Technology News

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has a lot to offer, discover the GOTY and other winners

This weekend saw the DICE Awards 2024 ceremony, organized by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences to honor the video games of the previous year. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 was the big favorite with nine nominationsBut Alan Wake 2 And Baldur's Gate 3 were behind with eight and seven nominations. It didn't fail, the PS5 game didn't win the most prestigious award…

Oh no, like the Game Awards 2023, Baldur's Gate 3 is voted Game of the Year at the 2024 DICE Awardsbagging four more prizes while Marvel's Spider-Man 2 still walks away with six awards. Big loser of the evening, Alan Wake 2 will have only received one awardHere are all the winners, shown in bold:

Game of the year:

  • Alan Wake 2
  • Baldur's Gate 3
  • cocoon
  • Spider Man 2
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Outstanding Achievement in Management:

  • Baldur's Gate 3
  • cocoon
  • Spider Man 2
  • Super Mario Bros. Marvel
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Outstanding design performance:

  • Baldur's Gate 3
  • cocoon
  • Dave the diver
  • Super Mario Bros. Marvel
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Outstanding Achievement in Animation:

  • Final Fantasy 16
  • HiFi Rush
  • Spider Man 2
  • Mortal Kombat 1
  • Super Mario Bros. Marvel

Outstanding Achievement in Artistic Direction:

  • Alan Wake 2
  • Hogwarts legacy
  • Spider Man 2
  • Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
  • Starfield

Outstanding Character Performance:

  • Anderson Saga (Alan Wake 2, Melanie Liburd)
  • Astarion (Baldur's Gate 3, Neil Newbon)
  • Karlach (Baldur's Gate 3, Samantha Béart)
  • Miles Morales (Spider-Man 2, Nadji Jeter)
  • Jala (Thirsty Suitors, Farah Merani)

Outstanding Achievement in Composing the Original Soundtrack:

  • Alan Wake 2
  • Diablo 4
  • Spider Man 2
  • Planet Luna
  • Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Excellence in Audio Design:

  • Alan Wake 2
  • cocoon
  • HiFi Rush
  • Spider Man 2
  • Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Outstanding Achievement in Storytelling:

  • Alan Wake 2
  • Baldur's Gate 3
  • Dave the diver
  • Thirsty admirers
  • Venba

Outstanding technical performance:

  • Alan Wake 2
  • Spider Man 2
  • Hogwarts legacy
  • The final
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Action Game of the Year:

  • Armored Core 6: Fire of the Rubicon
  • Empty room
  • HiFi Rush
  • Spider Man 2
  • Rest 2

Adventure Game of the Year:

  • Alan Wake 2
  • cocoon
  • Dave the diver
  • Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
  • The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Family game of the year:

  • Disney Illusion Island
  • Fairy Farm
  • Hello Kitty Island Adventures
  • Midnight Girl
  • Super Mario Bros. Marvel

Fighting Game of the Year:

  • Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
  • Mortal Kombat 1
  • Nickelodeon All Star Brawl 2
  • Pocket courage
  • Street Fighter 6

Racing Game of the Year:

  • F-zero 99
  • Forza Motorsport
  • Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged
  • LEGO 2K drive

Role Playing Game of the Year:

  • Baldur's Gate 3
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
  • Diablo 6
  • Final Fantasy 16
  • Starfield

Sports game of the year:

  • EA Sports FC 24
  • MLB The Show 23
  • WWE 2K23

Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year:

  • Against the storm
  • Cobalt core
  • Dune: Spice Wars
  • The final magic
  • Wartales

Online Game of the Year:

  • Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3
  • Diablo IV
  • Omega Strikers
  • Street Fighter 6
  • The final

Technical production in immersive reality:

  • Asgard's Wrath 2
  • Assassin's Creed Nexus VR
  • Horizon: Call of the Mountain
  • Dizziness 2
  • We are one

Immersive Game of the Year:

  • Asgard's Wrath 2
  • Assassin's Creed Nexus VR
  • Horizon: Call of the Mountain
  • Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice
  • Dizziness 2

Outstanding performance for an independent game:

  • cocoon
  • excavator
  • El Paso, elsewhere
  • Thirsty admirers
  • Venba

Mobile Game of the Year:

  • Gubbins
  • Hello Kitty Island Adventures
  • Honkai: Star Rail
  • Terra Nile
  • What about the car?

