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Otago Daily Times
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Time loop not enough of a catalyst
TRON: CATALYST For: PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC TRON: Catalyst is a top down action adventure game where you play as Exo, a program in the TRON setting's computer world, whose last delivery for the night explodes. She's taken prisoner by Core, a sort of authoritarian government of the Grid, as the obvious suspect in a potential bombing. To Exo, the explosive is the least of her concerns as the incident has given her time-looping powers, allowing her to jump backwards by choice ... or on death. Meanwhile, Conn, a Core operative looking to climb the ranks, follows in hot pursuit. The time loop is a really cool idea. Unfortunately, it is underutilised in the gameplay. The loop mechanic is only used to get the player to continue the story. That's it. You go down one linear path, are told you can't continue, then you reset the loop and follow another linear path. Rinse and repeat. It's a completely linear use of a non-linear ability. I never used it outside of those sections. This disconnect between the story and the gameplay drags the whole experience down. Just before the first chapter ends, for example, Exo says she's been "here for far too long", and the excellent voice acting brings out her desperation and despair — when in fact you've been in that particular loop for an hour, maybe less. You also unlock a lot of shortcuts somewhat pointlessly, as a lot of them will never be used again, due to how linear everything is. There are times when you as a player know there is a way to the location you have to go to, but the game forces you off on a different path. As a consequence of the time-looping not being deep, I struggled to connect emotionally to the overall story and was confused by certain sections. Both Exo's and Conn's development needed more time, as they both feel flat as characters. This especially hurts for Exo as the playable character. We learn nothing about her before the whole bombing incident and her arc feels rushed. The voice acting is really nice. A bit inconsistent, but really good when it counts. By far the standout is Conn, voiced by David Menkin — whom I wish was given more lines and time — but each of the important characters do have their moments to shine. Another aspect done well is the world building. The concepts behind each of the factions and characters are interesting, though there are a lot of concepts thrown about and if you have no idea who Flynn is or what a user might be, your head will be spinning in the first few hours. Thankfully, there is a glossary where you can read about all the little details of the franchise. The visual style of harsh darkness and vibrant neon in various colours has always been a TRON staple and has been lovingly recreated here. Combat is pretty easy to pick up and was initially really fun. You have a quick attack combo and a special attack, as well as being able to throw your identity disc at enemies or bounce it off walls to hit them in the back. You can also parry basically every attack and can get upgrades to kick your own thrown disc back at enemies. Later in the game you get the ability to instantly kill dazed enemies and steal their code, giving you a new combat move-set for a short period of time. Unfortunately, combat is extremely unbalanced, even on the hardest difficulty, leading to probably the worst aspect of the entire game. This stems from the parry and its upgrades. One increases the damage and another makes the timing easier. Combine these two and you have a one-shot ability that kills most enemies in the game in one hit, or does tremendous damage, even against the final boss. I like parrying as much as the next guy, but it just made the combat boring. Why bother with throwing the disc or stealing code when you can just instakill whoever fronts up? The enemy variety could have saved things here but alas that's not the case. Be it the sword guys, throwing disc guys, hammer guys or others, they are all killed the same way. Parry, one-shot, move on. The most unique are the superiors, who actively parry your attacks, but that's a simple matter of attacking and then parrying the counterattack, and they go down like the rest. The most unique enemies are those that can summon others — they're basically the only enemy in the game you can't directly kill via parry — and they're just annoying time-sinks rather than an actual engaging fight. On a lighter note, the game ran well, was crash free and almost bug-free. I somehow got stuck in a wall; thankfully movement abilities got me out of that one. There was one rather annoying time when I was unable to interact with an elevator in damage-over-time zone, leading to my unfair death. I was still technically in combat and you can't interact during combat. That's fine, though the enemy I was supposed to kill was over 25,000m away and counting. I suspect they fell through the world. TRON: Catalys t isn't a bad game by any means, but it's not great either. It performs well and without issue. It controls fine. It's short and doesn't overstay its welcome. It's a game that exists ... and in a crowded market, that's about all it is. The voice acting can't save the so-so story and the cool design of the environments can't escape the linear gameplay and boring combat. Unless you're a die hard TRON fan, this is one you can skip. By Michael Robertson
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
Satya Nadella Urges AI to Serve Real Needs as Microsoft Faces Job Cuts and Energy Concerns
