Kingdom Hearts 4 gets new update as Square Enix cancels spin-off Adam Starkey Published May 14, 2025 12:52pm Updated May 14, 2025 1:36pm A kingdom far, far away (Square Enix) Square Enix has canned a previously announced Kingdom Hearts spin-off, as it looks to ‘reboot’ its business. It’s been over three years since Disney crossover Kingdom Hearts 4 was revealed, in April 2022, and we haven’t seen or heard anything about the sequel since. Square Enix also announced a mobile spin-off entitled Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link during the same 20th anniversary video. The GPS-based action role-playing game received a closed ‘prototype test’ in January 2023 and was originally supposed to come out in 2024, but it was delayed. Now, Square Enix has announced Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link has been cancelled entirely, which is surprising as its story was supposed to lead into Kingdom Hearts 4. ‘We wish to convey our heartfelt apologies to everyone who has been looking forward to the start of service,’ an announcement post reads. ‘Although we worked hard on developing and adjusting the game in the hope that it would be enjoyed by lots of players, we determined that it would be difficult for us to offer a service that players would find satisfactory over a long period of time, leading us to the decision to cancel development. ‘We would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks to everyone who gave us their support and assistance with the multiple closed beta tests. We are truly sorry to have to make this announcement.’ To sweeten the bad news, Square Enix provided an update on Kingdom Hearts 4, perhaps to reassure fans that it does still exist. ‘The Kingdom Hearts series will continue,’ the post adds. ‘We are hard at work on Kingdom Hearts 4, and hope you’ll continue to support the series as you keep an eye out for further updates.’ While it’s unclear why we haven’t seen anything from Kingdom Hearts 4 for so long, Square Enix has undergone a major overhaul to its business over the past year. Lower than expected sales for Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth caused a shift in strategy at the company, towards a more selective, higher-quality approach, resulting in many cancelled projects. Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link appears to be another casualty of this pivot, but it is an interesting decision considering the spin-off was set to have ties to Kingdom Hearts 4’s narrative. In an interview with Game Informer from 2022, series director Tetsuya Nomura described Missing-Link as being ‘connected in many ways’ to the next mainline entry. In its latest financial results, Square Enix emphasised its intention to ‘reboot and awaken’ its business by promoting ‘multi-platform strategies’ and ‘rebuilding the domestic studios portfolio’, among other plans. ‘Under the new management structure, we reviewed all projects at our domestic studios, including HDG and SD titles, and decided to discontinue development of some titles and invest additional funds in titles that require refinement, thereby steadily implementing a strategy of selecting and concentrating development resources,’ reads the business plan. ‘We will continue to control the scale of development investment in a disciplined manner.’ More Trending As part of this three-year plan, Square Enix states its aim to ‘shift from quantity to quality’, with the intention of releasing ‘major titles mainly in key IP steadily’ after 2027. Square Enix has several games planned for the Switch 2, including Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade. Elsewhere in the plan, Square Enix announced it is working on a video game with TBS Television, the Tokyo-based network which is known for producing shows like Takeshi’s Castle and Ninja Warrior. While it’s unclear when we could get another glimpse at Kingdom Hearts 4, the next likely candidate is Summer Game Fest on June 6, 2025. The Missing-Link is now lost forever (Square Enix) Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. GameCentral Sign 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

John Edwards, Technology Journalist & AuthorMay 14, 20255 Min ReadNicoElNino via Alamy Stock PhotoWhen it comes to AI, yesterday's comprehensive skillset may already be obsolete. Considering AI's ultra-rapid evolution, it's now important to help team members understand and utilize the latest skills without disrupting their already heavy workloads. A mix of hands-on experience and guided learning is the best way to build AI skills, advises Justice Erolin, CTO at software outsourcing company BairesDev. "Traditional education isn't keeping up with the rapid evolution of AI, so microlearning and peer learning programs can be more effective than a university course on AI," he says in an email interview. You no longer need AI experts; you need people who know their way around AI, says Mike Loukides, a vice president at technology and business training firm O'Reilly Media. "With appropriate training, the types of people you need can be developed from the staff you already have," he explains in an online interview. "Look for data engineers -- people who know how to build data pipelines, who know how to analyze data." Keeping Pace The AI landscape changes monthly, observes David Brauchler, technical director and head of AI and ML at cybersecurity consultancy NCC Group. To stay up to date on the latest advances, engineering teams should establish a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration, he advises in an email interview. "AI improvement is a continual process, not one that occurs piecewise." Related:It's a continual process, Loukides says. "Even if you manage to hire the perfect team of outsiders, their skills will start to go out of date immediately," he observes. "Continuous learning was never more important than it is now." Dive into hands-on projects using pre-built examples with data and evaluation techniques that are readily accessible, recommends Vamsi Duvvuri, technology, media, and telecommunications leader at business advisory firm at EY Americas. "Collaborating with diverse teams across the organization during this stage is critical, especially folks from teams that typically do not work with each other," he explains in an online discussion. A mix of perspectives can reveal blind spots and spark ideas. Consider bringing in challenger hires or even exploring acquihires, Duvvuri suggests. "Bringing in new talent who aren’t entrenched in the status quo can disrupt traditional thinking and introduce fresh, unexpected approaches." Essential Skills New team members often challenge existing processes and help spark innovation, Duvvuri says. "In some cases, if you spot an