Strands has yet another challenging puzzle game to ponder over today. If you want to be challenged, this one is a great puzzle for that. It's not the hardest Strands puzzle ever, but it's not an easy one either.

Connections is back with another sixteen words to sort into categories. If you play this game every day and know the rules of how to play Connections well, you know how hard this game can be.

I've been writing my engine on and off for the best part of 20 years. It has several nice features like blended animations, flexible materials, shadows, PBR (of sorts), etc., but I don't think I'll ever have the time to finish it and when I get hooked by it, it tends to consume me completely. I've got a young son and I'm 53 and over the past few months I've been feeling a little sad that those [probably several] thousand hours of hard work are just going to sit decaying on Git forever.

By the way its supposed to be called space marines three, not two!

On Jan. 6 at 6:30 p.m. PT, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang with his trademark leather jacket and an unwavering vision will step onto the CES 2025 stage.From humble beginnings as a busboy at a Dennys to founding NVIDIA, Huangs story embodies innovation and perseverance.Huang has been named the worlds best CEO by Fortune and The Economist, as well as one of TIME magazines 100 most influential people in the world.Today, NVIDIA is a driving force behind breakthroughs in AI and accelerated computing, technologies transforming industries ranging from healthcare, to automotive and entertainment.Across the globe, NVIDIAs innovations enable advanced chatbots, robots, software-defined vehicles, sprawling virtual worlds, hypersynchronized factory floors and much more.NVIDIAs accelerated computing and AI platforms power hundreds of millions of computers, available from major cloud providers and server manufacturers.They fuel 76% of the worlds fastest supercomputers on the TOP500 list and are supported by a thriving community of more than 5 million developers.For decades, Huang has led NVIDIA through revolutions that ripple across industries.GPUs redefined gaming as an art form, and NVIDIAs AI tools empower labs, factory floors and Hollywood sets. From self-driving cars to automated industrial processes, these tools are foundational to the next generation of technological breakthroughs.CES has long been the stage for the unveiling of technological advancements, and Huangs keynote is no exception.Since its inception in 1967, CES has unveiled iconic innovations, including transistor radios, VCRs and HDTVs.Over the decades, CES has launched numerous NVIDIA flagship innovations, from a first look at NVIDIA SHIELD to NVIDIA DRIVE for autonomous vehicles.NVIDIA at CES 2025The keynote is just the beginning.From Jan. 7-10, NVIDIA will host press, analysts, customers and partners at the Fontainebleau Resort Las Vegas.The space will feature hands-on demos showcasing innovations in AI, robotics and accelerated computing across NVIDIAs automotive, consumer, enterprise, Omniverse and robotics portfolios.Meanwhile, NVIDIAs technologies will take center stage on the CES show floor at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where partners will highlight AI-powered technologies, immersive gaming experiences and groundbreaking automotive advancements.Attendees can also participate in NVIDIAs Explore to Win program, an interactive scavenger hunt featuring missions, points and prizes.Curious about the future? Tune in live on NVIDIAs website or the companys YouTube channels to witness how NVIDIA is shaping the future of technology.

Experience the magic of the holidays in Stellar Blade. Xion, adorned with warm, festive lights, is ready to welcome you with the spirit of hope and humanity. Join us for a special event designed to bring joy and comfort to your everyday life. A Xion filled with seasonal romance awaits you on December 17!Holiday scenery in XionView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageA colorful Christmas tree brightens Xion, transforming the once cold city square into a cozy, festive space with warm lights and decorations. The Last Gulp, where Xions citizens gather after peace is restored, is also decorated for the holidays.In the camp, the seasonal BGM Dawn (Winter) and Take me away create a relaxing atmosphere. These romantic tunes will enhance your holiday relaxation by melting away battle tension.A surprise gift from SantaA new mini-game has arrived in Xion, offering a break from survival struggles. Enjoy the gameplay and earn rewards upon completion.The Santa Dress for Eve is designed as an adorable and festive appearance. The Im No Santa costume for Adam has a humorous twist. Complete the look with the Santa Girl hairstyle and personalize it with accessories such as Snow Crystal Glasses, Wreath Earrings, and Sleigh Ear Cuffs.View and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageThe newly added Rudolph Pack cosmetic for the Drone is an endearing item reimagining Rudolph leading Santas sleigh. With a red nose and cute horns, this Drone is sure to brighten up your holiday.Set the season as you pleaseOn/Off feature has been newly added for the seasonal events and NieR:Automata DLC content. You can now enjoy the game whenever and however you want.Always with a heart full of gratitudeCreate unforgettable memories with these gifts prepared in Stellar Blade this cold winter. The dev team put extra touch to this update to deliver a joyful holiday to all. May the streets of Xion that were once cold, and empty be filled with the wonders of the season.We strive to bring joy to your life. Have a warm and happy holidays with Stellar Blade!

