Navigating the dense urban canyons of cities like San Francisco or New York can be a nightmare for GPS systems. The towering skyscrapers block and reflect satellite signals, leading to location errors of tens of meters. For you and me, that might mean a missed turn. But for an autonomous vehicle or a delivery robot, that level of imprecision is the difference between a successful mission and a costly failure. These machines require pinpoint accuracy to operate safely and efficiently. Addressing this critical challenge, researchers from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland have introduced a groundbreaking new method for visual localization during CVPR 2025 Their new paper, “FG2: Fine-Grained Cross-View Localization by Fine-Grained Feature Matching,” presents a novel AI model that significantly enhances the ability of a ground-level system, like an autonomous car, to determine its exact position and orientation using only a camera and a corresponding aerial (or satellite) image. The new approach has demonstrated a remarkable 28% reduction in mean localization error compared to the previous state-of-the-art on a challenging public dataset. Key Takeaways: Superior Accuracy: The FG2 model reduces the average localization error by a significant 28% on the VIGOR cross-area test set, a challenging benchmark for this task. Human-like Intuition: Instead of relying on abstract descriptors, the model mimics human reasoning by matching fine-grained, semantically consistent features—like curbs, crosswalks, and buildings—between a ground-level photo and an aerial map. Enhanced Interpretability: The method allows researchers to “see” what the AI is “thinking” by visualizing exactly which features in the ground and aerial images are being matched, a major step forward from previous “black box” models. Weakly Supervised Learning: Remarkably, the model learns these complex and consistent feature matches without any direct labels for correspondences. It achieves this using only the final camera pose as a supervisory signal. Challenge: Seeing the World from Two Different Angles The core problem of cross-view localization is the dramatic difference in perspective between a street-level camera and an overhead satellite view. A building facade seen from the ground looks completely different from its rooftop signature in an aerial image. Existing methods have struggled with this. Some create a general “descriptor” for the entire scene, but this is an abstract approach that doesn’t mirror how humans naturally localize themselves by spotting specific landmarks. Other methods transform the ground image into a Bird’s-Eye-View (BEV) but are often limited to the ground plane, ignoring crucial vertical structures like buildings. FG2: Matching Fine-Grained Features The EPFL team’s FG2 method introduces a more intuitive and effective process. It aligns two sets of points: one generated from the ground-level image and another sampled from the aerial map. Here’s a breakdown of their innovative pipeline: Mapping to 3D: The process begins by taking the features from the ground-level image and lifting them into a 3D point cloud centered around the camera. This creates a 3D representation of the immediate environment. Smart Pooling to BEV: This is where the magic happens. Instead of simply flattening the 3D data, the model learns to intelligently select the most important features along the vertical (height) dimension for each point. It essentially asks, “For this spot on the map, is the ground-level road marking more important, or is the edge of that building’s roof the better landmark?” This selection process is crucial, as it allows the model to correctly associate features like building facades with their corresponding rooftops in the aerial view. Feature Matching and Pose Estimation: Once both the ground and aerial views are represented as 2D point planes with rich feature descriptors, the model computes the similarity between them. It then samples a sparse set of the most confident matches and uses a classic geometric algorithm called Procrustes alignment to calculate the precise 3-DoF (x, y, and yaw) pose. Unprecedented Performance and Interpretability The results speak for themselves. On the challenging VIGOR dataset, which includes images from different cities in its cross-area test, FG2 reduced the mean localization error by 28% compared to the previous best method. It also demonstrated superior generalization capabilities on the KITTI dataset, a staple in autonomous driving research. Perhaps more importantly, the FG2 model offers a new level of transparency. By visualizing the matched points, the researchers showed that the model learns semantically consistent correspondences without being explicitly told to. For example, the system correctly matches zebra crossings, road markings, and even building facades in the ground view to their corresponding locations on the aerial map. This interpretability is extremenly valuable for building trust in safety-critical autonomous systems. “A Clearer Path” for Autonomous Navigation The FG2 method represents a significant leap forward in fine-grained visual localization. By developing a model that intelligently selects and matches features in a way that mirrors human intuition, the EPFL researchers have not only shattered previous accuracy records but also made the decision-making process of the AI more interpretable. This work paves the way for more robust and reliable navigation systems for autonomous vehicles, drones, and robots, bringing us one step closer to a future where machines can confidently navigate our world, even when GPS fails them. Check out the Paper. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also, feel free to follow us on Twitter and don’t forget to join our 100k+ ML SubReddit and Subscribe to our Newsletter. Jean-marc MommessinJean-marc is a successful AI business executive .He leads and accelerates growth for AI powered solutions and started a computer vision company in 2006. He is a recognized speaker at AI conferences and has an MBA from Stanford.Jean-marc Mommessinhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/jean-marc0000677/AI-Generated Ad Created with Google’s Veo3 Airs During NBA Finals, Slashing Production Costs by 95%Jean-marc Mommessinhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/jean-marc0000677/Highlighted at CVPR 2025: Google DeepMind’s ‘Motion Prompting’ Paper Unlocks Granular Video ControlJean-marc Mommessinhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/jean-marc0000677/Snowflake Charts New AI Territory: Cortex AISQL & Snowflake Intelligence Poised to Reshape Data AnalyticsJean-marc Mommessinhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/jean-marc0000677/Exclusive Talk: Joey Conway of NVIDIA on Llama Nemotron Ultra and Open Source Models

