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‘Dying Light 2’ Reviews Show Why Day-One Patches Are No Real Solution For Buggy Launches – Forbes

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Dying Light 2: Stay Human reviews have dropped ahead of the game’s release tomorrow and the PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X versions all scored in the high 70s on Metacritic. On the surface, those scores aren’t terrible, but when you dive deeper, it’s apparent there’s a very mixed bag of opinions on this one, with some major issues at play.

(As an aside, I suggest looking for critics whose tastes align with yours and finding out what they have to say about a game, rather than relying on aggregated scores.)

At Paste, Jackson Tyler described the story of Dying Light 2 as “an unmitigated disaster,” though they gave Techland props for the parkour system. IGN’s Travis Northup rated the game as “good,” largely due to “top-notch parkour” and the “awesome open world.” However, the review has a prominent bug alert, with Northup citing some major technical issues, including one a IGN editor encountered that corrupted their entire save file.

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Developer Techland said it has “added over a thousand fixes and improvements on all the platforms” over the last couple of weeks. It added that the day-one patch, which will go live on consoles in the next few days, contains “another thousand tweaks.”

At the end of November, Techland said Dying Light 2 had gone gold — industry speak for a game being in good enough condition to to press onto disks. In an era in which studios frequently roll out major patches after release day, that doesn’t mean work on the game is complete.

Broadly speaking, that’s a problem for a number of reasons.

Those with a physical copy and players who pre-loaded the digital version will need to install the day-one patch. They might skip the update, though they’ll run the risk of encountering major bugs. Although Dying Light 2 has a multiplayer option (which will likely require the game to be on the latest patch), some folks will stick to the single-player mode, in some cases because they don’t have a sturdy enough internet connection.

There are telecom infrastructure problems that prevent tens of millions of people from having reliable, fast internet access. Players who live in areas with slow internet speeds often opt for physical copies of games to avoid having to download games that can weigh in at over 100 GB. Live service or multiplayer games might be out of the question for those folks. Day-one patches are another accessibility barrier for them.

A Twitter account that tracks game install and patch sizes for PlayStation pegged the size of Dying Light 2’s day-one patch on PS4 at around 20 GB. It’d take over seven hours to download that with a 3 Mbps connection. Some day-one patches for other games are much larger.

Day-one patches have been a common practice in the games industry for many years at this point. For instance, Elden Ring, one of the most-anticipated games of the year, has gone gold, and FromSoftware is working on a day-one patch. So, this is far from an issue limited to Dying Light 2.

One other key issue with buggy review builds is that some studios and publishers tie developers’ bonuses to review scores. I’m not sure if that’s the case here (I’ve asked Techland to clarify), but it’s an unfair practice.

Not only are review scores subjective and out of developers’ control, we’ve seen instances where games are rushed out before they’re truly ready in order to meet a production and marketing schedule, even if they still bear major performance or stability problems. Reviewers don’t always have access to a build of the game with the day one patch, which can diminish their opinion and, potentially, lead to developers not getting their bonuses.

Cyberpunk 2077 is maybe the most notable recent example of this. CD Projekt Red initially tied bonuses to certain review scores and meeting the December 2020 release date (after the game had already been delayed multiple times). The action RPG was a buggy mess at launch, particularly on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Reviewers only had access to a PC build, which was seemingly in better condition before launch. Sony even yanked the game from the PSN store. It took six months for CDPR to get Cyberpunk into a condition that satisfied Sony.

A few days after CDPR released the game, bosses told workers that they’d get their bonuses regardless of the review scores. Creative director Adam Badowski reportedly said the approach was “simply not fair under the circumstances.”

All of this is to say that day-one patches may not be truly beneficial for players, critics or developers. Affording developers more time to fix bugs before physical copies of games are pressed and review code goes out to critics will improve the experience for everyone. Besides, delays are commonplace these days and many players will forgive studios and publishers for giving dev teams the time they need to create a polished game by launch day — ideally while avoiding crunch.

Dying Light 2 had already been delayed by over a year to allow for more development time. Even so, reviewers have found game-breaking bugs.

QA workers and devs won’t find every bug in a game before launch. That’s nigh-on impossible. But, given more time before release day, they’ll catch many more than they would have on a tighter schedule.

With its day-one patch, I truly hope Techland has fixed the most impactful bugs and that fans who jump into Dying Light 2 this weekend are able to enjoy it as the dev team intended. But the patch may come as a small comfort to critics who’ve already reviewed the game and fans who’ll have a tough time downloading it, not to mention those who’ll hold off until Techland whips it into better shape.

Those folks might end up waiting for a sale instead of buying Dying Light 2 now. It’s already a busy spell for big games, so they might be more inclined to play something else. That could hurt Techland’s bottom line in the long run. In the end, perhaps crafting a smaller, more polished game than one that boasts 500 hours of content would have been a wiser approach.

