Soul Trader Following the breakout success of Metaphor Refantazio, Atlus’ only action-RPG gets a second lease of life on Switch 2 (and it’s pretty good, too) Nearly 20 years later, Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army proves that there’s a bit of life left in the peculiar spin-off series yet. Image credit: Atlus Article by Dom Peppiatt Editor-in-chief Published on May 21, 2025 By now, you should know what to expect from an Atlus game. Whether you’re wading into the Boschian fever dream of Metaphor Refantazio or winding your way down the seven circles of hell in Shin Megami Tensei, Atlus likes it dark. Dark and weird. Unconstrained by the trappings of normalcy. A bit edgy and a bit juvenile, but all provocative and goth. Raidou Kuzonha vs. The Soulless Army is no exception. The curious PS2 game (which enjoyed a 2006 release in Japan and North America, and 2007 in PAL regions) carries on Atlus’ fascination with the occult and the Satanic, but with one major variation from all the developer’s other titles: this one is an action-RPG. To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Now, you need to immediately get your brain away from the idea it’s a Soulslike, or anything similar. It’s more of a hack-and-slash, peppered with the need for strategic flourish. Unlike previous MegaTen games (and their use of the phenomenal Press Turn system), your protagonist, Raidou Kuzunoha, can attack with either his close range sword or his long range gun. But this wouldn’t be a MegaTen game without demons, so of course Kuzunoha can also summon two demons at a time to help in battle. At launch, this game was fine. I’m a MegaTen sicko, so of course I played this as soon as it hit the PAL market (I also played the sequel, later, which is better in almost every way). It wasn’t anything to write home about, really, and the combat was grating more than it was inventive. But, oh my, how all that has changed now - nearly two decades later. Coming to the Switch 2 at launch, Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army Remastered is a bit of a misnomer. What we’re getting here is more of an enhanced version, and one that actually feels like a natural and intentional growth of the original game. And do you know why that is? Because, somehow, many of the same developers that worked on Raidou and its sequel during the PS2 era are still at the studio. This is Tsuchigumo, and I don't think he likes you very much. | Image credit: Atlus Yeah, I know, right? What’s effectively happened here is that Atlus has been able to say to its staff: “hey, remember that game you very nearly got right at launch in 2006? Have another swing at it. Load it with all those cool combat ideas you wanted, improve the systems, take what we’ve learned in the last 19 years and go wild”. And the result is an enhanced piece of niche role-playing history that plays better than ever. First up, Atlus has remade the game’s pre-rendered backgrounds into actual 3D. Everything looked fine before, but now there’s more interactivity, more impetus to get off the beaten path (and, potentially, more to actually do - negating some criticism of the game’s short length from its release). Atlus has crammed more demons into the roster, too, meaning you’ve got more freedom in how you approach battles, as well as more options for summoning and fusing. Again, this feels like a direct reply to criticisms of the game’s small offering at launch in 2006. If you’re a MegaTen sicko, you’ll appreciate the additions of demons like Idun, Hayataro, and more from SMT:5. The combat upgrades themselves - more status effects, a more streamlined menu, more movement for Raidou in battle, more control over your demons - all seem to have been retroactively added into the game from the second in the series. No complaints, here; Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon improved upon the first game in nearly every way. It makes for a far better experience than the original game, and one that actually stands up pretty well in 2025. It’s not exactly going to blow newcomers away, but it’s novel - and a perfect ‘on the go’ kinda game to show off on the Switch 2’s fancy hardware. I'll defeat you with the power of friendship and this gun I found. | Image credit: Atlus Another small quality-of-life thing that’s worth mentioning is the encounter rate. It’s been fixed. No more random encounters. Instead, demons are visible on-screen and you (sort of) get to choose when to engage. To make things even more engaging, we’ve got English voice acting, too… And you know what? It’s pretty good! And that may be what makes this re-release so appealing to me, actually. The original Raidou games contain some of the most enjoyable, and memorable, narrative moments from any title Atlus has ever made. Yes, that includes Persona. There is a humour to these games that really works - and the interactions between Raidou himself and his familiar cat Gouto is a great example of good games writing: tutorializing whilst delivering story. Your demons have all those powers outside battle (so you can reveal the hidden thoughts of NPCs - often vulgar, always funny - or roleplay as a detective to see more in a given scene). The weird, occult-leaning setting of 1920s Japan is fairly unique, and Atlus does well to dive into how curious it is, understanding that it’s a time of change, a time of anxiety, but also of excitement and growth. Having this coloured in with competent and fun voice-acting is something I didn’t know I needed. Batles are a bit complicated, but once you nail the rhythm, they work well. | Image credit: Atlus This is a far better product than I was expecting, honestly. The Shin Megami Tensei 3 remaster was fairly basic and barebones, but this… this is a shining example of how you can re-release a game some 19 years later and have it actually offer something new, and fix things that the original version lacked. After a brief preview, this has gone from ‘hm, that’s interesting’ to ‘oh, well I’m going to buy that, then.’ Your mileage may vary, of course, but I think this is a fascinating example of what Atlus can cook up with its legacy titles. Now, where’s my Digital Devil Saga 1 + 2 HD Remaster, ey?

