Here's everything announced in this year's jam-packed Triple-i Initiative indie showcase The Alters! Rematch! Endless Legend 2! More! Image credit: Eurogamer News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on April 10, 2025 Who can resist a round-up, eh? And there was more than enough to love about tonight's Triple-i Initiative showcase, which returned for its second year with a quivering heap of indie-focused announcements and reveals. We got a release date for 11 Bit Studio's fascinating The Alters, for starters, as well as one for SloClap's football game Rematch - and that's alongside news updates for the likes of Katana Zero, Deep Rock Galactic, Endless Legends 2, X4: Foundations, Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era, V Rising, Enshrouded, and more. So if you want to bathe in the full force of the Triple-i Initiative's gushing spray of indie goodness, simple engage your eyes downward and brace to learn more. Katana Zero's long-awaited DLC "nearing completion" Katana Zero - DLC trailer.Watch on YouTube Way back in 2019, developer Askiisoft announced some free DLC for its superb time-rewinding slash-'em-up Katana Zero, and we've been waiting ever since. The studio's most recent update, shared in 2021, suggested it had ballooned into something considerable, and was now six times its originally planned sized. "That's a bit over half the size of the main game," Askiisoft noted at the time. And, now, four years on from that, we've got a new update. Katana Zero's free DLC - which promises new characters, levels, gameplay, and story is "nearing completion", and there's a new teaser to scrutinise while we wait for release date news. Roguelike FPS Void/Breaker unveiled Void/Breaker - announcement trailer.Watch on YouTube If you like your sci-fi hues sleek and your shooting action rogue-ish, you might enjoy Void/Breaker from solo developer Stubby Games. It's described as an "adrenaline-fueled roguelite FPS" that sees players trapped in an endless cycle as they battle relentless waves of malevolent machines controlled by a hostile AI. There's talk of "deep gun modding" allowing for "infinite" weapon variants, deadly synergies, and environmental destruction. And if that appeals, Void/Breaker launches for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S later this year, with an open playtest running on Steam from today until 24th April. Barotrauma studio reveals sub-zero survival shooter Frostrail Frostrail - announcement trailer.Watch on YouTube Fakefish, the developer behind Barotrauma, has teamed up with publisher Shiro Games to bring the world Frostrail. It's a post-apocalyptic open-world survival shooter in which players ride a train - part warmth-giving base, part moving fortress - across a harsh sub-zero landscape, scavenging for resources and battling unspeakable horrors as they go. It's got underground dungeons and crumbling ruin to explore; tools, weapons, and equipment to craft; a convoy to upgrade, plus four-player online co-op. And if that's left you sufficiently intrigued, Frostrail launches into Steam early access next year. 11 Bit Studios' The Alters finally has a release date The Alters - release date trailer.Watch on YouTube It's been three years since This War of Mine and Frostpunk developer 11 Bit Studios unveiled its intriguing clone game The Alters, but a release date is finally here. This strange survival game sees players - in the role of a builder named Jan Dolksi - piloting a weird, wheel-shaped base across a planet in order to escape the rays of a deadly sun. It's got exploration, resource mining, and base expansion, all given a unique twist through its Alters. Essentially, players can create alternate versions of Jan, plucking them from his timeline where different life choices were made - and the resulting variants, with their unique abilities and emotions, can prove supremely useful if you can keep them alive. It's fascinating stuff, and The Alters is officially launching for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC on 13th June. Here's a look at "nightmarish" life sim Neverway from Celeste's artist Neverway announcement trailer.Watch on YouTube If you're starting to feel fatigued by the endless wave of cutesy, cosy village life sims out there these days, you might like to take a look at Neverway. It's a "nightmarish" life sim RPG that follows the adventures of protagonist Fiona as she quits her job, starts a new life on a farm and, in something of a break from the norm, becomes the immortal herald of a dead god. There are friends to make and horrors to fight (plus a soundtrack from the ever-reliable Disasterpeace) in this debut game from Coldblood Inc. - a studio founded by Celeste and Towerfall artist Pedro Medeiros. There's no word of a release date yet, but you can wishlist it on Steam. Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core and Survivor both get news updates Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core - gameplay trailer.Watch on YouTube Deep Rock Galactic fans have a couple of bits of news to chew over thanks to the Triple-i showcase. For starters, there's first gameplay for Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core, which takes the co-op cave-crawling shooting action of the original and gives it a roguelike twist - meaning players start from the basics each mission and must build up their team's powers. And if you like how it looks, sign-ups are now open for its closed alpha, which arrives ahead of early access. But that's not all! Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor - a Vampire Survivors-style auto-shooter - is now confirmed to be leaving early access and getting its 1.0 release on 17th September. Camper van wilderness adventure Outbound getting a closed alpha Outbound - closed alpha trailer.Watch on YouTube I am perhaps excessively (but unashamedly) excited for developer Square Glade Games' Outbound, in which players get to drive an orange camper van through a pleasingly picturesque open-world wilderness. It's essentially a game of roving and survival, where players grow their own crops, harness natural resources like wind and sun for energy, and customise their vehicle - even building an elaborate, albeit comically impractical, house on its roof. It all appeals to me in strange primordial ways, and while Outbound isn't scheduled to release until next year, it's getting a closed alpha next Monday, 14th April - with signups open now. Multiplayer running hit SpeedRunners announces sequel SpeedRunners 2 - announcement trailer.Watch on YouTube It's been nine years since much-loved multiplayer running game Speedrunners first sprinted out the gate, but the series is being revived and a sequel is on the way. SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed - which is being handled by Nickolodeon All-Star Brawl 2 studio Fair Play Labs - promises more cutthroat, superhero-themed on-foot racing across a side-scrolling world. However, the cheery pixel art of the original has been ditched for polygonal 3D, and its local and online races now support up to eight players. SpeedRunners 2 is currently set to launch on Steam later this year, and it's targeting a console release in 2026. Sifu studio's footie game Rematch gets a release date Rematch - release date trailer.Watch on YouTube I'm still not sure I've quite come to terms with the fact Sifu developer SloClap's next release is a football game, but it is and it also now has a release date. Rematch - an online multiplayer football game build around "fast-paced 5v5 matches [played] from an immersive third-person perspective" - is set to launch for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC on 19th June. But before all that, it's holding a closed beta weekend - and if that sounds like something you'd like to get involved in, you can sign up and get stuck in right now. Colourful 3D platformer Duskfade shows off new gameplay Duskfade trailer.Watch on YouTube Following its unveiling last year, developer Weird Beluga Studios' colourful 3D action-platformer Duskfade is back with a brand-new gameplay trailer. Described as a "timeless love letter to the genre" and promising a mix of "nostalgia [and] modern gameplay", Duskfade follows the adventures of young workshop apprentice Zirian as he jumps, swings, and slashes his way across a vibrant clockpunk world to restore time itself and end the eternal night. It's looking pretty lovely, and the full game launches for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Steam in 2026. Lost Ember studio unveils Ikuma: The Frozen Compass Ikuma: The Frozen Compass trailer.Watch on YouTube Mooneye Studios, the developer behind 2019's really rather delightful Lost Ember, is back with another nature-loving adventure, this time playing out across