MacworldAt a glanceExpert's RatingProsSuperb, hand-drawn graphicsChallenging combatCompetitive priceSupports Intel Macs, Apple SiliconConsWorks best with a game controllerFrustrating Save systemA tutorial would help newcomersOur Verdict Its been almost a decade in the making, but Silksong is a worthy successor to the classic Hollow Knight. The platform-jumping action can be frustrating at times, but there are few arcade games available for the Mac that can match the atmospheric world and fluid combat of Silksong.Price When ReviewedThis value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefinedBest Pricing TodayBest Prices Today: Hollow Knight: SilksongRetailerPriceCheckPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketIts not often that Mac users get to enjoy a brand-new A-List game at the same time as the Windows world, but the original Hollow Knight was Mac-compatible when it was first launched way back in 2017 and the developers at Team Cherry made it clear that theyd support the Mac for this sequel as well. Even better is the news that Hollow Knight: Silksong works on both Intel Macs and Apple Silicon. Its 2D graphics dont require a powerful Mac to run well either, and the game ran smoothly at 4K resolution on my five year old Intel iMac with no trouble at all. Theres more good news with the announcement that Silksong costs just $19.99/16.75 on Steam and Gog and buying it once allows you to download either the PC or Mac versions too. The first game has also been on sale recently, so thats well worth grabbing if you want an affordable introduction to the series.Hollow Knight, of course, was a huge hit especially given that it was developed by a modest three-man team based in Adelaide and went on to sell millions of copies in recent years. This led to huge anticipation for the Silksong sequel that has built up over the last couple of years, but Team Cherry didnt go for the obvious money-grabbing quick follow-up. They kept the same three-man team along with composer Christopher Larkin, whose haunting score for Hollow Knight was worth the price of entry alone and took their time to ensure that Silksong lived up to its multi-award-winning predecessor.Team CherrySilky SequelYou could even argue that Silksong is actually a completely new game, rather than a simple sequel. The cute little Hollow Knight that you controlled in the first game has been succeeded by a new character called Hornet, who was a princess in the world of Hollownest in the last game. Hornet has been kidnapped and taken to a new kingdom called Pharloom, and now faces new adventures of her own as she attempts to escape and return home. Even so, its clear that the two games share the same DNA, most obviously in the distinctive and atmospheric hand-drawn graphics and animation, as well as Larkins soundtrack music.The basic mechanics of the game are very similar too, as you guide Hornet through a sideways-scrolling 2D platform game in which she runs and jumps to get past obstacles, and uses her chosen weapons of needle and thread to fight her way past almost 200 different enemy monsters. And, of course, as you explore Pharloom you will find new weapons and abilities that make you more powerful as you prepare to tackle the big boss monsters that you encounter at key points in the game. However, the developers have discussed the fact that Hornet is physically larger and faster than the Hollow Knight of the previous game, which has caused them to change the design of the game in Silksong, creating larger areas within each location for her to manoeuvre around, and allowing her to unleash her full powers in combat.Team CherryIm not great at platform games as I dont have the nimble fingers and reflexes required to bounce around with the necessary precision, but I did find that the jumping mechanics in Silksong seemed a little more forgiving than in Hollow Knight. Sometimes, if I missed jumping onto a nearby ledge by only a small amount I would find that Hornet was able to grab the ledge and shimmy up and out of danger. Youll need all the help you can get, as Silkong does seem to be even more challenging than its predecessors, with more varied movement and boss monsters that inflict serious damage with a single hit. Silksongs opening screen also recommends using a game controller, and while I generally prefer to play most games with a keyboard and mouse, I did find it tricky to modify the keyboard controls so that Hornet could bounce around the screen as quickly as she often needs to. The games Save system is still quite frustrating too, only allowing you to save the game at specific points generally where you find a bench to sit on which can force you to repeatedly retrace your steps through the game as you attempt to get past a particular obstacle or enemy.Should You Buy Hollow Knight: Silksong?Many people find platform games frustrating especially when they have restrictive Save systems like that so Silksong isnt a must-have recommendation for all Mac gamers. But, if you enjoy platform games, or arcade games with challenging boss fights, then there are few games available on the Mac that come close to Silksong (see our complete round up of the best games for Mac for more). The look and feel of the game really stand out from the crowd, and the meticulous attention to detail that Team Cherry have put into every aspect of the game make it a worthy successor to Hollow Knight.

