Coach Rhonda Revelle on Stokes

“This is a proud moment for Nebraska softball,” Revelle said. “It is a proud moment to see a player work so hard to maximize her talent and to have that talent be recognized by the NPF. We can’t wait to see Kiki play professionally.”

Shelby Turnier – UCF (Chicago Bandits)

“This moment is unreal. I’ve always dreamed of this day happening, but never thought it could be a reality. I’m so thankful for all the coaches and players who have helped me along the way. And of course, the biggest thanks goes to my family, who are my number one fans.”

The Elder Scrolls Online: Elsweyr, the MMO’s next major expansion, will be released on June 4, ZeniMax Online Studios announced today.

Elsweyr, which will be “similar in size and scope to last year’s Summerset zone,” features a thirty-hour, “year-long” main story told over four quarterly releases, beginning with the Wrathstone DLC in February. The story will see players side with the Khajiit as they defend their homeland from both invading Imperials and dangerous dragons.

Dragons are being added to The Elder Scrolls Online for the first time in Elsweyr and will be more difficult to defeat than the ones players may have encountered in Skyrim, according to Creative Director Rich Lambert.

Elsweyr also introduces the Necromancer, the MMO’s first new class since the Warden was added in 2017’s Morrowind expansion. Lambert briefly detailed the new class, saying NPCs who witness necromancy will alert guards, seeing as it’s frowned upon, if not outlawed, throughout most of Tamriel.

Changes are also coming to PvP with the Elsweyr expansion, including the separation of The Imperial City from Cyrodiil — a change that Lambert says will improve performance. A new “artifact” system, meanwhile, will introduce powerful new weapons to PvP areas. ZeniMax Online will be testing the new system with Volendrung, a super-powered weapon with a catch: Volendrung must be fed, so if you aren’t killing other players, it’ll begin killing you. Once spawned, all players will be alerted to the weapon’s location, making for a chaotic chase.

Before Elsweyr hits in June, the aforementioned Wrathstone DLC will bring two new dungeons and some quality of life improvements — a new zone guide and an overhauled guild trader UI — to The Elder Scrolls Online in February.

The year of new content will be rounded out with additional dungeon DLC in Q3 and a new story DLC in Q4, which will wrap up Elsweyr’s year-long main quest.

2019 will mark the third consecutive year ZeniMax Online has released a major expansion for The Elder Scrolls Online, following Morrowind in 2017 and Summerset in 2018.

For more on the popular MMO, be sure to check out IGN’s Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset review and IGN’s Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind review.

Jordan is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @jdsirani.

A group of Canadian doctors will begin prescribing trips to an art gallery to help patients suffering from a range of ailments become a picture of health.

A partnership between the Francophone Association of Doctors in Canada (MFdC) and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) will allow patients suffering from a number of physical and mental health issues, along with their loved ones, to enjoy the benefits art can have on one’s health with free visits.

The pilot project is unprecedented global, according to its organizer.

The project will see participating physicians prescribe up to 50 visits to the MMFA during treatment, each pass valid for up to two adults and two minors.

So far 100 doctors have enrolled to take part over the course of a year, Nicole Parent, head of the MFdC, told AFP Thursday.

The numbers offer proof that doctors have “a sensitivity and openness to alternative approaches if you want” Parent said, citing scientifically proven benefits of art on health.

The benefits are similar to those patients can get from physical activity, prompting the secretion of a similar level of feel-good hormones, and can help with everything from chronic pain to depression, stress and anxiety.

The pilot program will allow organizers to gather data and analyze results, to potentially provide experts with future patient protocol.

Parent said she hopes other museums in Canada will follow the lead of the MMFA, which since 2016, has cultivated expertise in art therapy for people with a variety of health ailments.

“I am convinced that in the 21st century, culture will be what physical activity was for health in the 20th century,” said MMFA director Nathalie Bondil in a statement.

“Cultural experiences will benefit health and wellness, just as engaging in sports contributes to fitness,” she said.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Currently in her eighth season as the head coach of the Florida State softball program, Lonni Alameda will soon add another head coach title to her résumé as the USSSA Pride announced that she will lead their professional team for the 2016 season in the National Pro Fastpitch league.

“I’m honored to coach in the NPF,” said Alameda. “I think the National Pro Fastpitch league is an outstanding opportunity to grow our game and to be the head coach of the USSSA Pride with all of their great athletes, tradition and reputation that they have is going to be an amazing experience.

“I’m really excited to learn from the athletes and to continue to create the culture and environment of growing the game for professional fastpitch, collegiate softball and softball in general. We all have the responsibility to keep moving this game forward. As we have people like Don DeDonatis who nurtures such a great learning environment and experience for athletes, it is truly an honor to be a part of.”

Alameda will be the latest in a long line of collegiate coaches that have been at the helm of the USSSA Pride in during the summer. Former Pride head coaches include Tim Walton (Florida – 2010-2011), Beth Torina (LSU – 2012), JT D’Amico (Washington – 2013), Gerry Glasco (Georgia – 2014) and Mike Davenport (North Georgia – 2015).

