These Massive Monuments Hosted Community Gatherings Where Prehistoric People Mingled, Feasted and Buried Their Dead A new study contradicts the long-held assumption that Ireland’s Neolithic passage tombs were reserved for members of an elite ruling family Newgrange is one of Ireland's most famous Neolithic passage tombs. Jean-Patrick DEYA / Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Ireland’s lush, green landscapes are dotted with Stone Age tombs, with some burial sites dating back 5,000 years. Archaeologists have long puzzled over these mysterious graves, wondering who was buried in them and what roles they played in Neolithic societies. Now, they may finally have some answers to these questions. A new analysis of ancient DNA and archaeological data suggests Ireland’s “passage tombs”—large circular mounds with narrow entrances—likely served as community gathering spaces, according to a paper published earlier this month in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal. “These monuments were about so much more than burial,” lead author Neil Carlin, an archaeologist at University College Dublin, tells Tom Dunne, host of the “Moncrieff Highlights” podcast. “Their whole architecture is about ceremony, it’s about facilitating ongoing interaction. … For centuries afterward, people would enter these tombs, they would take bones out, they would put more bones in. It was all about ongoing and continuing engagement. Some of that has to do with remembrance [and] celebration at particular times of the year.” Neolithic Sligo- the passage tombs of Carrowmore and Knocknarea. Watch on In addition, most of the individuals buried in Ireland’s Neolithic passage tombs were only distantly related—for example, they may have been second cousins or great-great-great-grandparents. Only smaller, earlier Neolithic tombs contained the remains of closely related family members. “This tells us that burial [in the passage tombs] was not strongly determined by biological relatedness,” three of the study’s co-authors write in the Conversation. The findings contradict the long-held assumption that Ireland’s Neolithic passage tombs were reserved for members of an elite ruling family, including some that had incestuous relationships. Instead, the co-authors suggest they were built for the community, and that Neolithic Ireland was “a more equal society,” Carlin tells Live Science’s Kristina Killgrove. The analysis also offers new insights into broader lifestyle and relational shifts in Irish Neolithic society. During the early part of the period, individuals lived in small, tight-knit communities. This arrangement was reflected in their tombs, which were small and simple; they also contained the remains of closely related family members. A Neolithic tomb at Knowth in County Meath, Ireland Sitomon via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA 3.0 But around the year 3300 B.C.E., these small, simple burial sites gave way to passage tombs. These were much larger and more architecturally complex, and they were positioned in elevated, visible locations that were set away from settlements and pastures. Passage tombs also contained the remains of people who were less closely related and came from different parts of Ireland. This shift corresponds with a time when Neolithic individuals were becoming more mobile and their social networks were becoming larger. Although the individuals buried in passage tombs were not close family members, they were more closely related to each other than to the wider Irish and British population at the time, according to the DNA analysis. Researchers suspect individuals formed a “genetic cluster” with other people who congregated at the passage tombs. “They were places where people were coming together at particular times of the year, like the mid-winter solstice,” Carlin tells “Moncrieff Highlights.” “They were coming together, they were feasting, they were burying their dead, they were celebrating, they were having parties. And as part of that, they seem to have been choosing their reproductive partners. … It’s this idea that, because the social networks have been more expansive, people are choosing their partners from within this closer group, the people who share their beliefs [and] their worldview.” However, the researchers found no evidence to suggest that marriages were based on status or rank. “People met, mingled and had children with each other throughout the Irish Neolithic period, regardless of how they buried their dead,” the co-authors write in the Conversation. Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.

Relyance AI's new Data Journeys platform gives enterprises unprecedented visibility into data flows, reducing AI compliance time by 80% while helping organizations build trustworthy artificial intelligence systems in an increasingly regulated landscape.Read More

VentureBeat today announced the spinout of GamesBeat as a standalone company – a strategic move that sharpens our focus on the biggest transformation of our time: the enterprise shift to AI, data infrastructure and intelligent security.Read More

