• Feds revoke congestion pricing approval, leaving NYC plan in flux
    archinect.com
    The U.S. Department of Transportationhas informed officials in New York State that it will be rescinding its approval of a congestion pricing plan affecting Manhattan in a policy turnaround directed by the new Trump Administration.The plan, seen by most as a progressive policy, had been in place for only six weeks after being inaugurated in early January and following a false start last June. Supporters had hoped it would raise $12 billion in revenues to support capital improvement projects for the cash-strappedMetropolitan Transportation Authority(MTA).In a statement, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffycalled the concept, which has faced legal opposition from the state of New Jersey and other commuter groups, a "slap in the face to working-class Americans and small business owners."AMNY.com adds: "It is unknown right now when or if theMTAwill stop collecting congestion pricing tolls. Local transit groups, however, are prepared to fight back the Trump administrations edi...
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  • BIA/ACSA name three Brick in Architectural Education Prize winners for 2025
    archinect.com
    Three winners of the 2025 Brick in Architectural Education Prize have been announced jointly by the Brick Industry Association (BIA) and Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). Their vision in developing academic courses that champion the material and create stimulating learning environments through which students can learn sustainable design skills that apply to a range of different project types was recognized as both effective and nurturing of the next generation of architects.This year, winners explored the potential for Augmented Reality (AR) and computer-aided tessellating techniques in creating projects that touched on repurposing, public health, and designing for the circular economy. The competition was judged byAhmed K. Ali of Texas A&M University, Lisa Huang of the University of Florida, and the BIA's Chip Clark.Each will receive a cash prize along with travel support for the course, students will get to visit a BIA-affiliated manufacturing facility, in...
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  • The Last of Us Online Was Great, Cancelled So Naughty Dog Could Focus on Intergalactic Yoshida
    gamingbolt.com
    Shuhei Yoshida, formerly an executive working with PlayStation until this January, has revealed that The Last of Us Online was ultimately cancelled because developer Naughty Dog didnt have the bandwidth to work on the multiplayer game along with working on their next title. Speaking on the Sacred Symbols+ podcast (via Push Square), Yoshida mentions having played The Last of Us Online, and described it as being great.According to Yoshida, while The Last of Us Online was turning out quite well, Destiny developer Bungie noted that it would have difficulty in retaining players for a longer period of time. This comes down to the fact that it takes a lot of effort for a studio to continuously produce new content to keep players hooked on to a live service game.The decision was ultimately made at Naughty Dog to start focusing on its next game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, rather than having the studio split its attention between two titles that would both require quite a bit of work.The idea for The Last of Us Online came from Naughty Dog and they really wanted to make it, said Yoshida. But Bungie explained [to them] what it takes to make live service games, and Naughty Dog realised, Oops, we cant do that! If we do it, we cant make Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. So that was a lack of foresight.Yoshida also noted in the interview that PlayStation never forced any of its first-party studios to start focusing on live service games. Rather, studios noticed PlayStations own focus on live service games, and would pitch their ideas to the company with the hopes of their games getting approved.From my experience, when studios see the company has a big initiative, [they realise] riding on that gives them a better chance of getting a project approved and supported, Yoshida said. Its not like [current PS Studios boss Hermen Hulst] is telling teams they need to make live service games, its likely mutual.The Last of Us Online was one of many casualties of PlayStations attempts at getting big live service hits. While it was cancelled before seeing the light of day, other titles were not as lucky. Concord is a notable release where, despite having taken several years to develop with a big budget behind it, the game ended up with its servers shut down in less than a month.The studio behind Concord, Firewalk Studios, was also subsequently shut down following the games demise. While Sony itself has been rather quiet about its other live service games that might be in development, rumours from earlier this year indicate that Concords failure might have prompted the company to shut down its other live service games as well, including titles being developed by Bluepoint Games and Bend Studio.Yoshida has previously spoken about Sonys focus on live service games. Back in January, he spoke about Jim Ryans and Herman Hulsts push for studios to start working on live service games, and how Yoshida would have pushed back against the ideas because Sony was known for its well-crafted single-player experiences.
