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Gemini gains the ability to create interactive simulations
And you can change their parameters on the fly. The latest Gemini feature lets Google's AI generate interactive simulations and models. With this, Gemini...
Cult-Hit Doki Doki Literature Club Fights Sudden Android Removal
The acclaimed visual novel had amassed thousands of positive user reviews
Sabrina Carpenter, Mona Lisa and Ozempic: A roundup of the buzziest Coachella 2026 billboards
Debuting bold billboards that reflect their visual aesthetic has become a rite of passage for Coachella performers.
Former GTA 6 developer warns trailer visuals won't match final gameplay
A former Grand Theft Auto 6 developer has tempered expectations for GTA 6's graphics when it releases, suggesting it will fall short of the trailers.
ArtsGala to showcase Wright State students’ artistic growth with elegant entertainment extravaganza
Wright State ArtsGala returns Saturday, April 11, in the Creative Arts Center, offering an evening of performances, fine dining and a silent auction to support student scholarships in theatre, dance, music, motion pictures and visual art. Continue reading →
A more transparent, connected experience in Web of Science Research Assistant
The latest Web of Science Research Assistant update introduces a unified entry point, greater AI transparency, and new author and visualization tools that enhance the user experience.
Xbox Achievements are getting some major changes, including the option to hide embarrassing games that you don't want to show off
Xbox is changing the achievement system, allowing for visual customization, hiding specific games, and highlighting others.
Samson Dev: DLSS 5 Needs Full Pipeline Integration & Broad Hardware Support to Be Viable
Samson dev Liquid Swords explains what DLSS 5 needs: pipeline integration, broad hardware support, and artistic control over character visuals
Apple Continues Promoting iOS 26 and macOS 26 Liquid Glass With Updated Design Gallery
Apple is continuing to highlight the Liquid Glass aesthetic that it introduced in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26. The company has shared an updated Liquid Glass Design Gallery that shows off Liquid Glass in third-party apps. The visual gallery features several iPhone and iPad apps, with screenshots that show the difference between app design in iOS 18 and iOS 26.
Starfield Features Enhanced Visuals on the PlayStation 5
With the release of Starfield on PlayStation 5 scheduled for April 7, Bethesda has unveiled a new trailer showcasing what players can expect.
PlayStation To "Enhance Gameplay Visuals" With Buyout Ahead Of PS6
SIE buys the developer of AI-based technology that can transform a photo into a "volumetric 3D experience."
Chrome for Android gets Material 3 Expressive Settings
Google is giving Chrome for Android more Material 3 Expressive with a redesign of the Settings page. This visual...
Sony's gaming division just bought an AI startup that turns photos into 3D volumes
Sony purchased an AI startup called Cinemersive Labs to help improve rendering techniques and gameplay visuals on future games.
PlayStation Acquires Machine Learning Specialist to Achieve 'New Levels' of Game Visuals
Cinemersive Labs
Apple at 50: a visual history
Apple’s journey from rebel startup to global domination, in photos.
Wake Up Call from Partners for Visual Health
Tuesday's Wake Up Call comes from the Partners for Visual Health.
GM says AI helps visualize concept cars — and speeds how they're built
General Motors says its car designs begin with a human holding a pencil and paper. AI is making the other processes faster.
Decoding the Visual World
Learn how NSF's long-standing investments helped computers learn to identify and interpret images, advancing technologies now integral to people's daily lives.
Leveraging storytelling in politics
Community college marketing and communications staff play a key role in providing the visuals and storytelling in a college's efforts to educate and influence lawmakers and other stakeholders. That...
Google TV's new Gemini features keep fans updated on sports teams and more
Three Gemini-powered features are coming to your Google TV. This includes visual responses, deep dives, and sports briefs.
Marathon has sold 1.2M copies across Steam, PS5, and Xbox
Alinea Analytics estimates show that Marathon has generated gross revenues of $55M via 1.2M copies sold on Steam, PS5, and Xbox: Looking at the split between Steam, PS5, and Xbox, Steam is clearly the main platform for Marathon, accounting for a little under 70% of the audience (800K copies sold). Meanwhile, PS5 takes about 19% (217K) and Xbox (including console, PC, and cloud) accounts for a bit over 11% or 133K. Marathon is technically a first-party Sony title, so seeing the home console struggle to break 20% of the volume is a notable data point for the ongoing platform-agnostic debate. PlayStation Studios online games will almost certainly continue being multiplatform (despite Sony reportedly pulling back on PC releases). Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe As for Marathon, the consensus among hardcore players who pushed through the awkward onboarding phase – myself included – is that it’s fantastic. The gunplay, aesthetic, and presentation are among the best in the shooter genre. A great game doesn’t always equal an immediate hit, though, as shown by our estimates. Things are looking lukewarm right now. But this might be one of those marathon-not-a-sprint situations. Had to, didn’t I? Why wasn’t Marathon a hit on the same level as Arc Raiders? One topic that came up in a lot of conversations at GDC this year was why Marathon hasn’t hit the same stratosphere as Arc Raiders. On paper, they’re both extraction shooters, and Marathon has the Bungie pedigree – the house that built the gold standard for gunplay in Halo and Destiny. Marathon’s neon-futuristic aesthetic also distinguishes itself from the gritty realism of Tarkov or the post-apocalyptic hope of ARC Raiders. But vibes can only get you so far for first impressions if the onboarding feels like a brick wall. Marathon is a sweaty PvP-focused experience with a first-time user experience and UI that I can only describe as dreadful. Players are dropped into a complex ecosystem where the UI, though visually striking, is functionally uninformative, forcing users to manually hover over nondescript, identical icons just to identify basic gear or weapon mods. This lack of clarity is compounded by punishing mechanics like a severe heat gauge for movement and a scarcity of vital resources, all without a clear tutorial or a low-stakes mode to learn the ropes. Most people – even top streamers and veteran shooter players – have no idea what’s going on in Marathon at first. Arc is on the complete other end of the spectrum. As we covered here and here, Arc Raiders offers a more collaborative, approachable loop where players often work together toward shared goals. And the objectives are instantly clear. To many players, this contrast only emphasised Marathon’s issues, especially during the testing period. Players understand the Arc Raiders loop within 30 minutes, while Marathon acts as a massive filter, chewing up newcomers and spitting them out before they can experience the depth of Bungie’s signature gunplay. What I’m getting at here is that the poor first-time user experience of Marathon’s Server Slam likely stifled launch