A recent conversation between The Information and Chevron’s Chief Information Officer Bill Braun has shed light on a surprising AI reality: Continue reading “Why Enterprises Struggle with AI Adoption (and What to Do About It)”
Month: July 2024
Expert Tips for Choosing Freelance Android App Development Services for Your Company
The search for the best freelance Android app designers is never an easy task. After all, every freelance Android app designer is unique and different from the rest. But one thing is for sure: whether you’re a multinational company, a small business, or a start-up, you need to look for the right freelance Android app developer who can transform your dream application into reality.
Why your company needs a freelance mobile app developer
Regardless of its shape, size, or type, businesses need a more responsive mobile app than ever. As the eCommerce platform continues to grow, it’s almost inevitable for businesses to develop mobile apps. Android app developers and designers are enjoying a high demand because of the Android OS’s notable popularity compared to its counterparts. As a result, companies that specialize in mobile app development strive hard to cater to the market and its ever-growing and ever-changing demands.
But once again, it can be challenging to choose a reliable and trustworthy app development service. Since the mobile development process involves several stages that require the participation and collaboration of an entire team of skilled 3D design experts, no one can blame you if you’re confused when it’s time to look for a decent mobile app developer. Continue reading this guide to learn some expert tips for choosing freelance Android app development services for your company that won’t leave you disappointed with the results.
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1. Review past projects
Checking and going through the previous projects of an app development service can give you a good idea of the quality of their delivery and overall approach. The working portfolio of freelance developers speaks a lot about their work. Start by going through the app’s functionality, the time it took to finish the project, and the designing capabilities of the developer. These will help you understand and confirm whether the developer can meet your company’s app’s requirements. While you’re at it, do not forget to go through the feedback, ratings, and reviews for the app itself.
2. Get in touch with previous clients
Just checking the past projects of a freelance Android app designer is not always enough. You might also want to consider reaching out to previous clients. Doing so will tell you how the developer treated and dealt with past clients. It will also help you understand how the designer works once they receive the project, their level of responsiveness, the frequency of communication with the client, how they handle challenges, and the like.
3. Inquire about post-development support and tasks
Before hiring a freelance app designer, you should also take your time to ask about common post-development tasks, including app testing, app submission, support, maintenance, bug fixing, and other post-development concerns, before you decide to hand your project to the developer. While no app might be perfect, this is the least you can do to ensure that yours will be almost close to perfection.
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4. Ensure top-notch app performance and quality
Users never like apps that take too long to respond. That’s why it is crucial to ensure that your chosen freelance Android app development service can come up with an app that is both intuitive and fast at the same time.
5. Look for reusable high-performance code
It’s a no-brainer that a freelance Android app developer should be proficient and well-versed in various languages, such as JavaScript and Kotlin. Additionally, it is essential that they know how to create a code that they can keep in an understandable and reusable environment. Through this, debugging and making the necessary changes will be simple and smooth. Moreover, future implementations of due updates and other similar changes will be more manageable.
6. Confirm understanding of material design basics
A prospective Android app developer must also understand and preferably have real-world experiences in working based on the Material Design principles and guidelines of Google that can help them craft user-friendly and appealing interfaces. This modern set of guidelines on material design helps ensure an effective form of the UI/UX design of the app with minimal effort.
7. Check for comprehension of SDLC and business processes
Modern development projects always require a good understanding of SDLC or software development lifecycle and business process. You can save more money and time in the long run if your chosen freelance Android software programmers/developers can pinpoint possible issues and challenges during the development process.
RELATED: Reasons your CAD services company should use robust design software
8. Avoid focusing on the price tag alone
In the hopes of winning the race, many businesses tend to work with the cheapest freelance Android app designers they can find, only to be disappointed with a low-quality app that they received. In turn, this would be completely useless for their business. Rather than opting for those low-budget developers, hiring a freelance Android app developer who can come up with a high-quality and feature-rich app at the most competitive price would be more efficient and advantageous.