From garage apartments and carriage houses to backyard guest suites and stand-alone home offices, ADUs are one of the most ingenious ways to maximize your property's available space—and your home's property value. Also known as an accessory dwelling unit, these outbuildings aren't a new concept, but they are becoming more prevalent, thanks to an ultra-competitive housing market. As multigenerational living has become increasingly popular among Americans and home prices continue to rise, more homeowners are looking to expand their homes' footprint with additional living spaces, whether for personal or investment purposes. Accessory dwelling units are essentially your everyday tiny homes. However, unlike tiny home floor plans, ADUs can be attached to a single-family house, depending on the type.As ADUs have become more popular, it only makes sense that interior designers are taking on more projects involving the structures. Whether you're interested in putting in an ADU or want to renovate the current one you have, keep reading to hear from two experts on what's trending in interiors for these unique living units.Related StoriesWhat is an ADU?Joey Puterbaugh and Kristian Alveo for KebonyDesigner Kim Lewis looked to the outdoors when designing this ADU, where the living room opens up to a large patio. An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is an independent, secondary housing unit that resides on a single-family lot. This is not your backyard shed or detached garage—but it could be. There are a few types of ADUs, but they all mainly fall into these three categories: detached, internal, and attached, according to the American Planning Association (APA). A backyard shed or detached garage that's been converted into an ADU falls into the detached category. However, a detached ADU can be a new construction, too. It just needs to be able to stand alone.An internal ADU is a converted portion of an existing home. Think of a basement apartment or a different floor of a home that's been converted into an additional independent living space.Additions to new or existing homes fall under the category of attached ADUs. These share at least one wall with the single-family home, and are also sometimes called "bump-out" ADUs. What Are ADUs Used For?When someone talks about an in-law suite or an attached Airbnb, they're likely talking about an ADU. “Home office and mother-in-law suites are still the main requests and purposes,” Kim Lewis of Kim Lewis Designs says. She's worked on a handful of ADU projects in the past, so the designer is familiar with these additions. A lot of times, homeowners who add on an ADU are doing so to expand their square footage, both for themselves or family members. Lewis explains that multigenerational living is on the rise in the United States, which is why ADUs are becoming more popular. Kori Sassower, principal agent at The Kori Sassower Team, agrees, adding, “Whether it is an aging parent or a 20-something-year-old child looking to save some money, the flexibility of an ADU has become paramount. We have a housing shortage, taxes are increasing, and ADUs are a very good, safe choice as a home improvement.”However, some homeowners are using ADUs as investment opportunities. “Depending on the area, some clients see this as an investment opportunity; utilizing the asset as a short-term rental where property restrictions allow for it,” Lewis explains. As the market for ADUs increases, Lewis predicts that there will be more legislation introduced that allows these home additions in certain jurisdictions. We have a housing shortage, taxes are increasing, ADUs are a very good, safe choice as a home improvement. ADU Trends Experts Are SeeingWhen it comes to the interiors of ADUs, they tend to follow the trends we're seeing in single-family homes. Joy-filled design, unique features, bold paint colors—they're not basic white boxes. Below, find the six biggest trends experts are seeing in ADUs. Architectural Leaps“ADUs are taking more interesting shapes in architecture,” Lewis says. As 3D printed homes become more popular, Lewis predicts that we'll see more curves in architecture with ADUs, like barrel roofs, radius rooflines, and rounded corners on decking. In a market heavily saturated with boxy, square, tiny homes, she's expecting more progressive architecture with the use of large glass walls to bring the outdoors in. Bold AppliancesChase Daniel"I love how we embraced a darker, moody palette, even though the rooms were small," Lewis says of this ADU.Colorful appliances are trending in every type of home right now, and they're not exclusive to large kitchens. Lewis says that small spaces can pack a big punch when it comes to color, and she's seeing more of that in the ADUs (and traditional interiors) she's designing. “I love a dark burgundy cabinet right now,” she adds.Vast Outdoor SpacesJoey Puterbaugh and Kristian Alveo for KebonyThe outdoor space in this ADU by Lewis would make anyone jealous. Large, open outdoor spaces are very common with ADUs, since the living quarters are smaller than those of an average single-family home. “Large decking can be used to create a more useful footprint around the perimeter of the ADU, tying the accessory space to the main home,” Lewis says. “A desire for nature, sustainable living, and more farming at home might point us to more gardening trends with ADUs.” Wellness RetreatsSassower is seeing more ADUs pop up with a focus on wellness rather than actual living. Personal spas, specifically, have been very popular as the weather gets warmer. Sports CenteredSimilar to basement or garage home gyms, ADUs can be used for more athletic purposes, too, says Sassower. She's seen everything from golf simulators and mini basketball courts to interiors that nod to a ski lodge.Personality-Based DesignThe living room of an ADU renovation that Lewis completed in Fredericksburg, TX, features a dark, moody palette. Deep olive green walls and a matching couch make the space feel sophisticated yet warm. Chase DanielThe powder room in the same Texas ADU by Lewis is a true jewel box space, with a standout fluted stone sink.Chase DanielLike regular interior trends, ADU trends have been leaning towards design with more character. “I'm looking forward to using more limewash and Venetian plasters, and I'm always here for a funky tile to add character,” Lewis says.Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

