Mr. Musk has fallen out with prominent right-wing Americans who say they are worried that their agenda may be sidelined in favor of his own and that he is willing to silence them on X.

Metas chief executive has stepped away from his mea culpa approach to issues on his platforms and has told people that he wants to return to his original thinking on free speech.

Apple's iPhone assembly partner Foxconn has asked the Indian government for larger payments from a manufacturing fund, because other companies failed to meet standards.Production in a Foxconn facility - Image Credit: FoxconnApple's increased production of iPhones in India was aided by the introduction of production-linked incentive schemes (PLI), promising funds to companies manufacturing in the country. Foxconn now wants a bigger cut of the subsidy pie.Foxconn and Dixon Technologies India are requesting for the Indian government to bump up their subsidies under PLI schemes. The companies have already received approval for payments for reaching production targets, but they want more, reports Bloomberg. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

TSMC's chip foundry in Arizona is not just making one Apple chip, as a second Apple design is reportedly now in production at the facility.TSMC office sign - Image Credit: TSMCIn September, TSMC finally started to produce chips at its Arizona foundry, which had been under construction since 2020. Four months later, the facility is seemingly expanding its capabilities.According to sources of Tim Culpan, TSMC Arizona is producing its second Apple product. It's reportedly manufacturing SiPs (Systems in package) for the Apple Watch. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Architizer's 13th A+Awards features a suite of sustainability-focused categories recognizing designers that are building a greener industry and a better future. Start your entry to receive global recognition for your work!In 1997, Dennis Thresh Fong took the once sneer-inducing subculture of gaming and completely flipped it on its head. His victory in the Quake Red Annihilation tournament won him a cherry-red Ferrari that was previously owned by id Softwares John Carmack. It was a turning point an unbelievable moment that hinted at what the world would eventually recognize as a legitimate competitive discipline. By the time Thresh entered the ESL Hall of Fame in 2016, the message was crystal: esports wasnt some exclusive club reserved for people who knew how to build their own servers and overclock CPUs. It was a global industry that would soon eclipse many forms of traditional entertainment.Today, the esports sector has reached a level few could have predicted. Forecasts suggest revenues could hit 3.4 billion this year, driven by staggering audiences who assemble both virtually and physically to watch tournaments of games like Dota 2, League of Legends and FIFA. Millions of people gather online while thousands more meet in purpose-built arenas to watch professional gamers do their thing. Esports has become a platform for international diplomacy, branding and crucially a jumping-off point for some of the most innovative architecture in the world.The early esports competitions of the 1980s and 90s were played on arcade cabinets or around makeshift LAN setups in internet cafs and college dorms. Gamers built their own setups and hunched over screens in badly lit rooms. Yet, as games like StarCraft, Counter-Strike and Quake became global phenomena and the internet grew, local fan groups evolved into massive, transnational communities. It was South Koreas love of StarCraft in the early 2000s that really ramped things up. With dedicated TV channels being launched and players being recognized as celebrities, gaming became a mass spectator sport. Within a decade, streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube Gaming unlocked global reach and esports went viral. Now, as the industry continues to grow, cities all over the world are constructing architecturally ambitious arenas to house these incredible competitions.Allegiant Stadium by Manica Architecture, Las Vegas, Nevada | Photo by Jason ORear PhotographyUnlike traditional stadiums that have been honed over centuries around known parameters like a pitch, a court or a field, where players physically interact in three-dimensional space and spectators are fixed on a single point of action, esports competitions are primarily on screens and often, multiple players mean multiple focus points. The field can morph from a jungle in League of Legends to a sprawling sci-fi battleground in Halo. Camera angles shift instantaneously but players can remain seated for hours, completely inverting the rules of traditional sports.For architects, this means designing for multiple vantage points, ergonomic comfort and countless permutations. Most