Foster + Partners has unveiled plans for TEMPO, a new hotel and residential development in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Situated near the popular Praia Brava beach, and constructed of timber and concrete, the project is designed to maximize views of the ocean and surrounding mountains.Image courtesy: Foster + PartnersDesigned for real estate developers MUZE, the scheme is anchored by a landscaped garden intending to serve as an extension of the beachfront. The proposed buildings face onto the garden, creating private green spaces, while shaded drop-off zones on both sides of the development are equally landscaped to create a sense of cohesion across the development.Image courtesy: Foster + PartnersThe hotel is served by a private drop-off area, in addition to a lobby and restaurant featuring sunken outdoor seating. Each hotel suite is designed with a private terrace that is rotated towards the oceanfront while sliding timber screens will be installed on the balconies for privacy and s...

For more ways to supercharge your workflow, check out more articles in ourTech for Architects series, which includes our recommendations of Top Laptops for Architects and Designers.Arch Viz has become essential to contemporary architecture, bridging the gap between abstract 2D drawings and real constructions. Beyond its technical aspects, Arch Viz has the capacity for storytelling, creating compelling narratives that not only capture a projects spatial qualities but also convey its atmosphere. Whether through realistic renderings, captivating animations, or interactive virtual reality (VR) walkthroughs, Arch Viz presentations never fail to fascinate viewers, helping them connect with designs on a visual and emotional level.Characteristics of Arch VizWhat does Arch Viz stand for / refer to?Arch Viz is short for Architectural Visualization. The term refers to the digital or advanced visual representation of architectural designs, from high-quality 3D renderings to animations and immersive walkthroughs that enable viewers to explore designs virtually.What kind of work is considered Arch Viz?Arch Viz includes a wide range of visual presentations to illustrate architectural projects. These include 3D digital models, which provide a good representation of a designs volumetric structure; photo-realistic images or renderings, which simulate real materials, textures and lighting (both natural and artificial); and animations and walkthroughs, which enable viewers to explore spaces virtually.More recently, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) have taken Arch Viz to an immersive experience level, blending virtual features and reality, while enabling viewers to interact with virtual environments.Photorealistic visualization created by giovanni gargiulo via Pixabay.Which software is most commonly used in Arch Viz?The following are some of the most commonly used software used in Arch Viz. Each has specific strengths tailored to different project requirements, whether 3D modeling, rendering, animations, walkthroughs, or AV/VR applications. These tools are rarely used alone but often combined to achieve optimal results. While they have become integral to the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) workflow, some are widely used in fields like gaming and film-making, where high-quality visualizations are essential.3D digital modeling software used in architectural visualization:SketchUpRhinoRevitRenderings engines used in architectural visualization:D5 RenderV-RayCoronaLumionEnscapeAnimations and walkthroughs including AR and VR applications used in architectural visualization:TwinmotionUnreal EngineUnity3ds MaxBlenderAre there typical stylistic characteristics of Arch Viz, and how are they evolving?Arch Viz focuses on creating photorealistic renditions of architectural projects, with scrupulous attention to materials, textures, lighting and shadows. Details such as a realistic environmental context and thoughtful styling of interior spaces create the desired atmosphere, demonstrating technical expertise and creativity. Other stylistic design approaches that are more abstract or conceptual are also significant in Arch Viz. Technological advances in software, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and real-time rendering expand design options. These advances are part of an ongoing evolution in the Arch Viz industry.History of Arch VizAbstract 3D rendering. Image by Google DeepMind via Pexels.How did Arch Viz make its way into the architecture industry and when?Arch Viz found its way into the architecture industry as a natural evolution of the tools and techniques architects have traditionally used to convey their ideas. Hand-drawn renderings and physical models, tools that historically dominated the practice, gave way to CAD software in the 1960s, producing 2D and 3D representations with tools like Sketchpad and later AutoCAD. This advent revolutionized the way architects worked and communicated their ideas while enhancing precision and efficiency.The rise of 3D modeling and rendering in the 1990s took architecture to the next level. Tools like 3ds Max and Rhino enabled professionals to create complex and realistic digital models. Rendering engines like V-Ray allowed architects to simulate materials, textures and lighting with striking effects. 