Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn MoreData is the new oil, an adage coined by British data scientist Clive Humby back in the distant year 2006, has only gained in popularity in the last few years thanks to the generative AI boom.But if thats true, why cant you buy and sell data as easily as you could barrels of crude, as the commodity, as so many companies and people conceive of it? Instead, were undergoing years of court battles and well reported pieces documenting how AI providers (among other companies) have scraped the web for their data in apparent disregard, and potential violation, of copyright. Shouldnt there be a one-stop shop for companies to buy clean, fully licensed data and use it to power their business models and applications a kind of iTunes for data, or Amazon for data? Thats the thinking behind Carbon Arc, a new startup emerging from stealth today with $55 milllion in seed funding led by Liberty City Ventures, with participation from K5 Global, Raptor Group, and Wasserman Media GroupAI Data Utility and real-time Insights Exchange.Its designed to help businesses consume, trade, and integrate structured intelligence without the inefficiencies of traditional data acquisition.The company was founded in March 2021 with a simple but ambitious idea: For all the data that exists in the world, very little of it makes it into the hands of decision-makers, said Kirk McKeown, Carbon Arcs Co-founder and CEO, in an interview with VentureBeat conducted in a cafe in New York City last week.Carbon Arc is addressing that problem by transforming unstructured, siloed datasets into AI-ready insights. Through its proprietary ontology framework, the platform standardizes private data and makes it available on demandoffering an alternative to bulk data contracts that often leave enterprises paying for information they dont fully use.Freeing trapped, real world transaction, behavioral and sentiment dataWhile data is everywhere, much of it remains trapped within corporate balance sheets, enterprise silos, and legacy systems. McKeown describes it as private data is locked on every balance sheet in the world. The economy generates enormous exhaustreceipt data, healthcare claims, trade claims, credit cardsbut its not flowing to decision-makers.At the same time, AI-driven enterprises are facing a shrinking pool of usable public data. With large language models (LLMs) rapidly depleting public datasets, businesses must seek out differentiated, proprietary intelligence to remain competitive.More data means better questions, McKeown said. The big players are going to need more and more differentiated data assets as they come to market.Carbon Arcs solution is to treat data like a financial asset, creating a structured market for data the way equities, bonds, and derivatives trade today. This shift introduces price discovery, demand discovery, and real-time accessbringing liquidity to a historically illiquid data economy.The intelligence age should be no different from past revolutionsevery major technology shift in history has required a transformation in the underlying feedstock for power, McKeown added.How Carbon Arcs data marketplace worksCarbon Arc has built a two-sided marketplace where data owners contribute their datasets, and businesses pay per-megabyte for the insights they use.Consumption-based pricing model Shifting data purchases from large CAPEX expenditures to microtransactions, where density and velocity of consumption drive value.API-driven access Companies can integrate structured intelligence directly into analytics workflows, AI models, and enterprise tools.Granular data selection Unlike platforms that blend KPIs, Carbon Arc ensures raw, unfiltered insights, with McKeown emphasizing, We dont blend KPIs because we dont want to introduce subjective decisionswhat you select is exactly what you get.Scalable architecture Designed for high-frequency intelligence streaming across industries such as finance, retail, AI development, and media.While consumption-based pricing provides flexibility, it can also be difficult to manage. Consumption-based pricing is a great trade, but it scares people because its hard to manage, McKeown admitted. To address this, Carbon Arc is introducing a wallet structure that gives customers better control over their spending.Already powering enterprises across sectorsThe platform is already being leveraged across multiple industries:Financial institutions & hedge funds Using real-time market intelligence for investment models.AI-native companies & LLM developers Enhancing AI training with structured, proprietary datasets.Retail & consumer brands Tracking consumer spending, optimizing merchandising, and forecasting demand.Media & healthcare organizations Improving supply chains, consumer engagement, and operational efficiency.Sports teams The Florida Panthers NHL team used Carbon Arcs insights to analyze fan preferences, leading to new entertainment partnerships.A clean and easy-to-navigate user interface with automatic dashboards and chartsCarbon Arcs platform is designed for ease of use, with interactive data visualizations, API connectivity, and real-time intelligence streaming.Key Interface Features:Customizable filters Users can segment data by category, company, product brand, and key metrics.Interactive data dashboards Charts display insights such as website traffic, POS spending, and supply chain data.Graph-based relationship mapping Users can explore connections between brands, products, and competitors.API-driven integration Ensures structured intelligence flows seamlessly into business intelligence tools and AI models.For retailers, the platform provides real-time comparisons of market share, sales trends, and consumer behavior across competitors like Lululemon, American Eagle, and Abercrombie & Fitch. In enterprise analytics, users can track spending trends across major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Targetenabling data-driven merchandising and pricing strategies.What it means for developers and data decision-makersSoftware developers and data scientists often face significant challenges when dealing with unstructured data. Carbon Arc simplifies this process by automatically structuring raw data, providing real-time insights via API, and eliminating the need for extensive preprocessing.Instead of committing to bulk data contracts, businesses can consume only the insights they need, reducing operational overhead and budget constraints.Key benefits include:Improved data accessibility High-value datasets become available without complex extraction or manual processing.Flexible pricing model Organizations