Days before the final episode of Survivors 47th season, gaming company Exploding Kittens announced Survivor The Tribe Has Spoken, a new card-based party game designed in collaboration with the shows Emmy Award-winning host and producer Jeff Probst. Designed for both superfans and the uninitiated alike, the Survivor card game attempts to mirror the social strategy the genre-defining reality show has become famous for. This is not the first licensed game by the Exploding Kittens team having released Exploding Minions in 2021 but co-founder and CEO Elan Lees excitement for this partnership seems to be more than just a savvy business collaboration. Ive watched every episode of Survivor since the first season 24 years ago. It has had a massive influence on my own game designs and ability to craft amazing experiences for our players, said Lee in the games press release. I have always wanted to bring the Survivor experience to at-home audiences, but condensing a multi-week game to less than 30 minutes has been challenging. After two years of working closely with Jeff Probst, weve finally done it with all the fun, strategy, alliances, and betrayal packed into a beautiful box.The game incorporates the shows nearly 25 year history into card-based play, including player cards featuring some of the shows most (and least) beloved contestants. Throughout the game, players will form alliances and blindside power players all in an attempt to be the final two survivors standing, where they can make their case about why they played the game better than their opponent and deserve the title of Sole Survivor and a million dolla er, bragging rights.When we set out to make a card game version of Survivor we needed it to be an entertaining experience for both legacy fans and people who simply love playing games, said Jeff Probst, Host and Executive Producer of Survivor. I knew the Exploding Kittens team was the perfect partner to form an alliance with to bring the game to life, and we hope people enjoy playing it as much as we enjoyed designing it.The gameplay utilizes iconic Survivor mechanics like advantages, hidden immunity idols, and vote-based tribal councils which utilizes the games box as a stand-in for the shows famous urn where Probst himself tallies the votes. Examples of the cards used throughout play include Reward Challenges, which require you to scheme and strategize with other players; The Spy Shack, which lets you peek at any players hand and steal a card; and the counter-card Sorry for You, which blocks opponents from stealing your cards. Bonus cards also allow players to steal and manipulate votes or even declare themselves Tribal Council Leader.Best suited for players ages eight and up, the game accommodates three to six players and takes around 30-60 minutes to play. Survivor The Tribe Has Spoken is currently available to preorder for $19.99 at Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

Your crosshair is customizable in Marvel Rivals a relative rarity for this sort of competitive shooter. Given the wide range of characters (and equally wide range of playstyles) in Rivals, a custom crosshair can give you a serious edge.In this Marvel Rivals guide, well teach you how to customize your crosshair to perfectly fit your playstyle and how to import crosshair styles from other users, plus a list of the best crosshair codes for some commonly used reticle styles.How to customize crosshair in Marvel RivalsTo get to the crosshair customization menu in Marvel Rivals, open the settings menu and select your input device of choice (keyboard or controller), then select the combat sub-menu. Scroll down to HUD, and Reticle Save will be the first option at the top of the list. From here, you can simply swap to another default reticle, or you can open the advanced menu setting by hitting the plus symbol, and fully customize your own crosshair. You can change the width, opacity, color, whether it animates or is static, and much more in this menu.Make sure to start a new save in the dropdown menu when you want to create a new crosshair so you dont accidentally override any other customs youve made. You can also make different crosshairs for different characters in Marvel Rivals. To do so, select the all heroes block at the top of the screen and select the hero youd like to customize a reticle for instead. Different roles might require different levels of precision, so you might want an open circle for a melee character like Wolverine, whereas a precision character like Hela might benefit from just a simple dot.When youre messing around with crosshairs (and almost all character settings, like easy swing), its best to do it in the practice range, as youll instantly be able to see the result of your work and tweak it further.How to import custom crosshairs in Marvel RivalsIf youre on PC, you can import any reticle by finding a code string for one (weve got several listed below), hitting the save icon next to the drop-down menu that says import save, pasting the code in, and hitting confirm. This will automatically adjust your setting to those set by the person who created the code, and is an easy way to get the exact kind of custom reticle you want without needing to mess with everything yourself.Unfortunately, there is no way to import someone elses reticle settings into the console version of Marvel Rivals. If you see a reticle you like out in the wild and youre playing on console, youll have to do your best to recreate the exact settings yourself.Best crosshair codes in Marvel RivalsThere are a ton of different crosshairs in Marvel Rivals, and theyre all based on personal preference. Just because the best players use a reticle of a certain style, doesnt mean you must follow suit. The three reticle import codes below have been popular among Marvel Rivals power users, and Polygon has confirmed they all work in-game.Tight crosshairCode: 2;0;10.0,10.0,10.0,10.0;100.0,100.0,100.0,0.0;55.0,76.0,55.0,0.0;99.0,100.0,99.0,0.0;0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0;6.0,3.0,6.0,6.0;14.000000000000002;100.0,100.0,100.0,0.0;0.0;3.0,3.0,3.0,3.0;1.0,1.0,1.0;This crosshair code was created by Necros, a professional Overwatch player who also plays and streams Marvel Rivals. Its popular among high-level players because its simple, precise, versatile and easily visible during chaotic team fights.Dot sightCode: 3;0;10.0,10.0,10.0,10.0;100.0,100.0,100.0,100.0;50.0,50.0,50.0,50.0;100.0,100.0,100.0,100.0;0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0;0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0;30.0;100.0,100.0,100.0,100.0;0.0;3.0,3.0,3.0,3.0;1.0,1.0,1.0;This crosshair is ideal for high-precision players who play high-precision characters like Hawkeye or Hela. It doesnt get in the way, allowing you to always see the battlefield clearly, and it makes it very easy to spot the moment you pass over an enemys head.Melee circleCode: 1;0;35.0,35.0,28.0,0.0;100.0,100.0,100.0,0.0;83.0,83.0,83.0,83.0;100.0,100.0,100.0,100.0;11.0,11.0,11.0,11.0;33.0,33.0,22.0,33.0;30.0;100.0,100.0,100.0,0.0;0.0;2.0,2.0,2.0,2.0;1.0,1.0,1.0;Melee users can use the other reticles especially the general purpose tight crosshair but they can also benefit from a bit of a wider cone as well as easy visibility of the target. Unlike precision characters, where not being able to fully see the character youre aiming at is, in fact, helpful, its best for melee users to have a little window to better track their foes mid-combat.For moreMarvel Rivalsguides, heres a list of all knowncodes, allTeam-Up abilities, allmaps and modes, and a look at the gamesroadmap.

