Recent posts on LinkedIn (including those by RIBA chair Jack Pringle and former NLA chief Peter Murray) suggest that working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has become an acceptable norm for UK architects and built environment consultants. While no questions are being asked, plenty of justifications are being offered. So let me address them here.We are designing at the forefront of sustainabilityWhile the buildings may comply with LEED and BREEAM certification, these accreditation systems are increasingly criticised for their methodology. LEED Platinum airports in the KSA are, for instance, a clear contradiction in terms. Beyond the questionable credibility of these schemes, buildings that claim sustainability often serve as mere band-aids (a term developed by MOULD, the research collective of which I am a member) which fail to cover, let alone heal, the wounds of climate breakdown.AdvertisementMore on this topicUK architects in the spotlight amid reports of 21,000 Saudi worker deathsIn KSA, these wounds run exceptionally deep. Saudi Aramco, the state oil company, is the worlds largest oil and gas extractor, and the national budget is heavily dependent on continued extraction and its resulting CO2 emissions. As Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman declared: We are still going to be the last man standing, and every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out. With these resources projected to last another 73 years at current extraction rates, any new KSA building inevitably becomes part of an ongoing campaign of intentional climate breakdown.The majority of KSA buildings are funded by a regime that is intentionally obstructing developments in climate justice at COP and other forums. For example, at COP 29, KSA was accused of unilaterally editing the main text. In this context, no new building can credibly claim to be sustainable such claims merely serve as surface greenwashing over an entrenched system of environmental destruction.In addition, any designs will have to mitigate increasingly intolerable temperatures. Saudi Arabia has warmed at a rate 50 per cent higher than the rest of the northern hemispheres landmass over the past four decades, and this trend shows no signs of slowing. Buildings designed to combat these temperatures create an ecocidal feedback loop, consuming ever more energy to offset the effects of burning fossil fuels. Moreover, the ongoing urban expansion perpetuates a cycle of endless growth that drives climate breakdown. For all these reasons, no new building in KSA can credibly claim to be sustainable.Our buildings will be an agent for social changeThis argument is commonly made, as exemplified by Stuart Latham, managing partner and senior executive partner at Foster + Partners, who wrote: Saudi Arabia is rapidly opening up to the rest of the world and through our work on these ambitious and innovative projects, we are at the forefront of progress, enabling society to embrace positive change.AdvertisementSnhettas Kjetil Trdal Thorsen expressed a similar view, stating about Snhettas KSA projects: You cant control the future completely but you can provide people with the right tools and, by providing them with the right tools, at least there is an opportunity to move one step ahead. Ina Tin, senior adviser and Saudi Arabia expert at Amnesty Norway, dismisses these stances as a blend of naivety and cynicism (in an article well worth reading).This argument, in all its hubris, misunderstands architectures limited agency and influence under an autocratic regime. It perpetuates modernist myths about architecture as the sole driver of social change, casting architects as heroic geniuses who can reshape society at will.In reality, architecture in KSA serves merely as window-dressing for progress while repressive policies continue unabated underneath. Architectures powerlessness to effect social change is further reinforced by developers who control the supply chain, reducing buildings to vessels for capitalist extraction. Any building project thus sits far down the regimes chain of command; they have far more effective levers to pull to maintain control.Buildings will do nothing absolutely nothing to save the lives of the 198 people executed in the first nine months of 2024. It will not help overturn policies that brutally discriminate against women and LGBTQ+ people. It will not stop the genocidal war in Yemen. And so on.If we pulled out of KSA, someone else would do it anywayThis follows the same flawed logic as statements like If I stopped flying, planes would take off anyway which misses the point that fewer planes would fly if more people stopped flying. Those working in KSA often implicitly assume that, if they withdrew, less capable designers would take their place, and therefore their continued involvement provides a better service. However, as argued above, no building in KSA can be considered beneficial.History shows us clear examples, most notably the apartheid regime in South Africa, where boycotts proved to be powerful catalysts for change. Pulling out is the best course of action.We just design the buildings; we dont build themThis is the standard get-out clause for architects and consultants to absolve themselves of responsibility for the deadly conditions in KSA construction. The excuse is too often traced back to Zaha Hadid and her infamous I have nothing to do with the workers,but anyone working in KSA is complicit.Architects cannot simply look away from the estimated 21,000 deaths and 100,000 