can pay based on actual data consumption, optimizing costs.API-driven integration Data insights can be incorporated directly into existing analytics tools, dashboards, and decision-making workflows.Historical and continuously updated datasets Companies gain up-to-date insights without relying on slow-moving, fragmented data pipelines.AI predictions will only get better over time, but they will always need historical data as a foundation, McKeown explained, stating that Carbon Arc has data going back centuries, yet continuously adds new updates on a weekly or daily basis, depending on the specific segment. Additionally, the company ensures its data is backed up in multiple locations. Were maniacal about redundancy, McKeown told me. I never want to be leveraged by a single data providerwe have multiple sources to protect against pricing hikes or supply disruptions.Turning data from a research product into a tradable assetMcKeown sees Carbon Arcs platform as part of a larger shift in how data is valued and exchanged.Were building a market for data the way equities, bonds, and derivatives trade todaybringing price discovery and demand discovery into a structured exchange.This fundamental shift in data economics could reshape AI, finance, and business intelligence, making real-time insights more accessible and cost-effective.With $55 million in funding, Carbon Arc is well-positioned to redefine how enterprises access, trade, and integrate intelligence. By turning data into a fluid, tradable asset, the company is addressing one of the biggest challenges in AI and business decision-making todayensuring that data is no longer locked away, but actively driving insights and innovation.Daily insights on business use cases with VB DailyIf you want to impress your boss, VB Daily has you covered. We give you the inside scoop on what companies are doing with generative AI, from regulatory shifts to practical deployments, so you can share insights for maximum ROI.Read our Privacy PolicyThanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here.An error occured.

Laura GrayMarch 20, 20255 Min ReadVia Pexels user YankrukovWeve all seen it. The headlines detailing developer harassment after a major release, for the "crime" of certain inclusions, exclusions, or design choices. A showcase livestream comments section filled with hateful commentary and abusive language at specific games and teams. Reports of whole studios being laid off days after the release of a highly anticipated title. We see it every day, but what can we do to change it? Celia Hodent, a game UX strategist, believes a cohesive Code of Conduct for the industry is the answer, and its a lot less intimidating than many might think.Hodent started her breakdown of ethics in games for Western audiences by mentioning several similar codes that exist in other parts of the world. What is important in a code of ethics? was the question she posed.As someone who has always been nervous about censorship and limitations, I was curious to know how a set of rules could make a community safer, and build better games. Her points on ethics in games genuinely changed my perspective on how such a code could make gaming and game development better for everyone.What is a Code of Ethics?When I think code in any capacity, I think of a list of rules. A set of guidelines that govern how people think and act. This is likely why I have perceived a code of ethics as potentially limiting to the creative process. However, Hodent broke down exactly what a Code of Ethics in games would look like. These rules would create protections for players, including safety expectations at events or within a community and security for the player both in purchasing and playing a title. It would also create solid expectations for what players purchase, putting down better rules around monetization and marketing.Related:Most players are more than familiar with how predatory some live-service games can be. Loot boxes, season passes, and microtransactions plague communities, with few guidelines on how they function. Often, the only regulation present is player commentary, and even pushback from communities doesnt always encourage companies to change or improve how they function.Additionally, a code of ethics would create protections for developers and those making games. This would include better transparency of company values, worker protections, diversity, and impact on the environment.In a time where anyone can lose their job for nearly any reason, these types of protections are invaluable for those who pour their heart and soul into a companys IP. It would also create better protections for developers in the trenches, cracking down on harassment, and promoting healthier work environments for those in the industry.Related:It sounds amazing when broken down this way, so why has it taken so long for a code of ethics to be built and used in the Western industry? Unfortunately, a combination of misinformation and perceived barriers have left many unsure about a universal set of guidelines. Hodent explained that this bias has prevented companies from engaging or even pushing back on a potential code.The Barriers Are In Your MindI mentioned above that I had several ideas of what a code of ethics could be like in the games industry. Unfortunately, these barriers are commonplace. Hodent said that a core reason a code of ethics hasnt been implemented is that companies believe it is too expensive, too complicated, or too overreaching to be effective. There are concerns about censorship and many believe that policing to uphold a code would lead to legal and PR nightmares.There are more benefits than we can count when trying to make the industry a safer place both for creators and players. Hodent explained that "we care about players having fun," but much of that fun has been lost in recent years as hostility and anxiety of increased.Related:These codes could ensure the safety of players and developers, but also protect businesses by managing toxicity before it starts. Hodent explained that one of the biggest financial burdens companies shoulder comes from players avoiding titles due to normalized toxicity and harassment. Safe players want to play more, and this in turn helps those making the games.In reality, these "barriers" could be opportunities if we change our mindset. Instead of thinking about a code as expensive, we could see it as an investment. We are investing in an overarching set of guidelines that everyone is meant to adhere to, creating an agreed-upon set of expectations and behaviors.Who Makes The Rules?The hardest part of making a code of ethics is deciding