Following aninjection of cash from the US government and a recent leadership overhaul, Intel has not been shy about asking others to invest in it. The latest company to get such a request Apple delivers a certain irony to the equation.Two decades ago, Apple surprised most the tech world by announcing it wouldadopt Intel processors across its Mac lineup its only major product line at the time. (This was shortly before the iPhone launched.) At the time, Intel was running high, thanks to massive market share for Windows PCs, particularly in business. Apple at the time still seemed like a scrappy upstart and, after years of Intel processors touting higher clock speeds, the move seemed to show Apple finally understood how the PC market worked.(Clock speeds isnt really a true metric of overall performance, but thats another story.)A lot has changed since then. First came the iPhone, then Android, then the broadermobile revolution that made players like BlackBerry and Windows Mobile obsolete.In 2010, Apple announced it needed better from the processors in the iPhone and iPad than it could get by letting other companies design the chips. So, it built its own processor based on Arm and an Intel chip design. A few years later, Google followed suit. In no time, other players like Qualcomm were ready with chips like the Snapdragon to supply other Android device manufacturers.Intel was largely AWOL from this mobile arms race, doggedly churning out chips for PCs, Macs, and servers and blind to what was coming. Even as Apple began to flex its chip-design muscles with things like the Apple Watch SOC processor and custom silicon for its AirPods, Intel remained wedded to a market it seemed to own: computer processors for traditional computers.Then Apple did something as shocking as its earlier embrace of Intel. It launched its M-series chips as replacements for Intel processors in Macs. The resulting surge in performance and efficiency in these also Arm-based designs took even long-time Apple users by surprise, especially laptop buyers. The aggressive timeline and the relative ease of the transition to Apple Silicon were almost as astonishing though to be fair, Apple had several such transitions (including the one to Intel) already under its belt by then.Its hard to believe that when Apple was in talks with Intel 10 or 15 years ago, it didnt discuss its plans for the iPhone even obliquely or under extensive NDA. Yet, Intel seems to have missed the mobile wave completely. (Oh, to have been a fly on the wall for those discussions.)It wasnt just Apple who bet on Arm over Intel; Microsoft unveiled a version of Windows 8 that ran on Arm instead of Intel chips. It never seemed to take off and being tied to the UI controversy involving Windows 8 didnt help. But that didnt stop Microsoft from keeping the concept around and reworking it over several years.More recently, the AI boom has given Arm-based PCs a chance to shine, encroaching on Intels turf with a truly functional version of Windows (without the Windows 8 baggage) and an embrace of Microsofts Copilot approach to generative AI. For Intel, the damage is done: a Windows PC no longer requires Intel inside.When you add the increased competition Windows faces from mobile platforms, Apple hardware, and alternatives like Chromebooks as well as the effects of employee-choice programs and BYOD its clear the old days of hardware procurement that gave Intel a major advantage in the market are over.The question becomes: what does Intel do now?The company has flirted with closing plants and renting out its fabrication facilities. (The latter represents the simplest way for Intel to remain relevant, and perhaps learn new tricks or poach needed talent.) Given President Donald J. Trumps push to reshore manufacturing to the US, the second option seems ideal. But its a rocky road, given the lack of skilled US workers, limited access to raw materials and rare earths, and the difficulties getting facilities ready and convincing others to make their chips in Intels fab plants on US soil.Having other high-profile tech companies like Apple as part of the plan would lend a degree of credibility to Intels efforts to rebound. An investment isnt just about money. Ultimately, its about perception in many ways placing Apple in the role Intel once played for it years ago.

Boyd Gaming Corporation has received a fresh set of lawsuits in response to its recent major data breach.The news of the court action originates from the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, where former employees and those affected by the breach have taken legal action, as their data may have been subject to public disclosure without their consent.Boyd Gaming faces four new data breach lawsuitsFour new lawsuits have come to the attention of the global gaming and entertainment provider, including a former employee.Scott Levy registered his case in Nevada, stating that the attack exposed both former and current employee data, including information such as social security numbers.This serious lapse in the companys digital framework has caused chaos with investors and partners as Boyd scrambles to manage the fallout. As we reported, at the time of the breach, the company posted a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing.Boyd stated in the filing that it has determined that the unauthorized third party removed certain data from the Companys IT systems, including information about employees and a limited number of other individuals.Levy and several former and current employees of Boyd have taken court action seeking financial restitution. His legal counsel argues that Before the data breach, the private information of plaintiff and the class was exactly thatprivate. Not anymore. Now, their private information is permanently exposed and unsecure.Levys case has been assigned to Honorable Judge Gloria M. Navarro, and Grayson Wells and John C. Roberts of Stranch, Jennings & Garvey, Pllc, and Raina C. Borrelli of Strauss Borrelli PLLC, and Nathan R. Ring of Reese Ring Velto PLLC will be representing his defense.MGM Resorts offers Boyd supportJohn Branden Newman, the Chief Technical Officer for MGM Resorts, offered his assistance, and the Nevada Gaming Commission backed the gaming operators line of support.Newman had been in charge of the digital systems at MGM when a similar attack hit in 2023, so he has offered a steady hand who has triaged a similar massive breach.Its obviously unfortunate that a lot of the players in the industry and various industries actually are still getting hit by these same types of attacks, Newman stated.Featured image: Canva.The post Boyd Gaming lawsuits pile up in the wake of data breach appeared first on ReadWrite.

