Latest news with #cloning
The Guardian
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Alters: unintentionally the realest game about parenting I've ever played
Other than during that golden period when they were old enough to play games and watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer but hadn't yet become evil teenagers, I don't think I'm very good at parenting. When my kids were babies I felt unnecessary and useless, a feeling I have been reminded of most days since. That's OK. We can't be good at everything. I can read words backwards and upside down but I can never find my house keys. I am brilliant at dancing to the Cure's The Lovecats on Dancing Stage MegaMix but terrible at DIY. Don't get me wrong: I love my children. I like hanging out with them socially as young adults because they are smart, funny and entertaining, but then they remember I am their dad, and everything is ruined as they ask me to do stuff then blame me for everything wrong in their lives. So I took advantage of the fact that they all went away on the same weekend to have some uninterrupted dad time and sink my teeth into a game with depth, without disturbance. That game was The Alters. I loved the concept. You are stuck on a planet and have to clone different versions of yourself to operate the base and survive. That's really clever. Even better: you create the clones by looking at your life path and picking moments when you made certain decisions that led to you becoming the Jan Dolski that you are. For example, if you select the path where you went off to study rather than entering the mines like your dad did, then you clone Jan the Scientist, an ace researcher. If you went to work on oil rigs, you create Jan Worker, a load-lightener. If you decide that all you want to do is sit on your backside all day playing with words, you become Jan Writer. (Except you don't. There is no Jan Writer option, which shows how useless I would be in a survival situation.) It's a compelling game mechanic because you are not only exploring, resource building and problem solving, you are questioning the whole nature of decision making. It makes you go back through your own life, wondering at the choices you made and what could have been different. This is horribly depressing though and I wouldn't recommend it. Stick to the game's story, not your own. The problem is that the more clones you have in The Alters, the more you have to work to keep them fed, healthy and entertained. And they are needy little bastards whose first language is Whine. It didn't matter about the fresh food I gave them, the movies I sat through or the games of beer pong I deliberately lost – the Jan Miner character was determined to be grumpy and confrontational, and Jan Scientist was constantly punchably irritating. Whenever I thought I was triumphing at managing the base – helped by a system that allows you to set up automatic production of important things like radiation filters to keep you safe, and allotting different clones to regularly do specific shifts – I would have to drop what I was doing and run around doing something else for my dependants to keep them happy. You see where I am going with this? Sign up to Pushing Buttons Keza MacDonald's weekly look at the world of gaming after newsletter promotion The Alters may be pitched as a sci-fi survival game, but really? It's a parenting sim. The very last thing I want to do with my free time. My failures in the game (and there are many) are accompanied by me screaming at the needy sods to give me a break for five minutes. My neighbours probably still think my kids are still at home. I have never felt so strongly that I am the wrong person to play a game that is so right. The script and story are strong, almost like an interactive version of Andy Weir's The Martian. Philosophical concepts are bandied around, such as Camus's idea that heroism is easy, and it's doing the normal things that is the real challenge in life. And the graphics are so distinctive and mesmerising they are works of art. The space base moves around like a futuristic take on Howl's Moving Castle. The game questions the very meaning of existence and what we're supposed to do with it, and it is moving to witness the clones react to their new reality. Some hate you, others are fascinated, but all at points bond with you over shared memories of everything from Mom's pierogies and beloved lava lamps to how you dealt with your abusive father. There is imagination and intelligence in abundance. It would make an incredible novel or animated movie. And 1990s Dominik, who had no kids or responsibilities, would have found marshalling a load of interesting, talented but whiny dependants a fun novelty. It's like The Game of Life, which was a fun board game to play as kids, but hell when we had two in the back seat of our car. Maybe The Alters is the perfect game for you to play if you are thinking about having kids. In fact I urge anyone of child-bearing or rearing age to play it immediately, to see if you are up to the task in real life or if, like me, it all turns out to be too much hard work.
