If you're part of the BioWare or Sims community and want to talk about how those studios' queer characters and themes have impacted you and your fears for those series moving forward after this sale, I'd love to chat with you for a Kotaku story. Can be reached here or email kshepard@kotaku.com

Kotaku@kotaku.com · yesterday

Well, I guess Electronic Arts belongs to Saudi Arabia, private equity, and Jared Kushner now. https://kotaku.com/electronic-arts-officially-belongs-saudi-arabia-jared-kushner-now-2000721666

The collective "aww" from the audience 🥹🥰

Trek Central@trekcentral.net · 2w ago

🖖 NEW - #StarTrek: #StrangeNewWorlds Panel Has Begun... with a dog? Actress Christina Chong, who plays La'an, has brought along her dog "Runa" for the panel! #SDCC

It's finally here! #Switch2 #Nintendo

Made a Bat-Man

For today's blog, I wrote about George Lucas the technologist, and how often that aspect of him has been forgot across two decades of public image overhaul—only for people to be painfully reminded this week when he spoke of his support for generative AI.

George Lucas Is Just Reminding You Who He Always Was

The director's comments about AI are perhaps the first real test of his re-litigated reputation since Disney's acquisition of 'Star Wars.'

observationdeck.ghost.io

microsoft is in full damage control mode following last week's layoffs. its main strategy so far? namedrop sequels to popular series at every turn. but despite what execs like asha sharma might want you to think, those series were made by people, and now they'll never be the same

Aftermath@aftermath.site · 3w ago

Fallout didn't make itself aftermath.site/fallout-5-beth...

According to Tom Warren, a new 'Doom' game is in early stages at id Software.

Today launches the game I've been working on: Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced It's been an incredible experience working with such hardworking,talented & amazing people and we are very glad that players are loving it Unfortunately my whole team is being laid off so we can't fully celebrate it

Makes one of the most successful AC games in years. Gets laid off. ...

Kotaku@kotaku.com · 4w ago

Ubisoft devs who worked on Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced in Barcelona celebrate the game's launch today by bracing for layoffs. "After 7 years at Ubi... https://kotaku.com/assassins-creed-devs-celebrate-black-flag-remake-launch-with-layoffs-this-is-not-how-i-imagined-it-would-end-2000714209

Microsoft’s carbon emissions went up 25 percent last year

Microsoft’s carbon emissions went up 25 percent last year

Microsoft says data centers were “primarily” responsible for higher emissions.

buff.ly

"How does the company that's for decades been synonymous with the PC—much as we now wish it weren't—end up with its hands on the game studio that's synonymous with the PC, and not see it as a priceless asset?"

Wes Fenlon@wes.readonlymemo.com · 4w ago

What Microsoft did to id Software this week was a tragedy -- a failure to safeguard the lives of its workers. But it was also a telling failure of vision to have *that* legacy in your hands and to discard it like so much nothing

10 years later, Pokemon Go takes over Times Square to defeat Mewtwo.

“Cornell researchers found that at the current rate of AI growth, the burgeoning industry could represent 24 to 44 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, the equivalent of adding five to ten million cars to US roadways.”

The Pollution Being Churned Out by AI Data Centers Is So Severe That It's Almost Incomprehensible

The extent of the pollution being put out by thousands of data centers is shocking. Some developers are exploiting regulatory loopholes.

futurism.com

Layoffs hit GameSpot again aftermath.site/gamespot-layof...

I keep seeing this post from Sami reposted a lot lately. But then I see this article from @thisweekinvideogames.com that seems to contradict it. 🤔 thisweekinvideogames.com/news/id-tech...

id Tech Engine Reportedly Still Part of Xbox's Future, Despite Significant Coder Layoffs at id Software

Despite several id Tech coders being laid off as part of Xbox's significant cuts, id Software's proprietary engine still reportedly has a future

thisweekinvideogames.com

Sami(14 days til 🎂)@samitron.bsky.social · 4w ago

THIS STUDIO MADE THE FAMOUS IDTECH ENGINE AND YOU'RE FORCING THEM TO USE FUCKING **UNREAL**??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? FUCK YOU

New Instagram Gen Ai BS update just landed 😒😒 This update is coming in waves to Users, so double-check your settings, and follow this image steps to deactivate (right image is tabs turned OFF) 👍

WIRED@wired.com · 4w ago

As part of Meta’s Muse Image model rollout, Instagram users with public accounts need to opt out to block AI generations of their content. www.wired.com/story/meta-n...

Pictured: Concept art by Ray Lederer, one of the two concept artists who worked on Skyrim. After the passing of Adam Adamowicz, he was the only Skyrim concept artist remaining at Bethesda, but was let go of this week.

Me watching video to catch up on the Realm Reborn story.

Somehow, someone's takeaway from this is going to be that AI provided a lot of correct information to these students taking their midterms at home and call it a win for gen-AI. 🙃

Riley MacLeod@rcmacleod.bsky.social · 4w ago

Got so riled up I blogged it, shoutouts to data viz aftermath.site/ai-education...

Anyways, you can love your preferred video game ecosystem, franchise or whatever all you want. You can think your years of customer loyalty should/will be reciprocated. But these businesses don't love you back. Same with your job, fwiw. You're a number on a spreadsheet.

Proud to announce the next game Vampirium: 1997 Dracula is king of the United British Empire. Kill his enemies and find your own path through a minimalist immersive sim sandbox. Wishlists and retweets massively appreciated (and, you know, massively helpful) store.steampowered.com/app/4035190/...

Vampirium: 1997 on Steam

1997. Dracula is King of England. At his command, master your dark gifts to assassinate his enemies and secure his vampiric empire. Infiltrate locked-down locations, adapt and survive in living enviro...

store.steampowered.com

Miyamoto on Mario's last name, 2015. Source: Game Informer #MarioSeriesQuote, #MiyamotoQuote web.archive.org/web/20240205...

Statement from VGHF director Frank Cifaldi on the discontinuation of physical PlayStation media, and the closure of the PS3 and PSP digital storefronts.

This is very fucking cool. www.warppoint.games

Wes Fenlon@wes.readonlymemo.com · last mo.

Remember the internet before Google, before algorithmic feeds, before monolithic social media corralled us onto the same handful of apps? When small, *personal websites* and webrings linking them together reigned supreme? Time to bring it back.

Casual Sunday Guild Wars 2 stream. 💖 LIVE: www.twitch.tv/midnitefuzz

This got me good. 😂

Amelia Carhartt@theschwall.bsky.social · 2mo ago

So dang cool!

Cabel Sasser@cabel.panic.com · 2mo ago

Here's an easter egg in the new Lego Batman that I think all of you will REALLY appreciate. It's so good, I had to make a video.

Watching the Xbox showcase (on a delay obvs -- no spoilers pls)! www.twitch.tv/midnitefuzz

Dog Playing Xbox with Controller

ALT: Dog Playing Xbox with Controller

static.klipy.com

Lower Decks x God of War Laufey mashup nobody asked for