missing migrant construction workers who build their designs. They cannot dismiss the brutal conditions and illegal contracts that amount to forced labour, as documented in a complaint to the UNs International Labour Organization.Architects cannot ignore the outcry from US Senators, African Trade Unions, and Amnesty International about FIFAs likely rubber-stamping of the 2036 Football World Cup to KSA. Indeed, it is more likely that architects working in KSA are complicit in what Barney Ronay describes as corporate manslaughter in his brilliant, excoriating article.Every building in KSA is part of a lethal and exploitative supply chain and architects working there must decide if they are willing to be complicit in this system.We would not work on NEOMThis claim is often heard from architects working in other parts of KSA, away from the infamous Line and associated projects. It is an argument that attempts to claim moral high ground while demonising the NEOM architects. NEOM is indeed at the pinnacle of social and spatial vileness and no one with any conscience should be working on it, as Kate Wagner has so lucidly expounded in her various articles.But it is only the tip of a much larger despotic system that oversees all development in KSA. Perhaps NEOM designers are more honest in not even trying to make moral claims and instead just indulging in architectural self-gratification on behalf of their Saudi masters.The RIBA and ARB codes dont stop us from working in KSAThis is true, but only because these codes are so ineffectual. As I argued in Architecture Depends, my hairdresser could meet both codes, yet she isnt responsible for other peoples lives and the planets future, as architects are. The codes are feeble primarily because they focus on defining the architects relationship with the client. The architects primary responsibility is to the client, states the ARB code. When that client is embedded in an autocratic regime, any ethical responsibility is simply washed away.A more compelling statement emerged from the 2018 RIBA Ethics and Sustainable Development Commission: RIBA Council reasserted the Institutes unequivocal commitment to placing public interest, social purpose, ethics and sustainable development at the heart of its activities.If taken at face value, this declaration should preclude any work in KSA. Yet the unequivocal has become decidedly equivocal, as evidenced by 20 RIBA members exhibiting at the 2024 Cityscape Global event in KSA, the worlds largest development event.Professional conduct follows codified rules, focused not on broader societal obligations but on serving clients and employers. Ethical conduct, however, cannot be reduced to universal rules it requires individuals to face their specific circumstances and determine what they can morally accept. As Zygmunt Bauman concludes in his Postmodern Ethics: If in doubt, consult your conscience.The matter of individual conscience should be at the front of any decision about working in KSA. Anyone working in KSA should inform themselves about the human rights, environmental and political context and then face these conditions from an ethical viewpoint. Architecture does not stand outside these moral conflicts; it is part of them. I applaud the UK practices that have decided on ethical grounds not to work in KSA, and despair of those who try to justify their engagement with spurious arguments.Jeremy Till is a writer, educator and recovering architect. A version of this article was first published on Substack on Wednesday 11 December.2024-12-16Jeremy Tillcomment and share

Gardner Stewart Architects proposals for Dorrington Gardens, near Upminster, were submitted last month on behalf of the London Borough of Haverings housing arm, Mercury Land Holdings.The scheme proposes a mix of 12 family homes and 22 apartments alongside sensitively integrated landscaping and 24 car parking spaces.But in a statement of community involvement put to the planning committee, residents hit out at the proposals over the size of the development, which opponents said could put pressure on local infrastructure, including GP services.AdvertisementOne resident said: This is a sad bloody day; Hornchurch is coming to an end as a decent suburb [and] the safe, friendly, family area will be wiped out of this happens. And if it does, I am gone.Another argued: I dont want any more properties in this area. This area is becoming more and more overpopulated [and] they will not be occupied by people from Hornchurch anyway.The planning documents recorded that 67 per cent of the 885 households consulted on the new homes said they had a negative view of the development, while 33 per cent supported it.One resident who backed the plan said they accepted the proposals as long as access to the new homes was not from the cul-de-sac on nearby Bruce Road.Havering has an average population density of 2,332 persons per square kilometre, compared to 5,640 people per square kilometre (km) for London as a whole, according to ONS statistics.AdvertisementIn September, the government announced plans to introduce a brownfield passport to give proposals which meet design and quality standards automatic planning approval when it involves development on already used land, as part of efforts to build 1.5 million homes in this parliament.Those changes are part of tweaks made to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which is still to be formally published after a consultation this summer.Gardner Stewart Architects and Havering have been contacted for comment.

