Editorials
Vint Cerf wants to combat digital dark age with Digital Vellum
The digital dark age is upon us, warns Vinton Cerf, Google Vice President and a pioneer of the internet. The concept of a digital dark age has been around for quite some time now, but hearing the warning from such an influential and important person in the history of the digital era itself makes it all that more serious. Vint Cerf, even though relatively unknown, is recognized as on of the fathers of internet. He was a manager at DARPA, and worked on making TCP/IP technology become what it is today. As the father of the internet, we would find it normal to accept his warnings as a real possibility and start considering what the digital dark age means for the average internet user.
According to Vint Cerf, in an interview with BBC, the digital dark age cannot be prevented, even though it seems a little early for it come forth. First off, let’s explain what the concept of digital dark age actually means. Try running an old game on your new-gen laptop, try opening a very old version of Paint on your desktop, try reading an excel document from years ago or try installing an old program on your new PC. No matter how hard you try, it probably won’t work. That’s the digital dark age. If you’re still a bit confused, let’s rephrase this in a simple way. Software and hardware doesn’t age, but the people behind them develop, which means that the software that is developed now is incompatible with hardware from a few years ago. The main issue brought on by the digital dark age is compatibility, and in Cerf’s opinion, technology will inevitably fall victim to it in the end. You can watch the full interview with Mr. Vint Cerf over at BBC.
Cerf actually thinks that future generations will not be able to access records from the age of technology, aka the 21st century due to incompatibility issues, which means that essentially, all that data will be lost. He blames the digital dark age on technological revolution itself, which turns older software and hardware into obsolete concepts long forgotten. Think of the floppy disk! That’s probably the best example that illustrates what Google VP is trying to say. You can no longer access the data stored on your dad’s floppy disk, and my floppy disks which have file backups on them are just wall decorations in a wannabe-retro dining room. Even though many software and hardware developers and manufacturers put emphasis on backward compatibility, one can’t say for sure that every photo, document and file they’ve ever laid eyes on will be available to them in a few years, regardless of it being stored in the infinite cloud.
The digital dark age has already impacted the floppy
To combat this digital dark age, Vint Cerf proposes an ephemeral solution which reminds me of post-apocalyptic scenarios and technological dystopias I’ve read about in Aldous Huxley, George Orwell and cyberpunk literature as a whole. The Digital Vellum is not much more than cloud storage, but it’s got its benefits, from the point of view of backward compatibility and keeping data usable for long periods of time. In Cerf’s description of the Digital Vellum, he proposes that data should be saved in the cloud, but not as a stand-alone piece of data like usual, rather as a package of necessary information needed to decrypt and run that data on systems of the future. In consequence, a file would be uploaded to the cloud alongside the application which runs it and the actual operating system, all in one bundle.
The concept behind the Digital Vellum is ingenious in my opinion and would render the digital dark age obsolete, just as obsolete as the digital dark age would make old files. If that makes sense, then we’re on the same plate. If not, I might have to dial down the cyberpunk literature in the late hours of the evening. Anyway, the Digital Vellum might just be the best cloud-related idea I’ve ever heard. Since it comes from a pioneer of the internet who has personally experienced how technology moves on and leaves parts of it behind, abandoned, I’m inclined to side with his beliefs. If you would upload a photo to the Digital Vellum, alongside Paint, for example, and a model of Windows 7, it would occupy a lot of space, which poses a problem: bandwidth and cost.
How can you view a word file after the digital dark age?
If I were to theorize a bit on the Digital Vellum and how it might work, I would encounter one problem Cerf described to the BBC: transferability and standardized descriptions. These concepts are a bit foreign to many internet users, myself included. The idea behind standardized descriptions is that a certain bundle in the Digital Vellum would have a description that could be understood or decrypted easily by generations after the digital dark age. Think of it like this: each bundle or X-Ray snapshot as Mr. Cerf puts it, would have a set of instructions, protocols and code that could be easily decrypted. Transferability, on the other hand, means that these bundles of data could be moved from one cloud storage service to another, or to a physical storage unit like an SD card or USB drive.
My own vision about the Digital Vellum which could combat the digital dark age would be strict categorization and grouping of files. Even though the X-Ray snapshot seems like a good idea, it might require a lot of bandwidth to upload to the internet, which would raise the cost to the uploader. That could be avoided by creating categories of files, starting with operating systems. For example, a cloud storage service would create a category for the Windows 98 to 7 operating systems, in which users could upload applications which are proprietary to the operating system. Next, the actual files that would be decrypted with these applications that run in Windows operating systems would be categorized in their specific application. For example, a photo of me and my mom at the zoo would go into the .JPG section within Paint or Image Viewer, within the Windows 98 to 7 operating system category. Tell me if you think this idea is viable, because I’m getting confused here.
