Music To My EarsGood job, Helldivers 2 players, as it's thanks to you that the composer of the game's banging soundtrack didn't give up making orchestral music all together"For a traditionally-orchestral score, what I thought was impossible came true."Image credit: Arrowhead News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Dec. 1, 2024 Apart from the gameplay itself, a lot of players' favourite thing about Helldivers 2 is its soundtrack, but its composer almost gave up on orchestral music.I'd argue that one of the most important aspects of any game is its soundtrack. A bad one will be pretty noticeable, especially because tracks are often frequently reused, and considering how long so many games are, and that live service games will have you doing the same thing over and over, good music is important. Which is why it's a good thing that Helldivers 2's soundtrack is so good, as that game's obviously been one of the biggest of the year. As it turns out, though, the game's composer Will Roget almost decided to "move on" from orchestral music, but players' reactions to Helldivers 2's soundtrack gave him a lot of faith in continuing to make it.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Taking to his personal Twitter account, Roget wrote, "Funny story: Before Helldivers 2 came out I considered moving on from writing orchestral game music - it seemed like players were getting tired of it, it's absurdly difficult, time-consuming and expensive to produce, and I wanted to try new things." In some follow-up tweets, he continued, "So imagine my shock at how enthusiastically players responded to HD2's score! From music-reaction vids to covers (even a full metal album?!), I'd never been more encouraged by listeners. For a traditionally-orchestral score, what I thought was impossible came true. To see this content please enable targeting cookies."And so apropos of Thanksgiving, Im profoundly grateful for the players, musicians and [Arrowhead] devs for restoring my hope & passion for orchestral scoring. Award shows rightly have unique tastes, but knowing weve reached so many people is the greatest reward possible!"Roget's own tweet thread was prompted by former Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt noting that the fact Helldivers 2's soundtrack hasn't "won or been nominated for best score is beyond me," a point I would certainly agree with. Still, awards aren't all that, and clearly the response from fans means more to Roget than a trophy would!

Jot That DownThe next Witcher game might be making the jump to Unreal Engine 5, but CD Projekt Red really wants to make sure you know its in-house engine wasn't why Cyberpunk 2077 came out a messDespite what you may have thought, it wasn't solely REDengine that messed up Cyberpunk's launch.Image credit: CD Projekt Red News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Dec. 1, 2024 CD Projekt Red won't be using REDengine for The Witcher 4, but the developer's vice president of technology has made it clear the engine isn't why Cyberpunk 2077 suffered.It's pretty rare for most developers to use their own engines. Square Enix long struggled with its Luminous Engine, the one Final Fantasy 15 was made in, for example, and Kingdom Hearts 3 even started off there before making the switch to Unreal Engine. CD Projekt Red too made the decision to develop The Witcher 4, or whatever it's called, in Unreal Engine 5, leading some to suspect that the developer wants to avoid another Cyberpunk situation. But in a new interview from Eurogamer with Charles Tremblay, the VP of technology made it clear that the change isn't because of the developer not liking its own engine.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. "I know a lot of people are curious about it, so I'll try to explain," Tremblay said, noting that it's been a "very polarising question in general, for the company and for everyone." The developer shared that despite what many believe, REDengine wasn't the main reason as to why Cyberpunk 2077 had such a difficult development, or even the main reason why CD Projekt Red is moving to Unreal Engine. "The first thing I want to say again, to be sure, 100 percent clear, is that the whole team, myself included, are extremely proud of the engine we built for Cyberpunk. So it is not about, 'This is so bad that we need to switch' and, you know, 'Kill me now' - that is not true. That is not true, and this is not why the decision was made to switch."Tremblay said it was simply because it wants to have multiple projects in development at once, i.e. this upcoming Witcher game, Cyberpunk's sequel codenamed Orion, and a completely new IP codenamed Hadar. "The way we built stuff in the past was very one-sided, like one project at a time. We pushed the limit - but also we saw that if we wanted to have a multi-project at the same time, building in parallel, sharing technology together, it is not easy."He went on to say that "the idea was that we can push the technology, we can finally have all the technical people in the company working together on different projects, rather than super centralised into one technology that can very difficultly be shared between other projects."It obviously still remains to be seen whether the next Witcher game even has a smooth development or not, the game only started production this month after all, but hopefully as Tremblay notes being able to have the technical side of the devs working more collaboratively will make it a bit easier.

