Its a shame to see the 512GB LCD model going away, even if its picture doesnt pop the same way the Steam Deck OLED does. At its normal $449 price, its a more affordable alternative to the OLED model with the same storage, which costs $100 more but plays the same games. Especially if youre getting it to play AAA bangers like Baldurs Gate 3 and Elden Ring those will fill up your onboard storage in a jiffy.

The development of language modeling focuses on creating artificial intelligence systems that can process and generate text with human-like fluency. These models play critical roles in machine translation, content generation, and conversational AI applications. They rely on extensive datasets and complex training algorithms to learn linguistic patterns, enabling them to understand context, respond to queries, and create coherent text. The rapid evolution in this field highlights the growing importance of open-source contributions, which aim to democratize access to powerful AI systems.A persistent issue in the field has been the dominance of proprietary models, which often outperform open-source systems due to their extensive resources and optimized training pipelines. Proprietary systems frequently leverage massive datasets, compute power, and advanced proprietary methodologies, creating a performance gap that open models need help to close. This disparity limits accessibility and innovation in AI, as only well-funded organizations can afford to develop such cutting-edge technology.While commendable, current open-source methods still need to fully address the challenges of scalability, training stability, and model performance. Many models are either partially open, providing only limited datasets or methodologies, or fully open but need a competitive edge over their proprietary counterparts. However, recent advancements are paving the way for a new generation of fully open and competitive models in terms of performance.The Allen Institute for AI research team introduced OLMo 2, a groundbreaking family of open-source language models. These models, available in 7 billion (7B) and 13 billion (13B) parameter configurations, were trained on up to 5 trillion tokens using state-of-the-art techniques. By refining training stability, adopting staged training processes, and incorporating diverse datasets, the researchers bridged the performance gap with proprietary systems like Llama 3.1. OLMo 2 leverages improvements in layer normalization, rotary positional embeddings, and Z-loss regularization to enhance model robustness.OLMo 2s training employed a curriculum approach across two stages. In the first stage, covering 90% of the pretraining budget, the models were trained on the OLMo-Mix-1124 dataset, comprising 3.9 trillion tokens sourced from various high-quality repositories like DCLM and Starcoder. The second stage involved fine-tuning Dolmino-Mix-1124, a curated dataset of 843 billion tokens featuring web-based and domain-specific content. Techniques like model souping, which merges checkpoints to optimize performance, were critical in achieving the final versions of the 7B and 13B models.The performance of OLMo 2 sets new benchmarks in the field of open-source language modeling. Compared to its predecessor, OLMo-0424, OLMo 2 demonstrates a significant boost across all evaluation tasks. OLMo 2 7B notably outperforms Llama-3.1 8B, and OLMo 2 13B surpasses Qwen 2.5 7B, despite utilizing fewer training FLOPs. Evaluation using the Open Language Modeling Evaluation System (OLMES), a suite of 20 benchmarks, confirmed these gains, highlighting strengths in knowledge recall, reasoning, and general language capabilities.Key takeaways from the research include the following advancements:Training Stability Improvements: Techniques like RMSNorm and learning rate annealing reduced loss spikes during pretraining, ensuring consistent model performance.Innovative Staged Training: Late pretraining interventions, including data curriculum adjustments, allowed for targeted enhancement of model capabilities.Actionable Evaluation Framework: The introduction of OLMES provided structured benchmarks to guide model development and track progress effectively.Post-Training Methodologies: Supervised fine-tuning, preference tuning, and reinforcement learning with verifiable rewards enhanced the models instruction-following capabilities.Dataset Diversity and Quality: Pretraining on datasets like Dolmino-Mix-1124 ensured the models could generalize across diverse domains.In conclusion, OLMo 2s achievements signify a shift in the language modeling landscape. By addressing challenges such as training stability and evaluation transparency, the researchers have set a new standard for open-source AI. These models close the gap with proprietary systems and demonstrate the potential of collaborative innovation in advancing artificial intelligence. The OLMo 2 initiative underscores the transformative power of open access to high-performance AI models, paving the way for more equitable technological advancements.Check out the Models on Hugging Face and Details. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. If you like our work, you will love ournewsletter.. Dont Forget to join our55k+ ML SubReddit. Asif RazzaqAsif Razzaq is the CEO of Marktechpost Media Inc.. As a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, Asif is committed to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for social good. His most recent endeavor is the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Media Platform, Marktechpost, which stands out for its in-depth coverage of machine learning and deep learning news that is both technically sound and easily understandable by a wide audience. The platform boasts of over 2 million monthly views, illustrating its popularity among audiences. [Download] Evaluation of Large Language Model Vulnerabilities Report (Promoted)

Beats by Dre is a recognizable and popular brand, backed by thousands of positive reviews and even big celebrity endorsements over the years; from athletes like LeBron James and UFC fighter Conor McGregor to artists like Lady GaGa and Travis Scott. If you haven't been convinced yet, maybe it's time to finally let the beat drop.Beats are known for a stylish and high-quality listening experience, and you can save on some of the most popular Beats products out there this Black Friday. Whether you're looking for new over-ear headphones, wireless earbuds, or a solid Bluetooth speaker, I've rounded up the best Beats deals I could find for Black Friday 2024. Retailers like Target, Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart have already listed most deals, but I could always see further drops as we move past Thanksgiving. I'll update this article with any further price drops or deals as they go live!The Best Beats Deals So Far: Headphones & BeyondBeats Studio ProBeats Studio Buds +Beats Pill (2024 release)Beats Fit ProBeats Studio BudsBeats Solo 4Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds1. Beats Studio Pro Headphones are 54% Off (Save $190)One of the best over-ear headphones of 2024Beats Studio ProThe premiere Beats headphones, Beats Studio Pro, are available on sale today for $159.99, a 54% discount from its usual price. These headphones support two different listening modes using Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), with fully-adaptive ANC and Transparency Mode. Beats Studio Pro Headphones and Color OptionsWe picked the Beats Studio Pro as one of the best over ear headphones out there, noting its design and support for lossless audio. Beats Studio Pro are rated for up to 40 hours of total battery life, and you can recharge them quickly. A 10-minute charge will provide up to four hours of additional playback.2. Beats Studio Buds + are 24% Off (Save $40)NewestBeats Studio Buds +If you're looking for a new pair of earbuds, the Beats Studio Buds + is an excellent choice. This updated version of Studio Buds packs in much improved battery life, with up to 36 hours of listening time. Similar to other Beats products, you can quick charge the Studio Buds + to get a few hours of listening in just 10 minutes. 