Why Star Wars Outlaws failed but Hogwarts Legacy was a hitGameCentralPublished November 22, 2024 6:00pm One was the biggest hit of 2023 and the other was a game that came out in 2024 (Ubisoft/Warner Bros. Games/Metro)With a new patch for Star Wars Outlaws drastically altering a major gameplay element, GameCentral ponders how things ended up going so wrong and what it could mean for future Star Wars games.Calling Star Wars Outlaws a failure isnt quite fair. Its certainly not a bad game, depending on the level of affinity you have for the source material, but in terms of sales it does seem to have been a disappointment, especially to publisher Ubisoft.Outlaws was described as having a softer than expected launch back in August. It was only the second best-selling game of the month, losing out to the 11-year-old GTA 5, and its first week sales werent even half of what EAs Star Wars Jedi: Survivor managed in the same timeframe.Given the significance of the brand, Ubisoft was no doubt banking on Outlaws making up for what has otherwise been a lacklustre year for the company. Instead, its underperformance has only helped incentivise a possible Tencent buyout.What is the new Star Wars Outlaws patch?With the release of a significant patch and a Steam launch, Star Wars Outlaws reputation could yet improve, but why does it need salvaging in the first place and how did Ubisoft go so wrong with a quality game and a proven licence?We must re-emphasise that Star Wars Outlaws is not a bad game, nor has it had a Cyberpunk 2077 level disaster of a launch. Theres certainly an additional appeal if youre a Star Wars fan but taken on its own merits its a superior open world adventure, that avoids the usual tropes of Ubisoft games, such as obnoxious mission markers, icon-filled maps, and having to climb radio towers.Ubisofts reaction to the disappointing sales has been to drastically change key elements of the game, reducing the stealth aspect so that its only ever optional. This seems to be a knee jerk reaction to complaints that an early mission punished you too harshly for failing at stealth but its really just a superficial issue thats only going to put a bigger spotlight on the slightly underwhelming combat.What really hurt Star Wars Outlaws, aside from a curious lack of marketing (seriously, we felt we saw barely any ads for the game) is that it simply wasnt what Star Wars fans were looking for in a video game. Or at least didnt offer anything distinctly Star Wars that you couldnt find in any other sci-fi game.Weve often joked over the years, that our dream game is a Han Solo simulator. Not necessarily in terms of controlling the character himself but just doing the sort of things he was implied to have been up to before he met Ben Kenobi. In our minds it wouldve been a mix between Elite Dangerous and Grand Theft Auto something that doesnt currently exist in gaming and would be completely unique in and of itself.Outlaws is certainly the closest theres ever been to a GTA style game in the Star Was universe but its still not very close, and in gameplay and narrative terms it doesnt do anything new or unusual. If youre a Star Wars fan the novelty of it being a competent open world game set in that world is considerable but for everyone else, its just another Ubisoft game.Whats perhaps more important is that Outlaws is not a game anyone asked for. Weve wished for a Han Solo simulator for decades, while we and others have also dreamed of a bounty hunter simulator perhaps one where you create your own custom character (will I be like Bossk or 4-LOM?) and toured the galaxy looking for your quarry. Even a Mandalorian tie-in wouldve been something, but for some reason EA cancelled that idea. Star Wars Outlaws not a bad game but not a dream one either (Ubisoft)For a franchise that will be 50 years old in a few years there is so much food left on the table when it comes to Star Wars video games, with many concepts either never attempted or just done badly. Even something as simple as gun combat has never worked the way generations of kids imagined it would, who just point their fingers and make pew pew noises in the playground.The blasters and other weapons in Star Wars seem to have real weight and power in the movies and yet even in a first person shooter like Battlefront they come across as weedy and insubstantial. Lightsabers have generally fared better but its really on with EAs Star Wars Jedi series that theyve begun to feel like an accurate representation of the films.Most Star Wars games just dont give fans what they want, either at a top level or in terms of the details. And yet when it does work out, such as with the ancient X-Wing and TIE Fighter series, the end result is not just pleasing for fans but resulted in genuine classics that defined a whole genre.Why was Hogwarts Legacy so successful?The obvious point of refence in modern times is with the Harry Potter franchise, which has never had any game of any real quality, until 2023s Hogwarts Legacy. Its very good but it has an important advantage over something like Outlaws: its an experience fans have been dreaming of for years.A Harry Potter action role-playing game, which allows you to enrol at Hogwarts and play as your own custom character, while exploring a large open world environment and doing whatever you want within the Wizarding World is exactly what fans have wanted and being calling for since the very beginning. It also doesnt hurt that there hasnt been a big budget Harry Potter game in a long time, creating extra demand.By comparison, Outlaws is nowhere close to that level of wish fulfilment, even though its pretty equal in terms of overall quality. You could argue that both franchises are roughly the same level of prominence at the moment. Depending on how you interpret the wildly differing qualities of the Disney+ Star Wars shows, neither has had a major critical or commerical hit in a long time and both have started to drift out of the mainstream consciousness.But whereas Outlaws was barely