Croc, Antonblast, Legacy of Kain and much more!Well, this is it - the final month of 2024 and we're going out with a bang (or rather blast) starting with Antonblast and games like Square Enix's FANTASIAN Neo Dimension.Just days later you can look forward to some classics including RollerCoaster Tycoon and Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered, as well as the retro platformer Croc which is also getting a revival at some point this month.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Our picks for the best eShop games in November.What do you do on the 1st of December? Put up the Christmas tree? Open the first door of your Advent Calendar? Or have a browse at the most recent eShop Selects? Of course, it's the latter!We're looking back at November before we hit the holidays, and while those in North America may be recovering from overindulgence at Thanksgiving, we hope everyone can find something they want to play over the festive period. As always, this list of games is voted for by Nintendo Life staff and contributors they pick their top three from the eShop games we've reviewed, and you'll see the results below.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

As promised, startup accelerator Y Combinators imminent Demo Day will be happening in person. In fact, YC seems to have kicked off the IRL return of Demo Day at the end of the long Thanksgiving weekend, with an in-person Alumni Demo Day on Sunday for the Fall 2024 class of startups.Squad founder (and later Twitter and Meta product manager) Esther Crawford praised the high energy of getting to hear 93 startups pitch in-person, while Avni Patel Thompson, founder and CEO of Milo, described it as a dress rehearsal for the founders but also a beautiful pay-it-forward for alums to come back and support the current batch.The dress rehearsal is presumably for the main Demo Day, where the founders pitch to an audience of investors and press. That Demo Day is scheduled for later this week, on Wednesday, December 4.Virtual Demo Days were a lingering artifact of the switch to remote during the pandemic; at YCs September Demo Day, CEO Garry Tan said those presentations would be the last ones held entirely online, knock on wood.Now YC describes Demo Day as back to being in-person, with an invite-only audience of around 1,500 and if you cant make it to San Francisco, youll have to make do with a Demo Day website which has information on the companies that presented.

In BriefPosted:1:01 PM PST December 1, 2024Image Credits:Angkana Kittayachaweng (opens in a new window) / Getty ImagesDeath Clock app predicts the date of your deathA new app called Death Clock predicts the date of its users deaths and offers tips on how to push that date back.TechCrunch wrote about an iPod Death Clock app way back in 2006 but developer Brett Franson told Bloomberg that with an AI trained on more than 1,200 life expectancy studies, his app offers a pretty significant improvement on standard life tables.Naturally, I had to try it myself. The questionnaire started with basics like age, gender, and ethnicity, but also included more detailed questions about family history, mental health, and chronic conditions. Finally, it predicted that Ill die on February 28, 2074, at the ripe old age of 90 but with better habits, I might live to 103.For an annual subscription fee of $40, Death Clock will both suggest ways to improve my habits and show a clock counting down to my estimated death.That death date is designed to be shared online, but it also has practical implications. As financial planner Ryan Zabrowski told Bloomberg, A huge concern for elderly people, our retirees, is outliving their money, so accurate mortality estimates could help.Topics

The results for the community vote are in, and your winners are!:In 1st place (for the second sketch in a row!)@Chipster Thumbnail [RTFX_Lootbox_04_Resized] Submission [Thomas Corve - UE5 VFX Lootbox Challenge] Hey everyone! I am late with this challenge but Ill try to do it anyway as I never did a lootbox vfx so this is a good opportunity! I will go on something straightforward, nothing fancy in modelization or animation. I like the simplicity of the lootbox animation in League of Legends so I will try to do it my way on Unreal Engine [Hextech_Chest_Light] I found this great Second Place @Stormhound Hey everyone! Im excited to join my very first event. Ive never done a lootbox effect before, but I do have an idea that could be a starting point. I really like the Arcane show, and Ive always wanted to recreate something from it. In this case, reimagining the hexcore as a lootbox seemed appropriate. So I immediately jumped into Blender and modeled and textured the original hexcore. Im not a great modeler, but I did my best (ignore my poor topology). Next, Im going to try animating it in Congrats to the winners!Thanks again to all our participants, and happy sketching

Hello. I am using a translator, so I may be expressing myself inaccurately.I found this video the other day. In this video, the mesh is destroyed, but I cant for the life of me figure out how to do it. Is there a tutorial or something that can help me?Please could you lend me your knowledge?

