Better graphics were a big selling point in the 2000s, but not so much nowadays (Microsoft)With Microsoft promising another huge leap in technology for the next gen Xbox, the creator of the original console argues chasing stronger hardware is the wrong move.The biggest question surrounding the eventual next gen hardware from Microsoft and Sony is what they can actually offer consumers, beyond simply being more powerful.The graphical improvement from Xbox One and PlayStation 4 was already a small one this generation and yet it still increased the amount of time needed to make a triple-A to untenable levels. Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden has argued that any further graphical and performance improvements will be so miniscule barely anyone will notice and hes not the only that thinks that.Seamus Blackley, the man credited for inventing the original Xbox, has expressed similar sentiments and doesnt appear to think too highly of how Microsoft has been handling the Xbox brand lately.Speaking with VideoGamer, Blackley said being the most powerful console around was a key selling point for the Xbox, when it released in 2001, since it needed something to position itself above its competitors the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube.It was just that was a story that really worked and that was relevant then because we were still sort of the nascent stages of graphics [sic], explained Blackley, adding how Microsoft was risking losing money on making the Xbox super powerful and banking on its games being awesome.Nowadays, though, Blackley thinks this narrative around being more powerful is not helpful today and its the games themselves that are far more important.Blackley points to the Nintendo Switch as the obvious example, highlighting how often Blackley keeps playing The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild. How differently could things have gone if Blackley stayed at Microsoft? (YouTube)Blackley also doesnt agree with some of Microsofts business decisions since his departure in 2002: How they managed that brand and the story going forward is not my f***ing fault, and its not, you know, I would not have done things the same wayAlthough Microsoft appears to have recognised it cant compete with Sony anymore in terms of hardware, as evidenced by its willingness to bring first party titles to the PlayStation 5, it has promised to keep making new consoles.More TrendingHowever, its not clear what direction the next console will take and what the promise of the biggest technological leap ever in a generation actually means which taken at face value sounds like its continuing the narrative Blackley believes the company needs to drop.Since that quote doesnt actually mention graphics, there are theories that the next Xbox console will instead be heavily reliant on AI technology.Microsoft is certainly committed to this sort of tech, having just recently announced new AI development tools that, despite the companys assurances, seem likely to cause even more job losses in the industry.Microsoft has also talked about a Xbox handheld device although its not clear what that is either. Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has confirmed prototypes have been built but hes also said the console is some way off, implying its not just a portable Xbox Series S. There are several other handheld gaming devices on the market so its no wonder Microsoft would want a piece of the pie (Valve/Microsoft/Metro)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Uzbekistan Announces Curators and Theme for 2025 Venice Biennale PavilionSave this picture!View towards the heliostatic field, 1986. Image Courtesy of Private archive of Azimov familyUzbekistan has officially announced that architecture studio GRACE, led by curators Ekaterina Golovatyuk and Giacomo Cantoni, will oversee the country's National Pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition- La Biennale di Venezia in 2025. The exhibition, titled A Matter of Radiance, will explore Uzbekistan's modernist architectural legacy in response to the Biennale's overarching theme, "Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective."At the center of Uzbekistan's pavilion is the Sun Institute of Material Science, originally known as the Sun Heliocomplex, a large-scale scientific structure built in 1987 near Tashkent. As one of the final major scientific projects of the USSR, the solar furnace remains one of only two such facilities worldwide that study material behavior under extreme temperatures. The exhibition will examine the site's historical and contemporary significance, reflecting on its scientific role and cultural relevance beyond national borders.Save this picture!The pavilion's curators will present a dual narrative of the Sun Institute, exploring its ambivalent legacy, as both an advanced technological achievement and an infrastructure shaped by the constraints of its time. The exhibition will highlight how the structure embodies contradictions: it is both modernist and archaic, sustainable and unsustainable, didactic and secretive, celebratory and utilitarian. By reinterpreting its architectural and scientific importance, the exhibition aims to ignite discussions about preservation, innovation, and the role of scientific heritage in shaping the future. Related Article Qatar to Establish Permanent National Pavilion in the Giardini at La Biennale di Venezia, Debuting with Exhibition for Biennale Architettura 2025 Uzbekistan is a country with a rich cultural heritage, and this pavilion is a meaningful step in shining a spotlight on the brilliant and under-recognized Tashkent Modernist legacy. Much like Uzbekistan, the pavilion also looks to the future with a strong commitment to innovation and the aim to create meaningful contributions. The exhibition, curated by GRACE studio, reflects this duality and showcases how the Tashkent Modernism XX/XXI project, initially focused on the preservation of our architectural heritage, also sparks conversations about how we can create a positive future. --Gayane Umerova, chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation Save this picture!A key element of the pavilion is a series of architectural fragments that will be displayed at the Arsenale in Venice. These fragments, either transported from Uzbekistan or recreated for the exhibition, will serve as a theatrical stage within the pavilion, offering a dynamic setting for artistic and conceptual explorations. The project also pays tribute to Sadyk Azimov, the Uzbek physicist and academician who was instrumental in the development of the Sun Institute.The pavilion builds upon the ongoing Tashkent Modernism XX/XXI research project, initiated in 2021 by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) to document and preserve 24 key modernist sites in Tashkent. The project has led to the recognition of 21 of these sites as national heritage landmarks. The research is further explored in two forthcoming publications: "Tashkent Modernism XX/XXI," edited by Boris Chukhovich, Davide Del Curto, and Ekaterina Golovatyuk (to be published in Spring 2025), and "Tashkent: A Modernist Capital," featuring photography by Karel Balas, set for release in November 2024.Save this picture!In other similar news, Uzbekistan continues to position itself as a hub for architectural and urban innovation. Cross Works has unveiled a masterplan for a major expansion of Tashkent, aiming to introduce a sustainable and pedestrian-friendly urban environment. Meanwhile, Zaha Hadid Architects has revealed designs for a new scientific research center in Tashkent, set to become a landmark for technological and environmental advancements. Additionally, the exploration of Uzbekistan's modernist heritage remains a focal point, as seen in WaiWai's exhibition "Tashkent: Appropriating Modernism" at the Sharjah Triennial 2023, which examines the adaptation of modernist architecture in the Uzbek context.Save this picture!Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorNour FakharanyAuthorCite: Nour Fakharany. "Uzbekistan Announces Curators and Theme for 2025 Venice Biennale Pavilion" 20 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1027174/uzbekistan-announces-curators-and-theme-for-2025-venice-biennale-pavilion&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Osaka, Japan's third-largest city, is a vibrant blend of tradition and modernity, making it a compelling destination for architecture enthusiasts. Known historically as the "nation's kitchen" for its role as a mercantile hub, Osaka is also a city of cultural and architectural diversity. Its landmarks range from the historic Osaka Castle to striking contemporary developments, each reflecting Japan's evolving urban identity.