3D modeling and rendering established Arch Viz as a key tool for architecture.Nonetheless, the growing demand for high-quality visualizations has made Arch Viz less of an architectural support tool and more of a specialized industry. This evolution has allowed Arch Viz to expand its applications to other fields such as real estate, urban planning and even gaming and film-making.Who typically uses Arch Viz services?Arch Viz services are typically used by architecture firms, urban planners, real estate developers and, to some extent, construction companies. Larger firms are more likely to have in-house Arch Viz teams, especially when the workflow is constant. On the other hand, smaller firms or those with fluctuating workloads find outsourcing a more practical and cost-effective option. Online platforms have made it easier for architecture and real estate professionals to hire Arch Viz experts worldwide, promoting collaboration and innovation.As Arch Viz technology has advanced, it has become more accessible to non-experts. Individuals with less technical expertise can create basic renderings and animations, making Arch Viz more widely available. Arch Viz tools are becoming more user-friendly with features such as readily available templates and a simplified interface that uses drag-and-drop actions. Software like Lumion and Enscape enables users with no technical expertise in 3D modeling, rendering, or animation to create impressive visualizations.Examples / Case StudiesHospital design rendering using Lumion. | Muhyuddin,Hospital design elevation render lumion 8.3,CC BY-SA 4.0Which companies/firms have been at the forefront of the evolution of Arch Viz?Many architecture firms use Arch Viz to showcase their designs, offering viewers and potential clients an engaging and interactive experience. Additionally, specialized visualization companies are dedicated exclusively to creating high-quality architectural renderings and animations, generally collaborating with architectural firms to enhance their projects.Architecture firmsZaha Hadid ArchitectsSOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill)UNStudioBIG (Bjarke Ingels Group)Visualization companiesBrick VisualZOA StudioOmegarenderArchicgiThe Future of Arch VizHow does AI via AR/VR impact the creative process of Arch Viz?Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) culminate a long transition from analog to digital, revolutionizing the creative process in architecture and design. These tools offer immersive and interactive experiences that allow viewers to engage with the designs, offering a clear understanding of the spatial qualities, materials, and how a building integrates with its surroundings. This level of presentation surpasses traditional two-dimensional presentations such as floor plans, elevations, sections and renderings, which can only achieve abstract representations of architectural projects.In contrast, AR overlays digital designs onto real-world settings, while VR creates fully virtual environments for dynamic walk-throughs and animations.Challenges and Criticisms of Arch VizVirtual Reality (VR) architectural design. | Public domain photo by StockCakeIs Arch Viz more about aesthetics and visual impact than realistic accuracy?Arch Viz showcases designers creativity, enhances the design, and plays a key role in winning competitions. It is important to recognize that Arch Viz is not always an accurate depiction of a built project. Instead, it represents a vision, often idealized to enhance the projects potential. This approach makes Arch Viz a powerful tool for storytelling, captivating viewers to envision themselves in the represented spaces.Arch Vizs capacity for storytelling is achieved not by simply conveying a designs aesthetics but also its atmosphere, its function, and how it integrates with its environmental context. However, while Arch Vizs perfect renditions are very effective at captivating viewers, they may not always reflect real-world conditions. This perfect vision, while remarkable, can create a gap between viewers expectations and the reality of a built structure.From Vision to RealityArch Viz influences the design process, outcomes and how viewers perceive architecture. It plays a key role in building attractive portfolios, showcasing firm capabilities, and ultimately attracting clients and qualified employees. Real-time rendering and AI tools are emerging as the future of architectural visualization workflows. These advancements pave the way to exciting opportunities but also present challenges. For instance, how would new technologies reshape standards for Arch Viz, especially considering the gap between a project vision depicted by renderings and animations and the built structure? Arch Vizs future success may likely lie in achieving a balance, creating visualizations that incorporate realistic elements to reflect reality while still communicating a design vision effectively.Despite the challenges and criticisms, Arch Vizs undeniable strength is its capacity for storytelling. Through immersive animations and walkthroughs, it offers a full understanding of projects, simulating how spaces will function and feel when built. This potential ensures that Arch Viz continues to be an essential tool for communicating architecture.For more ways to supercharge your workflow, check out more articles in ourTech for Architects series, which includes our recommendations of Top Laptops for Architects and Designers.Top image by Tumisu via PixabayThe post Architecture 101: What is Arch Viz? appeared first on Journal.