In 1856, George Peabody, an American banker and philanthropist, donated funds for a library for Danvers, Massachusetts. The original library was housed in the Town Hall until land was acquired on land that is today known as Peabody Park. In 1866, Peabody deeded the town additional funds for a purpose-built library building, similar to that of Peabody, Massachusetts (which separated from Danvers in 1855). A Gothic style library was built on this site from plans by architect Gridley J. F. Bryantwith the purpose for the promotion of knowledge and morality in the Town of Danvers. On July 2, 1890, a massive fire destroyed the Danvers library, but many of the collections and volumes were saved by townspeople. Through insurance funds and additional money by trustees, it was decided to rebuild the library on the same site, retaining the architectural firm of Little & Browne, (whose chief draftsman, Lester S. Couch, was a Danvers resident) to design the new building. The present Georgian/Classical Revival structure was completed in 1892 and is one of the finest library buildings in New England.

Published December 1, 2024 10:00am EST close Heartless scammers are preying on peoples lost pet anguish Scammers are preying on society's most vulnerable members. Scammers have various methods when it comes to getting their hands on your phone number. You might think, "Well, what's the big deal? Isn't it easy to find someone's number these days, no matter what?" Yes. And if you've already had your fair share of telemarketers call you, maybe you feel like you've got it under control.The problem is that scammers with the right knowledge and the wrong intentions can wreak havoc just by having your phone number in their possession.Once they do, they can use it to trick you in all sorts of ways.The good news is that by familiarizing yourself with their tactics, you can be one step closer to preventing yourself from falling victim to them. Here's what you need to know. Illustration of a scammer using SIM swapping (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)9 ways you can get scammed if your phone number falls into the wrong handsIn todays digital age, your phone number is more than just a way for friends and family to reach you. It can be a gateway for scammers to access your personal information and wreak havoc on your life. Fromphishing attempts to extortion, the risks are numerous and varied. Here are nine ways scammers can exploit your phone number if it falls into the wrong hands:1. Phishing for other personal informationScammers can also use your phone number to launch rather easyphishing attacks. They might send text messages or make calls posing as your bank or a popular online service that you subscribe to. The goal is to call you and trick you into providing login credentials, credit card details or other personal information, which they can then use for fraudulent activities. And once they have all your other information, they can do a lot more damage just by having your phone number as that initial segue.2. Extortion and blackmailIn some cases, scammers use your phone number for extortion or blackmail. They may claim to have compromising information about you and demand payment to keep it private. By contacting you directly, they can apply continuous pressure, making their threats seem more real and immediate.One unique way they do this to target elderly people is by pretending to be your grandchild or another relative in distress. The scammer often claims that your grandchild is in an emergency situation such as needing bail money or medical assistance and urgently requests financial help. With AI voice cloning technology, they may even be able to use your grandchild's voice. This emotional manipulation usually gets the victim to pay up.3. Robocalls and spam messagesThis one may not be as dramatic, but your phone number can be sold torobocall and spam message services. These automated systems bombard you with unwanted calls and texts, often promoting scams or fraudulent products. While these may seem like minor annoyances, they can lead to bigger scams if you engage with the messages or follow their instructions. Hang up on them. Illustration of a scammer with cash in his hand (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)4. Phone number spoofingPhone number spoofing is a common tactic where scammers disguise their caller ID to appear as a trusted contact by calling from what appears to be a familiar number as it may have the same area code where you live, an area code where your friends or family live or even the actual phone number of someone close which you can recognize.This makes it more likely that you'll answer the call, giving them the opportunity to deceive you into revealing personal information or transferring money. This is, of course, the case when phone spoofing is used against you. But in situations where they use YOUR phone number, they can be scamming those close to you without you even knowing!5. Impersonating government agenciesWith these phone spoofing tactics, scammers can use your phone number toimpersonate government officials, such as IRS agents or Social Security administrators. They may call you claiming theres an urgent issue, like unpaid taxes or suspicious activity involving your Social Security number. This ploy often involves threats of legal action or arrest to pressure you into providing sensitive information or making immediate payments.6. Calling about fake unpaid invoicesInstead of pretending to be from a government agency, another trick is for scammers to try their luck by posing as a representative from a utility company, like an electric or water company. Scammers will claim that you have an overdue invoice and threaten to cut off your service unless you pay immediately. Using your phone number, they can contact you repeatedly, making the scam seem more legitimate (and pressing).7. SIM swapping/phone reroutingSIM swapping or aport-out scam is when scammers transfer your phone number to a new SIM card in their possession. By convincing your mobile carrier to reroute your number, they can receive all your calls and messages, including those containing two-factor authentication codes. This allows them to bypass security measures and take over your online accounts.