Nvidia Unveils Several New AI Innovations at GTC

Nvidia unveiled several new AI and graphics innovations this week, primarily at their GTC conference. They announced Project Blackwell, a new GPU chip that is between 2 and 30 times more powerful than the previous generation. Blackwell can enable training massive models using far fewer GPUs and less energy. For example, training a 1.8 trillion parameter model could now be done using just 2,000 Blackwell GPUs while consuming only four megawatts of power.

Nvidia also introduced Project GR00T, a multimodal AI for humanoid robots. GR00T can understand various types of inputs like text, speech, and videos to allow robots to perform useful tasks.

Additionally, Nvidia worked with partners to apply their Edify multimodal generative model to new applications. Getty is adding custom fine-tuning of Edify so brands can generate visuals adhering to their specific style guidelines. Several companies are already leveraging these tools, including using Edify to create interactive games and visuals for brands like Coca-Cola.

Nvidia also revealed Latte3D, a new text-to-3D generative model. Latte3D can produce high-quality 3D shapes in milliseconds from text prompts. This has the potential to speed up design processes across many industries.

xAI Open Sources Grok

XAI recently open sourced their AI chatbot Grok on GitHub. They released the base model weights and architecture of their 314 billion parameter Mixture-of-Experts model, called Grok-1.

This open release allows other developers and researchers to build on the model and provide feedback that could impact how XAI updates Grok going forward. The model comes from a checkpoint in October 2023 and was not fine-tuned for any specific task like dialogue. It is available under the Apache 2.0 license that permits commercial use.

When Grok first launched, accessing the chatbot required a paid X subscription. In early testing, Grok lacked anything to distinguish it from more powerful chatbots from competitors. XAI indicated Grok was developed over four months and targeted domains such as code generation, creative writing, and question answering.

The open sourcing of Grok follows CEO Elon Musk's criticism of companies that do not openly share their AI models and his ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI alleging it breached an agreement to remain open source. Companies commonly open source models to solicit feedback while restricting access to valuable IP or keeping lucrative commercial models closed source.

Google Researchers Unveil ‘VLOGGER’, AI that Brings Photos to Life

Google researchers have developed an AI system called VLOGGER that can generate realistic videos of people speaking and gesturing from a single photo. The model uses diffusion models to synthesize videos matching input audio, showing corresponding facial expressions, movements and gestures. This was achieved through a major dataset called MENTOR of over 800,000 identities and 2,200 hours of video, allowing generation without bias regarding ethnicity, age, clothing or pose. VLOGGER represents an advancement in its ability to create complete videos rather than isolated parts, and handle diverse scenarios, without needing person-specific training data.

The technology offers various potential applications. The research demonstrates automatically dubbing videos into other languages by swapping audio, seamlessly editing frames, and creating full videos from photos. Actors could license detailed 3D self-models to generate new performances, while the system could also be used for virtual avatars in gaming and VR. Google envisions "embodied conversational agents" leveraging these capabilities for natural human-computer interactions.

However, deepfakes are a concern as the videos become easier to synthesize at higher realism levels. While VLOGGER still produces short static videos, its capabilities provide insight into future challenges authenticating information from photorealistic AI generation.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 Launch Starts with Backlash

Capcom has responded to backlash from Dragon's Dogma 2 players on Steam regarding microtransactions and performance issues. They acknowledged receiving numerous community comments and apologized for any inconvenience. Capcom listed all paid and in-game obtainable DLC items like character editors and healing items, noting they can be earned normally. Addressing performance, Capcom reiterated the game stresses CPUs when many characters appear simultaneously. They are investigating and patching critical crashes and freezes starting with highest priority issues. Interestingly, Capcom is evaluating adding a new game restart option to the Steam version.

Concerning frame rates, Capcom restated each character's physical presence individually strains the CPU in certain areas. When characters mass together, usage can greatly impact frame rates. While GPU settings offer limited help now, performance improvements are being explored. This statement led some players to plan killing NPCs thinking it may boost frames. Capcom continues fixing priority problems in upcoming patches while exploring longterm frame rate remedies.

By addressing player comments, apologizing, detailing DLC acquisition, and outlining technical troubleshooting, Capcom seeks to clarify concerns and remedy issues. Transparency on monetization schemes and performance optimizations aims to appease a currently mixed user reception while maintaining focus on the fun of Dragon's Dogma 2 itself.

Valve Announces New Steam Family Game Sharing Program

Valve has introduced Steam Families, allowing multiple accounts to access each other's game libraries even concurrently. The feature enhances previous sharing options and may impact sales and player counts. Developers choose whether each game permits Family Sharing. Up to six members can play, earning individual progress. If a library contains multiple copies of a title, each member can simultaneously play. A list of currently share-enabled games is available. In beta, Steam Families consolidates and replaces Family Sharing and Family View for organizing shared libraries.

