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  • Short Notes on RARE: Retrieval-Augmented Reasoning Modeling
    medium.com
    (Short Notes) RARE: Retrieval-Augmented Reasoning Modeling5 min readJust now-- What Problem Does It Solve?Large Language Models (LLMs) struggle with:Hallucinating facts They often make up or misremember domain-specific knowledge (like in medicine or law).Weak reasoning Even when they have facts, they may not reason through them correctly, especially in complex or niche fields.Huge size and cost Current methods require massive models to store all knowledge and reasoning capacity. Core Problem: Can we create smaller, smarter models that reason well using external knowledge, instead of memorizing everything? How Does It Solve the Problem?The paper proposes RARE (Retrieval-Augmented Reasoning Modeling), a new training paradigm that:Decouples knowledge storage and reasoning:External knowledge is stored outside the model (in a retrievable format).Reasoning skills are trained inside the model.Retrieves knowledge during training and inference using standard tools (like BM25), and injects that into the model as context.Focuses training on:Understanding and applying the retrieved info (not memorizing it).Contextual reasoning the model learns how to think using provided knowledge.Think of it like giving a student open-book exams and training them to reason, not memorize the book. What Are the Key Findings?Small models can beat large models:RARE-trained 8B models (like Llama-3.18B) outperformed GPT-4 (a trillion-parameter model) on several domain tasks like medical Q&A.Example: On PubMedQA, RARE-Qwen-2.57B scored 78.63% vs GPT-4s 75.20%, and even better than GPT-4 + retrieval!Reasoning improves significantly:Compared to standard Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), RARE models reason better, not just retrieve better.
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  • PlayStation Studios |OT45| Game of the Year Edition
    www.resetera.com
    OT Name: SuperWriting: JuanLatinoFounded in 1984 by Andy Gavin and Jason Rubin as an independent developer, Naughty Dog began its partnership with PlayStation in 1996 with the release of the iconic Crash Bandicoot. Acquired by Sony in 2001, Naughty Dog has since become one of the most respected and critically acclaimed studios in the gaming industry, known for producing Game of the Year blockbusters such as Uncharted and The Last of Us.ProjectsDirectorStatus/SourceRelease DateThe Last of Us RemakeMatthew Gallant & Shaun EscaygReleased2022TLOU Part 2 RemasteredMatthew GallantReleased2024Intergalactic: The Heretic ProphetNeil DruckmannConfirmedTBATLOU Part 3RumorNew UnchartedRumorSanta Monica Studio was founded in 1999 by Sony Computer Entertainment America and Allan Becker. The studio gained widespread recognition with the God of War series, which has since become an iconic franchise.ProjectsDirectorStatus/SourceRelease DateGod of War RagnarokEric WilliamsReleased2022God of War Ragnarok ValhallaBruno Velazquez, Mihir ShethReleased2023New IPCory BarlogConfirmedSucker Punch Productions also began as an independent development studio in 1997 and made its mark with PlayStation franchises such as Sly Cooper and Infamous. In 2011, the studio was acquired by Sony and became a part of PlayStation Studios. Today, Sucker Punch is recognized for its work on the critically acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima, positioning it as the steward of one of PlayStation's next major IPs.ProjectsDirectorStatus/SourceRelease DateGhost of Tsushima Director's CutReleased 2021Ghost of YoteiConfirmed2025Formerly known as Blank, Berlyn & Co., and later Eidetic, the studio was founded in 1993. It was acquired by Sony in 2000 and subsequently renamed SIE Bend Studio. As the creators of the Syphon Filter franchise, the studio made its return to home console games with the release of Days Gone in 2019. They are currently working on a new IP for the PlayStation 5.ProjectDirectorStatus/SourceRelease DateDays Gone RemasteredConfirmed 2025San Diego Studio has a long history of developing sports games, ranging from NBA titles to kart racing. They are best known as the developers of the long-standing MLB The Show franchise.ProjectDirectorStatus/SourceReleaseMLB The ShowChris GillConfirmedAnnuallyIn 1994, Ted Price founded the gaming studio Xtreme Software, which was renamed Insomniac Games a year later. Over the following years, Insomniac became Sony Interactive Entertainment's largest external partner, creating iconic franchises such as Spyro, Ratchet & Clank, Resistance, and the record-breaking