gThe famous brand of Lobabury didn’t want to be associated with the German far-right opposition. But Tesla, one of the world’s largest company names, does not have a traditional CEO.
After Elon Musk supports the alternative, Fool Deutsla Land (AFD), it is called Germany’s “only hope” – voters are considering replacing Tesla. Data released Thursday showed that the German company’s electric vehicle registrations fell 76% last month to 1,429. Overall, electric vehicle registrations increased by 31%.
Tesla’s biggest shareholder, who has expressed support for right-wing leaders around the world, is now a de facto American cabinet member under the Donald Trump administration.
Tesla’s reputation is closely tied to mask politics. After he spent $288 million on Trump’s 2024 election victory, Tesla’s valuation passed $1tn. But Musk’s political involvement is unprecedented for the head of a company of that size — and could also have a negative impact.
On Friday, a group of extinct rebel activists occupied a Tesla store in central Milan. Activists chained themselves to the tires of the car, while others glued them to the window along with slogans, “Let the billionaires pay again” and “Ecology, no ecofascism.”
Analysts openly wonder whether Musk is causing permanent damage to the brand he made synonymous with electric vehicles, and even brings a liberal aspiration to tackle climate change.
Tesla was asked to comment.
Tesla was the world’s largest producer of battery electric vehicles in 2024, but sales fell to 1.79 million. This was the first time since 2011 that it had withstanded a decline in sales since 2011 after years of rapid growth that became the world’s most valuable automaker.
The manufacturer said in January that global sales will increase in 2025, and Wall Street analysts hope Tesla will sell more than 2 million cars this year. But even these predictions represent little fiery return to form. Recently, Musk said in October that it expects sales growth of 20% to 30% per year, meaning that as many as 2.3 million cars are on sale.
“Customer retention will be important as customers…
Other analysts are more optimistic. Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities, a US financial company, is a longtime Tesla supporter. Ives believes…
aSelon Musk laughed at Oval Office, one of the UK's most influential technology investors. “He's absolutely horrible. I've said that many times: I think it's horrible what's going on,” says Martha Lane Fox.
For British peers and former Twitter board members, the musk view from Donald Trump's White House bully's pulpit shows that Silicon Valley's dreams have turned sour.
“The wealthiest man in the world who can stand there with the president, and Cult Blanche Please joke about how he carves out people's work in government. He can then be there with a chainsaw laughing on stage…
“It's really, really unsettling and I find it very uncomfortable on a value-based level. It makes me very worried. I think it's gross.”
In an interview with observer To mark International Women's Day, the UK Chamber of Commerce (BCC) president warned against a pushback of diversity that Trump and his technological peers not only hurt society, but also the economy as a whole.
Since he returned to the White House, the US President has shut down all federal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, but Musk's “Doctors of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) is torn apart the funding scheme.
Some of the world's largest companies have followed suit. Of the broad pushback to everything from environmental goals to sustainable development, among the most notable participants are US finance companies and high-tech companies, including Goldman Sachs, Accenture and Amazon, but also UK companies such as GSK.
“He needs to be locked up,” Lady Lane Fox said of Mask's role in the rollback. “I think it's extraordinary that the wealthiest guys in the world are trampling on these things, and that we still have fanboys from the tech sector. It's already corrosive to society and I'd argue that it's going to last.”
For businesses, she says it's better for diversity to ultimately appeal to the widest talent pool of employees and target the widest range of customers. This is just as much about profit as social justice, she adds. However, she has broader concerns about the future.
“First, it's financial. But secondly, it's about power and money – like everything, is it?
“If you're looking at a sector like the digital sector where employment growth, opportunities growth, it's the growth sector of the economy. But you don't include a lot of people in it. Then you'll create inequality. Full stop. It's financial and a social justice issue.”
Given the close relationship between the UK and the US, there is an opinion that the UK continues naturally in the places it stepped in America. But there are indications that some UK businesses, and even US companies, are ready to go away.
Accounting firm Deloitte has directed staff working on a contract to remove pronouns from emails to announce the end of the DEI program. However, the British boss told the staff that the UK business was ” [its] The goal of diversity.”
“I feel like a global company rooted in the US is emphasizing the slight politically motivated change until it all rows out, and I feel it's been a little more tempered here,” says Lane Fox.
She says that UK businesses have the opportunity to do something different. “I think we have a better shot at building a more robust company, attracting talent and building the most resilient company of the future.”
For almost 30 years, LaneFox has built a career and millions of pounds of fortune in technology. She created the first Big Money Floating LastMinute.com on LastMinute.com, an online travel site co-founded with Oxford alumnus Brent Hoberman in 1998.
Elon Musk will be holding a courthouse with Son X in the White House oval office in February. Photo: Abaca/Rex/Shutterstock
She joined Twitter's board of directors (now X) in 2016 and after landing a major payday in 2022 with a $44 billion hostile takeover of Musk, he dissolved the board and appointed its sole director.
He saw musk in his oval office, paraded his Son X over his shoulder, raising doubts about gender division. “Can you imagine it if it was a woman? Can you imagine what it would look like? I mean, I just think the whole thing is really awful.”
But, in personal abilities, the BCC president has not suggested that this approach is not for everyone. “It's really hard to navigate. It's a responsibility to our customers and employees that may differ from our personal views.”
Government regulations enshring diversity targets are also a bad idea, she says. Instead, businesses prefer to report their progress. “It's important to keep that in the light and keep reporting. Keeping good investors, looking at the right metrics, investing in the right companies all helps.”
However, there has not been enough progress. This week's analysis showed that women's unemployment and worsening participation in the workforce have pushed the UK behind Canada to the lowest global ranking for workplace equality in a large economy in a decade.
Gender wage gaps slowly decrease over time, The average salary is still 7% less For women rather than men. That's a challenge that Lane Fox knows too much. “Look at the data. It's really loud. It's not moving,” she says.
“What I'm worried about is that it's too easy to find the numbers we thought were moving forward.
“This week on International Women's Day, we see that representatives at the executive level have returned. I think the board progress is still good at the FTSE 100 level, but it's bad at the FTSE 250 and 350 levels.
“I know there are people in the sector who are thinking, 'Oh, here she's going again.' That applies to many women [that people think that]. But it is very important to continue these discussions. ”
Last week, Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, a cryptocurrency company, traveled through Switzerland contemplating regulatory changes. Tether, once at odds with the establishment, now operates smoothly.
Since Tether is the world’s most traded cryptocurrency, its journey has been unconventional, facing regulatory hurdles and investigations. Despite challenges from regulators, Tether continues to maintain its value pegged to the dollar.
Aldoino, the CEO of Tether, believes that his leadership needs to adapt to global dynamics to sustain the company’s operations.
Tether, holding significant amounts of US government debt, plays a crucial role in the cryptocurrency market, supporting users in unstable economies and providing a secure asset for traders.
Despite past struggles with regulators, Tether now embraces transparency and aims to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to improve its standing in the industry.
Regarding criticisms and regulatory challenges, Aldoino admits past naivety and stresses the importance of communication to build trust and transparency.
The relationship between Tether and Cantor Fitzgerald, a custodian, plays a vital role in the company’s operations, despite challenges posed by regulatory scrutiny.
Lutnick, confirmed as the Secretary of Commerce under the Trump administration, holds a significant impact on Tether’s future collaborations with the US government.
Issues around auditing and compliance continue to surface within the cryptocurrency industry, with Tether facing questions about the stability of its stablecoin and regulatory compliance.
Aldoino warns of potential threats from regulatory challenges in the US and Europe, emphasizing the importance of regulatory clarity moving forward.
In conclusion, Aldoino sees the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency regulation as a critical factor in shaping Tether’s future, pushing for a more supportive regulatory environment starting in September.
tHis year was 1962 and you just woke up in the shadows of the Cumbria Front Scale (now Seller Field) nuclear power plant five years after a devastating meltdown. They are trapped in a considerable isolation zone surrounding the accident scene, so they must remain alive long enough to understand how to escape. A rather challenging task by the presence of aggressive cultists, illuminated monsters, and very territorial terrorist bees. Imagine a stalker. But set in northern England, an Oxford-based developer rebellion heads towards what’s in storefronts.
Fallout may seem like another obvious inspiration in this illuminated game world, but after playing the two-hour demo, it is clear that the game will draw more charm from the classic British sci-fi. Here, lush woodlands, the Rugoro River and dry stone walls are trapped in the picturesque Lake District. But around you are 1960s cars and tanks, abandoned farm buildings, burnt-out ruins of strange sounds and symbols that suggest something very ominous is happening. The development team can see it in the dirty, dislocated scenes around you about Dr. WHO, Wicker Mann, with John Wyndham’s novel as a key inspiration. As you approach the phone booth and pick up the ringing handset, you may hear unembodied voices warning you about the obviously friendly characters you encounter on the road. You will get lost in caves and ghostly monsters and infect you with a delusional mental virus. This is so many Quatermass John Partwee Ella.
Something ominous is happening…Atomfall. Photo: Rebellion development
It’s a while before you hit a gang of druids stalking the undergrowth and suddenly enter into battle. But in other survival games like the stalker spirit and escape from Tarkov, I have to resort to cricket bats, magical improvised melee weapons, or rusty guns that don’t matter whether I fire a few successful ammunition. The developers say they want the game to come back to life badly. You are not a Super Soldier. Everywhere, there are small trinkets to clean, from apples to machine parts.
When the character isn’t trying to get you tattered with bats, they may provide you with information and trading opportunities. It appears that they can wander freely through the overgrown farms and desolate industrial buildings looking for clues as to what happened here. Beware of the shining green blue bee nests hanging from the tree – those people Really territory. And toxic.
Here hell is looking for clues as to what happened… Atom Fall. Photo: Rebellion development
Even my short demonstrations have a lovely ominous tension in the air. Relying on the false handgun and explosive device you stuck together, the blue Peter style, adhesive tape on both sides, and what you find at abandoned military checkpoints adds a sense of despair and disaster.
I have found some of the menu and weapon choices tricky. For games that rely heavily on stealth, it’s very easy to accidentally ruin the shotgun because you haven’t loaded it in advance. But this is from a survival game. Often it’s better to wander around in the grass longer than engage with enemies (though it may not be clear where you are covering and where you are not). Many.
Atomfall looks like an interesting amalgam of a stalker. , Resistance: Human Falls, everyone went to joy. Several role-playing elements are lobbed. I think there’s a lot to depend on what happens to the mystery at the heart of the game.
What does it mean that apocalyptic adventure takes place in the countryside of England? To capture the horrifying dignity of ’70s public relations films about playing Triffids, Daemons, or Frisbee near an electric substation, you need more than a quaint cottage with local accents. But the fact that we have a survival adventure in the Lake District is something that excites us as its beautiful, supernaturally recharged environment.
IS Lara Croft Hot? This is the question that has been troubling us for nearly three decades. She made her debut on the cover of Face Magazine in 1997 alongside the tagline “larger than Pammy.” TV special aimed at uncovering the “real” tomb raider. But what does science have to say about it? In a world where American academics are hesitant to use the term “woman” without jeopardizing their research funding, it is reassuring to see that a betting site named Casino Days has taken on this important task and recently compiled a list of “the top 10 most attractive video game characters according to science.”
Using the so-called “golden ratio” – which assesses beauty based on facial proportions – the company discovered that Lara Croft ranks as the second most attractive video game character in the virtual realm. Ultimately, claiming the top spot is Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher series.
The rest of the rankings include Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption in fifth place and Yennefer of Vengerberg from The Witcher in eighth place. What’s most surprising about these findings is not the ongoing fixation on the attractiveness of video game characters, but rather the enduring popularity of these familiar faces. When will we see Guybrush Threepwood on the list? Mario must be wondering when his turn is. Sporting a pointed, pixelated chest is one thing, but coordinating the hat with the shirt under those dungarees during a hard day of plumbing? That takes dedication. Consistency. Blessing.
Hello, is it me you’re looking for… The dashing protagonist 3 of Luigi’s Mansion 3. Photo: Nintendo
Real scientists, this time, have discovered that “good behavior” can make one’s face appear even more attractive to others – with sincerity being deemed more attractive than deceit, but men losing points for appearing aggressive. So, judging video game characters based on the symmetrical perfection of their faces seems somewhat antiquated.
According to “science,” the most captivating video game characters include Bella Goth from The Sims, Harvey from Stardew Valley, King of Hyrule, the Red Ghost from Pac-Man, and Flo from Diner Dash. If we continue to assert rankings and ratings on each other, even hundreds of years later, why stop now – can’t we at least tone down our desires a bit? Can’t we acknowledge the allure of the perpetually fiery king in those mobile game advertisements?
Brutally taken away…Guybrush Threepwood. Photo: Lucasarts
Unfortunately, a press release from Casino Days has crowned Princess Zelda as the most attractive video game character. Not only is this tragic due to its sexist undertones, but also because Zelda embodies a multitude of femininity. Does she have too many resemblances to Ganondorf, and like Princess Peach before her, can’t she catch a break without being objectified? The text itself highlights the dangers of being cute and blonde in a world dominated by malevolence, forcing Zelda to constantly assert her identity as cute rather than just blonde. Will she have to reveal more skin to prove her worth? (Most likely, yes. Those Bokoblins mean business.)
Isn’t she cute and blonde? Zelda: The Legend of Zelda: The Kingdom’s Tears Photo: Nintendo
We are living in a time of significant transformations and upheavals. And by that, I don’t mean that World War III is looming on the horizon. I mean that the women in games are getting a facelift, with Ciri in Witcher 4 likely lost some of her allure because she matured. So, amidst all the chaos and evil in our world, some things remain constant – everyone can agree that from left to right (B, A, start) – Lara Croft and Geralt of Rivia are hot. Regardless of what comes next, it’s evident that we will continue to debate the attractiveness of lines of code for years to come.
IIt's easy to believe that Elon Musk's reach is unlimited. But the richest people in the world are given a carte blanche to control the space satellite empire, own one of the biggest social media platforms, produce the world's bestselling electric cars, and gush the US government from Donald Trump, but there is a market where masks have not yet cracked properly.
Now, due to his new impact on the Trump administration and global geopolitics, Musk's entrance into the Indian market could be smoother and faster than expected, both on Tesla's electric vehicles and Starlink satellite internet.
When India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled to Washington earlier this month to meet Trump, he sat down with Musk personally. There, according to the Indian government, the pair “discussed about strengthening collaboration with Indian and US organizations in innovation, space exploration, artificial intelligence and sustainable development.”
Trump said it more frankly: “I'm assuming him.” [Musk] I want to do business in India. ”
To date, India's 110% tariffs on imported electric vehicles have prevented Tesla from entering the fast-growing Indian market. However, Musk last year vowed that Tesla would be in India “as soon as possible as humanly possible.” And after his recent encounter with Modi, he appears to be keen to make it a reality.
