Ive been meaning to post here more, I really like this forum and real time stuff is super fun.This is an effect I did for a Houdini Course I took last semester. I wanted to push myself and do something in Unreal so I looked into (finally) trying to understand how VATs work (I still dont really think I get it but Im somewhat confident I can use it as a tool so thats good).I wanted this effect to be an area control effect in a hero shooter environment, like Meis ice wall, but using lava that cools and solidifies as a part of the effect. Heres what I came up with: https://youtu.be/pHNSkQQRPIEAnd Heres a breakdown of the effect in Houdini: https://youtu.be/_1f4Es9hC5sI start the effect with a static mesh for a projectile, then when it collides I check the normal of the collision and if its the floor it spawns a new blueprint, which just plays the animation then shows a static mesh (the actual mesh exported by Houdini is just a cloud triangles, its also way higher poly count than the static export so it really should not exist for very long). Heres what the 3 Meshes look like:I made the parts of the mesh which cool quickly shiny, like obsidian glass, and the slower cooling bits more rough looking to actually mimic how cooled lava actually looks. Im really happy with the final look but I think I could work more on the initial lava shading, maybe even have it glow, and shoot sparks and smoke or something.My next step is going to see if I can get this running in Godot, its seems like quite a challenge since the Unreal material graph for reading the dynamic remesh textures is kind of a mess thats been hard to parse. If anyone knows of any secret documentation as to how Vertex Animation Textures work I definitely need to read up on this system a bit more.

Situated on the Cheaha Mountain summit, Cheaha State Park is Alabamas first state park. It opened in 1933 and covers nearly 3,000 acres. Many structures in the park are the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a New Dealera program created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression that improved the quality of public, natural resources across the country. Cabins and A-frame structures built in the 1930s cemented Cheaha State Parks place as a hospitable nature destination among the Appalachian foothills. A new construction project now underway at the state park sets out to revamp a former hotel lodge, continuing this legacy. Chambless King Architects has joined the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) to build the Cheaha State Park Lodge, a renovation of the former hotel and visitor center within Cheaha State Park in Delta, Alabama.With the original facilities of the lodge beginning to deteriorate, the project was set in motion in May 2022 when Alabama voters approved a bond issue that provided $80 million to significantly improve park facilities around the state. The former Cliffside Hotel was built in 1973 and will undergo selective demolition and renovation as the new project progresses.The project involves razing part of the existing hotel structure to build a new one outfitted with a cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure. Parts of the existing structure will house park administration offices. Other long-standing facilities will be renovated and converted: the Vista Event Center (formerly the restaurant) will become the new lobby space. It will house guest check-in services, staff office space, and a transitional bar for a daytime cafe and nighttime cocktail bar anchored with lounge seating against an existing floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace.The three residential towers contain 32 total units, and are connected by breezeways with perforated cladding. (Courtesy Chambless King Architects)The design will create a hotel facility that leverages its extraordinary location atop Mount Cheaha and generates the sense of a vibrant, lived-in mountaintop village, shared Jared Fulton, principal at Chambless King Architects and lead architect for the project. We hope the completed project will enrich the lives of overnight guests and visitors at Cheaha State Park, encouraging them to treasure the mountain for its beauty, ecological impact, and historical importance. Each of the 32 guest units planned for the Cheaha State Park Lodge will be oriented to take advantage of the state parks landscape and topography. The new design adds additional conference, recreational, circulation spaces, and a rooftop deck that will allow guests to be embedded into the surrounding environment without exiting the property.The 32 hotel units each have balcony access and vary in configuration. (Courtesy Chambless King Architects)The units with private balconies feature eight room configurations that include pet-friendly, ADA-accessible, and connecting rooms. Capitalizing on the sites topography, the buildings form features a horizontal stepping scheme. Alongside creative framing this strategy allows each unit to offer a unique vantage point of previously inaccessible views from the top of Mount Cheaha. Perforated aluminum cladding draws visual interest across the faces of the towers compromising the main lodge. The contemporary material contrasts the tried-and-true masonry and wood used elsewhere and inside.The building is a hybrid mass timber structure, featuring CLT floors with concrete topping slabs supported by CLT and wood stud-framed walls atop a concrete foundation. The project will use building materials sustainably sourced in Alabama, including exposed mass timber and stone. Upon completion, the Lodge, according to the architects, will be the largest CLT construction project in the state.A rooftop bar and lounge will offer a sweeping 360-degree viewing range. (Courtesy Chambless King Architects)The new hotel units will be connected to the existing Vista Event Center, which also features a pair of CLT roofs supported by CLT walls and glulam columns. Additionally, the existing pool will be converted into an observation deck and event pavilion that will serve as a trailhead for Pulpit Rock. Home to the states highest point at 2,407 feet, the Creek Nation called it Cheaha, meaning the high place. The new design finds ways to emphasize this vantage point throughout, including the addition of the rooftop bar. The existing large observation deck will remain, framing the vista and further connecting guests to nature. Native and drought-tolerant plants, trees, and wildflowers will further integrate the architecture into the natural habitat.Site preparation began in December 2024. The project is expected to be completed in 2026.

Its been nearly 100 years since construction started on Canberra, Australias purpose-built federal capital city. Now, for the first time since then, a new major city is springing up in the nation continent: Bradfield City Centre. The 280-acre metropolis, next to the new Western Sydney International Airport, is a gargantuan undertaking backed by the New South Wales State Government. Construction on the citypoised to support tourism, economic activity and employmentis underway, with its first building, the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility, recently completed.Hassell, a global studio, designed First Building for the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility. It was conceived to be regenerative, adaptable and deeply connected to First Nations culture.The design used modular fabrication and construction which makes the building easily disassembled, expanded, or even relocated. (Mark Syke/Courtesy Hassell)As Bradfield City Centre takes shape, the First Building is a bold statement about whats possible, said Liz Westgarth, Hassell principal in charge. It sets a strong benchmark for how Bradfield will developgreat design, sustainable and honoring Country. Its more than a buildingits a living example of how we can transform our cities and our lives. In addition to a manufacturing hall there are also office spaces and areas for hosting exhibitions or talks. (Mark Syke/Courtesy Hassell)The First Building was inspired by the Cumberland Plain where it sits, and the areas natural waterways more broadly. It used modular fabrication and construction methods which make it easily disassembled, expanded, or even relocated.The architects opted for timber for its low-carbon properties. (Mark Syke/Courtesy Hassell)A kit-of-parts construction that can be reconfigured and reused ensures the buildings longevity and responsiveness to Bradfields future needs, representing the citys commitment to adaptability and circularity, Westgarth continued. The First Building proves that you can innovate, that you can create something extraordinary for a public, government project. Its time to move forward, to embrace new ideas and to show that sustainability and great design belong together. And the First Building is our proof.The design uses a color palette and materials that blur the line between built form and nature.The building is topped with a green roof. (Vinchy Wu/Courtesy Hassell)Rammed earth and recycled tiles, coupled with building systems that minimize waste and extend the structures life cycle of resources, were used with circular economy principles in mind. According to the Bradfield Development Authority, a 30 percent reduction in embodied carbon was achieved in the project by opting to use timber and low-carbon concrete.This project marks the completion of stage one of the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF).Stage Two is slated for completion in late 2025. The forthcoming Second Building will also house manufacturing facilities.Future plans seek to bring commercial development to the site and call for parks, hotels, and residences.

This brick, Federal style house,is located adjacent to the First Universalist Church of Salem amongst a sea of urban renewal-period housing, and is a reminder for Planners to think about the long-term implications in their work. This house was built in 1811 forThomas Perkins, a local merchant whose brother was its first occupant. After successive ownership throughout the 19thand early 20th centuries, in 1950,Bessie E. Monroe purchased the premises and moved into the home. When the citybegan urban renewal planning for the area in the 1960s, the building was occupied by Bessie Monroe, who at the time was an elderly woman. The Salem Redevelopment Authority acquired the house through eminent domain and the house was targeted for demolition. The Redevelopment Authority, concerned with how relocation would affectBessie Monroes health, decided to take the property but allow Mrs. Monroe to live there until her death. This decision delayed the planned demolition of the building, even though all other targeted properties were demolished. Luckily, the renewal plan changed its focus from new construction to restoration of existing buildings between the time of the taking and Bessie Monroes death. The building was then sold to an owner interested in restoring the structure, now the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a testament to the benefits of preservation over short-sighted planning policy.

The Amazon Big Spring Sale is almost here. But if you can't wait to upgrade your gaming setup or pick up a new game, you can snag great discounts right now on everything from laptops and desktops to SSDs and headsets. Retailers like Best Buy and Walmart are running competing sale events, which means you can compare markdowns and prices to find the best value high-end tech.Also: The best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals live nowNot only will you be able to find discounts on everything you need for PC gaming, but you can also find markdowns across Amazon for PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch games, console bundles, and accessories. I've created a list of the best deals for gaming PCs, consoles, and accessories to help you find the right fit for your budget.See at AmazonBest gaming deals for Amazon Spring Sale 2025Logitech G Pro wireless gaming mouse: $70 (save $60): An excellent wireless gaming mouse with an ergonomic design, 25,600 DPI sensor, and compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Chrome.Sony InZone H9: $200 (save $100): The official wireless headset for the PS5 with 360-degree spatial sound, noise-canceling tech, and support for PC use.HyperX Alloy Origins 60: $53 (save $47): A compact, ten-keyless gaming keyboard with HyperX linear red switches, RGB backlighting, and Ngenuity software support.Asus TUF A17 gaming laptop: $1,179 (save $321): An excellent mid-range gaming laptop with a 17.3-inch display, 144Hz refresh rate, RTX 4060 graphics card, and AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor.Samsung T7 Shield 2TB portable SSD: $150 (save $135): Expand your game storage with this rugged 2TB portable SSD, with IP65 moisture and dust resistance, and protection against shocks and drops.Gigabyte Aorus 16X: $1,500 (save $450): A high-end gaming laptop with a 165Hz refresh rate, RTX 4070 GPU, and Intel Core i7-14650HZ processor. Asus/ZDNET Current price: $1,180Original price: $1,500A mid-range gaming laptop with a 17-inch display that supports a 144Hz refresh rate, and is built with an RTX 4060 graphics card, AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor, 1TB SSD, and 16GB of RAM. Show more View now at Amazon Samsung/ZDNET Current price: $150Original price: $285A rugged portable SSD with 2TB of storage and an IP65 rating for moisture and dust resistance to help protect your data from corruption and loss. Show more View now at Amazon Gigabyte/ZDNET Current price: $1,500Original price: $1,950A high-end gaming laptop with a 16-inch display that supports a 165Hz refresh rate and 2560 x 1600 resolution. The device is built with an Intel Core i7-14650HX CPU, RTX 4070 graphics card, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD. Show more View now at Amazon Sony/PlayStation/ZDNET Current price: $200Original price: $300The official wireless headset for the PlayStation 5 features 360-degree spatial audio for better immersion and a noise-canceling microphone for clearer in-game chat. Show more View now at Amazon More Amazon Spring Sale 2025 gaming deals Gigabyte/ZDNETHyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless: $143 (save $57): The Cloud Alpha Wireless is one of my favorite gaming headsets with a 300-hour battery life, DTS Headphone:X spatial audio support, and a noise-canceling mic.Logitech G X52 Pro USB flight control system: $160 (save $70): A starter pair of joysticks for flight sim enthusiasts and beginners.Razer Viper V2 Pro HyperSpeed wireless: $85 (save $65): An excellent wireless gaming mouse with a 30K DPI sensor, 90-hour battery life, and 5 programmable buttons.Official Luna wireless controller: $45 (save $35): The official controller for use with Amazon's Luna cloud gaming service.SteelSeires Aerox 3 wireless: $50 (save $50): A great wireless gaming mouse with an 18K DPI sensor, ultra-lightweight design, and IP54 moisture and dust resistance.Netgear Nighthawk dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router: $113 (save $65): Get faster, more reliable wireless internet speeds and connectivity, and coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft.HyperX QuadCast S: $90 (save $70): A great USB microphone offering plug-and-play compatibility with PC and Mac for Discord, in-game chat, and content creation.More Amazon Spring Sale 2025 gaming laptop deals HP/ZDNETAsus ROG Strix G16: $1,400 (save $300): A premium-grade gaming laptop with a 16-inch display that supports up to a 240Hz refresh rate, RTX 4060 GPU, 14th gen Intel Core i9 processor, and Wi-Fi 6E support.Alienware M18 R2 laptop: $4,320 (save $480): Dell's flagship Alienware gaming laptop has an 18-inch display with a 165Hz refresh rate, 14th gen Intel Core i9 CPU, RTX 4090 GPU, and 8TB SSD.Acer Nitro 16: $740 (save $260): An entry-level gaming laptop with an AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS processor, RTX 4050 graphics card, and a 16-inch display that supports up to a 165Hz refresh rate.HP Victus 16 laptop: $700 (save $400): An entry-level gaming laptop built with an AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS processor, RTX 3050 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD.Omen Transcend 14 laptop: $1,800 (save $450): A creator-grade gamign laptop built with an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, 32GB of RAM, 2TB SSD, and RTX 4070 graphics card, The 14-inch display gives you 3K resolution for better detailing and color accuracy.Alienware x16 R2: $2,200 (save $500): A high-end gaming laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H CPU, RTX 4070 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD.More Amazon Spring Sale 2025 gaming desktop deals MSI/ZDNETIntel Core i7-14700KF: $295 (save $140): Upgrade your Intel-based gaming PC with this 14th gen Intel Core processor that sports 20 cores and is unlocked for overclocking up to 5.6GHz.Acer Predator Orion 5000: $2,100 (save $400): This high-end gaming desktop is built with an Intel Core i7-13700F processor, RTX 4070 Ti graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.HP Victus 15L desktop: $590 (save $440): A great entry-level gaming desktop built with a 12th gen Intel Core i5 CPU, Intel Arc A380 graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.HP Omen 25L desktop: $800 (save $520): A mid-range rig built with an Intel Core i5-14400F CPU, RTX 3050 graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD.Alienware Area-51: $4,650 (save $400): This high-end, creator-grade gaming desktop is built with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor, RTX 5080 graphics card, 65GB of RAM, 4TB of storage, and a 1500W platinum-rated power supply.More Amazon Spring Sale 2025 PlayStation 5 deals Sony/PlayStation/ZDNETPDP Victrix Pro BFG wireless controller: $150 (save $30): A pro-grade wireless controller for the PS5 with customizable buttons, remappable controls, and a 20-hour battery life.Madden NFL 25: $30 (save $40): The latest entry in the long-running Madden NFL franchise with updated team rosters and streamlined controls.Star Wars Outlaws Amazon Exclusive Limited Edition: $40 (save $30): This Amazon-exclusive version of the game includes character cosmetics for Kay and Nix.Sony InZone H3 wired headset: $60 (save $40): Sony's officially licensed gaming headset for the PS5 with 360-degree spatial audio, Discord-certified microphone, and 3.5mm audio connection.Razer Kaira HyperSpeed wireless: $90 (save $40): A wireless gaming headset for use with the PS5 featuring a 30-hour batteyr life, Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity, and attached microphone.More Amazon Spring Sale 2025 Nintendo Switch deals Nintendo/ZDNETNintendo Switch OLED: $330 (save $20): The latest iteration of the Nintendo Switch console features an OLED screen for handheld mode and 64GB of internal storage.Power A Joy Con comfort grip: $10 (save $5): An ergonomic grip for the Joy Con controllers to make playing games like platformers and first-person shooters easier.Power A enhanced Nintendo Switch controller wireless: $35 (save $25): A pro-style gamepad for the Nintendo Switch with up to a 30-hour battery life and remappable inputs.Sonic X Shadow Generations: $35 (save $15): Modern and Classic Sonic team up with Shadow the Hedgehog to take on Dr. Eggman and the Time Eater.Star Wars Heritage Pack: $45 (save $15): This bundle includes seven classic Star Wars game titles, including Republic Commando and Knights of the Old Republic.The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: $53 (save $18): Link returns to Hyrule with new abilities and allies to take on Ganon.Epic Mickey Rebrushed: $36 (save $25): A remaster of the classic Epic Mickey game with new abilities and refreshed visuals.Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: $50 (save $10): The ever-popular kart racing game lets you take on friends in local or online matches or test your skill against several race modes.The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom: $50 (save $10): Play as Princess Zelda as she embarks on a journey across Hyrule to save Link and the kingdom from the evil of Ganon.More Amazon Spring Sale 2025 Xbox Series X|S deals Microsoft/Xbox/ZDNETTurtle Beach Stealth Ultra wireless controller: $165 (save $35): A pro-grade wireless gamepad for the Xbox Series X|S with a 30-hour battery and remappable inputs.Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma wired controller: $80 (save $70): A pro-grade wired controller with RGB lighting, remappable inputs, and an ergonomic design.Power A wireless controller: $85 (save $15): A Fortnite-themed wireless gamepad for the Xbox Series X|S with a 30-hour battery and 3-way trigger locks.Metaphor ReFantazio Launch Edition: $44 (save $26): A turn-based RPG from the developers behind the popular Persona series.More Amazon Spring Sale SSD and storage deals Samsung/ZDNETCrucial T500 1TB Gen 4 NVMe M.2 SSD: $80 (save $75): Instantly add 1TB of storage to your PS5 with this internal SSD. The drive also features an integrated heatsink to help keep your console running at optimal temperatures.WD_Black 8TB SN850P M.2 SSD: $665 (save $365): Instantly add 8TB of storage to your PS5 with this officially licensed SSD.Samsung 990 Pro 2TB with heatsink: $180 (save $90): This 2TB internal SSD features an integrated heatsink to help keep the drive running at optimal temperatures.Samsung 990 Evo Plus 4TB M.2 SSD: $250 (save $95): This internal SSD gives you read and write speeds up to 7250MB/s and is great for desktops, laptops, and consoles.Samsung Pro Plus microSD 512GB: $40 (save $35): This microSD card includes a full-sized adapter and is perfect for expanding storage on your gaming smartphone or Nintendo Switch.Kingston Fury Renegade 4TB M.2 SSD: $280 (save $104): An excellent choice for expanding your desktop, laptop, or PlayStation 5 storage with 4TB of space and read/write speeds up to 7300MB/s.Samsung 870 Evo SATA III 1TB SSD: $90 (save $55): A budget-friendly SATA SSD with 1TB of storage, making it perfect for smaller game libraries.SanDisk Extreme 4TB portable SSD: $250 (save $110): A ruggedized portable SSD with 4TB of storage and an IP65 rating for water, dust, and shock resistance.More Amazon Spring Sale gaming monitor deals Acer/ZDNETAsus TUF 27-inch gaming monitor: $140 (save $60): A great entry-level gaming monitor with 1080p resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and support for AMD FreeSync Premium VRR.Alienware AW3423DW 34-inch curved monitor: $700 (save $400): This curved gaming monitor uses a QD-OLED panel for better color accuracy and contrast as well as 1440p resolution, a 175Hz refresh rate, and 0.1ms response time.Acer Predator X27U 27-inch: $500 (save $500): This high-end gaming monitor is built with an OLED panel for better color and contrast and up to a 240Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium VRR support, and a 0.01ms response time.Samsung Odyssey G6 curved 32-inch: $400 (save $400): A mid-range gaming monitor with a 32-inch display, 1440p resolution, and 240Hz refresh rate.Samsung Odyssey Ark 2nd gen 55-inch: $1,800 (save $900): A truly impressive 55-inch Mini-LED gaming monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, HDR10+, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR support.More gaming deals at Best BuyMSI Aegis RS2: $1,850 (save $450): A creator-grade gaming desktop with a 14th generation Intel Core i7 CPU, RTX 4070 Ti Super graphics card, 2TB SSD, and 32GB of RAM.MSI Stealth 18 AI: $2,500 (save $800): A creator-grade gaming laptop built with an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, RTX 4080 GPU, 1TB SSD, and 32GB of RAM.HP Victus 16: $900 (save $600): A mid-range gaming laptop built with an AMD Ryzen 7-8845HS processor, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and an RTX 4070 graphics card.Acer Nitro 27 gaming monitor: $170 (save $180): An entry-level gaming monitor with a 180Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync VRR support, and HDR 10.LG UltraGear OLED 39-inch curved monitor: $1,000 (save $500): A high-end, ultrawide gaming monitor built with an OLED panel for exceptional picture quality, detailing, and color accuracy.Samsung Odyssey QD-OLED G9 49-inch monitor: $1,100 (save $700): Samsung's high-end OLED gaming monitor features a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time.Seagate Expansion 14TB external HDD: $200 (save $120): Back up your entire game library and have plenty of space left over for new titles with large download files.Life is Strange: Double Exposure for Nintendo Switch: $35 (save $15): Max Caulfield returns with new time-bending powers to help solve the mystery of her best friend's murder.Thrustmaster T248 racing wheel and pedals: $300 (save $100): Get enhanced control over your in-game vehicles with this realistic racing wheel and pedal controller.More gaming deals at WalmartLuigi's Mansion 3: $50 (save $12): The third entry in the Luigi's Mansion series has players join with Professor E. Gadd once again to explore and restore the Last Resort Hotel.Batman Arkham Trilogy for Nintendo Switch: $30 (save $30): This bundle includes all three Arkham Batman games plus all available DLC.Super Mario RPG: $37 (save $23): A remastered version of the SNES classic has players teaming up with Mario's allies and rivals to repair the Star Road.Nintendo Switch Pro controller: $55 (save $15) A pro-grade wireless gamepad for the Nintendo Switch that makes platforming and first-person shooter games easier to control.PlayStation 5 digital console slim + Astro Bot: $415 (save $95): This bundle includes the digital-only version of the PS5 console and a digital download code for Astro Bot.MSI Thin 15: $599 (save $240): An entry-level gaming laptop with a 144Hz refresh rate, RTX 3050 graphics card, and 512GB SSD.Acer Nitro 5: $749 (save $250): A budget-friendly gaming laptop with a 144Hz refresh rate, RTX 4050 GPU, and a 12th gen Intel Core i5 CPU.Nintendo eShop dealsResident Evil VIII Village: $16 (save $24): The latest entry in the Resident Evil/Biohazard franchise has Ethan Winters and his wife Mia living in a new location, but tragedy strikes again, forcing Ethan into a fight to save his family.Resident Evil 2 (2022): $10 (save $30): This remake of the classic Resident Evil 2 includes all new ways to experience the horrors of Raccoon City under siege by the undead.Resident Evil 3 (2022): $10 (save $30): A remake from the ground-up of the third entry in the Resident Evil/Biohazard franchise, revamping Jill Valentine's one-woman struggle to stop Umbrella.Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy: $10 (save $20): This digital bundle includes all three of the original Phoenix Wright games in one package.PlayStation Store dealsSilent Hill 2 (2024): $50 (save $20): A remake of the popular Silent Hill game featuring an updated camera system and combat as well as modern visuals and audio.Resident Evil 4 (2024) Gold Edition: $30 (save $20): A remake of the wildly popular RE4 with modern visuals and audio, updated controls, and support for PSVR2.Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth: $35 (save $35): A spin-off story set in the Yakuza universe that follows Ichiban Kasuga across Japan and Hawaii and offers a new RPG twist on the game format.Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 cross-gen deluxe bundle: $20 (save $30): A remake of the original THPS games that supports play on both PS4 and PS4 as well as exclusive in-game cosmetics.FAQs When is Amazon's Spring Sale 2025?Amazon's Spring Sale starts on March 25 and will run through March 31. This gives you almost an entire week to snag deep discounts on everything from SSDs and gaming laptops to digital game titles and headsets.Are games, consoles, and gaming accessories really cheaper during Amazon sales?They can be. While we usually see the best discounts on all things gaming during the winter holidays, Amazon's Spring Sale and competing events at retailers like Best Buy and Walmart mean you can compare prices and discounts to get the best deals.How did we choose these Spring Sale deals?While plenty of gaming laptops and accessories are discounted for the Amazon Spring Sale, not all sales are created equal. I focused on reputable brands like PowerA, SteelSeries, HyperX, and more to find the best value in accessories and peripherals. I also focused on top brands like HP, MSI, and Asus for gaming laptops and desktops with higher-end builds to help you find the best configurations for the best prices.Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites withZDNET Recommends. Show more Amazon Spring Sale 2025

E-ZPass phishing texts have hit many thousands of people over the last few months - even non-drivers. Here's what to do if you receive one.

Vibe Marketing is the New Marketing, Greg Isenberg on Linedin: ... More https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7309555366890033152/Greg IsenbergIn the venture capital world, buzzwords come and go, but every so often, a concept emerges that feels less like hype and more like a seismic shift. Enter "vibe marketing"a term gaining traction among startup founders, marketers, and investors alike. Its not just a catchy phrase; its a fundamental rethinking of how marketing teams operate, fueled by artificial intelligence (AI), accessible automation tools, and a collapse in custom software costs. If vibe coding once turned eight-week development cycles into two-day sprints, vibe marketing promises a similar 20-fold acceleration for the $250 billion marketing industry - as Greg Isenberg, the former head of product strategy at WeWork, an advisor at TikTok and Reddit noted in his recent Linkedin Post. The question is: What does this mean for businesses, and why are VCs paying attention?The Old World vs. The New WorldTraditional marketing has long been a labor-intensive, especially if taken into account that the typical startup would spend 50% of the VC money raised on marketing. Picture a team of 10 or more specialistscopywriters, designers, data analysts, media buyerseach siloed in their domain. Launching a campaign could take weeks and cost thousands of dollars, if not more. It was a process built for an era when scale meant headcount and precision required human oversight.Contrast that with todays vibe marketing paradigm: a single marketer armed with AI agents and workflows, testing dozens of angles in real time, launching campaigns in days rather than weeks. Will Manidis, a venture capitalist and founder, recently noted on X that early-stage companies live or die by their "vibes"the intangible energy that attracts cheaper capital, motivates employees to work harder for less, and earns customer goodwill. Once the vibes go negative, you are done,. Vibe marketing takes this concept and operationalizes it, turning gut instinct into a scalable, data-driven system.Take, for instance, a CRM browser extension that autonomously identifies prospects, analyzes their online content, extracts relevant data, and crafts personalized messagesall without human intervention. Or consider tools that scrape competitor ads, analyze their structure, and generate tailored variations for your brand, offering free competitive intelligence. Other examples include systems that automate Instagram giveaways from entry to winner selection, or platforms that churn out entire digital product launchessales pages, video sales letters, email sequences, and adsin just 24 hours. These arent hypotheticals; theyre tools already in use by forward-thinking marketers.The Three Pillars of Vibe MarketingThis shift didnt happen overnight. Its the result of three converging trends that have reached a tipping point in 2025:AIs Marketing Maturity: Artificial intelligence has evolved beyond simple chatbots and predictive analytics. Todays AI can write compelling copy, design visuals, optimize ad spend, and even strategize based on real-time data. Tools like Jasper, Mosaic, and Phantom Buster are empowering marketers to offload rote tasks to machines, freeing them to focus on higher-level thinking.Vibe Codings Legacy: The same tools that revolutionized software developmentReplit, Bolt, Lovablehave democratized automation. Non-engineers can now build custom workflows and micro-tools tailored to their needs, no coding degree required. This accessibility has spilled over into marketing, enabling rapid experimentation without the overhead of a traditional tech stack.Plummeting Costs: Building bespoke software once cost tens of thousands of dollars and months of development time. Now, with platforms like Make, Zapier, and n8n, a marketer can assemble a custom system for a fraction of the price in hours or days. The barrier to entry has collapsed, leveling the playing field for startups and solopreneurs alike.The result? A single marketer with the right tools can now rival the output of an entire agency. "The leverage is absurd," as a former VC Animesh Virsha posted on X. They described vibe marketing as "fast experiments without approval" and "acting on 100 ICPs [ideal customer profiles] over the traditional 3-4," highlighting its emphasis on speed and scale.Real-World Impact of Vibe Marketing, Vibe CodingThe implications are already visible. As Greg Isenberg notes, a service company recently used AI to map customer segments and conversion flows, pulling data from public census records to pinpoint opportunities with precision. Another startup deployed a system that runs hundreds of AI agents to test marketing angles across channels, adapting in real time without human input. These arent outlierstheyre early adopters of a trend thats rewriting the rules.Data backs this up. The global marketing technology market, valued at $250 billion in 2024 by Statista, is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 12% through 2030, driven largely by AI adoption. A 2023 McKinsey report estimated that AI could automate up to 30% of marketing tasks by 2025, a threshold weve likely already crossed. What vibe marketing adds is a framework to harness this automation not just for efficiency, but for exponential growth.Where Vibe Movements Are HeadingSo, what does the future hold? Marketing teams are going hybridhumans steering strategy and creativity, AI handling execution and optimization. The days of bloated departments may be numbered. Instead, well see leaner operations augmented by thousands of specialized micro-tools, each built for a specific niche. Think less Salesforce-style monoliths and more purpose-built solutions that excel at one task, like Flora for creative assets or Meshr for cross-channel analytics.The winners in this new landscape will be companies that build self-improving systemsset up once, then left to refine themselves through continuous testing. Imagine a campaign that tweaks its own messaging, adjusts targeting, and reallocates budget based on live performance, all without a human lifting a finger. Thats the promise of vibe marketing, and its closer than it sounds.For businesses looking to get started, the toolkit is already here. Workflow builders like Make, n8n, and Zapier connect disparate systems into seamless pipelines. Agent platforms such as Taskade, Relay, and Lindy deploy AI helpers for specific tasks. Marketing-specific AI toolsPhantom Buster for scraping, Icon for design, Jasper for copyhandle the heavy lifting. And vibe coding platforms like Replit and Bolt let anyone build lead magnets or microsites on the fly. Its a plug-and-play ecosystem designed for speed.The Stakes Are High - Solopreneurs Using Vibe Marketing as LeverageAs Greg Isenberg explains, in 12 months, the gap between companies embracing vibe marketing and those clinging to old methods could be starkakin to the divide between businesses with websites and those without in 1998. Thats not hyperbole; its a recognition of how fast technology moves when adoption costs drop and returns skyrocket. For venture capitalists, this is catnip: startups that master vibe marketing can scale faster, burn less cash, and outmaneuver bigger rivals, all traits that signal a potential unicorn.But theres a flip side. The democratization of these tools means competition will intensify. A solopreneur with $500 and a laptop could disrupt a $50 million incumbent if they wield vibe marketing effectively. For established firms, the risk isnt just being outpacedits being rendered obsolete. The $250 billion marketing industry isnt disappearing; its being rebuilt from the ground up.Early Stage Startup Vibe Marketing Plan and StackWhat would an early stage B2C startup looking to use Vibe Marketing do and how?The low hanging fruit would be to do the following:1. Create an Emotional Hook Test Run micro-campaigns to identify your most resonant narrative.2.Founders Voice Share behind-the-scenes moments via Instagram Stories, X, Linkedin3."Drop Culture" Strategy Limited, exclusive product releases to drive urgency and hype.The Bottom Line of Vibe MarketingVibe marketing isnt a fadits a paradigm shift. It marries the agility of vibe coding with the power of AI, delivering a framework where speed, experimentation, and automation reign supreme. For VCs like Manidis and "That Casual VC," its a signal to bet on founders who grasp this shift, who can turn good vibes into great businesses. For marketers, its a call to rethink their craft, to trade silos for systems and meetings for results.The tools are here. The data supports it. The early adopters are proving it. Whether youre a startup founder, a corporate CMO, or an investor scouting the next big thing, one thing is clear: vibe marketing is the new marketing. And in a world where vibes can make or break a company, thats a trend worth watching.

Updated March 24 with further details pointing to an exact date for iOS 18.4s release. Apples next big iPhone update will be iOS 18.4, unless theres a bug-squishing exercise to sort out a recent software problem, an iPhone 16e issue or a mild nuisance with Apple Intelligence before then. Apple almost never says when an update is coming, but this time around, its dropped a lot of hints. And now the Release Candidate of the software had landed, which may clarify things further: details below.Apple iPhone 16NurPhoto via Getty ImagesFirst The Month: AprilI broke the news in February that Apple had quietly revealed that iOS 18.4 would be released in April, through a Newsroom update about another product, Apple Vision Pro. One element of that release confirmed the iPhone software was set for release in April.Now, Which PartWe can pin it down further. Apple had previously said that extra languages would be supported for Apple Intelligence, but hadnt said which release would include it.However, the iOS 18 page at apple.com has information, buried in a footnote: Additional features and Chinese (Simplified), English (India, Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish language support available in early April, with more languages coming over the course of the year, including Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages, it says.Early April, huh? Surely, this must mean the first half of the month, no? I mean, Id say anything from about April 12 onwards would count as mid-April, but lets not be picky. Which means what, exactly?Apple iOS 18.4 Release DateThis is a big, scheduled mid-cycle update and Apple always plans to release these on a Monday or Tuesday. The company has tended towards Mondays recently, which gives us a tight range of dates.Earliest would be Tuesday, April 1, which is less than two weeks away, but were not quite as advanced in terms of beta versions to suggest thisthe fourth public beta is the current state of affairs.Which leaves Monday, April 7, Tuesday, April 8, Monday, April 14 or Tuesday, April 15.Things have now slightly changed as on Monday, March 24, Apple gave us whats called the Release Candidate, likely the last update before the general release. That makes the very first of those dates, Tuesday, April 1, suddenly more likelyif the release candidate wasnt here now, it would probably have arrived next week.While its always more than a few days between release candidate and general availability, its often as little as a week or so, hence the reappearance of Tuesday, April 1 in the list of possible dates.The joys of not making an announcement is that Apple has the wiggle room to move things up to and including the release date, so things could change.However, while the prospect of iOS 18.4 as soon as April 1 is an enticing one, I still think the week after is the most likely. In other words, though this could chance, for now I believe Apple will release iOS 18.4 on Monday, April 7 or the day after, Tuesday, April 8.Not long to wait.

Something to look forward to: Funcom's ambitious Dune MMO launches in two months. The studio recently posted videos and blog posts outlining the game's technical specifications, PC features, and release roadmap to prepare players. Dune: Awakening will abandon some trends that players have come to expect from other live service games. Pre-orders are now open for Dune: Awakening, Funcom's ambitious survival MMO based on the planet Arrakis from Frank Herbert's influential sci-fi novel. Bucking the system, the company recently confirmed that players only pay the game's one-time $49.99 purchase price, unlike many MMOs, which constantly nag players for microtransactions or subscription purchases.Another thing that Funcom is shying away from is the early access trend. Dune: Awakening won't debut in early access. However, customers who buy the deluxe and ultimate editions can join a pre-release server stress test on May 15, with the full game launching on May 20.Click to enlargeInstead of charging a subscription, Funcom plans to continually update the game with free and optional paid DLC - just like the good ol' days. Players can buy these packages individually or bundled in a season pass. The first pass, included in the limited edition, grants access to four upcoming expansions. The company previously confirmed that massive storms will periodically reshape Arrakis' desert landscape to significantly alter the environment for all players, encouraging users to revisit previously explored areas.The PC system requirements are light compared to some recent high-profile releases. An Nvidia GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT should achieve 30 frames per second at 1080p, an RTX 3070 or RX 6700 XT can reach 60fps at 1440p, and 4K 60fps gameplay should be possible on an RTX 4070 or RX 7800 XT. // Related StoriesFuncom didn't mention whether the recommendations account for upscaling, but Dune: Awakening will support DLSS 4 multi-frame generation, FSR, and XeSS 2. However, the developer didn't specify whether the game supports FSR 4, which provides the best upscaling image quality on AMD's recently released RX 9000 GPUs. Interested players can test Dune: Awakening's performance using the free character creator and benchmark tools. Those tired of 100 and 150 GB games will also be pleased to discover that the MMO will only need between 60 and 75 GB at launch.Dune: Awakening supports Razer's Sensa HD haptics, enabling rumble feedback. While using the Freyja gaming cushion, players can feel their seat hum while flying an ornithopter. Other welcome features include FOV adjustment, controller support, ultrawide aspect ratios, and extensive support for alternate keyboard layouts. Funcom also answered additional questions during a recent livestream.

WTF?! Microsoft will soon begin slowing down OneNote on Windows 10, forcing users and professionals who rely on the tool to upgrade to Windows 11. According to a recently updated support document, Microsoft confirms that OneNote for Windows 10 will reach the end of official support in October 2025. The original OneNote was announced by Bill Gates in 2002, back when most people were still using Windows XP or Windows 2000 on their PCs. The note-taking tool was part of the Office suite and later updated and made available free of charge in different versions for various operating systems and the web, but Microsoft is now pushing to streamline the software while leaving Windows 10 users behind.As for the current announcement, simply put, OneNote's "legacy" version is being retired alongside Windows 10. The operating system is also set to lose support in October, and Microsoft is now urging users to install Windows 11 or buy a brand-new device running its latest OS. Software upgrades are an annoying fact of life for PC users, but Redmond seems to be cooking up something extra frustrating in the case of OneNote's demise.Enterprise customers still using OneNote on Windows 10 are advised to switch to the latest version called "OneNote for Windows" which is available on the Microsoft Store. Microsoft is attempting to simplify the current mess of offerings, as it currently maintains three different versions of the same note-taking platform: one for Windows 10, another for Windows 11, and a web-based version.Microsoft also confirmed that starting in June 2025, OneNote for Windows 10 will deliberately experience slower sync performance, making real-time collaboration and multi-device access more difficult. Why would Microsoft do this? The company explains that faster synchronization is a feature exclusive to the latest OneNote for Windows, which also includes Copilot AI features, new security options, and other "improvements."A few years ago, Microsoft stated that users would not be forced to upgrade their existing OneNote installations and that they would remain in control. While OneNote for Windows 10 will technically still work after October 2025, those of us who prefer it should now expect degraded performance... for absolutely no practical reason whatsoever. // Related StoriesDespite being nearly 10 years old, Windows 10 remains the most widely used desktop operating system. Windows 11 hasn't received the same warm welcome, and Microsoft now appears to be resorting to its usual heavy-handed tactics to break the market stalemate. Needless to say, there are plenty of alternative note-taking tools to consider if you plan to stick with Windows 10 beyond October 2025.