the unforgiving expanse of the Arctic. Set in 1864, Ikuma: The Frozen Compass follows cabin boy Sam and his loyal husky Ellie as they endure the harsh elements of a strikingly realised uncharted Arctic island in a bid to find their way home. It can either be played solo, with one player controlling both characters, or co-operatively with a friend - and if that appeals, it's coming to Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S sometime next year. Firefighting disaster game Into the Fire shares new gameplay Into the Fire - gameplay trailer.Watch on YouTube Coming from Starward Industries - a studio founded by industry veterans who've worked on the likes of The Witcher 3, Cyperpunk 2077, and Dying Light - Into the Fire is a "disaster extraction survival" game with "arcade elements". It sees players fighting the forces of nature - and working to save as many lives as possible against the clock - amid the fire and ash of a volcanic eruption on Dante's Archipelago. It promises "fantastic retro inventions and firefighting weapons", fiery myths, unexplained phenomena, and mysterious relics - even dark rituals - when it launches into Steam access later this year. Medieval hack-and-slash roguelike Tears of Metal's public beta is here Tears of Metal - open beta trailer.Watch on YouTube Tears of Metal is a "medieval hack-and-slash co-op roguelike" from developer Paper Cult that sees players and their Scottish battalion carve through hordes of enemies - strangely altered thanks to the mysterious Dragon Stone Meteor - in a bid to reclaim their island home. It looks like supremely chaotic stuff, and anyone wanted to get a taste of its furious action can participate - either playing solo or online with friends - in its public beta right now, with the event wrapping up on 17th April. Vampire Survivors' Emerald Diorama update is out now Vampire Survivors - Emerald Diorama update trailer.Watch on YouTube Vampire Survivors truly is the game that keeps on giving (just as long as you're not expecting it to give you anything resembling vampires), and developer Poncle's hugely popular auto-shooter is back with another free update. Emerald Diorama introduces 16+ characters and skins from Square Enix's SaGa Emerald Beyond, alongside over 40 new attacks, glimmer and showstopper mechanics, a new seven-biome stage, and more. Sound sufficiently tantalising? It's out now on Android, iOS (excluding Apple Arcade), Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC now. Endless Legend 2 coming to early access this "summer" Endless Legend 2 early access trailer.Watch on YouTube If you're as excited about the return of Humankind developer Amplitude Studios' fantasy themed 4X series Endless Legend as I am (which is to say, a lot), you'll probably be eager for an update. Amplitude has now revealed Endless Legend 2 - which adds the likes of seasons and tidefalls to "dramatically transform" the world during play - is launching into PC early access this "summer". And there's a new trailer to tide you over until then, no pun intended. X4: Foundations' Diplomacy Update on the way X4: Foundations - Diplomacy Update trailer.Watch on YouTube Space trading and combat sim X4: Foundations has been going from strength to strength, and its next free update is almost here. It's called the Diplomacy Update and, as its name suggests, introduces new strategic elements focusing on diplomacy. Much of this revolves around the new Embassy facility, where diplomats can congregate to represent their factions, but players can also access and deploy Agents to complete diplomatic objectives, which will help influence others and shape the galaxy's political and economic balance. X4: Foundations' Diplomacy Update launches this "summer". Escape Simulator 2 now has a demo Escape Simulator 2 - demo and gameplay trailer.Watch on YouTube If you're a fan of that whole escape room malarky, you might have already given Escape Simulator a whirl to feed your puzzle fixation digitally. It's a pretty good time too, especially co-operatively, and a sequel is on the way. Escape Simulator 2 promises new rooms, new puzzles, and new mechanics, taking players from Dracula's castle to a pirate ship on stormy seas to a starship lost in space. You can get a taste of its spruced-up puzzle action in its new trailer, or check out the Steam demo available now. Slot machine roguelike CloverPit gets a demo CloverPit - gameplay and demo trailer.Watch on YouTube Described as the "demonic lovechild of Balatro and Buckshot Roulette", CloverPit is a slot-machine-focused roguelike that locks players in a rusty cell and tasks them with earning enough each round to pay off their debt. Prizes, charms, and combos can be used to shift the odds in your favour, and if you can keep your streak up long enough you might just earn your freedom. CloverPit launches on Steam later this year and a demo's available now. BlazBlue Entropy Effect getting couch co-op and a Dead Cells collaboration BlazBlue Entropy Effect - couch co-op and Dead Cells crossover trailer.Watch on YouTube A quickie this one! BlazBlue Entropy Effect - the side-scrolling action-roguelike based on Arc System Works' acclaimed fighting series - is getting two-player couch co-op. But that's not all; it's also tipping its hat to genre bedfellow Dead Cells by adding a character from developer Motion Twin's acclaimed title in a free update coming this "summer". Enshrouded shows off its venomous Thralls of Twilight update Enshrouded - Thralls of Twilight trailer.Watch on YouTube It's been a year since developer Keen Games' co-op survival RPG Enshrouded launched into early access and immediately impressed. Since then, it's continued to grow across multiple content updates and its sixth major release is Thralls of Twilight, which can now admire in its newly shared trailer. There's not much more to report just yet, but it's set to arrive this May. Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era's early access incoming Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era - release window trailer .Watch on YouTube Last August, Ubisoft announced it was resurrecting its long-running turn-based strategy series Heroes of Might & Magic for its eighth major instalment. Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era, as it's known, serves as a prequel to the entire fantasy saga, and sees players travelling to the mysterious continent of Jadame across a non-linear campaign. Skip to today, and we now have a release window for Olden Era: it's coming to Steam early access this "summer". Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault's early access window confirmed Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault - release window trailer .Watch on YouTube As we learned last year, developer Digital Sun's fantasy-RPG-meets-shop-sim is getting a sequel - which, among other things brings a switch from lovely pixel art to beautifully characterful 3D. Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault, to give the sequel is full title, is now confirmed to be launching into Steam early access this "summer", and there's a new trailer too. Morbid Metal coming to early access this summer Morbid Metal - release window trailer .Watch on YouTube There's a theme forming here, and we now have another title eyeing up a Steam early access release this summer. This time we're looking at developer Screen Juice's Morbid Metal - a "hack 'n' lash action Rogue-lite" that sees players shapeshifting between different powerful characters in real-time to unleash devastating combos on their unsuspecting foes. If the new trailer excites, you can always wishlist it on Steam ahead of its early access launch later this year. Over the Hill shows off more gameplay Over the Hill - gameplay trailer .Watch on YouTube If you missed its announcement earlier this year, Over the Hill is the follow-up to developer Funselektor's acclaimed off-road racing game Art of Rally. The twist this time is it places a much greater focus on exploration, with players travelling across a gloriously stylised wilderness - and battling a dynamic weather system - as they search for hidden objectives and challenges. It's playable solo or with friends, and promises "iconic vehicles from the 60s to 80s", but doesn't yet have a release date. But while we wait for that, you can check out the new gameplay trailer. No, I'm not a Human coming to PC and consoles this autumn No, I'm not a Human - console and release window trailer .Watch on YouTube Are you human? And if not, would you even admit to it if someone asked? That appears to be the vague premise of developer Trioskaz's No, I'm not a Human. It's a horror game in which players take on the role of one of the few remaining human survivors of the apocalypse. Away from your stronghold, the world