a blip on the radar in terms of video games, let alone anything else, Hogwarts Legacy has revitalised Warner Bros. Games and inspired its parent company to push forward with multiple new Harry Potter projects, including a massively expensive new HBO show.Hogwarts Legacy gave fans exactly what they wanted, whereas Star Wars Outlaws was just another tie-in that didnt seem to quite understand its audience or the franchises video game potential.More TrendingEvery diehard Harry Potter fan has envisioned attending Hogwarts, getting assigned a house, learning spells, flying on broomsticks, etc. and Hogwarts Legacy gave them the chance to do all that, just as they had always wanted. In fact, it was so popular many former fans, who dropped off the series a long time ago, were tempted back by the promise of a game they once could only dream of.As the increasingly long list of flop Marvel games proves, no media franchise is a licence to print money. As Outlaws (and Marvels Midnight Suns) shows its not enough to make a good game, it has to be one that fulfils the dreams of fans, either generally or in terms of specific game ideas theyve always wanted to see.In fact, you could easily argue that quality is not the most important thing when it comes to a licensed game, as long as it reaches a certain base level. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 isnt an especially good game its competent more than exceptional but it does understand its audience and it gives them exactly what they want in terms of visuals, tone, and a sense of seeing and experiencing things in a game that they were only previously able to imagine in their head.A successful licensed video game is all about making the fictional world come alive around you. If the player isnt thinking to themselves this is just how I imagined itd be while they play then its failed. The game has to be at least competent, but it also has to be undiluted wish fulfilment. Otherwise its just a generic video game with a famous name attached. Hogwarts Legacy it knows what its audience wants (Warner Bros. Games)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

A few years ago, Games Workshop finally begun taking some unprecedented steps to update the models of one ofWarhammer 40,000s most popular factions: the ranks of the Aeldari, the lithe, elven aliens who have been part of the tabletop game for nearly 40 years. But even with those significant updates, the line of Aeldari models was still home to some of the oldest miniatures that Games Workshop still sold but next year, thats finally going to change in a huge way. As part of a special preview event ahead of the upcomingWarhammer World Championships, today Games Workshop revealed the upcoming revamp of the Aeldaris rulebook for the latest, 10th edition ofWarhammer 40K. Alongside the updated rulebook will be a swath of new miniatures focusing on one of the unique elements of Aeldari culture: the Aspect Warriors, clans of specialized elite operatives dedicated to specific schools of martial thought, and their fabled, legendary leaders in the Phoenix Lords. Although these units and heroes are key elements of Aeldari loreand often fundamental pillars of an Aeldari armyplayers of the faction have spent literal decades running those Aspect Warriors with the same models while watching Games Workshop find ever-increasing ways to sell people a new Space Marine. Up until relatively recently, many key models in the Aeldari were based on sculpts that been around for the best part of 20 years. Some of the oldest among these models were those of the eight main Aspect Warrior archetypes: the Howling Banshees, Striking Scorpions, Swooping Hawks, Dire Avengers, Warp Spiders, Fire Dragons, Dark Reapers, and Shining Spears. Many of these models were so old that they were still cast in metal or eventually resin, and Games Workshop took its sweet time updating them bit by bit over the years. The Howling Banshees received a model overhaul in 2019 (replacing models from 2006), while the Dark Reapers and Shining Spears were updated as part of that 2022 line overhaul (replacing models from 2006 and 1999, respectively), and the Striking Scorpions were updated this year through the smaller-scaled skirmish game Kill Team (replacing models again, from 2006). Todays news brings almost every other Aspect Warrior class to contemporary plastic miniature standard. The Fire Dragons, Swooping Hawks, and Warp Spiders will all receive updated plastic multi-part models to replace metal and resin kits from 2006, 2000, and 1994, respectively. Alongside those mainline squads, the company also unveiled updates for their accompanying Phoenix Lordsthe elite hero units that are the heads of each Aspectin the form of Fuegan (the lord of the Fire Dragons), Baharroth (the Swooping Hawks), and, for the very first time in miniature form at all, Lhykis, the lord of the Warp Spiders, alongside the Dire Avenger lord Asurmen. Putting Lhykis aside as a brand new character, these other miniatures all replaced current models from 1994.It should be stressed that Games Workshop charged for these practically ancient miniatures with the same kind of pricing that any of its contemporary miniatures would command, despite their ever-increasing ageand Aeldari players were simply supposed to deal with it and look on as other factions received regular new miniatures and refreshes. As a life-long player of the faction, its been wild to me in my off-and-on journey withWarhammer 40K as a grown adult has been played with the same miniatures I could buy as a 10-year-old getting into tabletop gaming for the first time. And its taken most of that life for that to change! But at long last, it now is. Theres still some Aeldari models that are showing their ageamong the Aspect Warriors at least, Asurmens Dire Avengers havent been updated since 2006 either, and the Striking Scorpions leader, Karandras, is now the last remaining un-updated Phoenix Lord sitting at 30 years old (and counting). Hopefully with the new rules for the faction coming some time in 2025, it wont take that much longer to see these remaining alien legends get the shiny new plastic treatment they deserve too and hopefully these new models, as lovely as they look now in 2024, arent still on shelves by the 2060s. After all, in the grim dark future of the 21st century, there must always be new plastic soldiers to purchase. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Back in August, Netflix suffered from a massive leak that saw full episodes of shows like Arcane, Terminator Zero, and Ranma 1/2 leak online ahead of their official release. At the time, Netflix released an official statement saying it was actively taking action against the perpetrator of the leaks, and now the streamer has set its sights on Discord to unveil the perpetrator behind the leaks. A new report from Polygon reveals that the Northern District of California court has issued a subpoena to Discord, demanding the social platform disclose information that could reveal the identity of a user implicated in the leak. According to Polygon, Netflixs Discord subpoena earmarked an unreleased, copyrighted image from Squid Game season two, uploaded by user @jacejohns4n. In a now-deleted interview posted on Telegram, the leaker credited themselves with the person behind the worst leak in streaming history. One of our post-production partners has been compromised and footage from several of our titles has unfortunately leaked online. Our team is aggressively taking action to have it taken down, a Netflix spokesperson wrote to IGN at the time.As Polygon notes, the Netflix partner impacted is Lyuno, a California-based localization firm whose clients include major studios like Amazon Studios, BBC, Disney, DreamWorks, and HBO. At the time, IGN reported that the leaked shows populated on fringe websites like 4chan before circulating on other social media platforms like X/Twitter and TikTok. According to IGN, all of the aforementioned leaks featured burnt-in timestamps, watermarks, and unfinished animation renderings for Arcanes first and second act. Other Netflix series included in the leaks were animated films and TV shows like Plankton: The Movie, Spellbound, and Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld. A Lyuno spokesperson addressed the security breach and issued a statement on the companys official website.Protecting our clients confidentiality and ensuring the security of their content is our highest priority, Lyuno wrote. We are actively investigating this security breach to mitigate any potential risks and identify the responsible parties. While Discord has yet to make an official statement on the matter, the Verge reports that Discord is already juggling a subpoena from MapleStory developer Nexon accusing the platform of refusing to comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ordering it to disclose user information for folks sharing pirated copies of the game.Discord is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the law, but acting as your copyright assertion partner is not one of them, a lawyer representing Discord wrote in a letter regarding the Nexon case. As with most things, time will tell whether Netflix cracking down on Discord will unearth the identity of its leaker and what punishments will be doled out to them and other parties involved. Seeing as how much of the shows subjected to leaks are big marquee titles for Netflix, the streamers hammer of justice will likely be one for the ages. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

ISHIMIRAI Lab. Showroom / POINT + Spicy ArchitectsSave this picture! Kenta HasegawaShowroomBunkyo City, JapanArchitects: POINT Inc., Spicy ArchitectsAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:65 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Kenta Hasegawa Construction: butter inc.More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. To showcase and display the flexibility of the new, lightweight "uni Marble Panel" from Yabashi Marble, an architectural stone company founded in 1901, we proposed a showroom with a specific system and environment, that allows users to freely reconfigure the space and test out different variations and material combinations.Save this picture!Save this picture!Following Yabashi Marble's goals, "ISHI-MIRAI Lab." aims to not only become a space to discover the charm of marble but also discover the possibilities of the stone in the future, where the "uni Marble Panel," designed specifically for interior use, shows the way.Save this picture!Save this picture!The system revolves around 4 booths finished in 4 different basic colors black, gray, beige, and reddish brown varying in color shades and materials. On a large display wall, 14 different types of "uni Marble Panel" can be viewed and prepared to be introduced into the differently-toned rooms. Each panel can be easily attached to and removed from the wall or furniture modules using special brackets.Save this picture!Save this picture!Samples of different materials and textures, such as wood and metal, are also provided to facilitate an even more extensive testing of combinations with different materials. The chairs and other furniture around the central meeting table are made from a variety of materials and colors, including wood, aluminum, cork, and plastic. With "ISHI-MIRAI Lab." we are combining the atmosphere of possible interior scenarios and a functional, furnished space, which aids in expanding the imagination by focusing on the many uses of marble and in maximizing the appeal of the stone.Save this picture!The "ISHI-MIRAI Lab." is intended to be a laboratory where the client, designers, and builders can explore how stone and marble can be used in building and architecture on various scales and in the future through dialogue and experience.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Bunkyo City, JapanLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeSpicy ArchitectsOfficePOINT Inc.OfficeMaterialStoneMaterials and TagsPublished on November 23, 2024Cite: "ISHIMIRAI Lab. Showroom / POINT + Spicy Architects" 22 Nov 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1023626/ishimirai-lab-showroom-point-plus-spicy-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