what should be included and how it should look. Hodent explained that we need to "protect our art from moral panics," and base the content of the code on studies and evidence/science-based data. "How are games actually impacting players?" and how can we make guidelines and rules that tackle real problems, not perceived ones?"We need to define what it means to be safe as gamers around the world," she explained, stating that the best way to do this is by agreeing as a collective on true issues, creating solutions, and then supporting these solutions with resources and guidelines.The reality is that a code of ethics in games won't be an easy task, but Hodent believes the time is now. "Together, we can make the industry a safer and more accepting place, she concluded, If there is any moment where standing up for our values in this industry matters, this is it."After having my perception of this issue completely altered by her breakdown, I couldnt agree more.Read more about:GDC 2025Top StoriesFeaturesAbout the AuthorLaura GrayLaura Gray, known as Ezra when not putting pen to paper, is a D&D enthusiast with a love of all things written. They are a collector of fantasy and sci-fi novels, a lover of cooking weird food, and a player of farming sims and Pokmon games. When not engrossed in a re-read of Anne McCaffrey or a deep dive into the Adventure Zone: Balance, they can be found sniffing the cats and napping in half-finished crochet projects.See more from Laura GrayDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

TikTok will now show AMBER Alerts in the US. If theres a missing child in your area, youll see an AMBER Alert directly within your For You feed.In the example shared by TikTok, the AMBER Alert shows a photo of the child, along with relevant details and an option to call 911. TikTok is launching the feature in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, a nonprofit organization mostly funded by the US government.The app began piloting the feature in Texas last year, and said the AMBER Alerts on the platform were viewed more than 20 million times. Despite facing an uncertain future in the US, TikTok has continued to add features geared toward child safety, such as telling teen users to wind down after 10PM.In addition to the automatic AMBER Alert notifications sent to phones in the US, other apps have also added AMBER Alerts over the years, with both Uber and Waze bringing them to their platforms in 2015. Facebook, Instagram, and X have also integrated missing child notifications.

The Magic Note Pad includes a stylus that never needs to be charged. | Image: XP-PenAfter trying to woo artists and creative types away from the iPad with its Magic Drawing Pad, XP-Pen has announced a new Android-based note-taking alternative to the Amazon Kindle Scribe and Remarkable tablets.Unlike those digital notebooks, which are appealing because they lack traditional displays, the XP-Pen Magic Note Pad uses a full-color LCD instead of E Ink. The tablet attempts to emulate the E Ink experience with three quick-access color modes, including a black-and-white option.XP-Pen says the Magic Note Pads nano-etched surface reduces reflection and glare while also simulating the feel of a pen on paper. It has a Light Color Mode that reduces the screens saturation to create an experience that sounds closer to how colors might appear on E Ink devices like the Kindle Colorsoft. The Ink Paper Mode discards color altogether. All three modes are accessible using a dedicated button on the side of the tablet.The included X3 Pro Pencil 2 stylus, which magnetically attaches to a dock on the side of the Magic Note Pad, uses the same electromagnetic resonance technology as Wacoms pens, so it never needs to be charged.The Magic Note Pad is available through XP-Pens online store for $439.99 but is discounted for a limited time to $359.99.

The Road to the Spear focuses entirely on the Aiel trials at Rhuidean, delivering a deeply emotional and revelation-packed episode. While the plot owes a lot to Dune, the amount of time spent exploring Rand and Moiraines visions of the past and future makes for a richer version of the rituals of enlightenment than Denis Villeneuve presented in Dune: Part Two. It also makes for the best episode of season 3 to date.Rand has some good guy talk with Lan, musing on the simple, idyllic life his adoptive blademaster father chose for him even though he was born of bloody conflict. Lan is a steadying presence in Rands life, listening to his problems with patience, gently ribbing him as a sheepherder, and then giving him physical activity to distract him from his problems. Its another way, Lan truly compliments and balances Moiraine, who cant stop worrying about what Rand will do next. Egwene responds to Moiraines fretting with a folksy comment about watched pots never boiling, a perfect reminder of her Emonds Field roots. But what Moiraine is truly terrified of is Rand boiling over, and that gets to the heart of the danger of trying to help the Dragon Reborn. Yes she will still do whatever it takes to help Rand achieve his destiny, even undergoing the dangerous trial with him after its strongly implied that he would die without her.The Aiel taboo about carrying swords leads Aviendha to demonstrate how much better she is at fighting than Rand by quickly knocking him to the ground. Lan is clearly excited for the chance to really show off, and the rest of the Aiel are just as happy to watch a good battle. The match is excellently choreographed, demonstrating their acrobatics and blade skills by the flickering firelight but no blow lands harder than Aviendas reason for picking the fight in the first place.The Wheel of Time Season 3 GalleryLike Rand, she has a destiny she doesnt want to face: Giving up the spear to become a Wise One. Moraine, Egwene, and Rand all exchange knowing looks about how discovering youre a channeler changes the course of your life. Theres such harsh finality in Bair breaking Aviendhas spears, followed by the vulnerability she shows in stripping off her warrior clothes, barely holding back tears as she departs to enter Rhuidean. This mix of severity and tenderness is a powerful show of the Aiels priorities and worldview.But The Road to the Spear is really about the complicated relationship between Moiraine and Rand. Moiraine dedicated her life to the prophecy of the Dragon, but has a hard time actually getting through to the stubborn, arrogant young man who hates the idea of being manipulated by her and the White Tower. Like Avienda, Egwene has to learn a difficult lesson that shes already starting to accept: her path and Rands are no longer