Apple cancels car project, instead ramping up this initiative… – CyberTalk

Apple cancels car project, instead ramping up this initiative… – CyberTalk

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Apple has spent years and billions of dollars not-so-secretly preparing for the release of a luxurious electric vehicle with self-driving features. After years of work, the project is ultimately being canceled.

In a meeting earlier today, the company announced the change and noted that many of the engineers who were involved in “Project Titan” will join Apple’s artificial intelligence division.

Apple’s artificial intelligence

Since ChatGPT’s launch, Apple has been conspicuously quiet on the topic of artificial intelligence. That doesn’t mean that the company doesn’t have big plans in store though…

The company is developing a chatbot of its own – internally known as Apple GPT. The tool operates on a proprietary foundational model, which experts speculate will align with its brand, user experience and privacy standards.

Apple senior vice presidents John Giannandrea and Craig Federighi are leading this AI initiative. Eddy Cue, Apple’s head of services, is also involved. The group is expected to spend roughly $1 billion per year on product development.

iOS and AI

In other Apple AI projects, at least one software engineering group has been tasked with adding AI to the next version of iOS. Features will be built using the company’s LLM, trained on an extensive and diverse dataset.

The new features may improve how Siri and the Messages app can answer questions and auto-complete sentences.

For example, for Siri, AI could lead to better responses to multi-step questions. If you were to ask Siri “Who directed the movie ‘Inception’ and what other films did the director create?” with AI, Siri might be able to provide a concise, audio-based answer, followed by additional details about the director’s cinamatography.

And the Messages app could become better at predicting what users intend to type. As inputs are given, it might offer more context-aware suggestions with which to complete sentences.

Apps and AI

Apple’s software engineering teams may also integrate generative AI into development tools such as Xcode – this type of transformation could enable app developers to produce applications more quickly.

AI is expected to be added to as many apps as possible. Apple is exploring new features for Apple Music, including auto-generated playlists, a function that Spotify and OpenAI have previously collaborated on.

On-device vs. cloud deployment

One internal Apple conversation centers around how to deploy generative AI. Should it be an on-device experience in entirety, a cloud-based set-up or split between the two?

The on-device approach would operate more efficiently and help safeguard privacy. Yet, deploying Apple’s LLMs through the cloud would allow for greater agility and perhaps more advanced pursuits.

But the on-device strategy would render it more challenging for Apple to update its technology – thus, experts currently anticipate a combined approach.

Additional AI insights

At this point, generative AI is so much more than a buzzword. For more generative AI insights from experts, please see CyberTalk.org’s past coverage.

Lastly, subscribe to the CyberTalk.org newsletter for timely discussions, cutting-edge analyses and more, delivered straight to your inbox each week.

Former Call Of Duty: Black Ops Lead Forms ‘BulletFarm’ Studio To Create New First-Person Co-Op Game

NetEase Games has pulled back the curtains on its newest studio, BulletFarm. Led by David Vonderhaar, whose experience includes leading the teams behind the Call of Duty: Black Ops series, BulletFarm aims to develop a new triple-A game that utilizes first-person gameplay with an emphasis on co-op in Unreal Engine 5. It will be set in an original universe. 

Former Call Of Duty: Black Ops Lead Forms ‘BulletFarm’ Studio To Create New First-Person Co-Op Game

This unannounced and untitled game will “craft a more intimate and relatable experience while offering a fresh take on first-person gameplay,” according to a press release. 

BulletFarm is taking a remote-first approach to game development but considers itself a triple-A studio headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Joining Vonderhaar is the studio’s creative director Chris Cowell. The studio is currently looking to hire in various roles to fill out the founding team. 

“Starting this new studio has given me a chance to step out of my comfort zone and try my hand at making something entirely new and different,” Vonderhaar writes in a press release. “This is a departure from the games I’ve worked on, but one that showcases my passion for rich characters, precise mechanics, more intimate storytelling, and plenty of action. NetEase has provided us an incredible support structure to explore these new avenues and allow true freedom to begin building the concept and ideas for our game.” 

NetEase president of global investments and partnerships Simon Zhu says the company is fully dedicated to giving BulletFarm the resources and support it requires to build its new first-person experience. “David’s leadership and the early collection of game development talent assembled at the studio is set to offer something truly unique for his existing fans along with a new audience.” 