Spider-Man games. In August 2019, SIE announced the acquisition of Insomniac Games, officially making them part of PlayStation Studios.ProjectDirectorStatus/SourceRelease DateSpider-Man Miles MoralesRyan SmithReleased2020Ratchet and Clank: Rift ApartMarcus Smith, Mike DalyReleased2021Marvel's Spider-Man 2Bryan Intihar, Ryan SmithReleased2023Marvel's WolverineMarcus Smith, Mike DalyConfirmed2026Venom ProjectRumorMarvel's Spider-Man 3RumorNew Ratchet and ClankRumorFounded in 2006, Bluepoint Games is a video game developer renowned for their high-quality remasters and remakes of PlayStation titles such as God of War, Shadow of the Colossus, and their most recent success, Demon's Souls. After joining the PlayStation Studios family in 2021, Bluepoint announced that they are working on their first original game.ProjectDirectorStatus/SourceRelease DateDemon's Souls RemakeGavin MooreReleased2020In March 2021, industry veteran Jade Raymond founded the new game development studio Haven joined by many Ubisoft Veterans. The studio's vision is to create multiplayer experiences that bring gamers together in positive and meaningful ways. In 2022, Haven was acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment and became part of PlayStation Studios.ProjectDirectorStatus/SourceRelease DateFairgame$Confirmed2024-2026Guerrilla Games, a Dutch first-party developer founded in 2000 as Lost Boys Games, is a prominent studio known for its significant contributions to the gaming industry. The studio, renowned for creating the Killzone franchise, was acquired by Sony in 2005 following the release of Shellshock: 'Nam 67.In the last generation, Guerrilla Games achieved major success with the release of Horizon Zero Dawn, an ambitious open-world title that showcased their new Decima Engine. This cutting-edge engine, which Guerrilla Games developed and later shared with Kojima Productions for Death Stranding, has been pivotal in delivering high-quality visuals and immersive experiences.Building on the success of Horizon Zero Dawn, Guerrilla Games has set ambitious goals to expand the Horizon franchise into a cross-media phenomenon. This includes several new projects aimed at broadening the franchise's reach across different platforms and media.ProjectDirectorStatus/SourceRelease DateHorizon Forbidden West Mathijs de JongeReleased2021Horizon Burning ShoresMathijs de JongeReleased2023Horizon (VR)Firesprite CollaborationReleased2023Lego Horizon Adventures Studio Gobo CollaborationReleased2024Horizon Zero Dawn RemasteredNixxes CollaborationReleased2024Horizon Online/MP ProjectSimon LaroucheRumorMedia Molecule, a flagship team for creativity and originality within PlayStation, is a British studio founded in 2006 by former Lionhead employees. After achieving significant success with LittleBigPlanet on the PS3, Media Molecule became part of the Sony family in 2010. In 2020, the studio released Dreamsan innovative game creation system and service. Media Molecule is currently working on a new project.ProjectDirectorStatus/SourceRelease DateDreamsMark HealeyReleased2020 (2023 End of Support)New ProjectConfirmedFounded in July 1995 by Ilari Kuittinen and Harri Tikkanen, Housemarque is the oldest active developer in Finland, based in Helsinki. Combining their extensive arcade experience with a focus on action games, Housemarque has emerged as a notable contributor to the PlayStation family since their acquisition in 2021.ProjectDirectorStatus/SourceRelease DateReturnalHarry KruegerReleased2021SarosGregory LoudenConfirmed2026Firesprite was formed in 2012 by former members of Studio Liverpool. Over the years, the studio contributed to various PlayStation projects, including Playroomand Run Sackboy! Run. In September 2021, Firesprite officially joined PlayStation Studios and is now working on several upcoming projects. Their recent release, Horizon Call of the Mountain, launched in 2023 and expanded the Horizon franchise into virtual reality.ProjectDirectorStatus/SourceRelease DateHorizon Call of the MountainAlex BarnesReleased2023Dark Narrative AdventureRumorFounded in 1998, Polyphony Digital is the first-party studio renowned for creating the Gran Turismo series, one of the most successful gaming franchises globally, with over 80 million copies sold as of 2018. Initially established as a development group within Sony Computer Entertainment under the name Polys Entertainment, the studio gained greater autonomy and was renamed Polyphony Digital following the success of Gran Turismo in Japan. Known for their commitment to realism and cutting-edge technology in racing simulations, Polyphony Digital