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We live in a golden age of technology. Self-driving cars are almost a reality; artificial intelligence is practically indistinguishable from human intelligence, and we can now print amazing 3D objects. Some entrepreneurs have made a businesses out of selling such objects, and I am here to tell you which make the best gifts, either for you or for your fellow geek.

5.  Yourself or your MMO-self

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Who doesn’t want a miniature version of him or herself to place and to admire on a desk? Shapify sells 100% unique 3D printed figures of people. What makes them unique? Well, because they are of you, and according to your mom you are unique, so therefore each of these figures is unique. But seriously, all you have to do is scan yourself with a Shapify scanner booth or Kinect (probably the only time you will ever use a Kinect), send the scan to Shapify, and you can have a miniature you to place on your desk. However, these miniatures have several downsides. You either have to find or rent a booth or use a Kinect, and they are not easy to come by. Also, Shapify figures are expensive, around $140. Finally, the detail isn’t exactly the best, and they are fragile. But, if you have the money and the wherewithal to find a Shapify scanner booth or a Kinect, Shapify figures make excellent presents.

If you aren’t up for finding the rare Shapify scanning booth or using the abysmal Kinect, you can always commission a FigurePrint of your World of Warcraft character or custom Minecraft work. If you buy a WoW FigurePrint, you can deck out your WoW character in any equipment and either order a full-body figure or a bust. As with Shapify, each figure is 100% unique. But, you cannot order a FigurePrint without an active World of Warcraft subscription/character or a Minecraft world. Furthermore, as with Shapify, FigurePrints are extremely expensive ($70-$130 for a WoW FigurePrint and an unspecified range for a Minecraft Figureprint) and extraordinarily fragile.

Also, please note that as of writing this article FigurePrint is not taking any new orders until it works out the kinks in its new, higher quality printing system. With luck, FigurePrints will be available for ordering soon.

4.  Mecha Zone Mechanauts and Predanauts

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When many people think of 3D printed objects, they think of immobile statues. But 3D printed action figures do exist, and they are, for lack of a better word, amazing

Created by freelance artist David White, Mecha Zone is a love letter to fans of Transformers and Japanese robots, with some Microman thrown in for flavor. The Mecha Zone line focuses on the Mechanauts who wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of the Predanauts, and unlike other 3D printed figures, White paints and prepare his Mecha Zone figures so they look and feel like high-end action figures. Each Mecha Zone figure is fully poseable, and some come with accessories. The two biggest problems with the Mecha Zone line are the price ($15-$300 depending on the figure, with most of them over the $75 mark) and they are sold in waves rather than made to order. However, the Mecha Zone store recently added a custom commission option so people can buy old figures or commission new ones with new color schemes and parts. Still, Mecha Zone figures are absolutely gorgeous and worth the cost.

3.  Modibot

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While not as detailed as Mechanauts or Predanauts, Modibots more than make up for that with a simple stick figure aesthetic and unparalleled customization. Medibots come in inexpensive kits of 3D printed parts that can be mixed and matched in literally almost any way. Base figure kits include enough pieces to create one Modibot, but the true fun of Modibots lies in the accessory kits. Arms, legs, weapons, claws, and tails are available to customize any Modibot. Oh, and they’re also inexpensive and can be augmented with a ton of fan-made parts designed specifically for the Modibots. While adult collectors might not enjoy these figures, kids will have a blast mixing and matching parts to create fantastical shapes.

2.  Mythic Articulations

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Skeletons are fascinating; they are beautiful and terrifying at the same time, and the weirder the the better. Mythic Articulations dials the macabre fascination factor up to eleven by creating skeletons of various mythical and fictional creatures. Classics such as Dragons, Werewolves, and Centaurs are available, as are slightly more obscure creatures like the Hippocampus and the Tikbalang (no I did not make that up). However, some of the store’s best skeletons are of urban legends, such as The Rake, The Flatwoods Monster, and The Jersey Devil. Mythic Articulations does not just offer static skeletal statues; the store also sells non-printed jewelry, art prints, and amazing 3D printed poseable skeletons that come in cans. Prices vary widely, ranging from $30 to $133, but these skeletons are worth every penny.

