During Gamescom 2024 Opening Night Live, Machine Games and Bethesda Softworks revealed the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle PS5 release date window.

When is the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle PS5 release date window?

Players won’t have to wait too long after its initial release on Xbox this December. Geoff Keighley took to the Gamescom Opening Night Live stage to reveal the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle PS5 release date window is Spring 2025. This means Machine Games’ next title is likely slated to launch for PlayStation sometime between March and June.

The Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Gamescom date reveal trailer offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse of actor Troy Baker as the titular character, visually portrayed by Harrison Ford. Baker recalls seeing Indiana Jones for the first time, and his excitement to take on the iconic role.

“It’s humbling playing a character so many people, myself included, look up to. As a kid, seeing Indiana Jones in the theater for the first time was a defining moment for me,” says Baker in the video. “I never would have guess that all these years later, I would be the one wearing the hat, but here I am. It’s been a dream come true. A dream I cannot wait for you to live for yourself.”

Machine Games announced it was making an Indiana Jones game back in 2021 with a short teaser trailer. The game is set between the films Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It will take Indy and his new companion Gina across the globe including the Himalayas and the Great Pyramids of Egypt.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle launches December 9, 2024, for Xbox Series X|S and PC. Preorders for the Standard, Premium, and Collector’s Edition are available now for Xbox. Players can now wishlist the game on PS5.

The post Indiana Jones and the Great Circle PS5 Release Date Window Set appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.

Enlarge / We have doubts that any amount of Force powers will bring the show back. (credit: YouTube/Disney+)

In news that will delight some and disappoint others, Disney has canceled Star Wars series The Acolyte after just one season, Deadline Hollywood reports. The eight-episode series got off to a fairly strong start, with mostly positive reviews and solid ratings, albeit lower than prior Star Wars series. But it couldn't maintain and build upon that early momentum, and given the production costs, it's not especially surprising that Disney pulled the plug.

The Acolyte arguably wrapped up its major narrative arc pretty neatly in the season finale, but it also took pains to set the stage for a possible sophomore season. In this streaming age, no series is ever guaranteed renewal. Still, it would have been nice to see what showrunner Leslye Headland had planned; when given the chance, many shows hit their stride on those second-season outings.

(Spoilers for the series below. We'll give you another heads-up when we get to major spoilers.)

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James Gunn’s reboot of the DCU doesn’t start until Superman arrives in 2025, but he said the movie is already done filming to give the teams involved as much time as possible to perfect its finished look, and especially the quality of its VFX. The director’s comments were in response to growing concerns about terrible…

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Podle nové zprávy serveru Variety vydělala očekávaná hraná filmová adaptace Borderlands během úvodního víkendu celosvětově pouhých 16,5 milionu dolarů.

Tyto příjmy jsou v porovnání s oznámeným rozpočtem filmu ve výši 115 milionů dolarů slabé. Variety také uvádí, že náklady na marketing a distribuci činily dalších 30 milionů dolarů.

Server Variety s odvoláním na zdroje ze studia uvádí, že „téměř 60 % nákladů na výrobu filmu ‚Borderlands‘ pokryly mezinárodní předprodeje“. Film Borderlands však přesto zaostal za očekáváním.

Film od společnosti Lionsgate a režiséra Eliho Rotha měl premiéru 9. srpna 2024. Nejlépe si vedl na domácím trhu, ale i tak vydělal pouhých 8,8 milionu dolarů z 3125 kin.

Slabé výsledky hry Borderlands o premiérovém víkendu následovaly po řadě negativních recenzí od kritiků i fanoušků. Den před premiérou se jeho skóre na Rotten Tomatoes mezi kritiky propadlo na ohromující nulu.

V únoru 2024 oznámila studia plány na filmový svět Borderlands. Tyto plány jsou pravděpodobně vážně ohroženy poté, co první film v pokladnách kin zaostal za očekáváním. Někteří fanoušci a náhodní diváci přesto chválili herecké obsazení, například výkon Cate Blanchettové.

Na cestě je také mnoho filmových adaptací videoher, které jsou založeny na jiných duševních vlastnictvích. Naposledy společnost Story Kitchen oznámila plány na filmovou adaptaci historické hry Kingmakers. Tuto filmovou dohodu odhalila ještě předtím, než bylo potvrzeno datum vydání předlohy.

Článek Film Borderlands je po úvodním týdnu propadák se nejdříve objevil na GAME PRESS.

Welcome to the first weekend of August! The weather is still hot in various parts of the world (like, way more so than it’s been lately), so what a wonderful time to stay the hell in doors, in front of an air conditioner, with some video games.

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Když se film Uncharted v roce 2022 dostal do celosvětové distribuce, možná se ani zdaleka netěšil takovému uznání kritiky jako jiné herní adaptace, například The Last of Us nebo Fallout, ale z komerčního hlediska byl docela úspěšný a stal se pátým nejvýdělečnějším filmem na motivy hry všech dob, když celosvětově vydělal přes 407 milionů dolarů.

Společnost Sony Pictures od té doby několikrát uvedla, že hodlá natočit další filmy Uncharted, a nyní potvrdila, že se na jednom z nich pracuje. Jak informoval server Variety, mezi seznamem chystaných projektů, na kterých se v současné době pracuje, je uveden i další film Uncharted. Pravděpodobně se v něm opět objeví Tom Holland a Mark Wahlberg jako Nathan Drake, respektive Victor Sully.

Kdy se film dostane do kin nebo kdy bychom o něm mohli začít slýchat další podrobnosti, zatím není jasné. Zajímavé je, že Sony Pictures v současné době spolupracuje také s Nintendem na hrané adaptaci The Legend of Zelda.

Článek Další film Uncharted se připravuje, potvrdila společnost Sony se nejdříve objevil na GAME PRESS.

Release Date: August 27, 2020
Developer: DONTNOD Entertainment
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Article Reading Time: 4 minutes

Tell Me Why is free on Steam until July 1

Exciting News for Gamers on Steam!

We @Weplaygames.net are thrilled to share that the award-winning strong touching story adventure game, Tell Me Why developed by DONTNOD Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios, is free on Steam until July 1, 2024. This limited-time promotion allows you to dive into an emotionally gripping story without spending a dime!

1. You can visit the Tell Me Why Steam page.
2. Click the “Add to Account” button to permanently add the game to your Steam library.
3. Download and Play: Enjoy the game at your convenience.

Game is also Available for Free on Xbox Game Pass

For those with an Xbox Game Pass subscription, Tell Me Why is free for your console and PC . Download the game or play directly from cloud on your devices like handhelds. This means you can enjoy the game as part of your subscription without any additional cost. Access it through the Xbox Game Pass Catalog and start playing.

Why Tell Me Why?

Tell Me Why Game is a captivating episodic adventure that delves into the bond between twins Tyler and Alyson Ronan. Using their supernatural connection, they explore and uncover the mysteries of their troubled past in a small Alaskan town. Known for its rich storytelling and strong characters, the game lets players make impactful choices that shape the narrative.

DONTNOD Entertainment, the creators of Life is Strange, featured Tyler Ronan, a transgender character voiced by August Black. This representation is authentic and respectful, adding depth to the story without overshadowing it. The game’s stunning Alaskan setting and engaging puzzles immerse you in the twins’ world, offering insights into their fantasy realm, “The Book of Goblins.” With beautiful visuals and a heartfelt story, “Tell Me Why” invites players to explore themes of identity, memory, and family in a deeply human way.

Hurry Up or Wait with Pride!

This offer is available only until July 1, 2024 on Steam, so take advantage of your chance to experience this powerful narrative adventure for free. Keep an eye on our site for updates on upcoming freebies and game reviews. Or wait a year as this game honors Pride supporting LGBT communities making this for free.

The post Tell Me Why: For Free on Steam Until 1st July or Available Anytime with Xbox Ultimate appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

Title: The Complex
Developer: Wales Interactive
Publisher: Wales Interactive
Released: March 31, 2020
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC Game, Mac Game, iOS, Android
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4
Article Reading Time: 5 minutes

The English independent company Wales Interactive has been on the scene for over ten years. For a relatively long time, their specialization in the production of interactive entertainment has settled in a rather specific genre of FMV. Thus, they produce purely cinematic projects of mostly predictable stories, where the player takes control over the main characters’ important but often less important decisions. Three years earlier, the popular crime drama Late Shift was released from their hands, which can be seen as an ideal example of what Wales Interactive can do.

