A new Space Marine 2 update has gone live today, adding a bunch of new content to the game. This includes a new Extraction game mode, the new Inferno Pistol for players to use, new cosmetics and perks, and a new enemy: the Trygon. Read more

Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo LifeIn case you somehow missed it, Nintendo has officially lifted the lid on Switch 2, cueing all sorts of excitement and apprehension from those of us who have been loyally playing our Switch 1s for the past eight years. It's an exciting time to be a player, but how does it feel from a developer's standpoint? Is the Switch 2 everything they could have hoped for, or are there any anxieties that come with the uncertainty of a new console launch? We spoke to a handful of developers and publishers from across the industry to hear their gut reaction to the console and their plans for the future. Here's who we spoke to: Adam Tierney, James Montagna, Matt Bozon - WayForward (Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, Yars Rising, Shantae) Andy Pearson - PQube (Potion Permit, Gal Guardians: Demon Purge) Gavin Price - Playtonic (Yooka-Laylee, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair) Harris Foster - Big Fan Games Manfred Linzner - Shin'en (Fast RMX, Nano Assault, Fast Fusion) Sophie Smart - No More Robots (Let's Build A Zoo, Fashion Police Squad) Tomm Hulett - WayForward (Contra 4, Contra: Operation Galuga) ??? - Another dev wished to remain anonymous "for fear of being on a flagged list" — their responses are marked below as Anon. Note. Not everyone answered every question, and we've edited some responses that cover the same ground. What did you make of the Switch 2 reveal, and which feature excited you the most? Harris Foster (Big Fan Games): Nintendo’s hardware reveals are special because you can always count on seeing a stand-out idea that breaks console expectations and gets your imagination flowing. The Switch 2’s mouse capabilities in the new Joy-Con controllers is particularly interesting to me — as someone who plays the occasional mouse-controlled game from the couch, I’m excited to see how Nintendo’s approach can improve this experience. Matt Bozon (WayForward): I really enjoy playing with my current Switch in handheld mode, so it’s exciting to have a larger screen and more power for gaming on the go. I always look forward to playing Nintendo’s newest generation of games; they never fail to be fun and inspiring! Image: Nintendo Manfred Linzner (Shin'en): We were super happy to see the first-party titles like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Metroid Prime 4. Great quality and fresh ideas from Nintendo, as expected. Sophie Smart (No More Robots): I really enjoyed watching it! It felt the appropriate length for such an anticipated announcement and was jam-packed with explanations of the console itself, how things will work now with games between Switch and Switch 2, and new and existing titles! However, I do feel that Nintendo played it safe and stuck with the winning formula of the Switch, whereas we are used to Nintendo completely reinventing itself between generations. The main feature which I feel is most ‘Nintendo’ and out there is the Joy-Con turning into mice to control parts of games. Since we have Hypnospace Outlaw, a '90s internet simulator, in our game catalogue at No More Robots, it makes me excited to see whether we can organise a port to utilise the technology to feel like you are actually browsing the web! Adam Tierney (WayForward): I’m excited about the multiplayer features to better connect players to one another online. Being able to see each other’s screens in games, chat with each other, and even see video of each other could all be very interesting going forward, from a developer perspective. Gavin Price (Playtonic): I loved it. I’ve got my pre-order in, let’s put it that way (and I’ve not been a day-one purchaser of any console for a few generations)! I’m interested in the 120Hz refresh rate and how that can enable more options for players to enjoy games their way. Anon: As a consumer, I’m excited as [it] seems like games that would have skipped the Switch are coming, but I also own a Steam deck and would probably purchase there cheaper. I just want awesome exclusives. As a game designer, the dual mouse control has me most excited. [It] should open up some interesting new ways to play and even a few games we’ve developed that don’t work for controller but would be perfect for mouse. James Montagna (WayForward): The Switch 2 showcase was fantastic! From both a developer and gamer perspective, seeing the innovations Nintendo brought to the table genuinely fired me up. Knowing some of the talented Nintendo engineers personally and seeing the passion they put into their craft made the reveal feel even more special. It’s always inspiring watching Nintendo shape the future of gaming like only they can. For me, the enhanced HD Rumble 2 stood out the most. I'm already picturing how incredible it'll feel to dual-wield Joy-Con in mouse mode, experiencing subtle ticking, buzzing, pulsing, and sensations I can't even fully describe yet. That next-level immersion is exactly the kind of thing that excites me as a game creator. Andy Pearson (PQube): We're particularly enthusiastic about the more powerful processing capabilities, which means players can experience titles much closer to (or exactly as) their developers originally intended them to be played. Tomm Hulett (WayForward): Well, I'm a huge Bloodborne fan, so…. But besides Duskbloods, I was actually really happy to hear about the 'S2 Enhanced' edition games and to see how much content was being added to Nintendo's titles and potentially third parties as well. It's a really cool way to refresh older games and urge a replay. Are there any unanswered questions you still have, or specific features you’d like to see added to the console? Harris Foster: With digital libraries becoming the norm on consoles, we’ve grown accustomed to our collection carrying forward — this will be my first time going through the process on a Nintendo platform, so I'm most curious about how it'll handle this. I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all amassed a large digital library of original Switch titles, so I’m keen to see how easy it will be to carry games and saves from Switch to Switch 2. Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo Life I am curious if it's technically possible to use that functionality for certain games that require two screens Tomm Hulett: Since you can use the original Switch as a controller/share supported multiplayer games to Switch… I am curious if it's technically possible to use that functionality for certain games that require two screens. Maybe for consoles that aren't on NSO yet. Though I might just be craving the gamer cred of completing Contra 4 on such an unusual setup. But hey, maybe you could play Hotel Dusk while lying sideways in bed! Gavin Price: I think it’s clear to see what Nintendo believes should be standard for enjoying Nintendo Switch 2 experiences. I can only imagine how it might be thinking of how to make a game about chatting with other players! I kind of hoped for an interactive LED/second screen-fronted dock, but I can appreciate this would cause a disparity with how games can be enjoyed in docked mode uniquely vs handheld modes. Andy Pearson: While the hardware announcements have been impressive, we're eager to learn more about improvements to the digital storefront and whether Nintendo has plans to enhance discoverability features. As the eShop catalogue continues to grow, better navigation tools and recommendation systems would greatly benefit both players and developers. We're also curious about potential new social features and online capabilities and how they can be utilised in future games. The rise of "eSlop" Sophie Smart: Not features per se, however, I do feel that we might need to see a Switch 2.5 or a ‘Pro’ version sooner rather than later. I can imagine an OLED version or a version which is slightly more powerful or holds a longer battery life would be something people would want! James Montagna: Nintendo covered a ton of ground already, so nothing major jumps out. But the game-maker in me is always eager to dive deeper into those smaller technical details and subtle features that don’t always get headline space. Mostly, I’m just excited to keep exploring everything the Switch 2 has to offer. (Although, with all new social features, I admit I can’t help but secretly hope for a fresh take on Swapnote [Nintendo Letter Box] — I miss the connection that comes with exchanging fun art and messages with friends.) Do you have plans to support Switch 2? Is a Switch 2 release more important than a ‘Switch 1’ release in 2025? Andy Pearson: We will absolutely be supporting the Switch 2 with our upcoming titles. Rather than viewing it as "more important" than the original Switch, we see it as a positive evolution. The Switch 2's launch represents an exciting opportunity to reach new audiences while continuing to support the extensive existing player base. Sophie Smart: I would say a Switch 2 release would be super important to anyone right now! Mainly because there won’t be that many Switch 2 titles around launch, so it’ll allow your game to stand out and take advantage of the power. A lot of games no longer get a Switch port on release because of the low specs of the Switch, so this will open a lot more doors for games currently in development. Gavin Price: We do have plans, but when and how they manifest is too early to share. I am in no way smart enough to answer the second part of that question. Switch 1 has a huge following, and I’m sure early Switch 2 purchasers will be ravenous for new, unique experiences too. Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life Anon: I do think this will be like the PS4>PS5 upgrade where people on day one will have access to new games and a huge back catalogue, so not the “gold rush” that existed when Switch came out, and there was a fresh new store. Manfred Linzner: Switch 1 was very important for us. On launch day we had Fast RMX available, and later we released (among other games) The Touryst for it, which was one of our finest games so far according to press and players. So Nintendo Switch was super important to us. And the same is true for Nintendo Switch 2. We will support it on launch day with Fast Fusion and already [have] two more projects [planned] for it. Adam Tierney: There’s no info we can provide right now, but suffice to say, WayForward loves working with Nintendo to develop new and original games for all its systems, and we’re very excited to develop games for the Switch 2! Do you have Switch 2 dev kits, and if so, how long have you had them? Manfred Linzner: As we were developing a launch title, we had dev kits, but we can't reveal any details. Sophie Smart: We’re currently in discussions with Nintendo about securing a dev kit. [it's] hard to feel excited when we don’t have any insight into timing for [dev kits] either. We can't plan. Anon: We’re one of the many devs who don’t have access to dev kits. Even though [we're] working on a large title now which we feel would be worthy of a dev kit, we have zero info. Even post-reveal, we’ve been given zero info, as have many other devs (even larger and more prestigious than us). So, [it's] hard to feel excited when we don’t have any insight into timing for them either. We can't plan. How much impact does Switch 2’s increased power have on your approach to game development? James Montagna: It’s huge for us. More powerful hardware doesn’t just mean prettier graphics; it dramatically expands the possibilities for innovative and complex gameplay ideas that previously were just out of reach. Having fewer constraints on performance means we can experiment more boldly, push boundaries, and bring ambitious concepts to life. As a creator, that freedom is incredibly exciting… and it really feels like we're stepping into fresh territory creatively. Sophie Smart: At the end of the day, the power upgrades are not hugely rivalling other competitors. However, it will help us to make better versions of our existing games on Switch for Switch 2 and have versions of our less intensive games on Switch 2, which may not have been able to run on Switch. Image: Nintendo Manfred Linzner: For Fast RMX on Nintendo Switch, there were only a few technical options for us on how to make a detailed yet high-performance game. On Nintendo Switch 2, we now have broader technical possibilities and much more power. We already learned a lot by creating Fast Fusion for Nintendo Switch 2, but we are looking forward to finding new untapped potential that is only possible with the new hardware. Andy Pearson: The increased power of the Switch 2 has a substantial impact on our development approach. It enables us to more faithfully preserve creators' original visions for their games, which is tremendously exciting for our team. The original Switch, while revolutionary in many ways, presented certain technical challenges when we aimed for simultaneous multi-platform releases. Gavin Price: For our last release, Yooka-Laylee & The Impossible Lair, we set targets for Nintendo Switch early and other platforms followed on from it. We’ll probably take the same approach again moving forward for our multiplatform releases. Harris Foster: Any gain in power is a win for developers — whether it be