Tesla has already started advertising for work in Mumbai and Delhi and has signed a lease to open its first showroom in Mumbai. If Tesla promises to invest $500 million in the factory that manufactures the car within three years, it could also take advantage of the new Indian government scheme, which will reduce import duties on electric vehicles to 15%. However, the tax credit only applies to the first 8,000 vehicles. This could push Tesla back.
The Tesla plant will benefit India, a country that is desperate for foreign investment and job creation, particularly in manufacturing. Nevertheless, Musk holds a checkered record of his commitment to investing in India. Last year, he left the Modi government's involvement after coming up with a high-profile plan to travel to India, hanging the possibility of a $3 billion investment to build a Tesla plant in the country, but cancelled the trip at the last minute. Instead, he rivaled China, another huge market that Musk would like to exploit in the same way to cut down on large transactions.
Elon Musk opened at the Tesla factory in Berlin, Germany in 2022. Photo: Patrick Pleul/AP
Tesla also faces tough competition with Indian manufacturers. Indian manufacturers manufacture and sell popular electric SUVs at about a quarter of the starting price of £35,000, which is far above the budget of most Indian families, when Tesla costs. (Tesla car sales have also plummeted worldwide, falling 45% in Europe in January.)
Trump also seemed less enthusiastic about Musk's ambition to start making Teslas in India. “If he builds a factory in India now, that's fine, but that's unfair to us. Trump told Fox News.
Another more advantageous finger in the Indian mask pie could be SpareLink's Starlink. Globally, masks already have the dominant lead on the satellite internet. There are more than half of all satellites in the sky.
Since 2021 he has been adamant about bringing Starlink into India. According to Deloitte, India's satellite internet currently has a small appetite, but is expected to grow to a $1.9 billion (£150 million) market by 2030, and is considered an important entry point for India's thriving telecom industry.
Earlier this year, after Trump took office, where Musk became very well-known, Indian Communications Minister confirmed that Starlink was in the process of seeking the security permits necessary to operate in India.
Jyotiraditya Scindia said: “If you check all boxes, you'll see the license. In their case [Starlink] Do it, we will be very happy. ”
However, in India, communications, including satellite internet, are one of the most strictly regulated and controlled industries in India, putting a huge obstacle in the way that foreign companies such as masks are allowed to have security permits.
In particular, Musk's close ties and business interests in China, and the use of Starlink in the Ukrainian War, was viewed as an insurmountable cybersecurity issue, SpareLink's ability to control access to satellite Internet from abroad. Government Undermody in India routinely orders internet providers to block important online content and uses internet blackout as a means of information management.
These fears could be raised after sources in Myanmar and neighboring India's Manipur state told the Guardian earlier this year that Starlink was already being used by the state's militant groups to avoid the regular internet closures imposed after the outbreak of ethnic violence.
A recent report from an Indian think tank warned that Starlink is a “wolf in sheep's clothing” and cited use by the US intelligence reporting agency and the military, and that it could be used to undermine India's safety.
However, some believe that after Trump's election, the Indian government may want to take those concerns to the side. “I think India had doubts about giving security clearance to Musk's Starlink before the US election results began,” said Nikhil Pahwa, founder of Indian tech news platform Medianama.
“One of the things we rely on India is our control of internet access and control over our operators. But now that Musk is part of the US government, his leverage in India has certainly increased, and it is possible that Starlink Clearing Security approval has improved dramatically.
Starlink can provide satellite internet to rural areas, but some have raised fears that it could be used to undermine India's safety. Photo: Nikolas Kokovlis/Nurphoto/Shutterstock
Pahwa said the Indian government's decision on Starlink is “as many political decisions as it is a security decision.”
What's known as “Starlink diplomacy” — opening the country to mask satellites in an obvious attempt to satisfy the Trump administration — was already evident in neighbouring Bangladesh, where the country's interim leader, Mohammed Yunus, suddenly expanded an invitation to launch Starlink within 90 days.
Even before Trump was re-elected, the Indian government had already piloted Starlink's ambitions in favour of its ambitions. In October, the government announced that broadband satellite spectra would be allocated administratively rather than auctions. “We will do our best to serve the people of India at Starlink,” Musk responded with an X.
This decision means Starlink has a much better opportunity to compete with Indian telecom companies in the fight to manage the country's satellite internet market. He has encountered rage from some of the country's biggest operators, including Jio, who also has vast ambitions in the satellite internet space, and has since lobbyed the government to reverse its auction decisions.
One of the main advantages of satellite internet is that it can provide internet access even in the most remote areas. However, in India, most people living in rural areas are unlikely to be able to afford it unless the subsidies are large.
Technology analyst Prasanto K Roy said that if Starlink cuts a significant amount of what he did in Africa, it could lead to a price war with India's biggest carrier if he repeats what Starlink did in the US at a price of around $10 compared to $120. A successful mobile internet, Jio came from undercutting all competitors to make Indian mobile internet the cheapest in the world, but could follow.
“Starlink isn't as easy in India like other markets, so there's a very strong competition here, so it's going to be difficult to get monopoly even at low prices,” says Roy.
He added: “People using Starlink will obviously be a very small niche at the top of the socioeconomic pyramid. But once he gets the hold, that's something that masks can really be utilized in India.”
The CEO of BBC News announced plans to create new departments that utilize AI technology to provide more personalized content to audiences. This strategic move comes in response to the evolving landscape of news consumption, where businesses must adapt to reach their target demographic effectively.
In a memo to staff, CEO Deborah Turnness outlined a reorganization plan that includes the establishment of BBC News Growth, Innovation, and AI division. This shift aims to cater to the younger demographic, particularly those under 25, who predominantly consume news through platforms like smartphones and TikTok.
Turnness emphasized the need for companies to address challenges such as news avoidance, increased social media news consumption, digital competition, and decline in traditional broadcasting. The implementation of AI will enable the curation of content tailored to the preferences of mobile users accustomed to social media consumption.
She stressed the importance of understanding audience needs and delivering content that aligns with their preferences while leveraging AI technology to enhance innovation and growth.
While AI plays a significant role in streamlining news delivery, concerns have been raised regarding the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated content. Companies have pledged to uphold public service values and ensure that AI aligns with editorial standards of accuracy, fairness, equity, and privacy.
Turnness mentioned the restructuring of BBC News to broaden audience reach, eliminate traditional silos within the newsroom, and enhance content distribution across various platforms. The creation of BBC Live and Daily News division signifies a shift towards a more integrated approach to news production.
Turnness underscored the importance of adapting to the digital environment and evolving audience preferences to remain competitive in the industry. The appointment of a director for the growth, innovation, and AI departments will ensure strategic investments and innovations are tested and implemented effectively.
rBundle in 2010 with ELESHEST and XBOX 360, Kinect looked like the future, at least for a moment. Kinect, a camera that detects gestures and can reproduce on-screen in games, allowed players to control video games with their own body. It was a bit of a sense at first, and we were selling 1M units in the first 10 days. It remains The best-selling gaming peripherals ever.
However, the lack of games already dominated by the Nintendo WII, the unreliable performance and the motion control market have brought Kinect enthusiasm for it to cool down quickly. Microsoft released a new version of Kinect on the Xbox One in 2013, but only to become an embarrassing flop. Kinect Line was like that It was suddenly cancelled in 2017. The Guardian reached out to several people involved in the development of the surrounding area. Instead, people who were keen to discuss Microsoft’s Motion Featured Cameras didn’t use it in the game at all.
Theo Watson Co-founder of Design I/O a creative studio specializing in interactive installations – many of them use depth cameras including Kinect. “When Kinect came out, it was really like a dream situation,” he recalls. “There are probably more than 10 installations around the world, and now Kinects tracks people, but Kinect’s use of the game was blip.”
The assistant will show the Xbox 360 game Kinect Adventures during the 2010 media briefing. Photo: Mario Anzuoni / Reuters / Reuters
Watson turns 15 this year and speaks about Kinect with a rare joy. (“I can’t stop talking about depth cameras,” he adds. “That’s my passion.”) As part of a collaborative effort, Watson has contributed to making Microsoft’s gaming cameras open source, based on the work of Hector “Malkan” Martin. It quickly became clear that Kinect didn’t become the future of video games, as Microsoft originally wanted. Instead, it was a game changer in other ways: for artists, robot players, and… ghost hunters.
Kinect works with a structured optical system. In other words, it creates depth data by projecting an infrared dot cloud, reads the transformations of that matrix, and identifies the depth. From this data, its machine learning core was trained to “see” the human body. In games like Kinect Sports, the camera was able to convert the body to a controller. Meanwhile, for those who create interactive artwork, they cut out much of the programming and busy work needed by more basic infrared cameras.
“The best analogy is like going from black and white TV to color,” Watson says. “There was this whole extra world that was open for us.” The powerful depth camera, which was previously present, retailed for around $6,000 (£4,740), but Microsoft condensed it into a robust, lightweight device for $150 (£118).
Robotocists were also grateful that accessible sensors allowed vision and movement to create. “Previously, only plane 2D LIDAR information was available to detect obstacles and map the environment,” he said. Stereo LoveWe plan to release the latest version of our advanced depth detection camera and software soon. 2D LIDAR detects objects by projecting a laser and measuring the time it takes for light to reflect. However, Kinect can create detailed and accurate depth maps that provide more information. what Obstacles are a way to navigate it. “Before sensors like Kinect, Lucetti says, “Grass clusters are not perceived unlike rocks, and they have all the consequences associated with navigation.”
This type of depth camera now drives many autonomous robotics. Perseverance of the 2020s Mars Rover’s Autonav System and Apple’s facial identification technology. (Apple purchased Primesense, the Israeli company behind Kinect’s structured optical system in 2013.)
NASA’s Mars Patience Rover in 2020. Photo: NASA/UPI/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
Kinect’s technology was quickly digged into by open source sensors and more advanced motion sensing devices that are free to use. However, since Microsoft stopped manufacturing its Kinect line in 2017, the small cameras have enjoyed something vibrant and not vibrant, not completely violated after death. have Looking at South Korea’s unarmed zone And we worked on adjusting the topography and patient. With a CT scanner; It has been revealed that it is being used in a baggage hall at the airport. Newer Liberty International Airport terminal security camera c (United Airlines declined to comment on this), and Gamify Training for the US Military. Attached to drones, rescue robots, easy uses found in porn.
“I don’t know if anyone has a solid vision of what interactive sex Kinect is involved with,” says Kyle Machulis, founder of buttplug.io Another member of the OpenKinect team. The camera is deployed primarily as a complex controller for 3D sex games, and plays “a futuristic marketing role more than anything in actual consumer use,” says Matulis. In that role, it was a success. It attracted a surge in attention from Microsoft to somehow ban porn containing Kinect. It was an interesting experiment, but it turns out that the addition of novelty devices is not a turn-on for many porn users. What’s more, as Matulis says, when the camera malfunctions, “it looks pretty scary.”
There is less concern for ghost hunters who thrive on the ambiguity of aging technology and rebranded Kinect as a “SLS” (structured light sensor) camera. They unfold a body tracking to find numbers that are invisible to the naked eye. Ghost Hunters are excited by the Kinect’s habit of “seeing” a body that is not actually there, believing that the numbers on these skeletal sticks are unequivocal expressions of spirits.
The paranormal investigator industry doesn’t care much about false positives as long as those false positives are perceived as paranormal. Freelance Science Performance They have a show dedicated to researching ghost hunting technology. “It’s very normal for a ghost hunter to use an infrared camera and torch to photograph himself in the dark. He bathes the scene with an IR light, using sensors that measure a specific pattern of infrared dots,” he says. Given that Kinect is specifically designed to recognize the human body with the data it receives, Kinect becomes a stranger. It didn’t do it Pick up unusual numbers in this context.
Kinect has a living poem among people looking for evidence of life after death. On the right hand, the camera is still strong. Theo Watson points to me Connected Worldan exhibition held in the New York Science Hall of Fame since 2015. Of the many Kinect devices that enhance installation, they had to be replaced within 10 years of opening. One of them was a few weeks ago. Watson began stockpiling devices when Microsoft stopped production.
“Half of the projects on our website do not exist without Kinect,” he says. “If this camera had another decade, it still wouldn’t be running out of anything related to it.”
tWith a wide range of boating hours from Manaus, the capital of the Amazonas province, Deodato Alves Da Silva is hoping for enough power to keep his Tucumã and Cupuaçu Fruits fresh. These highly nutritious Amazon superfoods are rich in antioxidants and vitamins and serve as the main source of income for farmers in the Silva region. However, there is a lack of electricity to refrigerate the fruit, making it difficult to sell produce.
Silva's fruit cultivation work is located in the village of Boa Frente in Novo Alipuana, one of the most energy-poor regions in Brazil, with only one diesel-powered generator working several hours a day.
Seventeen families in the community pay for diesel, but due to the high prices, everyone agrees to use the generator between 6pm and 10pm. This is also the only time they can communicate with the outside world. There is no mobile phone connection in this area, only satellite internet.
“The power is supplied for four hours per night. The motor is off and the switch is turned back the next night,” says Silva, 72, a rural health worker and fruit grower who has lived in the area since birth.
“If we have the power to preserve Cupuaçupulp, we will have much higher incomes. Our community is a massive producer of Tucumã, but lack of power prevents conservation.”
In the summer of 1985, I embarked on a lengthy pilgrimage from my home in Cheadle Hulme to the charming Hammersmith Novotel in London for the Commodore Computer Show. As a 14-year-old gamer, I saw this as an opportunity to play the latest games and check out new gaming accessories. However, my main goal was to visit specific exhibitors that I was eager to see. Upon arrival, I noticed a long line of kids at small stands, most of them waiting to get their show program signed by arcade games champion and ZZAP reviewer Julian Lignoll. As a devoted subscriber, I remember the excitement of waiting in that line. I didn’t experience that level of awe again until I met Sigourney Weaver a quarter of a century later.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who remembers that day. In his fantastic new book, The Games of a Lifetime, Rignall himself recalls the surprise of being swarmed by fans. He writes, “We didn’t anticipate that. I didn’t realize that readers were so interested in us, but I loved it.”
However, I don’t think he should have been so surprised. In the mid-80s, during the heyday of C64 and ZX Spectrum home computers, magazines like Crash, ZZAP, and Computer & Video Games were the primary sources of news and opinions about new games. There was a scarcity of information about game developers at the time, so magazine reviewers became industry stars and influencers of that era, even before the rise of social media.
“It was really Dickensian”…Zzap! 64 magazines. Photo: Chris Daw / Bitmap Books
What I find most captivating about Rignall’s books is tracing his journey from Seaside Arcade Tournaments to game development editing and eventually becoming the editorial director at Mammoth Video Game Site IGN. As a child, I pictured a lavish, high-tech publishing office in a sleek modernist building. However, Zzap! 64’s origins were in a small rented office in Yeovil. Rignall recalls, “We were all crammed into one room with a few C64s tucked away in the broom cupboard. Video games were always considered lowbrow, but in those early days, it was truly Dickensian.”
