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Looking PurpleThe first official behind the scenes look at the Five Nights at Freddy's 2 movie mostly just shows Matthew Lillard on a staircase, but I'm sure fans will figure out what he's doing there in no timePlus a couple of other images that also don't tell us much.Image credit: Universal/ Blumhouse/ Scottgames News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Jan. 27, 2025 Fancy an official behind the scenes look at the Five Nights at Freddy's 2 movie? Well, there finally is one, but it doesn't really show all that much.The thing about the average Five Nights at Freddy's fan is that they've probably averaging five different theories about the series at any given moment. That's almost definitely because lore for the game is purposefully obtuse at points, but I can't really blame anyone for trying to uncover the games' secrets, even if they can often be quite silly. Those theories obviously extend to the films, and a recent set pic leak unsurprisingly prompted fans to question what the upcoming movie sequel will be about. Now, YouTuber Dawko, known in no small part thanks to his Five Nights at Freddy's playthroughs, has shared some official set photos from the second film, which of course has fans wondering what's going on even more.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. The YouTube shared three different photos from the set of the movie over the course of the weekend, as part of a charity stream where he was, of course, playing Five Nights at Freddy's, the first of which being some flooring showing off toy Freddy, presumably from the same pizzeria from those leaked set photos. Next up is a photo of a toy called a Faz Talker, again with toy Freddy on it, which looks like some kind of toy you talk into, with text on it that reads "you there?" To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Last of all, and probably most interesting for fans of the series, is a shot of director Emma Tammi talking to Elizabeth Lail, who played Vanessa in the first film, inside a house, with Matthew Lillard, who played the series' main villain William Afton in the first film, looking down at them from a staircase. Those that watched the first film will know that the fates of both characters are a bit up in the air, and while they're both set to return, this does look more likely to be a flashback than anything. But, knowing how Five Nights fans are, I'm sure they'll put the pieces together before the first trailer even comes out.You'll still have to wait a little while to watch the full film, though, as it's not due out until December 5, later this year.

Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)After releasing the first Tails of Iron in 2021, developer Odd Bug Studio seemingly hasnt taken a moment to rest, returning to its bleak world of anthropomorphic rats, frogs, and bats with a sequel that looks to offer fans a slightly expanded experience in Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter. And while its certainly an incredibly well-realised fantasy world with stunning visuals, atmospheric sound design, and thoughtful combat, its unfortunately also held back from greatness by lacklustre level design and excessive backtracking.Presenting what may well be a good entry point to the world of Tails of Iron if you happened to miss out on the original, Whiskers of Winter shifts the perspective over to an entirely new protagonist called Arlo, an heir to the Warden of the Wastes who must travel to multiple biomes on a quest to defeat the malicious Dark Wings clan.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)The juxtaposition of seeing cute little rats wearing armour and wielding weapons is a little odd initially kind of like when you read Art Spiegelmans Maus for the first time but like the first game, it works, as it lets you easily distinguish between the various species and factions that inhabit the world. This is bolstered by the simple fact that Tails of Iron 2 is comfortably one of the most stunning 2D games weve seen in quite some time.Seriously, the level of detail on offer here and the wide array of colours is a true sight to behold. Its a bleak game, which is well-realised through the dank environments, hostile weather conditions, and heaps of bloodied carcasses lying on the ground. But while this could have resulted in a rather dull, uninspired visual aesthetic, the bursts of colour from objects like lanterns, glowing eggs, and even the moon towering above the landscape make every environment a joy to look at.The same goes for the sound design too. Everything from the constant booms of thunder to the light clinking of your armour, as you dash across the screen, works to fully immerse you within Tails of Iron 2s foreboding world. Voice actor Doug Cockle (Geralt from The Witcher games) also returns to narrate the story, and having this take place in the background while youre playing means you can take in the story while focusing on other, more pressing matters. It allows the game to maintain momentum throughout, and we appreciate the decision.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)That said, Cockles performance here is quite literally What if Geralt of Rivia had a side job as a narrator?, and its a little weird hearing such a familiar voice here. The gravelly nature of it works in the context of the action on-screen, but a little more work to distinguish it from his most famous role would perhaps be beneficial.Combat remains more or less the same from the first game, requiring you to maintain a good defense while looking for a crucial opening to unleash your attacks. Tails of Iron 2 is an exceptionally difficult game in which even the most unassuming enemies can pack a meaty punch, so youll need to approach each encounter with extreme caution. That said, there are also three difficulty options on offer, so if youre finding things a bit too much, you can drop the difficulty down and have a slightly easier time of it.One notable addition, however, is the requirement to utilise your whetstone to sharpen your weapons to maintain their effectiveness. This is indicated via a yellow bar just below your health information, and it's crucial to keep this as full as possible if you want to take on more fearsome enemies and bosses. Youll still manage without it, but youll have a much more challenging time.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)That said, to mitigate this somewhat, the game heaps loads of additional gear on you as you progress through the environments. Whether it be from a fallen corpse or a gift from a friendly faction, theres almost always an opportunity to check out your latest loot from your inventory screen and ensure youre as prepared as possible for the dangers ahead.Our biggest disappointment, however, came from the levels themselves; not from a visual standpoint, but rather their layout and distinct lack of variety. Theres a temptation to say that Tails of Iron 2 has elements of Metroidvanias in the way that you explore the world and organically encounter items and foes, but theres very little verticality, so exploration is very much a case of continue left or right until you reach your goal, then go back. As a result, theres a load of backtracking involved which could have been alleviated with some shortcuts or alternative routes.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)Moving through the world is improved a bit thanks to a new grappling hook that lets you launch yourself up to nearby platforms. Its used sparingly and it does little more than offer a neat little visual flair to exploration, but its a cool little addition. Save points are also dotted around generously, so if you do find yourself in a situation where youre perishing quite frequently, youll never have to go very far if you wish to jump straight back into the fight.ConclusionIf you enjoyed the original, then Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winters offers up more of the same brutal combat and stunning visuals, introducing minor yet welcome new additions like the whetstone and the grappling hook. Its basic environment layout can lead to a lot of excessive backtracking, which is a shame, but the world itself is so well-realised that we find ourselves compelled to recommend you check it out regardless. Just be warned; it's not for the faint of heart.Stunning 2D visualsThoughtful, challenging combatHuge variety of enemies and gearGood narration from Doug Cockle...... Though he sounds too much like GeraltLack of environment variety leads to excessive backtrackingGood 7/10

