Another Jurassic film seemed unlikely before Jurassic World Dominion actually hit theaters in June 2022; it was the third film in the Jurassic World series, following the three in the Jurassic Park series, and felt like an expected stopping point. But Dominion was not good (io9s review called it colossally terrible). Now, the (mostly) beloved dinosaur franchise is getting another chance with this summers Jurassic World Rebirth, directed by Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Rogue One, The Creator), and written by original Jurassic Park adapter David Koepp. In a new interview with Variety, Koeppwho penned Steven Soderberghs haunted-house drama Presence, which just hit theatersspoke about his return to the Jurassic series after writing 1993s Jurassic Park and 1997s The Lost World: Jurassic Park, both for director Steven Spielberg. The first two movies were two of my favorite experiences ever, the busy screenwriter remembered. And Steven [Spielberg] said, What about starting over? Lets try something all new. I said, Oh, thats a cool idea and then I threw an idea back. Thats it. It caught. You do that all the time with your friends and collaborators: throw ideas back and forth. And sometimes they catch, usually they dont. There is pressure because its going to cost a lot of money and there are going to be big expectations and blah, blah, blah. But there was no pressure at first just the pursuit of our ideas. Though Jurassic World Rebirth is based on an original idea this time, Koepp did go back to his original source materialMichael Crichtons Jurassic Park and The Lost World novelsfor inspiration. I reread the two novels to get myself back in that mode we did take some things from them, he said. There was a sequence from the first novel that wed always wanted in the original movie, but didnt have room for. We were like, Hey, we get to use that now. But just to get back in that head space 30 years lateris it still fun? And the answer is yes, it still really is. Dinosaurs are still fun. Jurassic World Rebirth stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, and presumably dinos galore; it picks up five years after the events of Dominion, and hits theaters July 2. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

When talking about technology, pundits often use the word disruptive as a compliment. In the case of DeepSeek, a large language model that is now challenging ChatGPT for AI supremacy, the term carries a mixed message.Financial news about the Chinese LLM delivered a blow to tech stocks for a few reasons. First, the program appears to require less computer processing power than its competitors. Companies like Nvidia had seen their stock prices soar in recent months, because the conventional wisdom said that fueling the AI revolution would require lots and lots of specialized chips like the one the company manufactures. Such stocks tumbled when performance data about DeepSeek was published.It is also being offered for now at least as a less expensive option for users. That could contribute to driving down stock prices of companies like Meta and Alphabet, who are counting on financial returns for their AI investments.Open Source for GoodMohamed Abazeed, a professor at Northwestern University, mostly sees DeepSeeks disruption as a force for good unless youre a stockholder of a company like Nvidia. The main positive, he says, is that DeepSeek is open source, meaning others can play with its code and adapt it to their own specialized needs.It will allow developers to access, modify, and implement the model freely, Abazeed says. This openness is a distinguishing factor from other AI models.Potential Security Risk?Daniel Khashabi, a computer science professor and AI expert at Johns Hopkins University, is less sanguine. He agrees that it grabbed headlines due to its speed and accuracy. But he is suspicious of its Chinese origins.While the model may appear competent based on performance in a few popular benchmarks, it may exhibit various biases and even adversarial behaviors that may not be immediately obvious to most users, Khashabi says. There is a clear security threat here.Khashabi recommends that developers who opt to work with DeepSeek "use significant caution and care." They should closely monitor its output to see that it is following their intended behavior. This is good advice not just for DeepSeek, he says, but for any software developed by a different country that has minimal to no documentation.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Before joining Discover Magazine, Paul Smaglik spent over 20 years as a science journalist, specializing in U.S. life science policy and global scientific career issues. He began his career in newspapers, but switched to scientific magazines. His work has appeared in publications including Science News, Science, Nature, and Scientific American.