1.  Heroforge

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Affordable? Check.
Customizable? Double check.
Dungeons & Dragons themed? Natural twenty on a charisma check.

Miniatures are a common sight in many Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. Some people use pre-made miniatures, but wouldn’t you rather use one that looks exactly the way you picture your character? Heroforge gives you the ability to customize your character any way you want. Do you want a balding wizard with a pet dragon? You can create that in Herforge. What about a giant brute of a female half-orc who dual-wields heavy war hammers? That is also an option in Heroforge. You aren’t even limited to Dungeons and Dragons characters; Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Modern, Western, and East-Asian genres are all represented and can be mixed and matched without any restrictions. From robot ninjas to vampire space marines, you can create literally any character in Heroforge, and they are all ready to be painted as you wish. Unless you want spend $100 and have your character printed in bronze.

All you have to do to get my attention is talk about video games, technology, anime, and/or Dungeons & Dragons - also people in spandex fighting rubber suited monsters.

Gaming

Documentary Explores the Making of the Highly Praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for PS5

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Square Enix has launched a captivating documentary series that explores the intricate process behind the creation of the highly praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. In the first episode, titled “Shaping the World,” the developer delves into the process of reimagining the expansive PS1 map of the original game into a vast sandbox for the PS5. The film includes personal stories shared by directors Naoki Hamaguchi and Tetsuya Nomura, as well as other important members of the team.

This reimagining of the all-time PlayStation classic was truly enjoyable. In our review, we praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for its ability to enhance the already impressive combat system of Remake. The game truly shines in its portrayal of an iconic RPG setting. If you have a deep appreciation for the original PS1 game and found enjoyment in Remake, then Rebirth’s character-focused adventure will surely captivate you from start to finish.

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Gaming

Gran Turismo 7 for the PS5 and PS4 shows continuous improvement

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While Sony may not classify Gran Turismo 7 as a live-service game, the team at Polyphony Digital certainly approaches it with a similar mindset. The game continues to impress with every new update, and although v1.44 may be smaller compared to previous versions, it still manages to enhance the already extensive content of this simulation racer.

The update, now available worldwide, introduces three new cars: the Audi R8 Coupé V10 Plus ’16, the Lamborghini Urus ’18, and the Toyota GT-One (TS020) ’99. Furthermore, it introduces three fresh events to World Circuits, an extra menu to conquer in the GT Café single-player campaign, and a collection of livery stickers inspired by the upcoming Highspeed Étoile anime, set to debut next week in Japan.

If you’re not already acquainted with Highspeed Étoile, you can watch a trailer right here. “Sony has announced that a collection of 26 stickers, consisting of 8 title logos and 18 main character stickers, will be made available for a limited time,” stated Sony on the PS Blog. In addition, Fukushima will be included as a backdrop in the title’s beloved photography mode.

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Gaming

TopSpin 2K25 appears to be a standout title in the recent PS5 and PS4 gameplay showcase

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This author has consistently praised the realistic portrayal of tennis in TopSpin 4. After more than a decade, we are thrilled to witness the release of TopSpin 2K25, which expands upon the success of its renowned predecessor. This gameplay video provides a comprehensive overview of the features discussed in our recent preview while also incorporating relevant footage to enhance understanding.

The series’ swing system sets it apart from arcade-style games like Virtua Tennis, as it requires players to charge up their shots in a different way. In order to succeed, timing is crucial, and fortunately, a new meter above your player will assist you in achieving that. Surfaces have their own distinct characteristics, such as clay, where you’ll experience a noticeable amount of sliding.

The game ensures that every player has a distinct set of animations, adding a touch of individuality to each competitor. The courts, found in all Grand Slams, possess a remarkable amount of individuality and charm. It is mentioned in the video that with each in-game season, players can expect a plethora of additional content, such as animation packs. This indicates that there will be plenty to anticipate even after the game’s initial release.

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