South Korea’s Female Free Divers May Have Evolved to Thrive Underwater, Study Finds The Haenyeo, a group of skilled divers on Jeju Island, plunge beneath the ocean’s surface without any breathing equipment, thanks to a combination of their training and genetics Lillian Ali - Staff Contributor May 23, 2025 4:50 p.m. A group of female South Korean free divers on Jeju Island, known as the Haenyeo, exit the water after catching marine snails in November 2015. Chung Sung-Jun / Getty Images On Jeju Island, 50 miles south of the Korean peninsula, senior women regularly dive up to 60 feet beneath the ocean’s surface. They collect sea urchins, sea snails called abalone and other food—and they do it all without breathing equipment. These divers are known as the Haenyeo, or “women of the sea.” Trained from a young age, they plunge into cold ocean water year-round, throughout their lives. “They dive throughout their whole pregnancy,” Diana Aguilar-Gómez, a geneticist at the University of California, Los Angeles, tells NPR’s Ari Daniel. She describes stories of women diving until shortly before giving birth, then returning to the water just days later. Today, however, the practice is dwindling, and the current average age of the Haenyeo is about 70 years old. Many of the divers consider themselves to be the last of their kind. Aguilar-Gómez and her colleagues wanted to know how the Haenyeo built their remarkable underwater resilience—and whether evolution, rather than just training, played a role in their abilities. The scientists found a variety of genetic and adaptive traits among the Haenyeo and published their work this month in the journal Cell Reports. The research team compared 30 Haenyeo divers to 30 older non-diving women on Jeju Island, as well as to 31 older South Korean women from off the island. To keep all participants safe, they decided to conduct only “simulated dives,” where participants hold their breath and submerge their faces in a bowl of cold water. This triggers the mammalian dive reflex: The heart slows down, and the body diverts blood to the most important areas, like the brain. “Your body says, ‘Ok, there’s not a lot of oxygen coming, let’s keep it in the organs that need it the most,’” study co-author Melissa Ann Ilardo, a geneticist at the University of Utah, tells Deutsche Welle’s Matthew Ward Agius. The Haenyeo prepare for a dive. Hans Hillewaert / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Comparing the Haenyeo to other women, researchers found that the trained divers’ heart rates fell about 50 percent more than those who weren’t divers. In an extreme case, one Haenyeo woman’s heart rate dropped by 40 beats per minute in just 15 seconds. The lowered heart rate is not genetic, though. Scientists think that any human, if they had the lifetime of training the Haenyeo do, would adapt similarly. “We know that it’s because of training, because it’s something that we only saw in the Haenyeo,” Ilardo tells CNN’s Katie Hunt. To look for genetic differences, researchers took saliva samples from the different groups. They found that women from Jeju, whether or not they were divers, had similar genes. Compared to non-islanders, though, researchers saw two key differences. One has to do with cold tolerance—the Haenyeo are known for diving in frigid conditions, with surface water temperatures during their dives reaching 50 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. Ilardo tells NPR about a time she saw the Haenyeo diving in snowy weather: “They said as long as there’s not a risk that they’re going to be blown away to sea, then they still go out in the water, no matter how cold it is.” The people from Jeju Island were more likely to carry a genetic variant that may make them more resistant to hypothermia—in previous research, it has been linked to the ability to tolerate cold temperatures and pain. Jeju Island, known for its female free divers, seen from above. Robert Simmons / NASA The second difference relates to blood pressure—women from Jeju were more than four times more likely than women not from the island to have a gene variant related to lower blood pressure. Everyone’s blood pressure increases when they dive, Ilardo tells CNN. But Jeju residents’ blood pressure increases less. This resistance to heightened blood pressure could help the Haenyeo dive while pregnant, since high blood pressure can be very dangerous during pregnancy. The Haenyeo’s unique adaptations could hold the key to treating chronic diseases, particularly those related to high blood pressure. Gaining a better understanding of the gene tied to lower blood pressure could help scientists develop medications to protect people who are at risk of stroke or blood pressure complications, the researchers say. Ben Trumble, an anthropologist at Arizona State University who was not involved in the study, tells theWashington Post’s Mark Johnson that this new research could give insight into how to treat cardiovascular disease. “By working with populations like those Dr. Ilardo is working with, who aren’t sedentary office dwellers, we can gain some insights into how natural selection has helped us adapt and survive many problems that humans have faced throughout history,” Trumble says. Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.