Major magazine companies weren’t as glamorous as one might think. When Rignall worked for C&VG in 1988, he transitioned from a relatively small newsroom to the sprawling EMAP headquarters in Farringdon, London. As he remembers, “It was a dusty pit with typewriters, smelly carpets, and outdated interior fixtures that looked like they hadn’t been updated since the 1970s. Oh, and ashtrays filled with cigarette butts were everywhere.”
Matt Bielby, who went on to launch legendary game magazines Superplay and PC Gamer, transitioned from being a C&VG junior writer to joining Sinclair at Dennis Publishing. “Dennis was even dingier and smokier than EMAP,” he recalls. “It was housed in several small buildings along the northern end of Oxford Street at Tottenham Court Road; initially, we were stacked on top of each other with computer shoppers, kits precariously balancing on shaky desks… I had to share a desk initially.”
In the mid-80s, Your Sinclair emerged as a pioneer of a new style of irreverent and personality-driven gaming journalism. Earlier home computer magazines focused on programming tips and articles about printers and word processing software, but these new publications put games front and center. Sinclair’s founding editor, Teresa Morgan, drew inspiration from reading Smash Hits at just 17. She recalls, “They had a distinct voice and made their writers visible. So, intentionally, we included caricatures of reviewers in the magazine. Everyone could express their personality, making readers feel connected to us.”
This connection sometimes led to strange encounters. “I remember receiving all sorts of odd things in the mail,” says Morgan. “Someone once sent me my own toenails.”
Like Smash Hits, Your Sinclair became known for developing its unique language and humor, creating silly photo stories reminiscent of Jackie magazine, and covering quirky games like a lawnmower simulator developed by magazine contributor Duncan McDonald. Readers were active participants, with their letters and artwork becoming essential elements of the magazine’s content. Rignall reflects, “By the early ’90s, when we launched the Average Machine, the magazine was 100% designed to be interactive. Text pages, Q&A sections, and editorials were essentially proto-social media before the term was even coined. Readers were encouraged to send in crazy photos, sketches, drawings, you name it. We aimed to create a sense of community run by its members.”
Multi-format Forever… Computer & Video Game Magazine Photo: Chris Daw/Bitmap Books
However, the traditional magazine production process was a different story. Before desktop publishing software came into play, everything was done manually. “You would type it up on your Apricot Proto PC, save it to a disk, then hand it over to the typesetter,” Rignall explains. “They would print a galley (print-quality text), cut it out with scissors, and lay out the pages with glue along with photos and other design elements.”
Taking screenshots was an art form of its own. By the time I started at Edge Magazine in 1995, the process had turned digital. I had a program that allowed me to capture screenshots from the console, which then connected to my Mac via a video card. But in the ’80s, it was a different story. “We took screenshots by placing a film camera in front of a clean TV screen and snapping a photo of it,” Rignall recalls. “I had to set up blackout curtains in the game room, turn off all lights, and create a dark environment. It was challenging because I had to synchronize the camera.”
In essence, the production of game magazines was slow, labor-intensive, and at times chaotic as small, young teams churned out dozens of reviews each month. “It’s no wonder that magazines in the mid to late ’80s were riddled with errors,” Rignall comments. “Typos, incorrect information, text in the wrong place, missing elements, inaccuracies… you name it. The process was an absolute mess.”
Yet, in a way, this chaos was part of their charm. Game magazines pushed the limits of publishing technology, and when the digital age arrived, they were often at the forefront of innovative publications using software like Pagemaker and Quark Xpress. Morgan reminisces about launching Zero in 1989, aiming for a more sophisticated gaming magazine. “It had a glossy, highly designed look. We won the European Magazine Award for two consecutive years.”
These magazines were at the heart of video game culture, offering a window into an exciting new world. “The industry was very tight-knit – everyone knew each other,” Morgan recalls. “We had a healthy sense of competition. We would often have developers visit the office, or we’d go to their homes and interview them in their pajamas.”
“100% designed around interactivity”…Mean Machines Magazine. Photo: Chris Daw/Bitmap Books
However, by the late 1980s, the focus shifted from home computers to consoles, with readers seeking direct information from Japan, the birthplace of gaming. Rignall notes, “The one who started writing about Japanese content for British audiences was Tony Takouji in 1987, which kicked off a series of CVG average machines that I took over a year later. I stumbled upon a Japanese bookstore near the EMAP office in 1988, and it was a goldmine. I couldn’t understand what was written until translators were found a month or two later, but I could decipher the game from the screenshots.”
Rignall’s book serves as a memoir of the gaming industry, exploring how games from Battle Zone to Forbidden Forest challenged Western notions of interactive entertainment for both players and journalists. By the time I entered the industry, it had evolved into a more stable and professional environment. Future Publishing operated out of a beautiful building in Bath, while Edge shared Beaufort House, a former Georgian pub, with titles like Super Play and Game Master. It was a thrilling time with great magazines, yet we carried on the legacy of the chaotic magazines that came before us in our spirit, work ethic, and humor.
Morgan looks back fondly on those times, recalling a memorable experience at a Microprose press event. “It was for the Tom Clancy flight simulator. They invited 10 journalists, and we all went on a light aircraft. Wild Bill Steely, MicroProse co-founder and ex-fighter pilot, did loops. I took turns with my sick bag. There was a champagne breakfast on the boat… and the camaraderie with the YS team was incredible. We got to play the game before anyone else. I’ve never laughed that much. It felt like the start of something special.”
aThere is a subtle shift in the atmosphere of the capital as numerous delegates from all over China converge in Beijing this week for the annual parliamentary session. While the common people of China may not focus much on their presence at the Great Hall of the People, a modernist structure from the 1950s located near the western edge of Tiananmen Square, the impact of this week’s Conclave can be felt throughout the city.
Security measures have been heightened. Special uniformed personnel have been deployed to secure the bridges in Beijing. Caution is advised against attempting any stunts like Penn Life’s protest on the Sitton Bridge before the 20th Party Congress in 2022.
Virtual Private Networks, used to bypass Internet censorship, are experiencing slower speeds as authorities tighten control over communication with the outside world. The smooth running of the parallel sessions of the “Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference” and the National People’s Congress, often referred to collectively as the two sessions, is crucial for the Communist Party and represents the most significant annual event on the Chinese political calendar.
From the perspective of Beijing, the outside world seems tumultuous. The ongoing exchange of verbal sparring between the US and Ukrainian presidents on TV, as well as the fragile US-backed ceasefire in Gaza, highlight global instability. Meanwhile, China remains relatively shielded from the news, with minimal coverage aside from a few headlines on tariffs.
Despite the recent imposition of tariffs by China on the US, the trade war does not seem to be a major concern for most Chinese citizens. Many, like 18-year-old Wang Zhichen working in Beijing’s Chaoyang district, feel unaffected by the trade tensions. Wang expresses a positive outlook on US-China relations and focuses on his work despite the economic slowdown in the area.
The economic challenges facing China, including falling real estate prices, job scarcity for millennials and Gen-Z workers, and a general sense of economic uncertainty, have led to a term known as “lying flat” or choosing passivity in society. Beijing is aiming to combat this economic nihilism through fiscal stimulus and measures to stabilize economic growth.
As China’s leaders focus on transitioning the economy towards innovation and investment in the tech sector, the recent success of Deepseek, an AI company, has garnered attention. Deepseek’s advancements in AI technology have drawn investors away from US tech stocks and signaled China’s potential to lead in the AI sector.
While Deepseek continues to make waves in the tech industry, Chinese officials are embracing the company’s success and integrating its technology into various platforms. The optimism surrounding China’s technological advancements and economic policies at this week’s two sessions reflects a hopeful future envisioned by Chinese policymakers and leaders.
After facing opposition from education secretaries Peter Kyle and Bridget Phillipson, the bill seeking to ban addictive smartphone algorithms targeting young teenagers was weakened.
The Safer Phone Bill, introduced by Labour MP Josh McAllister, is set to be discussed in the Commons on Friday. Despite receiving support from various MPs and child protection charities, the government has opted to further investigate the issue rather than implement immediate changes.
Government sources indicate that the new proposal will be accepted, as the original bill put forward by McAllister did not receive ministerial support.
The government believes more time is needed to assess the impact of mobile phones on teenagers and to evaluate emerging technologies that can control the content produced by phone companies.
Peter Kyle opposes the major bill, which would have been the second online safety law some advocates were hoping for.
Although not fundamentally against government intervention on this issue, a source close to Kyle mentioned that the work is still in its early stages.
The original proposal included requirements for social media companies to exclude young teens from their algorithms and limit addictive content for those under 16. However, these measures were removed from the final bill.
Another measure to ban mobile phones in schools was also dropped after objections from Bridget Phillipson, who believes schools should self-regulate. There are uncertainties regarding potential penalties for violations.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has been vocal about addressing the issue of addictive smartphones, publicly supporting McAllister’s bill.
The revised Private Membership Bill instructs Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty to investigate the health impacts of smartphone use.
McAllister hopes that the bill will prompt the government to address addictive smartphone use among children more seriously, rather than just focusing on harmful or illegal content.
If the Minister commits to adopting the new measures as anticipated, McAllister will not push for a vote on the bill.
The government has pledged to “publish a research plan on the impact of social media use on children” and seek advice from the UK’s chief medical officer on parents’ management of their children’s smartphone and social media usage.
Polls indicate strong public support for measures restricting young people’s use of social media, with a majority favoring a ban on social media for those under 16.
According to the UK boss of Microsoft, some companies are “neutral” in their approach to artificial intelligence.
A Microsoft survey of almost 1,500 senior leaders in public and private sectors and 1,440 employees revealed that more than half of executives believe their organization does not have official AI plans. Nearly the same percentage reported increased productivity gaps between employees using AI and those who do not.
“Some organizations seem to be stuck in the experimental phase and remain in neutral rather than moving towards deployment of AI,” said Darren Hardman, the UK CEO of high-tech companies.
Microsoft, a major financial supporter of Openai, the developer of ChatGPT, is driving AI deployment in the workplace through autonomous AI agents. These agents allow tasks to be performed without human intervention. Early adopters of Microsoft’s Copilot Studio products, which operate bots, include the consulting company McKinsey. McKinsey uses agents to schedule meetings with potential clients.
The Tony Blair Institute estimates that AI could create up to 3 million jobs in the UK, but also anticipates net job losses in the hundreds of thousands as technology creates new roles. Hardman mentioned to the Guardian that AI agents would eliminate the tedious digital tasks from people’s work, allowing them to focus on the creative aspects of their roles.
In terms of creating new roles in retail stores, such as data analysts, web designers, and social media managers, he stated: “And I think that the creation of agency workplaces will do the same thing.”
Hardman also mentioned proposed reforms to UK copyright law, which have faced opposition from the UK’s creative industry.
He said: “We believe it would bring clarity. I think it will support AI development.”
The UK government is proposing that tech companies like Microsoft can utilize copyrighted work without permission to train models. Critics of the proposal see it as a “wholesale” transfer of wealth from the creative industry to the technology sector.
In other news, the former CEO of BP, Bernard Looney, has been appointed as the chairman of a UK technology startup. Looney departed the oil and gas company in 2023 after admitting to not fully disclosing a series of personal relationships with colleagues to the board.
He has been appointed to accelerate the expansion of data so that small and medium-sized businesses can utilize data to reduce costs and emissions.
In recent months, game makers have faced challenges with age classifications for video games. Age ratings are meant to assist parents in determining if a game is suitable for their children. However, incorrect labels can mislead consumers and impact the success of a game.
Balatro is a poker game created by an anonymous developer known as LocalThunk. The game relies on chaos, with constantly changing conditions that challenge players to form the best possible poker hands. Players earn in-game money to buy new cards during each round, adding an element of strategy. Despite its initial success, Baratoro faced classification issues when it was labeled as a gambling game.
Originally rated for ages 3 and older, the game was later reclassified as suitable for adults only. This decision caused Baratoro to be removed from digital storefronts in Europe and Asia. The publisher, PlayStack, appealed the decision but faced obstacles in various regions.
Ultimately, after updates and appeals, Baratoro received a Pegi rating of 12 or higher, resolving the classification issue. The experience highlighted the challenges of rating systems and the impact they can have on game sales.
Pegi clarified its standards for assessing games that depict gambling, aiming to provide fair and accurate classifications. The case of Baratoro led to the development of a more detailed classification system for games involving gambling.
While the reclassification brought relief to publishers, it also raised questions about age rating systems and their ability to inform consumers about game content. The evolving nature of rating systems reflects the need to adapt to changing cultural expectations in the gaming industry.
Balatro’s journey highlights the importance of clear and accurate age classifications for games and the ongoing need to ensure that players understand the content they are engaging with.
hAll those of Akki Monster Hunter Wild Week Week Celebration: Capcom's thrilling action game for sale 8m unit In 3 days, that means there's a good chance that many of you are playing it. I'm a huge fan of this series and am pleased with the latest entries, but after submitting a review last week I barely had the time to play it after it came out. Regular readers will know that this is a familiar problem to me. I have two kids so my game time is strict and the living room TV is used very often.
I was expecting this, so on the landing to the release of Monster Hunter Wild, I spent £200 on the PlayStation Portal. This is basically a screen sandwiched between two halves of a PlayStation 5 controller. It's impossible to tell if Sony is one of the most cumbersome things that have come out so far, or one of the most elegant ones. You can stream games from the PS5, so the console can scream under the TV, be on the sofa on a small screen, waving x to convert. A scary octopus.
Here's how the portal works: Turn it on and it becomes a pleasant, futuristic noise. When you try to connect to the home console, a soothing pulsating circular portal appears. Then, if it works (sometimes I have tried a few times), your PlayStation 5 homepage will be displayed through that portal and expand to fill the entire screen in your hands. You can then use the controller's rumble and tactile feedback and more to play everything like you do on a TV. When your internet connection becomes unstable, your device will downgrade the appearance of the game rather than launching you. Rather than force the game to reconnect with pixel soup, it becomes a strange messy visual artifact.
Monster Hunter Wilds looks perfect on the PS portal… when the device works. Photo: Capcom
I've played a lot of game streaming “solutions” over the years (at first GaikaiBack in 2009, we streamed games like World of Warcraft from the cloud, and at the time it was very novel and not always optimal. No matter how good your internet connection was, it has always been too much delayed. The streamed games always looked significantly worse. There was never wifi very It's reliable. However, the portal works surprisingly well in the wifi at my home. Monster Hunter looks perfect. It's a tough action game so lag feels like it's not playable right away, but I was able to play on the portal for hours without being too annoyed.