the opportunity to throttle up visuals or increase performance under the hood. While we don’t have any specific Switch 2 anecdotes to share at this time, we’re feeling very positive about the spec bump the system is promising. Tomm Hulett: I wouldn't say it changes my approach to design at all because I tend to follow interesting ideas or compelling gameplay, but it will certainly be more pleasant asking my lead programmer to implement some of my wilder ideas! Anything that keeps the lead programmer happy is a plus in my book. Do you plan to support physical releases on Switch 2, and has your approach to this changed since the last console generation? Andy Pearson: Yes, physical releases remain a core speciality for our company, and we intend to continue supporting this format with as many of our Switch 2 titles as possible. We recognise the importance of physical media to collectors and many Nintendo fans, and this commitment hasn't changed from the previous console generation. I do feel that we might need to see a Switch 2.5 or a ‘Pro’ version sooner rather than later Sophie Smart: The physical landscape for games has tumbled over recent years. In our experience, it doesn’t always lead to profit. However, we still like to do it for some games because it’s really cool to have a physical box with art which you can hold in your hands of the thing you’ve worked on! We’ll likely end up taking the same approach with Switch 2. Image: Gemma Smith / Nintendo Life Adam Tierney: WayForward loves developing content that users can enjoy both digitally and physically. It’s our intention to continue that tradition with the Switch 2 and all future consoles. Gavin Price: We love physical, so I’m sure we will consider it when we have the chance. Our approach hasn’t changed, I think the physical market is still how it has been the past five or so years, with strong appetite amongst a very passionate fanbase plus a broader gaming audience who like to purchase and have something tangible for themselves or to gift others with. Manfred Linzner: We love physical releases. For instance, Nintendo published our FAST Racing NEO on Wii U disc, and we had a couple of special releases with Super Rare Games for Nintendo Switch. However, as an indie developer with low-priced games, it is not easy to support physical releases, but we will keep trying where it makes sense. These responses have been edited for brevity and clarity. Thank you to everyone who took the time to talk to us. "It's feast or famine, really" Direct from the 'Switch 2 Experience' See Also Share:0 1 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels (yes, really), he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles Upgrade Pack Price For Zelda: BOTW And TOTK Has Been Confirmed A pleasant surprise! My Nintendo Adds A Switch 2 Reward (North America) It's a keychain! 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

Context.ai, a startup building evaluations and analytics for AI models, announced Tuesday that its co-founders will join OpenAI.  Context.ai plans to wind down its products following the acqui-hire, per a message on the company’s website. When reached for comment, OpenAI declined to reveal the terms of the deal. “Evals are a requirement to building high-performing AI applications, but they’re hard to get right today,” reads the message. “We spent two years building evals and analytics for [models] at Context.ai — with a few pivots along the way. We couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter of our journey at OpenAI and are grateful to everyone who played a part.” Context.ai was founded in 2023 by former Googlers Henry Scott-Green (CEO) and Alex Gamble (CTO). The startup raised $3.5 million in seed funding from GV and Theory Ventures that same year. One of Context.ai’s flagship products was a dashboard customers could use to dig into the data generated by a model and figure out if it’s producing content that truly helps answer queries. Context.ai users could share transcripts via an API, which Context.ai would then analyze to group and tag based on subject. “The phrase that I always hear is that ‘my model is a black box,’” Scott-Green told TechCrunch in a 2023 interview. “We’ve spoken to hundreds of developers who are building [models], and they have a really consistent set of problems. Those problems are that they don’t understand how people are using their model, and they don’t understand how their model is performing.” Context.ai had six employees as of August 2023. It’s unclear how large the team is today, and whether every staffer will be offered a job at OpenAI. In a post on X, Scott-Green said that he and Gamble will be creating “the tools developers need to succeed” at OpenAI, with a focus on model evaluations. According to Scott-Green’s LinkedIn profile, he’s now a product manager at OpenAI “building evals.”

The Toho Group has just released its Mid-Term Plan 2028, which includes a $105 million (approx. ¥15 billion) investment focused on expanding the Godzilla franchise. The move is part of a wider initiative to strengthen the company’s content and IP development ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2032. The three-year plan (FY2026–2028) builds on the success of Godzilla Minus One, which won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects in 2024 and performed well at the international box office. Toho aims to further develop the Godzilla brand through new productions and broader global distribution. The company plans to allocate around $490 million (approx. ¥70 billion) for planning and producing a range of projects, including films, animation, theatrical plays, and digital games. An additional $840 million (approx. ¥120 billion) is earmarked for growth-focused investments such as acquisitions and the development of new theater locations. Most recently, Toho purchased leading animation distribution company GKIDS last October; the next month, it announced director Takashi Yamazaki was returning to helm a new Godzilla live-action film. Animation remains a key driver for the company, which plans to double the number of employees at Toho Animation by 2032. Toho also plans to deliver a diverse lineup of approximately 200 titles over the three-year period; the company intends to hire around 200 new employees over the next three years to support these initiatives, reflecting an increased focus on talent development. The Mid-Term Plan 2028 is designed to deepen audience engagement globally, with a focus on creating content that connects across cultures. The studio's broader goal is to evolve into an entertainment company recognized and appreciated by fans around the world. Source: Toho Group Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.