BulletFarm is currently developing its first title, but there’s no word on when to expect to see it. 

What kind of game do you hope BulletFarm makes? Let us know in the comments below!

Life Is Strange: True Colors Developer Deck Nine Laying Off 20 Percent Of Staff

Life Is Strange: True Colors Developer Deck Nine Laying Off 20 Percent Of Staff

Life is Strange: True Colors developer Deck Nine has announced it is laying off 20 percent of its staff. In the statement announcing this news, Deck Nine didn’t name a specific reason for the layoffs, instead stating the studio has been affected by the industry’s worsening conditions. Twenty percent of Deck Nine’s staff is equal to roughly 30 employees, according to a report from Eurogamer. 

Here’s Deck Nine’s statement, in full: 

“Like many others in the games industry right now, Deck Nine has been affected by the games industry’s worsening market conditions. Today we made the difficult decision to lay off 20% of our staff. These people are amazing, talented, and awesome developers. They have made a huge impact during their time at Deck Nine Games and we did not take this decision lightly. Please hire these people if you can, they’re amazing.” 

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Deck Nine game director Stephan Frost said on X (formerly Twitter) that leadership within the studio took pay cuts to keep the number of layoffs down as much as possible. “This is the strongest team [Deck Nine] has ever been and it absolutely sucks that the industry is in the state that it is presently,” Frost adds. 

These job cuts join a string of other disheartening 2024 layoffs, which total more than 6,5000 in just the first two months of the year. Yesterday, we learned PlayStation was laying off 900 employees across Insomniac, Naughty Dog, Guerrilla, and more, closing down London Studio in the process, too. The day before, Until Dawn developer Supermassive Games announced it is laying off 90 employees. 

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At the end of January, we learned Embracer Group had canceled a new Deus Ex game in development at Eidos-Montréal and laid off 97 employees in the process. Also in January, Destroy All Humans remake developer Black Forest Games reportedly laid off 50 employees and Microsoft announced it was laying off 1,900 employees across its Xbox, Activision Blizzard, and ZeniMax teams as well. Outriders studio People Can Fly laid off more than 30 employees in January, and League of Legends company Riot Games laid off 530 employees. 

We recently learned Lords of the Fallen Publisher CI Games was laying off 10 percent of its staff, that Unity would be laying off 1,800 people by the end of March, and that Twitch had laid off 500 employees. 

We also learned that Discord had laid off 170 employees, that layoffs happened at PTW, a support studio that’s worked with companies like Blizzard and Capcom, and that SteamWorld Build company, Thunderful Group, let go of roughly 100 people. Dead by Daylight developer Behaviour Interactive also reportedly laid off 45 people, too. 

Last year, more than 10,000 people in the games industry or game-adjacent industries were laid off. 

In January of last year, Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees amidst its ongoing $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which it completed in October. 

Striking Distance Studios, the team behind 2022’s The Callisto Protocol, laid off more than 30 employees in August of 2023. That same month, Mass Effect and Dragon Age developer BioWare laid off 50 employees, including long-time studio veterans. The following month, in September, Immortals of Aveum developer Ascendant Studios laid off roughly 45% of its staff, and Fortnite developer Epic Games laid off 830 employees. 

In October of last year, The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog laid off at least 25 employees, and Telltale Games also underwent layoffs, although an actual number of affected employees has not yet been revealed. Dreams developer Media Molecule laid off 20 employees in late October.

In November, Amazon Games laid off 180 staff members, Ubisoft laid off more than 100 employees, Bungie laid off roughly 100 developers, and 505 Games’ parent company, Digital Bros, laid off 30% of its staff. 

In December, Embracer Group closed its reformed TimeSplitters studio, Free Radical Design, and earlier in the year, Embracer closed Saints Row developer Volition Games, a studio with more than 30 years of development history. A few weeks before the winter holidays, Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering owner Hasbro laid off 1,100 employees. 

The games industry will surely feel the effects of such horrific layoffs for years to come. The hearts of the Game Informer staff are with everyone who’s been affected by layoffs or closures.

