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While many big names are trying to vie for the dragons hoard, Loot by Gila RPGs has found its own unique way to evoke that classic D&D experience. When most people think of Dungeons & Dragons they think of two things: rolling dice and going on epic adventures. The three pillars of D&D exploration, social interaction, and combat are often said to be the cornerstone of an adventure. A lesser acknowledged (but equally true) drive for adventurers is loot. Magical items, powerful weapons, and cool armor drive explorers to venture into dangerous dungeons and face off against powerful dragons. Loot shows that you can have all of that, without ever rolling a single die.Spencer Campbell of Gila RPGs is known for making games inspired by video games (like his games Rune and REAP, crunchy soulslike solo TTRPGs). His most recent game, Loot is set in a city that has just toppled its former lich overlord and his vast supply of wealth is now free for the taking. But the people have been left to fend off the creatures and factions whove come to fill the power vacuum and claim the city as their own.Players act as freelancers, adventurers whove come to the city on the promise that they will fend off these combating factions in exchange for unimaginable loot. There are two main phases of play: exploration and combat. During exploration, players venture through forests, city streets, and of course dungeons. During combat, the game master breaks out a 66 grid for turn-based combat.It all sounds pretty standard (though still compelling) fare for a D&D campaign, but instead of relying on skills and dice, players have resources they have to manage (Approaches) that offer them three ways to solve problems: Force, Flow, and Focus. Every player starts off with one available slot for each approach, increasing depending on the loot they have equipped. Each time a player confronts a challenge or an obstacle in or out of combat the GM will ask the PC to use and mark off a corresponding Approach point.There is no option for failure here, which some players may find odd, rather the consequences for resource management reflect how severe the complications are that will arise from the challenge. As Campbell writes in the quickstart guide, the PCs are assumed to be capable adventurers, with their limits represented by their willingness to push through obstacles, or adapt their approaches to fit a challenge.While print copies of the game will be available at the end of January, a pdf of the game is available now for $20 on the GilaRPG itch.io store.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.Last year, I was searching high and low for a good present to get my mom, who loves gadgets but for whom I have already purchased every Alexa-enabled device, plus a whole slew of Apple products. I dug my own grave by maxing her out on electronics and doodads and was left with few gift optionsthat is, until I noticed a product advertised as a mug warmer. I initially thought she could plug it into one of her many smart outlets and command her army of Amazon Echos to keep her drinks warm, so I bought it immediately. That was not, however, how she ended up using itwhat sits atop this drink warmer is a candle. She found the smartest way to make her home smell amazing, then passed the knowledge on to me. Now, I'm passing it on to you because this is a great hack. Candle warming is a super efficient way to make your entire home smell fantastic. My mom lives in a four-level house and says that when she sets a candle on her mug warmer, the smell permeates at least two levels away from wherever the device is. Simply lighting a candle doesn't yield the same result. Unlike traditionally lighting a candle, the warmer causes the wax to melt from the bottom up. It does take a while for the smell to hit, but once it does, the scent is unstoppable. For a smaller candle, around 14 ounces, the process takes about an hour and the smell grows in intensity the whole time. You can get designated candle warmers for about $30, but the smaller heaters designed for mugs can be as low as $9.99. The ones designed to heat candles, specifically, usually work by heating from the top down and are generally available in more decorative designs. I prefer the mug warmer primarily because it's cheaper, but also because it's more useful overall, even if it isn't as pretty on the shelf. First, as the candle heats from the bottom, the smell builds in intensity. If you want a less intense scent, you can stop the warmer, which gives you a little more control and customizability. Second, the candle warmers that heat from the top are designed specifically to do that, which is awesome, but you can't benefit from the dual-purpose glory the mug warmer offers. Remember, it's a mug warmer, so you can use it as one whenever you want. The fancier, more expensive, top-down warmers don't do much for your coffee, but the mug warmer can be used for its original purpose with ease. To me, it just makes more sense to get the cheaper device that does more around the house. The one I've purchased for my mom and myself is no longer available on Amazon, but it was similar to this: Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer $12.53 at Amazon $19.99 Save $7.46 Shop Now Shop Now $12.53 at Amazon $19.99 Save $7.46 What to keep in mind when heating candles on a mug warmerFirst of all, the surface here is pretty small, so you're not going to be doing this with big, three-wick candles. That would take too long, anyway. Second of all, once you do this to a candle, you won't be able to burn that one again. Once the whole thing liquifies, the wick can start, as my mom puts it, "floating around in there." When it hardens again after you turn the warmer off, there's no guarantee the wick will be sticking out and available for lighting in the future. Granted, once you try this fire-free option and see how much more intense the scent is, you may not want to bother lighting a candle again anyway. The best candle I've found for this is from Bath & Body Works and I assume the powerful smell comes from the brand's tendency to put essential oils in its product. The exterior doesn't get sweaty, the labels don't peel off, and there are really no safety issues or other problems beside the fact that you'll probably lose access to your wick. (I should note, however, that you shouldn't try to move the candle until after the wax has cooled and re-solidified. The glass will be warm to the touch and moving it too soon means risking spilling hot wax all over the place, which is not ideal.) I love this method because it is safer than traditional candle burning. I am a huge fan of candles and scents overall, but I don't really enjoy having open flames out and about in my home, so this takes away some anxiety while providing better service. Plugging the warmer into a smart outlet also means I can check an app to be sure it's not still on, even when I'm out, which is not possible with an open-flame candle. My mom has requested, however, that I let you know that safety features can also be a slight negative if you don't prepare correctly: "One thing to remember when choosing a candle is that these mug warmers are meant to go off when you lift a coffee mug off of them, so you need to make sure that the candle has a good flat base and some weight to it to keep the warmer on," says she, the expert. Finally, the wax doesn't really disappear the way it does with a normal candle. Rather, it loses potency. You can aim to heat yours 15 to 20 times, then, if it's losing scent power, consider swapping it out for a new one.