Last week, over 500 exhibiting companies and over 15,000 attendees converged on Detroit’s Huntington Place for RAPID + TCT 2025. Despite uncertainty around shifting tariff policies and volatile stock markets, a sense of cautious optimism was evident on the show floor.  Many agreed that the industry has entered a new stage of maturity, where hype is fading and practical applications and user value are taking center stage. The focus of the show also shifted away from flashy product launches, and while RAPID + TCT 2025 featured several new systems (detailed below), they played a smaller role than in previous years. Read more news from RAPID + TCT 2025 Steve Prahalis, Chief Operating Officer at the event organizer SME, identified that previous shows saw many “big and beautiful booths” designed to satisfy shareholders and one-up competitors. He believes this mentality has ceased, with companies more focused on demonstrating how they address customer challenges.      RAPID + TCT sign at Huntington Place. Photo by 3D Printing Industry. The overall sentiment at the show reflected a conscious shift from revolution to evolution, with less appetite for disruption and technological innovations. During the executive perspectives panel on day one, EOS President Glynn Fletcher argued that the industry should shift from “cool” to “cost-effective” because “cool is not a business model.” He expressed the need for the 3D printing industry to “fit into the bigger picture of manufacturing” and move from an “adversarial industry” to a “complementary industry.” Other panelists emphasized the importance of collaboration. Brigitte de Vet-Veithen, CEO of Materialise, believes that “collaboration can really drive growth.” SME’s Prahalis shares this vision. He told me, “The hype cycle’s over, we need to be realistic. We need to collaborate.”  This was echoed by Stratasys’ CEO Yoav Zeif, who warned against internal competition between additive manufacturing companies. Instead, he argued that “the competition is the status quo.” For Zeif, delivering value, meeting part requirements, and lowering the total cost of ownership are critical to increasing 3D printer adoption. “We need to focus on adoption, not hype,” he added. “If we focus and collaborate, we will win.”   The executive perspectives panel on day one of RAPID + TCT 2025. Photo by 3D Printing Industry. RAPID + TCT 2025: Insights from the event organizers SME is a nonprofit organization with a mission to promote advancements and increase the adoption of additive manufacturing. 2025 marks 35 years since SME hosted its first “RAPID” conference in 1990, focused on rapid prototyping and stereolithography. Over three decades later, the annual event has grown into North America’s leading additive manufacturing trade show.  This year’s event saw RAPID + TCT co-locate with SME’s AeroDef Manufacturing, SAE International’s World Congress Experience (WCX) mobility show, and America Makes’ Technical Review & Exchange (TRX). Angie Szerlong, SME’s Group Director for Additive Manufacturing, called this collaborative approach “a very big highlight” for this year’s expo. She called the event “a mega place for all manufacturing groups to come together and experience all different parts of the supply chain.”   Prahalis echoed this sentiment. He revealed that the co-location helped elevate 2025 to the “largest RAPID we’ve had.” This year’s 15,000 attendees grew from around 9,000 last year. It included over 10,000 attending primarily for RAPID + TCT, 1,000 for AeroDef, 4,000 for WcX, and around 500 for the TRX program.   Co-location also reflects a growing effort to integrate 3D printing with broader manufacturing, increase usability, and deliver value for customers. Prahalis referenced the strong consensus among industry executives to “break into manufacturing” and “not just sing the praises” of 3D printing. He noted that additive manufacturing events have previously been predominantly attended by “AM enthusiasts” who have already bought into the technology, stunting scalability.   SME hopes to increase additive manufacturing’s presence at other industry events, for example, IMTS and FABTECH Expo. Increasing visibility will “get the general manufacturing audience to understand the impact of AM,” added Prahalis. As part of this mission, SME is working to integrate 3D printing into its Manufacturing Technology Series of expos and conferences. Prahalis also shared his vision for co-locating with other independent manufacturing shows in future iterations of RAPID + TCT. He compared this approach to the “Costco model,” allowing visitors from all verticals to get the most value from their trip to the exhibition center.   SAE’s WCX show sign. Photo by 3D Printing Industry. New 3D printers unveiled at RAPID + TCT 2025 While RAPID + TCT 2025 was not as launch-heavy as previous iterations, several booths hosted new 3D printer announcements.  Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) spinout Rapid Liquid Print (RLP) attracted plenty of attention by unveiling its new Levity Machine. Set to begin shipping next year, the new system features the company’s patented “gravity-free” 3D printing technology.  RLP’s technology was first showcased at Design Miami 2017. It allows soft, pliable silicone parts to be “drawn” within a gel suspension. The injected material is held in place as it is cured at room temperature, removing the need for support structures. According to RLP’s CEO and Co-founder, Schendy Kernizan, this process increases sustainability because users “only 3D print the material that they need.”  Rapid Liquid Priont’s gravity-free 3D printing. Photo by 3D Printing Industry. The new Levity Machine can quickly fabricate large-scale parts with flexible, elastic properties. Originally designed for 3D printing furniture, Kernizan said RLP now focuses on medical applications such as orthotics and prosthetics. The Boston-based company has also expanded into large-scale gasket and sealing components for the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries.  