Setting and Plot

During less than an hour of The Complex story, the player can follow the fate of nine characters, i.e., real actors, dominated by the main heroine and the likable Miss Amy Tenant. The original name is Michelle Mylett, a native of Canada. In the story, Dr. Amy Tenant takes us to the city of London in the near future. There, she works as a research manager at the renowned Kensington Company, which focuses on the top-secret development of nanotechnology, supposedly capable of completely revolutionizing conventional medical procedures. But as these stories go, something goes wrong, and with nanotechnology, we suddenly have a deadly virus capable of pushing your eyeballs out your ass.

Acting Performances

Fans of the series adaptation of the Game of Thrones universe should also be delighted by the presence of actress Kate Dickie, who, in this case, played the role of a resolute and uncompromising boss. I don’t want to make myself an expert on acting performances here. Still, after having run through this cinematic adventure three times in a row (after the first time, one can skip the repeated passages to essential decisions), I found the performance of the only well-known personality in this project rather unconvincing and lackluster. As was the performance of the rest of the cast, who needed to be helped by the below-average story. But let’s move on to the main points of gameplay.

Gameplay and Choices

Suppose you have ever played at least one project from Quantic Dream and are aware of the plot development scheme against the background of a purely cinematic adventure game. In that case, this FMV affair will bring you almost nothing. While the choice to help one at the expense of the other is logical, in the case of The Complex, it’s more of a forced ending to an often awkward situation where the chemistry between the characters is minimal. It’s a great pity that the creators didn’t give a little more attention to the complexity of the storyline and made everything conditional on three crucial endings, the point of which you will understand in the first playthrough.

Critical Assessment

To the question; can everyone in the game die, including you? I answer in the affirmative. But will it bother you? Not at all! This whole spectacle wouldn’t even work as a stand-alone film, no matter which of the scripts provided. Although it is difficult to judge the quality of a “play” of this type, I must, at the end of this review, reach for my feelings and drop the new play by the English authors. I can imagine a situation where the game would have gotten a better number. However, the script would have to be freed from the obviously illogical cracks, allowing us to make at least some contact with the main characters. Because this is precisely the principle on which interactive projection is supposed to work, the fact that someone has just died is supposed to tear your veins as a viewer with a real influence on the development. The Complex was rather disappointing and, therefore, received an average rating. Guys, try harder next time. We still have hope and trust in you!

Where to Buy The Complex

1. Steam (PC, Mac): Available for $12.99. Purchase it directly from Steam.
2. Epic Games Store (PC): Priced at $12.99. Available on the Epic Games Store.
3. PlayStation Store (PS4): The game is available for $14.99 on the PlayStation Store.
4. Xbox Store (Xbox One): Purchase it for $12.99 from the Xbox Store.
5. Nintendo eShop (Switch): You can find it on the Nintendo eShop.
6. App Store (iOS): Get it here on App Store.
7. Google Play Store (Android) : Grab the game on Google Play

The post The Complex: Nanotech Crisis Exposed appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

Title: Erica
Developer: Flavourworks
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Released: August 19, 2019 (PS4), May 25, 2021 (PC)
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, PC Game
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4
Article Reading Time: 6 minutes

Games like Until Dawn, Hidden Agenda, Heavy Rain, and Detroit Become Human have shown that console gamers are also interested in games where they can control the story and shape the fate of the main characters. The new Erica game tries to build on the abovementioned games, although it can’t boast such ambition or budget. But it makes up for it all with a distinctive and not-so-hackneyed style. It is not a game but rather an interactive film in which you control the main character’s actions. You can already tell this by the fact that the whole game is acted, has real actors and environments, and everything is handled in a completely believable way, which is greatly influenced by the excellent performances of the hired actors. The player is not just a passive spectator but directly intervenes in the game or instead in the story because he interacts with the objects, makes important decisions, and influences the events and fates of the characters, including the main character.

Story and Setting

The most important thing with Erica’s play is the story, which decides what it will be and how much she will like it. Story-wise, this is a classic B-grade thriller that doesn’t offend at all. It is exciting and well-written, keeping you hooked until the very finale. The main character is a young girl, Erica. She went through literally hell in her childhood when she found her father dead, with a mysterious bloody mark on his chest. When she grows up, she still suffers from nightmares, but little does she know that the worst is yet to come when she finds a box outside her apartment door containing the hands of a murdered man, which also has a mysterious mark on them. So, for her own safety, she is taken to the asylum where her parents also worked, but that’s when all hell breaks loose because everything is connected. I won’t reveal more because, of course, the game builds on Erica’s story, and it’s definitely better to enjoy it with a minimum amount of information. Considering the game’s focus, it’s definitely a shame that it’s not localized into English, as Sony’s habit lately has been. On the other hand, English is average, so if you know a little English, you shouldn’t have a problem.

FMV Genre Revival

Erica is a so-called FMV game. These have appeared in the past, especially in the 1990s. The attempt was to connect the world of video games with the world of film. Still, everything needed to be improved by the technology used and several obstacles back then. Nowadays, of course, the situation is entirely opposite, and everything works as it should, thanks to advanced technology. Especially the transitions between the film and the interactive parts are smooth and almost unnoticeable, which only adds to the overall experience. The developers had to put much work into this, but it was worth it.

Acting and Soundtrack

As did the performance of the actors. The unknown actress Holly Earl plays Erica perfectly. Her performance is compelling. You can see the constant fear and fright in her eyes as she gradually reveals her not-so-happy past. But it wasn’t just Holly Earl who played her character well. Every actor handled their roles professionally. What also helps the game is the quality soundtrack provided by composer Ten, who has a rich history with games. He has composed the soundtrack for Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, Journey, and Abzû and contributed to the opening track for The Order: 1886. The tracks for Eric’s games complement each scene well. They make it even scarier or more suspenseful.

Control and Accessibility

PlayLink games like Erica have been built so that anyone can play them. Although they could be controlled using the classic Dualshock 4, they also supported control via the touch screen of a mobile phone. Still, you had to download a particular app to that first. Although Erica doesn’t belong in the PlayLink program, you can still see her roots and the fact that she was planning for it. On iOS or Android, you can download the app to your smartphone and control the game through it. In fact, the game is only controlled through the touchscreen, where you have to swipe your finger around it or select different options during conversations. This is definitely the best option. It’s true, though, that you can use the Dualshock 4, which is sufficient and a decent alternative. Still, the touchpad is sometimes tiny and needs to be more reasonably responded to appropriately. If you don’t have your phone handy, the Dualshock 4 serves relatively well, but it’s not the best choice for controlling a game.

Replayability and Final Thoughts

The first playthrough took me just under two hours, during which I didn’t get bored for even a tiny moment. It is, therefore, the perfect entertainment for an evening out. Moreover, I ran everything a few more times after finishing it because of the platinum trophy and because you need a chance to discover and discover everything during the first playthrough. Moreover, I wanted to test how much the situations will vary according to the different options, which are significant. They lead to several endings, so it’s definitely worth playing through everything again. The replayability is enormous in this case, just like with Quantic Dream’s games. You won’t regret the money spent.

Erica may lack the big ambitions we see in Quantic Dream’s games, but its quality is still intact. The story is intriguing, the blend of interactive passages with the cutscenes is practically flawless, and your decisions really matter, making the game worth playing more than once. If you like this type of game or enjoy trying something new, you will go right with your purchase. Erica deserves your attention; it is one of the best FMV affairs in years.

Where to buy Erica

1. Steam (PC): Available for $11.99. You can purchase the game directly from Steam Store
2. PlayStation Store (PS4): The game is priced at $9.99 or included for free in PlayStation Plus Plan. You can find it on the PlayStation Store

The post Erica: An Engaging Interactive Thriller with High Replayability appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

Title: The Bunker
Developer: Splendy Interactive
Publisher: Wales Interactive
Released: September 20, 2016
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC Game, Mac Game
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4
Article Reading Time: 5 minutes

Setting the Stage: Inside The Bunker

Thanks to its name, it is easy to guess what environment The Bunker is set in. Yes, it is indeed a nuclear shelter in which we follow and shift a bit to the exploits of young John, played by actor Adam Brown. Indeed, the name is familiar to you, as Brown portrayed Ori, one of the dwarves in The Hobbit film trilogy. Young John lives alone in the atomic shelter, going about his day-to-day routine and clearly suffering from various mental problems. The answer to why he is alone in the shelter begins to emerge from oblivion just as John is forced to act outside his daily routine and explore other shelter areas. Something breaks here, and something flashes there. You know, something always goes wrong when you least expect it.