is populated by other humans - or at least hostile creatures pretending to be humans - and you'll need to keep them at bay as you scavenge to survive if you want to save humanity. Judging by the trailer, this one's got weird vibes to spare, and it's coming to Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation this autumn. Necesse's Forgotten Depths update arrives today Necesse - The Forgotten Depths trailer .Watch on YouTube Necesse is a sort-of top-down Terraria-like - full of co-operative base-building, dungeon-crawling, and crafting - that's been around in early access since 2019. It's had plenty of updates since then, and its latest - The Forgotten Depths update - shadow drops today. Its additions include the Plains Deep Caves biome, new environmental hazards, economy improvements, and a mission table where players can manage expeditions, explorers, and traders. And as for when Necesse might finally leave early access, developer Fair Games says it's targeting a 1.0 release later this year. V Rising's Invaders of Oakveil update launches in April V Rising - Invaders of Oakveil gameplay trailer .Watch on YouTube Vampire survival adventure V Rising is a pretty glorious time if you like your teeth long and your bases imposingly gothic. And now, with the first anniversary of its 1.0 release edging ever closer, developer Stunlock Studios has slapped its latest content update with a release date. Invaders of Oakveil adds the titular wooded wilds, where players can encounter the Venom Blades - a powerful clan proficient with venom-imbued weapons and virulent alchemy - who'll do anything to serve their Serpent Queen Megara. All the above arrives on 28th April and you can get a taste of its action in its new trailer. OPUS: Prism Peak arriving this autumn OPUS: Prism Peak - release window trailer .Watch on YouTube Ever had one of those days where you've accidentally selfied yourself out of existence? A similar fate appears to have befallen the protagonist of Opus: Prism peak, a narrative-driven adventure game from developer Sigono. Opus casts players as a weary photographer caught outside of reality who must use an old camera to explore an ethereal realm, uncover its mysteries, and try to find a way home. It all looks very lovely in its release window trailer - and speaking of which, it's coming to Steam this autumn. SacriFire has a launch window and a new trailer SacriFire - release window trailer .Watch on YouTube SacriFire is a fantasy adventure inspired by classic 90s JRPGs that sees players guiding a young priest through a world caught in the middle of a war between gods and demons. It looks a treat, serving up a striking blend of 3D worlds and pixel art sprites, and also features music from Motoi Sakuraba, who's previously composed for the likes of Dark Souls, Golden Sun, and Star Ocean. There's a fresh glimpse of its extremely aesthetically pleasing action in its latest trailer, and if that's caught your eye, SacriFice is scheduled to launch for Steam in "Q1" next year. Shapez 2 shows off its Dimension Update Shapez 2 - Dimension Update trailer.Watch on YouTube Top-down, space-based factory building game Shapez 2's early access development continues apace, and its latest update - officially known The Dimension Update - has now been revealed. It introduces the ability to construct multi-layer 3D factories, reworked train mechanics, plus various quality of life improvements, and it's launching on 2nd June. Dorfromantik studio's Star Birds is getting a demo Star Birds - demo trailer.Watch on YouTube The first thing you need to know about Star Birds (if you weren't aware already) is that it comes from Toukana Interactive, the team behind the stellar Dorfromantik. It's an asteroid-themed base-building puzzler focused on whimsical resource management, where the goal is to help spacefaring birds prosper and thrive. It's got mining, automation, trading, and all sorts of bizarre contraptions - and it already looks pretty delightful. It's currently set to release on Steam later this year, but there'll be a chance to play before then: it's getting a demo this June. Super Fantasy Kingdom reveals 2025 launch window Super Fantasy Kingdom - release window trailer.Watch on YouTube I already feel confident saying roguelike city builder Super Fantasy Kingdom is shaping up to be something pretty neat - largely because its ever-evolving demo, released back in 2023, is a heap of fun. Which brings us to the important bit: Super Fantasy Kingdom now has a launch window and is readying to release in "Q3" this year. Timberborn dates its Ziplines & Tubeways update Timberborn - Ziplines & Tubeways trailer.Watch on YouTube Developer Mechanistry's post-apocalyptic, beaver-themed city builder/colony sim Timberborn is another early access treat, and has been slowly edging toward its 1.0 release since 2021. And that journey continues this May when Timborn's Ziplines & Tubeways Update arrives. This seventh major early access release brings modular urban transit to player's towns, with Folktails gaining access to ziplines so they can whizz about from up high, while Iron Teeth can speed around the world using water-sealed tubeways. And there's more; Update 7 also promises hanging gardens, rooftop farms, tunnels, and artificial caves when it launches on 8th May. Blacksmith Master has a release date Blacksmith Master - release date trailer.Watch on YouTube Do you ever wish you'd been born a thousand-ish years ago so you could fulfil your lifelong dream of becoming a medieval smithy? Well, it's not exactly time travel, but developer Untitled Studio's Blacksmith Master might get you some of the way there. It tasks players with managing all aspects of their smithy, from mining ores and gems to designing and selling weapons, armour, even cooking utensils - and of course, all money raised by flogging the finished products goes right back into working toward the title of Blacksmith Master. Sound appealing? Well, then there's good news! It's launching into Steam early access on 15th May. The Eternal Life of Goldman sounds off The Eternal Life of Goldman - Yasunori Nishiki announcement trailer.Watch on YouTube Developer Weappy's The Eternal Life of Goldman was an immediate wishlist add when it was unveiled last year. This "existential" 2D platformer is an absolute jaw-dropper - its meticulously hand-drawn and hand-animated art-style providing perpetual eye candy as players take on the role of an old man journeying to kill a god. Today's Triple-i showing primarily served to introduce the newest addition to its composing team, which includes the likes of Kevin Penkin (Star Wars: Vision, Florence), Mason Lieberman (Overwatch 2, Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical), and Pete Lepley (Wargroove, Sky Rogue) - with Yasunori Nishiki (Octopath Traveler, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth) now added to the roster. And while there's still no word of a release date, we do know it's coming to Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and Steam later this year.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Dead By Daylight players have a lot to look forward to in the very near future. Right now, players can get over one million Bloodpoints as part of an apology from BeHaviour in addition to the April 2025 codes, meanwhile, a PTB starring a new survivor is on the cusp of coming out. A new survivor is very exciting, especially as BeHaviour just recently added a new DBD killer in Ken Kaneki. Unfortunately, Ken Kaneki has caused a raucous within the community, and BeHaviour has confirmed they have “tweaks” ready for the killer that is making people “quit” Dead By Daylight Dead By Daylight devs have “tweaks” ready for killer There has been a lot of uproar within the Dead By Daylight community since the arrival of Ken Kaneki. A lot of players are claiming that the Tokyo Ghoul killer is way too OP, and there are numerous posts on socials asking for him to be nerfed. There’s even a thread on Reddit saying that, after many years, “Playing against Kaneki is making me quit dbd”. Fortunately, BeHaviour is aware of the disgruntlement within the playerbase, and changes are coming. As stated by Mandy on the BeHaviour Interactive forums, as shared in a screenshot on Reddit, the developer is “looking at adjustments to The Ghoul”. Mandy said “HF1 is too soon to get any proper changes in as we do like to give things a little bit of time on the Live game for players to adapt,” however, “Our Designers already have a few tweaks that can be made for the next hotfix to have the character more in-line of what we expect”. Image credit: BeHaviour Interactive forums We don’t know what these tweaks involve, but they will presumably be nerfs. While we will have to wait for these tweaks to arrive, BeHaviour has shared the following changes in update 8.6.1: The camera no longer zooms on the Survivor’s torso at the end of The Ghoul’s Mori animation. Using The Ghoul’s Special Ability no longer disables the FOV Slider’s functionalities for the remainder of the Trial. The reticle of the Kagune Leap no longer displays a collision where Survivors are downed for The Ghoul. The Aura is no longer visible on part of the tentacles when The Ghoul performs the second Kagune Leap while having their aura revealed. Hopefully the “tweaks” ready for the “next hotfix” will significantly improve the balance of Ken Kaneki. He is a great addition to the game’s roster purely as a recognizeable character from a beloved IP, but, right now, he is an absolute menace to survivors. For more Dead By Daylight content, check out our ranking of the top 10 DLC expansions to buy along with a ranking of the best killer perks and best survivor perks. Dead by Daylight Platform(s): Google Stadia, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X Genre(s): Action, Survival Horror 7 VideoGamer Related Topics Dead by Daylight Subscribe to our newsletters! By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime. Share