innovative startup or a talented team, acquiring them -- or even doing an acquihire -- can rapidly inject cutting-edge expertise into your organization," he notes. "This isn't just about filling a gap, it's about shaking up the norm and accelerating learning." Related:Learning how to collaborate with AI is becoming a skill in itself, Erolin observes. "Beyond technical expertise, soft-skill development will help hone the ability to collaborate with AI." Critical thinking, problem-solving, and business knowledge are key to understanding when it makes sense to use AI. A handful of universal skills stand out, Erolin says. These include: Prompt engineering for working with generative AI models. AI model evaluation and fine-tuning to ensure that models align with business goals. AI governance and ethics, especially around bias, privacy, and explainability. MLOps skills to integrate AI into production reliably and at scale. Frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or LangChain. Avoiding Mistakes A trap many IT leaders fall into is treating AI training as a one-off event, such as holding a single course or workshop. "If you skip the continuous cycle of learning, reflection, and even disruptive talent acquisition, you risk becoming stagnant and falling behind," Duvvuri warns. "In contrast, a culture that embraces ongoing education, diverse team dynamics, and bold moves, like challenger hires, fosters innovation and resilience." Related:Application architects and developers should consider the intricacies AI introduces to application threat models and skill-up in low-sensitivity environments, Brauchler suggests. "For example, AI presents new concerns related to data risk, including its inability to reliably distinguish between trusted and untrusted content," he says. "Consequently, application designers need to consider new risks that they might not be used to addressing in traditional software stacks." A Final Thought The companies that thrive in the AI era won't be the ones with the fanciest models, but the ones with the most adaptable teams, Erolin says. "The real differentiator is your people's ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn fast." At BairesDev, we've built our success around that belief, Erolin states. "We scale AI talent globally, but we also help our partners build internal cultures that keep pace with innovation. In this space, the only real risk is standing still."About the AuthorJohn EdwardsTechnology Journalist & AuthorJohn Edwards is a veteran business technology journalist. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous business and technology publications, including Computerworld, CFO Magazine, IBM Data Management Magazine, RFID Journal, and Electronic Design. He has also written columns for The Economist's Business Intelligence Unit and PricewaterhouseCoopers' Communications Direct. John has authored several books on business technology topics. His work began appearing online as early as 1983. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, he wrote daily news and feature articles for both the CompuServe and Prodigy online services. His "Behind the Screens" commentaries made him the world's first known professional blogger.See more from John EdwardsWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like

Table of Contents Table of Contents How to craft a saddle How to trade for a saddle How to find saddles in chests How to get a saddle from fishing How to use a saddle You tamed a horse in Minecraft, but the beast still has a mind of its own -- it absolutely will not follow your lead. You can corral it inside a fence, but trying to ride it isn't working like you hoped. Aside from flying, horses are one of the fastest ways to travel, but to take control of your mount, you need a saddle. Previously, you weren't able to craft a saddle and would have to get one in other ways, including trades at villages, exploration, and fishing. However, after many years, we are finally able to make a saddle for ourselves and we will show you exactly how to do it. Recommended Videos Difficulty Easy Duration 10 minutes Mojang As of May 2025, crafting a saddle in Minecraft is only an option in the snapshot test version of the game. However, it is expected to be included into the full game this summer. Either way, this is how making a saddle will work. Step 1: Collect three leather. Step 2: Collect one iron ingot. Related Step 3: At a crafting table, place the iron ingot in the bottom middle square and the three leather pieces above and beside it as shown in the picture above. Step 4: Take the saddle from the output. Step 5: You can now put your saddle on any compatible animal you wish, but there's also a new feature where you can remove it from a pig without resorting to killing it. If you have some sheers, you can safely remove it from a pig by using them on the pig to collect the saddle and use it on another mount. Mojang While crafting a saddle is still the easiest way to get them, you can still obtain one via trading. Step 1: Find a village and look for the leatherworker. Step 2: You’ll need to level up the villager, however, as it won’t offer a saddle until it reaches Level 3. This is accomplished by trading emeralds, leather, rabbit hide, flint, and whatever else the villager wants. Mojang Step 3: Once you get the leatherworker to Level 5 (Master), your chance of acquiring a saddle jumps up to 50%. Mojang If you don’t want to craft or spend the time to level up a Leatherworker, your next best bet is to head out and find a saddle packed into a chest. Luckily for you, there are plenty of places to look. Unfortunately, you’re not guaranteed a saddle each time you crack open a chest. Below we provide the locations and your chances of finding a saddle in percentages. Abandoned mineshafts (percentage unknown) Desert temples (23.5%) Dungeons (27.9%) End City (13.3%) Jungle temples (12.9%) Nether Fortress (35.3%) Strongholds (2.5%) Mojang This is the least likely method to produce a saddle, with a 0.8% chance. Simply fish like you would for a normal fish and just hope that you end up pulling a saddle out of the water. Mojang You didn’t go through all this trouble just for a conversation piece. Slap that saddle on a horse and giddy-up! Step 1: Make sure you are empty-handed and interact with the horse. Step 2: The horse may or may not try to buck you off. If it does, repeat step 1 until the horse gives up. Step 3: While still sitting on the horse, open your inventory. You should see the horse’s inventory combined with yours. Drag the saddle from your inventory up into the top square with a gray saddle icon. Once it’s applied, the horse icon will change. Now that you have a saddle on the horse, you can steer it wherever you like.