Balatro Review – A Winning Hand – Game Informer

Balatro Review – A Winning Hand – Game Informer

I’m not a poker player. I’ve never learned the game, and my limited knowledge of it largely stems from pop culture osmosis, such as James Bond films and referential quips from X-Men’s Gambit. I couldn’t tell you what makes a royal flush, but I know it’s good to have it. Despite its premise and appearance, Balatro technically isn’t poker. It is, however, the first title to make me understand and enjoy the core premise of the card game. It also happens to be one of the most engrossing games of the year. 

Calling Balatro a poker game would be disingenuous. You don’t even play against other opponents. It’s actually a poker-inspired roguelike deckbuilder. Over a series of rounds, you’re tasked with playing the best hand possible to score a minimum number of chips to advance to the next round. You begin with a standard 52-card deck and only draw four hands (with limited discards) to fulfill this score criteria. The most prominent poker element is learning how to assemble various types of hands, such as a Flush, Straight, or Full House. Thankfully, a helpful glossary illustrating what each type of hand looks like and their score values is just a button click away. This simple and accessible reference has allowed me to memorize poker hands for the first time, expediting my enjoyment of Balatro.

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Three Blinds (basically rounds) make up an Ante, and you win a game by completing eight Antes. Lose a round, and you start from the first Ante. Balatro would be enjoyable if it simply consisted of this straightforward premise, but the magic comes in how it incorporates the roguelike genre’s satisfying power climb. You earn cash based on your performance each round, which in turn is used to purchase a variety of cards from booster packs with wacky abilities to augment your deck. Equipping up to five Joker cards, of which over 100 types exist, bestows passive effects or trigger abilities. Some add score multipliers for playing certain suits or bonus chips for not playing a face card. One of my favorites is a glitched Joker that multiplies my score by a random amount, adding a fun roulette element. Jokers dramatically alter the game in a plethora of neat ways, but it doesn’t stop there. 

Using consumables, such as Tarot, Planet, and Spectral cards, raise the score value of certain hand types, add more special effects to cards, and more. Other examples include transforming cards into gold or steel variants that reward chips or cash the longer they stay in your hand. Glass cards have a chance to shatter permanently when played but boast a score multiplier. I love weighing the benefits and downsides of every ability and how they enhance or change my existing lineup. I’m constantly evolving my strategy, even when I settle into a winning formula. Balatro never overwhelms players with too many options at once, and your strength grows at a steady pace. I also appreciate how these mechanics add whimsy and absurdity to a card game I usually associate with blank staring and financial ruin. 

The result is a wildly fun roguelike that’s hard to put down. With so many combinations of loadouts, discovering new Jokers and other cards leads to thrilling experimentation. Many effects complement each other, sometimes in unexpected ways, allowing for a variety of strategies I’m still uncovering. Balatro’s flexibility lets players try many different deckbuilding styles, whether you build a deck consisting of one or two suits or one that emphasizes face cards. I once made a deck that facilitated creating high-scoring straight flushes as often as possible. Everything feels viable with the right skill and luck. 

Balatro is almost Vampire Survivors-esque in its satisfying escalation from playing small hands for decent points to setting off several card effects in succession as multipliers rise to the hundreds, causing your score meter to catch fire NBA Jam-style. I love that building a good deck/loadout can earn me thousands of points for playing a simple Pair. Everything works together to provide constant dopamine hits. Plus, playing well and trying new cards unlocks additional decks (each with unique, beneficial traits) along with new Jokers, booster packs, and more. This mechanic incentivizes me to try out cards I was initially skeptical about, and I discover new favorites while filling an in-game database of every available card in the game. 

Completing Antes becomes progressively more challenging, especially since every third round presents a Boss Blind that saddles you with a single, debilitating effect. Perhaps diamond cards are useless, or you can only play one type of hand. More devilish boss blinds require you to win with a single hand or nullify the value/effects of every card you’ve used during the round. As tough as they can be, I enjoyed how these bouts made Balatro feel even more puzzle-like and forced me to find new solutions instead of banking on reliable tactics. Boss Blinds are randomized, limiting how much you can plan ahead, sometimes leading to devastating defeats when a boss’ stipulation perfectly counters your strategies. Losses mean starting from scratch, and as much as that often stings, I usually restart a new run immediately. Balatro’s “one more run” hook is powerful, and I’m still surprised how much time melts away while playing. 