Some might appreciate the bolt of energy that colored kitchen cabinets can provide, others might like the cleanliness of white cabinetry—but there’s no denying that wood kitchens are the ultimate classic. Whether you like farmhouse style, ultramodern design, or another expression entirely, timber can provide a textured backdrop for the rest of your kitchen material palette. Their aesthetic flexibility is unparalleled: You can match ’em with marble countertops, a colorful tile backsplash, or stainless-steel surfaces, and they’ll pull it all off without a hitch. Looking for inspiration for your next renovation? Below, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite wood kitchens from the AD archive.Are wood kitchens still in style?There are certain wood kitchen designs that have fallen out of favor—some early-2000s naysayers point to the Tuscan kitchen, for instance—but with such a wide range of applications, wood kitchens as a whole could never go out of style. Given how intensive the renovation process is, it’s best to consider timeless materials and colors whenever you’re planning a renovation.Are wood kitchens more expensive?Wood kitchens are generally more expensive than kitchens made with synthetic materials. That being said, wood kitchens can last much longer and be easier to maintain than other materials, resulting in long-term savings. As with any renovation decision, it’s important to weigh which design elements are worth investing more in, and which elements can be satisfactory with a more affordable material.What is the most durable wood for kitchens?Hickory is considered to be the most durable wood for kitchens. Important for kitchens in particular, given the abundance of heavy pots, pans, and countertop appliances that are moved around, the hardwood isn’t prone to indentations and it’s not quite as sensitive to moisture. The wood’s distinctive grain pattern adds flair to a kitchen too. Though hickory is considered particularly strong, there are a number of woods beloved for their durability and utility in kitchen applications.To access the full AD archive, subscribe to AD PRO.

Announcing his tariffs in the White House Rose Garden last week, President Trump said the move would help reopen shuttered car factories in Michigan and bring various other jobs back to the U.S.“The president wants to increase manufacturing jobs here in the United States of America,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added on Tuesday. “He wants them to come back home.”But rather than enticing companies to create new jobs in the U.S., economists say, the new tariffs—bolstered by recent advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics—could instead increase incentives for companies to automate human labor entirely.“There’s no reason whatsoever to believe that this is going to bring back a lot of jobs,” says Carl Benedikt Frey, an economist and professor of AI & work at Oxford University. “Costs are higher in the United States. That means there’s an even stronger economic incentive to find ways of automating even more tasks.”In other words: when labor costs are low—like they are in Vietnam—it’s usually not worth it for companies to invest in the expensive up-front costs of automating human labor. But if companies are forced to move their labor to more expensive countries, like the U.S., that cost-benefit calculation changes drastically.To be sure, experts note that tariffs may not immediately lead to more automation. Automating manufacturing jobs often requires companies to make significant investments in physical machinery, which tariffs are likely to make more expensive. In a time of economic turmoil, companies also usually hold off on making big capital expenditures. Thus, in the short run, Nobel Prize-winning economist Daron Acemoglu predicts, there is likely to be so much disruption that few companies will invest in automation or much else. But if tariffs persist in the medium term, Acemoglu tells TIME, he expects companies “will have no choice but to bring some of their supply chains back home—but they will do it via AI and robots.”The evidence from the last time Trump imposed tariffs on trading partners, in 2018, shows no major increase in automation as a result. (Those tariffs did in fact lead to job losses in affected industries anyway, a Federal Reserve study found, due to higher production costs and reduced export competitiveness.) But some economists think the 2025 tariffs could be different—incentivizing more automation—because AI and robotics have come a long way since 2018. “Our technological capabilities have improved since the last round of tariffs, particularly because of improvements in AI,” says Frey, the Oxford economist.The rise of roboticsFor years, a major limitation of robots was that they couldn’t adapt to even minor changes in their environments. An industrial robot might be able to carry out a repeatable task in a controlled environment easily—like cutting a car door from a sheet of metal—but for more deft tasks in more complex environments, humans still prevailed.That might not be the case for much longer. Robot “brains” are getting more adaptable, thanks to progress in general AI systems like large language models. Robot bodies are becoming more deft, thanks to investment and research by companies like Boston Dynamics. And robots are getting cheaper to produce over time (although tariffs might temporarily reverse that trend). “It has taken some time, but people have been doing research on taking language models’ ability for common-sense understanding, and applying it to robotics,” says Lucas Hansen, co-founder of CivAI, a non-profit. “It doesn’t require much special effort to apply robots to new purposes now, especially once this technology matures a bit more. So if you’re a mid-sized manufacturing operation, previously you would have had to invest tons of money in R&D to automate everything. But now, it will require a lot less marginal effort.”Acemoglu is more skeptical. Robots, he says, still struggle in complex environments, even if flashy corporate demo videos suggest otherwise. “I wouldn’t be optimistic that it’s a quick problem to be solved,” he says, predicting that flexible robots are at least 10 years away.If tariffs lead to more automation, it’s still unlikely that productivity gains will offset the huge losses stemming from supply chain disruption and added import costs. “The main first-order effect of tariffs is they will make everything less efficient,” says Erik Brynjolfsson, the director of the Digital Economy Lab at Stanford University. “When you throw sand in the gears of supply chains and global trade, we’re all just going to be a little bit poorer.”The Trump Administration has said it wants AI to benefit American workers, rather than replace them. “We refuse to view AI as a purely disruptive technology that will inevitably automate away our labor force,” Vice President JD Vance said in February. “We believe and we will fight for policies that ensure that AI is going to make our workers more productive, and we expect that they will reap the rewards.”But past experiences with new technologies in the workplace suggest that rosy vision is unlikely to come to pass, says Brian Merchant, a labor historian and author of Blood in the Machine. “Historically when there is a downturn, if there is an opportunity to automate, then companies will take it. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll use fewer humans, but it does mean that employers have a chance to break through labor protections and gain more leverage.”

