An ex-employee of Blizzard takes advantage of his dismissal to get ten years of free WoW (World of Warcraft).
The mass layoffs within the video game sector show no signs of stopping. Everything indicates that this trend, which began in 2023, is here to stay for the rest of 2024 and that is what we are experiencing. Last week, Microsoft laid off 1,900 workers from different studios within the company. Not even Activision Blizzard has been spared from the cuts. However, one of the affected individuals decided to take advantage of the situation for their own benefit.
As we can read on PC Gamer, the former leader of Blizzard’s technology producers, Adam Holisky, posted on X his story. When “he realized what was happening” and that he was going to be fired, Holisky spent World of Warcraft subscription codes like crazy. In his post, the producer shared a screenshot showing that he wouldn’t have to pay a single World of Warcraft subscription until October 14, 2033. In other words, he had almost a complete decade of free WoW.
Once I realized what was happening and that I was gonna be laid off, I made sure to jump into keyring and use all the 1-year subscription codes I have left.
How did he do it exactly? To obtain these codes, Holisky used Keyring, an internal system of Blizzard where employees can access digital titles they have earned “for any reason“. During his almost five years of service at Blizzard, Holisky stored these codes, until now. There were also other former employees of the company who tried to emulate this tactic, but they were not so lucky.
Code Llama 70B has been trained with 500 billion code tokens and associated data. It can process and generate longer code sequences thanks to a contextual window of 100,000 tokens.
According to Meta, Code Llama 70B uses a technique called self-attention to understand code structures. It can implement algorithms, sort, search, and much more from text or code snippets in many languages such as Python, C++, Javascript, and Java.
Today we’re releasing Code Llama 70B: a new, more performant version of our LLM for code generation — available under the same license as previous Code Llama models.
What does Llama 70B offer and why is it a step further
This AI-based tool includes variants that have been fine-tuned for specific tasks. One of them is CodeLlama-70B-Instruct, which has been trained to understand natural language instructions.
There is also a Python-focused version called CodeLlama-70B-Python. With additional training on 100 billion Python code tokens, it generates Python with “unmatched fluency and accuracy,” according to Meta.
Code Llama 70B can be freely downloaded under the same open license as previous Code Llama models. Meta states that this permissive license allows both academic and commercial users to modify the model.
For reasons that are still unknown, the shooter has been removed from Steam without prior notice.
We could define Spec Ops: The Line as one of the most important titles of its generation and we wouldn’t be exaggerating. However, not even such a status can save a title from disappearing from stores. For reasons that are still unknown, the shooter has been removed from Steam without prior notice.
Fortunately, its disappearance has only been effective on Gabe Newell’s platform. The game Yager is still available on other digital stores such as GOG, Humble Store, and Xbox Store.
The famous user Wario64 was one of the first to notice the disappearance of Spec Ops: The Line and pointed it out in a post published on X:
In fact, you can test it yourself. If you access the Steam page of Spec Ops: The Line, you will see a notice that says: “Spec Ops: The Line is no longer available in the Steam store”. However, if you already purchased it, you will still be able to access it.
The strange disappearance of Spec Ops: The Line has sparked rumors in search of an explanation. Was it a store error? Is a possible sequel or remake by Yager on the horizon?
In just the second quarter of last year, they laid off more than 900 employees, which represents 5% of their workforce, including layoffs at Crystal Dynamics.
Yesterday we received the sad news that Embrace Group, owner of Eidos Montreal, laid off 97 workers from the Canadian studio and canceled the game they were developing: the new Deus Ex.
Embracer, for those who don’t know, acquired Eidos Montreal and Crystal Dynamics from Square Enix in May 2022, putting the studios behind Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, and Thief under the same umbrella. So we believed it was good news for these studios.
Last November, journalist Jason Schreier tweeted that a new Deus Ex was in a very early stage of development. Now it seems that is one of the canceled games.
Eidos Montreal, which remains intact, canceled the Stranger Things-inspired "kids on bikes" game that was rumored recently. They're now working on: 1) A new IP (recently rescoped) 2) A new Deus Ex (very very early) 3) co-dev partnerships with Xbox including Fable
Eight years have passed since Deus Ex: Mankind Divided ended with an unsatisfying cliffhanger, and it seems like we’re going to have to wait a few more years to find out what happens to our beloved protagonist.
Sources told Schreier in 2017 that a previous sequel to Mankind Divided had also been canceled. Furthermore, Embracer decided to erase the existence of the mobile game Deus Ex Go, taking it away from those who had already paid for it.
“The global economic context, the challenges of our industry, and the extensive restructuring announced by Embracer have ultimately affected our studio,” wrote Eidos Montreal yesterday. Eidos does not mention the canceled game.
Since the 2022 acquisition, Embracer has also closed: the TimeSplitters studio Free Radical Design, has closed Volition, developer of Saints Row, and apparently has been trying to sell Gearbox, maker of Borderlands.
Only in the second quarter of last year, it laid off more than 900 employees, 5% of its workforce, including layoffs at Crystal Dynamics and Beamdog, but not including the layoffs last month at New World Interactive.
The nominations for the 2024 Oscars are highly contested, as both Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s film, and Poor Things, the latest film by Yorgos Lanthimos starring Emma Stone, compete in so many categories that no one knows which one will win Best Picture.
However, far from creating an unhealthy rivalry between the competitors, the participants of both films have shown themselves to be faithful admirers of their opponents’ work. Cillian Murphy already said at the time that the movie he liked the most this year, disregarding Oppenheimer, was Poor Things. And now it is Nolan himself who has praised Emma Stone’s work.
The Curse, with Emma Stone, now available
A few days ago, the director of Oppenheimer was the moderator of a question and answer session with the directors of Emma Stone’s latest series, The Curse, and left creators Nathan Fielder and Ben Safdie at the top. His words were as follows:
“It’s an incredible series and it’s unlike anything I’ve seen on television before. And there are very few series that truly have no precedent. You’ll be reminded of Twin Peaks, The Prisoner or Singing Detective by Dennis Potter, so you’re in an incredible space and I can’t wait to catch up with the climax.”
In addition, Nolan had words of support for Emma Stone’s performance, making it clear that she is one of the best actresses of the moment and that, despite their momentary rivalry due to their participation in Pobres criaturas, the admiration he has for her is enormous.
We will see, in any case, how this is resolved at the Oscars. But what is clear is that there is a series that brings together fans of Poor Things and Oppenheimer: The Curse. Already on Skyshowtime and Movistar Plus, the series could become one of the hits of the moment.
Avatar is one of the most acclaimed animated series of the last decades, and now it will finally have a remake that lives up to its reputation —or, at least, better than M. Night Shyamalan’s movie— thanks to Netflix. The streaming platform wants to replicate the success of One Piece in live-action, and for that, they are putting all their efforts into adapting Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko’s series.
But there are many aspects that, when a animated series becomes a live action, must change, and one of them is the sexism that we often find in the original. Specifically, there is a character in Avatar whose portrayal of that aspect has been greatly reduced: Sokka.
A much more realistic series
Ian Ousley, the actor who plays the character in the Netflix remake, has explained in Entertainment Weekly that during the creation of the series, they decided to minimize Sokka’s sexism, as it didn’t fit well with the new tone of the show. “Realism carries more weight in every sense,” Ousley explains. “That’s why we removed the sexist element from Sokka. There were many moments in the original show that were too controversial.”
This movement is something we have already seen, in a way, in One Piece. In the original anime, Sanji is a fool who can’t stop making sexist comments to every woman he meets. And although his charming and conquering appearance has been maintained in the remake, this has been greatly reduced to better fit the tone of the Netflix series. Either way, it seems like a minimal aspect, and we still have confidence that Avatar: The Last Airbender will turn out great.
The Sitges Fantastic and Horror Film Festival delivers some of the best genre films that are released every year. Gems like The Platform or the recent Vermin: The Plague come out of there. But now, one of the greatest gems that premiered at this festival last year has just arrived on streaming: Acid.
The French film directed by Just Philippot is a reflection on the climate change that directly affects us, and it is about a heatwave that causes strange clouds to start raining acid all over France. In a world on the brink of abyss, a young girl and her divorced parents must join forces to try to escape from this climate catastrophe.
A horror story about climate change
Acid rain is both a reflection on the moment we live in as a society and a beautiful family story about putting your loved ones above the rest. Now, it has just arrived on streaming for rent and purchase. It can be found on platforms such as Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, or Rakuten TV for a certain price. In addition, it is expected to arrive on one of these platforms as part of their free catalog in the coming months.
The FlexiSpot E7 PRO adjustable height desk is an excellent choice when looking for a desk that combines style, functionality, and ergonomics.
Now, as we work from home more than ever, comfort and functionality play a crucial role in ensuring a productive work environment where we can spend our days properly. In this context, FlexiSpot offers us its E7 PRO adjustable height desk, which is presented as an excellent option to make our office as comfortable as possible and, of course, do it with style.
The FlexiSpot E7 PRO is more than just a work desk; it is a tool designed to adapt to the needs of a workday. Here, the company offers us everything from ergonomic chairs to elements that, together with the desk itself, are intended to meet the expectations of any setup.
Design: when less is much more
The design of the E7 PRO, as we have been able to verify firsthand at Softonic, stands out for its elegance and minimalism. Available in black and pearl white, it easily integrates into any workspace without overwhelming us with options. The steel structure not only appears to be robust, it is, and very much so, and you can tell both by looking at the desk from a distance and by leaning on it while working.
The height adjustment range goes from 63.5 to 128.5 cm and we can place a top between 110 and 190 cm wide, so we can fit this new desk anywhere we need. We can choose the table top in various wood tones, as well as black or white, like the ones we can see in the accompanying photos.
The quality of the finishes of the E7 PRO is remarkable, especially considering that it comes completely disassembled —more on this in the next section—. According to FlexiSpot’s specifications, the desk can support up to 160 Kg, although the less conventional test of sitting on it while asking it to increase the height —don’t try this at home— also gives a more than satisfactory result.
Special mention, it must be said, to the torsional resistance, which is not common in these tables. In other words, it is expected that a table of this type does not yield at all when we lean directly on the legs, vertically, but it can yield noticeably when we lean on the edge. Whether working seated or getting up, it is on the edge of the table where we can lean and, in the E7 Pro, the structure does not yield more than a few millimeters no matter how much weight we apply. Something that speaks directly to the quality of its joints, connections, and motor gears.
Assembly: much more fun than it seems at first glance
The E7 PRO is heavy. When you receive the package at home, you wonder how can such a small box weigh so much. Although later you appreciate the robustness, the first thought is: I’m going to have to assemble that.
As someone who works from home, I have seen and assembled several brands of adjustable desks. None are like what FlexiSpot offers. A single tool, included in the box, serves us for the entire operation. In just seven well-illustrated steps, each with the appropriate screws, you have the standing desk up and running.
Every detail is taken into account, from the small rug —which we can see in the previous photo— where you can place the table upside down to avoid scratching it, to the order in which you unpack the different items from the box in which the shipment is received.
Usage: very high quality with special mention for control
There are several points to consider when evaluating a table with the characteristics of the E7 PRO. On one hand, we have to talk about the speed of movement. On the other hand, and very important, the noise during the movement. Additionally, and this is something that can only be seen in person, we have to talk about the start and end of the movement, the vibration it emits, the balance, and, so to speak, the finesse of its movement.
I must say that FlexiSpot stands out a lot here, compared to other alternatives. Silent, fast, and extremely stable, the desk glides up and down effortlessly. In addition to its maximum and minimum height, which we see in the photo above, it is worth mentioning the control, the small element that allows us to raise, lower, and memorize positions.
It is extremely touch-sensitive, there is no need to press. Just resting your finger on the up or down part is enough for the table to respond. A single touch, not two like many tables, on the memory button is enough for it to slide quickly, accelerating slightly at the beginning and decelerating before settling into its new position.
Beyond several other features, such as child lock or anti-collision system, details like the inclusion of accessories for cable management and the integrated USB connector for charging some other device with the greatest ease are appreciated.
Overall, the FlexiSpot E7 PRO adjustable height desk is an excellent option when looking for a desk that combines style, functionality, and ergonomics. Its sturdy and elegant design, along with its easy assembly and quality finishes, make it a very interesting choice for any workspace.
AI’s remain in the eye of the storm of public opinion, but also under the scrutiny of major powers like the United States Government. The reason: the executive power of the most militarized nation in the world wants to know when their projects start and how they train their AI’s with information available on the web.
The administration of Joe Biden, current President of the United States of America, has accelerated in recent months a legal process for AI-focused companies to be obligated to provide reports on the processes they carry out, as well as details on the progress and course of their trainings.
These changes aim to give AI systems greater control and prevent them from easily exploiting legal loopholes, especially considering that they are advancing in largely uncharted territory and therefore lack legal foundations in many areas. This has allowed Artificial Intelligence companies to make significant advancements in recent years, but it has also caused ecological, labor, and social damage, among other aspects.
This is not something completely new. In fact, we already told you in Softonic previously about Biden’s intentions, trying to tighten the free will that Artificial Intelligence currently presents. In this way, the United States, at an institutional level, will have much more information about the advances, challenges, risks, and dangers that the advancement of Artificial Intelligence entails, with the possibility of intervening in certain cases to prevent further damage. In fact, other organizations like the FTC have also recently set their sights on this sector.
Military Uses of AI
It is also no coincidence that the United States is more interested in AI’s. In fact, it was recently revealed that they had reached an agreement with OpenAI to carry out AI services at the Pentagon, although the technology company claims that part of the agreement is based on the fact that their products and services will not be used to cause harm to anyone. However, this responded to OpenAI’s surprising change, which went from categorically denying that AI can be used for military purposes, to being part of a project with their country’s government.
In fact, OpenAI is not the first nor will it be the last technology company to collaborate with Defense in the United States. It is also known, for example, that they showed a broad interest in Microsoft’s Mixed Reality, and companies like Google have also provided them with software services, among other companies.
Microsoft’s roadmap remains focused on implementing improvements to two of its most used applications: Outlook and Teams. Both services will have enhancements aimed at increasing compatibility with other formats or applications, which will expand the usability of both services.
In the case of Microsoft Teams, the main change will be the improvement of its package of features along with OneDrive, the company’s cloud system. In the case of Outlook, on the other hand, the arrival of more compatible formats for newsletters will allow users to enjoy greater compatibility in the interface of the New Outlook, which is still in the transition phase from the previous version.
Microsoft is preparing an update for Teams that will arrive next March, and its main improvement will be the ability to manage transcriptions saved in OneDrive directly from the Microsoft Teams interface. In addition, it is also preparing another update to improve the management of virtual appointments.
Teams has been enjoying being one of the most supported applications by Microsoft for some time now, but for good reason, such as its over 320 million active users, and the importance that this application has within the work ecosystem of millions of companies worldwide. In fact, the fact that Copilot has interesting features in Teams also responds to Microsoft’s interest in keeping this application a priority for many companies that use it as a daily tool.
More newsletter formats for Outlook
With the update that Microsoft is preparing for Outlook, starting next month of March, the application will increase the support for newsletter formats, adding the formats “eml“, “msg” and “oft“.
Outlook is going through many changes focused on improving its service, but there is a strong reason behind it: the system is being completely remodeled. In fact, The New Outlook is available voluntarily for those users who want to get ahead and enjoy this experience, which will no longer be optional next September, where the transition will be irreversible.
