Make it Make SenseSony made the PSN account requirement optional with some games, so why are those games still not on sale everywhere?In the countries that would benefit the most from Sony dropping the PlayStation Account linking requirement, we still cannot buy the very games this decision was made for.Image credit: PlayStation, VG247 Article by Sherif Saed Contributing Editor Published on Feb. 4, 2025 Somehow, Sony continues to make decisions around the PlayStation Networks PC presence that no one could explain, and I doubt the publisher could even justify. But here we are, months on from the Helldivers 2 disaster, when Sony executives woke up one day and decided to enforce the PlayStation Network linking requirement in the co-op shooter.Even then, that couldve been the end of it. Sure, many wouldve complained, but needing yet another account or launcher to play a game you paid for has become such a norm on PC that most wouldve just bitten the bullet and created a free PSN account; satisfying whatever desire to juice the numbers Sony had.Except, of course, Sony - seemingly unaware of the limited reach of its own service - realised that most countries in the world arent recognised by PSN, which caused it to remove the game from sale in all those countries.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. I know everyone and their dog has poked holes into whatever logic got Sony to make the game inaccessible in over 170 countries, but I have no choice but to do it again here to highlight just how asinine that decision was, how clumsy it got carried out, how utterly sloppy Sonys handling of the entire debacle since has been, and its consequences now in 2025.From that moment on, every single Sony Interactive Entertainment release on PC has been unavailable in those countries. Most of those games are strictly single-player, so theres no need for them to hit a server or require any sort of regional support that would necessitate this removal.In some cases, players who own the original game were unable to buy the sequel and continue the story. In fact, when Sony released a remaster of a game and offered existing owners a discount, the majority couldn't take advantage of that, as the remaster simply wasnt on sale where they are. But perhaps the most egregious is that, because of the remasters existence, the original game was itself no longer on sale.If you purchase a Steam key from somewhere, or have one sent to you - say, by a Sony PR person because you work in games media - you cannot redeem that key. There you are, with a key Sony is willingly offering you to play its upcoming PC release, and theres nothing you can do to get it to work.But you know what the most frustrating part of all this is? None of it needed to happen! Love to see this when I try to spend money! | Image credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment, VG247No, I am not talking about corporate greed or whatever other reason spurred the original decision. I mean the PSN linking requirement couldve continued to exist, and there would still be no need for the games to be inaccessible to so many.The PlayStation is the default console in most of the world. Its been that way since the PS1, and continues to be true today. The majority of the countries that buy PlayStation consoles, accessories - and crucially, games, never had official PSN support. In fact, hardware warranties are often rarely offered in many of them.In the age of physical games, people simply imported copies from the EU and US. When digital picked up steam and discounts made it possible to secure better deals, everyone moved most of their yearly buys to digital. Everyone I know in Egypt, one such country Sony shunned, had a UK/US/or some Gulf country PSN account. Theyd buy PSN cards of various denominations, charge their account balance, and get whatever they wanted off the PlayStation Store. I was happy to do the same, and I even used the same account I created with my PS3 to play Helldivers 2 on PC last year! I guarantee you many of the people playing that game at launch did the same exact thing. Only one other way I can think of to play those games on PC... | Image credit: VG247 / Insomniac Games / Sony Interactive EntertainmentSo, imagine my surprise when Sony announced last week that its dropping the PSN linking requirement with some games, and instead making it optional. I thought, surely that means this is the companys way of saving face as it puts those games back on sale in the dozens of countries they were previously unavailable in.Nope, all those games remain inaccessible to me and millions of other players. I cant get them on Steam or the Epic Games Store. I cant even ask Sony for a review key, because as weve established, its not going to work. Ive gotten so sick of seeing This item is currently unavailable in your region every time I have to view the Steam page of one of Sonys recent games.I could go buy those games through the PlayStation Store on PS5 right now and Sony would happily take my money. I would be using the same PSN account with the same very real UK address - the one Ive been using for over a decade - to do it. Why cant I do the same on PC? Why is it possible to overlook whatever perceived regulatory hurdles there are and offer the games on the console PlayStation Store, but not on PC?

