Meta Quest 2 the popular virtual reality (VR) headset has seen the price of the device fall below $200.

The device has not seen a price dive since the holiday season when the Meta Quest 2 outperformed Sony’s Playstation VR headset in sales by thirty to one. During this festive period, Meta’s portable headset was $250.

Why has Meta Quest 2 dropped in price?

The Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest 3 have received favorable reviews in contrast to the expensive Apple Vision Pro equivalent, which was released last month at a $3,499 price point.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took to Instagram to break down the Vision Pro, saying “Quest (2&3) I think is just a lot more comfortable. We designed it to be 120 grams lighter, which makes a really big difference on your face. There are no wires that get in the way when you move around. Our field of view is wider and I found our screen to be brighter also.”

The Quest 3 is still a lofty $300 more than the older version, but Quest 2 boasts PC connectivity, hand-tracking, and a whole host of games that can be accessed. The lower price point appeals to users who will want to dip their toes into the augmented reality world without a substantial monetary investment and are looking for solid specs on their first VR device.

The price dip also sparks rumors of a possible new version of the Quest 3 around the corner, the Quest 3 Lite. Although information is scarce and Meta has not officially said anything about a possible lighter and cheaper option to the Quest 3, the decline in the Quest 2 in such a short space of time could be a sign of a new device entering the VR headset fray.

Those hoping to pick up the popular headset can do so from major brands like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. The larger 256 GB version of the headset has seen a limited stock since launch and with the Quest 3 being updated substantially it would be a very slim chance to see a restock hit stores brand new.

The Quest 3 headset received a substantial update, as we reported last month, version .62. New features like being able to record spatial video, and the three-dimensional capture of the environment around you, were an attempt by Meta to get ahead of the Vision Pro release.

Users can upload straight from their iPhone to the Meta Quest app to view their recorded content without contesting Apple’s divide in price points between the two brands.

The Quest 3 also has controller support for those who like to use a physical device to take on adventures, but stream content through the headset as an alternative to the motion controllers or hand-tracking.

Meta has a few alternatives to the Vision Pro without matching the Apple device’s price point, but news of a more portable Lite version of the Quest 3 remains a rumor, unlike the deal for the 2020 Quest 2.

The post Meta Quest 2 price drops to below $200 appeared first on ReadWrite.

Ready Player One author Ernest Cline is heading up his latest project, a multiverse game that involves Web3.

The product of game studios Walker Labs and Readyverse (of which Cline is one of the co-founders), the game is called Open and has been revealed in the form of a short trailer. It’s unclear whether the clip is of actual gameplay or more to give a flavor of the style, but it depicts a silver-haired person walking through a grungy warehouse. They get to an old computer screen that reads, ‘Are you ready?’ before it lights up in a colorful, gas-like portal.

Complete with “nostalgia-infused biomes”

The game is described as an “immersive multiverse filled with nostalgia-infused biomes featuring characters and cultural legends across iconic franchises.” So far, Rock Paper Shotgun reports that the only IPs confirmed amongst those “iconic franchises” are Reebok, the DeLorean car, and Ready Player One.

The idea of incorporating content and characters from multiple franchises in one game is not all that new. Indeed, Fortnite has been doing it since 2018, the first time it teamed up with the MCU in its season 4 collaboration. Since then, Fortnite has a seemingly endlessly expanding library of collaborations that spawn skins, builds, and weapons pulled from dozens of other IPs — even expanding to ancient topics like the Greek Gods.

What is relatively unusual, however, is that Open is described as involving Web3 in some way, a new version of the web that involves decentralization, blockchain technologies, and token-based economics. The main appeal for many tends to be its decentralized nature, meaning individuals can identify themselves without a governing authentication system.

How to try out the game for yourself

While there’s no release date yet confirmed for Open, you can already sign up to the waitlist if it sounds up your street. Otherwise, the details for the upcoming game are thin on the ground, with a website dotted with stars on an all-black background.

Featured image: Walker Labs / Readyverse

The post Ready Player One author Ernest Cline heads up Web3 multiverse game appeared first on ReadWrite.

Wrestling isn’t wrestling unless you are smashing a light, foldable chair around your opponent’s head, fortunately in WWE 2K24 that remains an option, whichever version you might have bought. While it may be frowned upon in the real world, in the ring, literally anything goes and there are a number of nearby objects that can all be used as weapons to aid you on the road to glory.

All usable weapons in WWE 2K24

There seem to be 14 different items you can use to club your opponent with. Not all are available in each bout, but can generally be found in the same sorts of areas around the ring. Read on for more details about that. The weapons are as follows:

• Baseball Bat
• Chair
• Chancla
• Guitar
• Hockey Stick
• Kendo Stick
• Ladder
• Microphone
• Shovel
• Sledgehammer
• Slim Jim
• Stop Sign
• Table
• Trashcan

How to find weapons

You generally are not going to be able to find anything useful in terms of weaponry inside the ring – although you can fiddle about and detach the turnbuckle and use that, but that is a different story.

You are going to have to pop out of the ring and look around for anything that looks like it might have a secondary purpose! You will generally find chairs, microphones, and the like near the commentator’s desk.

Different types of bout will have different weapons available, so keep your eyes peeled.

How to use the Weapon Wheel in WWE 2K24

Use L1 on your PlayStation controller or LB on Xbox and this will bring up the Weapon Wheel where you can choose between six different weapons here. You can change what weapons appear here before a bout within Match Options.

It may be that there are some more hidden weapons as yet undiscovered and we will update this page if and when we find them.

The post How to get weapons in WWE 2K24 appeared first on ReadWrite.

With this week’s shot across the bows from Nintendo to the emulator community – well, more of a direct hit really, you might expect those involved in the emulation scene to be keeping their heads down a bit for a while. The eradication of Switch Emulator Yuzu from the universe (well, apart from all the clones that have instantly popped up all over the internet) was an example of a corporate giant saying, no, you are not playing our games on anything but our hardware.

Whatever the legal grey areas of emulation and whatever side of the fence you sit on (for disclosure I have been using emulators for years and years from Mame-based arcade cabinets to recreating my console libraries of yesteryear) it’s probably not going away and is an undoubted factor in the purchase of many a handheld gaming PC over the past year or so.

The ability to play modern PC games on a handheld such as the Steam Deck or the Rog Ally is a huge draw, but an awful lot of people choose to install emulators on them as well so they can take large libraries of their favourite games with them when they otherwise couldn’t.

I’ve recently been playing one of my favorite games ever, SSX Tricky for the PlayStation 2 on my ROG Ally and it is amazing to play while you are commuting about.

This has all been made possible by EmuDeck, a piece of utility software that will install a raft of emulators onto your Steam Deck or any other handheld PC and configure them all for easy play.

It doesn’t install anything that any company might consider illegal, such as Switch Bios’ or game ROMs. You can then choose what to supply yourself depending on what you want to play. There’s that grey area again.

Anyway, EmuDeck has been an essential install for me and the new 2.2 version has just been released and brings with it four new emulators – all of older systems:

• Flycast for Sega Dreamcast, Naomi, Naomi 2, and Atomiswave
• BigPemu for the Atari Jaguar
• Model 2 for the Sega Model 2
• Model 3 for the Sega Model 3 

So playing classic arcades such as Daytona and Crazy Taxi on the train should now be possible.

More controversially in the current climate, existing EmuDeck installs that have already installed YuZu and Citra will not see them removed, they just can’t be added to new installs. EmuDeck is not in the business of telling people what should and shouldn’t be on your hardware if an individual chooses to have it there. Grey area alert.

There’s also an all-new UI design for emulator installs, but there were some issues highlighted on Reddit last night that the install was causing issues, so if you are an EmuDeck user, or want to try it out, maybe it’s worth hanging on a day or too

The post EmuDeck adds new emulators – won’t remove Yuzu from your Steam Deck & ROG Ally appeared first on ReadWrite.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) creator Kevin Eastman has given us more details on the new Last Ronin game in development.

Whilst chatting to Game Informer, Eastman told Brian Shae where the project was currently, saying that “everything I’ve seen – we’ve been interacting with the development crew – and it looks like some of the sets and some of the characters have literally walked right off the pages of the comic.”

TMNT in time

The dark story follows the last of the four reptilian brothers to survive a grim dystopian future where Shredder’s grandson rules the land under an iron fist. The identity of which brother takes up the nunchaku, the sai, the staff, and the katana is a mystery to those who have not read the run, published by IDW comics.

The idea was drawn up by Eastman and co-creator of the three-fingered pizza lovers, Peter Laird almost 30 years ago. Now Paramount is riding a wave of turtle resurgence, but did not want the iconic comic to impact the success of the recent Mutant Mayhem movie, so decided to take the adaptation down the gaming route.

The game is being developed by Black Forest Games and will be published by THQ Nordic for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. THQ Nordic released a teaser trailer for the title six months ago, showing the implied carnage that leads to one surviving brother:

Eastman would go on to say that from what he has seen so far the game is “so beautiful. So fantastic. And so pretty much every fan of Last Ronin that I’ve talked to is really, seriously pumped, like, ‘We get to have an older version of the Turtles just for us as a video game!”