9. Verify the use of an innovative approach
Make sure you also look into the approach of the freelance Android app developer that you’re planning to hire. To ensure that the provider is adept in their service, always check if they understand the specific needs of your business. See to it that the development service can also improvise designs and offer a top-of-the-line user experience combined with groundbreaking ideas.
10. Go for a certified and reputable developer
Hiring a freelance Android app developer may sound risky, but as long as you choose a certified and reputable one, there is simply no reason for you to worry. Use your wise judgment and carefully consider every potential candidate before you settle for one.
11. Guarantee ability to pinpoint and solve bugs
Once the code is up and ready, the app designer will be in charge of identifying bugs and errors and getting rid of them accordingly. Once the app gets deployed, the designer will also continue to be in charge of troubleshooting.
RELATED: Top 20 3D design software programs used by 3D services firms & freelance 3D modelers
12. Ask about the designer
It would not do you any good if you settle for the first designer you meet. Take your time interviewing each candidate, and do not be afraid to ask more about them, such as their services and other related experiences. There’s nothing wrong with this, so go ahead and raise those questions running through your mind.
13. Check for experience and proficiency
Would you entrust your health to a doctor not licensed to treat patients? Definitely no! When it comes to app design and development, it’s never wise to put its fate into the hands of someone who is a complete beginner in the field. Always consider the proficiency and experience of the freelance Android app developer you’re eyeing to hire. Don’t forget that developing a business-centric and market-centric app is not an easy task. It is something that should be done with the utmost proficiency that only experienced designers can offer.
14. Go through privacy agreements and NDAs
Work with a freelance Android app developer only after you’ve signed the privacy agreements and NDAs. Signing these bonds with your chosen designer gives you peace of mind, knowing that your business’s confidential data will be safe and secure. You also need to guarantee that you have complete control and property rights of your app to prevent discrepancies in the future.
15. Consider sufficient knowledge of different open-source platforms
As an open-source platform, Android gives developers the flexibility to design apps that cater to the specific needs of the users. For this reason, the developer you choose must have a sound knowledge of these different open-source platforms. Be sure to look for a freelance Android app designer who is familiar and well-versed with the various open-source libraries.
RELATED: Top 101 new product design and development firms for services in the US
16. Pick a designer who stays up-to-date with trends and tech
The world of technology develops fast, with new technologies and tools getting introduced into the market almost every day. These include supplement software solutions and new knowledge complete with new features. When hiring a freelance app designer, see to it that they keep up with the most state-of-the-art technologies to help you stay ahead of the competition with the most interactive and updated solutions.
17. Prioritize user needs
When developing an app, a freelance Android app developer should always focus on user needs and requirements. They should come up with a solution that will satisfy users, offer them comfort, and look more appealing to them.
18. Ability to work with different APIs
Application programming interface or API allows speedy communication between different computer programs. The programmers communicate with different services, using numerous APIs for this particular purpose. It allows quick operation of different programs opened at the same time. These APIs should always be among the key strengths of an excellent freelance Android app developer.
19. Capacity to handle various databases
Almost all apps right now hold massive volumes of data. It’s critical to synchronize all of them between the outer database and internal storage when the app is offline. With that, a good command of these different databases is a must for the freelance Android app designer you will hire.
How Cad Crowd can help
Are you looking to elevate your company’s mobile presence with a top-notch Android app? Look no further! Cad Crowd is your gateway to expert Android app development services. Take advantage of the opportunity to harness the power of cutting-edge technology for your business. Get in touch with Cad Crowd’s skilled professionals and secure the future of your company’s mobile app development. Begin your success story now. Contact us today, and let’s build your dream Android app together!
GFN Thursday: ‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’
“Hey, you. You’re finally awake.”
It’s the summer of Elder Scrolls — whether a seasoned Dragonborn or a new adventurer, dive into the legendary world of Tamriel this GFN Thursday as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition joins the cloud.
