Tech

Former NASA Engineer Builds a Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course to Stop Nut-Stealing Backyard Squirrels – Gizmodo

Published

4 years ago

May 24, 2020

If you’ve ever installed a backyard bird feeder in hopes of peacefully observing your fine feathered friends, you’re probably aware that it quickly becomes a target for your local squirrel population. Now, if anyone can stop a squirrel from breaching a bird feeder you’d assume a former NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineer could, but as Mark Rober discovered, squirrels are the unstoppable ninjas of the animal kingdom.

After leaving NASA, Rober has spent his time creating YouTube videos that explore science and engineering concepts through experiments you probably never tried in school. For instance, a few years ago he spent some time at a local carnival and used physics to determine which games players actually had a chance at winning, and which were physically impossible to beat.

His latest experiment was inspired by an attempt to take up bird watching as a way to help pass the time during the lockdown, which was thwarted by a group of local squirrels that were easily “dominating all the off the shelf ‘squirrel proof’ bird feeders” he found on Amazon. The feeders’ designs were clever, but the squirrels were smarter. As someone now well known across the internet for over-engineering a covert glitter bomb to punish package thieves, Rober decided to focus his efforts on thieving squirrels next.

Instead of just engineering a bird feeder that could effectively stop squirrels, Rober built an entire American Ninja Warrior-inspired obstacle course in his backyard for them, including everything from trap doors and mazes to even a catapult—and starting with the impossible ladder bridge challenge featured in his expose of carnival games. But Rober completely underestimated his opponents.

The squirrels made a few admirable attempts to cross the ladder bridge, but it didn’t take long for them to adapt their strategies, and simply use their athletic prowess to just skip it all together. As Rober points out, “Unless you’ve spent a lot of time trying to practice that one on your own there’s no way even the most athletic person can just step up and win that one. I think it’s telling that the parkour masters of the animal kingdom couldn’t even do it and just jumped the whole thing.”

Rober was initially worried that his obstacle course design was too devious, and that the squirrels wouldn’t have much success with reaching the ultimate goal: a giant cache of walnuts. But after just a few days of squirrel watching, it was clear that even an ex-NASA engineer was no match for them.

There are a few practical takeaways from the elaborate experiment for those struggling with birdfeed-stealing squirrels. Rober briefly touched on it in the video, but he found that what “worked well was making the pole too slippery to climb up. That’s how I kept them from climbing up every other pole on the course except the starting one.”

If you can live with a daily routine of greasing up a pole, there’s a chance you can win the squirrel war. But perhaps the biggest takeaway from this experiment is the same conclusion that the WOPR supercomputer in the film WarGames came to in regards to thermonuclear war: When it comes to battling squirrels, the only way to win is not to play.

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Tech

How Puzzle Mechanics Are Changing the Way We Play Online Slots

Published

4 hours ago

September 30, 2024

Harry Miller

Online slots have long been a favorite for casual gamers and seasoned bettors alike, offering simple gameplay combined with the thrill of potential rewards. However, as the landscape of online gaming continues to evolve, a new wave of slot games is emerging—one that incorporates puzzle mechanics into the traditional reel-spinning experience. These puzzle-based slots are changing the way players engage with the game, offering more interactive and challenging gameplay that goes beyond the usual spin-and-win formula.

In this article, we’ll explore how puzzle mechanics are transforming the world of online slots, why they are gaining popularity, and what players can expect from this innovative trend.

The Evolution of Online Slots

A Brief History of Slot Games

Slots have come a long way since the days of mechanical machines with just three reels and a lever to pull. The digital transformation brought these games online, making them more accessible and varied. Early online slot games mimicked the physical versions, with similar symbols and basic gameplay. As technology advanced, developers began incorporating themes, storylines, and special features like bonus rounds and free spins, making online slots more immersive than ever before.

What Are Puzzle Mechanics?

Puzzle mechanics in games are features that require players to solve problems, think strategically, or perform certain actions in a specific sequence to progress. Popular in genres like adventure or mobile games, puzzle mechanics are now finding their way into online slots. Instead of relying solely on luck, players can now enjoy a more engaging and mentally stimulating experience by solving puzzles while they spin the reels.

In puzzle-based slots, players might be required to match symbols in a certain way, clear the board, or complete a specific objective to unlock rewards. These mechanics provide an added challenge, requiring not just chance but also skill and strategy.

How Puzzle Mechanics Enhance Online Slots?

Increased Player Engagement

One of the key reasons puzzle mechanics are gaining popularity in online slots is that they significantly increase player engagement. Slot gacor hari ini can become repetitive after a while, with players simply pressing a button and waiting for the outcome. Puzzle elements, on the other hand, give players more control and decision-making opportunities during gameplay.