Having dark circles under your eyes could be a tell-tale sign of several things. They usually appear if youre tired but can also be genetic, or a sign of stress, among others. Dark circles can happen to almost anyone of any age and gender, and there are several ways to lighten their appearance and help them fade.What Causes Dark Circles Under Eyes?Whether youve had a long and stressful week at work or pulled an all-nighter studying for an exam, youve likely experienced dark under your eyes. Dark circles under the eyes usually appear purple, blue, brown, or black, similar to a bruise. While there are several reasons as to why they appear, oftentimes, its associated with being tired.However, according to health professionals at UCLA, besides being an indicator of tiredness, the dark circles under your eyes can also be genetic, a sign of stress, a symptom of a different health condition, or a sign of excessive drinking and smoking.Health conditions that can lead to dark under-eye circles include skin conditions, such as eczema and hyperpigmentation, and respiratory conditions, such as asthma and severe allergies. Poor circulation is another cause.With many of these conditions, the skin is pale, causing the blood vessels around the eyes to appear easier. Then, if you itch your eyes, that can cause the blood vessels to swell or even break under the eyes, giving off a bruised appearance. With hyperpigmentation a condition where patches of skin are darker than others sun exposure can lead to dark circles.Another main cause is aging. As our bodies age, our skin can lose its elasticity and thin out, which causes the blood vessels to appear easier.How to Treat Dark CirclesDepending on the cause of the dark circles, there are several ways to treat or prevent them. Getting enough sleep and staying hydrated is a great start. Those with hyperpigmentation should wear sunscreen daily and sunglasses outside to help prevent darker circles under the eyes. Another treatment for hyperpigmentation could be retinoid creams.Cold compresses or even cold tea bags can also help reduce inflamed blood vessels and puffy eyes. The cold tea bags, which contain caffeine and other antioxidants, can help increase blood circulation. Facials can treat dark under eyes, since they are relaxing and also improve circulation. For a quick cosmetic fix, you can cover the dark circles with makeup to reduce the look of them.If the dark under-eye circles are more prominent, there are other medical procedures such as chemical peels, tissue fillers, and laser therapy, among others.If youre concerned about your dark under-eye circles, ask your doctor or medical professional for advice. This article is not offering medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only. Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Cleveland Clinic. Dark Circles Under EyesA graduate of UW-Whitewater, Monica Cull wrote for several organizations, including one that focused on bees and the natural world, before coming to Discover Magazine. Her current work also appears on her travel blog and Common State Magazine. Her love of science came from watching PBS shows as a kid with her mom and spending too much time binging Doctor Who.

Peter MaiReleased in the early 90s, Castlevania III: Draculas Curse was one of Peter Mais favorite childhood video games on the NES. The opening scene, where Trevor Belmont stands before the abandoned church, left a strong visual impression on the artist. Inspired by the growing trend of video game remasters, he decided to create his own interpretation of this iconic environment. For Peter, this project serves as an opportunity to adapt the workflow of an environment artist for games and gain more experience in concept look development, building asset kits, optimizing model topology, and refining texture procedural workflows in Unreal Engine 5.Peter has finished building the scene and is now focused on texturing, showcasing a newly created stained glass material with procedural damage controls for the windows. He crafted the design using Substance 3D Designer and Photoshop for the decal artwork, with the final material featuring adjustable glass damage built and refined directly in the engine.Peter MaiPeter MaiHere are the concepts of the location made by Peter to help you better understand both the original look and the creative direction behind his interpretation:Peter MaiPeter MaiMore progress on this project with some amazing materials:Peter MaiPeter MaiPeter MaiFind out more about the stained glass window material here, and read up on Peter Mais Castlevania III: Draculas Curse remaster by clicking here.Also, join our80 Level Talent platformand ournew Discord server, follow us on Instagram,Twitter,LinkedIn,Telegram,TikTok, andThreads, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, and awesome artworks.Source link The post Stained Glass Material With Procedural Damage For Castlevania IIIs Environment Remaster appeared first on CG SHARES.

The Sims and Tiny Glade lovers should definitely keep an eye on Outside the Blocks, a game every wannabe environment artist has been dreaming about. You dont have to know ZBrush, Maya, or Substance 3D Painter to create your own dioramas this model builder will give you everything you need.Developed by Micha Kubas, a former Dying Light and Dead Island artist and now the co-owner of Quite OK Games, Outside the Blocks allows you to change terrains, adding grass or epoxy resin-like rivers, easily assemble modular houses, and then light your little scene.Micha KubasStep into Outside the Blocks, the ultimate playground for builders and creators who want to express their artistic side in a relaxing, stress-free environment. Forget about objectives and pressure immerse yourself in the pure joy of creation.Micha KubasMicha KubasYou can manipulate entire building sections with the games block system, customize materials, use layers for more precise control, and imagine a story with animated characters.After youre done expressing your creativity, immortalize your masterpiece with the built-in Photo Mode.Micha KubasMicha KubasMicha KubasMicha KubasMicha KubasMicha KubasOutside the Blocks doesnt have a release date yet, but you can play the demo on Steam.Find Kubass art on ArtStation and join our80 Level Talent platformand ournew Discord server, follow us onInstagram,Twitter,LinkedIn,Telegram,TikTok, andThreads,where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post Practice Your 3D Diorama-Making Skills in This Fun Game appeared first on CG SHARES.

