• WWW.EUROGAMER.NET
    Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's Queen's Blood is the best card game of the year
    Games of 2024: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's Queen's Blood is the best card game of the yearPlay Fair.Image credit: Square Enix / Eurogamer Feature by Ed Nightingale Deputy News Editor Published on Dec. 24, 2024 I've never really been one for card games, both in and out of video games. Beyond collecting a few Pokmon cards in the school playground, I used to play Gin Rummy with my grandad but he taught me such peculiar Devonshire rules I could never play with anyone else. The odd game of Uno at Christmas is about my limit.That all changed in 2024 as I've spent a surprising amount of time playing digital card games, mostly on my phone. For many, Balatro has been a revelation this year, turning poker hands into a tense roguelike. It wasn't until its mobile release in September, though, that it truly clicked for me. I've always struggled with poker - in part I have a terrible poker face, but I can also never remember the hierarchy of hands - yet Balatro had me nearly missing my train stop on multiple occasions.Watch on YouTubeBalatro is one of those simple ideas that just works, but once I found a method of success that easily clicked - unlock the checkered deck and go all in on flushes - and subsequently beat the final blind, I started to lose interest. Then Pokmon TCG Pocket swooped in at just the right time. Its digital cards are beautiful and journeying inside to see what's occurring outside of their borders is a masterstroke. More than anything it seems to have brought out my superstitious tendencies: how many times do I spin the card packs before opening? Which Wonder Pick placement do I select? And if I peel open a pack in a perfect straight line will I be more likely to find a shiny? The initial excitement has worn off, though, as the actual card game is repetitive and I instead simply open packs robotically hoping for anything but another Ponyta.No, there's another card game that truly caught my attention this year: Queen's Blood. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is basically a card game with a world-saving RPG attached as a little side quest. And from the moment I first played it, I knew that was it for me.Of course, there's a strong tradition of card games in the Final Fantasy series. Final Fantasy 8 had the iconic Triple Triad, later adapted into MMORPG Final Fantasy 14, while Final Fantasy 9 had the inferior Tetra Master. Yet none of these grabbed me in the way Queen's Blood did. Perhaps, with Rebirth being a remake, its core plot was less central to my enjoyment. I was keen, instead, to explore the world, meet its population, and soak up the atmosphere in each of its expanded towns and regions. I was keen, in short, to play Queen's Blood.It's a simple enough premise. Played on a 3 x 9 board, players duel by laying down cards alternately from opposing sides with the aim of filling it with the highest ranking cards. Cards feature a Tetris-style pattern that dictates where future cards can be placed and I quickly found an easy strategy in placing cards to block opponents. Queen's Blood is simple to start and tricky to master | Image credit: Square Enix / EurogamerThe game is accompanied by an infectious jazz soundtrack: the gentle lounge piano of card selection making way for a Big Band fanfare as the game properly begins. And as Cloud gets closer to the win, the drums crescendo into an insistent, raucous clatter until victory. Like that music, the game itself builds in complexity as you progress around the world, gaining new cards with strategic abilities. I needed to collect them all, to become the very best, like no one ever was. And not a Ponyta in sight.You see, Queen's Blood isn't just about taking over the board as quickly as possible, as I had initially suspected. Early games were fun but shallow and I easily won. Later, new cards are added that buff others based on more fiddly Tetris shapes until eventually cards that destroy others are introduced. Suddenly a new layer of strategy opens up as filling the board with the most powerful cards isn't enough when you can not only destroy your opponent's cards to disrupt their assault, but destroy your own to boost others and reveal new spaces. Then deck management becomes more integral, balancing high and low power cards, with