Senior Environment Artist – Unannounced Game | Irvine, CABlizzard EntertainmentIrvine California 92618 United States of America50 minutes agoApplyTeam Name:Unannounced ProjectJob Title:Senior Environment Artist – Unannounced Game | Irvine, CARequisition ID:R025360Job Description:At Blizzard, we craft genre-defining games and legendary worlds for all to share. Through unparalleled creativity and storytelling, we create immersive universes and iconic characters that are beloved across platforms, borders, backgrounds, and generations - only made possible by building a work environment that nurtures the artistry of game development and unleashes the aspirations of our people.We are looking for a Senior Environment Artist to help us craft a new, unannounced game for Blizzard. As a key member of the development team, you will be responsible for delivering high-quality environment artwork through artistic and technical knowledge. You understand how to effectively build, integrate, and optimize a variety of environment asset types as well as how to support the gameplay experience. You are comfortable operating in a dynamic environment, navigating fluid deadlines and changing priorities with purpose.This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The potential home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.Responsibilities:Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:Working closely with the art director, collaborate with designers, artists, code, materials, VFX and lighting departments to help deliver game environments to a world-class standard .Use your knowledge of environment art creation to deliver work from iterative prototyping to final execution.Create artifacts (content creation briefs, workflow techniques) to guide the work of internal and external artists.Remain current on industry trends including advancement in commercial game engines and workflow efficiencies.Be comfortable touching many aspects of environment work including asset creation, texture work, material creation, composition and set dressing, foliage, geology, roads, and terrain.Proactively identify risks and propose solutions within the area of environment art creation.Minimum RequirementsExperience7+ years of experience in AAA environment art.Proven experience, having shipped multiple major titles in a relevant role.Experience working with a AAA game engine with strong understanding of implementation and integration.Knowledge of many aspects of environment art creation including strong proficiency in industry-standard 3D workflows.A portfolio, with examples and detailed breakdowns, showcasing your practical work.Strong understanding of authoring PBR content.Experience collaborating to develop better workflows and technology.Key AttributesA team-oriented approach to your work, understanding the importance of collaboration, and partnering with all departments.The ability to Inspire others with an enthusiastic approach to game development and improving core skills.Self-motivated ability to push initiatives forward.Extra PointsExperienceExperience working through early development R&D phases of a project is a plus.Solid understanding of game art creation outside of environment art ( e.g. lighting, VFX, characters, animation, rendering).An interest in photography and cinema.Experience creating and handling photogrammetry data.Expertise in 3D composition, form, balance, and color theory.Your PlatformBest known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. ( www.blizzard.com ), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.Our WorldActivision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush ™ and Bubble Witch™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!Our ability to build immersive and innovative worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment . We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all 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! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com . General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.RewardsWe 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 $80,800.00 - $149,400.00 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

Key Takeaways Maxsun unveiled the new Intel Arc Pro B60 Dual GPU video card, featuring two 24GB Pro B60 GPUs. It features a blower-style fan, ideal for building complex workstations with multiple cards. Although the pricing isn’t made public yet, we expect it to be around $1,000, which can be a competition-killer. Remember the good old CrossFire days when you could hook up multiple AMD GPUs to achieve higher performance? Well, those days might be returning thanks to the new Intel Arc Pro B60 Dual GPU launched by Maxsun at Computex. It PCIe features two 24GB GPUs in a single card, meaning you can get 48 GB of GPU memory. What’s incredible here is that the Arc Pro B60 only needs 8 PCIe lanes, unlike some high-end GPUs that need 16. However, you’ll need an X16 motherboard/CPU combo that supports PCIe bifurcation. In that case, the entire x16 slot can be split into two x8 connections. Interestingly, the Arc Pro B60 isn’t marketed as a gaming GPU – it’s meant primarily for workstations that require high computing power for tasks such as rendering, animations, moderate AI development, 3D modelling, etc. This is why it features a unique blower-like fan instead of the typical open-air fan we see in gaming CPUs. Unlike open-air fans that spread the heat out inside the case, a blower-style fan works like a hairdryer by pushing the heat out from the inside of the case. While the cooling efficiency of a blower fan might be lower on a single GPU, they turn out to be more effective in stacks, which is exactly what the Arc Pro B60 is meant for. So, if you’re building a workstation with 3 Arc Pro B60s, a blower-style fan ensures all 6 GPUs can be cooled without overwhelming the entire setup, making it better for ‘stacking.’ Comeback of Multi-GPU Setups Multi-GPU setups were quite the thing back in the day. We’re sure that a couple of die-hard builders in our team would serve up puppy eyes thinking about hooking up two 16GB GPUs to get more power. However, despite the widespread belief that you would get double the performance, memory was only enhanced by 30-50%. Still, these CrossFire setups served the purpose, i.e., gamers could play resource-intensive games. It’s worth noting that such dual-GPU setups faded away with the rapid development of newer GPUs. In short, single GPUs became powerful enough to overshadow dual GPUs. Eventually, a lot of applications and games stopped supporting CrossFire setups. With the new Intel Arc Pro B60, dual GPUs might make a mini-comeback. They’re not returning to the gaming arena, but to data centers, workstations, and AI setups. NVIDIA hasn’t promoted this in a long time, pushing its expensive GPUs into the market instead. This is also precisely where Intel wants to punch harder – the price point. Although we’re still waiting for the exact details on the Intel Arc Pro B60 dual GPU setup price, experts believe it could be priced around $1,000-$1,200. To get the same 48 GB of VRAM, you might have to spend $5,000-6,000 with models like the NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada. Of course, there will be performance differences between the two, too, but getting at-par VRAM is the first step of the process. Honestly, if power-intensive workspaces are able to get 48 GB of VRAM at 70-80% less cost, this dual GPU setup can become a market killer. In other news, Intel has also announced Project Battlematrix – a solution that supports AI workloads that can combine up to eight Intel Arc Pro GPUs in a system, with 192 GB of VRAM. The company seems to be working hard on the workstation and data processing industry – something NVIDIA and AMD haven’t catered to explicitly yet. This could give Intel a first-mover advantage. If it can achieve comparable performance with some modern NVIDIA chips, the new Intel Arc Pro B60 can revive the Blue team. Read more: Nvidia’s downgraded H20 chips might not be enough to stop China’s Ai ambitions Krishi is a seasoned tech journalist with over four years of experience writing about PC hardware, consumer technology, and artificial intelligence.  Clarity and accessibility are at the core of Krishi’s writing style. He believes technology writing should empower readers—not confuse them—and he’s committed to ensuring his content is always easy to understand without sacrificing accuracy or depth. Over the years, Krishi has contributed to some of the most reputable names in the industry, including Techopedia, TechRadar, and Tom’s Guide. A man of many talents, Krishi has also proven his mettle as a crypto writer, tackling complex topics with both ease and zeal. His work spans various formats—from in-depth explainers and news coverage to feature pieces and buying guides.  Behind the scenes, Krishi operates from a dual-monitor setup (including a 29-inch LG UltraWide) that’s always buzzing with news feeds, technical documentation, and research notes, as well as the occasional gaming sessions that keep him fresh.  Krishi thrives on staying current, always ready to dive into the latest announcements, industry shifts, and their far-reaching impacts.  When he's not deep into research on the latest PC hardware news, Krishi would love to chat with you about day trading and the financial markets—oh! And cricket, as well. View all articles by Krishi Chowdhary Our editorial process The Tech Report editorial policy is centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written by real authors.

Venture capitalists have always focused on investing in companies that leverage technology to either disrupt established industries or create entirely new business categories. But some VCs are starting to flip the script on their investing styles. Rather than funding startups, they are acquiring mature businesses –such as call centers, accounting firms, and other professional service firms—and optimizing them with artificial intelligence to serve more customers through automation. This strategy, often likened to private equity roll-ups, is being employed by firms such as General Catalyst, Thrive Capital, and solo VC Elad Gil. General Catalyst, touting this as a new asset class, has already backed seven such companies, including Long Lake, a startup that scoops up homeowners’ associations in an effort to make the management of communities more streamlined. Since its founding less than two years ago, Long Lake has secured $670 million in funding, according to PitchBook data. While the strategy is still new, a few other venture outfits have told TechCrunch that they are also considering trying out the investment model. Among them is Khosla Ventures, a firm known for making early bets on risky, unproven technologies with long development timelines. “I think we’ll look at a few of these types of opportunities,” Samir Kaul, general partner at Khosla Ventures, told TechCrunch. Interestingly, this PE-flavored approach could be a surprising benefit to the multitudes of AI startups VCs are backing. If a VC marries old businesses with new technology, AI startups wanting to serve these industries would essentially gain instant access to large, established clients. 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 According to Kaul, such access would be helpful when new startups have difficulties securing customers on their own. With the rapid rate of change in AI, the number of startups pouring into the market, and the historically long sales cycles involved in selling to enterprises, such difficulties apply to many AI startups.  But Khosla Ventures wants to proceed with caution. “The companies we’re looking at are very unlikely to lose money,” Kaul said, but he doesn’t want the strategy to ruin the firm’s strong return track record. “My biggest stress in life is I’m managing other people’s money, and I want to make sure that I continue to be a good steward of it.” While Khosla Ventures is starting to “dabble” in AI roll-up investments, Kaul explained that the firm wants to do a few deals to assess if such investments deliver strong returns for the firm before possibly raising money for some kind of vehicle specifically aimed at this investment strategy. If early bets pan out, Khosla would likely partner with a PE-style firm to help it with acquisitions rather than hire a team. “We wouldn’t do it alone, we don’t have that expertise,” he said.