Image: Nintendo LifeWith last month's Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, Nintendo teased something we'd all been waiting for (well, following weeks of leaks) a potential 'mouse' mode. A little sneak peek at the optical laser, the Joy-Con swiftly rolling along a surface like a mouse.There are a few obvious candidates for games that'd work wonders with a mouse controller, but the most apparent is next week's new release, Sid Meier's Civilization VII. So trust the folks over at IGN to ask developer Firaxis about its thoughts on the potential feature in an interview.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube Speaking to IGN were Civilization VII's lead designer Ed Beach and the game's executive producer Dennis Shirk. On the subject of Switch 2, Shirk gave an expectedly tight-lipped response, calling it "intriguing" rather than confirming anything.Of course, that's to be expected why show your hand when Nintendo has only teased the feature? But Shirk is full of praise for the reveal and the potential, particularly because "You always do some trade-offs when you have to deal with pure console controls." Additionally, he told IGN on the console's reveal:"And the announcement has some great stuff in it. I love what they're doing with the controllers. It's all very cool. That's about all I can say about it in terms of an opinion. I think it looks awesome and they're not wrong, so it would be cool for something like that."At the very least, Firaxis does love the sound of a mouse controller and we do, too. But what on earth could Nintendo do with the thing?We've been speculating, of course, but there are a few obvious candidates, including Civ VII this is a PC-first franchise, or at least it used to be. But whether Nintendo will go backwards compatible with that functionality remains to be seen.Civilization VII launches on Switch on 11th February 2025, which is day one with every other version. Reviews dropped for the game yesterday, though all of them are for PC, and the general consensus is good, if a little mixed on the more streamlined design.Do you think we'll see mouse compatibility with Civ VII on Switch 2? Let us know down below. New entry launches this monthFlexing that backward compatibility[source ign.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:02 Alana has been with Nintendo Life since 2022, and while RPGs are her first love, Nintendo is a close second. She enjoys nothing more than overthinking battle strategies, characters, and stories. She also wishes she was a Sega air pirate. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesEx-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?"Rumour: Switch 2 Game Cases Might Take Up More Space On Your ShelfHere's how they could compare to the current Switch casesJapan's Switch eShop Will Soon No Longer Accept Overseas Payment MethodsChange will come into effect in MarchPlatinumGames Wipes Several Games From Its Website's PortfolioIncluding Star Fox Zero and 'Project G.G.'

Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)Developer G.Rev may not be all that familiar to those who werent fully immersed in the shoot-'em-up scene of the early noughties. A boutique independent, it was assembled by former Taito employees who previously contributed to the likes of RayStorm and G-Darius. G.Revs most famous work, and the one that put it on the map, is Border Down: a wonderfully original 2003 shooting game for Segas Naomi arcade hardware and Dreamcast console. It was followed in 2006 by Under Defeat, switching from the horizontal to the vertical and trading sci-fi for a grounded militaristic theme.Not to be confused with that other Dreamcast helicopter shoot 'em up, Psikyos Zero Gunner 2, Under Defeat pits pink-haired German soldier girls against the enemy forces of The Union. While any real-world similarities are dispelled by impossibly giant gunships torn from the pages of anime fiction, one of Under Defeats more interesting aspects is how hard-boiled it feels.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)There arent any world-breaking power-ups, barking hidden mascots, or zany thematic intrusions. Its desaturated world of dirt paths and jungle enclaves is peppered with tanks, enemy choppers, and naval destroyers; a landscape of smoking metal and phosphorescent detonations, base encampments and soaring missiles. Graphically, its quite beautiful, especially with the high-definition upscaling and redone textures, and its numerous terrific explosions never get old.Your gunship has one of two movement options, normal and inverted. Your craft cant fully turn back on itself, instead tilting on an invisible pivot with a large diagonal range. Holding the fire button locks it in place, allowing you to strafe. It may sound basic, but these mechanics are what makes Under Defeat so compelling. Tactical positioning is everything, and learning where to camp, where to angle, and where to lock yourself into safe spots will make or break a one-credit clear attempt.While the campaign is relatively short at 30 minutes end to end, its no walk in the park. While not as difficult as Border Down (few are), Under Defeats five stages require real learning. Its angles of fire can take some getting used to, and enemy bullets have a slow, but unusual downward-sloping trajectory that can regularly catch you out if you dont prime your position.