You can also use the portal to play PS5 games away from home and use your device to turn the console remotely in an empty house (tip: Yank to not turn on the TV before leaving the HDMI cable). I took the portal on a semi-annual holiday with my family – certainly more convenient than packing the entire console and all of its gubbins – and then tried connecting from my hotel room to my home's PlayStation 5. It took a few times, but did I also work on the hotel wifi. Unfortunately, in this situation, the quality of the streaming was very poor, and the game got worse on the PSP 15 years ago, making the delay seem unbearable. It wasn't the on-the-go PlayStation gaming experience I wanted.
The portal is a handy little gadget – at home, when it works. And that's the case for all kinds of internet-dependent game streaming: it's good When it works. One day, I want to be able to play games wherever I am, without sacrificing the quality of my game, but streaming technology hasn't gotten there yet. It's certainly getting better. I've streamed games from my Xbox Game Pass library from my Home Console Game Pass library and occasionally had problems. But what I really want is that I can stream games to the handheld when I'm in my office or while traveling.
The Nintendo Switch was released eight years ago, but it remains the gold standard for hybrid games at home/outdoors as it does not rely on an internet connection. It just works seamlessly. Pick it up, bring it in, put it in the dock, and it will appear on the TV right away. Switch changed my life by adjusting time for games with work, friends, travel and family. Steam decks are also transformative, allowing you to take games you review (or enjoy) from the office to the home, or play on long distance flights. We're used to this now almost ten years later, but it was really one of the most innovative technical things the console has achieved.
Until the Big Nintendo Switch 2 event becomes two events on April 2nd, we'll learn more about what this next console actually can do. Given that this is Nintendo, I would be surprised if internet-based game streaming was part of the new console offering. Nintendo tends to favor older, proven technology than risky bets. It's been eight years that Nintendo's competitors have completed alternative, neglected gaming solutions. Perhaps that's not possible. It's no wonder Switch 2 is stuck with what works.
What to do
Ambitious, gentle and stupid… split fiction Photo: Electronic Arts
The manufacturer of the cooperative divorce platformer unexpectedly sold 230,000 copies. This will work if publishers remember this safe betting age – Divided fiction It's an ambitious, kind and stupid game about two writers who are forced to live in each other's stories. Sci-fi writer Mio and fantasy writer Zoe will compete in a meeting at Big Publishing House. Just jail in a machine that steals futuristic ideas.
This game requires two players. This is because it completely relies on working together on both puzzles and action bits. (Don't worry if there is a difference in skills between you and your future cooperative partner. One player can do most of the heavy lifts if necessary.) This was designed around cooperative play, whether this is full and playing with friends, partners, or older kids.
Available at: PC, Xbox, PlayStation 5 Estimated playtime: 15 hours
What to read
Never Better Skate… Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4. Photo: Steam
Tony Hawk's Pro Skator I'm back again. The third and fourth entries in the series are Remastered by ActivisionAnd then I'm off in the summer.
Activision performed a bunch Scary AI-ART ads Last weekend, on Instagram for a game Please don't actually exist. The ads link to a survey to a survey that is likely to measure interest in fake games, but instead everyone is talking about the band. Guitar Hero Mobile There are no four guitarists, singers, or phantom drummers.
Rockstar has I bought an Australian studio It is executed by Brendan McNamaradirector of the 2011 detective drama game La Noire, was also published by Rockstar. His previous studio, Team Bondi, was closed shortly after Rawar ended his past development. A toxic, oppressive, crunchy work culture Leading by McNamara.
Game Industry Analysts Matt Piscaterra Running the numbers, I discovered that 40% of all the time spent playing games in the US in January was spent playing The same 10 live service gamesMost of them are age. Draw a dark picture for developers who are about to break into this space.
My favourites from the past… Arcadia Sky. Photo: Dean Mortlock/Super8 Media
There was something wrong with the answer in question block last week: Doug I wrote it saying it was a Nintendo switch I'll do it I now have the YouTube app, but fortunately he says that parental control is enough to stop my 11 and 8 year olds from constantly loading it again.
Thanks to readers for this week's questions Emily:
“Did you previously love the game that you didn't enjoy playing today?”
A United States judge denied a request for a preliminary injunction on Tuesday to halt the transition to an open commercial model, but agreed to hear the case this autumn.
Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, a US District Judge in Oakland, California, stated that the tech billionaire did not meet the “high burden necessary for a temporary injunction” to stop the conversion to openness.
Nevertheless, Rogers expressed the importance of quickly resolving the lawsuit, considering “the potential for crisis and harm if conversion takes place unlawfully.”
Elon Musk and Openai, co-founded as a nonprofit in 2015 but left before it gained momentum, have been embroiled in a year-long legal dispute. CEOs of Tesla and X (formerly Twitter) have accused Openai of deviating from its original goal of developing artificial intelligence for the betterment of humanity, rather than corporate profits.
Openai and its CEO, Sam Altman, have denied these allegations. The lawsuit revolves around the shift to a for-profit model for chat developers, with Altman citing the need for more capital and competitiveness in the costly AI industry.
Openai welcomed the judge’s ruling, stating that Musk’s lawsuit, who launched rival startup Xai in 2023, was always about competition. Microsoft, the primary supporter of Openai, did not provide a comment.
Musk’s lawyer, Marc Toberoff, commended the judge for promising a swift trial on the core claims of the case. Toberoff emphasized the importance of ensuring Altman utilizes Musk’s charitable contributions for the benefit of the masses, not personal gain.
The ruling comes after Altman rejected a $97.4 million acquisition offer from a consortium led by Musk, claiming Openai is not for sale and accusing Musk of attempting to hinder its competitors.
Softbank Group is reportedly discussing leading a funding round of up to $400 million for Openai, valuing the company at $300 million. This surpasses the $75 billion valuation discussed by Xai in a recent fundraising round.
The UK Competition Watchdog has decided not to conduct a formal investigation into the partnership with the startups behind Microsoft’s AI chatbot, ChatGPT. The tech company, valued at 2.9TN (£2.3TN), claims it has a “material impact” on OpenAI but does not exercise control over it.
While the Competitive Markets Agency (CMA) acknowledged Microsoft’s significant financial support of OpenAI with a $13 billion investment, it concluded that Microsoft’s influence did not reach the threshold for an official investigation due to lack of control.
The CMA’s decision comes amidst concerns over the appointment of former Amazon UK boss Duggar as interim chairman. The CMA’s chief executive, Sarah Cardell, emphasized the need to maintain business trust without creating undue regulatory pressure from the UK government.
Joel Bamford, executive director of CMA’s merger, stated that as there was no change in control, the current partnership structure did not warrant review under UK’s merger regulations.
However, Bamford clarified that this decision does not imply that the partnership has been cleared of competitive concerns.
Following Sam Altman’s appointment as OpenAI’s CEO, the CMA initiated an investigation into OpenAI’s relations, noting a decrease in its reliance on Microsoft for computing power as a factor influencing their decision.
A Microsoft representative emphasized that the partnership with OpenAI supports competition, innovation, and responsible AI development. The decision to end the investigation was made after careful consideration of commercial realities.
Last year, the CMA chose not to investigate Amazon’s investment in AI companies, and similarly did not delve deeper into Microsoft’s partnerships with Mistral and Decleft.
Microsoft recently invested $6.6 billion in OpenAI, contributing to a funding round that valued the company at $15.7 billion. OpenAI, run by a non-profit committee, has subsidiaries of for-profit entities, with Microsoft being the major supporter of these subsidiaries.
Despite concerns over Gurr’s appointment and the avoidance of negative economic impact, the CMA has focused on scrutinizing Big Tech, particularly during Gurr’s tenure. Alongside investigations into Google’s internet search dominance, the CMA is also exploring the effects of Apple and Google’s mobile platforms on consumers and businesses.
In January, Microsoft criticized the CMA’s cloud market survey, claiming it impedes tech companies from effectively competing with Google and Amazon in cloud computing services.
The Trump administration has publicly stated that Russia is not considered a cyber threat to US national security or critical infrastructure, marking a significant departure from previous assessments.
Experts warn that this policy shift could leave the US vulnerable to Russian hacking attacks and may signal warming relations between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Recent incidents indicate that the US no longer views Russia as a cybersecurity threat.
Liesyl Franz, the State Department’s deputy director of international cybersecurity, did not mention Russia as a threat in her recent speech before the UN Working Group on Cybersecurity. This contrasts with statements from European Union and UK officials who highlighted the threat posed by Moscow.
US policy changes regarding cybersecurity have been made behind closed doors, with new directives focusing on China and neglecting to mention Russia.
Anonymous sources familiar with the matter have expressed concern that the US is ignoring the Russian cyber threat, which was previously a primary focus for agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Reports indicate that CISA officials have been reassigned, raising questions about the US government’s approach to protecting against cyber threats from Russia.
The New York Times reported that CISA officials tasked with safeguarding elections from cyberattacks have also been reassigned.
Concerns have been raised about the shift in US policy towards Russia, as many believe that Russia remains a significant cyber threat to US interests.
The CISA and State Department have not provided comments on these developments.
The change in US policy regarding Russia’s cyber threat is seen as a departure from previous assessments and has raised concerns among experts.
For over a quarter-century, Putin’s Russia has been active in cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns, posing a challenge to the international order.
If you have any tips about this story, you can reach out to us at +1 646 886 8761 on Signal
Meta, owned by Mark Zuckerberg, issued an apology after Instagram users were exposed to violent, graphic, and disturbing content, including animal abuse and images of corpses.
Users reported encountering these disturbing images due to a glitch in the Instagram algorithm.
Reels, a feature similar to TikTok, allows users to share short videos on the platform.
Some users described seeing disturbing videos, including a man being crushed by an elephant, torn apart by a helicopter, and putting his face in boiling oil. Others reported encountering “sensitive content” screens meant to protect users from such graphic material.
A user shared a list of violent content in their feed, as reported by Tech News Site 404, which included videos of a man on fire, a shooting incident, content from an account named “PeopleDeaddaily,” and a pig being beaten.
Another Reddit user expressed concern about the violent content flooding their feed and questioned Instagram’s algorithm’s accuracy and intent.
A spokesperson for Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, issued an apology for the error.
The incident occurred amidst changes in Meta’s content moderation approach, although the company clarified that the graphic video flood was not related to any policy changes.
Meta’s Content Guidelines mandate removal of particularly violent or graphic content and limiting the use of sensitive content screens. In the UK, the Online Safety Act requires social media platforms to protect users under 18 from harmful materials.
A campaign group advocating for online safety called for a detailed explanation regarding the Instagram algorithm mishap.
The Molly Rose Foundation, established by the family of Molly Russell, a teenager who took her own life in 2017, urged Instagram to explain why such disturbing content appears on the platform.
Andy Burrows, CEO of the foundation, expressed concern that the policy changes at Meta may lead to increased availability of graphic content on the platform.
GEO Group, the largest single private contractor for U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), has expanded its surveillance operations to monitor hundreds of thousands or potentially millions of migrants.
Geo Group, a private prison company and parent company of Bi Inc, has been working with ICE for nearly two decades to oversee the agency’s electronic surveillance program. Currently, they are tracking approximately 186,000 immigrants using various devices like ankle monitors, smartwatches, and facial recognition apps, as reported by Public Ice Data. With the increasing demand from the administration of Donald Trump, which has promised significant deportations, company executives anticipate that this number will surpass the previous peak of 370,000 to 450,000 immigrants within the next year. This statement was made during the company’s fourth-quarter revenue call on Thursday morning.
“About two years ago, ISAP contract utilization peaked at around 370,000,” mentioned George Zorry, executive chair of GEO Group, during a revenue call discussing the ICE and GEO contract. “If the contract exceeds its previous peak usage, achieving revenues of $250 million is possible.”
The company is ramping up the production of additional GPS units in preparation for expanded ICE contracts. Executives suggest they can monitor “hundreds of thousands” of individuals and are positioning themselves to monitor even more, potentially reaching into the millions. Zoley mentioned that GEO Group and its competitor, Core Civic, will engage in conversations with ICE to expand current contracts and electronic monitoring for detention facilities.
“It’s a dynamic situation, rapidly evolving,” he stated. “We’ve shifted from initial proposals to detailed pricing and operational discussions. The procurement process is moving at an unprecedented pace. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Established in 2004 as an alternative to detention, the company’s extensive electronic surveillance program has been entrusted to Bi Inc, a subsidiary of Geo Group. Many individuals wearing ankle monitors raised concerns about overheating, discomfort, or tightness. The company has introduced SmartLink, a Smart Watch location tracker, and a smartphone app as less intrusive monitoring methods. However, during the revenue call on Thursday, executives expressed a desire to return to relying primarily on ankle monitors.
“Our top priority is ankle monitors for high-security monitoring,” Zoley emphasized.
While the company has not received indication from ICE about reissuing a new agreement for their electronic monitoring program, the executive team is focusing on expanding the number of individuals tracked through existing programs. Geo Group plans to invest $16 million to increase federal ISAP use and build up Ankle Monitor inventory to cater to hundreds of thousands and potentially millions of participants.
Company officials believe that under the Laken Riley Act, immigrants charged with violent crimes or thefts must be monitored “indefinitely” under the ISAP program due to the risk they pose. Executives intend to expand the surveillance program to monitor an estimated 7-8 million individuals with non-decisive immigration statuses who entered the US through unauthorized routes. They are also preparing to monitor an estimated 95-100 million people in the United States.
“Given our population size, we view this as an opportunity to enhance detention capacity… The Laken Riley Act mandates a significant increase in electronic monitoring services to combat human trafficking involving individuals with non-decisive immigration statuses and ensure compliance with immigration court requirements,” Zoley stated.
In In late January, Lauren Bedson did something that many people thought could not think. She has cancelled her Amazon Prime membership. The catalyst was Donald Trump's inauguration. More Americans are planning to make similar decisions this Friday.
Bedson moved her after seeing pictures of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos sitting with other tech moguls and billionaires.
Bedson of Camas, Washington, told the Guardian. “I've lived in Seattle for over 10 years. I've been an Amazon fan for a long time and I think they have good products. But I'm so tired of it. I don’t want to give these billionaire oligarchs my money anymore.”
Emotions have been felt by many Americans since Trump entered the White House. Business and business leaders who were once passive or vocally critical of Trump are trying to protect what they feel comfortable with, questioning the value of brands that consumers trusted. A recent Harris poll found that a quarter of American consumers have changed in their political stance and are no longer shopping at their favorite stores.
Many are inspired by the calls to boycotts coming from social media. One boycott It has become a virus over the past few weeks. “Power blackouts” for businesses that have reduced some of their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals, including Target, Amazon, and Walmart, are scheduled for February 28th, with protesters planning to halt all spending on these companies.
Lauren Bedson has cancelled his Amazon Prime membership. Photo: Lauren Bedson
But people are also deciding to boycott within their communities at kitchen tables, trying to find a way to resist Trump, and perhaps corporate capitalism.