Venture capitalists have always focused on investing in companies that leverage technology to either disrupt established industries or create entirely new business categories. But some VCs are starting to flip the script on their investing styles. Rather than funding startups, they are acquiring mature businesses –such as call centers, accounting firms, and other professional service firms—and optimizing them with artificial intelligence to serve more customers through automation. This strategy, often likened to private equity roll-ups, is being employed by firms such as General Catalyst, Thrive Capital, and solo VC Elad Gil. General Catalyst, touting this as a new asset class, has already backed seven such companies, including Long Lake, a startup that scoops up homeowners’ associations in an effort to make the management of communities more streamlined. Since its founding less than two years ago, Long Lake has secured $670 million in funding, according to PitchBook data. While the strategy is still new, a few other venture outfits have told TechCrunch that they are also considering trying out the investment model. Among them is Khosla Ventures, a firm known for making early bets on risky, unproven technologies with long development timelines. “I think we’ll look at a few of these types of opportunities,” Samir Kaul, general partner at Khosla Ventures, told TechCrunch. Interestingly, this PE-flavored approach could be a surprising benefit to the multitudes of AI startups VCs are backing. If a VC marries old businesses with new technology, AI startups wanting to serve these industries would essentially gain instant access to large, established clients. 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 According to Kaul, such access would be helpful when new startups have difficulties securing customers on their own. With the rapid rate of change in AI, the number of startups pouring into the market, and the historically long sales cycles involved in selling to enterprises, such difficulties apply to many AI startups.  But Khosla Ventures wants to proceed with caution. “The companies we’re looking at are very unlikely to lose money,” Kaul said, but he doesn’t want the strategy to ruin the firm’s strong return track record. “My biggest stress in life is I’m managing other people’s money, and I want to make sure that I continue to be a good steward of it.” While Khosla Ventures is starting to “dabble” in AI roll-up investments, Kaul explained that the firm wants to do a few deals to assess if such investments deliver strong returns for the firm before possibly raising money for some kind of vehicle specifically aimed at this investment strategy. If early bets pan out, Khosla would likely partner with a PE-style firm to help it with acquisitions rather than hire a team. “We wouldn’t do it alone, we don’t have that expertise,” he said.

Project Producer, Blizzard Video – Temp (SFD/Cinematics)Blizzard EntertainmentIrvine California 92618 United States of America2 hours agoApplyTeam Name:Story & Franchise Development OperationsJob Title:Project Producer, Blizzard Video – Temp (SFD/Cinematics)Requisition ID:R025383Job Description:Blizzard Video is the video production arm of the Story & Franchise Development team. We exist to engage, inform, and activate the global Blizzard community through the creation of epic video content.Blizzard Video is looking for a talented Producer who is highly organized with outstanding communication, and project management skills . As Producer, you will be responsible for establishing schedules, tracking project milestones, and budgets for all production activities. Communication skills are essential as you’ll be interfacing with other departments company-wide, coordinating with them to fulfill requests and gather assets. You will be working in a cohesive team environment that’s focused on tight schedules, creative problem solving, and meeting the challenge of continually helping the team elevate their game.This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The potential home studio for this position is Irvine, CA.ResponsibilitiesManage all facets of production for videos and other assets across multiple IPs from kick off through to deliveryOversee production of multiple projects on similar and sometimes competing timelinesCreate project bids and manage budgets of various size and scope and execute within that budgetOrganize, schedule and lead kick-off, pitch and review meetings with various stakeholders across the companyBuild and manage project schedules to ensure videos are delivered on time and within budgetLiaise with different departments to facilitate communication and necessary approvals internally and externally (i.e. game teams, legal, localization, sound, marketing)RequirementsAt least 5 years of experience working within a video production environment, and familiar with file types and delivery specifications.Able to organize and prioritize projects in a fast-paced environment, and perform effectively under pressure of multiple deadlines and initiativesAble to create and manage detailed schedules of all production initiativesAble to execute productions in a timely mannerAble to work independently and within directed initiativesExperience in evaluating project viability against departmental resourcesAble to maintain and work within approval pipelineAble to work with various communications stylesExcellent teamwork skills with ability to maintain strong individual contributionsPolished interpersonal skills, with ability to effectively interact with all levels of managementApproaches challenges as opportunities for learning and growthUnderstanding the importance of maintaining confidentialityProficient with MS Office programsPlusesA passion for video games and video game cultureWorking knowledge of Adobe Premiere, After Effects, and PhotoshopCertificates or completed courses in project managementYour PlatformBest known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.Our WorldActivision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty ®, World of Warcraft® , Overwatch ®, Diablo ®, Candy Crush ™ and Bubble Witch ™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!Our ability to build immersive and innovate worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment. We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all 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! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristicsRewardsWe 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 $29.81 - $55.14 Hourly. 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