It also continues Florida State’s involvement with the Pride as assistant coach Travis Wilson was an assistant coach during the 2015 NPF season. In 2015, the Seminole hitting coach helped the Pride lead the league in several offensive categories and finish as the NPF regular season champions.

The Seminoles have placed several student-athletes in the professional ranks in recent seasons with Courtney Senas and Maddie O’Brien on the PA Rebellion, Briana Hamilton with the Akron Racers and Lacey Waldrop with the 2015 Cowles Cup Champion Chicago Bandits.

The 2016 National Pro Fastpitch season begins on May 31 with the Akron Racers taking on the PA Rebellion. Alameda will join the Pride following the conclusion of the Florida State season and opening day for the Pride will be on June 10 in Conroe, Texas against the newest NPF Franchise, the Scrap Yard Dawgs. For more information on the USSSA Pride, go to www.usssapride.com.

— Courtesy of Scott Moriak (Florida State Assistant Sports Information Director)
— Image courtesy of Maury Neipris

Click:web design agency hk

Tom Holland shared a cryptic tweet Monday in response to fans asking when the Spider-Man: Far From Home trailer will be released, teasing that it would be any day now.

“So I spoke to Sony…” the tweet read.

The response came following a well known Marvel fan, Kirk Deveyck, who uploaded a video on Twitter for Holland on Saturday, demanding the trailer be dropped.

Comicbook reports that Deveyck did something similar for Avengers: Infinity War that ended up going viral, in which he landed a pass to the film’s Hollywood premiere. His current video has over 2 million views alone.

Holland first responded to Deveyck by saying, “I’ll see what I can do.” While including the laughing-crying emoji at the end. He then came back Monday morning with his current tweet, heavily hinting that the trailer will drop any day.

A rumor has since been circulating that the trailer for Spider-Man: Far From Home will drop on Tuesday, Jan. 14th, from @gavinfeng97 on Twitter who said it came from people connected to Sony’s local partner in China.

The first trailer for Spider-Man: Far From Home was played during Sony’s panel at Brazil Comic Con in Sao Paulo, but Sony decided to hold off on publishing the trailer online following the event.

For the full trailer description, read IGN Brazil’s breakdown of the trailer, who were there to see it in person, and make sure you peek at Holland’s new Spider-Man suit in the sequel, which was revealed this past October.

In other Tom Holland news, the Uncharted movie now has a new director in Dan Trachtenberg and should begin filming after Holland’s press tour for Spider-Man: Far From Home.

Jessie Wade is a news writer and is part of the Avengers squad here at IGN. Follow her on Twitter @jessieannwade to chat with her about anything Marvel. 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Senior Victoria Haugsness of North Platte (Mo.) High School is this week’s MaxPreps/NFCA National High School Player of the Week for contests played September 28-Oct. 4.

Haugsness twirled a pair of complete-game shutouts with 19 strikeouts and also knocked in four runs helping North Platte post victories over DeKalb and Lawson to extend its winning streak to seven games. In a 2-0 blanking of DeKalb, the 5-7 senior struck out 10, allowed four hits and a walk in her first start of the week. The next day Haugsness punched out nine, surrendered two hits and did not walk a batter in a 5-0 triumph over Lawson. She also helped herself out at the plate with a pair of hits, four RBI and a double, while picking up her 20th win of the season.

MaxPreps.com, the official high school statistical provider of the NFCA, provides all statistics for the NFCA High School Player of the Week award. 
To nominate a player for the award, the coach must enter his or her athlete’s game stats into MaxPreps.com by Sunday evening to be eligible for that week’s award.

The MaxPreps/NFCA High School Players of the Week are announced on NFCA.org every Monday during the fall season, with one representative chosen from the participating regions. During the spring campaign, a player from each of five separate high school regions is selected.

Please note, in order for a school to have multiple player(s) recognized during the course of a season, a coach from that institution must be an NFCA member. To become an NFCA member, please check out NFCA.org or call 502-409-4600.

MaxPreps is a free stat tool that is available to high school coaches across the country and is one of the most recognized and respected high school athletics websites on the internet. Coaches who enter their team’s stats on Max Preps will not only be nominating their players for this award, but they will be getting their team’s information out to thousands of high school sports fans, as well as college coaches across the country. 

2015-16 Max Preps/NFCA Players of the Week
10/6 – Victoria Haugsness | North Platte (Mo.) HS
9/28 – Taylor Parham | Wilber-Clatonia (Neb.) HS
9/21 – Savannah Chalfant | Gilmer (Ga.) HS
9/14 – Madison Ingram | Bowling Green (Mo.) HS
9/7 – Riley Craig | Mountain Range (Colo.) HS
8/31 – Sieara Price | Eaton (Colo.) HS 
8/24 – Callyn Carter | Charlton County (Ga.) HS