Standing in the bustling RLP booth, Kernizan expressed his excitement at the “excellent” feedback his team received during RAPID + TCT 2025. “It’s showing that we’re solving the things that have been requested in terms of speed limitations and part quality,” he added. “Our goal is to give people the opportunity to bring this technology into their factory floor, and to go from prototyping to full production with the same machine.” Rapid Liquid Print Levity Machine. Photo by 3D Printing Industry. Stratasys once again stood out with one of the biggest booths at RAPID + TCT. According to the company’s Chief Business Unit Officer and President, Rich Garrity, exhibiting at North America’s primary additive manufacturing expo continues to pay off. “It’s been a great show so far,” he told me. “We had, I think, 40% more leads on day one than a year ago.”      During the show, the company presented its new Neo 800+ large-format SLA 3D printer, first announced during the AMUG 2025 conference in the week before the Detroit event. The updated system features Stratasys’ ScanControl+ scanning technology, reportedly accelerating 3D printing speeds by up to 50%. Vacuum System Protection, Z-Stage Collision Detection, and live environmental monitoring features are also included to enhance part quality and increase uptime.  At the Stratasys booth, visitors could also get hands-on with parts 3D printed using the company’s new PolyJet ToughONE photopolymer resin. This high-strength material delivers the mechanical performance for functional prototypes and end-use parts. ToughONE offers the highest impact resistance and shock absorption of any PolyJet material. As such, it closely mimics the properties of durable plastics like HDPE, PP, PBT, PC-ABS, PC, Nylon 12, and Nylon 6. The Stratasys Neo 800+ at RAPID + TCT 2025. Photo by 3D Printing Industry. The consumer resin 3D printer market also witnessed a new addition in Detroit. Shenzhen-based Elegoo revealed the Jupiter 2, a new LCD 3D printer featuring a 14-inch, 16K resolution screen and upscaled 302.40 x 161.98 x 300.00 mm build volume. Designed to directly address feedback from Elegoo’s customer base, the Jupiter 2 incorporates a modular design and LCD screen that can be swapped in 10 seconds. A 2kg detachable resin handling system has also been added to automate material feeding and recycling.  Elegoo Jupiter 2. Photo by 3D Printing Industry. Coco Lee, Elegoo’s Brand Director, explained that while the Jupiter 2 will continue to serve the company’s core base of entry-level consumers, it has also been optimized for prosumers. Its increased build volume expands Elegoo’s reach to those wanting to fabricate large parts, achieve higher-quantity production runs, and access improved surface resolution. The desktop 3D printer’s price is yet to be revealed, with shipments set to begin in Q3 2025.    Inside the Elegoo Jupiter 2. Photo by 3D Printing Industry. Another Chinese company that introduced new hardware was Shanghai-headquartered Raise3D. The company has entered the SLS 3D printing market with its RMS220 3D printer. Featuring a 220 x 220 x 350 mm build volume, 75-watt fiber optic laser, and up to 30,000 mm/second scanning speed, the system offers a maximum throughput of 2.2 liters per hour. Two swappable build chambers are included to maximize productivity and support batch production applications.  Ruben Nigaglioni, Raise3D’s Sales Director, explained that the RMS220 hopes to increase adoption by offering a “cost-effective way to get into industrial SLS 3D printing.” He added that combining a low price with advanced features helps the RMS220 differentiate within the industrial 3D printer market. Pre-orders are expected to open in Q3 2025, with the first systems being shipped the following quarter. Customers can purchase the 3D printer alongside Raise3D’s cleaning unit for de-powdering, and a sand-blasting unit for post-processing.        Raise3D’s RMS220 3D printer (right) and de-powdering station. Photo by 3D Printing Industry. RAPID + TCT 2025 also witnessed new developments in metal 3D printing. Notably, Florida-based ADDiTEC introduced the Fusion S range, marking its entry into the metal laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) market. The company’s compact Fusion S 3D printer and Fusion Cabin unpacking station utilize a fully enclosed cartridge system. This allows users to safely transport 3D printed parts between machines without directly contacting the powder, removing the need for PPE and preventing material contamination. Featuring a 200 W laser and 50 µm welding spot, the Fusion S can fabricate parts with 10-50 µm layer thicknesses at up to 5 m/s.  ADDiTEC Fusion S Series. Photo by 3D Printing Industry. Together, both units are priced at around $150,000, making them a cost-effective option in the LPBF space. ADDiTEC CEO Brian Matthews said the compact system is optimized for dental, medical, jewelry, and small aerospace parts. Its low cost and streamlined workflow also make it attractive to universities and research institutions. Although it debuted in Detroit, Matthews reported that the Fusion S has already received “a huge number of quotations” from interested customers. The British-born CEO plans to build a global distribution network for the Fusion S by year’s end.   ADDiTEC Fusion S swappable build cartridges. Photo by 3D Printing Industry. German metal 3D printer manufacturer Ponticon showcased several parts fabricated using pE3D, its ultra-high-speed, laser DED system. This system features a unique tripod kinematic architecture. A stationary nozzle combines with a fast-moving build platform and precision-firing laser to 3D print at up to 200 meters per minute. The high-power laser melts the metal powder or wire feedstock, creating molten metal which is deposited onto the build platform layer by layer.   