400 Wood Road / Balance ArchitectsSave this picture! Chris RucinskiBraintree, United StatesArchitects: Balance ArchitectsAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:58000 ftYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Chris Rucinski, Michael J. MucciaccioManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Kingspan Insulated Panels, Hunter Douglas, NBK North America Lead Architects: Balance Architects Architectural Design: Chad Wulleman, Phil Sima More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. In 2019, Balance Architects embarked on the ambitious conversion of an outdated office and warehouse complex into a best-in-class, Class-A GMP/advanced manufacturing and life science facility in Braintree, MA. In addition to the complete transformation of the building, significant infrastructure investments were made in both the power and water systems to meet the needs of future tenants. Today, the building is fully leased to two tenants: Integra LifeSciences, a leader in neurosurgery, and First Electronics Corporation, an advanced manufacturing company specializing in high-grade cabling.Save this picture!The initial phase of the project involved stripping the building down to its core elements: the slab, steel columns, and roof. Prior to this intervention, the building, which housed a combination of office, lab and warehouse areas, was clad in dented and damaged metal panels, with outdated architectural concrete masonry units (CMU) at the entrance. The overgrown landscape had obscured the building, and the limited fenestration allowed minimal natural light to penetrate the interior. The interior space functioned as a dismal labyrinth of cubicles and corridors, completely devoid of natural light.Save this picture!Save this picture!With the primary goal of bringing light deep into the building, the Balance team designed large windows across the facade and created a fully glazed, double-height entry. On the warehouse side, typically associated with artificial lighting, we introduced a double-height curtain wall along the entire length of the loading bay.To create a highly energy-efficient envelope, the design team used a combination of insulated metal panels and a terra cotta rain-screen system, placing all insulation on the exterior. By carefully selecting the size and color of the terra cotta tiles, Balance created subtle shifts in color and movement along the expansive facade. Weston Architectural Supply oversaw the Herculean effort of unloading and installing the custom terracotta pieces, which were shipped out of orderthe parking lot resembled a giant jigsaw puzzle for nearly a month.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!For the interior fit-out, Balance collaborated with The First Electronics Corporation (FEC), a manufacturing company specializing in high-grade cabling. The business needed a space that would not only accommodate its office and manufacturing needs, but also transform the way its team worked. With a legacy spanning over 60 years, Boston-based FEC crafts custom electrical assemblies for challenging environments.Save this picture!For FEC, 400 Wood Road represented a unique opportunity to revolutionize the company's operations. The sprawling facility enabled a reimagining of manufacturing workflows and office layouts, enhancing collaboration and connectivity across departments. Through strategic spatial planning and the installation of a prominent interior curtain wall, the new design fosters visual connectivity among manufacturing, assembly, and engineering teams.Save this picture!Save this picture!The revitalized lobby serves as a beacon of openness and innovation. Acting as a central gathering point for employees and visitors alike, the spacious lobby cultivates a sense of unity and pride among its workforce. A striking barrel vault spans the front section of the building, seamlessly linking various areas and departments. Natural light now floods every corner of the manufacturing floor, a dramatic improvement from the dim confines of FEC's former facilities. This abundance of daylight not only enhances the working environment, but also underscores the company's commitment to creating a modern, inspiring workplace for its employees.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Braintree, United StatesLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeBalance ArchitectsOfficePublished on November 22, 2024Cite: "400 Wood Road / Balance Architects" 22 Nov 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1023697/400-wood-road-balance-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

This G.O.A.T. isn't just standing - its stealing the spotlight! 3D goat exploring a realistic forest, all crafted in Blender! It's the Greatest Of All Time for a reason! :) Do you want to see more? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zorevisuals/

This G.O.A.T. isn't just standing - its stealing the spotlight! 3D goat exploring a realistic forest, all crafted in Blender! It's the Greatest Of All Time for a reason! :) Do you want to see more? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zorevisuals/

Imagine a book that can teach you anything you desire and is also fun to read. Thats what I want to bring to life in this video. Using everything from Cursor AI, VS Code, Langflow, Figma, Next JS, Vercel and React JS, I'm going to show you how I design, develop and then publish this AI idea! Get started with the DataStax AI Platform: (Use promo code TWAROG for $300 in free credits)https://dtsx.io/adriantwarog Star the Langflow GitHub repo: https://dtsx.io/atwarog Try the Illustrated Primer webapp:https://www.theillustratedprimer.com/ #langflow #ai #webdevelopment Thanks to DataStax / Langflow for sponsoring this video!