Hillo Again over the hill, the off-roading game so chill it refuses to acknowledge capital letters, puts out its first gameplay trailer here’s our best look yet at the next game from the dev behind cool stuff like Art of Rally. Image credit: Funselektor/Strelka Games News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on April 10, 2025 over the hill, the upcoming offroading game from Absolute Drift and Art of Rally dev Funselektor as well as collaborator Strelka Games, has shown off its first gameplay trailer at today’s Triple-i Initiative indie showcase. Announced back in January, this one’s seeing Funselektor take the stylish, minimalistic art style that’s defined the immaculate vibes of its previous releases, and apply it to something that’s a bit more like SnowRunner, except with less messing around with trailers. To be clear, that’s the attaches to the back of a vehicle kind of trailer, over the hill is clearly keen to mess around with game trailers. To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Don’t worry though, as you can see in this trailer - which comes after the game's "already racked up over 200,000 wishlists on Steam" despite not having announced a release date yet - over the hill will definitely pack plenty of the getting stuck in mud and yanking stuff about with a winch that we all want from this kind of game. The kind that lets you do all this stuff without having to handle the massive running costs of a Land Rover that’s only ever one bad day away from a catastrophic MOT faliure. As you can see, you’ve got the option of bringing up to three other players along on your scenic sojourns in retro off-roaders that first hit the trails sometime from the 1960s to the 1980s. That’s very much in line with the retro motoring vibes Funseleketor’s made its wheelhouse, though this time you’ll be going through rugged environments that cover the full spectrum of seasons and weathers. Watch on YouTube It's nice to see that the studio's gone with a pretty stripped-back UI, with the mini-map resembling the sort of Ordnance Survey one your dad might frustratedly unfurl across the dashboard if you got lost on a family holiday in the countryside. We also got a look at the winching mechanics in action from the driver's perspective and, er, it seems safe to say folks who've played the likes of the aforementioned SnowRunner will be at home, because it looks to be a very similar pick a point inidicated by a circular dot, then wheel it in kinda deal. Aside from that, there's a peek at some vehicle customisation being possible in order to get your ride in tip top mud-busting shape, and confirmation of a photo mode that'll let you take a commemorative snap when you get to the top of a mountain, or midway through rolling down one after misjudging a ledge. Both are worth preserving for posterity in my book. Are you keen to get muddy in over the hill whenever it drops? Let us know below, and check out our review of Funselektor's most recent release, Golden Lap.

Image: Nintendo LifeHello, hello, we're here — nothing at all happened last week, right? We didn't miss anything? Okay, you might have noticed, but things got a lil' hectic last week, hence why our regularly scheduled eShop Selects is a bit later than normal. This are changing in the world of Nintendo, and soon, we'll have plenty more eShop exclusives come the Switch 2. But that's enough about the future. March feels like a long time ago already, but it kept us relatively busy - Xenoblade Chronicles X and a surprise Nintendo Direct to keep us on our toes at the end. And for the eShop, it was a solid month.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube806kWatch on YouTube So, as always, our team of writers and contributors have got together to vote for their top three games from all game releases from March that we reviewed, The games with the highest score make our top three. Easy! Lunar landing Honourable mentions That aforementioned Nintendo Direct from last month? We got some shadow-drops! We didn't have a chance to look at all of them, but you'll spot a couple among our line-up — both here and in the top three. Otherwise, this was a pretty busy month — we're sticking with the 7/10s AND ABOVE this time around since the eShop got a healthy number of titles. Hopefully the next console brings us equal amounts of joy from the digital store front — along with faster loading. Everhood 2 | Review: 7/10 Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark | Review: 8/10 Mainframes | Review: 7/10 Rendering Ranger R2 [Rewind] | Review: 7/10 SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered | Review: 8/10 3rd Place - Breakout Beyond Publisher: Atari / Developer: Choice ProvisionsRelease Date: 25th Mar 2025 (USA) / 25th Mar 2025 (UK/EU)Atari is continuing to bring back its myriad of retro franchises with new twists and the help of other devs. Breakout Beyond takes the classic arcade Breakout and flips it 90 degrees — literally. That's the premise! But it's a little Tetris Effect-y too. Heart-pumping music, neon visuals, and alongside those, there new power-ups and 72 levels to get through. This is still Breakout, just on its side. And all from the BIT.TRIP series. We awarded Breakout Beyond an 8/10, and said that it "may be the best way to experience Atari's stone-cold classic." Breaking the mould 2nd Place - Rift of the NecroDancer Publisher: Brace Yourself Games / Developer: Brace Yourself GamesRelease Date: 27th Mar 2025 (USA) / 27th Mar 2025 (UK/EU)We've been waiting for Brace Yourself Games' next title for a good while, and Rift of the NecroDancer finally surprised us with a shadow-drop at the end of March (thanks, Nintendo Direct). Just under two months after its PC release. Not bad! And Cadence's new adventure sees her take on monsters in music-based combat à la Guitar Hero. And it's a healthy challenge, too. Even with a short-ish story mode, Rift of the NecroDancer will have you coming back for more to achieve musical perfection. In our 8/10 review, we said that the game will make you "feel both cool and overwhelmed at the same time." Well, we're always the latter... Slimes to the left of me, zombies to the right 1st Place - Sorry We're Closed Publisher: Akupara Games / Developer: à La ModeRelease Date: 6th Mar 2025 (USA) / 6th Mar 2025 (UK/EU)The polygonal horror revolution continues, and our eShop Selects game of the month goes to Sorry We're Closed, a neon-soaked horror that blends first and third-person perspectives. After a bad break-up, Michelle is cursed by a demon called The Duchess which will force her to fall in love with her in a few days. While the mix of perspectives is exciting, our favourite aspect of Sorry We're Closed is The Third Eye. which allows you to see the demons of the world as they are. You'll bond with them and see them for their true selves. A nice little break from the stress of romantic demonic curses. à La Mode has managed to create "one of the most unique and memorable survival horror games we've ever played," and we awarded the game a 9/10 as a result. Congrats to Sorry We're Closed! Love is hell < Nintendo eShop Selects - February 2025 Do you agree with our top three? Tell us about your favourite eShop releases of last month by voting in our poll and telling us in the comments. What's the best eShop game from March 2025? (15 votes) Breakout Beyond (Switch eShop)  0%Everhood 2 (Switch eShop)  0%Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark (Switch)20%Mainframes (Switch eShop)  0%Rendering Ranger: R2 [Rewind] (Switch eShop)7%Rift of the NecroDancer (Switch eShop)27%SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered (Switch eShop)27%Sorry We're Closed (Switch eShop)  0%Something else (comment below!)20% How we decide our eShop Selects top three: As we reach the end of every month, the Nintendo Life staff vote on their favourite titles from a list of games selected by the editorial team. To qualify for this list, these games must have been released as a digital-only Nintendo Switch eShop title in that particular month, and must have been reviewed on Nintendo Life; we select the qualifying games based on their review scores. Staff are then asked to vote for three games that they think deserve to sit right at the very top of that list; first choice gets three points, second choice gets two points, and third choice gets one point. These votes are then tallied to create a top-three list, with the overall winner taking that month's top prize. Up Next: February 2025 Related Games See Also Share:0 0 Alana has been with Nintendo Life since 2022, and while RPGs are her first love, Nintendo is a close second. She enjoys nothing more than overthinking battle strategies, characters, and stories. She also wishes she was a Sega air pirate. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Game Upgrade Pack Prices Seemingly Revealed (Japan) Here's the estimated equivalent locally PSA: Switch Online Includes Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack Access At "No Additional Cost" Active Expansion Pack subscription required Nintendo Confirms Switch Controllers Are Compatible With "Switch 2 Exclusive Games" But there is a slight catch... 'Switch 2 Editions' Are Supposedly A Switch Game Card And Download Code For The Upgrade Pack Update: Although My Nintendo Store reps are saying the opposite Video: Metroid Prime 4 Side-By-Side Early Graphics Comparison (Switch 2 & Switch) Samus unlocked a new upgrade