There are plenty of reasons to treat yourself to a new pair ofnoise-canceling earbuds. Whether you're looking to block out a noisy office or just want to enjoy a good audiobook on your commute, there is no shortage of options. The Beats Studio Budsare a solid option at a competitive price, but this deal makes them impossible to ignore. Order now and you'll get your new wireless earbuds for just $80at Amazon, a price that is a match for the lowest we've ever seen them go. Act fast though, we don't expect it to last for long. The good news? The same $80 price is being matched at both Walmart and Best Buy right now, too.See at AmazonSee at WalmartSee at Best BuyBeats Studio Buds are small, lightweight, comfortable to wear, and fit most ears securely. Despite being made by Apple these days, Beats products work great with both iPhones and Android phones, and there are plenty of features to love, including quick pairing. CNET's David Carnoy said their sound quality beats out AirPods Pro and Powerbeats Pro in hisBeats Studio Buds review.Hey, did you know?CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Unlike some other Apple-made Beats products, the Studio Buds lack a few of the fancier features like in-ear detection and the ability to pair to all of your Apple devices via iCloud and switch between them automatically. That probably won't be a deal-breaker for most folks, though, especially given the price difference between the Studio Buds and something like the AirPods Pro. Plus, they still support a few crucial features like active noise cancellation and spatial audio. The Beats Studio Buds provide up to 8 hours of listening time on a single charge, with up to 24 hours when combined with the charging case. They are also IPX4-rated, making them sweat- and water-resistant, so they're a solid option to use on your commute or at the gym.These also make for great holiday gifts for loved ones. But if the Studio Buds aren't quite the right fit for you, you can also check out our full roundup of all the best headphone deals happening right now.Will this item arrive in time for Christmas?If you're ordering this as a holiday gift, you probably want to know if it's going to arrive on time. With Christmas and Hanukkah both taking place on Dec. 25 this year, and Kwanzaa kicking off the day after, it's important to note shipping deadlines for USPS, FedEx, UPS, Amazon and others.Guaranteed shipping deadlines at some of these delivery companies arrive as soon as Dec. 16, with others offering expedited services that may allow you to order as late as Dec. 23 or even Dec. 24. Where delivery is no longer possible, be sure to assess your in-store pickup options or check out these great digital deals for the holidays.Your new Beats Studio Buds will arrive before Christmas, according to shipping timelines provided by Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. Pickup options are also available at the latter two. CNET is always covering a wide array of deals on tech products and much more. Start with the hottest sales and discounts on theCNET Deals page, and sign up for theCNET Deals Textto get daily deals sent straight to your phone. Add the freeCNET Shopping extensionto your browser for real-time price comparisons and cash-back offers. And peruse ourgift guide, which includes a full range of ideas for birthdays, anniversaries and more. See at CNET These Impulse Buys Under $25 Actually Make Great Gifts See all photos

Key Takeaways Today's best CDs boast APYs up to 4.70%.APYs have been falling since the Fed's recent rate cuts, and experts say another cut could happen this week.Opening a CD now allows you to lock in your APY and protect your earnings from additional rate drops. All eyes are on the Federal Reserve as it meets this week to decide what to do with interest rates. Annual percentage yields on CDs have plummeted since the Fed cut rates at its last two meetings. Whether it opts to cut rates a third time or hold them steady, one thing is clear: Today's APYs are likely the highest you'll find for some time.You can earn up to 4.70% with the top CDs. Since your APY is