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As well as looking at the arm design including some tricks for making elbow joints (that could also be used for knees), this video looks at soft armour and has a quick look at creating panel lines.Support the channel on Patreon and get videos a week early: https://www.patreon.com/ArtisansofVaul Shoulder pad video: https://youtu.be/SQ7Ob-kZ2Ic?si=id3lQN5MkmJDeemJ Panel lines videos:https://youtu.be/L0752ooFmU0?si=6w9krl_rs_xpviUz https://youtu.be/8W4-J7BiT5Y?si=9xtfnWcOV1796_B0 https://youtu.be/kNpB0RrhuOA?si=x5eqlvZkHB78TYUI Gauntlets video: https://youtu.be/g-IPvEyS7qQ?si=R98LUyEsrX2lu5wZ Free Add OnsND: https://hugemenace.gumroad.com/l/nd-blender-addon RePrimative: https://github.com/eXzacT/RePrimitive Old Modifier Panel: https://bluenile3d.gumroad.com/l/sexoc Quick Snap: https://github.com/JulienHeijmans/quicksnap CharMorph: https://github.com/Upliner/CharMorph Simple Tabs:https://chippwalters.gumroad.com/l/simpletabs Edge Flow: https://github.com/BenjaminSauder/EdgeFlow Sculpt Bridge:https://blendermarket.com/products/sculpt-bridge-tool (Affiliate links) SUPPORT THE CHANNEL BY BUYING SOME STUFF YOU WERE GOING TO GET ANYWAY ;pMachin3 Tools: https://blendermarket.com/products/machin3tools/?ref=834 nSolve:https://blendermarket.com/products/nsolve?search_id=31807585/?ref=834 Hard Ops and Boxcutter discount bundle: https://blendermarket.com/products/hard-ops--boxcutter-ultimate-bundle/?ref=834Hard Ops:https://blendermarket.com/products/hardopsofficial/?ref=834 Boxcutter: https://blendermarket.com/products/boxcutter/?ref=834 Mesh Machine: https://blendermarket.com/products/meshmachine/?ref=834 Just Panels: https://blendermarket.com/products/just-panels/?ref=834 Construction Lines: https://blendermarket.com/products/construction-lines/?ref=834 Cablerator:https://blendermarket.com/products/cbl/?ref=834 Mesh Copier:https://blendermarket.com/products/mesh-copier/?ref=834 Grid Modeler: https://blendermarket.com/products/grid-modeler/?ref=834 Curve Machine:https://blendermarket.com/products/curvemachine/?ref=834 Decal Machine: https://blendermarket.com/products/decalmachine/?ref=834 Punch It:https://blendermarket.com/products/punchit/?ref=834 One Click Damage (OCD)/Cracker discount bundle: https://blendermarket.com/products/ocd--cracker-damage-bundle/?ref=834 One Click Damage (OCD): https://blendermarket.com/products/ocd/?ref=834 Cracker: https://blendermarket.com/products/cracker/?ref=834 Flowify: https://blendermarket.com/products/flowify/?ref=834 Simple Bend: https://blendermarket.com/products/simple-bend/?ref=834 Conform Object: https://blendermarket.com/products/conform-object/?ref=834 Curves to mesh: https://blendermarket.com/products/curves-to-mesh/?ref=834 Mesh Materializer: https://blendermarket.com/products/mesh-materializer/?ref=834 Favourite modifiers:https://blendermarket.com/products/favourite-modifiers/?ref=834 Wrap Master: https://blendermarket.com/products/wrap-master/?ref=834