In 2013, Erik Nordby discussed MPCs work on Elysium. Since then, he has contributed to numerous films, including The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Passengers, Pokmon: Detective Pikachu, and The School for Good and Evil.How did you get involved in this show?While I was in the final month of production on The School for Good and Evil with Paul Feig, my agent informed me that Skydance was seeking a supervisor for a movie. Later that week, we scheduled a call with Scott Derrickson. I read the script and was immediately captivated by its uniqueness in fundamental ways. It perfectly aligned with my preferred approach to visual effects, incorporating numerous environments, invisible effects, and an exciting array of animation. This combination felt like an ideal fit. Additionally, the scope of world-building presented a significant challenge, and fortunately, Scott shared a similar perspective on it. We had an engaging discussion exploring various methodologies, and by the end of our call, there was a palpable sense of excitement. A few days later, we commenced early prep meetings.How did you collaborate with the director and other departments, such as cinematography and production design, to organically integrate VFX into the story?On every movie, I build a rapport with the following team members as soon as possible: Director, First AD, DOP, and Prod designer, in that order. Building trust among the heads of departments is crucial, especially for a grounded yet multi-faceted movie like The Gorge. There were a number of significant decisions that needed to be made upfront to establish a balance between each department. We started working well before we arrived at Leavesden.The most important initial decision that required extensive discussion was how we would approach the two vastly different worlds of UPPER Gorge and LOWER Gorge. Each required a unique approach that didnt share much in common. Upper Gorge needed a significant amount of photo-realism, while Lower Gorge was much more stylized. Upper Gorge needed to blend well with location shooting, while Lower Gorge was ideally suited for stages with small build-outs. Upper Gorge needed to showcase seasonal changes, while Lower Gorge showcased changes primarily tied to color and interactive mist.We also spent two months actively investigating the possibility of shooting the Upper Gorge as a Bigature on stage. We even commissioned a test shoot and attempted to secure the necessary resources. However, considering that we could only shoot roughly 4 setups per day, to achieve the roughly 300 shots that were required, the time commitment proved too extensive. It would have locked us into too many lighting scenarios ahead of Dans schedule as well.Once we decided that the Upper Gorge would consist of a hybrid between real-world locations and extensive CG extensions, a solid approach was established. We identified a series of excellent forest locations that existed on a small hillock outside London, playing as the edge of the Gorge. We would then flip the photography so that these locations could serve as both the east and west perimeters. With this approach solidified, production designer Rick Heinrichs, DOP Dan Lausten, and I could reasonably collaborate on dividing the heavy lifting among our respective disciplines.The tops of the 2 towers werent appropriate for outdoor filming. We briefly considered building them on the backlot, but Dan was concerned about lighting and environment control for good reason. So, we built the corresponding East and West tower tops on stage. Each set consisted of the front exterior (essentially the balcony) and the full single-floor interior. Since so many shots required long lenses (through military tech binoculars and scopes), we tested opening the large doors of the stages and shooting lenses up to 1000mm (500mm doubled) from outside. Scott and Dan didnt think the compression was worth the loss of 2 stops and exposure to the elements, so all photography was confined to the dimensions of a single stage.The tower bases were built outdoors, however. We constructed Levis Tower on the Leavesden backlot and Drasas East Tower in the woods near the rest of the forest work. We used these locations resourcefully, but they were restricted to the confines of appropriate blue screens and negative fill. Shooting in the rainy spring was challenging, but it greatly enhanced the exterior look.The lower gorge took longer to establish an approach. Initially, it wasnt clear how stylized Scott wanted the look to be. So, we conducted numerous rounds of tests during prep to help establish a look. These tests primarily involved manipulating levels of lights, fog, mist, and color. The positive outcome was that we locked in an in-camera set look that Scott and Dan could reference as the desired end goal throughout the rest of the shoot. We also used this as a bible to establish the correct levels in post, which was highly valuable.However, there were still challenges. In many instances, it became evident that VFX needed to own the fog. This created a dilemma. Adding practical mist and fog to the stage would obviously affect the shape of the light, primarily making it softer. There was no effective way to add significant extensions within the fog using VFX unless it could be controlled. This was especially true on our largest stage full of trees with a lot of branch complexity. Additionally, we were limiting our photographic visibility by locking into practical mist, which made Scott slightly anxious. Consequently, for most scenes shot in the lower gorge, we added a subtle level of base mist, set the overall color, and with Dans eventual approval, we pushed the addition of the art-directed Fog to VFX.How did you choose the various vendors and split the work amongst them?The primary vendors we selected upfront for The Gorge were Framestore, DNEG, and Image Engine.One always strives to find an effective way to divide the workload, and fortunately, the overall structure of this movie presented a remarkably straightforward breakdown upfront. DNEG was assigned the Upper Gorge, Framestore was given the Lower Gorge and the creatures therein, and Image Engine was tasked with capturing specific, confined scenes that didnt necessitate significant overlap with other lower gorge work (such as the Skull Spiders and the Body Web). The sole scene that required the majority of shared resources was the Attack on the Wall scene near the beginning of the second act. This is where we first encountered the Hollowmen from the lower gorge as they attempted to scale the gorge walls. It was simpler to share DNEGs gorge environment with Framestore, rather than trying to bundle up the two dozen creatures and share them with DNEG. So in the end, DNEG packaged that asset, and Framestore executed the entire sequence.How did the collaboration between you evolve throughout the production process to ensure a cohesive visual effects vision?Pete Dionne, the overall supervisor at Framestore (based out of Vancouver), was also my second unit supervisor on the shoot. Weve been working together for several years and have collaborated on many films. He was instrumental in developing the approach for physically acquiring the Gorge environment. He led a team that traveled to Norway and scanned massive rock faces and other unique geographic locations. He also helped isolate a good, straightforward approach to the Hollowmen, which I speak more about below. Joao Sita at Framestore Australia came on in post to help with some heavy lifting, specifically the replacement of the practical Alpha character in his confrontation with Drasa. He led a great team, and we loved working with him.Anelia (Nellie) Asparuhova, Supervisor at DNEG, visited the set frequently and helped solidify the visual style and feel of the upper gorge extensions. Her team also dedicated a significant amount of time to conducting scope and binocular research. Nellie and I had also worked together on a previous film and have a great shorthand as a result.Christian Irles at Image Engine flew in to supervise our elements shoot and the animation work that his studio expertly crafted for the body web, skull spiders, and Hollowmen in the church. Christian and I also have a lot of previous experience working together.We also leaned on Outpost VFX, Host VFX.All in all, I was spoiled with the teams we put together for this movie. They were such a massive part of its success. Super collaborative, and I look forward to continuing my experience with them on further shows.Can you explain the process of designing the Gorge environment? What were the biggest creative and technical challenges in capturing its vastness and danger?Early on in the production, it became evident that the most significant challenge in creating a photorealistic upper gorge was achieving repeatability through many sequences without killing the render times. The environment needed to feel like a consistent and believable space that the audience could rely on. Additionally, we required sufficient shape and landmarking to prevent the gorge from feeling disjointed or too indistinct. We didnt want to confuse the space for the audience.To this end, we established an obvious north end that was large and impassable, a south end that encircled a distant waterfall with mist and atmosphere. Then the east and west sides featured rock faces that were distinct and differing distance skylines and elevations. Part of the learning curve involved doing this too heavily handed at first, where it ended up feeling like it was a pastiche of environments that were too dissimilar. So, luckily, we continued to experiment with the DNEG team once they came on board.In addition to these challenges, we also wanted a gorgeous environment that felt untouched and undiscovered. This required a lot of time and energy to nail down and keep the landmarking in place. DNEG hired a geologist named Tom Brodie that helped guide the science behind the overall makeup of the natural world we were trying to recreate. Forests that have been forested or destroyed by a fire tend to appear like millions of identical trees once they regrow. When photographed, this can look realistic, but in CG, it can feel very repetitive and artificial. We needed variability in order to feel real. We needed micro and macro breakups in the types and amounts of trees, rock faces, boulders, cliff faces, types of rock, etc. We needed a forest floor that felt built up and reflective of centuries of being untouched, even the hints of animal pathways through the woods were important. There were so many challenges to balance, and through continued experimentation, the DNEG team solved each problem one at a time.Were there any real-world locations or specific references that inspired the creation of the Gorge?Initially, we believed we could find a perfect location and even send a team to acquire it. Unfortunately, it didnt exist. However, while flying around Google Earth in a pair of goggles, we managed to isolate several locations in Norway that could individually serve as a library of scans and photographs for different sections of the gorge. This formed a good balance of feeding the needs of the world whilst still rooting it in reality.How did you film the dizzying scenes above the Gorge?Over several days, all the zip-line work was conducted on the backlot of Leavesden. Two large cranes were strategically positioned and offset to assist with height adjustments. We also brought in approximately a dozen tele-handlers equipped with 2030 blue screens. These screens were used to postage-stamp individual shots and cover as much of the action as possible. While primarily focusing on Miles, we aimed to isolate him when we could without affecting the lighting.To secure the zip-line to the east and west sides of the gorge, we connected it to the tower base locations. The west tower base was also physically built on the backlot, allowing us to directly link the wire work to the moments Miles ran and leaped from his side. On the other hand, the east tower base was constructed in a forest location near the edge of the gorge wall scenes. This made it more challenging to integrate the wire work into Drasas tower. Fortunately, there were fewer shots in this area, and we prioritized capturing Drasas reactions rather than the actual wire work. For instances where Levi fell, we had exceptional elements of actual falls shot by our stunt team, led by Brycen Counts and Shane Habberstad.How was the design of the creatures developed? What key elements were chosen to reflect their menacing nature while keeping them believable within the gorge environment?Designing the Hollowmen was a labor of love. It began early in the process, even before we awarded the project. Before I signed on, Scott had selected a core group of references that resonated with him. These references quickly became a foundation for tone, that we built upon throughout many rounds of creature design.L to R: VFX Supervisor Erik Nordby and VFX Producer Rich YeomansThe first significant design push involved Ravi Bansal and his talented team of designers within the art department at DNEG. We began by exploring the base morphology of the creatures. How distorted were they? How did we convey the hybridization between organic, insect, and human elements? How could we connect the human elements to the WW2 legions mentioned in the script? How horrific should we make them? Ravis team guided us through numerous rounds of these investigations. Scott was excellent at making decisions about what worked and what didnt. He wanted to connect to the humanity of the characters at all costs. This helped us narrow down a set of base designs that felt authentic.Once we awarded it to Framestore, Martin Macraes team got involved and helped flesh out some smart manifestations and interesting mutations that we pitched to Scott. His team created some great art that could push us through the next evolution in finding the hollowmen.After several rounds of this, our challenge was organizing the creatures into groups that fully supported the story. To achieve this, we dedicated a room at Leavesden near the VFX offices, which we named Hollowman Hall. This provided a large space where we could display artwork, rearrange it, allocate per scene, and establish a foothold for a team of designs that adhered to the story and scripted characters. Many afternoons were spent here with Scott and the other HODs attempting to nail down this work.The most significant challenge then arose: how could we assetize these creatures in a cost-effective manner to make a few feel like many? Since each high level of detail requires an intensive process of design, build time, and rigging for animation, we needed to be strategic. Pete Dionne had the brilliant idea of naming each individual Hollowman. The main close-up Hollowmen featured in the wall attack were THURSTON and REGINALD. There were RADCLIFF and WINSTON, two heroes in the horse attack. Then there was REMINGTON, HEATHCLIFF, and CHADWICK, who led the charge when Levi and Drasa towed their jeep up the wall in the third act. They were followed up with a whole cadre of characters that fleshed out each scene each named.This approach allowed us to rally around and embrace a subtle backstory for each character. It also fostered a lot more engagement with Scott and the editing team, reinforcing the idea that each one of these Hollowmen used to be human. It expedited better communication and then launched an effective method of repurposing certain characters through simple swap-outs, transforming the 12-hero Hollowmen into a small army.How did you handle the interactions between the actors and these terrifying creatures? Were there physical elements on set, or was everything animated digitally?During prep, it was evident that there was a significant amount of interaction between the Hollowmen and our leads. Additionally, intricate stunt work was necessary to ensure that the script beats were met. Consequently, we collaborated with the stunt team to enhance these moments. We gained valuable information from their stunt vis, which was filmed, edited, and presented to Scott early on, and used as a framework for our own shooting. For the majority of interactive scenes between Levi, Drasa, and a creature, a real-life person or a puppeteered proxy was involved.What tools or animation approaches were essential to bring the creatures to life and make them feel threatening?The majority of our animation was based on physically real rotoscoped motion. We had real stunt performers on set that were seamlessly integrated into shots. Or, in the case of the skull spiders, we had puppeteered proxies that Drasa and Levi could interact with.The horses play a key role in the film. How were they designed and animated to maintain their terrifying appearance while capturing realistic, natural movements?The horses played a significant role in the first encounter between the Hollowmen in the lower gorge. We spent considerable time digitally choreographing the actual scene in Previs with an exceptional team from The Third Floor, led by Hamilton Lewis. This was then handed over to the stunt team to further develop and refine, guided by their expertise in equestrian physicality. Concurrently, we iterated through various horse designs that began to resonate with Scott. To avoid deviating too far from the overall mass and silhouette of the horses we intended to use on set, we started hollowing them out to reveal internal degradation, muscles, and sinew.Our production manager, Rebecca Field, took the reins in constructing a completely custom motion capture volume, large enough to capture full horse sprints and stunts on a stage at Leavesden. This proved invaluable, providing our animation team with an extensive and high-quality library of motion capture data that was bespoke for each scene.Were there any memorable moments or scenes from the film that you found particularly rewarding or challenging to work on from a visual effects standpoint?Levi and Drasas encounter with the hybrid body mass soup at the base of the shelter after killing the Alpha Hollowman and escaping his lair was arguably one of the most significant and gratifying challenges. We referred to it as the body web, and it demanded exceptional design patience to establish the appropriate tone for this work. The challenge lay in the immense computational burden required by Image Engine to render the complex scene. Fortunately, their solid skills and strategic positioning allowed them to successfully execute the task. Im really proud of the work they accomplished.Looking back on the project, what aspects of the visual effects are you most proud of?I believe Im most proud of how effectively the visual effects support the narrative. They dont hinder the story and, hopefully, only enhance its progression. Additionally, Im incredibly proud of the Upper Gorge set. It was an enormous undertaking