A team led by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago and UC Davis has developed a method to 3D bioprint tissue-specific, high cell-density bioinks capable of forming complex multiphase constructs. Published in Materials Today, the study introduces a platform that combines individual or aggregate-based stem cell bioinks with localized growth factor delivery, offering precise control over spatial differentiation and tissue development. Using a shear-thinning, photocrosslinkable alginate microgel supporting bath, the research team successfully printed structures with high shape fidelity and tunable degradation. These constructs enable self-assembly through cellular condensation and localized differentiation into distinct tissues such as cartilage and bone. After four weeks of culture, the bioprinted structures maintained their original geometry and exhibited clear phase separation between chondrogenic and osteogenic regions. A new approach to bioink precision Conventional bioprinting approaches often rely on biomaterial-laden inks that can interfere with direct cell–cell interactions and degrade unpredictably. To overcome these limitations, the researchers developed bioinks containing either individual stem cells or multicellular aggregates, combined with gelatin microparticles (GMs) loaded with growth factors such as TGF-β1 and BMP-2.These formulations demonstrated favorable rheological properties, shear-thinning, self-healing, and low yield stress, making them well-suited for extrusion-based bioprinting. Critically, the growth factor-loaded GMs allowed for spatially controlled, sustained biochemical signaling without requiring external supplementation.Following 3D printing and stabilization of the supporting bath, stem cells underwent lineage-specific differentiation, resulting in stable osteochondral constructs. Histological and biochemical analyses confirmed targeted extracellular matrix deposition and distinct tissue boundaries at the cartilage–bone interface.3D printing of the tissue specific high cell-density bioinks within the OMA microgel supporting bath, which fluidizes via its shear-thinning property. When the printing needle fluidizes the mechanical stable OMA microgels (i, disordered region), tissue specific high cell-density bioinks can fill the shear-thinning region (ii). After the needle passes, the OMA microgel bath can be stabilized by its self-healing property (iii, self-healing region) to firmly hold the printed bioinks. Image via Jeon et al., Materials Today. From biomaterials to biofunction While 3D bioprinting has long promised the recreation of complex biological architectures, printing functional, multicellular, multi-tissue constructs remains a key challenge. Cell-only bioinks often require preformed strands or aggregates, limiting resolution and design flexibility. The approach developed by Jeon et al. addresses this gap, enabling high-resolution deposition of cell-dense bioinks that self-organize into biologically relevant structures. Characterization of resolution and shape fidelity and chondrogenic differentiation of 3D bioprinted constructs. (A) Photomicrographs of the 3D printed individual cell-based tissue specific bioink filaments [i and ii; TGF-β1-loaded GM + hMSCs. iii and iv; bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2)-loaded GM + hASCs] into OMA microgel supporting baths with a 22G printing needle and (B) quantification of their mean diameters, demonstrating the capability of high-resolution printing with narrow filament diameter distribution. Scale bars indicate 500 μm. N.S.: Not significant. (C) Digital images and (D) photographs of the 3D printed structures, demonstrating high shape fidelity. The scale bars indicate 5 mm. (E) Photomicrographs of Saf-O/Fast Green stained construct sections cultured in BPM (i and ii) and CPM (iii and iv). The scale bars indicate 500 μm. (F) Quantification of GAG/DNA in the chondrogenically differentiated 3D printed constructs. These demonstrate hMSC differentiation and deposition of chondrogenic extracellular matrix (ECM) in the individual cell-based tissue specific bioink printed constructs. N.S.: Not significant. Image via Jeon et al., Materials Today. Recent innovations have similarly advanced bioink design and tissue engineering. Researchers at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, developed a  SCOBY-derived bioink to 3D print cellulose scaffolds for direct tissue repair, while another team created a personalized heart-on-a-chip using photopolymerizable, patient-specific bioinks. Bio INX and Readily3D launched a ready-to-use bioink for volumetric bioprinting, and Texas A&M engineered a specialized vascular-specific bioink tailored for blood vessel formation. Elsewhere, studies have demonstrated functional brain tissue constructs with active neural networks, and Frontier Bio received a 2024 3DPI Award for developing lung-like tissue in vitro. Jeon et al.’s work builds on these efforts by integrating localized growth factor delivery into high cell-density bioinks, enabling the fabrication of multiphase tissues with fine spatial control and biological fidelity.By controlling the spatial presentation of bioactive cues within densely cellular environments, the platform holds promise for regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug screening. Future research will aim to enhance tissue maturation and incorporate vascularization to improve functionality and translational potential. What 3D printing trends should you watch out for in 2025? How is the future of 3D printing shaping up? Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to keep up with the latest 3D printing news.You can also follow us onLinkedIn and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry Youtube channel to access more exclusive content.