Balatro’s other cool feature allows you to save runs, called seeds, that can be replayed or shared with others. Playing another player’s seed tailors your run to match theirs, meaning you’ll encounter whatever shop and item combinations they discovered at the expense of disabling new unlocks/discoveries. In addition to shaking things up, seeds add an enjoyable social element to the game, as players can share seeds to help others beat the game and uncover rarer cards. Tack on various challenges, and Balatro dangles plenty of carrots to keep players engaged in the long run. 

Balatro is an ingenious and entertaining roguelike and one of my favorite games of the year. Playing it has become a near-obsession; everything feels perfectly designed to encourage you to keep trying because that next run could be the run of your life. Even after hours of play, I still can’t overcome Balatro’s biggest challenge: putting it down.

Remedy Acquires Full Rights To Control Franchise From Publisher 505 Games

Remedy Acquires Full Rights To Control Franchise From Publisher 505 Games

Remedy Entertainment, which released Alan Wake 2 to critical acclaim in October, has acquired the full rights to the Control franchise from publisher 505 Games. Released in 2019, Remedy developed Control but it was published by 505 Games, which also had a stake in the franchise’s rights at the time. Now, after a roughly $18.4 million purchase, the entirety of the Control franchise belongs to Remedy. 

This includes the original Control game, its in-development sequel Control 2, the multiplayer spin-off Project Condor, and all future Control products. 

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“The Control franchise is in the core of Remedy,” the studio writes in a statement released today. “Having acquired the full rights to Control, Condor, and Control 2, Remedy is now in a position to make the right product and business decisions focusing on long-term franchise growth.” 

With this deal, all publishing agreements between 505 Games and Remedy in regards to the Control franchise are terminated immediately by mutual agreement. All publishing, distribution, marketing, and other rights licensed to 505 Games are reverted to Remedy with immediate effect, as well. However, the two companies have agreed that 505 Games will continue as the publisher of Control through a transition period ending December 31, 2024. 

After this transition period, “505 Games will have no future royalty or other rights to Control.” 

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As for the $18.4 million price, Remedy says it’s equal to “the amount that 505 Games has paid for the development of codename Condor and Control 2 to date including a minor premium.” 

“Remedy is entitled to set off certain receivables from the purchase price, and therefore, the cash flow effect from the transaction will be clearly less than the purchase price,” the statement reads. “Remedy will pay the net purchase price in three cash installments during the next twelve months.” 

This transaction arrives a few months after 505 Games parent company Digital Bros Group laid off 30 percent of its staff to align with “the new competitive market.” Other 505 Games-published titles include Ghostrunner 2, Payday 2, and the PC version of Death Stranding, amongst others. 

For more, read Game Informer’s Control review, and then check out the latest update from Remedy about Control 2 and its Max Payne remakes. After that, read about what to expect with the multiplayer Control spin-off Project Condor. 

Are you more excited for Control 2 or Project Condor? Let us know in the comments below!

The Best Side Quests In Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is chock full of activities to do when you aren’t controlling Cloud, chasing after Sephiroth, and trying to save the planet. With multiple open world zones to explore, there are dozens of objectives to complete ranging from Queen’s Blood matches to treasure caches to combat challenges and more. It’s safe to say completing everything Rebirth offers will take 100 or more hours, and that’s before you add in dozens of minigames to the game’s slew of offerings. 

With so much stuff to do, though, not everything sticks the landing and that goes for side quests too, which range from fine and forgettable to great. If you’re looking to get the Platinum trophy, you’ll need to complete every side quest, but if you’re just trying to play through the game’s best offerings, we have you covered – here are the best side quests. 

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s Best Side Quests

The Best Side Quests In Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Note: If you consider the names of the game’s open-world locations a spoiler, you might want to avoid the information below. 