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?8. Stealing your sensitive dataWith SIM swapping techniques/port-out, scammers can also use your phone number as a key to access sensitive data stored in your online accounts. By initiating password resets and intercepting verification codes sent via SMS, they can gain unauthorized access to your email, social media and banking accounts, leading to significant personal and financial damage.9. Setting up fake online accountsFinally, scammers can use all the tactics above to not only access the accounts you already have but also create fake online accounts in your name. These accounts can be used for a variety of malicious purposes, such as spreading malware, launching further scams or conducting identity theft. The presence of your phone number makes these accounts appear more legitimate, increasing the chances of deceiving others. A man receiving a scam call (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How to protect yourself from these scamsTo protect your phone number from falling into the hands of scammers, heres what you can do:1. Be cautious about sharing your phone number publicly: Avoid posting your phone number on public forums, websites or social media platforms where it can be easily accessed by scammers.2. Limit exposure of your phone number on social media and other online platforms:Use privacy settings to restrict who can see your contact information. Most social media platforms and online services offer privacy settings that allow you to control who can view your personal information. Make sure to review and adjust these settings regularly. Only share your phone number with trusted contacts.3. Consider using a secondary number for online registrations and transactions:Services like Google Voice can provide you with a secondary number that you can use for online activities, keeping your primary number private.4. Monitor your accounts regularly for unusual activity: Check your bank accounts, email and other online accounts for any signs of unauthorized access or suspicious activity.5. Have strong antivirus software:The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.6. Use two-factor authentication apps instead of SMS-based verification where possible:Two-factor authentication (2FA) provides an extra layer of security that is more difficult for scammers to bypass compared to SMS-based verification.7. Use an identity theft protection service: Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.One of the best parts of using some services is that they might include identity theft insurance of up to $1 million to cover losses and legal fees and a white glove fraud resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.8. Remove your personal information from the internet:While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They arent cheap, and neither is your privacy.These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. Its what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with the information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.Check out my top picks for data removal services here.If scammers already have your phone numberIf you suspect that scammers already have your phone number, take the following steps:Contact your mobile carrier to alert them of the scam calls, especially if they come from the same number. Your carrier may be able to block the number or provide additional security measures.Consider changing your phone number if the issue persists: If scam calls continue despite your efforts, changing your phone number may be the best solution.Report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities:Contact your local law enforcement or consumer protection agency to report scams and seek advice on further actions.Consider placing fraud alerts on your accounts:Fraud alerts can help protect your credit and financial accounts from unauthorized access.Monitor your phone for unusual calls or messages: Keep an eye out for any unexpected calls or messages, and do not respond to them.Check your phone bill for unauthorized charges:Regularly review your phone bill to ensure there are no unexpected charges, which could indicate that your number has been used fraudulently.By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to phone number scams and protect your personal information.Kurts key takeawaysScams have become much more sophisticated these days, especially with artificial intelligence, making it easier for scammers to target more people and get away with it. Always be wary of a scam. If you think something seems strange, it's probably best to go with your gut.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHave you ever experienced a scam involving your phone number? If so, how did you handle it? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to coverFollow Kurt on his social channelsAnswers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.