The Guardian asked readers how their shopping habits have changed over the past few months as the political situation began to change after Trump's victory. Hundreds of people from across the country say they no longer shop at stores like Walmart and have targeted targets who publicly announced the end of their DEI goals. Dozens, like Bedson, had cancelled their long-held Prime accounts. Others shut down their Facebook and Instagram accounts in protest of the meta.
In a small town in the Netherlands, there is only one factory that produces the only chip manufacturing machine that produces the type of light found naturally on the planet.
Known as EUV, this light is the only way to create cutting-edge semiconductor chips, one of the most valuable and important technologies in the world at scale. The factory is prohibited from selling EUV machines to China.
Below we will explain how the chips are made, why they became the focus of the US-China trade war, how Taiwan was drawn into the vortex, and what comes next. The answer is that we need three planes to travel from deep underground from space, from the dirtiest places in the world to the cleanest places, from the hottest temperatures, from artificial structures smaller than viruses, to the very big, and ultimately two opposite states at the same time.
How are they made?
The chip is made up of a thin, flat layer of silicon (called a wafer) that holds the electrical circuit. These circuits consist of billions of switches called transistors. Very complex and powerful chips containing these networks of transistors are commonly referred to as semiconductors.
If you want to build a semiconductor, you’ll need $380 million. This is the cost of modern EUV machines from Advanced Semiconductor Material Lithography (ASML). Delivery is a nightmare. The machine is so large and delicate that it requires 40 cargo containers, three cargo aircraft and 20 trucks to transport from the Dutch factory in Beldoven. All of this creates light at a shorter wavelength than an X-ray, focusing, and has enough energy to penetrate into solid objects.
Chipmakers strive to meet Moore’s law: its capabilities – or the predictions called the number of transistors on the chip. If the chips keep the same size and ideally smaller, this means that the transistors must be finer.
The ASML machine carries the pattern into a silicon wafer that holds the transistors. The finer the pattern, the more you can stuff it into the chip. Company spokesman Marc Assinck compares the thickness of the pen stroke to the light wavelength. The thinner the pen should be, the more detailed the page is needed. EUV lights have very narrow wavelengths, invisible to the human eye, and pass through most materials.
The light is produced by firing a laser with a tin microscope ball. The tin evaporates into the plasma, and the plasma emits light, travels through the lithography machine and hits a specially made mirror. The light shines through the “mask,” a pattern of one layer of chips. Areas exposed to light cure, and areas that are not exposed will dissolve in the chemical solution, leaving a 3D pattern.
Think of a chip like a 100-story building. Each building takes four months to produce, and each floor has its own layout. This layout features only 25 nanometers. It is about 100 nanometers smaller than influenza virus particles. EUV and other lithography machines carve patterns of these layers one by one.
Building a machine is not easy. Like the chips themselves, they are assembled into dust-free rooms, the cleanest space on the planet. The chips work at the atom level: a single spot of dust can make them useless.
1 is a diagram showing the semiconductor chip structure. FIG. Illustration: ASML
Why is Taiwan so important?
ASML creates a machine that makes the chips, but does not create the chips themselves. This is primarily done by another notable company with another notable name, TSMC, or Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturing company. Taiwan manufactures and supplies many of the US semiconductor chips, which adds to protecting Taiwan amid concerns that China will invade.
In 2022, the US persuaded the Dutch government to take control of ASML machines exports and limit sales to China. To date, according to ASML, no EUV lithography machines have been shipped to China. This means that unless you invent your own EUV lithography machine, or you will use deep ultraviolet lithography rather than extreme ultraviolet lithography, rather than in Western countries, if not more powerful than technology a few years old. These machines can produce extremely complex chips on a large scale, but they are not that complicated.
Another technology that the US and China are fiercely competing to advance, artificial intelligence relies on the world's most complex and powerful semiconductor chips. The main designers of these chips are an American company called Nvidia. The chip is generated by TSMC on a machine created by ASML.
China's lack of access to EUV lithography explains why the debut of Chinese chatbot Deepseek shocked the market. Chinese companies have produced products as powerful as Chat GPT, which has advanced, cheaper technology. Deepseek claims that training costs just $6 million compared to Billions of dollars It was spent by US companies to do the same.
“The US believes that AI is a transformative technology and affects almost every sector of the economy,” says Chris Miller, author of Chip War: The Fight for The World the Critical Technology. “So we don't want China to gain an advantage.”
It is also important for defense and intelligence. The People's Liberation Army has made “great advances” in recent years in efforts to use AI in combat. According to Center for security and emerging technologies.
However, not everyone believes that access to Chinese ASML machines, including ASML, should be restricted.
At a Bloomberg meeting in October, CEO Christophe Foucet said, “We were asked how much the security threat restrictions are.”
The debate may not need to last long. In 2024, China's Shanghai Microelectronics Company (SMIC) revealed that it had filed a patent for its EUV lithography machine a year ago.
Where do you find rare earths?
China boasts other advantages over the West in the race to produce chips. In addition to silicon, semiconductors require so-called “rare earths,” especially germanium and gallium. Gallium demand is forecast by 2030 More than 350% increase from 2015 level. Demand for germanium is expected to double over the same period. China produces 98% of the world's raw gallium and more than two-thirds of the world's raw germanium.
This is one of the reasons why Donald Trump is putting pressure on Ukraine to hand over its rare earth in exchange for aid and has announced that he has agreed to launch a “recovery and processing initiative” for the rare earth after his first meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Silicon wafers for semiconductor manufacturing. Photo: Panther Media GmbH/Alamy
Does Quantum Chips change everything?
Next is the quantum chip. In theory, quantum chips allow computers to solve problems much faster than the world's current supercomputers. This is because instead of an on or off equivalent, or zero or zero or one, the Quantum chip can be in both states. The general explanation is a maze. A regular computer will find a path through the maze by testing each option one after the other. Quantum computers can test them all at once.
So far, quantum computing has been achieved only in limited circumstances. However, Microsoft announced this month that it had built a chip that means quantum computers could be built within years, not decades.
Meanwhile, China's public spending on quantum technology is four times more than the US. According to The Institute of China Research, a European think tank. Furthermore, the chips are not made from EUV machines. Instead, quantum chips are made by machines that use electrons to engrave patterns onto chips. China has these machines.
China also has resources that are often overlooked in chip discussions, said David Reilly, professor of physics and head of the Quantum program at the University of Sydney.
“The key to all this is people,” he says. As people see their needs and know what the existing way to meet those needs is, breakthroughs can happen and imagine what they are.
“There are a lot of smart people in China. They train a lot of STEM graduates,” he says. And those alumni tend to pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees from universities in the US, Australia and Europe before returning.
“The government doesn't want to say it's blind to it, but it has a lot of focus on relocating concrete,” he says. “Invention doesn't happen in a vacuum.”
Openai, the artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT, has introduced video generation tools in the UK, highlighting the growing connection between the tech sector and the creative industry in relation to copyright.
Film director Beevan Kidron spoke out about the release of Sora in the UK, noting its impact on the ongoing copyright debate.
Openai, based in San Francisco, has made SORA accessible to UK users who are subscribed to ChatGPT. The tool surprised filmmakers upon its release last year. A halt in studio expansion was triggered by concerns from TV mogul Tyler Perry, who believed the tool could replace physical sets or locations. It was initially launched in the US in December.
Users can utilize SORA to generate videos by inputting simple prompts like requesting scenes of people walking through “beautiful snowy Tokyo City.”
Openai has now introduced SORA in the UK, with reported cases of artists using the tool in the UK and mainland Europe, where it was also released on Friday. One user, Josephine Miller, a 25-year-old British digital artist, created a video using SORA featuring a model adorned in bioluminescent fauna, praising the tool for opening up opportunities for young creatives.
'Biolume': Josephine Miller uses Openai's Sora to create stunning footage – Video
Despite the launch of SORA, Kidron emphasized the significance of the ongoing UK copyright and AI discussions, particularly in light of government proposals permitting AI companies to train their models using copyrighted content.
Kidron raised concerns about the ethical use of copyrighted material to train SORA, pointing out potential violations of terms and conditions if unauthorized content is used. She stressed the importance of upholding copyright laws in the development of AI technologies.
Recent statements from YouTube indicated that using copyrighted material without proper licensing for training AI models like SORA could lead to legal repercussions. The concern remains about the origin and legality of the datasets used to train these AI tools.
The Guardian reported that policymakers are exploring options for offering copyright concessions to certain creative sectors, further highlighting the complex interplay between AI, technology, and copyright laws.
Sora allows users to craft videos ranging from 5 to 20 seconds, with an option to create longer videos. Users can choose from various aesthetic styles like “film noir” and “balloon world” for their clips.
MrBeast, the world’s largest YouTube star, is planning to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in a move that could value the company at approximately $5 billion (£3.9 billion).
The YouTuber, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has reportedly been in discussions with various wealthy individuals and financial companies regarding participation in the investment round.
The funds are intended to establish a holding company for his expanding empire, which includes a video production company, a chocolate brand called Feast, and a snack business named Lunch. According to Bloomberg, the money could also be used to expand his media and merchandise packaging business.
The talks regarding potential funding are still in the early stages, and it is unclear who will invest and at what valuation. This would not be his first fundraising round, as he has previously secured investments from companies such as New York-based Alpha Wave Global.
If successful, the new funds would help Donaldson further expand his business. With over 368 million subscribers on his channel, he is already the world’s largest YouTuber.
The 26-year-old from Wichita, Kansas, is known for his videos featuring stunts, challenges, and cash giveaways. One of his most popular viral videos involved recreating the set from the Netflix series Squid Game, costing $3.5 million. The challenge had 456 participants competing for a prize of $456,000.
He has also launched the reality competition show “Beast Games” on Amazon, which had limited viewership last month.
Like many YouTubers, Donaldson started on the platform in 2012 and has since ventured into food brands like Fastables and MrBeast Burgers.
Despite earning tens of millions of dollars annually, he is also known for his charitable efforts. Much of his earnings are reinvested into his videos and philanthropy.
However, his work has not been without criticism. He has faced backlash for a history of homophobic comments as a teenager and being a demanding employer. Some have labeled his content as “poverty porn,” claiming that people only benefit from cash, prizes, and gifts by appearing in his videos. Despite the criticism, his efforts to fund cataract surgery for 1,000 people to restore their vision were praised by charities.
aFeathered horses, dust and rain, whisk around you, arrive on a mountain path where purple crystals cover the walls with frost. The weather is still outside, but calm inside the cave at the end of the road. The environment allows you to see what kind of creatures live here. Reidau is a horned wyvern that commands the elements.
You’ve seen it before, but when you unexpectedly appear while you were on another expedition, you descended from the lightning striped sky and sunk its claws into an unfortunate pack of hairy lion-like creatures. You weren’t strong enough to face it, but you’re now. Hopefully.
The next battle is to bite the nail. To try to jump out of the corners and teeth paths of powerful electric bolts and Wyvern, you have to pull out all the tricks you know to wear it out. Fire a grappling hook at a rocky outcrop hanging from the ceiling and bring it over the creature. You blow your mouth while for your mount, leaps back to the dragon’s head, clinging and stabbing with a dagger trying to smash against the wall. You will be flung by, fried, stomped, but you will cling to fight and chew on repair potions at every opportunity.
Then an even bigger predator appears from anywhere, taking the monster you fought desperately for 25 minutes with just that jaw and throw it like a rag doll. Take a closer look at it: it’s what you fight next.
The 15-hour story of Monster Hunter Wilds is a series of escalating and escalating epic battles with bigger, more ferocious creatures. I didn’t do it for a moment. Within hours, you’d fought against awful giant spiders, supple sand dragons, and a disgusting, overgrown oil chick child. After that, you will face a nasty and dangerous version of the beasts of monster hunter games, especially the last 20 years, in addition to the fierce fire drawings and dragons shooting lightning from their faces. It’s literally all the killers, no fillers, a long way from the old game of slow and heavy. There, they had to collect mushrooms and fight raptors before they could go near the Wyvern.
The fight is relentlessly wonderful. When the monster fell I let out a breath that I didn’t notice that I was holding. With the exception of Dark Souls and their siblings, no game made me feel like Monster Hunter. The adrenaline of these battles, the peerless, perfectly balanced feel of oversized weapons, and the pure malice and dignity of the creatures make this game feel unparalleled thrilling despite having played it in some way since I was a teenager. And it’s far better than it was back then. Not only monsters, but their huge natural habitats also ripple overflowing into life.
“The monster’s huge natural habitat is full of life.” Photo: Capcom
Towards the end of the Wild story, I have to admit that I felt some disappointment creep up. I enjoyed almost all of these creatures’ clashes. But I wasn’t trying much. Certainly, I have had a lot of experience with these games, but I’m used to being eaten or torn apart to bite by a new monster several times before conquering it. During the entire Wilds campaign, I was knocked out only twice.
But Wilds’ story turned out to be a 15-hour interactive tutorial on what makes Monster Hunter great. This is a roller coaster of combat thrills designed to sell newcomers on the concept and acquire the taste of scale and visual splendor that Capcom’s modern game engine brings to his favorite series. The real fun begins afterwards.
After taking on the worst creature I’ve ever seen, in the final quest of the story, I was dumped into a base camp in the jungle and sent to capture a small, sparked bird of prey. I was humbled quickly. Embarrassingly, I became lazy and it knocked me out.
Monster Hunter isn’t just about swinging giant spears. It is also about studying quarries, learning their weaknesses and delving into the environment for useful plants and materials used to make coatings of potions, tools and arrows that give you the advantage in battle. Experienced players will help the rookie, so it’s about working with other hunters to complement each other’s playstyle. Being a friend’s Monster Hunter mentor is one of the most rewarding multiplayer gaming experiences out there.
This game cannot be reduced to a series of battles. It’s a community of the world, the ecosystem, and the players. You are some hunters, some nature researchers. Wild goes too far towards frictionless fun in the story, but once I was free to explore, I began to feel more connected to my habitat. From battle to battle, instead of being led by a nose or by my Dascho horse, I climbed up the canopy, scouted for the creatures, took out binoculars, discovered an underwater cave full of hidden corners and useful materials from the campsite. I found myself having to switch weapons more frequently, upgrade armor, and re-recognize myself with a nasty array of gems and doodads that gave hunters useful additional skills.
You can spend a lot of time picking up Wild as a rookie and playing through the story. You can stop there, but it will still be worth the price of admission. But I’ll play it length It’s still time.
when Netflix initially started incorporating video games into its vast library of streaming TV shows and movies. Following a successful experiment with the interactive Black Mirror film in 2021, Netflix began to fully expand into interactive entertainment, releasing games for Bandersnatch in 2018 and free Stranger Things games in 2019.
The streamer’s gaming offerings used to be a well-kept secret, focusing on quality. Their catalog includes award-winning indie games and licensed games based on various themes, such as Queen’s Gambit and reality dating shows. Subscribers have the opportunity to play these games, like Spiritfarer, a sci-fi strategy game involving robots, aliens, and guiding lost souls to the afterlife. Netflix has acquired or invested in game studios that have garnered rave reviews and talented developers.