Attendees at a screening for ReelShort's "Wings Of Fire." Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for ReelShort 2025-06-03T08:42:01Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Mini-drama apps have grabbed Hollywood's attention as they've gained popularity in the US. The apps offer bite-sized, mobile-friendly episodes that people are paying to watch. They could be a low-cost alternative to traditional shows for Hollywood giants. Mini-drama apps made popular in Asia are surging in the US — and Hollywood is taking notice.These apps are best known for their soapy melodramas featuring princes, werewolves, and more, which are presented in bite-sized vertical episodes and meant for mobile phones. China-backed ReelShort is the most prominent purveyor of these, with typical titles like "The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband." Another top player is DramaBox.Hollywood has been trying to figure out how it can capitalize on the mini-drama craze, and studios like Lionsgate have been evaluating opportunities in the space."I get an overwhelming number of questions about this topic every week," said David Freeman, head of digital media at CAA. "Talent is actively exploring the space, creators are drawn to it due to the low cost of content production, and major companies are evaluating their strategic approach."Freeman said some key questions were which categories work well and whether the format could be expanded to the unscripted realm."In time, I anticipate that Netflix will find a way to successfully integrate vertical video and potentially make it part of their strategy to engage Gen Z audiences," he continued.As TV and streaming giants spend more money on sports at the expense of traditional TV and film, producers, studios, and other players are casting around for other entertainment markets and ways to serve audiences on the cheap.Social-media stars have already been getting a second look from Hollywood. And now, so are mini-dramas. Industry players said they'd taken note of the marketing on TikTok that the mini-drama apps are throwing behind their stars.App tracker Appfigures counts 215 short drama apps in the US and estimated US spending on them more than doubled in the past 12 months, to more than $100 million a month in gross revenue. Still from "Breaking the Ice" on ReelShort. ReelShort Hollywood is curious about mini-dramasAgents and others told Business Insider that while Hollywood is buzzing about mini-dramas, companies are generally still in the initial stages of exploring the format. One traditional player that's making concrete moves in the space is TelevisaUnivision. It's planning to debut 40 telenovela-style minidramas on ViX, its streaming platform, and intends to expand to other genres like docs and comedy.Others are at least mini-drama curious. Lionsgate, for one, has been in the early stages of exploring the format, a person familiar with the studio's plans said. Hallmark is another studio that's discussed the format internally, a person familiar with the company's thinking said.Select Management Group, an influencer talent management firm, is looking for mini-drama actors to sign, primarily those prominent on ReelShort.Select's Scott Fisher said verticals have "become another place you find talent," much like YouTube birthed digital stars like MrBeast and Emma Chamberlain.People have questionsDespite Hollywood's interest, it's unclear how these vertical dramas could fit into the traditional film and TV system, which emphasizes high production values and guild-protected talent.And people in Hollywood told BI they had plenty of questions.Here are a few:These mini-dramas often fall below the budget threshold that would trigger certain rules from the Hollywood guilds. But how can legacy companies take advantage of these productions' low costs without alienating the guilds and their members?Soapy melodramas are the most popular form of vertical series, but are they extendable to other genres such as reality TV, docs, and true crime? A+E Global Networks is taking the unscripted route, launching a slate of original series for mobile around its History brand in an effort to reach young viewers.Can they make real money? The appeal is that they're cheap to make, but how big of a business can they be? And what's the right mix of revenue between ads and viewer payments? ReelShort parent Crazy Maple Studio's founder Joey Jia said last year that viewers typically paid $5 to $10 a week.How should they distribute them? TelevisaUnivision has its own platforms to post such shows. But production companies that don't have their own distribution arms could use the likes of TikTok or YouTube and share the revenue with the platform.Are these dramas too far out of Hollywood's comfort zone for it to get right? Hollywood insiders remember how Quibi, Jeffrey Katzenberg's idea to make quick-bite shows, went down in ignominy. The big difference is that Quibi's episodes were more highly produced than today's vertical dramas and didn't employ a "freemium," pay-as-you-go model.'It's just a matter of time' Paramount's "Mean Girls" experiment on TikTok bore some resemblance to mini-dramas. Paramount Pictures Some media insiders think it's inevitable that big streamers and studios will at least test the format's potential.They've already shown some willingness to play with different formats and distribution platforms. For example, Paramount put "Mean Girls" on TikTok in 23 segments lasting one to 10 minutes. And YouTube and Amazon's Prime Video could make sense as distributors because they're already set up as platforms that allow people to rent or buy individual movies or shows."There's just a question of how far are they going to stray from doing what they normally do," Fisher said of the Hollywood players.Industry analyst Evan Shapiro sees mini, vertical-shot dramas as "toilet television," something made for watching on mobile phones and fitting the scrolling mentality. He added that he believes the format is a natural way for companies to incubate shows for TV."It's just a matter of time before you see a drama from one of these players and a fast follow into other formats," Shapiro said. "The big question is, how do we monetize that. But if it takes off, it converts to a premium, wide-screen format for TV."Geoff Weiss contributed reporting.