cards to buff, de-buff, and destroy. It's like Marvel Snap with Final Fantasy characters. Queen's Blood is also an excuse to bring back some recurring characters for a quick game | Image credit: Square Enix / EurogamerWhat I particularly enjoy is the puzzle mode - much like the Remake trilogy itself, it's a smart way of reinterpreting the game. Here, instead of a live opponent, you're given specific cards and a set number of moves with which to achieve victory, forcing new thinking. For instance, I distinctly remember being given a set of cards with shapes aiming backwards instead of forwards that had me completely rethinking my tactical charge across the board. And when destroy cards were introduced, I needed to carefully choose targets to maximise power. I spent almost as much time pondering Queen's Blood puzzle strategies as I did the game's convoluted conclusion.Where Queen's Blood really excels, though, is in fleshing out the world. That, really, is what the Remake trilogy has been all about. Sure, Final Fantasy 7 is a sci-fi mystery of bizarre conspiracies and alien experiments and existential crises, but it's also camp as hell. It's with the Queen's Blood quest that the developers really leaned into that silliness for some levity, right up until its melodramatic finale. Nowhere else do you get to play a card game against, among others: a crybaby grown man in tears before you even begin; a young ventriloquist child who sounds like she has a smoking problem; a steam-powered AI robot; a giant cranky rideable chicken (fine, a chocobo); or even a dog. It's so bizarre, but so in-keeping with the weird spirit and tonal shifts of the original game.Of all Rebirth's myriad minigames, it's Queen's Blood I keep coming back to. Sure, other card games this year may have clever joker twists and cute critters, but Queen's Blood has the complexity and the ability to reinterpret itself in new ways to ensure its longevity. Besides, it's through a Queen's Blood tournament we get to see over-sized fire-dog Red XIII doing a Michael Jackson impression - what could possibly be better?
    0 Yorumlar 0 hisse senetleri 160 Views
  • WWW.EUROGAMER.NET
    After Switch 2 design leaks, Nintendo keen to announce console as soon as possible - analyst
    After Switch 2 design leaks, Nintendo keen to announce console as soon as possible - analystLet's-a go.Image credit: Nintendo News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on Dec. 24, 2024 Nintendo will have been watching the recent stream of Switch 2 design leaks and is likely now keen to unveil its under-wraps new console as soon as possible, an analyst has said.We've had a fair idea what Switch 2 will look like for a while - at least since a prototype console shell and internal components surfaced online in late September. But recent weeks have seen further images posted, this time by accessory companies now taking orders for Switch 2 add-ons, which show close estimations for Nintendo's next console in greater detail.In other words, it's now widely expected that Switch 2 will simply look like a slightly larger Switch 1, now with magnetic Joy-Con attachments and an additional button below Home on the right Joy-Con.So, when will Nintendo finally unveil Switch 2? In early November, industry analyst Serkan Toto, CEO of Japanese game industry consultancy Kantan Games, told Eurogamer that the company had now run out of time to reveal its Switch successor in 2024.Nintendo has set itself a deadline of 31st March 2025 to show off its Switch successor, but, considering the leaks, and the falling sales of Switch 1, Toto suggested to Eurogamer today that the company was unlikely to wait that long. "Nintendo will not have much time in January, so a potential announcement early in the month could make sense," Toto said. "You can bet that Nintendo is aware of all the leaks and not happy about them, even if some of them will turn out to be made up. "It is actually getting so bad with those leaks that they might cause Nintendo to release information earlier than planned."Switch 2 is widely expected to arrive later in 2025, and while Nintendo is yet to offer any suggestion of timing, we don't have too long now to wait and find out.When Switch 2 does arrive, fans expect next year's long-awaited blockbuster Metroid Prime 4 to launch on Nintendo's new hardware. Nintendo has also confirmed that Switch 2 will be backwards compatible.