However, recent developments suggest a shift. The closure of the Blockbuster Studio, as reported by Game Files, and the disappointing reception of their latest tie-in game, Squid Game: Alewhed, reflect a change in approach. Despite initial excitement about their gaming division, which included unique indie titles and renowned talent, Netflix has faced layoffs and cancellations of upcoming games.
The company’s leadership changes, including key executives moving on to other companies, hint at a shift in strategy. Co-CEO Greg Peters acknowledged the need to refocus Netflix’s gaming efforts under new leadership. This change signals a move towards narrative games based on Netflix IP and family-friendly titles, transitioning away from riskier ventures.
While Netflix’s gaming acquisitions have been praised for their creativity, recent decisions suggest a retreat to a safer and more predictable strategy. This shift has disappointed those hoping for greater investment in gaming innovation from the streaming giant. The success of the Squid Game tie-in game, despite its shortcomings, underscores a potential shift towards more mainstream, commercially driven game offerings in the future.
To ensure a sustainable future in gaming, Netflix must balance originality with licensed titles and industry veterans. Quality remains a crucial factor in the gaming landscape, and Netflix’s approach will ultimately determine its success in the gaming industry.
What to do
The latest entry in Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, Monster Hunter Wild, offers 15 hours of thrilling gameplay in a single-player story mode. The game’s engaging battles and rich narrative make it a must-play for fans of the series.
Available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, Monster Hunter Wild promises hours of hunting fun in a dynamic and immersive world.
What to read
Microsoft introduces its new generative AI model, Muse, designed for gameplay ideation. Trained on Ninja Theory’s game Bleeding Edge, Muse aims to revolutionize game development with AI-generated content.
Baratoro, a publisher of a card game known for its simplicity and obsession, successfully persuades Pegi to lower its age rating, opening up new possibilities for game developers.
The leak of Shadow of the Assassin’s Beliefs raises concerns about spoilers as players stream the game from physical copies before its official release date.
Chinese company Netaase scales back its investments in Western and Japanese game development, impacting several studios and game projects.
Warner Bros. Discovery cancels Wonder Woman games and shuts down three video game development studios as part of cost-cutting measures.
What to click
Question block
Reader Michael asks:
“My sister has strict screen time limits for her 10-year-old daughter, but she is obsessed with video games. As her uncle and a game designer, I want to nurture her passion while respecting her boundaries. I’ve suggested introducing her to more enriching games on the Nintendo Switch. Are there any games you would recommend, particularly for a young gamer?”
Nintendo’s games are known for their child-friendly content and suitable for young gamers. Titles like Zelda, Pokemon, Mario, and Animal Crossing offer engaging gameplay and immersive worlds that appeal to a wide audience. Encouraging your niece to explore these games can provide a fun and enriching gaming experience while respecting her mother’s limits.
Engaging with what kids enjoy can lead to positive outcomes and foster a love for gaming in a healthy way. It’s important to find a balance between enjoying games and adhering to screen time limits set by parents.
If you have any questions or feedback about the newsletter, feel free to reply or email us at buttonbuttons@theguardian.com.
the is a small junction in a Norfolk village where a red telephone booth stands on a battlefield at the heart of the struggle between an 89-year-old man and a multi-billion-pound multinational corporation. And in the red phone box, evacuating from the wind, there is Derek Harris. Last month he learned that BT (formerly British News) was threatening to close the phone box in the village of Charrington, where he had lived for 50 years when he saw it on the Parish Council agenda. “I thought, ‘I thought I should do something about this,'” Harris said.
He describes it as a “David and Goliath” campaign. It is, and – as revealed in February, this sun-lit but chewing, no longer. We talk about mortality and compromise, heritage and value. I leave with a new sense of how I can feel my true love for inanimate objects and why it is important to have a mission.
But first, some field mice. Charlington is in a picturesque part of the East Anglia countryside. “We are surrounded by open, rolling, wonderful fields – cultivated, beautiful,” says Harris. [of phone lines]. On the other side of the church just above the road is a telegraph pole, inside which three mice nest. ” His eyes glow. The rodents nibbled through the wires, destroying the villagers’ telephone lines and the internet. He says he knows about the mouse because the engineers at OpenReach, a BT-owned company that cares for the network, told him.
Harris is turning his eyes to OpenReach as he has a green junction box connected to a new fibrous cable just a few meters from the phone box. Harris will not take much time to connect the payphone to fiber formation, and like the entire phone network, he will need to upgrade his phone booth to a digital line before the analog network is turned off in 2027. “There’s no reason why you shouldn’t connect. Anyway, engineers say they come most weeks.”So maintenance.” [of the phone box] There is no problem. It’s cost-effective.”
The UK has 14,000 working phone booths, down from 20,000 three years ago. At its peak in the 1990s there were 100,000. Of these, approximately 3,000 have iconic red designs. It’s probably strange that phone boxes are surviving at all when around 95% of households have mobile phones.
It is owned and operated by BT and costs millions of pounds each year, so it is requested by regulator Ofcom under the mandate of quaintly named Telephony Universal Services. In the year until May 2020, emergency services were made from telephone booths and 25,000 and 20,000 calls were made to Childline and Samaritans, respectively.
“We have a legal responsibility to ensure that phone booths exist to meet the reasonable needs of UK citizens,” says Katie Hanson, senior consumer policy manager at Ofcom, who was part of a review of the new guidance that was published in 2022. The approach we took is that the boxes we think are essential are protected from removal.”
If the last time in the area (more than 400 meters from another phone box), you cannot remove the phone box if one or more of the following conditions apply: If you’re in an area that doesn’t have coverage for all four mobile network providers, or if you’ve made at least 52 calls in the past year, or if you have a large number of places how hobes hobes hobes in how in hocidens how in hocidents, or if you have high social needs, for example, if you have many calls to helplines such as childline or domestic abuse charities. If the phone booth is the last on the site and none of the other terms apply, and BT wants to remove it, you must start a consultation process with the local government.
Crisis Charities Childline and Samaritans receive thousands of calls from phone booths.
Photo: Sally Anscombe/Getty Images
It is one of the 10 North Norfolk District Council area that was assigned to remove less than 10 calls from Sharrington’s public telephone box last year. The village in the reserve features a 13th century church and Jacobian Manor House. Harris believes that the phone booth is a “symbolic heritage property” and that local MP Steph Aquaron wrote in historic England to list it. “K6 models work rarely,” says Harris. Topped with a golden Tudor crown, the K6 (for kiosk number 6) was designed by Ir Gilbert Scott in 1935 to mark George V’s silver jubilee.
Harris has lived in Charlington for half a century. It was just that he and his late wife raised two children. The phone booth was there longer. Both Harris and K6 share their birth year in 1935. This partially explains his affinity. He spent his childhood in Surrey, near Croydon Airport, enjoying the sight of a plane flying overhead.
“It’s very interesting for a little boy,” he says. “It wasn’t a very good place when the war began, as the airport was the target.” The family took shelter to the south coast, but it wasn’t that safe. German fighter bombers attack the area with a “chip and run” attack. When Harris was about eight years old, he survived such an attack while playing with his brother. “We saw a friend injured. Some were killed.” A few years later, as a young man, Harris joined the Army and was injured. “The outdoor surgeon saved my life,” he says, but he was warned that he would need multiple operations in the coming years and not expect long lifespans (he reminds me a few times in “90th year”).
“I faced death in 2016. It’s still here.”… Harris Councillor Andrew Brown (left).
Photo: Joshu Abright/Guardian
Sharrington’s phone booth also fights previous threats to its life. “They tried to remove it in 2016, but we resisted it well,” says Harris. “I have faced death before and passed through it. I faced death in 2016. It’s still here. Something tells me that it’s meant to stay.” Campaigns to keep it, including Harris and local councillor Andrew Brown, were given an extra month to sue their lawsuit.
“It could be a lifeline and a conservation asset,” Brown says. The area is rural and isolated, with some villagers virtually no mobile signals. North Norfolk has the highest proportion of seniors in the UK and Wales, with adults probably not having a mobile phone. And it has one of the highest percentages of the second home in the country. In an emergency, try knocking on the empty villa door without a mobile signal or work payphone.
He made their point in 2016, Harris said: It wasn’t just a museum piece, people used it. “However, he admits, “probably more of them than they are now.”
Many of the village elders who relied on phone boxes for not having a cell phone have been dead since then, but some older people still use it, Harris claims. If the box survives, one of the handfuls of calls that I logged in in 2025 will be created by me. I lift the receiver and the crackling of dial tones and deep ham go back to the teenage phone and the quick garbled call you had to make before the money runs out. This phone box doesn’t take coins and doesn’t charge me. That’s confusing. You will see that there are some phone booths that don’t allow you to take coins or cards and make free calls to your UK landlines and mobile phones.
It rings the only number you remember without looking at your contact list. He won’t pick it up. Because in this era, who answers unknown landline numbers? So I’m whatsapp to say he rings out of the phone box and says it’s me! We are both temporarily excited about novelty and nostalgia.
Harris admits that mobile phones are everywhere, but he points out that in this part of the country, the signals are rough. “We live next to the quiet Graven Valley, perhaps the most beautiful part of Norfolk, where pure chokestream runs. It’s what attracts ramblers, walkers, lots, and everyone works.” Think if there’s an emergency and your mobile network is down. He says it can happen more and more frequently as you experience extreme weather. “If someone said, ‘If you kept up to that job,’ wouldn’t that be awful? “
It is used in emergencies. “What you need to keep in mind is that some phones made were essential and probably saved someone’s life. It wasn’t that long ago, but there was a snowstorm.” The mobile network is down, and the phone someone made from the phone box was “the only way the rescue came to save this driver, whose car was completely covered in snow. It fell from the top of the hedge in his car and he was trapped.” And not too far is the main road known locally as the Charlington Straight, a rare, straight road that Norfolk’s most reckless drivers tend to speed up. Last year, Harris said: It’s a hot spot for accidents. “
He makes his point for just and practical reasons that he needs to keep a phone box, but this is not the whole story, and when we are talking, we find ourselves out of the cold at a nearby cafe.
“The closer you get to the end, the more you want to see things live. I don’t want to see it die ‘… Derek Harris. Photo: Joshu Abright/Guardian
“Would you like to see the work K6 that BT holds?” asks Harris. He is a good speaker. He distrusts human rights lawyers and misses the day when people respect the police. But he is not all traditionalists. He worked for much of his career in energy savings. I think he likes purpose and order – he dresses perfectly in pressed jeans and shirts, as well as a traditional, untouched overcoat – that may be why he is not keen on the way red phone boxes are being reused in other villages. When BT adopted the kiosk scheme, the phone booth became the home of the library, or defibrillators. Why can’t Sharrington enjoy a new life as such?
“It wasn’t designed for that,” Harris says. “It was designed for communication. Why should it be changed to something else? It’s a telephone kiosk. It’s not a library of sorts or anything.”
Turn it into something else, and it becomes a quirky relic of British history. Another dial tone is dead. As a functional phone booth, “It’s going to be alive, right? So I feel empathy – I feel empathy for what is alive.”
For Harris, that’s personal. Continuity has comfort, which means saving what is worth saving and making the world a better place, or at least not diminishing it. It includes the iconic red telephone box, which works in the village where he lived for a long time. “It’s fighting for something precious, take good care of it,” he says, the more he gets it. The closer you get to the end, the more you want to see things live. I don’t want to see it die. That’s how you put it. That’s what I’m fighting for. “
onOn Tuesday, just over a mile from the White House, classicist Mary Beard spoke to the audience about the Roman Emperor. “A dictator is the one who kills you when he is his most generous,” she said. “You go to dinner, you think, wow, this is amazing! But the generosity of a dictator is always fatal.”
On Wednesday, Donald Trump held his first full cabinet meeting. Some may say the mood is warm, cheerful and generous. Housing Secretary Scott Turner offered prayers, including “Thank you, President Trump.”
Was it just an accident that made the TV cameras assemble the scene as Day’s antithesis? Viewers could see Trump in the middle of the seven men in suits, then another row of seven men in suits sitting behind him. Almost all of them were white. (Yes, there were women and people of color at the meeting, but not many.)
Vice President JD Vance was present, but there was no doubt who appointed the emperor as consul. Trump invited Elon Musk, the tech billionaire who runs the so-called “Doctor of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), to speak in front of his cabinet secretary after all attending claimed to be supportive.
Wearing a black “make America great again” hat, Musk jokingly called it “humble tech support” – people laughed faithfully – and insisted that his unplanned efforts to steal the federal government’s chainsaw could save a trillion dollars and delve into the country from debt. “It’s not about options, it’s important,” he said. “If we don’t do this, America will go bankrupt.”
In theory it’s fine. But Doge, composed primarily of young male software engineers fueled by pizza and Red Bull, was a disaster. They fired people who oversee the nuclear weapons stockpile and quickly tried to rehire them, but found it difficult to contact them because they were unable to access their working email account. This claimed it saved $8 billion on a termination agreement that was actually worth just $8 million. Musk mistakenly stated that the US spent $50 million on Gazan condoms. And this week, Doge appeared this week. Doge quietly deleted the top five items from the suspected savings public book after it turned out they weren’t that kind of thing.
Musk brought similar unholy confusion to Twitter when he bought it – to the cabinet, Doge admitted to making a mistake, but that said it would fix them quickly. “For example, with USAID, one of the things we accidentally cancelled temporarily was Ebola prevention. So we quickly restored Ebola prevention, but there was no interruption.”
I don’t feel safe.
Then came the most dictatorial episode of the conference. The generous and deadly Trump asked his cabinet. If so, we’ll throw him out of here. ”
For crocodiles? Or through a high window, in favor of his fellow Vladimir Putin? There was a nervous laugh and applause from this fawn, flattering, this reunion.
Winning, the President assured reporters: “They have a lot of respect for Elon, he does this, and a bit opposed to some, but I think most of the time everyone is happy – I think they’re excited.”
Games respect the game. A boy who is a fan of the far-right movements across Europe, Musk showed an impressive instinctive sense of totalitarianism.
He states: This is an incredible group of people. I don’t think we’ve ever had such a talented team. I think it’s literally the best cabinet this country has ever had…”
Then came the slips that spoke from the wealthiest man in the world. [sic] We should be very grateful to the people in this room. ”
The cabinet that Musk lavished with such praise include Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host, accused of sexual assault and alcohol abuse, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine conspiracy theorist who once abandoned a bear cub who died in New York’s Central Park. Less than Marvel’s Avengers Star Wars Cantina.
Kennedy was asked by a reporter about the outbreak of measles in Texas, where a child was reportedly killed. His inactive response: “That’s not uncommon. There’s an outbreak of measles every year.”