Chris Kerr, News EditorApril 22, 20252 Min ReadImage via GamesBeatGamesBeat has become an independent media brand after splitting from parent company VentureBeat.The long-running video game, tech, and entertainment publication said the move will enable "continued growth and innovation."The newly-independent outlet will be overseen by CEO Gina Joseph, formerly chief strategy officer at VentureBeat, and editorial director Dean Takahashi, formerly lead writer at GamesBeat."We are excited about this powerful new chapter for GamesBeat and the industry we are serving," said Joseph. "As a niche independent publication, we'll unlock unparalleled insights, opportunities, and direct access to decision-makers, playing an integral role for this $177 billion industry and the broader interactive tech landscape."We look forward to growing GamesBeat as an influential industry platform, not just for news, but to also foster connections and opportunities for business leaders, helping the industry to thrive while continuing our reputation for delivering authoritative thought leadership that will shape the future of this dynamic space."GamesBeat looking to kickstart 'new era' as an independent publicationTakahashi said the pivot signals the beginning of a "new era" for the publication. "Our goal is to deliver the kind of insightful journalism that offers our audience contextual insights needed to understand how gaming interacts with other high-growth sectors," he added.Related:GamesBeat will be owned by Joseph, Takahashi, and and a cohort of undisclosed investors.In a statement sent to Game Developer, a spokesperson for the publication said it will announce the identities of those investors at a later date.That said, the company has confirmed it was "backed" by a group of strategic advisors including Peter Levin, co-founder and managing director at venture capital fund Griffin Gaming Partners.Live events such as GamesBeat Summit, GamesBeat Next, GamesBeat Global Tour, and Games & Hollywood remain a part of the company's plans moving forward."Our events have always been a platform for meaningful connections and genuine conversations" said Joseph. "As we build on this legacy, we will work to foster even more powerful connections, ensuring GamesBeat continues to be a critical point of intersection for the industry’s biggest players."Read more about:Top StoriesAbout the AuthorChris KerrNews Editor, GameDeveloper.comGame Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning journalist and reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton. He has featured on the judging panel at The Develop Star Awards on multiple occasions and appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.See more from Chris KerrDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

Chris Kerr, News EditorApril 22, 20252 Min ReadImage via Blue Ocean GamesBlue Ocean Games, a new $30 million early-stage venture fund backed by PUBG maker Krafton, has launched with the aim of supporting 100 indie developers over the next three years.The fund was established by Krafton's former head of investments Damian Lee to "empower promising indie developers who fall outside traditional investment criteria."Blue Ocean said it will leverage a unique Structured Agreement for Indie Launch (SAIL) funding model to create pathways for game concepts that might never otherwise make it to market.SAIL will enable Blue Ocean to provide investment at the concept stage—before a team has created a playable build—and financing of $100,000 developer (up to $300,000 per team) disbursed over two years.In addition, partner developers will receive objective, market-validation milestones as opposed to subjective checkpoints; hybrid equity and revenue share agreements that balance "developer control with investor returns"; and full ownership of their IP.The fund will also offer practical support including incorporation assistance, bookkeeping services, and mentorship from industry veterans. Successful applicants will be grouped into cohorts to create a "collaborative community that can share knowledge and resources."Blue Ocean Games focused on supporting Indies but could expand in the futureRelated:The inaugural fund is specifically optimized for solo developers and smaller teams led by first-time founders, but Blue Ocean hopes to expand support to larger, more experienced teams in the future."There is a structural problem in the indie game industry where the gap between what investors are willing to fund, what developers dream of creating, and what players crave has grown too wide,” said Lee."Beyond simply filling a funding gap, we are trying to reimagine the ecosystem itself. By aligning player demand with developer passion through community validation and reliable funding, our goal is to create an environment where mutual benefits naturally drive success and growth. This isn't just about picking winners; it's about expanding the playing field so that more visions can become reality."Blue Ocean is hoping to discover new talent through "Rising Tide," a new online competition series designed to help developers validate ideas, gain recognition, and advance their projects—irrespective of whether they choose to seek funding.The first Rising Tide challenge is being hosted on May 1, 2025, in partnership with Global Game Jam. Applications for direct funding will open alongside the event.Related:Those interested in learning more about Rising Tide or seeking funding through Blue Ocean Games can find out more here.About the AuthorChris KerrNews Editor, GameDeveloper.comGame Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning journalist and reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton. He has featured on the judging panel at The Develop Star Awards on multiple occasions and appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.See more from Chris KerrDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