As artificial intelligence continues to redefine the tech industry, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is calling for a more grounded and socially responsible approach. Speaking at Y Combinator's AI Startup School, Nadella emphasized that AI must go beyond flashy demonstrations and instead focus on solving real-world problems that impact everyday lives. 'The real test of AI,' Nadella said, 'is whether it can help solve everyday problems — like making healthcare, education, and paperwork faster and more efficient.' This call for pragmatism arrives at a pivotal moment for Microsoft. The tech giant recently laid off more than 6,000 employees, citing AI-driven organisational restructuring. While the company maintains that the changes are essential to thrive in an increasingly competitive and evolving marketplace, the human cost of such transformations cannot be ignored. In his address, Nadella didn't shy away from the deeper implications of the AI boom — particularly its environmental impact. Highlighting the substantial energy demands of large-scale AI systems, he warned that the industry must be ready to justify its consumption. 'If you're going to use energy, you better have social permission to use it,' he said. 'We just can't consume energy unless we are creating social and economic value.' According to a 2023 report by Clean View Energy, Microsoft consumed nearly 24 terawatt-hours of electricity in a single year — an amount comparable to that used by a small nation. With AI infrastructure now a central pillar of its business strategy, the pressure is on Microsoft to ensure that this power usage yields tangible benefits. Nadella offered the American healthcare system as a key example of where AI could make a real difference. He pointed to hospital discharges as a process that could be vastly improved with AI-driven solutions, reducing delays, cutting costs, and streamlining administration. 'A simple thing like hospital discharge — if done with an AI model — can save time, money, and energy,' he noted. Despite this optimism, the transformation is not without its difficulties. The recent job cuts reflect broader corporate changes as Microsoft prioritizes AI and cloud capabilities. Sources now indicate that another round of layoffs could be on the horizon — this time affecting the Xbox gaming division — as the company closes out its financial year. If confirmed, this would mark the fourth major round of job reductions at Microsoft within just 18 months. The restructuring follows its massive $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023 and a renewed focus on profitability, AI, and gaming. Nadella's message is clear: AI's future must be tied to meaningful, inclusive progress. For companies like Microsoft, the challenge lies in navigating the fine line between innovation and responsibility. As AI reshapes industries, the tech world must ensure its promises justify its costs — both human and environmental.
North Wales Live
4 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Review: Meet the game controller with a focus on floral patterns and funky lights
We live in a world where tech doesn't just have to be brilliant, it also needs to look good. Game controllers are just one of the things that need to look good as well as do the job for the gamer. GameSir is a specialist in controllers for PC, Android, Xbox and Switch devices and has released a wide array of products in this marketplace. Its latest is the T7 Pro Floral Wired Controller for the Xbox which has a very obvious standout pattern that makes it really eye-catching. I'll be honest on two fronts, flowery games controllers and a wired device would not normally be my go-to choice, but there is a lot to like here. Let's look at the visuals first, the design is funky and coats the front with a subtle light blue, turquoise design that actually really does look very smart. The semi-transparent casing of the controller looks superb with the RGB lighting included providing a stunning effect. In short, it looks absolutely brilliant, it's a crafted piece of kit that is designed to impress. GameSir know what it is doing with these controllers too and this is packed with the best tech you need for a solid gaming experience. With Hall Effect Trigger systems giving the smoothest of experiences, gameplay is highly responsive and rewarding. Vibration comes from rumble motors in the grips and triggers. The Nexus app is the place to go for customising buttons and changing the responsiveness. It adds to the mix and gives control for gamers to enjoy the controller to suit their needs. As I say, I'm not a fan of wired controllers, mainly because I'm used to wireless devices these days, but after a while I didn't mind. It's a really good responsive experience. I like the GameSir range and have had a good experience with its controllers, and the fact that this also looks so sharp is a bonus. What users say Jennifer Young: "The GameSir T7 Pro Floral takes the original and adds 2 back buttons and some 2-step trigger stops, and on the whole, it does feel a lot better quality build than the T7. The Floral design gave me the impression it would be a little flimsier, but it's a sturdy piece of kit." Scott Webster: "The most obvious update here is aesthetic: a floral-patterned matte shell paired with a semi-transparent finish and dynamic RGB lighting. It's the kind of controller that looks just as at home in a curated setup as it does in the heat of battle. But underneath that glow is a full-featured wired controller built for responsive, accurate play." Alternatives
India Today
5 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Satya Nadella wants AI to solve real problems after Microsoft cuts 6,000 jobs, more layoffs likely in July