Just one day after TechCrunch revealed that Jeff Bezos is backing a secretive EV startup called Slate Auto, an early version of the company’s low-cost electric pickup truck was spotted in the wild. Reddit user u/discostranger09 posted a photo to the r/whatisthiscar subreddit on Wednesday of a small, dark gray two-seater pickup truck on a flatbed. The user said it was being offloaded from a container outside their office in the Los Angeles Area. The photo was first reported by automotive outlet The Autopian. The truck pictured is, in fact, the one Slate Auto has been working on, according to a person with direct knowledge of Slate Auto’s vehicle design who spoke on the condition of anonymity. This person, whose identity is known to TechCrunch, said the truck is likely one of the concept vehicles the startup has created to show to potential investors — like the controlling owner of the LA Dodgers — at its design studio in Long Beach, California. The truck is simply styled, with a grille that somewhat resembles the one on the modern-day Ford Bronco Sport. It also looks a bit like a smaller, simplified Rivian R1T — which is interesting considering that Slate’s head of exterior design had a short stint at Rivian before coming to the secretive startup. But there are no dramatic flourishes, and that’s by design. As TechCrunch exclusively reported earlier this week, the young company is attempting to build a business around the truck that involves selling it at a low price of around $25,000. Slate plans to upsell customers on customization and accessories of a wide variety. The company has filed for a trademark on the phrase “WE BUILT IT. YOU MAKE IT.” and has mentioned something that sounds like a customization program called “Slate University” in job listings. Another Slate trademark that has not yet been reported is for the phrase “Blank Slate.” That is one way that the company may refer to the base model of the truck before a customer chooses any customization options, according to the person familiar. It is unclear if the company has settled on a name for the truck, despite being a few weeks away from coming out of stealth. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A conversation between Würth Additive Group and Vestas at the 2025 AMUG Conference discusses additive manufacturing as a scalable tool for managing supply chain risk, reducing downtime, and aligning with digital and sustainability strategies.  AJ Strandquist, CEO of Würth Additive Group, and Jeremy Haight, Principal Engineer & Lead Specialist – Additive Manufacturing & Advanced Concepts, at wind turbine leader Vestas, unpacked how tightly controlled digital workflows, qualified platforms, and strategic deployment are unlocking real-world value from 3D printing.  Jeremy Haight, Vestas and AJ Strandquist, Würth Additive Group [L-R]. Photo by Michael Petch. TLDR? Key Insights Pressed for time? Here are the core insights from the experience of Würth Additive Group and Vestas with additive manufacturing. Think in terms of systems Standards and qualification are lagging but crucial Additive manufacturing’s strength is in the supply chainDigital control and lockdown of processes are essential The industry suffers from a lack of interoperability Backward compatibility is hard, forward integration is better Quality failures require root cause analysis, not blame Additive Manufacturing’s Supply Chain Moment: Würth and Vestas Eye Scale with Digital Inventory, Quality Controls Würth Additive Group and Vestas are building the infrastructure for additive manufacturing to move beyond niche applications and into global-scale, supply chain-critical roles. Strandquist framed the opportunity—and the challenge—with a touch of dry humor. “All the party animals are in this room talking about liabilities and quality concerns,” opening the session in Chicago. The two leaders are overseeing the deployment of additive manufacturing as a foundational capability within highly structured industrial ecosystems. Strandquist’s mandate is to integrate additive manufacturing into Würth’s global logistics and distribution networks, embedding digital part fulfillment into traditional supply chains. The goal, he explained, is to ensure that customers can order 3D printed parts with the same ease and procedural traceability as legacy components. “For us, wherever that demand comes from… they’re going to place an order into a system,” he said. “From that system, we are going to integrate so a buyer sees the part on the screen just like anybody else does… [with] complete traceability.” The underlying vision is a seamless supply experience—whether parts are made traditionally, pulled from stock, or 3D printed locally on demand. This includes modalities as diverse as vending machines and e-commerce. The Würth AM leader draws a distinction between cost-driven components and critical engineered parts, noting that “quality is not consistent”—and shouldn’t be. “I specialize in parts that are very low cost… like automotive clips,” he said, contrasting this with Vestas’s use cases, which include R&D prototypes and operational components in high-risk environments. These differences demand scalable quality regimes, such as Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), with levels ranging from “use any machine and any vendor” flexibility to traceability down to raw material origins. Haight highlighted the need to balance internal and external production while ensuring the sanctity of quality documentation and design control. Both executives stressed that additive manufacturing often steps in as a second-source or emergency solution. As Strandquist put it: “3D printing always does best in [special] situations. The price point doesn’t matter when something’s missing.” This flexibility introduces new considerations around intellectual property and digital security. Ensuring that only approved files are used, and that they are not modified or leaked, is critical. Vestas and Würth Advance AM Supply Chains with Rigorous Controls and Distributed Infrastructure The transition of additive manufacturing to an industrial-scale technology demands enterprise-grade systems, traceability, and precise vendor control—alongside the physical decentralization that defines the technology’s core advantage. “Across industry, especially in heavy industry, additive is seen either as novelty—or something exclusive to aerospace and medical. Digital manufacturing removes that mental barrier,” said Haight. For some time, the term “digital manufacturing,” or DVM was used at Vestas to remove this artificial barrier to adoption. Haight oversees a program that spans composite tooling, metal components, and concrete printing, all integrated into a global enterprise stack. The architecture ties in AM part production with Vestas’s existing ERP, PLM, and asset management systems. “Right off the printer, they get the part and the ISO 17025-qualified inspection report with it. That’s all tied into our enterprise asset management system—fluid and automated,” he explained. The Vestas roadmap, already partially implemented, includes mobile units embedded in EVs that 3D print parts en route to remote wind farms.  