Commemorating the spirit of resilience and transformation, the “Hug Me” Chair emerges as an emotional and artistic response to three decades of inspiration drawn from Steel-Land, a powerhouse in China’s high-end home furnishings industry. This chair pays homage to Steel-Land’s journey, channeling its story of growth, endurance, and heartfelt connection with customers into a single, memorable piece of design. The genesis of the Hug Me Chair stems from the symbolic narrative of Steel-Land’s 30-year milestone. From its early days in 1993, when it entered the market with innocent ambition, to its current position as a trusted industry name, Steel-Land’s evolution is reflected in the chair’s enveloping form. The chair’s extended armrests, mimicking an embrace, represent both affection and gratitude, encapsulating the emotional warmth and recognition that Steel-Land sought and eventually earned. Designer: Zipeng Zhou The Hug Me Chair distinguishes itself with a design that speaks volumes. Its naturally flowing armrests create a visual and tactile representation of a hug, giving users a sense of emotional and physical comfort. Meanwhile, the solid and grounded base evokes stability and strength, symbolizing not only durability but also the firm foundation that inspired this design. This thoughtful balance of emotional narrative and practical form gives the Hug Me Chair a unique presence, equal parts sculpture and sanctuary. The chair invites interaction through its variety of fabrics and colors, offering personalized luxury. The polyester fiber option, enhanced by advanced 3D technology, delivers a soft, breathable, and deformation-resistant texture. The lambswool variant, with its delicate curl and warmth, mirrors natural wool, offering comfort and a cozy aesthetic. Both fabrics are resistant to pilling and wear, maintaining a pristine look over time. Multiple color options allow the Hug Me Chair to adapt easily to a range of interiors, from understated modern to relaxed rustic, creating spaces that feel grounded, inviting, and distinctly human. Designed with ergonomic precision, the Hug Me Chair supports relaxation in any setting. Its 105-degree reclining backrest complements the human form, making it ideal for reading, lounging, or shared moments at home. The inner metal framework is paired with slow-rebound molded foam for a seating experience that is both firm and cloud-like. Exquisite hand-stitching, an integrated molding structure, and glue-free construction contribute to its structural integrity and environmental consciousness. With lotus leaf bionic technology applied to the fabric, the chair resists water and stains, allowing for effortless maintenance without compromising its luxurious look and feel. At the heart of the Hug Me Chair is a careful negotiation between visual expression and everyday functionality. The design challenge was to maintain a distinct, sculptural aesthetic while enhancing comfort and ensuring long-term durability. Through meticulous research and craftsmanship, this balance was achieved, resulting in a product that offers as much meaning as it does comfort. The post Hug Me Chair Is An Emotive, Ergonomic Seating That Blends Comfort, Style, and Sculptural Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

This article contains spoilers for Arcane season 2. Netflix and Riot Games created one of the most acclaimed video game adaptations of all time with the original animated series Arcane, set in the world of League of Legends. After premiering in 2021, the series returned for its climactic second season in 2024, concluding the fiery saga of sisters Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (Ella Purnell) and the fate of the fantasy city of Piltover and its undercity Zaun. The first season dialed up this sibling rivalry to explosive proportions, as Jinx’s reckless antics threatened the fragile peace in place. The second season only ups the complicated family dynamics between its main characters, expanding the scope and depth of familial strife while escalating the consequences and actions as roles are subverted and reversed throughout the story. Whereas Jinx was branded a terrorist in the first season, the second season sees the unpredictable, explosive figure being regarded by Piltover’s populace as a freedom fighter against its totalitarian rule. Meanwhile, Vi grows increasingly erratic and volatile in her own life in the wake of tyranny’s rise, making the two sisters’ inevitable reunion all the more awkward. For showrunner Christian Linke, this narrative inversion proved to be “really fun to think about.” “It’s a really complex moment, when Jinx can say ‘Maybe you’re the baddie,’” Linke says. “So much of the show is about seeing the world through the lens of the other side. I think that is the quintessential moment for them, when they have to question how they see their sibling, at which point, they have a very loaded perspective of each other.” This reconciliation in the face of a common enemy leads to the sisters reuniting with their long-lost father Vander (JB Blanc), now resurrected as the feral werewolf-like monster Warwick. Leaning into the inherent horror offered by prominently featuring such a bloodthirsty creature, Warwick’s inclusion also underscored Arcane’s tendency to go to the extremes, in regards to tone and visceral action. More than just presenting another adversary, Vander’s transformation into Warwick also gave the show the opportunity to highlight more of Vander’s backstory as he reunites with his adopted daughters in the mines he worked in as a human. “He went back to this familiar place from his past and he didn’t know why because it got twisted for him,” writer Amanda Overton observes. “That mining room is the first time that [Vi and Jinx]  got to see their father figures as brothers. It just reframed everything for the family dynamics for them.” The season also features a surprise interlude with Ekko (Reed Shannon) traveling to a parallel reality where he acquires a time-reversal device crucial to the series’ final battle. More than just giving Ekko this game-changing item, the episode’s lighter tones and depictions of familiar faces gave Arcane the chance to explore elements that the creative team felt were more romantic and more fun in certain aspects. Overton reflected that more than making Ekko the one to turn the tide in the climax, it restored his faith in Zaun’s potential as well as Powder, the innocent person who Jinx used to be. “In his own world, he lost that faith,” Overton says. “He lost that vision. He had a vision of Zaun that was very similar to that and he lost his faith in it. He needed to see that it was possible in order to fight for that again and also to believe in Jinx again – Powder again.” This complexity and conflict between familial figures isn’t isolated to Vi and Jinx, but also between Jayce Talis (Kevin Alejandro) and Viktor (Harry Lloyd), who see each other as brothers. Though Viktor recognized the destructive potential of Hextech, the technology he and Jayce created, Jayce not only didn’t follow through on Viktor’s wish for him to destroy it, but used the unstable tech to resurrect Viktor. This turned Viktor into a figure poised to use his connection to Hextech to inadvertently destroy Zaun and Piltover, placing him in direct conflict with Jayce over the fate of the city. “A lot of season one was about creating the dream technology that could change the world,” Linke says. “When it gets turned into weapons and they lose control, that’s when Jayce and Viktor react very differently. They’re also a little bit shocked by the other’s reaction to that. We always knew that there would be a different conclusion when they’re confronted with this reality that humans will use this technology for their own motives and for their selfish goals” Join our mailing list Get the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox! “That was also the fabric of season two, the things that you can’t see and that you can’t control,” Overton adds. “That’s why Viktor, when he goes down to the Undercity, he does his part to make that his little utopian commune. He’s trying to make what the topside has down here and try to compress that gap. It’s beautiful and wonderful, but even that goes awry for him. They always intended the right things, had great intentions, and could not see the consequences of those actions.” A beautiful narrative expansion of the world of League of Legends, Arcane ends on a high and hopeful note, amidst all the conflict and loss to get there. And from its vibrantly animated cities to its memorable and nuanced characters, the Netflix original series has once again set the bar for what video game adaptations can and should be. Available to stream on Netflix, Arcane lives up to the hype as one of the most engrossing and heartfelt animated series around. Both seasons of Arcane are available to stream on Netflix now.