Verso is happy taking back seat in your Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 party. He provides damage buffs to your team and then helps your primary damage-dealer quickly rout the enemy. His playstyle is reminiscent of Capcom’s Devil May Cry series, since you must rack up damage and dodges across multiple turns to increase your rank (called Perfection in Expedition 33) from D to S — though if you get hit, Verso’s rank will drop. The higher his rank, the better he performs in battle. As a result, he’s a high-risk, high-reward party member. If you’re interested in the best for your mysterious well-maned swordsman, this Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 guide will break down the best Verso build, including his best weapons, attributes, Pictos, and skills to quickly achieve S rank. Best Verso build in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Verso is meant to play second fiddle to one of your stronger DPS characters in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Whether you prefer Sciel or Maelle, Verso perfectly accompanies them by buffing their high damage output. He’s at his best when paired with a strong DPS unit. Verso demands mastery of Expedition 33’s defensive mechanics, though. As you build him up to his peak strength, you must rely on well-timed parries and dodges to increase and maintain your Perfection rank. Once you unlock Verso’s best weapon, which allows you to start battles in S Rank, you must still be able to dodge and parry to maintain that rank. The best Verso build in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is: Attributes: Agility and Luck Weapon: Chevalam Skills: Blitz, Phantom Stars, Follow Up, Paradigm Shift, Defiant Strike, and Ascending Assault Pictos: Augmented Counter I, Perilous Parry, and Confident Fighter Verso’s best attributes are Agility and Luck, similar to other DPS units. He’s best used when you can maximize how frequently he plays. From the moment you Verso joins your party in Act 2, you’ll want to prioritize Agility. In Act 2, his best weapon is the Gaulteram, for its potent level 4 passive ability, which prevents you from dropping down in Perfection rank when getting hit. This weapon is so good for those learning Verso’s playstyle, but in Act 3 gets overshadowed by Chevalam, which starts you out at max Perfection Rank. Below, we’ll explain in more detail why this is the best Verso build in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Best attributes for Verso No matter where you are in the game, the main attribute you should prioritize for Verso is Agility. Agility grants him more turns in combat as well as provides extra damage, as both of his best weapons scale with it. Verso offers a ton of flexibility with leveling because, once you’ve maxed out his Agility, you’re more or less free to allocate his points however you see fit. We’d recommend Luck as the best choice, though, because of boost to your critical hit chance and that fact that it scales with the Chevalam, but you can also opt for more Vitality for survivability. Best weapon for Verso The best weapon for Verso is, without a doubt, the Chevalam. However, you won’t get the full benefit of the weapon unless you have a solid handle on parrying and dodging. Verso’s best weapon in Act 2, the Gaulteram, is a good substitute if you don’t have the timing down. You can find the Chevalam by defeating the Chromatic Gold Chevaliere boss. You can only access this boss by completing the sword puzzles in the Crimson Forest, making it missable. You can find the Gaulteram in the overworld too as the enemy that drops it is right next to the Stone Wave Cliffs entrance. (Technically, the Gaulteram is missable too, but if you fight everything you see, you’ve probably stumbled upon it.) The Chevalam offering S rank at the start of combat is invaluable, but the downside is that you can’t be healed or defended with shields. This is why you must be great at parrying — mess up your defense moves and you could die pretty quickly. The weapon’s highest-level passive ability also applies Rush on reaching S rank, allowing for a boost to Verso’s Agility as soon as battle starts. Managing Perfection rank is key here, and while the Gaulteram is suitable for practice once you’ve mastered Verso, it’s best to graduate to the Chevalam when you’re comfortable. Best Pictos and Luminas for Verso Verso thrives with Pictos that work in tandem with his best attributes, Agility and Luck. It is also preferred that his chosen Pictos offer strong Passives to help set up himself and the rest of his team. The best Pictos in his case are Augmented Counter I, Perilous Parry, and Confident Fighter. Below are the detailed descriptions of what these Pictos do and the stats they grant bonuses to. Augmented Counter I — Health and Crit Rate. 25% increased Counterattack damage. Perilous Parry — Speed and Crit Rate. +1 AP on Parry, but damage received is doubled. Confident Fighter — Health and Crit Rate. 30% increased damage, but can’t be Healed. These Pictos, along with Verso’s best weapon, the Chevalam, set up a playstyle that rewards masterful parries. This turns Verso into a glass cannon who that is meant to support your primary attacker, but with the right Luminas, you can get Verso dealing high damage himself. We’d recommend using the following Luminas, depending on how many Lumina Points you have. Augmented First Strike Auto Rush Breaking Counter Charging Tint Confident Critical Burn Dead Energy II Marking Shots Double Mark Powerful on Shell Empowering Parry Energising Jump Energising Start II Glass Canon Inverted Affinity Painted Power Solidifying Shell On Rush Energising Shots Best skills for Verso The best skills for Verso are the following: Blitz: Deals low single target Physical damage. 