Dragonlance Chronicles Hardcover Omnibus $24.50 (was $35) | Releases February 4 Preorder at Amazon Dungeons & Dragons has spawned numerous novels over the decades, but some of the most celebrated are the original Dragonlance Chronicles novel trilogy written by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis. Soon, fans will be able to re-experience the novels thanks to a new Dragonlance Chronicles hardcover omnibus collection, marking the first new printing of the novels in several years. The book launches February 4, and preorders are discounted to just $31.50 (was $35) at Amazon. Dragonlance Chronicles Hardcover Omnibus $24.50 (was $35) | Releases February 4 Dragonlance Chronicles is a 1,056-page omnibus featuring the three original novels in the series co-written by Hickman and Weis: Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Dragons of Winter Night, and Dragons of Spring Dawning. It also features an all-new cover illustration and a foreword by actor (and hardcore D&D enthusiast) Joe Manganiello. Preorder at Amazon The series is based in the official Dragonlance campaign setting for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons First and Second Editions, which itself was borne out of Hickman and Weis' D&D sessions in the early 1980s. The high fantasy trilogy follows a band of adventurers who get swept up in an epic conflict known as the War of the Lance. The trilogy was published alongside numerous other official D&D works set in the Dragonlance universe, including adventure modules, spin-off board games, video games, and more.While the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy served as the official storyline for the original AD&D Dragonlance modules, future editions of D&D have also featured official modules and expansions set in the Dragonlance setting, including the most recent Fifth Edition. Aside from the official game materials, it has spawned over 190 spin-off novels, including two follow-up books to the original trilogy, Dragonlance Chronicles: The Second Generation and Dragons of Summer Flame. Unfortunately, physical copies of both books are sold out, but you can pick up Kindle and audiobook editions of Summer Flame at Amazon.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Stephen King is a wildly prolific writer, with over 60 novels and novellas to his name, and soon that legacy will grow even larger when The Gwendy Trilogy Omnibus launches on February 18. The collection compiles the entire Gwendy trilogy into one easy-to-read volume. Preorders are discounted to $20 at Amazon (normally $22). The Gwendy Trilogy Omnibus (Paperback) $20 (was $22) | Releases February 18 Written by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar, The Gwendy Trilogy follows a 12-year-old girl who is given a mysterious wooden box by a stranger. Inside are a bunch of unique items--but if Gwendy is tempted to press any of the buttons inside the wooden box, something terrible will happen. The two following books in the trilogy follow Gwendy later in life, with Gwendys Magic Feather seeing her become a successful author only to once again stumble upon the deadly button box, and it concludes with Gwendys Final Task as evil forces attempt to seize control of the box. This paperback omnibus is a bind-up, which is a single-volume edition containing the entire three-book trilogy. Preorder at Amazon Preordering from Amazon locks in the preorder price guarantee, so if the price changes between now and release, youll only be on the hook for the lowest price. You also wont be charged until the item ships. Continue Reading at GameSpot

The Atlantis update added a huge location of the same name to Fisch with various catches, quests, and rewards. However, before you can explore it, you must complete several quests, some of which are quite confusing. This guide will tell you how to get and use the Heart of Zeus to enter Atlantis in Fisch.

Terraria features a great number of possible builds, weapons, and armor. The game allows for many different play styles, from fighting up close and personal via melee to raining bullets from afar and even summoning powerful entities to fight for the player.