News TED Travel TED Partners with Academic Travel Abroad to launch TED-branded travel program Posted by: TED Staff May 27, 2025 at 9:00 am EDT TED is proud to announce a new licensing partnership with Academic Travel Abroad, the premier provider of educational travel experiences. This collaboration will introduce the TED Travel program, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to transform travel into an immersive, educational journey. Aligning with TED’s broader 2025 initiative, “Where Curiosity Meets Community,” this partnership reinforces TED’s commitment to fostering lifelong learning through innovative and accessible formats.  Launching in 2026, the TED Travel program will offer a curated portfolio of annual trips, providing lifelong learners with unparalleled access to world-renowned experts, exclusive TED-style discussions, and cultural experiences that embody TED’s mission of “Ideas change everything.” Joey Katona, Senior Director, Sales at TED, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “TED spreads ideas that spark curiosity, learning and conversations. By partnering with Academic Travel Abroad, we look forward to bringing the desire for meaningful exploration and connection to the world of travel with unique destinations, themes and hosts.” Kate Simpson, President of Academic Travel Abroad, noted, “It is such an honor to collaborate with TED, an organization that has revolutionized how we share ideas, learn and connect across cultures. The TED Travel offering will reflect this ethos in a compelling way by pairing expert TED speakers with themed trips and engaging with TED communities around the globe.”  As a leader in the educational travel space, Academic Travel Abroad was selected for its expertise in crafting high-quality learning experiences that inspire and engage. The program will leverage TED’s global network of thought leaders, expert speakers and passionate communities, making each trip an enriching exploration of ideas in real-world settings.  Trips will be available for booking through TED’s official travel website, ted.com/travel, with pricing based on trip specifics at the time of launch. The partnership was brokered by Beanstalk, TED’s exclusive global licensing agency. TED Travel

Imagine traveling internationally without middle seats, popping ears, or TSA checkpoints. Imagine bringing four suitcases for free, and picture ever-changing views out the window throughout the journey.That's the reality on the Amtrak Cascades train, which runs through the Pacific Northwest and has coach and business-class seating.I recently rode it from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Seattle. My $50 train coach experience was far more enjoyable than any basic economy flight I've booked — and it turned out to be cheaper than airfare. My ticket to ride the Amtrak train from Vancouver to Seattle was less than half the price of flying. The reporter booked a coach-class ticket. Joey Hadden/Business Insider When I planned my trip from Vancouver to Seattle, I looked at train and flight prices. About a month before my trip, basic economy airfare was about $150 on airlines like Delta and United, among others. So I was shocked when I saw that an Amtrak train cost only $50 in coach.Sure, it was four hours long, compared to the roughly one-hour flight time, but I love trains. And since sustainability experts say traveling by train is more sustainable than flying, especially for short distances, I was certain of my decision to go with Amtrak. I arrived at Pacific Central Station at 5:45 a.m. for my 7 a.m. train to Seattle. Pacific Central Station is seen on a spring morning. Joey Hadden/Business Insider An email from Amtrak suggested arriving at least one hour before departure since we were crossing the US-Canada border during the trip.I filled out a customs declaration form inside the station and stood in the coach line to board after business-class passengers. Before getting to the platform, there was a brief customs stop, but no security checkpoints like you'd find in an airport. Before boarding, I dropped off my free checked bag at the back of the train. Passengers bring checked bags to the back of the train. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Coach cars were toward the front of the train, but a crew member directed me to the back first to drop off my checked bag.According to Amtrak Cascades, each passenger can check up to two bags at no charge and two more for $20 each.Passengers can also bring one personal item and two carry-on bags in the train car, as overhead bin space and a luggage rack are inside each.To recap, that's up to four suitcases for free — more than I've ever experienced on a flight.I had just one suitcase and a backpack, but this could save a lot for a traveling family or a heavy packer. Seating in the coach cars was first-come, first-served, and there were no middle seats. Inside a coach car on an Amtrak train. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Two sets of two seats were on either side of the train, so no one would get stuck in the middle.I grabbed a seat in an empty row and had the entire ride to myself. The seats felt larger and more comfortable than economy flight seats. The reporter's backpack in an empty row of seats. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I settled into my seat at 6:35 a.m., and the train departed right on time. I immediately noticed the seats were bigger and cushier than any basic economy flight seats I've experienced. I also had more legroom than I've had on most flights.The seats reclined and had power outlets, overhead reading lights, and tray tables. The bathrooms were more than twice the size of any I've seen on a plane. Inside the train bathroom. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Each car had two restrooms. Unlike on a plane, where there is only enough floor space for my two feet, these bathrooms were large enough for me to move around in.There were also two power outlets. I imagined travelers could comfortably conduct their morning routines in there, from brushing their teeth to doing their hair. After departure, I headed to the café car. Snacks were behind the counter in the café car. Joey Hadden/Business Insider By the time we departed, I'd already been awake for over two hours. So I was more than ready for breakfast.Unlike on a flight, no attendants passed by offering free snacks and beverages. Instead, Amtrak trains have a café car selling various snacks, from chips and candy to muffins and cookies. They also had salads and microwaved meals like breakfast sandwiches and Cup Noodles. For $8, I got a breakfast sandwich and a bottle of water. The reporter ate breakfast at her seat. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I brought my meal back to my seat and used the tray table in front of me.I wasn't expecting my microwaved sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich to be very tasty, but it wasn't too bad for a meal heated up in a sealed plastic bag. It didn't taste as good as the breakfast sandwiches I've had in Amtrak's dining cars on overnight trains, but it filled me up and was more satisfying than any meal I've had in the air. Once I fueled up, I stared out the window at the passing views through British Columbia. Views of British Columbia from the rails. Joey Hadden/Business Insider Even as a frequent flyer, I still find the views from an airplane when ascending and descending pretty surreal. But the view doesn't change once in the air, save for sunsets, sunrises, and passing clouds.That's not the case on a train. Instead, passengers see change through rural towns, cities, and natural environments throughout their journey.I love getting a glimpse of these in-between places. Seeing farms, shorelines, and clusters of houses in British Columbia made me ponder what it would be like to live in the Canadian province. Once we hit the border, the train stopped for about 30 minutes. The train stops at the US border. Joey Hadden/Business Insider During the half-hour the train was stopped at the US border, passengers weren't allowed to use the café car or bathrooms, and patrol agents boarded to check passports and take a declaration form filled out at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver. They also asked international passengers about where they were going, why they were going there, and how long they planned to stay. I spent the rest of the journey working on my laptop, thanks to free WiFi. The reporter used WiFI on the Amtrak train. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I had access to complimentary WiFi throughout the journey. And since my trip was three hours longer than a flight would have been, I appreciated being able to use the time productively. The train arrived on time at 11:40 a.m. Inside King Street Station in Seattle. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I headed into Seattle's King Street Station to the baggage claim belt and waited about 10 minutes for my suitcase to arrive.Even though the train trip was longer than a flight, it was much less stressful than air travel. The ease of navigating a train station compared to an airport, a more comfortable seat, and a lower price point made it worth the long-haul ride.

