Hollow Knight: Silksong devs Team Cherry have put out what they’re aiming to be the “last significant update” prior to the Metroidvania’s first major expansion, Sea of Sorrow, arriving at some point this year. As with a fair few of Skong’s post-launch patches, it’s largely focused on translations.
**The AI Revival of Val Kilmer in *As Deep as the Grave***
In a revolutionary move within the film sector, it has been revealed that Val Kilmer, the celebrated actor famed for his performances in *Top Gun* and *Batman Forever*, will be digitally rejuvenated for an upcoming film entitled *As Deep as the Grave*. Although he passed away in April 2025, the movie’s director, Coerte Voorhees, has chosen to employ generative AI technology to recreate Kilmer’s image and voice for the character of Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritual healer.
### The Concept Behind the Film
Director Coerte Voorhees conveyed his commitment to retaining Kilmer in the principal role, asserting that the character was deliberately crafted with the actor’s essence in mind. “He was the actor I envisioned for this part,” Voorhees remarked, underscoring Kilmer’s Native American roots and attachment to the Southwest as crucial to the character’s representation. Despite Kilmer’s health issues which hindered his ability to film, Voorhees was resolute in honoring Kilmer’s legacy by ensuring his involvement in the project.
### Adoption of AI Technology
Voorhees’s choice to harness “cutting-edge” generative AI technology intends to explore new storytelling possibilities in a production that does not possess the backing of a major studio film. The director recognized the potential debate surrounding the posthumous revival of an actor via AI but insisted that Kilmer’s family felt he would have wished to be engaged in the project. “His family continually expressed how significant they believed the film to be and that Val truly wanted to take part in this,” Voorhees mentioned.
### Family Endorsement and Ethical Issues
Kilmer’s estate has shown support for the project’s creative approach. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, and son, Jack, have endorsed the AI usage, signifying that it aligns with their father’s vision to leverage technology for broadening storytelling horizons. The production is reported to have complied with SAG guidelines concerning the application of AI technology, ensuring that Kilmer’s estate received fair compensation for his digital resurrection.
### Technological Execution
The AI-generated iteration of Kilmer will play a vital part in *As Deep as the Grave*, representing the character through various life phases. The production team utilized images of a younger Kilmer, alongside footage from his later years, to construct a holistic representation of Father Fintan. Additionally, the digital Kilmer’s voice will be generated using recordings from his final years, including contributions from Sonantic to create an AI-driven speaking voice for Kilmer, which he had previously utilized in *Top Gun: Maverick*.
### The Heritage of Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer’s experiences with health adversities, notably his struggle with throat cancer, have emphasized the significance of communication and self-expression. Reflecting on the technological progress that enables him to tell his story genuinely, Kilmer had once stated, “The opportunity to narrate my own story, in a voice that feels genuine and familiar, is an incredibly special gift.” This essence is anticipated to be honored in *As Deep as the Grave*, allowing viewers to engage with Kilmer’s lasting legacy through the innovative application of AI technology.
The film’s debut is set to ignite discussions regarding the ethical considerations of utilizing AI in filmmaking, especially in relation to the representation of deceased actors. Nevertheless, for the Kilmer family and the creators of the film, this project symbolizes a homage to a cherished actor and the chance to convey a profound narrative that aligns with his spirit and artistic expression.
Exodus was announced as a fulsome narrative experiment with time dilation, aided and abetted by extremely non-AI-generated Matthew McConaughey – a story told over millennia-long time jumps, featuring super-evolved versions of human beings. But let’s face it, some of you are just here for the Mass Effect parallels raised by the presence of former BioWare devs on the ticket. The new sci-fi RPG‘s latest footage, below, certainly leans into them.
# Nvidia’s DLSS 5: The Debate Over Generative AI in Gaming
Nvidia has sparked a vigorous discussion within the gaming community after revealing its newest innovation, DLSS 5. The demonstration highlighted generative AI’s role in improving photorealistic lighting within games, but it also raised concerns regarding its impact on character designs, igniting criticism that the technology is effectively “yassifying” the faces of gaming avatars.
## The Response to DLSS 5
Digital Foundry, a well-regarded source recognized for its thorough technology evaluations, had an early look at DLSS 5 and shared a video analysis that recognized the technology’s potential. However, this favorable viewpoint faced significant criticism from the larger online community, which decried the seemingly extreme modifications in character aesthetics.
In a recent YouTube Q&A, Digital Foundry’s founder Richard Leadbetter responded to some of the criticism, acknowledging that the reception of the video was anticipated and that the team could have presented it more effectively. He remarked on the hurried nature of their initial evaluation, saying, “I think we should have taken more time with the material… and I think it would have been prudent to wait to see the reaction from the audience.”
## The Technical Elements of DLSS 5
The heart of the controversy centers around the before-and-after comparisons showcased during the presentation. Viewers were surprised by how generative AI seemingly altered game visuals, especially character designs. A notable example involved a comparison of Grace from *Resident Evil Requiem*, demonstrating a striking difference in her character model after the application of DLSS 5. Leadbetter remarked on the intriguing visual change, stating, “When you first see that shot, it’s quite difficult to argue… which one would you rather play?”
This significant change in appearance not only prompted discussions about artistic intent but also raised ethical questions about the overlap between AI-generated art and human creativity. Team members at Digital Foundry, including Leadbetter and fellow member Oliver Mackenzie, faced adverse reactions, including personal threats.