A Dual Perspective: Film vs. Game

There are two ways of looking at The Bunker. Either you approach it purely as a short, interactive film and thus expect it to not abound with many opportunities for interaction, or you ignore that fact and approach it as a game. This will influence how you evaluate the work. To begin with, the Bunker has a really oppressive atmosphere. This is mainly because the game was filmed in the real-life backdrop of the now-closed Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker in Essex, England. Today, it serves as a museum, and it’s no problem to experience the atmosphere yourself.

Character Depth: Adam Brown’s Performance

Aside from the shelter, Adam Brown’s performance is also a considerable part of the whole atmosphere, as he comes across as quite clumsy and scared throughout and manages to convey these feelings to the viewer/player. As well as John, other characters appear in The Bunker, particularly in his memories, and the actors cast are not entirely unknown, having appeared in shows such as Penny Dreadful, Game of Thrones, and the Star Wars films. In short, the production costs for The Bunker were definitely on the higher end, and it shows.

Expectations vs. Experience: Gameplay Mechanics

The problem comes in when we expect greater freedom or choices from the work. This is certainly not the case. The entire gameplay, if we can even talk about such a thing, is limited to occasional clicks on pre-marked objects or a few clicktime events. From this point of view, it will be a sheer bore for specific people. Those who are not prepared for something like this might not be able to wait for the end credits, which take an average of 90 minutes to get through from the opening, which can be considered a slightly below average running time for today’s movies, but that’s perfectly fine, I certainly don’t try to take this into account as some sort of victory.

The Story’s Climax

It’s worth sticking around to uncover all of John’s memories, and it’s definitely worth it. I’m curious what he’s looking at at certain moments. What is hidden in the atomic shelter? A mutant demon, a deranged Nazi, or just the past shrouded in oblivion? You’ll find out, you’ll discover, you’ll learn… The Bunker won me over the most, besides the chilling atmosphere, through the main story twist at the very end of the game, which I did not expect at all, and thanks to that, The Bunker became one of the better FMV works I had the opportunity to try. I recommend it to you, too.

The Bunker – Conclusion

So how do I watch it? As someone unfamiliar with the genre, I might have turned up my nose and relegated The Bunker to mediocrity despite its qualities. As a film, it has high production values. It manages to work the tension through realistic sets or acting performances. As an interactive film? There is little interaction, limited to mere clicking, but what I wrote in the line above still applies. The clicking gives you a minor illusion that you’re actually controlling John’s actions, which makes the atmosphere a little more tense. However, I could appreciate the work more as a concise film without any interaction. Still, thanks to the atmosphere just mentioned several times. The breathtaking story twist, I can, for my part, allow this and still rank the title among the better ones within the genre.

Where to Buy The Bunker

1. Steam (PC, Mac): Available for $14.99 (currently on sale for $2.24). You can purchase the game directly from Steam​
2. Epic Games Store (PC): Available for $14.99. You can buy it from the Epic Games Store​
3. PlayStation Store (PS4): The game is priced at $19.99. Check it out on the PlayStation Store​
4. Xbox Store (Xbox One): The game is available for $19.99. You can find it on the Xbox Store​
5. Nintendo Store: Available for $12.99. Purchase it from the Nintendo

The post The Bunker: A Cinematic Depths of Isolation appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

Title: Night Book
Developer: Good Gate Media
Publisher: Wales Interactive
Released: July 27, 2021
Platforms Available: PlayStation 5 and 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC Game , iOS, Android
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 5
Article Reading Time: 7 minutes

FMV’s Fringe Craft: Wales Interactive’s Cinematic Ventures

Wales Interactive has long specialized in producing FMV (full motion video) concepts, even though they have tried to break through with classic horror, mostly ending with average results. Their primary focus thus remains purely cinematic projects, where the player can intervene in the plot when the script offers the opportunity to do so, and replayability is directly proportional to the atmosphere of the first pass. That’s how it should ideally look if FMV’s work succeeds, which unfortunately isn’t exactly the case with a horror game called Night Book. Let’s elaborate more on that, though.

A Haunting Household: Unpacking Night Book’s Premise

The central character of this horror flick – Loralyn, who at the start of the game is preparing for a night shift as an online translator, lives with her rather distraught father in the next room of her house. From the beginning of the video, this gentleman appears to be a person full of mental problems. Even though the whole plot is not just based on him banging his head against the room wall, he becomes the central element of the entire plot. His pregnant daughter, Loralyn, whose husband works as a stockbroker on an island with a dark history, has no time to deal with the hints of a real threat from ancient civilizations. He only cares about a well-done job while translating his clients’ text. But what the devil, his two online calls on the evening in question set off a chain reaction of 22 possible endings. Whether you want to see them all or give up on the first pass, it’s up to you.

A Web of Choices: Exploring Branching Paths

The developers weren’t so much trying to bring some variety, as there’s woefully little of that subject interaction. Still, they were primarily concerned with evoking the creepy atmosphere associated with the imminent risk of an obsessive father and a closed environment. Unfortunately, they failed to achieve that effect, even with one of the endings above to this film strip. I don’t mean to cast aspersions on the primary performances here, some of which were above standard and good by the standards of the concept (The Complex wasn’t wrong in that regard either). First and foremost, we have an entirely predictable plot, and its denouement is directly related to several clichés that would shame a first-year film student. The fact that all the action takes place on the desktop of the central character’s laptop doesn’t help a bit, as the script vehemently tries to explain all the illogical ideas rather than covering them up with anything scary.

Eerie Ambience, Empty Echoes: The Struggle for Atmosphere

Once you’ve made it to the finale for the first time, and the statistics of endings discovered and sequences viewed flash on the screen, you’ll feel that you haven’t made it one-third of the way through the (un)game. Logically, you’ll then proceed to retry, using new choices and decisions to try and see more and unlock something new. However, this is where another big problem arises from my perspective: the interface’s inability to skip a previously viewed scene and the poorly designed splitting of the images themselves. Therefore, anyone who wants to fill the extras to the brim and absorb the entire hour of recorded material from the first second to the last will find it a pile of tedium and repetition. The worst thing about the whole thing is that even if you gradually work your way through all the plot endings, you’ll always keep the vapidity that the entire point of this FMV production possesses. The only thing you’ll get out of it in the end is the statistics and the feeling that you’ve at least used your wasted money for something. The whole thing is blatantly mediocre and mind-numbing the second you try to discover more and see something new.

Reflections in Isolation: Night Book During the COVID Era

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ‘Night Book’ development adapted to unprecedented circumstances, shaping a game that encapsulates the challenges of that period without meeting in person. The unique production constraints and social distancing measures led to an inventive setup where the entire cast seemed to perform 100% remotely, mirroring the global isolation. This isolation seeps into the game’s atmosphere, making the player’s experience strangely resonant with the lockdown experience. In the game, Loralyn works as an online translator from the confines of her home, dealing with supernatural threats through her laptop screen. This setting reflects the limited physical space many of us were confined to and the mental and emotional boundaries imposed by the pandemic. By leveraging remote production techniques, the developers crafted a game that directly responds to the world’s sudden shift to online interaction and remote living. It’s a poignant reminder of when our homes became the center of work and personal life, challenging the boundaries between the two. In ‘Night Book,’ this blending of home and external threats enhances the horror elements, as the safety of one’s home is breached, not just by the supernatural, but by the intrusion of work and the outside world into personal space.

A Dim Light in FMV

While “Night Book” may not stand within the FMV genre, its production under the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic sheds light on the dedication and adaptability of its creators. Despite global lockdowns and social distancing, the game’s development highlights an impressive effort to maintain creative output when traditional production methods were disrupted. This context brings a new appreciation for the game, not just as a piece of interactive entertainment but as a document of the times.

Loralyn’s interactions, confined within the digital screens of her laptop, resonate with our recent lived experiences, where much of life was compressed into virtual spaces. The game cleverly uses this setup to amplify its horror elements, utilizing the claustrophobia of our realities to enhance the terror within. Additionally, the actors deliver commendable performances, bringing depth and realism to their roles. These performances and effective jump-scare moments enrich the gameplay experience beyond its narrative limitations.

Despite its flaws and a certain predictability in the plot, “Night Book is worth playing for an hour or two. It reflects not only on the supernatural but also on the intrusive nature of our new, more digital lives, blurring the lines between work, home, and otherworldly realms. The game, therefore, serves as a reminder of the era it was born into, offering both a reflection and an escape from the isolated environments many of us found ourselves in.