Senior Community ManagerCD ProjektWarsaw Masovian Voivodeship pl2 hours agoApplyJob DescriptionWe are looking for a passionate and experienced individual to join our team as a Senior Community Manager. In this role, you will design and execute community activities revolving around our brands and constantly think of innovative ways to engage with the members of our community. You will work on projects within The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 universes, engaging with our global community and ensuring our players experience memorable moments that extend beyond our games.Key Responsibilities:Engage with the community on a daily basis through a variety of owned social media channels and discussion boards.Design, execute, and report on community programs and activities for all projects within The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 universes.Develop strategies to help our channels grow, converting players into engaged community members.Coordinate team efforts to deliver planned communication.Identify and collaborate with the most prominent community members to engage them in various initiatives.Serve as the link between the community and our studio, reporting on key topics and nuances discussed by players regarding our games and other projects in development.Plan, attend, and run dedicated, in-person community events as well as support the company's presence during general industry events.Assist in planning, overseeing, and spending the global community budget effectively.Track, measure, and report on community sentiment as well as growth across owned channels.Qualifications5 years of proven experience as a Community Manager or in a similar role, preferably in the gaming industry.Strong understanding of community engagement and social media management in the video game industry.Experience working on projects in cross-departmental teams and with external parties.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.Very high proficiency in English.Ability to think creatively and strategically.Experience with tracking and reporting on community metrics and sentiment.Familiarity with The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077 universes is a plus.Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.Additional InformationWorking modeHybrid: working from the Warsaw studio for a minimum 1 day a week.Perks & Professional GrowthFlexible working hours — start your workday anytime between 8:00 and 10:00 AM.A welcome pack filled with goodies — to help you feel right at home once you join the team.Trainings, lectures and courses — internal workshops, external training for each employee, ‘Meet a star’ events, knowledge-sharing initiatives, online tutorials, and e-learning classes are all available. There’s always something to learn!Merch — gifts for newborn rebels and regular chances to nab some cool swag!Health & Well-beingPrivate medical healthcare — a selection of medical plans with dental care to choose from, which are also accessible for your partner and relatives.Psychological care — free mental health support and various well-being webinars.Multisport card — gain access to a wide number of sporting and fitness facilities across the city.Social Activities & Life in the OfficeDog-friendly office — dog owner? Bring your pooch with you and look after them while working! There’s always a furry friend or two to meet at the studio.Social events — we host regular gatherings at the studio where we can all unwind, play games, and just have some fun together.Healthy selections — organic fruit, snacks, muesli, organic honey, vegan milk, and speciality coffee are all at your disposal around the studio. Enjoy!Truly international working environment — a chance to meet and work with a diverse selection of people from all around the world.Head office in WarsawSustainable campus with an eco ethos — solar panels provide green energy, 2000 plants and an air-filtering system to help provide clean air, electric car charging points, flower meadows, and more green features in the works.An onsite, well-equipped gym with a climbing wall, daily Gym Assistant support and yoga and healthy spine classes.Car and bike parking spaces.A designated space for your bicycle, as well as bicycle repair equipment and showers available whenever you need them.No dress-code — we like to keep it casual.Relocation supportRelocation package – flight ticket, company apartment for your first month, relocating your pet, shipping your belongings: it’s all covered. Who said moving countries needs to be complicated?Relocation assistance — processing your legalization operations for you, assistance with finding residence, tax settlements, helping out with translations if needed, and much more — we have dedicated teams to help make sure that all you need to feel right at home is taken care of.Polish lessons for foreign employees — and for your spouse or partner, too.Paid Leave — from 20 to 26 days of holiday for every team member per year, paid sick leave, and paid maternity & paternity leave.If you've observed any irregularities in our recruitment process please click here to report them.Company DescriptionTo create revolutionary, story-driven RPGs which go straight to the hearts of gamers — this is our mission. Want to dive deeper into our company’s culture? Explore our social media and check out our YouTube channel where we share behind-the-scenes insights and stories direct from our team members! Create Your Profile — Game companies can contact you with their relevant job openings. Apply

Principal Narrative AnimatorActivisionSanta Monica California 90405 United States of America1 hour agoApplyJob Title:Principal Narrative AnimatorRequisition ID:R025330Job Description:Elsewhere Entertainment is looking for a Principal Narrative Animator to join the development of our next AAA title—an exciting new Narrative Driven IP.Feed your creativity while driving the development of our game’s world and story! Collaborate with our highly skilled team to build something innovative, exhilarating, and expansively entertaining.As a member of the animation department, you’ll guide the creation of memorable moments in telling an epic player driven story. You’ll also oversee the project’s cinematic pipelines, tools, and best practices, and you’ll manage your team by tasking and reviewing work, providing growth opportunities in skill and career progression, and tending to the emotional health of the team. You’ll work closely with Narrative, Content, Gameplay, and Art leads to coordinate, design, implement, and polish animation and cinematic content of the game.As a leader on the project, you’ll help take the studio and our game from great to even better—with a focus on inclusivity, mutual respect (for ourselves and our players), thoughtfulness, empathy, professionalism, and collaboration.If you’re a passionate creator and a positive, respectful collaborator who enjoys cross-department communication and creative problem-solving as a part of your workflow, we’d love to talk to you!You’ll