A fire stunt on the set of 2024s The Fall Guy | Photo: Eric Laciste/Universal Pictures via Everett CollectionFollowing the official announcement of this years Oscars nominees, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the winners of the 2025 scientific and technical awards, which typically arent part of (and are barely acknowledged at) the annual televised ceremony. In part, thats because the people winning these awards arent the celebrities that the Oscars show producers think will lure in a TV audience. But its also because many of the awards are for inventions and innovations that will be nearly invisible to the average moviegoer. Few of us spend much time thinking about the importance of for instance, to quote an explanation of one of the 2024 winners the integration of multiple digital content creation tools into a coherent production pipeline.But several of this years winners are flashier than that, and certainly more likely to be noticed on screen. Two of the three big themes in the 2025 scientific and technical awards are camera stabilization and CG software improvement tools that have an impact on a lot of films behind-the-scenes processes. The third big theme is tools used to set people on fire. Thanks to these innovations, stunt crew members can be ignited for longer periods, with less obvious physical protection and a higher degree of safety.These vital technologies have expanded the visual possibilities of cinema, creating new and compelling experiences for moviegoers, the co-chairs of the Academys Scientific and Technical Awards Committee said in a press release. What they did not say, and should have, is Setting stuntpeople on fire is totally badass and always gets the audiences attention, and wed like to see more of that.Given the long-ongoing argument that the Academy should give out Oscars for the years best movie stunt, its intriguing to see 2025s technical awards winners more clearly acknowledging stunt advancement and stunt technology, though thats still a ways off from acknowledging the stunt designers and coordinators themselves. Here are the 2025 winners in the Academy Awards Scientific and Technical categories:Technical achievement awardsToEssex Edwards,James Jacobs,Jernej Barbic,Crawford DoranandAndrew van Stratenfor the design and development of Ziva VFX.Ziva VFX is a system for constructing and simulating muscles, fat, fascia, and skin for digital characters. An artist-friendly interface that emphasizes easily understood physical metaphors, coupled with a robust, physically accurate solver, has enabled a broad range of studios to bring visually rich creatures to life.ToJavor KalojanovandKimball Thurstonfor the creation of Wt FXs ML Denoiser.This denoiser prioritizes temporal filtering using innovative optical flow techniques to preserve crucial details. Novel training strategies allow its machine learning algorithms to denoise computer-generated imagery to the most exacting standards.ToNeeme Vainofor the development of Fireskin360 Naked Burn Gel.This widely available gel allows longer targeted burns directly on the skin, broadening the range of fire stunts performed across the industry.ToDustin BrooksandColin Deckerfor the development of naked burn gel.Fire for Hires gel first publicly demonstrated a naked burn, where fire appears directly on the skin, enabling a new form of safe fire stunts in motion pictures.ToAttila T. frafor the creation of Intel Open Image Denoise, and toTimo Ailafor his pioneering work at NVIDIA applying U-Nets to denoising.Open Image Denoise is an open-source library that provides an elegant API and runs on diverse hardware, leading to broad industry adoption. Its core technology is provided by the widely adopted U-Net architecture that improves efficiency and preserves detail, raising the quality of CG imagery across the industry.ToMark Noelfor adapting and enhancing the safety and reliability of transportable six-degrees-of-freedom motion base technology for motion picture use.The NACMO series of modular motion bases enables filmmakers to dynamically control simulated actions, providing precise movements, enhancing special effects, and enriching the visual experience for audiences worldwide.ToSu Tiefor the development of the sensor analysis and stabilization software, toBei Shimenfor the electrical engineering, and toZhao Yanchongfor the mechanical design and engineering of the Ronin 2 gimbal system.Utilizing three-axis stabilization through multiple sensors, the DJI Ronin 2 has achieved broad adoption. It is controllable from a diverse set of input devices, enabling filmmakers to create complex, dynamic camera moves.ToTabb Firchaufor the conception and development, toJohn EllisonandSteve Webbfor the attitude control system, toDavid Bloomfieldfor the motor design, and toShane Coltonfor the motor driver system design of the Mvi gimbals.Freefly Systems introduction of handheld stabilized gimbals provides single-person or collaborative remote camera operation with various controllers, enabling previously difficult shots without dolly or crane-supported stabilized heads.Scientific and engineering awardsToJayson Dumenigofor the development of the Action Factory Hydrogels.Action Factory hydrogels are engineered to allow longer burns at higher temperatures with quick turnaround times, increasing the safety and efficiency of fire stunt performances.ToThijs Vogels,Fabrice Rousselle,David Adler,Gerhard RthlinandMark Meyerfor the creation of Disneys ML Denoiser.This sophisticated machine learning denoiser features a ground-breaking kernel-predicting convolutional network and temporal stability. It has been adopted far beyond its original domain of animation and is an essential tool for creating computer-generated imagery in feature films.ToNir Averbuch,Yair ChuchemandDan Ravivfor the concept, design and development of the Auto Align Post 2.Sound Radixs Auto Align Post 2 allows the seamless blending of multiple moving microphones during film post-production, eliminating phase distortion, saving significant time over manual alignment methods and raising the reproduction quality of dialogue recorded on set.ToCurt Schallerfor the concept, design and development of the Trinity 2 system, and toDr. Roman Foltynfor the software and hardware design of its motorized stabilized head.The ARRI Trinity 2 is a body-worn system that combines a traditional inertial camera stabilization system with electronic gimbal technology, allowing unprecedented freedom of camera movement for acquiring shots with multiple transitions that are otherwise unobtainable.ToSteve Wagnerfor the initial concept and software, toGarrett Brownfor the design, and toJerry HolwayandRobert Orffor the engineering of the Steadicam Volt stabilization system.The Tiffen Steadicam Volt revolutionizes inertial stabilization with its advanced two-axis motorized design, creating artificial inertia and simulated friction while providing adjustable tactile feedback. Different modes allow the operator to alter the physical feel of the rig. The Volt empowers filmmakers to achieve dynamic shots with more complex camera movement while maintaining a stable roll axis.ToDave Freethfor the design, engineering and development of the hand-held Stabileye three-axis motorized camera stabilization system.The compact size and live adjustment of operating parameters of these devices facilitate subtle and dynamic camera moves closer to actors, and in tighter quarters than previously possible. Its low latency allows for instinctive operation whether controlled by a single operator or remotely.The Scientific and Technical Awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday, April 29, at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The main televised Oscars ceremony will take place on March 2. One technical award will presented during the televised show: an Academy Award of Merit for all the individuals who have developed and supported captioning technology, whether open or closed, for film.