Last chance to avoid location names that you may or may not find spoilery…

  • Flowers from the Hill – Level 17, Grasslands: While this isn’t the most exciting quest in Rebirth, it’s one of the first you’ll receive and not one to be missed as it helps you unlock your first chocobo. 
  • A Rare Card Lost – Any Level, Grasslands: This is a side quest centered on Queen’s Blood, the game’s best side activity. For that reason alone, it’s worth completing. However, you’ll also receive a great card and more Tifa-related story content. 
  • Stuck in a Rut – Level 20, Junon: Like Flowers from the Hill, this side quest is required in order to obtain your chocobo for this region. 
  • Calling All Frogs – Level 22, Junon: Just do it. It’s hilarious and unlocks a fun minigame. 
  • The Hardest Sell – Level 23, Junon: This is a combat-focused side quest that will have you defeating several tough enemies. It’s a fun challenge and you run into a familiar face from Midgar. 
  • Dreaming of Blue Skies – Level 23, Junon: One of the biggest highlights of the Junon region in the original Final Fantasy VII is the massive condor that calls it home. This is a quest all about that condor and worth doing for the spectacle of the bird. It also features a really sweet mini-story. 
  • Tides of War and Worry – Any Level, Junon: This is one of the game’s zanier side quests and lets you partake in a fun dolphin-centric minigame. 
  • Bodybuilders in a Bind – Level 26, Corel Region: Remember the gym segments from Final Fantasy VII Remake? They’re back, and this quick side quest is how you gain access to the crunch-off minigame. 
  • Of Robed Men and Ransoms  – Level 28, Corel Region: This quest will have you tracking some men wearing black robes and people who may or may not have kidnapped them. It’s a simple follow-and-find type of quest, but it leads to some important information about Cloud’s standing as an ex-SOLDIER. 
  • The Saga of Seaside Inn – Level 31, Corel Region: Okay, so this side quest was actually one of my least favorite because it’s a long string of fetch quests. However, it features a beloved character (voiced by one Yuri Lowenthal, a voice you might recognize as Peter Parker in Insomniac’s Spider-Man games) and unlocks one of the biggest side activities in the game. We won’t say what here, but we highly recommend this quest for completionists. 
  • Trouble in Paradise – Level 44, Corel Region: This side quest leads to another run-in with a familiar face from Midgar and features a great story. 
  • Sand and Circuses – Level 45, Corel Region: This side quest unlocks a colosseum-like battle arena that’s a lot of fun to partake in if you’re obsessed with Rebirth’s combat like me. It also has a great story tucked within it. 
  • The Pursuit of Perfection – Level 31, Gongaga: Completing this will unlock a new weapon for Barret, and it’s a great one. 
  • O Chicken, Where Art Though  – Level 33, Gongaga: This is the funniest side quest in the game. If you like laughing, it’s not one to miss. 
  • The Spice of Life – Level 35, Gongaga: Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core fans, this one’s for you. Have fun gathering mushrooms and cooking soup with a familiar face. 
  • Escape from Endless Writer’s Block – Any Level, Gongaga: This side quest is quick and easy, and you get to have a lot of fun with Red XIII, who will be posing for various pictures you need to take. 
  • Woodland Vigil – Level 44, Gongaga: Another one for the Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core fans. Enjoy. 
  • Bonds of Trust – Any Level, Cosmo Canyon: You must complete this one to unlock the chocobo of this region. It will also teach you how this region’s pathways and air lifts work. 
  • Absence of a Sign – Level 38, Cosmo Canyon: Clerith fans, this is not one to miss. 
  • Promises to Keep  – Level 42, Cosmo Canyon: A must-play for Red XIII fans and those who want a tough combat challenge. 
  • Esoteric Secrets of the Elder – Any Level, Nibel: You must complete this one to unlock the chocobo of this region. It will also unlock a “discovery” to complete as you explore this region. 
  • My White-Haired Angel – Level 41, Nibel: Do you like cute cats? Do this side quest.
  • Lament of the Damned  – Level 44, Nibel: This side quest will unlock a new type of combat simulator and features some tough boss-like battles. If you want some combat challenges or are looking to obtain the Platinum trophy, you’ll need to complete this one. 

And those are our favorite side quests in Rebirth. Complete them and let us know what you think!

For more, read Game Informer’s Final Fantasy VII Rebirth review, and then check out Game Informer’s Final Fantasy VII Rebirth coverage hub for exclusive behind-the-scenes features, video interviews, and more. 

Let us know if you have any other questions about side quests or the game in the comments below!

The 5 Most Normal Things I Could Find In That Death Stranding 2 Trailer

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach’s latest trailer is aggressively bizarre. In 9 minutes and 40 seconds, the video assaults us with talking stop-motion puppets, sentient gloves wrapped around people’s necks, throat babies vomiting out spaceships, a samurai that sounds like an infant, and somehow, Higgs returned. 

