As the new year approaches, resolutions often take center stagepersonal promises to exercise more, save money, or pick up a new hobby. For leaders, resolutions can feel overused and weighed down by countless failed attempts to stick to the plan.Instead of rigid resolutions, I propose setting intentions.Intentions are value-driven and adaptable, serving as a north star for a companys direction. Similarly, I advocate for milestones over traditional benchmarks. While benchmarks can feel too prescriptive for broader goals, milestones break ambitious journeys into achievable steps that keep teams motivated.In todays fast-moving worldespecially with rapid advancements in AI and datacompanies need flexibility and focus. A thoughtful intention paired with actionable milestones provides the foundation for growth, alignment, and resilience. Heres how leaders can set intentions that inspire their teams and begin the new year on the right foot.Step 1: Start with purposeEvery meaningful intention begins with a clear purpose. Why does your company exist (beyond making money)? What problem are you uniquely positioned to solve? Without purpose, intentions risk becoming hollow or uninspiring.When I joined GrowthLoop, redefining our purpose was one of the first steps we took. The executive team collaborated to shape our guiding principles and presented several options during a town hall. There, we conducted a live vote to select the final version: Unleash the growth potential of the worlds most innovative brands by closing the loop between people, data, and AI.This exercise reconnected us with the emotional core of our business. Leaders struggling to define their purpose should go back to their companys origin. The answer often lies in the stories of your earliest challenges and triumphs.Step 2: Set intentions, not just goalsGoals are outcome-focusedachieve X revenue, launch Y product. Intentions, by contrast, are value-focused. They guide decision-making and behavior, leaving room to restrategize in an uncertain world.At Google Canada, we intended to make the web work for Canadians and Canadian businesses. This wasnt a specific goal but a guiding principle that shaped everything from product development to government relations. It allowed us to adapt while staying aligned with our mission.Intentions also create accountability. When teams set intentions together, they commit to outcomes and the values behind them. This shared accountability strengthens cohesion and empowers teams to hold each otherand their leadersresponsible.Step 3: Define milestones, not benchmarksTraditional benchmarkslike revenue targets or retention ratesare essential for measuring success. But they can sometimes lead to an overly narrow focus on one metric at the expense of broader progress.I like to track smaller, measurable milestones, too, because they provide real-time insights into progress. Think of looking at anec-dataanalyzing anecdotes alongside data.For example, rather than relying solely on traditional, backward-looking metrics like quarterly revenue, we prioritize indicators like customer feedback and product usage patterns. These include reviews on platforms like G2, customer support cases, and recorded sales calls, which signal how well our products meet customer needs.By analyzing actionable insights in customer sentiment and engagement, we can identify opportunities for improvement before theyre reflected in revenue or market share, especially as a new year begins.Step 4: Make it a group effortIntentions are most powerful when theyre collaborative. Engage your team at all levels to build in a shared sense of purpose rather than buy-in to a plan pushed down from the top.At GrowthLoop, we involved employees across the organization to finalize our intention. The town hall vote wasnt just symbolicit ensured everyone felt ownership over the result. This collective effort created enthusiasm and accountability, as everyone saw themselves as contributors to our shared vision.When people feel connected to the companys purpose and have a role in shaping its direction, theyre more likely to unleash their energy and creativity to achieve it.Step 5: Reflect, adjust, and celebrateA companys intention isnt set in stone. Its a dynamic guide that requires reflection and adjustment throughout the year. Regular rituals like weekly check-ins, quarterly reviews, or all-hands meetings create opportunities to assess progress and recalibrate as needed.Personally, I conduct weekly check-ins with myself to evaluate how Im progressing against my intentions. On a company-wide level, quarterly business reviews provide a structured framework for reflection. These sessions allow teams to celebrate milestones, address challenges, double down on the projects that work, and adjust the efforts that arent.Celebration is critical. We hold Worlds Fair meetings to spotlight wins, big and small. These moments of recognition keep teams motivated and reinforce the joy and value of the journey, not just the destination.Looking aheadAs you think about guiding your company in the new year, consider setting an intention instead of a resolution. Root it in a shared purpose, make it collaborative, and define actionable milestones to track progress.If I could offer one additional piece of advice to leaders setting their first company-wide intention, it would be this: step outside of your usual perspective. This means seeking input from within your leadership team and from a broader group of voicesyour employees, customers, and other key stakeholders such as partners, investors, or community members. Take the time to listen to their needs, challenges, and aspirations.Setting aside personal biases and preconceived notions allows you to build intentions that reflect collective values and priorities. The most powerful intentions are not dictated from the toptheyre cocreated through meaningful engagement.