The Guardian
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Alters: unintentionally the realest game about parenting I've ever played
Other than during that golden period when they were old enough to play games and watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer but hadn't yet become evil teenagers, I don't think I'm very good at parenting. When my kids were babies I felt unnecessary and useless, a feeling I have been reminded of most days since. That's OK. We can't be good at everything. I can read words backwards and upside down but I can never find my house keys. I am brilliant at dancing to the Cure's The Lovecats on Dancing Stage MegaMix but terrible at DIY. Don't get me wrong: I love my children. I like hanging out with them socially as young adults because they are smart, funny and entertaining, but then they remember I am their dad, and everything is ruined as they ask me to do stuff then blame me for everything wrong in their lives. So I took advantage of the fact that they all went away on the same weekend to have some uninterrupted dad time and sink my teeth into a game with depth, without disturbance. That game was The Alters. I loved the concept. You are stuck on a planet and have to clone different versions of yourself to operate the base and survive. That's really clever. Even better: you create the clones by looking at your life path and picking moments when you made certain decisions that led to you becoming the Jan Dolski that you are. For example, if you select the path where you went off to study rather than entering the mines like your dad did, then you clone Jan the Scientist, an ace researcher. If you went to work on oil rigs, you create Jan Worker, a load-lightener. If you decide that all you want to do is sit on your backside all day playing with words, you become Jan Writer. (Except you don't. There is no Jan Writer option, which shows how useless I would be in a survival situation.) It's a compelling game mechanic because you are not only exploring, resource building and problem solving, you are questioning the whole nature of decision making. It makes you go back through your own life, wondering at the choices you made and what could have been different. This is horribly depressing though and I wouldn't recommend it. Stick to the game's story, not your own. The problem is that the more clones you have in The Alters, the more you have to work to keep them fed, healthy and entertained. And they are needy little bastards whose first language is Whine. It didn't matter about the fresh food I gave them, the movies I sat through or the games of beer pong I deliberately lost – the Jan Miner character was determined to be grumpy and confrontational, and Jan Scientist was constantly punchably irritating. Whenever I thought I was triumphing at managing the base – helped by a system that allows you to set up automatic production of important things like radiation filters to keep you safe, and allotting different clones to regularly do specific shifts – I would have to drop what I was doing and run around doing something else for my dependants to keep them happy. You see where I am going with this? Sign up to Pushing Buttons Keza MacDonald's weekly look at the world of gaming after newsletter promotion The Alters may be pitched as a sci-fi survival game, but really? It's a parenting sim. The very last thing I want to do with my free time. My failures in the game (and there are many) are accompanied by me screaming at the needy sods to give me a break for five minutes. My neighbours probably still think my kids are still at home. I have never felt so strongly that I am the wrong person to play a game that is so right. The script and story are strong, almost like an interactive version of Andy Weir's The Martian. Philosophical concepts are bandied around, such as Camus's idea that heroism is easy, and it's doing the normal things that is the real challenge in life. And the graphics are so distinctive and mesmerising they are works of art. The space base moves around like a futuristic take on Howl's Moving Castle. The game questions the very meaning of existence and what we're supposed to do with it, and it is moving to witness the clones react to their new reality. Some hate you, others are fascinated, but all at points bond with you over shared memories of everything from Mom's pierogies and beloved lava lamps to how you dealt with your abusive father. There is imagination and intelligence in abundance. It would make an incredible novel or animated movie. And 1990s Dominik, who had no kids or responsibilities, would have found marshalling a load of interesting, talented but whiny dependants a fun novelty. It's like The Game of Life, which was a fun board game to play as kids, but hell when we had two in the back seat of our car. Maybe The Alters is the perfect game for you to play if you are thinking about having kids. In fact I urge anyone of child-bearing or rearing age to play it immediately, to see if you are up to the task in real life or if, like me, it all turns out to be too much hard work.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Yahoo
Ongoing vehicle fraud, theft case under investigation; two arrested, sheriff's office says
