When last week, Ubisoft announcedthe upcoming formation of a new venture that would act as the de facto owner of its three biggest franchises Assassins Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancys Rainbow Six while featuring Tencent as a minority shareholder with a 25% stake, many questioned whether this move, along with the studios current financial and reputational state, would push investors to withdraw their funds from Ubisoft and invest in the newly established entity instead.UbisoftApparently, some of the investors do share this opinion, as Ubisofts stock dropped over 15% after markets opened on Monday, wiping out all the gains the company had made since late February.Moreover, the stock price surge the studio saw in October 2024 has also nearly vanished an ironic turn of events, considering that the October spike occurred on the same day and most likely as a result of Tencents reveal that it was in talks to fully acquire Ubisoft, suggesting that at least a portion of investors are more interested in Chinese giant taking complete control of Ubisoft and its IPs rather than the struggling studio spinning off its most valuable franchises.Following the market opening, Ubisofts stock rebounded by a few percentage points, but over the past few hours, the price graph has flattened currently sitting at -13% compared to where it was a day before raising questions about whether the companys decision to secure a quick cash injection through its deal with Tencent could come back to bite them in the back.Dont forget to join our80 Level Talent platformand ournew Discord server, follow us onInstagram,Twitter,LinkedIn,Telegram,TikTok, andThreads,where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post Ubisoft Stock Down 15% Following Its Deal With Tencent appeared first on CG SHARES.

Following financial underperformance and several tumultuous months in which it laid off around 50 employees, including multiple Project Baxter developers, PAYDAY developer Starbreeze continues its internal restructuring by appointing Adolf Kristjansson as the studios new Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2025.StarbreezeRevealed in the studios official statement, the new CEO joins the team after spending over 13 years at Electronic Arts, where he served as International Commercial Senior Director, Global Head of Digital, and Global Strategic Franchise Director, working on FIFA, Battlefield, Apex, and Star Wars.It is also worth noting that Mats Juhl, the infamous interim CEO known for laying off developers left and right and being more concerned about developers using proper channels in SBZs Slack chat than the livelihood of his employees, was not ousted from the company and will continue serving as Starbreezes Chief Financial Officer.I join Starbreeze with great enthusiasm for the companys current and future projects, not the least the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons title, comments Kristjansson. I look forward to continuing the work of expanding the PAYDAY franchise further and building Starbreeze into a true multi-title studio. Most of all, I look forward to working closely with our talented teams and engaging with our passionate player community as we build the next chapter of Starbreeze together.The part Starbreezes official statement failed to mention, however, is that the appointment of the new CEO takes place on the same day the majority of the French office is losing their jobs, following Starbreezes decision to shut down the branch entirely.Previously, several Starbreeze employees from both the French and Stockholm offices told 80 Level that it was announced within the company in mid-March that more than half of the French employees would be dismissed by the end of March, with the remaining staff set to be let go by June. Whats more, the termination process appears to be violating several of Frances labor law, namely Articles L1222-1, L1132-1, and L1233-4 of Code du Travail.From what weve learned, the French division played a crucial role in the technical side of the production pipeline and was largely responsible for patches and DLCs for the companys games. Before the layoffs, it comprised 23 people, meaning most, if not all, of those 23 are likely to be made redundant by July, with the majority of them becoming jobless tomorrow. You can read our exclusive report on Starbreezes quiet firings by clicking this link.Dont forget to join our80 Level Talent platformand ournew Discord server, follow us onInstagram,Twitter,LinkedIn,Telegram,TikTok, andThreads,where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post Payday Creator Starbreeze Names New CEO the Same Day It Shuts Down French Office appeared first on CG SHARES.

Survival games aren't all created equal, and determining the best survival games is no easy feat, as community consensus can vary wildly. But there's no denying that the genre has become one of the most popular in the gaming industry, seeing several high-profile releases every year and garnering millions of players.When it comes to classifying a title as a "survival" experience, you're primarily looking for it to have survival elements, such as a health, food, or thirst bar you need to keep replenishing. There's also usually an end goal when it comes to a survival game, but this isn't always a dedicated story or plot. Some of the best survival games just have a set of goals for you to hit to get you started on your journey, with the rest of the experience being an open sandbox for you to make what you want of it. Funny enough, several of our picks for the best zombie games also land here, as the undead are such a popular enemy in survival games.Check out our picks for the 29 best survival games in the list below, which showcase all kinds of different experiences within the genre but are also widely available in 2025. As a note, this list is in no particular order. These games span all platforms, but if you're looking for even more to play, check out our picks for the best PS5 games, best Switch games, best PC games, and best Xbox games. MinecraftDeveloper: MojangRelease Date: November 18, 2011Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, AndroidMinecraft is the game that shaped the bulk of the survival genre and a large part of the gaming industry as a whole. Released back in 2011 (following earlier alpha and beta versions), Minecraft is the second-best-selling video game of all time behind Tetris, selling over 300 million copies as of late 2023. It popularized the sandbox style of survival games, allowing players to do whatever they wanted and build anything