Tag Archives: developers

A Non-Profit Empowering Aspiring Game Developers Worldwide

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Gamescom is an extraordinary video game convention that takes place each year in Cologne, Germany. Each year, hundreds of thousands of gamers converge to fill large convention spaces, alongside industry professionals who have the chance to distribute games to fans and present their resumes to developers. For companies located outside the United States, this is the premier event of the year. This marks the first year for the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Foundation, and Executive Director Alyssa Walles is eager about the opportunities it presents.

The IGDA Foundation focuses on providing professional development for underrepresented and marginalized individuals seeking to enter the video game industry. This initiative is vital, considering the numerous obstacles faced by aspiring producers, developers, and writers. While Ms. Walles has been with the IGDA Foundation for just three years, she brings a wealth of experience from her long-standing career in the video game industry. She understands the importance of supporting those who do not have the advantages of privilege, those who lack the means to travel globally for competitions, or those without formal training in computer design and coding.

Gamescom will welcome video game enthusiasts and industry professionals. Photo: Imago/Alamy

“I was part of the launch team for PlayStation in Europe, and most of the time I was the only woman in the room,” Wallace recalls. “So I’m thrilled to witness this change.” Nevertheless, she recognizes that more effort is needed.

The IGDA Foundation initially began by sponsoring a select number of individuals to attend the annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. This costly endeavor often prevents hundreds of developers from marginalized communities and remote regions from participating. When the COVID-19 pandemic altered the landscape of video gaming events, the IGDA Foundation had to innovate. This led to the creation of Virtual Exchange by former executive director Nika Noor—a six-week online initiative that connects grantees with experienced gaming industry mentors. Each year, the IGDA Foundation reviews hundreds of applications and selects grantees based on three main categories: gaming career professionals aspiring to advance, individuals looking to transition into gaming, and recent graduates.

Alyssa Wallace of the IGDA Foundation. Photo: Provided by IGDA Foundation

Walles shared: “A standout example from our network is a young man from Nigeria who has experience in home building and project management. He constructs houses daily and also programs. He hopes to leverage his project management skills to transition into becoming a video game producer.”

For Wallace and other seasoned industry veterans leading the IGDA Foundation, the mission is about channeling their experiences to foster a robust and diverse future for the industry. “I’m 65 years old and I’m not shy about it…I’m nearing the end of my career, so I’m here to give back,” she states.

However, the IGDA Foundation, like many initiatives aimed at improving equity within the video game and technology sectors, has faced significant hurdles recently. Following rapid growth during the pandemic, the industry saw unprecedented layoffs. Companies inform Wallace that funding for the foundation is nonexistent, a claim she finds hard to believe (“I know you have $5,000”). Although the IGDA Foundation does not receive government support, there have been attacks from the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, compelling organizations to reassess their marketing strategies and donor outreach.

“Some nonprofits in our sector have been forced to shut down, but thankfully, we’re not close to that point. Still, I worry about it constantly,” Wallace confesses. “How can we connect with individuals wanting to earn a substantial income in the gaming world and nurture the upcoming generation?”

The virtual exchange program for 2025 is now operational. Photo: Provided by IGDA Foundation

Yet, under Wallace’s direction, the IGDA Foundation is unafraid to innovate. Last year, she found an article in a newsletter about an independent developer making significant profits from a single downloadable content (DLC) in a Steam bundle. “We reached out to the IDGA Foundation’s alumni network and proposed organizing a Steam event featuring DLC,” she explains. Someone from the network volunteered to run it. This led to the initiation of an event called Download for Charity, held in May, which included 24 participating games and raised $24,000,” says Walles. She also organizes game jams in collaboration with diverse partners and recently launched a porting initiative to assist developers in adapting their games for Android devices.

This relentless pursuit of funding exemplifies Wallace’s commitment to the program and the marginalized communities it supports. Wallace’s aspirations for the IGDA Foundation are straightforward. “We simply want adequate funding to sustain our efforts so we can deliver these programs to individuals in need across the globe.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Five Years Later: How Have the Developers of the Sci-Fi Cult Classic Evolved?

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Forest (Nick Offerman) is the CEO of Quantum Computing Firm Amaya

Album/Alamy

Developer
Alex Garland
FX Hulu, Disney+

March 2020 was an awkward period for many. This might explain why Developer, an eight-part sci-fi series by Alex Garland, premiered during a global lockdown and struggled to garner a wide audience; I, too, unfortunately, missed it.