The legendary comic creator would conclude that if this somber adaptation is “done the way we all hope and the way it’s taking shape, then I think we’ll get to play in this arena for a long time to come, and that’s up to the fans to decide. We’re going to do the best job we can and hope for the best.”

The turtles have seen a raft of minor gaming adventures, with classic titles such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time that debuted on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) back in the 90’s. The Konami games of this generation received a recent coat of paint and a spiritual successor in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, from Tribute Games that hit every device that has a screen.

Fans of the four bandana-wearing brothers will be looking forward to any news that comes from THQ Nordic and Black Forest games, but for now, the only recent major gaming adaptation of the mutants is the land of online multiplayer. As we reported late last year, the heroes-in-a-half-shell made their debut across a Fornite event.

You can also make the reptilian heroes in the highly popular indie browser game Infinite Craft, blending a mix of commands to make the turtles appear from an assortment of items.

The post TMNT: Turtles creator talks new Last Ronin game progress appeared first on ReadWrite.

Xbox Partner Preview will showcase upcoming titles over a 30-minute broadcast this month.

The Xbox newsroom says that the “format is all about sharing exciting games news from our talented studios from across the globe with no frills: just new game reveals, release date announcements, and fresh new gameplay from upcoming games, coupled with unique behind-the-scenes stories from developers on Xbox Wire.”

The event will be streamed on Wednesday, March 6 at 10 am PT/1 pm ET/6 pm GMT, across the console’s official YouTube and Twitch channels. Games studio’s such as Capcom and EA will display their newest games and trailers across the half hour.

Games on display

Tales of Kenzera: Zau — This Metroidvania title has been developed by Surgent Studios and published by EA. It follows the journey of Zau, who is voiced by Abubakar Salim of Assasin’s Creed: Origins fame.

According to the game’s page, it is a “poignant single-player story shaped by actor Abubakar Salim’s own experience with grief, discovering how love gives us the courage to press on after devastating loss. As Zau, you must face your own emotions to become a worthy Nganga: a spiritual healer.”

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess — Capcom will be showing off more details of this action-strategy title that takes after previous works from the publisher, such as Ōkami and Shinsekai: Into the Depths.

So far, we have seen the announcement trailer from last year and the game’s page that says the title will uphold “Capcom’s legacy of original and innovative works. Explore an incredible world in which traditional Japanese aesthetics are brought to stunning life by the power of RE Engine. Witness an epic clash between the spirit realm and mortal man.”

First Berserker: Khazan — The action-role-play game shows off a wonderful art style influenced by anime and boasts a brutal combat system from the footage we have seen.

The game’s page on steam tells us that the player “will become Khazan, the great general of the Pell Los Empire, who overcame death, and sets out to reveal the incidents that led to his downfall and seek vengeance on his enemies.”

Those hoping to check out the showcase and learn more about the titles  can do so via the below links:

YouTube.com/Xbox
Regional Xbox channels around the world
Twitch.tv/Xbox
Twitch.tv/XboxASL

Image credit: Xbox.

The post Xbox Partner Preview announced appeared first on ReadWrite.

Unity remains undeterred in its plan to implement new install fees despite backlash from game developers. According to the platform holder, “more than 90% of our customers will not be affected by this change.”

Unity’s response on X (formerly Twitter) comes a day after the popular game engine announced it would begin charging a runtime fee on Jan. 1, 2024 — provoking questions about multiple installs and Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass, among others.

The platform holder has since clarified that it will only count “net new installs” starting Jan. 1 and that developers won’t pay fees on re-installations, fraudulent installs, game trials, streams and charity-related installs. It also said fees for Game Pass installs will be passed on to Xbox.

Game devs remain unhappy about new Unity fees

Despite Unity’s response, game developers continue to urge Unity to change its plan — which many argue affects smaller indie titles the most.

“Buy Cult of the Lamb now, because we’re deleting it on Jan. 1,” the well-received game’s official X account stated.

“I bet Steam, Epic, Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft will love having waves of developers pulling their games,” Among Us developer Innersloth’s Forest Willard wrote, adding: “Innersloth has always paid Unity appropriately for licenses and services we use. I’m not a discourse guy, but this is undue and will force my hand.”

Willard also responded directly to Unity’s X account by stating that “Unity now needs to give this up and make obvious reparations in the opposite direction if there can be any hope of regaining trust in the future.”

Among Us is one of the most successful games that use Unity. Other popular titles using the engine include Genshin Impact, Beat Saber and Pokémon Go.

The post Unity sticks to new install-fee plan in response to angry game developers appeared first on ReadWrite.

You can win or lose whenever you place a bet at a crypto casino. Most players tend to go bankrupt when they fail to practice responsible gaming. It’s no shocker that many players often wager more when they lose because they feel they will likely win the next bet. In most cases, this results in players crashing out with nothing.

To avoid players losing it all, we have put together a guide. This guide can help you minimize losses that often lead to bankruptcy. In this article, you will learn why players go bankrupt and how to avoid bankruptcy in a Bitcoin casino.

Why Do Players Go Bankrupt?

Betting is one of the most common and fastest ways to go bankrupt. Most players ignore the call for responsible betting, which can have far-reaching effects on their work or finances.

While this betting habit may start as a recreational activity, it often expands into a variety of problems that can lead to bankruptcy. Here are some of the reasons why Bitcoin casino players go bankrupt:

Obsession

This is a state where betting goes from being fun to becoming addictive. If you have a betting problem, you may suffer huge financial losses. However, you must bet at least once a day to develop a betting obsession.

If you’re spending more time or money despite its consequences on your finances, that’s a sign of obsession. Betting obsession takes away every dollar you have and adds to your debt, which often leads to bankruptcy.

Debts

This is another reason that often leads to players’ bankruptcy. Most gamers who have lost their money to betting believe they can earn it all in one big win. So despite all the losses, they continue to wager.

Doing this can lead to borrowing from outside sources or selling their possessions. In this case, betting is seen as a means of financial upliftment, as if it solves the problem.

Lack of Strategies

Betting strategies can help players maximize their chances of winning. When players lack strategies, they make irrational decisions that often lead to bankruptcy. This strategy can help you beat the system and give players an upper hand over others.

With the right strategy and technique, players can be sure to win. However, you should note that these strategies don’t consistently give results but can help you minimize losses.

How to Avoid Bankruptcy When Playing at a Crypto Casino

Players should take all necessary measures stated in this article to avoid crashing out of a crypto casino. Here is a list of precautions that players should adhere to if they want to avoid bankruptcy:

Know the Value of the Coin Used by the Casino

Players new to a Bitcoin casino must know and understand the values of the cryptocurrency. It helps to understand the value; nothing crashes players more than failing to comprehend how cryptocurrency works.

Players should note that the prices of these coins sometimes fluctuate, leading to drastic changes in their value. You should keep tabs on these coins to decide whether they are good to bet on without losing their value.

Avoid Staking High Games

Gamers aren’t required to play high-stakes Bitcoin casino games. It’s always advised that beginners start by practicing by playing the free version of any game they find interesting. This is the best way for you to understand the gaming system.

We don’t recommend kicking off with big wagers unless you’re sure. It’s advisable to reserve your bet and avoid high-stakes games that can lead to you crashing out.

Understand Your Betting Strategies

Players should learn the betting strategies that consistently work for them. Strategies such as Martingale, Anti-Martingale, D, Alembert Fibonacci, and Labouchere are good places to start.

These techniques use a strategy chart that can predict the outcome of your wager. They tell you the best moves to make and are efficient in bringing results.

Play Free Games

There are free games at Bitcoin casinos that can give you an insight into other games. Although these games don’t have financial rewards, playing them can help you understand their patterns before you wager on them.

This is important if you want to practice various strategies that can work for you before risking your cash on them. You can also take advantage of reviews concerning each game at a Bitcoin casino; these reviews provide helpful tips and tricks for winning.

Uses of Cash Bonus

Again, claiming a large cash bonus may sound appealing. This can be damaging to your balance. If the wagering requirements on a bonus are high, you may lose most of your balance.

We recommend claiming casino bonuses with low playthrough rates yet still worth a decent amount of money. These will allow you to increase your balance while avoiding high rollover rates.

Practicing Responsible Gaming and Control

You should take a break whenever you start doubting your betting hand. Always know when you’ve reached your limit. Responsible gaming will serve as a preventive measure against potential betting problems.

These may include your deposits, wager limit, self-exclusion tools, and opting out. The more you practice these control measures, the safer you’ll be. By putting a limit on your betting sessions, you’re preventing yourself from going bankrupt.

Keep a Record of Your Betting Activities

Monitoring and observing your betting activities can help you improve beyond your expectations. It provides a truly efficient method for gaining insights into your strategies’ effectiveness and understanding your spending and betting habits. This is also a preventive tool against bankruptcy and betting obsession.

Conclusion

By following the abovementioned techniques, you can enjoy a safer betting session without the risk of bankruptcy. However, this can only be more efficient if you practice responsible gaming. Simply follow the instructions listed and remember that betting is a recreational activity that should be enjoyed.

The post How to Avoid Bankruptcy in Crypto appeared first on ReadWrite.

On Friday, the FBI shut down three of the world’s most popular online gambling sites, replacing their websites with an announcement that “This domain name has been seized by the FBI pursuant to an Arrest Warrant.”