10. A Renovated House Gives Nod to 1970s Polish ModernismIn Katowice, Poland, a house from the 1970s has undergone a renovation, by Grzegorz Layer and Aleksander Krajewski of Blomm Architecture. Spread across 2,422 square feet, this terraced house has been redesigned to embrace a contemporary, open-plan layout while paying homage to the classic aesthetics of 1970s Polish modernism.9. A 1930s Ranch Transforms for Southern California Contemporary LivingOnce a dated 1930s ranch in Los Angeles Los Feliz neighborhood has emerged with California contemporary luxury, thanks to a collaboration between Klein Agency and SITU Development. The designers reimagined the homes layout in order to maximize both space and functionality. The footprint was expanded, adding two additional bedrooms, an interior courtyard, and a deck with a pool resulting in sprawling views of the San Gabriel Mountains.8. A Paris Apartment That Blends Parisian Heritage + Modern Australian DesignIn Pariss 4th arrondissement near the historic Place de Bastille, a renovation within the prestigious Hotel de Sagonne was completed by Wood Marsh, who transformed one of the units with a unique reinterpretation, merging the rich history of the building with contemporary design principles. The approach carefully balances the restoration of original details with the removal of mid-20th century alterations, providing a new canvas for contemporary living without erasing the apartments heritage character.7. Suprematism Apartment: A Modern Tribute to Ukrainian Avant-GardeOn the 15th floor with sweeping views of Kyiv, the 452-square-foot Suprematism Apartment is now home to a young couple. Designed by Yevheniia Sytnyk of Dihome, the project draws inspiration from the Ukrainian avant-garde style, particularly the works of Kazimir Malevich, who is considered the founder of the Suprematism Movement.6. Marylands Ginko House: Where History Meets ModernityStepping onto the grounds of this Bethesda, Maryland home, visitors are greeted by the majestic ginkgo trees that frame the entrance. This renovated 1920s center-hall colonial dubbed the Ginko House has undergone a major transformation by Colleen Healey Architecture. The updates include bringing the same open brightness to the original part of the house and to upgrade the finishes throughout to form a more cohesive aesthetic.5. A Playful Gurugram Penthouse Inspired by Soft Fluffy MarshmallowsImagine living in a home where fresh pastel tones blend seamlessly with smooth, curving lines, enveloping you in a serene and happy atmosphere. That is precisely the experience that Marshmallow, a delightful penthouse in Gurugram, India, offers. Designed by Design Doodle Studio, this project redefines modern luxury and comfort with a bit of magic in hopes of making the owners feel like theyre wrapped in a giant marshmallow.4. 10 Modern Homes With Living Trees Growing InsideWhile not for everyone, an unexpected design element like a tree planted inside a house is a clever way to incorporate biophilic design. This approach seeks to incorporate elements of nature into architecture and interior design, aiming to reconnect people with the natural world. We rounded up 10 modern houses where designers have found unique ways to explore this idea with actual trees growing inside the home.3. A Tiny Apartment in Singapore Maximizes Space With a New LoftLocated in Singapore, this apartment underwent renovations by Metre Architects to add a loft structure and to tailor the design to the lifestyle needs of the young professional couple who owns it. The pair requested a loft to be added to the compact 441-square-foot space with a 15-1/2-foot-tall ceiling, which is reached by a sculptural wood box staircase comprising alternating half steps.2. A Small Kyiv Apartment Elevated With a Kaleidoscope of Primary ColorsDuring of the first months of the invasion of Ukraine, the 560-square-foot 2BM Apartment in Kyiv was designed by TOP LAB Interiors as a bold experiment with color and unconventional materials. Their goal was to create a vibrant haven for a client who didnt originally like the green. They decided to trust the process throughout the space, and the result is a happy interior where bright primary colors take center stage.And the top interior design post of 2024 is1. Kelly Behun Reimagines London Department Store into Dreamy Contemporary ApartmentA former department store in London underwent a major transformation for residential and hospitality purposes. The first residence completed was a three-bedroom apartment curated by the renowned New York City-based designer, Kelly Behun. Behuns design philosophy beautifully blends old-world charm with contemporary vibrancy, drawing inspiration from both the buildings rich history and its surroundings. The color palette, featuring rich golds, verdant greens, dusky roses, and lavenders, takes cues from Hyde Parks proximity, creating a warm, modern environment.Check out the rest of Design Milks end of the year coverage here!