fixed when you open a CD, you'll be able to enjoy the same returns regardless of where rates go next. The longer you wait, the lower the APY you may be able to lock in.Here are some of the highest CD rates right now and how much you could earn by depositing $5,000.Today's best CD rates Term Highest APY*BankEstimated earnings6 months 4.70%Rising Bank$117.501 year 4.47%NexBank$223.503 years 4.15%America First Credit Union$648.695 years 4.25%America First Credit Union$1,156.73 Experts recommend comparing rates before opening a CD account to get the best APY possible. Enter your information below to get CNET's partners' best rate for your area.What this week's Fed meeting means for CD ratesThe Fed meets for a final time this year on Dec. 17-18. It doesn't directly set CD rates, the Fed's decisions affect how banks set their APYs on consumer products like CDs and savings accounts. When the Fed cuts the federal funds rate, banks tend to cut APYs on these products and vice versa.The Fed raised interest rates 11 times between March 2022 and July 2023 in an effort to tamp down post-pandemic inflation. As a result, the CD rates we track at CNET soared, reaching a high of 5.65% APY. Since the beginning of this year, CD and savings rates have been slowly decreasing.The Fed cut rates in September -- its first rate cut since March 2020 -- and again in November. Since then, CD and savings rates have fallen faster. At the start of 2024, the average APY on a six-month CD was 4.92%, but following September's rate cut, it was down to 4.38%. This week, it's 4.14%.Here's where CD rates stand at the start of this week compared to the start of last week:How CD rates have changed in the last week Term Last week's CNET average APYThis week's CNET average APY**Weekly change***6 months 4.15%4.14%-0.24%1 year 4.07%4.07%No change3 years 3.53%3.52%-0.28%5 years 3.46%3.46%No change CD rates could drop further if the Fed makes another rate cut this week. Right now, experts say it's likely that the Fed will cut rates again this month despite the latest Consumer Price Index report showing inflation is still rising.Should you open a CD now?If you're working on growing your savings, there's still time to earn an attractive APY. If you already have money saved that you won't need to dip into for a few years, you can lock in a high, guaranteed return with a CD now."CDs are a good, steady way to get a predictable return while controlling the amount of time you don't have access to your money," said Bobbi Rebell, Certified Financial Planner and Personal Finance Expert with BadCredit.org. "Rates are still high on a historical basis."In addition, "Locking in a CD rate now could be advantageous if the Fed takes a more aggressive approach to cutting rates in 2025," said Faron Daugs, CFP, founder and CEO at Harrison Wallace Financial Group.If you need ready access to your money, you can also earn a competitive rate with a high-yield savings account. HYSAs are better suited for things like your emergency fund because you can take out cash at any time without penalty.How to choose the best CD for youA competitive APY is important when comparing CD accounts, but it's not the only thing you should look at. To find the right account for you, consider these things too:When you'll need your money: Early withdrawal penalties can eat into your interest earnings. So be sure to choose a term that fits your savings timeline. Alternatively, you can select a no-penalty CD, although the APY may not be as high as you'd get with a traditional CD of the same term.Minimum deposit requirement: Some CDs require a minimum amount to open an account -- typically, $500 to $1,000. Others do not. How much money you have to set aside can help you narrow your options.Fees: Maintenance and other fees can eat into your earnings. Many online banks don't charge fees because they have lower overhead costs than banks with physical branches. Still, read the fine print for any account you're evaluating.Federal deposit insurance: Make sure any bank or credit union you're considering is an FDIC or NCUA member so your money is protected if the