Marking the largest crackdown since Congress banned online gambling in 2006, authorities unsealed indictments against executives from Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars, and Absolute Poker, accusing the companies of illegal gambling, money laundering and bank fraud.

In addition to the indictments and domain seizures, Friday’s federal actions were accompanied by a civil lawsuit seeking the forfeiture of $3 billion in ill-gotten gains from the money laundering – 1.5 billion from the PokerStars; $1 billion from the Full Tilt Poker; and $500 million from the Absolute Poker.

Although there have been renewed efforts recently to legalize online gaming, it remains illegal in the U.S., one of the few countries where that remains the law. Some challenge the idea that poker is really gambling, arguing it’s a game of skill not chance.

Regardless of the legalities, it hasn’t stopped U.S. players from betting real money on these sites. Many have opted to process their transactions via banks outside the U.S. But according to the charges unsealed on Friday, these three online poker sites in question had also masked payments from players, misrepresenting the kinds of funds that were being processed by U.S. banks.

What Now for (Online) Gaming?

ESPN‘s Gary Wise has a lengthy assessment on the implications for the gambling industry – online and offline. He contends that the indictments will transfer the momentum back to land-based casinos, operators that have stayed outside the U.S. market, and to gaming companies that have restricted themselves to non-money play. Wise notes that “Zynga appears to be in good shape to capitalize on Friday’s developments.”

The three companies in question have announced they’re ceasing their operations in the U.S., but outside the country, in thewords of PokerStars, it’s “business as usual.” To sidestep the .com seizues, PokerStars and Full Tilt Power moved to a .eu domain.

But options to continue gaming aside, it’s their money that many players are concerned about. Both of these companies have issued statements saying that players’ funds are safe, and that they’ll be able to withdraw their money.

The post FBI Seizes Online Poker Sites appeared first on ReadWrite.

With the purchase of Drop, a company that specializes in the production of mechanical keyboards, Corsair has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry. For an undisclosed sum, Corsair has acquired a company that it hopes will greatly increase its global peripherals business. Drop will be able to reach more people than ever before thanks to Corsair’s newfound prominence in the gaming industry.

The purchase of Drop by Corsair is a major event in the history of the gaming industry. Drop will gain access to Corsair’s global reach as a result of the acquisition, while Corsair will broaden its presence in the gaming industry. To quote Corsair’s CEO Andy Paul: “Personalized keyboards that can be modified by the consumer is one of the fastest-growing trends in the gaming peripheral space, Drop has proven to be one of the leaders in this space, and with Corsair’s global footprint, we expect to significantly grow the Drop brand worldwide.”

When Drop is fully integrated into the Corsair ecosystem, the enthusiast community that Drop serves will have access to a wider selection of specialized Corsair and Elgato products. After acquiring Elgato’s gaming division in 2018, Corsair has kept producing new products under the Elgato name. Drop will remain a separate brand within Corsair, despite the fact that Corsair makes its fair share of mechanical keyboards.

The reliability of getting those goods to you will increase with access to a world-class supply chain. The addition of a global logistics infrastructure will allow us to better meet the needs of our international customers who are looking for a more convenient and inexpensive means of acquiring the products they covet.

The acquisition of Drop by Corsair, a major player in the mechanical keyboard market, will have far-reaching effects. The company has become a market leader in gaming keyboards because of its emphasis on customizable products. Drop offers a variety of keyboards, keycaps, and audio accessories. The company has also attracted attention for its prominent branding initiatives, which have included Lord of the Rings and Marvel intellectual property.

Both Corsair and Drop stand to gain a great deal from this acquisition. Drop will be able to reach more people in the gaming industry and introduce its products to new consumers thanks to Corsair’s global presence. Drop’s product delivery to customers will improve greatly now that the company has access to a top-notch supply chain.

Corsair’s purchase of Drop is a major development for the market for mechanical keyboards and will likely have far-reaching consequences. Customizable keyboards are one of the fastest-growing trends in the gaming peripheral market, and the industry as a whole has been expanding steadily over the years.

In conclusion, Corsair’s purchase of Drop is a historic step that will have far-reaching consequences for the mechanical keyboard market. Drop will gain access to Corsair’s global reach as a result of the acquisition, while Corsair will broaden its presence in the gaming industry. Drop’s product delivery to customers will improve greatly now that the company has access to a top-notch supply chain.

As a result of the acquisition, Corsair will be able to better serve the enthusiast community in which Drop participates by making specialized Corsair and Elgato products available to them. Drop will remain a separate brand within Corsair, despite the fact that Corsair makes its fair share of mechanical keyboards. Drop will be able to reach more people than ever before thanks to Corsair’s newfound prominence in the gaming industry.

First reported on TechCrunch

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How will Drop operate under Corsair’s ownership?

A: Despite being acquired by Corsair, Drop will continue to operate as a separate brand within the company. This approach allows Corsair to preserve Drop’s unique identity and capitalize on its established reputation in the gaming industry. Drop’s existing product lineup, including its variety of keyboards, keycaps, and audio accessories, will be retained and made available to customers under the Drop brand.

Q: What are the expected benefits for gamers and enthusiasts?

A: Gamers and enthusiasts are expected to benefit significantly from the acquisition. With Corsair’s global reach and resources, Drop will be able to reach a broader audience of gamers and provide them with a wider selection of specialized Corsair and Elgato products. This partnership will enhance the availability of customizable gaming peripherals and accessories, catering to the diverse preferences and needs of the gaming community.

Q: How will the acquisition impact the mechanical keyboard market?

A: The acquisition of Drop by Corsair is anticipated to have far-reaching consequences for the mechanical keyboard market. Customizable keyboards are currently one of the fastest-growing trends in the gaming peripheral space, and the industry has been expanding steadily over the years. With Corsair’s influence and resources, the trend is likely to gain further momentum, shaping the future of mechanical keyboards and offering gamers more options for personalization and performance.

Q: What is the long-term vision for Corsair and Drop?

A: The long-term vision for Corsair and Drop is to capitalize on the synergies between the two companies to drive innovation and growth in the gaming industry. Corsair aims to further establish itself as a leading player in the gaming peripherals market, offering a comprehensive range of products to cater to diverse gaming needs. For Drop, the partnership with Corsair opens up opportunities for global expansion and the ability to introduce its products to a wider audience of gamers.

Q: How does the acquisition fit into Corsair’s overall strategy?

A: The acquisition of Drop aligns perfectly with Corsair’s strategic focus on expanding its presence in the gaming industry. Corsair has been making strategic moves in recent years, including the acquisition of Elgato’s gaming division, to strengthen its position as a key player in the gaming peripherals market. With Drop’s expertise and offerings, Corsair aims to solidify its market position and deliver innovative products to meet the evolving demands of gamers and enthusiasts worldwide.

Q: How will the acquisition shape the future of Corsair’s product portfolio?

A: The acquisition of Drop will enhance Corsair’s product portfolio, particularly in the mechanical keyboard and gaming peripheral segments. Drop’s expertise in customizable keyboards and keycaps complements Corsair’s existing offerings, allowing the company to provide a broader range of gaming peripherals to customers. As a result, gamers and enthusiasts can expect more options and enhanced personalization choices in Corsair’s product lineup.

Q: Will there be any changes to Drop’s operations and team structure?

A: While Drop will continue to operate as a separate brand under Corsair’s ownership, there may be some adjustments in its operations and team structure to optimize collaboration and streamline processes. However, specific details regarding any changes have not been disclosed at this time.

Q: How does the acquisition affect Corsair’s market competitiveness?

A: The acquisition of Drop is expected to enhance Corsair’s market competitiveness in the gaming peripherals industry. By integrating Drop’s offerings and community into its ecosystem, Corsair can better address the diverse needs and preferences of gamers. The partnership strengthens Corsair’s position as a comprehensive solution provider in the gaming space, allowing the company to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Q: What does the acquisition mean for the future of gaming peripherals?

A: The acquisition of Drop by Corsair signals a commitment to innovation and customization in the gaming peripherals market. As the trend of personalized gaming peripherals continues to grow, this partnership will likely set a precedent for more companies to invest in offering specialized products and solutions to gamers. The future of gaming peripherals is expected to be characterized by increased personalization, performance, and accessibility, thanks to strategic partnerships like this one.

Featured Image Credit: Unsplash

The post The Future of Mechanical Keyboards Is Now in Corsair’s Hands appeared first on ReadWrite.

Google’s Art & Culture Lab has unveiled its latest project: Viola the Bird. This animated bird uses AI to learn cello and violin compositions, promising an interactive music experiment that is both fun and educational. Created by David Li, Viola the Bird is an audio synthesis engine that generates the sound of a cello or violin based on a user’s mouse movements.

Viola the Bird was inspired by the cello. The project was a collaboration between David Li, cellists, violinists, and music arrangers. The team worked together to develop an AI to understand and learn the famous Beethoven, Vivaldi, Holst, and Ravel stringed pieces. The result was an audio synthesis engine that generates the sounds of a cello or violin based on the user’s mouse movements.