continues to be a pivotal part of the PlayStation family, with the latest entry in the series, Gran Turismo 7, releasing in 2022 to critical acclaim.ProjectDirectorStatus/SourceRelease DateGran Turismo 7Kazunori YamauchiOngoingMarch 2022Team Asobi was originally formed in 2012 as part of Japan Studio. Following Japan Studio's closure, Team Asobi was spun off into an independent studio within PlayStation. They gained significant attention with their Astro games on PS VR and PlayStation 5, known for their creativity, humor, and advanced gameplay. The studio's focus remains on delivering innovative and engaging experiences. Their first new project, Astro Bot, is set to release in September 2024.ProjectDirectorStatus/SourceRelease DateAstro BotNicolas DoucetReleased2024Visual Arts Services Group, a multi-award winning team responsible for the cinematic performances and animations in premier Sony PlayStation franchises like Uncharted, The Last of Us, Spider-Man, and other iconic series.The VASG team is always at the cutting edge of technology and partners with the industry's best minds and companies.XDev established in 2000 and based in Liverpool, collaborates with independent development studios to publish content for PlayStation platforms. They are working as a mini publisher inside Sony Interactive Entertainment, with their own budget and in search for fitting third party studios to work on first party games. In addition to funding projects, XDev offers production, project management and game design support. Recently published XDev Games were Returnal, Destruction All Stars or Sackboy's Big Adventure.Since 2020 Xdev is expanding into the Asian/Japanese Market looking for producers.Valkyrie Entertainment is a video game development studio based in Seattle. Since 2002, they have worked mostly as a support studio with other game developers and publishers on games like God of War, Halo Infinite or Forza MotorsportThey are currently helping out on God of War Ragnarok. Wether they will develop their own games in the future is unclear at this point.Nixxes Software is a dutch game developer from Utrecht, founded in 1999. The studio is specialised in porting games to additional platforms like the PC. Prior to their acquisition by SIE in 2021, they were mostly working with Square Enix on ports like Deus Ex, Tomb Raider or Avengers. With PlayStation bringing more of their first party games to PC, Nixxes will undoubtedly play an important role.
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  • Netflixs latest horror-comedy was inspired by Silent Hill 2 and Katamari Damacy??
    www.polygon.com
    Netflixs gleeful horror-comedy Dead Talents Society wears a lot of its influences out in the open. Writer-director John Hsu talked with Polygon earlier this month about how YouTube streamers, 90s Taiwanese pop music, Satoshi Kons Perfect Blue and Tokyo Godfathers, and real Asian urban legends like the little girl in red helped inspire his manic movie about the capitalist grind of the afterlife. In Dead Talents Society, ghosts endlessly chase viral fame as haunting superstars, while one new ghost, The Rookie (Gingle Wang), deals with the humiliation of being an incompetent scarer.During that interview, Hsu also mentioned that hes an avid gamer, which has heavily influenced his career: He learned to script and edit while making World of Warcraft machinima videos and posting them on the AFK PL@YERS YouTube channel, and he went on to direct the 2019 film adaptation of the 2018 horror game Detention.Since Im such a huge gamer they realized it might be a good idea to have someone whos familiar with gaming culture make that film, he told Polygon. Its not that Im particularly interested in horror or history, but its because of the fact that Im a gamer that I got that job.With so many different references on the screen in Dead Talents Society, Polygon figured it was worth asking whether there were any game inspirations we missed in the movie. The answers were really unexpected.This interview has been edited for concision and clarity.Polygon: Did any particular games affect your planning on Dead Talents Society? Or are there games you think people who love this movie should play?John Hsu: There are so many of them. For example, Katamari Damacy.I would not have guessed that from this movies bloody, horror-driven humor.Its not a direct influence, but I really enjoy the wackiness of the game. Every time when Im nearing the end of the game, I get really emotional, because its like I can roll up something really big, and everything becomes one, to just one purpose. Its like Tokyo