3. (New) Beats Pill Speaker is 33% Off (Save $50)Beats Pill (2024 release)The Beats Pill is one of the most iconic Bluetooth speakers ever, with a focus on bass and a unique design. This 2024 version of the Beats Pill continues this vision, once again focusing in on the bass and offering an enjoyable listening experience. You can expect up to 24 hours of battery life with this model, which should last you multiple days on a vacation to the beach or somewhere similar. Additionally, the Beats Pill is IP67-rated, so dust and water damage are of no concern. 4. Beats Fit Pro Earbuds are 25% Off (Save $51)Best overall pick for runnersBeats Fit ProAmazon has the Beats Fit Pro headphones on sale for $149 this week ahead of Black Friday. These are some of the best running headphones you can get, especially with the battery life, sound quality, and water resistance. Beats Fit Pro also pack in many of the best features seen in Apple AirPods, like Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode, and Spatial Audio.5. Beats Studio Buds are 47% Off (Save $70)Top alternative to AirPodsBeats Studio BudsAnother great option for earbuds is the Beats Studio Buds. These earbuds features both ANC and Transparency listening modes, similar to Apple AirPods. Additionally, the Beats Studio Buds are IPX4-rated, so you can use them for a workout with no issues. This model does have significantly worse battery life than the Studio Buds +, but you still get up to 24 hours between charges. With this model is $50 cheaper than the Studio Buds +, it's a given that some features won't be as good on the Beats Studio Buds.6. Beats Solo 4 Wireless Headphones are 50% Off (Save $100)Beats Solo 4You can save $100 off the Beats Solo 4 this Black Friday, and this is a deal you won't want to miss. We have the Beats Solo 4 as one of our favorite wireless headphones for 2024, citing the seamless Apple integration and spatial audio support. The Beats Solo 4 is lightweight to maximize comfort, and the battery life is said to last up to 50 hours.7. Beats Flex In-Ear Earbuds are 43% off (Save $30)Great for work-outsBeats Flex Wireless EarbudsFinally, Amazon has the Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds listed for $39.99 for Black Friday. Connected by one continuous wire, these wireless earbuds are perfect for fitness and yardwork. You can put the wire behind your head and out of the way. Inside, the Apple W1 chip allows for easy, instant pairing with Apple devices, and you can share your audio with other Beats or AirPods users.Looking for More Black Friday Savings?If you're still searching for the best deals out there this Black Friday, some of the biggest consoles, accessories, bundles and video games are on sale, including FFVII Rebirth, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Astro Bot, and more. Best Gaming DealsSlim ModelPlayStation PS5 Digital Edition NBA 2K25 BundlePS5, XboxElden RingPS5PlayStation VR 2 - Horizon: Call of the Mountain BundlePS5DualSense Controller (Standard Color Variants)PS5DualSense ControllersPS5/XboxMetaphor: ReFantazioSlim ModelPlayStation PS5 Disc Edition Fortnite Cobalt Star BundleBeyond games, there are great deals available on TVs, Apple products, and even gaming headsets. With holiday shopping starting now, see IGN's 20 top tech gifts to consider giving this year. You may be able to get some shopping done early while saving some money!The Best Deals on Speakers, Soundbars, and Headphones from SonosExplore soundbars, more speakers and home entertainment products from Sonos' Black Friday sale.Sonos RayNoah Hunter is a freelance writer and reviewer with a passion for games and technology. He co-founded Final Weapon, an outlet focused on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to various publishers writing about the medium.

Star Wars has managed to attract some high-profile names to helm its movies and TV shows these days, but it looks like Denis Villeneuve won't be one of them.The Dune filmmaker spoke about the subject in a recent episode of The Town podcast, revealing some of his own personal history with Star Wars. He recalled being 10 years old when A New Hope released, calling himself the "target audience": "It went to my brain like a silver bullet. I became obsessed with Star Wars."He said he saw The Empire Strikes back "a billion times onscreen," but his taste in the series was soured with the trilogy's conclusion.Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has revealed why he won't be making a Star Wars film. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for BFI)"The problem is that it all derailed in 1983 with Return of the Jedi," Villeneuve said. "It's a long story. I was 15 years old, and my best friend and I wanted to take a cab and go to L.A. and talk to George Lucas we were so angry! Still today, the Ewoks. It turned out to be a comedy for kids."Still, it wasn't just the Ewoks. "Star Wars became crystallized in its own mythology, very dogmatic," he continued. "It seemed like a recipe, no more surprises. So I'm not dreaming to do a Star Wars because it feels like code is very codified."Okay okay, but what about a Star Trek movie? No dice on that either, with Villeneuve telling the podcast, "I'm not a Trekkie.""Star Wars became crystallized in its own mythology, very dogmatic. It seemed like a recipe, no more surprises."While he won't be taking his own swing at a galaxy far, far away anytime soon, it's little surprise to hear that Villeneuve was a Star Wars fan. It's easy to see the influences in his sci-fi films like Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival, and Frank Herbert's Dune novels that Villeneuve is adapting for the big screen served as inspiration for George Lucas when he was making Star Wars.Elsewhere on the podcast, Villeneuve played coy when asked about a third Dune movie, not revealing anything in the way of status or potential timeline. Legendary officially confirmed it was working with the filmmaker to develop Dune 3 back in April, but we've gotten no solid updates since then. From more from Villeneuve, read or watch him pick out his favorite shots from his most iconic movies. Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.