Würth Additive Group is aligning its infrastructure accordingly. The CEO noted the importance of preserving manufacturing fidelity without introducing complexity at the customer interface. Repeatability often hinges on process discipline, especially in mid-volume applications. One contributor described a production run of “under 100,000 per year,” developed over seven years with a QA/QC pipeline embedded directly into the partner company’s systems. The bottlenecks, unsurprisingly, have been in material consistency and knowledge loss as teams changed. Strandquist underscored this as a known risk. “That was a living process, not a frozen one. I always say: freeze it, then you can thaw it and freeze it again. But you never want to be out of that frozen state very long if you have a production part.” To combat fragmentation and maintain data discipline, Vestas operates on a strict ‘recipe’ model when outsourcing AM work. “We have a qualified machine, qualified materials with batch and lot traceability, and we simply provide [vendors] a recipe,” Haight said. “They can run it, do visual inspection, but that’s the limit of what they can do.” Sensitive IP is protected using classic techniques such as segmented production and robust NDAs—“sometimes you’re not going to get around it.” Internally, Vestas has mapped out the additive landscape by technology and business function—composites, metals, base polymers, concrete—and tied them to process families, use cases, and ROI thresholds. The logic is surgical: match material and process capabilities directly to component types, from turbine blade precast molds to rotor-stator assemblies and directional fiber reinforcement. “We want something that’s going to merge with your ecosystem, not fight it,” Haight emphasized.  Jeremy Haight shows how Vestas maps the landscape. Photo by Michael Petch. Locking Down the Digital Factory: Vestas and Würth Tackle IP Control, Operator Simplicity, and Legacy Parts in AM Supply Chains Additive manufacturing’s promise of distributed, on-demand production hinges not just on technology readiness but on governance, security, and organizational alignment. That means managing everything from untrained field operators to multi-million-part inventories with automation, policy enforcement, and strategic vendor selection. “The people in the field don’t need to be experts,” said Haight. “We use RBAC—role-based access control. These are pre-fixed recipes stored in our PLM. They can’t be modified. It’s locked down by design.” This is not only a matter of usability, but also of trust and compliance. Strandquist noted that errors and deviations are rarely technological. “If you can’t trust your people to follow a standard operating procedure, you can’t trust them with anything else,” he said. “There’s no fixing deviancy. The best you can do is design systems so it’s hard to cheat.” Vestas, operating across dozens of countries, avoids such risk by choosing closed ecosystem platforms and suppliers. Their initial AM rollout centered on closed-loop systems with tight administrative controls. “We own the mandate for additive,” said Haight. “We want to discourage non-compliant printers or materials entering our factories.” In some cases, such as concrete tower components, Vestas ships the entire printing process while sourcing raw materials locally. This avoids cross-border complexity while aligning with longer-term ambitions around circularity. “We’re working on reclaiming materials and recomposing them into new AM workflows,” said Haight. “Digital twin meets recyclability.” That model also opens a unique geopolitical advantage. “There are no tariffs on emails yet,” Strandquist quipped. “You can transform material in-country, avoid customs issues entirely, and still deliver a spec-inspected part. That’s a huge advantage when things get stuck at the border.” Still, the most enduring challenge lies in managing the legacy footprint. “We’ve got close to 32 million SKUs in our PLM and DMS,” Haight said. “So that’s a job for software.” Vestas uses automated part screening platforms to identify additive-suitable candidates, and in some cases, works directly with operators under right-to-repair laws. Their field qualification metric is straightforward: one year of continuous fault-free operation. For new parts, however, additive has more traction—particularly in long-lifecycle support. “Looking backward for AM is inherently hard,” said Strandquist. “The strength is in designing for additive from the beginning. Once your production tooling wears out, the 3D printed version is already certified because it was in the original test batch.” This forward-looking view also supports dynamic sourcing strategies. Both Haight and Strandquist described additive as a bridge and fallback in the face of tooling delays or vendor outages. “It opens up alternative supply options,” Haight said. “You never want to be single-source.” Standards, Supply Chains, and Stakeholder Trust: AM Leaders Urge Structural Maturity in Digital Manufacturing The industry’s next evolution depends less on technology than it does on institutional trust, interoperable standards, and system-wide process controls. Despite the focus on automation and documentation, failures still require forensic analysis. “If a part breaks after 10,000 units, that’s not an AM issue. That’s a design issue,” said Strandquist. “But if one breaks on its own, you start looking at the black box.” Resistance from inside organisations remains a hurdle, especially among engineers accustomed to legacy systems. “A lot of them have been jaded by automation that only delivered 30% of what was promised,” Haight said. The response has been to demonstrate performance directly: “Put the part in their hand. Prove it.” Environmental metrics—another critical performance area—remain difficult to quantify with confidence. While Vestas aligns its AM programme with decarbonisation goals and Industry 4.0 principles, the carbon math is elusive. “It’s an incredibly complex model,” said Haight. “We try, but it’s mostly qualitative.” Strandquist agreed: “I haven’t seen a tool I would bet my reputation on. There’s too much nuance for a punch-in algorithm.” Still, the industrial logic is hard to dispute. AM cuts downtime risk and inventory costs. Yet the broader industry remains fragmented by design. Standardised machine communications and cross-platform compatibility are still missing. “It’s like early railroads,” Strandquist said. “Every state had a different gauge. They didn’t think nationally.” He warned that locking users into proprietary systems was self-defeating: “You don’t buy computers that can’t talk to each other. AM should be the same.” There are signs of movement. Both leaders acknowledged the progress of groups like ASTM F42, which is working on standardised data packaging and pedigree handling. “To unlock AM’s full value, new technologies must enter with robust vetting and a clear business case. “We look at technology readiness level and match it to a real customer need,” said Strandquist. “That proof of concept is where we learn the most.”  “If we’re strategic and objectively seeking business results, we’ll find a path,” Haight said. “But you need the mandate, the metrics—and the buy-in.” The path forward demands standardisation, openness, and the recognition that AM is not a magic bullet—it’s a business tool. “It’s a shortcut for your supply chain,” Strandquist noted, “but only if you treat it like part of the system, not something separate from it.” Read more from the 2025 AMUG Conference. Ready to discover who won the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards? Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights. Featured image shows a 3D printed part made with DF2+. Photo via Würth Additive Group. Michael Petch Michael Petch is the editor-in-chief at 3DPI and the author of several books on 3D printing. He is a regular keynote speaker at technology conferences where he has delivered presentations such as 3D printing with graphene and ceramics and the use of technology to enhance food security. Michael is most interested in the science behind emerging technology and the accompanying economic and social implications.