Image: NintendoAs Nintendo continues to take its good old time revealing details about its upcoming console, other companies have been quick to cash in on everyone's desperation for Switch 2 news. The price point is a key talking point right now and Italian site Games And Movies has taken a punt and put limited Switch pre-orders live for 364,99.The retail site doesn't put a date on the launch, instead carrying the 31st December 2025 placeholder, but it's the price point that has caught people's attention. 365 puts the console at just 15 more than the Switch OLED's RRP - the price you pay if you get the current model from Nintendo itself.Obviously, this isn't confirmation that the final recommended retail price for Switch 2 will be 365 (around 307 / $384), merely that this site feels comfortable opening up limited pre-orders at that price. The smell of marketing stunt is strong, of course, almost as strong as the revelations from case and accessory manufacturers before Nintendo officially pulled the curtain back on the console.Some analysts are predicting a higher price tag for the new console, and while nobody's expecting an 800 monster like the PS5 Pro, this figure is certainly more reasonable than many expect. We'd be very pleasantly surprised if the official cost came near this.Image: gamesandmovies.itThe pre-order page has a fan-made render of the console alongside official pics, but the Google-translated note says that the retailer "guarantees the discounted price" for anyone who pre-orders.By pre-ordering it now you can guarantee the discounted price!Delivery is always scheduled for the official release day, however GamesAndMovies.it cannot guarantee it as it is not responsible for any delays by the courier or the distributor.Hmm. Given that Nintendo is rumoured to be stocking up to satiate the launch-day thirst for the console, a pre-order probably isn't necessary, but we shall see.A Nintendo Direct scheduled for 2nd April should reveal more details about the console and its games - we'll have to wait and see if that will include a release date and a price point. In the meantime, let us know below if you think Nintendo's MSRP will be lower (surely not?) or higher than this. "so long as the launch price isn't some egregious amount"A complete guide to Switch 2 - official details, rumours, leak history[source gamesandmovies.it, via gagadget.com]See AlsoShare:231 Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 before joining the site full-time the following year, rising through the ranks to become Editor. He can currently be found squashed beneath a Switch backlog the size of Normandy. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesRandom: Donkey Kong Country's Artist Reacts To Nintendo's Redesign"Everything changes!"Opinion: My Daughter Made Me Realise That Mario Wonder's Difficulty Options Need WorkYoshi or Nabbit, make your choiceNintendo Joins 'Fuji TV' Commercial Boycott Following Sex ScandalOne of many companies pulling adsBanjo-Kazooie Has The Potential To "Rival 3D Mario", Says Ori DevIf a "really talented developer" has a crack at itAnalyst States That Switch 2's Price Won't "Really Matter" For Early Adopters"so long as the launch price isn't some egregious amount"