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Amid continued development of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl as the studio works to meet the game’s massive 2025 roadmap plans, GSC Game World has announced the release date for the Stalker: Legends of the Zone Enhanced Edition. Coming to PC, Xbox and PlayStation, the newly upgraded version of the Stalker Trilogy will arrive on May 20, 2025. Owners of the previous versions of the game on all platforms will also receive a free upgrade to the new enhanced edition. The new version of the game will include a number of new graphical features, bug fixes and new optimisations as well as changes to make the game “more modern and immersive” for modern gamers. Of course, PC players will still have access to the original versions if they prefer it. “Several key areas have received updates to enhance the visual experience compared to the original games,” the developer explained. “These improvements include updated skyboxes, enhancements to GodRays and the overall lighting system, and refined surface reflections, including effects for wetness, improved 3D models for NPCs and guns. Furthermore, the textures have been upscaled and upgraded for greater detail. Additionally, some UI elements have been updated to improve usability on both PC and Consoles.” GSC explains that the new remasters do not alter or add any content to the Stalker Trilogy. However, Yes, various controls were changed and adjusted to be more in line with current game practices. “some QOL features have been added to enhance the overall player experience and usability” and broken quests have been patched. As for modding, the Stalker: Legends of the Zone Trilogy Enhanced Edition is not compatible with mods for the original games. Instead, mod makers will have to update their mods for the new version, but the games do feature Steam Workshop integration for users. “Existing mods are incompatible with the enhanced Legends of the Zone,” the developer said. “However, the mod community and stalkers who enjoy the modified Zone experience can still play modifications, as the original trilogy remains available in stores.” S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow Of Chernobyl Platform(s): PC Genre(s): Action, First Person, Shooter 8 VideoGamer Subscribe to our newsletters! By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime. Share

Minutes into my mission, I'm having second thoughts. Gunning down a dozen zombie-like enemies is a lot for a lowly office worker in the Federal Bureau of Control. At first, it's hard to have faith in my gear -- a backpack water jug with a cannon for drenching enemies. But then my fellow FBC squad mate (a secretary or middle manager, I forget which) uses his kit to zap all the soaked foes at once. With our third coworker slamming their wrench into anything that moves, we barely manage to fix up some broken fans before sprinting for the elevator as the doors close on the enemy horde.Welcome to FBC Firebreak. Media got a chance to play the game for a few hours in an online preview ahead of its release on June 17. Six in-game years after the events of Remedy Entertainment's seminal 2019 game Control, the FBC headquarters is still partially occupied by the otherworldly Hiss invaders. But the brave workforce of the FBC has stepped up, and as one of the agency's rangers or secretaries or middle managers, it's up to players to drive them out of the offices. FBC Firebeak is a departure for Remedy as its first game built to be multiplayer rather than its decades of single-player adventures. But the studio's newest title is a smaller-scope "AA" game, unlike the flagship AAA releases like Alan Wake II, Control and its other prior hits. However, Firebreak's $40 price tag (or $50 for the deluxe edition) that matches its more modest scope will be welcome to players reeling from the sticker shock of $80 games coming from Nintendo and Microsoft.In my preview, I could see how Remedy is attempting to blend its signature style of weird, funky gunplay into a multiplayer setting, and mostly succeeds. There's a lot of character to the world it's built, and players will likely enjoy taking on the role of supernatural emergency responders as a change of pace from the gunplay-heavy squad shooters they know. But diehard fans of the studio's storytelling-heavy approach will have to adjust to the new game's fast co-op pace.And they'll have to get used to its difficulty, because FBC Firebreak is hard.I'll give you an example: My two squad mates -- one of whom was CNET video editor Sean Booker --  and I dropped into one of the three missions available to us. We each picked a gun and one of three equipment backpacks, each offering unique tools that work best when combined -- a key way the game encourages teamwork. We set the mission to normal difficulty, and out we went. Remedy EntertainmentThe mission (or "job" in Firebreak talk) we chose was Paper Chase, wherein our squad is tasked with cleaning up a plague of supernatural Post-it notes. Like other areas of FBC headquarters, the offices we explored -- faithfully recreated with '60s shag rugs and retro decor from 2019's Control -- had been warped by the invading Hiss, making things even stranger. That meant we weren't just fighting Hiss-possessed FBC workers clawing and shooting at us -- we also had to gun down humanoid golems made of Post-its.Our third squad mate dropped out due to GPU compatibility issues, so our CNET twosome cleared out gobs of Post-its haunting the office floor, all while getting slammed with unending hordes of enemies. We ran out of bullets pretty quickly. My colleague Booker had a mechanic's kit with a mean wrench he could swing around -- it also let him repair gadgets scattered around the level faster. Meanwhile, my backpack water blaster did little more than stagger enemies, relying on a one-two combo with the shock kit carried by our now-dropped-out squad mate.With my weak melee and frequent deaths, Booker and I barely made it back to the elevator to finish the job. For the rest of our preview, we stuck to the easiest difficulty. The equipment kits, called Crisis Kits, come in three varieties (left to right): Jump Kit with shock area attacks, Fix Kit with a wrench and deployable turret and Splash Kit with a water cannon and healing humidifier. Remedy EntertainmentSquad up or die tryingTechnically, you can drop into a "job" all by your lonesome, but I wouldn't recommend it. They're built to be challenging for three people, and I can attest