Godfathers or Little Miss Sunshine [movie characters] goals can be super stupid, but theyre doing it anyway.To me, Katamari Damacy is like, youre always rolling something and getting it bigger. It might not have any kind of meaning, but you do it again and again. You are making the ball bigger and bigger, but whats that for? And then you send it to the sky to become a star. Its kind of meaningless and also so meaningful at the same time.Youve compared the horror elements of this movie to Sisyphus being doomed to eternally roll a rock up a hill. This sounds similar.Yeah. We did a lot of research in terms of Albert Camus work. Everything is meaningless, so you should just enjoy the process. Thats the conclusion we have in the film.In terms of other games, a lot of inspiration we had with Dead Talents Society came from indie games. For example, The Beginners Guide. Its an indie game from the author of The Stanley Parable. And its about this game developer who made The Stanley Parable suffering from impostor syndrome. He found some kind of mystery another game developer whos been anonymous for quite some time. He would upload random games that dont even sound fun to play, but its like he was trying to say something, but its so anonymous, no one knows who it is. So the protagonist, who is the game developer of Stanley Parable, is trying to find this guy.And when the protagonist gets closer to that mysterious game developer, hes warned not to get even closer. Weird things happen, but at the end of the day, its about, Why are we making stuff? Why are we creating stuff? What are we trying to do? Are we trying to connect to other people? Are we trying to be understood? Are we trying to be seen?Theres a scene in the game when your game gets super famous there are a lot of people with cameras, taking photos of you, and their heads are blocked, saying Press. Its a scene to describe unwanted attention. Because if you are creating something, in the beginning, at least, you must be creative because you thought it was fun. But at a certain point, when its becoming your job, when you have an audience, when you have other people to satisfy, it gets more and more complicated.And the creative process can be toxic sometimes, because we have to satisfy a lot of people, which is also impossible. And that influences your self-value and identity in certain ways. And thats the core of what we want to talk about in Dead Talents Society. So that game had a lot of influence as well. Me and my co-writer Tsai Kun-Lin both played it.Image: Everything Unlimited Ltd. via PolygonTheres another game called Before Your Eyes. Its also an indie game, where when you blink, time will pass. So the camera is your eyes, and how you proceed the story. You get to see this protagonists whole life. And sometimes you really dont want to miss the stuff youre seeing, but you do because you have to blink. Thats the point of that game time is fleeting. And what was actually the essence of your whole life after your death?The protagonist is so similar to our protagonist. He had a musician mother, always pushing him to become another musician. And he was so ill as a child, so he thought he wouldnt satisfy his mothers expectations. So its exactly like The Rookie in Dead Talents Society. When I played the game during the writing process, I was so surprised at how similar it was.Dead Talents Society is quite personal to me, in terms of the Rookie story arc. I was forced to play piano when I was 10 or something. One of the songs I really had trouble practicing is a song that the character in Before Your Eyes is playing. So its such a coincidence for me to realize that actually, there are a lot of people suffering from the same situation either confusion about your self-value or about your identity when youre taking too much account of other peoples opinions. It leads to impostor syndrome.It fascinates me that none of these are horror games, that you were more influenced by various games philosophical elements. Are there any horror games that have been meaningful for you?Oh yeah. Silent Hill 2. Definitely. I am a big fan of that series. I think the Silent Hill story is at its best in 2. When we were making Detention, we had a lot of influences and references from Silent Hill as well, because the game Detention also had a lot of influence from Silent Hill. I also quite enjoy Doki Doki Literature Club. I thought that was so clever its so meta. And using meta elements to scare people is the best.Dead Talents Society is streaming on Netflix now.See More:
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  • NVIDIA PhysX and Flow Are Now Fully Open Source