The entire conference worshiped authoritarianism and was another sorry to normalize bullies. Musk tried to protect government officials from emails they sent to government employees and asked them what they did last week. It’s not a “performance review,” but a “pulse check review” because some people on the government’s salary are dead.
Trump concluded the meeting with the observation that “the country is bloated, fat, disgusting, incompetent.”
Still as John Stewart It’s been attracting attention this week At Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, Doge will not build fighter jets that will soon become obsolete on subsidies given to oil and gas companies, loopholes for hedge funds worth $1.3 billion a year, or $20 subsidies given to defense contractors. “This is the real place for money,” Stewart said.
Even a functioning democracy did not do much about them. Therefore, he wants a country run by aspiring Caesar and his fellow oligarchs.
Nvidia is set to release its revenue report for the fourth quarter of 2024 on Wednesday evening. Investors will be closely watching for any signs of slowing demand for semiconductor chips. The company’s financials have come under scrutiny amid concerns that the AI market boom may be coming to an end, leading to a stratospheric 3.1TN rating.
Analysts are hopeful that Nvidia will maintain its position as a leading chip manufacturer in the AI industry. However, recent developments pose new challenges to the company’s market dominance. For example, a report from TD Cowen revealed that Microsoft, one of Nvidia’s major customers, was canceling leases with private data center operators, raising concerns about the sustainability of AI infrastructure investments.
This earnings call will also provide insight into the company’s financials and demand following the introduction of the Chinese AI model, Deepseek ai, which has surpassed many US models while requiring less training and investment. The introduction of Deepseek has boosted Nvidia’s valuation significantly, signaling a shift in the AI landscape.
Despite Nvidia’s strong performance in the past, analysts are now looking for indicators that the company can sustain its position in the AI chip market amidst evolving demands for AI models.
Jacob Bourne, a technology analyst at Emarketer, commented, “The key question regarding Nvidia’s fourth-quarter revenues is whether they can continue to lead the evolution of AI, not just in terms of numbers. Even if Nvidia shows another quarter of stellar growth, the market’s response will depend on its ability to address these challenges.”
While some analysts believe that the impact of Deepseek’s launch may not be immediate for Nvidia, they predict that competitors like AMD and Intel could gain a foothold in the AI infrastructure market.
“DeepSeek has opened up new possibilities for low-performance AI applications, particularly for inference models, allowing more organizations to experiment with AI,” noted Nguyen.
The MP’s two cross-party committees are urging the government to prioritize ensuring fair rewards for creators for their creative work and to facilitate the training of artificial intelligence models.
Lawmakers are advocating for more transparency in the data used to train generative AI models and urging the government not to implement plans that require creators to opt out of using such data.
The government’s proposed solution to the AI-copyright law tension includes exceptions for AI companies to train models with copyrighted work under “text and data mining,” while providing creators the option to opt out of the “rights reserve” system.
Caroline Dinage, chairman of the Culture, Media and Sports Committee, expressed concern over the response of the creative industry to the proposal, highlighting the threat to artists’ hard-earned success from unauthorized use of their work.
She emphasized the importance of fair treatment for creators and the need for transparency in data used to train AI models to ensure proper rewards for their work.
The Culture, Media, Sports Commission, Science, Science, Innovation and Technology Commission responded to government consultations on AI and copyright after a joint evidence session with representatives from AI startups and creative industries.
Letter to the Minister will enhance government transparency about training data, protect opt-out copyright holders, and empower consumers to make informed choices about AI models.
Failure to address these issues could disproportionately impact smaller creators and journalists operating under financial constraints, according to the letter.
Concerns among celebrities and the creative industry about government AI proposals have led to protests, with musicians releasing silent albums in protest.
The letter also highlighted the need for transparency in training data for AI models, citing examples from the EU and California which have introduced requirements for detailed technical records on training data.
The government is considering revenue-sharing models for AI developers to address copyright concerns and is urged to conduct full impact assessments on proposed options.
The letter cautioned against AI developers moving to jurisdictions with more lenient rules and emphasized the need for compliance, enforcement, and remedies for copyright issues.
Warner Bros Discovery has decided to close three video game development studios in order to boost profitability in the gaming sector amidst a slow market recovery.
The studios being closed are Player First Game, WB Game San Diego, and Monolith Productions. Development of the Monolith Wonder Woman game will also be halted after the closure. A spokesperson stated, “Our initial goal was to provide players and fans with the best possible experience for iconic characters. Unfortunately, this is no longer feasible given our strategic priorities.”
The closure of these studios reflects the challenges faced by the video game industry, with gamers opting for established titles over new purchases due to budget constraints caused by inflation. Last month, the company announced the departure of David Haddad, former Chief of the Interactive Entertainment Unit, after 12 years.
Following suit with other industry leaders like Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony, Warner Bros. is aiming to reduce costs by closing offices.
The company will now focus on four major games in November, establishing a new development studio and investment strategy, with a focus on core franchises such as Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC, and Game of Thrones, as per David Zaslav’s comments.
aA post from Elon Musk on Saturday afternoon requested that federal employees list five things from the previous week related to emails. This request was expected to reach the inboxes of 2.3 million federal employees, sparking discussions among a secret network of government workers and contractors. These individuals began communicating through an encrypted app to coordinate their responses.
Employees on a 10-hour, four-day schedule did not see the email until Tuesday, missing the deadline for responses. Some employees even added a humorous touch, with one worker joking, “Bonus points to those who say they spent government subsidies on hookers and blows.”
After quickly deliberating, the network agreed on a response strategy. They decided to split the oaths sworn by federal employees into five bullet points, which would be sent back via email. The first point was: “I supported and defended the US Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
Another oath included: “I’ve pledged true faith and loyalty to the same thing.” According to veteran contractor Lynn Stahl, these efforts aimed to expose harmful policies, defend public institutions, and provide citizens with necessary information and support.
Identifying themselves as #Altgov, the network gained visibility with multiple social media accounts, most adopting names or initials of federal agencies. Their goal was to shed light on the chaos caused by the previous administration and combat misinformation.
With around 40 accounts and growing followership, #Altgov engaged in subgroups for information sharing and strategy development using the encrypted messaging app, Wire.
A post from #ALTGOV explaining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Photo: alt cdc (they/them)/bluesky
The origin of #Altgov dates back to the first Trump administration, with notable accounts like “Alt National Park Service” gaining traction on Twitter. The network evolved to serve the public by coordinating relief efforts and distributing resources during crises.
Transitioning their presence to Bluesky, #Altgov continued their mission to provide value where the government fell short. They expanded their reach by forming new accounts dedicated to specific agencies, like #Altgov FEMA, which focused on disaster response.
Federal employees who joined #Altgov expressed a sense of duty and a desire for transparency in government actions. By uncovering misinformation and providing accurate information, they aimed to empower citizens and hold institutions accountable.
UK universities are being advised to thoroughly test all assessments following new research that shows almost all students are using generative artificial intelligence (GENAI) for their research projects.
A study of 1,000 students, both local and international, revealed a significant increase in the use of Genai over the past year. In a survey conducted in 2025, 53% admitted to using tools like CHATGPT, while a staggering 88% reported using such tools.
The percentage of students utilizing AI tools has risen from 66% in 2024 to 92% in 2025, leaving only 8% who do not use AI. A report published by the Institute for Higher Education Policy and Kortext highlighted these findings.
Josh Freeman, the author of the report, emphasized the unprecedented shift in student behavior within a year and urged universities to pay attention to the impact of generative AI in academic settings.
Freeman stated, “There is an urgent need for all assessments to be reviewed to ensure they cannot be easily completed using AI. This calls for a bold retraining effort for staff to understand the power and potential of generative AI.”
Institutions are encouraged to share best practices and address potential issues related to the use of AI tools for learning enhancement rather than hindrance.
Students are using genai for various purposes such as explaining concepts, summarizing articles, and suggesting research ideas. However, 18% of students include AI-generated text directly in their work.
Many students use AI to save time and improve the quality of their work, but concerns about academic misconduct and biased outcomes deter some from using such tools.
Women and students from privileged backgrounds express more apprehension about AI use, while men and STEM students exhibit more enthusiasm. The digital disparity identified in 2024 seems to have widened, particularly in summarizing articles.
Despite concerns, most students believe universities are responding effectively to academic integrity issues related to AI. Training in AI skills is provided to a third of students, but there is ambiguity surrounding the use of AI in academic work.
Dr. Thomas Lancaster from Imperial College London emphasizes the importance of preparing students for the ethical use of AI in education and future careers to avoid a competitive disadvantage.
In response to these findings, a UK spokesperson highlighted the need for universities to equip students for a world influenced by AI while addressing the challenges posed by rapidly evolving technologies. They stress the importance of upholding academic integrity and educating students about the consequences of fraud from the beginning.
Apple has committed to addressing the bug in the iPhone’s automatic dictionary tool, which reportedly suggested “trump” when users said the word “racist.”
The glitch came to light through a viral Tiktok post, where the Speech-to-Text tool briefly displayed the word “Trump” instead of “racist,” sparking further discussion on social media.
An Apple spokesperson stated, “We are aware of the issue with speech recognition models used for dictation and are implementing fixes.”
The company attributed the bug to its tool displaying words indicating “speech duplicates” before identifying the “intended word,” which in this case included the “R” consonant.
The bug stirred controversy among conservative commentators in the US, who have criticized big tech firms for perceived political bias against right-wing individuals.
Some questioned Apple’s artificial intelligence capabilities, particularly following the company’s announcement of a $500 million investment in the US, which was seen as an effort to appeal to the Trump administration.
Apple revealed plans for significant AI investments, including establishing a large AI server factory in Texas and creating 20,000 R&D jobs nationwide over the next four years.
The AI announcement followed a reported meeting between Apple CEO Tim Cook and President Trump, amid concerns about potential tariffs on devices imported from China.
Apple had previously secured exemptions on tariffs during Trump’s first term, avoiding additional costs on its products.
This is not the first time Apple has announced significant investments in the US economy during the Trump administration. In 2018, Apple pledged to contribute $350 billion to the US economy over five years.
Following Trump’s presidency and executive orders, several tech companies have reversed diversity, equity, and inclusion measures. Apple shareholders, however, recently voted for a proposal urging the removal of the company’s own DEI program.
nThe original Donkey Kong Arcade machine, Mint Condition Outrun Race Simulation Game, Esterified between Gamer Cube and Nintendo 64-wired booths, Luke Malpass, engineer dismantling a broken Nintendo Wii.
I brought old game consoles to the house for repairs and fixes, and there was a steady stream of people, a retro gaming arcade of elephants and castles, transformed into a gaming clinic for two days.
Gabriella Rosenau, 35, brought in a broken Wii that had been in the garage “for years.” “I'm still playing my older brother, my older Nintendo 64, and I love it, but I really want to get it [the Wii] Repaired. “
“I've done something weird about Call of Duty and PlayStation, but I'm more interested in retro games,” she adds.
Rosenau is part of a growing community that has abandoned modern video games and picked up consoles since or before childhood. According to a Pringles investigation, Gen Z Gamers are proceeding with lawsuits, with 24% owning retro consoles.
What began as a Malpas passion project, restoring the consoles of its former glory quickly evolved into a full-time business. During the peak during lockdown, his company Retrosix hired 16 people to deal with demand. He places this, in part, on people stuck at home. “People were bored, they were finding things at home and looking for things online.
“We originally only sold on eBay and didn't even have a site. eBay was limiting sales because they thought it was fraudulent,” he says. “It literally took over.”
Luke Malpass modify consoles from the 80s to the 2000s. Photo: Teri Pengilley/The Guardian
Retrosix receives hundreds of requests each month from people who want their console to be fully functional, playable or upgraded. This is “stable,” says Malpas, but the community is still expanding.
“There are a lot of people who are obsessed with this right now. The older generations than me tend to be PC-based for Amigas and Commodores, in their late 40s and early 50s. And then my age, so 30 People in the world are very interested in Game Boys, Mega Drive, Super Nintendo's entertainment system, such as.
“And there's a younger generation that's either one. [the] Nintendo DS, what they've played is beginning to be retro or really hooked on the whole retro. So you get people in their 20s who are more obsessed with than we do.
Malpass has gained massive supporters on social media, with 44,100 followers and 61,700 subscribers on its YouTube channel, Angelsix and Tiktok on Retrosix.
Young people engaged online say they reach for retro games for unique gameplay, and for the opportunity to “switch off,” Malpass says.
“You're turning on the console at the top and playing games. No stress. There's no internet. You're not competing with the world. You have your own in the game, you're going to go I feel a sense of accomplishment in, and that was what you used to do,” he says.
“I think the younger generation is feeling more stressed they are now. Growing up in the world of social media is very mentally challenging. [Retro video gaming] It's their safe place. It's like their escape,” he says.
Matthew Dolan, a software developer in his 40s, brought some of his game gear consoles. His passion for retro games and technology comes from nostalgia and childhood memories, playing games his father wrote for him at BBC Micro. “It was a great introduction to technology,” he says.
“You get all that joy from playing it literally. You go through the battery and plan a long, long car journey,” he says. “They don't rely on equally flashy graphics. [as contemporary games]. ”
Going it a step further, Dolan says he revised and adapted the console, spending £7,000 on his hobby last year. “We've regained some of it from selling things, but it's not cheap.”
He got stuck trying to repair some of the game gear chips and needed Malpas' expertise. Retrosix's repaired Prestige Edition Game Gear Console is £298.80. The LED edition costs £334.80, and mods or services on the console start at £36.
Popular retro consoles
game boy
A handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was first released in Japan in 1989 and in Europe in 1990. It is estimated that over 118.7 million Game Boys and Game Boy colors are available for sale all over the world, making it one of the most successful handheld consoles of the era. Its compact design and affordable price.
SNES
Super Nintendo's entertainment system, also known as Super NES, was Nintendo's second home video game console to release internationally. It was first released by Nintendo, Japan in 1990 and arrived in Europe in 1992. It is estimated that SNES sold 49.1m units worldwide when it was cancelled in 2003.
Xbox Original
The Xbox console was Microsoft's first gaming console offering and the first installment payment for the consoles of the Xbox series, which was first released in Europe in 2002. The second generation Xbox 360 was released in 2005.
Amiga
A series of personal computers created by Commodore International from 1985 to 1994. Other companies continued to produce Amiga after this. The Amiga 1000, also known as the A1000, was the first personal computer released by Amiga Line's Commodore International. It was known for its advanced graphics and sound. Popular games include Alien Breed, Syndicate, Wise Football, and Eye viewers.
Game Gear
A handheld game console was released by Sega in Japan in 1990 and released in Europe the following year. Game Gear competed mostly with Nintendo's Game Boy, Atari Links and NEC's Turbo Experez. In 1991, around 520,000 game gear was sold in Europe, of which over 130,000 were sold in the UK.
aAdults who love video games understand the struggle of having too many options – 19,000 games were released in 2024 on the PC Game Storefront Steam alone, not to mention the countless games available on consoles and smartphones. Many of us have a backlog of classic games we haven’t played yet, leading us to feel guilty about buying new ones. However, discovering truly good games can sometimes feel impossible. Approximately 50% of the questions we receive for this newsletter are variations of “Help, what should I play?”