Epic adventures await, along with nine new games joining the GeForce NOW library this week.
Plus make sure to catch the GeForce NOW Summer Sale for 50% off new Ultimate and Priority memberships.
Unleash the Dragonborn
Experience the legendary adventures, breathtaking landscapes and immersive storytelling of the iconic role-playing game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition from Bethesda Game Studios — now accessible on any device from the cloud. Become the Dragonborn and defeat Alduin the World-Eater, a dragon prophesied to destroy the world.
Explore a vast landscape, complete quests and improve skills to develop characters in the open world of Skyrim. The Special Edition includes add-ons with all-new features, including remastered art and effects. It also brings the adventure of Bethesda Game Studios creations, including new quests, environments, characters, dialogue, armor and weapons.
Get ready to embark on unforgettable quests, battle fearsome foes and uncover the rich lore of the Elder Scrolls universe, all with the power and convenience of GeForce NOW. “Fus Ro Dah” with an Ultimate membership to stream at up to 4K resolution and 120 frames per second with up to eight-hour gaming sessions for the ultimate immersive experience throughout the realms of Tamriel.
All Hands on Deck
Wargaming is bringing back an in-game event exclusively for GeForce NOW members this week.
Through Tuesday, July 30, members who complete the quest while streaming World of Warships can earn up to five GeForce NOW one-day Priority codes — one for each day of the challenge. Aspiring admirals can learn more on the World of Warships blog and social channels.
Shiny and New
Take on classic survival horror in CONSCRIPT from Jordan Mochi and Team17. Inspired by legendary games in the genre, the game is set in 1916 during the Great War. CONSCRIPT blends all the punishing mechanics of older horror games into a cohesive, tense and unique experience. Play as a French soldier searching for his missing-in-action brother during the Battle of Verdun. Search through twisted trenches, navigate overrun forts and cross no-man’s-land to find him.
Here’s the full list of new games this week:
- Cataclismo (New release on Steam, July 22
- CONSCRIPT (New release on Steam, July 23)
- F1 Manager 2024 (New release on Steam, July 23)
- EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 6 (New release on Steam, July 25)
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Steam)
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition (Steam, Epic Games Store and Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)
- Gang Beasts (Steam and Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)
- Kingdoms and Castles (Steam)
- The Settlers: New Allies (Steam)
What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.
📈🆙 ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴄʟᴏᴜᴅ ɢᴀᴍɪɴɢ ꜱᴋɪʟʟ ɪɴᴄʀᴇᴀꜱᴇᴅ
— 🌩️ NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) July 24, 2024
New Apple Lab in China to Test Products Under Extreme Conditions
Apple is set to open a new applied research lab in Shenzhen, China, focusing on enhancing the quality and reliability of its flagship products (via Shenzhen Daily).
The new lab in Shenzhen is expected to boost Apple’s research capabilities, focusing on reliability and quality testing for key products. The new facility will focus on testing new materials and production techniques, ensuring that products such as the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro can withstand extreme conditions, from intense physical activity to harsh temperatures. The lab’s readiness comes at a crucial time as Apple ramps up production for its iPhone 16 lineup, which is widely expected to launch in the fall.
The choice of Shenzhen is significant due to its proximity to many of Apple’s suppliers. Apple first announced plans for the new lab in March. Despite diversifying its production capacity to other countries like Vietnam and India, China remains a key manufacturing hub for Apple. The new Shenzhen facility is part of a broader expansion, which includes research and development centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou. Apple has invested over 1 billion yuan (approximately $138 million) in these facilities.
Bloomberg reports that Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams, recently visited Shenzhen to discuss investment and collaboration plans. He reportedly emphasized the critical role Shenzhen plays in Apple’s market strategy. Williams’ visit to China also included meetings with senior Chinese officials in Beijing, a visit to an Apple Store in the Wangfujing shopping district, watching a film shot on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and a meeting with entertainment company Migu, which showcased its app developed for the Apple Vision Pro.