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)Your ship comes with a set of bombs that should be used with prejudice, as youre regularly granted replenishments; and, while you cant power up your shot, alternating pickups allow you to switch between one of two secondary weapons: a Vulcan cannon that pumps out an additional stream of machine gun fire, or a single, powerful rocket.The only drawback with your secondary weapon deployed by a satellite that pops out, fires, and then detonates is that you need to completely release the fire button for a couple of seconds to have it recharge. For the rocket, this takes a little longer, owing to its heightened power.A major survival strategy, then, is picking the right secondary weapon for the right juncture. An early example would be the giant naval destroyers on stage two, where the heavy-duty rocket will deal more damage to their various gun emplacements - but youll be more frequently dancing with death during recharge windows.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)This particular release of Under Defeat is mostly the same as Under Defeat HD, released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 back in 2011. As well as completely overhauled graphics many totally redrawn by the original team it features three modes: Arcade; New Order Mode (adapting the action to a full widescreen format and allowing your craft a greater deal of horizontal firing range); and New Order Mode Plus, which is an arrangement that mixes up enemy layouts and firing patterns for a new experience. Practice modes are provided for all, and theyre well worth using, allowing you to modify your starting position by area, as well as configure secondary weapons and rank adjustments.There are now four stellar soundtracks on board that can be applied to any mode, providing plenty of audio variety. Composer Shinji Hosoe (Ridge Racer, Street Fighter EX) is responsible for Original, Arrange, and New Order cuts, while Boosted comes courtesy of Yousuke Yasui, taking things into a techno overdrive, that, while cool, isnt quite matched to the tempo of the action.Swedish publisher Clear River Games has billed this as Under Defeats ultimate release, and were more inclined to agree than not. There is, at least, nothing missing from the package. Its stuffed with modes, galleries, online rankings, and screen and audio configurations; and for the first time the occasional audio chatter between pilots is now subtitled. It also unlocks all the DLC previously behind paywalls, meaning you can choose up to four ship types from the outset, each with varying sizes, speeds, and shot properties.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)The New Order modes also work really nicely in handheld, with bright enough bullets to make the widescreen display fizz, and the whole things runs incredibly smoothly. No doubt, owing to the lag that the Switch seems to produce as a matter of course, purists will be counting the frame digits and publishing them online soon enough, but for us there was no real disabling impediment, especially on a TV with a decent game mode.Most important, however, is the quality of G.Revs original product. While sadly, the studio never quite reached the heights of Under Defeat again, on the upside it remains brilliantly made and eminently playable. It's a game that tortures you with its rank, tightening the screws based on how efficiently you play, but thrillingly rewards any effort to learn your way through the maelstrom. The lock and fire system is perfect, even if it takes some getting used to, and figuring out boss patterns and enemy formations from one step to the next is utterly thrilling.Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)It feels boldly hardcore, its warring map of gritty landscapes flourishing under some of the best explosions in the business, with plumes of smoke barrelling in the wind. Theres a depth to it that feels unique, and, while the boss designs are somewhat unremarkable, the opening of stage five remains one of the genre's more poetic moments.ConclusionWhere helicopter gunship-themed video games are concerned, Under Defeat is one of the best ever. It signifies a point in time when the shoot 'em up was being propelled by a new area of creativity, and young development studios like G.Rev were leading the charge. Love it or loathe it, its lock-shot strafe and creeping bullet patterns work terrifically once you get a feel for them, and theres a cinematic scale to it all that feels somehow poignant. Its not the longest game, nor the most visually diverse, but it does what it sets out to do exceptionally well.Looks fantastic, relatively speaking, especially in widescreenRemains unique in its feel, and is a real blast to learnWith all its legacy and newly added content, this is indeed the ultimate Under Defeat packageA tough game to crack, the rank, bullet trajectories, and gameplay mechanics may be difficult to warm to initiallySome may not find its graphical theming particularly varied or interestingGreat 8/10