Warning: contains spoilers (and potentially spoilery speculation).With apologies for my icy heart, I dont give a mussel spat about the Harris family. This weeks flashback opener, which showed Sad John Harris inducting into the family business the wee son hed just brained to death with a grappling hook, left me cold. Not as cold as Ruth, Tosh and the rest of the Shetlanders are, admittedly their every conversation shouted over cassette tape-hiss winds that play merry havoc with loose hair and must require hours of overtime in the dialogue replacement booth each series. This ones set in June, incidentally. Thats a Shetland summertime.My preoccupation with the weather is a bad sign for series nine; it signals that instead of being drawn into the story, my minds wandering. Tosh will be making a house call on the latest suspect to find out what they were doing on the night Annie and Anton were murdered, but instead of hanging on their every word, Im gazing at the splendid coastline and making mental notes to research 2025 holiday lets. And thermal underwear.The distance between this years whodunit players and the characters we know and care about is the issue. Yes, every series ofShetlandwelcomes a new guest cast, but when this show is at its best, that guest cast is properly entwined with our guys. Annie Bett may have been in Toshs Strictly WhatsApp group, but their connection is thinly sketched, as is the enjoyable-but-too-sparse rapport between Ruth and young Noah.In two episodes time, when this murder gets solved, what will have changed for the main characters? Unless it tuns out in a shock twist that Rev. Alan Calder shot the pair of them with help from Sandy, Billy and Cora, where will be the lasting impact? Tosh learning that its hard to police an island populated exclusively by people you went to primary school with? She knew that already.Now that Shetland has reabsorbed its prodigal daughter Ruth Calder, her development appears to have stopped. The tender story of her teenage years having been told last time, shes been demoted from character to function. Ruth now exists only to roll her eyes at suspects and look at them like a scathing headmistress in the atmospherically decorated interrogation room (Farrow and Ball colour: Puffins Breath). Id swap any number of scenes with Sad John Harris or the Tragic Jakobsons for a living, breathing conversation between her and her brother that lasts longer than a page of dialogue.Read more The Tragic Jakobsons were the major focus of episode four. Dad Stefans desperation to keep daughter Astrid alive is behind the whole business with the marine research facility. Once Ruth and Tosh had Mulder and Scully-ed their way down to Dr Mohans secret lab, and Cora had given her verdict (a marvel, that woman. Forensics to bioengineering to general practitioning Like Miss Rabbit inPeppa Pig, theres nothing she cant do), the mystery was solved,At Stefans behest, Dr Mohan has been developing and administering an experimental treatment for Astrid involving unlicensed human stem cells. The poor girl had had enough of the sci-fi injections, and was planning to run away to her birth mother in Estonia with Anton and his boyf Nathan. When her dad put a stop to that, she tried to stow away in the back of a lorry disguised as a box of ready-to-make prawn crackers, but her ailing health stymied that plan. Its all academic anyway, as Stefan isnt Anton and Annies killer.The list of potential culprits is narrowing to the point when only one suspect would make dramatic sense with two episodes to go, and hes not even a suspect: Young Noah Bett. If the boy did somehow pull the trigger on his mum and Anton, that would explain why he wont or cant talk about it, and why Euan Rossi is obsessed with the kid. Itd be in keeping with the rest of the deaths so far this series too brother kills brother, father kills son, little boy kills mum?Prof. Rossi was the subject of episode fours cliffhanger. Following a helpful reminder to us that the gun used to kill Annie and Anton was still missing, we watched as Rossi retrieved it from a storage locker. Hes dangerous, Ruths old flame from Thames House told her. Is he though, or is he just trying to protect Annies son?Shetland series 9 continues on Wednesday December 4.

This article appears in the new issue ofhere.At one point in the first episode of Skeleton Crew, young Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers) encounters a barrier with his speeder bike, and so has to get off the bike and haul it up with his hands. Sure, this is a fictional ride with anti-gravity of some kind, but even this bike has its limits. Any latchkey kid from the 80s or 90s can relate, which is the brilliance of the newest Disney+ Star Wars series; it makes you feel like a kid again. Lucky for Wim and three other galactic kiddoscertified mean girl Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), pseudo-cyborg KB (Kyriana Kratter), and blue elephant alien Neel (Robert Timothy Smith)their mode of transport gets a serious upgrade by the end of the first episode. Hint: Did you ever dream of finding a wrecked starship in your backyard?As a kid, youd just go off on an adventure and just hope that youd end up in Star Wars somehow, Skeleton Crew co-creator Jon Watts tells Den of Geek magazine. Thats all I did growing up.Because the opening episode of Skeleton Crew leans heavily on the trope of kids encountering something weird in a field (Stephen King is smiling somewhere), its tempting to think of the show as the in-universe Star Wars answer to the first season of Stranger Things. But, it turns out, thats just the setup. Skeleton Crew is playing a longer game. On the surface, the new series looks like a sweet coming-of-age story that just happens to be set inside of the Star Wars galaxy. But, in truth, its a narrative chimera: part-pirate story, part-space opera, and best of all, a fantasy mystery that feels like a beautiful mash-up of a beat-up paperback fantasy novel and a slick 80s movie best enjoyed with a heavy dose of Twizzlers and Reeses Pieces.If were talking about 80s movies, I feel like every single one of them is somehow the inspiration, Watts says of the 80s vibe in Skeleton Crew. We were so immersed in that world that you cant help it. Were never consciously referencing any of that stuff. It just is part of our DNA.Best known to genre fans as the director of the last three Spider-Man films for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Watts clearly gets what makes a geek heart beat faster but also what simply makes good stories work. Along with Christopher Fordthe screenwriter on Spider-Man: Homecomingthe pair aimed to do what anyone tries to do with a new Star Wars project these days: make it seem different, yet familiar.Haters have been moaning for years now that new Star Wars products either rely too much on nostalgia or, paradoxically, dont have enough respect for the original movies. Skeleton Crew smartly sidesteps much of these conversations simply because a ton of its nostalgia fuel doesnt come from obvious sources.For the Love of AdventureWhile some of the early press around Skeleton Crew has focused on the movie being a Goonies-style adventure set in the faraway Star Wars galaxy, Ford is quick to point out that some deeper cuts, like the 1985 film Explorers, were equally influential on Skeleton Crew, and thats because of the pure