Jet fuel is a modern wonder, allowing commercial airplanes to carry hundreds of passengers halfway around the world and military aircraft to regularly break the speed of sound.Yet jet fuel as we know it might be on the chopping block as the world strives to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. Commercial aviation is responsible for 2.5% of all carbon pollution, a share thats likely to grow as other industries electrify, an option thats not tenable for long-haul flights.But if jet fuel can be made from carbon dioxide, it might get a stay of execution.A handful of startups have been racing to develop a cheap, efficient way to use electricity to transform CO2 into an energy-dense hydrocarbon that can be slipped into an aircrafts fuel tanks without anyone noticing the difference. But replacing inexpensive fossil fuels is a tall hurdle, one that many companies have failed to surmount.But one startup thinks it has cracked the problem with a fairly straightforward approach. Were not trying to necessarily reinvent the chemistry, Joe Rodden, co-founder and CEO of Lydian Labs, told TechCrunch. Were trying to make the plant and the equipment far cheaper and also flexibly operated.The first half of that equation cheaper equipment has an obvious effect on the ultimate cost of Lydians e-fuel. The second is more nuanced, taking advantage of a quirk of renewable power: Sometimes, it gets really, really cheap.Lydian takes advantage of those low, low prices by using a very efficient catalyst to transform CO2 and hydrogen into jet fuel and oxygen. That allows the company to make the most of the grids limited-time offers. You can reduce your power cost by up to half by just shaving 20% or 30% off your utilization rate, Rodden said.To an experienced plant operator, running equipment part time might not sound like the most profitable approach. Industrial facilities like Lydians typically run 24/7 in an effort to wring the most product out of the costly equipment.The chemical process industry has been very good at optimizing those plants in the context of 24/7 operations, Rodden said. But when you break that assumption, you start to make some different conclusions, like maybe that component doesnt make sense. Can we get rid of it?Rodden said that, because Lydians reactors run part-time, his company has been able to eliminate a number of complex parts that add to materials and manufacturing costs.As a result, Lydian can produce e-fuel thats competitive with biofuels when electricity prices are around 3 to 4 cents per kilowatt-hour, Rodden said, which is typical of some solar and wind farms. If power prices get cheaper than that, which they could by the end of the decade, he added, they might be able to compete with fossil fuels.Just how competitive depends on which market Lydian ends up selling into. Europe, for example, is capping the amount of pollution airlines generate, which promises to increase demand for biofuels and e-fuels, even if theyre more expensive than traditional jet fuel. Elsewhere, smaller airports that have to pay handsomely for jet fuel deliveries may choose to install some Lydian reactors and make their own.But Lydian is also looking beyond commercial aviation. The U.S. military is the worlds largest single user of fossil fuels, and jet fuel constitutes a significant portion of that. At bases within the U.S., securing supplies isnt much of an issue. But at forward bases in conflict zones, fuel has to be shipped in, creating an expensive and lengthy supply chain thats vulnerable to enemy attack. Some 3,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan were killed or wounded while delivering water and fuel between 2003 and 2007.Thats an application where willingness to pay can be really almost unlimited, Rodden said.Instead of long supply chains, Rodden envisions Lydian reactors generating fuel as the base needs it, powered by on-base solar, wind, or nuclear power. The startup has received a DARPA award to further develop the technology.Recently, Lydian wrapped construction of a pilot plant in North Carolina that can produce up to 25 gallons of e-fuel per day. That might not sound like a lot when you consider that a Boeing 737-800 at cruising altitude burns that much every minute and a half. But Rodden said its 100 times more than the company has been producing in the lab and 10,000 times more than when it started two and a half years ago. Lydian will run the pilot for a few years, gathering data, while building a commercial-scale plant that it hopes to finish in 2027.If Lydian can maintain that sort of momentum, and the world can reduce its fossil fuel use, e-fuels might be the last hydrocarbon standing.

Main Titles & Motion DesignSeverance Season 2: Opening Title Sequence by ExtrawegBy Vincent Frei - 27/01/2025 This Severance Season 2 opening title sequence, designed by Berlins Extraweg, is more than an introductionits an experience. By exploring Marks fragmented subconscious, it plunges viewers into a hauntingly surreal world!WANT TO KNOW MORE?Extraweg: Dedicated page about Severance: Season 2 on Extraweg website. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2025

Greetings, everyone!I wanted to do a similar effect in a project using Unity HDRP, but all the tutorials I found only work for URP. Also writing a custom shader for the depth mask didnt help either, since HDRP shaders dont have subshaders.Here is the effect I would like to do:Here is the custom shader I trying to use on the mask depth mesh:Shader Masked/Mask {SubShader {Tags { Queue = Geometry+10 }ColorMask 0ZWrite OnPass {}}Please advise, maybe you have some ideas how to realize such effect in HDRP project?

Your Greenhouse Is Your Kitchen | Leyuan LiLocated amidst an urban garden in Guangzhou, China, Your Greenhouse Is Your Kitchen is a temporary pavilion designed by Office for Roundtable and JXY Studio. This structure integrates a greenhouse, outdoor kitchen, and social gathering space, creating an environment that facilitates community interaction through food.Your Greenhouse Is Your Kitchen Technical InformationArchitects1-3: Office for Roundtable & JXY StudioLocation: Guangzhou, ChinaCompletion Year: 2024Photographs: Leyuan Li Your Greenhouse Is Your Kitchen emerges as a spatial manifestation of food that proposes new sets of social norms and spatial politics. Office for Roundtable & JXY Studio ArchitectsYour Greenhouse Is Your Kitchen Photographs Leyuan Li Leyuan Li Leyuan Li Leyuan Li Leyuan Li Leyuan Li Leyuan Li Leyuan Li Leyuan Li Leyuan Li Leyuan LiYour Greenhouse Is Your Kitchen Material and Structural InnovationThe project examines food as a medium for agricultural and social interaction, reconsidering the relationship between the body, land, and urban life. It integrates farming and cooking into a shared experience. More than a structure, Your Greenhouse Is Your Kitchen explores the possibilities of collective food production and preparation in an urban context.The pavilion is designed with adaptability and simplicity in mind. Constructed with angle steel and polycarbonate panels, it follows a modular system that allows for flexibility in use. Adjustable cables stabilize the panels at different heights, giving the structure a dynamic character.The material choices contribute to lightness and permeability, allowing the structure to respond to environmental conditions. The transparency of the polycarbonate enables an interplay of light and shadow, reflecting seasonal changes. The inclusion of movable furniture, such as kitchen counters, vegetable racks, and folding tables, enhances adaptability. This approach challenges static notions of built environments.Climate Responsiveness and Sustainable StrategiesThe pavilion incorporates strategies to respond to Guangzhous subtropical climate. Passive cooling techniques, such as gaps between panels, allow for cross-ventilation and reduce heat accumulation while maintaining shading.A rainwater collection and filtration system provides water for gardening and cooking. The project also contributes to soil remediation by using portable planting pots for vegetation growth. This self-sustaining environment integrates plants and human activity, supporting ecological processes in an urban setting.Rethinking Public Space and DomesticityThe pavilion redefines public space in an urban setting. It removes boundaries between private and communal areas, proposing an alternative model of urban domesticity. Integrating farming, cooking, and gathering into a single space reinforces the connection between social and ecological systems.Through collective food preparation and exchange, the project fosters new forms of social engagement that challenge conventional domestic rituals. This approach offers insights into urban living, where food production, sustainability, and communal spaces are closely linked. Your Greenhouse Is Your Kitchen functions as a space where architecture supports ecological and social interactions rather than imposing fixed definitions of use.Your Greenhouse Is Your Kitchen PlansFloor Plan | Office for Roundtable & JXY Studio ArchitectsFloor Plan | Office for Roundtable & JXY Studio ArchitectsAxonometric | Office for Roundtable & JXY Studio ArchitectsAxonometric | Office for Roundtable & JXY Studio ArchitectsAxonometric | Office for Roundtable & JXY Studio ArchitectsYour Greenhouse Is Your Kitchen Image GalleryAbout Office for RoundtableCredits and Additional NotesLead Architects: Leyuan Li (Office for Roundtable) and Yue Xu and Jiaxun Xu (JXY Studio)Design Team: Brandon Wunder, Xinyu Li, Shan Jiang, Efklides Tzimapitis, Ignis Zhang, Yufei Li, Xuelin LiCollaborators: FEI Arts, Design Trust

Columns in ContextFarouki Faroukis Hotel Henrietta puts a modern take on New Orleans vernacularByKelly Pau January 27, 2025Interiors, Southeast (Alex Marks)SHAREFor the first time in 30 years, a new hotel construction has gone up on New Orleanss historic St. Charles Avenue. Hotel Henrietta is a boutique property operated by the same group as the Columns Hotel, a building, just two blocks away, that was built in 1883 and listed in National Park Services National Register of Historic Places. Thus, history surrounds Henrietta. For Caroline and Sabri Farouki, the cofounders of local firmFarouki Farouki, the property served as a chance to put a modern take on local historywhile making some of their own: The hotel is the firms first full-service architecture and interiors project since the studio was founded nine years ago. The design concept honors both the contemporary hotel and the historic space with a twist on vernacular architecture. Galleries, arcades, a porch, and a garden were obvious inclusionsand the context is apparent immediately. Farouki Farouki settled on a facade of arches on a simple, rectilinear volume, set back from the street. The top most gallery is open to the sky, making the building appear inviting to its surroundings even more.Read more about the hotel on aninteriormag.com. InteriorsNew Orleans