News/Gaming
Swiss AI startup raises €114M to train robots using gaming data
Swiss AI startup General Intuition has raised €114 million in one of 2025's largest seed funding rounds, led by Khosla Ventures and General Catalyst with participation from Raine. The New York and Geneva-based company, spun off from Dutch video platform Medal, plans to bridge gaming data with real-world applications in robotics and drones, leveraging over 2 billion annual gameplay clips to train AI agents for both virtual and physical environments. What you should know: General Intuition emerged from Medal's extensive gaming content library, which processes nearly 1 billion video uploads annually from 10 million monthly active users. The startup uses...
read Oct 17, 2025Idle hands are the AI’s plaything: Researchers use Mario Kart to train self-driving car
Researchers at the University of Maryland are using Nintendo's Mario Kart video game to train artificial intelligence systems for autonomous driving applications. The innovative approach allows AI programs to learn safe driving behaviors in a simulated environment before being tested on real roads, potentially advancing the development of self-driving vehicle technology. How it works: The research team has reprogrammed Mario Kart to prioritize safe driving over winning, creating a training ground for autonomous systems. AI programs control Mario through racing laps while being evaluated on both speed and safety metrics. The system generates safety scores based on how well the...
read Oct 13, 2025Musk’s xAI shifts from text to world models for gaming and robotics
Elon Musk's xAI is developing world models—AI systems that learn from video and robot data to understand how objects move and interact in the real world, moving beyond traditional text-based AI. The company has hired two former Nvidia researchers and plans to release an AI-generated video game by the end of next year, signaling its expansion into gaming and robotics markets where AI needs to operate in physical spaces. What you should know: World models represent a significant shift from language-focused AI to systems that can perceive and reason about physical environments like humans do.• xAI hired Zeeshan Patel and...
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Sony and AMD develop AI hardware architecture for PlayStation 6
Sony's PlayStation 6 will feature a revolutionary graphics architecture that combines traditional processing with dedicated AI hardware to deliver unprecedented gaming visuals. The announcement comes from PlayStation architect Mark Cerny and AMD, who revealed their collaborative "Amethyst" project that promises to overcome current limitations in AI-enhanced gaming through specialized neural processing units and advanced ray tracing technology. What you should know: Sony and AMD are developing three key technologies that will fundamentally change how the PlayStation 6 processes graphics and game data. Neural Arrays will connect compute units within GPU shader engines to function "like a single, focused AI engine,"...
read Sep 25, 2025Nvidia open-sources Audio2Face AI tool for realistic 3D avatar animations
Nvidia has open-sourced Audio2Face, its AI-powered tool that generates realistic facial animations for 3D avatars based on audio input. The move allows developers worldwide to integrate the technology into games and applications, potentially accelerating the development of more lifelike digital characters across the entertainment and tech industries. What you should know: Audio2Face analyzes acoustic features in voice recordings to automatically generate facial expressions and lip movements for 3D characters. The tool can create animations for both pre-scripted content and real-time livestreams, offering flexibility for different use cases. Developers gain access to the underlying models, software development kits, and training frameworks...
read Sep 24, 2025Faux pas! French voice actor sues game studio over AI voice cloning in Tomb Raider
French video game developer Aspyr used AI to clone voice actor Françoise Cadol's distinctive performance as Lara Croft without her permission in an August update to "Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered." The incident has ignited widespread concern among voice actors and gaming fans about unauthorized AI voice cloning, highlighting broader workplace automation threats as the technology becomes more accessible and difficult to regulate. What happened: Gamers immediately detected that something was wrong with Lara Croft's French voice in the August 14 update, describing it as robotic and lifeless compared to Cadol's original performance. Cadol, who has voiced the character since 1996,...