Overall, the digital dark age and the Digital Vellum proposed by Mr. Cerf are fascinating and make us think about how technology and information will evolve over time. As we have seen the floppy disk become obsolete, we might see JPG and PNG files make way for GIF and BMP files or who knows what other types of extensions the future will bring forth. The digital dark age is upon us, and those born before the 1990s might be the ones to really notice the small changes it brings along for the ride. Please let us know if you think backward compatibility is easy to keep going for various files and applications or if you think the digital dark age is unavoidable. Also, let us know what you think about the Digital Vellum. That name makes me think about fortune tellers.
After many years of fans begging Square Enix to remaster Final Fantasy VII, they finally listened and did just that. There were numerous excuses as to why the game’s re-release had lagged behind the re-releases of both VII and IX, with the most common excuse being that the game’s original code was lost years ago. However, the company made it happen and the game is finally available for modern audiences to play on modern hardware today. We’re going to give you 5 reasons why you should do just that.
First time available on modern hardware
As we’ve already said, this is the first time that the game is available on modern hardware. While the game originally launched for PS1 back in 1999, it later got a PC port in 2000. That means that is has been a whopping 19 years since a new version of the game has been available for purchase, and that wait was a brutal one. However, it is finally over and you can now play this classic game on PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch along with PC. If the lack of modern hardware support was stopping you from checking out, that excuse just got thrown out the window.
The visuals look better than ever
Thankfully, Square Enix did not just slap this port together quickly and throw it out there to shut everyone up. They did a terrific job of putting on a shiny new coat of paint for the game, with the character models in particular looking much better. While things like environment textures didn’t get quite the same amount of attention, this is nevertheless the best that the game has ever looked. It also helps that the game is simply beautiful from a design standpoint, with the game’s world being gorgeous to behold even though we’re dealing with the hardware limitations of 1999.
Quality of life improvements
While those who played the game 20 years ago will still be getting what is essentially the same experience, Square Enix did add some quality of life improvements to put it more in line with current JRPGs. These changes include the likes of increasing battle speed by 3 times, shutting off random encounters completely and even a cheat to give you max HP and limit breaks. While these may seem minor, these will go a long way to ease some of the tedium that many feel after some particularly long gaming sessions. Max HP and Limit Breaks will also make the incredibly tough Ultima and Omega Weapon boss fights a lot easier to deal with.
Triple Triad
The Final Fantasy series is known for having its fair share of enticing side quests and mini games, but there isn’t a single one that is as addicting as Triple Triad. The game is essentially a card game that is played on a 3×3 grid, and each card has a certain number on the top, bottom, left and right sides. You need to place your cards in a manner that the numbers on your cards are higher than your opponents, and seeing as your card can be attacked from four different sides this can be tricky. You’re able to challenge many different characters to a match throughout the course of the entire game, and doing so comes with plenty of nice rewards that will make your quest easier.
The game is awesome
While our previous points focused on specific elements of the game, this one is a simple fact that has been true since 1999: the game is awesome. Unfortunately, releasing immediately after Final Fantasy VII (a watershed moment for gaming) put it under a very cruel microscope, with many knee jerk reactions simply saying it “isn’t as good as VII.” However, in the years that have passed people have revisited the game, and the consensus has definitely changed. This adventure that Square created is unlike any other in the series, being host to an ambitious and bizarre plot filled with some of the best characters the series has ever seen. If you’ve played the game before then this is the perfect time to experience this masterpiece all over again, and if you haven’t then what are you waiting for?
2019 has been yet another good year for gaming so far, with several games releasing that will be big contenders for game of the year once the curtain closes. However, despite the year already being more than halfway over, there are still some huge titles on the horizon that are sure to make their own dents on the coming best-of lists. This article will list the 10 biggest games that are still coming in 2019.
Control
A new game from Remedy Entertainment is always highly-anticipated, and Control is no different. The game is an action-adventure game in the same style as Alan Wake or Quantum Break, but with a supernatural twist. Players will control Jesse Faden, who possesses a variety of supernatural abilities like telekinesis, levitation and more. She will be using her abilities in order to defeat an enemy known only as the Hiss, which has corrupted reality. Control launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on August 27th.
Borderlands 3
It has been many years since the last game in the Borderlands series released, but the hiatus is finally coming to an end very soon. Those who have played previous games in the series will feel right at home with this game, as it’s once again a loot-driven FPS. The game will offer more zany characters and a charming and insane world to explore, all while dealing with new antagonists Troy and Tyreen Calypso along with their Children of the Vault cult. Borderlands 3 launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on September 13th, with a Google Stadia port release date being TBA.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon series is returning soon with Breakpoint, which will serve as a continuation of previous game Wildlands. The game is set in an open world environment called Aurora, which is a fictional island in the Pacific Ocean. Players will control Lieutenant Colonel Anthony “Nomad” Perryman, who is a special forces operative that was sent to the island to investigate a series of disturbances in the area. Breakpoint launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 4th, with a Google Stadia port coming in November.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Each new installment in the Call of Duty series is always huge, but Modern Warfare’s release marks a first for the long-running franchise. It will be the first game in the series that is reimagining of a previous game in the series, taking 2004’s original game and updating its mechanics and themes to match today’s world. The game will still have some of the beats that the first game had, but will also incorporate lots of surprises to make it a fresh experience. Modern Warfare launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th.