It’s so densely packed with weird stuff that, upon repeat viewings, I actually had to go out of my way to pinpoint anything remotely mundane. In a humorous turn of events, Death Stranding 2 is so overwhelmingly odd that every eye-brow-raising visual element is par for the course. Anything that isn’t a black oil-covered tube baby with a hilariously literal moniker voiced by Troy Baker is now the minority and, in turn, the “weird” stuff. They’re not easy to spot, so I took the liberty of doing it for you. Here are all the normal/boring/remarkably tame elements the trailer has to offer. 

Fragile’s Water Bottle

The 5 Most Normal Things I Could Find In That Death Stranding 2 Trailer

Fragile uses this bottle to clean the tar off a mysterious person, which was encased in a cocoon-like shell early in the trailer. She might have filled it with water mixed with some dish soap. Maybe Dawn, since the commercials say they’re good for cleaning oil spill victims. I was waiting for the straw to do the macarena or for babies to pour out of it instead of water, but since neither happened (yet), that makes it a refreshingly dull liquid delivery device.

Guns

It’s kind of surprising that weapons are relatively conventional in this strange universe (poop grenades aside). Combat was my least favorite aspect of Death Stranding, so I’m not thrilled to see that Sam is still packing enough heat to take down an army of ink monsters. I look forward to not using them as often as possible; I need more room to carry my boxes, anyway. 

Trees

The phrase “If trees could talk” has never resonated more than now. I would love their commentary on what it felt like watching the U.S. deteriorate from “It’s pretty weird here” to “We don’t even know if we occupy the same plane of existence anymore, God help us.” 

Wall Pipe

Perhaps the most memorable moment of this trailer is when Higgs (who now resembles The Crow if he were a Cyberpunk 2077 character) uses his electric guitar sword thing to battle an imposing samurai who makes baby noises. You were probably too busy absorbing all of that nonsense to notice this perfectly regular wall pipe that just wants to do normal pipe things and not get involved in this foolishness.

Cooking Pan 

Given the close-up this pan gets, I’m honestly surprised it wasn’t used as a branding opportunity. Maybe some fan has already magnified the image to reveal an OD release date carved on the pan’s bottom. If not, though, the pan itself seems uninteresting; what Sam is cooking with it, though, remains in question. He’s probably sauteeing those weird floating worm things. 

That’s it. That’s all I could find. I can’t trust anything else in this game because everything is weird and probably has a baby inside of it. That desert? Likely a baby. The giant moon? It’s alive and probably has Mads Mikkelsen’s face on the other side of it (Kojima will name him something cheeky like “Majora’s Mads” or something). The floating soldiers represent every celebrity Kojima has lured into his studio’s body-scanning machine; their souls are now trapped within the strand. We have to free them. 

I don’t know what Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is. Hell, I still can’t confidently explain Death Stranding 1, and I finished it. I just know that, whatever it winds up being, I really, really want to play it.

The 5 Most Normal Things I Could Find That Death Stranding 2 Trailer

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach’s latest trailer is aggressively bizarre. In 9 minutes and 40 seconds, the video assaults us with talking stop-motion puppets, sentient gloves wrapped around people’s necks, throat babies vomiting out spaceships, a samurai that sounds like an infant, and somehow, Higgs returned. 

It’s so densely packed with weird stuff that, upon repeat viewings, I actually had to go out of my way to pinpoint anything remotely mundane. In a humorous turn of events, Death Stranding 2 is so overwhelmingly odd that every eye-brow-raising visual element is par for the course. Anything that isn’t a black oil-covered tube baby with a hilariously literal moniker voiced by Troy Baker is now the minority and, in turn, the “weird” stuff. They’re not easy to spot, so I took the liberty of doing it for you. Here are all the normal/boring/remarkably tame elements the trailer has to offer. 

Fragile’s Water Bottle

The 5 Most Normal Things I Could Find In That Death Stranding 2 Trailer

Fragile uses this bottle to clean the tar off a mysterious person, which was encased in a cocoon-like shell early in the trailer. She might have filled it with water mixed with some dish soap. Maybe Dawn, since the commercials say they’re good for cleaning oil spill victims. I was waiting for the straw to do the macarena or for babies to pour out of it instead of water, but since neither happened (yet), that makes it a refreshingly dull liquid delivery device.

Guns

It’s kind of surprising that weapons are relatively conventional in this strange universe (poop grenades aside). Combat was my least favorite aspect of Death Stranding, so I’m not thrilled to see that Sam is still packing enough heat to take down an army of ink monsters. I look forward to not using them as often as possible; I need more room to carry my boxes, anyway. 

Trees

The phrase “If trees could talk” has never resonated more than now. I would love their commentary on what it felt like watching the U.S. deteriorate from “It’s pretty weird here” to “We don’t even know if we occupy the same plane of existence anymore, God help us.” 

Wall Pipe

Perhaps the most memorable moment of this trailer is when Higgs (who now resembles The Crow if he were a Cyberpunk 2077 character) uses his electric guitar sword thing to battle an imposing samurai who makes baby noises. You were probably too busy absorbing all of that nonsense to notice this perfectly regular wall pipe that just wants to do normal pipe things and not get involved in this foolishness.

Cooking Pan 

Given the close-up this pan gets, I’m honestly surprised it wasn’t used as a branding opportunity. Maybe some fan has already magnified the image to reveal an OD release date carved on the pan’s bottom. If not, though, the pan itself seems uninteresting; what Sam is cooking with it, though, remains in question. He’s probably sauteeing those weird floating worm things. 

That’s it. That’s all I could find. I can’t trust anything else in this game because everything is weird and probably has a baby inside of it. That desert? Likely a baby. The giant moon? It’s alive and probably has Mads Mikkelsen’s face on the other side of it (Kojima will name him something cheeky like “Majora’s Mads” or something). The floating soldiers represent every celebrity Kojima has lured into his studio’s body-scanning machine; their souls are now trapped within the strand. We have to free them. 

I don’t know what Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is. Hell, I still can’t confidently explain Death Stranding 1, and I finished it. I just know that, whatever it winds up being, I really, really want to play it.

The 10 Best LUT Packs for Premiere Pro in 2024

Look-Up Tables, or LUTs, play a pivotal role in video editing. These small but powerful resources are essential for color grading, acting as shortcuts to apply complex color transformations to video footage.

Whether you’re working on a film, YouTube video, or any digital video content, they’re crucial in achieving a consistent look and atmosphere. LUTs help set the mood and tone, significantly enhancing the storytelling aspect of your footage.

The right LUT not only saves time but also elevates the quality of your work, bringing a professional touch to your color grading process.

In this collection, we explore the best currently available LUTs for Premiere Pro (both free and premium). Explore the various options and styles we have curated for you below.

How to install LUTs in Premiere Pro

Installing LUTs in Premiere Pro is a straightforward process. By following these steps, you can quickly integrate LUTs into your editing workflow. Here’s how to do it::

  1. Open Your Project: Launch Premiere Pro and open the project you’re working on.
  2. Navigate to Lumetri Color: In the workspace, find and open the ‘Lumetri Color’ panel.
  3. Go to the Creative Tab: Inside the Lumetri Color panel, select the ‘Creative’ tab.
  4. Browse for LUTs: Look for the ‘Look’ dropdown menu, then click on ‘Browse…’ to navigate to your LUT files.
  5. Select and Apply LUT: Choose the LUT you want to use and select it. The LUT will now be applied to your footage.
  6. Adjust Intensity: If needed, adjust the intensity of the LUT using the slider in the Lumetri Color panel for the desired effect.

Remember, you can apply LUTs to individual clips or adjustment layers for more control over your project.

The Top Premiere Pro LUTs for Video Editors

When choosing the best LUTs for your Premiere Pro projects, it’s important to consider several factors. Look for LUTs that align with the style and atmosphere of your project. Compatibility with your footage is key to ensure smooth application.

1. Colorify LUTs for Premiere Pro

Colorify offers an extensive collection of 222 LUTs, suitable for a wide range of video editing needs. It has been designed to provide editors with various color grading options, catering to different moods and styles.

Whether you’re working on cinematic projects, personal vlogs, or commercial videos, this pack provides a broad spectrum of tones and shades, ensuring versatility and creativity in your color grading process.

