More than a stunt, the Fort Knox visit might be a chance for the President to change the price of gold and dump the price hike into cryptocurrency.
Musk and Trump’s Fort Knox Trip Is About Bitcoin
Monthly Archives: February 2025
Where Does Camouflaj Go Now That Batman: Arkham Shadow Is Feature Complete?
Camouflaj is beginning to move on from Batman: Arkham Shadow.
The development studio behind UploadVR’s Game of the Year for 2024 will continue with bug fixes for the game, but the Batman: Arkham Shadow team is starting to close the book on this chapter of the Arkham saga starting at version 1.4, Camouflaj studio head Ryan Payton revealed to us during an interview.
The ‘Game of the Year‘ update marks the addition of an Extreme difficulty setting, plus a variant of New Game+ called “I Am The Knight” which “restarts your campaign if you trigger a Game Over.” Completing the game in the mode unlocks a “gold-accented variant of your Batsuit and gadgets”.
There’s also three new Predator Maps, an Infinite Combat challenge inspired by the “Scarecrow Nightmare” from Arkham Asylum, more than 500 bug fixes, six new Echo collectibles and more.
Meta-owned Camouflaj released Arkham Shadow in October 2024 with monthly updates following until now.
“We’re making interesting discoveries. It’s really difficult. It’s one of the reasons why it can take a long time for some of these VR games to come out,” Payton said. “I feel like when I go into a flat screen game in a world that I’m very interested in, all I can think about the entire time is – I wish I was in VR for this. It feels like I’m looking at this world through the window rather than being in the world.”
What’s Next For Camouflaj?
Camouflaj’s technical talent demonstrates an ability to develop top tier immersive gaming experiences within severe technical constraints progressing through:
We selected Arkham Shadow as our game of the year for 2024, as did many others, and so we’re naturally wondering what’s next for the Arkham franchise and for Camouflaj?
There are many ways we could have approached the topic with Payton over a half-hour conversation this week. I did my due diligence by tossing it into the space between us as I sat in the UploadVR Studios from New York, Don punched Gotham’s villains from Missouri, and Payton delivered his comments from Japan.
It was all a bit bittersweet until we started imagining ourselves becoming Wolverine.
Superpowers In VR
WayneTech’s Rescue Vision looks a lot like Anduril’s EagleEye. Marvel’s What If On Apple Vision Pro shows a path forward for embodying VR superpowers based on hand tracking, while Ace Virtual Shooting put a “handset” in my home last week for target shooting with the equivalent weight of a firearm.
Gamers on Quest today use held controllers but hand tracking is improving steadily. There’s a new hyper-sensitive generation of watches and bands like the one demoed with Meta’s Orion glasses that can do very interesting things paired with immersive VR, too. Deadpool & Wolverine as a co-op VR game, for instance, could see a player with controllers becoming the dual-wielding shooting mercenary Deadpool while their teammate with open air hand tracking (and optionally enhanced by haptic bands) could become the brutally physical Wolverine.
Imagine the feeling metal claws that can seem to feel like they’re sliding out from your wrist. That’s been the dream of Arlen, one of our VR Gamescast viewers, and we covered the idea on our last VR Gamescast episode.
Of course, Camouflaj doesn’t have to make a superhero VR game next, and they could make anything. Even though Payton says he would love to keep working on Arkham Shadow – and we would love a VR sequel to this standout VR game – Rocksteady is reportedly returning to this particular superhero franchise for flatscreen.
Meta is obviously in transition too, with the ongoing push to Horizon Worlds and Meta Connect in September this year will likely represent the company’s biggest slate of announcements yet. So it seems we’ll have to wait and see what Mark Zuckerberg and his team decide to do next with this accomplished development group.
“I think we’ve probably done over 10,000 code check ins into the game since launch,” Payton told us. “I think it’s been somewhere around 2,000 to 3,000 bugs have been resolved, and that’s not even kind of talking about the content that the team just desperately wanted to make or add to the game, including the new post credit scene at the end of the game, we added a new cinematic to the game with 1.3, all these different challenge maps. We’re just so passionate about this game. We love this game, and it doesn’t hurt that the game was received well. So, it’s just like this kind of positive feedback loop, this like flywheel that we have here. And yeah, it is bittersweet.”
Watch the full discussion here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIDa_3G9p3U
And watch other recent devcasts below:
- Job Simulator developer Andrew Eiche noted the fold-up bed in his room
- Darknet & Ironstrike developer E McNeill gamed out his bitcoin losses
- Airspace Defender creator Rafael Brocado introduced us to the absolutely delightful elemental education experience Tablecraft.