    0 Yorumlar 0 hisse senetleri 144 Views
  • WWW.VIDEOGAMER.COM
    DBD January 2025 roadmap Junji Ito, new skins, popular LTM and more
    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 hereDead By Daylight has had a largely fantastic 2024, but next year is poised to possibly be BeHaviours best ever 12-months thanks to the already confirmed collaboration with Five Nights At Freddys. We will have to wait a bit for the FNAF Chapter to happen, but the good news is that 2025 is starting with a bang almost immediately. Here you will find the DBD January 2025 roadmap comprising of everything known so far including new skins, the return of a popular LTM, and the duet with Junji Ito. Before the new year arrives, make sure to claim the new December 2024 codes to get extra Bloodpoints. In addition, following the confirmation that DBD Mobile is shutting down, dont forget to get the Bloodpoints compensation from BeHaviour Interactive that totals 500,000 at minimum. We still have a few weeks of DBD Bone Chill left to enjoy, but, once its over, theres plenty else part of the Dead By Daylight January 2025 roadmap for players to anticipate. Dead By Daylight January 2025 roadmap Below is the Dead By Daylight January 2025 roadmap so far: Rift Bundle finishes Jan 2nd30% off Tomb Raider x DBD Dec 26th Jan 2nd DBD Bloodfeast (earn 3x Bloodpoints) Dec 26th Jan 7thBone Chill event finishes Jan 7th Junji Ito Collection Jan 7thThe ArtistThe SpiritTricksterThe DredgeKate DensonYui KimuraYun-Jin LeeThe TwinsChaos Shuffle Jan 16th 28thNew DnD rewardsDungeons and Dragons CollectionJan 16thZarina KassirElodie RakotoGabriel SomaAdam FrancisVecna The LichTome 22This has all that has been confirmed so far during BeHaviours pre-release livestream for Chapter 34. Dont forget theres also the following daily logins for January: Jan 1st 25K BloodpointsJan 2nd 50K BloodpointsJan 3rd 50K BloodpointsJan 4th 50K BloodpointsJan 5th 50K BloodpointsJan 6th 25K BloodpointsAs for the rest of 2025, the roadmap is as follows: March licensed killer chapter, possibly Tokyo Ghoul April new original survivor chapterFive Nights At Freddys chapter Anniversary chapter possibly Jurassic World For more Dead By Daylight content, check out ourranking of the top 10 DLC expansions to buyalong with a ranking of thebest killer perksandbest survivor perks.Dead by DaylightPlatform(s):Google Stadia, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Action, Survival Horror7VideoGamerSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share
    0 Yorumlar 0 hisse senetleri 142 Views
  • WWW.VIDEOGAMER.COM
    Helldivers 2 CCO teases team size increases are not impossible and the future will tell
    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 hereHelldivers 2 has been one of the best games of the year as it is a perfectly formatted co-operative experience. You can play solo if you wish, but the best experience is playing alongside Super Earth soldiers in teams up to a maximum of four. Some players even desire to be part of squads bigger than four, and the Helldivers 2 CCO has teased that team size increases are not impossible and that the future will tell for if it ever happens.We dont know what Arrowhead has planned for 2025 officially, but they have said they feel comfortable taking risks again, and they are also working on a new content roadmap to give the community updates to anticipate. As for whats leaked, theres still datamined warbond weapons and armor yet to surface, and recent leaks have shown gameplay of a new support weapon stratagem. While we look forward to more warbonds and updates next year, fans shouldnt hold their breath for teams to increase in maximum size from four. Its something that is not entirely undoable, but it sounds more likely for HD3 than Helldivers 2. Helldivers 2 CCO teases team size increases, possibly for HD3 One of the most requested improvements amongst the Helldivers 2 community is to increase the maximum number of players possible for teams. Right now, the maximum number of players possible is four, and many within the community would like to see it upgraded to six or even eight. On X, one user asked Arrowhead CCO and Helldivers 2 creative director, Pilestedt, if the developers would increase team sizes from 4 to 8 players but only on super Helldiver difficulty. As for why they want to increase the team size, the user explained, My friend group on the game has grown to the point where we all cant play together and it makes me sad. Unfortunately, Pilestedt explained its not happening because The engine, network architecture, UI, performance and difficulty cant cope. But, while Arrowhead would need significant investment for 8p coop to work, the future isnt entirely bleak. Pilestedt added Its not impossible, and its something we talk about often at the studio. The creative director also teased the Future will tell what happens. Image credit: @Pilestedt on XAnother user cheekily commented, Helldivers 3, coming in 2032 will add 8 players and swimming. To this Pilestedt responded, We are growing Helldivers 2 into Helldivers 3. so you may be correct. Except maybe swimming all our games have had the thing about the protagonist