This is todays edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of whats going on in the world of technology.EV tax credits are dead in the US. Now what?Federal EV tax credits in the US officially came to an end yesterday.Those credits, expanded and extended in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, gave drivers up to $7,500 toward the purchase of a new electric vehicle. Theyve been a major force in cutting the up-front costs of EVs, pushing more people toward purchasing them and giving automakers confidence that demand would be strong.The tax credits demise comes at a time when battery-electric vehicles still make up a small percentage of new vehicle sales in the country. So whats next for the US EV market?Casey CrownhartThis article is from The Spark, MIT Technology Reviews weekly climate newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up here.If youre interested in reading more about EVs and clean energy, take a look at:+ The US could really use an affordable electric truck. Ford recently announced plans for a $30,000 electric pickup, which could be the shot in the arm that the slowing US EV market needs. Read the full story.+ What role should oil and gas companies play in climate tech, really?+ China is an EV-building powerhouse. These three charts explain its energy dominance. Read the full story.+ Supporting new technologies like EVs can be expensive, but deciding when to wean the public off incentives can be a difficult balancing act. Read the full story.The must-readsIve combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.1 OpenAI has become the worlds most valuable startupMove aside, SpaceX. (Bloomberg $)+ OpenAI is now valued at an eye-watering $500 billion. (FT $)+ The valuation came after workers sold around $6.6 billion in shares. (Reuters)2 Music labels are close to striking AI licensing dealsUniversal and Warner are trying their best to avoid the mis-steps of the internet era. (FT $)+ AI is coming for music, too. (MIT Technology Review)3 Facebooks political ads are full of spam and scamsAnd deepfake technology is making them more convincing than ever. (NYT $)+ Meta will start using conversations with its chatbots to personalize ads. (WSJ $)4 China is forging ahead with integrating AI tools into childrens livesBut educators worry theyll harm youngsters learning and social skills. (Rest of World)+ Chinese universities want students to use more AI, not less. (MIT Technology Review)5 The batteries of the future could be created by AIResearchers including Microsoft are experimenting with materials suggested by models. (IEEE Spectrum)+ This startup wants to use the Earth as a massive battery. (MIT Technology Review)6 A historian claims to have used AI to identify an anonymous NaziDigital tools helped Jrgen Matthus to pinpoint the person photographed beside a mass grave. (The Guardian)7 The Pentagon is interested in AI-powered machine guns that shoot dronesSteven Simonis Allen Control Systems is part of Silicon Valleys new military pivot. (Reuters)+ We saw a demo of the new AI system powering Andurils vision for war. (MIT Technology Review)8 One of Saturns moons may have once hosted life Enceladus has all the necessary keystones to support life, and future missions could uncover it. (Scientific American $)+ Meanwhile, Blue Origin has won a NASA rover contract. (Wired $)+ The case against humans in space. (MIT Technology Review)9 Chatbots exercise all sorts of tricks to keep you talkingThey dont want the conversation to end, a new study has found. (Wired $)10 What its like to become a viral memeDrew Scanlon, aka Blinking Guy, is leveraging his fame for a good cause. (SF Gate)Quote of the dayI cannot overstate how disgusting I find this kind of AI dog shit in the first place, never mind under these circumstances.Writer Luke ONeil tells 404 Media his feelings about an AI-generated biography of journalist Kaleb Horton, who recently died.One more thingA day in the life of a Chinese robotaxi driverWhen Liu Yang started his current job, he found it hard to go back to driving his own car: I instinctively went for the passenger seat. Or when I was driving, I would expect the car to brake by itself, says the 33-year-old Beijing native, who joined the Chinese tech giant Baidu in January 2021 as a robotaxi driver.Liu is one of the hundreds of safety operators employed by Baidu, driving five days a week in Shougang Park. But despite having only worked for the company for 19 months, he already has to think about his next career move, as his job will likely be eliminated within a few years. Read the full story.Zeyi YangWe can still have nice thingsA place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet em at me.)+ Congratulations are in order for 32 Chunk, winner of this years highly prestigious Fat Bear Week competition + Heres how 10 women artists got their days off to the best start possible.+ This Instagram account documenting the worldly travels of a cassette player is fab.+ Brb, Im off to listen to Arctic Outpost Radio, spinning records from the very top of the world.

InsightsReinforcing Organizational Bridges: Four Elements That Strengthen Midlevel LeadersJeff PachecoSeptember 29, 2025Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty ImagesIn brief:Midlevel leaders are an organizations bridges. They carry the weight of transformation, connecting senior leaderships vision to frontline execution. When under supported, agility erodes, burnout accelerates, and performance suffers.Four supports drive the success of midlevel leaders: autonomy, empowerment, psychological safety, and recognition. These measurably improve adaptability, engagement, innovation, and resilience.Organizations must continuously invest in their midlevel leaders. Regular evaluation and feedback loops reveal evolving needs, enabling targeted support that reduces burnout and strengthens execution.Bridges dont collapse overnightthey weaken in silence. Once-impassible valleys and rivers are crossed without a thought, carried by structures so reliable we forget what it took to build them. Yet, every bridge demands vision, resources, precise engineering, and ongoing maintenance. For a bridge to endure, every part must work together. If one part falters, the integrity of the whole bridge is threatened.As we discussed in a previous perspective paper, midlevel leaders are those bridgesspanning the gap between strategy and execution, linking senior leaderships vision to daily realities. They carry the weight of transformation, unite teams, and keep the structure intact under pressure. But like any bridge, their strength depends on deliberate construction, reinforcement, and support.Four Elements That Support the Success of Midlevel LeadersMidlevel leaders are operating under immense pressure. They are expected to deliver results, lead transformation, and keep teams engagedall while navigating shifting priorities and constant change. When the structural supports they rely on are missing, that pressure strains their capacity to perform. Agility erodes, execution suffers, and burnout accelerates, putting both short-term performance and long-term transformation at risk.Our research at Harvard Business Impact Enterprise identifies four structural elements essential to midlevel leader strength: autonomy, empowerment, psychological safety, and recognition. Each is as vital as any beam or cable in a bridgeremove one and the entire structure is at risk.Autonomy: Autonomy enables midlevel leaders to act decisively, adapt quickly, and drive innovation. Entrusting them with meaningful decision making strengthens the critical link between strategy and execution. In our research, midlevel leaders who reported having autonomy showed a nearly one-third increaserising to 62%in effectiveness at demonstrating agility and adaptability in fast-changing environments.Empowerment: Empowerment means giving midlevel leaders the