While videoconferencing apps have been around for quite some time, they really came into their own starting in 2020 during the pandemic, when many companies had to do a quick switch to a system of remote working. Even now, five years later, a lot of employees are still working on a remote or a partially remote basis, and a lot of meetings still take place using Zoom, Google Meet, and other videoconferencing software.RelatedAnd it’s not only companies. These apps are now used as resources for family get-togethers (for example, I’m part of a monthly family meeting), organizational meet-ups, group TV watches, and other gatherings.Zoom continues to top the list of these meeting apps, but there are a bunch of other applications available that will allow you to meet others online, and most of them have free versions for personal use. (Admittedly, some of the apps originally on this list — such as the long-standing Skype — have disappeared.) You may want to try one or two of these out for yourself to see how well they fit in with your style and that of your friends and / or colleagues.ZoomThe most popular video meeting appZoom remains one of the most popular video meeting apps, offering a variety of features. Screenshot: ZoomZoom has become one of the most well-known videoconferencing apps — in fact, its name is practically synonymous with video meetings. While it offers a variety of apps, the most well-known one and the one we’re concerned with here, is Workplace, which offers a place for video meetings along with chat features, video recording, and whiteboarding.The app is not difficult to use, both because it has a fairly easy-to-understand interface, but also because, let’s face it, most people are familiar with it — Zoom has nearly become a synonym for videoconferencing in the same that Google has become a synonym for “search.” When you start or enter a meeting, a preview allows you to tweak a variety of factors: you can blur or replace your background, touch up your appearance or add various aspects (eyebrows, cat ears, etc.), or use an avatar. Once in a meeting, there is a chat window, screen sharing, various reaction emojis, and a variety of ways that the meeting’s host can limit or allow guests to use the available tools. You can have running captions, record meetings and create transcripts, and separate your guests into breakout rooms; there are also whiteboards and the ability to share video clips.The free Basic version allows a maximum of 100 participants to meet for up to 40 minutes and includes the ability to record meetings and save them locally, and to exhibit up to five short video clips. If that isn’t enough for you, the Pro version ($15.99 a month / $159.96 a year) lets your meetings run for up to 30 hours and offers 5GB of online storage for recordings, the ability to schedule meetings, phone dial-in, and other features.Google MeetAccessible from your Google CalendarGoogle Meet has a very simple, cut-and-dried interface. Screenshot: GoogleIf you use Google Calendar, you’re already acquainted with Google Meet, even if you’ve never used it: whenever you create a calendar entry, Google offers to create a Meet video conference for you. And, like Google Calendar, Meet is free and offers a simple and efficient way to video chat with colleagues, friends, and family. (While Meet used to be limited to people with Google accounts, now anyone can participate, but those not on Gmail need to be approved for entry by the host.)While Google has added some features to Meet over the years, it remains a relatively simple app. You can start or schedule a meeting using the Meet app, or, as mentioned, create one directly from your Google Calendar. Once in a meeting, you can take advantage of captions, raise your hand, throw in emoji, or share your screen. You can also use a variety of backgrounds (or add your own), and use filters to change your appearance. And, of course, Google’s Gemini AI has been added for taking meeting notes.The free version of Google Meet allows you to invite up to 100 participants, and meet for up to 60 minutes. If you need more time or additional features, a Google One Premium Plan with at least 2TB of storage costs $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year, and adds 24-hour meetings, the ability to have multiple co-hosts, and video recording, among others.Microsoft TeamsNot just for businessThe free version of Microsoft Teams lets you create meetings for up to an hour. Screenshot: MicrosoftMicrosoft Teams is a competitor to Slack and an especially good idea if you’re part of the Microsoft Office ecosystem. While the application is mainly focused on business use, back in 2020, Microsoft stepped out of its three-piece suit and unveiled a free personal version of Teams, which lets anyone chat, talk, or have video meetings in a virtual shared space — you just have to create an account with Microsoft in order to use it.In both the free and paid versions, you can have up to 300 participants. The former lets you go for a maximum of 60 minutes per meeting, while subscribers to Microsoft 365 Personal ($9.99 per month / $99.99 per year) can meet for up to 30 consecutive hours (other subscriptions offer more). The free version offers a variety of basic features, including a chat space, emoji reactions, hand raising, and background effects (including the ability to create your own). You can also share content or create a whiteboard. Unfortunately, even with a paid account, you can’t record meetings or use breakout rooms; a business license is required to access these features.Cisco WebexA corporate app with a solid freemium versionWhile Webex is mainly a business app, it does have a useful free version. Screenshot: CiscoWebex has been around since the ’90s and was acquired by Cisco in 2007. Its concentration is mainly on business applications, and when you visit its website, that’s obvious; there are numerous company-centric features that it’s pushing. However, despite this, it does offer a free version that includes many of the same features as Zoom, along with a few additional ones. These include the ability to add up to 100 participants, a 40-minute time limit, screen sharing, the option to record meetings locally, and unlimited whiteboards.You can find most of your features, including video and audio enhancements, in the Webex setup menu, and others in the meeting window. And while you don’t get the “fun” enhancements that you do in Zoom (unless you download one of its many separate apps), there are some other useful features, such as the ability to designate one of the guests as a sign language interpreter.Webex Meeting, which is the cheapest paid version of the app, offers 24-hour meetings for up to 200 attendees, 10GB of cloud storage for recordings, an AI assistant, and