1 hit. Plays a second time. Kills non-boss enemies with less than 10% Health. B Rank: Increased damage. Phantom Stars: Deals extreme Light damage to all enemies. 5 hits. Can Break. S Rank: Costs 5 AP. Follow Up: Deals medium single target Light damage. 1 hit. Damage increased for each Free Aim shot this turn, up to 10 times. S Rank: Costs 2 AP. Paradigm Shift: Deals low Physical single target damage and gives 1-3 AP back. 3 hits. C Rank: +1 AP. Defiant Strike: Deals high single target Physical damage that applies Mark. 2 Hits. Costs 30% of current Health. B Rank: Increased damage. Ascending Assault: Deals low single target damage. 1 hit. Uses weapon’s element. Increased damage at each cast. S Rank: Costs 2 AP. Verso’s skills revolve around reaching S rank as quickly as possible. If you’re using the Chevalam, you can already max out Verso’s damage output. Phantom Stars is an excellent move against multiple enemies, but against bosses or a single strong enemy unit, Ascending Assault is the way to go. Defiant Strike is suitable for applying marks — which can then help the rest of your party deal extra damage — and Follow Up is a great skill, as it deals more damage if you spam your free aim shots before using it. This skill, partnered with Luminas like Marking Shots, can be used to additionally set up party members who come after, turning it into a valuable, damaging, and supportive tool. For more Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 build guides, check out our best builds for Lune, Maelle, Sciel, and Monoco.

A cataclysmic asteroid collision may not sound like the starting place for life. But 66 million years ago, the Chicxulub impactor that wiped out the dinosaurs and much of the Cretaceous period’s fauna also kick-started a hydrothermal system that became a hotbed for life to recover in the local area. That’s the finding from a recent paper published in Nature Communications. Chicxulub Impact and Rapid RecoveryThe impact itself was truly a catastrophe, says Philippe Claeys, Chair of the Large Research Group AMGC at Vrije Universiteit Brussel and a co-author on the paper. When the asteroid – estimated at 10 to 15 kilometers [about 6 miles to 9 miles] in diameter – slammed into the earth it sent vast amounts of energy into the atmosphere, resulting in a massive cloud plume that lead to the collapse of photosynthesis, large-scale cooling, and the demise of up to 70 percent of life on earth, including the dinosaurs.  That extended to the oceans. “At least for 500,000 years, there's good evidence to show that the world's oceans were not functioning exactly as modern or Cretaceous oceans were,” Claeys says.Past research found that within decades, the waters around the site recovered quickly. This recent paper suggests that it is because the massive impact and the resultant melt sheet created a hydrothermal system that funneled hot water and nutrients to the surrounding area, enabling this surprisingly quick comeback.“What is interesting in this new paper is that we teamed up with geochemists, crater specialists, and micropalaeontologists to look at the effect on the biosphere, on the micro plankton within the region surrounding the crater in the Gulf of Mexico,” Claeys says. “The conclusion, that was a little bit surprising, is that the recovery of life seems to be accelerated compared to the rest of the oceans.”Read More: Two Asteroids May Have Wiped Out The DinosaursHydrothermal System Funneled Nutrients That multi-disciplinary team traced levels of osmium – an element found in asteroids like the Chicxulub impactor – in sediments taken from core samples in the crater. Sean Gulick, a research professor at The University of Texas at Austin’s Jackson School of Geosciences, and a co-author on the study, was part of a 2016 drill team that took core samples from the crater. These samples were vital to these recent findings.He explains that in this instance, osmium acts as a “tracer for all sorts of nutrients that might be enriching the oceans above.” That showed that the hydrothermal system following the collision was likely funneling nutrients to the ocean above for at least 700,000 years.“We do know that an asteroid impact with all of this energy, if it's large enough, can cause a mass extinction event globally, because of all the atmospheric effects,” Gulick says. “But it also turns out to be beneficial to life, at least locally.”Even though the Chicxulub impact resulted in a “kiss of death for dinosaurs,” it also acted as a “cradle for life,” Gulick says. Possibility of Life on Other Planets Their research also showed that during the time the hydrothermal system functioned, the type of marine life mainly comprised of plankton species adapted to high-nutrient environments. This shifted to species that thrive in low-nutrient environments over time.In Gulick’s view, their findings open up the possibility of a mechanism to kick-start life on other planets. “Everything out there gets smacked with objects flying around. From the original creation of the planets and from collisions in the asteroid belt and everything else,” Gulick says. “Every one of those planets has a way to have their surface changed by impact cratering that then reorganizes things, brings things to the surface, and adds heat.”  As long as there are fluids or ice that could result in a hydrothermal system, Gulick adds. “So, if this is a viable mechanism to get life going, then that means it's entirely possible to have life on a lot of different planets.”Read More: Did a Dust Plume Kill the Dinosaurs?Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this articleUniversity of Texas Institute of Geophysics. Life Recovered Rapidly at Site of Dino-Killing Asteroid. A Hydrothermal System May Have Helped.University of Texas Geosciences. Drilling into Dino Doomsday Sean Mowbray is a freelance writer based in Scotland. He covers the environment, archaeology, and general science topics. His work has also appeared in outlets such as Mongabay, New Scientist, Hakai Magazine, Ancient History Magazine, and others.