    wccftech.com
    It's been around six and a half years since the NVIDIA PhysX SDK went open source under the 3-Clause BSD license. However, not all of it was actually open source. This changed only recently, with the release on GitHub of the GPU simulation kernel source code. Here's the message shared by NVIDIA, along with the release of the shader implementation of the Flow SDK:Were excited to share that the latest update to the PhysX SDK now includes all the GPU source code, fully licensed under BSD-3!With over 500 CUDA kernels powering features such as rigid body dynamics, fluid simulation, and deformable objects, GPU PhysX represents one of the most advanced real-time simulation use cases of CUDA and GPU programming. We hope this release will be a valuable resource for learning, experimentation, and development across the community.In addition, were also open-sourcing the full GPU compute shader implementation of the Flow SDK, our real-time, sparse gridbased fluid simulation library.NVIDIA PhysX is a name we haven't used for a long while until very recently, when users found out that NVIDIA had dropped support for the new GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards. This caused users to seek unorthodox solutions, such as pairing an RTX 50 GPU with an RTX 3050 dedicated solely to PhysX.This only really affects a few old PC games, like Batman: Arkham Asylum and Mirror's Edge. Still, the release of the GPU simulation kernel source mode means modders could fix the problem entirely if they so choose. Needless to say, it would have been better if NVIDIA had fixed the issue themselves, but at least this open source release gives modders the chance to do something about it. Of course, we'll keep an eye on any mod releases that take advantage of the newly available GPU simulation kernel source code.Deal of the Day
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  • LG Launches Three New Premium Curved Gaming Monitors With 240Hz Refresh Rates
    www.gamespot.com
    LG has expanded its UltraGear lineup with three premium GX9 OLED smart monitors. These all share the same high-end specs--including a vibrant 3440 x 1440 resolution, 0.03ms response time, a 240Hz refresh rate, and come bundled with webOS, which can access all your favorite streaming platforms. That should make them a versatile entertainment hub, as they are well-equipped for both high-end gaming and a relaxing movie night. There are 34-inch, 39-inch, and 45-inch models, and each are available now. LG UltraGear Smart Gaming Monitors Starting at $1,400 This smart OLED monitor is available in three sizes--45 inches, 39 inches, and 34 inches. Thankfully, you won't be sacrificing any features if you opt for a smaller display, as all three get you the exact same specs. Along with the 3440 x 1440 resolution and 240Hz refresh rate, the display boasts an 800R curve that should result in a better viewing experience. You'll also get an excellent 0.03ms response time that's great for gaming.UltraGear 45-Inch OLED Curved Monitor (45GX90SA) -- $1,700See at LG StoreSee at Best BuyUltraGear 39-Inch OLED Curved Monitor (39GX90SA) -- 1,600See at LG StoreSee at AmazonSee at Best BuyUltraGear 34-Inch OLED Curved Monitor (34GX90SA) -- $1,400See at LG StoreSee at Amazon See 45-Inch Model See 39-Inch Model See 34-Inch Model Other notable features include support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium, and each runs on webOS 24, which lets you access a variety of streaming services, 350 free channels on the LG Channels app, and cloud gaming platforms like GeForce Now and Amazon Luna. The monitors also feature a sleek "virtually borderless design" that maximizes screen space, and can be moved via tilt, height, and swivel adjustment points. They also include hexagonal RGB backlighting for extra flair.While these newly released smart monitors look impressive, they're also quite expensive. If you want something more affordable, here's a look at some other great gaming monitors currently on sale. In fact, two LG UltraGear models are on sale right now--including a compact 27-inch OLED monitor and an affordable 34-inch curved monitor.Continue Reading at GameSpot
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  • Hints, Tips, and Answers for Today's NYT Strands, April 6, 2025
    gamerant.com
    Strands has a whole new letter grid that is stuffed to the brim with hidden, themed words. In order to beat this puzzle game, you will need to study the one little clue you are given, then attempt to figure out the theme and find all the answers in the letter grid.
