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 GSC Game World has officially released the first step in its long-awaited Stalker 2 roadmap, detailing new fixes and additions to the survival game. After a long wait, the expected year-long roadmap is no longer releasing, but the team has committed to releasing quaterly roadmaps as it continues to improve the game. Announced on Discord, the team explained they are “breaking the roadmap down into quarterly updates. Every three months, you’ll get the full scoop on what’s coming. Patch notes will confirm when it’s live in-game.” Stalker 2 Q2 2025 roadmap In the first quarterly roadmap of the year, GSC Game World revealed a tonne of new changes coming to the game. Most importantly, the game’s busted A-Life system is receiving a massive overhaul with “persistent A-Life Improvements, smarter human combat” and better mutant AI. In future updates, mutants will “eat corpses” left around the Zone and properly react to threats from all entities. Additionally, mutants will now have useful loot that players can scavenge and sell at vendors across the Zone. Secondly, the beta Mod Kit SDK will be released alongside a mod guide to better support mod creators. While modders have already made some amazing additions like Stalker Infinity, this should result in the ability to make brand-new story quests, locations and much more. The game’s modding also comes with integration for both Mod.IO and Steam Workshop integration. It’s not known if Mod.IO integration will also be present on Xbox Series consoles. Alongisde these additions, GSC Game World is also adding two new weapons to Stalker 2 for players to find as well as increasing the player stash window. Additionally, the team is working on further stabilization, optimisation and fixes for anomalies. This is all set to arrive in the first quarter of 2025 with even more fixes and additions coming later in the year. With GSC planning to add heaps of cut content to the game as well as expansions in the future, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl has a lot of life left in it. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X Genre(s): Action, Adventure, RPG, Shooter, Survival Horror Subscribe to our newsletters! By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime. Share

After moving to Miami, it was only a matter of time before Jeff Bezos started shedding his Seattle properties. The Amazon founder, who relocated to Florida’s Indian Creek Island (a.k.a. Billionaire Bunker) in 2023, just sold a mansion in Hunts Point, Washington, the Seattle Times reports—and the $63 million deal broke the record for the state’s most expensive home ever sold.It’s not even the first time the waterfront property has broken that record. When Bezos bought the 9,420-square-foot abode from the estate of art collector Barney Ebsworth in 2019, the $37.5 million sale then marked the state’s priciest.The three-bedroom, four-bathroom dwelling sits on a 3.27-acre plot with 300 feet of Lake Washington frontage. Neighbors told Business Insider that Bezos stayed at the residence, which architect Jim Olson named “An American Place,” whenever he was in the area. Olson designed the 9,500-square-foot home in 2003 for Ebsworth to display his prominent art collection, which included works by Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Willem de Kooning, and Jackson Pollock. As such, the concrete-and-steel structure features a gallery wing, climate control, and lots of floor-to-ceiling glass to let the light in and blend the interior with the heavily wooded grounds. “The house was designed to both accommodate this amazing art collection but also to fit seamlessly into a natural setting,” the architect said, per the Seattle Times.Join NowFlash Sale: Become an AD PRO member today and unlock your design potential.ArrowSome of the property’s other unique features include a glass walkway connecting the main house and a two-story guesthouse, a glass shower that looks out into a walled Japanese garden, a flat roof partially covered in sod and native plants, and a rooftop deck equipped with a fireplace.