TheDanimal победитель победитель куриный ужин Member Oct 25, 2017 878 The year is 2025, you've finally made it as a journalist for your favorite gaming outlet. It's time for your first big review for a game, Split Fiction by Hazelight Studios. Sweet! you think to yourself I loved A Way Out and It Takes Two, I bet my partner will love to play this game with me! Heck, it might even make for a fun review! And then you started playing the game. With writing straight out of your favorite director's least favorite movie and gameplay from your least favorite Mario Party game, Split Fiction makes sure to waste your time in all the wrong ways. Starting to enjoy a gameplay mechanic? Too bad, you only get to do it once. Hate a mechanic? Great news, you have to roll an egg down a hill for the next 30 minutes. It's 12 hours before the review is due, and you're sitting on a 6/10 score. You've read the thoughts of your other journalist friends, and they seem to agree with you. The game seems fine, nothing great, nothing terrible. Your partner walks in and asks if they can read your review. Partner: Wait, a 6/10?? I thought we had a great time playing this game!? You, trying to salvage the situation: I'm so glad we played it together, but I really only liked the pig side story, the centipede section, and the ending section had a cool theme! I wish the whole game had been like that... Partner: But you were laughing! You know how much I don't like to play video games, and I had a great time playing this video game! Mio and Zoe were so relatable and fun. You: Babe, they had the most formulaic arcs I've ever consumed in media. They were neither relatable nor fun. Partner: ... You: ... You: Ok, how about an 8/10? Four days later, the embargo drops You: 90??????????  Zips Member Oct 25, 2017 4,058 What? No seriously... what?  RoastBeeph Member Oct 29, 2017 1,157 Wtf thread is this? I'm confused.   KZXcellent One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 4,180 ???   Soulflarz Member Oct 25, 2017 3,985 RoastBeeph said: Wtf thread is this? I'm confused. Click to expand... Click to shrink... LTTP: split fiction isnt fun and how the hell did it score high  Lotus One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 124,193 Wat   R O T Member Jan 1, 2021 5,047   OP OP TheDanimal победитель победитель куриный ужин Member Oct 25, 2017 878 R O T said: it's ok josef i still love and respect you   Ryengeku Member Oct 26, 2017 6,207 California, US Yes, the story wasn't anything stellar but the gameplay was even more of a step up from It Takes Two. It still deserves its high score.   Ferrio Member Oct 25, 2017 19,798 Was my GOTY until Expedition 33 hit. Amazing game. And while the overall story is pretty simple, the characters are well fleshed out. Even if both characters sucked (Looking at you It Takes Two) the gameplay still would justify the scores.   modiz Member Oct 8, 2018 19,264 Funny for me how this LTTP is meant to say the game is not nearly as fun as others make it seem, then proceed to say how your partner seemed to really enjoy all of it, and they even got the impression you enjoyed a lot of it too. Seems like you are trying to overly analyze a game that is all about enjoying doing a whole bunch of activities with your friend/partner, and the writing is pretty much on the same (mediocre) level as It Takes Two and A Way Out, I didnt feel it is either better or worse than either of them. Its just best enjoyed by messing around and laughing with a friend, and most reviewers treated it like that.  Katbobo Member May 3, 2022 8,278 are you drunk are you safe are you okay   SixtyFourBlades Teyvat Traveler Member Oct 27, 2017 8,891 I'm so confused lol   ynthrepic Member Oct 25, 2017 924 Is this role play or AI?   DespiteTheNora Member Jan 30, 2025 1,778 I didn't play it but I think you really enjoyed it   Mekanos ▲ Legend ▲ Member Oct 17, 2018 48,586 It's Memorial Day weekend alright   Tom Nook Says... Member Jan 15, 2019 7,406 I mean, yes, the characters were pretty two-dimensional and the game insisted on constantly positioning them as polar opposites to each other in a hokey way ("Oh, you like the city? I could never live there, I love the country!") but I don't put much stock into videogame stories, they're a means to an end in most cases. And when it comes to the actual gameplay of Split Fiction, my partner and I had a great time pretty much start to finish. I was constantly pleasantly surprised by the number of ideas and concepts the game throws at you while rarely repeating any of them.   TissueBox Member Oct 25, 2017 12,465 Urinated States of America GOTY!   Chaserjoey Keeper of the White Materia Member Oct 27, 2017 9,907 It deserved a 90 purely based on not having an annoying as fuck romance book popping up all the time.   Papercuts Prophet of Truth Member Oct 25, 2017 12,732 wat But yes a game that is 12-15 hours long of engaging, constantly varied coop mechanics that rapid fires ideas while being super polished and breezy resonates with people.  Anustart 9 Million Scovilles Avenger Nov 12, 2017 9,692 Same way I felt about it and It Takes Two. Basic gameplay but it's coop and has high production values. Not bad games, but middle of the road for me.  OP OP TheDanimal победитель победитель куриный ужин Member Oct 25, 2017 878 my favorite part was the boss fight where you jump around aimlessly until you can do damage i thought that was neat   Mau Member Oct 25, 2017 3,583 Can't say I agree with this take at all. Split Fiction is one of most inventive games I've played in years.   