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iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as “Ice Universe,” clarifying several important aspects of next year’s devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the “Plus” iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 “Slim” model as an even more high-end option sitting…
iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report…
These 5 Features Will Make the iPhone 17 the Biggest Update in Years
The upcoming iPhone 16 models that we’re expecting to see in September are going to be quite similar to the iPhone 15 models, but rumors suggest that Apple is making big changes in 2025. We’ve been hearing hints of an all-new device in the iPhone lineup, and it may be the most expensive iPhone Apple has offered to date. New ‘Slim’ Design Rumors have taken to referring to the new iPhone 17…
Apple TV+ Curbs Costs After Expensive Projects Fail to Capture Viewers
Apple is scaling back its Hollywood spending after investing over $20 billion in original programming with limited success, Bloomberg reports. This shift comes after the streaming service, which launched in 2019, struggled to capture a significant share of the market, accounting for only 0.2% of TV viewership in the U.S., compared to Netflix’s 8%. Despite heavy investment, critical acclaim,…
iPhone SE 4 Rumored to Launch Early Next Year With OLED Display, 48MP Camera, and More
The fourth-generation iPhone SE will offer a series of major upgrades over the current model, the leaker known as “Ice Universe” claims. The information was listed in a post on Weibo, which also detailed the specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup. As previously rumored, the fourth-generation iPhone SE is expected to feature Face ID and USB-C, marking a major upgrade from current and previous …
Microsoft Blames European Commission for Major Worldwide Outage
Last Friday, a major CrowdStrike outage impacted PCs running Microsoft Windows, causing worldwide issues affecting airlines, retailers, banks, hospitals, rail networks, and more. Computers were stuck in continuous recovery loops, rendering them unusable. The failure was caused by an update to the CrowdStrike Falcon antivirus software that auto-installed on Windows 10 PCs, but Mac and Linux…
Everything New in iOS 18 Beta 4
Apple released the fourth beta of iOS 18 today, introducing small changes to a number of features throughout the operating system. There are no big additions in this beta, but Apple is continuing to refine existing settings and design choices. Apple plans to continue updating iOS 18 over the next few months, with the update set to be released this fall. We’ve rounded up all of the changes…
Into the Radius 2 Hits PCVR Early Access on July 24
CM Games revealed today that Into the Radius 2 will get a Steam Early Access release on July 24th. Just like its predecessor, this new title is a VR shooter that lets players immerse themselves in a surreal and mysterious area known as the Pechorsk Security Zone, full of deadly anomalies and nightmarish enemies to be dispatched with an arsenal of realistic weaponry.
Into the Radius 2 will launch as a PCVR title, and its US$39.99 Early Access price will remain the same once the game is fully released. One of the most interesting features this sequel offers over its predecessor is the introduction of two-player online co-op gameplay (which will be eventually expanded to four players according to the devs)
The original game eventually got a Meta Quest port, so it remains to be seen whether this sequel will stay a PCVR exclusive or not, but from the graphical improvements we can already see in the first teaser trailer, I’m having a hard time imagining Into the Radius 2 on the portable device. Time will tell, I guess!
Embrace solitude or seek company
Dive into the eerie world solo, immersing yourself in a solitary and haunting experience. Or, assemble a team of up to four players and venture into the depths of uncertainty, bravely confronting the dangers of the Radius as a united force.
Will you face the darkness alone or forge an unbreakable bond with your fellow Еxplorers?Experience realistic weapons
In Into the Radius 2, each weapon has been meticulously crafted with incredible attention to detail. Each firearm has its own unique handling and characteristics, making your gameplay truly immersive and authentic.
Not only will you have a wide array of classic and modern firearms at your disposal, but you can also customize them to match your preferred playstyle. Attachments, optics, stocks, and more can be personalized to create the perfect weapon for you.