help us by…Ensuring consistency of tone and style is depicted across the entire cinematic experience that matches the vision set by the Creative Director.Using traditional animation principles, gameplay fundamentals and motion-capture to craft high quality animations and systems.Take narrative ownership of the cinematic and dialogue presentations and pipelines, helping bring the characters, world, and story to life.Assist in the development and direction of storyboarding and animatics to develop the cinematic pipeline.Support in developing the presentation of the games dialogue, cinematic sequences, etc.Becoming proficient in using the game's proprietary animation tools.Providing constructive feedback on others’ work.Acting as a liaison to other departments, conveying the consistent cinematic & animation vision of the project.Working with directors, animators, narrative designers, cinematics designers, and campaign designers to develop the best visual storytelling practices for the game.Working with 3rd party vendors/clients to help facilitate asset creation, pre-rendered assets both for the game and media support.Mentoring the staff of cinematic animators and designers.Ensuring all tasks are completed according to given specifications and deadlines.Performing any additional cinematic responsibilities as assigned by Studio Leadership.You’re awesome because you have…13+ years of credited CG directorial experience working in either videogame cinematics or TV/film – with mocap and keyframed animation direction.A strong understanding of composition and camera language and how it helps tell our stories.One or more shipped titles as a cinematics director.Fluent in Maya.Experience with technical cinematics content (animation, camera presentation, facial animations, and conveying mood and emotions).The ability to collaborate and thrive as part of a creative team.An eagerness to work independently; are self-driven in taking ownership of tasks in a highly confidential environment.Creativity in problem solving and a positive, respectful team-first attitude.Organization methods and the capability to meet deadlines.Comfort with self-critique and accepting outside feedback.A habit of regularly playing and understanding modern video games and popular media.Bonus points for…Experience with directing cinematics and dialogue for AAA Open World Games.Credited CG Work in other media (Film, television, shorts, etc...)Experience developing both bespoke cinematic content as well as dialogue in systematic systemsExperience working with Hollywood talent and/or reputable VO recording studios and directorsMajor recognition in your field of workFamiliarity with many of the major games released in the last decadeEnjoyment of playing a variety of video game genres and titlesExperience in adjacent disciplines such as quest design, narrative design, environment art, programming, etc...Not sure you meet all the qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! At Activision, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.Our WorldAt Activision, we strive to create the most iconic brands in gaming and entertainment. We’re driven by our mission to deliver unrivaled gaming experiences for the world to enjoy, together. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, Crash Bandicoot™, Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™, and Guitar Hero®. As a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and products, our “press start” is simple: delight hundreds of millions of players around the world with innovative, fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment experiences.We’re not just looking back at our decades-long legacy; we’re forging ahead to keep advancing gameplay with some of the most popular titles and sophisticated technology in the world. We have bold ambitions to create the most inclusive company as we know our success comes from the passionate, creative, and diverse teams within our organization.We’re in the business of delivering fun and unforgettable entertainment for our player community to enjoy. And our future opportunities have never been greater — this could be your opportunity to level up.Ready to Activate Your Future?#elsewhereRewardsWe provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/ .In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $134,000.00 - $247,900.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable. Create Your Profile — Game companies can contact you with their relevant job openings. Apply

Not every client has a firm grasp on their priorities when starting a project, but the marching orders from one Central Texas couple were abundantly clear: They wanted to convert a classic car garage on their estate into a dance hall and speakeasy, creating their own social sanctuary. After enlisting designer Sarah Stacey to bring their vision to life, that “simple” project quickly catapulted into a four-year, all-encompassing design journey when the pair added the renovation of their 4,900-square-foot primary home into the scope. It was during this time that Stacey, an avid auction enthusiast, shared her passion and expertise with her clients. “Walking through auction previews is thrilling—you wonder who owned the items and how they were used. You can feel the history,” she explains. “New homes need stories; we can design an entire room around a piece. Plus, you can save a lot of money at these events.”But before the bidding wars came planning. Stacey reimagined the space that once housed the former owner’s car collection as a moody billiards club, replete with plenty of lounge seating, a full bar salvaged from a Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and vintage collectibles, including an original Jimi Hendrix guitar. To separate the dance hall from the speakeasy, she cleverly utilized an iconic British telephone booth as the secret entrance from one area to the other. A simple push of the back wall gets you in—if you know there’s a door, that is. This is a dopamine interior.... It’s immersive and just makes you happy.For the main house, the objective was to embrace the home’s original Mediterranean style, but amplify it with a series of thoughtful selections. Stacey meticulously evaluated “every single Sherwin-Williams white” to find the ideal buttery color for the main living areas (Casa Blanca, Sherwin-Williams), incorporated 200-year-old salvaged wood beams, and designed the laundry room in the spirit of a French garden, complete with an undercounter striped sink skirt worthy of a Parisian café.She then set out to blend old-world charm—like the lavishly draped canopy bed in the primary suite—with contemporary pieces, such as large-scale pendants and multitiered chandeliers. The overall design is enhanced by colorful carpets, including a striking snake pattern in the living room and a hand-tufted graphic rug in the dining area. Auction house wins, antique treasures, and Parisian flea-market finds complete this unexpected and unconventional Texas haven.FAST FACTSDesigner: Sarah Stacey Interior