Viola the Bird is an interactive music experiment that is both fun and educational. It is an excellent way for anyone to learn about string instruments and explore their own creativity through music. The experience of using Viola the Bird is simple. All you need to do is move your mouse back and forth along a virtual cello in your web browser, and Viola the Bird will “perform” famous cello and violin compositions.

The bird is animated and resembles a Sesame Street character. It is named after the viola, a stringed instrument similar to the cello and violin. Viola the Bird offers two modes: Concert Mode and Freestyle Mode. In Concert Mode, Viola the Bird will play famous cello and violin compositions as you move your mouse. In Freestyle Mode, you can jam with Viola the Bird, playing your own compositions on the virtual cello.

Viola the Bird is not only fun but also educational. Using Viola the Bird, users can learn about string instruments and music composition. The project doesn’t provide sheet music or notes to accompany your “playing,” but it offers a valuable learning experience. Through experimentation and exploration, users can learn about the sound of a cello or violin and how different notes and rhythms interact.

Viola the Bird is an excellent tool for anyone who wants to learn about string instruments or music composition. It offers a fun and interactive way to explore the world of music and create your compositions. The project is suitable for all ages and skill levels, from beginners to advanced musicians.

Viola the Bird is just one example of how AI is being used in the world of music. AI is transforming how we create and experience music, making it easier for anyone to learn and create. As AI technology advances, we can expect to see more innovative projects like Viola the Bird, which bring together music and technology in exciting and creative ways.

In conclusion, Viola the Bird is an exciting project from Google’s Art & Culture Lab. It offers a fun and interactive way to learn about string instruments and music composition while also showcasing the potential of AI in the world of music. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced musician, Viola the Bird is a great way to explore your creativity and learn something new.

First reported on TechCrunch

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Viola the Bird?

A: Viola the Bird is an interactive music experiment created by Google’s Art & Culture Lab. It uses AI to learn cello and violin compositions and generates the sounds of these instruments based on a user’s mouse movements.

Q: How does Viola the Bird work?

A: Users can control Viola the Bird’s performance by moving their mouse back and forth along a virtual cello in their web browser. The AI-powered audio synthesis engine translates the mouse movements into a cello or violin sounds, allowing users to “play” famous compositions.

Q: What inspired the creation of Viola the Bird?

A: Viola the Bird was inspired by the cello and was developed in collaboration with cellists, violinists, and music arrangers. The goal was to create an AI to understand and learn famous stringed compositions by composers like Beethoven, Vivaldi, Holst, and Ravel.

Q: What modes are available in Viola the Bird?

A: Viola the Bird offers Concert Mode and Freestyle Mode. In Concert Mode, users can listen to famous cello and violin compositions while controlling the performance with their mouse movements. In Freestyle Mode, users can jam and create their own compositions on the virtual cello.

Q: Is Viola the Bird educational?

A: Yes, Viola the Bird is designed to be fun and educational. Users can learn about string instruments, music composition, and the interaction of notes and rhythms. While it doesn’t provide sheet music or notes, it offers an interactive and exploratory learning experience.

Q: Who can use Viola, the Bird?

A: Viola the Bird is suitable for people of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to advanced musicians. It can be enjoyed by anyone who wants to learn about string instruments or music composition interactively and creatively.

Q: What is the significance of Viola the Bird in the field of music?

A: Viola the Bird is an example of how AI is being utilized in the world of music. It showcases the potential of AI to transform music creation and experience. As AI technology advances, we expect to see more innovative projects combining music and technology excitingly.

Featured Image Credit: Provided by the Author; from The Keyword (Google)

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Having an AI commentate your tennis game sounds science fiction. But, the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s Wimbledon Championships are poised to take a major step into the future with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a component of the tournament’s coverage. IBM’s latest invention is made to improve the lives of tennis enthusiasts everywhere.

Watson, IBM’s artificial intelligence platform, has been trained to understand and exploit the specialized tennis language and stats. Insightful commentary and captions for the tournament’s coverage will be provided by the AI system thanks to this function. The introduction of AI into sports coverage, especially at Wimbledon, heralds a radical change in the way we take in sports journalism.

IBM has been working with the All England Club to give their AI access to player data like as the Power Index. The AI’s commentary and captioning, which will be informed by this data, will be a fresh take on the action.

The system will initially be implemented for online highlight reels, but live AI commentary is a promising future application. If this happens, it will be a major step toward using AI in sports broadcasting. Will the robot show as much excitement and thrill for the game? Now, that is still undecided.

Not for the first time has Wimbledon embraced artificial intelligence (AI). Since 2017, Wmbledon has used a variety of AI generator commentary, such as Stat packs, including the Power Index, and other performance measures,  Using AI technology shows that Wimbledon is dedicated to progress and improving the game for fans. However, the technology has certainly been met with many critics.

IBM’s Kevin Farrar assured everyone that despite the buzz surrounding this AI advancement, it is not meant to replace human opinion.

Farrar argued that AI should be used to supplement human effort rather than replace it.

For matches that don’t have it yet, such seniors’, juniors’, and wheelchair events, Farrar highlighted that the goal of the AI technology is to support and enhance human commentary.

While AI-based commentary is still in its infancy, it has enormous growth potential. If intellectual property laws are observed, it is technically possible to teach the AI to emulate the styles of particular commentators.

Computers can provide analysis on more than only the Wimbledon finals. It’s gaining popularity in a wide range of fields, from athletics to television news. To amplify the EBU’s YouTube coverage of the European Athletics Championship, the network is considering cloning the voice of commentator Hannah England.

Artificial intelligence’s debut at Wimbledon heralds a radical change in the way sports are covered on television. Improving the viewer experience without losing the human element that makes sports broadcasting so compelling is a top priority for the rapidly developing field of artificial intelligence.

The introduction of AI into Wimbledon’s broadcasts marks the beginning of a new era in tennis commentary, where the best of both technological advancement and human understanding are combined to create a more engaging and informative show for viewers.

First reported on Fox News

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Being successful in the business world ultimately boils down to two fundamental steps. The first of these steps is to supply something to satisfy public demand at a reasonable price. The second of these steps is to show an idea to the right people at the right time.

How to Make New Friends and Promote Your Business

Unfortunately, this is often the limiting step for many people who start their own businesses and who are otherwise capable and insightful. With this information in mind, the following are simple yet effective methods to make new friends and promote your business.

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Calls to Action

The first method to make new friends and promote your business is to insert calls to action in the team’s email signatures. A single employee can receive over one hundred emails daily, and as a result, a team of several employees can see this number multiplied rapidly.

Using a call-to-action button is more attractive, compelling, and dynamic as an opportunity for promotion than the usual websites or job titles.

Google My Business

The second method to make new friends and promote your business is to set up a Google My Business Account. In addition to a search engine, Google also acts as a small business directory, with three big advantages for companies reliant on local businesses, the first being that one’s local business is listed on Google search as well as Google maps.

The second is that it enhances search engine optimization to enable businesses to be found more easily by customers looking for relevant products and services. The third is that it is favorable to customers adding reviews, which further help Google display the business with essentially free advertisement.

Joint Ventures

The third method to make new friends and promote your business is to set up a joint venture. Among the easiest ways to showcase an offer to the right individuals is to locate and target an audience that contains the sort of people you happen to be looking for.

Advertising can accomplish this task, but a better option still in the short term is to join forces with other businesses that are targeting the same audiences as you, provided they are not competing with you, of course. Joint ventures are highly effective and can attract more customers and quickly.

Webinars & Presentations

The fourth method to make new friends and promote your business is to give a webinar or a presentation, which can be just as effective offline as well as online. Offering webinars and workshops can draw in target audiences and enable you to collect contact information in order to follow up in the future.

Once you have located your target audience, start setting up meetings, seminars, or similar events such as a lunch period where information is provided to attendees.

Discounts & Free Trials

The fifth and final method to make new friends and promote your business is to offer free or discounted products or services. These products and services are an excellent way to attract new clients and friendships, and, based on the particular business model being used, could even prove to present effective ways to demonstrate your CRM.

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You could even receive a loss in order to generate market share and drive referrals, leads, sales, and the like. If you happen to be offering an app as a service and product, a free app or trial is a great strategy if you wish to know how to get people to download your app.

Conclusion

Making new friends and promoting one’s business is ultimately a self-started and self-directed effort. There is no single solution or method, and a lot of trial and error is necessary to get the best result.

Nonetheless, following some of the aforementioned tips can help promote your business with rather low investment on your part and gather some momentum.

Image Credit: helena lopes; pexels

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Four years after Parrot introduced its first iPhone-controlled drone at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show, the Paris, France-based wireless hardware maker has unveiled two new flying robots at CES 2014.

One is the MiniDrone, a smaller version of the company’s popular AR.Drone 2.0, and the other is a heretofore secret project: the Jumping Sumo, a tiny two-wheeled robot that can turn on a dime or jump about three feet (see our review of the best drones).

Both drones will almost certainly be cheaper than the $299 AR.Drone 2.0, which is Parrot’s flying, flipping drone that can float 165 feet in the air, record video in 720p HD and let users see through the drone’s perspective directly from their mobile device. But unlike Parrot’s two-year-old quadcopter, the new MiniDrone and Jumping Sumo can both fit in the palm of your hand.