read Sep 24, 2025Roblox removes AI character after copyright dispute raises ownership questions
Tupac Shakur? No, Tung Tung Tung Sahur. Roblox's most popular game, Steal a Brainrot, has removed the AI-generated character Tung Tung Tung Sahur following a copyright dispute between the game's developer and the character's Indonesian creator. The controversy highlights the murky legal landscape surrounding intellectual property rights for AI-generated content, as millions of players demand answers about who can actually own characters created with artificial intelligence. What you should know: Tung Tung, a wooden log man character, disappeared from Steal a Brainrot on September 13 after France-based company Mementum Labs claimed copyright infringement on behalf of creator Noxaasht. The character...
read Sep 23, 2025Google launches Gemini AI gaming assistant with real-time overlay
Google is rolling out a new Gemini AI integration that will help users with mobile gaming by providing real-time assistance through an overlay on Google Play Store games. The feature mirrors Microsoft's Gaming Copilot and represents Google's push to make AI assistance more contextually aware and accessible during gameplay. How it works: The Gemini Live integration appears as a sidebar overlay that can "see" what's happening on your screen while you play. Players can ask questions aloud during gameplay and receive audible responses from Gemini AI. The AI assistant tailors its suggestions based on what's currently displayed in your game....
read Sep 12, 2025Retrofuturistic engineer connects 2002 GameCube to modern AI for real-time dialogue
Software engineer Joshua Fonseca has successfully connected the 2002 GameCube classic Animal Crossing to modern AI language models, creating a mod that replaces the game's original dialogue with AI-generated conversations. The technical achievement bridges a 22-year gap between Nintendo's pre-internet console and cloud-based AI systems without modifying any game code, demonstrating how creative hacking can breathe new life into retro gaming experiences. How it works: Fonseca's Python script monitors game memory through the Dolphin emulator and communicates with AI models like GPT-4 or Gemini to generate real-time dialogue. The mod uses a "memory mailbox" technique, writing directly to specific GameCube...
read Sep 10, 2025Acer’s €4,499 Predator Helios 18P blends gaming with AI workstation features
Acer has unveiled the Predator Helios 18P AI at IFA 2025, a gaming laptop that incorporates enterprise-grade features like ECC memory and Intel vPro processors typically found in professional workstations. This hybrid approach creates an unusual proposition where gamers may pay premium workstation prices for hardware that could actually deliver slower gaming performance than traditional gaming laptops with standard components. The big picture: Acer appears to be testing whether the market will embrace a single machine that serves both gaming and professional AI workstation needs, blurring traditional product category lines. Key specifications: The Predator Helios 18P AI maintains aggressive gaming...
read Sep 9, 2025AI Quests from Google aims to teach students real-world AI applications
Google has launched AI Quests, an interactive online game series designed to teach students aged 11-14 about real-world AI applications through fantasy-based gameplay. The initiative represents part of a broader tech industry push to familiarize younger generations with AI technology and build early user loyalty in what companies view as the foundational technology of the future. What you should know: AI Quests transforms Google's actual AI research projects into educational games where students learn by solving real-world challenges. The first quest, based on Google's Flood Forecasting research, tasks students with tracking variables like rainfall and river flow to train an...
read Sep 8, 2025AMD driver update lets gamers force FSR 4 in 85+ titles
AMD's FSR 4 AI-powered upscaling technology is now available for most games that support FSR 3.1 with DirectX 12, according to the company's latest 25.9.1 driver update. The expansion significantly broadens FSR 4's reach beyond the 85+ officially supported titles, allowing gamers to access AMD's machine learning-enhanced graphics technology through a simple toggle in the AMD Software app. What you should know: FSR 4 can now be force-enabled in most FSR 3.1-compatible games through AMD's driver override feature. Users can flip a toggle in the AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition app to override FSR 3.1 implementations with FSR 4. The technology...