bank fails.Customer ratings and reviews: Visit sites like Trustpilot to see what customers are saying about the bank. You want a bank that's responsive, professional and easy to work with.MethodologyCNET reviews CD rates based on the latest APY information from issuer websites. We evaluated CD rates from more than 50 banks, credit unions and financial companies. We evaluate CDs based on APYs, product offerings, accessibility and customer service.The current banks included in CNET's weekly CD averages include Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, American Express National Bank, Barclays, Bask Bank, Bread Savings, Capital One, CFG Bank, CIT, Fulbright, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, MYSB Direct, Quontic, Rising Bank, Synchrony, EverBank, Popular Bank, First Internet Bank of Indiana, America First Federal Credit Union, CommunityWide Federal Credit Union, Discover, Bethpage, BMO Alto, Limelight Bank, First National Bank of America and Connexus Credit Union.*APYs as of Dec. 13, 2024, based on the banks we track at CNET. Earnings are based on APYs and assume interest is compounded annually.**Weekly percentage increase/decrease from Dec. 2, 2024, to Dec. 9, 2024.More on CDs

Hideki Kamiya's "artistic spirit would die" had he stayed at Platinum GamesPlus the meaning behind new Okami studio Clovers.Image credit: Clovers News by Ed Nightingale Deputy News Editor Published on Dec. 16, 2024 Hideki Kamiya has stated if he'd continued working for Platinum Games his "artistic spirit [would] die".The former Platinum vice-president has launched a new studio with another former Platinum employee, Kaneto Koyama, as discussed in a new interview with Japanese outlet denfaminicogamer.The pair have set up Clovers, which will develop a sequel to the much-loved Okami, originally developed by Kamiya at Clover Studio.Okami sequel - Project Teaser TrailerWatch on YouTube"This is purely my personal opinion, but I thought, 'If I continue working here, my artistic spirit will die'," said Kamiya on his reasons for leaving Platinum last year (via machine translation)."I can understand the way PlatinumGames is as a company and its logic, and I was in the position of vice president myself, but as an individual named Hideki Kamiya, I was unable to embrace that way of thinking."As vice president, Kamiya was "field-first" at Platinum Games - he described himself as the muscle and CEO Atsushi Inaba as the brains."The signals sent from the cerebrum are essential for muscles," Kamiya continued. "At the same time, those signals must be reliable for muscles. Until then, I had received those signals, trusted them, and worked to maximize my own strength...but with regards to the future direction of Platinum with Inaba at the helm, I was no longer able to place my trust in them and exert my strength as a muscle."Kamiya has been quite vocal about his decision to leave Platinum Games, previously stating there were issues of "trust".He then launched a YouTube channel where he discussed his next project. "I already have a clear idea in mind," he said. "I would like to translate this vision in my head into a full proposal as soon as I am able to do so. And of course, I also have an idea of what I can do to make the project a reality. But if you ask me specifically what kind of game it will be, all I can say at this stage is, 'It'll be a Hideki Kamiya game'."It's unclear if that project is the new Okami sequel, announced as in-development at this year's The Game Awards last week. Teaser artwork for the Okami sequel | Image credit: CloversIn this new interview, Kamiya and Koyama explained the Clovers name of the new studio. It's been interpreted as "C lovers", with four Cs relating to the four leaves of a clover.Only three Cs are set in stone though: challenge, creativity, and craftsmanship. The fourth C is for employees to decide upon themselves.In a previous interview, Kamiya stated Okami's sales were a "huge failure" and that had the game been more successful Clover Studio probably would have continued.Little is known about the new Okami game, beyond the above teaser image.