By combining skill and chance, puzzle mechanics keep players invested longer. Each spin becomes part of a larger strategy to solve the puzzle, giving players a sense of accomplishment when they succeed.

More Rewarding Experiences

Puzzle mechanics also create a more rewarding experience. In many of these games, completing a puzzle or solving a problem leads to bigger bonuses, extra spins, or unlocking new levels within the game. This contrasts with traditional slots, where payouts are often random and disconnected from the player’s actions.

In puzzle-based slots, players may be able to unlock progressive rewards by completing various stages, making each win feel more earned. The satisfaction of solving a puzzle adds an extra layer of excitement, as it’s not just about hitting the jackpot but also about progressing through the game.

A Shift in Focus: From Luck to Strategy

While luck still plays a significant role in puzzle-based slots, the introduction of strategy adds a new dimension to the gameplay. In traditional slots, outcomes are purely based on chance, with random number generators (RNG) determining the result of each spin. Puzzle mechanics shift the focus by giving players more agency over the game’s outcome.

Examples of Puzzle-Based Slot Games

Popular Titles Leading the Way

Several puzzle-based slot games are already making waves in the industry. These games combine the familiar elements of online slots with puzzle-solving features, creating a unique and exciting experience for players.

Gonzo’s Quest: One of the most popular examples of a puzzle-based slot game, Gonzo’s Quest by NetEnt, incorporates cascading reels and multipliers that increase with each consecutive win. Players must clear symbols to uncover hidden treasures, and the puzzle-like gameplay makes each spin more strategic.
Finn and the Swirly Spin: Another example from NetEnt, this slot uses a spiral mechanic where symbols move in a swirl rather than traditional paylines. Players must clear symbols in a specific order to unlock features, creating a puzzle-like experience that requires more than just pressing spin.
Reactoonz: This game by Play’n GO features a grid layout rather than traditional reels, with symbols that explode and collapse to form winning combinations. Players must think ahead to trigger special bonuses by clearing enough symbols, making the gameplay highly interactive.

These titles are just a few examples of how puzzle mechanics are being incorporated into slot games, offering players more than just a reliance on luck.

Conclusion

Puzzle mechanics are changing the way we play online slots by adding a layer of complexity and interaction that wasn’t previously available. These games offer more engaging, rewarding, and strategic experiences, appealing to both casual players and those looking for a more involved gaming session. As the trend continues to grow, puzzle-based slots will likely become a staple in the world of online gaming, revolutionizing how we think about and play these classic games.

Business

Payments tech company Lightspeed Commerce conducting strategic review of business

Published

5 days ago

September 26, 2024

Anne Joseph

MONTREAL – Lightspeed Commerce Inc. says it is conducting a review of its business and operations including talks relating to a range of potential strategic alternatives.

The Montreal-based payments technology company made the comments after reports concerning a potential transaction involving the company.

Lightspeed says it periodically undertakes a review of its business and operations with a view of realizing its full potential.

A strategic review is often seen by investors as a prelude to a sale by a company.

Lightspeed says its board of directors is committed to acting in the best interests of the company and its stakeholders.

Company founder Dax Dasilva returned to the role of chief executive officer earlier this year and has been working to return the company to profitability.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:LSPD)

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Economy

Bank of Canada trying to figure out how AI might affect inflation, Macklem says

Published

2 weeks ago

September 20, 2024

Anne Joseph

OTTAWA – Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says there is a lot of uncertainty around how artificial intelligence could affect the economy moving forward, including the labour market and price growth.

In a speech in Toronto at the Economics of Artificial Intelligence Conference, the governor said Friday that the central bank is approaching the issue cautiously to get a better understanding of how AI could affect its job of keeping inflation low and stable.

“Be wary of anyone who claims to know where AI will take us. There is too much uncertainty to be confident,” Macklem said in prepared remarks.

“We don’t know how quickly AI will continue to advance. And we don’t know the timing and extent of its economic and social impacts.”

The governor said AI has the potential of increasing labour productivity, which would raise living standards and grow the economy without boosting inflation.

In the short-term, he said investment in AI is adding to demand and could be inflationary.

However, Macklem also highlighted more pessimistic scenarios, where AI could destroy more jobs than it creates or lead to less competition rather than more.

The governor called on academics and businesses to work together to shed more light on the potential effects of AI on the economy.

“When you enter a dark room, you don’t go charging in. You cautiously feel your way around. And you try to find the light switch. That is what we are doing. What we central bankers need is more light,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2024.

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