how it's a difficult enough experience with two, even on an easier setting. Four-person squads just weren't balanced, as Remedy developers previously told me, which made sense as I fought tooth-and-nail through narrow hallways, roomy offices and spacious mines that would've felt crowded with more than two other teammates.There are other tools at your disposal to take into jobs, like grenades, deployable equipment to use with your backpack kit and a rechargeable super ability (which we didn't get far enough along to tinker with) -- all gradually unlocked as you level up. Decked out in more gear, we stood a better chance of withstanding hordes of enemies. When I slammed down a jug filled by my water backpack that sprayed healing in a radius around it, we withstood waves of foes that had previously wiped us out.But we still weren't eager to tip the difficulty back up to normal, and how much players struggle may be a make-or-break point for Firebreak's player experience. It's a balance that could be tweaked in many ways before the game comes out in June, from enemy health and behavior to kit effectiveness and ammo availability. Remedy reinforced that the preview we saw was a work in progress, so I'd expect some tinkering to come, but the game walks a tricky line in encouraging (and borderline requiring) cooperation through its unique mechanics and tasks while allowing player flexibility -- after all, the strangers filling your online co-op squad will come in a variety of skill levels and attitudes.In its current state, getting swamped by wave after wave of Hiss while feeling my kit's inadequacy is a bit worrisome. The game shows promise with its unique setting, gameplay and niche in the multiplayer shooter space -- one that favors weirdness and intriguing mechanics over sweaty gunplay. Remedy EntertainmentCo-op in the Alan Wake universeAs the FBC Firebreak developers explained in our briefing before the preview, the game was designed with three core pillars. The most obvious of those was on display when we booted up the game: there should be as little standing between players booting up the game and getting to the action. No cutscenes, plot diversions or dense dialogue to get in the way of jumping into a job.That leads to the game's second pillar: every player gets the same content -- no progression roadblocks or paid DLC to split up a squad. For the $40 entry fee, players will get whatever the Firebreak developers introduce to the game -- which at the moment are two additional jobs coming sometime after the game's launch. This ties into one of my main annoyances during the preview: progression felt too slow to unlock enough items that made me feel effective in the field. It makes sense if Remedy wants a longer progression runway to keep players coming back -- for new equipment, better weapons and more cosmetics to outfit their Firebreak workers.The last pillar was the one I saw the least of -- mainly because we didn't see much of the game: that FBC Firebreak delivers action and moments found "only in Control." From the preview, this bore out in the reliance on kit equipment over guns -- even without my third squad mate following up with an electricity blast, I discovered my water gun could stagger enemies when charged up, leaving my other squad mate to batter them with his wrench. This mixes in a dose of absurdity with the frenetic terror of Hiss hordes. Remedy EntertainmentIn practice, FBC Firebreak feels like a mixture of Left 4 Dead and Ghostbusters, which is a fun and funky blend that shakes up the tired squad shooter genre. But its focus on quickly moving players in and out of jobs leaves little room for the kind of secret-hunting and lore-digging that defined past Remedy games. To that end, it's tough to imagine whether the studio's diehard fans will embrace Firebreak's loops running the same missions without heavy storytelling, let alone standout moments like Control's Ashtray Maze or Alan Wake II's We Sing musical sequence. Firebreak's developers previously told me they don't believe those memorable moments really fit in a multiplayer game, especially if it means forcing players to relive them repeatedly. They're probably right, but it means the new game will need to rely on emergent moments born from unpredictable, often ridiculous situations -- the kind of had-to-be-there memories that help a game stand out.With no more of FBC director Jesse Faden's story until Control 2, and no required story content in Firebreak, the new game seems poised to truly stand on its own. And without any detail on how Firebreak ties into the greater Remedyverse storyline shared across the studio's games, or how much lore it has tucked away waiting for players to discover, Firebreak will sink or swim based on how fun it is to run around as an office drone saving your workplace with wild gadgets and guns. A lot of that remains to be seen.  Watch this: I Attended the Public Nintendo Switch 2 Experience

John Edwards, Technology Journalist & AuthorMay 14, 20255 Min ReadNicoElNino via Alamy Stock PhotoWhen it comes to AI, yesterday's comprehensive skillset may already be obsolete. Considering AI's ultra-rapid evolution, it's now important to help team members understand and utilize the latest skills without disrupting their already heavy workloads. A mix of hands-on experience and guided learning is the best way to build AI skills, advises Justice Erolin, CTO at software outsourcing company BairesDev. "Traditional education isn't keeping up with the rapid evolution of AI, so microlearning and peer learning programs can be more effective than a university course on AI," he says in an email interview. You no longer need AI experts; you need people who know their way around AI, says Mike Loukides, a vice president at technology and business training firm O'Reilly Media. "With appropriate training, the types of people you need can be developed from the staff you already have," he explains in an online interview. "Look for data engineers -- people who know how to build data pipelines, who know how to analyze data." Keeping Pace The AI landscape changes monthly, observes David Brauchler, technical director and head of AI and