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Steel Sword Storms New Witcher 3 quest mod sends you on the hunt for a glowing sword imbued with the power of Geralt's worst potion binges and the ability to make everyone wet on cue The goal was to create an endgame steel sword that's as good as the legendary Aerondight, and they've really pulled out all the stops. Image credit: CD Projekt/Forlornsito News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on April 14, 2025 It's been a little while since I spotted a mod for The Witcher 3 that looked interesting, but this one's caught me eye. It's a new quest that takes place after the Hearts of Stone DLC, and tasks you with hunting down a sword that aims to become your endgame go-to via some unique abilities and effects none of the base game's blades boast. As with a bunch of the cool Witcher 3 mods we reported on last year - which included new quests featuring stuff like a hot air balloon ride and the trippiest night Gerry's had since him, Lambert, and Eskel raided Yennefer's wardrobe - this one also wouldn't be possible with those handy REDkit tools. To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Anyway, this latest one is called 'The Crooked Sword - Side Quest' and it's the work of modder Forlornsito, who you might remember having modded Witcher 3 Ciri in her The Witcher 4 getup not long after The Game Awards last year. Their latest release is a treasure hunt quest that takes place after you complete the Hearts of Stone DLC. "In the rugged isles of Skellige, Geralt crosses paths with a mysterious cartographer at the docks of Rannvaig," reads the synopsis, "Draven, is obsessed with finding a legendary blade, one imbued with dark magic and said to possess the power to annihilate entire armies. But such power never comes without a price." Watch on YouTube It lasts about 20-30 minutes and has you doing things like chasing a Djinn and negotiating a portal maze that I'm sure Geralt's just thrilled about, with some remixed base game lines and cutscenes to spice things up. "Originally, this mod was meant to be expanded with multiple endings and alternate paths," its creator writes, "but due to limited support and the fact that I have been updating and working on other mods, I wasn’t able to continue developing it further." Regardless, what they've outlined about the Crooked Sword's abilities/effects certainly sounds interesting. Every time you equip it, Geralt's imbued with all the boons and drawbacks of downing a cat potion, a level three thunderbolt potion, and a level three blizzard potion, complete with enough toxicity to make all his veins pop out. As if that's not enough, just pulling the sword out automatically changes the weather to a violent thunderstorm with pouring rain. Every single time. If you're wondering what the actual base stats of this blade that's supposed to be the OP endgame steel sword equivalent of the Blood and Wine DLC's famously almost unbeatable Aerondight, those seem to vary from playthrough to playthrough, so you never quite know what you're getting. All in all, it sounds like a weapon you're unlikely to forget about and leave rusting away on some plaque at home once you've picked it up. If nothing else, another thing to consider giving a go while we all wait for more news on The Witcher 4 and Project Sirius.

Image: NintendoDespite some notable concerns around pricing for the Switch 2, folks are nevertheless anxious about the impact that scalping may have on the upcoming console launch. Scalpers have been a plague on recent console releases, buying systems at their RRP before flogging them online at severely inflated values; a practice made exponentially worse should the console in question be hard to come by. We have our hopes that the Switch 2 will be relatively easy to find come 5th June 2025, but Nintendo itself is making sure that only the most passionate fans will be able to get their hands on one – at least directly through My Nintendo Store in the UK. Prospective owners will need to prove they've been subscribed to Switch Online for at least 2 consecutive years, have played Switch 2 games for a substantial amount of time, and be opted-in to receive marketing emails from Nintendo. One retailer in Japan, however, is seemingly envious of Nintendo's ability to filter out the bad actors and wants to implement its own method of combating scalpers. In a recent post on social media (thanks, Automaton), Nojima Online is asking the public for their best ideas in potentially filtering out the scalpers from the genuine Switch 2 customers. It's had several decent responses, too. User 'tatuya' says "make customers show identification, open the instruction manual, the inside of the box, protective plastic, etc., and write their names on it", while '千葉すずスロウン' highlights a few potential ideas, including selling the console out of the case, making customers sign a warranty in their name, and actually quiz customers on their Nintendo knowledge. Meanwhile, user Fuji says that customers should have to state what it is about the Switch 2 that makes them want to buy it. We feel it would be pretty easy to fudge this question, but we admire the effort regardless. Hopefully, there will be enough Switch 2 consoles out in the wild that we won't even have to worry about scalpers ruining everyone's fun. If you're concerned, however, then make sure you check out our full pre-order guide and make an informed decision on your own purchase sooner than later. Where to buy Switch 2 consoles, accessories & games Should we be worrying about scalpers with the Switch 2? Or do you think there will be more than enough to go around? Leave a comment with your thoughts down below. [source x.com, via automaton-media.com] See Also Share:0 0 Nintendo Life’s resident horror fanatic, when he’s not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a good horror book while nursing a lovely cup of tea. He also enjoys long walks and listens to everything from TOOL to Chuck Berry. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles It's Official, Switch 2 Joy-Con Will Not Feature Hall Effect Sticks Controllers have been designed from the ground up Upgrade Pack Price For Zelda: BOTW And TOTK Has Been Confirmed A pleasant surprise! Where To Pre-Order Nintendo Switch 2 Where to buy Switch 2 consoles, accessories & games Nintendo Confirms US Price For 'Switch 2 Welcome Tour' Quick, act surprised! UK Switch 2 Fans, Don't Bother Going To GAME Stores For Your Pre-Order You won't get one

In Brief Posted: 9:26 AM PDT · April 14, 2025 Image Credits:Google DeepMind Google’s newest AI model is designed to help study dolphin ‘speech’ Google’s AI research lab, Google DeepMind, says that it has created an AI model that can help decipher dolphin vocalizations, supporting research efforts to better understand how dolphins communicate. The model, called DolphinGemma, was trained using data from the Wild Dolphin Project (WDP), a nonprofit that studies Atlantic spotted dolphins and their behaviors. Built on Google’s open Gemma series of models, DolphinGemma, which can generate “dolphin-like” sound sequences, is efficient enough to run on phones, Google says. This summer, WDP plans to use Google’s Pixel 9 smartphone to power a platform that can create synthetic dolphin vocalizations and listen to dolphin sounds for a matching “reply.” WDP previously was using the Pixel 6 to conduct this work, Google says, and upgrading to the Pixel 9 will enable researchers at the organization to run AI models and template-matching algorithms at the same time, according to Google. Topics

Monotype Imaging Inc. has integrated over 750 popular, high-quality fonts from the Monotype library and select foundry partners into Adobe Creative Cloud. Adobe Creative Cloud subscribers now have access to a total of more than 2,800 Monotype fonts across Adobe Express, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and other Adobe applications. Font additions include Helvetica, Avenir, Gotham, Benton Modern, and FF DIN, with language support for Arabic, Hindi, and Japanese, and others. “What we love about this new extension of our long-standing partnership with Adobe is that there are now thousands of fonts from Monotype at the heart of the Creative Cloud workflow,” said Dan Rhatigan, Director of Inventory Curation at Monotype. “Our goal is to get our fonts and those from our amazing foundry partners in the hands of as many creative professionals possible — right in the space where they design — so we can continue to elevate the world’s design to new heights.” “We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Monotype by integrating hundreds of additional Monotype fonts into our industry-leading library of over 30,000 fonts that our users can seamlessly access across the full suite of creative tools, including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Express,” said Govind Balakrishnan, SVP and General Manager, Adobe Express. “This expansion not only enhances design possibilities for our users but also reinforces our commitment to empowering creativity through exceptional typographic tools.” The new Monotype font collection will help improve brand consistency, with more seamless font integration across workflows. “Our deepened alliance with Adobe reflects a shared commitment to empowering creativity with precision and purpose,” added Mike Matteo, Chief Typography Officer at Monotype. “Design trends move fast, and businesses can’t afford to lag behind. This partnership ensures Adobe Creative Cloud users have instant access to fonts that define the moment, with quarterly updates to keep them ahead of the curve — maximizing both creative potential and market relevance. These fonts form the foundation of a common core for typographic expression.” Source: Monotype Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.

German firms SCANLAB and 1000 Kelvin have announced a new software-hardware integration designed to accelerate and automate industrial metal additive manufacturing. The partnership combines SCANLAB’s SCANmotionControl laser system with 1000 Kelvin’s AI-powered AMAIZE software, creating a tightly coupled process control loop for enhanced part quality and reproducibility. The announcement, made on April 8, 2025, highlights a key development for manufacturers aiming to scale metal 3D printing in high-performance sectors such as aerospace, energy, and electronics. By aligning predictive simulation and real-time control of the melt pool, the integration delivers what the companies describe as “first-time-right” production with improved overhangs, surface quality, and thermal consistency. “This collaboration reveals the possibilities when cutting-edge laser scan systems and AI work in coordination,” said Dr. Daniel Reitemeyer, Business Development Additive Manufacturing at SCANLAB. “Our solution now enables power modulation along individual scan vectors, matching the intelligent thermal strategies generated by AMAIZE.” Integration of SCANmotionControl software and AI-based point-wise laser power optimization. Photo via SCANLAB. Integrating physics-AI with precision laser control through open standards SCANLAB GmbH, based in Puchheim, is a leading OEM for high-precision laser scanning systems used in material processing. 