In evaluating “Night Book,” it’s clear that while it may not have reached the heights of some of its FMV peers, it captures a moment in time with authenticity and a genuine sense of unease. For those willing to overlook its shortcomings to taste its atmospheric and thematic strengths, “Night Roof” provides.

Where to Buy Night Book

1. Steam (PC, Mac): Available for $12.99. You can purchase the game directly from Steam
2. GOG (PC, Mac): The game is priced at $12.99. Purchase it from GOG
3. Epic Games Store (PC): Available for $12.99. You can buy it from the Epic Games Store
4. PlayStation Store (PS4): The game is priced at $12.99. Check it out on the PlayStation Store
5. Xbox Store (Xbox One): The game is available for $12.99. You can find it on the Xbox Store
6. Nintendo eShop (Switch): Available for $12.99. Purchase it from the Nintendo eShop
7. Apple App Store (iOS): Available for $6.99. Purchase it from the App Store
8. Google Play Store ( Android): Get the Night Book on your Android device from the Google Play Store

The post Night Book – A Flickering Tale in the Shadows of FMV and COVID appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

At Summer Game Fest, Blumhouse Games revealed a whole slate of horror games it’s publishing in the near future, as the horror film studio turns its eye toward a new medium. The games shown off include Sam Barlow’s upcoming horror game titled Project C which is being made in collaboration with Brandon Cronenberg.

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Lucasfilm has had what can, charitably, be described as a rocky history with how it has handled Star Wars frequently finding itself the target of the ever-evolving reactionary culture war. In fits and starts, the studio has struggled in defending stars and crew from harassment and baseless accusations, from the…

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Title: Telling Lies
Developer: Sam Barlow, Half Mermaid, Furious Bee Limited
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Released: August 23, 2019
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, iOS
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 5

A Unique Interactive Drama

I have to say that a relatively unique project by the Her Story designer of the horror film Silent Hill: Shattered Memories has captured the attention of fans of suspenseful stories and adventure games just by its design. It was a modern take on an interactive movie and game composed mainly of featurettes. In a few days, author Sam Barlow will follow it up with another similar project. The spiritual successor is an interactive drama called Telling Lies.

Uncovering Classified Content

In the game’s plot, players take on the role of an unnamed character who receives a hot commodity in the form of an unknown laptop. It is stuffed with classified content from the US National Security Agency (NSA) database. It contains private footage and video correspondence collected over two years by the four protagonists. These four hitherto purely private lives are linked by a big lie and a shocking event, the uncovering of which will depend on the players. The goal is to explore the stolen private recordings in detail and discover the truth, motivated by curiosity alone. For example, thanks to the mysteriousness of the author, we still need to figure out what event is supposed to connect the characters’ lives.

Innovative Gameplay Mechanics

In terms of gameplay, players will search the video database using keywords and according to what was said in a given video segment. Each player will be able to find their own system within this; for this reason, the game will be non-linear, and everyone will be able to discover something a little different. It is worth mentioning that, according to the author, the user interface of the database search is inspired by reality. Sam Barlow has unlearned the essential characteristics of the system. Still, according to his own words, he decided to make the form of the database and its browsing “sexier” and thus bring the experience closer to the players. He says this is to avoid making it look “cheap” like the original.

Compared to the title mentioned above Her Story, it is worth mentioning what the author has gone further in cooperation with Annapurna Interactive.

Cast and Realistic Performances

First, a quartet of established actors will take care of the deeper immersion in the story. These are Logan Marshall-Green (who starred in Spider-Man: Homecoming, for example), Alexandra Shipp (X-Men: Apocalypse), Kerry Bishé (Narcos series) and Angela Sarafyan (Westworld). Another attraction is definitely the story, which you’ll each have to uncover on your own.

Non-Linear Narrative Exploration

Last but not least, it’s worth mentioning that thanks to the more significant number of actors and videos, the game takes up to five times more time compared to other titles by the author. Whether this automatically means a better experience, you must find out for yourself.

In the end, however, the game earns a 70% rating from us.

Most spoilers must be avoided because most of the game’s content is story and mystery.

Where to Buy Telling Lies

1. Steam (PC, Mac): Available for $19.99 (currently on sale for $4.99). You can purchase the game directly from the Steam Store)
2. GOG (PC, Mac): The game is priced at $19.99 (currently on sale for $4.99). Purchase it from GOG.com
3. Epic Games Store (PC): Available for $19.99. You can buy it from the Epic Games Store
4. PlayStation Store (PS4): The game is priced at $19.99. Check it out on the PlayStation Store​
5. Xbox Store (Xbox One): The game is available for $19.99. You can find it on the Xbox.com
6. Apple App Store (iOS): Available for $6.99. Purchase it from the App Store

The post Telling Lies: Original Interactive Deception appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

Title: She Sees Red – Interactive Movie
Developer: Rhinotales
Publisher: Rhinotales
Released: July 11, 2019
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC Game, Mac Game,
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4
Article Reading Time: 5 minutes

New Contender: Studio Rhinotales’ Debut

Studio Rhinotales was, until this time, unknown in the video game industry. Their game She Sees Red is their first venture in the form of an interactive thriller that takes place as a short film in which you, as the audience, have the opportunity to decide what the protagonist does immediately caught our attention, even in defiance of the growing competition in the field of this genre in recent years. Still, we will tell in our new review whether She Sees Red has really made its name alongside, for example, the now-famous Wales Interactive Entertainment. But let’s start from the beginning…

A Night at the Club: Dual Story Unfolds

You’ll find yourself in a nightclub where two storylines play out simultaneously. In one, you’re an unknown man in a baseball cap and hoodie. In the other, you’re a police investigator called in by the club owner to find out who killed one of his guards. During the scenes with the cloaked protagonist, two options pop up here and there, one of which you must click to move the story along. The trailer suggests you can get up to four different endings, accessible at all, as it takes half an hour to run through the entire plot. Story-wise, it’s a coherent affair, but you won’t get that at first, and as the credits roll, you’ll have far more questions than answers. You’re just about to get those from replaying and choosing options you didn’t choose before. By making it such a short affair, you won’t even have to wade through tons of tedium and grey. Some choices reveal interesting additional scenes that make you understand the story much better.

Decision Time: Interactive Elements and Pacing

You only have a few seconds to make your choices, which is a negative from the perspective of wanting to enjoy those parts as a movie and lean back or scratch a few potatoes. But then again, you won’t have to get up as many times throughout the plot, and a couple of times, it’s also clear that some decisions are coming, so you’ll have time to clean your hands.

Performance on a Budget: Acting and Audio

As for the acting, you can tell this is a low-budget project, but it’s nothing that isn’t watchable. It’s worse with the listening. The original version is only possible to listen to. It completely ruins the experience, as Rhinotales didn’t get any quality translators or proofreaders to edit the dialogue into a neat form. Fortunately, the subtitles are also in Czech, so no one will have a problem with the original Russian, and you might learn something else. The choreography of the fights and the transitions between plot lines are excellent. I can’t rate the detailed film aspects because I don’t understand them and wouldn’t want to pose as a film critic.

Final Take: Short but Sweet Thriller Experience

In conclusion, She Sees Red, the debut game from Studio Rhinotales, presents an intriguing interactive thriller experience with parallel storylines and multiple endings, all within a short half-hour playthrough. The game’s concise nature allows for quick replays to explore different choices and uncover additional scenes. However, the limited time for decision-making may detract from the enjoyment of the storytelling. While the acting and audio quality could be improved, the choreography of the fights and transitions between plot lines are commendable. Despite some language-related issues, She Sees Red offers a unique and engaging experience that differentiates it in the video game industry. It will be interesting to see how it compares to established titles in the interactive thriller genre in the upcoming reviews. But at this very point, we recommend it.

Where to Buy She Sees Red

1. Steam (PC, Mac): Available for $7.99. You can purchase the game directly from Steam
2. PlayStation Store (PS4): The game is priced at $9.99 . You can find it on the PlayStation Store
3. GOG (PC, Mac): She Sees Red is available on GOG. Check it out on GOG.com
4. Nintendo eShop (Switch): Available for $9.99. You can buy it from the Nintendo eShop
5. App Store (iOS): Available for $0.99. You can find it on the App Store

The post She Sees Red: Quick Decisions, Lasting Impressions appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

Title: I Saw Black Clouds
Developer: Ghost Dog Films
Publisher: Wales Interactive
Released: March 30, 2021
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC Game
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 5 (PS4 Version)
Article Reading Time: 4 minutes

The interactive feature film is not among the most numerous representatives of our game libraries. Yet, there are several groups here that are dedicated to this genre. We can undoubtedly count the producers, including the Wales Interactive producers. They have already released several such games. On Steam, you can find, for example, the highly rated sci-fi The Complex, the dating Five Dates, or the mysterious film The Bunker. This time, the company has joined forces with Ghost Dog Films, resulting in a thrilling horror experience in the interactive film I Saw Black Clouds.

