Most of what happens within the video games we play is invisible to us. Even the elements we're looking straight at work because of what's happening behind the scenes. If you've ever watched a behind-the-scenes video about game development, you might've seen these versions of flat, gray game worlds filled with lines and icons pointing every which way, with multiple grids and layers. These are the visual representations of all the systems that make the game work.Assassin's Creed ShadowsThis is an especially weird dichotomy to consider when it comes to lighting in any game with a 3D perspective, but especially so in high-fidelity games. We don't see light so much as we see everything it touches; it's invisible, but it gives us most of our information about game worlds. And it's a lot more complex than "turn on lamp, room light up." Reflection, absorption, diffusion, subsurface scattering--the movement of light is a complex thing that has been explored by physicists in the real world for literally centuries, and will likely be studied for centuries more. In the middle of all of that are game designers, applying the science of light to video games in practical ways, balanced with the limitations of even today's powerful GPUs, just to show all us nerds a good time.If you've wondered why many games seem to be like static amusement parks waiting for you to interact with a few specific things, lighting is often the reason. But it's also the reason more and more game worlds look vibrant and lifelike. Game developers have gotten good at simulating static lighting, but making it move is harder. Dynamic lighting has long been computationally expensive, potentially tanking game performance, and we're finally starting to see that change.Continue Reading at GameSpot #hidden #tech #that #makes #assassin039s

Who are the best teams in College Football 26? You don't have to wonder anymore, as the publisher has revealed the answer.EA Sports' College Football series came soaring back last year, following a hiatus of more than a decade. It became the best-selling sports game of all time, surpassing a record previously held by a COVID-era NBA 2K entry. This year's game is coming soon, and EA is surely hoping to keep its winning streak going.With just a few weeks separating players from the launch of the game, which is even sooner if you preorder, today the publisher has unveiled the game's 10 best teams.Naturally, the list is full of some major programs, though you'll notice they're all of a similar stature, as a few schools have built up major contenders that now stand toe to toe with the legacy giants of the sport.A list like this is partly meant to generate hype, but EA surely knows it'll also unavoidably lead to controversy even when the rankings are determined in good faith. Don't ever let reasonable arguments come between you and your favorite sports teams, right?With that in mind, take a look at the best teams in College Football 26, including several from the Lone Star State, the defending champions, and all four teams from last year's semi-finals. 1. Alabama - 89 OVR 2. Texas - 88 OVR 3. Ohio State - 88 OVR 4. Penn State - 88 OVR 5. Notre Dame - 88 OVR 6. Georgia - 88 OVR 7. Clemson - 88 OVR 8. Texas A&M - 88 OVR 9. Oregon - 86 OVR 10. LSU - 86 OVR #best #teams #sports #college #football

Ah, the great Pixar movies ranking saga! Who knew that a bunch of animated characters could cause such fierce debates among adults? It’s almost as if we’re all art critics now, judging the crème de la crème of animated filmmaking from the ‘90s to the mid-2010s. Remember when Pixar was the beacon of creativity? Well, it seems like the magic dust has settled a bit in the last decade—nothing like a sequel to remind us that sometimes, it’s okay to just let the original be great. So, here’s to ranking Pixar’s masterpieces from “Oh, that was cute” to “Did they really think we’d buy that?” Let the debates begin, folks. #Pixar #AnimationDebate #

So, they've launched "Ironheart," and the creator, Chinaka Hodge, assures us that you don't need to endure the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s endless barrage of movies to enjoy this gem. What a relief! Because who wouldn’t want to dive into a brand new character without the baggage of a decade's worth of superhero melodrama? Just think of it as a Marvel buffet where you can skip straight to dessert while ignoring the appetizers that have been cooling off since 2008. And for the diehard fans, don't worry! The first three episodes are surely packed with all the Easter eggs you can handle, reminding you of that time you spent your Saturday nights ranking every Iron Man suit. Welcome to the future of entertainment: where

AI, college selection, college counselors, student interests, scholarships, education technology, specialized AI tools, college recommendations, higher education, career guidance ## Introduction Ah, the age-old quest for the perfect college! A journey filled with stress, confusion, and more than a few tears. With college counselors so overworked they might as well be juggling flaming swords while blindfolded, students are left to fend for themselves in a jungle of brochures, rankings, and endl...

Ah, the AirPods Max – those luxurious little orbs of sound that promise to elevate your auditory experience to heavenly heights. But wait, let’s pause for a moment before we dive headfirst into that Labor Day deal that boasts the lowest price ever – because we all know that’s just a fancy way of saying, "Hey, here’s your chance to pay a premium for something that’ll make you look particularly stylish while ignoring the world around you!" First, let’s talk about the design. Oh, the design! They’re like the love child of a spaceship and a pair of earmuffs you’d find at your grandma’s house. Who wouldn’t want to sport that look while strolling down the street, desperately trying to convince everyone that you’re both hip and excessively wealthy? But really, when you put them on, it's not just about sound quality; it’s about transforming into an audio-engineering superhero, ready to save the world from mediocre bass and treble. Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the price. Yes, they’re on sale for the lowest price ever. It’s almost like saying, “Look, we’ve slashed the price of your next existential crisis!” Because let’s be honest, do you really need headphones that are priced higher than your monthly grocery budget? Sure, you’ll be able to hear every single whisper of the universe, but will you also be able to afford rent? It’s a fine balance between living your best life and living in your parents’ basement. And how about that "noise cancellation"? It’s almost magical! You’ll be so immersed in your own world that you won’t hear your friends trying to communicate with you. Remember socializing? That’s out the window. You’ll be too busy basking in the glory of your overpriced headphones to notice that your social life is slowly fading away. But hey, at least you’ll have great sound quality while binge-watching that show you promised you’d watch with your friends three months ago! Let’s not forget about the battery life. They say it lasts long enough to get you through a full workday. But let’s be real: if you’re using them all day, are you even working? Or are you just pretending to be busy while actually listening to your secret playlist of 90s boy bands? Either way, you’ll be the picture of productivity, even if your productivity is strictly limited to singing along to “I Want It That Way.” In conclusion, while the AirPods Max may be your favorite headphones, maybe just maybe, you should save your hard-earned cash for something a little less extravagant. After all, there’s a fine line between enjoying life’s luxuries and being the punchline in a “what was I thinking?” story. So go ahead, indulge in that Labor Day deal, but don’t say I didn’t warn you when you find yourself hiding from your friends in the corner of your apartment, cranking up the volume on your guilt over your questionable financial decisions. #AirPodsMax #Headphones #LuxuryLifestyle #TechHumor #SmartSpending