The Outer Worlds
Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds is one that will be very highly-anticipated for fans of Fallout: New Vegas, as this game serves as a sort of spiritual successor to that game. It will be an open world RPG that allows you to explore many unique areas crawling with plenty of deadly foes. Players will also be able to encounter and recruit NPCs as companions that have their own personal missions and stories to take part in. The Outer Worlds launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th, with a Switch port also being in the works.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
It seemed very unlikely that Luigi’s Mansion would become a recurring franchise for Nintendo following the original GameCube game, but here we are. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is coming to Switch, which also means it will be the first home console release since the original game back in 2003. This time the game is set in a haunted hotel rather than a mansion, and Luigi has some new tricks up his sleeves to take down all those ghosts. Luigi’s Mansion 3 will launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch on October 31st.
Death Stranding
If you’re looking for the most ambitious (and weirdest) game still coming in 2019, then look no further. Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding has perplexed gamers ever since its announcement, and each new trailer that releases just brings more and more questions to the table. It is Kojima’s first game since breaking up with Konami after the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phanton Pain (and the cancellation of Silent Hills), and it looks like Kojima has taken the newfound complete creative control to deliver something truly original. Death Stranding launches exclusively for PS4 on November 8th.
Pokemon Sword & Shield
At this point we all know what to expect from a new Pokemon game, and Sword and Shield seems poised to deliver even more cute creatures for players to capture and battle very soon. What sets Sword and Shield apart from its predecessors is that it will be the first home console release for the series, which is saying something considering the series has been around for over 20 years. Pokemon Sword & Shield launches exclusively for Switch on November 15th.
Shenmue III
If you’re a fan of Shenmue then nothing needs to be said for the inclusion of the upcoming third game on this list. Fans of the series have been waiting nearly two decades for a follow-up to the second game, and in just a couple of months that will finally be delivered to them. Brought to life thanks to an extremely successful Kickstarter campaign, the game continues the adventure of protagonist Ryo Hazuki as he hunts down his father’s killer. Shenmue III will launch for PS4 and PC on November 19th.
DOOM Eternal
id Software’s DOOM 2016 was one of the best FPS games to come along in years, so it’s a no-brainer that the follow-up would be on this list. Eternal is set to offer yet another intense FPS campaign for players to plunge into, while also offering a multiplayer component that greatly improves upon the last game’s underwhelming multiplayer mode. There will also be twice as many demon types than there was in the last game, meaning that the chaos level just got that much higher. DOOM Eternal launches for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia and PC on November 22nd.
Microsoft’s Xbox E3 2019 Press Conference has officially come to an end, and with it came plenty of big announcements to get excited about. Some new games were announced, whereas previously-announced games got new footage and/or release dates. In this article we’ve narrowed it all down to the 5 most exciting announcements.
New Xbox “Project Scarlett” Coming Holiday 2020
We’ve known for a while now that a new Xbox was in the works, but now we know when to expect it. Microsoft’s fourth console (which hopefully has a better official name than Xbox One did) will be a big step up from the previous console. Things like much faster load times, an AMD Processor that is four times more powerful than the Xbox One X, 8K Resolution and 120 FPS were all mentioned. A price and exact release date weren’t mentioned. It will also be launching with…
Halo Infinite Coming Holiday 2020, Launching On Both Xbox One and Project Scarlett
The wait for the next Halo game has been longer than ever before for series fans, and the announcement at E3 revealed that the wait will continue. Halo Infinite will not be launching until Holiday 2020, meaning it will have been 5 years since the previous game released with Halo 5. It will also be launching on Xbox One and Project Scarlett, meaning the new console will have a big launch title for fans to get pumped about.
Cyberpunk 2077 Coming April 2020, Stars Keanu Reeves
It’s hard to pick a game that people have been more excited about than Cyberpunk 2077, and after Microsoft’s press conference we’re even more excited. Not only is it coming in April of next year, but Keanu Reeves himself will be playing a “key” role in the game. Everything shown from the game has looked great so far, so hopefully it all pans out and we have another classic from CD Projekt RED come April 2020.
FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin Collaboration Elden Ring Announced
This one was actually leaked prior to the presentation, but Dark Souls developer FromSoftware and Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin are collaborating on a new game. The game is called Elden Ring, and it will be a departure from the developer’s most recent games as it will be open world. Very little information on the game is known at this point, as it is still in the early stages of development.
Phantasy Star Online 2 Is Coming West
It took a very long time, but the popular MMORPG is finally coming west. The game is coming to Xbox One in a free-to-play form in Spring 2020, so the wait won’t be that much longer. “There will be no limitations on game experiences,”says Sega, because they want to “provide all players with a fair and exciting experience.”
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