There are various reasons I decided to catch up on it now: Garland’s works had lingered in my mind after enjoying 28 Days Later, and the darkly captivating worlds of Developer felt like a welcome escape from the heatwave. However, mainly, I was curious about how it had aged five years after its debut.

In Developer, Lily Chan (Sonoya Mizuno) works as an engineer for Amaya, a quantum computing firm based in San Francisco. Each day, she collaborates with her boyfriend and colleague Sergei (Karl Glassman), who is involved in Amaya’s AI division. After being invited to join the secretive Devs program, Sergei disappears nearly immediately, leaving Lily convinced that Amaya and the enigmatic Devs project played a role in his vanishing.

Everything in Developer feels cold yet beautiful. The score and sound design are haunting, punctuated by jolts of static and dialogue. The performances reflect this chill, particularly Mizuno’s compelling portrayal of Lily. Meanwhile, Allison Pill shines as Katie, a scientist at Amaya. The company’s campus is an ethereal setting of glass and refined concrete enveloped by pine trees and illuminated by glowing halos, all under the watchful gaze of a towering young girl statue.

The Devs compound feels like entering a Byzantine mosaic, transformed into a secular, three-dimensional space.

Yet, the stunning DEVS compound overshadows everything else; it feels like stepping into a Byzantine mosaic, now rendered secular and three-dimensional. This space serves as a meticulously organized sanctuary for clandestine research, immersed in lavish gold while floating within an electromagnetic field inside a Faraday cage.

The nature of this research prompts a profound shift that delves deep into human impulses, despite the risks of redefining humanity itself. Forest posits that the project is fundamentally tied to all that is valuable. It boldly explores the extent of incredible technological advancements that might arise—or be stunted—due to the personal philosophies of privileged figures like himself.

Watching Developer at its peak feels akin to being enveloped in a soothing sound bath, the slow reverberations drawing you in. At its least inspired, it can seem self-indulgent. Still, it offers an intellectual experience, addressing fascinating concepts such as the multiverse. However, Lily’s pursuit to unravel the truth about Sergei gets sidelined in favor of Amaya’s overarching mysteries, causing the series to spiral into self-importance.

In a twist of life’s quirks (light spoilers ahead), the show’s most insightful theme might revolve around the desire to revisit the past and what we gain or lose along the way. Interestingly, such reflections may prove more compelling than lofty visions about our technological future. I’m glad I finally watched Developer five years post-release; despite some indulgent tendencies, it left me with plenty to appreciate. Even if Forest and his counterparts might not find full success, Developer still resonates deeply with me.

I also recommend…

Ex Machina
Alex Garland

In Garland’s directorial debut, programmer Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) is tasked by his boss with evaluating whether Ava, an artificial intelligence, possesses true sentience. The film delivers a chilling psychological exploration.

Never Let Me Go
Mark Romanek

This adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel features a rare boarding school depicted through a haunting lens; it’s flawed yet captivating and definitely worth the watch.

Bethan Ackerley is a sub-editor at New Scientist, with a passion for science fiction, sitcoms, and the eerie. Follow her on Twitter at @inkerley

The Arts and Science of Writing Science Fiction

Dive into the world of science fiction writing this weekend, exploring the art of building new worlds and narratives.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Game Developers Aim for Reliability and Inclusivity Amidst AI Challenges

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For those interested in gauging the atmosphere of the UK gaming industry in 2025, this week’s focal point was undoubtedly the DoubleTree bar at the Hilton Hotel in Brighton. This venue hosts the annual Develop a meeting, which has been uniting developers, publishers, students, and journalists since 2006. Over three days filled with lectures, roundtables, and keynote sessions, attendees engaged in discussions, sharing insights and concerns regarding the current state of the industry.

Given the string of cuts and closures throughout the year, I approached the event with caution. On Tuesday, I connected with numerous developers, artists, and studio heads. Many senior developers indicated that recent layoffs and project cancellations might result in significant gaps in the release schedules for several major publishers during late 2026 and into 2027. While Grand Theft Auto VI will undoubtedly be a massive hit, it appears to be the only game generating buzz in the near future.

However, there was a sense of optimism permeating the event. A standout panel discussion titled “Why Cultural Awareness Is Important for the Future of the Game Industry” hosted by UKIE shed a more positive light on the industry among politicians and policymakers in Westminster. “Three years ago, my understanding of gaming was minimal, but awareness has grown significantly lately,” one panelist noted. “Suddenly, politicians are engaging with us regarding the educational impact of gaming and its potential for self-expression among youth. We’ve even witnessed evidence that gaming can serve as a therapeutic avenue for anxiety and depression. The cultural significance of gaming now outweighs its economic benefits.”