ML at cybersecurity consultancy NCC Group. To stay up to date on the latest advances, engineering teams should establish a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration, he advises in an email interview. "AI improvement is a continual process, not one that occurs piecewise." Related:It's a continual process, Loukides says. "Even if you manage to hire the perfect team of outsiders, their skills will start to go out of date immediately," he observes. "Continuous learning was never more important than it is now." Dive into hands-on projects using pre-built examples with data and evaluation techniques that are readily accessible, recommends Vamsi Duvvuri, technology, media, and telecommunications leader at business advisory firm at EY Americas. "Collaborating with diverse teams across the organization during this stage is critical, especially folks from teams that typically do not work with each other," he explains in an online discussion. A mix of perspectives can reveal blind spots and spark ideas. Consider bringing in challenger hires or even exploring acquihires, Duvvuri suggests. "Bringing in new talent who aren’t entrenched in the status quo can disrupt traditional thinking and introduce fresh, unexpected approaches." Essential Skills New team members often challenge existing processes and help spark innovation, Duvvuri says. "In some cases, if you spot an innovative startup or a talented team, acquiring them -- or even doing an acquihire -- can rapidly inject cutting-edge expertise into your organization," he notes. "This isn't just about filling a gap, it's about shaking up the norm and accelerating learning." Related:Learning how to collaborate with AI is becoming a skill in itself, Erolin observes. "Beyond technical expertise, soft-skill development will help hone the ability to collaborate with AI." Critical thinking, problem-solving, and business knowledge are key to understanding when it makes sense to use AI. A handful of universal skills stand out, Erolin says. These include: Prompt engineering for working with generative AI models. AI model evaluation and fine-tuning to ensure that models align with business goals. AI governance and ethics, especially around bias, privacy, and explainability. MLOps skills to integrate AI into production reliably and at scale. Frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or LangChain. Avoiding Mistakes A trap many IT leaders fall into is treating AI training as a one-off event, such as holding a single course or workshop. "If you skip the continuous cycle of learning, reflection, and even disruptive talent acquisition, you risk becoming stagnant and falling behind," Duvvuri warns. "In contrast, a culture that embraces ongoing education, diverse team dynamics, and bold moves, like challenger hires, fosters innovation and resilience." Related:Application architects and developers should consider the intricacies AI introduces to application threat models and skill-up in low-sensitivity environments, Brauchler suggests. "For example, AI presents new concerns related to data risk, including its inability to reliably distinguish between trusted and untrusted content," he says. "Consequently, application designers need to consider new risks that they might not be used to addressing in traditional software stacks." A Final Thought The companies that thrive in the AI era won't be the ones with the fanciest models, but the ones with the most adaptable teams, Erolin says. "The real differentiator is your people's ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn fast." At BairesDev, we've built our success around that belief, Erolin states. "We scale AI talent globally, but we also help our partners build internal cultures that keep pace with innovation. In this space, the only real risk is standing still."About the AuthorJohn EdwardsTechnology Journalist & AuthorJohn Edwards is a veteran business technology journalist. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous business and technology publications, including Computerworld, CFO Magazine, IBM Data Management Magazine, RFID Journal, and Electronic Design. He has also written columns for The Economist's Business Intelligence Unit and PricewaterhouseCoopers' Communications Direct. John has authored several books on business technology topics. His work began appearing online as early as 1983. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, he wrote daily news and feature articles for both the CompuServe and Prodigy online services. His "Behind the Screens" commentaries made him the world's first known professional blogger.See more from John EdwardsWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like

May 14, 2025Ravie LakshmananCyber Espionage / Malware A cyber espionage group known as Earth Ammit has been linked to two related but distinct campaigns from 2023 to 2024 targeting various entities in Taiwan and South Korea, including military, satellite, heavy industry, media, technology, software services, and healthcare sectors. Cybersecurity firm Trend Micro said the first wave, codenamed VENOM, mainly targeted software service providers, while the second wave, referred to as TIDRONE, singled out the military industry. Earth Ammit is assessed to be connected to Chinese-speaking nation-state groups. "In its VENOM campaign, Earth Ammit's approach involved penetrating the upstream segment of the drone supply chain," security researchers Pierre Lee, Vickie Su, and Philip Chen said. "Earth Ammit's long-term goal is to compromise trusted networks via supply chain attacks, allowing them to target high-value entities downstream and amplify their reach." The TIDRONE campaign was first exposed by Trend Micro last year, detailing the cluster's attacks on drone manufacturers in Taiwan to deliver custom malware such as CXCLNT and CLNTEND. A subsequent report from AhnLab in December 2024 detailed the use of CLNTEND against South Korean companies. The attacks are noteworthy for targeting the drone supply chain, leveraging enterprise resource planning (ERP) software to breach the military and satellite industries. Select incidents have also involved the use of trusted communication channels – such as remote monitoring or IT management tools – to distribute the malicious payloads. The VENOM campaign, per Trend Micro, is characterized by the exploitation of web server vulnerabilities to drop web shells, and then weaponize the access to install remote access tools (RAT) for persistent access to the compromised hosts. The use of open-source tools like REVSOCK and Sliver in the attacks is seen as a deliberate attempt to cloud attribution efforts. The only bespoke malware observed in the VENOM campaign is VENFRPC, a customized version of FRPC, which, in itself, is a modified version of the open-source fast reverse proxy (FRP) tool. The end goal of the campaign is to harvest credentials from the breached environments and use the stolen information as a stepping stone to inform the next phase, TIDRONE, aimed at downstream customers. The TIDRONE campaign is spread over three stages - Initial access, which mirrors the VENOM campaign by targeting service providers to inject malicious code and distribute malware to downstream customers Command-and-control, which makes use of a DLL loader to drop CXCLNT and CLNTEND backdoors Post-exploitation, which involves setting up persistence, escalating privileges, disabling antivirus software using TrueSightKiller, and installing a screenshot-capturing tool dubbed SCREENCAP using CLNTEND "CXCLNT's core functionality is dependent on a modular plugin system. Upon execution, it retrieves additional plugins from its C&C server to extend its capabilities dynamically," Trend Micro said. "This architecture not only obscures the backdoor's true purpose during static analysis but also enables flexible, on-demand operations based on the attacker's objectives." CXCLNT is said to have been put to use in attacks since at least 2022. CLNTEND, first detected in 2024, is its successor and comes with an expanded set of features to sidestep detection. The connection between VENOM and TIDRONE stems from shared victims and service providers and overlapping command-and-control infrastructure, indicating that a common threat actor is behind both campaigns. Trend Micro said the hacking crew's tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) resemble those used by another Chinese nation-state hacking group tracked as Dalbit (aka m00nlight), suggestive of a shared toolkit. "This progression underscores a deliberate strategy: start broad with low-cost, low-risk tools to establish access, then pivot to tailored capabilities for more targeted and impactful intrusions," the researchers said. "Understanding this operational pattern will be critical in predicting and defending against future threats from this actor." Japan and Taiwan Targeted by Swan Vector The disclosure comes as Seqrite Labs disclosed details of a cyber espionage campaign dubbed Swan Vector that has targeted educational institutes and the mechanical engineering industry in Taiwan and Japan with fake resume lures distributed via spear-phishing emails to deliver a DLL implant called Pterois, which is then used to download the Cobalt Strike shellcode. Pterois is also engineered to download from Google Drive another malware referred to as Isurus that's then responsible for executing the Cobalt Strike post-exploitation framework. The campaign has been attributed to an East Asian threat actor with medium confidence. "The threat actor is based out of East Asia and has been active since December 2024 targeting multiple hiring-based entities across Taiwan and Japan," security researcher Subhajeet Singha said. "The threat actor relies on custom development of implants comprising of downloader, shellcode-loaders, and Cobalt Strike as their key tools with heavily relying on multiple evasion techniques like API hashing, direct-syscalls, function callback, DLL side-loading, and self-deletion to avoid leaving any sort of traces on the target machine." Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter  and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post. SHARE    

The world is a better place with more creators in it, and this roundup is proof. Keep reading to discover the latest news about games made with Unity and find out how the community is using Unity.April saw no short of activity from games created with Unity.To start, Free Lives brought some fresh air with Terra Nil’s release, and Endnight Games’s terrifying Sons of the Forestearly access launch has us hungry for the full release. Next, Riot Forge launched the highly anticipated The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story, and Sankari Studios released KATOA, a game leading to real-world ocean conservation efforts, for Earth Day.Rounding out creator milestones for the month were RavazSydney, who put out the official announcement for The Explorator, and Black Salt Games’s fishing horror DREDGE, which was released to rave reviews. Finally, a whole new batch of mystery cases came to players’ doors with ColePowered Games’s early access launch of Shadows of Doubt.On our end, we were thrilled to announce the 2023 Unity for Humanity Grant winners this month. We were also honored to have been chosen as “best” in three categories at this year’s PocketGamer awards.We share new game releases and milestone spotlights every Monday on the @UnityGames Twitter account. Be sure to give us a follow and support your fellow creators.Keeping the fun going, April showers bring… #UnityTips! Tuesdays are always dedicated to tips on Twitter, and last month was no exception. One great resource that was shared was @alexandermeye’s huge water shader tutorial (see below).Some additional highlights included @SunnyVStudio’s super useful tip to convert Screen space to World space, and @NickyBoccuzzi’s takeover of the @UnityGames Twitter to share some animation tips.Keep tagging us and using the #UnityTips hashtag to share your expertise with the community.We continue to be stunned by what Unity creators make week to week, and you certainly kept the amazing projects coming in April. If we missed something that you shared, be sure to use the #MadeWithUnity hashtag next time.On Twitter, @TinyDodoGames had a nice technique to keep the monsters at bay (see