Shuhei Yoshida, known for his tenure at PlayStation, spoke about the current direction that the company has taken since his departure. In an interview with Kinda Funny Games, which you can check out below, Yoshida spoke about how he would have resisted the companys plans to focus on live-service titles.Yoshida spoke about how, under the leadership of Herman Hulst, PlayStation had been pushing its first-party studios to work on live-service titles in an attempt to capitalise on the popularity of games like Overwatch 2 and Destiny 2. This culminated in the failed launch of hero shooter Concord, which had servers shut down in less than a month since after its release.I was managing this annual budget and was responsible to allocate resources to what kind of games to make, said Yoshida. If the company was considering that way, it probably wouldnt have made sense to stop making another God of War or whatever, like a great single player game, and put all the money into these service games.However, what they did after I moved on and Herman Hulst took over is that they added a lot more resources. I dont think they told him to stop making these single player games. They said, oh yeah, these games are great. Continue doing that, and we give you additional resources to work on these service games and try it.Yoshida also spoke about how trying to develop a new game in the live-service sector is an incredibly risky move, especially for a company that is known for its well-loved single-player titles. While some games have seen success thanks to this move, like Helldivers 2, many more have failed, such a the cancelled multiplayer title The Last of Us Online.Im sure they knew it was risky and that the chance of a successful game in this hugely competitive genre would be small, he said. However, the company knowing that risk gave Herman the resources and the chance to try it. I think thats the way they did it, so in my mind I was, oh wow, thats great and hopefully some games will become successful. Luckily, Helldivers 2 did so well. No one would have expected it. You cannot plan a success in this industry, thats the most fun part.I thought if I was in the position of Herman, I would have tried to resist that direction, said Yoshida. Maybe thats one of the reasons they removed me (laughs).In the same interview, Yoshida also gave us his thoughts on why a Bloodborne-related project hasnt yet been announced by either Sony or FromSoftware. While Yoshida said that he was only guessing, he spoke about how the games director Hidetaka Miyazaki is likely too busy to handle it, but wants to do it himself. Sony, according to Yoshida, wants to respect Miyazakis wishes in this regard.Yoshida has given us insights into the inner workings of PlayStation studios in the past. Back in 2023, he spoke about how, even with plenty of time spent prototyping, several games are cancelled before they are even announced. We cancel so many games, said Yoshida. I usually try to convince the developer that Im trying to save them from getting stuck with this project.Shuhei Yoshida recently left PlayStation after spending over 31 years with the company.

AI or Not, an AI fraud detection platform, has raised $5 million in a seed funding round to accelerate its use of "AI to detect AI" in images.Read More

Dragon Age: The Veilguard game director Corinne Busche reportedly leaves BioWareBusche worked at EA for almost two decades, joining the developer in 2006 News by Sophie McEvoy Staff Writer Published on Jan. 17, 2025 Dragon Age: The Veilguard game director Corinne Busche has reportedly left Bioware.According to our sister site Eurogamer, Busche recently departed from the studio. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Electronic Arts for further clarification as to the specific date.Busche has worked at EA for 18 years, joining in 2006 as a designer before moving on to senior design roles including creative director and design director.She became game director of Dragon Age: The Veilguard in February 2022, overseeing development with the game's creative director John Epler.Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the fourth entry in the Dragon Age franchise, which launched last October.The copy has been amended to reflect that Busche has reportedly already left her position at BioWare, rather than "in the coming weeks."