aligned. She might want to accompany Rand into Rhuidean, but only Moiraine can see him through that journey.The Road to the Spear is really about the complicated relationship between Moiraine and Rand.The wall of weapons left by those who did not return is a warning of the peril, but also a hilarious opportunity to demonstrate who Moiraine is: She keeps producing hidden knife after hidden knife to go with Rands heron-marked blade. The clouded city is beautifully ominous, filled with titanic sculpture from a lost age and the towering 3,000-year-old tree Avendesora. The story of Moiraines personal link to the Aiel War finally gets Rand to actually hear her out and acknowledge the ties that bind them, before he walks into the mist to begin his trial in earnest.What follows is a trippy, layered story reminiscent not only of Dune but also Cloud Atlas, as Rand journeys further and further back in time. Seeing his biological father fight and mourn his mother gives him a clear answer to the question of how Aiel he is, but its the deeper flashbacks that are even more revealing. Rand digs further into just how much was lost with the Breaking of the World, with the nice touch of Josha Stradowski donning a different costume for every new role and era he inhabits. PlayThe Aiel warriors and pacifist Tinkers seem like they couldnt be more different, but they were once one people. The vision where that truth is revealed is so touching (despite another mediocre longhaired wig for Stradowski) because it starts with Rand and his two best friends, before the air of lighthearted charm is utterly shattered by violence just like in the series premiere. As he goes deeper, theres more to discover about the Aiels progenitors, the losses they suffered, and the origins of their wandering: a dangerous mission to find a safe new home for the Tree of Life.Moiraine has her own strange journey, starting with quietly pocketing the powerful sa'angreal that serves as the female equivalent of the blade that Rand is destined to seize. Avienda seems to be having a truly terrible time in the rings, but Moiraine dives right into her own test, which is even weirder than Rands: She sees lives that might be, and the death and violence that connect most of them. We see her world literally turned upside down as the camera does flips over the heads of Rosamund Pike and her co-stars a jarring transition between Moiraines visions. Theres the simple happiness of life mending fishing nets with Siuan and the grand power of being the Amyrlin Seat (with Egwene standing by as she slits Rands throat). She walks away from Lan and bonds Rand as her Warder. She bows down before the Dragon Reborn and sleeps with him.The Wheel of Time Season 3 Character PostersBut its Lanfear whos the most consistent presence in these dizzying montages; she makes an impact on Rands flashbacks, too. The former Aes Sedai tore open the Dark Ones prison to bring power to the people, though that wasnt her true motivation: Shes clearly driven by her own ambition and a desire to undermine her ex, Lews Therin. Lanfear leads gothed-up versions of most of the shows heroes against Moiraine, strangles Moiraine in bed, stabs her in the White Tower, and kills her over and over again in the desert. If this trial is meant to show Moiraine what must be, her death at the hands of the Daughter of the Night is all but certain.Despite everything he went through, including watching a would-be clan chief die, Rand makes the choice to stay for Moiraine. He carries her out of the desert into Lans waiting arms, once again bonding the two together with the knowledge of who they are and what must come next.

Greg Rucka and Michael Lark's Lazarus (not to be confused with the upcoming Shinichir Watanabe anime Lazarus) has consistently been one of the best books being published by Image Comics in recent years. Now fans are in for some bittersweet news, as Image has announced the series will be reaching its conclusion with Lazarus: Fallen.IGN can exclusively debut the first preview art for Lazarus: Fallen #1. Get a closer look in the slideshow gallery below:Lazarus: Fallen #1 Preview GalleryLazarus: Fallen reunites the entire creative team behind the original series, including Rucka and Lark as well as colorist Santi Arcas, letterer Ariana Maher, editor Alejandro Arbona, and graphic designers Eric Trautmann and Richard Howe.For those not familiar with the series, Lazarus is set in a futuristic dystopia where the world has slid back into feudalism. The world is ruled by a handful of powerful Families, and the genetically engineered super-soldier Forever Carlyle is the top enforcer for the Carlyle Family. But now Forever has finally broken free of her father's control, and she means to bring the entire system crashing down. Michael and I started Lazarus back in 2013, and while we knew we were telling a story that was a distorted reflection of our world, I dont think either of us imagined how less distorted that vision would become, said Rucka in Image's press release. But for all the talk about the world-building, about the vision of the futureor arguably, prescience of the presentLazarus has remained, at its heart, about Forevers journey. Were finally getting to the resolution of itthe ending that weve been working on from the start. Theres so much Im excited about sharing with this final run. There are things that I think will surprise some readerssome twists that they, perhaps, didnt see coming. I know that its been a long wait for these final issues, and Im grateful for the patience our audience has shown. Weve got the most amazing fans, and that is both humbling and gratifying."I'm very happy to get Lazarus back into readers' hands," said Lark. "Greg has given me so much to explore with the characters and storytelling, and I'm really excited about the work I've been doing on the new issues. I think it is some of the best work I've ever done, and I hope readers feel the same."Rucka added, I love working with Michael. He fits my sensibilities for storytelling so effortlessly, and his character work is never anything less than superb. He always delivers on the action, but its in the quiet scenes, in the emotional beats, that I think he shines brightestand its in those moments that the series lives and breathes. This is unquestionably the best work of Michaels career thus far, and that is genuinely saying something. PlayLazarus: Fallen #1 will be released on June 25, 2025.In other comic books news, Marvel revealed a new Thunderbolts team with a killer roster, and we've got an exclusive preview of the TMNT: The Last Ronin II finale.Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.