resources, authority, and confidence to act. This requires intentional effort from senior leadersinvesting in training, fostering clear communication, and including midlevel leaders in strategic decision making. The payoff is clear: Empowered midlevel leaders are stronger at supporting transformation and better equipped to influence, execute, and sustain momentum.Psychological safety: Harvard Business Schools Amy Edmondson defines psychological safety as a shared belief that its safe to take risks and express ideas without fear of negative consequences. It grows from clear, predictable, and fair expectations paired with open communication. In our research, nearly seven in 10 midlevel leaders who felt psychologically safe reported meeting goals and expectationscompared to just 43% of those who didnt. This freedom fuels engagement, sparks experimentation, generates new ideas, and fosters a culture of curiosity and smart risk taking.Recognition: Recognition keeps midlevel leaders grounded in purpose and value. When their contributions are acknowledged consistently, it reinforces their commitment and resilience under pressure. Our research showed the difference is measurableweekly burnout rates dropped from 80% to 66% when midlevel leaders felt recognized by senior leadership. Recognition isnt a courtesy; its a stabilizing force that sustains engagement, strengthens commitment, and helps leaders perform at their best even in challenging conditions.Like engineering a bridge, each structural element has its own value and measurable impact. But true strength comes when every part works in unison. For midlevel leaders, its the combination of these supports that enables them to perform at their best, sustain momentum, and lead the organization forward under any conditions.Inspecting the Bridge: Stress Testing Your Midlevel LeadershipEven the most impressive bridge must prove its strength before being opened for use. Engineers test every joint, cable, and beam to confirm they meet standards, can bear the bridges load, and will endure. Organizations must do the same with their midlevel leadership.An initial inspection means systematically evaluating their performance against the four structural elements and, just as critically, assessing how well the organization supports them. Measurement reveals strengths, exposes stress points, and directs resources where they have the most impact.But inspections arent a one-and-done exercise and often surface evolving needs. In our study, nearly 60% of midlevel leaders pointed to three areas they needed more support in for their success: greater decision-making authority, stronger work-life balance, and more efficient technologies. Addressing these requires more than periodic check-ins; it also calls for continuous feedback loops. Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis call this making feedback a team habit by embedding smart intentional questions into meetings to solicit a steady stream of insights from midlevel leaders.Build the Bridges That Carry Your Business ForwardA bridge is only as strong as the investment in its design, construction, and upkeep. The same is true for midlevel leaders. Strengthening their autonomy, empowerment, psychological safety, and recognition produces higher engagement, lower burnout, and greater innovation. These leaders become catalystsdriving transformation, connecting strategy to execution, and sustaining momentum through change.Neglect midlevel leaders and cracks will appear under pressure. With consistent investment, midlevel leaders become the reliable, resilient structures that carry an organization from where it is today to where it must go tomorrow. The future of your organization depends on the bridges you build now.Organizational CultureTalent ManagementShare this resourceShare on LinkedInShare on FacebookShare on XShare on WhatsAppEmail this PageConnect with usChange isnt easy, but we can help. Together well create informed and inspired leaders ready to shape the future of your business.Contact usLatest InsightsTalent ManagementMidlevel Leaders: The Bridge to Your Organizations FutureIn Harvard Business Impacts recent survey of 600 midlevel and senior leaders across industries and Read more: Midlevel Leaders: The Bridge to Your Organizations FuturePerspectivesUncategorizedThe Leaders Guide to Strategic ThinkingStrategic thinkers take a future-focused view of their organization and the shifting context in which Read more: The Leaders Guide to Strategic ThinkingThe Leader's AgendaTalent ManagementReinforcing Organizational Bridges: Four Elements That Strengthen Midlevel LeadersFour supports drive the success of midlevel leaders: autonomy, empowerment, psychological safety, and recognition. Read more: Reinforcing Organizational Bridges: Four Elements That Strengthen Midlevel LeadersArticleTalent ManagementLeading Through Transformation: Rethinking the Role of Midlevel LeadersAs business imperatives evolve, midlevel leaders are playing an increasingly vital role in leading and Read more: Leading Through Transformation: Rethinking the Role of Midlevel LeadersInfographicThe post Reinforcing Organizational Bridges: Four Elements That Strengthen Midlevel Leaders appeared first on Harvard Business Impact.

Apple celebrated the grand reopening of Apple Ginza on Friday, September 26, in Tokyos vibrant Ginza district.

Apple will be announcing the fourth-quarter results for 2025 on October 30. Here's a look back on the major events that influenced Apple's performance.Apple to hold fourth-quarter earnings call on October 30, 2025September marked the end of Apple's fourth fiscal quarter. Now that the dust has settled, the company is ready to talk numbers with its investors.The call, which will be held on October 30 at 2:00 pm PT/5:00 pm ET, will feature Apple CEO Tim Cook and Apple CFO Kevan Parekh discussing the quarter's financial results. There will be a brief Q&A session at the end where analysts can ask the executives relevant questions. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The winners of the A+Product Awards have been announced! Looking ahead to next season? Stay up to date by subscribing to Architizer's A+Product Awards Newsletter.Light is a funny old thing, one of the oldest in fact. As old as the universe and just as unruly, it has been guiding human behavior since long before we learned to build, bringing joy with each sunrise, quelling fear as firelight, invisible as infrared and seemingly never-ending as LED. It can be so different in its applications, yet it is always light, refusing to fit neatly into the categories we try to impose.In workplaces or medical spaces, light is pinned down by standards, expected to provide brightness, suppress glare and maintain efficiency with clinical reliability. While in restaurants, hotels or homes, it plays a different role, softening perception and coaxing atmosphere from even the most ordinary of rooms. Architects are well practiced at meeting these opposing demands, layering the functional with the emotive. Yet, the market still tends to separate the means of achieving them: technical systems built for performance, decorative fixtures designed for mood. However, great architecture cannot exist without both.In their collections, Vibia ensures precision and atmosphere are not opposing forces but conditions that can be tuned together. Modular systems are engineered to give designers compositional control tracks, connectors, dimming protocols while familiar typologies are reworked into sculptural presences that shape mood and perception.This dual approach underpins much of Vibias catalogue and was brought into sharp relief in this years Architizer A+Product Awards, where two very different collections were recognized. Bind, a track system designed with Martn Aza, provides architects with a backbone for choreographing light across any plan. While Class, created with Sebastian Herkner, transforms