While we do our best to assist, as someone who is knowledgeable about games, I still don’t have unlimited time to play them all. Streamers spend their days playing games, but they tend to specialize in specific games and genres, rarely venturing outside their comfort zones. Nowadays, navigating through Google search results, parsing complex Reddit threads, and getting lost in AI-generated recommendations can be overwhelming.
Enter Louise Sene’s new app, set to launch on Kickstarter this week, aiming to address this issue. Described as the Tinder for video games, the app presents users with a game name, details, a stack of cards featuring screenshots, and a trailer link, which users can swipe left or right on to indicate their interest. Based on user preferences, the app provides new game suggestions, allowing users to build a deck of games they want to try. The app also shows connections between games, providing transparency on where the recommendations are coming from.
Users can also select specific experts, such as streamers, critics, and other gaming personalities, to receive recommendations from. Each expert has their own card with a brief bio and background, aligning with the app’s focus on human recommendations rather than AI-driven algorithms. The recommendations are based on datasets compiled by the team over five years from the Family Game Database, a trusted site for parents.
Andy Robertson, a seasoned game writer leading the project, emphasizes the importance of uncovering hidden gems within the vast realm of games. The app aims to make game discovery fun and effective again by utilizing a blend of matchmaking features and personalized recommendations from experts. If the Kickstarter goals are met, Ludocene will be available for free in a basic format, with an optional subscription model for additional features at just £3 a month.
Personalized and niche game recommendations are invaluable, especially in an era dominated by AI-driven recommendations. For those seeking expert-driven suggestions, platforms like Louise Sene’s app cater to a more curated gaming experience.
Another valuable resource for discovering games is the Thinky Games Website, a database and review site for puzzle enthusiasts. Featuring a wide range of games across various platforms, the site provides descriptions written by individuals who have played the games, offering a more personal touch compared to store-provided data.
As someone who has been a gaming critic for nearly 20 years, I believe in the power of person-to-person game recommendations, especially in a digital landscape overwhelmed by algorithmic suggestions. While I haven’t signed up as a Ludocene expert yet, I may consider doing so in the future. To learn more about the app, visit their Kickstarter Page.
kEnjikanno, director of Sega’s legendary driving game Crazy Taxi, recalls the pivotal moment when he realized the game had made an earthquake-like impression. “I was heading to Las Vegas for promotional work,” he recounts. “I got into a taxi, the driver sped me off quickly and promptly reached my destination. Finally, he chuckled and said, ‘I’m a truly crazy taxi!’. It was a bizarre experience.”
Originally launched in arcades, The Zany, Pop-Punk Drive-Em’ -Up, is commemorating its 25th anniversary this month. Crazy Taxi was an addictive coin-operated thrill ride. The quirky nature of the game consistently exclaimed, “Are you ready to have some fun?” and “Crazy time is money!” with a plain, ordinary face amidst the chaos of just wanting to drive to Pizza Hut. Racing a green-haired Axel Yellow 1960 Cadillac El Dorado so swiftly that the front bumper crashed into a concrete hill in Sunny San Francisco. (My mom’s favorite character was Jenna, who drove the Ford Mustang.)
I can still recall spending the entire summer trying to master the “crazy dash” technique instead of playing outside with my friends. The subsequent ports on PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox 360 were a hit, drawing millions of Crazy Taxi sales, proving that creating a hit wasn’t a walk in the park back then.
A memorable experience for everyone who played… a crazy taxi. Photo: Sega
The rock band The Offspring contributed a turbo-charged guitar riff to the Crazy Taxi soundtrack, a time capsule from the turn of the millennium. The game captured the carefree hyperactivity of America pre 9/11 in the late ’90s/early ’00s. The era when the biggest concern for many youngsters was whether Stone Cold Steve Austin would retain the WWE World title.
Despite its successful cross-over, Crazy Taxi faced opposition from many early critics, as recalled by Kanno. “During the initial stages of development, more than half of the project team vehemently opposed the idea of a game centered around taxi drivers,” he reminisces.
“What I wanted to express most about the craziest taxi was the dynamism of the movie car chase.” Photo: Sega
Yet, Kanno was intrigued by the challenge of transforming the ominous taxi driver stereotype, prevalent in the 1998 Luc Besson action comedy film Taxi, into a more endearing figure. The crazy taxi driver is clearly not sinister. Kanno aimed to do for the taxi driver what Paperboy did for paperboys. “I told the team: ‘I believe it’s the responsibility of game creators to make mundane work appear cooler! We might be envisioning something unprecedented, but we have to do it.’
Recounting his childhood, Kanno describes taxis as somewhat magical. “In Japan, taxi doors open automatically. As a child, I pondered why the taxi doors opened upon approach while our family car doors remained shut. This intrigued me so much that I began to view taxis as these enchanting entities.” As he matured, Kanno delved into old Hollywood films, aspiring to capture the same thrill and glamour showcased in iconic driving sequences like the Italian Job and French Connection. Locations such as San Francisco were ideal. “What I most wanted to convey about Crazy Taxi was the dynamic feel of a movie car chase, as San Francisco, with its numerous undulations, always allows for such action to be expressed.”
Unlike most racing games, Crazy Taxi demands quick decision-making on your feet rather than memorizing the track. (This ethos of a chaotic approach can be seen in Simpsons: Road Rage, which essentially adopted the crazy taxi concept in the Springfield setting.) “It’s a game that constantly challenges players to make split-second decisions in evolving scenarios,” Kanno explains. “Therefore, I made other vehicles obstacles. The design isn’t about mastering all the routes and finding the perfect line, but about maneuvering through ever-changing traffic.”
Technical limitations at the time curtailed the planned multiplayer mode. Nonetheless, the leaderboard enabled competitive battles among friends. For those struggling to surpass the 2-minute mark while playing Crazy Taxi (FYI: One rooftop shortcut is a game-changer), is there a possibility of a modern multiplayer-enabled sequel? “I can’t divulge much,” Kanno responds. “But Crazy Taxi will soon have you grinning ear to ear once again!”
Ministers have postponed the regulation of artificial intelligence in line with the Trump administration, as reported by The Guardian.
Three labor sources revealed that the AI bill, originally planned for release before Christmas, is now expected to be delayed until summer.
The Minister had intended to issue concise invoices shortly after taking office.
The bill aims to address concerns about the potential risks of advanced AI models to humanity and to clarify the use of copyrighted materials by AI companies, differing from individual suggestions.
However, Trump’s election prompted a reconsideration of the bill. Senior labor sources said the bill was being carefully reconsidered, and there are no firm proposals yet on its content. The source added that they had aimed to pass it before Christmas, but it is now delayed until summer.
Another labor source, familiar with the legislation, mentioned that earlier drafts of the bill had been prepared months ago, but they are now being held back due to Trump’s actions, which could negatively impact British businesses. They expressed reluctance to proceed without addressing these concerns.
Trump’s actions have undermined Biden’s plans for AI regulation, including revoking an executive order aimed at ensuring technology safety and reliability. The future of the US AI Safety Institute is uncertain following the resignation of its director. Additionally, US Vice President JD Vance opposed planned European technical regulations at the AI Summit in Paris.
The UK government opted to align with the US by not signing the Paris Declaration endorsed by 66 other countries at the summit. UK Ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson reportedly proposed making the UK a major US AI investment hub.
During a December committee meeting, Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle hinted that the AI bill was in advanced stages. However, Science Minister Patrick Balance stated earlier this month that there is no bill currently in place.
A government spokesperson stated, “This government remains committed to enacting legislation that will ensure the safe realization of the significant benefits of AI for years to come.
“We are actively engaged in refining our proposals for publication soon to ensure an effective approach against this rapidly evolving technology. Consultations will soon commence.”
The Minister faces pressure regarding individualized plans to allow AI companies access to online materials, including creative works for training models without requiring copyright permission.
Artists like Paul McCartney and Elton John have criticized this move, warning that it could undermine traditional copyright laws protecting artists’ livelihoods.
Whenmai* began studying psychology in mid-2019. She looked forward to traveling to college to have a lively conversation with her classmates working on new ideas.
However, when her in-person tutorials were exchanged for a Zoom meeting in 2020, her excitement turned into horror.
“People don’t switch cameras. They have their names displayed,” says Mai. “It’s very lonely and very isolated. If you’re struggling with questions, then no one will talk.”
The auditorium, once full of students, was emptied in favor of pre-recorded lectures, Mai said. Even the lab demonstrations have been replaced by a lively, undirected Zoom breakout room.
Mai sat through an online class who fell silent mid-hour time slot as the instructor sued a grid of faceless viewer names to engage in simple questions.
“No one spoke,” she says. “It’s so annoying, it hurts so much, you just want to go out.”
As soon as she graduated, Mai moved to Hobart to study medicine. The lockdown was fading memory and she was expecting a packed campus.
But apart from her medication classmates, she says it was abandoned – it remains two years later.
“I had this very naive vision, ‘Oh, wow, I’m going to meet a lot of students from many different places.” [but] Many students don’t attend just because they have other work or life commitments,” she says.
Australian students like MAI enroll in college in the hopes of experiences that many facilities no longer offer. They imagine themselves in time and space exploring big ideas with their peers and teachers, share vibrant discussions and share their path to becoming independent adults.
Those who can’t afford to spend the whole week on campus or are not given the option of in-person classes are worried that they are missing out. High quality education While increasing fees are being charged.
Students under financial pressure cut classes and picked up more jobs. The result is a malicious cycle of lower campus attendance, according to students. Few students will be taking part in the class in person, and attending classes is even less attractive and there will be fewer face-to-face opportunities for universities as they do not appear.
Like Mai, many people ask themselves: “What is the point of going to campus?”
AAccording to Dr. Thuc Bao Huynh, a researcher at the Center for Youth Policy and Education Practice at Monash University, Ustralian’s expectations for university life go back to research ideals before the 1980s, before the 1980s.
“If someone was a student, they wouldn’t actually do that much except they were students,” he says. “That’s not the case anymore.”
The myth of campus life opposes the modern reality where increasingly fewer students have the luxury of their own research and social life, their primary responsibility. Since the 1990s, the number of Australians from a wider background has increased. Costs of living are accelerating this trend, Huynh said it forces more students to treat the university as a part-time commitment.
Those who can’t afford to spend the whole week on campus, or who don’t have in-person classes on the course, are worried that they are being charged a growing number of fees, rather than overlooking a quality education. Photo: Agenzia Sintesi/Alamy
“Being a student is 1740532059 I mashed with everything else that young people are experiencing,” Huyn says. “That’s another thing they have to deal with.”
Classmates at Jed Brockhouse who struggled to work juggle college and were given the option to do coursework online will not be able to come to campus at Latrobe University in North Melbourne.
“If you know you don’t need to be there, why do you sit in class for two hours, fit in an hour of traffic?” he says.
Sam Lane only learned how much he missed when he took a break from law classes and reached out to art history.
He says he went to university in 2019 looking for a photo of his parents’ campus life. To people. “
Lane got a glimpse into the fantasy world at the University of New South Wales Art School on Sydney’s bustling Oxford Street. His long three-hour art history class forced him and his peers to meet face to face or gave him time to tackle and discuss aesthetics and philosophy.
“You didn’t feel like you were there just to get bitten and spit out of the auditorium,” he says. “If there’s something interesting for the class, you can dig into it.”
However, once his art tutorial is over, Lane has to hurry back to the main campus of UNSW in eastern Sydney, reducing the teaching time on campus, and the professor has rushed through an impossible amount of information. Ta.
Sam says he went to university in 2019 looking for photos of campus life drawn by his parents. Photo: Lisa Marie Williams/The Gardian
“We don’t have time to chat, we don’t have time to get to know the people around you,” he says. “You’re too busy trying to get through all the content very quickly.”
Lane is now approaching the end of his degree and watching attendees get nervous with the Student Association, stopping the long-term party tradition, including Battle of the Band events.
“People want to understand what they have lost and really go back to it… [but] There’s no good time to put it [on] “There aren’t enough people on campus so they don’t get voter turnout,” he says. “I’m a little dead.”
THis tendency towards online learning reflects wider pressure. A decline in federal funding and threatened losses from international students, the main source of income, forced the university to save. At the same time, university staff teach 200,000 students more than they did a decade ago.
Kaab Qureshi, a sophomore at Australian National University in Canberra, says it’s difficult to learn in classes that have become “strange” as the university is cut and contact time condensed.
“They just want to cut costs as quickly as possible,” he says. “I think they’ve made more reputation and profitable than student involvement and support.”
Even the face-to-face class stuffing didn’t stop them from finding the community they wanted for those who could afford to stroll around campus.
Kristy Sauw, a classmate at ANU in Qureshi, says his first year in college wasn’t good. After moving from Wagga Wagga High School to the on-campus residential hall, it was easy for her to make friends and go to classes in person.
“We made a lot of friends in our philosophy tutorials because we considered it an hour to yap. It was really fun,” she says. “As much as we focus on what we’re actually talking about, we’ve also become bonded and talked about random topics.”
Qureshi spent extra money to live in the residential hall for his first year, but the
Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Terranos, had her conviction upheld by a US court. She defrauded investors of hundreds of millions of dollars through a failed blood test startup that was once valued at $9 billion. Despite refusing to appeal for several years, Holmes was convicted. The court also upheld the conviction of Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani, Holmes’ former romantic partner and president of Theranos.
A three-judge panel at San Francisco’s 9th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed claims of legal error in separate trials conducted in 2022.
Holmes, who started Terranos as a university student and became its public face, was indicted in 2018 alongside Balwani. They were tried separately and received sentences of 11 years and 3 months and 12 years and 11 months in 2022. Holmes was ordered to compensate investors $452 million, but the penalty was waived due to limited financial resources.
Holmes’ sentence was reduced by over two years for good behavior in prison, leading to her release in 2032 after serving nine years.
Holmes’ attorney filed an appeal in April 2023, claiming that her trial was marred by improper procedures and evidence presentation.
The US prosecutor countered, stating during the initial appeal hearing in 2024, “It’s undisputed that the device didn’t function,” and highlighting the shortcomings of Theranos’ Edison blood test machine. Holmes asserted that the Edison could draw a single drop of blood from a patient and conduct a variety of medical tests, but her inventions never delivered on their promises.
Before the appeal ruling, Holmes featured on the cover of People magazine for her first interview since being imprisoned earlier that month. She described federal prisons as “hell and torture” and expressed how being incarcerated had changed her.
“The person I used to be must now step aside as I stand here, a prisoner, and face my reality,” she said, reflecting on her two young children and husband.
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