not being able to swim. Image credit: @Pilestedt on XWhile it seems highly unlikely co-op teams of eight will ever be added to HD2, the good news is that it is something Arrowhead regularly discuss, and is something Pilestedt regards as not impossible. The bad news is that it seems way more likely for Helldivers 3, and that is surely many, many years away. For more Helldivers 2, check out our guide to thebest warbonds ranked, along with thebest stratagemsandbest throwables. We have also a guide to thebest weapons, and, if youre coming back to HD2 for the first time in a long while, we have a bunch oftips and tricksto help you get reaccustomed to the battlefield.Helldivers 2Platform(s):PC, PlayStation 5Genre(s):Action, Shooter, Third Person8VideoGamerSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share
    0 Yorumlar 0 hisse senetleri 151 Views
  • WWW.VIDEOGAMER.COM
    Epic Games has disappointing news for Fortnite players
    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 hereOver the past few days, Epic Games has brought back many rare Fortnite skins. From Master Chief to Renegade Raider, players can now unlock some of the cosmetics that were previously vaulted for years. Unfortunately, some of these dont come with additional styles that were previously available. Due to this, Epic is now involved in another controversy.Previously, players who purchased Master Chief were able to unlock an additional black style for it. However, this is no longer the case. Epic announced disappointing news on Monday night, shortly after the iconic skin returned to the shop.Fortnite players can no longer unlock the Matte Black style for Master ChiefEpic Games released Master Chief to Fortnite in December 2020 during Chapter 2 Season 5. This season had numerous collaborations, bringing many gaming legends to the battle royale title. When the popular Spartan came out, Epic added an additional style for him that was only available by playing a match on Xbox Series X|S.Back then, the Fortnite developer clarified that the owners of the skin will be able to unlock the additional style during any point in the future. However, the style is no longer available for new owners, which caused a lot of backlash over social media.The black style for Master Chief is no longer available in Fortnite. Image by VideoGamerThe Matte Black style for The Master Chief is no longer unlockable. This style is limited to players who purchased the outfit and played on an Xbox Series X|S prior to December 2024, Epic announced on Monday night. The game developer also gave new owners of the skin a free return ticket due to this misunderstanding.It will be interesting to see how this situation will develop. However, considering that the post from December 2020 is addressed to original owners of Master Chief, Epic Games may not change anything about the acquisition of the extra style. Furthermore, the skin is a collaboration between Fortnite and Halo, which makes the situation even more complicated. FortnitePlatform(s):Android, iOS, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):Action, Massively Multiplayer, Shooter9VideoGamerSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share
    0 Yorumlar 0 hisse senetleri 143 Views
  • WWW.VG247.COM
    Keanu Reeves is in Fortnite again, this time as Cyberpunk 2077's Johnny Silverhand, and he's bringing his nuke along
    V has Come to (FN)Keanu Reeves is in Fortnite again, this time as Cyberpunk 2077's Johnny Silverhand, and he's bringing his nuke alongFortnite's next cross-over is with Cyberpunk 2077, making it the second time Keanu Reeves has joined the battle royale shooter.Image credit: Epic Games, CDPR News by Sherif Saed Contributing Editor Published on Dec. 24, 2024 Epic Games has announced the next guest characters to officially arrive in Fortnite, and they both hail from Night City. Both Johnny Silverhand, and female V have joined the in-game shop.If youre counting, this makes it Keanu Reeves second appearance in Fortnite. Hes also there as John Wick, of course, though its debatable as to which character is more popular.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. As you might expect, the two characters are part of the same bundle, which costs 2,800 V Bucks. They can each be bought individually, too, for 1,500 V Bucks each. The bundle also comes with a few other cosmetics, including Johnny Silverhands infamous duffle bag nuke.Its only a cosmetic, of course, so dont expect to use it to blow up the map or anything. Alongside the new arrivals, the in-game store has also been updated with more Gaming Legends bundles, including the return of the Master Chief one. To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Its a little surprising that it took this long for Cyberpunk 2077 to cross over with Fortnite, but seeing as CD Projekt Reds relationship with Fortnites Epic Games is deepening, the timing makes some sense. Just recently at The Game Awards, we got our first look at The Witcher 4. The game will be the studios first project to be built on Epics Unreal Engine, and its poised to kickstart a deep alliance between two of the most recgonisable developers in the world.