A narrative exploring a diverse and marginalized character… unpacked. Photo: Witch Beam

Cassia Curran, founder of Curran Games Agency, remarked, “The development of AI has unlocked a treasure trove of content,” despite the concerns surrounding AI, especially large-scale language models. “For a developer to succeed, leaning into genuine human experiences is crucial. AI cannot replicate your emotions or cultural background; these elements can and should be mirrored in your game.”

There was also a captivating narrative shared by developers about their quest for authenticity. In the day’s opening talk, Jens Anderson and Pete Ward from Machine Game, famous for their Indiana Jones adventure, discussed traveling deep into northern Sweden to record whip experts executing various techniques to perfectly replicate Indy’s iconic accessory sounds in the game. Additionally, the creative team behind the procedurally generated Detective Adventure Shadows presented a captivating 1950s-style noir thriller.

A recurring theme throughout the day was the emerging concerns regarding the diversity of gaming experiences and broader representation. Lydia Cook, a doctoral researcher specializing in queer game studies, moderated an inspiring roundtable named “President of Games: Beyond the Surface.” Cook addressed the challenges to expression faced in mainstream gaming, where nontraditional characters often get labeled as commercial risks. Simultaneously, the audience highlighted recent games showcasing compelling narratives around marginalized characters, ranging from narrative puzzle-solving and lesbian romance bosses to unique portrayals, including the beloved character from the cult classic Sim Monster Prom. The key takeaway from the session was that identity need not dominate a game. The representation of diverse characters as integral parts of the story can be immensely valuable for players who don’t often see themselves reflected in the media they consume.

Outside the bar area, I had the pleasure of meeting some of my favorite indie developers who shared intriguing insights into the innovative projects they were engrossed in. The presence of talented small teams is crucial, as their engaging and creative games continue to enrich the landscape. The rest of the event featured discussions from renowned Finnish developer Housemarque, celebrating 30 years in the business, and Sam Lake from Remedy Entertainment, reflecting on three decades of storytelling. Developers exchanged experiences ranging from creating side quests in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 to how they made players weep through narratives in indie games. In essence, the creative process remains vibrant, with people continuously crafting and playing; it’s a culture and art form that thrives beyond the grasp of CEOs and shareholders.

What to Play




A captivating twist… an angry bird bouncing off. Photo: Rovio

Angry Birds has become the Pac-Man of mobile gaming, a franchise that seemingly adapts to an infinite array of genres. Its latest version, Angry Birds Bouncing, merges the iconic bird-launching mechanics with classic block-breaking gameplay reminiscent of breakout and puzzle bobble. Players select their favorite bird, aim at the screen, and eliminate as many pigs as possible. Each character bears unique abilities and tactics, with new characters providing exciting challenges. Developer Rovio’s commitment to this franchise is evident, and this delightful iteration is sure to brighten up your commute, dull films, or tedious meetings.

Available on: Apple Arcade
Estimated playtime: All your free hours.

What to Read




What is the price? Nintendo Switch 2. Photo: Michelle Mengsu Chang/Toronto Star/Getty Images

  • In a recent Q&A with shareholders, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa defended the price of the Switch 2 console, stating that the price of £395.99 ($449.99) reflects the gaming experience it provides. He also addressed concerns regarding the use of game key cards: cartridges that store game data but provide players with download codes. More details can be found on GamesIndustry.biz.

  • For those interested in Nintendo, IGN has an article that could spark some heated discussions among fans: All Ranked Nintendo 3D Platformers, where I strongly believe number 4 deserves a higher spot!

  • Raphaël Colantonio, founder and former president of Arkane Studios, criticized Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass service. In response to recent layoffs at Microsoft, the co-creator of the renowned Dishonored series stated that the subscription model has led to significant disruptions in the industry. Read more about this on VGC.

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Question Block




Good ink… magazine. Photo: Game

We received this question from reader Jason:

“I grew up A deep waste of time today, and I thought that pressing a button might have suggested a new publication similar to yours. Could you please share it with others so I can spread the word?”

This topic is one of my absolute favorites, so thank you, Jason! Keza and I contributed to Above magazine, which features beautifully designed publications focused on video games. Second problem is now in its third edition.