According to Dr. Simone Maffia, Head of Application Development, Ponticon’s technology is 200 times faster than most DED competitors, which can only produce parts up to two meters per minute. He also highlighted the pE3D’s ability to fabricate high-precision metal parts with walls as thin as 0.4 mm. This makes it well suited for aerospace, defense, and commodity applications. Every Ponticon system is customized for the customer and their specific application needs.  Ponticon 3D printed metal part. Photo by 3D Printing Industry. Enhancing AI process monitoring in additive manufacturing  3D printing software at RAPID + TCT 2025 witnessed a strong focus on process monitoring optimized by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.  One such exhibitor was Interspectral. Based out of Norrköping, Sweden, the company offers AM Explorer. This process monitoring and quality assurance software is optimized for metal additive manufacturing. According to CEO Isabelle Hachette, the company has made customized installations of its AI-powered defect detection software with metal 3D printer OEMs. She added that these “deep integrations” cover 60-70% of the metal LPBF 3D printer market, including EOS, Colibrium Additive, AddUp, Velo3D, and Nikon SLM Solutions’ NXG XII 600 range.      AM Explorer uses live 3D printing data and AI analysis to monitor the build process and detect defects in real-time. Its integrated AI models are trained to spot anomalies and trigger alerts and corrective actions. Users can view defects layer by layer through live visualization, enabling quick identification and response. This is especially valuable for high-volume runs using costly metal powder. “We can filter out the bad components from the good ones in a build job,” said Hachette. The software can then send an alert to pause the build and suggest adjustments to the process, like re-coating or changing the laser power. According to Hachette, the company’s modular, vendor-specific AI architecture is unique among 3D printing software. “There is no one else that has this modular AI architecture,” she explained. “We can calibrate and use different AI models for specific systems, so we can really customize.”     Interspectral CEO Isabelle Hachette at RAPID + TCT 2025. Photo by 3D Printing Industry. Another emergent company in the AI process monitoring software space is Euler. The Icelandic startup offers AI-powered defect detection for LPBF and SLS 3D printing. Its tool uses 3D printing camera data and AI algorithms to unlock automated analysis without the need for expensive monitoring equipment. It can detect part defects, predict 3D printing failures, and highlight common issues like uneven powder distribution, unfinished layers, and burns. At RAPID + TCT 2025, Euler launched its process monitoring tool for EOS 3D printers. The plug-and-play software installs in under five minutes and requires no calibration, according to the company. Finnish metal 3D printing service provider Delva will use Euler’s tool to boost the efficiency of serial manufacturing with its EOS systems.  The show also saw Phase3D introduce a new version of Fringe, its metal 3D printing in-situ inspection platform, for cold spray additive manufacturing. Called Fringe Inspection: Cold Spray, the new tool was supported by $1.25 million from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).  Phase3D’s latest offering leverages structured light to capture surface data and measure each build layer, identifying defects such as cracking, cratering, and pitting. The software also evaluates the flatness and shape of deposited metal, allowing engineers and technicians to adjust parameters more effectively. Fringe Inspection: Cold Spray has already been tested by the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) and evaluated in an operational environment at Ellsworth Air Force Base.  Fringe Inspection : Cold Spray attaches to the robotic control arm and scans cold spray deposits during the 3D printing process. Photo via Phase3D. Away from 3D printing software, Hexagon’s upcoming Leica Absolute Tracker ATS 800 3D scanner seeks to enhance quality inspection and digitization in large-scale manufacturing. The new device stands out thanks to its impressive scanning reach, with the ATS 800 capable of capturing data at distances up to 40 meters. It combines direct scanning and reflector tracking technology to reduce the need for up-close scanning operations, which are impractical and unsafe for large-scale parts.  Joel Martin, Hexagon’s Director of Product Sales Management, explained that these capabilities are well suited to “anything that is big” in industries like aerospace, defense, shipbuilding, nuclear and wind energy production, and agriculture.  Martin emphasized that the ATS 800 stands out for its precise edge measurement capabilities. Most conventional scanners only capture the last point before dropping off an edge. However, Hexagon’s ATS 800 measures within the laser beam itself, not just at the surface contact point. This allows users to measure deep internal features that were previously unreachable. “Nothing else exists the way this thing does,” Martin said.    As the sun set on the final day in the Motor City, three themes stood out: collaboration, customer value, and applications. Zeif called it a “decisive moment” for 3D printing. Industry leaders agreed, arguing it’s time to move past the hype and integrate with broader manufacturing to reach market maturity. The sun setting over Detroit. Photo by 3D Printing Industry. Who won the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards? Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to keep up with the latest 3D printing news.You can also follow us on LinkedIn, and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry Youtube channel to access more exclusive content.Featured image shows Huntington Place, Detroit. Photo by 3D Printing Industry.

Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí was recently declared “Venerable” by the Vatican, a necessary step toward canonisation, or being named a saint. Gaudí has long been referred to as “God’s architect.” Of the six figures recently elevated to venerable by Pope Francis, Gaudí was the only one not a priest, missionary, or religious sister. The five others were: Father Nazareno Lanciotti, a martyr from Brazil; Eliswa of the Blessed Virgin, foundress of first local congregation in Kerala, India; Father Peter Joseph Triest, a Belgian priest; Father Angelo Bughetti, diocesan priest and teacher; and Father Agostino Cozzolino, formator and rector. The Vatican recognizes the architect for his “heroic virtues.” A press release from the Basílica of the Sagrada Família said, “A Venerable is a Christian who, having lived their life by Christian virtues, is a candidate for beatification. Venerable is the second step on the path to canonisation after Servant of God and having examined the consistent, joyful practice of the theological and moral virtues for a significant period of their life.” Vatican News, the papacy’s press wing, commended Gaudí for Barcelona’s Basílica of the Sagrada Família, which began construction in 1882, and will complete in 2026. Gaudí was struck by a tram in 1926 and died a few days later. After getting struck, due to his humble clothing, he was mistaken by medics as a penniless man (not unlike Louis Kahn)—30,000 people attended his funeral. “His focus was making art a hymn of praise to the Lord and he considered it his mission to make God known and bring people closer to Him,” Vatican News said. After being declared “Blessed,” Gaudí can be “Saint,” pending verification of two miracles. Attributable miracles Gaudí performed—which may be up to snuff for Il Papa—include Montserrat Barenys, a former lecturer and artist, who prayed to the architect. Another potential miracle came when a young child prayed to Gaudí, and his illness, lumbar scoliosis, was cured. The campaign to elevate Gaudí to sainthood was initially steered by the Association for the Beatification of Antoni Gaudí, which for several decades has collected testimonies from individuals who prayed to Gaudí. In 2023, a Canonical Association took over the case to beatify Gaudí. For next steps, Pope Francis needs to approve Gaudí’s beatification, and then his sainthood.

Oleksandr - stock.adobe.com News Hertz warns UK customers of Cleo-linked data breach Car hire giant Hertz reveals UK customer data was affected in a cyber incident orchestrated via a series of vulnerabilities in Cleo managed file transfer products By Alex Scroxton, Security Editor Published: 15 Apr 2025 15:48 Car hire giant Hertz has disclosed a worldwide data breach affecting the UK and other major markets, after becoming embroiled in a serious compromise of Cleo Communications’ suite of managed file transfer (MFT) products by the Clop (aka Cl0p) ransomware gang. Although parent Hertz Corporation – which besides the eponymous rental firm operates the Dollar and Thrifty brands – was earlier named by Clop on its leak site, the organisation had previously said there was no evidence of an intrusion. In its latest notice, it did not name Clop or officially disclose an extortion or ransomware attack, but revealed that it appeared the incident had affected the personal information of certain individuals. A spokesperson said: “On 10 February 2025, we confirmed that Hertz data was acquired by an unauthorised third party that we understand exploited zero-day vulnerabilities within Cleo’s platform in October 2024 and December 2024. Hertz immediately began analysing the data to determine the scope of the event and to identify individuals whose personal information may have been impacted. “We completed this data analysis on 2 April 2025, and concluded that the personal information involved in this event may include the following regarding UK individuals: name, contact information, date of birth, driver’s license information and payment card information.” Hertz has reported the incident to law enforcement and is in the process of engaging relevant national regulators. It is also working with Kroll to provide two years of free identity monitoring services to potentially affected individuals. This offer is also being made available to affected customers in the US – where other data including social security numbers, as well as Medicare and Medicaid identification, has also been affected. Customers in Australia, Canada, the European Union (EU) and New Zealand can also consult localised notices for further guidance. US-based Cleo has become the latest in a long line of file transfer services and tools to have been targeted by Clop – probably the most notable of these being the compromise of Progress Software’s MOVEit tool in the spring of 2023. Its Cleo attacks arose through two common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs) tracked as CVE-2024-50623 and CVE-2024-55956 in its Harmony, VLTrader and LexiCom products. The first of these arises through improper handling of file uploads in the Autorun directory, which enables an attacker to upload malicious files to a server and execute them. The second enables remote code execution (RCE) through Autorun by enabling an unauthenticated user to import and execute arbitrary Bash or PowerShell commands on the host using default settings. It also lets an attacker deploy modular Java backdoors to steal data and conduct lateral movement. Dray Agha, senior manager of security operations at Huntress, which has been at the forefront of tracking the Cleo incident since the vulnerabilities first surfaced, said: “The Hertz data breach underscores the significant risks posed by unpatched zero-day vulnerabilities in widely used third-party platforms like Cleo. This highlights the importance of maintaining robust vulnerability management programmes to identify and address security gaps in software promptly, especially those used for sensitive data transfer. “The breach also reflects a growing trend of cyber criminals targeting secure file transfer platforms, which are integral to many organisations’ operations. The evolving tactics of ransomware groups shift focus from encryption to data theft and extortion, signal the need for comprehensive cyber security strategies, including encryption of sensitive data at rest and in transit, and heightened monitoring of external connections.” Read more about Clop’s Cleo compromise The exploitation of two new vulnerabilities in a popular file transfer service saw the Clop ransomware gang soar in February, according to NCC. The new Cleo zero-day vulnerability, CVE-2024-55956, is separate from CVE-2024-50623 despite both vulnerabilities being used by threat actors to target the same endpoints. In December 2024, threat actors began exploiting a new zero-day vulnerability in Cleo's managed file transfer products, but the details of the flaw remained unclear. In The Current Issue: What is the impact of US tariffs on datacentre equipment costs? VMware backup: Key decision points if you migrate away from VMware Download Current Issue The DEI backlash is over – we are talking a full scale revolt – WITsend Sysdig: A new arms race on the evolving battlefield of cloud security – CW Developer Network View All Blogs

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Key Takeaways Nvidia plans to shift $500B worth of AI server supply chain to the US. It has partnered with companies like TSMC, Foxconn, Wistron, Amkor, and SPIL. This is a direct positive effect of import tariffs imposed by Trump. Other companies might follow suit. Trump’s tariff was met with severe criticism from business leaders worldwide. However, the positive impacts of these levies have started to come through. Nvidia, the world’s leading AI chip producer, has announced its plans to build $500 billion worth of AI servers in the US. Until now, a large part of Nvidia’s operations have been based in Southeast Asia. However, imposing tariffs would make it infeasible for the tech giants to sustain overseas production units. Hence, the switch. Nvidia and partners such as TSMC, Foxconn, Wistron, Amkor, and SPIL will build a complete AI server supply chain in the US. This includes a plant in Texas to build AI servers and server assembly plants in Dallas and Houston. It’s worth noting that this will be the first time Nvidia will assemble its AI product within the States. The line is expected to be operational in the next 12-15 months. Another partner, TSMC, has already started the production of Blackwell processors in Phoenix. SPIL and Amkor will establish packaging and testing operations in Arizona – something that’s currently done in Taiwan. Donald Trump said that this is a direct result of the tariff imposition. D.A. Davidson analyst Gil Luria also said that Nvidia would have never considered moving manufacturing to the US if not for Trump and his tariffs. The CHIPS Act, which provides financial assistance to companies for domestic chip production, can also be a factor at play here. Nvidia may be eyeing up a sizable chunk of the grant by moving its production onshore. What Does This Mean for the US? For starters, domestic manufacturing won’t be as cheap as getting it done in Taiwan, owing to the high labor costs in the US. However, the benefit outweighs the costs of this move. It’s no secret that AI tech will be at the forefront of the tech industry in the next decade. Whoever controls AI tech controls global markets. Right now, this power isn’t with the US, something a giant won’t be comfortable with. Considering the omnipresent tension between the US and China, China is the last country the US would want controlling AI production. A leading AI company like Nvidia pulling out of the Southeast Asia production line can have far-reaching impacts. It puts the US back in the lead. Imagine $500B worth of production shifting to domestic shores. It creates more employment, saves shipping costs, and gives Nvidia more control over production and packaging. More importantly, this can also start a domino effect, with other companies following suit. Apple has already made similar commitments in February to establish domestic manufacturing. So, this $500B number can swell up to a few trillion in the next five years. It will surely rattle China, but that’s precisely what the US may be after. Nvidia will use its own in-house technology, like Omniverse and Issac GR00T, to improve every step of the production chain. With more automation and robotization, the actual costs of assembled systems are also expected to go down in the long run – a win-win situation for the company. Cross-Border Tensions Another interesting angle to the whole development is the China-Taiwan-US relations. Now, Taiwan considers itself an independent state, whereas China considers it a part of the ‘China One’ region and wants it to come back to mainland China, by force if not by will. The US, however, doesn’t officially recognize Taiwan as independent. For the US, this means cutting ties with or disrupting manufacturing in Taiwan is as good as an economic attack on China itself. China, too, may not be too impressed with this decision and may retaliate in some way or the other. Krishi is a seasoned tech journalist with over four years of experience writing about PC hardware, consumer technology, and artificial intelligence.  Clarity and accessibility are at the core of Krishi’s writing style. He believes technology writing should empower readers—not confuse them—and he’s committed to ensuring his content is always easy to understand without sacrificing accuracy or depth. Over the years, Krishi has contributed to some of the most reputable names in the industry, including Techopedia, TechRadar, and Tom’s Guide.  A man of many talents, Krishi has also proven his mettle as a crypto writer, tackling complex topics with both ease and zeal. His work spans various formats—from in-depth explainers and news coverage to feature pieces and buying guides.  Behind the scenes, Krishi operates from a dual-monitor setup (including a 29-inch LG UltraWide) that’s always buzzing with news feeds, technical documentation, and research notes, as well as the occasional gaming sessions that keep him fresh.  Krishi thrives on staying current, always ready to dive into the latest announcements, industry shifts, and their far-reaching impacts.  When he's not deep into research on the latest PC hardware news, Krishi would love to chat with you about day trading and the financial markets—oh! And cricket, as well. View all articles by Krishi Chowdhary Our editorial process The Tech Report editorial policy is centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written by real authors.