importantly, esports arenas must support highly complex technological ecosystems powerful servers, ultra-low-latency data backbones and cutting-edge broadcasting facilities that would rival top-tier TV studios. Beyond technology, flexibility is paramount. Stages and setups must be modular to accommodate different games, formats and audience sizes, while seating arrangements may need to shrink or expand, potentially overnight. Sight lines must take into consideration both live-action and digital overlays, as well as the vast audience that experiences these events from the comfort of their own home. In some cases, the architecture must include back-of-house training facilities, VIP lounges, live-streaming studios and even coworking areas for content creators, each with its own spatial and technical requirements.Co-op Live by Populous, Manchester, United Kingdom | Visuals by PopulousIn esports architecture, technology is the central nervous system, and one firm is leading the way. With a design portfolio that includes some of the most advanced esports facilities in the world, including Esports Stadium Arlington, Fortress Melbourne and the NBA 2K League Broadcast Arena, Populous is at the forefront of cutting-edge venue design for the ever-expanding live gaming experience.Populous are well known for their incredible sporting arenas, and their first forays into esports are also setting new standards. The Qiddiya City Esports Arena in Saudi Arabia stands out. Combining the largest combined total video screen area of any esports arena in the world, as well as 4D haptic seats where visitors will sense, feel and even smell the action taking place in front of them, the striking design creates an iconic venue, capable of adapting to multiple experiences and events. With a distinctive architectural identity, the 5,300-seat multifunctional venue will provide a best-in-class experience for players and spectators alike. Extensive sightline studies have been carried out to optimize seating in the main auditorium for the best views, and parametric design tools have been utilized to refine screen locations, resulting in an innovative digital chandelier placed centrally within the seating bowl for enhanced gameplay content delivery.Its not all plain sailing. While esports may spare us the grass maintenance of football pitches or the water demands of Olympic swimming pools, environmental scrutiny is rightly an issue. Data centers, high-end equipment and continuous streaming generate a significant carbon footprint. According to some estimates, information and communications technology accounts for around 3.7% of global emissions nearly on par with the airline industry.Sphere by Populous and ICRAVE, Las Vegas, Nevada | Visuals by ICRAVELatency can make or break an esports competition. Audiences expecting flawless 4K streams require bulletproof internet pipelines, multiple redundancies and data centers integrated into the architecture. Cooling systems become critical design challenges as massive server loads generate substantial heat. Architects and engineers are responding with a new ethos of sustainability. Arenas are adopting energy-efficient cooling systems that use recycled water or passive air strategies. Solar panels, high-performance insulation, responsibly sourced materials and state-of-the-art lighting systems help reduce the environmental impact. Advanced building management systems can modulate energy consumption in real time, while modular construction methods enable future upgrades without massive waste. Esports arenas, as future-oriented entities, are fantastic examples of green design and are set to revolutionize other entertainment venues that follow.The upcoming 2025 Olympic Esports Games will undoubtedly push architects and designers to up their game. Even more daring technological experiments are likely to emerge with holographic player introductions, AI-driven systems and a new era of arena that blur the boundaries between physical and digital architecture.In the centuries to come, historians may look back on this moment as the time when architecture had to rethink fundamental elements of spatial design: circulation, acoustic engineering and even the definition of a seat. Shifting from static structures to fluid, tech-driven environments that engage not only the body but also the imagination, these digital coliseums are the next evolution of cultural space places where human creativity, advanced technology and architectural innovation come together.Architizer's 13th A+Awards features a suite of sustainability-focused categories recognizing designers that are building a greener industry and a better future. Start your entry to receive global recognition for your work!The post Game Changers: Designing the Next Generation of Esports Arenas appeared first on Journal.