the outdoor lighting into beacons of atmosphere, with its fluted glass diffusers turning what would typically be considered infrastructure into an emotive presence. Together, they illustrate a manufacturer that has learned to balance specification with sensibility, giving architects tools and atmospheres in equal measure. Architizer spoke to the team at Vibia to find out more about how these two intelligent products came to be and how they define Vibia as a brand.Vibia received awards for two contrasting lighting solutions this year. What does the recognition of both Bind and Class reveal about your current priorities as a lighting manufacturer?Receiving accolades for both Bind and Class in the same year affirms the breadth of Vibias design ambitionone that spans the architectural and the sculptural, the technical and the emotional. These two contrasting systems reflect a dual commitment: to empower designers with precision-engineered tools like Bind, while also reimagining typologies with poetic resonance in outdoor spaces, as seen in Class. It reveals our current priority: shaping atmospheres through light in all its forms, harmonizing rigor and expression.Vibia describes its mission as helping to shape spaces through atmosphere. How does that ambition influence the way your products are designed and developed?At Vibia, we understand light not just as illumination, but as a design material one that defines perception, guides emotion and animates space. Our ambition to shape atmosphere drives every aspect of product development. It inspires us to create tools for designers that are both modular and meaningful, elevating the narrative potential of light across diverse typologies and contexts. By prioritizing qualities such as visual comfort, natural rhythms, and emotional resonance, our lighting solutions contribute to environments that nurture well-being spaces where people feel more present, connected, and at ease.Bind is described as an atmospheric lighting solution rather than just a fixture. What gap in the market or in architectural lighting design were you aiming to address?Bind emerged from the ambition to dissolve the binary between technical and decorative lighting. In the current design landscape, architects seek lighting systems that offer flexibility without aesthetic compromise. Bind fills that gap: a minimalist yet expressive track system that enables atmospheric interventions at every scale.The track system enables both technical and expressive lighting typologies in one installation. Why was it important to bring these two approaches into a single system?Bringing technical and decorative typologies into one unified platform reflects the evolving needs of spatial designers. Projects today demand both precision and ambiance, often in a single gesture. Bind makes it possible to calibrate light from a single, elegantly engineered backbone.Bind uses a pincer connector that allows luminaires to be placed anywhere along the bar. How does that level of flexibility change the way designers approach layout and composition?Its pincer connector exemplifies this adaptability. By allowing luminaires to be positioned freely along the track, designers are liberated from rigid constraintsable to choreograph light as a spatial composition rather than a fixed installation.Bind offers subtle control over light density and distribution. What types of spatial programmes benefit most from this level of customization?The subtle tune-ability of Bind its ability to dial light intensity, distribution and lighting effect makes it ideal for environments that evolve. Retail, hospitality, gallerie, and hybrid workspaces benefit from this responsiveness, as it allows light to adapt to shifting spatial narratives and functional needs.Was Bind conceived as a system for new-build projects, or is it equally suited to retrofit and adaptive reuse contexts?While Bind is perfectly suited for new-build projects, its discreet profile and modular nature also make it a powerful solution for retrofit and adaptive reuse. Its about giving designers the freedom to rethink existing conditions with precision and grace.Class reinterprets the bollard as a more expressive, sculptural element. What was the conceptual starting point for the collection?Class is a beacon that resonates with the poetics of place. The starting point was to elevate a typically utilitarian element, imbuing it with character and craft, transforming it from infrastructure into an architectural statement.The fluted glass diffuser gives the light a soft, ambient quality while concealing the source. Why was this type of lighting effect important in an outdoor setting?The fluted glass diffuser was essential to this transformation. It offers a soft, ambient glow that feels intrinsic to the landscape, rather than imposed upon it. By concealing the source, the luminaire disappears into its own light, creating mood rather than glare.Class is offered in both wall-mounted and freestanding versions. How does that adaptability respond to the way outdoor spaces are being designed today?With multiple application availability, Class addresses the increasing complexity and intentionality of outdoor design. Landscapes today are curated extensions of interior space, and Class supports that continuity with formal coherence and functional versatility.The collection includes remote dimming and smart control options. How are clients and designers using these features to shape exterior environments?As with other Vibia collections, Smart wireless control is enabled by an optional accessory that allows users to turn lighting into a dynamic, experiential layer of design.Bind is compatible with several existing Vibia collections. How did you ensure that integration would feel seamless, both aesthetically and technically?To ensure seamless integration with iconic Vibia pendant collections, Bind was developed with aesthetic compatibility and technical synergy in mind. The result is a system that blends effortlessly, visually and functionally, with our broader design language.Where are you seeing the strongest uptake for Bind and Class? Are certain sectors or typologies leading demand?Bind has seen strong uptake in hospitality, workplace and mixed-use environments where flexibility and control are paramount. Class resonates especially in residential and hospitality realm projects where emotional expression and visual continuity are key.Has there been a shift in the way lighting is specified as part of a projects architectural narrative?Were seeing a shift in how lighting is specifiednot as a technical afterthought, but as a foundational component of the architectural narrative. Products like Bind and Class respond to that shift by offering designers expressive, integrated systems that shape how spaces are felt as much as how they are seen.What did it mean for Vibia to be recognised in the Architizer A+Product Awards, and how has it affected conversations with specifiers or collaborators?Being honored in the Architizer A+Product Awards was a moment of reflection and momentum. It validated our belief that lighting can be both functional and poetic and that the market values this synthesis. The recognition has sparked deeper conversations with architects, specifiers and collaborators who share our vision of lighting as an architectural language.What would you say to other lighting brands considering submitting to the A+Product Awards?To other lighting brands considering submission, wed say this: these awards are more than a platform: they are a conversation. They invite the industry to celebrate not just design excellence, but the ideas that drive it.The winners of the A+Product Awards have been announced! Looking ahead to next season? Stay up to date by subscribing to Architizer's A+Product Awards Newsletter.The post Brighter Ideas: How Vibia Designs Light for Architects and Atmosphere appeared first on Journal.