DesignLocation: Central TexasThe Space: A garage-turned-speakeasy with a dance hall and a 4,900 sq ft main house with 3 bedrooms, 2 living rooms, a dressing room, sauna, and wet bar. SPEAKEASYThe former garage transformed into a go-to party hub.Stephen KarlischWallpaper: Phillip Jeffries. Sconces: Visual Comfort. Bar Stools: Nior. Armchairs: Hickory Chair. Coffee table: Sunpan. Drink Tables: Robert James. The bar is from a Ruth’s Chris restaurant and has become the heart of the space. It’s where friends and family naturally gather, often ending the night belting out karaoke songs, tipsy and totally in the moment.Stephen KarlischStephen KarlischThe husband won the six Orgy lithographs by Picasso at an online auction and Stacey hired artist Elisa Gomez to paint the frames. One of the standout features above the bar table is an original Jimi Hendrix guitar—a striking tribute to the rock 'n' roll legend. A custom tufted banquette in Schumacher fabric sits alongside Robert James café tables and under Hinkley pendants for the ultimate lounge experience.Stephen KarlischSeating: Hickory Chair. Coffee table: vintage. Rug: vintage, EtsyA cozy corner of the room is designed for dance breaks, providing plentiful options where guests can sit and take five. A framed archival photograph of Jimi Hendrix features a guitar that the couple purchased for their own collection. Stephen KarlischA British telephone booth gets recast as the secret entrance between the speakeasy and dance hall. See Stacey's go-to formula for a memorable entrance below. Create your own one-of-a-kind entrance like designer Sarah StaceyFind something that resonates with you. Stacey’s clients considered a Coca-Cola machine but fell in love with this phone booth.In this case, the designer brought on a contractor to remove the back of the booth and then cleverly recreate it as a hidden door.Keep it simple with a wall panel that pushes open, or go elaborate with an engineer-approved coded release—just type in the numbers and voilà!Always make sure there’s a manual way in and out!LIVING ROOMA warm white by Sherwin-Williams complements the original stone floors.Stephen KarlischSofas: custom, in Vervain fabric. Seating: Alfonso Marina, in Pierre Frey (chairs) and Fox Linton (bench) fabrics.Vivid and bold, the living room design comes alive through a colorful carpet, highlighted by a striking snake-patterned centerpiece designed by a tattoo artist. The Picasso to the right of the fireplace went missing, but was thankfully found and now has a place of prominence.KITCHENClever storage solutions are packed in this European-inspired kitchen.Stephen KarlischRange: La Cornue. Backsplash and Countertops: Aria Stone Gallery. Runner: vintage, Black Sheep Unique. Island Pendants: Urban Electric. Island: DeVOL.  Stephen KarlischLight fixture: Vintage. Dining table: Vintage. Dining chairs: Gregorius Pineo with Pierre Frey fabric.  A prep island by Devol provides easy access to dinnerware stored behind glass doors. It’s finished with an aged copper countertop that sets off the beveled white oak herringbone floor. New herringbone wood floors add a built-in patina to this newly created kitchen. The breakfast room chairs are upholstered in Pierre Frey fabric that Stacey treated with a wipeable vinyl coating. Pendants: The Urban Electric Co.WET BARA convenient bar for entertaining in the main living space. Stephen KarlischSconces: Allied Maker. Stools: Paul Ferrante, in Kelly Wearstler fabric. Table Lamp: Sunday Shop. Wanting an option to entertain in the main house, the homeowners asked Stacey for a bar with seating and room for their collection of cocktail glasses. A mirrored backdrop adds shine and glamour while bouncing light around the room. DINING ROOMContemporary and vintage pieces make this dining room memorable.Stephen Karlisch Dining chairs: Gregorius Pineo, in Moore & Giles leather. Chandelier: custom, Apparatus Studio. Rug: Christopher Farr.In the dining room, an eclectic mix of furniture and accessories meld into a one-of-a-kind entertaining scene. The mismatched Venetian mirrors were won at an auction, the bust of David originally sat outside in the flower beds, and the painting was found online. OWNER'S SUITEA bedroom bathed in rich green sets the scene for a luxurious, serene escape.Stephen KarlischPaint color: Chimichurri by Benjamin Moore. Wallcovering: Porter Teleo. Bedframe and fabric: Alfonso Marina.Stephen KarlischLight fixture: Fortuny. Sofa: Vintage, recovered in House of Hackney fabric. Trunk: Vintage, Louis Vuitton. Inspired by kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with metallic lacquer, the Porter Teleo wallcovering sets the palette for this room. Yards of Fortuny fabric give the Alfonso Marina bed a regal air. The vintage sofa is reupholstered in a luxurious House of Hackney textile, featuring a bold, substantial trim detail.BATHROOMLavish stone and custom flooring create a one-of-a-kind en-suite.Stephen KarlischStone: Aria Stone Gallery. Vanity: Custom. Fixtures: Watermark. Sconces: Apparatus Studio.A custom terrazzo floor by Marble Buro grounds this space. Its unique coloration and less organic structure allow the marble backsplash and elaborate custom wood-carved mirrors, meant to mimic Black Forest-style design, to take center stage.Stephen KarlischStacey originally wanted the marble book-matched, but when her fabricator said the slabs weren’t symmetrical, they decided to rotate each one 180°, creating a consistently random design with even veining. Bench: custom.LAUNDRY ROOMThis utilitarian space is full of natural light. Stephen KarlischPaint: Stone Blue, Farrow & Ball. Wallpaper: Botanica Claustra by Papier Francais. Backsplash: Zia Tile. Curtain fabric: Clarence House.Papier Français partnered with Bibliothèque Nationale de France to bring back more than 60 archival prints, including this Bon factory flowering-trellis wallpaper, which turns this utilitarian space into a year-round spring jewel box. THE DRESSING ROOM The "closet" was quickly expanded to feel more like a boutique retail space.Stephen KarlischCeiling wallpaper: Gracie. Light fixture: Visual Comfort. Sofas: Mr. Brown in De la Cuona fabric and Samuel & Sons trim. Carpet: Nourison. Pillows: Dedar. Library ladder: Alaco. Hardware: Armac Martin.Stephen KarlischPaint color: Brinjal by Farrow & Ball. Hardware: Armac Martin.The entire main house and garage renovation began with a closet redesign. Stacey came to assess the closet, cataloging everything from long- and short-hang sections to shoes and bags, and it quickly became clear the space was too small. This discovery sparked the decision to expand and elevate the closet...and set the stage for a full home transformation.SAUNAThe ultimate in-home spa experience. Stephen KarlischA discreet sauna is the preferred spot to recover after a night of dancing. About the DesignerSarah Stacey is known for her artful approach to layering, creating spaces that balance timeless elegance with a fresh, eclectic edge. Raised in Louisiana and influenced by antique auctions, Southern cities, and global travel, her style embraces bold contrasts and personal storytelling. With a background in studio art and interior design from LSU, she brings a vibrant, collected sensibility to both residential and commercial projects. Now based in Texas with her musician husband and their son, Sarah’s work is infused with the same energy and joy that defines her life.SHOP THE SPACEFarrow & Ball Stone Blue Paint Color$143 at Farrow & BallItalian Venetian Murano Blue Glass Chandelier$8,250 at 1stDibsLa Cornue Cornu Fé 110 Range Matte Black$13,275 at Williams SonomaCredit: Williams SonomaPablo Picasso LithographNow 20% Off$3,000 $2,400 at 1stDibs