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  • Assassins Creed Syndicate did 2 protagonists first and best
    www.polygon.com
    All the best Assassins Creed games are about family.The Ezio trilogy, long considered the peak of the series, is built on the tragic loss of Ezios family, and his fundamental loneliness. The games most iconic song the one whose motif is colloquially known as the Assassins Creed theme is titled Ezios Family. Assassins Creed Origins is the story of parents seeking vengeance after the death of their son. Likewise, the protagonist of Odyssey comes from a broken family: Alexios or Kassandra grows up orphaned after being literally dropped off a mountain by their father, who chooses loyalty to Sparta over protecting his children.The latest game in the series, Assassins Creed Shadows, also revolves around family. Early on it takes the player through a long sequence where we see young ninja Naoes family life before as always happens in this series her world is upended by violence.Im not far enough into the game to see where Naoes story will (presumably!) intersect with the games second protagonist, Yasuke. The two start the narrative on opposite sides of Lord Oda Nobunagas warpath through 16th-century Japan, and they share equal real estate in the games marketing materials. But starting Assassins Creed Shadows reminded me of the first time that Ubisoft anchored an Assassins Creed game with dual protagonists and how much I loved it.Assassins Creed Syndicate may have largely followed the franchise blueprint, but it did some things differently where it counted. Im happy to call it my favorite game in the series. Here at Polygon it reviewed well, and Metacritic agrees. But its success was never guaranteed, and looking back on it now, I still think its kind of miraculous.Syndicates bad timingAssassins Creed Syndicate introduced the player to twin Assassins Jacob and Evie Frye. Theyre young and opinionated, ready to make the leap from the boonies to bustling Victorian London.It was the first time that Assassins Creed would have dual protagonists, and the first time a mainline Assassins Creed game would be co-headlined by a female character.Assassins Creed 3 and its spinoffs had toyed with both of these concepts in limited ways. Assassins Creed 3 featured a prologue where the player inhabited Haytham Kenway, before swapping to his son Connor for the rest of the game. And the spinoff Assassins Creed 3: Liberation is anchored by the slave-liberating Assassin Aveline de Grandpr a genuinely cool, bold move even if the game was destined for the low-selling PlayStation Vita.It was the right moment for Ubisoft to shake things up in a main series game, and also the worst. Syndicate came out in 2015, and it splash-landed right in the middle of a poisonous debate around playable female characters and the Gamergate harassment campaign.At the time, Ubisoft was still putting out an Assassins Creed game basically every year. Although Syndicate would have been in development for years, it directly followed the much-maligned Assassins Creed Unity. Unity had a rough launch from a technical perspective, but also got blowback when a developer told Polygon that a female character model was cut from the co-op mode, because of the additional work that creating it would entail.In short, a lot of people were mad in a lot of different directions, and the pressure on Syndicate to do better was high.Ubisoft also had to contend with a question that fewer and fewer people are asking these days: What about the lore? In previous games, the Animus that the Assassins use to relive history required a genetic link between the modern-day protagonist and their historical counterpart. By the time Unity rolled around, it was clear that this concept was holding the series back. Fortunately, it was pretty easy to ditch it: The tech gets better! Later versions of the Animus are advanced enough to simulate history just using the historical characters DNA.But in 2014 and 2015, players were still catching up with the new normal. The question of where and whether Arno Dorian, the protagonist of Unity, fit into Desmond Miles sprawling family tree was floated by fans on Reddit before that games release. The fact that Syndicates Jacob and Evie are twins seems to gesture at this concern, too. Dual protagonists were possible because their DNA was so similar. The lore could remain intact, and the historical timeline undisturbed.(Science-heads, dont bother trying to explain whether or not this justification actually makes sense it truly doesnt matter.)Obviously, later games would hand-wave even more of the science. In Assassins Creed Odyssey, the player can decide for themself whether Kassandra or Alexios is the mercenary that faces off against the Cult of Kosmos. Historical record be damned!But Syndicate had a smaller sandbox to play in. And in that sandbox, it made some magic.A tale of two twinsAssassins Creed Syndicate pioneered the model that Shadows now follows: two protagonists with different play styles and radically different personalities.Jacob Frye is brash and bold the kind of Assassin who runs into the burning orphanage without thinking ahead. Hes a brawler, and brass knuckles are his weapon of choice. Evie is a planner, and like Naoe, she is stealth incarnate. Her footsteps are lighter, and she carries a cane sword.As in Shadows, Jacob and Evie are both introduced in gameplay missions upfront. But whereas Shadows then hides Yasuke behind hours of story progression, Syndicate immediately lets the player swap between Jacob and Evie in the open world of Victorian London.Each character has their own story missions, however, and its here that Syndicates narrower scope is really in its favor.The twins have very different priorities. Evie is working with fellow Assassin Henry Green to find a Piece of Eden, a valuable artifact that must be kept from the Templars. Meanwhile, Jacob finds it more productive to simply assassinate the powerful Templars controlling the city.The twins warring prerogatives bring them