This article contains spoilers forThe Wheel of Timeseason 3 episode 4.Theres a foundational principle of narrative writing that is particularly important in television storytelling; that of show, dont tell. Prime Videos adaptation of The Wheel of Time has the huge burden of bringing pages and pages of the expansive Robert Jordan series to life, including the rich history of the world it inhabits and the cultures therein. With the Aiel people being so important to Rands part in the Last Battle, what better way to learn about their vast backstory than through a series of insightful flashbacks?Rhuidean, we learn in the course of this weeks episode, is a place specifically created by the Aes Sedai of the last age to teach the Aiel chiefs and wise women about where they came from and why the Tree of Life is so sacred to them. The visions brought about by the magical glass columns of the city reveal one surprising fact more powerful than any exposition could have done: the fierce desert warriors have a pacifist origins!We already met the Tuathaan, or Tinkers, in season 1 of The Wheel of Time, and they evoke equal parts gypsy and medieval hippie. To call them treehuggers in the headline of this article is no exaggeration. Avendesora, the Tree of Life, literally radiates peace, and Rand (and later the ancestors we see in his visions) are seen actually embracing the trunk. The Way of the Leaf, the philosophy of non-violence, therefore makes direct reference to the tree that inspired their dedication to peace.The word Tuathaan means Traveling People in the Old Tongue, but they were not always wanderers. They were originally simple farmers known as the Dashain Aiel, who sang a joyful harvest song now lost in the modern age. But somewhere along the way, it was the oathbreakers that took the Aiel name as their own and moved into the desert. The example Rand saw in his vision was that of a young man who stumbled into violence during a botched rescue attempt and was banished for his troubles.The oath that they broke, as illustrated by this scene, was the promise to never use violence, even to save their own. The flashback revealed the reason swords are shunned in favor of the spear as well as the origins of the shrouded face during battle. Presumably, all Aiel chiefs must see this broken past to maintain their humility, understand their purpose, and protect the Aes Sedai artifacts entrusted to them. Not all warriors can accept what they see and perish among the glass columns.Interestingly, the saangreal (basically a magic amplifier) that Moiraine removes from Avendesora is named as the Sekarnen in one of Rands flashbacks, a female counterpart to the sword Callandor, which Rand is supposed to wield in the Last Battle. However, readers will note that the orb shape is more reminiscent of the access keys for the Choedan Kal, and it remains to be seen if The Wheel of Time will conflate some of the powerful saangreal that show up in the books for simplicitys sake.Moiraines visions were of futures that might be or might have been, whereas Rands were of important moments of the past. Moiraine will have to navigate away from the many paths that leave her or Rand (but mostly her) at the mercy of the Forsaken, whereas Rand has been given a clearer idea of the scale of his mission and the role the Aiel must play.Perhaps the flashbacks serve as a stark warning. The Aiel, who take great pride in their customs, were once pacifists who abandoned their original way of life due to desperation and survival. This revelation may force Rand to consider the dangers of rigidly clinging to tradition and prophecy, particularly when it conflicts with greater responsibilities. But one might argue that hes already learned this lesson by not going where hes expected to go this season.The episode effectively underscores the idea that history is cyclical. Just as the Aiel were forced to adapt, Rand himself must decide what parts of his past he will embrace and what he must leave behind. Will his experience in Rhidean give him the sense of belonging he so craves, or will it be yet another burden on his shoulders as he asks his newfound people to sacrifice everything for him? It will be interesting to see where The Wheel of Time goes from here.