Award-winning designer Nicole Nomsa Moyo was chosen this year for the Miami Design Districts 2024 Annual Design Commission, titled Pearl Jam. The collaboration with Design Miamis Curatorial Lab celebrates its 10th year, uplifting and beautifying the streets of the city. This initiative is a great way to support public art and foster interest within people who might not have the time or resources to enjoy art in a gallery or museum. A tribute to the women of the Ndebele tribe of South Africa, Moyo celebrates the bold coloring and pattern work that is integral to their culture, built upon centuries of craft and community.Like blown up necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, Pearl Jam imbues the streets with sculptural art, making one feel much smaller in comparison. The installation features certain beads that double as seats, allowing viewers to become part of the piece, and interact with the elements. Highlighting the high level of craft in the Ndebele tribe, the motifs and colors pay homage to the storied jewelry-making culture.A communal circle resembling a bangle sits delicately on the plaza. Emblazoned with colors that reflect and celebrate the surrounding landscape, the incredible scale of the jewelry creates a sense of wit adornment for a creature magnitudes larger than us, much like our heritage as humans. Moyo shares, Pearl Jam came from within. I reflected on the rich tapestry of my cultural heritage, merging it with contemporary design to create a narrative that both honors and transforms tradition. It is an expression of how deeply personal experiences and historical influences can converge to craft a new, resonant story that bridges past inspirations with present innovation. The Ndebele tribes vibrant aesthetic, with its intricate patterns and bold colors, connects with cultures worldwide, echoing the universal language of creativity and identity. Indeed, Pearl Jam is even more elevated within its accessibility, both physically and conceptually. This gentle reminder of what public art should be is inspiring, and is a shining example of the future of shared cultures in Miami.Round orbs, singular beads, and elegantly plump seating beautifies the playground, adding to the natural beauty that already exists within the space. The magic of these installations is twofold: first, the art is brought outside, democratizing the viewer experience; second, the work is simple to interact with on the surface, yet holds within the depth of the culture of the Ndebele tribe, a rich color and pattern history that shines through so beautifully in the work. It is joyous, tilting the notions of what we might consider public art to be more interactive, colorful, and charming.Handcrafted gems drip down from the trees, each suspended in air. With different viewpoints come more colors, each orb showing specific patterning and stitch structure that makes for a dynamic installment, one that moves slightly with the ebb and flow of wind. They are all unique by nature of human production, hands allowing for a certain amount of tolerance that imbues the spirit of the maker into each piece.One can find Pearl Jam installations at many points within the Design District, adding beauty and interest to any space the rounded spheres inhabit. The Miami Design District is a living, breathing canvas. What excites me is the dialogue between art and the community how a piece can spark curiosity and conversation. By offering avant-garde opportunities to designers, artists, and architects, we open up new possibilities for how people engage with their environment, says Craig Robins, Miami Design District visionary and developer.For more on Pearl Jam, visit miamidesigndistrict.com.To learn more about Nicole Nomsa Moyos work, please visit nnmoyo.com.