The Incredible Shrinking Drones

The MiniDrone performs similarly to the AR.Drone, with smartphone users able to adjust the altitude, rotation, pitch, and yaw of the robot on the MiniDrone iOS app. The Parrot MiniDrone is roughly one-tenth the size of the AR.Drone and comes with two removable wheels that allow the MiniDrone to roll around floors, walls, and ceilings, in addition to flying. The one drawback of the MiniDrone is its lack of an on-board camera or video output like the full-size AR.Drone, which means users will have to be happy watching MiniDrone fly or roll around in adorable little patterns without seeing the action from its point of view.

Compared to the AR.Drone and MiniDrone, the Jumping Sumo is less of a drone and more of a remote-controlled toy spider. It is built with an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and two large wheels that are independently controlled, which means smartphone users can perform quick 90-degree turns and 180-degree pirouettes with just a quick flick of the thumb. And, as its name suggests, the Jumping Sumo is spring-loaded and can jump about three feet high.

The Jumping Sumo also comes with a few other nifty features, including the latest Wi-Fi standard, dual-band 802.11ac, as well as a QVGA camera to let users see through the Jumping Sumo’s perspective. The Jumping Sumo can drive in a 160-foot range from the iOS device running the app and features 20 minutes of battery life, which is a significant improvement over the 12 minutes of battery life found in the AR.Drone 2.0.

Parrot CEO Henri Seydoux offered no further details about the pricing or release dates for either of its two drones, but the company says the MiniDrone and Jumping Sumo are currently in pre-production and will be available “sometime this year.”

Parrot will have three different drone models available by the end of the year, but the government still continues to express concern with Parrot’s consumer-friendly robots, which can fly hundreds of feet high and record whatever they see.

In the U.S., the FAA says Parrot AR.Drones cannot fly above 400 feet and cannot be used for commercial purposes. (That hasn’t stopped Amazon from exploring the concept of retail deliveries with its own fleet of drones.)

The federal government won’t issue the first domestic drone permits in the U.S. until September 2015. Until that time comes, lawmakers across several states are attempting to introduce legislation to control how domestic drones are used, especially by the police and military, but the FAA predicts 30,000 drones will be patrolling the U.S. skies by 2020.

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Just as consumer technology invades the enterprise, business-class technology is becoming available in the home market. A great example of this counter-trend—call it “the enterprisification of the consumer” instead of the consumerization of the enterprise—is Skydog, from Palo Alto-based PowerCloud Systems.

Skydog is a dual-band Wi-Fi router that also incorporates patented cloud-based intelligence to enable homeowners to optimize their network resources and manage bandwidth remotely from their smartphones. The idea is to make it relatively simple for parents to limit their children’s Web usage by time of day, total amount of time, site, site type, device and activity. With the Skydog router and the company’s HTML5-based data service app, users can monitor and manage their home network via iPad, iPhone and Android. They can also get personalized alerts about current usage or problems via text message.

Check out what our experts rated as the best wifi routers.

Skydog: The Router For Parents?

These opportunities for parents to take control of the home network could be Skydog’s “killer app.” If a parent is alerted via text that a child is streaming video after bedtime, for example, the Mom or Dad can temporarily remove the offend device from the network. If a user has multiple Skydog boxes set up, one at home and one in the home of their in-laws, say, both can be managed through the same account. No more hours on the phone helping out remote family members.

Not interested? That’s not too surprising. Few people pay much attention to their home networks these days, except when it goes down. That said, in my brief demo of Skydog – both the hardware router and the data service – one thing quickly became clear: When home networking data across all devices is exposed in an intuitive, visual format, network management and troubleshooting can become empowering.

Still not sold?

Skydog claims to allow busy parents to see and control home Internet usage, even when they are at work or otherwise out of the house. Parents can be alerted, for example, if a guest attempts to access the network. They can optimize network bandwidth so that a Skype call from the home office always takes precedence over a child’s YouTube habit. Children can easily be allotted special network access and usage privileges for the weekend or holidays.

Sold now? Not so fast.

Though several devices have been built, and PowerCloud Systems claims that it has been beta tested in more than 75 homes –

Skydog lives only if its Kickstarter campaign

, which launches Tuesday, convinces enough backers to pledge $79 to receive a Skydog box sometime in May. The company says the price will rise to $99 after the initial production run. The

Skydog team

hopes to raise at least $50,000 through Kickstarter and to build at least 1,000 additional devices by May.

Why Skydog Chose Kickstarter

I asked PowerCloud Systems founder and CEO and founder Jeff Abramowitz  why a company with experience in the enterprise networking world – and located in the heart of venture capital country – would choose the Kickstarter route? “The sales channel (for networking hardware like Skydog) is dominated by incumbents,” Abramowitz explained. “In addition, the Kickstarter campaign gives us buy-in with our target audience and allows us to work directly with those who want this solution.”

He also noted that a Kickstarter campaign, allows early adopters to provide valuable user feedback – and not only to the company itself. Skydog has also set up online forums so users can share best practices.

If Skydog’s Kickstarter campaign fails, what then?

It’s at least possible that the company’s patented cloud-based algorithms, which deliver network information to its users, can be embedded in other company’s devices. “We are keeping our options open as it relates to licensing software, and we will learn more about the users and prospective partners interest in this area through the Kickstarter campaign,” said Vivek Pathela, PowerCloud’s VP of Marketing.

Image courtesy of Skydog.

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As I entered the Anaheim Convention Center last Thursday, the first noise I heard was the bellowing of hundreds of teenage voices. I was here to learn the latest about YouTube at VidCon, the video site’s largest annual event, but I was surrounded by thousands of fans who had a different goal: to catch just one glimpse of a YouTube personality.

I was late to the party. Lines of fans had already gathered early that morning, waiting to get inside. They interrupted their quiet, anxious buzzes of chatter with piercing shrieks whenever a YouTube creator casually strolled by and waved at them.

“Creator” is a catch-all term that includes everyone from webcam videobloggers to keyboard-cat uploaders to the increasingly professional stars whose channels have attracted millions of subscribers. At VidCon, the latter meaning prevails: Insiders and fans alike use “creator” to call out the particular class of celebrity whose work and fame have become an intimate and singular part of the YouTube experience.

In this case, the creators who set off a particularly loud uproar right as I walked in were Jack and Finn Harries. As soon as the twin brothers from the UK set foot in the convention center, it was like they set off a sonic boom.

There was the silence right before chaos. First one teen turned around and gasped, then hundreds of others whipped their heads in that direction. Then, the rising wave of screams—primal, animalistic, unbridled emotion.

Rethinking YouTube

If you think of YouTube as a place for music videos and funny animal hijinks, VidCon will forever change your views. The annual convention, first held in 2010, is the beating heart of YouTube—a niche community so passionate and alive, but so committed to the nuances of visual storytelling that it struggles to explain itself through bare text.

To plunge into the chaos and charm of VidCon, to embrace YouTube’s community in the crowded, sweaty flesh, to surround yourself with 18,000 community members in one gargantuan yet impossibly packed convention center, may be the only way to understand it. Like YouTube itself, the experience at its best is visual and visceral.

If you’ve seen historic footage of the Beatles’ 1965 tour in America, it’s like that—but add smartphones, selfies, and social media. I watch as fans of YouTube personality catrific, known for comedic vlogs about her life, snap selfies in unending rotations with the star.

Here’s the fundamental difference between Beatlesmania and VidConmania: Like YouTube itself, fame on the site is two-way and participatory. Unlike the gated-off crowds of A Hard Day’s Night, fans are playing paparazzi with the YouTube celebrities, and putting themselves in the picture. They’re not just trailing behind their favorite creators, desperate for a glimpse. They’re running in front of them, face to their own cameras, framing themselves in the center of a selfie. The YouTube stars are just there to photobomb.

Five years in, this behavior has led to absurdities, like cardboard cutouts of YouTube stars, which seem to defeat the whole point of VidCon’s meet-in-the-flesh appeal. These cutouts of creators—hardly less virtual than the interactions fans and creators have on YouTube itself—stand in front of booths like the one for AwesomenessTV, an operator of multiple YouTube channels.

While setting up an interview with YouTube creator Joe Penna, his management warned me that “VidCon is huge and chaotic so we need to make sure this [interview] is either in one of the green rooms or someone’s hotel room or Joe will get mobbed.”

Penna’s channel, mysteryguitarman, showcases amazing editing and musical skills, and has amassed close to 3 million subscribers since his start on YouTube in 2006.

“Doing videos that involve my audience is important to me,” Penna told me. “Here at VidCon I’m printing out 700 frames of my next video and letting them draw all over it. It’s important to keep your fans involved.

“It’s building a club, basically. It’s cool to be a part of the mysteryguitarman fan club.”

The trick of the new YouTube celebrity is keeping your fans feeling like they’re in the club as their sheer numbers grow ever more overwhelming.

As I prepped for an interview with Brittani Louise Taylor, a comedian and DIY expert, her reps told me they couldn’t get ahold of her. Then we got word that Taylor had been swarmed by fans and was now trapped in her hotel room.

Escorted by a 7-foot-tall bodyguard, I rode up a hotel elevator in search of Taylor. (He wasn’t worried about me, but he wanted to make sure she could get out of her room after the interview.) Despite the fracas in the convention center, she was as sparkly in person as she is in her videos, and said she still adored her fans, even when they gathered in overwhelming throngs.