Looking to make a splash at TechCrunch All Stage 2025? Our Side Events initiative is a fantastic opportunity to engage with Boston’s tech community in a dynamic and memorable manner. Plus, we’ll assist in promoting your event at no cost to you! Submit your event here by June 10. Throw your own Side Event at TechCrunch All Stage 2025 What exactly are Side Events? Side Events give you a chance to grow your brand and network with 1,500 conference attendees and the local Boston tech community by hosting your own event as part of “All Stage Week” from July 13 to July 19. Whether it’s a mixer, a career showcase, or a thought-provoking panel, the choice is yours. There’s no application fee, so why not apply now? Applications are currently open until June 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT. We’ll be reviewing and approving applications on a rolling basis, so submit your event for consideration today! The sooner you’re approved, the sooner we can kickstart promotion for your event. Approved Side Events will benefit from complimentary promotion across TechCrunch.com and the All Stage 2025 website and will also be highlighted to All Stage 2025 attendees through diverse channels like emails, posts, and the agenda. There’s no cost to apply and no participation fee. However, hosts are responsible for all aspects of their event, including expenses, promotions, and operations. For detailed guidance, planning tips, and the nitty-gritty details, refer to our Side Events Guide. Embrace the opportunity to host at TechCrunch All Stage 2025 and prepare to elevate your brand, expand your network, and forge meaningful connections within the tech community. Apply to host a Side Event and let’s kick off the festivities! Don’t miss out on the Side Events, alongside the phenomenal All Stage programming. Why wait? Secure your pass now and enjoy savings of up to $210. Techcrunch event Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot for our leading AI industry event with speakers from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cohere. For a limited time, tickets are just $292 for an entire day of expert talks, workshops, and potent networking. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you’ve built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | June 5 REGISTER NOW Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TechCrunch All Stage 2025? Reach out to our sponsorship sales team by completing this form.

Tony's Chocolonely has unveiled a new look, partnering with Chuck Studios to launch a fresh culinary identity that puts the chocolate front and centre. The Dutch impact-led brand, known for its bright wrappers and mission to end exploitation in the cocoa supply chain, is now turning its focus to the product itself, giving its famously chunky bars the spotlight. Chuck Studios, whose client roster includes KFC, McDonald's and Knorr, were brought on to help strengthen Tony's brand distinction in an increasingly saturated category. Their approach started with a simple yet powerful insight: the most iconic thing about a Tony's bar is its unapologetic chunkiness. More than just a texture, the bar's chunky form and famously uneven pieces are a visual metaphor for inequality in the chocolate supply chain. Olaf van Gerwen, co-founder and global creative director at Chuck Studios says: "While Tony's Chocolonely's mission-led marketing built the platform it stands on today, it's the product that will truly set Tony's apart in the crowded chocolate industry." Central to this new culinary identity is the introduction of a new brand asset: 'Neil.' Named after Neil Armstrong, the first man to step on the moon (and leave behind a satisfyingly chunky footprint), Neil is a pair of bite-sized chocolate chunks that represent everything Tony's stands for. They're broken, not cut, thick, not flat, and always shown tilted, with crumbs and inclusions spilling out to evoke deliciousness and dynamism. According to Chuck Studios, consumers often instinctively snap off the same two chunks when opening a bar. By spotlighting these pieces and giving them character, the brand turns a common user behaviour into a memorable visual code. From now on, Neil will appear across all touchpoints as the edible emblem of Tony's. Chuck Studios also developed a detailed system of visual codes designed to boost memorability and ensure consistency across the entire product range. The first of these is the Golden Ratio. Bars should be shown two-thirds wrapped and one-third unwrapped, with torn edges and exposed foil to highlight texture and premium feel. Next is the Balancing Bar. Every bar should be displayed at a 66-degree angle, a detail drawn from Tony's existing visual identity. Then there's the Paper Background: chocolate bars must sit on real paper texture backgrounds, colour-matched to the bar's wrapper, or defaulting to Tony's signature red in group shots. Finally, Inclusions on Show: ingredients inside the bars should always be visible in the shot, with a mix of whole pieces, crumbs and chunks to showcase the bar's flavour and bite. These visual rules apply across Tony's growing product range, from its bestselling Milk Caramel Sea Salt to the US-market Everything Bar. The idea is to create a strong, sensory-first aesthetic that not only looks delicious but also feels unmistakably Tony's. Sadira Furlow, chief marketing officer at Tony's Chocolonely, explains: "As our voice in the cocoa space grows louder and our impact expands, we realised we hadn't yet fully captured the visual magic of our chocolate. We needed a visual language that matched our purpose and passion." The result is a brand identity that invites people to "taste with their eyes" – a move that cleverly balances Tony's ethical mission with indulgent appeal. For a brand that has always challenged the norms of what a chocolate company can be, it marks an important evolution: one that connects its purpose-driven DNA with product-led storytelling. Olaf adds: "Food and product depiction play a huge role in brand building. Developing a culinary identity creates a consistent and ownable representation of your food across touchpoints. In the case of Tony's, it was already a stand-out product on the shelves. "The new culinary identity shines a light on the deliciousness of their chocolate and shows it in a unique way, so it becomes recognisable even without the brand name."