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Take-Two Interactive to Acquire 'Borderlands' Developer Gearbox From Embracer Group for $460 Million – Yahoo Canada Sports

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Take-Two Interactive has acquired video game developer Gearbox, the maker of the “Borderlands” franchise, from Embracer Group for $460 million.

Per Take Two, the company “expects the transaction to deepen its successful relationship with Gearbox Entertainment and to provide increased financial benefits through a fully integrated operational structure.”

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As part of the deal, Take-Two will acquire Gearbox IP, including “Borderlands” and “Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands” franchises, games published by Take-Two’s 2K Games, as well as “Homeworld,” “Risk of Rain,” “Brothers in Arms” and “Duke Nukem.”

Currently, Gearbox has six “key interactive entertainment projects in various stages of development,” per Take-Two, which includes five sequels, two from “Borderlands” and “Homeworld” universes, and at least one “exciting new intellectual property,” all of which have been acquired in the sale.

Take-Two’s purchase of Gearbox is expected to close in June, pending regulatory approval. Upon completion, Gearbox will operate as a studio within 2K, continuing to be led by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford and his management team.

Former Gearbox owner Embracer, a Swedish gaming conglomerate who snapped up the rights to “Lord of the Rings” two years ago, has undergone a severe restructuring program over the past year, which has seen the company shut down or dispose of dozens of games studios and titles and lay off hundreds of staff, resulting in aftershocks that have reverberated throughout the games industry.

The sale of Gearbox marks the latest insistence of Embracer unloading assets, following the company divesting Saber Interactive.

“Our acquisition of Gearbox is an exciting moment for Take-Two and will strengthen our industry-leading creative talent and portfolio of owned intellectual property, including the iconic Borderlands franchise,” Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said. “This combination enhances the financial profile of our existing projects with Gearbox and unlocks the opportunity for us to drive increased long-term growth by leveraging the full resources of Take-Two across all of Gearbox’s exciting initiatives.”

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An OLED iPad Pro and the first big-screen iPad Air will reportedly arrive in May – Engadget

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Apple will finally launch new iPads in early May, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Expected are a new iPad Pro with an OLED display and a faster iPad Air, including a 12.9-inch model for the first time in that lineup. The details of the upcoming iPad models have been consistent, circulating through the rumor mill since last year.

The new iPad Pro models will reportedly add OLED displays (offering deeper blacks and richer colors) and run on the new M3 chip, already found in several Macs. The new tablets are said to launch alongside a redesigned Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Other than a white color option, the latter has remained unchanged since its arrival four years ago.

Meanwhile, the iPad Air will supposedly run on a new processor. Bloomberg didn’t specify which, but — considering the current model uses the M1, and Apple likely wants to reserve the M3 for the more expensive Pro — the M2 sounds like a safe bet. The 12.9-inch screen option would mark the first time the iPad Air line has offered a display larger than 10.9 inches. Although Apple will charge more for that model than the smaller sibling expected alongside it, that would be the cheapest way yet to get a supersized iPad screen.

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Gurman said early this month that the new tablets would launch alongside the M3 MacBook Air, but the laptop arrived without any iPads in tow. He now reports that Apple’s release schedule was pushed back to finish working on the devices’ software and ironing out the kinks from the “complex new manufacturing techniques” they require.

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Ashleigh Oakridge offers boutique-style condos with concrete construction – Vancouver Sun

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Peterson Group’s latest project will be chock-full of amenities and have timeless interiors

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It may not sound exciting to say the big selling points for a new condominium project are that it’s concrete construction and four storeys. But start thinking in terms of getting all the benefits of concrete-tower construction in a sophisticated, boutique-style building of only 34 to 35 units, chock-full of amenities, situated on a quiet, tree-lined Vancouver street and the appeal is obvious—especially to those downsizing in the neighbourhood.

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“That on its own really sets it apart because if you want to be in a boutique setting, you don’t love the idea of highrises, and you want a concrete home type, there aren’t many options. It’s highly unique,” explains Barrett Sprowson, vice-president of sales and project marketing at Peterson Group, the developer of the Ashleigh Oakridge project, which will be composed of three buildings when completed.

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Two of the three buildings, the Berkley and the Alma, will be constructed first, with the Cambridge following later. Each one will have its own curb appeal, but all are designed to integrate into the neighbourhood, hence the plan to maintain the existing trees. The wellness amenities of sauna, steam room, cold and hot plunge pools and fully-equipped fitness room are centrally located in the Berkley for all the residents’ use. All three buildings have their own rooftop amenities that feature an indoor-outdoor flow from an expansive entertainment and co-workspace to patio lounging, dining, fire pits, communal gardens and children’s play area.

The interiors at Ashleigh Oakridge will feature classic styling with design-forward touches.
The interiors at Ashleigh Oakridge will feature classic styling with design-forward touches. Photo by Supplied by Peterson Group

The interiors of the homes, which Sprowson says offer generous, well-laid-out floorplans, feature numerous elevated design details that complement a classic esthetic. His personal favourite is the pot filler over the gas cooktop in the kitchen. “There’s not too many times you run into that, and there’s a little feature that’s practical, helpful and useful but is also tricky and expensive to do,” he says.

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The interior design team at Ste. Marie Studio framed their overall concept around the idea of classic styling accented with design-forward touches.

“We looked at it through the lens of a single-family home and wanting it to feel really timeless,” says Craig Stanghetta, founder and creative director of Ste. Marie Studio. “We don’t want it to feel that it doesn’t have a little bit of risk. There’s a little bit of risk in terms of some brushed metal accents.”

Their use of a bold marble for the kitchen backsplashes makes a dramatic visual statement, but though striking, the pattern is a classic marble, not one heavily veined, and one that would be at home in a Paris apartment or a New York brownstone, Stanghetta observes. In the larger homes, they’ve used it to wrap the islands. “They become a big feature, but in some of these other ones, we’re using the manufactured stone in those areas and letting the backsplash be the big design gesture,” Stanghetta says.

The wellness amenities will include sauna, steam room, cold and hot plunge pools and a fully-equipped fitness room.
The wellness amenities will include sauna, steam room, cold and hot plunge pools and a fully-equipped fitness room. Photo by Supplied by Peterson Group

In the smaller units where the backsplashes are marble, but quartz is used on the counter and island surfaces, the team introduced a dining table-island combination that works for multiple uses—kitchen prep, home office or dining—and the generous bank of wall storage available in the L-shaped configuration allowed for this unique style of island.

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“I think we just acknowledged that sometimes people are prioritizing different things, and if you’re in a one-bedroom living scenario, then we want the flexibility to choose your own adventure with that piece of furniture,” Stanghetta explains.

The appliance package is Miele and features built-in coffee makers, gas ranges, speed ovens, wall ovens and, in some units, wine fridges. There are also sleek can lights over the islands and open shelving for personalizing the space. Sprowson notes that the full-height pantries also boost the kitchens’ functionality and that, though expected when downsizing from a single-family home, they’re often not an option in condo living.

“It’s also a striking kitchen. You look at the marble backsplash and the marble countertop with the waterfall edge, and you’ve got all the functionality, but it’s also, dare I say, very pretty to look at,” he says.

When complete, each building at Ashleigh Oakridge will have rooftop amenities that include an entertainment and co-workspace, patio lounging, dining, fire pits, communal gardens and children's play area.
When complete, each building at Ashleigh Oakridge will have rooftop amenities that include an entertainment and co-workspace, patio lounging, dining, fire pits, communal gardens and children’s play area. Photo by Supplied by Peterson Group

The bathrooms reflect that same mix of functionality and sophisticated styling, with details like flattering sconce lighting and wall-mount toilets. Stanghetta says the floating shelf under the medicine cabinet creates a “nice balance of high-functional storage but then these clean lines that also give you a more fully designed and realized space.”

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He notes that the double vanities in the larger bathrooms have an oversized countertop, a beautiful detail that works with the timeless design concept: attention to detail that will last. The combination of timelessness with contemporary accents creates interiors that reflect the project’s overall vision.

The development is ideally situated to allow residents to be central to everything while enjoying a quiet location.

“This is a viable option for anyone who wants concrete, a good amount of space, decent amenities, all the walkability and proximity to Oakridge and all the cool stuff that’s on the Cambie corridor,” Stanghetta observes.

Ashleigh Oakridge

Project Address: 5080 Ash Street, Vancouver

Project Scope: A development of three, four-storey, concrete, boutique buildings offering one, two and three-bedroom homes that range from 590 to 1,800 square feet. Each building features rooftop amenities and a shared wellness and fitness centre in the Berkley building.

Developers: Peterson Group

Architects: GBL Architects

Prices: Starting in the low $800,000s

Sales centre: Ashleigh PC 2094 W 43rd Ave, Vancouver

Sales centre hours: Open daily (Except Friday), noon to 5 p.m.

Sales phone: 604-476-429

Website: ashleighoakridge.com

Occupancy date: Estimated completion summer 2028

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  1. Hael Construction Inc., project, Stargaze, is a HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence finalist in six categories: Best New Small-Scale Home,  Best Multiplex Development, Best Custom Home: $1 Million — Under $1.5 Million, Best New Custom Kitchen: Under $175,000, Best Non-Certified High-Performance Home: New or Renovated, BC Housing Award for Excellence in Housing Solutions, plus Hael Construction is a finalist for Grand HAVAN Custom Home Builder of the Year Award.

    HAVAN announces finalists for its annual Awards for Housing Excellence

  2. This three-bedroom detached house located at 12614 Thornton Place, in  Maple Ridge, was listed for $1,298,888 and sold for $1,275,000.

    Sold (Bought): Proximity to greenbelt key to Maple Ridge home’s appeal

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