to seamlessly blend various disparate shooting locations into a cohesive and expansive world that felt like a single environment.But in the end Im always struck with how proud I am of the collaboration this art form requires. So proud of the entire team of leads, supervisors, production support, and artists that came together to make this film come to life. Also cant say enough good things about working with Skydance throughout. Kathy Chasen-Hay and Aliyah Lopez offered support and understanding throughout the making of this film. It was great to know they had our backs. They made it a joy.How long have you worked on this show?I worked on The Gorge from September 2022 to May 2023.Whats the VFX shots count?1932.What is your next project?Nothing locked in yet.A big thanks for your time.WANT TO KNOW MORE?DNEG: Dedicated page about The Gorge on DNEG website.Anelia Asparuhova & Sebastian von Overheidt: Heres my interview of VFX Supervisors Anelia Asparuhova & Sebastian von Overheidt at DNEG.Framestore: Dedicated page about The Gorge on Framestore website.Joao Sita, Martin Macrae and Nicholas Tripodi: Joao Sita (VFX Supervisor), Martin Macrae (Head of Art Department) and Nicholas Tripodi (Head of Animation) at Framestore.Image Engine: Dedicated page about The Gorge on Image Engine website.Christian Irles: Heres my interview of VFX Supervisor Christian Irles at Image Engine.Outpost VFX: Dedicated page about The Gorge on Outpost VFX website. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2025

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Construction 3D printing company Contec Australia has introduced concrete 3D printing to Western Australia with a two-story house in Tapping, located in Perths northern suburbs.Described as the states first multi-story 3D printed building, this project involved using a 3D printing robot acquired from Dutch construction 3D printing firm CyBe Construction. All the walls of the structure are now complete, with the process aimed at improving construction speed, cutting costs, and assisting labor efforts rather than replacing them.This innovation addresses some of the biggest challenges in the construction industry, from labour shortages to rising costs, said Founder Mark DAlessandro. 3D Concrete printing significantly reduces build times and offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional construction methods.3D printed walls can be built with a team of as little as 2 or 3 operators. Photo via CyBe Construction.Two-week training yields rapid printing successAs part of its partnership with Contec, the company provided a two-week training program to guide Contecs team through the essentials of delivering consistent, reliable 3D printed projects.The training paid off when Contecs team managed to print all 15 walls of the 155m house in just 10.5 hours of active printing. From there, the project progressed quickly, with the midfloor assembled and the walls of the second floor printed within 18 hours of active printing.Its not just the speed thats drawing attention. The open-air printing process operated effectively without the need for protective tents, even in temperatures reaching 42C, demonstrating that the method can hold up under challenging conditions.Located in a newly developed subdivision with several unfinished homes, the site in Tapping has attracted interest from architects, builders, engineers, and media outlets. Within the first few weeks, multiple radio and television stations visited the site to observe the progress.Contec Australia was established in 2023 by DAlessandro, a builder and quantity surveyor with nearly two decades of experience in Western Australias construction sector.His portfolio includes overseeing high-rise, residential, commercial, and industrial projects across the state. Faced with labor shortages during the COVID-19 era, DAlessandro sought alternative methods to enhance efficiency, leading to Contecs collaboration with CyBe Construction.With the initial project completed, Contec is now looking to scale its operations. The company plans to expand its fleet of 3D printers by the end of 2025, targeting additional residential, commercial, and civil construction projects across both metropolitan and regional areas of Western Australia.The home is being printed right next to a yet to be finishing home in the Tapping subdivision. Photo via CyBe Construction.Inaugural 3D printed homes around the worldWith the advantages of construction 3D printing, many areas are witnessing their first 3D printed homes.Recently, automated construction 3D printing company VeroTouch completed Colorados first 3D printed homes in Buena Vista, supported by up to $618,000 from the states Innovative Housing Incentive Program (IHIP).The 1,100-square-foot homes are part of the VeroVistas project, built using a proprietary 3D printing system designed for energy efficiency, durability, and fire resistance. Partnering with South Main, VeroTouch plans a 31-home development in Cleora to test scalability, automation, and material efficiency. The project aims to address housing shortages and enhance construction efficiency through additive manufacturing.Last year, construction company Harcourt Technologies (HTL) initiated Irelands first 3D printed housing project in Dundalk, constructing three social housing units at Grange Close with a COBOD 3D printer supplied by the Local Authority. The gantry-mounted system extruded concrete layer by layer, guided by a digital blueprint.Set for completion by October 2024, the project aimed to triple construction speed compared to conventional methods. HTL also worked with Louth Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) to train over 100 participants at its Drogheda facility, bringing more people up to speed with the technology.What3D printing trendsshould you watch out for in 2025?How is thefuture of 3D printingshaping up?To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.While youre here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays.Featured image shows 3D printed walls can be built with a team of as little as 2 or 3 operators. Photo via CyBe Construction.

INFONAVIT (The National Housing Fund for Workers Institute) is the state agency behind almost one-third of Mexico Citys workers housing. The group was founded in 1972 and, today, many of its early works suffer from a lack of maintenance and government neglect. INFONAVITrecently organized a competition to revitalize four original multifamily housing complexes by INFONAVIT: Iztacalco, Santa Fe, Culhuacn El Rosario, and Ignacio Chvez. AMASA Estudio, a Mexico City office founded by Andrea Lpez and Agustn Pereyra, won the multi-project commission. The firm recently completed a project at the Iztacalco Complex, the state agencys first, completed in 1972. The local office repaired a 13,000-square-foot semi-sphere, converting it into a usable shared space for the community. This project exemplifies the transformative potential of public investment in Mexico Citys housing complexes, AMASA Estudio shared. Thoughtfully designed interventions, rooted in resource efficiency and strategic planning, can revitalize common areasturning them into spaces for gathering, recreation, learning, and community engagement.The architects added color and structurally reinforced a 13,000-square-foot semi-sphere. (Zaickz Moz/Courtesy AMASA Estudio)Splash of ColorCumulatively, AMASA Estudio has developed four individual, tailor-made proposals for each of the four complexes. This started with in-depth site analysis, culminating in an innovative organization strategy between the architects, construction team, INFONAVIT, the Social Prosecutors Office, local government groups, and the residents committees. The Iztacalco Complex was damaged during the major 1979 earthquake that rocked Mexico City, leaving its central element, a semi-sphere, unfinished. AMASA Estudio worked on a proposal to revamp the central common area of the housing complex, where the 40-foot semi-sphere is located.The corrugated metal offers refuge from the sweltering heat. (Andres Cedillo/Courtesy AMASA Estudio)The renovation will wash the circular structures gray concrete with color, featuring pigmented concrete in warm tones, complemented by turquoise-green steel supported by corrugated metal panels in a dynamic, polychromatic finish. Structural reinforcements were added at the column bases of the steel joints to support the semi-spheres enclosure, consisting of a suspended, inclined roof system formed by a steel grid and lightweight metal sheets. These elements were secured with tensile steel cables.In addition to work on the semi-sphere, the project also brought new playground equipment to the housing complex. Also realized in chromatic shades were bars ideal for climbing and strength training.The architects also designed new playground spaces. (Zaickz Moz/Courtesy AMASA Estudio)These improvements provide residents with opportunities for exercise and neighborhood interaction, fostering a sense of belonging and social cohesion, AMASA Estudio continued. Ultimately, this project demonstrates that large budgets are not always necessarywhat matters most is a well-planned, well-managed, and well-designed public investment strategy that breathes new life into communal spaces and strengthens the social fabric of Mexico Citys housing communities.Other recent projects backed by INFONAVITinclude, a 9-acre Housing Laboratory project in Hidalgo that realized 32 prototype homes.

Stantec announced today it has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Page, the 1,400-person firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in 20 cities around the world. The agreement positions Stantec as the second largest architecture office in the U.S. after Gensler.With this agreement, Stantecs overall U.S. employee headcount is approximately 13,500 people, expanding Stantecs U.S. Buildings practice by 35 percent. The maneuver is part of Stantecs 20242026 Strategic Plan, which outlined fast growing segments and regions where the corporation wants to grow. The agreement with Page essentially doubles Stantecs presence in Texas.The agreement, Stantec said in a statement, deepens its expertise and resources in key growth areas such as advanced manufacturing, data centers, and healthcare, while adding new capabilities in cleanroom design and fabrication facilities, and also mission critical, academic, civic, cultural, aviation, science and technology, and commercial sectors.Page is a respected architecture and engineering firm with shared values and a commitment to design excellence and innovation, said Gord Johnston, Stantec president and CEO. This acquisition will greatly support our strategic market growth in our Buildings business while enabling us to leverage our expanded platform to better serve our North American clients and grow our worldwide market presence. Page was founded in 1898 in Texas. While presently based in the nations capital, it has offices in Mexico City, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Denver, New York City, Boston, Atlanta, San Francisco, and other cities. Both Page and Stantec have a history of successful collaboration.Previously, Stantec and Page collaborated on the Brian D. Jellison Outpatient Cancer Pavilion and Outpatient Cancer Center Institute for Sarasota Memorial Health Care System in Sarasota, Florida.Together, we will support our clients with expanded reach, greater expertise, and deeper resources. Our strategic plans were to achieve domestic primacy and global influence for our team, joining Stantec positions us to accelerate these plans, added Thomas McCarthy, Page CEO. We are delighted to be joining Stantec and elevating the capabilities of our talented team.Now that the agreement has been signed, the acquisition is expected to close upon receipt of required regulatory approvals, Stantec said. The acquisition is funded, Stantec continued, through existing funds and credit facilities.The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Dreamers (2019), acrylic on canvas, 230 x 360 centimeters. All images Marc Padeu, courtesy of Larkin Durey, London, shared with permissionDrawing on Religious Renaissance Art, Marc Padeus Paintings Monumentalize the QuotidianApril 3, 2025ArtKate MothesForegrounding vibrant patterns, swathed in bright fabrics, and illuminated by the sun, the figures in Cameroonian artist Marc Padeus paintings are imbued with beguiling gravitas. His large-scale works stem from a fascination with the power of narrative, connecting the Western art historical canonespecially Renaissance titans like Caravaggiowith contemporary experiences of life in Cameroon.Padeu was trained by the church as a fresco painter. He draws on dramatic biblical stories to juxtapose momentous religious and spiritual accounts with quotidian moments that emphasize Black joy, leisure, family, and fraternity. Au baptme 2 (2024), acrylic on canvas, 200 x 300 centimetersThrough the immediacy of acrylic, Padeu renders figures in everyday yet memorable scenes, whether gathered outdoors to relax, witnessing a baptism, or solemnly coexisting amid vivid surroundings. Many of Padeus paintings take inspiration from Renaissance compositions, like La runion syndicale, which bears hints of da Vincis The Last Supper (1495-1498) or Caravaggios The Supper at Emmaus (1601). Portrayed nearly life-size, the artists tableaux immerse us in rites of passage and moments of togetherness. Find more on the artists Instagram.La runion syndicale (2021), acrylic on canvas, 200 x 280 centimetersLa bague de Roxane (2023), acrylic on canvas, 200 x 280 centimetersAll the light on me (2021), acrylic on canvas, 200 x 338 centimetersLa Balanoire 2 (2025), acrylic on canvas, 200 x 230 centimetersAu pique-nique (2022), acrylic on canvas, 220 x 200 centimetersNext article

Thanks to cloud computing, organisations of all shapes and sizes have benefitted from the flexibility of IT capacity without the cost and challenges of maintaining their own infrastructure. Hyperscale public cloud providers and SaaS tools to help with a vast array of business processes have been a particular boon for small and fast-growing organisations, helping them spin up the kind of IT resource that just a few decades ago would have taken many months and significant financial cost to build and maintain themselves.Using cloud computing effectively and safely, however, requires care. One of the big draws of cloud services, is the ability to scale resources up and down as needed. Maybe theres a project starting for a few months that will require some data processing and analysis, or there are seasonal demands for services which need additional resource. The cloud allows businesses to meet these needs without having to pay to keep that spare capacity around. But the benefits of only paying for whats needed are only possible if the business keeps on top of where their data is stored, and in what tier rather than falling into the trap of setting and forgetting.The same applies for securing this data. Under most public cloud provider contracts there is a joint responsibility between the cloud provider and the customer for the security and availability of the stored data. This can vary widely depending on the type of service that has been procured, so it is important for all organisations to think carefully about which data is best stored where, and at what security level.In practice this is easier said than done. Not every organisation has the technical knowledge in place to keep on top of configuring and managing their cloud services no matter how critical they might be to keeping the organisation running. Other may think they have security through obscurity being just one of many millions of public cloud customers or because theyve not experienced an attack yet, as nave as that may be.Organisations may also be unclear on the details of the contracts theyve signed they are still legally responsible for the security of their own data, wherever its stored. Public cloud providers may act to quarantine affected encryption keys if a breach is discovered, but if public cloud credentials are compromised and data is held for ransom, theres little providers are legally responsible for.Recent attacks on cloud storage instances underscore the importance of getting this right. One cyber crime group dubbed Codefinger, for example, have attacked at least two victims by stealing AWS customer account credentials and using the built-in encryption to lockdown their data. This is made possible by the fact that many companies arent regularly monitoring and auditing the encryption keys they have in place, revoking permissions for those that are no longer required.There are also duplication and visibility challenges, with over half (53%) of organisations still having five or more key management systems in place, according to the 2024 Thales Data Threat Report. Encryption key management needs to be taken as seriously as all the other cybersecurity measures an organisation has in place.Luckily, effective practices around the generation, storage and use of encryption keys have been clearly defined for some time. The strength of the keys chosen, for example, needs to align with the sensitivity of the data. Some applications may benefit from the use of RSA key pairs, so that third parties can authenticate with a public key, while the data remains encrypted with a private key.Maintaining a separation of duties is also advisable, so that those creating and managing the keys do not also have access to the protected data. Dividing responsibilities in this way reduces the risk of a successful attack via social engineering or credential compromise, which could then give threat actors full administrative access. Tracking and coordinating the use of encryption keys is also easier if they are stored in a secure vault with specific permissions, or if a Hardware Security Module (HSM) is used to store the master keys. Its a good idea to limit the amount of data that can be encrypted with a single key, as well as to mandate a crypto period for every key so that newly encrypted data can only be accessed with the new key version.Read more about cloud securityGoogle's acquisition of Wiz for $32 billion highlights the importance of cloud-native security as organisations transition to microservices and containerisation.In this guide, IT security and industry experts share their top recommendations for protecting public cloud deployments.Cloud migration can seem daunting to security teams. Following these essential practices can help them move infrastructure and applications to the cloud safely and securely.When you consider that an organisation may have millions of keys and operations taking place that need managing across multiple environments and for structured and unstructured data alike, having a centralised system is the best way to apply these practices consistently and rigorously. There are also increasing numbers of regulations and standards around the world that mandate strict control over encryption keys so these practices are no longer just a nice to have, they are in fact the table stakes for doing business.The value of having IT resources available anytime, anywhere via the cloud has been immeasurable for modern business, but in the race to take advantage of these services, businesses must not forget that the legal liability for the security of their data remains with them.Rob Elliss is EMEA vice president, data and application security at Thales.

Virtual private networks (VPNs) can be essential tools for gamers today. While most VPNs don't promote themselves as gamer-first solutions, the best VPNsdon't impact your gaming sessions and offer a host of benefits for an affordable price, including rapid server speeds and quick connections, security, location options, streaming support, and IP address masking.Also:The best VPNs for iPhoneThe best gaming VPNs offer enhanced security without lag or ping issues. But why do some gamers use a VPN in the first place? Often, it is to hide their location from other players who might think it's amusing to launch denial-of-service attacks or stream snipe competitors. This is especially important if gamers frequently live-stream their sessions.What is the best gaming VPN right now?Our pick for the best gaming VPN overall is ExpressVPN, followed closely by NordVPN. ExpressVPN's speed and stability are consistent, and it performs well with minimal speed loss during intense online gaming sessions. NordVPN also provides excellent speeds and a vast server network. ExpressVPN is currently on sale for $5 month, whereas NordVPN subscriptions start at $3.09 per month.The ZDNET team has been testing VPN software for years. Many of us are keen gamers, and we understand what matters most when we analyze how VPNs respond to online gaming andstreaming. We've researched and compared dozens of VPNs, focusing on speed, stability, ping rates, and security. These are the best VPNs for gaming in 2025. Sort by All Countries and servers Usability Speed and performance Security Price The best VPNs for gaming in 2025 Show less View now at ExpressVPN ExpressVPN is an extremely popular VPN with an exceptionally large global network of servers and support for numerous devices and platforms. ExpressVPN is fast, and during our last round of testing, speed loss was minimal. Due to its consistently excellent speeds and ping results, we consider this one of the best VPNs for gaming purposes.We also consider this VPN one of the best "all-rounder" solutions available. Thanks to recent upgrades to Express VPN's Lightway protocol, Windows users may notice an increase in speed.This VPN can take some time to download, but once installed, it is easy to use and suitable for beginners and experienced users. You can choose the VPN's smart server or your preferred location -- from 105 countries -- and press connect. In addition, this VPN has a kill switch that will protect your privacy should your connection unexpectedly drop.Review:Our ExpressVPN reviewExpressVPN's logging policyis clear: It doesn't keep track of your browsing history, destinations, or sensitive data. It does, however, log some information for troubleshooting and technical support. Customers say this VPN provides value for money.The service is backed by solid customer support, although a downside is that ExpressVPN is more expensive than most of its competitors.Also: Best no-log VPNs 2025ExpressVPN's two-year plan is $5 per month. Four months of free access are included. You can opt for a one-year subscription for $6.67 per month including three months free, or one month of access for $12.95. Student deals are also available, and this VPN provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.ExpressVPN features:Simultaneous connections:8|Kill switch:Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, tvOS, and routers|Countries:105|Logging: No browsing logs, some connection logs |Money-back guarantee:30 days|Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.2 |Google Play rating: 4.4 |App Store rating: 4.7 Countries and servers 9 Usability 9 Speed and performance 10 Security 8 Price 5 Pros Extremely fast connections, speeds Beginner-friendly Transparent privacy policy Large server network Cons Expensive Limited simultaneous connections Price $13 per month, $100 for the first 15 months (then $117 per year) or $140 for the first 28 months (then $150 per year)Latest Tests DNS leaks detected, 35% speed loss in 2025 testsNetwork 3,000 plus servers in 105 countriesJurisdiction British Virgin Islands ExpressVPN Best gaming VPN overall 4.1 / 5 Score ExpressVPN is an extremely popular VPN with an exceptionally large global network of servers and support for numerous devices and platforms. ExpressVPN is fast, and during our last round of testing, speed loss was minimal. Due to its consistently excellent speeds and ping results, we consider this one of the best VPNs for gaming purposes.We also consider this VPN one of the best "all-rounder" solutions available. Thanks to recent upgrades to Express VPN's Lightway protocol, Windows users may notice an increase in speed.This VPN can take some time to download, but once installed, it is easy to use and suitable for beginners and experienced users. You can choose the VPN's smart server or your preferred location -- from 105 countries -- and press connect. In addition, this VPN has a kill switch that will protect your privacy should your connection unexpectedly drop.Review:Our ExpressVPN reviewExpressVPN's logging policyis clear: It doesn't keep track of your browsing history, destinations, or sensitive data. It does, however, log some information for troubleshooting and technical support. Customers say this VPN provides value for money.The service is backed by solid customer support, although a downside is that ExpressVPN is more expensive than most of its competitors.Also: Best no-log VPNs 2025ExpressVPN's two-year plan is $5 per month. Four months of free access are included. You can opt for a one-year subscription for $6.67 per month including three months free, or one month of access for $12.95. Student deals are also available, and this VPN provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.ExpressVPN features:Simultaneous connections:8|Kill switch:Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Linux, Fire TV, Android TV, tvOS, and routers|Countries:105|Logging: No browsing logs, some connection logs |Money-back guarantee:30 days|Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.2 |Google Play rating: 4.4 |App Store rating: 4.7 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at NordVPN NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs that ZDNET has tested, making it a top VPN for all purposes, including gaming. In our most recent tests, NordVPN was one of the top performers with minimal speed loss, and it maintained fast connection times with solid ping speeds and low latency.NordVPN's speed and performance helped push it to second place on our list. The only reason this is not the top contender is that ExpressVPN performed marginally better when we tested resource-intensive games.Also:Our NordVPN reviewNordVPN offers customers more than just a basic VPN. It is suitable for gaming, supports peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, and has a Double VPN feature that adds a second layer of encryption to your connection. In addition, NordVPN's latest independent security audit revealed the VPN is working as it should.Additional features including a data breach scanner, password manager, dedicated IP address, and encrypted cloud storage, are also available but may be limited to premium plans.Customers call this VPN great all-around and applaud the support team. Are there downsides? We would say that NordVPN -- alongside ExpressVPN -- should offer unlimited simultaneous connections.Plans begin at $3.09 per month on a two-year plan with three months of free access. One-year contracts start at $5 per month, whereas if you want one month of access, you can pay $13. If you aren't happy with the service, you can take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee.Also: Best password manager for businessNordVPN features:Simultaneous connections:10 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers |Countries:111 |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Email address and billing information only |Money-back guarantee: 30 days|Trial: Seven days on Android|Trustpilot rating: 4.1 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Countries and servers 10 Usability 9 Speed and performance 10 Security 8 Price 7 Pros Great speeds Excellent server network Optional security features Streaming-friendly Cons Advanced plans are expensive Limited simultaneous connections Price $14 per month, $60 for the first year or $81 total for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $140 per year)Latest tests No leaks detected, 3% average internet download speed loss in 2025 testsNetwork 7,300-plus servers in 118 countriesJurisdiction Panama NordVPN Best gaming VPN for speed 4.4 / 5 Score NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs that ZDNET has tested, making it a top VPN for all purposes, including gaming. In our most recent tests, NordVPN was one of the top performers with minimal speed loss, and it maintained fast connection times with solid ping speeds and low latency.NordVPN's speed and performance helped push it to second place on our list. The only reason this is not the top contender is that ExpressVPN performed marginally better when we tested resource-intensive games.Also:Our NordVPN reviewNordVPN offers customers more than just a basic VPN. It is suitable for gaming, supports peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, and has a Double VPN feature that adds a second layer of encryption to your connection. In addition, NordVPN's latest independent security audit revealed the VPN is working as it should.Additional features including a data breach scanner, password manager, dedicated IP address, and encrypted cloud storage, are also available but may be limited to premium plans.Customers call this VPN great all-around and applaud the support team. Are there downsides? We would say that NordVPN -- alongside ExpressVPN -- should offer unlimited simultaneous connections.Plans begin at $3.09 per month on a two-year plan with three months of free access. One-year contracts start at $5 per month, whereas if you want one month of access, you can pay $13. If you aren't happy with the service, you can take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee.Also: Best password manager for businessNordVPN features:Simultaneous connections:10 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers |Countries:111 |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Email address and billing information only |Money-back guarantee: 30 days|Trial: Seven days on Android|Trustpilot rating: 4.1 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Surfshark Surfshark is a great deal at just over $2 per month for a two-year subscription, and you're unlikely to find cheaper for a quality, trusted VPN.It remains one of our favorite options, providing excellent value for money. You are also given unlimited connections, so a single plan can cover every compatible device you have including PCs, mobile devices, smart TVs, and gaming consoles.Surfshark is secure, but its performance can lag behind other VPNs in the market. This potentially makes it less suitable for intense gaming and live stream sessions where speed and responsiveness are key. Speed loss was in the mid-tier during testing, but it had fast connections and reasonable ping speeds, so it's worth trying. For the price point, you may find that this VPN is still adequate for your needs, especially if you do not want to pay more than a few dollars a month for your VPN.Review:Surfshark VPNSurfshark's plans are consistently affordable. They start at only $2.19 per month on a two-year plan. As a bonus, three months of free access are added to the length of your contract. Annual plans start at $3.19 per month.Customers say that Surfshark's support is top-notch, and cancelation is easy. The company also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you'll have a month to test it. You can also opt for a seven-day trial on your mobile device.Also:Best VPNs for streaming 2025Surfshark VPN features:Simultaneous connections:Unlimited| Ad-blocker | Two-factor authentication |Kill switch: Yes |Countries: 100 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Seven days on Android, iOS, and macOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.4 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Countries and servers 8 Usability 9 Speed and performance 6 Security 8 Price 9 Pros Unlimited simultaneous connections Available on all major platforms Affordable Good for beginners Cons Average speeds Price $15.45 a month, $48 for the first 15 months (then $79 a year) or $60 for the first 27 months (then $79 a year)Latest tests No leaks detected, 21% speed loss in 2025 testsNetwork 3,200-plus servers in 100 countriesJurisdiction Netherlands Surfshark Best gaming VPN for value 4 / 5 Score Surfshark is a great deal at just over $2 per month for a two-year subscription, and you're unlikely to find cheaper for a quality, trusted VPN.It remains one of our favorite options, providing excellent value for money. You are also given unlimited connections, so a single plan can cover every compatible device you have including PCs, mobile devices, smart TVs, and gaming consoles.Surfshark is secure, but its performance can lag behind other VPNs in the market. This potentially makes it less suitable for intense gaming and live stream sessions where speed and responsiveness are key. Speed loss was in the mid-tier during testing, but it had fast connections and reasonable ping speeds, so it's worth trying. For the price point, you may find that this VPN is still adequate for your needs, especially if you do not want to pay more than a few dollars a month for your VPN.Review:Surfshark VPNSurfshark's plans are consistently affordable. They start at only $2.19 per month on a two-year plan. As a bonus, three months of free access are added to the length of your contract. Annual plans start at $3.19 per month.Customers say that Surfshark's support is top-notch, and cancelation is easy. The company also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you'll have a month to test it. You can also opt for a seven-day trial on your mobile device.Also:Best VPNs for streaming 2025Surfshark VPN features:Simultaneous connections:Unlimited| Ad-blocker | Two-factor authentication |Kill switch: Yes |Countries: 100 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Seven days on Android, iOS, and macOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.4 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at IPVanish VPN IPVanish's strength lies in its ability to tailor and configure users' experiences.If you want to fully customize your VPN for gaming, IPVanish is the best option. You can select between a wide range of options and configurations, including the active protocol you want to use -- such as Wireguard or IPSec -- setting up OpenVPN ports, enabling leak protection, and more.You can also filter servers based on locations and latency, and recently, its network has expanded from around 75 locations to 108 countries.These features can be valuable when gaming as they allow you to choose the optimal server based on your gaming requirements, location, and needs. During our recent speed tests, IPVanish lagged behind some competitors, but many customers still applaud this service as a solid VPN. It doesn't hurt that it is extremely affordable, but the user interface needs improvement.IPVanish offers a plan for $2.19 per month if you commit to two years. This increases to $3.33 per month for a yearly plan and $13 for one month.Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, ZDNET's parent company. For more, see ourEditorial Guidelines.IPVanish features:Simultaneous connections: Unlimited |Kill switch: Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, Kodi, and routers |Logging: None, except billing data |Locations: 108 countries |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.3|Google Play rating: 4.4 |App Store rating: 4.5 Countries and servers 5 Usability 8 Speed and performance 7 Security 7 Price 8 Pros Affordable Unlimited simultaneous connections Highly configurable Expanded server network Cons Bland user interface Rarely on sale IPVanish Best gaming VPN for configuration 3.5 / 5 Score IPVanish's strength lies in its ability to tailor and configure users' experiences.If you want to fully customize your VPN for gaming, IPVanish is the best option. You can select between a wide range of options and configurations, including the active protocol you want to use -- such as Wireguard or IPSec -- setting up OpenVPN ports, enabling leak protection, and more.You can also filter servers based on locations and latency, and recently, its network has expanded from around 75 locations to 108 countries.These features can be valuable when gaming as they allow you to choose the optimal server based on your gaming requirements, location, and needs. During our recent speed tests, IPVanish lagged behind some competitors, but many customers still applaud this service as a solid VPN. It doesn't hurt that it is extremely affordable, but the user interface needs improvement.IPVanish offers a plan for $2.19 per month if you commit to two years. This increases to $3.33 per month for a yearly plan and $13 for one month.Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, ZDNET's parent company. For more, see ourEditorial Guidelines.IPVanish features:Simultaneous connections: Unlimited |Kill switch: Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, Kodi, and routers |Logging: None, except billing data |Locations: 108 countries |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.3|Google Play rating: 4.4 |App Store rating: 4.5 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Private Internet Access VPN CyberGhost is an excellent option if you want to try out specialized servers for gaming. The VPN provider has developed gamer-friendly servers, available in many countries, that can be scrutinized to see their latency, load, ping, and distance to ensure you don't experience lagging or dropped connections.You can use server information displays within the VPN app to find suitable servers for your gaming session, no matter what device you use.Furthermore, CyberGhost offers up to seven simultaneous connections, servers in 100 countries, solid security, and the ability to mask your IP address and prevent you from becoming the victim of a denial of service (DoS) attack while you're streaming.We like CyberGhost's reasonable speeds, specialized servers, and affordable price point. Customers say this VPN is easy to use, affordable, and effective.Review: CyberGhostCyberGhost offers a range of plans, including a two-year subscription for $2.19 per month. If you want to try out the VPN for a shorter time period, you can sign up for $7 per month for six months -- or you can spend $13for one month of access. The best deal is the two-year subscription, as you also get two months of free access.CyberGhost VPN features:Simultaneous connections:7 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, NAS routers |Countries:100+ |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Payment information only |Money-back guarantee: 45 days|Trial: 24 hours on macOS and Windows; three days on Android, seven days on iOS |Trustpilot rating: 4.1|Google Play rating: 4.2|App Store rating: 4.2 Countries and servers 7 Usability 7 Speed and performance 7 Security 9 Price 9 Pros Gaming, P2P servers Reasonably priced Solid performance for streaming Attractive user interface Cons Some server speeds can be low No annual plan No unlimited simultaneous connections Latest Tests No leaks detected, 48% speed loss in 2025 testsNetwork 35,000 servers in 91 countriesJurisdiction United StatesPrice $12 per month, $40 for the first year (then $50 annually) or $79 total for three years CyberGhost Best gaming VPN for specialist servers 3.9 / 5 Score CyberGhost is an excellent option if you want to try out specialized servers for gaming. The VPN provider has developed gamer-friendly servers, available in many countries, that can be scrutinized to see their latency, load, ping, and distance to ensure you don't experience lagging or dropped connections.You can use server information displays within the VPN app to find suitable servers for your gaming session, no matter what device you use.Furthermore, CyberGhost offers up to seven simultaneous connections, servers in 100 countries, solid security, and the ability to mask your IP address and prevent you from becoming the victim of a denial of service (DoS) attack while you're streaming.We like CyberGhost's reasonable speeds, specialized servers, and affordable price point. Customers say this VPN is easy to use, affordable, and effective.Review: CyberGhostCyberGhost offers a range of plans, including a two-year subscription for $2.19 per month. If you want to try out the VPN for a shorter time period, you can sign up for $7 per month for six months -- or you can spend $13for one month of access. The best deal is the two-year subscription, as you also get two months of free access.CyberGhost VPN features:Simultaneous connections:7 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, NAS routers |Countries:100+ |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Payment information only |Money-back guarantee: 45 days|Trial: 24 hours on macOS and Windows; three days on Android, seven days on iOS |Trustpilot rating: 4.1|Google Play rating: 4.2|App Store rating: 4.2 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Gaming VPNs, compared Best VPN for gamingPriceCountries/server locationsSimultaneous connectionsExpressVPN$5per month with a two-year plan and four free months1058NordVPN$3.09 per month with a two-year plan and three free months11110Surfshark$2.19 per month with a two-year plan and three free months100UnlimitedIPVanish$2.19 per month with a two-year plan108UnlimitedCyberGhost$2.19 per month with a two-year plan and two free months1007 Show more What is a gaming VPN service and why should you use one? A gaming VPN service creates an encrypted tunnel between the device you are gaming on and the internet. Gaming-ready VPNs offer enhanced security and the option to disguise your IP address, which is especially important if you are concerned about stream sniping or DoS attacks. If your internet service provider (ISP) employs activity-based speed and traffic throttling, a VPN may also help you bypass such restrictions, as the ISP won't be able to see what you are doing. Show more Full transparency: There are cons to using a gaming VPN VPNs give you a level of security and privacy, but there are downsides to using a VPN while you're gaming. VPNs, by their nature, will often reduce speeds by up to 30% -- and potentially far more when you connect to far-away servers -- as they encrypt and reroute traffic. These extra steps can also impact your latency, ping, and response rates, which can make all the difference in competitive gaming. Show more Is a VPN for gaming worth it? Unless you are a consistent target of internet trolls trying to track you down through your IP address, we don't think it is worth purchasing a VPN purely for gaming purposes. Typically, a gaming VPN will only protect your privacy on devices with native support -- such as PCs and mobile devices. If you want to use a VPN on a console, you will likely need a router with VPN support, or you will have to configure your existing router, which can be a complicated process.Also:The best travel VPNsIf you plan to use a VPN to also protect your day-to-day activities, streaming purposes, and for travel, we recommend signing up for one. A VPN is able to give you blanket security coverage, reducing the likelihood of being tracked online and giving you the option to shift to different locations, which can be useful in various scenarios. Show more How to use a VPN for gaming on your PC or console Charlie Osborne | ZDNETUsing a VPN for PC or mobile gaming starts with downloading your favorite VPN and running the installer. For this example, we're installing IPVanish on a Windows-based Lenovo laptop. You may need to provide permission for the installation software to finish. Charlie Osborne/ZDNETNext, sign in using your VPN account credentials or a device authorization code. Your VPN will now be active, and you can select the country server you want, change any further settings, and more. When your VPN is active, and you start up your online game, your connection should be protected. Charlie Osborne/ZDNETThe same installation principles apply when you play a game on your smartphone. Simply head over to the Google Play Store or Apple's App Store, download your VPN app, follow the installation process, and connect.Setting up a VPN on your gaming console, however, is not as straightforward. The easiest way is to use a VPN-enabled router that ensures blanket VPN coverage across all of your devices. Some routers will offer VPN support, while others you have to configure manually, depending on the VPN service you are subscribed to and your router model. Alternatively, you can force your console to share the internet connection of a PC running your favorite VPN.If the second option appeals to you, connect both devices via an Ethernet cable, head into PC network settings, ensure you are connecting via Ethernet, and allow other devices to share the PC connection. You will also need to change the favored internet connection in your gaming console's settings.How we test VPNs A gaming VPN should be secure and have the performance needed to handle the demands of online gaming. As a baseline, every VPN on our best VPNs for gaming list needs to have reasonable speeds, minimal gaming lag, and decent ping results.Many providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by members of our ZDNET team. We've been talking about VPNs for years, spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression.ZDNET tests VPN services from multiple locations, but we can't test them from all locations. Every home, community, local ISP, and nation has a different infrastructure.We analyzed the best VPNs for gaming below using the following criteria to help you make an informed decision:Performance:Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance. After all, there's no point in using a VPN if your connection continually drops or lags, making multiplayer gaming impossible.Router support: Many routers don't make it easy to set up a VPN to cover all your devices. Considering that consoles do not natively support VPN apps, we highlighted the best options for VPN usage beyond a PC or a mobile device.Security: There's no point in using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements over time and patching reported bugs.Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.Geo-blocks and streaming: VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you're away from home. Considering these factors, we ensured that our top recommendations performed well and are unlikely to slow down your connection while streaming.Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? Our VPN recommendations have to offer easy-to-use and intuitive apps suitable for various hardware. Countries and servers: In how many countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough -- at least 50 or so -- to provide options.Trial length and price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee of at least 30 days.Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We list VPNs with an available support team.For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensiveVPN testing methodology page. Show more Choosing the right gaming VPN Choosing the best gaming VPN will involve hands-on testing. All the VPNs on this list have 30-day money-back guarantees, so you can test out the service for a month and get a full refund if the performance isn't what you hoped it would be.Choose this VPN for gaming...If you want...ExpressVPNThe best gaming VPN overall. ExpressVPN provides consistent, rapid speeds and offers a variety of server locations.NordVPNTop-tier speed and reliability. NordVPN is less expensive than ExpressVPN and only marginally fell behind when used with resource-demanding games.SurfsharkThe most affordable option. While Surfshark doesn't offer the best speeds, you can connect as many devices as you like and the price point is attractive.IPVanishA configurable gaming VPN. IPVanish supports various protocols, including Wireguard, and lets you extensively customize your VPN experience.CyberGhostAn affordable gaming VPN with specialized servers. CyberGhost offers a solid VPN service at an excellent price point and operates servers designed to minimize lag time. Show more What are the factors to consider when choosing a gaming VPN? When you are selecting your new gaming VPN, you need to consider the following factors:Price: VPN prices vary, and although the most expensive services can cost you upwards of $10 to $20 per month, you can also find solid, reliable VPNs for as little as a few dollars. Keep an eye on renewal rates, as some VPN providers hike prices after introductory periods. Many VPN providers will also offer a free seven-day mobile trial. We recommend that you avoidfree VPNs-- with a few exceptions -- as they may sell your data or bombard you with ads.Simultaneous connections: If you're paying for a VPN suitable for your PC or gaming console, you might still want to use it across multiple devices, such as smartphones. We recommend signing up for a plan supporting at least six devices. Thankfully, many paid VPN plans now offer at least this or unlimited connections.Streaming:If you intend to use your gaming VPN to stream content on Twitch, for example, ensure that the VPN can accommodate your favorite services. You will need a fast connection that is unlikely to drop halfway through your gaming session.Gaming servers: Does the VPN provider offer specialized servers for streaming or gaming? You might prefer a VPN with servers specifically offered to reduce lag.Usage length: You need to consider your preferred price point given how long you think you will need a VPN. If you're in it for the long haul, consider a two-year subscription, as you also tend to earn the best prices with the most extended terms. Some VPNs offer longer options.Apps and extensions: When selecting a VPN, try its accompanying mobile apps and extensions to ensure you get the most out of your subscription. Some VPNs, for example, have great desktop software but a mobile app that may not be as intuitive.Also: The best VPN free trials Show more FAQs on gaming VPNsWhat's the best free or budget VPN for gaming? We recommend Surfshark as one ofthe most consistently affordable VPNsfor gaming, as it suits a variety of budgets and will not throttle you based on data usage. While the price point is excellent, Surfshark doesn't always match the speeds of the top VPNs on the market.Alternatively, you could try Windscribe's free plan, which is great in terms of server choice and speed. The downside is that you are limited to 2GB per month unless you agree to various initiatives, such as signing up with your email address. Show more Which VPN server should I pick while gaming? The answer to this question will typically depend on the best speeds you can achieve. If you aren't concerned about your server location, we recommend trying your VPN's "smart" or automatic connection function first. It will usually find a server close to you, improving latency and the available speed. If you want to appear as if you're in a different country, examine your VPN's available servers and try to find the "fastest" server recommendation. Show more What are VPN protocols, and which should I pick for gaming? VPNs use different protocols to manage data transfers between your device and VPN servers.Wireguard is the best protocol for gaming VPNs. It generally offers the best speed and stringent cryptographic protection to keep your connection private. Many of today's best VPNs support this protocol. Show more What's the difference between internet speed and ping time? Internet speed, often called bandwidth, is the speed at which data can be transferred over the internet. If you're downloading or uploading a big file, you want lots of bandwidth.Ping time is how fast you can send a request and receive an answer. It's the round-trip response time, and it's very sensitive to distance and hops. When watching a video, you want to get all that video information down to your machine, but once it starts to transmit, it's usually running at a steady flow.Ping time, however, is how long it takes after you pull the trigger in a game for it to know that you pulled the trigger. If the game thinks you squeezed off a shot half a second after you did, the results could be radically different -- and this can be significant, especially for people who aren't just gaming casually.Ping is the travel time between two points, so the ping you might see listed in VPN reviews may not mean much to you. Your two points and the reviewer's two points willalwaysbe different. This is one reason we haven't listed ping speeds for these VPNs. It's more important for you to measure the ping from where you are to where you're connecting. Show more How does a VPN protect you when you're using a game console? VPNs give you a level of security and privacy. They can protect you against distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, which could compromise your connection. A VPN also allows you to connect to servers in different locations.VPNs protect gaming consoles in the same way they protect your other devices. Unlike simply connecting via a PC or mobile device, a VPN connection with your PlayStation 5 or Xbox involves a more complicated setup. Gaming consoles don't support native VPN apps, but you can still get the protections, location spoofing, and anonymity of a VPN.The key is running your VPN client on a router or sharing a PC's internet connection and bridging your VPN connection. Most VPN vendors have guides that show you how to set this up. Show more Can you unlock games with a VPN? If you're trying to download an online game early such as when release times are locked to specific regions, or you want to take advantage of location-based sales and promotions, you might be able to do this if you connect to your VPN before you log in to the platform.A note of caution, though: Platforms like Steam may monitor your account for "consistency" in your location history and take a dim view of such activities. Using a VPN for these purposes is "strictly against the Steam Terms of Service and may result in restrictions on your Steam account."Separately, some games are geo-restricted and are unavailable in other countries. You could use a VPN to access them, but you might be shouldering the same risks of account suspension or deletion. Show more Is it illegal to use a gaming VPN? Using a VPN during gaming sessions isn't illegal as long as you are in a country that has not banned or heavily restricted overall VPN usage. However, if you're using a VPN to cheat or access game content that is not typically available in your home country, you may find yourself banned. Show more Which VPN has the lowest ping? In our tests, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost performed well in relation to low ping rates. However, depending on your location, server selection, and existing internet speeds, your experience may vary. Show more Can you be banned for using a VPN? Opinions and experiences vary, butgame developers tend to focus their ban efforts on cheaters, rather than those using a VPN to spoof their location. It might be the case depending on whether or not VPN usage is considered as going against a game developer's terms of service. Specific IP addresses might also be banned, so switching your location could work if you find yourself experiencing connectivity issues. Show more Other VPNs we've tested Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends

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