Nature, Published online: 19 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08595-xPlasmodium falciparum Snf2L is an ISWI-related ATPase that actively repositions P. falciparum nucleosomes in vivo.

Nature, Published online: 19 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08600-3A state-of-the-art generative artificial intelligence model of a video game is introduced to allow the support of human creative ideation, with the analysis of user study data highlighting three necessary capabilities, namely, consistency, diversity and persistency.

Only around 500 cases of Norrie disease, a genetic condition, have been reported worldwide.

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3D Character Artist Sahi paid homage to the Van Helsing movie, creating this amazing female version of the main character using ZBrush, Substance 3D Painter, Marvelous Designer, and Marmoset Toolbag.More renders: https://80.lv/articles/stunning-female-van-helsing-version-created-in-zbrush-substance-3d/

Enjoy stunning mountainous scenery while exploring at your own pace in The Vast White, an upcoming snowboarding game featuring dynamic weather by a solo developer.Wishlist: https://80.lv/articles/explore-stunning-mountain-landscapes-against-dynamic-weather-in-this-indie-snowboarding-adventure/@_HorizonGames_

Pocketpair has announced that its hit open-world monster-hunting game Palworld has had over 32 million players across all platforms in the first year since it was released in Early Access in January 2024. The developer has shown great appreciation for the communitys support.Palworlds achievement has been recorded in game industry history: it sold one million copies within eight hours of launch, two million in 24 hours, and 25 million players in merely a month. It is one of the most-played games on Steam, with a peak concurrent player count of over 2.1 million, ranking third when it comes to an all-time peak, with PUBG being the top at 3.2 million concurrent players and Black Myth: Wukong with 2.4 million.But whats behind all these shining numbers is the ongoing legal battles with Nintendo, who accused the developer of patent infringement with the gameplay elements of throwing balls to summon pals.Nintendo tries to win the lawsuit by getting as many patents globally as possible. However, their attempts havent always been successful. Recently, 22 out of 23 claims from Nintendos latest application were rejected by examiners.Besides working on game development, Pocketpair recently established a publishing brand, Pocketpair Publishing, which will ship a new horror game in collaboration with SURGENT STUDIOS.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 A Year After Launch, Palworld Hits New Record Of Over 32 Million Players appeared first on CG SHARES.