closed captions. It goes for $144 per user per year, or $12 per user per month.Zoho MeetingA wide-ranging suite of appsThe free version of Zoho Meeting offers all the basic features, including a separate webinar app. Screenshot: ZohoZoho offers a wide-ranging suite of online apps that range from day-to-day (like email, calendars, and notebooks) to business and development (such as finance, HR, and marketing). Zoho Meeting is one of them.The free version of Zoho Meeting allows up to 100 participants to meet for up to 60 minutes; other free features include screen sharing, chat, virtual backgrounds, and use of a whiteboard. (Interestingly, there is also free webinar software, which is unusual.) When you first sign up for Zoho Meeting, you are immediately enrolled in a 14-day free trial, which provides access to 24-hour meetings, cloud recording, polls, and the ability to create personal meeting rooms for family and friends (as opposed to business colleagues).If you decide you like the additional features, you can then subscribe to the Standard Edition, which starts at $12 per year for 10 participants (the price increases with the number of participants and hosts).Jitsi MeetOpen source with plenty of featuresJitsi Meet is an unusually simple meeting application to use. Screenshot: JitsiJitsi is an open-source platform that is so simple to use that I had to look twice to make sure I wasn’t making a mistake somewhere. It doesn’t require an account: you simply go to the site, note the four- or five-word security code it generates, and click Start meeting. There are all the now-expected features, such as fake backgrounds, chat, local session recording, and the ability to livestream to YouTube. There are also extensions for Slack, Google Calendar, and Office 365 integration, as well as mobile apps. You can also schedule meetings in advance by naming yourself as the moderator (only one moderator per session). And you don’t have to worry about limits: there are none, either as far as time or participants are concerned (although I’ve seen a variety of recommendations as to number of participants you can add before the system slows down or crashes).If you’re a developer, you can build your own conferencing app via Jitsi Videobridge, and there is a paid business version called JaaS (“Jitsi as a Service”), but most people will be happy with the quick web version.WherebyIndividual meeting roomsWhereby offers free users a single meeting room for up to four people. Screenshot: WherebyWhereby’s free version is rather limited: it provides access to a single meeting room that accommodates up to four participants for up to 30 minutes, which is considerably less than most other free versions. You get to choose a personal name for your room, which is great — assuming that nobody else has already taken that name. There are several standard features, such as backgrounds, screen sharing, reaction emojis, and chat, along with the ability to lock rooms (participants must “knock” to gain entry). If you want to record a meeting, invite up to 100 participants, or meet for an unlimited period of time, you will need to opt for the Pro version, which costs $8.99 per month or $89.90 per year.RingCentral Video ProA wide range of free featuresRingCentral offers separate spaces for personal meetings. Screenshot: RingCentralRingCentral mainly sells business communications services, but if you look around the site, you’ll discover that it also offers a free video meeting app called RingCentral Video Pro. The app itself (there are desktop and mobile apps) is well designed and includes a nice range of features, including screen sharing, recordings (up to five hours and stored in the cloud for up to seven days), chat, whiteboards, closed captions, virtual backgrounds, and a presentation mode (so that the presenter is shown along with the presentation). You get up to 50 minutes for a maximum of 100 participants. If you want more, Video Pro Plus offers unlimited hours for up to 200 participants, up to 100 recorded hours stored for up to a year, and other add-ons.SpikeA simple web-based systemSpike has a basic video meeting web appSpike, an email / chat service focused on team communications, also offers a basic video meeting web app that’s available to anyone who wants it.It’s extremely simple: just go to video.spike.chat, type in a name, and click Join Meeting. Spike generates a unique URL for the chat and lets you share it or email it to other participants. You can share your screen, throw up an emoji, or change your background, but little else. However, there is no limit on participants or the amount of time you spend in a meeting, which is a distinct advantage.TelegramA well-known chat app with videoconferencing addedTelegram has introduced group video chats. Image: TelegramTelegram is a messaging chat app that also offers the option for group video chats. Once you’ve started a voice chat, you can turn on your camera or share your screen; you can also start a video call from your friend’s profile page and switch video on or off without losing the voice call. Video chats are limited to 30 people, but up to 1,000 can watch. There is no time limit, and you can create either private or public groups.SignalUp to 50 participants can be in a video groupSignal allows up to 40 people to take part in a video conference. Screenshot: SignalSignal is a communications app known for its emphasis on secure messaging via end-to-end encryption. Previously, it only allowed a maximum of five participants in its video calls; however, it now allows up to 50 people to take part by starting a group chat and switching it to video. Signal is primarily designed for mobile devices; to use it on a desktop, you must link it to an existing mobile app. Still, if you already use Signal messaging, you now have the option to use it as a meeting app as well. (Although if you’re using it for government purposes, you may want to make sure you’re using it appropriately.)Group FaceTimeNot necessarily for Apple onlyGroup Facetime will accommodate up to 33 participants. Screenshot: AppleiPhone owners will, no doubt, already be using Apple’s built-in video chat app, but since the app was updated to accommodate those not in the Apple ecosystem, it has become even more useful. You can start a group call from a Messages chat, add a variety of stickers, change your appearance, share your screen, and blur your background. You can invite up to 32 others to join your group, and converse for an unlimited amount of time. However, while you can join a group FaceTime session from Android or Windows, you can’t initiate one.Update, April 22nd, 2025: This article was originally published on June 11th, 2020. Since then, a series of changes have occurred, with several apps being added or removed.See More:

It’s always a good idea to think about your phone and other devices when you travel. Things get lost, things get stolen, things get left in the seat-back pocket on the plane, and you should always make sure you have a plan. Right now, though, particularly if you’re traveling into the United States, there’s also the (relatively small but very real) possibility that someone will go through your phone to decide if you’re allowed into the country. On this episode of The Vergecast, The Verge’s Gaby Del Valle explains everything you need to know and do if you’re planning to travel across borders soon. She talks us through the reason Customs and Border Protection agents are allowed to search your phone in the first place, what they’re looking for, and how you can protect yourself and your data. Gaby also explains how likely it really is that you’ll be searched, and what rights you have if it happens. Subscribe: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Overcast | Pocket Casts | More After that, Puck’s Matt Belloni joins the show to talk about the streaming wars. For years, Apple, Amazon, Google, and other tech companies have made splashy investments in movies and show … Read the full story at The Verge.

Fab April 2025 Free Asset Giveaway #2 [Apr 22 – May 6] / News / April 22, 2025 / Free, Unreal Every other Tuesday we get an Unreal Engine Fab marketplace giveaway and this Tuesday is no exception. You can get three free game development assets during the next two weeks; this week one of the assets is for Unity and FBX as well as Unreal Engine while the other two are UE only, but as you can see from the video below, they can easily be exported to Godot or other engines. If you are using a different game engine or tool, we have guides below that instruct you on how to export from Unreal Engine to other engines such as Godot, Blender or Unity for example. These assets are available free from April 22nd to May 6th and are yours to keep forever once “purchased”. This Month’s free assets include: If you are interested in getting these assets into other game engines, check out our various guides available here: You can see all of these assets in action in the video below.

The IGN World Guide for FX's Alien: Earth launched today, Earth Day 2025, and it provides fans of the acclaimed sci-fi horror franchise an exclusive look at the FX-Hulu series coming this summer. As part of this launch, we’ve partnered with FX on a tongue-in-cheek Earth Day public service announcement, which can be viewed via the player below.PlayWe’re also rolling out a series of short videos across our social media channels this week chronicling the gestation of a xenomorph in what appeared to be a controlled lab setting … although if the Alien franchise has taught us anything, it’s that xenomorphs can’t be controlled.From creator Noah Hawley, FX's Alien: Earth follows a young woman (played by Sydney Chandler) and a band of tactical soldiers who make a fateful discovery after a spaceship crash-lands on Earth. The series is set in 2120 when, according to its official plot synopsis, “five corporations - Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic and Threshold - wield the power of nations, and proprietary advancements in technology provide the promise of a new tomorrow.” In addition to Sydney Chandler, the cast includes Alex Lawther, Timothy Olyphant, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, David Rysdahl, Adrian Edmondson, Adarsh Gourav, Jonathan Ajayi, Erana James, Lily Newmark, Diem Camille and Moe Bar-El. For more on the Alien franchise, check out the IGN community’s ranking of the Alien movies and find out how to watch the Alien movies in chronological order.

A group of ex-Skylanders developers have announced Voidling Bound, a new monster-taming action game for PC that's due out next year. Watch the announcement trailer above and check out the first screenshots in the gallery below.Hatchery Games promises plenty of third-person action, branching paths that let you customize your Voidling's appearance, playstyle, abilities, and elemental alignment. You can level them up, breed them, collect them, and craft them. The developers set up their sci-fi world as such: "Defenseless against a devastating parasite threatening all life forms, humanity must team up with recently discovered Voidlings to unlock their full potential through the neural bond. Become bound as one, as the last line of defense in our fight for survival."Voidling Bound - First ScreenshotsWe'll have more on Voidling Bound as development progresses. You can wishlist it on Steam if you're interested.Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He's a North Jersey guy, so it's "Taylor ham," not "pork roll." Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.