I’m also fond of stylish publications like Lock-on from the Lost of the Cult, and the beautiful Devil’s Blush, Controller Rebellion, and Heterotopia all reflect a punk DIY spirit infused into gaming with their handcrafted aesthetics and passionate writing. A Forgotten World offers a unique selection and provides a really helpful list of independent print publications for gaming enthusiasts. It’s wonderful to see so many exciting and carefully curated gaming magazines making waves in 2025.

If you have a question for the Question Block or anything else to discuss regarding the newsletter, feel free to reply or email us at butingbuttons@theguardian.com.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Real Concern: Video Game Developers Face Accusations of AI Usage Despite Not Implementing It.

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In April, game developer Stamina Zero made a significant marketing move with the launch trailer for their game, Little Droid, available on PlayStation’s official YouTube channel. The developers were taken aback by the reaction; while many found the game intriguing, it was “smashed down” by claims of AI-generated art. However, the cover art, featured in its YouTube thumbnail, was indeed created by a person. Developer Lana Ro stated, “We know the artist and have seen her work, so this negative feedback was unexpected. Initially, we were unsure how to react; it left us confused.”

There’s validity in people’s concerns regarding AI in video games. It’s important to ensure that the media you support aligns with your values. Discussions surrounding generative AI often touch on environmental impact, art theft, and overall quality. Video game developers are navigating how generative AI influences their work. However, the unexpected issue is the strong aversion to generative AI now translating to “Please don’t use it.” Veteran game developer Josh Caratelli, Digital Director of Chess Plus, remarked, “I’m all for caution, but collateral damage can be painful.”

Karatelli and his game, Chess Plus, faced a similar backlash when he shared art on Reddit, explicitly stating it was created without AI assistance. However, he received comments and messages accusing him of dishonesty or suggesting he was deceived. “It’s clearly handcrafted,” he asserted. “We spent a substantial amount to hire an indie artist for the artwork; it was a worthy investment.”




Darth Vader will be appearing in Epic Games’ Fortnite. Photo: Epic Games/Disney/Lucasfilm

Increasingly, games are being scrutinized for instances perceived as AI replacing human labor. (Epic Games has recently faced criticism for AI-generated Darth Vader, as noted). Sometimes, this anger is misdirected at individuals and small businesses, where the assumption is made that AI has been utilized. For example, an artist for Magic: The Gathering faced false accusations about using AI, prompting Wizards of the Coast to issue a statement. Even Nintendo was implicated in using AI-generated images for in-game signs in Mario Kart World back in May, leading to a denial from the company.

Major companies like Wizards of the Coast and Nintendo may weather unfounded accusations, but indie studios with lesser visibility can find it challenging. Released in April, Little Droid features small robots traversing a lush, pixel-art landscape. On the other hand, the cover art showcases the droid in a distinct style, known for the glossy finish typical of AI-generated art. YouTube commenters pointed out details that “prove” the art was AI-generated due to symmetry issues, even though the robot itself is asymmetrical. Stamina Zero consistently maintained that AI was not utilized in creating their game or art.

The studio eventually shared a video claiming to demonstrate the art process, highlighting early art concepts and various layers in Adobe Photoshop to illustrate how the piece was created. “We contacted the artist and insisted on all available intermediate sketches and source PSDs,” Ro explained. “I quickly posted a collection of videos based on the files we had. It was a damage control strategy—a way to calm the situation and promote more productive conversations. We have nothing to hide.”

Some viewers accepted the video as proof that AI was not involved, while others remained skeptical. The video didn’t contain the actual drawings, making it impossible to share the artist’s entire process unless recorded. Some artists do this already, but it adds to their workload. As Stamina Zero knows, there will always be those who refuse to believe.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/dfN5FxIs39w?wmode=opaque&feature=oembed" title="Little Droid – Launch Trailer | PS5 & PS4 Games" height="480" width="854" allowfullscreen="




Stamina Zero Little Droid trailer

“Honestly, we don’t have a clear strategy for the future,” Ro admits. “On Reddit, some suggested we avoid creating art resembling AI outcomes, which has triggered various reactions. This piece of advice might be effective.”

Karatelli also shares the community’s ethical worries surrounding AI, such as plagiarism, environmental concerns, and the ramifications for human creativity. However, he’s aware of the accusations against Chess Plus. “It’s exceptionally difficult for AI to create something meaningful. It’s a thousand small complexities that make a game exceptional… [That] work is often undervalued,” he concurred.

Both games illustrate how generative AI can taint creative processes. It doesn’t just end there. We can’t definitively know whether we’re witnessing human creation or AI output. For creatives and gamers alike, it ultimately boils down to a matter of trust.

