Month: May 2024
I Discovered I Had 12 Bank Accounts. How Many Do You Really Need? – CNET
If you have too many accounts, you may be losing money. Here’s why.
If you have too many accounts, you may be losing money. Here’s why.
Amazon Games will publish a new AAA open-world driving game created by veteran Forza Horizon developers
Amazon Games is set to publish an open-world racing game from Maverick Games.
Amazon Games is set to publish an unannounced AAA open-world driving game that is being developed by Maverick Games.
Maverick Games was founded in 2022 and is home to many core development team members from across the Forza Horizon series. This includes studio head Mike Brown, who worked on the series for many years at Playground Games and served as the creative director of Forza Horizon 5.
“I’ve been making racing games for nearly 20 years and I know this community really well,” said Brown in an interview concerning the announcement. “I think there are a lot of fantasies, desires, and motivations that this community has that we have a unique opportunity to deliver on.”
Exact details surrounding the nature of the unannounced game are scarce, but we do know that it is targeting a release on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, and PC. We also know that the game will feature AAA production values, be open-world, and focus quite heavily on storytelling.
“Lots of great driving games have amazing gameplay, amazing content,” said Brown. “But to really cross that bridge, to become a game that people genuinely love, then there needs to be that human connection where you’re actually rooting for these characters, falling in love with these characters. That, I think, is a place where our game will be able to really differentiate itself from the other titles in the genre.”
The publishing deal with Maverick Games is part of a wider attempt by Amazon Games to expand its development efforts into Europe which recently saw the announcement of a new European development studio in Bucharest.
Christoph Hartmann, VP of Amazon Games, explained that in the company’s “ongoing global search for talented development teams who are building compelling titles that players will love, Maverick Games stood out as a studio that can deliver on all fronts.”
“Mike and his team are the total package – proven game developers who are masters at their craft and aren’t content with the status quo,” he continued. “Their vision for this game is fresh and innovative, and we’re looking forward to working alongside them to bring it to players around the world.”
The game will join Amazon’s growing portfolio of titles, which includes the previously released New World and Lost Ark. Among other unannounced projects, the company is currently working on the next entry in the Tomb Raider series and a new The Lord of the Rings game.
You might also like…
Our recent Amazon Luna reviewOr our Luna Wireless Controller reviewTo browse our guide to the best racing games
The Internet Archive is fighting a major battle against DDoS attacks
The Internet Archive and its very handy Wayback Machine are experiencing technical difficulties amid a DDoS attack.
The Internet Archive, a nonprofit research library renowned for its extensive digital collections and its time-machine-like snapshots of previous digital eras, has confirmed that it’s grappling with a DDoS attack.
The organization says an intermittent DDoS attack has disrupted its service since Sunday, May 26.
As a result, users are being warned of an “inconsistent” experience and an impacted experience on the website’s Wayback Machine, which has records of more than 866 billion web pages.
DDoS attack
Despite the onslaught, which involves tens of thousands of fake information requests per second designed to flood the servers, the Internet Archive’s collections remain intact.
Brewster Kahle, founder and digital librarian of the Internet Archive, emphasized the organization’s resilience: “With the support from others and the hard work of staff we are hardening our defenses to provide more reliable access to our library. What is new is this attack has been sustained, impactful, targeted, adaptive, and importantly, mean.”
Director of Library Services at Internet Archive, Chris Freeland, noted that cyberattacks against libraries and other knowledge institutions have become increasingly common recently, citing similar attacks against the British Library, the Solano County Public Library (California), the Berlin Natural History Museum, and Ontario’s London Public Library.
Adding to the pressure, the Internet Archive is also facing legal troubles over alleged copyright infringement relating to US book publishing and recording industries, with potentially millions in damages on the cards.
More recently, Sony and Universal Music launched similar complaints.
It’s unclear whether the site is still being affected by the DDoS attack, but after a false moment of hope on May 27, the organization confirmed on X that it was still “under a DDoS attack.” No further updates have been shared since then.
More from TechRadar Pro
Maintain your cybersecurity with the best endpoint protection softwareDDoS attacks are becoming a weapon of geopolitical conflictWe’ve rounded up a list of the best firewalls
Popular VPN launches free plan to help users at risk of censorship
Journalists and other eligible individuals can now apply for the 3-month IPVanish free Emergency VPN. Here’s all you need to know.
One of the best VPN services on the market has just launched a new initiative to empower people at risk to take back their internet freedom.
This means journalists and other eligible users battling against online censorship and surveillance can now apply for a 3-month IPVanish subscription without spending a penny.
The IPVanish Emergency VPN scheme was designed to help people at risk in situations of relief, political unrest, turmoil, or subject to other restrictions on internet access, said the provider. To access the 3-month free VPN plan, which can be renewed as needed, you have to submit a support request with your credentials to validate eligibility. Let’s see when and why you should consider signing up.
The need for IPVanish Emergency VPN plan
“Increasingly, citizens around the world are being silenced for fighting against oppression, which stands in stark contrast to IPVanish’s commitment to a free and open internet,” said Doug Haden, VP of customer success at IPVanish.
Freedom House recorded yet another decline in internet freedoms in 2023 across the world. This was for the 13th consecutive year, and a record 55 out of the 70 countries analyzed had people facing legal repercussions for expressing themselves online. According to Reporters Without Borders, nearly 800 journalists (779) were arrested at some point last year for doing their job.
At the same time, digital rights group Access Now described 2023 as the “worst year of internet shutdowns ever recorded.” Alongside widespread fixed and mobile connectivity blackouts, 53 platform blocks were enforced across 25 countries throughout the year—and 2024 looks to be even worse. For instance, people in Pakistan have been unable to access the X app for four months, unless they use circumventing software.
A VPN, short for virtual private network, is security software that encrypts internet connections and spoofs your real IP address. While the former makes you more anonymous and less vulnerable to tracking, the latter grants you access to censored sites and services by tricking your ISP (internet service provider) into thinking you’re browsing from entirely a different country in no time.
This means that now, with IPVanish Emergency VPN, you can reclaim your privacy and right to access information at no cost.
On this point, Subbu Sthanu, chief commercial officer at IPVanish, said: “We recognize that privacy isn’t just a convenience for some; it’s a requirement to maintain their safety. We’re proud to provide free Emergency VPN access to those helping to distribute vital information.”
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Besides a wealth of security features such as strong encryption, a reliable kill switch, and DNS leak protection, using IPVanish is also a guarantee that none of your identifiable data will ever be recorded. That’s because the provider enforces a strict no-log VPN policy, which it regularly puts under the scrutiny of independent auditors.
IPVanish also implements obfuscation technology across its network of 2,000+ servers across over 75 locations worldwide. This tech seeks to hide the fact you’re using a VPN in the first place, minimizing the risk of potential blocks—counties actively restricting the internet often try to restrict VPN usage as well. Obfuscated servers are likely the main reason IPVanish boasts great unblocking results overall.
The provider is also one of the founding members of the VPN Trust Initiative, alongside other big names within the industry including ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark. The coalition is aimed at improving consumers’ digital safety by building understanding, strengthening trust, and mitigating risk for VPN users.
The company is also a long-time supporter of digital rights advocacy group the Electronic Frontier Foundation as well as of the US National Security Alliance.
The provider urges everyone in need to apply for the Emergency VPN immediately. It also recommends people at risk who are planning to travel to a location affected by internet censorship file the request beforehand.
To know all the details on how to apply, I recommend heading to IPVanish’s Emergency VPN Page here.
The next No Man’s Sky update makes the game lonelier — and more dangerous
Image: Hello Games
Things are about to get a little quieter in the No Man’s Sky universe. Developer Hello Games just released the sci-fi adventure’s latest update — it’s called “Adrift,” and it introduces an alternative universe that’s completely devoid of other characters. That means no NPCs to chat or trade with. The studio calls it “the first time players can be truly alone in No Man’s Sky.”
In addition to making the game lonelier and heightening the sense of isolation that was very present in the early days of the game, “Adrift” will also make the experience more challenging. Here’s how the studio explains it:
This alternative universe is more dangerous too, with sandworms now roaming free and fiend eggs spreading across planets. Buildings are broken and rusted, the few remaining landmarks the graves of lost Travellers. In space, a new ghostly frigate beckons, allowing players to recruit a piece of this lonely universe.
Additionally, the update will also introduce a new ship type, a huge starship called the Iron Vulture that the studio says should at least provide some sanctuary in the harshness of space. The new features come not long after Hello launched the game’s 27th major update, called “Orbital,” which, among other things, finally introduced a ship editor into the long-running game.
Image: Hello Games
Things are about to get a little quieter in the No Man’s Sky universe. Developer Hello Games just released the sci-fi adventure’s latest update — it’s called “Adrift,” and it introduces an alternative universe that’s completely devoid of other characters. That means no NPCs to chat or trade with. The studio calls it “the first time players can be truly alone in No Man’s Sky.”
In addition to making the game lonelier and heightening the sense of isolation that was very present in the early days of the game, “Adrift” will also make the experience more challenging. Here’s how the studio explains it:
This alternative universe is more dangerous too, with sandworms now roaming free and fiend eggs spreading across planets. Buildings are broken and rusted, the few remaining landmarks the graves of lost Travellers. In space, a new ghostly frigate beckons, allowing players to recruit a piece of this lonely universe.
Additionally, the update will also introduce a new ship type, a huge starship called the Iron Vulture that the studio says should at least provide some sanctuary in the harshness of space. The new features come not long after Hello launched the game’s 27th major update, called “Orbital,” which, among other things, finally introduced a ship editor into the long-running game.
Amazon is publishing new open-world racer from former Forza developers
Image: Amazon
Amazon is continuing to expand its presence in video game publishing. The latest example: the company is teaming up with Maverick Games, a new studio formed by former Forza developers at Playground, to launch “a narrative-led open-world driving game.” There’s no title or release date for the game, but it’ll be coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X / S when it does launch.
Publishing has become a large facet of Amazon’s push into gaming, with the company partnering with Bandai Namco on the upcoming anime MMO Blue Protocol as well as Crystal Dynamics on the next Tomb Raider game. Amazon is also developing a Lord of the Rings MMO at its internal Orange County studio, which previously launched New World. Many of these projects tie into other Amazon productions; the company has a Lord of the Rings series on Prime Video and recently announced a Tomb Raider show.
Maverick, meanwhile, was formed in 2022 and currently has around 60 employees. It’s led by former Forza Horizon creative director Mike Brown. “As we got to know the team at Amazon Games it quickly became clear that we had a shared ethos — a commitment to giving developers the space to really innovate in service of crafting experiences that players will find truly special,” Brown said in a statement.
As for Forza, there’s a good chance we’ll hear what’s next for the franchise at Xbox’s next showcase event in June.
Image: Amazon
Amazon is continuing to expand its presence in video game publishing. The latest example: the company is teaming up with Maverick Games, a new studio formed by former Forza developers at Playground, to launch “a narrative-led open-world driving game.” There’s no title or release date for the game, but it’ll be coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X / S when it does launch.
Publishing has become a large facet of Amazon’s push into gaming, with the company partnering with Bandai Namco on the upcoming anime MMO Blue Protocol as well as Crystal Dynamics on the next Tomb Raider game. Amazon is also developing a Lord of the Rings MMO at its internal Orange County studio, which previously launched New World. Many of these projects tie into other Amazon productions; the company has a Lord of the Rings series on Prime Video and recently announced a Tomb Raider show.
Maverick, meanwhile, was formed in 2022 and currently has around 60 employees. It’s led by former Forza Horizon creative director Mike Brown. “As we got to know the team at Amazon Games it quickly became clear that we had a shared ethos — a commitment to giving developers the space to really innovate in service of crafting experiences that players will find truly special,” Brown said in a statement.
As for Forza, there’s a good chance we’ll hear what’s next for the franchise at Xbox’s next showcase event in June.
Former FTX Executive Ryan Salame Sentenced To 7.5 Years In Prison
Former FTX executive Ryan Salame has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison, “the first of the lieutenants of failed cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Fried to receive jail time for their roles in the 2022 collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange,” reports the Associated Press. From the report: Salame, 30, was a high-ranking executive at FTX for most of the exchange’s existence and, up until its collapse, was the co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets. He pleaded guilty last year to illegally making unlawful U.S. campaign contributions and to operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business. The sentence of 7 1/2 years in prison, plus three years of supervised release, was more than the five to seven years prosecutors had asked Judge Lewis A. Kaplan to impose on Salame in their pre-sentencing memo.
While Salame was a high-level executive at FTX, he was not a major part of the government’s case against Bankman-Fried at his trial earlier this year and did not testify against him. In a bid for leniency, Salame said during the sentencing hearing that he cooperated and even provided documents that aided prosecutors in their cross examination of Bankman-Fried, as well as in his own prosecution. Along with helping Bankman-Fried hide the holes in FTX’s balance sheet that ultimately led to the exchange’s failure, Salame was used as a conduit for Bankman-Fried to make illegal campaign contributions to help shape U.S. policy on cryptocurrencies. On the surface, Bankman-Fried mostly gave political contributions to Democrats and liberal-leaning causes, while Salame gave contributions to Republicans and right-leaning causes. But ultimately the funds that Salame used for those contributions came from Bankman-Fried.
The judge also chastised Salame for pulling $5 million in cryptocurrencies out of FTX as the exchange was failing. “You tried to withdraw tens of millions more,” Kaplan said. “It was me first. I’m getting in the lifeboat first. To heck with all those customers.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Former FTX executive Ryan Salame has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison, “the first of the lieutenants of failed cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Fried to receive jail time for their roles in the 2022 collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange,” reports the Associated Press. From the report: Salame, 30, was a high-ranking executive at FTX for most of the exchange’s existence and, up until its collapse, was the co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets. He pleaded guilty last year to illegally making unlawful U.S. campaign contributions and to operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business. The sentence of 7 1/2 years in prison, plus three years of supervised release, was more than the five to seven years prosecutors had asked Judge Lewis A. Kaplan to impose on Salame in their pre-sentencing memo.
While Salame was a high-level executive at FTX, he was not a major part of the government’s case against Bankman-Fried at his trial earlier this year and did not testify against him. In a bid for leniency, Salame said during the sentencing hearing that he cooperated and even provided documents that aided prosecutors in their cross examination of Bankman-Fried, as well as in his own prosecution. Along with helping Bankman-Fried hide the holes in FTX’s balance sheet that ultimately led to the exchange’s failure, Salame was used as a conduit for Bankman-Fried to make illegal campaign contributions to help shape U.S. policy on cryptocurrencies. On the surface, Bankman-Fried mostly gave political contributions to Democrats and liberal-leaning causes, while Salame gave contributions to Republicans and right-leaning causes. But ultimately the funds that Salame used for those contributions came from Bankman-Fried.
The judge also chastised Salame for pulling $5 million in cryptocurrencies out of FTX as the exchange was failing. “You tried to withdraw tens of millions more,” Kaplan said. “It was me first. I’m getting in the lifeboat first. To heck with all those customers.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Tech startup Odyssey goes on journey to help states implement school choice programs
The company’s public fund disbursement and e-commerce platform makes accepting school tuition and enabling educational enrichment more accessible.
© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
The company’s public fund disbursement and e-commerce platform makes accepting school tuition and enabling educational enrichment more accessible.
© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Kinnect’s new app aims to help families record and store generational memories
A new startup called Kinnect aims to help people privately save generational memories, traditions, recipes, and more. The company’s app, launched this month, lets people create invite-only spaces where they can share images, videos, audio, text, and more with their entire family. Kinnect was founded in May 2023 by Omar Alvarez, an entrepreneur who has
© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
A new startup called Kinnect aims to help people privately save generational memories, traditions, recipes, and more. The company’s app, launched this month, lets people create invite-only spaces where they can share images, videos, audio, text, and more with their entire family. Kinnect was founded in May 2023 by Omar Alvarez, an entrepreneur who has […]
© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.