1000 Kelvin, founded in Berlin in 2021, develops the AMAIZE platform, a Physics-AI engine that simulates and controls material behavior during printing. AMAIZE is already used by customers in aerospace and defense for predictive tuning of print files to specific hardware. By synchronizing AMAIZE’s vector-level predictions with SCANmotionControl’s high-frequency galvanometer systems, users gain precise control over energy delivery and process parameters. According to CTO and co-founder Dr. Katharina Eissing, the AI operates with 100 kHz temporal resolution, “governing the process at the level where material behavior is shaped.” The integration is built on the open 3MF toolpath extension format. This facilitates immediate deployment for machine builders and offers compatibility with existing software ecosystems. Alexander Oster, Technical Chair of the 3MF Consortium and Autodesk‘s Director of Additive Manufacturing, called the collaboration “the culmination of a vision we’ve been working on for over a decade.” In a recent LinkedIn post, Oster emphasized how the integration exemplifies ecosystem-driven innovation: “The outcome is an industry-first: a fully controlled, transparent, and mostly Open Source software stack, that defines physical process properties like mirror inertia upfront in the CAD system, then deterministically simulates, hashtag, inspects, and executes an exact laser path and power profile on the latest SCANLAB hardware. With almost microsecond accuracy.” SCANmotionStudio software for laser process development. Photo via SCANLAB. AI and simulation gain traction in additive manufacturing The collaboration between SCANLAB and 1000 Kelvin reflects a broader adoption of AI and simulation for additive manufacturing, integrating tools to enhance productivity and reliability. At Formnext 2024, 1000 Kelvin unveiled AMAIZE 2.0, an AI-native build preparation platform that automates support generation, print strategy optimization, and quality prediction for metal AM workflows​.  Similarly, companies like Oqton have introduced full-stack AI powered solutions, such as Build Quality, which combines simulation, monitoring, and inspection. Even defect detection is being reimagined through AI, as shown by Euler’s tool that uses printer camera data to identify powder bed anomalies via Autodesk Fusion​. These developments signal a shift away from traditional slicers toward predictive manufacturing environments, where software interprets and shapes material behavior before a single layer is printed. The companies will showcase their joint capabilities at rapid.tech 3D (Erfurt, May 13–15), and Laser World of Photonics (Munich, June 24–27).  Dr. Reitemeyer is scheduled to present on process synchronization and standardized component workflows. What 3D printing trends should you watch out for in 2025? How is the future of 3D printing shaping up? Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to keep up with the latest 3D printing news. You can also follow us onLinkedIn and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry Youtube channel to access more exclusive content. Feature Image shows SCANLAB headquarters, Puchheim near Munich, Germany. Photo via SCANLAB.

On April 24, The Architect’s Newspaper will  return to Houston for a Facades+ conference. AN collaborated with Michelle Old and Gary Machieck of Kirksey Architecture at this year’s event to assemble a program that reflects the unique architectural character of Houston and the pressing conversations within the industry. The conference will feature discussions and case studies highlighting Houston’s most-innovative architecture and dynamic conversations on cutting-edge design and key issues shaping the AEC community. Click here for more details and registration. GreenStreet Houston is an urban development (Courtesy RIOS) Innovative Urban Revival: Adaptive Reuse & Face Enhancement for Placemaking The day’s first session will dive into the transformation of urban spaces through the lens of adaptive reuse, spotlighting GreenStreet Houston as a central case study. Mark Motonaga, partner and creative director at RIOS; and Matt Ragan, managing director of repositionings at Rebees, will discuss how repurposing existing structures supports sustainable urban development by minimizing environmental impact and preserving architectural character. A focus of the conversation will be reimagining building facades to enhance placemaking; energize pedestrian activity; improve leasing performance; and boost energy efficiency, aesthetics, and occupant comfort. Motonaga and Ragan will share cutting-edge innovations in placemaking, materials, and design strategies that redefine downtown Houston’s streetscape and contribute to a more dynamic, sustainable urban core. Facades as Story-Tellers: Creating Narratives through Building Skin Design Next is a spotlight on Kirksey’s latest educational work, emphasizing the critical role of the facade in expressing a building’s story. In this session, co-chairs Michelle Old and Gary Machicek will explore how facade design is driven by creative inspiration, contextual sensitivity, and high-performance strategies that can enhance aesthetic identity and support environmental responsiveness and user comfort. Featured projects include Prairie View A&M University’s Fabrication Center, The Branch School’s Hightower Middle School, and Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School. Each