Even if he's not the GOTY at the DICE Awards 2024, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 will have won the most prizes during the ceremony. It's the same scenario as last year where God of War Ragnarok had won the most awards, but is Elden Ring who was elected GOTY. If you're not yet addicted to the Insomniac Games title, it's available from €59 on Amazon, Cdiscount and Fnac.

Clint008
Editor – tester

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has a lot to offer, discover the GOTY and other winners Read More »

The director of Border Resources takes stock of her first year

BUSINESS. It's time to take stock of the General Director of the Frontières Resources, Julie Potvin, who took office just over a year ago.

A number of partnerships were formed during this period. The first is one with a cultural flavor. With the aim of promoting the valorization of objects and transforming them into works of art, the organization has collaborated with various groups such as Solidart by providing them with materials that, although not very recyclable, are very useful to unleash creativity To let the artists who visit the place run. The Cutting Street Store also features various creations by recycling artist Annie Favreau.

Last November, La Resourcerie also donated 95 bicycles to the Cyclo Nord-Sud organization. “We already give a second chance by reusing many materials, but donating them is like a third chance and not only makes people happy,” emphasizes General Director Julie Potvin.

Cyclo Nord-Sud collects and recycles unused bicycles in the province to refurbish and distribute to families in need, regardless of their location on the planet.

La Resourcerie also held its first virtual auction at the end of last year. Although the organization is silent about the project, it will be back in 2024.

The Resourcerie's private collection will be available to the general public online. The amounts collected are used to continue mission and funding activities. The dates of the next auctions will be announced a little later.

The director of Border Resources takes stock of her first year Read More »

“Sora”: OpenAI’s latest video tool worries YouTubers and media

The introduction of a new artificial intelligence tool that can easily create one-minute videos by OpenAI, the Californian start-up that democratized AI with ChatGPT, raises questions, even concerns, across entire areas of artistic creation of the media.

• Also read: [À VOIR] The creators of ChatGPT introduce Sora, an ultra-realistic video generator

This software, called “Sora”, can produce “complex scenes with multiple characters, specific types of movements and precise details” from a simple line of text, assures the company, which, however, pointed out some of its current limitations pointed to confusion between left and right.

Overview of the initial reactions within the industries that could be affected by this tool:

Video creation

Among the sequences revealed by OpenAI on Thursday evening is that of an imaginary creature worthy of a 3D animated film near a candle. Another image, this time photorealistic, shows a man walking through a huge room.

It is through these two examples that “Sora’s” ability to shake up the field of video creation emerges.

“We followed the development of the imaging industry from a very early stage. It sparked a lot of internal debate, a lot of sometimes somewhat knee-jerk reactions from creative people. There were those who felt it was an unstoppable wave advancing at incredible speed and others who did not want to see it,” Thomas Bellenger, one of the founders of Cutback Productions in 2007, told AFP.

This company, which has notably contributed to the Stromae and Justice tours, specializes in the use of images and “motion design” (animation of an image, editor's note) on a large scale, for example for a concert or an immersive exhibition .

“Nobody has tested OpenAI’s new product yet. (…) What is certain is that no one expected such a technological gap in a few weeks. “This is unprecedented,” emphasizes Mr. Bellanger, but assures that in the future “we will find ways to create in other ways.”

Video game

The video game sector is also likely to be disrupted by this technological advancement and is currently divided.

French giant Ubisoft welcomes a “leap forward”. “We have been exploring this potential for a long time and as creators of worlds and stories, we see that many future opportunities open up for our players and teams to express their imagination and creativity ever more faithfully,” the group told AFP.

“My position is that its use is currently relatively unscrupulous. (…) I have no intention of replacing my fellow artists with these tools,” says Alain Puget, head of the Nantes studio Alkemi, emphasizing that “AIs only reproduce things made by humans.”

However, he insists that this “visually very impressive” tool could also be used by smaller development studios to create images with more professional rendering.

If video sequences are only a limited part of a video game intended to advance the plot, Mr. Puget still assumes that in the long term, “tools like Sora or other generative AI that produce videos will eventually find their way and replace the way will do things the way we do.”

media

Basile Simon, a former journalist and current researcher at the American University of Stanford, describes “a leap forward in the past year that is frightening.”

He fears the possible use of this tool during election periods and fears that the public “no longer knows what we can believe”.

Julien Pain, host of the fact-checking show “Vrai ou Faux” on Franceinfo channel, said he was “worried”. “Until now, it was quite easy to detect false images, for example by noticing faces in the background that repeated themselves quite often. What this new software does feels like a new level. We don’t have a magic solution,” he explains.