The prospect of debuting a film at SXSW would excite any filmmaker, but few can match the energy of director Eli Craig, who premiered his movie Clown in a Cornfield there last week. He was so excited, in fact, that he couldnt help but shout Im effing back, baby! after walking into the Den of Geek Studio in Austin.I wanted to be here so bad, Craig elaborates. You know, when youre a writer-director, a lot of projects that you spend a lot of time on dont get made. But this was one I had to see to the end and I had to play at SXSW. It was my dream, my focused dream from the moment I said yes to the script, to be here now.Craigs enthusiasm is due to the fact that it isnt his first time at the festival. Fifteen years ago, Craig brought another horror film to SXSW, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil. While Tucker and Dale has long since secured its place in the horror-comedy cult canon, Craig has only made two feature films since, and one is Clown in a Cornfield. Hence the enthusiasm.The joy also might be explained by the energy of the movie itself, which adapts a YA novel by Adam Cesare. This movies a ride, Craig promises. I wanted to make like something that gets you locked in and gives you this experience. I think horror can do that. It can transport you with an adrenaline rush. For Craig, that rush makes horror special, especially in our current climate. So much of our culture right now is looking like dopamine hits and little moments of rush, he argues.I love how horror scares us out of our own heads, adds veteran genre actor Kevin Durand, who plays Arthur Hill in Clown in a Cornfield. It scares us out of our own lives. Sometimes when you sit down and watch a drama, you need really compelling things happening on screen just to draw you in. Whereas horror, when its done properly, doesnt say, Hey, why dont you come over here? It says, Get over here! And you go, Okay. And we love that.Craig also hoped to tap into horrors power by drawing from the great slasher movies of yore in Clown.I was definitely thinking of the old 80s slasher horror like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Halloween, even just masked slasher, the director admits. One thing thats really fun about making a movie thats this size is the tempo and the pace of it. Were shooting really fast and were doing a lot of practical effects, not relying on CG. I want to almost never use CG if I can get away with it. Theres a tiny bit of embellishment in the movie, but almost no VFX shots. Just a lot of live, in-camera stuff.The commitment to the classics is part of what helped Craig bond with Cesare, who admits that his first question when getting on set was about the intended rating of the movie.So we think this is going to be an R? Because the books are YA, Cesare laughs now about his first question to people working on the movie. And Eli was like, Yeah, Im pumping the blood. Its definitely going to be an R! Thats so great to hear, as a horror fan.For actor Aaron Abrams, horror provides that thrill in part because it brings people back to their youth. I think its something the audience is familiar with. Theres a sense of nostalgia, Abrams tells us. But within that nostalgia and familiarity, it can take right turns when youre expecting left turns and constantly surprise and reinvent the wheel.That mixture of familiarity and surprise is central to Clown in a Cornfield, which takes its structure from 80s horror movies. This movie is kind of a familiar throwback slasher, but it has a very specific vision behind the camera with its sense of humor, says Abrams. It has a different kind of final girl. I think it has points-of-view and things to say on top of having, you know, a psychopath and clown makeup running around killing kids, which is, you know, really great.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Ironically, actor Katie Douglas character Quinn has the exact opposite approach to the past. Shes pretty bummed out, Douglas says of her characters feelings about moving to a small town at the start of the movie. She recently went through something really hard, but shes doing a good job at looking forwards and keeping it together. But there are outside forces in her life holding her back, like her dad running away from his problems and bringing her to a new town.I grew up in a town that like that, Durand adds, about a decade kind of behind the rest of the world. This town [in Clown in a Cornfield] feels like a couple decades behind, if not more.Were losing that small town feeling in America, explains Cesare. Everything is a strip mall, its all the same thing. This film tries to evoke the idea that towns have their own little idiosyncrasies and unique problemsespecially if theres a murderous clown.Of course nothing ever stays the same, certainly not a festival like SXSW, which has changed quite a bit in the 15 years between Tucker and Dale vs. Evil and Clown in a Cornfield. For Craig, thats a good thing.When I was screening Tucker and Dale, I was begging a distributor to come to our screening because its freaking hilarious, Craig remembers. It still took us nine months to get distribution. Now, we have great publicists. Our film is being distributed in two months, he adds. Ifeel like this is a blessing were here right now.Clown in a Cornfield comes to theaters nationwide on May 9 2025.

There are numerous features developers must consider implementing when developing their games. These could be large, overarching ones How big should the game world be? Will it need to support multiplayer? or some of the less critical, but no less important, questions to answer like what color should the doors be on a house?Accessibility in gaming has grown significantly in recent years among game developers who have been more conscious of adding these types of features into their games, ensuring more people can play them across all facets of the gaming community. This could be anything from including a color-blind option, a high contrast mode, or game difficulty adjustments to name a few.At this years ID@Xbox Showcase event at GDC, I had a chance to talk with Philip Crabtree, technical director and co-founder of Kaizen Game Works Limited, who was showcasing Promise Mascot Agency, which had the Xbox Adaptive Controller as well as the newly launched Xbox Adaptive Joystick enabled at their demo station. I was immediately curious to ask how the team decided to dedicate development resources to accessibility, and why it was important to them.I dont think there was a decision; I