Source: www.theguardian.com

“Exploring the Untold Tale: A Developer’s Battle to Create a Game on the 1948 Nakba Despite Taboos”

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IIn the West Bank city of Nablus, Rashid Abueide operates a nut roaster to support his family. Additionally, he is an award-winning game developer. A decade ago, amidst the escalating 2014 Gaza war, he created a compelling video game titled “Lilya and the Shadow of War” which depicts a man’s quest for safety for his daughter and himself. However, amidst the falling missiles, it becomes evident that safety is unattainable. Initially rejected by Apple upon release in 2016 due to inappropriate content, the decision was eventually reversed after a week of protests.

Despite the acclaim and attention “Lilya” received, Abueide struggled to secure funding for his next game through conventional means. His envisioned game, “dream on the pillow,” narrates the story of the 1948 Nakba and reflects on the Arab-Israeli conflict through a mother’s folklore. Rejected nearly 300 times for being contentious and risky, Abueide’s games challenge the narratives surrounding the Palestinian experience, which has long been taboo.




Historical Background…The game’s timeline switches between the protagonist Om’s past and her horrifying present. Photo: Rasheed Abueide

Currently, as conflict rages in his homeland, Abueide is resolute in telling the Palestinian narrative. With the collaboration of a dedicated team, he initiated a crowdfunding campaign to bring “Dreams on a Pillow” to life.

Despite challenges, the team successfully reached its fundraising goal through Launch Good, a platform that acknowledges Muslim causes. This achievement covers a significant portion of the game’s development costs, paving the way for further funding opportunities as the project evolves. Abueide expresses gratitude for overwhelming support and emphasizes the importance of portraying the Palestinian plight in gaming.




“I want to send a message.” Rashid Abueide, who operates a nut roaster in Nablus. Photo: Rasheed Abueide

“The Dream on the Pillow” draws inspiration from a mother fleeing with her infant, inadvertently carrying a pillow and recalling her childhood in Palestine. The game interweaves her journey post-Tantura massacre with nostalgic dreams, using the pillow as a key element for progression but also triggering nightmares. Abueide anticipates a two-year development timeline, underscoring the project’s significance with contingency plans in place for potential interruptions.

Abueide’s ultimate goal is for players to empathize with the Palestinian experience, understanding the lasting impact of past conflicts on present realities. By shedding light on the ongoing struggles of the Palestinian people, he aims to prompt an informed and empathetic response from players.

Source: www.theguardian.com

China: OpenAI Blocks Access, Prompting Panic Among Chinese Developers

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At the World AI Conference held in Shanghai last week, SenseTime, one of China’s leading artificial intelligence companies, revealed its newest model, the SenseNova 5.5. The model showcased its ability to recognize and describe a stuffed puppy (sporting a SenseTime cap), offer input on a drawing of a rabbit, and swiftly scan and summarize a page of text. SenseTime boasts that SenseNova 5.5 competes with GPT-4o, the flagship artificial intelligence model from Microsoft-backed US company OpenAI.

To entice users, SenseTime is offering 50 million tokens, digital credits for AI usage, at no cost. Additionally, the company states that it will have staff available to assist new customers in transitioning from OpenAI’s services to SenseTime’s products for free. This move aims to attract Chinese developers previously aligned with OpenAI, as the company had notified Chinese users of an impending blockage of its tools and services from July 9.

The sudden decision by OpenAI to block API traffic from regions without OpenAI service access has created an opportunity for domestic Chinese AI companies like SenseTime to onboard rejected users. Amid escalating tensions between the US and China over export restrictions on advanced semiconductors essential for training cutting-edge AI technologies, Chinese AI companies are now in a fierce competition to absorb former OpenAI users. Baidu, Zhipu AI, and Tencent Cloud, among others, have also offered free tokens and migration services to entice users.

The withdrawal of OpenAI from China has accelerated the development of Chinese AI companies, who are determined to catch up to their US counterparts. While Chinese AI companies focus on commercializing large-scale language models, the departure of OpenAI presents an opportunity for these companies to innovate and enhance their models.