into conflict. In one mission, Jacob assassinates the governor of the Bank of England a Templar who also made a habit of robbing the Bank of England. For Jacob, the solution is simple! See Templar, kill Templar.Unfortunately this sends England spiraling toward a financial crisis.Its here that Evie has to step in, in a mission where the player recovers stolen currency printing plates.In this way, the two narratives are constantly counterbalancing each other. The player gets to wreak chaos as Jacob, but then see how his careless actions ripple out into the world, and make amends. It makes London feel like its really being shaped and driven by the twins (and the players) efforts.Evie is frustrated by Jacobs move fast and break things approach, and Jacob feels like Evie is wasting her time chasing McGuffins. They cross each other, clean up each others messes, and get on each others nerves as siblings do.And when inevitably Jacobs and Evies goals are unified, its all the more satisfying.All in the familyLike the rest of Assassins Creeds orphaned and tormented heroes, Jacob and Evie have parental baggage. Their story begins shortly after their father, the Assassin who trained them, dies. Its not a dramatic death and theres no one to blame, except maybe Victorian environmental standards: Ethan Frye dies of pleurisy, a painful lung disease.The game begins when these two young, ambitious Assassins are set loose on the world for the first time. Theyre discovering who they are without the guiding and often critical hand of their father.The twins relationship with Ethan underlines all of their conflicts. Evie has always been the golden child who excelled under Ethans tutelage and took his philosophy to heart. Jacob chafed at the restrictions and wants to do things his own way.But then, something very special happens.[Ed. note: This rest of this story contains spoilers for the ending of Assassins Creed Syndicate and the Jack the Ripper DLC.]Unlike so many Assassins Creed games that came before it, Syndicate is a happy story.Jacob and Evie grow through their differences and learn to work together. Evie and Henry Green fall in love. They all get knighted by Queen Victoria. And everybody lives! Instead of descending into maudlin tragedy, Syndicate is about learning to love and live with the family that you have even if you dont always agree with them.Its sweet, funny, and refreshing.Shortly after Syndicate came out, Ubisoft released the Jack the Ripper DLC. In the weeks leading up to it, I remember existing in a vague miasma of anxiety.Jack the Ripper is a much darker story. It takes place decades after Syndicate, and the story primarily follows Evie Frye, who has returned to London because Jacob is missing and Jack the Ripper is going on his legendary killing spree. Before release, Ubisoft announced that in some sequences, the player would play as the Ripper himself.Knowing that the dual protagonists of the DLC were Evie and Jack, rather than Evie and Jacob, led some players to theorize that Jack was actually Jacob. It didnt seem all that likely, but even considering it made me sick. I couldnt stand the idea that Jacob Frye might be the historical butcherer of women. To me, it would have been the ultimate betrayal of the character, and the story that Syndicate had told.But I didnt need to worry.Jack the Ripper ends with the serial killer dead, and the twins reunited. Jacob is wounded both physically and psychologically by his experience. But as the siblings embrace, the DLC fulfills the promise that Syndicate made.This story is about family. Assassins Creed games always are, but Syndicate still did it the best.
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  • Meta introduces Llama 4 with two new AI models available now, and two more on the way
    www.engadget.com
    Meta has released the first two models from its multimodal Llama 4 suite: LLama 4 Scout and Llama 4 Maverick. Maverick is the workhorse of the two and excels at image and text understanding for general assistant and chat use cases, the company said in a blog post, while the smaller model Scout could tackle things like multi-document summarization, parsing extensive user activity for personalized tasks, and reasoning over vast codebases. The company also introduced Llama 4 Behemoth, an upcoming model it says is among the worlds smartest LLMs and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said well be hearing about a fourth model, LLama 4 Reasoning, in the next month.Both Maverick and Scout are available to download now from the LLama website and Hugging Face, and theyve been added to Meta AI, including for WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram DMs.MetaScout has 17 billion active parameters with 16 experts, Meta says. According to Zuckerberg, Its extremely fast, natively multimodal, and has an industry leading, nearly infinite 10 million token context length, and it is designed to run on a single GPU. Maverick on the other hand has 17 billion active parameters with 128 experts. The company says it beats competitors like GPT-4o and Gemini 2.0 on coding, reasoning, multilingual, long-context and image benchmarks, and stacks up against DeepSeek v3.1 on reasoning and coding.Zuckerberg is already calling the upcoming Behemoth model, which is still training, the highest performing base model in the world, with 288 billion active parameters, according to the company. It may not be here yet, but its likely well be hearing a lot more about that and the Reasoning model soon; Metas big AI developer conference, LlamaCon, is just a few weeks away.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-introduces-llama-4-with-two-new-models-available-now-and-two-more-on-the-way-214524295.html?src=rss
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  • NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, April 6 (game #399)
    www.techradar.com
    Looking for NYT Strands answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, including the spangram.
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