- Don Carson at Mighty Coconut walked us through the Art & Principles of Walkabout Mini Golf Course Design.
Batman: Arkham Shadow Review – A Triumphant Return
Batman: Arkham Shadow is a brilliant return for the Dark Knight, and it expertly adapts the series for VR on Quest 3 and Quest 3S.
Henry Stockdale
This Can-Sized Projector Is $120 Off
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.
Projectors are a great option for some evening entertainment inside and outdoors (once the weather warms up a bit), but they can be a little bulky. If you’re looking for a smaller projector you can take with you to a party or a friend’s house, consider the Nebula Capsule 3 GTV projector, currently $379.99 (originally $499.99), the lowest price it has been according to price-tracking tools.
The Nebula Capsule 3 came out this past September to an “excellent” review from PCMag. It has an 8-watt speaker, which is decent for a portable projector, but it won’t fill a room with sound. Luckily, it does have an eARC port for a home theater setup.
What sets this projector apart is its small size of 4.7 inches by 2.7 inches (height by diameter), which is about the size of a tall beer can. The image correction is fast, responsive, and works well—an important feature since you’re likely going to be moving the projector often. The auto focus will adjust to the distance and angle of whatever surface you’re casting it on.
The brightness is 200 lumens, which is not a lot. You’ll be limited to darker rooms to get a good image. The resolution is just 1080p with a maximum screen size of 120-inches, which is decent. This is enough for casual watching in a bedroom, but you won’t get the same picture quality, colors, or blacks that home projectors offer. With Google TV, you’ll be able to use Chromecast to mirror your phone on the screen, download apps, and watch free live TV.
The battery life is up to two and a half hours, long enough to watch most movies. At its current price, it’s even with the weaker Nebula Capsule Air, making it a great deal.
TikTok’s revamped desktop version lets you livestream games in landscape view
As TikTok’s fate in the US sits in limbo, the ByteDance-owned company figured now’s as good a time as any to spruce up the platform’s (previously lackluster) desktop experience. New features include a repositioned navigation bar, an Explore tab, a floating player for Chrome and — in a move that should catch Twitch’s attention — live game streaming in landscape orientation.
Before Thursday’s changes, TikTok’s web app layout included a search bar and shortcuts running across the top of the screen alongside links down the left side. Now, all of them have been consolidated into the vertical navigation bar to the left. The idea is to reduce distractions for more immersive viewing as the platform moves to compete with the likes of YouTube and Twitch.
Speaking of Twitch, TikTok now supports full-screen live game streaming in portrait and landscape modes. Before today, you could only do the latter using TikTok’s Live Studio app. When you stream live in landscape, desktop users will see that view by default, while mobile users can rotate their devices to watch in widescreen (like everyone did before TikTok came along).
Meanwhile, a floating player that keeps TikTok visible above your other windows is exclusive to Chrome for desktop.
There’s also a new Collections feature (similar to YouTube’s playlists), where you can organize your favorite videos in custom categories, making it easier to return to them later. Mobile app features moving to the desktop include the For You feed, where you’ll find algorithmically chosen content based on your interests, and the Explore page, which shows trending hashtags and popular content.
The changes to the desktop browser version are now available globally.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/tiktoks-revamped-desktop-version-lets-you-livestream-games-in-landscape-view-185638187.html?src=rss
Now the overclock-curious can buy a delidded AMD 9800X3D, with a warranty
The integrated heat spreaders put on CPUs at the factory are not the most thermally efficient material you could have on there, but what are you going to do—rip it off at the risk of killing your $500 chip with your clumsy hands?
Yes, that is precisely what enthusiastic overclockers have been doing for years, delidding, or decapping (though the latter term is used less often in overclocking circles), chips through various DIY techniques, allowing them to replace AMD and Intel’s common denominator shells with liquid metal or other advanced thermal interface materials.
As you might imagine, it can be nerve-wracking, and things can go wrong in just one second or one degree Celsius. In one overclocking forum thread, a seasoned expert noted that Intel’s Core Ultra 200S spreader (IHS) needs to be heated above 165° C for the indium (transfer material) to loosen. But then the glue holding the IHS is also loose at this temperature, and there is only 1.5–2 millimeters of space between IHS and surface-mounted components, so it’s easy for that metal IHS to slide off and take out a vital component with it. It’s quite the Saturday afternoon hobby.