    0 Yorumlar 0 hisse senetleri 147 Views
  • WWW.NINTENDOLIFE.COM
    Best Of 2024: 'DO NOT MENTION SWITCH 2' - We Infiltrate Nintendo And Sneak A Peek At Its 2024 Calendar
    Over the holiday season, we're republishing some of the best articles from Nintendo Life writers and contributors as part of our Best of 2024 series. Enjoy!In the magazine business, the Back Page is where you'd find all the weird goofs that we couldn't fit in anywhere else. Some may call it "filler"; we prefer "a whole page to make terrible jokes that are tangentially related to the content of the mag". We don't have pages on the internet, but we still love terrible jokes so welcome to our semi-regular feature, Back Page.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube789kWatch on YouTube Today, Jim sneaks into Nintendo HQ and spills the contents of a file marked 'PLAN B'...I don't have much time so I will keep this quick.Thanks to the diligent work of my uncle, I was able to sneak my way into the Nintendo's secret vault located in an undisclosed London location.As I moved through the shadows past rooms stocked with pre-boxed copies of Zelda remasters and a door that simply read "MOTHER 3 (WEST) DO NOT OPEN", I stumbled upon a table, littered with files and various Nintendo paraphernalia that immediately caught my eye.Poking through a stack of Geno amiibo, I noticed a black folder with "PLAN B" written on the top. My curiosity got the better of me, and, sweeping aside the plastic figurines, I lifted the Wii U GamePad paperweight which was keeping everything in order and took a glance at the contents.What I read shocked me to my very core. These were the plans for the coming year, a year without the 'Switch 2'. Thumbing the pages, I saw swathes of re-releases and remasters, all fine-tuned in their scheduling to keep the Nintendo fanboys onside as the Switch marches through its eighth year on the market.Image: Nintendo LifeSuddenly, footsteps. I grabbed my phone and snapped up some pictures of the most shocking pages while committing the rest to memory. I shut the folder and quickly leapt into a nearby cabinet full of unreleased LABO packs and Wiimote accessories. The guard a large American man with the build of Reggie Fils-Aim (though I did not see his face) passed through the room and I was able to escape.I am sure that I have mere minutes before deadly ninjas track me down. But this information has to be seen. Please take what I have to show you as absolute fact.This is what I can remember (and what I was fast enough to photograph) from Nintendo's console-less 2024 plans."PLAN B" - Nintendo Secret Plans 2024The opening page was dull and unassuming. It laid out exactly what the document was going to be about. A clear message of "DO NOT MENTION SWITCH 2 UNTIL 2025" immediately caught my eye and I couldn't help but notice that somebody had doodled in the bottom corner. Is that a PS5 on fire? Did Miyamoto draw that? The questions would only continue from here...Image: Nintendo LifeThere was no faffing about from here on in. You might think that an important document such as this would have a little more filler to hide the juicy bits, but I can tell you that is wrong. This is a real file and clearly whoever made it did not have the time or creative power to pad it out with unnecessary corporatespeak.And so we hit the plans for the February 2024 Direct:Image: Nintendo LifeCrazy, right? Yes, the release dates are pretty unsurprising and, of course, another Kirby remaster is on the way, but who would have thought that the hotly-anticipated Zelda double-pack would be Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks??Speaking of real gob-smackers, I thought that it would be worth grabbing a snap of the page titled "Da Movies" (I can only assume in a reference to that one Vin Diesel video). We knew that Nintendo was looking to branch out and become a multi-armed entertainment company, but this is next level:Image: Nintendo LifeA discarded post-it note carelessly tossed aside seemed to suggest that Nintendo is looking for more Doug Bowser-style name-to-brand synergy in its executives over the coming months. Vanessa Kirby, Ridley Scott, Zelda Williams, and Gino D'Acampo (pending spelling change) were all given as potential options.The June Direct page left me with even more questions: When will the remasters end? Who would leave such an important document on the table? Is that the Aerial font? But Reggie the guard's footsteps were getting louder and I knew that the contents had to be seen to be believed.Image: Nintendo LifeI had an inkling that some of the remasters this year were going to lean a little obscure, but bringing back the Super Scope Battle Clash sequel, Metal Combat: Falcon's Revenge? That feels a little like scraping the bottom of the barrel. Hey, if Nintendo can really nail the Switch motion controls, then we might just be onto something there.Being tight for time, I skipped past taking photos of the next few pages. One was all about a mobile app named 'Pikmin Bloomier' and had a lot of red-penned notes next to its contents. Another detailed a long email chain in which Masahiro Sakurai repeatedly asked for a Kid Icarus: Uprising Switch port but wouldn't explain how he had "revolutionised the control scheme" when asked.And so we hit the last page that I was able to photograph until I had to flee: plans for the final Direct of the year. Honestly, it looks like we're going to be going out with a bit of a whimper, though the emphasised "DO NOT MENTION SWITCH 2" hammers home the fact that 2025 might be different.Image: Nintendo LifeI hope that the above information has been useful. It was a dangerous mission, but this deserves to be seen.Luckily, I seem to have escaped unharmed. Yes, the yellow van with 'Super Mario Bros. Plumbing' written on the side has been parked out the front of my house for a few days now, but I'm sure that's nothing to worry about.
    0 Yorumlar 0 hisse senetleri 126 Views
  • REALTIMEVFX.COM
    Can you please help me create this orb effect with some movement in Unity shader graph
    My outputI have tried everything and I could not create a similar effect. The best I did is shown in the link called My output. Currently, there are multiple plane meshes stacked on top of each other in the one I have made. I am fairly new to shaders in general. Please help me so I can progress, I am stuck on this for past 30 days.Edit: After posting here, I got to know that it can be searched by keyword Ectoplasm on pinterest.Thank you
    0 Yorumlar 0 hisse senetleri 149 Views
  • WWW.THISISCOLOSSAL.COM
    Nicholas Galanin Hews Visions of the Present From Indigenous Knowledge, Land, and Memory
    Never Forget (2021), steel and paint, 59 feet 4 inches x 360 feet 7 inches. Photo by Lance Gerber. All images courtesy of the artist and Peter Blum Gallery, New York, shared with permissionNicholas Galanin Hews Visions of the Present From Indigenous Knowledge, Land, and MemoryDecember 24, 2024Kate MothesBetween 1869 and the 1960s in the U.S., thousands of Indigenous children attended at least 523 boarding schools, supported by the government and church groups that were fueled by the grim motto, Kill the Indian, Save the Man.Children were sent hundreds, if not thousands, of miles from their families and tribal communities, suffering horrific abuse, and in many cases, dying as a result. Federal agents often abducted minors, who were sent to school and punished severely if they spoke their Native languages. By 1926, nearly 83 percent of Indigenous school-age children were enrolled.Loom (2022), prefab childrens school desks and chairs with graphite and pencil carving100 x 83 x 54 inches. Photo by Jason Wyche. Image courtesy of the artist; Peter Blum Gallery, New York; and the Gochman Family CollectionThe National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition explains that the purpose of the schools was expressly intended to implement cultural genocide through the removal and reprogramming of American Indian and Alaska Native children to accomplish the systematic destruction of Native cultures and communities. In October, the U.S. government issued a formal apology for its role in the boarding schools, yet efforts will long continue to fully understand, process, and begin to heal the trauma.For Tlingit-Unangax artist Nicholas Galanin, looking to the past is fundamental to constructing a more nuanced perception of the present. His multidisciplinary practice aims to redress the widespread misappropriation of Indigenous visual culture, the impact of colonialism, as well as collective amnesia, says a statement from Peter Blum Gallery, which represents the artist and is currently showing Galanins solo exhibition, The persistence of Land claims in a climate of change.We can sharpen our vision of the present with cultural knowledge and memory, Galanin says. These works embody cultural memory and practice, reflecting persistence, sacrifice, violence, refusal, endurance, and resistance.White Flag (2022), trimmed polar bear rug and wood, polar bear: 50 x 78 inches; wood: 10 1/2 x 6 1/4 inches. Image courtesy of the artist; Peter Blum Gallery, New York; and GochmanFamily Collection. Photo by Jason WycheBased in Sitka, Alaska, Galanin often incorporates traditional Tlingit and Unangax art forms into contemporary sculptures and installations. The Imaginary Indian (Garden), for example, takes as its starting point a totem pole, a customarily towering representation of animals hewn from a single tree that is deeply imbued with spiritual and social significance. In 3D Consumption Illustration, Galanin comments on a lack of respect for the art form by cutting up a single totem figure like firewood, as if its disposable or merely decorative. In Loom, he stacks a series of ready-made childrens desks into a winged, totem pole-like tower to memorialize the children who suffered in residential schools.Galanins often provocative work emphasizes the inherent power of symbols and associations. A polar bear pelt stands in for fabric in White Flag, a nod to a symbol for surrender, which draws attention to the increasingly stark effects of the climate crisis on the arctic and on Native peoples way of life.In Miami earlier this month, masts and rigging emerged from the sand as if a Spanish galleon had been buried beneath the beach. The sails boldly asked in both English and Spanish: What are we going to give up to burn the sails of empire? and What are we going to build for our collective liberation?The Imaginary Indian (Garden) (2024), Indonesian replica of a Lingt totem with Victorian wallpaper, installation dimensions variable; totem: 81 1/4 x 69 3/4 x 17 3/4 inches. Photo by Jason WycheThe installation, titled Seletega (run, see if people are coming/corre a ver si viene gente), tapped into the European colonization of North America and its aim of extracting wealth, establishing cities and commerce, and expanding westward at the dire expense of Indigenous peoples.In The persistence of Land claims in a climate of change, Galanin continues to highlight the Indigenous cultural continuum, says a gallery statement, defying cultural erasure and refusing the legitimacy of colonial occupation. Galaninreflects on the distance between peace and justice bycentering the enduring Indigenous protection of Land in the face of expansive extraction.Through photography, monotypes, and sculptural works in ceramic, bronze, and wood, the artist reflects on systems of racial oppression and disenfranchisement, Indigenous knowledge and responsibility, and the importance of collectivity and connection as we proceed into the future.Galanin is the recipient of a slew of prestigious awards recently, including a Joan Mitchell Fellowship in 2023 and both the Guggenheim Fellowship and Don Tyson Prize this year. See more of his work on Instagram, and if youre in New York, visit The persistence of Land claims in a climate of change until January 18 in New York City.Seletega (2024), site specific commission,dimensions variable. Photo by Oriol Tarridas. Image courtesy of the artist and Faena ArtNeon American Anthem (red) (2023), neon installation, 7 x 16 feet. Photo by Brad ToneThe Value of Sharpness: When it Falls (2019), 60 porcelain hatchets, 13 1/4 x 5 x 1 inches each; installation variable. Photo by Thomas Mccarty. Image courtesy of the artist; Peter BlumGallery, New York; and the Gochman Family CollectionDetail of The Value of Sharpness: When it FallsThe American Dream is Alie and Well (2012), U.S. flag, felt, .50 cal ammunition, foam, gold leaf and plastic, 84 x 84 x 9 inches. Photo by Jason Wyche. Image courtesy of the artist; Peter Blum Gallery, New York; and Sheldon Museum of Art, NebraskaDetail of The Imaginary Indian (Garden)Next article
    0 Yorumlar 0 hisse senetleri 113 Views
  • WWW.FOXNEWS.COM
    Ignoring router security settings puts millions at risk from hidden dangers
    Published December 24, 2024 6:00am EST close NJ police say theft group using Wi-Fi jammers to disable home security systems Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson joins "Fox & Friends Weekend" to break down his top tech security tips to implement into your home. If youre like me, your home Wi-Fi is at the center of almost everything you do online, whether its online banking, paying bills, booking trips, chatting with friends or streaming movies.These days, its not just your laptop and phone connected to the network, but also things like security cameras, thermostats and even air conditioners are all managed by your router. But be honest, when was the last time you did anything to secure your router? Its easy to forget about it, especially if its working fine. The thing is, a lot of people feel the same way, and a study reveals this "out of sight, out of mind" attitude could be putting millions at serious risk. Image of a router (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Shocking router security facts you need to knowThe2024 Broadband Genie router security survey has uncovered some startling facts about how internet users approach router security. Over half of respondents (52%) admitted they have never adjusted their routers factory settings. Even more concerning, 86% of users have never changed their router administrator password. Leaving the default admin password unchanged is like leaving your front door unlocked. Its an open invitation for hackers to exploit.Similarly, 72% of respondents have never changed their Wi-Fi password. Default passwords are often easily accessible and can be exploited in seconds by knowledgeable attackers. Firmware updates, essential for patching vulnerabilities and enhancing router functionality, are also largely ignored. An overwhelming 89% of users have never updated their routers firmware. While newer routers often handle updates automatically, user awareness and action remain vital for those with older devices.Another glaring issue is the failure to change default network names, such as "SKY12345" or "Linksys-7890." These identifiers can provide hackers with crucial information about the router model, making it easier to exploit known vulnerabilities. Yet, 89% of respondents have never changed their network name. Image of a router (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Most