Despite setbacks, Chinese commentators have downplayed the impact of OpenAI’s decision, depicting it as pressure from the US to impede China’s technological progress. There are indications that US restrictions on China’s AI industry are taking effect, with companies like Kuaishou facing limitations due to a chip shortage induced by sanctions. This adversity has fueled a growing market for American-made semiconductors while inspiring creativity to counter American software blockages.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Indie Developers Shine Bright: Summer Game Fest Showcases Innovation Beyond AAA titles | Games

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IThere's been a lot of speculation regarding the outlook for the games industry in 2024. Following a surge of investment during the pandemic, the industry experienced a temporary boost in growth as people sought entertainment and social interaction while adhering to safety measures at home. However, this year has seen a correction, with studios and companies that expanded too rapidly now scaling back, leading to layoffs and studio closures. Job opportunities for developers have decreased, and games that faced delays due to the pandemic are taking longer to release, resulting in fewer titles compared to the previous year.

The Summer Game Fest, which has taken the place of E3 in Los Angeles, reflects this industry slowdown. What was once a grand trade show is now a more modest event held in smaller venues away from the main convention center. The shift from elaborate press conferences to online livestreams signifies a change in the industry landscape. However, amidst this decline, there is a bright spot in the success of indie games.

Indie games like Palworld, Helldivers 2, and Hades II have emerged as top sellers on platforms like Steam, showcasing the creativity and innovation present in the indie gaming scene. In contrast, big-budget blockbusters from major publishers are facing challenges, with titles like Redfall and Suicide Squad receiving mixed reactions. The industry’s focus on franchised games and live service models is leading to a lack of fresh ideas and risks being taken.

UFO 50, a collection of 50 games. Photo: Mossmouth

However, the indie gaming scene is thriving, with a multitude of creative and unique games being showcased at events like the Summer Game Fest. Titles like UFO 50, Tales of the Shire, and Fear the Spotlight offer players fresh experiences and showcase the diversity of the indie game market. As the industry shifts towards more indie success stories, there is hope for a resurgence of innovative and original content.

While the gaming industry’s major players continue to rely on established franchises and blockbuster titles, it is the indie developers who are driving forward with new ideas and creative approaches. With initiatives like Outersloth supporting indie developers and new entrants like Blumhouse entering the gaming space, there is a sense of revitalization and excitement surrounding indie games.

As the industry evolves, it is clear that the future of gaming lies beyond the traditional giants. With a global community of players and creators, the possibilities for innovation and growth are endless. While the big names may dominate headlines, it is the indie scene that is truly pushing boundaries and shaping the future of gaming.

What to Play

Star Wars: Hunters. Photo: LucasFilm Games/Zynga

For a fresh gaming experience, try out Star Wars: Hunters on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and smartphones. This team-based arena shooter offers diverse characters from the Star Wars universe and engaging gameplay mechanics. With a focus on intuitive controls and immersive visuals, this game is a must-try for Star Wars fans and gamers alike.

Available on: Nintendo Switch, iPhone, Android
Estimated play time: 20+ hours

What to Read

No guns in sight… Catto's Post Office is one of the cosy titles featured on Wholesome Direct. Photo: Inn Shambles Studios

What to click on

Question Block

Elden Ring…can't swim. Photo: Bandai Namco

This week's Question Block explores the dilemma of how video games handle water-related challenges and the consequences of immersion versus gameplay mechanics. The debate over drowning animations and failure states in games highlights the complexities of creating authentic yet engaging gaming experiences.

Whether a game opts for realism or streamlined gameplay, the approach to water mechanics can shape the player’s experience and immersion in the virtual world. As the industry evolves, designers face the challenge of balancing authenticity with player engagement to deliver memorable and enjoyable gaming experiences.

For more insights into game design and industry trends, stay tuned to Question Block and other engaging content related to the evolving world of video games.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Innovate with Azure: 5 ways developers’ lives are made easier with cloud tools

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There is an interesting and appropriate “spot the difference” Microsoft Visual Studio An advertisement that used to be published in a computing magazine.

On the left side of the image is the desk of an “unhappy” software developer. It's midnight now. Under the gaze of a single desk lamp, mangled piles of paper litter the scene, and yellow sticky notes dangle from a computer screen.

The right side shows the desk of a “happy” software developer. It's clean and tidy, you have a calendar full of social events, and it's a sunny day outside.

The message was clear. It means that developers will feel less stressed if they use his C++, a popular programming language that allows them to develop software regardless of the platform.

Almost two decades later, technology has advanced, but software developers still face many of the same challenges. How do you handle the entire lifecycle of creating a product for your customers, from designing the software to making sure it works and is secure? , to deployment and maintenance of the finished product?

Scaling up and down is smooth
Cloud platforms greatly simplify developers' lives, from planning, writing, editing, and debugging code to delivering it live to customers, even when they don't know what the final requirements will look like. .