The Next Pandemic Could Be Engineered. A New Program Aims to Stop It
A Cambridge-based program is tackling the growing threat of engineered pandemics, seeking to prevent bioweapon-driven outbreaks before they begin.
New Terminator 2 Game Looks Awesome
Terminator 2D: No Fate, a newly announced game based on Terminator 2: Judgment Day, looks like a rad retro-inspired side scroller. And you luckily won’t have to wait too long to play it.
Pokemon Boss Believes Series Can Last Another 50 To 100 Years
The boss of The Pokemon Company believes the series can last for at least another 50 years if it continues to innovate. From a report: First launched on Nintendo’s Game Boy in 1996, the video game has expanded into films, TV and toys to become one of the world’s highest-grossing media franchise. Most recently, the trading card game based on the cute creatures at the centre of its universe has seen a surge in popularity — but it has also brought scalpers and frauds to the hobby.
[…] Pokemon has continued to bring new fans to the franchise by expanding into anime, card games, movies and toys alongside its video game titles. CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara says fans now “span several generations” and believes “the biggest reason behind their success is the fact that Pokemon became a tool of communication.” Last weekend, about 13,000 Pokemon fans headed to the European leg of the International Championships at London’s Excel Centre. It demonstrates Mr Ishihara’s point that people have found their way into the series through various means.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
FAA Might Drop Verizon for Starlink as Elon Musk Controls U.S. Government
The FAA reportedly looks to cancel a $2.4 billion contract with Verizon in favor of Elon Musk’s Starlink.
This Severance Game Is Damaging My Real Job Writing About Severance
If you’ve ever wanted to be a Lumon macrodata refiner like Mark S., Helly R., Dylan G., or Irving B., today is the day.
Why Did Instagram Reels Start Recommending a Ton of Violent and Graphic Content?
Meta only said an “error” caused Reels to recommend violent and graphic videos, including videos depicting real shootings.
This Dyson Vacuum Is $120 Off Right Now
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While I was poking around online shopping this week, I noticed a great deal: Amazon has the Dyson V8 Plus Cordless Vacuum marked down to $349.99, a 26% discount off its normal price of $469.99. A little over a quarter off doesn’t usually move me, as far as sales go, but on something as expensive as a Dyson that’s a solid deal. The spring and summer get dusty and allergen-y, so a strong vacuum is always a smart upgrade to make before the sneezy season hits.
I have loved every Dyson vacuum (and, frankly, all Dyson products) I’ve ever used and everyone I know with one feels the same, but before I recommended this sale confidently, I wanted to check around other parts of the internet to make sure I wasn’t missing something about Amazon’s markdown. I was missing something: This thing is on sale everywhere, which is great news if you have a membership or general brand loyalty to one store or another. The $349.99 price point on the Dyson V8 Plus is reflected not only on Amazon, but at the following retailers:
Basically, wherever you’re most likely to shop, you can find the cordless vac on sale. Take it as a sign you should finally upgrade your hoover.
Dyson V8 Plus product details
Why upgrade to this one, though, beyond the fact that it’s on sale? It runs for up to 40 minutes on a single charge but is still light enough that it’s not a hassle to carry around, weighing in at 5.6 pounds. It will run for a shorter amount if you turn on MAX mode, but having access to an even more powerful suction when you’re facing a major mess is worth it. Besides being a traditional stick vacuum, it also transforms into a handheld device to reach difficult spots. It docks to your wall to charge and stay out of your way, has attachments to reach high spaces, empties out with the push of a button, and makes quick work of dust, hair, and fur. Dyson really does make a quality vacuum and this one, with its low price, is a solid entry point if you’ve been looking into getting one.
Motion Control Subsystem Proposed For The Linux Kernel
A set of patches posted to the Linux kernel mailing list today propose the introduction of a Linux Motion Control “LMC” subsystem for drivers that could control devices like CNC machines and 3D printers…
This Raspberry Pi Handheld Hack Uses a Real BlackBerry Keyboard
The Raspberry Pi is a small, single-board computer that has been hacked into nearly any type of device you can imagine. But what if you could run Linux on a Pi in the form factor of a BlackBerry smartphone? Someone did just that.