think it was just something we wanted to do. And I think it was pretty much an unspoken understanding. Whenever an idea came up for an accessibility feature, we didnt have a meeting about it. Its just, Im putting it in, its as simple as that, explains Crabtree. If something comes to us, like a suggestion from someone who played the demo or something weve seen in another game, then its just mentioned, and we put it in where we can. Its not a very complicated process.In Promise Mascot Agency, you play Mitchy, an exiled Yakuza living in a dying town who is seeking redemption. Your goal is to rebuild a mascot agency by recruiting mascots, helping them regain confidence, and renovating the town where they live. Crabtree describes it as an open-world narrative adventure game that combines crime drama with mini-games and car battles.Crabtrees previous game, Paradise Killer had several accessibility settings that Kaizens community responded well to, but they also identified several limitations, such as the inability to alter the style of text dialogue. So, with Promise Mascot Agency, accessibility was a feature they wanted to push further and prioritized it early in development.In our Promise Mascot Agency, you drive around in a truck, so we wanted to make sure you could do things like drive without having to hold the triggers. So, weve implemented modes where you can just tap to drive and tap to reverse. Same thing with boosting tap to do this or that. We also wanted to introduce options like high contrast mode so you can easily see objectives on the screen, Crabtree says while detailing some of the accessibility settings theyve implemented. Where there are elements of difficulty, like timers, we wanted to make all those settings changeable so you can make it easier to chase or have more time to read the text. Anything we could think of that was achievable for a small team, we tried to get it in there.I asked Crabtree if there were any specific accessibility features the team really wanted to ensure worked well with Promise Mascot Agency, including those that may center around playing with the Xbox Adaptive Controller which was on-hand at the event for attendees to try. The answer? Everything.Everyone wanted the whole game to work (with it). Theres no point in just having 10 percent of the game accessible we wanted the whole thing. So, once we had [the Xbox Adaptive Controller] in front of us and we could use it, it was then just trying to figure out what the correct method of control is, explains Crabtree. As I mentioned before, rather than holding a button down to accelerate, you could tap. And then when you want to brake, do you tap the same button? Do you tap a different button? Its just trying options to see what fit we wanted every feature to work with it and I think we managed to get that.The team also got to experience using the new Xbox Adaptive Joystick with their game. The new Xbox Adaptive Joystick is great I didnt realize it existed until very recently. Im happy just to have held it its a wonderful little thing, says Crabtree.When we got the first [Xbox Adaptive Controller], the obvious downfall was we needed an analog stick the games we make need an analog stick. So, youd need most if not all the buttons on the controller. That was the first problem when looking at our old games before the new controller came out. But the Xbox Adaptive Joystick is very flexible to assign how you want. It didnt take anytime at all to figure out how to just control it.As Crabtree points out to me, its about spotting opportunities in how you approach accessibility. Its not that a developer needs to think too hard about getting it perfect or questioning who will like it or who wont like it. Its about giving players options and trying to identify what they might be; its fairly straightforward, he says. Any developer making a game just wants people to play it and wants people to enjoy it. And with these controllers, more people can enjoy it. It feels pretty good to be able to let people find it and connect with the games that previously might have been out of reach.And for those developers who are just starting to look at ways to make their game accessible, Crabtree boiled it down simply here as well: Just do it.Dont overthink it. Just have a look at your game and say, Well what is accessibility? Dont just think about motion. Think about things like timers, which could add initial stress or cognitive issues, where you can give people more time to understand what they need to do to take things at their own pace, Crabtree details.Think about all the actions players take in a game. How can you make it more accessible? You dont have to hit everything. Itd be wonderful if you could, but every little bit helps. And once youve done one implementation, then that bit of knowledge can go forward to implement something else. And then on your next game, you can start with that and then keep expanding. So, just do it. People want to play your games. Help them play it.Promise Mascot Agency is set for release soon for Xbox Series X|S and will launch day one with Game Pass. You can also check out a free demo of Promise Mascot Agency here.Promise Mascot Agency DemoKaizen Game Works Limited18Get it nowFrom the creators of Paradise Killer comes a mind-bending open-world narrative adventure mascot management simulator where mascots are more than just symbols theyre unpredictable forces of nature! Step into the chaos, unravel the conspiracies, drive a tiny truck and try to keep it all together in Promise Mascot Agency!Welcome to the Mascot Hustle You thought mascots were just fluffy, innocent brand ambassadors? Think again. The Mascots are all living, breathing, fully formed personalities, with dreams, fears, and the occasional breakdowns of their own- just like us! Whether its Trororo, a charming cat whos a little too obsessed with "adult video" or sweet, silken To-Fu, who cant stop sobbing, your job is to befriend, mentor, and (hopefully) get these mascots to finish their jobs without causing a major catastrophe.Play Your Cards RightSending your mascots out to work is never as easy as it sounds. One minute theyre promoting delicious food, the next theyre stuck in a doorway or starting a kitchen inferno. Need help? Good thing Kaso-Machi is full of intrepid everyday heroes ready to lend a hand (if youve managed to befriend them, of course). Unlock Hero Cards, featuring Kaso-Machis lovable local weirdos like Captain Sign, Japans only road-sign superhero (dont ask questions), or Mama-San, a