Soulflarz Member Oct 25, 2017 3,985 Anustart said: Same way I felt about it and It Takes Two. Basic gameplay but it's coop and has high production values. Not bad games, but middle of the road for me. Click to expand... Click to shrink... I think I enjoyed ITT way way more since it was the first time they did it, both have whatever stories and if ITT was another 10hr longer it would've been painful so doing it all a second time again was...rough...  Khaidu Member Oct 28, 2017 288 That's a pretty good way to show how little you know about how reviews work.   Aeana Member Oct 25, 2017 7,574 Is the point of this roleplay exercise to assert that the game only scored highly because reviewers were bullied by their non-gaming partners?   Awcko Member Oct 25, 2017 74 If you liked their other games and yet the writing is somehow a sticking point in this one, I really don't know what to tell you.   Hoggle Member Mar 25, 2021 6,784 I've been playing it on and off with a roommate and yeah… Maybe it's because I grew up with Split ClScreen games so this isn't that novel an idea, but it's a bunch of 6/10 idea with decent presentation and a godawful story. Had the characters not been constant assholes and maybe somewhat humorous, I'd have enjoyed it much more. But I'd rather play Earth Defence Force, Resident Evil 5, or a Halo campaign with my roommate.  Vulcano's Assistant Member Oct 29, 2017 15,380 The one disappointing thing about this game is that it just ignores the genres of fiction it builds its narrative around and instead doubles down on video game references, which is not bad because they do it through gameplay and It is a nice love letter to video games throughout, but the whole story being about writers and not exploring any of it just raises your hopes for something that isn't there. It is almost like a gamer's idea of what fantasy books and sci fi books are about, but all the fantasy and sci fi they consumed was from video games and not from novels.  Faiyaz Member Nov 30, 2017 6,675 Bangladesh Artificially intelligent weekend thread   Lampa Member Feb 13, 2018 4,009 Interesting OP. Anyway I just think it's far too long.  burgervan Member Oct 27, 2017 1,456 You could write for Hazelight.  

A Tasmanian devil is carried to safety by a ranger amid flooding at the Aussie Ark sanctuaryAussie Ark Conservation workers are racing to protect a precious group of Australian animals after record rainfall in New South Wales led to floods that have killed four people. Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii), brush-tailed rock wallabies (Petrogale penicillata), eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus), long-nosed potoroos (Potorous tridactylus) and broad-toothed rats (Mastacomys fuscus) are all kept fenced safely away from feral predators such as cats and foxes at the 400-hectare Aussie Ark sanctuary in Barrington Tops, New South Wales. The sanctuary’s animals are considered an insurance policy for their species, in case wild populations become extinct. Advertisement Since 2010, 500 devil joeys alone have been born there and around 50 of these have been released into a specially protected wild area. In coming years, some of these animals are expected to be released outside the sanctuary to re-establish Tasmanian devil populations on mainland Australia. But this week, a severe low-pressure weather system has hit parts of New South Wales, leading to record-breaking storms. In just a few days, well over 400 millimetres of rain fell at the sanctuary. Even though it is at the top of a mountain at an altitude of 1200 metres, the park experienced flash flooding, sweeping away fencing that excludes feral animals and threatening to drown some of the breeding animals in smaller enclosures. Tim Faulkner at Aussie Ark says many of the animals in the breeding enclosures have had to be brought into a makeshift emergency centre at the complex’s vet clinic. But the bigger problem facing the sanctuary is that around a kilometre of the 10-kilometre perimeter fence has been damaged or, in some locations, totally swept away by floodwaters. Unmissable news about our planet delivered straight to your inbox every month. Sign up to newsletter “We’ve got about a kilometre of the fence that’s impacted from corner posts down, sections washed away and pushed over and strainer wires damaged,” says Faulkner. “The electrified hot wire is completely down, so we’re lucky we don’t have any Tyrannosaurus rex testing our defences.” A fence swept over by flooding at the Aussie Ark sanctuaryAussie Ark While the fences are damaged, Faulkner’s team has been camped out around the clock, keeping watch at breached sections. So far, no native species are thought to have escaped and no feral animals have entered. “There’s water seeping, squeezing, pushing, running, pouring, flooding from every single little crack up here on the mountain, and I hate to think of all the wildlife that has also been devastated by these massive floods outside the sanctuary,” says Faulkner. Topics:

With President Donald Trump’s multitrillion-dollar tax breaks package at risk of stalling, House Speaker Mike Johnson and conservative Republican holdouts are heading Wednesday to the White House for the last-ditch talks to salvage the “big, beautiful bill.” Johnson, R-La., had hoped to vote as soon as Wednesday on the 1,000-page plus bill after grinding through an all-night committee hearing, a final step in the process. But debate dragged into midday. Democrats, without the votes to stop Trump’s package, are using all available tools to press their opposition and capitalize on the GOP disarray. “We believe it’s one big, ugly bill that’s going to hurt the American people,” said House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York as he and his team testified before the committee. “Hurt children, hurt families, hurt veterans, hurt seniors, cut health care, cut nutritional assistance, explode the debt,” he said. Trump had instructed the Republican majority to quit arguing and get it done, putting his own political influence on the line. But the Republican president failed to move many skeptics during his Capitol Hill visit this week and GOP leaders struggled through the the night on crafting last-minute deals. But for every faction of the slim House majority that Johnson appeases, he is losing others. A tentative deal with GOP lawmakers from New York and other high-tax states to boost deductions for local taxes to $40,000 alarmed the most conservative Republicans, worried it will add to the nation’s $36 trillion debt. Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., the chairman of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, said he did not believe the package could pass in a House vote, but “there is a pathway forward that we can see.” “We want to deliver the president’s agenda,” he said. It’s a make-or-break moment for the president and his party in Congress. They have invested much of their political capital during the crucial first few months of Trump’s return to the White House on this legislation. If the House Republicans fall in line with the president, overcoming unified Democratic objections, the measure would next go to the Senate. “We’re doing very well. It’s very close” Trump said at the White House. A fresh analysis from the Congressional Budget Office said the tax provisions would increase federal deficits by $3.8 trillion over the decade, while the changes to Medicaid, food stamps and other services would tally $1 trillion in reduced spending. The lowest-income households in the U.S. would see their resources drop, while the highest ones would see a boost, the CBO said. Republicans convened the House Rules Committee hearing shortly after midnight, but Johnson’s Memorial Day deadline for House passage was slipping as lawmakers prepared to depart for the holiday. At its core, the package is centered on extending the tax breaks approved during Trump’s first term in 2017, while adding new ones he campaigned on during his 2024 campaign. To make up for some of the lost revenue, the Republicans are focused on spending cuts to federal safety net programs and a massive rollback of green energy tax breaks from the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act. Additionally, the package tacks on $350 billion in new spending, with about $150 billion going to the Pentagon, including for the president’s new “ Golden Dome” defense shield, and the rest for Trump’s mass deportation and border security agenda. The package title carries Trump’s own words, the “ One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” As Trump promised voters on the tax front, the package proposes there would be no taxes on tips for certain workers, including those in some service industries; automobile loan interest; or some overtime pay. There would be an increase to the standard income tax deduction, to $32,000 for joint filers, and a boost to the child tax credit to $2,500. There would be an enhanced deduction, of $4,000, for older adults of certain income levels, to help defray taxes on Social Security income. To cut spending, the package would impose new work requirements for many people who receive health care through Medicaid. Able-bodied adults without dependents would need to fulfill 80 hours a month on a job or in other community activities. Similarly, those who receive food stamps through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, known as SNAP, would also face new work requirements. Older Americans up to age 64, rather than 54, who are able-bodied and without dependents would need to work or engage in the community programs for 80 hours a month. Additionally, some parents of children older than 7 years old would need to fulfill the work requirements; under current law, the requirement comes after children are 18. Republicans said they want to root out waste, fraud and abuse in the federal programs. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated 8.6 million fewer people would have health insurance with the various changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. It also said 3 million fewer people each month would have SNAP benefits. Conservatives are insisting on quicker, steeper cuts to federal programs to offset the costs of the trillions of dollars in lost tax revenue. GOP leaders have sped up the start date of the Medicaid work requirements from 2029 to 2027. At the same time, more moderate and centrist lawmakers are wary of the changes to Medicaid that could result in lost health care for their constituents. Others are worried the phaseout of the renewable energy tax breaks will impede businesses using them to invest in green energy projects in many states. Plus, those lawmakers from New York, California and other high-tax states want a bigger state and local tax deduction, called SALT, for their voters back home. As it stands, the bill would triple what’s currently a $10,000 cap on the state and local tax deduction, increasing it to $30,000 for joint filers with incomes up to $400,000 a year. But advocates wanted more. Under the emerging deal, the cap would increase the deduction to $40,000 with an income limit of $500,000, according to a person granted anonymity to discuss the private talks. The cap would phase down for incomes above that level. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan fiscal watchdog group, estimates that the House bill is shaping up to add roughly $3.3 trillion to the debt over the next decade. —Lisa Mascaro, Kevin Freking, Leah Askarinam, and Joey Cappelletti, Associated Press Associated Press writer Chris Megerian contributed to this report.