Meet Andrea GambirasioA 26-year-old photographer drawn to landscapes, travel, and wildlife. With just a few years of experience, Andreas style is simple yet imaginativeblending what the eye sees with what the moment inspires. Though photography is still a hobby, their approach reveals a thoughtful creative process. Today, were exploring Andreas views on photography and where inspiration takes them.The 500px Photographer Spotlight invites you to dive into the minds and methods of the incredible photographers who shape our community. Discover the unique journeys, creative insights, and inspiring stories behind the stunning photos we love.Andrea, do you remember the first time you thought, I want to take photography seriously? What sparked it?Yes, of course. For a few years now, especially during trips, hikes, and vacations, Ive been taking photos with my iPhone. Even though it has a good camera, I wanted something moreespecially with some trips I was planning to take with my girlfriend.Thats when I started looking for a camera to bring along. From there, a whole world opened upmade of lenses, sensors, shutter speeds, apertures, and technicalitiesthat completely drew me in.My first camera was a Canon R100, Canons entry-level model, which I truly loved. It was small, compact, and intuitive. With it, I managed to capture some of my favorite photos. Ive recently decided to replace it with a Sony, mainly because of the availability of lenses I really liked but werent compatible. It was truly a great travel mate.What was the photographers learning curve like for youself-taught trial and error, or more structured training?Lets say my learning curve was a bit like a roller coaster. Im self-taught, and I like to experiment.At the beginning, I would just play around with dials here and there without really knowing what I was doing. I watched different influencers on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram and followed their advice. I got influenced and ended up buying tons of lenses that I no longer knew where to store. I would travel with a bag full of gear and only two pairs of underwear. In the end, though, my photos were always pretty basic and lacked a clear sense of direction. After that, I decided to start watching serious tutorials and rely on solid books. Then, on that theoretical foundation, I began to experiment. From there, I finally started to feel satisfied with my photos.Even though I know much more now than when I first started, there are still photos I dont like or that dont fully convince me, and Im always looking for new information and advice to keep improving my technique.How do you know when youve captured the shot?Thats a great question. It depends. Sometimes I realize it right away on the camera displaythe light and shadows are balanced, the subject is in focus, the shutter speed is correct, theres no motion blur, and the composition works.Other times, I only notice it once I download the images and start a post-production process where I try to give the photo the right direction. In any case, until Ive downloaded the photos and can carefully check every detail, theres always a bit of anxiety that I might have gotten it wrong.Whats your ritual before heading out on a shoot?I dont really have a set ritual. Usually, I just grab my camera and look for a framing that I like, then I adjust the settings and start shooting.Do you shoot with the final image in mind, or discover it later in editing?Usually, before a trip or a shoot, I quickly go through images of the landscape, animal, monument, or city I want to photograph. Based on these, I form an idea and then mentally develop my project. So, lets say I often already have the image in my mind before taking the shot. I love landscape photography, so before going out, I study the type of landscape and visualize the final image in my head. However, there are often many variables in landscape photographyfrom weather conditions to the time of day when the shot can be taken, to other people who might appear in the scene. As a result, the shot doesnt always come out as imagined. Inevitably, in these cases, post-processing becomes necessary.One of these cases was the coastal landscape of Hamny in Norway. I planned the trip in January and had already envisioned the scene I wanted to capture before departure. I had bought a wide-angle lens and a variable ND filter because I wanted to create a silky effect on the waves crashing against the rocks. For seven days, it rained nonstop, and the wind was terrible making the shot impossible.On the last day, the wind finally calmed, and it had just started to snow. I was finally able to get my shot. I really liked the photo itself, even though the colors of the houses were muted by the gloomy weather. With some careful post-processing, I was able to bring my vision to life. To this day, I think its the shot Im most in love with among everything Ive taken.Do you plan trips around the shot, or the shot around the trip?Usually, I plan the shot around the trip. Although I have to admit, there are some trips I would take just to capture a that shotHow do you find beauty in ordinary places others might overlook?I have to say that nowadays, with social media, were encouraged to travel and go out looking for beauty and new experiences. The truth is, beautiful things are often hidden close to home as well. Since I also enjoy exploring and traveling, when I cant do that, I try to appreciate whats near me, sometimes focusing on details that many people might overlook.Sometimes, all it takes is a drop of dew on a hedge, a beam of light hitting an object in a special way, a reflection in a puddle, a shadow, or a particular texture to create a new photograph that conveys the beauty of small things.Whats the strangest thing youve learned about yourself through photography?The strangest thing about me is that Im willing to do anything for a photograph: standing in the cold for hours waiting for the Northern Lights, hiking for hours uphill to capture a mountain sunset, staying silently among grass and insects waiting for a roe deer or a stag to emerge from the vegetation, driving for hours up and down to photograph a landscape, or waking up at 2 a.m. to shoot the Milky Way or at 5 a.m. for sunrise.But all that effort is rewarded when I open my computer, download the photos, and see that they turned out just as I had imagined.Is there a subject or setting youll never tire of photographing?Oh yes. Fortunately, I live in an area where the mountains are quite close. My favorite shot will always be the sunset reflected on the lakes between the mountain peaks. The colors of the mountain sky, the fresh, clean air filling your lungs, the scents and aromas of flowers, meadows, and damp rocksthis will always be a shot Ill never stop taking.If you could give advice to your younger self starting out with photography, what would it be?The advice I would give to myself when I started photographing is this: dont focus on the gear or on comparing yourself to photographers and photos you see on social media.You can achieve great results even with basic equipment, without traveling to amazing places, simply by trying to capture the best in small thingsfocusing on the composition that suits the scene in front of you and making the most of the elements present to create a WOW effect.Do you have a recent shoot or project you would like to share or promote?Im currently curating some of my favorite photos Ive taken over the years and will be sharing them soon. Ill also be traveling to South Africa for vacation Im hoping that Ill be able to capture the shots Ive planned and upload them to 500px as soon as possible.Read more 500px Photographer Spotlight interviews:Olena LeliukThe post Andrea Gambirasio: 500px Photographer Spotlight appeared first on 500px.