people dont know whos connected to their networkAlarmingly, 75% of users have never checked to see who is connected to their network. With an average home now hosting around 12 connected devices, failing to monitor network activity could lead to unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Even more worrying, three-quarters of respondents do not understand why adjusting router settings is important, showing a significant gap in awareness about the risks associated with default configurations."In 2022, we ran a similar study and found 48% had never touched their router's factory settings. Its concerning that not only has the number come down after two years, its got worse," said Alex Tofts, strategist at Broadband Genie."Most concerning is the very high percentage of broadband subscribers who dont even know why they should be making any of these changes. This exposes a clear knowledge gap, and users need to be educated more about the simple steps they can take to help prevent cyberattacks." A woman working on her laptop computer (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)6 ways to protect your Wi-Fi router from hackersKeeping your home network secure is essential to prevent unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Follow these steps to safeguard your Wi-Fi router:1) Change default passwords:Most routers come with default passwords that hackers can easily find online. To secure your router, change both the admin password (used to access settings) and the Wi-Fi network password. Use a strong password with at least 12 characters, combining uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Avoid simple options like "password123" or personal details such as your name or birth date.2) Rename your network (SSID):The default network name, or SSID, often includes the routers brand or model, making it easier for hackers to identify vulnerabilities. Rename your network to something unique that doesnt reveal personal information. Avoid using names, addresses or other identifiers. Instead, opt for a neutral or creative name thats easy for you to recognize but hard for others to associate with you.3) Keep your routers firmware updated:Router manufacturers release firmware updates to patch security flaws and enhance performance. Check your routers admin panel regularly for updates or enable automatic updates, if supported. Keeping your firmware up to date ensures youre protected against the latest threats. If your router is too old to receive updates, it might be time to upgrade to a newer, more secure model.4) Monitor network activity regularly:Unauthorized devices on your network can slow it down and expose you to risks. Log into your routers admin settings to view all connected devices. If you see anything suspicious, disconnect it and immediately change your Wi-Fi password. You can also enable MAC address filtering to control which devices can access your network or disable features like WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) that may leave you vulnerable.5) Enable network encryption: Use the strongest encryption protocol available for your router, preferably WPA3 or at least WPA2. Encryption scrambles the data transmitted over your network, making it much harder for hackers to intercept and decipher your information.6) Regularly reboot your router: Schedule routine reboots to clear the system memory and refresh all connections, which may disrupt potential malware.Pro tip: Use strong antivirus software: To further protect your devices from malware and other threats, consider using reputable antivirus software. Antivirus programs can detect and remove malicious software, provide real-time protection and alert you to potential threats. Keeping your devices secure helps ensure your entire network remains safe from cyberattacks.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.Kurts key takeawaysCybercriminals are constantly evolving the ways they target us, which means securing just your phone or laptop isnt enough anymore. You need to be cautious with anything connected to the internet, whether it's your router, smart cameras or doorbell. However, the Broadband Genie survey reveals that only a small number of people are aware of the best cybersecurity practices when it comes to protecting their routers. As a basic rule, always remember to change default passwords and rename your routers network to ensure better security.What are your biggest concerns when it comes to cybersecurity? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers 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.
    0 Yorumlar 0 hisse senetleri 111 Views