“It’s way crazier this year,” said Taylor. “Just getting out of the car outside of the hotel took 45 minutes.”

And yet Taylor wouldn’t go without the close-up interaction.

“I always go home feeling so loved because you get so many hugs throughout the day,” she said. “And they hug you. It’s like a ‘you’ve been my friend throughout all these years’ hug.”

The Perils Of YouTube Fame And Fandom

I heard similar stories of VidCon mania from other YouTube creators. I also heard echoes from the people who surround and support them—the executives, managers, and community members. They’re the ones who are making and remaking YouTube into a place for 21st-century celebrity.

No one could stop talking about YouTube personality and heartthrob Connor Franta, who is best known for his comedic, topical vlogs and for melting the heart of every teen in radius. With wide, terrified eyes, attendees told me stories about getting caught in a Franta-fangirl stampede, snagging and ripping their toenails after being caught in the crowd. (Never wear open-toe shoes to a convention.)

VidCon is about much more than fan meet-and-greets for the teen set. Attendees on the “industry track,” who include salespeople, marketers from big brands, and YouTube and Google employees, are steered toward panels extolling the selling power of YouTube stars.

They’re hardly necessary. One experience of being in the midst of a stampede of con-goers chasing a passing YouTube star, and you’re a believer.

Even Internet-video insiders are taken aback by this side of the business. “It is absolute fandemonium,” said Wadooah Wali, head of communications at Fullscreen, a multi-channel network (MCN) that signs YouTube creators to their management, with a blank face. It was her first VidCon experience, and mine too, and we both felt a sense of awe.

Con-goers will wait hours in line to meet their favorite YouTubers in person. Some stars, like the Epic Meal Time crew, a team best known for their extreme cooking show, will organize signings at set times and locations. (What does a YouTube star sign? Posters, hats, body parts—anything you want.)

Other YouTube stars will find a random corner in the convention space to hold an impromptu signing, somtimes tweeting out the location to their fans or just letting them gather.

The Anaheim Convention Center is across the street from Disneyland, and that’s somehow a fitting backdrop to the VidCon experience. The whole routine brings to mind Disney characters standing in a section of the theme park to sign autographs, smile brightly, and pose for photos.

I was witnessing a cultural phenomenon that has touched billions of people around the world, yet somehow stayed completely below the radar of other media.

YouTube’s challenge is to replicate this fandom offline, beyond the teens and tweens who roved the halls of VidCon. The site is already rolling out billboard and video advertising campaigns to expand their stars’ reach, and to make them more than just Internet famous.

When I wandered just a few steps outside and spoke to food vendors or hotel employees, I found no one had heard of stars like Meghan Tonjes or Tyler Oakley—the kind who drew crowds inside the convention center.

For VidCon attendees who grew up with YouTube, the distinction between “YouTube famous” and “famous famous” may be meaningless.

With them, YouTube has a different challenge: to hold their loyalties as competitors like Yahoo court the creators they adore with better financial terms and promises of more promotion.

If YouTube is to keep its lead, it will have to keep that magic connection between fans and creators alive. Even as YouTube channels grow to millions of subscribers and some turn into very successful businesses, fed by all the ads Google sells, there’s something peculiarly intimate about the link between YouTube viewers and the personalities who beam themselves onto the screens of their laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

That may explain the intensity of YouTube’s fan culture on display at VidCon. But it doesn’t give many clues on how YouTube’s rivals might replicate it—or how YouTube itself will preserve it.

YouTube’s transformation from a collection of bedroom webcam videos into full-blown celebrity machine seems nearly complete. With thumbs-up and clicks on that big red Subscribe button, they turn niche performers into stars.

Next thing you know, stampedes of teens are obliterating a walkway in Anaheim just to try to touch them. Finally these fans have a chance to see their favorites. In that moment, they realize that these creators are really their creation.

Images by Stephanie Chan

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And we’re just propping up its corpse…

It’s time for the Web3 gaming industry to acknowledge some cold truths. A thousand projects have risen — some meteorically — and nearly all of them have crashed, hard. The explanation as to the “why” is simple, but ugly.

The concept of Play-2-Earn is a fantastic one. Earn money for playing video games! Naturally, the model is more complex than that — money doesn’t spawn from thin air! The value must come from somewhere. Unfortunately, the value that P2E gaming offers, with little exception (shout out to Splinterlands, Gods Unchained, and I’m sure at least a couple others), is rooted in asset speculation. “Oh, I have no use for this $2000 piece of virtual land. I’m just betting that someone else is willing to pay $10,000 for it.”

Indeed, there have been winners in every ecosystem. Unfortunately, Web3 games often come out to near-zero-sum — there must be winners and losers. In the worst cases, the only winners are the developers that sold the project. All of the users become losers, having surrendered precious capital for assets left worthless. I’m not afraid to be unyieldingly transparent — my own project, Draco Dice, started out this way (though there is a happy ending towards the end of the article). Consumers believed that there was an exit strategy to be executed, allowing them to hoard many thousands of digital dice so that when interest grew in the assets, they would be holding mounds of assets for which the demand, and thus value, had spiked. Though I personally strived to strike down the illusion that my NFTs existed in order to supply everyone with profit, the illusion held strong.

In the best-case scenario, the “winners” in a Web3 ecosystem are the ones who knew better. They knew the money would run out, that the user growth would grind to a halt, and that everyone still holding would be holding a useless bag. The smart ones made their exit early. On this point, too, I’ve been humbled — naively believing that assets I’ve held worth tens of thousands in USD would increase to even greater heights by some miracle of increasing user engagement.

Having thoroughly destroyed my own financial ethos for you here, I must now justify my confidence in the winners of the future.

Regardless of how cringey the term has become, I am undeniably, unabashedly a “gamer.” That is a person with a passion for games. The problem is that the gaming industry outside of Web3 has been gradually eroding consumer agency. If you’re trying to succeed with Web3 gaming, you should already know this — but here’s a quick history lesson to catch you up.

How We Got Here

First, gamers owned physical media. Compact Discs and game cartridges. Then, Steam and other enormous platforms took over with digital distribution. Suddenly, the majority of games were no longer physically manufactured and could only be supplied digitally — but the majority of digital games are not owned. Instead, the consumer has purchased a license to access the software. This license can, of course, be revoked at any time and for practically any reason. Now, with Games as a Service (GaaS) becoming an industry standard, consumers have even fewer rights! All of the work you put into an online experience can disappear as soon as the developers decide to shut down the servers.

In other words, gamers own nothing but their hardware (and even that’s arguable due to EULAs and ToS supplied by OS and console producers).

I am deep, deep in the gaming hole and I’m never coming out — my skin has paled, and my eyes have grown adjusted to the harsh blue light of the screens. Thus, it’s obvious that the potential for the increased agency for gamers offered by Non-Fungible Tokens would be phenomenal. Think about it — we could truly own the games themselves, again. We could truly own assets that we bought or earned in a game and even take them outside of the game to extract further utility. We could sell them with the support of developers instead of arranging illicit transactions through black market websites (that I’m not ashamed to say I’ve used — we don’t have a choice). And we could resell the games themselves if we decide we’re done with them.

If you’re the kind of person I intended to read this article and you share my love of games, then this vision for the future should excite and inspire you.

If you contrast it with the reality of what Play-2-Earn has done for us, though, something looks terribly, terribly off.

Fun-Filled Reality Check

The first lesson that the P2E industry should have learned is that “the game should be fun first and offer revenue second.” That lesson has yet to be thoroughly disseminated. Button-clicking token manipulation tools have ruled Web3 gaming outside of the aforementioned exceptions, and even then, “fun” continues to be an afterthought in the majority of Web3 games designed. Nobody’s been playing this stuff because they’re having a good time with the experience itself. Everyone’s after those sweet, sweet tokens. It’s all rocket emojis and calls to HODL, just like anywhere else in crypto.

This isn’t gaming!

The idea of making a living off of video games does not exist at this time — anywhere. It’s a lie and a scam. Survivorship bias be damned – of course someone is going to make off with a profit. Acknowledging this fact was transformative for me, as I realized that there is no way to sell Play-2-Earn to actual gamers.

Believe me — gamers can smell bullshit, and due to the bad rap that Web3 has been given with endless scams and pump-and-dumps, P2E reeks to them. Rightly so.

You and me — we see the hard benefits that gamers can receive for engaging in a Web3 ecosystem — but ultimately, Web3 gaming can’t be about Web3. There is no Play-2-Earn where we’re going — but we can still offer agency and the revenue. We just need to stop selling games like they’re there because you can make money. STOP IT! In order to disrupt the gaming market, this is what must be done.

This is a gold mine, right here. Build great games uncompromised by Web3, and offer beneficial Web3 utility on top of great gameplay. 

I promised a happy ending earlier. This is what myself and my team have been building towards. Yes, we’re selling NFTs, but they don’t get the spotlight. They’re not the stars. The only kind of game that can become sustainable is one that players want to repeatedly engage with — because they enjoy it. That’s why I personally took an L on the short-term outcome of an otherwise highly-successful Draco Dice launch — because it’s not important. What is important is the benefits that NFTs can convey to players who are playing to play.