## Analyzing Gaming Aesthetics and Ethics
The effects of generative AI on character design have spurred calls for more in-depth conversations. Another Digital Foundry member, Alexander Battaglia, provided a contrasting perspective, emphasizing the potential loss of individuality in character models. He voiced his worry that AI technology might excessively normalize appearances, effectively diminishing the uniqueness of individual characters, which poses ethical challenges concerning likeness rights and artistic integrity. Battaglia expressed his unease by stating, “Ethically, I find that very problematic because the actress probably signed off on her likeness to a certain degree.”
The debate illustrates ongoing conflicts between technological advancements and the preservation of artistic expression in gaming. As AI technologies like DLSS 5 grow more common, developers and stakeholders must navigate how to uphold the original visions of creators while leveraging AI to improve visuals.
## Conclusion
Nvidia’s DLSS 5 has certainly demonstrated the potential of generative AI in enhancing gaming graphics but has also unleashed a range of discussions concerning the crucial balance of technology, artistic integrity, and ethical issues in the gaming sector. As with any technological progression, this debate serves as a reminder of the responsibility that accompanies innovation, especially in a domain where creativity and authenticity are highly valued.
I was five minutes into the excavation of my very first, procedurally generated Lucid Blocks map when I struck Dogblock, Catblock and S’more, in that order. I didn’t excavate them, actually. I conjured them by feeding gobbets of occult, dreamlike material into the “Apotheosis” magic circle that is possibly this sort-of-survival game‘s crafting screen, and possibly a gateway to some astral sphere.
# All You Should Know About *Crimson Desert* Prior to Its Launch
*Crimson Desert*, crafted and released by Pearl Abyss, is scheduled to debut on March 19 on Steam/PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X. With excitement growing for this visually impressive open-world RPG, it’s crucial to understand what the game offers before jumping in. Here’s a thorough summary of what to anticipate.
## What is *Crimson Desert*?
Since its founding in 2010, Pearl Abyss has primarily launched one game, the MMORPG *Black Desert Online*. Originally intended as an online prequel to that title, *Crimson Desert* has transformed into a standalone single-player adventure situated in a unique universe.
Though some may compare *Crimson Desert* to an MMORPG without the “Massively Multiplayer Online” aspect, Pearl Abyss emphasizes that this game is intended as an open-world action RPG. It incorporates mechanics typical of single-player RPGs, such as interacting with NPCs, taking on quests, and enhancing gear, while showcasing a strong focus on combat similar to *Dragon’s Dogma*.
## What’s the Narrative?
The plot of *Crimson Desert* unfolds in the realm of Pywel and revolves around Kliff, an experienced mercenary from the Greymanes clan. After an ambush by their rivals, the Black Bears, Kliff embarks on a mission to restore his clan and find any remaining members.
Alongside Kliff, players will also control two other characters: Oongka, a powerful Orc-like fighter, and Damiane, a nimble warrior. The gameplay allows players to shift between characters reminiscent of *Grand Theft Auto V*, with each character offering unique quests and combat styles.
## Can You Personalize Your Characters?
Character customization in *Crimson Desert* is somewhat restricted. Players are unable to modify physical traits such as facial features or height for the three primary characters. However, there are options to change outfits, colors, tattoos, and hairstyles, providing some level of personalization. This system resembles the character customization found in *Red Dead Redemption 2*, where the fundamental identity remains constant despite visual alterations.
## How Long Will It Take to Finish?
Completion time estimates for *Crimson Desert* vary. Pearl Abyss’s marketing director mentioned around 100 hours of content, although no official completion duration has been confirmed. Players looking to rush through the main narrative can expect to finish it in approximately 50 hours, while obtaining the “definitive ending”—which likely involves completing side quests—may take about 80 hours.
## Where/How/When Can You Acquire *Crimson Desert*?
*Crimson Desert* will be up for purchase on Xbox Series S/X, PlayStation 5, MacOS, Windows, the Epic Games Store, and Steam for $69.99/£54.99 beginning March 19. It’s important to highlight that physical copies will be time-locked, meaning they cannot be played until the official release time of 6 PM EST and 10 PM GMT.
As excitement rises, with *Crimson Desert* becoming the fourth-most-wishlisted game on Steam, players might encounter heavy traffic on launch day. For those eager to start as soon as possible, it may be advisable to log in exactly when the game launches.
With its captivating narrative, promising gameplay features, and rich content, *Crimson Desert* is set to be a major release in the RPG genre.
Only one can be deemed the best.
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Alan Wake makers (Wakers?) Remedy have delivered FBC: Firebreak‘s final major update, having previously elected to wind down development of the struggling Control-themed shooter. This swansong for the game delivers some new maps inspired by the original Control, and a Friend’s Pass that lets you invite a mate to play with you via a free version of Firebreak. Handy for keeping sessions decently stocked, since Remedy have made sure the shooter’ll remain “playable for years to come”.
ALL PARADOX CO- Only kidding. We don’t do that here.
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Last August, I wrote about a Baldur’s Gate 3 modder who had recreated Candlekeep, the library-fortress which serves as the starting point of the original Baldur’s Gate. Well, modder 786r786 is back with a full team and they’re remaking the entirety of Baldur’s Gate 1 as a custom BG3 campaign.