Previously, software companies delivered applications and services to customers and then had to guess how much infrastructure was needed to support product delivery and maintenance.

This problem can be further exacerbated by the fact that customers may be struggling to meet highly fluctuating demand from end users.

Azure's scalable cloud platform solves this problem by hosting your software and automatically scaling it as demand increases or decreases, allowing you to focus on what you do best: software development. .

Consider the following case live tech games (LTG) etc. The company was faced with the challenge of supporting 10,000 users simultaneously playing a live football tournament multiplayer mobile game online, a number he needed to increase to 500,000.

“During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in partnership with ITV, we ran over 30 live tournament games with thousands of players competing simultaneously, and thanks to Azure, everything went perfectly. ” says the LTG co-founder. Co-CEO Samuel Worsley.

Develop and debug all in one place
Software development is a complex process. Especially when there are many cooks involved and everyone, including the boss, has different ideas about what coding language the software should be written in.

“If you like working in one programming language and your colleague likes working in another, that's not a problem with Visual Studio,” says Microsoft UK Head of Digital and Application Innovation, Data and Artificial Intelligence. Director Denise Dourado said. .

Visual Studio is an integrated development environment that allows developers to write, edit, and debug code in one place instead of moving from tool to tool.

“Without Visual Studio, you end up designing code in one place and having to debug it in another place. It takes time,” says Dourado.

The worst thing for developers, she says, is that when they switch from one tool to another, they worry about what will happen to their code, making the development process take a long time.

Audit software is easy
You've built your software, but now you need to deploy and maintain it, which can be a huge headache.Here is Azure DevOp Services Come in.

Azure DevOps can be used collaboratively by multiple people to track changes made to software source code and release them to customers in a live environment.

In addition, at a time of global economic uncertainty, there is a real need to reduce costs and improve efficiency while providing added value to customers whose businesses are undergoing significant digital transformation.

Mobile phone company Vodafone realized that it had too many computer systems within the company and many different code repositories for all of its software. Some control systems relied on Word documents to manually track source code changes.

“At the time, we could automatically roll back a deployment to see specifically which line of code caused the problem, link to the developer, and see why we did something like that. It took us a long time to be able to do that,” says Ben Connolly. Head of Digital Engineering at Vodafone.

“it has been Revolutionize with the power of Azure DevOps. It's all pipeline now, and it's much more auditable than what we had before. ”

Improved productivity
Artificial intelligence (AI) is also increasingly helping developers solve pain points. GitHub, the world's largest code repository and social software development community, leverages AI in the following ways: GitHub Copilot.

“GitHub Copilot provides enhanced features for developers, including suggesting code improvements, identifying common coding errors, and helping developers understand the codebase faster, especially for developers new to the project. ,” adds Dourado.

According to GitHub, 46% of new code is now written by AI, overall developer productivity has increased by 55%, and 75% of developers on the platform are looking to be more creative with their software development. They report that they are now able to concentrate on specific areas.

Software development has been democratized
Microsoft wants to take things a step further by “democratizing” the IT industry and making it possible for people without a software development background to build software, Dourado said. “We're bringing in users from the business environment and allowing them to build programs without necessarily understanding code,” she added.

for example, Azure cognitive services You can automate document processing, improve customer service, understand the root causes of anomalies, and extract insights from content.

“The world of technology is constantly changing, especially around things like AI, and if you are a developer, it may not be your core skill. We’re trying to make it possible to leverage AI without spending months or years,” says Dourado.

“What's important to me is that I don't have to struggle to learn new technology and have more freedom to be creative and take advantage of the features of the application.”


read more

Source: www.theguardian.com

Unity’s aim to provide developers with ethical and useful generative AI through Muse

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Unity is joining other companies in providing users with generative AI tools, but ensuring that those tools (unlike some) are built on a foundation that is not based on theft. I have been careful to check. Muse, a new suite of AI-powered tools, starts with texture and sprite generation and gradually moves into animation and coding as it matures.

The company announced these features at the Unite conference in San Francisco, along with Unity 6, the next big version of its cloud-based platform and its engine. After a turbulent few months that saw major product plans completely scrapped and a CEO ousted, you’re probably looking to get back to business as usual if possible.

Unity has traditionally positioned itself as a champion for small developers who lack the resources to adopt broader development platforms like rival Unreal. Therefore, the use of AI tools can be considered a useful addition for a developer who cannot afford to spend days creating, for example, 32 slightly different wooden wall textures in high resolution. can.