As we reflect on the past year, we can’t help but be proud of all that the Unity community accomplished. From award-winning masterpieces and cult hits to the pure, unadulterated joy that Trombone Champ has brought to all of our lives. Case in point…Before we move into a new year, full of new possibilities, let’s take a moment to celebrate some of your biggest achievements from the past 12 months. Thank you for being part of our story; here’s to an even better 2023!To the best of our abilities, here’s a non-exhaustive list of Made with Unity games that you released in 2022, either into early access or full release. There have been so many great titles this year, so we’ve categorized them by genre to make this list a bit more digestible and hopefully inspire some of your future projects – though, of course, some titles defy easy genre categorization (*cough* Cult of the Lamb *cough*).See any on the list that have already become favorites or know of any that we missed? Tell us about it in the forums.Rollerdrome, Roll7 (August 16)Other action titles we love include:Sanabi, WONDER POTION (June 20) [Early Access]Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course, Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc. (June 30)Midnight Fight Express, Jacob Dzwinel (August 23)Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef, Rogueside (October 20)Outshine, Fishing Cactus (November 3)SIGNALIS, rose-engine (October 27)Other horror titles we love include:The Mortuary Assistant, DarkStone Digital (August 2)Hell is Others, Strelka Games, Yonder (October 20)Bendy and the Dark Revival, Joey Drew Studios (November 15)TUNIC, TUNIC team (March 16)Other puzzle adventure titles we love include:FAR: Changing Tides, Okomotive (March 1)Syberia: The World Before, Microids Studio Paris (March 18)Lost in Play, Happy Juice Games (August 10)The Spirit and the Mouse, Albune Games (September 26)LEGO® Bricktales, ClockStone (October 12)The Past Within, Rusty Lake (November 2)How to Say Goodbye, Florian Veltman, Baptiste Portefaix, and ARTE France (November 3)Somerville, Jumpship (November 14)Ghost Song, Old Moon (November 3)Other metroidvania titles we love include:Infernax, Berzerk Studio (February 14)Haiku, the Robot, Mister Morris Games (April 28)HAAK, Blingame (August 24)Moonscars, Black Mermaid (September 27)Neon White, Angel Matrix (June 16)Other FPS titles we love include:Gloomwood, Dillon Rogers and David Szymanski (September 5) [Early Access]Isonzo, M2H and, Blackmill Games (September 13)Metal: Hellsinger, The Outsiders (September 15)Prodeus, Bounding Box Software Inc. (September 23)BONELAB, Stress Level Zero (September 29)CULTIC, Jasozz Games (October 13)Cult of the Lamb, Massive Monster (August 11)Other roguelike titles we love include:Have a Nice Death, Magic Design Studios (March 8) [Early Access]Across the Obelisk, Dreamsite Games (April 8) [Early Access]Rogue Legacy 2, Cellar Door Games (April 28)20 Minutes Till Dawn, flanne (June 8) [Early Access]Necrosmith, Alawar Premium (July 13)ORX, johnbell (August 30)Alina of the Arena, PINIX (October 13)I See Red, Whiteboard Games (October 24)Ship of Fools, Fika Productions (November 22)IMMORTALITY, Sam Barlow, Half Mermaid (August 30)Other narrative-focused titles we love include:NORCO, Geography of Robots (March 24)A Memoir Blue, Cloisters Interactive (March 24)As Dusk Falls, INTERIOR/NIGHT (July 19)Hindsight, Team Hindsight (August 4)Gerda: A Flame in Winter, PortaPlay (September 1)Beacon Pines, Hiding Spot (September 22)Pentiment, Obsidian Entertainment (November 15)Dortformantik, Toukana Interactive (April 28)Other city builder and strategy titles we love include:Diplomacy is Not an Option, Door 407 (February 9) [Early Access]Farthest Frontier, Crate Entertainment (August 9) [Early Access]The Wandering Village, Stray Fawn Studio (September 14) [Early Access]Terra Invicta, Pavonis Interactive (September 26) [Early Access]Moonbreaker, Unknown Worlds Entertainment (September 29) [Early Access]Stardeus, Kodo Linija, (October 12) [Early Access]Against the Storm, Eremite Games (November 1) [Early Access]IXION, Bulwark Studios (December 7)Citizen Sleeper, Jump Over The Age (May 2)Other RPG titles we love include:Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy, Ludomotion (May 27)Dungeon Munchies, maJAja (July 27)Backpack Hero, Jaspel (August 22) [Early Access]I Was a Teenage Exocolonist, Northway Games (August 25)Temtem, Crema (September 6)Lost Eidolons, Ocean Drive Studio (September 13)Gedonia, Kazakov Oleg (October 14)Chained Echoes,Matthias Linda (December 8)V Rising, Stunlock Studios (May 17)[Early Access]Other survival titles we love include:Arctico, Claudio Norori, Antonio Vargas (February 15)Core Keeper, Pugstorm (March 8)[Early Access]The Planet Crafter, Miju Games (May 24)Raft: The Final Chapter,Redbeet Interactive (June 20)Flat Eye, Monkey Moon (November 14)Other management titles we love include:Bear and Breakfast, Gummy Cat (July 28)PlateUp!, It’s happening (August 4)Two Point Campus, Two Point Studios (August 9)Arcade Paradise, Nosebleed Interactive (August 11)Dave the Diver, MINTROCKET (October 27) [Early Access]Aka, Cosmo Gatto (December 14)Other simulation titles we love include:Hardspace: Shipbreaker, Blackbird Interactive (May 24)Dinkum, James Bendon (July 14) [Early Access]PowerWash Simulator, FuturLab (July 14)CTRL ALT EGO, MindThunk (July 22)Disney Dreamlight Valley, Gameloft (September 6)Construction Simulator, weltenbauer. Software Entwicklung GmbH (September 20)Slime Rancher 2, Monomi Park (September 22) [Early Access]Turbo Golf Racing, Hugecalf Studios (August 4) [Early Access]Other sports or driving titles we love include:Olli Olli World, Roll7 (February 7)Shredders, FoamPunch (March 16)Blacktop Hoops, Vinci Games (April 19)[Early Access]Hot Lap League: Deluxe Edition, Ultimate Studio (August 23)You Suck at Parking, Happy Volcano (September 14)Trombone Champ, Holy Wow (September 15)Other funny titles we love include:Tentacular, Firepunchd Games UG (March 24)The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe, Crows Crows Crows (April 27)Cosmonious High, Owlchemy Labs (May 31)The Looker, Subcreation Studio (July 17)The Last Hero of Nostalgaia, Over The Moon (October 19)MARVEL SNAP, Second Dinner (October 18)Other card titles we love include:Stacklands, Sokpop Collective (April 8)Card Shark, Nerial (June 2)Card Crawl Adventure, Tinytouchtales (August 3)That’s a wrap for 2022! Want more community news as it happens? Don’t forget to follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitch.