What We Are Playing Today: Stray

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Updated 05 August 2022
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What We Are Playing Today: Stray

RIYADH: For many people, what goes on inside a cat’s mind is an intriguing mystery, but this video game allows you to become a cat so you can meow, purr and scratch.

It’s not a silly exercise; it’s dark and full of clues that you need to solve.

The adventure video game Stray was created in 2022 by BlueTwelve Studio and released by Annapurna Interactive.

The plot centers on a stray cat who accidentally enters a walled city full of robots, machines, and viruses. With the aid of a drone companion named B-12, the cat attempts to escape and return to the surface.

The game can be played on PS4 and PS5, as well as Microsoft Windows software.

It has amazing graphics with many details for surfaces and a rotating view. You can move the camera angles around and explore the environment.

The story is simple to understand, and some of the locations are so beautifully constructed that you will actually stop and admire them.

However, there are several shortcomings: It is quite short, sometimes the screen is too dark to see all the details, and they should consider having a second player to allow for teamwork.

Whether exploring one of its more open town areas where you can gather items, interact with amiable robots, and perform tasks for them, or run through fairly linear levels full of amusing platforming challenges and a little light puzzle solving, the game is very amusing and great to play with friends and family who will help you find clues and gather information.

Stray is a delightful adventure in a dark but endearingly hopeful cyberpunk world.

You will experience and appreciate a new world inside the game, and you will gain a general understanding of a cat’s viewpoint.


Essex man takes on charity endurance challenge for children in Gaza

Updated 04 January 2026
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Essex man takes on charity endurance challenge for children in Gaza

  • Mark Watson, 63, is undertaking a “virtual Sumud” journey from his Essex home town in Harlow to Gaza, covering 2,287 miles

LONDON: A man in England has launched a demanding charity challenge to raise funds for children affected by the war in Gaza.

Mark Watson, 63, is undertaking a “virtual sumud” journey from his Essex home town in Harlow to Gaza, covering 3,680 km running, walking, swimming, cycling and rowing.

He is raising money for Medical Aid for Palestinians, a UK-based humanitarian organization that provides healthcare to Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied territories.

“I have felt helpless day after day seeing images of countless children in Gaza with broken bodies and missing limbs and witnessing their unbearable suffering,” Watson said on his JustGiving page.

“I have been inspired by the courage of those who took part in the global sumud flotilla and all of the activists who have put their lives and freedom at risk supporting the Palestinian people and so I am raising funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians.

“My challenge is to complete a virtual sumud from Harlow, where I live, to Gaza. Running, walking, swimming, cycling and rowing I will cover the 2,287 miles as quickly as I can.

“I am an unfit, overweight 63-year-old, so I’m not going to break any records, but the Arabic word Sumud means steadfastness and perseverance, and I will give it my all.

Watson added: “I hope to be joined by people I love and admire along the way, so please support my fundraiser. Every donation, however small, will help save the lives of Palestinians.”

As of Jan. 3, his fundraising effort had reached 12 per cent of its £5,000 ($6,733) target.

The war in Gaza began after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign in Gaza, which local health authorities say has resulted in the deaths of more than 71,000 Palestinians, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and a severe humanitarian crisis.

International aid agencies have repeatedly said that children are among the most affected, facing injury, displacement, malnutrition and limited access to medical care.

Watson said he was inspired by activists and humanitarian efforts supporting Palestinians and hopes his challenge can make a small contribution to saving lives.