sales, while the opposite was true for Arc. Let’s look at the pre-launch copies sold for each game during their respective Server Slams (launch-aligned) : Looking at the trajectory: Arc Raiders saw a massive 80% jump in copies sold during its three-day Server Slam (day -13 to -11). Players jumped in, realised the water was fine, and immediately opened their wallets. Marathon, meanwhile, saw a 49% increase in the four days following its Slam (Day -7 to -3). At the time of each game’s respective launch, Arc Raiders had nearly double the Steam footprint of Marathon – and word of mouth only continued to grow. Bungie could have had more time to fix the onboarding process had the beta happened earlier. But Marathon launched three days after the beta finished. These factors limited the launch sales quite a bit, I reckon. Marathon has found a niche audience, though Despite the friction-heavy start, the data suggests that those who survived Marathon’s onboarding are loving life. We’ve been tracking cross-platform DAUs, and while there’s the expected post-launch leakage, many players are sticking with it. After peaking at 478K total DAUs on its first Saturday, Marathon has settled into a respectable rhythm, holding 345K DAUs as of yesterday and averaging 380K DAUs across the weekend. Steam continues to do the heavy lifting here, consistently accounting for the lion’s share of the daily players. Players have been putting in the hours, too: On Steam, Marathon’s average playtime has climbed to 27.8 hours, significantly outpacing the console averages on PS5 (16.5h) and Xbox (17.3h). Even more telling than the averages: 22% of the Steam audience has surged past the 50-hour mark, and nearly 7% have already logged over 100 hours. Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe This data suggests that once the Bungie magic clicks, it hooks players deeper than the average extraction shooter. There’s also started to be a shift in the game’s discourse. Marathon launched as one of those games that’s cool to hate. But as Marathon’s 100-hour club grows, we’re seeing conversations around its mechanical merit outweigh the negativity. Several high-profile creators, who were initially vocal critics, have spent the last week coming around on the mechanical depth of the endgame. It’s a subtle but positive signal; the hate train is losing steam, and a new narrative about the game is emerging. Bungie faithfuls unite Another interesting metric in Marathon’s first few weeks is who, exactly, is playing. Bungie leans heavily on its prestige as the “makers of Halo and Destiny,” in its marketing, and that message has clearly hit the mark. On Steam, the gravity (hammer) of Bungie’s previous work is unavoidable. A staggering 78.2% of Marathon players also played Destiny 2. The trend carries across other platforms, with 74.2% of PS5 players and 82.7% of Xbox players also having played Destiny 2. The Halo legacy lives on, it seems. More on that in a bit. While Destiny 2 went free to play, these numbers still represent a high-intent migration of a fanbase that trusts Bungie’s specific brand of kinetic gunplay and cryptic world-building. The Xbox data adds another layer of legacy. About 85.7% of Marathon players on Xbox have played Halo Infinite, while over half of the Steam audience has spent time in Halo Infinite and 36.1% in the Master Chief Collection (a paid collection of the old Bungie-made legacy games). Interestingly, we see a 55.9% overlap with ARC Raiders on Steam. Overlap is even higher there on PlayStation (60.5%) and Xbox (66.5%). And there’s also significant crossover with Helldivers 2 on all platforms, too. Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe Bungie has found some of its fans with Marathon, and the challenge now is keeping this engaged in a high-stakes PvP environment when they’ve spent the last decade primarily enjoying the power fantasies of PvE. On that note… Go the full 26 miles? Or cut and run? Time for some could’ve, should’ve, would’ve. These things would have improved Marathon’s performance at launch: A more robust onboarding process, perhaps in the form of a short single-player/PvE campaign. We know Bungie fans love this stuff. A traditional arena-based mode akin to Destiny’s Crucible could have been a bridge for the cautious players who’d have been otherwise deterred by the Server Slam. It’s also a great palate cleanser after getting merked. Introducing a dedicated PvE environment would have similarly diversified the conversation and lowered the barrier for the Bungie faithful who found the pure PvP extraction loop too abrasive. PvE is safer than PvP these days. There’s an argument that a thin PvE mode would have just felt like a budget Destiny, potentially hurting the brand more. But given how dire the FTUE is, I think it would have been a net positive. Any kind of tutorialised loop that demystifies the stakes, really. While there is merit in a studio sticking firmly to a singular creative vision, and going all in on the hardcore extraction loop. Less forgiving is the technical reality is that the user interface and first-time user experience (FTUE) were not at a commercial standard for launch. Subscribe for free to get the most accurate games estimates in your inbox twice a week 🫶 Subscribe In a landscape where player time is oversaturated and the most contested currency, a flawed FTUE is a critical failure point. But it’s not all doom and gloom, as Marathon has an incredible, unique gameplay loop, suggesting that financial success is still attainable if Bungie can pivot effectively. Bungie and PlayStation now face a difficult strategic crossroads, though – one within a challenging games market. They could: Double down on Marathon with a long-term Rainbow Six Siege- or No Man’s Sky-style recovery plan, which is something I heard Last Stand Media’s Chris Maldonado mention last week. While this could be a sunk-cost fallacy in action, it could eventually yield the audience the game’s mechanical depth deserves. Shift focus toward the inevitable Destiny 3 or another project, mitigating the escalating opportunity cost and cutting their losses, so to speak. Doing both is an expensive proposition, given the high overhead and burn rate of operating out of Bellevue, Washington. With Sony recently demonstrating a lower threshold for underperforming studios and projects, the margin for error has vanished. Whatever happens, the next six months will determine whether Marathon becomes a cornerstone of Sony’s live-service portfolio or a cautionary tale of vision exceeding accessibility. I’m hoping it’s the former, because Marathon rocks. As always, hit subscribe to get updates on Marathon and other relevant games. Subscribe Want to get your hands on our data for yourself – for free? We’re offering a free trial of our platform for games companies. Send us a message here, or reply to this email, and we’ll set you up. The last word Reply to this email – or reach out here – if you have any feedback for the newsletter – or want to request a game for us to cover. [Alinea Analytics boasts the most accurate PC and console estimates in the business. Game makers use our platform to understand their audience, keep an eye on the competition, monitor sales trends, and spot new opportunities. We equip game studios and financial institutions with accurate data and the confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Want to talk about all things games market data? We’d love to chat!]
