Enter The Matrix
One day we might enter The Matrix
Valve’s head honcho Gabe Newell believes that we’re much closer to achieving the kind of neural interfaces shown in the movie than most people think.
Newell is spending much of his time researching “brain-computer interfaces” when he’s not distracted by other work. “We’re way closer to The Matrix than people realize,” he said, although hopefully referring to the whole learning kung-fu bits rather than being used for nourishment by an evil AI.
The idea, not the film: “…The Matrix is a movie and it misses all the interesting technical subtleties and just how weird the post-brain-computer interface world is going to be. But it’s going to have a huge impact on the kinds of experiences we can create for people,” he told IGN in an interview.
Ultimate entertainment: Apparently Newell thinks the brain has “really good interfaces for some things” but that others present considerable challenges. When brain-computer interfaces are finally commoditized, it will represent an “extinction-level event” for all other forms of entertainment. One game to rule them all!
Time For A Quick Daily Quiz?
Which Blizzard game has a brief cameo in Overwatch’s first cinematic trailer?
- Hearthstone
- The Lost Vikings
- Starcraft II
- Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans
The answer will be revealed at the bottom of today’s issue. Join up with our community on Twitter and Facebook to discuss what the answer could be.
Daily Fact
The erotic thriller too steamy for Steam
No, this has nothing to do with the novel by American author Robert A. Heinlein.
Not even close: This particular Strangers in a Strange Land is a ‘modern erotic thriller’ set on a farm and starring 18-year-old Billy. It was released on Steam in August 2017, but was perhaps a bit too risque and was quickly pulled from the store before reappearing in September.
The game was definitely more erotic than thriller, and some customers complained that it was bordering on outright pornography, leading developer SOMG to release a censored version with an accompanying patch that uncensored it again. Confused? Don’t be, just admire the developers’ creative integrity and dedication to for their art.
Join up with our community on Twitter and Facebook to discuss today’s fact.
Pokemon News and Events
Event temporarily suspends version exclusivity in Pokémon Sword & Shield
If you’ve played a Pokémon game before, then you know there tends to be two versions of each game in the series and that certain Pokémon are exclusive to either of them.
Fortunately, the Pokédex Completion event will temporarily lift this restriction for Pokémon Sword & Shield, giving you a chance to catch some – but not all – of the otherwise unavailable Pokémon.
Pokémon Sword and Shield
- Pokedex Completion Event
- Lasts from March 19th until March 26th
- Pokémon rare in a version will appear in Max Raid Battles
- Rare rewards including fossils
- New Pokémon Collection Guide event exclusive to Japan
- Redeemable codes award Dynamax Crystals
- Unlocks Stonjourner and Eiscue Max Raid Battles
- Codes redeemable until April 30th
Pokémon Masters
The next Pokémon Masters Spotlight Scout lasts until April 2nd, and this Sync Pair Scout introduces Fantina & Mismagius.