love of the fantasy they tried to craft. In short, the demographic for Skeleton Crew is, in their minds, themselves.We didnt go into this trying to write an AI prompt of combining cool things, Ford says. We just were trying to write a good story, and these are the things that have been drummed into our imaginations.Among their cinematic influences for Skeleton Crew, Watts and Ford cite various films produced by Amblin in the 80sthe studio most famous for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, but perhaps more relevantly, The Goonies, Gremlins, and Young Sherlock Holmes. But just because the show focuses on children, that doesnt mean the stakes are low. If anything, the innocence and naivet of the kids make the tension even greater. In the second episode, when the gang finds itself on what can only be described as a pirate spaceport, youre genuinely concerned that something horrible is going to happen.Youre still going to get the jeopardy, series star Jude Law explains. Which Jon turns way up; he makes the threat very real. In this show, life and death mean life and death. But you still have the innocence.Reaching Deep Into the Star Wars Toy BoxHardcore Star Wars fans know a lot about characters glimpsed in the background, and in many ways, Skeleton Crew is a show built on that subculture within fandom.In the 1990s, there were short story anthologies like Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina and Tales from Jabbas Palace, which tell stories about the many characters who exist in the periphery of the film saga. Accordingly, stepping into Skeleton Crew is like stepping into a rich, live-action version of those 90s books and comics. In the first episode, one of the first characters we see is the pirate Brutus (Fred Tatasciore), a menacing Shistavanenbetter known as a wolfman alienfirst glimpsed in the theatrical cut of Star Wars, chilling at the bar, looking scary as hell.Were interested in these kinds of characters because our heroes, these kids, arent going to blow up the Death Star, Ford says. But we wanted our story to be steeped in that world, and thats why we have those deep cuts.These details arent just there for the sake of being dorky Easter eggs. Skeleton Crew has a method to its madness. For one thing, The Mandalorian has just spent the past five years establishing a very dangerous and detailed post-Return of the Jedi underworld, and Skeleton Crew is set in that same continuity and at that same point in the timeline.In fact, Mando stans will recognize the hench-pirate known as Vane (Marti Matulis)a character who previously appeared in The Mandalorian. Vane was supposed to die in Mando, Ford reveals. But they loved him, and they let him live, and then we took him.More than anything, Watts wants to make it clear that Skeleton Crew isnt looking to distract viewers with massive surprises or references to other Star Wars stories. I dont want people to think that theres going to be some insane cameo in the middle of the show, he says firmly. And then, Ford adds, Yeah, not to rule anything out, but Jude isnt really Palpatine or anything like that.A Step Into a Larger WorldBy the end of the second episode, the kids meet a mysterious adult ally in the form of shadowy Force-user Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law), who may or may not be a Jedi, a former pirate captain, a con artist, or all of the above. As Law points out, the tone of Skeleton Crew will feel decidedly closer to something you can imagine watching with the whole family rather than, say, the more adult grittiness of Andor. And yet, this is still the Star Wars universe, and as Ford insists, the duplicitous character of Jod fits in perfectly with the back-stabbing wretched hives of scum and villainy that comprise a surprisingly large part of the Star Wars mythos.Well, Judes character could totally be in Andor, Ford points out, to which Watts adds, We didnt want this to feel like a kids show. It still has to be an adult world that theyre in.Part of the shift in Skeleton Crew comes from a basic point-of-view change. Yes, we happen to be in the same time frame as The Mandalorian, but certain revelations in the shows first few episodes make it clear that the background of these children and their specific planet creates a unique opportunity to bring characters into the Star Wars galaxy slowly. This isnt a reboot or a new timeline at all. Its just the people who are different.As Obi-Wan Kenobi told Luke in Return of the Jedi, the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view. The fascinating thing about Skeleton Crew is that it truly does shift that point of view in a way that weve never quite seen before.I think it changes the perspective without changing the world, Watts explains. Its the first time where [Star Wars] is really told through the eyes of four 10-year-old kids. And by doing that, I think it just automatically gives it a new feeling without changing the parts of Star Wars that we already know and love.So, you can call Skeleton Crew the Stranger Things version of Star Wars or even Goonies in Space. But, the advantage this show has over any of the other new Star Wars shows is that the characters themselves dont really understand the nuances and intricacies of this complex galaxy. And for that simple reason, by shifting the point-of-view, Skeleton Crew might pull off the impossible and create a truly brand-new Star Wars adventure.Star Wars: Skeleton Crew hits Disney+ on Monday, Dec. 2 at 9 pm ET.

SummaryOn November 30, a custom Juice WRLD-themed Fortnite Island, Juice WRLD: The Party Never Ends launches, featuring unreleased music, iconic tracks, and Xbox Lounges.Xbox will release two Juice WRLD-inspired Xbox Design Lab controllers.Xbox will also host a live Fortnite tournament during the final Juice WRLD Day at Chicagos United Center.In celebration of the upcoming release of The Party Never Ends, Juice WRLDs highly anticipated final, posthumous album dropping on November 29, Xbox is partnering with Interscope, Grade A, and Life Free 999 to launch a custom in-game Island Juice WRLD: The Party Never Ends inspired by the artist. Fans can dive into this unique experience starting November 30, 2024. Please note: this is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Epic Games, Inc.This Island features an epic tower-climbing race set amid stunning landscapes of lush mountains, serene lakes, and open fields. Along the way, players will be able to chill at Xbox Lounges, where theyll hear a snippet of an unreleased Juice WRLD track alongside fan-favorite hits like Lucid Dreams, Wishing Well, and Robbery. Juice-related imagery and collectibles are woven throughout the experience, ensuring fans feel truly immersed in his world.Xbox will also launch Juice WRLD-inspired Xbox Design Lab controllers, available to order starting today. These custom designs honor Juice WRLDs bold style and love for gaming, giving fans a unique way to incorporate his influence into their gaming setups. You can order them here.The celebration doesnt stop thereon November 30, Xbox will host a live, in-person Fortnite tournament during the fourth annual and final Juice WRLD Day at Chicagos United Center. Local students will compete in the custom Island finale, adding excitement to a day filled with an exclusive listening experience, surprise performances, and more. Its a tribute fans wont want to miss!