Hi Everyone! A memorable storyCome read my first Dev Blog post to find out how you can craft memorable, unique background stories for your heroes (or villains) in The Guiding Spirit! When I was designing the background generation system, my goal was to show to the player how much the selected Traits/Spells/Skills actually matter and have an impact on their characters' story right from the start. Let’s say you pick the Scurg ancestry for your character. These are adrenaline-addict creatures, always looking for danger, tough situations keep them alive.For Class, you choose the bard. Because bards are cool. In the world of The Guiding Spirit, bards do not neccesarily have access to the Intellect (magic), they might simply be a chanter making a living in shady taverns or a jester hired by the Wind-King to entertain their royal court. How they became a bard will depend on their Origin story.Speaking of! For Origin, you pick „Merchant family”, but let’s say that when you distribute your skill-points you don’t put any points in Trade. So how that is presented in their backstory? Well, your character was raised by merchants but every time their father counted his profit, their mind was elsewhere. Where exactly? If you did put points in Arcane skills, the story will call out that instead of learning the basic principles of trade, the character was secretly reading books about performing complex magical practises. If you designed the character to be a warrior, their story will mention that when nobody looked, they practised combat stances with a wooden sword (or any other weapon, depending on which weapon proficiency you selected!) in the backyard. From where do they get the equipment to do those things? It depends on what personality traits you gave to the character. A Swindler might carefully „borrow” those books and training materials. An agressive, maybe evil character might bully someone to get what they want. A creative, quick-thinker person will do it in a way nobody expects...But let’s keep this simple for now, you can go crazy when you'll try out the demo (coming later this year for free!). Your scurg character never wanted to be a merchant, they took their father’s old, never-before-used lute and went to seek adventure and danger (mind, you are a scurg, you need danger!). You pick the „Rich Start” and „Missing Finger” capability traits, among others. But wait... you didn’t pick the „Noble Kid” Origin, so how Rich Start is going to work? Let’s see what has been added to their backstory:„She was even lucky enough to find a small fortune by accident during her first day of travel. It only costed her a finger as the bandits who hid the chest found her later that day... At least she made it out alive.”Okay, that’s tense. But why exactly the character decided to become an adventurer, leaving behind their past? Maybe they have a more complex, specific reason? Lucky for you, you can define that as well! For simplicity, let’s choose the „Wants to be famous” Aspiration as it goes well with the bard class. If you mix that with the „Ambitious” personality trait, I promise you will get some very cool story-scenes!And there you go, you just created a unique, complex backstory with twists and turns. There’s even more, you can (beyond the above) define your character's core memories, followers, faith, constellation, specializations and special abilities (spells and combat abilities) and more! You change any aspect, you get a different concept. Find the one suitable for you and see how it plays out!There are myriad of choices you can select from when it comes to Origins, Core Memories, Aspirations, Capabilities, Personality, Skills, Proficiencies, Followers and the unique combination of these will create memorable characters. Even if you pick the same Trait for two heroes in the party, every other aspect you selected for them will alter their background story enough to make them feel distinctive.You can create a character who works alone. You can create a character who doesn’t speak at all, not a word during the entire adventure. You can create a character who struggles to understand what others are saying. You can create a bard who is kicked-out of every tavern at their early days - and then witness exceptional character development - because you forgot to put points into the Performance Skill.The choice is yours.And keep in mind, your choices do not only change their backstory, they change the actual journey, they guide the story. Their aspirations, their past, their identity will decide what's happening to them, each npc will react to them based on who they are, what they do, in a nutshell: how you designed them. Also, it goes beyond the combination of an individual’s traits, the mixture of all your team members’ features will create unique outcomes, story beats. There are a lot of very-well hidden storylines in there which you can only find with a certain combination of characters!Cheers,Dice Impact

NotDaRealSlimShady Member Mar 8, 2025 631 You've been playing this great open world for a few hours now and you start a mission asking you to travel to an undiscovered part of the map when all of sudden different music starts playing.You're still playing but just by adding music you feel the vibe shifting,it brings you closer the character,what they might be thinking, are they afraid they might not come back?Do they have any regrets? I believe Red Dead Redemption 1 is the first game that that really pulled off this moment, not just once but three times if you include Undead Nightmare. Red Dead 2 has lots of these moments as well,although the biggest one is the ride back from Guarma as D'Angelos Unshaken starts playing. I pulled together a poll of the most memorable ones to me, do you have a favorite not on the list? Doesn't need to have any lyrics. Uncharted 4 is not an open world game but it qualifies.Nate and Elena at the lowest point in their relationship. View: https://youtu.be/t66-a8m1HjQ?si=6Ft603-xXJ0Y2vH8 Red Dead's ride to Mexico (Jose Gonzalez-Far Away) View: https://youtu.be/AUXGW6sWYDY?si=VIIjmUtF_z9PWXCi Death Stranding lonely walk while Silent Poets is playing View: https://youtu.be/0R3QybOmGjU?si=Wy1FQNhVEQ5T5R8I Undead Nightmare's bombastic surf rock ride in the last mission. Deja Vu by The Kreeps View: https://youtu.be/A1iM3HRXlmU?si=eAHqwSEGSmPqciNv  Last edited: Today at 9:33 AM OP OP NotDaRealSlimShady Member Mar 8, 2025 631 Red Dead 1 "Head home to your family" (Compass by Jamie Lidell) View: https://youtu.be/x_dBxGThEx8?si=IElZAshsNX1N-aRD Red Dead 2 "May I Stand Unshaken" by D'Angelo View: https://youtu.be/ulTH0MHwa8c?si=UkWqtzxOFJgt-RDt  Last edited: Today at 9:32 AM MadMod Member Dec 4, 2017 4,816 Legit thought you were talking about Death Stranding from the title, so that's my pick, always sad when it ended. Doesn't qualify but Max Payne 3 - Travelling with bullets to the other side of the airport with HEALTH playing sticks out for me.  