The CRPG Renaissance, Part 3: TSR Is Dead
(filfre.net)
“How do you make a small fortune in tabletop gaming?” runs an old joke.
“How do you make a small fortune in tabletop gaming?” runs an old joke.
James Bond's long-serving producers give control to Amazon
(bbc.co.uk)
The James Bond film franchise will no longer be controlled by the Broccoli dynasty, after long-serving masterminds Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson announced they are stepping down.
The James Bond film franchise will no longer be controlled by the Broccoli dynasty, after long-serving masterminds Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson announced they are stepping down.
Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise
(aboutamazon.com)
Amazon MGM Studios, Michael G. Wilson, and Barbara Broccoli today announced that they have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights, and those parties will remain co-owners of the franchise.
Amazon MGM Studios, Michael G. Wilson, and Barbara Broccoli today announced that they have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights, and those parties will remain co-owners of the franchise.
Physical media is officially back
(embedded.substack.com)
“Those movies and TV shows that you're watching on Netflix and Amazon, they're going to disappear,” Allison NB says.
“Those movies and TV shows that you're watching on Netflix and Amazon, they're going to disappear,” Allison NB says.
Why is Warner Bros. Discovery putting old movies on YouTube?
(tedium.co)
In recent years, we’ve complained a lot about Warner Bros. Discovery, in part because their decision-making has seemed almost toxic and damaging to the creative community.
In recent years, we’ve complained a lot about Warner Bros. Discovery, in part because their decision-making has seemed almost toxic and damaging to the creative community.
Embrace the Grind (2021)
(jacobian.org)
There’s this card trick I saw that I still think about all the time. It’s a simple presentation (which I’ve further simplified here for clarity): a volunteer chooses a card and seals the card in an envelope. Then, the magician invites the volunteer to choose some tea. There are dozens of boxes of tea, all sealed in plastic. The volunteer chooses one, rips the plastic, and chooses one of the sealed packets containing the tea bags.
There’s this card trick I saw that I still think about all the time. It’s a simple presentation (which I’ve further simplified here for clarity): a volunteer chooses a card and seals the card in an envelope. Then, the magician invites the volunteer to choose some tea. There are dozens of boxes of tea, all sealed in plastic. The volunteer chooses one, rips the plastic, and chooses one of the sealed packets containing the tea bags.
Hank Azaria's 'Simpsons' Voices Won't Be Fully Replicated by A.I
(nytimes.com)
I imagine that soon enough, artificial intelligence will be able to recreate the sounds of the more than 100 voices I created for characters on “The Simpsons” over almost four decades. It makes me sad to think about it. Not to mention, it seems just plain wrong to steal my likeness or sound — or anyone else’s.
I imagine that soon enough, artificial intelligence will be able to recreate the sounds of the more than 100 voices I created for characters on “The Simpsons” over almost four decades. It makes me sad to think about it. Not to mention, it seems just plain wrong to steal my likeness or sound — or anyone else’s.
Sony Kills Recordable Blu-ray and Other Vintage Media
(ieee.org)
Physical media fans need not panic yet—you’ll still be able to buy new Blu-Ray movies for your collection. But for those who like to save copies of their own data onto the discs, the remaining options just became more limited: Sony announced last week that it’s ending all production of several recordable media formats—including Blu-Ray discs, MiniDiscs, and MiniDV cassettes—with no successor models.
Physical media fans need not panic yet—you’ll still be able to buy new Blu-Ray movies for your collection. But for those who like to save copies of their own data onto the discs, the remaining options just became more limited: Sony announced last week that it’s ending all production of several recordable media formats—including Blu-Ray discs, MiniDiscs, and MiniDV cassettes—with no successor models.
Gilmore Girls fans nabbed as Eurocops dismantle two major cybercrime forums
(theregister.com)
Law enforcement officers across Europe assembled again to collectively disrupt major facilitators of cybercrime, with at least one of those cuffed apparently a fan of the dramedy series The Gilmore Girls.
Law enforcement officers across Europe assembled again to collectively disrupt major facilitators of cybercrime, with at least one of those cuffed apparently a fan of the dramedy series The Gilmore Girls.
82,150 Gallons of Paint Later, a Blue Man Group Farewell
(nytimes.com)
After 17,800 shows and 82,150 gallons of paint, Blue Man Group is hanging up its bald caps at the Astor Place Theater for good on Sunday.
After 17,800 shows and 82,150 gallons of paint, Blue Man Group is hanging up its bald caps at the Astor Place Theater for good on Sunday.
Can Magnus Carlsen convince people to watch chess?
(economist.com)
CHESS IS the sort of deep and rewarding game that you can spend an enjoyable lifetime failing to master. But even ardent fans might concede that, as a spectacle, watching two players think for long periods before shuffling pieces around a board is somewhat short on sparkle.
CHESS IS the sort of deep and rewarding game that you can spend an enjoyable lifetime failing to master. But even ardent fans might concede that, as a spectacle, watching two players think for long periods before shuffling pieces around a board is somewhat short on sparkle.
High-Speed Face-Tracking for Dynamic Facial Projection Mapping
(titech.ac.jp)
Dynamic Facial Projection Mapping (DFPM) overlays computer-generated images onto human faces to create immersive experiences that have been used in the makeup and entertainment industries. In this study, we propose two concepts to reduce the misalignment artifacts between projected images and target faces, which is a persistent challenge for DFPM.