This title immerses you, the player, into the shoes of Christine, who returns to her hometown following the unexpected demise of her friend. As you delve deeper into the mystery, you unearth a startling truth that triggers a series of supernatural occurrences. ‘I Saw Black Clouds’ offers a gripping psychological thriller with a unique branching storyline. Your decisions during crucial moral dilemmas will shape the narrative, ensuring each playthrough is a distinct experience. The film closely mirrors your actions, adjusting some of the main character’s traits based on your choices. Depending on your progress, Christine’s honesty, strength, morality, tact, and self-knowledge may evolve. However, other factors like relationships with minor characters or the main character’s acceptance of supernatural situations will also influence the plot.

The lead role in this captivating interactive film is portrayed by the talented Nicole O’Neill, known for her work in the series Penny Dreadful. Fans can also look forward to seeing Rachel Jackson (Outlander) and Larry Rew (Avatar) in this thrilling narrative. The film also offers unlockable features and a special streaming mode for an enhanced viewing experience.

Now, a short journey to the verdict
If you enjoy movies or series with a horror touch and a gloomy atmosphere, ‘I Saw Black Clouds’ is the title for you. However, if you have a discerning taste for movies, rest assured that the film’s qualities shine through despite its smaller budget. It’s a Bcc production, after all, and its reputation in the game is well-established.

Where to Buy I Saw Black Clouds

1. Steam (PC): Available for $12.99 (currently on sale for $2.51). You can purchase the game directly from Steam
2. PlayStation Store (PS4): The game is in discount for $8.45 and can be found on the PlayStation Store
3. Xbox Store: I Saw Black Clouds is available for $12.99. Check it out on the Xbox Store
4. Epic Games Store (PC): Available for $12.99 (currently on sale for $7.79). You can purchase it from the Epic Games Store

The post I Saw Black Clouds: A Haunting Interactive Thriller appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has found its Galactus. The planet-eating villain will make his MCU debut in the upcoming Fantastic Four film, premiering next year. Final Fantasy XVI fans will immediately recognize his voice, because Ralph Ineson, the actor behind Cidolfus “Cid” Telamon, has officially secured the role.

Read more...

Od The Last of Us a Falloutu po Cyberpunk a další – v posledních letech jsme se dočkali řady velkých herních adaptací, které zaznamenaly jak kritický, tak komerční úspěch.

Dalším významným jménem, které se v těchto rozhovorech často objevovalo, je Super Mario Bros Movie – a ve skutečnosti byl dokonce v roce 2023 největším filmem bezkonkurenčně, alespoň co se týče čistých zisků.

Podle zprávy, kterou zveřejnil server Deadline, byl Super Mario Bros Movie nejvýdělečnějším filmem roku 2023 a porazil filmy jako Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Oppenheimer nebo Barbie. Náklady na výrobu animovaného filmu ve výši 100 milionů dolarů si rozdělily společnosti Nintendo a Universal půl na půl a po připočtení několika dalších výdajů činil celkový rozpočet 400 milionů dolarů.

V porovnání s tím přinesl film Super Mario Bros. v kinech, na domácích nosičích, v televizi a při streamování celkové tržby ve výši 959 milionů dolarů a čistý zisk 559 milionů dolarů, což z něj dělá nejvýdělečnější film roku.

V březnu společnost Nintendo oznámila, že začala pracovat na pokračování filmu The Super Mario Bros. Movie, jehož premiéra je plánována na duben 2026.

Nintendo v současné době také pracuje na hrané adaptaci The Legend of Zelda se společností Sony Pictures, kterou bude režírovat Wes Bell (Království planety opic, Maze Runner).

Článek Film Super Mario Bros. byl nejvýdělečnější film roku 2023 se nejdříve objevil na GAME PRESS.

Strange Scaffold’s 2023 hit El Paso, Elsewhere is the next indie game in line to have it narrative transferred to the big screen. According to Deadline, LaKeith Stanfield is being tapped for the role of protagonist James Savage. Di Bonaventura Pictures and Colin Stark are set to produce.

El Paso, Elsewhere was one of my favorite games of 2023, and that was almost entirely because of its narrative. While its gameplay was a neo-noir shooter in the style of Max Payne, the story is of a demon hunter trying to stop his abusive vampire ex-girlfriend from ending the world. While the concept may sound otherworldly on the surface, it delves with meticulous detail into emotional abuse and its effects on the victim.

I’m not at all sure how well that will translate to film as it’s entirely set within an abstract, ethereal world hidden beneath a motel. The characters only interact with each other during vignettes where James descends the floors in a hostile elevator. It lends well to the cutscene-level-cutscene flow of a video game, but for a compelling to watch experience, this will need to be extrapolated on. Thankfully, there's a lot of backstory and worldbuilding around the core game.

While the game’s developer, Xalavier Nelson Jr., has acknowledged the movie, it hasn’t yet been stated if he will be involved in the creation process.

It’s a weird time we’re living in where game-to-TV adaptations like Castlevania and Fallout are finding praise and niche titles like El Paso, Elsewhere and Iron Lung are being adapted to film. I still prefer playing games to watching absolutely anything, but I never thought I’d see the day where justice was being done to the medium.

There’s no set timeline for when we might see the El Paso, Elsewhere film.

The post Vampire trauma tale El Paso, Elsewhere is getting a film adaptation appeared first on Destructoid.

Title Detroit: Become Human
Developer: Quantic Dream
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Released: May 25, 2018 (PS4), December 12, 2019 (PC via Epic Games Store), June 18, 2020 (Steam)
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, PC
Article Reading Time: 8 minutes

From Fahrenheit to Detroit: A Legacy of Choice

Detroit: Become Human is the latest release from French studio Quantic Dream, which has long been at the top of the story adventure genre. From the first-class and dark Fahrenheit to the drenching Heavy Rain to the emotional and gripping Beyond Two Souls, which, despite its quality, unfortunately, didn’t garner as much fame as expected initially. However, Detroit: Become Human manages, thankfully, to change that once again with ease, as you will see in my following text.

Not Your Average Action Game

I will be okay, though, and I’ll be the first to specify what Detroit is not. Look elsewhere if you expect frantic action, brutality, or a colorful open world. Detroit follows in the footsteps of its predecessors. It offers a more interactive film packed to the ceiling with a brilliantly branching narrative, elaborate characters, and the traditional ability for the player to influence the course to a degree not seen in games. You really want to experience this experience. 

Blade Runner Vibes: Dark, Dystopian, Delicious

Detroit takes you to a not-too-distant future where androids and artificial intelligence are the order of the day. Artificially created helpers are an integral part of our lives, helping in the home, serving as sex objects, and relieving humanity of a multitude of manual labor. But that also means lots of unemployed people, “racial” hatred of androids, and other issues that are very relevant even today. The game draws powerful inspiration from the cult of Blade Runner, which will definitely please fans of the movie classics.

Connor, Kara, Markus: Three Androids, One Epic Story

This futuristic world tells the story of three androids – Connor, Marcus, and Kara. Each has their own status and their own lives. Connor is an android sent by the CyberLife corporation to help police officers in a recent murder. Markus is an ordinary assistant to an aging artist. At the same time, Kara is a newly purchased maid the family’s father brings home. 

Although it doesn’t seem like it at first, the fates of all the characters are very closely intertwined and naturally meet several times throughout the story. Still, each views the issue of androids and their potential rebellion against humanity differently. It is with the first murder, which hints at a severe problem with android obedience, that begins a sequence of events that take you across the city of Detroit and eventually the entire United States to try again and again to find the answer to the question – “How far are you willing to go to achieve freedom?”

When Your Choices REALLY Matter

As you will have gathered, Detroit is true to its predecessors and is more of an interactive film than a game. The developers give you enough freedom and interaction at specific points so you do not feel deprived. Still, the reins are firmly held by the story above all else. It moves forward steadily, and I’ve yet to experience such an engaging narrative where I wasn’t so actively involved in the action. Each chapter builds on the next, with one crucial decision after another being thrown at the player. As is the way with Quantic Dream, almost everyone can cost you your life. 