The holiday season is upon us, and the ID@Xbox team is thrilled to showcase this months picks for Indie Selects. But first, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone for supporting independent games on Xbox over the past year. Indie Selects is our special platform to celebrate the incredibly weird and unique. Someones perfect game isnt necessarily a massive blockbuster IP, but may be a polished and emotionally resonant story, a brand new spin on an existing idea, or just something truly unusual. Thank you for checking out our recommendations and supporting amazing game creators on our platform.Secondly, instead of giving you a one-week December Selects collection, we decided to build out 3 weeks worth of 2024 Indie Select Highlights. Each week, starting December 11, well be highlighting and promoting 18 of our favorite titles that launched this last year. Be sure to check out the Indie Selects section in the Xbox Store (head to the Games Home tab and a few rows down) every Wednesday for more must-have indies.Finally, on January 28, 2025, we will celebrate the one-year anniversary of this program with a 2024 Anniversary Collection. Our team will pick six top Indie Selects from the previous year that we believe are absolute must-haves and place them in this prestigious shrine for all to witness. We have more surprises, new sales, and new collections planned for 2025, but for now, lets focus on the present.This month is stuffed. There were so many titles to choose from that truly pushed the envelope in terms of unique design, mysterious mechanics, dramatic storytelling, and the art of fun. We all made some strong cases for what we wanted to champion. Some of us were still in our October bag and needed something terrifying to get the heart pumping. A lot of us, understandably, wanted to build a bond with a giant wolf that we could ride on to our next adventure. Several of us wanted to get lost in something: a mysterious world, impossible choices, or maybe just our own creativity. We ended up with a list that thankfully kept everyone happy here and were sure that theres something here that you wont soon forget. Heres what weve got for you this month (in no particular order):NevaI dont know if any of you are looking for more reasons to get emotional, but Neva will hit you right in the feels. I played through last weekend and found myself in awe of its beautiful presentation, visual splendor, and haunting soundtrack. I was also reduced to tears on occasion. Its an incredibly moving piece of software that also happens to be quite fun and compelling to play.This follow-up to the gorgeous and emotionally charged Gris from Nomada Studio shows a studio honing in on their craft. Gris was an impactful work of art; Neva takes that core formula and adds satisfying yet simple platforming and combat to the mix. The game is only about 5 hours from start to finish but those hours will make you reflect inwardly and touch your heart in ways that are rare for games. If the combat scenarios get a bit tricky for you, the game offers a Story Mode difficulty that removes the health bar entirely and allows you to play without the fear of dying.NevaDevolver Digital102$19.99Get it nowNeva is an emotionally-charged action adventure from the visionary team behind the critically acclaimed GRIS.Neva chronicles the story of Alba, a young woman bound to a curious wolf cub following a traumatic encounter with dark forces. Together they embark on a perilous journey through a once-beautiful world as it slowly decays around them.Over time, their relationship will evolve as they learn to work together, helping one another to brave increasingly dangerous situations. The wolf will grow from a rebellious cub to an imposing adult seeking to forge his own identity, testing Albas love and their commitment to one another.As the cursed world threatens to overwhelm them, Alba and her courageous companion will do whatever it takes to survive and make a new home, together.Animal WellAnimal Well is an illusive, beautiful, 2D pixel art Metroidvania full of abstract puzzles in haunting, living environments. You play as a squishy little blob in a dark and wet world that offers up its own interpretive language on how to proceed beyond to the next area. As you progress through new areas, youll gain access to more routes as you find mysterious tools and understand their mechanics. The creatures populating the well create an interesting dynamic as you discover their purpose. Some animals are essential to solving complex problems and because theres no real combat, other animals often must be cleverly avoided which in-and-of-itself can be its own puzzle. Even as you traverse area after area, the game is packed with so much to do and so many more secrets to find well after the ending.This is one of those special games that leaves an imprint. It took me some time to nail down what exactly it was that gave me goosebumps during each minute of my playthrough. Finally, it hit me. Your tiny, bright little blob, though very alive and cute, isnt really the main character: The environment is! There are so many small moments and interactions with the environment that are so wonderfully satisfying, and they just keep happening one after the other. Delving into the deepest mysteries of the environment felt like I was asking the developer directly, What were you trying to do here? At some point, my goals for what I wanted to get out of the game shifted as I uncovered more and more secrets and felt rewarded for examining every pixel shift. If you relish finding everything in a game without looking for help online, prepare to put your skills to the test and enjoy the ride.ANIMAL WELLBigmode99$24.99Get it nowHatch from your flower and spelunk through the beautiful and sometimes haunting world of Animal Well, a pixelated wonder rendered in intricate audio and visual detail. Encounter lively creatures small and large, helpful and ominous as you discover unconventional upgrades and unravel the wells secrets. This is a truly unique experience that can make you laugh in fear, surprise, or delight.Planet Coaster 2Planet Coaster 2 is gratifying for anyone who loves theme park and strategy simulations. As someone who loves both strategy and creativity, this game hits me in all the right ways. From the beginning, you enter a very vibrant world with spectacular visuals. The in-game characters are great at guiding you through the UI, tasks, and management of the park. There are so many possibilities on how you can design and build your dream theme park and I can spend hours doing this! The coaster builder is very intuitive and allows for lots of creativity, letting you craft rides that are as crazy and wild as your heart desires. The management aspect pulls you right back to reality as a park owner, as you need to balance staff,finances, and guest satisfaction to keep everything running smoothly.Being able to share your creation with other players and being able to download theirs adds another level of collaboration and fun to the community. Its astonishing to see just how creative others can be! And even better than that, you can incorporate their vision into your own park. Whether youve spent endless hours managing parks before or new to the genre, Planet Coaster 2 provides the perfect mix of community, strategy, and creativity!Planet Coaster 2Frontier Developments187$49.99Get it nowCreate a splash with Planet Coaster 2 sequel to the worlds best coaster park simulator! Reach new heights of creativity, management, and sharing as you construct the theme parks of your dreams combining epic water rides and coasters to delight and thrill your park guests.Dive in now!EMBRACE CREATIVITYExpand your imagination: Enhanced and improved building and pathing tools let you create spectacular, true-to-life theme parks, complete with sprawling plazas. Make your mark on the world as you shape terrain and populate your park with stunning swimming pools and thrilling rides. Its never been easier to bring your dream park to life.Next-level customisation: Embark on the coaster park experience of a lifetime as you push the boundaries of creativity like never before! Unleash your imagination as you build the most awe-inspiring themed creations with unparalleled customisation tools! For the first time, intuitively add scalable scenery and objects to every ride to elevate your park and give your guests a day to remember.Combine epic water and coaster rides: Create the ultimate experience for your thrill-seeking guests using piece-by-piece construction. Build a vibrant array of exhilarating rollercoasters and jaw-dropping thrill rides. Design a seamlessly interconnected park paradise with glistening swimming pools and twisting water flumes.Create unforgettable experiences: Surprise and amaze as you bring the dramatic flair of real-world theme parks to your guests with the brand-new event sequencer tool, while sophisticated global illumination lighting brings the theme park experience to your home with stunning visuals and striking authenticity.MASTER MANAGEMENTFind the secret to success: Balance thrilling your guests with managing your budget populate your park with amazing efficiently powered attractions and the right amenities to boost your rating and become a theme park master.Take care: Provide for your guests health, well-being, and happiness so your park can thrive. With all-new waterparks comes the need for shade, sunscreen, lifeguards, changing rooms, and more to ensure everyone has their best day both in and out of the pool.Satisfaction guaranteed: Understanding the wants and needs of your guests has never been easier! The new heat maps feature lets you understand the wider parks needs at a glance before diving deeper into the details -simply select any guest to see how they and their immediate group are enjoying your theme park. SHARE THE RIDECreate together: Unleash your collective