Microsoft’s Xbox is closing a number of game studios, including Arkane Austin, making it the latest publisher to close studios amid a gaming downturn.
Studios such as Tokyo-based Tango Gameworks, maker of “Hi-Fi Rush,” and Canada-based Alpha Dog will also be closed and some employees will be laid off, Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty said in a statement. memo which Reuters became aware of on Tuesday.
Xbox declined to comment on the number of employees affected by the layoffs.
Growth in personal computing and console gaming is expected to remain below pre-pandemic levels as gamers log fewer gaming hours due to weaker release schedules, research firm data shows Newzoo.
According to Mr. Booty, the “re-prioritization of titles and resources” is intended to allow Xbox to invest heavily in its games portfolio and in new intellectual properties.
All affected studios are units of ZeniMax Media, bought by Microsoft for $7.5 billion in 2021, and Bethesda.
Last month, Microsoft’s Xbox content and services segment reported a 62% jump in third-quarter revenue, largely due to the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
“Grand Theft Auto” maker Take-Two Interactive said it would close two studios in a mass layoff, Bloomberg News reported last week.
Microsoft had already laid off 1,900 people at Activision and Xbox earlier this year.
Some of Arkane Austin’s developers will join other studios and work on projects within Bethesda, the creator of “The Elder Scrolls” and “Fallout.”
The servers of the game “Redfall”, created by Arkane, will remain online for players. (Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)
It is essential to democratize robotics and promote STEAM education in children
Jorge Hernández Huerta, national organizer of the 13th edition of the World Robot Olympiad (WRO), which will be held in Mexico in 2024, said that it is very important to democratize robotics and promote the inclusion of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering) education. , Arts & Mathematics) among childhoods.
At a press conference to announce the WRO, he highlighted the importance of promoting the participation of girls and young people in this type of disciplines, to reverse the gender gap that exists.
The interest of this event in its 13th edition is to encourage the participation of girls and adolescents because their presence in other versions of the Olympiad has reached only 30 percent. We want to promote talent from childhood with the spaces and tools adequate, to empower them from an early age and provide them with the possibilities of training as qualified human capital for the future.
He mentioned that for a young person to want to be an astronaut, athlete, painter, as a child at some point they had to observe and experience these activities closely, otherwise, When they get to university, they believe that they can only enter engineering or something related to science if they have good skills in mathematics, physics or chemistry, but without any previous experience that would allow them to visualize what those careers consist of.
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He said that in the past 12 years, important efforts have been made in Mexico in the educational field to bring children as young as five years old closer to robotics and STEAM education.
This is where the World Robot Olympiad (WRO), which emerged in 2004 in Asia, aligns with the objectives of Mexico to bring boys and girls closer to robotics, be part of this community and in the end, decide if they want to be in this environment or want to be related in some other way to innovation, technology and knowledge
.
The organizer in Mexico said that this competition is almost 20 years old, has more than 95 affiliated countries in the world and a community of more than 75 thousand students. But it was after the halt marked by the pandemic in 2020 that, starting in 2022, its presence in Latin America was strengthened.
Thematic competition
Hernández Huerta said that the WRO is a thematic competition where teams of children and young people, between 8 and 19 years old, will measure their knowledge, applying solutions to real-world problems using the STEAM methodology along with educational robotics. Each year this competition has a different theme, and this year it is Allies of the Earth.
This tournament consists of four different categories: Robotic Missions is the category that is based on challenges where the students will create an autonomous robot that can solve specific challenges on a track; Robotic sports has the challenge that each team participates with two autonomous machines in a match of a given sport.
The third and fourth categories are called Future Engineers, aimed at participants with knowledge of advanced robotics following current research trends to solve real-world problems; and Innovative Futures which is based on projects where participants develop their own intelligent robotic solution related to the current theme of the season.
In each category, separated by age groups, made up of 2 or 3 participants and guided by a coach, the teams will design, build and program a robot model that is capable of completing a challenge based on the current theme of the competition.
In the page (https://wromexico.org/) you will be able to know in detail the rules of the competition, the call is open in the email [email protected] or by calling +52 1 56 1049 6070.
Currently there are 32 teams registered in 12 states of the Republic. Space is limited and those interested must register their teams as indicated in the following tutorial:
It is important to note that this year there will be no recovery participation fee thanks to the support of Fundesteam, a non-profit group created in Panama 14 years ago, with a presence in 14 countries and promoter of the WRO.
Under the motto Allies of the Earth, the tournament will have qualifying competitions between May and July in different cities of the country, in September the national final will be held and in November the international final will be held in Turkey.
#essential #democratize #robotics #promote #STEAM #education #children
– 2024-05-07 15:37:39
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It is essential to democratize robotics and promote STEAM education in children
Apple’s ‘Let Loose’ Event: New iPad Pro, Redesign, and Exciting Upgrades Await
Apple is set to unveil some exciting updates to its iPad lineup at the upcoming “Let Loose” event. Among the rumored releases is a completely redesigned iPad Pro, featuring an OLED display and a powerful new M4 chip. Additionally, the iPad Air is expected to receive a performance boost with a more advanced chip and potentially a larger screen option.
The anticipation around the event is palpable, with tech enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the announcement of these new products. Apple’s innovative approach to design and functionality has propelled its devices to the forefront of the industry, and this event is expected to further cement its position as a leader in the tablet market.
But what does this mean for the future of the industry? The introduction of an OLED display in the iPad Pro signifies a shift towards enhanced visual experiences. OLED technology offers deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and improved contrast ratios, providing users with a more immersive viewing experience. This move by Apple may influence other manufacturers to adopt OLED displays in their own devices, further revolutionizing the industry.
Furthermore, the introduction of a more powerful chip in the iPad Air suggests a continued focus on performance and productivity. With the increasing demand for multitasking and resource-intensive applications, having a device that can handle these tasks seamlessly is crucial. Apple’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance will likely spur other manufacturers to follow suit, creating a competitive market for powerful and efficient tablets.
In terms of emerging trends, the integration of larger screens in tablets has been gaining traction. Consumers are increasingly using their tablets for multimedia consumption, gaming, and productivity, making larger screens a desirable feature. With the rumored introduction of a larger screen option for the iPad Air, Apple is tapping into this trend and catering to the evolving needs of its users.
Looking ahead, it is clear that the tablet industry is poised for further innovation and growth. The advancements in display technology, performance, and larger screens will continue to reshape the way we use and interact with tablets. As more industries embrace digital transformation and remote work becomes the norm, tablets are becoming an essential tool for productivity and connectivity.
In light of these trends, it is recommended that industry players invest in research and development to stay ahead of the curve. Embracing new technologies, such as OLED displays, and continuously improving performance will be crucial in capturing the attention and loyalty of consumers. Additionally, manufacturers should focus on creating versatile and adaptable devices that cater to different use cases, further expanding the tablet’s role in our daily lives.
In conclusion, Apple’s upcoming “Let Loose” event holds great promise for the future of the tablet industry. The introduction of a redesigned iPad Pro with an OLED display and a more powerful chip in the iPad Air showcases Apple’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation. These advancements, coupled with emerging trends like larger screens, will undoubtedly shape the future of tablets, creating a more immersive and productive user
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Apple’s ‘Let Loose’ Event: New iPad Pro, Redesign, and Exciting Upgrades Await