Remember that if you want to harness the full power of these weapons, it’s crucial to stay on top of their maintenance. Make sure to clean and take care of your firearms regularly, ensuring they’re always in top-notch condition to tackle the challenges head-on.
Navigate a hostile environment
In a surreal world ravaged by monstrous creatures and unforgiving terrain, survival is your ultimate goal. Scrounge for resources, defend yourself against dreadful enemies, and strategically manage your equipment to outlast the odds.
The Player Base, your haven amidst the chaos, provides a central hub to craft, trade, and plan your next move. Use your hard-earned loot to acquire essential gear, but choose wisely, for every item has its value.
Adapt, strategize, and make the most of your surroundings to stay alive.
Harness the power of artifacts
Unleash your potential by collecting artifacts scattered throughout the Pechorsk anomaly. Unlock new abilities and powers as you delve deeper into their mysteries, gaining an edge against the horrors that await. Keep an eye out for valuable treasures amidst the artifacts, as selling them will earn you the funds needed to acquire new weapons and upgrades.
Beware of anomalies
Be careful when exploring the Zone, as you can encounter dangerous anomalies at every turn. Some of these can harm your health, while others can create impassable obstacles, forcing you to look for a way around. Use your arsenal of useful tools to avoid the epicenter of a deadly entity and stay alive.
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Enhance Collaboration and Save Time With AutoCAD 2025.1 | AutoCAD Blog
We are excited to announce that AutoCAD 2025.1 and AutoCAD LT 2025.1 are now available! This release builds on the innovation introduced in AutoCAD 2025, providing further enhancements to improve collaboration and save you time. We’ve made several important updates you’ll want to be sure to check out—and if you’re already eager to dive into these new capabilities that AutoCAD has to offer, go ahead and open the Autodesk Access application to start your update while you read this post.
Note: The 2025.1 update is automatically included in every new installation of AutoCAD 2025.
Streamlined Collaboration With Docs
Sheet Set Manager remains one of the most used features by users who include AutoCAD on the web in their workflows, or use Autodesk Docs as their common data environment for DWGs. We’ve introduced several updates to further build on its functionality.
As of today, the Sheet Set Manager now supports publishing using custom linetypes that reference SHP and SHX files. Additionally, it will now display detailed publish information, including job errors and warnings to help troubleshoot sheet sets. The upgraded Sheet Set manager also allows multi-selection for moving and removing sheets and prevents importing of sheets from locked drawing files or unlocking locked drawing files when sheets are removed.
With the release of AutoCAD 2025, we introduced several updates designed to enhance collaboration for teams that manage drawings with Autodesk Docs. With AutoCAD 2025.1 and AutoCAD LT 2025.1, we’ve made significant improvements to the SHARE command. Prior to the update, the SHARE command provided you with the options to create a view-only link or share a link to for a recipient to edit and save a copy of drawing, which would create a new version of the drawing to be managed.
With the update, you can now quickly share access to drawings managed with Autodesk Docs with the new “Can Edit” link type. This allows collaborators within the same Docs project to share and open the same DWG files directly in AutoCAD on the Web with just one click. This makes collaboration an easier experience and reduces the amount of time spent navigating project folders to find the correct link to share with your team and makes DWG versioning easier to track and manage with Autodesk Docs using Activity Insights. Keep reading to learn more about what’s changed.
And with the recently announced data center location in Australia, you now have more options for how you manage your project data using Autodesk Docs. Learn more about how you can use Autodesk Docs to manage CAD standards over on the AEC Tech Drop blog.
Note: The SHARE command updates are not available for AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT for Mac.
Enhanced Activity Insights Palette
Several enhancements have been made to the popular Activity Insights feature which we first introduced in AutoCAD 2024. Activity Insights helps teams bridge the information gap in collaborative workflows by keeping you informed of relevant file changes and access through out a project lifecycle, with detailed event properties and multi-user activities.
With the 2025.1 update, Activity Insights makes your design and collaboration process smoother and more efficient than ever before. And thanks to innovations in Autodesk’s platform, all AutoCAD 2025 and AutoCAD LT 2025 users will be able to experience these changes even before updating to 2025.1.
Have you ever wondered how to use the built-in search function in the Activity Insights palette? You weren’t alone, which is why our team enhanced this feature to help you find information with ease. Whether you’re looking for a specific file name, activity type, trace layer, specific property or value, you can find this now using full or partial search strings.
And if you like keeping track of time and dates, the improved time format has got you covered. While the current day continues to display as “Today”, the Activity Insights palette now uses your operating system’s region format for all other date headers to show the full date, including the year, in a compact format that’s easy to read. Activity timestamps have also been modified to use a compact format, making it easier to read. And these are just a few to start other enhancements have also been made to the following features within Activity Insights:
- A new Refresh button has been added to update the Activity Insights palette at any time, no longer limiting updates to performing certain activities.
- The “Viewed” activity has now been renamed to “Opened” and now displays by default, sporting a new icon and a “Read only” description if the drawing is opened in read-only mode.
- When using the SHARE command, a new activity will appear with information detailing the permission settings and how the link was shared—distinguishing whether it was immediately previewed or if the link was copied.
- Referenced DWG activity events now double up as links that take you straight to the referenced drawing.
- “Version” and “Saved” activities with matching timestamps are now merge into one activity event, which includes the version number along with the compare tools originally introduced with the release of AutoCAD 2025—with the merging of the previous DWG History tool.
Enhanced Smart Blocks Conversion Workflow
With the release of AutoCAD 2025 we introduced two new Smart Block features, Search and Convert, and the Object Detection Tech Preview. With the 2025.1 update both features now include enhancements to optimize your design process with a more intuitive and user-friendly workflow.
Starting with Smart Blocks: Search and Convert, the next time you search drawings by selecting geometry, the active viewport will automatically zoom in or out to include all highlighted matching objects found on the canvas. This will give you a quick glance at the results before moving to the next step.
For both Search and Convert and the Object Detection Tech Preview, the updated ‘Convert to block’ dialog now includes the ability to modify your selection before converting. The dialog includes a count of total selected instance which updates as you toggle between including and excluding existing blocks that match the geometry you’ve selected. This provides the added benefit of being able to quickly convert your selection of geometry and blocks into any other existing block you choose. And to provide greater control over your block organization, you now have the capability to assign a block to a specific layer before converting.
Note: If the primary selection is a defined block, using this dialog to define a new block will create a nested block.
With the release of AutoCAD 2025, AutoCAD toolsets included an extensive set of updates designed to better serve users requiring industry specific workflows. And with the AutoCAD Plant 3D 2025.1 update we’ve introduced several key enhancements to features in the toolset:
- Ortho View: You can now update ortho views across multiple ortho drawings or even an entire project with a new, user-friendly dialog interface.
- Spec Editor: Spec Editor allows you to add a reducer to a reducing tee in the Branch Table.
- P&ID Painter: P&ID Painter now includes the ability to affect control valve actuators.
- Layer Control: You can now control ortho objects to inherit only layer names or both layer names and layer properties.
Update to AutoCAD 2025.1 and AutoCAD LT 2025.1 Today
If you already started your update at the beginning of this post, you should be one step closer to experiencing these features first-hand—if not, what are you waiting for? Get started with the Autodesk Access application on your desktop. And if you’re not yet a subscriber, be sure to check out free trials of AutoCAD 2025.1, AutoCAD LT 2025.1, and AutoCAD Web.
Learn More
To explore these features and enhancements in detail along with more additional updates included in the 2025.1 update, take a look at the following pages in the Help section:
WoW players are already using the new Warbands system for its true purpose: Memes and transmog flexing
World of Warcraft recently debuted its Warbands system—and with it, a shiny new login screen. For the uninitiated, a Warband is a group of four characters that get to share a bunch of stuff. Reputation, currencies, a bank, and ‘warbound’ items to name a few. They also line up on the character select screen like they’re posing for an album cover.
Given you can arrange who is and isn’t in your warband—and, naturally, the outfits they’re wearing—the World of Warcraft community’s already gone full speed ahead on memeing the everloving crap out of the feature. My favourite by far is this pitch-perfect recreation of the South Park episode “Make Love, Not Warcraft” by user Zombosa.
Warband: How do you kill that which has no life – All Characters from r/Transmogrification
Turns out, the Sword of a Thousand Truths (aptly named the “Slayer of the Lifeless” in-game) can just be snagged from Gothik the Harvester in Naxxramas—or Skarvald the Constructor in Utgarde keep on heroic difficulty, no USB required.
There’s a deluge of these things on the WoW and transmog subreddits, and they’re pretty much all excellent—though I can’t quite figure out what’s noteworthy about this one, which features four completely normal alliance soldiers standing around. Doesn’t look like there’s anything amiss to me.
The Spy has already breached our defenses. There is 1 Impostor among us. from r/wow
Other contributions range from lore-adherent tributes to harebrained crossovers. Because variety is the spice of life, here’s a faithful recreation of the Hellscream family placed next to Dr Strange, Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man. I’m personally a huge fan of both.
Hellscream Family Warband <- Golmash, Grommash, Golka, Garrosh -> from r/wow
I’ll confess, for some strange reason it hadn’t crossed my mind how the new login screen was, in many ways, a massive boon to the game’s transmog community. Like any MMO worth its salt, WoW has a pretty thriving fashion culture—and what Warbands offer, more than any quality-of-life boost, is an opportunity to dress up a specific squad in their Sunday best to gawk at on every login.
For example, here’s Azeroth’s first paladin boyband and a squad of the most elite Tauren chieftains with the caption: “I like them big.” Much respect, it’s good to know what you want.
I like them big from r/wow
Whether it’s housing communities recreating Howl’s Moving Castle from a bunch of scraps or ingenious costumes in the recently fan-revived City of Heroes, I’m always super into seeing just how creative MMORPG players can get, and Azeroth continually fails to disappoint.
Videoguys Studio Renovations | The Show Must Go On!
On this week’s Videoguys Live, James is discussing what led to us renovating the Videoguys Studio and how important it is to have a backup plan for your broadcasts and to be ready for anything. Tune in for some great information and valuable tips.
Watch the full video below:
Things We Learned While Redesigning Our Studio
Why we choose LVP Vinyl Flooring
- No Static Electricity
- Good sound absorption
- Padding under feet
- Easy to clean
- Scratch Resistant
- Bonus – Looks Great!
For Walls Not on Camera:
- Get sound absorbing Padds/Curtains
- Help absorb sound and reduce echo
- Use dark colors to reduce light bounce
For Green Screen:
- Get chroma Key Green Paint
- High Saturation helps with Keying
- Matte finish reduces Reflection/ Spill
Alternate Setup – YoloBox Ultra
- YoloBox Ultra
- 1 Camera (we used a camcorder with HDMI output)
- NDI Screen Capture
YoloBox Ultra
|
Alternate Setup – Makeshift Studio
- TriCaster in One room
- 2 guests joined teams and we pulled in NDI feeds
- Tech Tip: Any empty room can be turned into a studio!
LiveU Solo Pro
High performance
- Up to 4Kp60 full video resolution
- Up to 20Mbps streaming
Exceptional Quality
- Leave a mark with the most engaging content
4K Quality
- Up to 3840×2160
- More pixels = sharper image
- 4K is future proofing
c# – msbuild error: AssemblyRef does not contain a definition fir ‘Configuration’
I am ‘migrating’ a visual studio build to a batch script,
I have a one big project that has many dependencies,
i build my project with msbuild.exe using windows batch script,
the main project (client) has many dependencies.
i first build the dependencies, output them to their own directory (each one), and then copy the outputs into a folder called client,
Then, i build the main project (client) into the same directory.
msbuild command:
msbuild.exe <csproj_file> /p:SkipInvalidConfiguration=true /p:BuildProjectReferences=true /p:PublishDir=client_dir /p:OutDir=client_dir /p:OutputPath=client_dir /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:Configuration=Release
I’m pretty stuck, and I’m the Devops that only migrates this build into batch and Jenkins.