Three new Gemini features come to Google TV
AI-powered visual help, deep dives and sports briefs arrive in the US.
Oscar-Winning Alumnus Returns to Pasadena’s ArtCenter for Entertainment Design Expo
One week after winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, KPop Demon Hunters co-director Chris Appelhans returns today to ArtCenter College of Design, the Pasadena campus where he studied illustration, for the college’s third annual Entertainment Design Expo. The expo, known as ENTX, opens the Hillside Campus to the public for a full day of gallery exhibitions, game playtesting, animation screenings and interactive experiences featuring work from more than 200 ArtCenter students and alumni. General admission is free with advance registration. Two industry panels — including Appelhans’s talk — require $15 tickets. Appelhans, who graduated from ArtCenter with a bachelor of fine arts in 2002, co-directed KPop Demon Hunters with Maggie Kang. The animated film, produced by Sony Pictures Animation and released on Netflix, became the streaming platform’s most-watched film in history, according to Netflix, and swept awards season with wins at the Golden Globes, the Annie Awards and the Grammys before taking the Oscar on March 15. His talk and audience Q&A is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. in the Ahmanson Auditorium. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. The film’s ArtCenter ties extend beyond its co-director. Art director Angela Sung, cinematographer Gary H. Lee, visual development artist Celine Kim and painter Simon Baek are all ArtCenter graduates who worked on the production, according to the college. The free portions of ENTX include a concept design showcase, a production design gallery, a model gallery, a stop motion studio preview, an alumni gallery and a KPop Demon Hunters fan art gallery. Visitors can also playtest games designed by ArtCenter students. An Animation Shorts Showcase runs from 2 to 3 p.m. and includes “Boy, I’m Scared,” a capstone short by ArtCenter graduate Lindsey Tenaglia that was named a semifinalist for the 2025 Student Academy Awards in the animation category. Also screening
Why mosquitoes always find you and how they decide to attack
Scientists have finally cracked how mosquitoes decide where to fly—and it’s not by following each other. Instead, each insect independently reacts to visual cues and carbon dioxide, zeroing in on humans when both signals align. Dark colors and CO2 together create the strongest attraction, triggering swarming and biting behavior. This insight could reshape how we design traps and prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
New dispute emerges around Subnautica 2’s early access release
Lawyers for the ousted—and now partially reinstated—leadership team of Unknown Worlds, the studio behind Subnautica 2, are crying foul over news that the game will be released into early access in May. The release announcement earlier this week was made improperly, potentially “damaging the game and sowing additional confusion among the Subnautica community,” the lawyers said in a letter sent on Tuesday to Vice Chancellor Lori Will of Delaware’s Court of Chancery. In their letter, the lawyers also floated the idea of asking Will to find Krafton in contempt of the court’s ruling. The letter was sent just one day after Will’s bombshell ruling that publisher Krafton had breached its contract with Unknown Worlds’ executive team, when it fired them last June. The new issue isn’t necessarily the May early access timeframe, but how the news was announced. The letter and Krafton’s response have not been previously reported. A quick recap of prior events: Subnautica 2 is an unreleased, underwater survival adventure and the most-wishlisted game on Steam. Last year, longtime Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill, along with studio co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, were fired by Krafton. They swiftly sued, saying the publisher had terminated them to avoid paying out up to $250 million in potential performance-based bonuses. The studio leaders had hoped to earn that with an early access release of the game, which Krafton had blocked. The publisher argued in court that Subnautica 2 wasn’t ready, which the ousted execs disputed. On Monday, Will ruled that Krafton had violated its contract, firing the execs to avoid the performance payouts, and that it had to reinstate Gill and give him full authority over any early access release for Subnautica 2. On Tuesday, IGN reported on a new memo issued that day to Unknown Worlds staff by Steve Papoutsis, the executive Krafton had put in charge of Unknown Worlds after the 2025 firings. In the note, Papoutsis said that Subnautica 2 had passed a key development milestone “last week” and that he and Krafton had determined the game “is ready for Early Access release in May.” This news appeared to catch the lawyers for Gill, Cleveland and McGuire by surprise. On Tuesday night, they sent a letter to Will expressing “serious concerns” about whether it would be possible to forge an agreement with Krafton consistent with the judge’s order. Papoutsis’ memo was a problem, they wrote. He didn’t have the authority to declare anything about Subnautica 2’s release. As of 9am ET on Monday, March 16, the effective date of Will’s order, Papoutsis wasn’t CEO of Unknown Worlds. Gill was. And, per Will’s order, only Gill could make Subnautica 2 release decisions. They continued: Krafton self-servingly announced the launch without any regard to its impact on the game, the team, or the community—let alone this Court’s Opinion. Announcing the release of a game is momentous, and it is typically accompanied by significant marketing activity, fanfare, and community coordination. And most importantly, the announcement is carefully designed to maximize excitement for the game. That entire process was supposed to be driven by Mr. Gill. However, in defiance of the Court’s Opinion, Krafton has now taken that away, further damaging the game and sowing additional confusion among the Subnautica community. The lawyers speculated that Krafton had “intentionally leaked” Papoutsis’ memo and then issued an official statement to confirm the leak. Game File is a reader-supported publication. My reporting is only possible through support from readers like you. To support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe On Wednesday, lawyers for Krafton defended their client in their own letter to vice chancellor Will, saying nothing they did violated her order nor showed contempt: Papoutsis’s message was simply celebrating the UW employees’ efforts toward a past event: Krafton’s pre-Opinion determination that Subnautica 2 was ready for Early