How do you follow a console that has sold over 146 million units worldwide? That's the conundrum Nintendo is attempting to untangle with the Switch 2.The Switch has become the best-selling Nintendo home console of all time by some margin, eclipsing the 101 million lifetime sales of the Nintendo Wii with apparent ease.If it can top the 154 million sales mustered by the Nintendo DS, it will cement its place as the best-selling Nintendo console in history. That would represent an enormous achievement for the Japanese companyand you have to wonder if it would ever be surpassed.Yet, irrespective of whether the Switch eventually takes that crown, the hybrid device will forever be known as the console that proved Nintendo still had the juice. Its predecessor, the Wii U, sold just 13.56 million units across its lifetime.It was a measly return in the aftermath of the Wii's meteoric ascent and raised questions as to whether Nintendo had shot itself in the foot by failing to effectively differentiate the Wii U from the Wii in the mind of consumers.For better or worse, Nintendo isn't making that mistake this time around.In its fleeting reveal trailer, Nintendo slapped a colossal '2' next to the Switch logo and showed the original console transform into something familiar yet different.Like a serpent shedding its skin, the Switch 2 is a more refined version of its forebear. A distinctly 'new' offering that still feels immediately recognisable. New buttons, more curves, additional ports, and reworked Joy-Cons that some viewers believe hide a spark of creativity are the immediate differentiators, but those additions represent iteration rather than revolution.It's definitely another SwitchNintendo has previous in that regard. The company often produces revamped versions of existing tech. The Switch OLED, Nintendo 3DS XL, and Wii Mini all spring to mind. Where the Switch 2 differs is in how it will mark the beginning of a new hardware cycle.For years, we've become accustomed to Nintendo kicking off a fresh generation with barmy, unpredictable experimentation. Irreverent technology (and jubilant first-party software to match) that can't reasonably be compared to the rotund boxes released by Microsoft and Sony. This time, Nintendo is joining its rivals in playing it safe. In promising more of the same, but better, and hoping that'll be enough to repeat the success of the past.It's an understandable position given the company's not-to-distant failings, but one that feels distinctly un-Nintendo. It's entirely possible the Switch 2 is hiding a few new tricks. Some keen-eyed viewers posit the reworked Joy-Cons could double as mouse-like controllers, offering new ways to play. Yet, Nintendo doesn't plan on releasing concrete tech specs for another couple of months, so that remains wishful speculation.Reinventing the wheel is overratedjust ask 12,000 years of wheelsTaking into account what we do know, the Switch 2 appears overwhelmingly beige. The vibrant colourways of the original Joy-Cons have been ditched in favor of homogenous grey. A bigger screen promises a little extra real-estate, but it's unclear whether Nintendo is prepared to make OLED the standard. A new 'C' button has spawned theories galore, but it's probably sensible to temper expectations as to how much innovation can be squeezed into a single input.The fact there is so much speculation over so little suggests the industry is struggling to reconcile itself with the idea of a Nintendo that is content (at least for now) to temper its adventurous side in pursuit of what it must feel are guaranteed returns.A modern mystery worthy of Miss MarpleAs we've already covered, the Switch sold like diamond-encrusted hot cakes slathered in gold. A key part of that success was how Nintendo was able to hit a palatable price point and gently iterate with the Switch Lite and OLED models, encouraging multiple sales within the same household. If it can do the same again, you'd have to expect a comparable uptake.Nintendo's first-party catalogue has also been superlative over the years, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (a more complete version of the Wii U release) having sold over 64 million units on the Switch alone. It's no surprise Nintendo seemingly chose to tease a new entry in the franchise alongside the Switch 2. Others like Animal Crossing, Pokemon, Super Smash Bros., Super Mario, and The Legend of Zelda chipped in with aplomb, selling eye-watering amounts over the years.Beyond that, it's vital to consider the console's wider impact. If imitation if the sincerest form of flattery, then Nintendo must feel like the bell of the ball. A massive list of hardware companies and platform holders have attempted to replicate the form factor of the Switch in the eight years since it launched. The Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and so many others all promise some version of portable gaming in a Switch-like package. Hell, even Microsoft is openly talking about developing a handheld in what would be a notable first for the company.This is the reality of the post-Switch world. It cannot be understated just how influential Nintendo's hybrid device has become since debuting in 2017. For the first time in decades, here was a machine that genuinely changed how we played by dissolving the barrier between handheld and home consoles.Will I be disappointed if the Switch 2 is completely devoid of whimsy? Yes, there will be pangs of melancholy, but then I also trust Nintendo to innovate in other ways. This is the company that turned The Legend of Zelda into a physics playground with Tears of the Kingdom, implemented a mechanic called 'Mouthful Mode' just to let Kirby swallow an entire automobile, and developed an alarm clock dubbed ALARMO because why the fuck not? Maybe we shouldn't despair just yet.