Chris Kerr, Senior Editor, NewsMay 23, 20252 Min ReadImage via Game DeveloperRoblox has appointed its first head of parental advocacy to help families "navigate the digital world."Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov has stepped into the role and joins Roblox from Lego Group, where she served as senior corporate counsel on digital gaming, the metaverse, and child safety.It's a notable move for the company, which oversees one of the most popular user generated content platforms in the world.Roblox has repeatedly been accused of failing to deploy adequate protections for younger players. Last year, Bloomberg published an extensive report based on testimonies from 20 current and former Roblox employees who called out the company for allegedly failing to curb predatory behaviour.Since then, Roblox has rolled out a number of new safety measures—including the ability for parents to moderate their children's friends list and block specific experiences on the platform.New Roblox hire says company is committed to "supporting parents with expert guidance"Discussing its new hire, Roblox said Milovidov will focus on "building partnerships and programs to help equip parents with the tools to help their families navigate Roblox and the digital world.""I am excited to join Roblox to address the evolving challenges families face in today’s digital landscape," added Dr. Milovidov in a blog post.Related:"It is my personal mission to give parents the confidence and skills to raise children who thrive online while using technology safely and responsibly—today and tomorrow. This role underscores Roblox's commitment to supporting parents with expert guidance, innovative tools, and community resources focused on child safety and family well-being."Roblox acknowledged there has been an "intense global discussion" around digital child safety in recent years, and claimed keeping children safe remains a "top priority.""Hiring Dr. Milovidov for this newly created role is part of our efforts to empower families to help children use technology safely and responsibly," added the company.Despite those assertions, Roblox CEO and co-founder Dave Baszucki recently suggested that concerned parents should simply keep their children off the platform.Speaking to BBC News in March about the widely-reported safety issues, Baszucki said the company had to trust parents to "make their own decisions.""My first message would be, if you're not comfortable, don't let your kids be on Roblox," he said at the time. "That sounds a little counter-intuitive, but I would always trust parents to make their own decisions."Related:Read more about:RobloxAbout the AuthorChris KerrSenior Editor, News, GameDeveloper.comGame Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning journalist and reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton. He has featured on the judging panel at The Develop Star Awards on multiple occasions and appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.See more from Chris KerrDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

Mount Holly, Blue PrinceThis year’s surprise hit Blue Prince is a proper video game wonder. It’s an architectural puzzler in which you explore a transforming mansion left to you by an eccentric relative. The place is filled with secrets, and whenever you reach a door you get to pick the room on the other side from a handful of options. The whole game is a rumination on houses and how we live in them. Nostalgic and melancholic, it feels designed to make us look harder at what surrounds us.The Edison mansion, Maniac Mansion Photograph: Lucasfilm GamesThis Addams’-style Queen Anne with clapboard facades and dark windows is a classic haunted house, reportedly inspired by the Skywalker Ranch. The great twist of this early LucasArts adventure is that all kinds of spooky things are happening, but the fiends and monsters you meet are often surprisingly charming – the odd hamster-in-a-microwave incident aside. Maybe not a great place to live, but these guys would make memorable neighbours.Spencer mansion, Resident Evil Photograph: CapcomNestled amid the foreboding Arklay mountains outside Raccoon City, the Spencer mansion is what would have happened if the murderer from the Saw movies had become an architect. This vast country pile in the Second Empire style is lusciously adorned with oil paintings, antique furniture and hidden rooms. However, any potential buyers should know it’s essentially a vast trap, filled with puzzles and monsters, designed to kill anyone wanting to investigate the massive bio-research facility beneath it.Finch house, What Remains of Edith Finch Photograph: Giant SparrowBased on Goose Creek Tower in Alaska, Finch house is a monument to the doomed family who once lived there, which explains why the bedrooms are sealed off like museum exhibits. Floors are piled up haphazardly and navigating