that came to their mind. It's still a global phenomenon in 2024 and there are plenty of Minecraft spin-offs to satisfy your desire for more of the pixelated franchise. See on Amazon RustDeveloper: Facepunch StudiosRelease Date: December 11, 2013Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PCWhile you might have some strong opinions one way or the other regarding Rust, it's difficult to deny its overall impact on the survival game genre. When Rust was released in 2013, there were few other games like it on the market. It starts you out with nothing but a patch of clothing and you have to claw and scrap your way to simply obtain a simple weapon. From there, you can construct a large base, invade other players' bases, and fight for control over an island. It's not considered as hardcore of a survival game in 2024, and its community is notorious for griefing new players, but Rust is still one of the better survival games you can play today. See on Amazon Ark: Survival EvolvedDeveloper: Studio WildcardRelease Date: June 2, 2015Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC, AndroidThere are few survival games with a more enticing description than Ark: Survival Evolved. The game starts you off on an island with no clothing or weapons and you have to scrounge for materials to start building survival necessities. However, in the background, you'll hear some sharp screeches and eventually see your first dinosaur. Ark allows players to kill, tame, and ride all manner of prehistoric creatures to aid them in their survival. It's a one-of-a-kind experience that comes with full base-building and multiplayer elements. A remade version of the game, Ark: Survival Ascended, was surprise-released in 2023; you can check out our Ark tips for new players to help you get off to a good start. See on Amazon ValheimDeveloper: Iron Gate StudiosRelease Date: February 2, 2021Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PCEvery so often, a game comes out of nowhere to completely take the gaming industry by storm. In 2021, Valheim became a Steam darling, launching with little hype around it but quickly shooting to the top of the selling charts. If you've played Valheim, you know why it became an instant success. The game's distinct graphical style mixed with Norse lore that's integrated flawlessly with the gameplay instantly hooks new players. Pair those elements with some fantastic base-building and a map begging to be explored, and you have the recipe for one of the best survival experiences on the market. Valheim is still not a complete game in 2024, however, so there's even more content on the horizon for the title. See on Humble SubnauticaDeveloper: Unknown Worlds EntertainmentRelease Date: December 16, 2014Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PCNo survival game on the market can match what Subnautica brings to the table. The game begins with you crashing onto an alien planet after your spaceship malfunctions. From your escape pod, you emerge and find a world entirely covered with water as far as the eye can see. The only way to survive is by swimming down into the water below, where dozens of unique species of fauna and flora call home. The sheer terror that arises from playing Subnautica is next to none, as several massive underwater creatures are aiming to kill you. Subnautica has few, if any, weak points, as the world is stunning, the exploration is stellar, and the base-building is fantastic.If you've already played Subnautica or want an updated version of the game, check out Subnautica: Below Zero. It's a direct sequel to the original that features a new map, updated mechanics and gear, and all-new ocean creatures to encounter. See on Fanatical DayZDeveloper: Bohemia InteractiveRelease Date: December 16, 2013Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PCDayZ is another one of the original big survival games to enter the genre, and it's where a lot of veterans got their start. Initially a mod for Arma 2, DayZ is a multiplayer-only survival title where you simply strive to survive. There's no base-building or any additional goals you need to complete. You can either work together with other players on your server to outlast everyone else or you can be a lone wolf, eliminating as many players as possible. DayZ isn't a battle royale title, but it did spawn the creation of H1Z1, which in turn inspired PUBG (and, by extension, Fortnite). See on Amazon Sons of the ForestDeveloper: Endnight GamesRelease Date: February 23, 2023Platforms: PCSons of the Forest is the sequel to the critically acclaimed game The Forest, which was a staple in the survival genre for years. While The Forest is still revered by many fans, Sons of the Forest takes everything up a notch. Just like in the original, you start off deserted on an island with some sinister energy. Right from the beginning, you have to forage for supplies to survive the night. Fortunately, you have a companion named Kelvin to help you at the start, but you can acquire other companions as well. As the game goes on, you can explore the massive island that features dozens of terrifying caves, meet new characters, take part in some story missions, and even design a base so the creatures of the night can't harm you while you try to sleep. See on Steam No Man's SkyDeveloper: Hello GamesRelease Date: August 9, 2016Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PCWhat started as one of the most-criticized video game launches of all time (due to pre-release hype) has turned into arguably the best turnaround story in gaming history. No Man's Sky was released to critical disdain in 2016, but the developers at Hello Games have never stopped working to deliver the game it initially promised to the community. Recent updates, all of which are free, have transformed No Man's Sky into one of the premier survival games on the market. You can now take part in multiplayer features, such as building a base with a friend. You can also design your own ship and engage with a plethora of new story additions that take place all across the galaxy.The Worlds II update also added the ability to swim underwater and discover new treasures and creatures below the surface. The update also transformed landscapes above ground as well, adding mountain ranges, valleys, and vast plains on countless planets in new star systems. The most recent update in No Mans Sky is called Relics, and it adds new fossils on planets that you can dig up as well as rebuild them to see what kind of creature the remains came from. See on Fanatical 7 Days to DieDeveloper: The Fun PimpsRelease Date: December 