As packed as September was, October looks to somehow, someway, offer even more. Big open-world blockbusters, the return of multiple renowned franchises, a brand new extraction shooter that could give the big players a run for their money, and much more await. And thats not even accounting for the horror titles, arriving just in time for Halloween season. Without further ado, here are the 20 biggest games to look forward to in October 2025.Ghost of YteiEasily the biggest game of the month, and certainly a contender for Game of the Year, but thats to be expected. Sucker Punch Productions skill for creating engaging open worlds is on full display once more as Atsu scours Ezo for revenge against the Ytei Six. Theres more variety and less repetition, while the combat system has been expanded to include more weapons, fresh mechanics like disarming enemies (and throwing weapons into their imminent carcasses), and a wolf that occasionally helps out. In a year where Sony desperately needs some PS5 exclusives, Ghost of Ytei looks to be an incredible showcase for the console when it launches on October 2nd.Battlefield 6About four years ago, the Battlefield franchise suffered a slump that few thought it could ever recover from. But here we are with Battlefield 6, a combined effort between DICE, Ripple Effect, Criterion and Motive Studio, which could take the series to new heights of success. The return of an epic globe-hopping campaign is already fantastic, but even the multiplayer with its Classes, weapon feel, and grounded atmosphere has us excited. Even Portal and the new Battle Royale dont look too shabby. Launching on October 10th, Battlefield 6 will be available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.Pokmon Legends: Z-AGame Freaks latest Pokmon title also marks the series debut on Nintendo Switch 2 alongside the original Switch, but it goes even further by taking place in a single city. As a new trainer in Lumiose City, its your job to investigate the strange outbreak of Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokmon while having their wish granted in the Z-A Royale. Between new Pokmon and Mega Evolutions, a free-for-all competitive mode called Battle Club, and much more, Pokmon Legends: Z-A is certainly shaping up well. Its out on October 16th for Switch 1 and 2.The Outer Worlds 2For a game that goes bigger and deeper than the original, with an overhaul to Skills and Flaws alongside much larger planets and a third-person perspective, The Outer Worlds 2 certainly feels like the underdog heading into October. Maybe its the sheer range of other big-name sequels to look forward to, but the new, more-serious story (which still packs moments of dark levity) looks intriguing, and theres plenty of room for more niche playstyles. Whether youre a team player or a solo operative intent on killing all NPCs, The Outer Worlds 2 could satisfy that role-playing fix when it launches on October 29th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.Digimon Story: Time StrangerSeven years after Cyber Sleuth Hackers Memory, a new entry in the Digimon Story is finally upon us with Time Stranger. Launching on October 3rd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, it was actually announced way back in December 2017 and offers a brand new story with time travel elements. Following an incident that would change the world, the player, as part of a mysterious organization, ventures back in time to try to prevent it. On top of over 450 Digimon to collect, players travel to Illiad in the Digimon World and attempt to unravel whats going on. Will it end up overshadowed by Pokmon Legends: Z-A or stand out all the more? Well find out in the coming days.Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2Super Mario Galaxy has returned, and thankfully, it isnt part of a compilation thats available only for a limited time. This time, Nintendo Switch players can experience each title in the series for $39.99 separately or for $69.99 in a bundle. Switch 2 owners can play both games at 4K courtesy of a free update, and there are new features like more Storybook Chapters, amiibo support and Assist Mode. These are more like re-releases than remasters, but if youve ever wanted to play two of the best 3D platformers ever made, they may be worth checking out on October 2nd.ARC RaidersAs if it isnt competing for time with all the other big releases, Embark Studios ARC Raiders is sandwiched between two triple-A shooters (with Battlefield this month and Call of Duty in the next). Nevertheless, if the response has proven anything, its that it may very well hold its own. Launching with four maps with different conditions and challenging foes, the extraction shooter packs Embarks sleek shooting with a distinct post-apocalyptic atmosphere. Between mastering different skills, competing quests, taking a shot at the leaderboards, or trying to understand the world as a whole, ARC Raiders promises a lot, and we cant wait to dive in when it launches on October 30th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.Little Nightmares 3The heavyweight survival horror titles are already out, but theres still Little Nightmares 3 to look forward to ahead of Halloween. Set in The Spiral, the story follows Low and Alone as they attempt to escape its hellish landscape. Between towering monsters, sentient puppets, and other horrors, its a tall task, but each packs unique tools like arrows and a wrench for puzzle-solving and self defense. And while couch co-op isnt supported, there is a Friends Pass, meaning another player can join in without owning the game. All the better to spread the terror when Little Nightmares 3 launches on October 10th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.KeeperYou never truly guess what Double Fine Productions will pump out next, and Keeper, out on October 17th for Xbox Series X/S and PC, is truly unique. You control, of all things, a sentient lighthouse that ventures across the world to learn more about its purpose. Between encountering other strange entities in a wordless narrative and the trippy visuals, its certainly shaping up to be an adventure unlike any other.Jurassic World Evolution 3You kind of know what youre getting with any Frontier Developments management sim, and Jurassic Park