Access release. There was nothing improper about conveying the results of the milestone review or thanking the development team for their dedication and talent. They added that Gill could still make his own call about Subnautica 2’s release: In his role as CEO, Gill will be able to assess independently his views on the state of Subnautica 2 and the appropriate release schedule; nothing in Papoutsis’s message alters Gill’s authority or discretion. Vice chancellor Will has not responded to the letters and doesn’t necessarily have to. Both parties were previously ordered by Will to confer this week and submit a proposed judgment consistent with her ruling. The letter from Gill’s attorney’s this week doesn’t indicate whether he would or would not support a May release for Subnautica 2. But it could limit his options. And, if Gill’s lawyers are right, the lack of marketing fanfare around the leak of the May date could dull the launch of the game. Any harm to Subnautica 2’s launch is an extra sensitive issue given the context of the legal dispute: millions of dollars of payouts are on the line, tethered to the scale of the game’s initial performance. In her ruling on Monday, Will noted that there was obvious “bad blood” between Gill’s side and Krafton but that the two would need to work together: “They can—and must—act in good faith to navigate their remaining contractual relationship.” Item 2: A new kind of couch co-op game A highlight of GDC each year is the Alt.Ctrl showcase that features games played with extremely experimental controllers. Perusing this year’s offerings last Friday, I found a game controlled with giant scissors, another with big toothbrushes and one that amounted to dumpster diving. My favorite was Pivot, a co-op game about collectively maneuvering a couch. It was developed by students at the University of Utah’s masters of arts and engineering games program. Players lift and tilt the physical couch in order to control the position of a virtual one. That virtual one is moving through an obstacle course on-screen, while being pursued by a giant skull. Developer Nishant Verma told me at GDC that the couch is made of styrofoam (this became more evident as I watched!) and that the name was a riff on an episode of the sitcom Friends. Item 3: In brief… 🚫 Ubisoft is laying off more than 100 workers at its Red Storm studio, as the North Carolina location known for decades for its Tom Clancy games, ceases in-house game development, VGC reports. 👀 On Monday, Nvidia’s revealed its DLSS 5 AI-driven graphics technology that purports to improve game graphics… and it has been roasted about it by the media and the online gaming public for the remainder of the week. The tech changed the faces of characters in footage from Resident Evil Requiem, Hogwarts Legacy and EA Sports FC, drawing accusations of giving carefully art-directed games the generic look of AI “slop.” Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang had said on Monday that “DLSS 5 is the GPT moment for graphics—blending handcrafted rendering with generative AI to deliver a dramatic leap in visual realism while preserving the control artists need for creative expression.” By mid-week, Huang was telling Tom’s Hardware that the new tech’s critics were “completely wrong” because game-makers could still “fine-tune the generative AI” to suit their game’s aesthetics.
Art in Public Places
Art in Public Places (AIPP) is the City of Austin’s public art program. Administered through Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment, AIPP commissions visual artists to create site-specific artworks that reflect Austin's communities.
Crimson Desert studio Pearl Abyss sees share price plummet by nearly 30% after first reviews arrive
The visually stunning adventure game isn’t reviewing as well as the market had hoped…
DLSS 5: Has Nvidia’s AI graphics technology gone too far?
Photo realistic like an Instagram filter.
Nvidia’s AI-Powered Photorealistic Gaming Technology Roasted As ‘AI Slop’
Nvidia promised its new technology is a “dramatic leap in visual realism,” though gamers voiced fears it will diminish the artistic appearance of video games.
Bethesda promises Nvidia's controversial DLSS 5 AI filters will be "totally optional" for players
Bethesda is committed to "further adjusting the lighting and final effect" of Nvidia's DLSS 5 visuals on Starfield following the controversial AI-tech's reveal.
Sony Confirms PlayStation 5 Pro PSSR Upgrades for Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Even Former Xbox Console Exclusive Hellblade 2
Sony has confirmed an array of games set to benefit from PlayStation 5 Pro's upgraded PSSR visual boost, which launches more broadly via a new system software update available later today.
Apple Acquires Final Cut Pro Plugin Company MotionVFX
Apple today acquired the major Final Cut Pro plugin company MotionVFX. MotionVFX is a Polish company founded by Szymon Masiak in 2009. It creates high-quality plugins, transitions, templates, and visual effects (VFX) for video editors. The company specializes in tools for Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Apple Motion, such as mFilmLook, mO2, and the Design Studio extension.
‘I loved it because I love writing’: Student filmmakers, animators strive for a spot in L.A.’s entertainment industry
Hollywood High prepares students for a career in visual media.
Lydia Jovi Cruz BFA’27 brings science to life through visual storytelling
The only artist in a family of scientists and doctors, Cruz found a calling somewhere in between.
Anthropic's Claude Can Now Create Interactive Visuals Directly in Conversations
Anthropic's Claude chatbot has been updated with support for inline visual content that will help it provide clearer answers. Claude can now create custom visuals like charts, graphs, and diagrams. Visual content will be used when it better conveys an answer than plain text, and visual aids can also include real-world data like weather and recipes as long as web search is enabled. The visuals that Claude creates are distinct from Artifacts, and use HTML and SVG rather than image generation.
Anthropic's Claude can now draw interactive charts and diagrams
The new feature lets Claude generate interactive charts, diagrams, and visualizations inline during a conversation.
Anthropic’s Claude AI can respond with charts, diagrams, and other visuals now
Claude can now help you visualize topics as you chat.
‘Immersive Navigation’ is the biggest Google Maps driving update in a decade
Google Maps is giving its driving experience the “biggest update in over a decade” with Immersive Navigation that redesigns visuals...
A rare look inside the nation’s film archives
The Audio-Visual Conservation Center IS in Culpepper, Va.
‘Back to the Future’ musical tour is all spark, no substance
Adapted from the 1985 sci-fi hit, “Back to the Future” has fun visual stunts and self-mocking moments. The tour runs in Madison through March 15.
CERN Science Gateway celebrates its 1000th science show
CERN Science Gateway has reached another milestone: the delivery of its 1000th science show! Since opening its doors in October 2023, Science Gateway has welcomed nearly 900 000 visitors of all ages to explore the fundamental questions of the Universe. Among its most popular activities are the science shows – dynamic, interactive demonstrations led by CERN guides and tailored to a broad audience of different age levels, including school groups, families and the general public. Designed to make complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining, these live shows combine spectacular experiments, multimedia elements and audience participation. From the physics of particle collisions to the properties of superconductivity, electromagnetism and cryogenics, the science shows translate the research carried out at CERN into engaging visual experiences. Visitors might see superconductors levitate, follow particles through different detector layers or discover the beauty in phase transitions. Each demonstration is carefully crafted to spark curiosity while maintaining scientific accuracy. Members of the CERN community are of course warmly invited to visit CERN Science Gateway with their family or friends and attend one of the science shows. To register, please visit this page, and don’t forget to check the programme for the coming days. Become a CERN guide and run your own super-cool science show (and more)! To become a CERN guide, you can join the introduction course held every 3–4 weeks, which will give you an overview of what being a CERN guide entails. From there, further courses are available depending on what type of guide you would like to be. Because, of course, CERN guides are needed everywhere at CERN. If you imagine yourself as a more ‘traditional’ guide, you should know that there are currently more than ten exciting visit points in CERN’s visits portfolio, such as the Antimatter Factory, the ALICE experiment (surface), the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) control room, the ATLAS experiment (surface), the CERN Control Centre (CCC), the Data Centre, the LHCb experiment (surface), the Synchrocyclotron (SC), the SM18 test facility and the newly inaugurated Linac2 visit point. Indeed, CERN’s Visits Service and Visual Impact and Exhibitions Section recently collaborated on redesigning the Linac2 visit tour, which has just reopened to the public after several months of renovation work. The new tour offers visitors and guides alike an enriched, more immersive experience, designed to highlight the history and scientific significance of this major facility. So, fancy becoming one of the insiders? Join the introduction course, check the guides website or contact guides.manager@cern.ch. And remember, becoming a guide can benefit you, too.
ChatGPT can now create interactive visuals to help you understand math and science concepts
On Tuesday, OpenAI introduced dynamic visual explanations, a new ChatGPT feature that allows users to see how formulas, variables, and mathematical
Sphere Entertainment Demand And Expansion Hopes Meet Valuation Debate
Sphere Entertainment (NYSE:SPHR) reports strong consumer demand at its Las Vegas Sphere venue. The company highlights substantial success for its new production of "The Wizard of Oz." Management is seeing increased interest in expanding the Sphere concept to additional U.S. and international locations. Sphere Entertainment, the company behind the Las Vegas Sphere, focuses on large scale immersive entertainment venues that blend live events with advanced audio visual technology. The strong...
Using Lenovo's Yoga Book 3D Laptop Felt Like Borrowing Tools From the Future
Used to making fists at your laptop screen? You'll love this. The Yoga Book Pro 3D Concept blends glasses-free 3D visuals, gesture controls, and dual touch screens to reimagine how creators work with digital objects. I gave it a test-drive.
The Division 10th Anniversary Showcase: The Division 2 Anniversary Season and Roadmap, The Division Resurgence Launch Date
The Division 2's Anniversary Season offers a limited-time Realism Mode, free access to the Warlords of New York expansion, new Tom Clancy Cosmetics, free permanent visual upgrades, and more.
For every known vertebrate species, two more may be hiding in plain sight
Earth’s vertebrate diversity may be far richer than anyone realized. A sweeping analysis of more than 300 studies suggests that for every known fish, bird, reptile, amphibian, or mammal species, there are about two nearly identical “cryptic” species hiding in plain sight—genetically distinct but visually almost impossible to tell apart. Thanks to advances in DNA sequencing, scientists are uncovering these long-separated lineages, some evolving independently for over a million years.
Bring On Defunct: The iPod Enthralls Young Music Listeners
It’s not exactly going analog, but people looking to move away from streaming say Apple’s old device is a small step away from constantly being online.
"Literally Crying Right Now" - 50 Copies Of This Adult-Only Visual Novel Demo Exist, And One Just Got Destroyed In Transit
"One of only 50 copies in the world"
Digital Foundry Compares Resident Evil Requiem On Switch 2 & Xbox Series S, With Mixed Results
It's about visuals vs. performance
Digital Foundry Delivers Its Tech Analysis Of Resident Evil Requiem On Switch 2 - "Capcom Deserves Kudos For This Port"
The "core visual identity" has been preserved
Samsung announces the start of One UI 8.5 update rollout
While the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra ship with One UI 8.5 out of the box, Samsung has confirmed a sequential update rollout for older devices. It is a visual and AI reset built around two pillars: Ambient Design and a Perplexity-powered Bixby. Samsung confirmed that stable builds will begin rolling out in March […]
Meet 5 UC San Diego Artists Bridging Creativity, Science and Technology
Once a year, campus and community are invited to explore the research and artistic practice of 25+ MFA and Ph.D. students. The 2026 Graduate Open Studios runs 2–6 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Visual Arts Facility and SME Gallery. Meet five students students shaping this year's work.
Xenoblade Chronicles X's new Nintendo Switch 2 Edition has some issues
Some fans are disappointed with the new Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition over visual issues - here's what's going on.
iOS 26.4 Brings CarPlay Support for ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini
With iOS 26.4, CarPlay users will be able to use third-party chatbots with CarPlay. AI services like Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT will be accessible through the CarPlay system for the first time. Apple's CarPlay Developer Guide [PDF] lists voice-based conversational apps as a supported app type starting with iOS 26.4. Apple is implementing a new voice control screen that will let apps provide visual feedback for voice-based conversational apps.
Scientists Just Discovered a Fish That Sees in a Way No Other Animal Can
Researchers have identified a third type of visual cell in deep-sea fish larvae, shaking up 150 years of vision science.
Psychedelics may work by shutting down reality and unlocking memory
Psychedelics can quiet the brain’s visual input system, pushing it to replace missing details with vivid fragments from memory. Scientists found that slow, rhythmic brain waves help shift perception away from the outside world and toward internal recall — almost like dreaming while awake. By imaging glowing brain cells in mice, researchers watched this process unfold in real time.
Ranked: The Best Countries at Science
See which countries rank highest in science literacy, based on the latest OECD PISA scores of students aged 15 to 16 worldwide.
The Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Finally Runs At 60FPS On Switch 2
The final update includes one last batch of visual upgrades
Take a visual tour of bands playing at Wahoo Music Festival in Jupiter
Wahoo Music Festival will feature six artists at the Abacoa Town Center in Jupiter on Feb. 28. See photos.
Episode 18: Massive Attack helped me build a multi-million pound business
Join Jonathan Boyers, Head of Alvarez & Marsal Corporate Finance, and Chris Maguire, Executive Editor of BusinessCloud, as they sit down with Fernando Kufer, CEO of Emmy award-winning visual experiences giant Disguise.In this episode, Fernando Kufer discusses:How watching Massive Attack at Glastonbury in 2014 changed his life Speaking 7 different languagesTripling the size of DisguiseSurviving and then thriving after Covid
OSN Activates New Philippines–UAE Corridor for Global Business Payments
Abu Dhabi, UAE, February 10th, 2026, ChainwireAs trade, employment, and digital payment flows continue to accelerate, OSN, a ...
Record-Breaking One-Off Bugatti Brouillard Could Become the Most Expensive Bugatti Ever
A one-off aimed at a historic record Bugatti’s latest one-off, the Brouillard, steps onto the hypercar stage with the quiet confidence of a record-breaker. The brand’s tradition of bespoke excellence meets a bold new aesthetic, positioning this unique commission to potentially become the marque’s most expensive creation. Built on the proven underpinnings of the Chiron/Mistral architecture, yet transformed by distinctive craft, the Brouillard is both homage and innovation. A name born from equestrian legend More than a century ago, a striking white horse captivated Ettore Bugatti in Molsheim. That equine myth now informs the car’s name and its sensory identity. The result is an automotive portrait of athletic grace—surfaces that read like muscle, curves that suggest motion, and details that quietly speak of discipline and heritage. Embroidered horse motifs on door panels and seat backs echo the story, while a miniature glass sculpture of the steed crowns the shifter. Sculptural design with purpose The Brouillard’s silhouette favors sinuous surfaces over hard creases, allowing light to glide over its form like a tendon under skin. Aerodynamics inform elegance: an integrated ducktail replaces a deployable wing, cleansing the airflow and boosting stability at speed. Its stance is athletic, its volumes taut, and its visual language unmistakably Bugatti. “Sculptural, organic forms—like a tendon beneath the skin—hide immense power behind noble simplicity,” said design chief Frank Heyl, capturing the car’s philosophy in a single stroke. Craft elevated to an art The cabin embraces craftsmanship at an uncommon level. Custom-woven textiles from Paris introduce a discreet tartan pattern, while green-tinted carbon fiber nods to the exterior’s hue. A glazed roof creates a cathedral atmosphere, bathing the cockpit in natural light. A central spine appears to flow from exterior to interior, emphasizing continuity and structure. Highlights include: Custom textiles with subtle tartan motifs Green-tinted carbon fiber matched to the exterior finish A “cathedral” glass roof that elevates cabin ambience A sculptural centerline linking outside to inside Bespoke embroidery and glass equine detail W16 power at its absolute apex Under the sculpted skin, the final evolution of Bugatti’s 8.0‑liter, quad‑turbo W16 delivers a thunderous 1,600 hp at 7,050 rpm and 1,600 Nm of torque. This represents the pinnacle of nearly two decades of Bugatti engineering, honed to an ultimate state. The lightweight monocoque blends carbon fiber with aluminum, holding mass to around 1,900 kg for poise and control. Experts suggest the Brouillard could surpass the 282 mph (454 km/h) achieved by the Mistral, aided by more aerodynamic bodywork and the fixed ducktail. Whether or not it sets a new benchmark, its intent is clear: relentless speed paired with refinement. Exclusivity with an exacting timeline The commissioning process is intensive, with roughly 18 months of development leading to a 2027 delivery. Bugatti’s program limits itself to no more than two creations per year, ensuring focus and rarity. Each example leaves the atelier as a singular vision, shaped to the client’s collection and the brand’s ethos. An unveiling is planned for Monterey Car Week 2025, placing the Brouillard amid the world’s most discerning enthusiasts. Its patron is a European collector deeply invested in the Bugatti universe, from historic and modern cars to Carlo Bugatti furniture and Rembrandt Bugatti bronzes. A valuation poised to make history While Bugatti has not disclosed an official price, informed estimates place the Brouillard between €10 million and €30 million. Context matters: a series Mistral begins near €5 million, while the Brouillard adds profound personalization, sculptural changes, and a pace of production that keeps scarcity front and center. In an arena where uniqueness drives value, the path to a brand record is unmistakably open. What it signals for the marque The Brouillard crystallizes Bugatti’s dual identity: traditional savoir‑faire intertwined with boundary-pushing performance. It exhibits a narrative soul—the white horse of Molsheim—woven into modern materials and world-class aerodynamics. As a rolling statement, it reaffirms that the Bugatti idea is larger than speed alone; it is about story, craft, and the courage to pursue an ideal to its logical limit.
What’s Coming In Rivian Software 2026.03
Rivian’s 2026.03 software update brings smarter cold weather range visibility, expanded performance features like Launch mode and broader Sport mode availability, improved Kneel Mode usability, and smoother visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5.5 across both Gen 1 and Gen 2 R1 vehicles. Add in the new Apple Watch app and a long list of stability and driver assist refinements, and this is a well rounded update that quietly improves the entire ownership experience.