Pokmon Trading Card Game Pocket developer Creatures Inc. has finally unveiled how the incoming trading feature will work, but the community response was so poor it had to release a follow-up response.As expected, and perhaps feared, by the Pokmon TCG Pocket community, there are fairly severe restrictions on the incoming trading mechanic, which still lacks a release date despite being confirmed for January. Creatures Inc. announced these on X/Twitter.Complaints are headlined by the inability to trade cards of 2 Star rarity or higher. This means no ex level alternate art cards can be traded, not in their basic forms, rainbow bordered forms, immersive forms, or gold (Crown rarity) forms.Creatures Inc. said only "certain cards from the Genetic Apex and Mythical Island booster packs will be able to be traded," though it's unclear if this solely refers to the 2 Star or higher restriction or if there are further cards banned from trading.Every Alternate Art 'Secret' Card in Pokmon TCG Pocket: Genetic ApexIGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!IGN's Twenty Questions - Guess the game!To start:...try asking a question that can be answered with a "Yes" or "No".000/250This all but confirms trading will arrive alongside the next full set, however, which is also due in January. Creatures Inc. is likely emphasizing that those new cards cannot be traded upon their release, but will seemingly be opened up to the feature later when it's less relevant. It also means the often timed exclusive Promo cards cannot be traded.Other restrictions to trading apply too. Cards can only be traded between friends, which the community has deemed makes sense, and only cards of the same rarity can be traded, which has been accepted too. The last element that's frustrated many, however, is that "items must be consumed in order to trade."It's unclear what this means exactly. Pokmon TCG Pocket uses Hourglasses to pace certain features including pack opening, wonder picks, and event battles. One booster pack can be opened for free once every 12 hours, and one Pack Hourglass, for example, reduces that amount of time by one hour.It's therefore possible Trade Hourglasses will be implemented as an item, essentially restricting how often players can trade without spending real-world money. Another popular theory is that Shinedust, an item considered by many to have little value as it solely changes the visuals of cards, will work for trades too.Pay DayThis mechanic, alongside the other restrictions, are likely being implemented to encourage (and maintain) player spending, as Pokmon TCG Pocket arrived October 30 and is estimated to have made $200 million in its first month alone.This huge amount of money comes as the digital TCG follows the standard mobile and free-to-play game model, flooding players with rewards in the first few days before soon drying up, with spending real-world money the only real way to re-experience that early thrill outside of the occasional set drop like Mythical Island.Completing Genetic Apex, the first set of cards which totals 226 officially but also contains 60 rare alternate art cards, will take players not spending money around two years according to one estimate, while those looking to make it rain can wrap up the collection after dropping around $1,500.Trading is undeniably a strong addition to Pokmon TCG Pocket that will improve the overall player experience, but fans have complained it's also fairly clearly being implemented as a means of increasing revenue too. Items being consumed in order to trade certainly alludes to this, as whether it's Trade Hourglasses or Shinedust or something else, players wanting to trade more regularly than the game deems okay will have to pay real money to do so.It's also evidenced in the inability to trade cards of 2 Star rarity or higher, which after almost three months of play for dedicated fans, are the majority of cards they are still missing. But making these cards available to trade would be a threat to Creatures Inc.'s revenue; if players could immediately trade for their missing cards, they wouldn't need to spend $10 or $100 for a random chance of getting them.As noted by the player who spent $1,500 on completing the first set, it's these final few pieces that are most difficult to get and thus require the most money spent. The standard $9.99 purchasing option grants 57 PokGold, an item which can be used to replace any of the Hourglasses otherwise available but at an increased rate. One PokGold replaces two Pack Hourglasses, for example.PlaySpending $9.99 therefore lets players open 28 booster packs for a total of 140 cards. Booster packs work in the same as their real-world counterparts, or in digital terms, loot boxes, meaning nothing of (relative) value is guaranteed, never mind the specific card players are looking for.Pokmon TCG Pocket does offer a mild alternative to finding these cards in the form of Pack Points; players earn five for every pack opened, and these can be exchanged for any card in the set.Exchanging a 2 Star rarity card costs 1,250 Pack Points, however. This means players must open 250 booster packs in total, or around $220 worth of PokGold, for a single card. Considering there are 29 different 2 Star rarity cards in the first set alone, plus three 3 Star rarity cards which cost 1,500 Pack Points and three Crown rarity cards which cost 2,500, there are fairly sobering restrictions to this