The DEF CON 32 conference took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center and featured presentations on cybersecurity and technology, which are now available on the organization’s YouTube channel.
The ASI Alliance has introduced AIRIS, an AI system that learns autonomously within Minecraft, representing a significant step towards artificial general intelligence (AGI). AIRIS, which stands for Autonomous Intelligent Reinforcement Inferred Symbolism, is designed to adapt independently in a virtual environment, showcasing dynamic learning capabilities. Developed in collaboration with partners like SingularityNET, Fetch.ai, and Ocean Data, AIRIS utilizes a robust infrastructure to efficiently store and process information. It features real-time environmental adaptation, allowing it to navigate complex terrains and develop its own rules based on observations. AIRIS also aims to cultivate advanced interaction skills, including construction and object creation, potentially enabling collaborative tasks with other agents. The ultimate goal is to apply AIRIS in real-world scenarios, such as autonomous robots and intelligent assistants, across various sectors requiring adaptive learning and problem-solving abilities.
Homicipher is a narrative-driven game set in a dimly lit environment where players navigate a dilapidated hallway while dealing with the loss of personal belongings. The protagonist encounters Mr. Crawling, a menacing figure, and Mr. Hood, a character who teaches vocabulary instead of bringing doom. Gameplay involves clicking through paths to avoid threats, with dialogue and understanding context being crucial. Players can document new words in a log for future reference, enhancing their experience. The relationship with Mr. Crawling evolves from antagonist to protective figure. The game features low-stress horror elements, allowing players to reflect and strategize after death sequences. Homicipher was launched on Steam on November 1 for .99.
Microsoft has released Windows Server 2025, succeeding Windows Server 2022, along with System Center 2025. This version supports seamless application deployment across on-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments. Key security enhancements include improved Active Directory cryptographic support and defenses against various attacks on server message block (SMB). New features for cloud services include hotpatching, which requires an additional subscription fee, and integration with Azure Arc for better onboarding and network management. Windows Server 2025 is optimized for AI and machine learning workloads, offering up to 60% more storage IOPs performance than its predecessor. Certain features, such as WordPad and the Windows PowerShell 2.0 engine, have been discontinued. Microsoft has acknowledged three bugs related to installation: English text display issues, problems with high-core-count devices, and a "boot device inaccessible" error in iSCSI environments. Windows Server 2025 is available now, with extended support until 2034 and mainstream support until 2029. Users can upgrade from Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2022 will be supported until October 2026. The operating system is compatible with most 64-bit processors, and a list of certified processors is provided.
The Very Big Indie Pitch is a speed-dating style pitching event for indie developers held at Pocket Gamer Connects and other gaming events worldwide, where participants present their games to judges in five minutes. Chorrus Games, an indie studio from Madrid, Spain, developed the game Radiant: Guardians of Light, which won third place at the recent competition in Helsinki. The game blends 80s Beat 'Em Up gameplay with RPG elements, featuring fast-paced combat, a rich narrative, and a crafting system. The team, consisting of Oscar Ruiz and Roberto Martinez, focused on creating an engaging experience inspired by classic games while incorporating modern storytelling. They initially developed Radiant for PC but are exploring console opportunities. The pitching experience helped them refine their game and connect with industry professionals. The team aims to expand the Radiant universe through new titles and adaptations in various media.
OpenAI recently achieved record investments in AI, with ongoing funding announcements for AI in gaming. The Pocket Gamer Connects and Big Screen Gaming conferences featured over 10 hours of AI-related content, indicating strong industry interest. The AI Gamechangers newsletter was launched to inform readers about AI's impact on gaming, covering various platforms and aspects of game development. It offers weekly interviews with industry innovators and curated news on AI in gaming. Notable contributors to the newsletter include professionals from Charisma.ai, Quicksave, Kinetix, and others, discussing topics like interactive narratives, AI in game studios, and legal implications for intellectual property. The consensus among industry leaders is that AI will significantly impact gaming, but its implementation should enhance human creativity. Additionally, AI technologies may transform legal processes in mergers and acquisitions by streamlining document analysis. An upcoming AI-powered cozy game, AuraVale, is also mentioned, along with future interview topics related to AI in game development.
Windows Server 2025 is now generally available, featuring enhanced security capabilities such as improvements to Active Directory, SMB hardening with SMB over QUIC, and Delegate Managed Service Accounts for automated password management. It also introduces hybrid cloud capabilities like hotpatching enabled by Azure Arc, easy Azure Arc onboarding, and unified network policy management. The platform supports demanding workloads with built-in GPU partitioning, NVMe storage performance improvements, and significant enhancements in Hyper-V performance and scalability. System Center 2025 has been released alongside Windows Server 2025, offering improved management capabilities. Microsoft Ignite 2024 will showcase these features, and existing Windows Server customers can access Azure management tools at no extra cost.
Microsoft has launched Windows Server 2025, which will be generally available starting November 1, 2024. The new version includes features such as hotpatching, next-gen Active Directory, and SMB over QUIC alternative ports. Windows Server is available through the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) and the Annual Channel (AC). Key enhancements include:
- Hotpatching enabled by Azure Arc for automatic updates and backup options.
- NVMe storage performance improvements, offering up to 60% more IOPs compared to Windows Server 2022.
- Block cloning support using the ReFS file system.
- New Active Directory functionalities, including AD object repair and improved security.
- Credential Guard for safeguarding against credential theft.
- SMB hardening with secure access to file shares over the Internet.
- Delegate Managed Service Accounts (dMSA) for automated password management.
- Accelerated Networking (AccelNet) for reduced latency and CPU utilization.
- DTrace for real-time system performance monitoring.
- Virtualization-based security (VBS) enclaves for enhanced security.
- Windows Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) for unique password generation and management.
Microsoft is investigating known issues, including installation failures and BSOD errors for systems with more than 256 logical processors, boot issues in iSCSI environments, and language display problems during setup. Windows Server 2025 will reach its end of support on October 10, 2029, with extended support ending on October 10, 2034. A free 180-day trial is available through the Microsoft Evaluation Center.
- Egg, Inc. is an incremental clicker game where players manage an egg farm, hatch chickens, distribute eggs, hire drivers, and even send expeditions into space.
- Game Dev Story allows players to become a game developer tycoon, managing staff, creating games, and making millions without coding.
- Idle Museum lets players own and expand their own museum with various exhibits, rewarding constant efforts with visitors and currency.
Windows serves as an open platform for a diverse ecosystem of applications, with contributions from solo developers and large enterprises. The Microsoft Store is the primary destination for users to explore these applications. The winners of the 2024 Microsoft Store Awards are as follows:
- AI category: djay Pro by Algoriddim
- Lifestyle category: Diarium Journal & Diary by T. Parti
- Personal Finance category: TradingView by TradingView, Inc.
- Business category: Gamma by Gamma
- Education category: Typing Land by higopage
- Productivity category: Todoist: To-Do List & Planner by Doist Inc.
- Music category: Apple Music by Apple Inc.
- Health & Fitness category: F.lux by F.lux Software LLC
- Medical category: Complete Anatomy 2024 by 3D4Medical
- Developer Tools category: oh-my posh by jandedobbeleer
- Social category: Pinterest by Pinterest Inc.
- Creativity category: Adobe Express by Adobe
- Game category: Asphalt Legends Unite by Gameloft
- Rising Star category: Endel Music: Focus, Sleep, Relax by Endel Sound
Each winner will receive a Store Award Winner badge in the Microsoft Store. The list is subject to final confirmation by the winners.