ST. LUCIE COUNTY − Two people were arrested June 17 as St. Lucie County Sheriff's officials investigated a business as part of what the agency described as an 'ongoing vehicle fraud and theft case,' the agency stated. Sheriff's officials June 18 identified the business as Drizzle Drip Mobile Detailing, LLC. Sheriff's officials reported executing a search warrant June 17 at a home in the 200 block of Southwest Eyerly Avenue. Investigators found items including five vehicles, one of which they said was 'cloned.' Cloning a vehicle refers to copying a vehicle identification number, or VIN, from a legally registered vehicle and putting it on a salvaged or stolen vehicle to disguise the vehicle's true identity, said Lt. Andrew Bolonka, sheriff's spokesperson. 'Upon uncovering the vehicle's true identification number, it was revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen to the Orange County Sheriff's Office in July 2024,' the sheriff's office stated. According to the sheriff's office, the case has extended into Indian River County with sheriff's investigators there executing search warrants. 'These actions are part of a broader, multi-agency effort to uncover the scope of the fraudulent activities,' the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office stated. Sheriff's officials reported arresting as Cortez Rashad Ash and Josuaire Pierre, both 33 and of Port St. Lucie. 'Extremely hardworking': Man, 30, dead after motorcycle crash in PSL remembered Fatal crash in Fort Pierce: Driver dead after seven vehicle crash on U.S. 1 identified as 70-year-old man Each was arrested on a grand theft motor vehicle charge, while Pierre also was arrested on a driving while license revoked or suspended charge, records show. Ash was released early June 18 from the St. Lucie County Jail on $2,500 bond, while Pierre was released on $3,000 bond, according to sheriff's records. Those who bought a vehicle from Ash or Pierre or Drizzle Drip Mobile Detailing, LLC, are asked to contact sheriff's officials at 772-462-7300 or Detective Jay Carver at Carverj@ Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Two arrested in 'ongoing' vehicle fraud, theft case in SLC
News.com.au
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Ozzy Osbourne urges fans to clone him as he sells his DNA
The move has sparked hopes the Black Sabbath frontman could be cloned in the future, with the limited edition cans, called Infinite Ozzy, already believed to have sold out. Beverage business Liquid Death confirmed a deal had been made with the music icon. "Ozzy Osbourne is 1 of 1," the company said in a statement. "But we're selling his actual DNA so you can recycle him forever.". In an advert to promote the product, the 76-year-old rocker is featured drinking from the cans before crushing them with his hands. The cans are then placed in a sealed container.
Irish Times
17-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Tusla copy-and-paste process could lead to false claims on children's files, Aontú claim
A review must be carried out on Tusla files amid concerns that incorrect information has been copied on to children's case notes, according to Aontú . The party's leader, Peadar Tóibín , said he was concerned that false claims on files could lead to children being 'wrongly or unnecessarily taken into care'. Tusla staff handling child welfare concerns have previously used a process called 'cloning' – where information about one child is copied on to the form relating to a sibling. Earlier this year, the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) published a review that it carried out on Tusla services in the midlands. The review, which was sparked by concerns about the inaccuracy of information on child and family agency casework in Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath, found that staff were using 'cloning' on children's files. This is when certain information is included on the files of each child in a family, even when it may not be accurate. READ MORE The Hiqa report said: 'The process of cloning information from one sibling to another meant that some children's files reviewed did not contain accurate information about the child, but was copied information about a sibling, which meant it did not accurately reflect that individual child's circumstances or level of risk.' During the inspection, the midlands service was found to be not compliant with a standard which ensures relevant information is used 'to plan and deliver effective child-protection and welfare services'. [ Tusla's failure to provide secure care beds for children at risk an 'affront to rule of law', judge says Opens in new window ] Mr Tóibín described the process of 'cloning' as effectively 'copying and pasting'. 'This is a very significant problem – Tusla have openly admitted to me that there are 'copying and pasting' errors on files relating to the process of taking children into State care, off their parents.' The Aontú leader has been asking Tulsa about the practice of copying inaccurate information on to files after becoming aware of a case where a file on a woman included a false assertion that she had a problem with alcohol when she does not drink. The case, which was reported on by The Irish Times in 2021 , involved a number of 'clear errors' on the family's file. Tusla has since apologised to the family. 'Tusla refuse to tell me how many others are affected, and say they are training staff in how to copy and paste accurately. This isn't good enough,' Mr Tóibín said. 'Aontú believe there must be a review of all files to determine how many others contain untruths and inaccuracies, and indeed how many other children have been wrongly or unnecessarily taken into care.' Tusla previously said it had taken action and increased staff training in order to avoid mistakes being copied on to files. In response to the Hiqa review, Tusla said 'workers have been advised of the importance of ensuring accuracy of information specific to each child when cloning records. Team meetings and the supervision process will be utilised to continue to reinforce this.'