mechanic.Trading ComplaintsTrading was therefore seen as a saving grace for players looking to collect every card (which is encouraged in-game via missions and rewards), but those hopes are all but dashed given Creatures Inc.'s announcement."Not being able to trade 2 Star at least really makes me want to drop the game," said lilgalois on Reddit. "Trash system," said Ashamed-Teaching6837. "So extra 3 Star cards are just dead cards. What a crock," said Analogmon.Social media is full of such complaints, which seemingly grew so excessive that Creatures Inc. had to issue a rare response."Thank you, everyone, for your immediate thoughts on this topic," Creatures Inc. said in a follow-up X/Twitter post. "Your concerns are seen. Once this feature becomes available, I'd like to invite everyone to try it and provide feedback. This way, the game can continue to evolve in an enjoyable way for everyone." Crucially, Creatures Inc. failed to say it would consider this criticism and aim to make changes.Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.

It seems like only yesterday that the Nintendo Switch released to huge acclaim, not only due to its game-changing hybrid functionality as both a handheld and home console but also its award-winning flagship titleThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which was easily one of the very best games of the 2010s. A lots happened since the consoles March 2017 launch: both PlayStation and Xbox have released new consoles (themselves now well into the halfway point of their life cycles), theres now plenty of competition in the handheld gaming space the Switch shepherded, and Breath of the Wild has received an excellent sequel.Almost eight years to the day, Nintendo is ready to launch into the next era of the Switch. Of course that means a brand-new consolethe just announced Switch 2. That also means that the first couple of months of 2025 will be a bit weird for Switch owners looking for new games for their beloved platform.In essence, there isnt much on offer in terms of new first-party exclusives for the Switch at the moment, as Nintendo is understandably focusing on new games for the Switch 2 (which we should hopefully learn a lot more about very soon). That said, there is just enough still coming to the Switch to keep players satiated until the next Nintendo console drops.Here are the big Switch games you need to keep an eye on this yearDonkey Kong Country Returns HDJanuary 16There might not be much in terms of new whole new first-party experiences on the Switch early this year, but there are at least a few remasters of Nintendo titles to look forward to. The great Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was ported over from the Wii U to the Switch in 2018 and now Wii hit Donkey Kong Country Returns is getting the HD remaster treatment. Bringing all the classic elements you expect from the Donkey Kong Country games, this platformer follows Donkey Kong (and Diddy Kong if you want to play this one with a friend) on a quest through nine worlds to retrieve their precious bananas from a group of evil Tikis. Along the way, expect mine cart levels, plenty of collectibles, and lots of surprises. Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power BattlesAspyr January 23Originally released for the PlayStation, Sega Dreamcast, and Game Boy Advance, Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles is getting a re-release for its 25th anniversary. This remastered version of the classic Star Wars game brings back couch co-op mode, training rooms, bonus levels, and the arcade cheats and power-ups that made the original version so fun. In addition, the game will have 13 new playable characters, including Jar Jar Binks, and a lightsaber toggle that allows players to choose between the original lightsaber colors used in the game or more screen-accurate versions. No matter your age, Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles is sure to be a fun walk (or Force-powered jump) down memory lane.Civilization 7Firaxis Games February 6Arriving nearly a decade after the previous game, Civilization VII promises to be a revolutionary new chapter in this award-winning franchise. Similar to its predecessors, Civilization VII is a turn-based tactical strategy game where you develop an empire across three distinct historic eras. With updated graphics and improved gameplay that includes updates to diplomacy mechanics, changes to production management, as well as other improvements, this evolution seems poised to bring this franchise into the next generation.Tomb Raider IV-VI RemasteredAspyr February 14Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Aspyr doesnt just port classic Star Wars games to current-gen console; the studios also been tasked with bringing back the original 3D Tomb Raider games as updated remasters on modern platforms. While Tomb Raider I-III got the remastered treatment last year, next up are The Last Revelation, Chronicles, and The Angel of Darkness in one jam-packed package. The updated visuals assure that these games look better than ever, but dont expect anything too drastically different from the versions you played in the 2000s in terms of gameplayalthough you do get the option to switch between classic and modern graphics and control schemes in these remasters. That should be more than enough for those fans who simply want to relive the classics as they were all those years ago.Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification WarsKonami March 6The year of the remaster on the Nintendo Switchagain, we expect this to change as soon as the Switch 2 is unveiledcontinues with Konamis HD re-release of the first two games in the classic 90s RPG series Suikoden. Much like its contemporaries, these games feature turn-based combat and an epic fantasy tale about rebellion. During your quest, youll have to collect magic runes and recruit 107 companions to take down the corrupt Scarlet Moon Empire. If you already love Final Fantasy, try this excellent JRPG series next.Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive EditionMonolith Soft March 20Its hard to believe that its been a decade since the release of this Nintendo action RPG hit in which you get to explore a dangerous open world on giant mechs known as Skells. As a protector of the last remaining humans who managed to escape before Earth was destroyed, you and your companions are tasked with taming a new alien planet called Mira. Nintendo has confirmed this isnt just a simple re-release of the 2015 game, though. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition will also bring newly added story elements, which makes this one worth picking up again!Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings GameWt Workshop March 25New cozy game alert!Tales of the Shireis like ifStardew ValleyandAnimal Crossingtook a trip to the Shire ofLord of the Rings.The game lets players live out their dreams of hanging out in the idyllic landscape of the Shire as they create their own character, decorate their own Hobbit hole, make friends in the community, and help the town flourish. We playedTales of the Shireat SGF and were impressed with the amount of care put into creating this version of the Shire. Even though the game isnt technically canon, there are still plenty of references and easter eggs forLord of the Ringsfans to find.Capcom TBA 2025With a mix of classic 2D and 3D style games, fans of classic Capcom arcade-style games have a lot to look forward to with Capcom Fighting Collection 2. Including titles such as Capcom vs. SNK, Capcom vs. SNK 2, Power Stone, Power Stone 2, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, and more, this game is perfect for anyone looking to recreate the retro-gaming experience. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 also includes an online play mode that allows you to play casual, ranked, and custom matches with other players across the globe. This game is also very beginner-friendly with training modes as well as adjustable difficulty settings and a customizable button layout that allows for one-button special moves in combat. So even if you arent an arcade legend, theres still plenty of fun to be had.Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D RemakeSquare Enix TBA 2025Game publishers havent always done a great job of preserving their own history, but Square Enix absolutely nailed it when it set out to remake the Erdrick Trilogy, the first three games in the classic Dragon Quest series. While Dragon Quest 3, which is chronologically the first title in the trilogy, was released last year, well get the second and third chapters of hero Erdricks story in a 2-in-1 package, with modernized visuals but the story and turn-based combat fans already love. If youve been waiting for the right time to play these three classic JRPGs, 2025 is the time.Metroid Prime 4: BeyondRetro Studios TBA 2025Metroid Prime 4: Beyond hasnt had the smoothest development journey over the last decade. Originally in development at Bandai Namco Studios, Retro Studios, the original creator of the Metroid Prime series, took over production in 2019 at the behest of Nintendo, which set the game back years. But despite the bumps in the road, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond looks like a spectacular return for the series. What weve seen so far from the trailers looks a lot like the classic Metroid Prime experiencelots of first-person blasting, morph ball action, scanning, and Space Pirates to take downbut with shiny new visuals and a new story, which we know will involve the bounty hunter Sylux, whos hellbent on taking down Samus once and for all.Pokmon Legends: Z-AGame Freak TBA 2025Pokmon Legends: Z-A asks the question of what would happen if you combined urban planning with Pokmon. The game is set in the fictional Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan seeks to create a place where both people and Pokmon can thrive. While we dont know much about gameplay specifics just yet, this looks like itll be a fun and interesting entry in the franchise.Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DXYacht Club Games TBA 2025Shovel Knight fans, rejoice! An updated version of the original Shovel Knight game is on its way with some exciting new features, including 20 playable characters with unique playstyles. Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DX calls on you to embark on a quest to save Shield Knight, defeat the evil Enchantress, and take down her Order of No Quarter. The game stays true to its original retro look and platforming game style while also introducing an online multiplayer mode as well as the power of Rewind and Save States to pause the game and plot the best strategy to get through a level. Shovel of Hope DX has a lot to offer whether youre a long-time fan or a newcomer to the series.