There are many tools out there to help you create and modify assets like this, but it’s often desirable to be able to say “make something more like it” without leaving your main development environment. The simpler your workflow, the more you can do without worrying about details like formatting or siled resources.

AI assets are also often used in prototyping, where things like artifacts and slightly wonky quality (which these days are common regardless of model) don’t really matter. However, illustrating your gameplay concept with original, well-made art rather than stock sprites or free sample 3D models can make the difference in communicating your vision to publishers and investors.

Examples of sprites and textures generated by Unity’s Muse.

Another new AI feature, Sentis, is a little harder to understand. “It enables developers to bring complex AI data models into the Unity runtime to create new gameplay experiences and features,” Unity’s press release states. So it’s kind of his BYO model, with some features built in, and it’s currently in open beta.

AI for animation and movement is in development and will be added next year. These highly specialized scripting and design processes can greatly benefit from generative first drafts or multiplicative helpers.

Image credits: unity

The Unity team emphasized that a big part of this release is to ensure that these tools are not overshadowed by future IP infringement lawsuits. Image generators like Stable Diffusion are fun to play with, but they’re built using assets from artists who never agreed to have their work taken and regurgitated.

“To provide usable output that is safe, responsible, and respectful of the copyrights of other creators, we challenged ourselves to innovate the training techniques for the AI ​​models that power Muse’s sprite and texture generation.” says a blog post on responsible AI. Techniques associated with presentations.

The company said it used a completely custom model trained with images owned or licensed by Unity. However, they essentially used stable diffusion to generate a larger synthetic dataset from the small, carefully selected datasets they had assembled.

Image credits: unity

For example, this wood wall texture may be rendered with several variations and color types using a stable diffusion model, but no new content will be added. At least that’s how it’s described to work. But as a result, new datasets are not only based on responsibly sourced data, but also one step removed from it, making it less likely that a particular artist or style will be duplicated.

Although this approach is more secure, Unity admitted that the quality of the initial models it was providing was reduced. However, as mentioned above, the actual quality of the generated assets is not necessarily important.

Unity Muse costs $30 per month as a standalone product. We’re sure you’ll soon hear from the community about whether this product is worth its price.

Source: techcrunch.com

Lunar.dev seeks to assist developers in controlling the expenses associated with using third-party APIs

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Developers are increasingly using third-party APIs to build applications, and the cost of some APIs can quickly increase. It has been difficult for businesses to understand and find ways to manage these costs.

That’s where Lunar.dev comes in. It’s a tool designed from the ground up to help developers monitor, manage, and take control of their API billing. Today, the company is releasing an open source version of the tool and also announcing a $6 million seed investment.

Lunar CEO Eyal Solomon said that businesses are increasingly relying on third-party APIs to quickly add functionality to applications such as payments, instant messaging, and access to large language models. Masu. These APIs make it easy to add this type of advanced functionality, but can have an impact in terms of monthly usage costs. “As enterprises expand their use of APIs, we’re seeing them build their own internal solutions to better manage and enforce control over the use of third-party APIs,” Solomon told TechCrunch. told.

They weren’t aware of a viable product for managing the use of third-party APIs, so they set out to build one. “The way we look at things is that we focus solely on consumption to help businesses reduce costs and maintain flawless performance and efficiency when it comes to using APIs,” he said.

Installation involves starting a Docker container that loads the Lunar proxy and Lunar interceptor. This allows you to see API traffic flowing through your development pipeline to your API provider. Lunar does not need to connect directly to the API to understand usage. After installation, it will automatically start intercepting your API traffic. Through a command line interface, developers can set usage policies, such as the maximum cost allowed, and those policies are implemented as traffic flows through the interceptor. A graphical interface for policy configuration is planned in the roadmap.

“We are in the developer pipeline, between the natural traffic from production to the API provider, where all the policies and policies are implemented and enforced,” Solomon said. says.

The company decided to start with an open source version of the tool to increase developer buy-in. In the future, we plan to build managed services for companies that don’t want to deal with raw open source, and this is ultimately how we make money. Lunar releases open source products in the following ways: MIT licenseAnd Solomon says open source components are important to his company and its development.

“We are open source, and being open source is some of the key building blocks on our platform. It’s something we’re dedicated to. [offering] our community of developers and engineering teams,” Solomon said.

The company is currently a small company with eight employees split between locations in Tel Aviv and San Francisco, but is currently hiring and seeking R&D and marketing personnel.

The $6 million seed was led by Uncork Capital, with participation from Angular Ventures.

Source: techcrunch.com