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the tech landscape, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is urging the industry to take a hard look at the real-world value it delivers, especially considering the immense energy AI systems consume. Speaking at Y Combinator's AI Startup School, Nadella challenged the tech world to justify the environmental cost of powering large-scale AI. 'If you're going to use energy, you better have social permission to use it,' he said. 'We just can't consume energy unless we are creating social and economic value.'advertisementNadella's comments come at a time when AI is being hailed as the future of innovation, but also criticised for its potential to widen inequalities and burn through resources. For Microsoft, one of the largest builders of AI infrastructure in the world, the question hits particularly close to home. A 2023 report by Clean View Energy estimates Microsoft used around 24 terawatt-hours of electricity last year—roughly equivalent to the annual consumption of a small Nadella insists that the measure of AI's success lies in whether it can simplify daily challenges. 'The real test of AI,' he explained, 'is whether it can help solve everyday problems — like making healthcare, education, and paperwork faster and more efficient.' He offered a striking example of the American healthcare system, where inefficiencies often inflate costs. 'A simple thing like hospital discharge — if done with an AI model — can save time, money, and energy,' he said, highlighting how AI could help untangle bureaucratic knots in overburdened despite the optimism, Microsoft's AI-driven vision for the future is not without its human cost. In the past year alone, the company has laid off over 6,000 employees, attributing the job cuts to shifts driven by AI and automation. In a statement, Microsoft described the layoffs as part of 'organisational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace.'That dynamic marketplace, of course, is increasingly defined by AI tools and cloud platforms. Microsoft, alongside its strategic partner OpenAI, has placed AI at the heart of its business transformation. But with that transformation comes a wave of internal restructuring—often at the expense of human the shake-ups might not be over. Reports now suggest that Microsoft is planning another round of layoffs, this time targeting its Xbox division. The move is said to be part of a broader corporate reorganisation as the company nears the end of its financial carried out, it would mark the fourth major round of job cuts at Microsoft in just 18 months. The company is under mounting pressure to improve profitability following its $69 billion acquisition of video game giant Activision Blizzard in 2023. With shareholders watching closely, the company appears determined to trim costs and double down on its AI and gaming in all, this only proved that it is a balancing act -- building the future with advanced technology while proving that the immense energy usage and the workforce disruptions involved are worth it. - Ends
Wales Online
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Review: Meet the game controller with a focus on floral patterns and funky lights
Review: Meet the game controller with a focus on floral patterns and funky lights GameSir have released perhaps their boldest creationr to date - the T7 Pro Floral Wired Controller T7 Pro Floral Wired Controller We live in a world where tech doesn't just have to be brilliant, it also needs to look good. Game controllers are just one of the things that need to look good as well as do the job for the gamer. GameSir is a specialist in controllers for PC, Android, Xbox and Switch devices and has released a wide array of products in this marketplace. Its latest is the T7 Pro Floral Wired Controller for the Xbox which has a very obvious standout pattern that makes it really eye-catching. I'll be honest on two fronts, flowery games controllers and a wired device would not normally be my go-to choice, but there is a lot to like here. Let's look at the visuals first, the design is funky and coats the front with a subtle light blue, turquoise design that actually really does look very smart. The semi-transparent casing of the controller looks superb with the RGB lighting included providing a stunning effect. In short, it looks absolutely brilliant, it's a crafted piece of kit that is designed to impress. GameSir know what it is doing with these controllers too and this is packed with the best tech you need for a solid gaming experience. With Hall Effect Trigger systems giving the smoothest of experiences, gameplay is highly responsive and rewarding. Vibration comes from rumble motors in the grips and triggers. The Nexus app is the place to go for customising buttons and changing the responsiveness. It adds to the mix and gives control for gamers to enjoy the controller to suit their needs. As I say, I'm not a fan of wired controllers, mainly because I'm used to wireless devices these days, but after a while I didn't mind. It's a really good responsive experience. I like the GameSir range and have had a good experience with its controllers, and the fact that this also looks so sharp is a bonus. The GameSir T7 Pro Floral Wired Controller for Xbox is available for £49.99 via the GameSir website. What users say Jennifer Young: "The GameSir T7 Pro Floral takes the original and adds 2 back buttons and some 2-step trigger stops, and on the whole, it does feel a lot better quality build than the T7. The Floral design gave me the impression it would be a little flimsier, but it's a sturdy piece of kit." Scott Webster: "The most obvious update here is aesthetic: a floral-patterned matte shell paired with a semi-transparent finish and dynamic RGB lighting. It's the kind of controller that looks just as at home in a curated setup as it does in the heat of battle. But underneath that glow is a full-featured wired controller built for responsive, accurate play." Alternatives Article continues below Razer Wolverine V2 Power A Wired controller