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket has successfully made it to space for its maiden flight, a few days after its planned January 13 launch was scrubbed. The vehicle passed the Krmn line, the internationally recognized boundary of space, shortly after 2AM Eastern time on January 16. New Glenn's booster separated from the rest of the rocket to make its way back to Earth towards a landing platform in the ocean by 2:10 AM, while its second stage and payload went on to reach orbit. The company has just announced on its live feed, however, that it has lost the booster.Developing...This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/blue-origins-new-glenn-rocket-launches-into-orbit-on-its-maiden-flight-073451555.html?src=rss

Businesses can protect not only their AI systems but also the integrity and resilience of their broader digital environments.

If there were ever a time to understand your online data privacy settings, it's now in the AI era.

Apple should shut off its AI summaries of news alerts until it can prevent them from spreading fake news. Anecdotes of iPhone users seeing weirdly phrased summaries of texts and other content are common. But getting news headlines wrong is another matter. Washington Post tech columnist Geoffrey Fowler is the latest to call out the problem.[A]pple Intelligence is so bad that today it got every fact wrong in its AI summary of [Washington Post] news alerts, Fowler posted on Bluesky Wednesday. An Apple Intelligence Fowler got on his iPhone told him that Pete Hegseth, defense secretary nominee, had been fired, that Trumps tariff policies are affecting inflation, and that Pam Bondi and Marco Rubio, the incoming administrations nominees for attorney general and secretary of state, respectively, were confirmed for their Cabinet posts.None of those AI summarizations correctly reflected the original notifications.Its wildly irresponsible that Apple doesnt turn off summaries for news apps until it gets a bit better at this AI thing, Fowler wrote. Hes right. Apple is contributing to the misinformation problem now burning out of control in the digital spaceall for barely needed summarizations of already pithy news headlines.This isnt the first time Apple Intelligences summarization errors have been called out for gross inaccuracies. In November, one misrepresented a headline about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The following month, the BBC complained that an Apple notification made it seem as if the BBC had reported that Luigi Mangione, charged with killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself.Days after that error, the journalist organization Reporters Without Borders called on Apple to suspend the news alert summaries, stating it is very concerned by the risks posed to media outlets.Apple turned on the notification summaries for iPhone users in a software update in late October 2024. It was part of a larger package of Apple Intelligence AI features launched within iOS 18.1.Artificial intelligence companies have developed a number of methods of preventing AI models from making up facts. Some have used a technique called retrieval augmented generation (RAG), in which the AI consults indexed data or web information to confirm facts or add context. Others have developed separate AI models that scrutinize and fact-check other models output.Weve developed some tolerance for tech companies pushing out new AI features before theyre fully baked. But when such features do real harm they must be taken back into the lab for more work. Thats what Apple should do with its news summaries.Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

DesignMarch, Milan design week and Dubai Design Week are among the key architecture and design events featured in Dezeen Events Guide for 2025.It promises to be a busy year ahead for design with events such as Osaka Expo, Venice Architecture Biennale and the 15th Shanghai Biennale all keenly anticipated.Read on for the 2025 highlights and see Dezeen Events Guide for more design events around the world.IDS Toronto23 to 26 January, CanadaTrade show IDS Toronto will celebrate its 26th edition in 2025, returning to the city's Metro Toronto Convention Centre to host an exhibition, talks programme, networking opportunities and an opening party.Speakers include brand strategists, designers, marketing directors and consultants, with several talks moderated by Dezeen's US editor Ben Dreith.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.Stockholm Design Week3 to 9 February, SwedenStockholm Design Week's 2025 edition will see the return of Stockholm Furniture Fair and its talks programme at Stockholmsmssan.Alongside the fair, the festival will present exhibitions, installations, open showrooms, workshops, product launches and parties across the city over seven days.Daniel Heckscher was appointed to be the director of this year's festival and fair, which invites architecture and design professionals and enthusiasts alike.Dezeen is launching its digital guide to the festival in January. In the meantime, take a look at last year's guide here.Dezeen is a media partner of Stockholm Design Week and Stockholm Furniture Fair.