Palworld
So, 'Palworld'... I'm not quite sure what to say about it. I never really liked Pokemon. I know, that's kind of strange for a millennial, but it's the truth. It just never sparked any interest in me, it was essentially a "meh" franchise imo. However, people really seem to love Palworld for all the stuff they wanted Pokemon to do. It's gaining massive popularity on Steam, and I mean REALLY big. I might not personally follow its success closely, but I can't ignore the impact it's making.
Big layoffs at Microsoft
Microsoft/Activision is laying off 1,900 people, and I'm not overly surprised by the downsizing post-merger. However, I didn't anticipate such a significant number of developers being let go, and it appears that Blizzard is taking a substantial hit (Canceling a in development Project completely that has many years worked on already). The corporate speak from Microsoft is the typical jargon you'd expect from a large corporation. I had higher expectations from Microsoft, and it's disappointing. Nonetheless, I haven't lost hope that they might consider freeing Raven Software and allowing them to explore projects beyond Call of Duty.
Piranha Bytes
Next in line is Piranha Bytes (Gothic; Elex). As of now, they aren't defunct, but the reaper is knocking at their door. This is the aftermath of the challenging situation the Embracer Group is facing. Piranha Bytes is a well-oiled, albeit small, machine. They've punched above their weight class for quite some time. While nothing is certain at this point, and I don't want to speculate on unverified information, we'll have to wait and see. Perhaps another entity might step in to take over Piranha Bytes. I hope, smal hopes tho.
Apple.. another meh
Apple is compelled to introduce sideloading in the EU, and their approach seems to be a deliberate attempt to defy the spirit of the ruling. Currently, they are interpreting the law much like Formula 1 teams interpret rules – in a somewhat questionable manner. This will be fun to watch the next month. That stuff takes time.
I know, that was all really short, but there isn't much news. The new GeForce 4070 Super? Super boring. You could predict the charts accurately enough from just knowing the selling price that no one would even bat an eye. Layoffs are important, but still fall into the doom-scrolling category. Apple is significant, but what have they really done that's new in the last few years?
Recently, I tested a Voodoo 3 3000 PCI, and I'm pleased to report that the card appears to be functioning well. I'll be subjecting it to some stress tests soon, and the details will make for a dedicated blog post. I've begun organizing my hardware more efficiently to streamline my work processes. That's a topic for another day. Stay strong, and I'm signing off for this week.