Steam Families enhances parental controls. Adults designate which games child members can play, daily/hourly limits, and store access restrictions. Children must request and adults approve additional playtime, features, or game purchases either via computer or mobile app. This should help parents avoid unexpected microtransaction or DLC costs. Valve's FAQ provides further details and interested users can test the system by enabling the Steam Family Beta participation option in settings.

By integrating library sharing and parental oversight, Steam Families aims to strengthen social and regulated gaming experiences for families. Adults maintain approval powers over child accounts while the group benefits from consolidated access to games. Developers choose whether titles participate in expanded sharing options that could sway sales metrics. The system beta period allows further refinement before a full release.

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Gameplay Makes Waves

A 13-minute gameplay video for Dragon Ball Sparking Zero showed combat between Goku and Vegeta while revealing new mechanics and more characters. The 3D fighter retains the behind-the-back perspective of past titles but with improved graphics for effects like ki blasts and transformations. Four new mechanics were introduced: Skill Count raises during combat and funds special abilities; Revenge Counter performs big damage-absorbing counters; Super Perception parries attacks at the last moment spending Skill Count; and Vanishing Assaults close the distance with teleports under pressure.

The roster appears massive including character variations. Joining are Broly in Super Saiyan Full Power form, Burter, Dyspo, Hit, Jeice, Kakunsa, Kale in Super Saiyan Berserk, Master Roshi in Max Power, Nappa, Super Trunks, and Toppo. Bandai Namco aims to capture the fluidity and excitement of the Dragon Ball universe's memorable fights.

Though lacking a release window, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. By demonstrating the real-time combat between franchise icons and introducing new mechanics, the developer affirmed their goal of building upon the series' foundation with modern visuals and systems for both veterans and newcomers to experience epic clashes authentic to the source material.

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Square Enix Invests in Web3 Gaming Platform HyperPlay

Japanese gaming giant Square Enix has invested in and partnered with blockchain gaming platform HyperPlay, marking a renewed focus on Web3. The undisclosed investment will help HyperPlay expand its game store. Square Enix's SYMBIOGENESIS digital art experience will also launch there. The company's general manager called HyperPlay's distribution and business model benefits for developers "extraordinary."

HyperPlay founder JacobC.eth said the funding aids their mission to upend gaming by addressing issues with legacy platforms preventing developers from leveraging Web3. They want to enable new incentive models aligning players and developers. The CEO revealed upcoming expansions like aggregating more stores, broader access, and improved user experiences.

HyperPlay also intends Q2 2024 integrations. One involves bringing Amazon Prime users into their ecosystem, letting Prime members launch and redeem benefits from gaming titles and perks directly within HyperPlay. Additionally, a representative said Mac access would be announced soon. The Square Enix deal reflects larger pushes towards blockchain, Web3 and AI, highlighting gaming firms' evolving perspectives on emerging technologies.

Memecoin Presales on Fire with over $100M Raised in 3 Days

Solana memecoin projects have raised over $100 million in presales over three days, prompting warnings of "peak degeneracy" from the crypto community. Presales allow investors to send cryptocurrency like SOL to receive unreleased tokens, with no guarantee of receiving them. Book of Meme's March 14 launch at $4 million valuation saw it surge over 36,000% to a $1.45 billion peak capitalization in under 56 hours. One early BOME investor turned $72,000 into $32 million in three days. Other memecoins capitalizing on presales include Nap and Nostalgia. Presales have been criticized as opportunities for fraud since funds sent aren't necessarily returned with tokens. While investors can spend freely, presales often have a high chance of "rug pulling."

The mania expanded beyond crypto forums as All In podcast host David Sacks engaged, reportedly helping one user profit $39,000. When Elon Musk tweeted about fellow host Jason Calacanis' coin, JASON, it skyrocketed an investor's initial 1 SOL to 200 SOL. However, others have condemned presales, calling participants "dumb as hell" for sending funds to random addresses with high rug pull chances.

While the model risks scams, its potential for windfall profits continues drawing investors despite warnings of a speculative bubble forming around presales.

Shrapnel Adds In-Game Marketplace on Epic Games Store

Shrapnel unveiled new STX2 early access updates on the Epic Games Store including an in-game marketplace for premium cosmetic skins purchasable with SHRAP tokens. Skins range from $1.40 to $8.25 each and are tokenized as NFTs, with future trading planned. The update also added a sub-machine gun, suppressor attachment, and environment art. Shrapnel CEO Mark Long stated the marketplace marks an important step towards a unique in-game economy rewarding creators and players. Operators, packs, partners and community partners will receive cosmetics as rewards.

Coinciding with STX2, an in-game competition is awarding over $82,000 worth of SHRAP split across four days based on leaderboard placement. Players can earn positions between Wednesday through Saturday. While requiring a $20 extraction pack currently, Shrapnel has accumulated over 100,000 active accounts to date following a $20 million Series A round last year.

The cosmetic-centered early access expansion introduces new dimensions for the Avalanche shooter's burgeoning in-game systems. Monetizing skins through a decentralized marketplace moves the title closer to realizing its vision of an economy benefiting all participant roles. Competition prize pools continue incentivizing engagement as development progresses toward full release.

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