Yes, even here, you’ll encounter many choices and decisions that take the story in unexpected directions. If one of the characters dies, there’s no turning back. However, this is one of the game’s great strengths – there are so many story branches that you can play the game six times and constantly encounter something new. At this point, I’ve played the game for about the third time and still know I have yet to discover everything. And that’s very, very respectable for a game that is very linear in its own way.

The Emotional Rollercoaster You Didn’t See Coming

Moreover, the developers have managed to meticulously think through all the characters so that after a few initial moments, you’ll be invested in the lives of each of them, hoping with every conversation that you don’t mess something up and that your favorites stay alive for at least a bit longer. Even the likes of Connor, who looks pretty robotic and aloof at the start, eventually becomes an incredible assassin who could high-five John Wick and grow on almost everyone. The development of the characters throughout the story is portrayed brilliantly, and more importantly – everything is entirely in your hands.

When Games Look THIS Good, Who Needs Movies?

Thanks to the game’s relatively closed structure and concept, the developers have let their imagination and graphic engine run wild. Detroit is one of the best-looking games in the world today. In fact, you’ll often wonder if you’re not playing a CGI movie because the graphics are the best to be found at the time. Everything is of the highest standard, whether we’re talking about animations, detail-rich environments, lots of little particle effects, or the fluidity of the surroundings. 

Of course, you’ll come across slightly choppy animations here and there, especially when moving characters, but that’s due to the specific genre and is understandable. On the other hand, the facial animation and the acting are top-notch. Watching your favorite characters during dialogues that, through no fault of your own, can go awry at any second is a treat. 

Detroit is, in short, visual porn, and it doesn’t matter how many times you play it. The excellent news for everyone will be the bravura use of the language you have set up, which is not only present in the dialogue in the form of subtitles but is also integrated into all the text in the game. All the magazines, dialogues, interactions, and other elements are in the language you set, so you can enjoy the game even if you are unfamiliar with English or any other language.

Why Detroit Belongs on Your Spotify Playlist

The soundtrack is a chapter unto itself. The developers recruited three composers for the official soundtrack, each caring for one character in the story. This gives each character a unique musical score that conveys their mood, atmosphere, or “personality.” The music is also interactive, perfectly matching what’s happening on screen. During quiet moments of exploration, a few instruments strum while epic loops kick in during thrilling chases and engulf you entirely. Here, we have another soundtrack you can safely play on your phone and out of the game, for example. 

Bonus Content: Unlocking Detroit’s Story Secrets

In addition to the story campaign, which you can play endlessly, the game also offers smaller bonuses that you can unlock with the points you accumulate while playing. These are little things like artwork, developer diaries, behind-the-scenes glimpses of development, complete 3D models of all the characters in the game, soundtrack samples, and trailers. Of course, you can’t expect multiplayer but other additional content, but that’s understandable.

The Game That Makes You Question Humanity

Detroit: Become Human might not be a game that suits everyone’s taste. Nevertheless, it is a remarkable example of how a video game can transform into an interactive work of art that competes with classic movies. If you are a Quantic Dream’s games fan, then you are in for a treat with their best game yet. Everything is almost flawless, from the characters to the music and the graphics. It will leave you with a lasting emotional impression. In short, it is a masterpiece of interactive storytelling!

Purchase Detroit Become Human

PlayStation Store: The game is available on the PlayStation Store for PS4 at a price of $19.99. There is also a Digital Deluxe Edition available for $29.99, which includes additional content​ (PlayStation Store)​​.

Epic Games Store: On the Epic Games Store, “Detroit: Become Human” is priced at $39.99. This version boasts enhanced visuals and full PC compatibility, including support for 4K resolution and 60fps​ (Epic Games Store)​​ (VG247)​.

Steam: The game is also available on Steam, where it integrates well with Steam’s features like achievements and cloud saves​ (Steam Store)​.

The post Detroit: Become Human – Blade Runner Fans, This Game is for You! appeared first on WePlayGames.net: Home for Top Gamers.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Case Esparros, an independent filmmaker from Los Angeles, about his sophomore feature, The Absence of Milk in the Mouths of the Lost. It's an experimental narrative featuring Gary Wilson, outsider pop music extraordinaire with an original score by Aaron Dilloway. — Read the rest

The post Interview with Case Esparros, independent filmmaker and director of "The Absence of Milk in the Mouths of the Lost" appeared first on Boing Boing.

The internet is obsessed with South American beer ads that were sneakily edited into Star Wars movies in the early 2000s, and has started sticking the beverage’s infectious jingle into other famous films. If you’ve been wondering why your timeline is covered in Cerveza Cristal jokes, here’s why.

Read more...

By Adam Kovac, Karen Heyman, and Liz Allan.

India approved the construction of two fabs and a packaging house, for a total investment of about $15.2 billion, according to multiple sources. One fab will be jointly owned by Tata and Taiwan’s Powerchip. The second fab will be a joint investment between CG Power, Japan’s Renesas Electronics, and Thailand’s Stars Microelectronics. Tata will run the packaging facility, as well. India expects these efforts will add 20,000 advanced technology jobs and 60,000 indirect jobs, according to the Times of India. The country has been talking about building a fab for at least the past couple of decades, but funding never materialized.

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DoC) issued a CHIPS Act-based Notice of Funding Opportunity for R&D to establish and accelerate domestic capacity for advanced packaging substrates and substrate materials. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce said the government is prioritizing CHIPS Act funding for projects that will be operational by 2030 and anticipates America will produce 20% of the world’s leading-edge logic chips by the end of the decade.

The top three foundries plan to implement backside power delivery as soon as the 2nm node, setting the stage for faster and more efficient switching in chips, reduced routing congestion, and lower noise across multiple metal layers. But this novel approach to optimizing logic performance depends on advances in lithography, etching, polishing, and bonding processes.

Intel spun out Altera as a standalone FPGA company, the culmination of a rebranding and reorganization of its former Programmable Solutions Group. The move follows Intel’s decision to keep Intel Foundry at arm’s length, with a clean line between the foundry and the company’s processor business.

Multiple new hardware micro-architecture vulnerabilities were published in the latest Common Weakness Enumeration release this week, all related to transient execution (CWE 1420-1423).

The U.S. Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) published a technical report calling for the adoption of memory safe programming languages, aiming to reduce the attack surface in cyberspace and anticipate systemic security risk with better diagnostics. The DoC also is seeking information ahead of an inquiry into Chinese-made connected vehicles “to understand the extent of the technology in these cars that can capture wide swaths of data or remotely disable or manipulate connected vehicles.”

Quick links to more news:

Design and Power
Manufacturing and Test
Automotive
Security
Pervasive Computing and AI
Events

Design and Power

Micron began mass production of a new high-bandwidth chip for AI. The company said the HBM3E will be a key component in NVIDIA’s H2000 Tensor Core GPUs, set to begin shipping in the second quarter of 2024. HBM is a key component of 2.5D advanced packages.

Samsung developed a 36GB HBM3E 12H DRAM, saying it sets new records for bandwidth. The company achieved this by using advanced thermal compression non-conductive film, which allowed it to cram 12 layers into the area normally taken up by 8. This is a novel way of increasing DRAM density.

Keysight introduced QuantumPro, a design and simulation tool, plus workflow, for quantum computers. It combines five functionalities into the Advanced Design System (ADS) 2024 platform. Keysight also introduced its AI Data Center Test Platform, which includes pre-packaged benchmarking apps and dataset analysis tools.

Synopsys announced a 1.6T Ethernet IP solution, including 1.6T MAC and PCS Ethernet controllers, 224G Ethernet PHY IP, and verification IP.

Tenstorrent, Japan’s Leading-Edge Semiconductor Technology Center (LSTC) , and Rapidus are co-designing AI chips. LSTC will use Tenstorrent’s RISC-V and Chiplet IP for its forthcoming edge 2nm AI accelerator.

This week’s Systems and Design newsletter features these top stories:

• 2.5D Integration: Big Chip Or Small PCB: Defining whether a 5D device is a PCB shrunk to fit into a package or a chip that extends beyond the limits of a single die can have significant design consequences.
• Commercial Chiplets: Challenges of establishing a commercial chiplet.
• Accellera Preps New Standard For Clock-Domain Crossing: New standard aims to streamline the clock-domain crossing flow.
• Thinking Big: From Chips To Systems: Aart de Geus discusses the shift from chips to systems, next-generation transistors, and what’s required to build multi-die devices.
• Integration challenges for RISC-V: Modifying the source code allows for democratization of design, but it adds some hurdles for design teams (video).