read Sep 8, 2025Chinese AI startup Tripo hits $12M revenue with hopeful “3D TikTok” tool
Tripo, a Chinese 3D AI company, has reached $12 million in annual recurring revenue and secured tens of millions in pre-A+ funding just two and a half years after its founding. The startup's latest release, Tripo Studio 3.0, represents what CEO Simon Song calls the first "product-ready" 3D generation technology, potentially enabling a future consumer platform he describes as "3D TikTok." What you should know: Tripo has built a substantial professional user base while developing technology that could democratize 3D content creation. The company serves more than three million professional users globally and has signed over 40,000 studios and corporate...
read Sep 5, 2025Job alert: Meta Quest’s top sports game Gym Class seeks founding UX engineer with $170K-$240K salary
Gym Class, the top-rated social VR sports game on Meta Quest, is hiring a founding UX Design Engineer to develop their upcoming mobile web app and web surfaces within their flagship VR experience. The role comes with significant equity and the opportunity to shape the user experience for a platform that has achieved millions of downloads, over 79,000 reviews, and a 4.9-star rating. What you should know: This is a senior-level position requiring 6+ years of experience, combining design expertise with front-end engineering skills to own key UX surfaces end-to-end.• The role involves crafting designs in Figma and building production-grade...
read Aug 25, 2025Holiday Sale: Samsung’s OLED M9 smart monitor drops to $1,299 for Labor Day
Samsung has returned its 2025 Smart Monitor lineup to all-time low pricing for Labor Day, with the flagship 32-inch OLED M9 model now available for $1,299.99—$300 off its $1,600 list price. The sale includes the company's first OLED smart monitor featuring Samsung Vision AI, alongside significant discounts on the M8 and M5 models, making premium display technology more accessible to consumers seeking workstation upgrades. What you should know: Samsung's 2025 Smart Monitor collection features three models at heavily discounted prices through Labor Day sales. The 32-inch OLED M9 (M90SF) Smart Monitor is down to $1,299.99, matching its lowest price since...
read Aug 20, 2025Intel’s new feature boosts AI performance by allocating more RAM to integrated graphics
Intel has introduced "Shared GPU Memory Override," a new feature for its Core Ultra systems that allows users to allocate additional system RAM for integrated graphics use. This capability mirrors AMD's earlier "Variable Graphics Memory" feature and targets compact laptops and mobile workstations that rely on integrated solutions rather than discrete GPUs, potentially improving AI workload performance where memory availability is often the limiting factor. What you should know: The feature requires the latest Intel Arc drivers to function and is specifically designed for systems without dedicated graphics cards.• Bob Duffy, who leads Graphics and AI Evangelism at Intel, confirmed...
read Aug 18, 2025UNLV bets on AI research hub for gambling industry transformation
UNLV has launched the AI Research Hub (AiR Hub) through its International Gaming Institute to study artificial intelligence's impact on the gaming industry. The initiative addresses critical gaps in understanding how AI transforms gaming operations, governance frameworks, and responsible implementation in this heavily regulated sector. What you should know: The AiR Hub represents the first centralized research facility dedicated to AI's intersection with gambling and gaming. Co-founders Kasra Ghaharian, the International Gaming Institute's director of research, and Simo Dragicevic, an IGI adjunct fellow, identified the need for consolidated research after observing scattered studies across the industry. The hub has secured...
read Aug 15, 2025Step to this: GPT-5 beats Pokémon Red in 6,470 steps, smashing AI record
Sometimes it's better to not get your steps in. OpenAI's GPT-5 has set a new world record for completing Pokémon Red, finishing the classic Game Boy game in just 6,470 steps—nearly three times faster than the previous record holder, ChatGPT-o3. This achievement demonstrates the rapid advancement of AI gaming capabilities, with models now completing complex video games at unprecedented speeds compared to just months ago when competing AI systems struggled to even finish the game. The big picture: AI models are increasingly using video games as benchmarks to showcase their problem-solving capabilities, with Pokémon serving as a particularly effective test...