Here's how a mountain of tech products come together to help AppleInsider's Andrew O'Hara keep up with the demanding and growing needs of Apple-focused video production.There's a lot of gear that goes into the video workflowHere at AppleInsider, most of my work revolves around our video production as well as covering the occasional news and writing reviews. Most of my time is spent in the production studio, but I'm bad at staying put.I'm always moving around, which dictates which kind of gear I use. For example, while I drool over the New Mac mini or even the yet-to-be-updated Mac Studio, I use an M3 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro due to its portability. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

An unknown number of users say that their M4 Macs are failing to show the correct resolution for their 5K ultrawide monitors, leaving displays either blurry or too small to read.The M4 Pro Mac miniThe problem is less dramatic than how the M4 iPad Pro was being bricked for some users when they updated to iPadOS 18. In this case, it's another M4 problem but the issue is over what resolution the display is shown at.According to multiple users on Apple's support forums, the issue is specifically with monitors that have a resolution of 5,120 pixels by 2,160 pixels. With high-resolution monitors, Apple scales macOS using a feature it calls high-pixel density mode (HiDPI), which prevents interface elements like windows and menus becoming so small as to be unreadable. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple TV set-top boxes can connect to a VPN so users can access geo-locked content without needing a passport. Here's how to get set up using Surfshark.Use Surfshark VPN Apple TV to tunnel to other regions - Image credit: SurfsharkBoth the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD can run virtual private networks (VPNs) so long as they are running tvOS 17 or later. The VPN service setup and connection work similarly to how it does on Mac, iPhone, or iPad.Surfshark is a trustworthy VPN provider that offers its app on the Apple TV App Store. Unlike scammy free VPNs that likely do more harm than good, Surfshark is a paid service that doesn't monetize user data. Continue Reading on AppleInsider

Archinect has received images from a recent installation completed by Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos and WUA Studio for the 'Art at Qiaoshan - Art Field Nanhai' in Chinas Guangdong Province. One of 73 installations tied to an aquatic theme (to 'be like water'), their proposal 'Floating Boats' captures the spirit of dragon boat racers while recreating a multi-layered industrial space in ways thatcombine "history, symbolism, and emotion."Photography: credit The installation is 'translated' across three levels meant to represent the tripartite lifecycle of the boats, which arepurposely stored and maintained underwater. The first enclosed ground-level space places users in that stasis before progressing to the next 'floating' first level and then on to the final culminating view of the racers themselves on the second level above.Photography: credit Photography: credit "The pre-existence and memory of an object or place holds the accumulated wisdom of generations," Sordo Madale...

The year 2024 has been an amazing one for video games, and fans have been treated to one amazing experience after another and it seems like this console generation is finally picking up pace. To probably no ones surprise, action-adventure continues to be one of the most popular genres and there have been plenty of great releases of this ilk in the last few months. To that effect, we will be discussing 15 of the best action adventure games that were released in 2024.Black Myth: WukongChinese game developer Game Science has had a strong debut with Black Myth: Wukong, which will undoubtedly go down as one of the best action experiences of 2024. Based on the classic novel Journey to the West, Black Myth is a thrilling boss rush that starts off strong and never lets its foot off the gas pedal afterward. Its chock full of memorable fights that are sure to push you to your absolute limits, and the combat rarely gets stale thanks to plenty of abilities and options at your disposal. Couple that with a bevy of imaginative vistas beautifully brought to life through Unreal Engine 5, and that makes Black Myth Wukong a truly special experience and worthy of all the hype.

First up, has there ever been a game as cute and gorgeous as Infinity Nikki, the upcoming open world dress-up adventure coming from developer Papergames and publisher Infold Games? What the game promises in visuals it matches charm and whimsy, but theres a lot going on under the hood beyond Infinity Nikkis looks. Much needs unpacking here so without further ado herere 15 things to know before you play Infinity Nikki.What is it?Infinity Nikki is the fifth of Nikkis games, with the series having begun in 2012 with the mobile-only NikkiUp2U. This time around Nikki and her feline companion Momo will travel throughout the fantastical Miraland in what publisher Infold Games are describing as the cosiest open world game. Furthermore like Nikkis prior entries this fifth instalment blends its cosy adventuring with an eye for fashion; a vast wardrobe of stunning outfits in various styles are waiting for Nikki to discover. Story-wise, were looking at the citizens of this tranquil world becoming mysteriously comatose, with a gang of nefarious stylists also on the prowl.MiralandMiraland is a far-reaching open world comprising a host of nations, each with their own unique cultures and environments. Immersive details are a-plenty: throughout their journey, Nikki and Momo will encounter a cast of whimsical characters and creatures, each living a life of tranquillity within Miralands pastel shaded scenery. Plus, the landscape harbours dynamic weather dependent on location whilst being illuminated by gorgeous sunlight, sunrises, and sunsets.Therell be dungeons and moreAlongside the immersive open world exploration, Infinity Nikki will present fun platforming, environmental puzzles to solve, and Zelda-like dungeons to trawl, the latter clearly an influence indebted to former The Legend of Zelda director Kentaro Tominaga who is onboard for Infinity Nikkis development in a sub-director capacity. Plus, in relation to platforming, Tominaga has stated that discovering points of interest and figuring out how to reach them will be an integral aspect of Infinity Nikkis exploratory gameplay loop.OutfitsThe Nikki series is ostensibly a dress-up RPG, so throughout Nikki and Momos voyage in Miraland youll have opportunity to collect and adorn her in a variety of outfits. And much like Nikkis earlier games, numerous of these outfits possess magical abilities. See, within these outfits is the power of Whim, and dressing appropriately for the occasion will be crucial to navigate Nikki to specific locales, to overcome tough obstacles, or to partake in any number of Miralands relaxing side activities. Nikkis most powerful outfits are enhanced through her Infinity Heart tree, with branches unlockable via collectable Whimstars.Special abilitiesInfold Games have shared numerous of Nikkis outfit powerups, including Bubbly Voyage which gives Nikki the ability to briefly float in the air after a jump. The Wind of Purity unleashes power to purify dark essence whilst Bye-Bye Dust bestows Nikki with valuable material for every cute animal she pets. Rippling Serenity gives her a fishing rod, Afternoon Shine transforms her into a bug catcher. Some abilities will shrink her down, some will let her glide through the air. You get the idea; exploration, platforming, and activities are tied to the outfits Nikki wears.Abilities can be craftedIt has been confirmed that most outfits can be crafted via resources collected throughout Miraland. However, Infinity Nikki is a gacha game, so theres potentially going to be numerous outfits hidden behind a paywall. The extent to which any pay-to-wear outfits are integral to completing Infinity Nikki remains to be seen, but with a slew of in-game challenges, rewards, and minigames offering digital currency to exchange alongside real-world money were hopeful the cost isnt too steep.Momo has a cameraYep, the cat snaps pictures! Momos camera is transformed into the shape of his feline head complete with cute kitty ears via the power of an ability outfit, and hell use it to capture every stunning moment of Nikkis journey. Multiple lighting effects, lens adjustments, filters, and poses will ensure tons of personality will be heaped upon every capture.Side activitiesAs alluded in this feature already, Infinity Nikki harbours a smorgasbord of side activities thatll keep Nikki and her feline companion entertained and relaxed between quests. Activities include a tranquil spot of fishing by the river, butterfly chasing, bug catching, or simply unwinding in view of a gorgeous sunset. Also aforementioned is the necessity to adorn a specific outfit per activity: waterproof ensembles for grooming animals, clothes for fishing, heavy-duty cloaks for fixing machinery, overalls for bug catching, and so on.There is combatWe bring up combat with an air of trepidation because, yes, Infinity Nikki does feature combat but from the various testimonies weve observed from those whove played a few hours of Nikki and Momos adventures through Miraland the general consensus is the game would be better without it. For what its worth, combat here will be a relatively unchallenging affair. In fact, there isnt even a need to aim a weapon; simply hit the fire button to dispatch enemies with ease.Style challengesAn activity befitting of its own entry, style challenges in Infinity Nikki are ostensibly fashion shows with a competitive edge. In essence, theyre fashion battles Nikki can engage against faction members dotted throughout Miraland, and to win shell need to show off her unique style with finesse. As with most things in Miraland, style challenges will be laid-back, mostly fun affairs, with the chance of resources, diamonds, and outfits the reward.In-game currencyThose side activities we mentioned? Well, the more Nikki and Momo complete the more in-game currency can be earned to spend on resources such as crafting materials and growth materials for outfits. Of course, this being a gacha game theres always the opportunity to pay for these progression-boosting resources instead.Release date and platformsInfinity Nikki is nowavailable on PC via the Epic Games Store, on console via PlayStation 5, and on mobile, both iOs and Android devices.Cross-progressionThose looking to play Infinity Nikki on multiple devices rejoice now as the game will support cross-progression. So, for instance, you could load the game up to while away a few hours on PC or console before switching to mobile for a stroll through Miraland on-the-go without losing any progression.

While there isnt much doubt about the fact that the games industry is moving forward at a rapid pace with new and different kinds of experiences releasing left, right, and center there is always a soft spot for the times gone by, the games that hundreds of thousands of fans devoured for hours upon hours while growing up but are now noticeably absent from the market due to shifts in consumer trends or changing business priorities.One of the most wanted series, Dino Crisis also belongs to this very category, with the last entry namely Dino Crisis 3 releasing way back in 2003. Its been well over 20 years that fans have been aching for a new game for a long while, and while there is no solid confirmation on when a new game or a remake will be coming out we do have another exciting game that might just quench that very thirst to look forward to in the near future.We are, of course, talking about PALEOPHAGE which is an upcoming title from the folks over at LogDev. Ever since the game was first unveiled back in 2023, it has caught the eye of many fans across the globe. And to probably no ones surprise, plenty of comparisons to Dino Crisis have been made over the months and suffice it to say PALEOPHAGE does look like a very good representation of what a Dino Crisis game could possibly look and play like.Starting things off with the story, PALEOPHAGE takes place in a dystopian future setting where megacorporations have managed their way into the very fabric of daily life and unethical experiments have been running left, right, and center. A massive breakout occurs when a certain biological experiment fails and violent screams start to emanate from a conference room. Terrified survivors are showing first signs of a mysterious illness, and a quick response team is deployed to find out what exactly went down.Unsurprisingly, the story here is nothing to write home about and thats fine. On the surface level, it hits the same themes of conspiracies and power struggles as Dino Crisis or Resident Evil for that matter but having a loose plot that does just enough to get you right into the action as quickly as possible is obviously a merit that should be appreciated on its own terms. Of course, we are not denying the possibility that developer LogDev might not be able to create a compelling narrative using these threads, but we do know that it probably wont be the biggest draw when it comes to PALEOPHAGE.The star of the show is obviously the gameplay where PALEOPHAGE potentially shines the brightest. On the surface, PALEOPHAGE is all about carefully tiptoeing across urban environments and fighting the many ferocious beasts that roam these lands as you try to get to the bottom of whatever caused this rampage in the first place. Thematically, the juxtaposition of these urban environments against these monsters is something that we havent quite seen since Dino Crisis flew off the radar more than 20 years ago.PALEOPHAGE features an over-the-shoulder perspective that does a good job of really seating the player into the horror. The moment-to-moment gameplay will revolve around exploring these dark and desolate environments bit by bit and fighting off the many enemies that lie between you and your goals. Unlike Turok which majorly relies on heart-pounding action, PALEOPHAGE is more of a survival horror experience which means that players wont just be flailing around large arenas with fast weapons but instead methodically pace around smaller rooms and take on these threats slowly and smartly.To support that vision, PALEOPHAGE has made some small yet significant design decisions that help with achieving that titular mesh of survival horror and action that made us fall in love with Dino Crisis all those years ago. Firstly, the movement speed is relatively slow and heavier than action games which force players to be very careful of their maneuvers during combat. On the flip side, enemies like dinosaurs are nimble creatures by comparison which add an element of chaos to the whole affair.As such, players will have to be pretty vigilant while exploring the claustrophobic corridors and use pieces of cover efficiently to make space between them and the dinosaurs and quickly finish them off without inducing much harm to self. On that note, a minor point of criticism that we should bring to the table is that PALEOPHAGE seems to have cut some corners when it comes to the combat feedback loop.As can be seen from the trailers, dinosaurs dont really react to gunshots as harshly as they should and the impact of weapon recoil also leaves a bit to be desired. Of course, its possible that this is something that the team might fix in the coming months but its an important piece of the puzzle since many survival horror games already have a pretty basic combat loop with minimal progression which is why the best games of this ilk pay so much attention to the feedback mechanics.Lets also briefly take a moment to talk about the dinosaurs which are also what helps PALEOPHAGE stand out from contemporaries of the genre. LogDev promises over a dozen different kinds of dinosaurs that players will be facing during their adventures, which includes but is not limited to Utahraptor to Arthurplera to Prestosuchus, and much more. These different dinosaurs are not only visually different but also functionally apart from one another.Some are small and nimble creatures that come in packs, forcing players to focus on crowd control while others are towering creatures that can deal massive damage in one blow which would require you to save your precious ammunition for those moments. LogDev seems to have done a great job when it comes to enemy variety, and the developer could make use of these different permutations and combinations to come up with interesting scenarios for combat.Of course, theres also more to PALEOPHAGE than just exploration and combat. There are also elements of puzzle-solving scattered here and there, which should serve well to break the flow of exploration and combat and induce another layer of variety to the mix. From what we have seen, PALEOPHAGE doesnt seem to bother much when it comes to skill trees or abilities for player progression so having whatever variety within the gameplay would greatly help to break any sense of monotony that might come from doing the same things over and over again.PALEOPHAGE is also a visually striking game, and it would be a shame not to discuss this part of the presentation. The lighting is especially impressive, and from what we can see from the trailers PALEOPHAGEs engine does a great job of handling dynamic and indirect lighting which helps in producing compelling scenes. Textures on dinosaurs and characters are also pretty detailed, which rounds out an amazing-looking game.LogDev isnt a very huge development studio, and PALEOPHAGE is the first game that it will be putting out which makes this production quality all the more impressive. As mentioned previously, there are a few rough edges that one can find here and there but the scale of the experience, and the sheer variety in terms of dinosaurs and environments is something that deserves to be appreciated on its own terms. Certain levels take place in closed corridors, some outside, aFinally, theres the topic of release dates. PALEOPHAGE is set to release on PC and PS5 at an unconfirmed date, but judging from what we know about the game and its current state of development, we can certainly make a rough estimate of when it will come out. Given that the game is deep in development and it was first unveiled back in 2023, it seems like a fair guess to assume that it would be coming out sometime between 2025 and 2026 but then again, its important to understand that this is pure speculation and things could definitely change in the near future.But in conclusion, LogDev certainly has something pretty special on its hands and PALEOPHAGE could very well fit the void left by the absence of Dino Crisis. Of course, we do know that the team behind Dino Crisis might be considering bringing back the series after so long and the recent announcements of new Okami and Onimusha games do offer a ray of hope that an official Dino Crisis game might come out in the near future but PALEOPHAGE can still hit the same notes and make a name for itself. One can hope, right?Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

Rebecca Liao, CEO of Saga, talked to us about the boundaries of provocative games on the Saga blockchain.Read More