Swiss startup LogicStar is bent on joining the AI agent game. The summer 2024-founded startup has bagged $3 million in pre-seed funding to bring tools to the developer market that can do autonomous maintenance of software applications, rather than the more typical AI agent use-case of code co-development.LogicStar CEO and co-founder Boris Paskalev suggests the startups AI agents could end up partnering with code development agents such as, say, the likes of Cognition Labs Devin in a business win-win.Code fidelity is an issue for AI agents building and deploying software, just as it is for human developers, and LogicStar wants to do its bit to grease the development wheel by automatically picking up and fixing bugs wherever they may crop up in deployed code. As it stands, Paskalev suggests that even the best models and agents out there are unable to resolve the majority of bugs theyre presented with hence the team spying an opportunity for an AI startup thats dedicated to improving these odds and delivering on the dream of less tedious app maintenance.To this end, they are building atop large language models (LLMs) such as OpenAIs GPT or even Chinas DeepSeek taking a model-agnostic approach for their platform. This allows LogicStar to dip into different LLMs and maximize its AI agents utility, based on which foundational model works best for resolving a particular code issue.Paskalev contends that the founding team has the technical and domain-specific knowledge to build a platform that can resolve programming problems which can challenge or outfox LLMs working alone. They also have past entrepreneurial success to point to: he sold his prior code review startup, DeepCode, to cybersecurity giant Snyk back in September 2020.In the beginning we were thinking about actually building a large language model for code, he told TechCrunch. Then we realized that that will quickly become a commodity Now were building assuming all those large language models are there. Assuming theres some actually decent [AI] agents for code, how do we extract the maximum business value from them?He said that the idea built on the teams understanding of how to analyze software applications. Combine that with large language models then focus into grounding and verifying what those large language models and the AI agent actually suggest.Test-driven developmentWhat does that mean in practice? Paskalev says LogicStar performs an analysis of each application that its tech is deployed on using classical computer science methods in order to build a knowledge base. This gives its AI agent a comprehensive map of the softwares inputs and outputs; how variables link to functions; and any other linkages and dependencies etc. Then, for every bug its presented with, the AI agent is able to determine which parts of the application are impacted allowing LogicStar to narrow down the functions needing to be simulated in order to test scores of potential fixes. Per Paskalev, this minimized execution environment allows the AI agent to run thousands of tests aimed at reproducing bugs to identify a failing test, and through this test-driven development approach ultimately land on a fix that sticks.He confirms that the actual bug fixes are sourced from the LLMs. But because LogicStars platform enables this very fast executive environment its AI agents can work at scale to separate the wheat from the chaff, as it were, and serve its users with a shortcut to the best that LLMs can offer.What we see is [LLMs are] great for prototyping, testing things, etc, but its absolutely not great for [code] production, commercial applications. I think were far from there, and this is what our platform delivers, he argued. To be able to extract those capabilities of the models today, we can actually safely extract commercial value and actually save time for developers to really focus on the important stuff.Enterprises are set to be LogicStars initial target. Its silicon agents are intended to be put to work alongside corporate dev teams, albeit at a fraction of the salary required to hire a human developer, handling a range of app upkeep tasks and freeing up engineering talent for more creative and/or challenging work. (Or, well, at least until LLMs and AI agents get a lot more capable.)While the startups pitch touts a fully autonomous app maintenance capability, Paskalev confirms that the platform will allow human developers to review (and otherwise oversee) the fixes its AI agents call up. So trust can be and must be earned first. The accuracy that a human developer delivers ranges between 80 to 90%. Our goal [for our AI agents] is to be exactly there, he adds.Its still early days for LogicStar: an alpha version of its technology is in testing with a number of undisclosed companies which Paskalev refers to as design partners. Currently the tech only supports Python but expansions to Typescript, Javascript and Java are billed as coming soon. The main goal [with the pre-seed funding] is to actually show the technology works with our design partners focusing on Python, adds Paskalev. We already spent a year on it, and we have lots of opportunity to actually expand. And thats why were trying to focus it first, to show the value in one case.The startups pre-seed raise was led by European VC firm Northzone, with angel investors from DeepMind, Fleet, Sequoia scouts, Snyk and Spotify also joining the round. In a statement, Michiel Kotting, partner at Northzone, said: AI-driven code generation is still in its early stages, but the productivity gains were already seeing are revolutionary. The potential for this technology to streamline development processes, reduce costs, and accelerate innovation is immense. and the teams vast technical expertise and proven track record position them to deliver real, impactful results. The future of software development is being reshaped, and LogicStar will play a crucial role in software maintenance.LogicStar is operating a waiting list for potential customers wanting to express interest in getting early access. It told us a beta release is planned for later this year.

