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Fans of Minecraft attended the release of "A Minecraft Movie" on April 4, featuring the character Steve, voiced by Jack Black. The film's production began in 2014 but faced delays, resuming in 2022 under director Jared Hess. The trailer released in September 2024 received criticism for its animation style and use of live-action actors. Despite this, the film has grossed 3 million globally, making it the highest-grossing film of the year and setting a record for game-to-film adaptations. Audience reactions varied, with some, like FSU junior Grace Martin, changing their initial negative views after watching the film. Siblings Jacqueline and Savanna Paré found it nostalgic, connecting it to their childhood experiences with the game. The film also included references to popular Minecraft YouTubers, enhancing its cultural impact.
Windows Recall, an AI-driven feature by Microsoft, was initially launched in July but withdrawn due to security and privacy concerns. It has since returned with modifications aimed at improving user experience, although concerns about its functionality persist. Recall captures and analyzes screenshots of user activities to aid in retrieving past documents or messages. Users must have a Copilot+ PC to access Recall, which is not activated by default. Security enhancements include encrypted data storage and mandatory Windows Hello authentication for access. However, issues remain, such as potential access via a computer PIN, inconsistent filtering of sensitive data, and the risk of data being captured from shared devices. Users can exempt specific sites and apps from being captured, but the process is cumbersome.
Microsoft is relaunching its AI-driven feature, Recall, which continuously captures background screenshots on Copilot+ PCs optimized for AI functionalities. Initially introduced in May, Recall was retracted due to privacy concerns over unencrypted storage of screenshots containing sensitive user data. After testing through Microsoft's Insider program, Recall has been updated to encrypt the screenshot database and requires users to opt in to save screenshots. However, it still poses risks by potentially capturing sensitive information from communications without the knowledge of other parties involved. Security researcher Kevin Beaumont has noted that the sensitive information filter is unreliable, and the encrypted database is only secured by a basic four-digit PIN. Beaumont's testing revealed that Recall indexed everything it stored, including ephemeral messages and images. He cautioned users to check if Recall is enabled when discussing sensitive topics with others on Windows PCs.
The film "A Minecraft Movie" follows siblings Henry and Natalie as they navigate their mother's loss and relocate to the fictional town of Chuglass, Idaho. They embark on an adventure with Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison and realtor Dawn, leading them to the Overworld. The plot is coherent, with whimsical moments, but struggles to incorporate nostalgic elements due to its runtime of one hour and 40 minutes. Creative liberties, such as Henry's "tot launcher," may alienate some fans. The film balances humor and deeper character development, though juvenile humor often overshadows serious themes. Jack Black's performance is noted for its commitment but can be exaggerated. The visual design opts for a realistic style, which contrasts with the game's blocky aesthetic. Overall, the film celebrates creativity and offers an enjoyable experience for both fans and newcomers.
EA's skateboarding simulation, Skate, is set for an early access release in 2025 and will require a constant internet connection, with no option for offline play. The game is designed as a massively multiplayer online experience that evolves over time with dynamic changes and live events. Concerns have been raised about the sustainability of this always-online model, especially if EA were to discontinue server support, potentially rendering the game unplayable.
A Minecraft Movie is nearing the billion-dollar mark at the box office after overcoming challenges during its marketing phase at Warner Bros. Director Jared Hess noted that the initial teaser did not resonate well with the fanbase, prompting the team to adjust their marketing strategy to better reflect the film's tone. Hess credits producer Mary Parent for her support in allowing him to bring his comedic style to the project, which has contributed to the film's success.
Ubisoft has decided to discontinue The Crew, leading to significant backlash against always-online gaming, resulting in a class action lawsuit, new legislation in California, and a disclaimer on Steam. In response, Ubisoft pledged to avoid similar actions for The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest. Seven months later, the company announced development of an offline mode is underway, with a playtest starting on April 30. Positive feedback has been received for the offline initiative, and players are now requesting similar functionality for other titles. Ubisoft plans to roll out the offline mode for The Crew 2 by the end of 2025, with The Crew Motorfest to follow later.
Tailscale simplifies remote access to self-hosted services for home lab enthusiasts by eliminating the complexities of port forwarding and CGNAT issues. Nintendo's Switch 2 pricing strategy has faced backlash, while Sony has raised PlayStation 5 prices in Europe for both digital and disc editions. Microsoft removed the seconds display from the Windows 10 taskbar clock, prompting user dissatisfaction as part of a strategy to encourage upgrades to Windows 11. Windows 11 is set to receive a redesigned Start menu with features based on user feedback, although the implementation delay raises concerns. Google's phone app has improved spam filtering, particularly noted in regions like Portugal, despite occasional notification delays. Nvidia's upcoming RTX 5060 series shows promising thermal performance, but pricing details are still unclear. Beginners in 3D printing can benefit from using tree supports for intricate models to enhance the printing process. Discussions around effective backup strategies are crucial for data security, especially highlighted by World Backup Day. The General Purpose Media Interface (GPMI) introduced at CES 2025 may change A/V connectivity standards, particularly in China, while its adoption in Western markets is uncertain. The PocketCloud NAS features a docking station with an M.2 SSD slot, allowing for versatile data storage solutions.
Jared Hess, director of ‘A Minecraft Movie,’ defends the viral "chicken jockey" trend as a harmless expression of creativity within the gaming community, despite concerns from theater owners and moviegoers about disruptions in theaters caused by the trend. The mention of "chicken jockey" has led to chaotic scenes that detract from the cinematic experience, causing unease among those maintaining order in screening rooms. Hess believes the trend reflects the vibrant culture surrounding Minecraft and is part of engaging with the film and its source material.