Demand for high-end AI servers is driven by four American companies, which will account for 60% of global demand in 2024, according to Trendforce. NVIDIA is projected to continue leading the market, with AMD closing the gap due its lower cost model.

The EU consortium PREVAIL is accepting design proposals as it seeks to develop next-gen edge-AI technologies. Anchors include CEA-Leti, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, imec, and VTT, which will use their 300mm fabrication, design, and test facilities to validate prototypes.

Siemens joined an initiative to expand educational opportunities in the semiconductor space around the world. The Semiconductor Education Alliance was launched by Arm in 2023 and focuses on helping teach skills in IC design and EDA.

Q-CTRL announced partnerships with six firms that it says will expand access to its performance-management software and quantum technologies. Wolfram, Aqarios, and qBraid will integrate Q-CTRL’s Fire Opal technology into their products, while Qblox, Keysight, and Quantware will utilize Q-CTRL’s Boulder Opal hardware system.

NTT, Red Hat, NVIDIA, and Fujitsu teamed up to provide data pipeline acceleration and contain orchestration technologies targeted at real-time AI analysis of massive data sets at the edge.

Manufacturing and Test

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Office of Electricity launched the American-Made Silicon Carbide (SiC)  Packaging Prize. This $2.25 million contest invites competitors to propose, design, build, and test state-of-the-art SiC semiconductor packaging prototypes.

Applied Materials introduced products and solutions for patterning issues in the “angstrom era,” including line edge roughness, tip-to-tip spacing limitations, bridge defects, and edge placement errors.

imec reported progress made in EUV processes, masks and metrology in preparation for high-NA EUV. It also identified advanced node lithography and etch related processes that contribute the most to direct emissions of CO2, along with proposed solutions.

proteanTecs will participate in the Arm Total Design ecosystem, which now includes more than 20 companies united around a charter to accelerate and simplify the development of custom SoCs based on Arm Neoverse compute subsystems.

NikkeiAsia took an in-depth look at Japan’s semiconductor ecosystem and concluded it is ripe for revival with investments from TSMC, Samsung, and Micron, among others. TrendForce came to a similar conclusion, pointing to the fast pace of Japan’s resurgence, including the opening of TSMC’s fab.

‍FormFactor closed its sale of its Suzhou and Shanghai companies to Grand Junction Semiconductor for $25M in cash.

The eBeam Initiative celebrated its 15th anniversary and welcomed a new member, FUJIFILM. The group also uncorked its fourth survey of its members technology using deep learning in the photomask-to-wafer manufacturing flow.

Automotive

Apple shuttered its electric car project after 10 years of development. The chaotic effort cost the company billions of dollars, according to The New York Times.

Infineon released new automotive programmable SoCs with fifth-gen human machine interface (HMI) technology, offering improved sensitivity in three packages. The MCU offers up to 84 GPIOs and 384 KB of flash memory. The company also released automotive and industrial-grade 750V G1 discrete SiC MOSFETs aimed at applications such as EV charging, onboard chargers, DC-DC converters, energy, solid state circuit breakers, and data centers.

Cadence expanded its Tensilica IP portfolio to boost computation for automotive sensor fusion applications. Vision, radar, lidar, and AI processing are combined in a single DSP for multi-modal, sensor-based system designs.

Ansys will continue translating fast computing into fast cars, as the company’s partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing was renewed. The Formula 1 team uses Ansys technology to improve car aerodynamics and ensure the safety of its vehicles.

Lazer Sport adopted Siemens’ Xcelerator portfolio to connect 3D design with 3D printing for prototyping and digital simulation of its sustainable KinetiCore cycling helmet.

The chair of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) suggested automakers that sell internet-connected cars should be subject to a telecommunications law aiming to protect domestic violence survivors, reports CNBC. This is due to emerging cases of stalking through vehicle location tracking technology and remote control of functions like locking doors or honking the horn.

BYD‘s CEO said the company does not plan to enter the U.S. market because it is complicated and electrification has slowed down, reports Yahoo Finance. Meanwhile, the first shipment of BYD vehicles arrived in Europe, according to DW News.

Ascent Solar Technologies’ solar module products will fly on NASA’s upcoming Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and AnTenna (LISA-T) mission.

Security

Researchers at Texas A&M University and the University of Delaware proposed the first red-team attack on graph neural network (GNN)-based techniques in hardware security.

A panel of four experts discuss mounting concerns over quantum security, auto architectures, and supply chain resiliency.

Synopsys released its ninth annual Open Source Security and Risk Analysis report, finding that 74% of code bases contained high-risk open-source vulnerabilities, up 54% since last year.

President Biden issued an executive order to prevent the large-scale transfer of Americans’ personal data to countries of concern. Types of data include genomic, biometric, personal health, geolocation, financial, and other personally identifiable information, which bad actors can use to track and scam Americans.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 to provide a comprehensive view for managing cybersecurity risk.

The EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) published a study on best practices for cyber crisis management, saying the geopolitical situation continues to impact the cyber threat landscape and planning for threats and incidents is vital for crisis management.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $45 million to protect the energy sector from cyberattacks.

The National Security Agency (NSA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and others published an advisory on Russian cyber actors using compromised routers.  Also the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and partners advised of tactics used by Russian Foreign Intelligence Service cyber actors to gain initial access into a cloud environment.

CISA, the FBI, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updated an advisory concerning the ALPHV Blackcat ransomware as a service (RaaS), which primarily targets the healthcare sector.

CISA also published a guide to support university cybersecurity clinics and issued other alerts.

Pervasive Computing and AI

Renesas expanded its RZ family of MPUs with a single-chip AI accelerator that offers 10 TOPS per watt power efficiency and delivers AI inference performance of up to 80 TOPS without a cooling fan. The chip is aimed at next-gen robotics with vision AI and real-time control.

Infineon launched dual-phase power modules to help data centers meet the power demands of AI GPU platforms. The company also released a family of solid-state isolators to deliver faster switching with up to 70% lower power dissipation.

Fig. 1: Infineon’s dual phase power modules: Source: Infineon

Amber Semiconductor announced a reference design for brushless motor applications using its AC to DC conversion semiconductor system to power ST‘s STM32 MCUs.

Micron released its universal flash storage (UFS) 4.0 package at just 9×13 mm, built on 232-layer 3D NAND and offering up to 1 terabyte capacity to enable next-gen phone designs and larger batteries.

LG and Meta teamed up to develop extended reality (XR) products, content, services, and platforms within the virtual space.

Microsoft and Mistral AI partnered to accelerate AI innovation and to develop and deploy Mistral’s next-gen large language models (LLMs).

Microsoft’s vice chair and president announced the company’s AI access principles, governing how it will operate AI datacenter infrastructure and other AI assets around the world.

Singtel and VMware partnered to enable enterprises to manage their connectivity and cloud infrastructure through the Singtel Paragon platform for 5G and edge cloud.

Keysight was selected as the Test Partner for the Deutsche Telekom Satellite NB-IoT Early Adopter Program, providing an end-to-end NB-IoT NTN testbed that allows designers and developers to validate reference designs for solutions using 3GPP Release 17 (Rel-17) NTN standards.

Global server shipments are predicted to increase by 2.05% in 2024, with AI servers accounting for about 12%, reports TrendForce. Also, the smartphone camera lens market is expected to rebound in 2024 with 3.8% growth driven by AI-smartphones, to reach about 4.22 billion units, reports TrendForce.

Yole released a smartphone camera comparison report with a focus on iPhone evolution and analysis of the structure, design, and teardown of each camera module, along with the CIS dimensions, technology node, and manufacturing processes.

Counterpoint released a number of 2023 reports on smartphone shipments by country and operator migrations to 5G.

Events

Find upcoming chip industry events here, including:

Upcoming webinars are here, including topics such as digital twins, power challenges in data centers, and designing for 112G interface compliance.

Further Reading and Newsletters

Read the latest special reports and top stories, or check out the latest newsletters:

Systems and Design
Low Power-High Performance
Test, Measurement and Analytics
Manufacturing, Packaging and Materials
Automotive, Security and Pervasive Computing

The post Chip Industry Week In Review appeared first on Semiconductor Engineering.

Jonathan Nolan, executive producer of Amazon’s upcoming Fallout TV show, is pretty hopeful that the series will live up to the games. More than that, he seems to think that the series is a continuation of the games, if not an outright sequel. In a recent interview with Total Film, Nolan says it’s “almost like we’re Fal…

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Peacock’s selection of horror and sci-fi movies is quite good, but its genre library also has tons of titles you’ve probably never heard of, including overlooked oddities—and several outright howlers. We’ve combed through Peacock’s sci-fi category to find 10 of the most WTF titles you can stream. Are these…

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If you’re a content creator or YouTuber, camera companies increasingly want your business. Last year was no exception, with several new vlogging-specific models released by Canon, Sony, DJI and others. That means there are now over a dozen on sale, alongside regular mirrorless cameras that also do the job well.

Models specifically designed for vlogging include Sony’s new ZV-E1 full-frame mirrorless that launched last year, DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 or Canon’s compact PowerShot V10. Others, like the new Panasonic G9 II and last year’s Canon EOS R6 II are hybrid mirrorless cameras that offer vlogging as part of a larger toolset.

All of them have certain things in common, like flip-around screens, face- and/or eye-detect autofocus and stabilization. Prices, features and quality can vary widely, though. To that end, we’ve updated our guide with all the latest vlogging cameras designed for novice to professional creators, in all price ranges. Engadget has tested all of these to give you the best possible recommendations.

Factors to consider before buying a vlogging camera

Vlogging cameras are designed for filmmakers who often work alone and either use a tripod, gimbal, vehicle mount or just their hands to hold a camera. It must be good for filming yourself as well as other “B-roll” footage that helps tell your story. The biggest requirement is a flip-around screen so you can see yourself while filming. Those can rotate up, down or to the side, but flipping out to the side is preferable so a tripod or microphone won’t block it.

Continuous autofocus (AF) for video with face and eye detection is also a must. It becomes your camera “assistant,” keeping things in focus while you concentrate on your content. Most cameras can do that nowadays, but some (notably Canon and Sony) do it better than others.

If you move around or walk a lot, you should look for a camera with built-in optical stabilization. Electronic stabilization is another option as long as you’re aware of its limitations. You’ll also need a camera with a fast sensor that limits rolling shutter, which can create a distracting jello “wobble” with quick camera movements.

4K recording is another key feature. All cameras nowadays can shoot 4K up to at least 24 fps, but if possible, it’s better to have 4K at 60 or even 120 fps. If you shoot sports or other things involving fast movement, look for a model with at least 1080p at 120 fps for slow-motion recording.

Video quality is another important consideration, especially for skin tones. Good light sensitivity helps for night shooting, concerts and so on, and a log profile helps improve dynamic range in very bright or dark shooting conditions. If you want the best possible image quality and can afford it, get a camera that can record 4K with 10-bits (billions) of colors. That will give you more options when it’s time to edit the footage.

Don’t neglect audio either — if the quality is bad, your audience will disengage. Look for a camera with a microphone port so you can plug in a shotgun or lapel mic for interviews, or at least one with a good-quality built-in microphone. It’s also nice to have a headphone port to monitor sound so you can avoid nasty surprises after you’ve finished shooting.

You’ll also want good battery life and, if possible, dual memory card slots for a backup. Finally, don’t forget about your camera’s size and weight. If you’re constantly carrying one while shooting, especially at the end of a gimbal or gorillapod, it might actually be the most important factor. That’s why tiny GoPro cameras are so popular for sports, despite offering lower image quality and fewer pro features.

The best action and portable cameras

If you’re just starting out in vlogging or need a small, rugged camera, an action cam might be your best bet. In general, they’re easy to use as you don’t have to worry about things like exposure or focus. Recent models also offer good electronic stabilization and sharp, colorful video at up to 4K and 60 fps. The downsides are a lack of control; image quality that’s not on par with larger cameras; and no zooming or option to change lenses.

The best compact vlogging cameras

Compact cameras are a step up from smartphones or action cameras, with larger sensors and much better image quality. At the same time, they’re not quite as versatile as mirrorless or DSLR cameras (and not necessarily cheaper) and they lack advanced options like 10-bit video. For folks who want the best possible quality without needing to think too much about their camera, however, they’re the best option.

The best mirrorless/DSLR vlogging cameras

This is the class that has changed the most over the past couple of years, particularly in the more affordable price categories. Interchangeable lens cameras give you the most options for vlogging, offering larger sensors than compact cameras with better low-light sensitivity and shallower depth of field to isolate you or your subject. They also offer better control of your image with manual controls, log recording, 10-bit video and more. The drawbacks are extra weight compared to action or compact cameras, more complexity and higher prices.

Read 6 remaining paragraphs | Comments

Read 6 remaining paragraphs | Comments

If you’re a content creator or YouTuber, camera companies increasingly want your business. Last year was no exception, with several new vlogging-specific models released by Canon, Sony, DJI and others. That means there are now over a dozen on sale, alongside regular mirrorless cameras that also do the job well.

Models specifically designed for vlogging include Sony’s new ZV-E1 full-frame mirrorless that launched last year, DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 or Canon’s compact PowerShot V10. Others, like the new Panasonic G9 II and last year’s Canon EOS R6 II are hybrid mirrorless cameras that offer vlogging as part of a larger toolset.

All of them have certain things in common, like flip-around screens, face- and/or eye-detect autofocus and stabilization. Prices, features and quality can vary widely, though. To that end, we’ve updated our guide with all the latest vlogging cameras designed for novice to professional creators, in all price ranges. Engadget has tested all of these to give you the best possible recommendations.

Factors to consider before buying a vlogging camera

Vlogging cameras are designed for filmmakers who often work alone and either use a tripod, gimbal, vehicle mount or just their hands to hold a camera. It must be good for filming yourself as well as other “B-roll” footage that helps tell your story. The biggest requirement is a flip-around screen so you can see yourself while filming. Those can rotate up, down or to the side, but flipping out to the side is preferable so a tripod or microphone won’t block it.

Continuous autofocus (AF) for video with face and eye detection is also a must. It becomes your camera “assistant,” keeping things in focus while you concentrate on your content. Most cameras can do that nowadays, but some (notably Canon and Sony) do it better than others.

If you move around or walk a lot, you should look for a camera with built-in optical stabilization. Electronic stabilization is another option as long as you’re aware of its limitations. You’ll also need a camera with a fast sensor that limits rolling shutter, which can create a distracting jello “wobble” with quick camera movements.

4K recording is another key feature. All cameras nowadays can shoot 4K up to at least 24 fps, but if possible, it’s better to have 4K at 60 or even 120 fps. If you shoot sports or other things involving fast movement, look for a model with at least 1080p at 120 fps for slow-motion recording.

Video quality is another important consideration, especially for skin tones. Good light sensitivity helps for night shooting, concerts and so on, and a log profile helps improve dynamic range in very bright or dark shooting conditions. If you want the best possible image quality and can afford it, get a camera that can record 4K with 10-bits (billions) of colors. That will give you more options when it’s time to edit the footage.

Don’t neglect audio either — if the quality is bad, your audience will disengage. Look for a camera with a microphone port so you can plug in a shotgun or lapel mic for interviews, or at least one with a good-quality built-in microphone. It’s also nice to have a headphone port to monitor sound so you can avoid nasty surprises after you’ve finished shooting.

You’ll also want good battery life and, if possible, dual memory card slots for a backup. Finally, don’t forget about your camera’s size and weight. If you’re constantly carrying one while shooting, especially at the end of a gimbal or gorillapod, it might actually be the most important factor. That’s why tiny GoPro cameras are so popular for sports, despite offering lower image quality and fewer pro features.

The best action and portable cameras

If you’re just starting out in vlogging or need a small, rugged camera, an action cam might be your best bet. In general, they’re easy to use as you don’t have to worry about things like exposure or focus. Recent models also offer good electronic stabilization and sharp, colorful video at up to 4K and 60 fps. The downsides are a lack of control; image quality that’s not on par with larger cameras; and no zooming or option to change lenses.

The best compact vlogging cameras

Compact cameras are a step up from smartphones or action cameras, with larger sensors and much better image quality. At the same time, they’re not quite as versatile as mirrorless or DSLR cameras (and not necessarily cheaper) and they lack advanced options like 10-bit video. For folks who want the best possible quality without needing to think too much about their camera, however, they’re the best option.

The best mirrorless/DSLR vlogging cameras

This is the class that has changed the most over the past couple of years, particularly in the more affordable price categories. Interchangeable lens cameras give you the most options for vlogging, offering larger sensors than compact cameras with better low-light sensitivity and shallower depth of field to isolate you or your subject. They also offer better control of your image with manual controls, log recording, 10-bit video and more. The drawbacks are extra weight compared to action or compact cameras, more complexity and higher prices.