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  • Marvel Rivals The Thing Clobbers in New Gameplay Trailer
    gamingbolt.com
    Alongside a new trailer for Human Torch in Marvel Rivals, NetEase Games also dropped one for fellow Fantastic Four member and new Vanguard hero Ben Grimm, aka The Thing. Check it out below.Grimms superpower is being encased in rock, providing extensive durability and strength. His main attack is punching, and he can even charge up some melee strikes for more damage. The Thing can also sprint cancelling the effect slams the ground and destroys nearby structures. He can also leap extensive distances and activate a damage reduction effect.Like Hulk, he can team up with Wolverine to throw the latter in a Fastball Special. Though his Ultimate, which involves smashing the ground, isnt too flashy, it does launch enemies into the air, opening them up to follow-up damage.The Thing is available on February 21st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, so stay tuned for more details. His reveal comes at an awkward time with NetEase laying off the US-based team for Marvel Rivals. Head here for more.
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  • Opportunities available for architecture students or emerging practitioners
    www.canadianarchitect.com
    Several opportunities are currently available for architecture students or emerging practitioners to help advance their careers and provide recognition for their work.Upcoming opportunities include the following.RAIC:The RAIC Foundation, which was established in 1964, is governed by a Board of Trustees and is committed to advancing excellence and knowledge in Canadian architecture. As a result, the foundations 2025 Scholarships and Bursaries aim to provide recognition and monetary support.The Foundations objectives include supporting students and interns in their architectural programs, promoting public discussion of architectural ideas affecting society, and supporting scholars in advanced research relating to community and the built environment.For students:Bing Thom Award two awards of $3500 each | Apply by March 7Canada Green Building Council Scholarship for Sustainable Design and Research $5,000 | Apply by March 7Vince Catalli Scholarship in Sustainable Design Innovation $5,000 | Apply by May 2The Arts and Letters Club of Toronto Foundations Award for Architectural Conservation $1,000 | Apply by May 2Kiyoshi Matsuzaki Scholarship(for RAIC Syllabus students only) $3,000 | Apply by May 2For Interns / Intern Architects / Architects:RAIC Foundation Bursary $2,500 | Apply by March 7David Thom Leadership Award $5,000 | Apply by March 7College of Fellows Centennial Fund $5,000 | Apply by May 2DIALOGArchitecture firm DIALOG is also currently accepting applications for this years Architectural Scholarship in Honour of Michael Evamy.The scholarship, which was established to honour architect Michael Evamy, AAA, FRAIC, RCA, is valued at $5,000, and aims to support Canadian architecture students pursuing a research project within their field. An additional $3,000 is also available to cover project-related expenses, including travel.The scholarship is open to all Canadian students enrolled in a Canadian professional architecture degree program, in the year prior to their final year of study. Applicants must submit a project proposal which outlines objectives, methodology, schedule, and budget.Submissions can be made by April 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. MT.For submission requirements and instructions, click here.The Architectural League of New YorkThe Deborah J. Norden Fund, a program of the Architectural League of New York, was established in 1995 in memory of architect and arts administrator, Deborah Norden. The competition awards travel grants to students and recent graduates committed to the study of architecture, architectural history, and urban studies.This year, the Norden Fund will award a grant of up to $7,500 to one individual or team. Applicants must submit a proposal of up to three pages which succinctly describes the objectives of the grant request and how it will contribute to the applicants intellectual and creative development. Applicants should also include the following elements in their submission:The total grant amount requested (up to $7,500)A projected schedule and budget for travel and other costs (one page maximum)A rsum (two pages maximum per applicant)The proposal submission deadline for this is February 24, 2025, and the recommendation letter deadline is March 7, 2025.The post Opportunities available for architecture students or emerging practitioners appeared first on Canadian Architect.