It is fair to say that when building the project in Visual Studio, There are no errors at all.
Any thoughts?
Game Devs Watch As AI Takes Their Jobs
Only over the past few years have we begun to hear mutterings about generative AI’s job-stealing potential, but in the game industry, that fear has already become a reality. A new report reveals that industry leaders are eagerly swapping in AI for human work, threatening the long-term viability of a career in video games. Worse, these replacements (or supplementations, in some cases) don’t appear to be exclusive to any one type of development circuit; executives across AAA studios and indie startups are eager to cut costs and race to the production finish line using AI.
The report, published on Wired, details a whiplash-inducing industry pivot driven by generative AI. On the one hand, the game industry has ballooned to a size most of us couldn’t have anticipated a few decades ago: With a global market capitalization of $159.3 billion in 2020, gaming was worth three times as much as the music industry and nearly four times as much as Hollywood. Indie developers have also grown in popularity, thanks to a rising number of gamers drawn toward indie titles. In an ideal world, these trends should provide a general sense of “there’s room for everybody!” across the game industry—and they did until a few years ago.
But as generative AI programs have proliferated, so, too, have opportunities to replace human labor with neural network outputs. Wired’s Brian Merchant tells the story of an Activision Blizzard artist who, in spring 2023, received an email from then-CTO Michael Vance about the “promise” of AI, which was “top of mind” for the company. Activision reportedly assured workers that AI would only be used to produce concept designs, not final assets, and that computers wouldn’t come for their jobs. But in January 2024, Microsoft infamously laid off 1,900 Activision and Xbox employees, many of whom were 2D illustrators. Those who remained were, the artist claims, “forced” to attend AI trainings and use generative programs in their work.
Credit: Mohammad Rahmani/Unsplash
Microsoft and its many properties aren’t the only organizations using AI to produce cheaper and faster game material. A survey from January found that of 3,000 professionals across the game industry, 49% were already using generative AI in their work. A report commissioned by the entertainment industry last year also found that the game industry used generative AI to conduct regular work more frequently than the TV, movie, or music industries. For some studios, AI is an even cheaper alternative to outsourcing human labor. For others, it’s a way to produce assets faster than in-house workers, many of whom already experience “crunch.”
Unlike entertainment workers involved in TV and movies, Merchant points out, most game professionals are non-union. This means they’re far less likely to work out a generative AI limitation deal like the one Writers Guild of America (WGA) struck with Hollywood last year, allowing leadership to supplement or replace human jobs with AI one by one. That could change: Dan Beglov, a narrative designer who discussed unionization at GDC 2024, told Merchant that AI is “definitely a catalyst for workers to organize.” More than half of developers surveyed at this year’s GDC indicated that they support the idea of unionizing.
Speaking of the power of numbers, financial figures also come into play. Earlier this year, MIT found that employing human workers is still cheaper than replacing them with generative AI, despite the widespread assumption that AI is the least expensive option. Cost-effectiveness also depends on the labor required to fine-tune or repair wonky AI-generated assets; if an image, piece of dialogue, or artificial voiceover doesn’t turn out quite right, a human worker will have to go in to fix it, potentially spending more time and money than the worker would have required without AI.
In the end, as one anonymous game developer told Merchant, it isn’t AI itself that’s responsible for taking game developers’ jobs. Leaders at game studios of all sizes are responsible, and for now, it’s difficult to tell whether this trend of AI-related job displacement will continue on their watch.