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.DesignMarch returns to Reykjavk for its 17th edition. Photo is courtesy of DesignMarch. Above photo is by Michael RygaardDesignMarch2 to 6 April, IcelandFive-day festival DesignMarch takes place in Iceland's capital Reykjavk, celebrating its 17th edition with its annual DesignTalks programme and fringe events.The festival will explore a range of design disciplines, including interior, fashion, furniture, graphic, jewellery, landscape, product and textile design.The 2024 edition saw over 100 exhibitions and 200 events hosted across the city.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.Expo 2025 Osaka13 April to 13 October, JapanAcross Yumeshimanaka island in Osaka Bay, a series of exhibitions will be on display over seven months for Expo 2025 Osaka, exploring topics such as sustainability and technology in design.The world expo will see global design projects spotlighted on the island, in keeping with the Japanese government's Society 5.0 initiative.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.Milan design week hosts a Salone del Mobile and fuorisaloneMilan design week7 to 13 April, ItalyThe world's largest furniture fair Salone del Mobile will host its 63rd edition at Fiera Milano during the 2025 edition of Milan design week.Taking place alongside the fair, fringe events such as exhibitions, open showrooms, product launches, talks and tours collectively known as fuorisalone are set to demonstrate and explore global design projects over seven days.Take a look at last year's guide here.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.Venice Architecture Biennale10 May to 23 September, ItalyItalian architect and engineer Carlo Ratti is curating this year's Venice Architecture Biennale, which will follow the theme Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.The 19th edition aims to address how architecture can utilise intelligence to combat global issues such as climate change.While the biennale takes place across Venice, two main exhibition spaces are Giardini della Biennale and Arsenale di Venezia.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.Design the World You Want is the theme for Melbourne Design Week 2025. Photo is by Tim CarrafaMelbourne Design Week15 to 25 May, AustraliaThe theme of this year's Melbourne Design Week is Design the World You Want, asking participants to create meaningful and enriching designs that can combat global issues.The festival programme covers mediums such as communication, industrial, urban and service design, architecture, gaming, fashion, craft and art.The 2024 edition saw more than 100,000 people attend the festival, which launched over 400 events across Melbourne.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.NYCxDesign16 to 23 May, USANYCxDesign expects to present hundreds of events across Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn during May, including trade shows, talks, tours, exhibitions and product launches.The design week is built on nine core values, including seeking to make New York City a hub for design, encouraging more sustainable practices and serving as a platform for global cultural exchanges.Take a look at last year's guide here.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.Design Shanghai4 to 7 June, ChinaThe Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center is once again the setting for annual trade show Design Shanghai, located across four halls in the venue.Aiming to spotlight a mix of Eastern and Western designs, the event will present an exhibition and conference, focusing on furniture, textiles and kitchen and bathroom products.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.3 Days of Design presents exhibitions, talks, workshops and parties. Photo courtesy of Jianze3 Days of Design18 to 20 June, DenmarkCopenhagen's annual design festival 3 Days of Design returns in June, located across 11 of the city's regions, with each district named after a local monument.2025 marks the festival's 12th edition, which is set to host exhibitions, installations, talks, tours, workshops and parties.The events will explore indoor and outdoor furniture, lighting, office equipment, surfaces and materials.Take a look at last year's guide here.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism 20251 September to 31 October, South KoreaBritish designer Thomas Heatherwick has been appointed general director of this year's Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism.The event will arrange exhibitions and forums, located across Seoul for two months, that explore and harness the city's architecture.The biennale wants to engage with the inhabitants of Seoul, encouraging them to communicate what they want from their city.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.London Design Festival takes place from 12 to 21 September 2025. Photo is by James HarrisLondon Design Festival12 to 21 September, UKThe 23rd edition of London Design Festival will take place across 10 days, hosting exhibitions, talks, workshops, tours, parties, open showrooms and product launches across a range of design disciplines.The Global Design Forum is the festival's talks programme, incorporating daily themes for the speakers to explore.Take a look at last year's guide here.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.Chicago Architecture Biennial12 September 2025 to 28 February 2026, USAChicago Architecture Biennial has appointed architect and academic Florencia Rodriguez as its latest artistic director.2025 marks the event's sixth edition and 10th anniversary, with the biennial launching with an exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center.Over 400 works by architects and designers have been displayed across the five previous editions.