On a clear spring evening in Michigan, the stars aligned just not in the way Upfront Ventures partner Nick Kim expected.Hed just led a $9.5 million seed round for OurSky, a software platform for space observational data, and was eager to see what its telescope partner PlaneWave Instruments could do.But when they rolled out the telescopes that night at PlaneWaves manufacturing facility, he was stuck waiting.It took them quite a long time to get the first image. Im talking like, multiple hours. And these are the people who make the telescopes! They were using all this, like, off-the-shelf, open-source software that they kind of cobbled together, Kim said in an interview with TechCrunch.Kim wasnt upset, though. He was excited. This is why OurSky needed to exist, right? This is the problem, he remembered thinking. What a perfect match.It was such a good match that, now, OurSky and PlaneWave are merging to create a new company called Observable Space.OurSky founder Dan Roelker and PlaneWave founder Richard Hedrick say this will make the telescopes easier to use. And they also believe the tighter integration will open up new markets especially as they leverage their position as the only U.S.-based telescope manufacturer. They already count NASA, the U.S. Space Force, and Georgia States Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy as customers.My dream was to integrate all the components on the telescope, even the parts we dont sell, and then integrate the control of the telescope, Hedrick said in an interview. It was very obvious for us to be working together.Roelker, who was SpaceXs VP of software engineering from 2015 to 2019, said telescope users have to deal with what he called a mash of integration bullsh. PlaneWaves vertical strategy combined with OurSkys software will eliminate those headaches, he said.Solving that integration problem is an opportunity for Observable Space to grow the market, Roelker said. (The platform OurSky has built will continue on in that name, and the telescopes will continue to be sold under the PlaneWave brand.)That can involve a number of things, like letting users tap multiple telescopes at a single site or even around the world to mimic the capabilities of a much larger telescope, or sending communications to and from space via laser, all while lowering cost.Squeezing more out of his high-quality telescopes sold Hedrick on the merger. It will make the tech more approachable and affordable for enthusiasts and institutions alike.Hedrick said one of those institutions recently designed some one-meter telescopes and had them custom built by someone else. And they were like, God, if you had existed, we never would have done that, he said.New businessAs the cost to get to orbit shrinks, more companies are sending things to space, Roelker said. That means there is increased demand for the ability to locate and track objects orbiting the Earth, communicate with spacecraft, and enable defense and intelligence applications.Observable Space can be a key player in that new economy, according to Mislav Tolusic, managing partner at dual-use venture fund Marlinspike, which has invested in Observable Space.Every day youre relying on space, Tolusic said in an interview. If you take out GPS constellations, were in trouble economically. Its a big, big, big deal. A lot of systems stop functioning. And guess what? The future is going to be even more dependent on that infrastructure.Tolusic praised PlaneWaves quality, and noted Hedrick built up the company at a time when basically all telescope manufacturing is overseas which he believes is an advantage.If you want to replicate that [in the U.S.], you have to go figure out how to make those fine lenses, how to make gimbals and not just how to design them but how to spit them out by the thousands, he said.Jordan Noone, general partner at Embedded Ventures, explained his funds investment with a specific example of what OurSky and PlaneWave can do as a combined company.Shortly before the merger, Noone was at Mount Wilson Observatory in Los Angeles for a demo of the companies products working together.He told TechCrunch that the teams pulled an observation request from the queue on OurSkys platform: a satellite operator had lost radio contact with its spacecraft. The OurSky and PlaneWave teams located it quickly.What he described was a much smoother experience than Kims demo in Michigan, and served as proof in his mind that Observable Space was a good bet to make.Many of the worlds most valuable companies, like Apple, Nvidia theyre hardware/software platform combos, Noone said. Companies that approach just one of those two can have a lot of inherent value, but the combination of both in todays world is extremely powerful.Star Wars or Star Trek?Observable Space has about 100 employees, with the manufacturing operations remaining in Michigan, some engineering happening in Los Angeles, California, and an observatory outside Washington, D.C.Its already revenue-generating, and the combined company has raised $11 million to date, including funding from In-Q-Tel, the CIAs non-profit strategic investment arm.Hedrick and Roelker said the two companies have fit together easily, since they were both focused on such different businesses and didnt have massive back office operations.Going through the merger process itself was actually really valuable, because when youre going through it, a lot of issues pop up, Roelker said. You actually get a really good sense of how youre going to work together. And I think both Rick and I felt really good about that, because we actually went through some really hard things during the merger.When asked, the pair did not describe those hard things, and Hedrick instead quipped: We had to decide on whether [the company] was going to be Star Wars or Star Trek.The answer?Battlestar Galactica, Roelker said.