Some smartphone users are being welcomed into the new year with Verizon price raises of up to $15 per month on multi-line plans The price raises apply to myPlan customers with five or more lines, and those with legacy New Verizon Plan accounts.A Redditor shared an email they received announcing the increase to their myPlan account.Thanks for being a loyal Verizon customer. Were proud to provide you with the network that connects you to what matters most. In order to continue bringing you the best mobile experience, were adjusting our plan prices. No sooner than 2.20.25, our myPlan multiline discount for accounts with 5 or more lines will be reduced. This means the price for the myPlan lines below will increase by $3/mo per line.The carrier announced the separate increases to its New Verizon Plans in a new support document.Due to rising operational costs, youll see increased charges for this plan no sooner than 2/20/25:Each shared data plan single phone line account will be charged an added $4/month line access fee.Each shared data plan multi-phone line account will be charged an added $15/month line access fee.The dataoverage feeis increased from $15 to $20 per GB.This plan is no longer available to new customers.Photo byLeon BredellaonUnsplashAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Jan 17, 2025Ravie LakshmananWeb Security / BotnetCybersecurity researchers have exposed a new campaign that targets web servers running PHP-based applications to promote gambling platforms in Indonesia."Over the past two months, a significant volume of attacks from Python-based bots has been observed, suggesting a coordinated effort to exploit thousands of web apps," Imperva researcher Daniel Johnston said in an analysis. "These attacks appear tied to the proliferation of gambling-related sites, potentially as a response to the heightened government scrutiny."The Thales-owned company said it has detected millions of requests originating from a Python client that includes a command to install GSocket (aka Global Socket), an open-source tool that can be used to establish a communication channel between two machines regardless of the network perimeter.It's worth noting that GSocket has been put to use in many a cryptojacking operation in recent months, not to mention even exploiting the access provided by the utility to insert malicious JavaScript code on sites to steal payment information.The attack chains particularly involve attempts to deploy GSocket by leveraging web pre-existing web shells installed on already compromised servers. A majority of the attacks have been found to single out servers running a popular learning management system (LMS) called Moodle.A noteworthy aspect of the attacks are the additions to bashrc and crontab system files to ensure that GSocket is actively running even after the removal of the web shells.It has been determined that the access afforded by GSocket to these target servers is weaponized to deliver PHP files that contain HTML content referencing online gambling services particularly aimed at Indonesian users."At the top of each PHP file was PHP code designed to allow only search bots to access the page, but regular site visitors would be redirected to another domain," Johnston said. "The objective behind this is to target users searching for known gambling services, then redirect them to another domain."Imperva said the redirections lead to "pktoto[.]cc," a known Indonesian gambling site.The development comes as c/side revealed a widespread malware campaign that has targeted over 5,000 sites globally to create unauthorized administrator accounts, install a malicious plugin from a remote server, and siphon credential data back to it.The exact initial access vector used to deploy the JavaScript malware on these sites is presently not known. The malware has been codenamed WP3.XYZ in reference to the domain name that's associated with the server used to fetch the plugin and exfiltrate data ("wp3[.]xyz").To mitigate against the attack, it's recommended that WordPress site owners keep their plugins up-to-date, block the rogue domain using a firewall, scan for suspicious admin accounts or plugins, and remove them.Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE