Tag: ‘concrete
Despite Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth not having a concrete PC release date, it’s just shot right to the top of my 2024 wish list for one hella big reason
Sony is shutting down PixelOpus, the studio behind ‘Concrete Genie’
PixelOpus, a small in-house studio within PlayStation Studios, is closing down next month. In a statement to Engadget, a PlayStation representative confirmed, “PlayStation Studios regularly evaluates its portfolio and the status of studio projects to ensure they meet the organization’s short and long-term strategic objectives. As part of a recent review process, it has been decided that PixelOpus will close on June 2.” Earlier today, the studio tweeted that its “adventure has come to an end.” The developer of imaginative passion projects Concrete Genie and Entwined, PixelOpus had reportedly been working on a new PS5 game with Sony Pictures Animation.
The Santa Mateo-based studio was founded in 2014 under the Sony Interactive Entertainment umbrella in response to the surprise success of indie studio thatgamecompany’s Journey on the PS3. PixelOpus’ two games strived for the same kinds of original ideas: Entwined was a dual-stick rhythm game with a distinct art style about a blue bird and orange fish soaring through the cosmos, while Concrete Genie is a story about using street art to stand up to bullying. Engadget’s Andrew Tarantola found the latter a “surprisingly pleasant and laid-back experience.”
Dear friends, our PixelOpus adventure has come to an end. As we look to new futures, we wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to the millions of passionate players who have supported us, and our mission to make beautiful, imaginative games with heart.
We are so grateful! ❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/rQO2Cgvhnq— PixelOpus (@Pixelopus) May 5, 2023
Sadly, it’s often the experimental studios with outside-the-box ideas that are first on the chopping block when mega-corporation parent companies look to cut costs. Although PixelOpus will soon be gone, the original and stylistic Concrete Genie remains available on the PlayStation Store for $30.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sony-is-shutting-down-pixelopus-the-studio-behind-concrete-genie-210303026.html?src=rss
Speeding driver ignored dead-end sign before killing ‘beautiful’ couple by ploughing into concrete wall without braking
A SPEEDING driver killed a “beautiful couple” in a horror crash after he ignored a dead-end sign.
Kyle Khan, 26, and his wife Meesha Afzal, 22, died instantly when the vehicle they were passengers in ploughed into a wall near the M42.
Kyle Khan and Meesha Afzal died instantly in the horror crash near the M42[/caption]
Eidnun Liaquat killed the couple while speeding[/caption]
Eidnun Liaquat, who had previously admitted two charges of causing death by careless driving, was sentenced to 18 months suspended for two years.
The 28-year-old of Chirbury Grove, Northfield, was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to pay £1,500 costs.
Paul Spratt, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said of the victims: “They were two people in the prime of their young lives. They had hopes and aspirations which, sadly, will be unfulfilled.”
The accident happened at 1.50am on December 13, 2020, after the couple and Liaquat, who had been in Solihull, had spent the evening together.
About 20 minutes earlier a police officer had seen the Mercedes being driven by the defendant going in excess of the 30mph speed limit.
“Alcohol had been consumed and that might be the reason why Liaquat was driving,” said Mr Spratt.
He said the defendant had taken some cannabis but was below the legal limit.
“Quite how they ended up in that side road off the Warwick Road is not clear. The road was plainly a dead end.
“Had Liaquat observed signs that were available to him from the roundabout he would have known that.
“The road goes from a dual carriageway to a single track road. There is a solid concrete wall at the end.”
Mr Spratt said a witness had estimated that before the collision Liaquat had been travelling at between 30 and 40mph.
“There is no sign of braking as he approached the part of the road he should not have been on.”
Both Kyle and Meesha, who were both wearing seat belts, suffered “catastrophic” injuries as a result of the collision while Liaquat also sustained a broken left hip and chest injuries.
In passing sentence Judge Simon Drew KC said: “Ultimately this is a tragic case in which two young people lost their lives.”
He said what happened was at night and in wet conditions and continued: “You were driving down a road which was a dead-end. There were signs which clearly said so.
“Any careful and considerate driver would have seen these. The failure to realise that you were driving down a dead-end was a serious failure on your part and you were driving at speed.”
The judge said Liaquat was driving a car with three passengers and went on: “That increased the care that you needed to take, their lives were in your hands, literally.”
However, he said: “You are a man of positive good character and Kyle Khan was your best friend and Meesha was his wife.
“I accept that the impact upon you has been grave and your expressions of remorse are genuine and sincere.”
Graham Henson, defending, said: “Kyle Khan was his best friend. They were almost like brothers.
“The effect on the families of Kyle Khan and Meesha Afzal has been devastating and the effect on Liaquat has also been devastating.”
He said the defendant worked as a postman, did not have a great recollection of the accident and believed that he had braked.
Kyle’s mum Roshni Sajida Yousaf, 51, previously said the “beautiful couple” – who married in July 2017 – were the Romeo and Juliet of this century.”
“Kyle and Meesha were my life. It breaks my heart that I’ve lost two children as she (Meesha) was my daughter too,” she said.
The road was clearly marked as a dead-end[/caption]
School strikes: Unions demand ‘concrete’ pay offer for teachers ahead of crunch talks
Startups Capture CO2 and Store It In Concrete
Heirloom heats crushed limestone to release naturally absorbed CO2, then puts the CO2-starved rock on columns of huge trays, where they act like sponges, soaking up close to half their weight in the gas over three days. The rock is then heated to release the collected ambient carbon dioxide, and the cycle repeats. Canada’s CarbonCure, the concrete technology company, mixes CO2 with concrete ingredients, turning it into a mineral that strengthens the concrete, cutting the need for cement — the part of concrete with the biggest carbon footprint.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Gorilla Glass Victus 2 is designed to better survive drops on rough surfaces like concrete
In lab testing, Corning said Victus 2 survived drops of up to one meter on a surface replicating concrete. Competing aluminosilicate glasses from other manufacturers typically failed when dropped from half a meter or less, Corning noted. Victus 2 is also said to have survived drops up to two meters…
Boy, 8, died after ex-cop dad made him sleep on freezing concrete garage floor
Quake goes Brutalist in a new map pack that’s all about concrete
An exciting new fan-made Quake singleplayer map pack explores the Internet’s favourite architectural style, Brutalism. 35 maps offer all sorts of concrete hells, ranging from housing estates and Control-esque facilities to otherworldly ritual spaces and straight-up murderholes. Having spent much of my early thirties skulking around the Barbican, I really enjoyed this variety of Brutalist experiences. And the monstermurder. The monstermurder’s fun, too. Here, come admire how pretty the hub level is.