Tips to avoid couch sagging | © Sherzod Gulomov via Unsplash Furniture is the backbone of each lounge and provides comfort and beauty to the living space. Even if it was initially very comfortable, a couch that sinks in can quickly lose appeal and attractiveness. Knowing how to avoid this common problem also helps ensure that the sofa continues to look inviting and retains its strength through the years. This guide provides you with some relevant information on how to maintain the shape and function of your couch. Choose Quality Materials It all starts with the materials used to build a couch—these play a major role in helping it last. When buying new furnishings, pick better-quality furniture than the regular ones. Seek out contemporary couches with strong wooden frames, hardy textiles, and heavyweight payloads. These materials are more resistant to wear and tear than the cheaper options, meaning the couch will last longer. Rotate and Fluff Cushions Cushions should be rotated and fluffed regularly to avoid uneven wear. They have a habit of taking the hit and will often compress and sag over time. Rotating them on a regular basis keeps the pressure evenly distributed, which helps maintain their shape. Standing cushions up to their original fluffiness, too, makes them easier to lay over and recapture shape, as well as keeping them cozy and supportive. Invest in Supportive Inserts Supportive inserts are the perfect answer to help revive droopy cushions. You can add foam inserts or extra padding where you want more firmness. You can tuck these inserts under or inside your existing cushions for a support boost without the expense of new furniture. This technique allows for comfortable seating while keeping it durable. Mindful Usage A couch can only retain its shape if used mindfully. Do not sit on the armrests or put pressure on one part by sitting too heavily. These habits pressure the frame and cushions and make it sag faster. Use the whole seating space to support balance. This exercise minimizes concentrated pressure, ensuring the couch holds its shape. Routine Cleaning and Maintenance © Inside Weather via Unsplash The cleanliness and maintenance of furniture play a significant role in ensuring its longevity. Over time, dust and debris settle in the fabric and cushions, leading to deterioration. Materials withdrawn through frequent vacuuming and gentle washing are protected from deterioration. You can also put on covers or drape your throws to mitigate the dangers of spills and stains, keeping your fabric free from these damages. Consider Professional Reupholstering If preventative measures have been taken but the droop still shows up, a professional reupholsterer may be a good option. Expert upholstery technicians can re-stuff the couch to make it firm again and clean the fabric, restoring its original gleam. While this is not the cheapest option, it completely refreshes the furniture, giving it a new feel and extending its life by years. Avoid Direct Sunlight and Moisture The fabric and surface material of the sofa are weakened by sunlight and moisture, both of which can happen in heavy doses during the warm weather months, which can also increase sagging. Prevent UV damage by positioning your furniture out of reach of windows and using blinds and curtains. Moreover, maintaining low humidity levels in the living space safeguards against moisture problems. All these precautions can help keep the couch pristine in all its glory. Use Sliders and Furniture Protectors Furniture sliders and protectors are immensely helpful in preserving your couch. Sliders also help move bulky furniture without damaging the frame and legs. Meanwhile, protectors secure the base so it does not touch the ground, thus reducing wear and tear. These additions individually assist the couch in retaining its structure and function. Conclusion It takes a combination of preventative care and active measures to prevent a couch from sagging. With good materials, regular maintenance, and supportive solutions, you can keep them comfortable and looking good for many years. Adopting these strategies not only prolongs the life of the couch but also improves the overall atmosphere of the living room. Furniture by ArchEyes Team Leave a comment

World Play Day is June 11. To commemorate, the Serpentine Galleries and LEGO Group are working with Archigram’s Peter Cook to deliver a Play Pavilion in London’s Kensington Gardens. Bettina Korek, Serpentine Gallery CEO, and artistic director Hans Ulrich Obrist are working with Cook on the venture. The Play Pavilion will be built in Serpentine South out of LEGO® Bricks, the design team said. Cook’s design will mingle near the 2025 Serpentine Pavilion by Marina Tabassum Architects, A Capsule in Time, aligned with Serpentine South’s iconic bell tower. Cook, in a statement, called Play Pavilion “a piece of theatre.” Visuals reveal Play Pavilion as topped by a geodesic dome of sorts that recalls past structures by Buckminster Fuller. Beneath the domed roof will be a semi-enclosed space encircled by polychromatic, jagged planes awash with colors that evoke the plastic toys. “From a distance, intriguing shapes rise from within the structure, although partly obscured,” Cook said in describing the design. “Activities inside can be viewed through pierced and scooped walls, as if teasing ‘come closer, there’s more.’ A child might pop out on a slide, another may crawl through a hole on the ground, mystifying conventional entrance routes.” Cook added: “Another mouth-shaped opening reveals an orator, performer, or singer entertaining eavesdroppers beyond.” In a joint statement, Korek and Obrist noted that Play Pavilion marks a major milestone. Before her death, Zaha Hadid envisioned a project between Cook and the Serpentine, the pair said. “Hadid’s legacy will be fittingly honored through this project, which reflects her pioneering spirit and relentless pursuit of innovation.” “Play transcends survival, achievement, and common sense,” Cook continued.  “It encourages, or at least permits us, to explore and idly delight in a territory between the wayward and the speculative towards unashamed amusement.” The temporary structure will touch down in the location other past works have been installed, including STRIP-TOWER by Gerhard Richter. The Play Pavilion will host public programming through August 10. The Royal Parks and CONSUL are also project collaborators.