Black Myth: Wukong producer on The Game Awards top prize snub: "I came all the way here for nothing!"Still won two awards.Image credit: Game Science News by Ed Nightingale Deputy News Editor Published on Dec. 16, 2024 Black Myth: Wukong producer and Game Science CEO Feng Ji has posted a lengthy statement following the action game's apparent snub for the top prize at this year's The Game Awards."The games nominated this year were all exceptional, but honestly, I still can't figure out what the criteria were for Game of the Year. I feel like I came all the way here for nothing!" he wrote in a post on Weibo (translated on reddit).Black Myth: Wukong did come away with the Best Action Game and Players' Voice awards, so he didn't leave empty handed.Black Myth: Wukong - Confront DestinyWatch on YouTube"Since last night, I've seen a lot of strong dissatisfaction and frustration in players' comments - often expressed humorously or ironically, which made me laugh," the producer continued."I completely understand these feelings and share the frustration, because behind these emotions lies not pain or malice, but dignity and confidence."Feng Ji even admitted he wrote his Game of the Year acceptance speech two years ago, "only to never get the chance to deliver it".It's unclear how joking he has been in his statement, especially considering the machine translation, but some have read it as rather salty. Eurogamer has contacted Game Science for further comment.The producer continued to express his confidence in the game and his hopes the success of Black Myth Wukong is the beginning of a new wave of high-quality, engaging games from Chinese developers.Former Sony Santa Monica writer Alanah Pearce shared in a stream she witnessed a person from the Game Science team crying in the audience when the game didn't win. "It clearly meant a lot to them, they did an amazing thing, but I did find that surprising," said Pearce.To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Black Myth: Wukong lost out to Astro Bot for the Game of the Year award, which also won Best Game Direction, Best Action/Adventure Game, and Best Family Game. Balatro and Metaphor: ReFantazio also came away with multiple awards.An update for Black Myth: Wukong released last week ahead of the awards, finally bringing a much-requested map, as well as a boss rush challenge mode.Its Xbox release is still unknown.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereFor many players, myself included, walking through the zone from mission to mission is one of the best parts of Stalker 2. While there is a paid fast travel system in Heart of Chornobyl, some players who dont vibe with the games unforgiving nature have been craving a proper fast travel option.Created by modder Iopsi, the new Stalker 2 Fast Travel Anywhere mod allows you to avoid paying guides for their services. Instead, once the mod is installed, players can simply click a spot on the games substantial open-world map and zip there without a moments notice.Fast Travel Mod for Stalker 2Uploaded to Nexus Mods earlier this month, the new Stalker 2 mod has been downloaded by thousands of players in just over a week. At the time of writing, the modification for GSC Game Worlds open-world survival game has been downloaded over 10,000 times.The Fast Travel Anywhere mod does exactly what it claims to do. Using the in-game PDA, players can now mark a location they wish to travel to and warp there without any fees attached. The new mod uses coordinates marked on the in-game map to warp players to the approximate position in-game. However, sometimes this may result in players being stuck in a wall.Players using the mod have reported issues with the add-on not taking them right to where they want to go. However, this may be due to a development quirk where the player location and the map cursor are not one to one with each.Of course, this isnt the intended way to play any game in the Stalker franchise, although Stalker 2 does have the biggest map in series history. Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl may have major issues with its broken A-Life system, but traversing its vast world on foot is still one of the best parts of the game.Theres nothing like trundling through the Zone, scraping past patrols of rival stalkers and wandering into an emission. While fast travel might be a fun addition for those who dont want to spend hours slowly exploring, it does remove one of the best parts about actually playing Stalker 2.S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of ChornobylPlatform(s):PC, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Action, Adventure, RPG, Shooter, Survival HorrorSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide Chinese developer Game Science did something extraordinary in 2024, releasing the first major Chinese AAA game across PC and console. While Black Myth Wukong was nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024, PlayStations first-party platformer Astro Bot took home the win.According to ex-Sony Santa Monica developer and front-row attendee of The Game Awards, Black Myth Wukong developer Game Science responded to their loss with tears, being visibly upset at their loss to the platforming game.Black Myth Wukong devs cryIn a recent livestream, ex-games journalist, former Funhaus star, Cyberpunk 2077 voice actress, and ex-Sony Santa Moncia writer Alanah Pearce revealed that the team behind Black Myth Wukong were unhappy at their loss during The Game Awards 2024.I was in the front row this year, Pearce said. It was my first time being in the front row. I was like, Wow, thanks Geoff, great seats. But being in the front row means that you can see all of the actually important people.Pearce explained that she was sat with the first-party PlayStation crew in the same row as the rest of the Game of the Year Award nominees teams. As the Game of the Year award was announced with Astro Bot as the winner, the team representing Black Myth Wukong burst into tears.The Black Myth Wukong team, I dont know which person on the team, was crying when Astro Bot got Game of the Year, she revealed. I could see him, just looking down the line, which is the first time Ive ever seen anything like that because generally everyone is just like, the Game Awards dont mean that much, but, yeah, the Wukong team were crying when they did not win.Pearce explained that the award clearly meant a lot to the Black Myth team and admitted that they did an amazing thing. She explained that the team were definitely upset that they didnt win which is also fair. However, the whole event took her by surprise after multiple years of attending the awards.Devs wrote their acceptance speech years before releaseFollowing the events of The Game Awards 2024, Game Science founder Feng Ji took to Chinese social media platform Weibo to discuss the situation with fans. In the posttranslated via Google Translate (sorry), Ji explained that he has already written the teams Game of the Year acceptance speech two years ago, long before the game released, and was upset by the result.The games nominated this year are all excellent, but I really dont understand the selection criteria for this years Game of the Year. I came here for nothing! the developer said.The speech for the annual game was written two years ago, but it was not used, Ji revealed. During development of this game, many colleagues were not as optimistic as I was. They may have played too many intermediate versions, so they inevitably felt that this game still had too many flaws and it was unlikely to be launched on time One of my main jobs in the company is to constantly comfort them that we have done a good job.Black Myth Wukong was just one game in a list of other great titles. Alongside the brilliant Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, the fantastic Astro Bot, the indie hit Balatro, Metaphor Refantazio and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Black Myth should be proud to stand alongside such amazing games. Maybe Black Myth 2: Wukong Harder can take the win whenever that releases. Black Myth: WukongPlatform(s):PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):Action, RPGSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

Blender Reel: ESE Club/Studio 2024 By Bart on December 16, 2024 Video Here's a great showcase of Blender work by a group of middle and high school students from Japan.Hello everyone! We are a group of junior high school students who will be introducing video works and tutorials created using 3DCG creation tools such as Blender. All of the first-year students will graduate and become members of ESE-Studio.This video is a ShowReel summarizing their work in 2024.Hat tip to Dampuzakura for sharing this.

60 Minutes OvertimeAI was used to turn a teen's photo into a nude image. Now the teen is fighting for change to protect other kids.Fake nudes generated by AI causing real harm Francesca Mani was 14-years-old when her name was called over the loudspeaker at Westfield High School in New Jersey. She headed to the principal's office, where she learned that a picture of her had been turned into a nude image using artificial intelligence.Mani had never heard of a "nudify" website or app before. When she left the principal's office, she said that she saw a group of boys laughing at a group of girls that were crying."And that's when I realized I should stop crying and that I should be mad, because this is unacceptable," Mani said.What happened to Francesca ManiMani was sitting in her high school history class last October when she heard a rumor that some boys had naked photos of female classmates. She soon learned that she and several other girls at Westfield High School had been targeted.Schools face a new threat: "nudify" sites that use AI to create realistic, revealing images of classmatesAccording to a lawsuit later filed by one of the other victims through her parents, a boy at the school had uploaded photos from Instagram to a site called Clothoff, which is one of the most popular "nudify" websites. 60 Minutes has decided to name the site to raise awareness of its potential dangers. There were more than 3 million visits to Clothoff last month alone, according to Graphika, a company that analyzes social networks. The website offers to "nudify" both males and females, but female nudes are far more popular.Dorota Mani and Francesca Mani 60 Minutes Visitors to the website can upload a photo, or get a free demonstration, in which an image of a woman appears with clothes on, then appears naked just seconds later. The results look very real.Clothoff users are told they need to be 18 or older to enter the site and that they can't use other people's photos without permission. The website claims "processing of minors is impossible," but no one at the company responded when 60 Minutes emailed asking for evidence of that in addition to many other questions.Mani never saw what had been done to her photo, but according to that same lawsuit, at least one student's AI nude was shared on Snapchat and seen by several kids at school.The way Mani found out about her photo made it even worse, she said. She recalled how she and the other girls were called by name to the principal's office over the school's public address system."I feel like that was a major violation of our privacy while, like, the bad actors were taken out of their classes privately," she said.That afternoon, Westfield's principal sent an email to parents informing them "some of our students had used artificial intelligence to create pornographic images from original photos." The principal also said the school was investigating and "at this time we believe that any created images have been deleted and are not being circulated."Fake images, real harmMani's mother Dorota, who's also an educator, was not convinced. She worries that nothing that has been shared online is ever truly deleted."Who printed? Who screenshotted? Who downloaded? You can't really wipe it out," she said.The school district would not confirm any details about the photos, the students involved or disciplinary action to 60 Minutes. In a statement, the superintendent said the district revised its Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying policy to incorporate AI, something the Manis say they spent months urging school officials to do.Francesca Mani feels the girls who were targeted paid a bigger price than the boy or boys who created the images."Because they just have to live with knowing that maybe an image is floating, their image is floating around the internet," she said. "And they just have to deal with what the boys did."Dorota Mani said that she filed a police report, but no charges have been brought.Yiota Souras is chief legal officer at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Her organization works with tech companies to flag inappropriate content on their sites. She says that while the images created on AI "nudify" sites are fake, the damage they can cause to victims is real."They'll suffer, you know, mental health distress and reputational harm," Souras said. "In a school setting it's really amplified, because one of their peers has created this imagery. So there's a loss of confidence. A loss of trust."Fighting for change60 Minutes found nearly 30 similar cases in schools in the U.S. over the last 20 months, along with additional cases around the world.In at least three of those cases, Snapchat was reportedly used to circulate AI nudes. One parent told 60 Minutes it took over eight months to get the accounts that had shared the images taken down. According to Souras, a lack of responsiveness to victims is a recurring problem the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children sees across tech companies."That isn't the way it should be. Right? I mean, a parent whose child has exploitative or child pornography images online should not have to rely on reaching out to a third party, and having them call the tech company. The tech company should be assuming responsibility immediately to remove that content," she said.Yiota Souras, chief legal officer at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, speaks with Anderson Cooper 60 Minutes 60 Minutes asked Snapchat about the parent who said the company didn't respond to her for eight months. A Snapchat spokesperson said they have been unable to locate her request and said, in part: "We have efficient mechanisms for reporting this kind of content." The spokesperson went on to say that Snapchat has "zero-tolerance policy for such content" and "...act[s] quickly to address it once reported."The Department of Justice says AI nudes of minors are illegal under federal child pornography laws if they depict what's defined as "sexually explicit conduct." But Souras is concerned some images created by "nudify" sites may not meet that definition.In the year since Francesca Mani found out she was targeted, she and her mom, Dorota, have encouraged schools to implement policies around AI. They've also worked with members of Congress to try and pass a number of federal bills. One of those bills, the Take It Down Act, which is co-sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, made it through the Senate earlier this month and is now awaiting a vote in the House. It would create criminal penalties for sharing AI nudes and would require social media companies to take photos down within 48 hours of getting a request.More from CBS NewsAnderson CooperAnderson Cooper, anchor of CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360," has contributed to 60 Minutes since 2006. His exceptional reporting on big news events has earned Cooper a reputation as one of television's preeminent newsmen.