Monster Hunter Wilds Promises Stronger Bosses Are Coming After Complaints About It Being Too Easy
Ahead of its February 28 release, Capcom is already giving fans a tease of Monster Hunter Wilds’ first big title update coming in early April. The free post-launch patch will include even more powerful monsters for players to hunt, a relief following pre-release worries that the game might be the easiest Monster Hunter…
Avowed’s Best One-Handed Axe Will Give Your Enemies A Wintery Chill
If you’re the kind of person who likes ripping through baddies with an axe, you’ll probably enjoy Avowed’s selection of skull-splitters. There are quite a few solid choices to wield, but Drawn in Winter—which can be obtained early in the game—is an incredible option to run with, good through the entire adventure.…
New Pokémon Legends: Z-A trailer reveals an absolutely massive version of Lumiose City
Game Freak held a Pokémon Presents livestream today and we finally got a good look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The new trailer for the follow-up to the well-received Pokémon Legends: Arceus reveals the massive Lumiose City, which first appeared in Pokémon X and Y all the way back in 2013. It’s a bustling metropolis filled with skyscrapers, and a far cry from the serene countryside of Arceus.
The trailer spotlighted the three starter Pokémon players will be able to choose from. They include the gen 2 starters Chikorita and Totodile and the gen 5 starter Tepig. We also got a better look at the gameplay elements, and they seem like something of a hybrid between the real-time capture mechanics of Arceus and the old-school turn-based gameplay of traditional Pokémon titles.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A will also bring back Mega Evolutions, which turn regular pocket monsters into superpowered monstrosities with temporary stat boosts. This mechanic, just like Z-A’s location, was first introduced in Pokémon X and Y.
We have a bit longer to wait for this one. The game doesn’t come out until the end of the year. It’s also being released for the original Switch, despite the fact that the Switch 2 will most likely be on store shelves by that point. However, long-time readers may remember that the Switch 2 is backwards compatible, so it’ll run on both machines.
Game Freak also showed off a new game called Pokémon Champions, which is a cross-platform battle sim. Today’s Pokémon Presents livestream celebrated the 29th birthday of the franchise. Happy birthday, cute pets we force to live inside of tiny balls and fight to the death!
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/new-pokemon-legends-z-a-trailer-reveals-an-absolutely-massive-version-of-lumiose-city-180550052.html?src=rss
Doctors report upticks in severe brain dysfunction among kids with flu
Doctors around the US have anecdotally reported an uptick of children critically ill with the flu developing severe, life-threatening neurological complications, which can be marked by seizures, delirium, hallucinations, decreased consciousness, lethargy, personality changes, and abnormalities in brain imaging.
It’s long been known that the seasonal flu can cause such devastating complications in some children, many with no underlying medical conditions. But doctors have begun to suspect that this year’s flu season—the most severe in over 15 years—has taken a yet darker turn for children. On February 14, for instance, health officials in Massachusetts released an advisory for clinicians to be on alert for neurological complications in pediatric flu patients after detecting a “possible increase.”
With the anecdata coming in, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed all the data it has on neurological complications from flu this year and seasons dating back to 2010. Unfortunately, existing surveillance systems for flu do not capture neurological complications in pediatric cases overall—but they do capture such detailed clinical data when a child dies of flu.
The Reality of Long-Term Software Maintenance
When developers boast “I could write that in a weekend,” they’re missing the painful reality that haunts software maintainers for years. In a candid blog post, Construct developer Ashley explains why maintaining large software projects is a burden most programmers fail to appreciate. “Writing the initial code for a feature is only a fraction of the work,” Ashley explains, estimating it represents just “25% of the total work” in Construct’s 750,000-line codebase. The rest? A grinding cycle of “testing, diagnosing and fixing bugs, optimizing performance, upgrading it to work with other changes, refactoring, customer support, writing documentation and similarly revising the documentation over time.”
Ashley describes how accepting code contributions feels like someone offering to build you a free extension — initially attractive until the roof starts leaking years later and the original builder is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, your tenants (users) are furious, and you’re stuck with “no good options.” The post recounts Construct’s own bruises: a community-contributed storage plugin still causing compatibility headaches a decade later, and third-party libraries that became maintenance nightmares after their creators vanished.
These experiences explain why seasoned maintainers eye large code contributions with deep suspicion rather than gratitude. “If you suggest some software project uses some code — even a small amount — will you be there in literally 10 year’s time sorting out all the issues that arise from it?” Ashley asks. “Usually the answer is no.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Monster Hunter Wilds PC Benchmark Deep Dive: What You Need To Slay Beasts
The latest entry in the venerable Monster Hunter game series is set to launch tomorrow. Known as Monster Hunter Wilds, it’s the next mainline title and marks the beginning of the sixth generation of Monster Hunter games. Wilds brings a great many innovations to the storied franchise, including a persistent mount, the ability to equip two weapons