Breakdown & ShowreelsRed One: VFX Breakdown by RISEBy Vincent Frei - 04/02/2025 The Berlin and Stuttgart teams at RISE have crafted a variety of visual effects for Red One, from enhancing fight sequences to creating Krampus environment. Their work also included creatures like trolls, Hellhounds, and even a CG chicken!WANT TO KNOW MORE?RISE: Dedicated page about Red One on RISE website. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2025

Organizers of the U.S. Pavilion have announced the 52 finalists who will participate in the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. Each project responds to the brief co-commissioners Peter MacKeith, Susan Chin, and Rod Bigelow shared which asked for works that center the American porch, in all of its cultural, political, and social dimensions. The jurors were Austen Barron Bailly, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary; Julie Bargmann, D.I.R.T. studio; Marlon Blackwell, Marlon Blackwell Architects; Stephen Burks, Stephen Burks Man Made; Josephine Minutillo, Architectural Record; Justin Garrett Moore, Mellon Foundation; and Jack Murphy,The Architects Newspaper.I was most impressed by the range and diversity of the different interpretations ofPORCH and its role as a public place of gathering, community, and civic purpose, Blackwell shared in a statement. The submissions ranged in scale from two people to 200 people and everything in between. As a jury, we sought to reflect this range in the quality and different scales of work through the selections we made from around the country. The process was organized by the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, in partnership with DesignConnects and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Below are the 52 finalists:Architecture for Public BenefitAtelier MeyatelierjonesAuburn Universitys Rural Studiobrg3s architectsBrightmoor Maker SpaceBrooks + ScarpaChibbernoonieCLB ArchitectsColes House ProjectCU DenverCunningham | Quill ArchitectsDanielle HatchDavid Baker Architectsde Leon & Primmer Architecture WorkshopDetroit Collaborative Design Center, University of Detroit MercyDUSTEl DoradoEskew+Dumez+RippleEYRC ArchitectsFigureFred Carl Jr. Small Town Center at Mississippi State UniversityFriends Of Residential Treasures: Los AngelesGulf Coast Community Design StudioJerome Haferd StudioJohnson FainJones StudioKatherine Hogan ArchitectsLake|FlatoLetter JMark Cavagnero AssociatesMarpillero Pollak ArchitectsMatthew Mazzottamodus studioOffice of: OfficeOlson KundigPei Cobb Freed/Moody Nolan/Hood Design StudioPeoples Architecture Office and Plugin HouseRDG Planning & DesignRichard Kennedy ArchitectsRoss Barney ArchitectsSmith Gee StudioSO ILSomewhere StudioStudio CadenaStudio GangStudio James Carpenter / JCDA Inc.The Miller Hull PartnershipVJAAWeiss/ManfrediWXY StudioYoung + Wales ArchitectsJustin Garrett Moore, program director of Mellon Foundations Humanities in Place program, said, the 2025 U.S. Pavilion will showcase the power of architecture to shape and reflect our American communities, ecologies, cultures, and stories. The selected participants offer creative and generous solutions to the challenges for how we make and share space, engage in civic life, and build and maintain more equitable and beautiful places for all. Austen Barron Bailly, Crystal Bridges Museums chief curator, added, the collaborative jury process affirmed the power of the American porch as a design concept that resonates with all types of communities and fosters positive connections.Moving forward, each finalist will receive a stipend to help develop their submissions into exhibition-ready designs.In mid-March, an open call for unbuilt and speculative proposals from U.S. architecture students will be shared, in partnership with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity opens on May 10, 2025, in Venice, Italy.

close 'CyberGuy': The FBI's new warning about AI-driven scams that are after your cash Kurt Knutsson discusses some tips to keep you safe. Super Bowl LIX is set to take place this Sunday at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans and is expected to draw a record-breaking audience of 116.8 million viewers. While this massive event generates excitement, it also attracts cybercriminals looking to exploit unsuspecting fans. Here are four common ways hackers target football fans leading up to the big game. An American flag on the football field (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Scam tactic #1: Mobile phishing and payment app scamsCybercriminals will try to exploit the Super Bowl's reliance on digital ticketing and mobile apps. Fans may receive text messages or social media alerts that appear to be from official payment apps, urging them to "confirm" their information for last-minute ticket upgrades or exclusive merchandise deals. These phishing attempts could lead to fake websites designed to steal banking details.Scam tactic #2: Pay-to-play scamsScammers create fake "exclusive raffles" or contests, claiming fans have a chance to win VIP tickets or unique experiences if they pay a small entry fee. These scams often rely on urgency and the fear of missing out. The Better Business Bureau has warned about fraudulent sports betting apps encouraging users to place "guaranteed bets on upcoming games." Referee holding official NFL football (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Scam tactic #3: Unauthorized ticket resellersScoring last-minute Super Bowl tickets can feel like a victory until you find out they are fake. Sketchy ticket resellers flood search results and social media with deals that seem too good to be true. Online ticket fraud is becoming increasingly common. While some tickets may be legitimate, many are not, with fans spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars for nothing.Scammers often utilize automation and artificial intelligence to identify and target potential victims based on the language used in their posts. For instance, scammers search for popular buzzwords and hashtags that people use when looking to buy tickets, such as #SuperBowl, #SuperBowlTickets or #LookingForTickets. They then respond to these posts with messages that contain links to other platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram or Cash App, where they attempt to finalize fraudulent deals. Super Bowl hashtags on social media (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Scam tactic #4: Social media scamsIf a social media ad is offering free NFL tickets or merchandise, there is a catch. These scams appear everywhere, promising fans exclusive giveaways if they cover a small shipping fee or provide personal details. The posts look official, sometimes even using fake endorsements from players or teams, making them easy to fall for.Scammers also use cross-platform operations to evade detection and bans by social media platforms. They will identify and initiate communications with you on one social media platform before requesting you switch to another. This is likely an attempt to prevent one social media platform from gaining full insight into fraudulent activity and banning accounts.The moment you enter your information or payment details, you have handed cybercriminals access to your bank account. And those free tickets or jerseys never arrive. Scammers rely on the excitement of game day to push people into acting without thinking. The truth is simple. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.Scam tactic #5: Offering massive discountsFinally, scammers may offer massive discounts for Super Bowl tickets to entice you to buy quickly. They may state they just want to sell the tickets "last minute" to justify large, attractive discounts, such as 50% off or more. They may also claim to have a personal or professional reason for not being able to attend the event, such as a family emergency or a work conflict. Scammers often use these excuses to pressure victims into making hasty decisions and transferring money without verifying the tickets. Illustration of a hacker at work (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Safeguarding your Super Bowl experience from cyber threatsWhile scammers will try to prey on Super Bowl fans, you are not completely helpless. Dave Lewis, Global Advisory CISO at1Password, shared some tips on staying safe leading up to the games. These are not complicated strategies, just simple cybersecurity practices that are easy to follow.1) Buy tickets from trusted sources:Only purchase from official sites/apps and other reputable channels. Double-check URLs to avoid lookalike sites (which are designed to mimic legitimate event pages). Platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Eventbrite and Nextdoor are also hot spots for scams, so be cautious of sellers "requiring a deposit" through peer-to-peer financial apps like Cash App, Venmo or Zelle.2) Watch out for event-related phishing attacks: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Cybercriminals often time their phishing attacks around large events like the Super Bowl, offering fake discount tickets, VIP experiences, free food vouchers, etc. Always verify offers through the events official website or app and never agree to anything over the phone. Double-check the senders email address and hover over links before clicking to ensure they lead to legitimate event sites.The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.3) Keep your phone software and apps updated:Regularly update your devices operating system (i.e., iOS, macOS, Windows, Android, others). "While constant notifications can be an annoyance at the moment, these updates are essential for keeping your devices secure," Lewis said. If youre not sure how to get started,check out this extensive guide on how to update all your devices.4) Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA):Create complex passwords for all your accounts, especially those related to ticket purchases or event information. Use apassword manager to generate and store these securely. Enable2FA wherever possible, particularly for email and payment accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password. For the Super Bowl, this is especially crucial for any official NFL or ticketing apps you might be using.5) Be wary of QR codes:While convenient, QR codes can be exploited by hackers for malicious purposes. Only scan QR codes from trusted sources, such as the official event organizer. If unsure, check for signs of tampering, like stickers placed over legitimate codes or poor print quality. When in doubt, dont scan it. As a precaution, always keep your antivirus software running to prevent malware infections from scanning a scam QR code.If you dont have antivirus software, check out my top recommendations here.6) Beware of scammers using social engineering techniques: For example, they may encourage you to transfer money immediately as they allegedly have other prospective buyers. They may also use emotional appeals, such as sympathy, guilt or urgency, to manipulate you into making a decision. Scammers often use these tactics to pressure victims into paying before verifying the tickets.7) Be wary of individuals showing receipts or proof of purchase: This is not a guarantee that an individual is in possession of a ticket, and it can be easily faked.Scammers can use fake receipts to convince victims that they bought the tickets from legitimate sources, such as Ticketmaster, StubHub or SeatGeek.8) Exercise caution when interacting with individuals asking for you to "name your price" or are selling below ticket value: This may be a sign that they are trying to lure you into a scam with a too-good-to-be-true offer. Scammers often use this strategy to attract victims who are looking for cheap or affordable tickets.9)Be cautious when interacting with people claiming to sell tickets on behalf of a friend or family member: This may provide an excuse for scammers using compromised bank accounts with the account holder's name different from the social media account being used. Scammers often use this pretext to explain the discrepancy between the names on the accounts.10)Review the accounts recent history: Some scammers may claim to be selling tickets to multiple high-profile events, such as sports games, music concerts and conferences at one time. This may indicate that they are running a large-scale scam operation and are not genuine sellers. Scammers often post multiple ads for different events on the same or different platforms, using the same or similar images and descriptions.11) Exercise caution and validate ownership: Do this even when purchasing items from friends or friends of friends on social media. A family member or friends account can be compromised and used by a scammer. Friends of the victim can vouch for the account user as a legitimate seller, not realizing the account had been hacked.Kurts key takeawayScammers are always looking for new ways to take advantage of football fans, especially during major events like the Super Bowl. Whether it is fake ticket sales, phishing scams or bogus giveaways, the risks are real. You can easily avoid becoming a victim of these types of attacks by staying vigilant and being cautious of emails and links that ask for personal information.Do you think the NFL or other major sports leagues are doing enough to protect fans from these scams? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/Newsletter.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

CGI continues to build on its 12-year relationship with the European Space Agency (ESA), which is helping improve scientific access to data about Earth sent from space.As part of a Serco-led consortium, delivering ESAs Advanced Data Access and Processing Services for Collaborative Earth Observation Ground Segment (Ascend) project, CGI will provide engineering and cyber security services.But its work on the Multi-Mission Algorithm and Analysis Platform (MAAP) within Ascend, which provides scientists with access to NASA and ESA Earth biomass data, is just part of CGIs work in the space industry.Supporting ESA, which is partly funded by the UK Space Agency, accounts for about half of CGIs Earth observation work, and involves processing satellite imagery. Its 400 UK-based staff, who are focused on the space sector, also support satellite communications companies from their operations in Leatherhead and Bristol.Jaime Reed, vice-president of consulting services, space data platforms and applications at CGI, told Computer Weekly the suppliers work with ESA is predominantly environmental monitoring, such as processing meteorological data. It is involved in controlling satellites, receiving and processing data from them, and providing the software onboard.Reed has a background in physics, with a doctorate in atmospheric physics that looked at how the atmosphere works and how it is measured.He then worked as an engineer developing cryogenic coolers for satellites, before moving to Airbus, where he worked on satellites. My background was in the space industry, designing and building satellites, and working on the data that comes from them, said Reed.He now applies his knowledge to CGIs satellite and data processing work. Most weather forecasts are highly dependent on data taken by satellites, which was what I was working on, said Reed.Reed said while CGI is a big IT company doing all the things a normal IT company does, it has specific expertise in the space industry.Other CGI customers using space data include the Met Office, but most are relatively small organisations, he added.Read more about IT in spaceThe European Space Agency collects data from millions of miles away. It must get storage right when theres no chance of a U-turn to take more photos or re-record data.European and UK space agencies are partnering with mobile operators and universities to develop the connectivity needed for connected and autonomous vehicles.Cloud and database service provider teams with leading satellite constellation to enable high-speed connectivity.Just over half of CGIs space business is in satellite communications, and many of the big satellite companies are customers.We write the software that controls the satellites and we provide the managed IT services around that. Its all datacentres really. The control segment of the satellite is generally all computer programs that are doing orbit predictions, moving data around, receiving files from the satellites and processing those files.Everything comes into datacentres and is processed and sent to scientists.The first big deal between ESA and CGI was in 2012, with CGI maintaining the software that processes the data for its environmental monitoring satellite and research satellites.Reed said the volume of data being received and processed has massively increased since then because there are a lot more satellites being built by ESA and they are more complicated, turning in more data.It is this dramatic increase in data that has led to CGIs latest project with ESA, working on the Ascend programme, which Reed said is a starting point to look at new ways of providing data to scientists.The amount of data is becoming overwhelming and it is challenging to make the data available to users, said Reed. It used to be a case that researchers could just go to an FTP site, download some of the data and work on it at their workstation, but now youre talking a terabyte for just one file.Everything is now moving to the cloud, using scalable, cloud-based environments.A key aspect of the work today is enabling a collaborative virtual research environment, where rather than researchers downloading files, they take their expertise to where the data is. They dont have to transfer terabytes of files themselves. They bring their algorithms and then they can share their environments within that research environment with other researchers, said Reed.Collaboration is essential in the Earth observation field, with initiatives within ESA programmes shared with NASA, for example. We can bring the UK-based and Europe-based researchers to collaborate globally with cutting-edge scientists around the world, he said.

Android is set to receive yet another update, and it looks like it's going to be one of the smaller updates in recent history. That doesn't mean you should avoid it.