Evolution 3 is no exception. The usual campaign, sandbox and challenge modes return, but there are over 80 species, each with variants (including juvenile dinosaurs), and more complex creation tools to embrace alongside new attractions. Couple this with new locations, and theres plenty to look forward to when it launches on October 21st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.Ninja Gaiden 4One of the gold standards for incredible hack and slash action-adventures, Ninja Gaiden, is finally getting a new mainline title on October 21st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Ninja Gaiden 4 follows Yakumo of the Raven Clan as he ventures to the remains of Tokyo to slay the Dark Dragon. The Order isnt having it, though, and neither is series mainstay, Ryu Hayabusa (whos also playable), leading to some bloody battles. While possessing an array of armaments, Yakumo also has Bloodraven Form to modify his attacks and even unleash Bloodbath Kills to maim several foes at once. Promising accessibility via Hero Mode and hardcore challenge courtesy of Master Ninja difficulty, Ninja Gaiden 4 could be the most epic title in the series yet.KingmakersWhat happens when modern soldiers are sent back in time to fight medieval battles containing hundreds of units? You get Kingmakers, with its unique mix of third-person shooting, extensive military equipment and base-building, launching on October 8th for PC. When youre not engaging in the battle, you can take an overhead view and command units. All this and co-op for up to four players? If nothing else, it looks like a fun bit of controlled chaos.Moonlighter 2: The Endless VaultNothing can stop a good merchant, especially one like Will, who ventures into dungeons to collect the wares himself. Moonlighter 2 directly follows the first games events, as you venture into The Endless Vault, collect valuable artifacts, and sell them in your store. The profits can be used to upgrade the town of Tresna, your own shop and even equipment to delve deeper into the dungeons for more profitable finds. With a jump to full 3D and new mechanics like using your own backpack as a weapon theres plenty to look forward to when Moonlighter 2 launches in Steam Early Access on October 23rd.Double Dragon ReviveThe classic side-scrolling beat em up franchise returns courtesy of Arc System Works and Yukes when Double Dragon Revive launches on October 23rd for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC. Alongside Story Mode with support for up to four playable characters, theres Extra Mode with more than 50 mission types and a uniquely separate story across multiple unlockable episodes. Between this and Absolum, its a great month for beat em up fans.Plants vs. Zombies: ReplantedAfter botching Battle for Neighborville and Plants vs. Zombies 3, PopCap Games is going back to the drawing board. Or more specifically, to the first garden in Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted, an HD version of the tower defense that started it all. Fortunately, theres a lot to justify that $20 purchase, from a new hardcore mode to the more forgiving but still challenging Cloudy Day Mode. You can even compete in local PvP as the zombies or defend together in co-op. Replanted launches on October 23rd for Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.Tormented Souls 2The original Tormented Souls didnt push any boundaries, but for a title inspired by old-school Resident Evil, it wasnt half-bad. Tormented Souls 2, out on October 23rd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, continues the story of Caroline as she ventures to a mysterious yet sinister new location. While youll be shifting between realities, solving puzzles and fighting off new enemies, tank controls are still in effect, and you wont have unlimited saves, just like the survival horror games of yesteryears, but you can enable assist mode.Once Upon A KatamariA new Katamari title that isnt a remaster? Somehow, its true as Once Upon A Katamari launches on October 24th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch. The Prince is once again tasked with fixing the sky after The King of All Cosmos destroys it yet again, and this time, youre venturing through time, rolling up the Ice Age and other notable eras. With character customization, new tools and KatamariBall, a new four-player competitive mode, the good times may indeed be ready to roll.DispatchWhat happens when Mecha Man no longer has his mech suit to fight crime? He does the next best thing, taking on a job as a superhero dispatcher. Thats only the start of Robert Robertsons ordeals, however, as he works with ex-supervillains, dispatching them to different locations with unique consequences. Between unlocking new abilities and managing their various personality quirks, Dispatch is a unique mix of narrative adventure and hero strategy with a strong cast. The first two episodes debut on October 22nd, followed by the next two on October 29th for PS5 and PC, with the final four out in November.WreckreationIll admit to being somewhat disappointed with Bugbears Wreckfest 2 (which has seen several updates after launching in early access), but Wreckreation, developed by the team behind Dangerous Driving, could fill that void. Its out on October 28th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and introduces the 400 square kilometer sandbox that is MixWorld, which youre free to build up and wreck alone or with others. With extensive customization tools and plenty to discover, its an interesting proposition, and hopefully one with a lot of staying power.Mortal Kombat: Legacy KollectionHave you ever wanted a definitive collection of all classic Mortal Kombat titles? Yes, even Mythologies: Sub Zero and Special Forces? Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection could be the answer as it contains Mortal Kombat 1, 2, 3, 4, Trilogy and much more with multiple versions, online play with rollback netcode and instant access to all secret characters. You can explore the lore of the series and its characters, and learn more about the franchises development courtesy of new creator interviews. Launching on October 30th for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, it could very well be a must-buy for any fighting game fan.