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  • Xboxs AI initiative with Muse is an attempt to read the tea leaves, not the room
    venturebeat.com
    Earlier today, the heads of Microsofts Xbox division revealed Muse, a generative AI model that intends to create both visuals and gameplay for games. The model, which was trained on the largely forgotten Ninja Theory multiplayer game Bleeding Edge, is not a shocking leap for Microsofts Xbox division. The company as a whole, from CEO SRead More
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  • Dont miss the first GamesBeat Engage event at SXSW
    venturebeat.com
    Heading to SXSW? You wont want to miss the first GamesBeat Engage an invite-only, salon-style gathering in Austin on March 11.Read More
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  • Niantic reportedly in talks to sell video game business in $3.5bn deal with Scopely
    www.gamesindustry.biz
    Niantic reportedly in talks to sell video game business in $3.5bn deal with ScopelyIf approved, the acquisition could be announced in the next few weeks News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Feb. 19, 2025 Pokmon Go developer Niantic is reportedly considering selling its video game portfolio to Savvy Games Group subsidiary, Scopely.Whilst the deal has yet to be confirmed and neither Niantic nor Scopely have talked publicly about the deals, Bloomberg claims the sale may include Niantic's tentpole augmented reality game, Pokmon Go.If completed, it's thought the deal could be worth as much as $3.5 billion, and announced formally within a matter of weeks.Scopely was acquired by Saudi Arabian multinational game investment group Savvy Games Group back in July 2023 for $4.9 billion. Last month, it appointed Nika Nour as SVP and head of international business development.Saudi Arabia has been more and more active in the games and esports industry over the past few years, having invested $38 billion via its Public Investment Fund. The PIF has stakes in companies including Electronic Arts, Nintendo, Nexon and Capcom. It is also hosting the inaugural Olympic Esports Games, which are now set for 2027.These investments have been controversial due to Saudi Arabia's poor human rights record, most notably on gender inequality and the criminalization of homosexuality, which is still punishable by life imprisonment or execution.
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  • Ex-Belka staff form new mobile studio, Studio42
    www.gamesindustry.biz
    Ex-Belka staff form new mobile studio, Studio42"We have the knowledge, experience, the best partners, a strong team, and eyes burning with passion"Image credit: Studio42 News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Feb. 19, 2025 Former Belka Games staff have founded new Cypriot mobile studio, Studio42.Ex-Belka CEO Alexandr Boganov leads the team alongside former head of development Ivan Larionov and Pavel Sudakov, former head of the R&D department, who have stepped up as COO and co-founder, and producer and co-founder, respectively.According to PocketGamer, the team's initial focus will be on casual puzzle games, with its first project expected to launch "soon.""We missed the days of small, cozy teams the kind where 15 people work side by side, turning bold ideas into real games fast, without getting lost in endless processes," the studio said.And, of course, we wanted to create something new. On our own terms. No limits. We've been creating games together for years and know that great games aren't just about ideas they're about the people behind them Alone, it's just a feature. Together, it's gameplay."Together with Alexandr Bogdanov and Pavel Sudakov, we've decided to launch our own studio Studio42, said Larionov.We have the knowledge, experience, the best partners one could dream of, a strong team, and eyes burning with passion. Right now, we're working on a new project that will soon be released. And after that, another one. And another."Mobile game maker Belka Games laid off 33 staffers in May 2024.
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  • Limited Run says potentially damaging NES carts are supplier’s fault
    www.theverge.com
    Limited Run Games NES cart for Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland.Limited Run Games has apologized for a potential issue with two games it has offered on NES carts Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland and Piopow that could cause damage to the cartridges or to NES consoles. The statement follows a Time Extension report about the games.In a statement emailed to customers, Limited Run says those two games werent manufactured by its regular manufacturing partner. Due to an issue with voltage regulation, there is a small chance that prolonged use of these titles could result in damage to either the cartridge or the console hardware, Limited Run says.My email from Limited Run. Looks like my copy of Rugrats will just stay in the box. JohnRiggs (@johnriggs.bsky.social) 2025-02-19T01:20:19.003ZThe company is stopping further shipments of the games to customers so that it can re-manufacture them itself via our trusted manufacturing partner, according to the statement. Anyone who has already received the games will be sent a newly manufactured version of their title automatically, Limited Run says. The company does not recommend using the older version of the games.Customers can ask for a refund if they want by contacting customer service. The two games currently arent for sale.Limited Run says the manufacturer that produced Rugrats and Piopow has only worked on a very small handful of Limited Run titles, and the company is going through our back catalogue of NES titles manufactured by this supplier and testing for possible issues.
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