Chris Dring, who previously headed up GamesIndustry.biz, recently did a Q&A on the Install Base forums, where he shed light on some interesting details about the numbers behind gaming subscription services like Xbox Game Pass, and what they might mean for developers and publishers.Responding to a question about whether sentiments at studios and publishing companies about subscription services has changed, Dring talks about his own anecdotal experience, while also talking about how games are affected differently depending on whether they are blockbuster releases or indie titles.One of the biggest takeaways is that developers and publishers expect to lose 80 percent of their sales on Xbox if the game will be available on Game Pass. This indicates that most Xbox players are opting to play through the latest releases through Game Pass rather than buying the games.Anecdotally, games that are in Game Pass can expect to lose around 80% of its expected premium sales on Xbox, wrote Dring. Thats the figure that gets thrown around. Its less if its a big mainstream release, but generally look at how low Hellblade 2 charted. Or where Indiana Jones came. Or even Starfield. Game Pass clearly hurt sales of those titles on Xbox.Games that are multi-platform, however, seem to benefit from coming to Game Pass, thanks to more players joining in on the Xbox side also impacting sales on PlayStation. This likely applies to multiplayer titles with cross-play, where a stronger online player base leads to more sales of a game.But if its a game on multiple platforms, it can be beneficial, said Dring. That surge in players on one Xbox can have a strong impact on sales on PlayStation, for instance.Dring goes on to talk about his own thoughts on subscription services like Game Pass, and how that affects developers. He points to Xbox indie titles that arent on Game Pass, and how that leads to losing out on revenue.On the other hand, Dring also points out that the exposure games get from being on a service like Game Pass brings a lot more players to the title than it would otherwise attract. This means that players that are subscribing to Game Pass for Call of Duty might also check out a small indie title that they wouldnt have otherwise bought.I am actually torn on subscription, Dring explained. I believe it can lead to lost revenue, and services like this make it harder for everyone else. Try being an indie game on Xbox right now thats not on Game PassBut also, getting people to play your game in 2024/2025 is so, so, so hard, he continued. And subscription gets games in front of lots of people. We know from data that there are a lot of people that only play Call of Duty. And if some of those people decided to get Call of Duty this year via Game Pass, and those very same people took the opportunity to play some other Game Pass games, games they wouldnt have otherwise played its hard to argue thats a bad thing.Dring then talks about the future of subscription services for games, pointing to the lack of growth for Xbox Game Pass for example. He also talks about how many players dont use Game Pass because some of the most popular games out there are free-to-play.As for trajectory although subscriptions have a decent audience, theres not been too much growth recently (were waiting to see that Call of Duty impact), said Dring. In a world where the biggest games are free, and hundreds of hours long, the idea that the majority of gamers will be accessing their games via a subs service seems fanciful.Over the years, Xbox Game Pass has seen a steady expansion of its available catalogue, with January bringing with it titles like the original Diablo, as well as UFC 5. Competing with Game Pass is Sonys own subscription service in the form of the higher tiers of PlayStation Plus.

Almost a month after its trailer at The Game Awards, Warner Bros. Games has released a new gameplay trailer for upcoming iOS and Android title Game of Thrones: Kingsroad. Check out the trailer below. Interestingly, aside from coming to smartphones, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad will also be playable on PC through a Windows Launcher.This time around, the trailer gives us an up close look at the hard-hitting combat and some of the exploration in Game of Thrones: Kingsroad. The video indicates that the title will feature an open world that players will be able to freely explore to some extent.The combat itself appears to be combat-based, with different weapons available for varying up play styles. When it comes to exploration, however, there seems to be quite a bit for players to do, ranging from quests from important characters from the show, to finding and exploring ruins in search of treasure.The trailer also gives us a look at some of the different areas players will be able to explore and fight in, from grassy fields to crumbling ruins, and even seemingly the streets of major cities.Much like in the previous trailer, the latest one also gives us a great look at some of the great facial capture and animation of important characters.While no solid release date has been announced for Game of Thrones: Kingsroad as of yet, the game is set for release some time this year. WB Games has also announced a closed beta test for the game for players in US, Canada, and parts of Europe. This beta test will take place on January 16, and will go on until January 22.

Microsoft is working on getting Windows running well on handheld gaming PCs. In an interview with The Verge, vice president of Next Generation Jason Ronald said that the experience of gaming on a Windows-based handheld system will see changes.Ronald spoke about Microsoft wanting to tie in the gaming experiences on Xbox and Windows more closely. It certainly helps that the operating system on Xbox consoles is already built on top of Windows, which gives the company a leg up in its efforts at streamlining handheld gaming on Windows.I would say its bringing the best of Xbox and Windows together, because we have spent the last 20 years building a world-class operating system, but its really locked to the console, Ronald said. What were doing is were really focused on how do we bring those experiences for both players and developers to the broader Windows ecosystem.One of the key ways Microsoft wants handheld gaming on Windows to be more intuitive and simple is by making the experience closer to that of console gaming and simplifying the interface.Were focused on really simplifying that and making it much more like a console experience, he explained. Our goal is to put the player and their library at the center of the experience and not all the [Windows] work that you have to do today.It is worth noting that Microsoft has been actively updating Windows and the Xbox app to make the interface simpler to use. Ronald refers to these as investments that users are starting to see already. More will be revealed later this year, however.I think its going to be a journey and I think youll see a lot of investments over time that youre starting to see already, but well have a lot more to share later this year, said Ronald.Unlike Valves approach to its operating system, however, Microsoft isnt looking to hide away the core Windows functionality. According to Ronald, the goal is to make gaming in Windows in general a better experience, regardless of the hardware it is running on.I think, at the end of the day, our goal is to make Windows great for gaming on any device, he said. The reality is the Xbox operating system is built on top of Windows. So theres a lot of infrastructure that we built in the console space that we can bring to the PC space and really deliver that premium gaming experience on any device.However, the company is still working on changing the interface in a way where it will feel like a gaming system rather than a full-fledged desktop when it comes to trying to use it with analogue sticks. Windows, on its own, requires its users to have a keyboard and mouse or touchscreen available, for example, making navigation through the OS difficult on systems that might be lacking in those things.Theres fundamental interaction models that were working on to make sure that regardless of the operating system details it feels very natively like a gaming-centric device and a gaming-centric experience, said Ronald.Microsoft has stated in the past that it wants to make handheld gaming on Windows better, with potential additions like Quick Resume, and an improved Windows UI. Since the release of the Steam Deck, the space has seen several competitors to Valve, including Asus with the ROG Ally, MSI with the Claw, and Lenovo with the Legion Go.Valve itself also recently announced that SteamOS wouldnt be limited to just the Steam Deck anymore, announcing a partnership with Lenovo for the new Legion Go S.

aerial city view of the skyline of downtown Ottawa, including Parliament buildings Ottawa, Ontario Canada.Last month, the federal government announced that it would be investing $10 millionfor18 applied research projects that explore specific, impactful ways to help Canada meet its housing and infrastructure needs.These projects aim to generate innovative, practical solutions to the housing and infrastructure challenges faced by Canadian communities. The solutions range from building a national housing data platform, to studying the impacts of transit investments on low-income and racialized communities, to combatting youth homelessness.These important projects will support innovative solutions that will help build more critical infrastructure and housing, faster across Canada, said Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.The list of projects include the following architect-led initiatives.5468796 Architecture in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is aiming to identify and leverage under-utilized land and building assets of non-government organizations to support new affordable housing development. The project, calledShared Ground: Leveraging Social Purpose Infrastructure for Affordable Housing, aims to help address the shortage of affordable housing in Winnipeg.In Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, a project by Taylor Architecture Group Ltd. called Prototyping a Resilient Northern Home: Ongoing Barriers and Alternative Solutionsaims to help study alternative housing designs that respond to the unique systems, environments, and infrastructure in remote and northern communities. The results and insights to be shared with policymakers seek to support the construction and maintenance of housing in the North.University research also features among the selected projects.In Toronto, a project by Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) called Navigating Transformation: A Comprehensive Study of Transit Infrastructure Investments and Their Implications for Black Renters in Toronto, aims to help conduct a study on the impacts of transit investments on low-income and racialized communities in an Ontario city, specifically tenants. The results and findings are meant to inform policy decision makers on transit investments, while ensuring the protection of vulnerable communities from displacement and unaffordable housing.One by the University of Toronto, called Accelerating Affordable Housing Development with an AI-Assisted Platform for Partnerships aims to help create an online platform to facilitate partnerships between developers, municipalities, and lenders for innovative mixed-use projects, promoting affordable housing solutions, diverse collaborations, and increased participation from non-traditional funders.A McGill-led project calledCanadian Housing Observatory aims to help create a national online platform that brings together diverse housing data, allowing for in-depth exploration and analysis of housing issues, supporting broad insights, and promote housing education.Meanwhile, Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, is advancing studies of 3D concrete printing technology to build more durable housing and infrastructure by conducting large-scale proof-of-concept tests through their project,3D Printed Concrete: An Innovative, Efficient, and Resilient Solution to Canadas Housing Needs.The full list of projects can be found here.The post Federal government invests in 18 research projects to support housing and infrastructure needs appeared first on Canadian Architect.

Story, an intellectual property blockchain, believes that creators, developers and artists should be able to be rewarded for what they contribute to AI.Read More