read Aug 14, 2025AI-generated “Peak” climbing game knockoffs flood digital stores as cloning gets easier
AI-generated clones of the hit climbing game Peak are flooding digital storefronts, with scammers using artificial intelligence tools to quickly create cheap knockoffs of the viral co-op title. The phenomenon highlights how AI is accelerating the longstanding problem of game cloning, making it easier than ever for bad actors to exploit successful indie games without any coding knowledge. What you should know: Peak has become a massive success story, selling over 8 million copies after reaching 1 million in its first week and currently ranking in Steam's top five bestsellers. Created by Aggro Crab and Landfall during a game jam,...
read Aug 13, 2025Tencent revenue jumps 15% to $25.7B as AI investments pay off
Tencent, China's largest tech conglomerate, reported a 15% jump in second-quarter revenue to $25.7 billion, driven by strong gaming performance and strategic AI investments across its platform. The company's capital expenditures surged 119% as it doubled down on AI upgrades for advertising, gaming, and its WeChat social media service, positioning itself to capitalize on the growing intersection of entertainment and artificial intelligence. Key financial highlights: Tencent's Q2 2025 results exceeded expectations across multiple metrics. Revenue reached 184.504 billion Chinese yuan ($25.7 billion), up from 161.117 billion yuan in the same period last year. Operating profit climbed to 63.052 billion yuan,...
read Aug 13, 2025Hidden Door launches AI role-playing platform with creator revenue sharing
Hidden Door has launched an AI-driven role-playing platform that allows users to create fan fiction within iconic fictional worlds through partnerships with creators and IP rights holders. The platform launches with titles including "Pride and Prejudice," "The Call of Cthulhu," "The Wizard of Oz," and "The Crow," offering a revenue-sharing model that aims to address AI copyright concerns while creating new monetization opportunities for content creators. How it works: The platform combines AI-driven storytelling with tabletop role-playing game mechanics to let fans expand on original creator visions.• Players create characters and embark on adventures guided by an omniscient AI Narrator,...
read Aug 12, 2025LG C5 OLED TVs hit record-low prices with up to $900 off
LG's premium OLED TV lineup just became significantly more accessible, with the company's latest C5 series hitting record-low prices across multiple screen sizes. The 55-inch model, originally priced at $1,800, has dropped to $1,299 on Amazon—a substantial $500 discount that represents the deepest price cut since the series launched earlier this year. This pricing shift extends across the entire C5 range, with savings reaching over $900 on larger models. The timing is particularly notable given that OLED displays, which use organic light-emitting diodes to create perfect blacks and vibrant colors, typically maintain premium pricing throughout their first year on the...
read Aug 8, 2025House of the Dragon actor releases horror game exposing Hollywood’s AI manipulation
Abubakar Salim, the House of the Dragon actor, has released Dead Take, a horror video game that directly critiques Hollywood's exploitation, corruption, and AI manipulation practices. The psychological thriller uses real-world footage and interactive storytelling to explore industry scandals while positioning itself as Salim's creative rebellion against what he calls the "horrific" entertainment machine. What you should know: Dead Take marks a dramatic shift from Salim's debut game, transforming from heartfelt storytelling to industry exposé. The game follows struggling actor Chase as he breaks into director Duke Cain's mansion searching for his missing friend Vinny. Players navigate room-by-room puzzles that...
read Aug 8, 2025OpenAI’s o3 model comes down like a rocket on Musk’s Grok in AI chess tournament
OpenAI's o3 model has defeated Elon Musk's Grok AI in the final of an artificial intelligence chess tournament hosted on Google's Kaggle platform. The victory adds another layer to the ongoing rivalry between OpenAI and xAI, with both companies' founders claiming to have developed the world's smartest AI models. What you should know: Eight major AI language models competed in the three-day tournament, testing their strategic reasoning abilities through chess rather than their typical text-generation tasks. OpenAI's o3 model remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and secured victory against xAI's Grok 4 in the final match. Google's Gemini model claimed third...
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