project showcases how the facade serves as a visual statement and a responsive interface that reflects the unique needs and values of its users and community. The Allen’s facade mimics the bayou’s curves. (Courtesy HOK) Redefining Urban Elegance with Innovative Cutting Edge Facade: The Allen Up next is a presentation by members of HOK and DC Partners on The Allen, a 6-acre mixed-use development located just west of downtown Houston along Buffalo Bayou Park. Inspired by its natural surroundings, The Allen features sleek, contoured building forms that echo the organic flow of the nearby bayou. Elevated terraces and ground-level patios seamlessly connect the development to the park’s trails and greenways, enhancing its integration with the landscape. At the heart of the design is a customized cladding system, ShapeShell™ RT facade rainscreen—the first of its kind in the United States. It unifies the retail pavilion and tower podium with a dynamic, undulating aesthetic that mimics the bayou’s curves. The tower’s multi-material facade further emphasizes the stacked program components while delivering both cost-efficiency and energy performance. Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Facades: An Academic Perspective The day’s roundtable will focus on emerging research from leading Texas institutions. Professors Mili Kyropoulou of the University of Houston and Ahmed K. Ali of Texas A&M University will discuss how academic research is crucial in driving innovation in sustainable facade design, material science, energy efficiency, and environmental impact. Focusing on biomimetic materials and responsive facade systems that help advance computational modeling, the panelists will explore how bridging the gap between theory and practice offers valuable insights to create the next generation of architects, engineers, and developers of our future buildings. 1550 on the Green balances natural light and energy efficiency. (Courtesy Skanska) 1550 on the Green: Blending Sustainability and Design in Houston’s Skyline The day’s final session will feature presenters Martin Voelkle from Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and Ben Llanda from Skanska, will discuss 1550 on the Green, Houston’s new 28-story mixed-use building. The tower is a striking example of sustainable, high-performance architecture. Its sleek glass facade enhances visual impact, maximizes natural light, and reduces energy consumption. The tower is situated adjacent to Discovery Green and strengthens the connection between urban development and green space. The panel will discuss how high-performance glazing, metal paneling, and vertical fins are combined to achieve a refined aesthetic while improving solar shading and energy efficiency. The complex exemplifies the future of environmentally conscious design in Houston. Attendees will also have plenty of time to explore the Methods + Materials gallery, showcasing innovations from 24 leading building product companies.

All images courtesy of the artist and Saatchi Gallery, London, shared with permission In Elaborate ‘Textile Paintings,’ Anne von Freyburg Reframes Femininity in European Art History April 14, 2025 Art Kate Mothes As if splashed onto the wall with a monumental brush, Anne von Freyburg’s installations visualize fabric and fiber as gestural splotches of paint. Colors bleed into one another and drips extend to the floor in what the London-based Dutch artist describes as “textile paintings.” Drawing on 17th and 18th-century European painting traditions like the still lifes of the Dutch Golden Age and the stylized exuberance of Rococo, von Freyburg reframes relationships between craft and fine art. “Fantasia (After Boucher, Venus and Cupid)” (2022), textile painting: acrylic ink, synthetic-fabrics, tapestry-fabric, sequin fabrics, hand-embroidery, polyester wadding, and hand-dyed tassel fringes on canvas, 144 x 195 centimeters References to Rococo artists like Jean-Honoré Fragonard and François Boucher play prominently in von Freyburg’s solo exhibition, Filthy Cute, at Saatchi Gallery. Tapping into “the clichés of heterosexual romance and societal expectations of women…she explores the pressures women face, particularly the expectations of being ‘caretakers’ and ‘pleasers,'” says a statement. Von Freyburg turns her attention to themes of compassion, freedom, and women as sovereign individuals. Filthy Cute celebrates sensuality and the feminine while highlighting unexpected associations between materials. The artist’s abstract compositions often reference florals that are blurred, dripping, and verging on complete abstraction. Glossy fabrics in a range of colors swirl without fully mixing, resulting in sensual shapes that are beguiling and strange. Von Freyburg describes one undergirding theme as “commodity fetishism,” tapping into the 17th-century fashion for Dutch floral still lifes and the infamous economic speculation bubble that characterized Tulip Mania between 1634 and 1637. The show continues through May 11 in London, running concurrently website and Instagram. “Kabloom (After Jan van Huysum, Flower still-life)” (2024), acrylic ink, synthetic-fabrics, PVC fabric, tapestry-fabric, sequin fabrics, hand-embroidery, polyester wadding, and hand-dyed tassel fringes on canvas, 230 x 130 centimeters “Tuttifrutti (After Jan van Huysum, Flower still-life)” (2024), acrylic ink, synthetic-fabrics, PVC fabric, tapestry-fabric, sequin fabrics, hand-embroidery, polyester wadding, and hand-dyed tassel fringes on canvas, 235 x 135 centimeters Next article