13, 2013Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PCZombie games were extremely popular back in the mid-2010s, but 7 Days to Die stands out as arguably the best one. It's a survival-horror FPS that features RPG elements, an open world, and a robust crafting system that will have you hooked in no time. There are also terrific base-building mechanics that bring to mind the old tower defense titles, as you have to protect your loot from hordes of zombies knocking at your front door. The plot of 7 Days to Die is also instantly gripping, as you have seven days to prepare yourself for the zombie horde. If you aren't ready, you'll perish. After more than a decade in early access, 7 Days to Die is releasing in full in June 2024, with a new console version to come. See on Amazon The Long DarkDeveloper: Hinterland StudioRelease Date: September 22, 2014Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PCThe Long Dark features a plot similar to that of several other survival games: You're a pilot who's crash-landed in the Canadian wilderness and you need to immediately find a way to survive, or else you'll die. While the plot is familiar, The Long Dark takes you on a true journey of survival. There are no other players to help you and the wilderness is full of animals that want to chew on your flesh. Not to mention, the frigid temperatures of Canada are harsh and unforgiving. If you want to survive, you have to think for yourself and take careful measures to simply ensure you can last another day. See on Walmart Conan ExilesDeveloper: FuncomRelease Date: January 30, 2017Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PCThe world of Conan the Barbarian has been reimagined in several different games, but the definitive version of the character's world lies in Conan Exiles. A multiplayer survival experience, Conan Exiles is an open sandbox where you have to scrounge, build, and fight in order to survive. You can fend off enemies using basic combat or sorcery and team up with other players to secure your place in the world. The map in Conan Exiles is quite expansive, featuring full cities, dungeons with plenty of loot, and other sights to see. See on Fanatical RaftDeveloper: Redbeet InteractiveRelease Date: May 23, 2018Platforms: Android, PCRaft starts you, and possibly some friends, out on a tiny piece of wood in the middle of the ocean. Your goal is to navigate the vast waters to find debris to expand your raft and try to survive against all of the perils around you. Hungry sharks are waiting to climb aboard your raft and munch on anything they can get their teeth on as well as land creatures such as polar bears and hyenas. After enough crafting, you can eventually make quite an impressive base that's able to sustain itself and fend off enemies. There's also a story in place, allowing you to reach the endgame and partake in additional content. We have Raft guides to help you get going, such as how to unlock all characters. See on Steam AstroneerDeveloper: Redbeet InteractiveRelease Date: May 23, 2018Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PCThe point of many survival games is to scrap and claw your way to a point where you're able to sufficiently supply yourself with all the necessities to survive. In Astroneer, you're essentially given those necessities right from the start, as the only survival element you need to worry about is oxygen. As long as you have enough oxygen, you don't have to worry about anything else. Instead, you can focus on the phenomenal exploration and crafting systems Astroneer possesses, which can keep you busy for hours on end. You're able to build massive bases, construct vehicles, and develop crafting stations to sustain anything you build. Astroneer is a huge sandbox that you can get lost in within a matter of minutes. See on Humble GroundedDeveloper: Obsidian EntertainmentRelease Date: July 28, 2020Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PCGrounded is a survival game where you get to live out the plot from the 1989 film, Honey, I Shrunk The Kids. You play in a massive sandbox that takes place in a house's backyard, but you've been shrunk down to the size of a grain of sand. As a result, everything around you is 10 times larger than it's supposed to be. Insects are now hulking enemies and strands of grass stretch high into the air. To survive, you need to find unique items spread across the map and craft a base to avoid the dangers of the backyard. As an Xbox-published game, it's available on Game Pass for console and PC. See on Amazon Don't StarveDeveloper: Klei EntertainmentRelease Date: April 23, 2013Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, PCBoasting some of the most eye-catching graphics in a game, Don't Starve is a brutally challenging survival game set in the wilderness. The world you're thrown into is filled with magic, science, and other strange elements you can discover. There are mysterious creatures to encounter as well as a plethora of items and resources to scavenge. You can build a base to survive the elements, but you won't want to spend a ton of time there, as the world of Don't Starve makes you want to explore every inch. See on Amazon Escape From TarkovDeveloper: Battlestate GamesRelease Date: July 27, 2017Platforms: PCWhile Escape from Tarkov isn't a survival game in the traditional sense, it requires players to survive in an arena of other players and NPC enemies. You have to craft items to stay alive, and a timer hurries you to escape the arena with as much loot as you can carry. The only traditional survival element you have to worry about is your health, but Escape from Tarkov features plenty of other survival aspects that allow it to sneak into the genre and onto this list. The game is a hardcore FPS that demands precision, in-depth knowledge of your surroundings, and a little bit of luck. It also popularized an entirely new genre in gaming, called the "extraction shooter." That's led to, among other things, new and upcoming games, such as a revival of Bungie's Marathon. See on EFT's website Frostpunk Developer: 11 Bit StudiosRelease Date: April 24, 2018Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PCSurvival games don't always have to revolve around combat, and Frostpunk is one of the better examples of this. Frostpunk is a city-builder survival title that takes place in an alternate version of the 19th century. You're thrust into the role of the leader of a new city that needs to overcome obstacle after obstacle to maintain the city and its citizens. You have to make extremely difficult choices regarding the future