Dynamic Facial Projection Mapping (DFPM) overlays computer-generated images onto human faces to create immersive experiences that have been used in the makeup and entertainment industries. In this study, we propose two concepts to reduce the misalignment artifacts between projected images and target faces, which is a persistent challenge for DFPM.
Elon Musk admits cheating in video game where he claimed world-class skills
(elpais.com)
Elon Musk has long boasted about his love for video games, calling them his “primary recreational activity.” “I’m 52 years old, my reflexes aren’t what they used to be, but I’ve been playing video games all my life,” he said in November 2023. He’s frequently mentioned that he uses video games as a form of relaxation and mental recalibration: “It calms my mind. Killing the demons in a video game calms the demons in my mind.
Elon Musk has long boasted about his love for video games, calling them his “primary recreational activity.” “I’m 52 years old, my reflexes aren’t what they used to be, but I’ve been playing video games all my life,” he said in November 2023. He’s frequently mentioned that he uses video games as a form of relaxation and mental recalibration: “It calms my mind. Killing the demons in a video game calms the demons in my mind.
Netflix price increase leaves fans furious
(the-sun.com)
CUSTOMERS are fuming after Netflix confirmed another price increase on Tuesday.
CUSTOMERS are fuming after Netflix confirmed another price increase on Tuesday.
Miku Miku Beam: An open-source network stresser tool but it's Hatsune Miku
(github.com/sammwyy)
A fun and visually appealing stress testing server with a Miku-themed frontend, where you can configure and run attacks while enjoying a banger song in the background! 🎤✨
A fun and visually appealing stress testing server with a Miku-themed frontend, where you can configure and run attacks while enjoying a banger song in the background! 🎤✨
Sleep Baseball
(sleepbaseball.com)
Northwoods Baseball Sleep Radio is a full-length fake baseball game.
Northwoods Baseball Sleep Radio is a full-length fake baseball game.
Why Kids' Shows Like 'Cocomelon' Hamper Critical Brain Development
(forbes.com)
When adults hear the term “kid-friendly” in regards to entertainment, a familiar image often springs to mind: vibrant colors, catchy tunes and straightforward narratives.
When adults hear the term “kid-friendly” in regards to entertainment, a familiar image often springs to mind: vibrant colors, catchy tunes and straightforward narratives.
Lorne Michaels Is the Real Star of "Saturday Night Live"
(newyorker.com)
He’s ruled with absolute power for five decades, forever adding to his list of oracular pronouncements—about producing TV, making comedy, and living the good life.
He’s ruled with absolute power for five decades, forever adding to his list of oracular pronouncements—about producing TV, making comedy, and living the good life.
The Dark Secrets Behind the Neil Gaiman Abuse Accusations
(vulture.com)
Scarlett Pavlovich was a 22-year-old drama student when she met the performer Amanda Palmer by chance on the streets of Auckland.
Scarlett Pavlovich was a 22-year-old drama student when she met the performer Amanda Palmer by chance on the streets of Auckland.
A man keeping hope, and 70-year-old pinball machines, alive
(arstechnica.com)
The pastime of pinball has lived a fraught existence. Whether due to public sentiment, hostile legislation, or a simple lack of popularity, the entire silver ball industry has repeatedly teetered on the brink of collapse. Yet it has always come back, today again riding a wave of popularity driven by the successes of high-tech machines capitalizing on familiar brands like X-Men and Godzilla.
The pastime of pinball has lived a fraught existence. Whether due to public sentiment, hostile legislation, or a simple lack of popularity, the entire silver ball industry has repeatedly teetered on the brink of collapse. Yet it has always come back, today again riding a wave of popularity driven by the successes of high-tech machines capitalizing on familiar brands like X-Men and Godzilla.
Why clowns paint their faces on eggs (2017)
(bbc.com)
Professional clowns must choose a unique facial makeup design – and they have an unusual way of ‘protecting’ it from copycats. Legal researchers Dave Fagundes and Aaron Perzanowski investigate.
Professional clowns must choose a unique facial makeup design – and they have an unusual way of ‘protecting’ it from copycats. Legal researchers Dave Fagundes and Aaron Perzanowski investigate.
DVD shop owner vows to be ‘last man standing’
(bbc.com)
Perched on the end of a row of terraces in a small town is one of the last DVD rental shops in the UK.
Perched on the end of a row of terraces in a small town is one of the last DVD rental shops in the UK.
Raygun musical cancelled after viral Olympian's legal threat
(bbc.com)
Australian breaker Rachael Gunn's legal team has stopped a musical parody about her journey to the Paris Olympics from taking to the stage.
Australian breaker Rachael Gunn's legal team has stopped a musical parody about her journey to the Paris Olympics from taking to the stage.
OnlyFangs has made 'World of Warcraft' into Twitch's best soap opera
(rollingstone.com)
Sun pours through the lush foliage of a jungle, bleaching the pale limestone as a rotting man stands in the center of an otherwise empty arena, his yellow eyes leering from beneath a fringe of limp, blonde hair. Positioned around the edge are a hundred bodies, Orcs and Trolls and bipedal oxen shouting, demanding, the death of the dishonorable.
Sun pours through the lush foliage of a jungle, bleaching the pale limestone as a rotting man stands in the center of an otherwise empty arena, his yellow eyes leering from beneath a fringe of limp, blonde hair. Positioned around the edge are a hundred bodies, Orcs and Trolls and bipedal oxen shouting, demanding, the death of the dishonorable.