Experts Warn: The Dangerous Blur Between Science and Wellness in Mental Health Bestsellers
A marketplace where labels blur In many bookstores, titles rooted in clinical science sit inches from glossy self-help guides promising instant serenity. That proximity can make rigorous research look interchangeable with lifestyle advice, especially when everything shares the same bright displays. Readers encounter a single aisle labeled “psychology,” even when the content ranges from peer-reviewed evidence to spiritual rituals. The result is a subtle but pervasive blur, turning a complex health landscape into a grab-bag of mixed claims. Why the shelves can mislead Retail categories are built for convenience, not for methodological clarity or clinical accuracy. When “development personal” or “wellness” becomes the default bin, evidence-based psychology competes with coaching manifestos and mystical manuals. The visual language of covers—calming color palettes, confident subtitles, glowing endorsements—flattens the distinction between randomized trials and anecdotal wisdom. In that aesthetic harmony, a guide on cognitive behavioral therapy may appear no more “serious” than a book on moon manifestation. The stakes for readers and patients Confusion carries real risks, including delayed care when people self-treat serious symptoms with untested routines. Vulnerable readers—facing depression, trauma, or anxiety—may be swayed by charismatic voices over careful data. Some messages frame recovery as pure willpower, which can amplify shame when symptoms persist despite effort. Others overpromise universal solutions, ignoring cultural context, diagnostic nuance, and comorbidity. “Shelving is not neutral; it shapes beliefs, expectations, and choices.” What professionals and retailers are asking Clinicians and public-health experts argue for clear, readable signage that separates science-based mental health from broader wellness. Books by licensed psychiatrists or psychologists that cite peer-reviewed studies could be grouped under “Evidence-Based Mental Health.” Adjacent space might host reflective memoirs, coaching workbooks, or contemplative philosophy—valuable in their way, but clearly labeled as non-clinical guidance. Booksellers emphasize their dual role as cultural curators and commercial actors, noting they respond to demand while striving for quality standards. How clarity could look and feel The goal is not to police ideas, but to help readers navigate with confidence. Transparent categorization respects reader autonomy while lifting the signal of credible practice. Clear tags—such as “scientific references,” “clinical overview,” or “personal narrative”—can work like map legends, turning a maze into a route. And when a book blends modes, hybrid labels can acknowledge both insight and limitation. A practical checklist for choosing wisely Check the author’s credentials: clinical license, academic affiliation, or relevant training. Scan the references: citations to peer-reviewed journals or reputable guidelines. Look for scope limits: clear statements about who the book is and isn’t for, and when to seek care. Seek methods, not miracles: approaches tested across diverse groups, with measurable outcomes. Watch the language: be wary of absolute claims, stigmatizing tones, or one-size-fits-all promises. Cross-verify with trusted bodies: national psychology associations or public-health agencies. The publisher’s responsibility Publishers can raise the bar by standardizing disclosure on methods, sample sizes, and limitations. Editorial policies could require conflict-of-interest statements, transparent citations, and plain-language summaries of evidence. Marketing should avoid medicalized framing for books that lack clinical validation, even when sales incentives press for bold claims. When a manuscript mixes reflection with research, honest jacket copy can prevent false equivalence. Coexisting without confusion Wellness writing can offer genuine comfort, perspective, and daily habits that support well-being. Scientific texts can provide structured tools, validated therapies, and realistic expectations for progress. The aim is to let these strands coexist, while giving readers the navigational cues to tell them apart. With clearer shelves, informed labels, and modest design tweaks, we can protect reader trust—and keep the aisle both inviting and intelligent.
2026 guest artist and composer transform Fermilab science into art
Fermi Forward Discovery Group’s annual guest artist and composer program fosters creative collaborations that help translate Fermilab’s complex scientific research into accessible, engaging experiences. In 2026, visual artist Eleftheria Lialios and composer Isaac Smith will bring their distinct perspectives to transform particle physics data into immersive visual and auditory works for the public.
Clutter, hoarding is 'visual noise' for the brain, Louisiana psychiatrist says
Here are some tips to kickstart decluttering and visually clearing the mind.
Pixelworks Appoints Sevan Brown to Lead Business Development for TrueCut Motion
/PRNewswire/ -- Pixelworks, Inc. (NASDAQ: PXLW) ("Pixelworks" or the "Company"), a provider of innovative cinematic and enhanced visualization solutions, today...
Pixelworks Appoints Sevan Brown to Lead Business Development for TrueCut Motion
Pixelworks, Inc. (NASDAQ: PXLW) ("Pixelworks" or the "Company"), a provider of innovative cinematic and enhanced visualization solutions, today announced the appointment of Sevan Brown as Executive Vice President of Business Development. In the newly created role, Brown will lead the Company's enhanced focus on securing and growing global business partnerships for its TrueCut Motion platform with major Hollywood studios, international exhibitors and streaming service providers.
This new tech can help visually-impaired sports fans experience the Super Bowl
The device, called the OneCourt tablet, uses trackable vibrations to relay key game events and game action to blind or visually-impaired users.
Creating a Data Pipeline to Monitor Local Crime Trends
A walkthough of creating an ETL pipeline to extract local crime data and visualize it in Metabase.
Here's what Cities: Skylines 2’s new developer is updating first
Visual upgrades include new UI, realistic snow cover, better lighting.
Editorial cartoons for Feb. 1, 2026: ICE shooting in Minneapolis, political blowback, 2nd Amendment
The week in visual commentary.
$10 million gift to fuel transdisciplinary data science
Tom and Cathie Woteki, an alumni couple who made profound contributions to the fields of public health and applications of enterprise computing in their careers, have made a $10 million estate gift commitment to endow multiple faculty positions or fellowships, as well as create graduate fellowships, in the College of Science and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Dispatch is censored on Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch
Although there was initially speculation about Dispatch being censored on Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch, it’s now confirmed that this is indeed the case. In the PC and PS5 versions, the game featured a “Visual Censorship” setting. This is gone on Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch, so you’re always getting the censored experience. All scenes are in tact, but there...
