Today's News:
* ESRB recently responded to the online criticisms over a recent application they filed with digital identity firm Yoti to the FTC in regards to a new potential Facial Age Estimation App for phones that would be used to verify that children do not buy age-restricted games. In an email sent to IGN, the ESRB clarified their application for this potential new app stating "First and foremost, this application is not to authorize the use of this technology with children. Full stop. Nor does this software take and store ‘selfies’ of users or attempt to confirm the identity of users. Furthermore, this application makes no mention of using age estimation to prevent children from purchasing and/or downloading restrictively rated video games, nor do we intend to recommend its use in that way." The ESRB also claimed that this would only be used with parental consent and also claimed this is not a facial recognition system since the photos are not stored and does not work the same way as those systems nor would these scans be used for AI training or shared with anyone.
Link:
https://www.ign.com/articles/esrb-fa...-tech-response
* CD Projekt RED is currently in the process of laying off around 9% of its total work staff which is around 100 people in total as part of a larger restructuring and change in developmental process for the company.
Link:
https://www.cdprojekt.com/en/media/n...tional-update/ ,
https://www.destructoid.com/cd-proje...-of-its-staff/
* VGC and Kotaku reported that their sources stated that Ubisoft recently cancelled all development for a sequel to Immortals Fenix Rising. It was reported that this project had been in early development at Ubisoft Quebec studio before Ubisoft's management pulled the plug on it.
Link:
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/...rising-sequel/ ,
https://kotaku.com/assassins-creed-r...uel-1850677731
* In a potential interesting Did You Know Gaming type fact, Half-Life 3D artist Gordon Freeman revealed in a recent interview with TheGamer that the inspiration for the notable/iconic old white haired and mustache man scientist in the game was not based on Albert Einstein but instead George Washington. Jones also revealed that the iconic G-Man was based on the Cigarette Man from the X-Files.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Destructoid
For example, there’s been some curiosity over the inspiration for some of Half-Life‘s NPCs, specifically the scientists who aid Freeman. One that typically sticks out is the older physicist with the mustache and white, “mad scientist” hairstyle.
Naturally, many people assumed this Half-Life character was based off Albert Einstein. They’re both somewhat into science, after all, so it made sense. However, that doesn’t appear to be the case.
In a report from TheGamer, it turns out that the labcoat-wearing NPC with the white ‘do was not inspired by the world’s most famous scientist.
According to Chuck Jones, the 3D artist who designed Gordon Freeman, this particular character was actually based off George Washington. “The one you mentioned that looked like Einstein? I think I got the inspiration from George Washington (weird haircut)—not sure why,” Jones told TheGamer.
Additionally, G-Man—the mysterious government agent who follows the player throughout the facility—was inspired by the Cigarette Man from X-Files. The show was at its most popular back in the ’90s, so it’s not surprising that it would come under Valve and Half-Life‘s radar.
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Link:
https://www.thegamer.com/half-life-c...ge-washington/ ,
https://www.destructoid.com/one-of-h...ein-after-all/