OP OP NotDaRealSlimShady Member Mar 8, 2025 631 MadMod said: Doesn't qualify but Max Payne 3 Click to expand... Click to shrink... Deserves an honorable mention.I almost put it in the poll,it's that good View: https://youtu.be/ovl6TcX-G-E?si=Yw56wXncl3cZ16JP   Bucca Member Oct 25, 2017 5,512 Death Stranding the thread lol   NoctisLC Member Jun 5, 2018 1,691 Unshaken was so friggin good in RDR2   Danielsan Member Oct 26, 2017 7,013 The Netherlands Death Stranding was definitely the first thing to come to mind.   Pyccko "This guy are sick" Member Oct 25, 2017 4,021 i still regularly remember my first ride into mexico in RDR. Unmatched high for me   OP OP NotDaRealSlimShady Member Mar 8, 2025 631 Danielsan said: Death Stranding was definitely the first thing to come to mind. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Bucca said: Death Stranding the thread lol Click to expand... Click to shrink... Kojima even put it in the trailer which kinda took away the surprise for me but it's such a great song   Jedi2016 Member Oct 27, 2017 20,047 Death Stranding was the one that popped into my head first, but I feel like RDR2 hit a lot harder in the moment. I still have the recording of that ride.   Rassilon Member Oct 27, 2017 11,286 UK it's a tie between RDR2 and Death Stranding for me they hit for different reasons  NewDust Visited by Knack Member Oct 25, 2017 7,719 Docking DS points for using Asylums pre-release. The impact of Far Away was much bigger while playing, so that gets my vote.   YaBish Unshakable Resolve - One Winged Slayer Member Oct 27, 2017 5,885 I think it's damn close between Death Stranding and RDR1. I think I'd give it to the former, but I love Jose Gonzales the most out of the artists in the poll.   GokouD Member Oct 30, 2017 1,346 Not an open world game, but the boat ride to the island in Disco Elysium was my first thought on seeing the title. Such a great scene.   onibirdo Member Dec 9, 2020 3,569 Pour one out for the people who didn't steal that obviously placed horse for Unshaken.   Kapten Avenger Nov 1, 2017 1,545 RDR2 with Unshaken and then hitting us with "That's the way it is" is unmatched for me.   OP OP NotDaRealSlimShady Member Mar 8, 2025 631 NewDust said: Docking DS points for using Asylums pre-release Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yeah,part of these moments is the surprise.It's still a really great song and i guess lots of people haven't seen that trailer. But like,imagine if Rockstar used Unshaken in a trailer before RDR2 released? 😂 View: https://youtu.be/rP3UngLFou4?si=wRxxAqU2COFgdMfB  Magnus Member Oct 25, 2017 9,633 I'm having trouble remembering the specific moments but I feel like a bunch of RPGs do this. Clair Obscur, Rebirth come to mind. After a poignant series of story/events, the status quo for the characters and world is different, and the music acknowledges that while you are given control to keep on going, knowing things aren't the same. It's very powerful.   OP OP NotDaRealSlimShady Member Mar 8, 2025 631 onibirdo said: Pour one out for the people who didn't steal that obviously placed horse for Unshaken. Click to expand... Click to shrink... A very good example of simple game design.The game does its best to tell you "PICK THIS DAMN HORSE" i did see some let's players who didn't get the clues 😂   selfnoise Member Oct 25, 2017 1,552 "Far Away" happened for me in the middle of the night game-time and it is one of my most memorable open-world memories. Just slowly riding in a desert bathed in moonlight.   adventureracing2 Member Feb 13, 2025 246 Not sure if this is what you were thinking of but my immediate thought was of the second mission on the original halo. You leave the tunnel on your warthog out into the big open world for the first time and this badass bombastic tune kicks in letting you know what the game is all about. It's one of my greatest gaming memories.   Lbbaker Member May 21, 2018 2,347 Sometimes I think about Unshaken in RDR2 and still get chills. Absolutely perfect.   Katbobo Member May 3, 2022 8,227 the "Weight of the World" segment at the end of Nier Automata Just absolute chills  Rookhelm Member Oct 27, 2017 3,784 The metal gear solid 3 long ladder climb is such a weird but cool moment. It plays a vocals-only version of the main theme while you climb this insanely long ladder.  Ant_17 Member Oct 28, 2017 2,943 Greece You confused the hell out of me. Its Bad Voodoo, not Deja vu   scottbeowulf Member Oct 27, 2017 10,934 United States I've been playing through Assassin's Creed Shadows and they do this sometimes when you start fighting. This cool 70s sounding music will start like I'm in a Tarantino movie and I'm like oh shit ok shit getting real   petetnt Member Oct 28, 2017 1,692 Kojima is all time GOAT with I'M STILL IN A DREAM SNAKE EAAAATERRRR View: https://i.imgur.com/0u8PAgn.png In the Ladder boss fight.  Mary Celeste Member Oct 25, 2017 14,267 Asylums for the Feeling drop is my fav game moment of the PS4 gen   MadJosh04 Member Nov 9, 2022 2,761 The ride into Mexico gave me goosebumps. Absolutely perfect part of an amazing game.   Clay Member Oct 29, 2017 9,583 NoctisLC said: Unshaken was so friggin good in RDR2 Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yeah, that easily takes it for me. Getting to Mexico in the first game was great too, blew my mind a bit at the time, but the Unshaken scene is just on another level.  MadMod Member Dec 4, 2017 4,816 Just remembered another - Days Gone - Jack Savoretti Soldier's Eyes. View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqhh18gp5l0   Xwing This guy are sick of the unshakeable slayer Member Nov 11, 2017 11,595 That part in MGSV The Phantom Pain - 10 year anniversary DLC where Invisible by Duran Duran starts playing.