of the city while also ensuring it doesn't get reduced to rubble. It's a unique experience in the survival game genre that provides hours of memorable and stressful gameplay. See on Fanatical RimWorld Developer: Ludeon StudiosRelease Date: November 4, 2013Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PCRimWorld is another city-builder simulator that tests your ability to manage and grow a group of colonists on a science-fiction-inspired civilization. Your colonists need to be taken care of thoroughly, which includes mending their wounds, feeding them, and even monitoring their moods. RimWorld goes extremely in-depth with the simulation of being the leader of a colony, and you'll need to be more than a colonist manager if you want to survive. There's combat with different factions, deep trading systems, a unique crafting aspect, and decisions you have to make for the good of the colony. See on Fanatical Project ZomboidDeveloper: The Indie StoneRelease Date: November 8, 2013Platforms: PCOne of the earliest zombie survival titles to hit the market was Project Zomboid, which took a different approach to the survival genre. The gameplay is unlike any other game, taking place on a giant map that splits whenever you enter a building or other indoor location. Your goal is to survive against hordes of zombies by crafting items, taking advantage of RPG elements, building defenses, and hunting/fishing for food. You also have to contend with your character's inner demons and natural survival needs. Though there are some customizable difficulty options, this game is hardcore, so you'll want to use our guides like how to avoid zombie bites, how to heal, how to forage, and the best skills in Project Zomboid. See on Humble Pacific DriveDeveloper: Ironwood StudiosRelease Date: February 22, 2024Platforms: PlayStation 5, PCThere might not be a more differentiated survival game on this list than Pacific Drive. It's a first-person driving simulator that takes place across different locations in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. All you have is your car and your sense of direction in Pacific Drive, and if you lose either one, you're done for. The game pits you against supernatural forces that want to stop you from driving further and delving into the mysteries of the region. You're able to upgrade your car by using a garage as a base, and there are tons of different ways to make your car stronger. If you check it out, be sure to check out our guide to Pacific Drive secrets and tips. See on Amazon State of Decay 2 Developer: Undead LabsRelease Date: May 18, 2018Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PCThe State of Decay franchise is one of the most successful in the survival genre, boasting two titles with a third on the way. While the original State of Decay launched the franchise, it's the second one where everything comes together. State of Decay 2 is a massive improvement over the first game, featuring better survival mechanics, stronger AI, and a much more expansive world to explore. The gameplay loop is very similar to other survival games, forcing you to find resources that you use to craft items for survival. However, the community aspect in State of Decay 2 is where it separates itself from other titles, as you're able to take full advantage of the multiplayer mechanics. See on Steam PalworldDeveloper: Pocket PairRelease Date: January 19, 2024Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PCEven though Palworld was only released early in 2024 and it tends to copy some elements from another franchise, it's still one of the better survival games released in recent memory. The survival elements blend perfectly with the Pal-catching gameplay loop, as you're able to use the Pals you catch to produce resources, craft items, and keep your base in working order. Certain Pals can also be used in combat, either against Pal Tower bosses or wild Pals you want to catch. There's no story in Palworld, but the survival elements are abundant for both your character and all of your Pals, making it one of the better survival games to play right now. We've got a list of Palworld tips and tricks to get you started, as well as a roundup of all the Pals in the game, which is currently available on Game Pass. See on Steam KenshiDeveloper: Lo-Fi GamesRelease Date: March 20, 2013Platforms: PCThe real-time strategy and survival genres don't mix often, but Kenshi proves they can work extremely well together. Kenshi is mainly an RPG with survival elements that takes place across a huge sandbox where your imagination tells the story. There's no plot or narrative in place with Kenshi, so you and some companions can travel across the world and become whatever you want to be. You're free to play any role you choose, including that of a simple farmer all the way to an oppressive warlord. See on Humble This War of MineDeveloper: 11 Bit StudiosRelease Date: November 14, 2014Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Android, PCFrom the same developers who brought us Frostpunk comes This War of Mine, a military survival simulator that focuses on the effects war has on civilians. The game primarily takes place in a single building, as snipers and enemy troops are waiting outside for anyone to enter their crosshairs. Inside the building, you need to maintain your character's health by feeding them and keeping morale as high as possible. You can scavenge for resources to craft survival items, cook food, and make medicine. You're mainly able to scavenge for resources at nighttime, where you can meet other NPCs who are trying to survive the war just like you. This War of Mine ends when a ceasefire has been called, but the time for that to happen is completely random, giving you no end in sight. See on Fanatical Stranded DeepDeveloper: Beam Team GamesRelease Date: January 23, 2015Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PCStranded Deep is a game that takes elements from other survival titles but adds its own spin. The game starts off with your boat crashing on an island, and you need to survive the first few days to have any chance at getting rescued. Getting food, water, and avoiding the sun are your top priorities, but there are also enemies you need to fend off. Stranded Deep takes place both on the island and underwater, both of which are not overly safe. Luckily, you can craft a slew of different items to survive, including bases, vehicles, weapons, and more. See on Steam Planet CrafterDeveloper: Miju GamesRelease Date: March 24, 2022Platforms: PCIf you find yourself playing Minecraft or another sandbox survival game and keep looking up to the sky wondering what it'd be like to design your own planet, then Planet Crafter is right up your alley. Planet Crafter is a terraforming survival game that gives you free rein over an entire planet. You start by making your play habitable by stabilizing its ecosystem, and from there, you can craft new items and structures using the planet's resources and eventually build a small settlement. The game supports up to 10 players on every planet as well, so you and some friends can terraform large chunks of the environment to completely transform it. See on Steam EnshroudedDeveloper: Keen GamesRelease Date: January 24, 2024Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|SEnshrouded is a modern survival game with plenty of content to consume, frequent updates from the developers, and an enjoyable gameplay loop. It's an action-RPG that takes place on an open-world map. You have all the basic tropes of a survival game, including base-building, in-depth crafting, and exploration to score more gear for your character and base. The base-building and crafting especially stand out, as you can make a variety of weapons and gear as well as build quite impressive structures. However, at the heart of Enshrouded is a well-laid-out story that forces you to explore every corner of the map and goes hand-in-hand with the game's survival aspects. See on Steam Once HumanDeveloper: NetEase GamesRelease Date: July 9, 2024Platforms: PC, iOS, AndroidOnce Human is a game that can't be defined by a single genre. It's a third-person survival game with RPG elements that takes place in an open world where you can engage in multiplayer with other random players on your server. At the start of Once Human, you're introduced to the story, which involves post-apocalyptic mutations taking over the world, but this takes a backseat to the exploration and survival aspects.Once Human takes place on a huge map that is split up into different zones, each with a corresponding level requirement. To reach new zones with a higher level, you have to complete missions, clear out enemy locations, and keep building up your base. Your level dictates what weapons you can use, the vehicles you can drive, and the base items you can construct. Throughout all of this, though, you have to ensure your character has enough food, water, and stamina to sustain themselves. See on Steam AtomfallDeveloper: Rebellion GamesRelease Date: March 27, 2025Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|SAtomfall is a survival RPG title that sees survival elements take a backseat to the worldbuilding and overall plot that the game immediately throws you into. However, the survival elements in Atomfall aren't to be ignored, as you have a heartbeat you have to constantly monitor. The higher your heartbeat, the less stamina you have and the more vulnerable you are. The game also features minimal healing, so keeping your HP up is paramount. Putting survival aside, Atomfall is a fantastic open-world RPG with an engaging story that has multiple endings, difficult combat, and extremely well-designed quests. See on Fanatical

Diddy Kong's Mine Cart Ride Lego Set $79 (was $110) See at Amazon See at Walmart Lego discontinued a bunch of Super Mario building sets late last year, including the playsets themed around Donkey Kong. If you still want to pick one or two of them up, Amazon has restocked multiple Donkey Kong Lego sets. Most notably, you can get Diddy Kong's Mine Cart Ride for $79. Originally sold for $110, Diddy Kong's Mine Cart Ride is 1,157 pieces, which makes it the largest Donkey Kong-related Lego set by a wide margin and one of the most elaborate Super Mario expansion sets in general.Donkey Kong Lego Sets at AmazonDiddy Kong's Mine Cart Ride (1,157 pieces) -- $79 ($110)Dixie Kong's Jungle Jam (174 pieces) -- $19 ($27)Rambi the Rhino Expansion Set (106 pieces) -- $11Mario Kart: Donkey Kong & DK Jumbo (387 pieces) -- $35Donkey Kong's Tree House (555 pieces) -- sold outSave on Lego Super Mario Starter Sets - Mario, Luigi, and PeachDiddy Kong's Mine Cart Ride lets you recreate mine cart-riding, airplane-flying, and rock-exploding challenges. It comes with four Lego figures from the the series: Funky Kong, Diddy Kong, Snaggles, and a Mole Miner. Lego Mario, Luigi, and Peach figures from the Super Mario starter sets can interact with the figures and mine cart track. All three Super Mario Lego starter sets are discounted at Amazon.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Roblox has hit a surprising milestone, accumulating more users than the entire population of people in the world. The Robloxachievement is one that's taken some fans by surprise, but also indicates just how popular the game really is.

The Wild West has always been the perfect backdrop for video games. Its a lawless land where every gunfight could be your last, where the line between hero and outlaw is as thin as a wanted poster.

Riot Games has announced the new name of their upcoming tradable card game: Riftbound: League of Legends Trading Card Game. Riftbound is set in Runeterra, the setting of League of Legends and Arcane as well as some of its other tabletop games. The game will launch with over 300 cards in a set subtitled Origins. The set will release over the summer in China, followed by a release in many English-speaking countries in October 25, according to a press release from Riot.Riftbound can be played 1v1, 2v2, or in a free-for-all multiplayer format. Similar to the digital card game, Legend of Runeterra, the game will have champions as powerful cards. Players can build their deck around a champion with supporting cards. We can expect Champion Decks, pre-constructed sets of 56 cards, built around Viktor, Jinx, and Lee Sin. We can also expect to see appearances from Annie, Garen, Lux, Master Yi, Volibear, Yasuo, and more. Other cards will have in-game items, runes, and spells. The official website also shows art for the popular champions KaiSa and Ahri.Players can either pick up a boxed set called Riftbound: Proving Grounds with a variety of starter decks, or 14-card booster packs. Riot wall be partnering with UVS Games, a proven distributor in the TCG scene, to make sure Riftbound can be found in local game stores. If your shop already carries UniVersus Collectible Card Game a franchise that includes characters from Attack on Titan, Critical Role, and other beloved fandoms theres a good chance youll see it at retail.Riot will continue to share updates on Riftbound via their social media channels while we wait for the initial set to roll out throughout of 2025.

In the question and answer session following last Fridays reveal of the first major Path of Exile 2 early access update, game director Jonathan Rogers jokingly warned players that everything is going to feel different: People should really be going in with the expectation that nothing they knew about how the game was balanced before is the same forget everything you know.Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt is what Grinding Gear Games is calling the loot-filled action RPGs next patch, which will include the new spear-wielding Huntress class, new sub-classes, and hundreds of new and reworked items. It will also be a nerf fest when it comes to the most powerful builds players are used to, according to Rogers. Youre going to find more shit that is outrageously broken again, but it is not going to be the same shit that was broken before, he said.Part of the reason so much is changing is because of the nature of Path of Exile 2. Unlike Diablo, where classes have their own unique abilities, Path of Exile classes can borrow spells and armor from anyone in the game. So whenever a new class is added, every other class gains new skills and items to use.The Huntress is a pretty clear callback to Diablo 2s Amazon, a warrior lady who specializes in mid- to long-ranged attacks all based around her spear. Theyre also bringing two major skills to the game, including a rideable bird companion, and the ability to capture the souls of monsters like theyre Pokmon. When you trap a monster, they keep their randomized powers, which means there are probably thousands, if not millions, of different ones you can command in combat.Mercenary, Warrior, and Witch players will each have a new ascendancy to try out. Mercenaries can control a bunch of minions and ballistae as a Tactician, Warriors can augment their weapons during combat as the Smith of Kitava, and Witches can raise an undead army while also being undead themselves as a Lich.The rest of the changes coming with the patch are numerous and will be detailed before it goes live on April 4. If I had to summarize them Id say the game is starting to expand the scope of its endgame with better onboarding for new players, adding more determinism to its item crafting, and finally loosening the difficulty of high-level dungeons by letting you retry them after dying.Grinding Gear Games recommends players create new characters when the patch is out as if it were a proper new season, but all the changes will be available on the current League or server. If you choose to stick with your existing character, however, just dont be surprised if your build sucks.

Key challenges slowing AI adoptionand how to overcomethemOptimizing vehicle designimage designed byFreepikImagine an automotive engineer optimizing a new vehicle design by running high-fidelity (detailed and realistic) simulations. Typically, running such simulations (also referred to as virtual-prototyping) for crash tests, aerodynamics, and structural integrity, takes days. Now, imagine an AI-enhanced system that cuts that time by half, while improving usability and providing better insights. Sounds like a game-changer, right? Yet, despite the potential benefits, AI adoption in engineering simulations for automotive design remains surprisingly low. Why is thisso?This article explores the key factors behind the low adoption of AI in engineering simulations, identifies the most critical of these factors, and suggests potential ways to address them. The information presented is based on recently conducted industry research (Kini, 2024) which derives information from existing literature, from real-world examples and case studies, and from interviews with experts in the field of simulations and AI. A survey of automotive industry professionals was also conducted as part of the research, to validate the gathered information and insights. Although this article is written with AI/simulation vendors, automotive engineers, and decision-makers in mind, it is relevant to anyone working in AI, product design or new technology adoption.The promise of AI in engineering simulationsAs organizations lock horns in a fiercely competitive market, the need to deliver new products with higher frequency is expected to escalate. A McKinsey/NAFEMS joint article (Ragani, Stein, Keen, & Symington, 2023) states that Automotive, Aerospace other major industries expect one-third of their revenues to come from the sale of new productsamounting to over $30 trillion in revenues over the next 5 yearshighlighting the importance of an agile and fast product development process.Virtual prototyping has shortened design cycles and sped up product developmentvehicle design testing durations have reduced from months, when using only physical prototypes, to days when also employing virtual prototyping simulations (HBR, 2021). Such high-fidelity simulations though are computationally demanding and still considered time-consuming. The simulation industry has thus continued its relentless search for ways to reduce the number of simulations needed to be run, and the simulation and analysis time, to optimize a design. The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and its rapid progress in the last decade, has provided the simulation industry with a potentially powerful lever to achieve those objectives.AI offers solutions that can dramatically accelerate simulations, reduce computational costs, and enhance design flexibility. This includes use of Traditional AI applications for faster predictionby using existing data, intelligent parameter selection, and smarter algorithms. Traditional AI applications also help improve outcomes by covering a broader design space. And the use of Generative AI applications, for generative design (generating entirely new concepts that designers would otherwise not have thought of), synthetic data generation and creation of virtual engineering assistants.An overwhelming majority of industry professionals, working on engineering simulations and/or AI, feel that AI can bring great value to simulations.Industry professionals opinion regarding the perceived value or importance of AI for simulations (Kini,2024)But if AI is so promising and capable, most automotive companies would have already adopted it to enhance productivity and streamline workflows. Yet, this is not the case and AI adoption remainslow.Breaking the AI barrier: Why adoptionstallsDespite all the buzz, the adoption of AI for engineering simulations remains low (~20%) in production. This is despite the fact that over 90% of companies have explored or piloted AI projects. The following visual shows the percentage of companies in the various stages of AI adoption, highlighting a gap between exploration, piloting and full deployment/adoption in production.Companies in various stages of AI adoption (Kini,2024)What is keeping these companies from progressing from the exploring/piloting stage to adopting AI for production? An expansive set of possible reasons/factors were collected from existing research and expert interviewsthese have been categorized into Technological, Organizational and Environmental factors, as shownbelow.Factors impacting the AI adoption decision (Kini, 2024) categorized using the T-O-E framework (Tornatzky, Fleischer and Chakrabarti, 1990)An industry survey was carried out to ascertain which of these factors were of primary or highest concern. The most critical factors were found tobe:AI Integration: Concerns and complexities related to integrating AI into existing workflowseven when companies are successful in exploratory projects, practical roadblocks arise during full-scale integration. The root causes for these could range from workflow, architecture, and data incompatibilities, to a general resistance to change. Integration challenges are real58% of surveyed industry professionals said that bringing AI into existing simulation workflows requires majoreffort.AI Explainability: Concerns about the lack of explanation given by AI algorithms to support their predictions and outputs (the black-box problem)engineers like to understand why a model gives a certain result, but with AI, that transparency isnt always there. No wonder only 13% of the respondents were satisfied with the current state of AI explainability.AI Maturity: Concerns that AI may not be sufficiently field-proven and thus not reliableAI is still seen by some as a tool thats in its infancy, and not quite ready for prime time. In fact, only 17% of surveyed professionals felt that AI tools for simulations were sufficiently mature.Budget/Investment: Realization that sizeable investment may be needed to achieve formal and full-scale AI adoptionBudget constraints remain an issue for 43% of companies.Factors of secondary concern (less critical, but important nonetheless) were:Lack of AI expertise: Concern that the skill and knowledge to understand and use AI may be lackinga split verdicthalf of the survey respondents felt that sufficient AI expertise is typically available in-house (or can easily be acquiredvia training, hiring, or outsourcing), while the other half felt AI expertise is limited and difficult toacquire.Forthcoming government regulations: Concerns regarding possible impact of anticipated regulations for the responsible use of AIhere too almost 50% expressed concerns that forthcoming regulations may impose constraints adversely impacting their use ofAI.Availability of usable data: Concern that although data exists, it may not be in a readily usable formalmost 33% of respondents expressed this concernand felt that extensive data management, storage and processing systems need to be in place to support AIuse.AI Scalability: Concern that scaling an AI application, even for the same use case (to multiple components/vehicles/sites, etc.), is difficult, and may result in limited or localized adoptionalthough only 26% of respondents had this concern, a high majority agreed that scalability should be an important consideration from the exploration stageitself.Note: The level of concern of these factors was analyzed using hypothesis testing of the industry survey responses, as shown below. For each factor, a low level of concern was initially assumed as the null hypothesis (H0, blue-shaded region). This hypothesis was then tested using the survey responses. In simple terms, the null hypothesis was rejected for factors that fell within the left-most 5% of the curve (H1; red-shaded regionmost negative)meaning, it can be concluded that these are the factors of highest concern. Full details of this statistical approach can be found in (Kini,2024).Hypothesis testing of survey responses indicating AI Integration, AI Explainability, AI Maturity and Budget Availability to be the factors of greatest concern (Kini,2024)These factors present real and daunting challenges, and have slowed AI adoption for many companies. Nevertheless, some industry leaders have taken decisive steps to successfully overcome these challengesshowing that they are not insurmountable. Audi, Volkswagen and Toyota offer valuable examples of how AI adoption can be successfully acceleratedwhether through in-house or collaborative development, strategic partnerships, or tailored AI solutions.Lessons from industryleadersAudi developed FelGAN, an AI-based software for Rim design (Audi MediaCenter, 2022). The word FelGAN is derived from Felge (meaning rim) and GAN, the acronym for Generative Adversarial Network. FelGAN, trained on historical rim design data, generates multiple realistic configurations efficiently, adapting to new design requirements. In the future, this system may be scaled to serve as a platform to be used by designers in other divisions of thecompany.Key takeaways: By developing the capability in-house, Audi has had full control over the functionality (addressing maturity and explainability concerns) and integration of the software to meet their specific needs. Such an approach also eliminates concerns about data provenance and integrity.Volkswagen recently announced the formation of an AI company named AI Labs (Volkswagen Group, 2024). This company is expected to serve as a global competence center to incubate new ideas for VW group and enable easier collaboration with tech companies and partners.Key takeaways: This set up gives VW greater control over AI developmentensuring the scalability and integration factors are scrutinized upfrontwhether built in-house or in collaboration with partners.At Toyota, use of publicly available Generative AI tools by designers had not been very effective. These tools would help generate great designs, but they would not conform to the engineering constraints that are essential for performance and safety of vehicles. Toyota Research Institute (TRI) generated a system in-house that allows these constraints to be included during the generative design process itself (Greenwood, 2023). The example they share is regarding the aerodynamic drag engineering constrainta critical design factor for energy efficiency, that the engineering team uses simulations to optimize. This allows designers to be creative with ideas, while working within the constraints that the engineering team will need to eventually impose anyway. This leads to fewer iterations between design and engineering teams (and avoids wastage of simulation hours), leading to faster and efficient productdesign.Key takeaways: TRIs success stemmed from its deep understanding of Toyotas design process and its ability to unify multiple departments under a cohesive AI strategy, ensuring seamless AI Integration. This would not have been achievable using an off-the-shelf solution developed independently by a simulation/AI vendor.These companies arent just throwing AI into their workflows and hoping for the bestthey are actively shaping how AI fits into their specific needs. Some build AI in-house for more control, while others collaborate with AI vendors for customized solutions. The key takeaway? There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but automotive companies taking an active role, in both AI strategy and development, iscrucial.How AI/Simulation vendors and automotive companies can bridge thegapIt is understandable that AI/Simulation vendors would like to develop and offer pre-made AI-enabled solutions, as selling the same software solution to multiple customers will optimize costs and generate more revenue. But such off-the-shelf offerings may experience only limited success. AI/Simulation vendors can deliver far greater value by pursuing a more collaborative approach with automotive companies.Automotive companies should be open for such collaboration (unless they have all the resources to develop and maintain AI solutions themselves). They should not see AI as an experiment, but as a well-planned strategic investment.The tables below highlight the approach Automotive companies and AI/Simulation vendors could take to work towards addressing the factors that slow down AI adoption. The specific factors that each action/approach helps address are alsomarked.Suggested approach for automotive companies to address factors ofconcernSuggested approach for AI and Simulation vendors to address factors ofconcern*AI and Simulation solutions could be offered by the same vendor or by different vendors.ConclusionAI has the potential to revolutionize automotive simulations, but adoption in production remains slow due to concerns related to integration complexity, AI explainability and maturity, budget/funding, scalability, among others. The stakeholders involved (AI/Simulation vendors, Automotive companies, technology/services partners) will need to take decisive steps to address these concerns and shortcomings, for the industry to be able to capitalize on this transformation.ReferencesGreenwood, M. (2023, September 27). Toyotas new GenAI Tool is Transforming Vehicle Design. Retrieved from Engineering.com: https://www.engineering.com/story/toyotas-new-genai-tool-is-transforming-vehicle-designHow Simulation Can Accelerate Your Digital Transformation. (2021, September 8). Retrieved from Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/sponsored/2021/09/how-simulation-can-accelerate-your-digital-transformationKini, S. (2024). An evaluation of the factors impacting adoption of Artificial Intelligence technology in high-fidelity Engineering Simulations for Automotive Design. Conducted as part of the Executive MBA program at S P Jain School of Global Management.Ragani, A. F., Stein, J. P., Keen, R., & Symington, I. (2023, June 21). Unveiling the next frontier of engineering simulation. Retrieved from McKinsey & Company: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/unveiling-the-next-frontier-of-engineering-simulationReinventing the wheel? FelGAN inspires new rim designs with AI. (2022, December 12). Retrieved from Audi MediaCenter: https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/reinventing-the-wheel-felgan-inspires-new-rim-designs-with-ai-15097Tornatzky, L. G., Fleischer, M., & Chakrabarti, A. K. (1990). The processes of technological innovation. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.Volkswagen Group establishes artificial intelligence company. (2024, January 31). Retrieved from Volkswagen Group: https://www.volkswagen-group.com/en/press-releases/volkswagen-group-establishes-artificial-intelligence-company-18105AI in automotive design simulations: breaking the barriers to adoption was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The illusion and the curse of knowledge behind thescene.When I ask you to think about a close relative and tell me about them, you can easily do it and make more or less accurate statements about them. But when I ask you to think about your users thats an impossible task. Its simply not feasible to know hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people well. In such cases, you have two options. Either you pick one well-known customer from the crowd and think about them, orand this is what matters hereyou view them through a concept or amodel.ModelYou build this mental model using information gathered from reality and, importantly, by simplifying it. This process is called induction. Later, when you use this modelor lets say, this boxto communicate with your customers or to develop products and services for them, thats deduction.Obviously, the more information you gather, the more sophisticated your modelbecomes.The problem starts when the model is built from very little information, or when decisions are made solely based on one persons model or opinionregardless of everything else. This person is known in the literature as a HIPPO: the Highest Paid Persons Opinion. Unfortunately, many organizations work likethis.Lets go back to simplification and the process of creating models. Heres where humans, as the problem, come into play. The problem is always us. We, humans, tend to distort information. And not just a little, but significantly. Whats more, we do it without even realizing it.Influencing phenomenaLet me highlight two major biases that significantly influence us, based on my own experience.The illusion of knowledgeLet me share a brief study in which Frank Keil and his students asked participants to rate how well they understood the functioning of everyday objects like zippers, toilets, and ballpoint pens on a scale from 1 to 7. On average, participants rated their knowledge between 45. Then, Frank and his team asked them to explain in detail how these objects work. Most of them had no clue, that their real results were between12.This is called the illusion of knowledgewe tend to overestimate our knowledge.What does it mean in relation to clients: We believe we know our users better than we actuallydo.The curse of knowledgeIn 1990 at Stanford University, Elizabeth Newton divided people into two groups: tappers and listeners. Each tapper was asked to tap the rhythm of a well-known song (e.g. Happy Birthday) on a table while a listener tried to guess thesong.Before the task, Elizabeth asked the tappers to estimate what percentage of songs the listeners would guess correctly. The tappers estimated 50%, while the actual result was only 2.5%. A huge difference.Elizabeth called this the curse of knowledgewe cannot disregard ourselves from what we alreadyknow.What does it mean in relation to clients: We assume users and customers have far more knowledge than they actuallydo.I dont know how you feel, but I am often told by my clients: We already know enough, what is more a lot about our customers. To be honest we as designers are not an exception tothat.In my experience, the illusion of knowledge and the curse of knowledge are the primary reasons why companies and clients are reluctant to spend (enough) on research.Scientific methodologiesScience currently identifies nearly 220 such biases. It would be foolish to think humans are rational creatures. Scientific methodologies have evolved precisely because of our biases, aiming to make experiments and research more objective and rational. The goal is practically to remove humans and their weaknesses from the equation.AIt is out of question: you should do research. You need to research in order to understand your users better and to refine your model.Invest init!Im well aware that there are many other factors contributing to why companies dont spend (enough) on research. If you know of any, feel free to share them in the comments. In the post, I highlighted the two most important biases.Why dont they spend (enough) on research? was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.