above), and @pointnsheep got us in the mood for a sword fight. We also took a peaceful vacation on @OneiraGames’s colorful coral island.On Instagram, @MajorMcDoom displayed some adorable penguin VR, and @Cyanilux showed us how to add milk to our tea. We also got to practice our mid-air combos with @DivineStudi0s and @DevFatigued had us jumping around.We’re so excited to continue the #MadeWithUnity love, so keep adding the hashtag to your posts to show us what you’ve been up to.Coming out of GDC, April was all about playing and making games on Twitch. To start, we kicked off a Scope Check Let’s Dev series – catch parts one, two, and three in the archives now. Next came a Let’s Play session with ColePowered Games’s just-released Shadows of Doubt (see above).Don’t forget to follow us on Twitch and hit the notification bell so you never miss a stream.Did you know that the Unity Asset Store has an Affiliate program? If you’re a content creator and love talking about assets, you might be a great fit. Check out this video from YouTube’s @samyam and learn how you can make income from the Asset Store without creating assets.Taking things to social media, here’s a roundup of some of our favorite creator showcases from Twitter in April:Sim-Cade Vehicle Physics | Ash DevSuper Chick | SURIYUNDon’t forget to tag the @AssetStore Twitter account and use the #AssetStore hashtag when posting your latest creations. And keep your eyes peeled for upcoming sales (hint: this month).Last but not least, here’s a non-exhaustive list of Made with Unity titles released in April. If you see any on the list that have already become favorites or think we’ve missed a title, share your thoughts in the forums.Wall World, Alawar Premium (April 5)MINDHACK, VODKAdemo? (April 5 – early access)Curse of the Sea Rats, Petoons Studio (April 6)The Voidness – Lidar Horror Survival Game, Steelkrill Studio (April 6 – early access)Blocky Dungeon, SquareAnon (April 6)Cynthia: Hidden in the Moonshadow, Catthia Games (April 10)Soundodger 2, Studio Bean (April 10)TRON: Identity, Bithell Games (April 11)Fabledom, Grenaa Games (April 13 – early access)Hunt the Night, Moonlight Games (April 13)MEATGRINDER, Vampire Squid (April 13)Trinity Fusion, Angry Mob Games (April 13 – early access)Beyond the Long Night, Noisy Head Games (April 17)Disney Speedstorm, Gameloft (April 18 – early access)The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story™, Digital Sun (April 18)KATOA, Sankari Studios (April 22)Shadows of Doubt, ColePowered Games (April 24 – early access)Re:Fresh, Merge Conflict (April 24)The Last Case of Benedict Fox, Plot Twist (April 27)Unboxing the Cryptic Killer, Eleven Puzzles (April 27)If you’re creating with Unity and don’t see your project on the list, submit it here for the chance to be featured.That’s a wrap for April! Want more community news as it happens? Don’t forget to follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitch.

Marketing AssistantGameloftMadrid MD es2 hours agoApplyJob DescriptionMain Responsibilities:Serve as link between product development teams and Country Managers, creating content and product presentations aimed at winning RFPs (Request for Proposals).Enhance the visibility of Gameloft Business Solutions as a brand through PR strategies, external and internal communication efforts.Coordinate and organize internal workshops, product presentations, and promote positive relationships among internal teams.Provide support in the creation of presentations, dossiers, and other communication materials required by different stakeholders/teams.Networking opportunities: Connect with other industry leaders and partners who can drive meaningful collaborations and business growth.QualificationsRequirements:Previous experience in marketing, communication, or similar roles.Strong writing and content creation skills.Ability to effectively manage multiple projects with diverse teams.Knowledge of graphic design and presentation tools (Adobe, Canva, Office 365, Looker Studio...)Proficiency in AI tools is a requirement.Fluent in spoken and written English.Additional InformationWhy Join the World of Gameloft?Because you want to be part of an exceptional experience within a company that is constantly growing!Because you want to work with talented people who are industry pioneers!Because you want to be part of an international environment with daily contact with other countries & cultures!Or, just because you’re looking for a great place to work!Benefits:Permanent contract, full-time job with excellent Social Benefits.25 vacation days per yearPrivate medical health insuranceFlexible compensation with Ticket Restaurant CardFree language coursesFree afternoon on your birthday!Merit based salary progression system and a competitive initial salary package.Career-development opportunities.Excellent local working conditions.We can’t wait to find our next great talent!Please note that only selected candidates will be contacted and your CV will be saved in our files for a period of 6 months.Want to know more? Please visit our Website: https://www.gameloft.com/business-solutionsIf the offer interests you, Join the Game!Company DescriptionGameloft the publishing company behind the mobile gaming hits Despicable Me: Minion Rush and Asphalt 9: Legends is looking for a Marketing Assistant to join the team.About Gameloft Business SolutionsGameloft Business Solutions, a part of Vivendi, has been a leading innovator in the digital entertainment industry since 2000. Gameloft Business Solutions partners with global carriers and industry leaders to offer a wide range of services including cloud gaming, video on demand, games stores and custom-branded entertainment solutions. Our extensive gaming catalog features over 1000 games, including exclusive titles and popular licensed IPs such as Disney, Pixar, and Marvel. We are dedicated to driving engagement and revenue for our partners through innovative solutions that help delivering entertaining digital content to users worldwide. All trademarks referenced above are owned by their respective trademark owners.Create Your Profile — Game companies can contact you with their relevant job openings. Apply