Cuts to science and research in the U.S. over the past year
The administration cut science funding, withheld grants, and eliminated jobs in research areas that did not align. Nature, with visualization by Kim Albrecht, show the total impact so far. A treema…
Apple iPhone 18 Pro’s Biggest Visual Redesign In Years Revealed In New Leak
This fall’s flagship iPhone could have a strikingly different design, according to a new report.
Purple Isn’t Real, Science Says. Your Brain Is Just Making It Up.
The human eye does not actually see purple, as purple is not a color on the visual spectrum, scientists say. Here's what's actually happening.
WHO statement on notification of withdrawal of the United States
WHO regrets the United States’ notification of withdrawal from WHO – a decision that makes both the United States and the world less safe. The notification of withdrawal raises issues that will be considered by the WHO Executive Board at its regular meeting starting on 2 February and by the World Health Assembly at its annual meeting in May 2026.
PSA: Switch 2 Visual And Performance Improvements Included In New Rocket League Update
Try it out today
YouTube revamps visual identity as entertainment landscape shifts
A new typeface and illustration style are complemented by the Google-owned platform’s first motion identity, which mimics the feel of creator content.
iPhone 18 Pro selfie camera and Dynamic Island may be top-left
One of the biggest visual changes we’re expecting with this year’s iPhone 18 Pro is a punch-hole selfie camera, with...
Frontiers | Towards Bidirectional FHIR–OMOP CDM Transformations Using TermX to Support the Secondary Use of Real-World Health Data within a Patient-Centered Digital Health Paradigm
The increasing digitization of healthcare has led to vast amounts of clinical data, much of which remains underutilized for research. While HL7 (Health Level...
Apple iPhone 18 Pro: Render video reveals all new features in three colors
Aside from the first iPhone Fold, this year will see only two regular new iPhone models for the first time: the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The new features of the iPhone 17 Pro successors already appear to be set in stone and are nicely visualized in a recent render video.
[CES 2026] An Entertainment Companion for Every Moment Seen & Heard
The Entertainment Companion zone at The First Look 2026 marked a new chapter in Samsung’s visual display evolution; building on nearly two decades as the
Former Google, Apple Researchers Raising $50 Million for New Visual AI Startup
Andrew Dai, a veteran AI researcher who recently left Google DeepMind after 14 years, is launching a new startup focused on AI models that understand and process text, images, video and audio simultaneously, Dai said. The new startup, Elorian, is in talks with investors to raise a seed round of ...
'It can be unnecessary - and even too much': Are violent video games like Grand Theft Auto 6 becoming too realistic?
The latest in the franchise is the most hyped release of 2026 and looks set to push the boundaries of gaming visuals – but it could prove more disturbing than entertaining.
Kick off the year with new rewards
Whether you’re new to Minecraft or you’ve been digging straight down since the beginning, the entire community have officially been challenged to mine 4.25 billion stone blocks!
U.S. rolls out new dietary guidelines backing more protein and full-fat dairy
The Trump administration scrapped the MyPlate visual guide, introducing a redesigned food pyramid that emphasizes protein, dairy and healthy fats.
Why staying focused is harder than ever and what science can tell us about it
From phone notifications and flashing alerts to crowded screens and busy workspaces, modern life is full of visual distractions competing for our attention. A Rice psychologist is investigating how irrelevant visual information interferes with our ability to stay on task and why certain distractions slow us down more than others.
Apple Reportedly Exploring Multispectral Imaging for Future iPhones
Apple is exploring multispectral imaging technology for future iPhone cameras that could improve Visual Intelligence, enhance material detection, and boost image processing, according to a new supply chain rumor out of China. In a post on Weibo, leaker Digital Chat Station said Apple is currently evaluating components related to multispectral imaging within the supply chain, but cautioned that formal testing has not yet begun, suggesting the technology remains at an exploratory stage.
[CES 2026] An Entertainment Companion for Every Moment Seen and Heard
The Entertainment Companion zone at The First Look 2026 marked a new chapter in Samsung’s visual display evolution — building on two decades as the world’s No. 1 TV brand. The space was divided into art, gaming and entertainment sections, anchored by the world’s first 130-inch Micro RGB TV and the Vision AI Companion. Samsung
9 Documentaries to Improve Your Health and Wellness in the New Year
Gut checks, visualization tools, meditation guides, and more.
The Science Behind Better Visualizing Brain Function
The Science Behind Better Visualizing Brain Function: Fluorescent trackers are helping scientists study the mind in real-time
The Science Behind Better Visualizing Brain Function
Fluorescent trackers are helping scientists study the mind in real-time
Beam shone into sky to celebrate Harwell Campus
The visual spectacle, known as The Beam, is to mark the 80th birthday of Harwell Campus.
NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD creators announce dark visual novel Sister Other Paranoia for PC
HazeDenki, a team led by the creatives behind NEEDY STREAMER OVERLOAD including scenario writer nyalra, has announced Sister Other Paranoia, a dark visual novel coming to PC via Steam in August 202…
Scientists stunned by a massive hydrothermal field off Greece
Scientists have uncovered an extensive underwater vent system near Milos, Greece, hidden along active fault lines beneath the seafloor. These geological fractures act as pathways for hot, gas-rich fluids to escape, forming clusters of vents with striking visual diversity. The discovery surprised researchers, who observed boiling fluids and vibrant microbial mats during deep-sea dives. Milos now stands out as one of the Mediterranean’s most important sites for studying Earth’s dynamic interior.
Seeing Sound For Under $200
There are five general senses: touch for feels, taste for food, smell for avoiding trash, hearing for sounds, and, of course, eyesight for visualizing the very waves making up that sound. [Plasmatr…
LG announces line of premium gaming monitors that offer 5K visuals
LG just announced a new line of gaming monitors called UltraGear evo. These displays offer 5K visuals.
Embark on a visual voyage of art inspired by black holes
Art and science converge in Lynn Gamwell's book, Conjuring the Void: The Art of Black Holes...