How to Save Web3 Gaming

For example, when I launched Draco Dice, it was in order to create a standard for gaming assets that have utility in more than one game. This is coming to fruition within mere months — we’ve simultaneously been developing Draco Dice: Skirmish and Draco Dicesweeper alongside each other. Both can be played with the same Draco Dice NFTs — offering real, undeniable utility that’s never before existed in the colossal world of video games. With that on the table, what’s next?

Web3 needs to approach gamers where they are. Gamers do not care about wallets, tokens, exchanges, or any of the financial nerd stuff that we wrestle with to make profits. Gamers care about the game. I am strictly not suggesting that we obfuscate that we are putting Web3 technology to work — however, I am suggesting that we use language that gamers are used to. Gamers understand XP levels, battle passes, currencies, and even markets — but it’s on us to streamline the experience of interacting with Web3 to break down what would otherwise be considered barriers to entry — such as requiring the manual creation of a wallet on this — or that chain beyond the username/password/2FA structure to which gamers are accustomed.

Lastly, speculation must be leashed or eliminated as much as possible. Retail investors dilute the purity of a product that is ostensibly intended to be enjoyed as entertainment. A community full of people who want to exit at a profitable mark is not the same as a community full of people who want to know when the next content update is because they want to personally experience more of your product. One is here to play. The other is just here to make money. To this end, the ability of retail investors to inflate the perceived value of gaming NFTs must be directly attacked.

The most clear way to achieve this is to constantly reward gameplay, and not offer high-ticket assets outside of gameplay. Retail investors can find easy access to high-value assets in a thousand other places – but if we’re serious about breaking into gaming itself, nobody but the players achieving skill, progression, and participation should have that kind of power.

If all of this must be done, then one would certainly be inclined to ask how there are exceptions to the death of Play-2-Earn — and the answer is that those exceptions are already headed in this direction. Splinterlands and Gods Unchained were built on great gameplay, for the purpose of having a great time. Do they both have to keep selling new assets to stay afloat? Yes, of course! But that’s no different than any other game studio having to regularly release new DLC, battle passes, or other microtransactions. The revenue must flow, after all.

Play-2-Earn is dead, and much of Web3 has yet to recognize it. There is money in it today, there will be money in it tomorrow, and the decay of P2E will be a gradual process — but just as wise men advise to perceive the bear market as a “build market,” I must point out that the meat is in the process of rotting. The absence of flies must not be taken as a sign of health.

We can build better products and services than this, and that’s where the future champions of Web3 are now staking their claim.

Inner Article Image Credit: Provided by the Author; Thank you!

Featured Image Credit: Cottonbro; Pexels; Thank you!

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With Artificial Intelligence developments knocking on almost every possible door there is, it’s not possible for the sports industry to be isolated from this major breakthrough.

Artificial Intelligence has tapped into all aspects of our lives in a way that it’s the most normal concept to expect in any industry now.

Who would’ve thought that an industry traditionally considered the farthest from the ‘physical activity” aspect of sports would leverage such great benefits to the domain covering everything from post-game analysis to in-game activity to the fan experience?

Data science and artificial intelligence in sports analytics have become commonplace. And, given the significant impact that technological precision has had on sports, there is no hesitation that it will continue to flourish in this industry.

What are the Stats Showing About Global Artificial Intelligence?

According to Acumen Research and Consulting, the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Sports Market is predicted to develop at a CAGR of over 32.8 percent, reaching a market value of around US$ 3,555.9 Million, between 2020 and 2027.

While statistics and quantitative analysis have long been important in sports, artificial intelligence is having a big impact on how games are planned, played, and watched.

This trend may be seen in baseball, tennis, soccer, football, basketball, Formula 1, and a variety of other sports. While sporting organizations have mounds of raw data, and more is always being added, this data may now be used to improve the value of their organization in all areas, from ticket sales to player injury prevention.

Let’s dive into the ultimate AI applications in the sports industry and see how Artificial Intelligence is paving the way.

• Coaching and Training

With AI coming into the picture, there’s no longer a need for coaches and trainers to depend solely on their subject matter expertise and experience. They can align their strategies and plans to improve player performance and make better match-day arrangements with the help of various metrics.

Coaches’ strategic decisions, from prior to, through, and following the game, are guided by AI platforms that measure a forward pass, a penalty kick, DRS in cricket, and a variety of other activities in many sports using wearable sensors, high-speed cameras, and real-time footage.

Coaches insights

Coaches can acquire insights into their teams’ strengths and weaknesses using data and graphics on any given day with ML-based algorithms, allowing them to make tactical and strategy modifications to exploit their opponent’s playing patterns and shortcomings.

Coaches may build stronger training regimens for their teams using this data-driven study of players and when it comes to establishing regimens for athletes, playing tactics, performance analysis and forecast modeling have an even bigger impact.

Player scouting and preparing players for competitions are also facilitated with AI algorithms.

• Media: Broadcasting, Streaming, and Journalism

Artificial intelligence appears to be on the verge of revolutionizing the sports narrative. In addition to changing the world of sports for coaches and athletes, AI has had a big impact on how fans experience sports. NLP, Machine Learning, and Deep

Learning algorithms can be used to automate a variety of video-making tasks, including camera shooting and zooming in on crucial field actions, and automatically select the best camera viewpoint to display on viewers’ screens, provide subtitles for live events in many languages based on the viewer’s location, and enable broadcasters to monetize their content through commercials.

AI-powered systems are also being integrated into content development for sports journalism.

With thousands of sports events happening on a regular basis, AI bots are currently being utilized to produce accurate match reports that explain crucial events, provide statistics and data, and keep the reader engaged by maintaining the quintessential emotion.

AI is currently being utilized in sports marketing to make videos of matches or event highlights. If done manually, this operation might take a long time and involve a lot of effort.

The media can minimize their time to market by utilizing an AI-based method to determine the top highlights from a match.

• Player Performance

Thanks to Artificial Intelligence, player performance is now more advanced than ever before. Computer vision, for example, is used to track and analyze human motion.

According to a report Artificial Intelligence in Sports Market: 2019 – 2024 published on ResearchAndMarkets.com, individual and team performance in sports will improve by an average of 17% and 28%, respectively.

This holds true for all sports, including football, tennis, cricket, and golf. Basketball players’ abilities are evaluated using Computer Vision and Machine Learning via apps like HomeCourt, which provides them with a proper platform to improve.

The cameras are collecting data, and the spatial-temporal trajectories for all players will be the end outcome. These player trajectories provide significant information about a player’s ability and performance to a sports expert.

The recording of the performance indicators is not only dependable but it also aids the players in specifying where they have the greatest potential to excel and where they still need to grow.

• Fitness, Health, and Safety

It is common knowledge that artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the healthcare industry in a variety of ways, of which, the sports industry is also reaping the benefits.

AI’s incredible predictive and diagnostic skills may also be used in sports, where physical health and fitness are of utmost priority.

Ensure the health and fitness

In order to ensure the health and fitness of their players, teams are increasingly adopting technical technologies in player healthcare. Wearable technology is being employed to monitor their players’ movements and physical metrics during practice in order to maintain track of their general health.

On a regular basis, players are put through physical tests that use artificial intelligence to track a variety of health variables and player actions in order to analyze their fitness and even detect early signs of musculoskeletal or cardiovascular issues or even stress-related injuries.

This can assist athletic organizations’ medical personnel in maintaining their athletes’ fitness and keeping them injury-free. AI technologies are used to analyze the stream of data received by the wearable devices in real-time to spot signals that players are developing.

This allows sports teams to keep their most important assets in top shape during long seasons of competition.

• Player Scouting and Recruitment

In the sports industry, artificial intelligence can be used to evaluate the performance of potential recruits. Sports teams are increasingly employing individual performance data as a gauge of players’ fitness and potential.

Before opting to invest in a player, various technologies powered by artificial intelligence, big data, and machine learning can help maintain track of his or her performance and past statistics (passes made, runs, goals scored, and so on) to estimate their future potential.

In essence, Machine Learning algorithms “assess players’ talents and overall potential and rank them in various categories” based on aggregated data. Teams can also utilize computer vision to identify specific traits that assist predict future success and to track players’ movements and body alignment.

It can also be used to assess player market values so that the best offers can be made when recruiting new talent. This can also benefit athletes, as the use of artificial intelligence-based technologies lowers preference during recruiting and aids in the discovery of latent talent, especially in places where a particular sport is not widely played.

Final Words

Other than the ones mentioned above, there are more use cases of AI in the sports industry like ticketing, refereeing, enhancement of fan experience, and match predictions among others that are transforming the industry at every step.

Artificial intelligence is affecting practically every professional sport, and it is already affecting amateur athletes as well. Given the importance of AI in sports, it will be imprudent to ignore its potential in winning games, better coaches and players, managing operations, and growing, serving and keeping fans.

New AI technology will continue to deliver meager benefits at best and bring an improved spectator experience. With our 7+ years of extensive experience in delivering computer vision, machine learning, and NLP services, Algoscale assists businesses in choosing the correct platform, developing applications, integrating cameras, and streamlining processes by integrating with other systems to gain valuable insights and improving business decision-making.