the interior can feel like moving through the transformations of a pop-up book. Living here would be fascinating, but you’d need good joints, what with all the stairs. On the plus side, the bookcases are filled with works such as Gravity’s Rainbow, Slaughterhouse-Five and House of Leaves, so you’d get to catch up on your postmodernist reading.The mansion, Jet Set Willy Photograph: YouTubeOne of the great video-game homes, this strange mansion is left in disarray after an almighty booze-up. The rooms feel very much like a lurid hangover, incorporating stomping boots, chomping toilet seats and at one point, an entire tree. What makes this classic platformer so haunting is the juxtaposition of domesticity and surreal horror. The bedroom is out of bounds and the refrigerator threatens to extend for miles. Oh, and there’s an entrance to Hades on the floorplan.Island cottage, Animal Crossing: New Horizons Photograph: NintendoNintendo’s dreamy deconstruction of capitalism is so close to being a doll’s house for adults that it makes sense that you get your own home to decorate. Beyond choosing the wallpaper and adding just the right indoor plants, you also have an option to fill the air with recordings of music performed by a local dog. This sounds childlike, but the compulsion to refine layouts feels like a very middle-aged kind of obsession, and in one of many brutal lunges at realism, you don’t even get to enter your house without first being handcuffed to a gigantic mortgage.Snowpeak ruins, Zelda: Twilight Princess Photograph: NintendoWhat’s your favourite Zelda dungeon? Allow us to make the case for Snowpeak ruins, from the slightly under-loved Twilight Princess. There have been better puzzles in Zelda, and better rewards for beating a boss, but this cosy getaway high in the mountains is easily the most warmly domestic space in the entire series. It’s not just down to the warmth radiating from the many hearths or the juxtaposition to the icy chill outside. It’s the presence of two gentle Yetis, wandering around despite your dramatic arrival, tending to bubbling pots of stew.Croft Manor, Tomb Raider Photograph: Square EnixLara Croft’s country house may have started as a place for the games to tuck away a tutorial section, but the Manor quickly evolved into a vital part of the series’ appeal. Croft isn’t just gymnastic and deadly, she’s absolutely minted. Her house is filled with the strangely proportioned rooms you often got when PS1 games ventured indoors, and there’s often a hedge maze alongside a gymnasium. Croft has a room just for her harpsichord! And she has a butler who’s happy to wearily plod along behind her and endure an eternity locked in the freezer.Luigi’s Mansion Photograph: NintendoLuigi’s Mansion was the first game to give either one of Nintendo’s plumbers much in the way of a personality. It’s tempting to argue that’s because Luigi’s thrown in among ordinary domestic clutter here, rather than being let loose to jump and dance through worlds of colourful whimsy. The mansion in question may be filled with ghosts, but it’s also filled with bookshelves, hallway carpeting, light fixtures and a decent-sized kitchen. It’s the perfect place for the ever-roving Marioverse to settle down for a moment and offer a sustained depiction of a single place.The lighthouse, Beyond Good and Evil Photograph: MobygamesJade is a photojournalist rather than a soldier, exploring a fantasy world that’s based on Europe rather than the US or Japan. No wonder, then, that instead of a mansion or hi-tech HQ, she gets to live in a lighthouse on the misty shores of a quiet water world. The lighthouse doubles as a refuge and orphanage, and it’s a delight to spot the little details the designers have included, whether it’s the chummy mess in the living spaces, or the crayon drawings on the woodwork.Botany Manor Photograph: Whitethorn GamesPlayers are drawn to Botany Manor by the puzzles, which revolve around uncovering the conditions required to allow a series of flowers to grow and thrive. But the space itself is arguably the thing that draws everyone back until the game is complete. Here is a version of early 20th-century English elegance pitched somewhere between the worlds of Jeeves and Flora Poste. The colours and sense of expectant stillness, meanwhile, could come from a piece of Clarice Cliff Bizarre Ware pottery.The Carnovasch Estate, Phantasmagoria Photograph: SierraWhen novelist Adrienne Delaney moves into this remote New England property seeking inspiration, she loves the giant fireplaces, labyrinthine corridors and authentic gothic chapel but isn’t so keen on the presence of a wife-murdering demon intent on decapitating, stabbing or squashing residents to death. Heavily inspired by The Shining and the works of Edgar Allen Poe, adventure designer Roberta Williams built this mansion to be the ultimate gore-splattered horror house. Viewing recommended.