creativity in Sandbox Mode. Take turns to work on building a park with players around the world using a shared cross-platform save!Play together: For the first time ever, collaborate with friends in Franchise Mode to create the best theme park empire and compete with others to reach the top of worldwide leaderboards!Visit together: Soak up the fun and get up close and personal, as you experience other players theme park creations first hand explore their worlds in first person as a park guest!Share creations: Share anything and everything! Upload coasters, rides, or even full theme parks for other players, and download and delight in others creations. All are easily accessible from the cross-platform Frontier Workshop both in-game and online.Phasmophobia (Game Preview)Phasmophobia is a truly engaging horror experience in which you need to figure out what kind of ghost is haunting the locations you are investigating by using various ghost detecting tools. Each type of ghost creates specific supernatural phenomena that you need to identify and to puzzle out in your journal. If you get the correct ghost type, you win.The secret sauce is in the experience you have while searching for the clues. The game masterfully uses classical horror cues like sound or light to create the feeling of a haunted house, reacting to your actions and making you always fear for your life. As you cannot really fight back, your only option is to get things done as quickly as possible while avoiding the danger.Finally, the game is a great one to play with a few friends. Nothing beats hearing your friends screaming in your voice chat that they are about to die and the silence afterwards. Thats both the funniest part of the game as well as the scariest.Phasmophobia (Game Preview)Kinetic Games568$19.99Get it nowFree TrialThis game is a work in progress. It may or may not change over time or release as a final product. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game.INVESTIGATEImmersive Experience: Realistic graphics and sounds as well as a minimal user interface ensure a totally immersive experience that will keep you on your toes.Unique Ghosts: Identify over 20 different ghost types, each with unique traits, personalities, and abilities to make each investigation feel different from the last.Equipment: Use well-known ghost-hunting equipment such as EMF Readers, Spirit Boxes, Thermometers, and Night Vision Cameras to find clues and gather as much paranormal evidence as you can. Find Cursed Possessions that grant information or abilities in exchange for your sanity.PLAY YOUR WAYLocations: Choose from over 10 different haunted locations, each with unique twists, hiding spots, and layouts.Game Modes: With 5 default difficulties and daily and weekly challenges, there are plenty of ways to test your skills.Teamwork: Dive in head first, get your hands dirty searching for evidence while fighting for your life. If you're not feeling up to the task, play it safe and support your team from the truck by monitoring the investigation with CCTV and motion sensors.Custom Difficulty: Create your own games to tailor the difficulty to your or your group's needs, with proportional rewards and come up with crazy game modes of your own!MULTIPLAYERCo-operate: Play alongside your friends with up to 4 players in this co-op horror where teamwork is key to your success.Play together: Phasmophobia supports all players together, play with your friends with any combination of input types.Cross-play: Play alongside your friends on other platforms.Full details on the latest status of the game, how you can give feedback and report issues can be found at https://kineticgames.co.uk/.Fear the SpotlightFear the Spotlight is a retro, 90s-inspired horror game focused on puzzle solving, gripping story, and avoiding detection. Vivian and Amy sneak into their school at night for a sance which, of course, goes horribly wrong and Amy disappears. Now Vivian must search the school for her friend and uncover the mystery of the schools past. During the search youll be stalked by a monster more specifically, a man with a spotlight for a head. Theres no combat, so youll need to avoid detection at all costs while you explore and solve puzzles which allow you acquire key items to progress further. This isnt the type of horror game that is full of heart-pounding jump scares, but a slow build of creeping, uneasy, tension that adds to a great narrative experience.Fear the SpotlightBlumhouse Games39$19.99Get it nowFear the Spotlight is an atmospheric third-person horror adventure with a disturbing mystery to unravel. Sneak into school after hours with Vivian and Amy, survive a sance gone wrong, solve tactile puzzles, and, whatever you do, stay out of the spotlight Sunnyside High has a dark history. When Vivian enters the deserted corridors for a seance with the rebellious Amy, she suddenly ends up alone, and at the mercy of the monster who wanders the halls. Vivian must avoid its gaze, find her friend, and uncover the disturbing, murderous truth of a decades old tragedy. Fear the Spotlight is a creepy love letter to classic 90s horror experiences with a focus of rich storytelling, puzzle solving, and a tense atmosphere. This is a perfect narrative horror game for those new to the genre. ESCAPE THE NIGHTMARE The sance went terribly wrong. Amy has disappeared, and the school has transformed into a nightmarish version of its former self. Play as Vivian to uncover a dark hidden past while attempting to save both you and your friend DELIGHTFULLY HORRIFYING GAMEPLAY * Sneak to avoid detection from an unknown entity in tense hand-crafted stealth moments as Vivian explores the ominous darkness of the school corridors * Solve highly tactile puzzles that pay homage to classic genre favorites while evolving gameplay to satisfy modern horror fans * Explore the eerie setting of a derelict Sunnyside High with a flashlight, screwdriver, wrench, and more to uncover a web of mysteries 1990s ATMOSPHERIC DREAD Explore the hellish version of Sunnyside High as Vivian in this ode to classic 90s teen horror. A retro art style, tense audio design, and a nostalgic setting will delight both veteran fans and those new to the horror genre AN EXPANDED STORY Dive even deeper into the dark world of Fear the Spotlight with an extensive additional storyline Fear the Spotlight is the first title to be published by Blumhouse Games, a video games label within Blumhouse Productions focused on championing the most creative and unique takes on the horror genre. Slay the Princess The Pristine CutThis is a love story. Right? Slay the Princess is a visual novel but more like a choose your own adventure with the goal to slay the princess. But why? Thats what you need to find out by exploring several dozen prompts from the voice of a narrator, who sheds more light on the situation. The genius here is that your approach will determine your path, invite more voices to join the narrator, and alter the perception of each situation. As your behavior becomes more defined, the princesss physical form will manifest accordingly. This all culminates in the ending of one story and the beginning of another again and again as you progress through the hidden story beneath it all. The black and white pencil art is fantastic, the musical score is intense, and the voice acting is top of its class. Its dark, creepy, charming and incredibly intriguing. Oh, and youll die a lot. Dont worry about that. Just keep going. Its worth it.Slay the Princess The Pristine CutSerenity Forge202$17.99Get it nowYou're on a path in the woods, and at the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a Princess.You're here to slay her. If you don't, it will be the end of the world.She will do everything in her power to stop you. She'll charm, and she'll lie, and she'll promise you the world, and if you let her, she'll kill you a dozen times over. You can't let that happen.You do care about the fate of the world, right?Slay the Princess The Pristine Cut is a fully voice-acted horror tragicomedy featuring the impeccable talents of Jonathan Sims and Nichole Goodnight, with lovingly hand-penciled frames by Ignatz-winning graphic novelist Abby Howard.This game features a princess. She's very bad and you have to get rid of her for all our sakes. She's just an ordinary human Princess, and you can definitely slay her as long as you put your mind to it. Hopefully you won't die. But if you do, you'll die a lot. Be careful and stay focused on the task at hand! What you say and what you believe will shift the story in dramatic ways.Ah, but whats in the Pristine Cut? Are you sure you want to find out? If you do, youre likely to discover things that are best left experienced directly. Seriously, turn back. Oh, youre still reading? Very well, I shall tell you. The Pristine Cut contains, precisely: 3 brand new chapters replete with mysteriesand consequences. Never before seen Princesses who will all murder you without a second thought. Expansions to familiar routes: The Den, The Apotheosis and The Fury each have more than doubled in length. Over 35% more content overalland all of it filled with great opportunities to listen to me and do your job. A new ending. And hopefully one that saves the world rather than damns it. Gallery to Track Your Progress: Cherish your memories, relive your exploits, and uncover deeply hidden secrets with the new gallery feature. Over 1,200 New Hand-Penciled Frames hand-illustrated by Abby Howard. Over 2,500 New Lines of Dialogue fully voiced dialogue by the impeccable Jonathan Sims and Nichole Goodnight.Yes, prepare yourself for an expanded journey filled with new perils, difficult choices, and unforgettable encounters. Will you stay on the path to slay the Princess, or will the new chapters alter your fate? (That said, while I wish free-will werent a thing here, I cannot emphasize this enough: you have to slay her. Please.)

Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.Having a distinct personal style or a strong color palette at home can make holiday decorating a bit challenging. Traditional festive decor often involves an abundance of reds and greens, and an array of bows, lights, and garlands. While the classic look has its fans, it isn't for everyone. If the usual holiday decorating approach doesn't appeal to you because it's too kitschy or it clashes with everything you own, consider different ways to infuse your home with festive flair.You don't have to conform or skip decorating altogether. Instead, you can explore alternative ways to bring the holiday spirit into your home. We consulted 10 interior designers to discover how they would style a holiday hater's house for this upcoming festive season.Related StoriesStick to Monochrome SilhouettesObakkiI love using items with the silhouette of traditional decorations but are monochromatic for a more elevated holiday look, Treana Peake, founder of Obakki, tells House Beautiful. Decorating like this can still evoke those warm holiday feelings without the need for kitschy trinkets and loud hues.Peake likes to use winter white for her silhouette decor because it'll pair with any florals, candles, or tableware in your space, but it also feels more timeless than traditional decor. Branch CandelabraNow 27% Off$3,995 $2,925 at obakki.comHandwoven Holiday WreathNow 61% Off$500 $194 at obakki.comHandwoven Holiday TreeNow 27% Off$3,495 $2,559 at obakki.comRecycled Raw Cotton Christmas OrnamentsNow 23% Off$22 $17 at obakki.comGo for the GoldJared Kuzia PhotographyWhen used in holiday decorating, gold shines extra brightly. Designer Cecilia Casagrande suggests embracing this metallic tone by investing in beautiful gold vases and filling them with rich holiday-hued flowers.Plus, once the festive season is over, simply switch out the flowers. This way, you'll get to enjoy the decor through the New Year and beyond. Gold Ceramic Flower Vase$24 at AmazonLumiere Petite Candlestick$24 at AnthropologieFaux Red Hellebores Arrangement$400 at Williams SonomaGold Hollow Ceramic Vases$37 at AmazonMake It MetallicCourtesy of Element Design NetworkDesigner Laura Chappetto, owner and lead designer of Element Design Network, understands how the frustration of hearing Christmas music before October is even over can turn someone off of traditional holiday decor. Her advice on finding a happy medium? Go hard on metallics! Gold and silver can make a world of difference when decorating your house for the holidays, she says. Plus, their reflective sparkle leads you right into the New Year and adds a nice glow to the dark nights of January. Faux Shimmer Wreath & GarlandNow 40% Off$129 $77 at West ElmDiamond Dust Champagne TreeNow 25% Off$1,299 $974 at Frontgate"All That Glitters" Bottle Brush Christmas Trees, Set of 8$50 at Crate & BarrelGold Shimmering Ice Flexible GarlandNow 30% Off$129 $90 at FrontgateRelated StoryGet a Little SpookyJames MerrellDesigned by Charlotte Moss.If Halloween flew by a bit too quickly for you this year, then lean into the whimsigoth trend for your winter holiday decorations. While designer Becky Shea has never done this, she believes a Nightmare Before Christmas theme would be a cool, unconventional way to capture a holiday vibe. Imagine a Christmas tree decorated in black and white, with touches of purple or funky black ornaments, she says. Its a creative way to make your space feel festive without being overly traditional, perfect for those who want a more alternative holiday atmosphere. She would even go so far as to add cobwebs, skeletons, and other quirky accents to give it a more playful edge. Orren Ellis Monochrome Stripe 8-Piece Glass Ornament Set$61 at WayfairPersonalized Black Christmas Stocking$26 at EtsyFaux Fur Christmas Tree SkirtNow 35% Off$17 $11 at EtsyHigh Quality Glass Noire Nouveau Ornament CollectionNow 25% Off$319 $239 at FrontgateSwap in Woodland TonesJames MerrellDesigned by Charlotte Moss.This holiday, nix the red and go all in on greens and other earthy, naturalistic tones in your alternative holiday decor. Designer Alisia Sophia calls this a winter woodland wonderland style. She suggests incorporating birchwood candles, pinecones, feathers, soft cozy knit throws, and Mongolian sheepskin pillows into your home, as well as figurines of deer, twinkle lights, and fresh greenery for a cool, idyllic scene.Rye Brown Mongolian Sheepskin Throw Pillow Cover$120 at Crate & BarrelBattery Operated Fairy Lights with Remote and Timer$16 at AmazonColonial Tin Works Golden Reindeer Figurines$60 at Amazon$60 at WalmartPremium Flickering Flameless Candle - Birch Texture$69 at Pottery BarnPaint It BlackCharlotte LeaHema Persad, the founder and principal designer of Sagrada Studio, also thinks all-black makes for a very chic Christmas theme. It's a great backdrop for twinkly lights and green and wood accents, she says. I use a black Christmas tree somewhere every yearwe have a few different ones including a white one and a traditional green oneand black taper candles mixed with greenery for table decor. This approach is less about spooky vibes than inviting in a sleek and elegant look. The Holiday Aisle Pre-lit Black Christmas Tree$235 at WayfairLive Olive Leaf and Myrtle Wreath & Garland$109 at Pottery BarnLipper International Cherry Finished Wavy Rim Serving Bowl12" Dipped Black Taper Candles, Set of 2$7 at Crate & BarrelStay True to YourselfLaurey GlennDesigned by Rachel Barrett.Marya Karlton of Karlton Kelly Interiors puts it simply: Find holiday pieces that fit your established aesthetic, and don't conform to traditional styles.While I don't love burgundy and dark reds, I do love pink and orange, so we have pom-pom garlands from ABC Home in those colors, and they make our tree so cheerful, Karlton says. She also suggests opting for handmade tchotchkes rather than mass-produced ones to keep with your unique look. Cody Foster Pom Pom Garland$45 at MaisonetteSki Gondola Ornament$28 at craftspring.comFeldspar x Lucy Williams Home Candlestick$157 at feldspar.studioNYC Rainbow Snow Globe$68 at abchome.comMaximize ColorRandall PaetzoldDon't let traditional holiday hues confine youdesigner Rebecca Bobroff wants you to decorate with any colors you want this holiday season. I love to let go of the restraint of typical holiday palettes in favor of more prismatic ones. This time of year is filled with such vibrancy and fun; let your holiday decor play into the same, she says. We say this is also a great opportunity to incorporate colorful decor that isn't necessarily holiday-themed to make this alternative idea feel less seasonal.Paper Source Rainbow Felt Pom Garland$20 at Paper SourceLouis Vuitton: Virgil Abloh (Classic Cartoon Cover)$140 at