Also Read: Growth Of AI As A Service (AIaaS) Market

Image Credit: Inner article photos provided by the Author; Thank you!

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Video games have long been a popular escape from reality. All ages and demographics find value in connecting with friends, challenging themselves to beat new levels, and developing new skills.

But people engage with video games in an entirely different way than they did 30 years ago. People aren’t just playing — they’re escaping from their physical lives into alternate universes where they can make virtual friends, build virtual businesses, and live virtual experiences.

The “escaping from a physical life” type behavior and thirst for that escape only increased during the pandemic.

Nielsen found that 82% of global consumers played video games and watched gaming-related content during the height of COVID-19 lockdowns, with global gaming revenue topping $174.9 billion in 2020. If you can properly leverage the space for your brand, you might be able to strike gold.

The Rise of Interactive Gaming Experiences

Gaming has traditionally been viewed as a niche category, but that’s no longer the case. According to The NPD Group’s 2020 Gamer Segmentation Report, 244 million Americans play video games. That’s about 3 in 4 people, an increase of 32 million since 2018. And gamers are playing more than ever: Nearly one-third of them play more than 15 hours a week.

Gaming spans many demographics

With gaming spanning so many demographics, the space is ripe for your brand to move in. Creating integrated brand awareness content that’s organic and non-intrusive is every marketer’s dream.

Brand integration

Remember the brand integration opportunities offered by “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” in 2020? Within the game, players could create custom outfits from brands like Supreme and Gucci and decorate their homes with custom artwork (sponsored by the Metropolitan Museum of Art).

In 2021, Burger King Spain used the editing tools in “NBA 2K21” to create a custom basketball court called The Menu Court. The downloadable court featured photos of popular menu items, with Burger King challenging players to complete trick shots from those marks. If players posted a video on Twitter, tagged Burger King and NBA 2K, and used the hashtag #BKMenuCourt, they received free menu items.

Modern gaming engines: charge your business battery

As developers create more brand integration opportunities, it will be critical to move into the gaming space and capitalize on its success. Musicians, politicians, bands, and other groups have already jumped on the video game marketing bandwagon, so you’d be remiss to ignore this phenomenon.

Run Sprints: your brand in the gaming industry

1. Kick-off an esports campaign.

According to Newzoo’s Global Esports and Live Streaming Market Report, more than 75% of the esports industry’s revenue will come from media rights and sponsorships in 2021. You don’t have to dominate the space to get involved — you just have to play to your strengths.

Consider fashion powerhouse Louis Vuitton, which collaborated with Riot Games on the League of Legends World Championship. Not only did the brand create a custom travel trophy case for the champions, but it also released branded skins and other digital assets for players.

2. Partner with gaming influencers.

Many gaming influencers on Twitch and YouTube have cultivated large, highly engaged followings over time. You can strategically partner with these creators to get in front of the right audience.

For instance, Andrew Telfer (aka Nasher) accumulated his following by playing the NHL video game series on his channels. He became so popular in the hockey niche that he earned sponsorships from Bauer, Gatorade, Adidas, SeatGeek, and the NHL itself.

3. Get in the advertising game.

While traditional advertising might be seen as disruptive in the middle of a gaming session, some brands have found success by offering unique experiences within games. KFC Philippines, for example, created a branded gaming experience and tied it to the physical world.

The brand saw an opportunity when “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” soared in popularity during 2020. KFC Philippines quickly launched its own virtual location within the game with a dining area, menus, and Colonel Sanders himself. Those who found the colonel within the game were treated to a code for a free bucket of chicken at any KFC location in the Philippines.

4. Think outside the box by making this space your own.

The best thing about the gaming industry is that it gives your brand the freedom to create your own experiences. But you don’t have to tap into the gaming industry to connect with gamers — you just need to find a way to tie gaming into your brand.

For instance, to appeal to Generation Z, F’real (a blend-it-yourself frozen beverage brand) created a branded mobile game that could be activated via QR codes on in-store purchases. The brand also partnered with popular TikTok creators to draw attention to the campaign and drive consumers to stores.

Keep Your Head in the Game

What’s next for your brand? Once you’ve educated yourself on what opportunities are available, work with your marketing team to determine your budget, strategy, and creative execution.

Who knows: You could make headlines like Burger King or Gucci! You just need to get into the game.

You want to get into the game — and get into the zone.

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The world of collectibles has changed. There was a time when the only place to trade collectibles was with a stack of dog-eared cards in the corner of the schoolyard. That was fun until you left school. eBay created a market that was always open and now covers everything from baseball cards to works of art. It’s a place where sellers can always find buyers, buyers can always find sellers, and everyone can find current prices. But even eBay still requires shipping goods, and buyers still need to hope that a rare item on offer is as genuine as the seller claims. Here are to top digital collectibles on WAX blockchain of 2020.

Digital Collectible Have Changed and Will Keep Changing

Digital collectibles have changed everything again. Instead of packing up a card or a figure into a box — the exchange takes place online. And instead of hoping that you haven’t accidentally bought a forgery, the blockchain provides an immutable record of ownership.

While Ethereum gets a lot of attention for artists seeking to distribute and sell their digital art, a blockchain called WAX has quietly become a leading distributor of digital collectibles that bring back the nostalgia of opening a “pack” of cards.

Known in the community as NFTs (non-fungible tokens) listed here are the ten best digital collectibles that came out on the WAX blockchain this year.

1. Blockchain Heroes

Blockchain Heroes demonstrated not only that a new intellectual property can succeed, but it also showed how to build and engage with a community and innovate technology.

The collection of colorful blockchain heroes and villains are dynamic and vibrant, but they’re also set in a dramatic universe where the evil Centralizers seek to wrestle control from the people. Events bring players together on Telegram, while gamification allows collectors to improve their items.

2. KOGs

KOGs are the biggest-selling intellectual property on the WAX blockchain. As well as collecting and trading KOGs, owners will soon be able to play games with them, extending their functionality and enhancing the fun. And they’re endlessly varied.

KOGs introduced the notion of variations of collectibles, ensuring a steady stream of unique items. The Telegram group is at t.me/waxXkogs

3. Topps Garbage Pail Kids

The Garbage Pail Kids were the first major intellectual property to reach the WAX blockchain. First released as cards by baseball card maker Topps in 1985, the return of the property in digital form on its 35^th anniversary showed that digital collectibles could work even for major brands.

The theme of a set of collectibles didn’t have to focused only on the digital world. Powered by a wave of nostalgia, the first series of collectibles sold out in 28 hours.

4. Bitcoin Origins

Bitcoin Heroes celebrates the characters who fight the centralizers and battle for freedom from authoritarianism.

Bitcoin Origins marks the most important moments in that fight. Using artistic renditions of 15 key Bitcoin moments, Bitcoin Origins give collectors a record of the Genesis Block, the creation of the White Paper, propagation, and more. Together with Bitcoin Heroes, it’s history you can own. Join the Telegram group.

5. GoPepe

GoPepe claims to have the “dankest collectibles” on WAX. The team behind the Pepe-the-frog-inspired collection is anonymous, ensuring that all of the attention remains on the cards and their artwork. And on the cards’ burn mechanism.

Although the initial release was for 160,000 cards, 140,000 of them are burnable. Collect five identical cards, and you can upgrade them to a rarer card, burning away the five you’ve collected.

It makes digital collecting even hotter and gave makers of digital collectibles a new template.

6. UpliftArt

Musician Michael Blu created the world’s first NFT music video and he continues to pioneer digital collectibles with a series designed to benefit charity.

Uplift.art is unique in its attempt to give collectors genuine works of art, created by artists, and supported by the WAX blockchain. Collectors can still trade and burn their way towards rarities but they can also keep and admire some valuable artworks.

A portion of the drops support children in Haiti. Join the Telegram group and support some creative philanthropy.

7. CryptomonKeys

So what do you do once you own some rare digital cards? You want to share them. You want to show them to the community and see them move around as memes. CryptomonKeys come from SoggyApplePie and bantano, core team members of the cryptocurrency project BANANO. The collection features a set of fun monkeys to own and trade, with a portion of funds raised from secondary sales going to charity. Community is everything at CryptomonKeys. You can join it on Telegram.

8. NiftyWizards

NiftyWizards puts NFTs to use. The digital collectibles function as tools in a choose-your-adventure game played entirely on Telegram. You’ll need to collect gold and scrolls and keys, as well as beer and weed, and trade them to complete quests.

The game even has its own currency, DUST, that you earn as you play. You can join some unique, old school fun at t.me/niftywizardslobby.

9. Dark Country

Dark Country shows that digital collectibles don’t have to be cute and whimsical. With a grim story, ancient rituals, and card collections made up of a ghostly ancestral guard and the reanimated dead, the collectibles combine the best of classic card games with unique social features and tangible digital assets. Players chat and swap their ghost stories on the Telegram channel.

10. The Nifty Box

The NiftyBox proves that it’s possible to apply a subscription-based sales model even to the world of digital collectibles.

For a set annual fee, members of the world’s first subscription box for digital collectibles and NFTs receive a regular airdrop of collectibles to their wallets.

They get at least 8-10 drops every month, the ability to redeem NFTs for physical products, and they even have the right to transfer their membership card. That’s not something you see often in real-world subscription models.

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