“There is an idea among fact-checkers to mandatory 'watermark' videos (editor's note) to indicate that they are AI. OpenAI can respect this. But (what about) Chinese or Russian competitors tomorrow?” he asks.

Advertising

As for the Fred & Farid agency, which has already worked with the brands Longchamp or Budweiser and where an AI studio was opened at the beginning of January, we assume that “80% of the brands' content is generated by artificial intelligence.” ” “The creative genius is once again the focus, production will no longer be an issue,” we were also happy.

Stéphanie Laporte, director and founder of the advertising and influencer agency OTTA, sees this as an element capable of “forcibly changing the industry” and also expects “breaks on the production side” in companies that use these new tools If you want to have a low or medium budget.

In her opinion, a possible exception is the luxury segment, “very sensitive to authenticity” and whose brands “will probably use AI sparingly.”

“Sora”: OpenAI’s latest video tool worries YouTubers and media Read More »

Why do original Vision Pro buyers return their headsets?

On several American websites – such as theverge.com – and on social networks, the honeymoon between Apple enthusiasts and the Vision Pro headset they tried seems to be over.

They had 14 days from the date of purchase to try out the new Vision Pro helmet and, if necessary, return it for a refund.

Comfort, headaches, and eyestrain are among the top reasons users return their Vision Pro headset.

The headset has been reported to cause headaches and cause motion sickness. Another point of criticism is the unbalance of the device on the head and the fact that it is particularly heavy at the front.

Let's point out certain symptoms that are characteristic of all virtual reality headset users who report dry and red eyes, regardless of the manufacturer of the product.

One size fits all

In addition to the high price of US$3,500 (CAD4,720) each, comments from first-time buyers of the Vision Pro headset often mention the heaviness of the headset, constant headaches and eye fatigue.

Another fact is that the compromise made with the one-size-fits-all helmet means that it does not fit all heads or faces. For this reason, wearable devices such as connected watches are offered in different sizes and straps. When buying glasses from an optician, try out several pairs of glasses before you find the right one.

Why do original Vision Pro buyers return their headsets?

Apple

Not enough apps

One Reddit user wrote, “If I don't use it for productivity, if I don't like it for entertainment, and if there aren't enough games to play, I just can't justify keeping it.”

For Carter Gibson, senior manager of community management and moderation at Google, it's all in the details. Things like window manipulation and file management hinder productivity.

For the latter, from theverge.com website: “It is difficult to multitask between windows. Multiple file types are simply not supported by Vision Pro. I also can’t imagine that creating a slide in Vision Pro would be any less energy intensive than using a mouse and keyboard – even if it feels like you’re in Minority Report.”

How much do they give back?

No figures are given for the actual return rate at Apple. Nevertheless, there are numerous comments on the networks about the symptoms.

Some say they are waiting for the release of a second version of the Vision Pro headset or the release of more numerous and useful applications online.

For Apple, this means going back to the drawing board with numerous refunds.

Why do original Vision Pro buyers return their headsets?

Photo AFP

Why do original Vision Pro buyers return their headsets? Read More »

Here are 5 excellent wines to try this weekend

Do you have occasions to celebrate or have a dinner or would you like to relax with a drink in a friendly atmosphere? Here is a selection of 5 excellent wines to try this weekend. Drink less, drink better!

Chasselay family, Beaujolais 2022, Beaujolais is not dead

France 13% – Organic | ★★★★ | $$1/2 | $28.95

Here are 5 excellent wines to try this weekend

PHOTO TAKEN FROM SAQ WEBSITE

SAQ code: 14559913

No, Beaujolais is not dead. It is quite full of life and vitality if we judge this very good wine from the Chasselay family, who have been organically farming their winery in the Pierres Dorées, in the very south of the magnificent Beaujolais region, since 2000. The heat of the vintage gave the wine additional flesh and a fruity roundness without taking away its freshness and juicy profile. Have fun for the Gamay lover!

Parés Baltà, Blanc de Pacs 2022, Penedès

Spain 11.5% – Organic | ★★★ | 1/2$ | $17.30

1708107151 640 Here are 5 excellent wines to try this weekend

PHOTO TAKEN FROM SAQ WEBSITE

SAQ code: 14195275

Produced in Pacs del Penedès, not far from Barcelona, ​​this wine from the Cusiné family consists of a classic blend of the region: Parellada, Macabeu and Xarel-Lo – a trio from which the majority of the cavas are also made. A dry and lively white wine that neither lacks aromas nor volume on the palate. Perfect with fish tacos.

Els Vinyerons Lluerna Penedès 2022

Spain 12% | ★★★1/2 | $$ | $21.25

1708107153 306 Here are 5 excellent wines to try this weekend

PHOTO TAKEN FROM SAQ WEBSITE

SAQ code: 14727243

A delicious wine made from the Xarel-lo grape variety, made with minimal intervention and without the addition of sulphites, like all Els Vinyerons wines. The color is golden and the nose of chard apples has slight oxidation, which is not a flaw here. The start on the palate is fresh, almost nervous and just enough vinous. A good white wine that goes from aperitif to the table, with shrimps or green vegetables sautéed with ginger.

Jean-Pierre Moueix, Bordeaux 2019, Christian Moueix

France 14% | ★★★1/2 | 1/2$ | $17.80

1708107158 880 Here are 5 excellent wines to try this weekend

PHOTO TAKEN FROM SAQ WEBSITE

SAQ code: 13734337

Christian Moueix and his son Édouard not only look after the prestigious estates Lafleur-Pétrus, Trotanoy, Hosanna, Bélair-Monange et cie, but also offer an affordable and, for this price, incredibly complete generic Bordeaux. A round and fruity Merlot highlighted by cocoa notes and supported by a smooth and seductive texture.

Enologica del Oleana, Calabuig 2022, Bobal Old Vines, Valencia

Spain 12.5% ​​– Organic | ★★★ | $| $13.25

1708107161 767 Here are 5 excellent wines to try this weekend

PHOTO TAKEN FROM SAQ WEBSITE

SAQ code: 14189932

Calabuig is the ultimate red wine for weeknights and is always at the top of my best value for money list at the SAQ. A truly beautiful example of what the Bobal grape variety can achieve when planted in the right location and cultivated and vinified with care. Gourmet, full of aromas of red and black fruits, spices and dried herbs and quite meaty.

★ Correct

★★ Good

★★★ Very good

★★★★ Excellent

★★★★★ Exceptional

More stars than dollars: worth the price.

As many stars as dollars: worth the price.

Less stars than dollars: wine is expensive.

Here are 5 excellent wines to try this weekend Read More »

OpenAI introduces Sora, a hyper-realistic video generator

The publisher of the ChatGPT conversation robot and DALL-E image generator, OpenAI, has introduced a new tool called Sora that can create hyper-realistic videos that can be up to a minute long using a simple text command. Innovation in the field of artificial intelligence (AI ).

This new platform is still being tested, but that does not stop the young Californian company from demonstrating it in some videos.

Launch of the Twitter widget. Skip widget ?End of Twitter widget. Return to the top of the widget?

The program can generate videos with a maximum length of one minute while maintaining visual quality and respecting the user's wishes, OpenAI said on its website.

[Sora peut] Create complex scenes with multiple characters, specific types of movement, and precise details.

In addition to text, the tool can also create a video from a still image or even expand existing videos.

Offered to a limited number of people

Sam Altman, the head of OpenAI, announced a new tool on the social network as part of an experimental phase.

The manager also invited Internet users to make suggestions for creating videos, the most relevant of which he published on the platform a few moments later.

Launch of the Twitter widget. Skip widget ?End of Twitter widget. Return to the top of the widget?

Among these videos we can see two dogs playing in the snow in the mountains. Another video shows the flight of an imaginary animal, half duck, half dragon, against a beautiful sunset, with a hamster dressed in sportswear on its back.

[Sora sert de base à] Programs capable of understanding and simulating the real world.

OpenAI hopes Sora will be an important step in realizing AGI, artificial general intelligence, a highly autonomous system that would outperform humans at most economically viable tasks.

Its a lot to do

OpenAI warned that the platform's current model has flaws, such as confusion between left and right or the inability to maintain visual continuity throughout the video.

For example, it could happen that a person bites into a cookie, but the cookie afterwards shows no bite marks, explains the editor.

With the presentation of this new tool, the company reiterated that the question of security represents an essential issue and that simulations would be organized with Internet users who would be asked to produce malfunctions or create inappropriate content in order to better define the limits of the platform.

“We will engage policymakers, educators and artists around the world to understand their concerns and identify positive use cases for this new technology,” said OpenAI.

Meta, Google and Runway AI, which are working on similar text-to-video applications, have also presented examples.

OpenAI introduces Sora, a hyper-realistic video generator Read More »

Rotting human corpses have a strange similarity

The decomposition of human corpses. The topic is unsavory to say the least. But it remains important to learn. And researchers have just made an important discovery in this field.

Death is an integral part of life. Just like the decomposition of corpses. Because although the topic may seem a bit disgusting, the decomposition of dead organic matter is what produces essential nutrients for ecosystems. The one who… sustains life!

The same microorganisms on all human corpses

Researchers from Colorado State University (USA) became interested in this unsavory topic. It is known that the climate, climate and location of a human body affect how quickly it decomposes.

But today, in the journal Nature Microbiology, researchers report how they have discovered that no matter where a human corpse is dumped, regardless of the climate in that location, and regardless of the time of year, it contains the same twenty microorganisms – mostly bacteria and mushrooms – which throw a feast. Microorganisms that prove to be particularly rare even in dead-free environments.

Do nails and hair really continue to grow after death? You can find the answer in our Science or Fiction Debunking podcast. © Futura

This work expands knowledge about the dynamics of ecosystems. Because the decomposer networks identified may not be specific to human corpses. This knowledge could therefore help to learn more about carbon and nutrient fluxes in the environment. Practical applications may be found in the field of agriculture.

A helping hand for forensic medicine

But forensic medicine could also be advanced by the discovery. The researchers say that the twenty types of microorganisms they have identified always follow the same process. And they are carried to the corpses in question by insects, which feed on them at certain times after death.

Rotting human corpses have a strange similarity Read More »

How do you check a septic tank before purchasing?

Buying a property equipped with a septic tank requires special attention, especially with regard to theSeptic tank inspection. This step can save you future inconvenience and unexpected costs. In this article, we'll walk you through the key steps to successfully complete this inspection before finalizing your property purchase.

Why is an inspection important?

A septic tank in poor condition can lead to serious health problems and costly repairs. Intentional or involuntary failure to drain and maintain the system may result in deterioration or premature malfunction of the system.

According to Quebec regulations, there are two methods for draining and checking wastewater treatment plants: the fixed frequency and the frequency determined based on the measurement of sludge and foam. Be sure to obtain the necessary information from the seller to find out if this periodic maintenance has been performed.

When should a septic tank be inspected?

The pre-purchase inspection of the sewage system should be carried out as soon as you are seriously considering purchasing a property equipped with such a system. This should be part of your general property inspection process, just like a building or plumbing inspection.

Who should carry out the inspection?

It is important to hire a qualified professional to inspect a septic tank. Subject matter experts have the knowledge, experience and tools to conduct a comprehensive and reliable assessment.

What are the key points of the inspection?

Review of existing documents

Before beginning the physical inspection, request documentation regarding the installation and maintenance of the septic tank. These documents can provide valuable information about the age of the asset, repairs made and frequency of maintenance.

Visual inspection

Visual inspection is the first step of the physical assessment. This allows you to check the general condition of the pit, the absence of leaks, and ensure that the covers are secure and in good condition.

Checking the mud level

Measuring the sludge level in the pit is an important indicator of the condition of the system. A level that is too high can be an indication that emptying is urgently required.

Percolation test

Although less common during a pre-purchase inspection, the percolation test may be recommended if absorption problems are suspected. This test evaluates the ability of the soil to absorb water from the pit.

Assessment of the drainage field

The seepage field or drain is an essential part of the wastewater system. The inspection should ensure that there is no blockage or saturation, which could indicate system overload or malfunction.

Pipe inspection

Pipes running from the house to the pit and from the pit to the drainfield should be inspected for breaks, clogs, or other problems that could affect the operation of the system.

What to do if problems are discovered?

If the pre-purchase septic system inspection reveals problems, you have several options. You can ask the seller to fix the defects before buying, negotiate the sales price accordingly, or decide to look for another property if the problems seem too big.

The importance of regular maintenance

Once purchased, it is important to maintain a regular septic tank maintenance schedule. This includes regular inspections and regular oil changes to ensure proper operation and longevity of the system.

Diploma

Inspecting a septic tank before purchasing a property is an essential step to avoid unpleasant surprises and unforeseen costs. By following the advice in this article and hiring qualified professionals, you can ensure that your future home has a reliable and in good condition sewage system. Remember that regular maintenance after purchase is equally important to ensure the durability of your septic system.

How do you check a septic tank before purchasing? Read More »