AssoulineFIND YOUR TRUTH ART PRINT$675 at hapiart.comMacKenzie-Childs Granny Kitsch 5 Piece Bottle Brush Gift Trees Set$199 at WayfairChoose a Subtle Seasonal CenterpieceDustin HalleckSetting out a centerpiece clad in the colors of the season is how you can hint at the holidays instead of going full Santa's Workshop. Elizabeth Mollen, CEO of Stone Textile Studio, suggests displaying green apples, pomegranates, oranges with cloves, or any mix of winter fruits in deep reds and dark purples. Of the photo pictured above, Mollen says, We love how the bright colors contrast with the neutral colors of the marble countertops. It creates a fresher, lighter holiday feeling. Winston Porter Fleuriel Glass Bowl$49 at WayfairFresh Evergreen & Pomegranate Centerpiece$99 at calyxflowers.com12 Pack Tall Taper CandlesNow 27% Off$26 $19 at AmazonAmber Bubble Glass Goblets$92 at ShopifyBrowse Grandma's AtticTori Sikkema PhotographySave a few bucks this holiday season and shop from Grandma's house instead. That's what designer Tori Freise suggests if you're looking for an alternative to the usual seasonal accessories. You may find china, crystal, and vintage ornaments that bring you joy and remind you of your childhood, she offers. Combining these well-loved pieces evokes a nostalgic mood that can be remixed in surprisingly chic ways. I recommend placing a vintage ornament on top of your holiday place setting for a fun and personal touch, she says. Frostine Table Runner$58 at furbishstudio.comVintage Glass Ornaments$35 at EtsyLenox Treasured Porcelain Lit TreeNow 19% OffDeer Acrylic Tray$104 at scoutdesignstudio.comFollow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

The Dutch labour market is experiencing a persistent talent shortage, according to a new salary survey report.The research also flags that when it comes to hiring in 2025, artificial intelligence, automation, and machine learning are expected to be among the hottest functional areas companies are most likely to recruit talent for next year.In line with this, a recent study by Indeed found that over the past year, job postings mentioning generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) or related phrases have increased dramatically across the US and Europe.In Germany, for example, there has been a 3.9x increase, France has seen a 6.8x increase in jobs seeking generative and aligned AI skills, and Ireland has seen a 4.6x increase.5 software jobs to apply for nowWatch Back NowThese arent standalone requests. Data analytics was the sector where GenAI was most likely to be mentioned in job descriptions, Indeeds research states, adding GenAI is also prominent in software development.Further intel from BairesDev is of particular interest to software developers who may be job-seeking in 2025. The company recently conducted research across more than 500 companies to understand what the most requested skills are from clients.It found that machine learning was the fastest-growing skill, with a 383% growth rate, followed by Angular, Flutter, Kotlin, and Terraform.Rising interest in AI is also causing an increase in the need for core technical skills, which are essential for building AI platforms and applications. Those include technologies like React, .NET, Python, Node, and Java.The report also notes that this year there was a 77% rise in demand for skills related to data infrastructure.Over the past five years, weve seen a steady and sometimes steep increase in demand for developers who specialise in tools like Snowflake, MongoDB, and Databricks, amongst others, says BairesDevs CTO, Justice Erolin.If AI is a gold rush and youre a developer, you might want to be selling the pickaxes. In this case, the pickaxes are skills related to data because a well-maintained data infrastructure is the engine that drives a successful AI product.Skills gaps emergingThats all useful information for software professionals who are seeking career advancement in 2025. However, alongside these predictions is a warning about the urgent need for the right talent to satisfy growing demand, with a tech skills gap emerging as a blocker.Worryingly, in the EU, the European Digital Economy and Society Index found that every third person lacks basic digital skills. According to The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), the future employment growth average in the Netherlands for the period 2022-2035 is estimated at 0.3%, but in terms of ICT roles, this figure is far larger at 12.9%.However, this figure may be stymied by a perfect storm of factors that are contributing to the tech skills gap.Rapid digital transformation is one factor, and as organisations come under pressure to modernise their operations to remain competitive, this leads to a significant increase in the need for tech talent.Combine this with the fact that about 40% of adults working in Europe lack basic digital skills, and the fact that one-third of individuals employed in Europe do not possess adequate digital competencies, and the problem becomes more concerning.This deficit starts early with fewer younger people pursuing STEM subjects at school or university, a problem that then knocks into the workforce, with a limited talent pool available to meet industry needs.Despite these warnings, a recent report indicates that 35% of Dutch companies will expand their permanent roles in 2025, with 27% expecting to hire for flexible roles. When it comes to salaries, the report notes that salary adjustments in 2025 will primarily be driven by recognising outstanding employee performance and retaining top talent.The outlook for those with the right skills looks broadly positive. The Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis predicts a 15% increase in tech job openings by next year. And amid those concerns around the tech skills gap, another piece of good news is that 30% of software engineers in the Netherlands hold a Masters degree in a specialised field related to software engineering.Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Utrecht, and Rotterdam are just some of the cities where software developers can look for jobs. Thats thanks to the home-grown giants of Booking.com, ING bank, Unilever, Philips, and Heineken.Additionally, many huge tech firms have locations in the Netherlands such as IBM, Microsoft, Netflix, and Amazon. If youre a software engineer with the right skills, then the Dutch job market represents a rich playing field of opportunities across cloud computing, data science, cybersecurity, AI and machine learning, full-stack development, and more.Ready to find your next software job? Check out The House of Talent Job Board Story by Kirstie McDermott Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Content provided by Amply and TNWAlso tagged with