It was a wonderful weekend full of fighting game action thanks to CEO 2024, which was live in the USA. However, amidst many a tense match in Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and more, it was a Mortal Kombat 1 player that shattered expectations with an over-eager pop off.
Dyloch, one of the best General Shao players in the world and multiple major tournament winner, managed to take home the first place belt at CEO for Mortal Kombat 1 as well as a tasty $565 in prize money. However, a few matches prior, in the winner’s final, he celebrated his victory by picking up his chair and throwing it over the wrestling ring ropes surrounding the console set up. This chair, airborne and clearly in a juggle state, crashed down onto an Elation Chorus Line 16 LED light. You can buy one right now for the low, low price of $2,992.
In response, tournament organizer Alex Jebailey posted several tweets, including one where he (perhaps jokingly) asks for Dyloch’s Paypal because “somebody’s paying for that broken light fixture and it’s not me” and following this up with a declaration that: “If one more person pops off throwing anything you will be banned from any event I ever do. This is a final warning to anyone in the future. Do not throw things”. Back in 2021, Jebailey took similar action against an attendee who pulled a fire alarm at the event, forcing a mass evacuation and huge rock paper scissors exhibition.
It’s unclear whether Dyloch will actually end up having to pay for a new light, leaving Daytona Beach with a net -$2,427, or whether his sponsor will foot the bill, or even insurance for the light will cover it. Neither Dyloch or Jebaliey has elaborated on the matter further since it happened.
This isn’t actually the first time a chair has caused some controversy in the fighting game space in recent weeks. It was only back in May that Hungrybox, legendary Smash Bros competitor and anti-crab advocate, threw and broke a hotel chair during a match at Get On My Level. The player has a legacy of throwing furniture, (see twomore examples here), but with thankfully no history of major equipment damage.
These actions, often defended as hype or part of the energy of a clutch win, are all well and good if you don’t have to pay for ’em. But with this latest example of chair-on-lighting violence putting a rather large dollar sign next to the act, perhaps we can go back to the good old days of calling your opponent a bum, giving them the finger, or high-fiving all your friends in the crowd instead.
Let us know what you think of this below. Should things be left as is, with responsibility left in the hands on professional video game players, or should certain players be on a list and have their seats bolted down prior to tournament matches? Either way, think of the tournament organizers, who often have to clean up after such messes.
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.
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.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