bar owner with a serious latex collection. These heroes will step in to provide help when your mascots inevitably lose control.Tear Through Town in Your Upgradable Kei TruckKaso-Machi is a town full of secrets, and Michi isnt just stuck in an office managing mascots hes on the road in his rusty (but upgradeable!) Kei Truck. This nifty little ride may look like a heap of junk, but with a few tweaks, itll have nitro boosts, glider wings, and even the ability to launch Pinky Michis maniacal mascot assistant like a missile. Use your truck to explore the strange, forgotten town, unlock collectibles, and uncover hidden mysteries. Who knew a Kei Truck could be your best friend in a town where literally everything else hates you?!Crime! Drama! A Walking Finger?! Exiled after an ambush that left his clan in shambles, Michi finds himself piecing together the mystery of what really happened, while the town seems to actively conspire against him. Nightmare spirits seem a little too interested in your business, and theres an ever-present sense that somethings very, very wrong in this placeThink you can resist? Think again. The mascots know where you live. Step into the world of Promise Mascot Agency and claim your place in this brave new world of mascot domination.Promise Mascot AgencyKaizen Game Works LimitedGet it nowFrom the creators of Paradise Killer comes a mind-bending open-world narrative adventure mascot management simulator where mascots are more than just symbols theyre unpredictable forces of nature! Step into the chaos, unravel the conspiracies, drive a tiny truck and try to keep it all together in Promise Mascot Agency!Welcome to the Mascot Hustle You thought mascots were just fluffy, innocent brand ambassadors? Think again. The Mascots are all living, breathing, fully formed personalities, with dreams, fears, and the occasional breakdowns of their own- just like us! Whether its Trororo, a charming cat whos a little too obsessed with "adult video" or sweet, silken To-Fu, who cant stop sobbing, your job is to befriend, mentor, and (hopefully) get these mascots to finish their jobs without causing a major catastrophe.Play Your Cards RightSending your mascots out to work is never as easy as it sounds. One minute theyre promoting delicious food, the next theyre stuck in a doorway or starting a kitchen inferno. Need help? Good thing Kaso-Machi is full of intrepid everyday heroes ready to lend a hand (if youve managed to befriend them, of course). Unlock Hero Cards, featuring Kaso-Machis lovable local weirdos like Captain Sign, Japans only road-sign superhero (dont ask questions), or Mama-San, a bar owner with a serious latex collection. These heroes will step in to provide help when your mascots inevitably lose control.Tear Through Town in Your Upgradable Kei TruckKaso-Machi is a town full of secrets, and Michi isnt just stuck in an office managing mascots hes on the road in his rusty (but upgradeable!) Kei Truck. This nifty little ride may look like a heap of junk, but with a few tweaks, itll have nitro boosts, glider wings, and even the ability to launch Pinky Michis maniacal mascot assistant like a missile. Use your truck to explore the strange, forgotten town, unlock collectibles, and uncover hidden mysteries. Who knew a Kei Truck could be your best friend in a town where literally everything else hates you?!Crime! Drama! A Walking Finger?! Exiled after an ambush that left his clan in shambles, Michi finds himself piecing together the mystery of what really happened, while the town seems to actively conspire against him. Nightmare spirits seem a little too interested in your business, and theres an ever-present sense that somethings very, very wrong in this placeThink you can resist? Think again. The mascots know where you live. Step into the world of Promise Mascot Agency and claim your place in this brave new world of mascot domination.

Cancel your plans, weve got something for everyone to play this weekend with Free Play Days! Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance, Bassmaster Fishing, Warhammer Inquisitor Martyr Ultimate Edition and Thief Simulator are available this weekend for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members to play from Thursday March 20 at 12:01am Pacific until Sunday, March 23 at 11:59pm Pacific.How To Start PlayingFind and install the games on each of the individual game details page onXbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.Keep The Fun GoingPurchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.Free Play Days (Xbox Game Pass Membership Required)Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Digital Deluxe EditionSEGA119$69.99$41.99Get it nowShin Megami Tensei V: VengeanceEmbark on this definitive version of the critically acclaimed Shin Megami Tensei V, massively expanded with a brand-new storyline featuring new locations, demons, and choices to make that will dictate the fate of all existence.Bassmaster FishingDovetail Games Fishing212$39.99$7.99Get it nowBassmaster FishingOptimized for Xbox Series X|S, Smart DeliveryGrab those shades, attach that lure and get ready to reel in a prize catch The real-world Bassmaster Classic takes place this weekend and you can join the angling action with Bassmaster Fishing on Xbox! Anglers can relive the thrill of big bass fishing and explore locations around the USA. Whether taking to the water solo or playing online against other anglers, the right combination of boats, rods, lures, reels and sunglasses, will determine whether you lift that coveted Bassmaste trophy or flounder at the foot of the leader board. If youre casting out this weekend Tight lines!Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor Martyr Ultimate EditionNacon171$49.99$12.49Get it nowWarhammer 40,000: Inquisitor Martyr Ultimate EditionOptimized for Xbox Series X|SThe Ultimate Edition includes Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor Martyr and all additional content. You are an Inquisitor, the Imperiums most powerful agent. In this action-RPG, choose from amongst several character classes and take part in tactical and violent combat, in solo or co-op mode.Thief SimulatorPlayWay S.A. 212$19.99Get it nowThief SimulatorBecome the real thief. Steal in free roam sandbox neighborhoods. Observe your target and gather information that will help you with the burglary. Take the challenge and rob the best secured houses. Buy some hi-tech burglar equipment and learn new thief tricks. Sell stolen goods to the passers. Do anything that a real thief does!