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.Dutch Design Week takes place each year in Eindhoven. Photo is by Sem HovinghDutch Design Week18 to 26 October, The NetherlandsLocated in Eindhoven, Dutch Design Week will focus on five key elements when hosting its annual events: Thriving Planet, Living Environment, Digital Futures, Health and Wellbeing, and Equal Society.More than 100 venues and locations are expected to host events across the Canal, Centre, Hallenweg, Sectie-C, Station, Strijp-S, Strijp T+R and West districts.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.15th Shanghai Biennale: Does the flower hear the bee?8 November 2025 to 31 March 2026, ChinaShanghai Biennale has set the theme Does the flower hear the bee? for it's 15th edition, starting November.The theme addresses the power of communication and intelligence within design, with writer and curator Kitty Scott as the biennale's chief curator.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.Photo is courtesy of Designart TokyoDesignart Tokyo31 October to 9 November, JapanDesignart Tokyo is an annual festival that highlights art, design, architecture, interiors, and fashion through exhibitions in Japan.Around 100 venues are expected to host exhibitions and parties over 10 days, with hundreds of international brands participating.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.Design Week LagosOctober, NigeriaWhile the dates for the 2025 edition of Design Week Lagos are yet to be announced, the festival has previously taken place in October.The festival hosts exhibitions, installations, talks and fairs across Lagos, celebrating the design industry across Africa.The event was founded in 2019 by Nigerian interior designer Titi Ogufereand this year will welcome its sixth edition.Dubai Design Week4 to 9 November, UAEThe Downtown Design fair is one of the largest events to takes place during Dubai Design Week 2025, running alongside the Editions art fair.The design week also incorporates exhibitions, installations, workshops, markets and talks into its six-day programme, exploring regional and global creativity.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.Photo is by Aman AlamDesign Mumbai26 to 29 November, IndiaTrade show Design Mumbai hosts its second edition, showcasing indoor and outdoor furniture, kitchen and bathroom equipment, textiles and surfaces by global brands.Organised by designers and production managers Ian Rudge, Michael Dynan and Piyush Suri, the inaugural edition hosted the exhibition alongside a talks programme.The event returns to Jio World Garden in Mumbai.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.Miami art week1 to 7 December, USAThe latest edition of Miami art week is set to take place across the Miami Beach and Miami Design District neighbourhoods in the city.Hosting fairs such as Art Basel Miami Beach, Design Miami and Alcova Miami, the festival also welcomes exhibitions, installations and pop-up events.Take a look at last year's guide here.See Dezeen Events Guide for more details.About Dezeen Events GuideDezeen Events Guide is our guide to the best architecture and design events taking place across the world each year.The guide is updated weekly and includes virtual events, conferences, trade fairs, major exhibitions and design weeks.Inclusion in the guide is free for basic listings, with events selected at Dezeen's discretion. Organisers can get standard, enhanced or featured listings for their events, including images, additional text and links, by paying a modest fee.In addition, events can ensure inclusion by partnering with Dezeen. For more details on inclusion in Dezeen Events Guide and media partnerships with Dezeen, emaileventsguide@dezeen.com.The post Twenty of the best design events in 2025 from Dezeen Events Guide appeared first on Dezeen.

People either really love or really hate kombucha, depending on how you feel about its unusual tart taste. One of the by-products of the industry is SCOBY or symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, which is actually the starter culture that brews this fermented drink. But the material can also be used to make other things and these designers had a pretty interesting way of using this biomaterial for another context.Designers: Nishtha Luhadia, Aditi ShindeLuminous Lore is an installation that shows off Tholu Bommalata, a shadow puppet theatre tradition of the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. But instead of the usual materials used to create the puppets, normally goat, deer, or buffalo hide, it uses leather made from fermenting tea, sugar, water, vinegar, and of course SCOBY. The leather forms a large Tholu Bommalata inspired lamp and the play of light on the surface helps tell the story and the audience is engaged on a sensory level. The hand-painted illustrations on the lamp also tells the story of how the SCOBY leather came to be. This is not just something you watch though as the audience is invited to touch and feel it. The designers hope that the success and interest in the exhibit could pave the way for more biomaterials to be used in other projects and products in the industrial design world. With the way that this biomaterial can be grown in any size and shape just by adding some other ingredients, the future is bright. The post Kombucha by-product used to create leather for traditional shadow puppet exhibit first appeared on Yanko Design.