The 10 Best LUT Packs for Premiere Pro in 2024

2. Asteroid City Inspired LUTs (Free)

This LUT pack has been inspired by the aesthetics of Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City. This free collection is perfect for editors looking to add a distinct sci-fi feel to their projects. The LUTs in this pack will give your footage a creative and otherworldly color grade, making them ideal for projects that require a touch of the extraordinary.

Asteroid City Inspired LUTs

3. Colorify Cinematic LUTs for Premiere Pro

This LUT collection has been created for filmmakers and video editors looking to add a cinematic quality to their footage. This pack offers a range of color grading options that enhance the visual storytelling of any video project. These LUTs will give you a professional, movie-like feel, making them suitable for various cinematic contexts.

Colorify Cinematic LUTs for Premiere Pro

4. Color Shift LUT Collection for Premiere Pro

These LUTs have been designed to bring vibrant and dramatic color shifts to your video projects. They are ideal for editors looking to experiment with stark color changes in your footage. This LUT collection allows for imaginative and striking visual effects.

Color Shift LUT Collection for Premiere Pro

5. Lumetri Looks Luts For Premiere Pro (Free)

Enhance your video projects quickly with this free collection of Premiere Pro LUTs. They allow for quick import and adjustment using the Lumetri Color panel. They’re a great resource for filmmakers looking to add a professional touch to their work without additional cost.

Lumetri Looks Luts For Premiere Pro

6. Tinted LUT Collection for Premiere Pro

These Premiere Pro LUTs will add depth and character to your videos. Each LUT offers a unique color tint, enhancing colors and tones to achieve professional-looking results. Whether working on a film, a commercial, or a personal project, this LUT collection provides the means to bring your vision to life.

Tinted LUT Collection for Premiere Pro

7. 70 LUTs from Color Grading Central (Free)

These free LUTs mimic the subtle hues seen in major Hollywood films. Created by professional colorists, this pack includes 40 colorist-inspired LUTs, 13 that mimic different film stocks, and 17 designed for converting LOG footage to REC709, providing a wide range of creative possibilities.

70 LUTs from Color Grading Central

8. Colorify Duotone LUT for Premiere Pro

The Colorify Duotone LUT pack for Premiere Pro brings the popular two-tone color effect to your videos. It features 65 color presets, each offering a unique and modern style. These effects are versatile and perfect for content like YouTube videos, music videos, TV shows, and social media. They’re great for adding a contemporary touch to your projects.

Colorify Duotone LUT for Premiere Pro

9. Vintage LUT Collection for Premiere Pro

This Premiere Pro LUT pack offers a range of subtle vintage effects, perfect for giving your videos a classic, time-honored appearance. The LUTs have been designed to replicate the color and style seen in older films, adding a touch of nostalgia to your footage. They’re perfect for filmmakers and video editors who want to add a retro feel to their work.

Vintage LUT Collection for Premiere Pro

10. Urban Life LUTs for Premiere Pro

This LUT pack is perfect for adding a bold and modern touch to your videos. The LUTs will enhance your footage with gritty textures, deep contrasts, and vivid colors, capturing the essence of city life. These LUTs are great for making your movies look contemporary and stylish, infusing them with an urban vibe.

Urban Life LUTs for Premiere Pro

Tips for Using LUTs in Premiere Pro

When using LUTs in Premiere Pro, there are several effective practices to follow:

  1. Know Your Footage: Before applying LUTs, understand the lighting conditions, color temperature, and exposure of your footage. This knowledge helps in selecting LUTs that complement the footage rather than work against it.
  2. Color Correction First: Always start with basic color correction. Adjust contrast, white balance, and exposure to create a neutral base before applying any LUT.
  3. Use Adjustment Layers for Flexibility: You gain more control by applying LUTs to adjustment layers rather than directly to the footage. This approach also allows you to affect multiple clips at once and easily toggle the effect on and off.
  4. Adjust LUT Intensity for Subtlety: LUTs can sometimes be overpowering. The opacity slider will help to reduce intensity for a more subtle and natural look.
  5. Layering LUTs for Unique Looks: Combining different LUTs can produce unique effects. However, do this sparingly to avoid overcomplicating the color grading.
  6. Keep Your LUT Collection Updated: Stay current with new styles and trends in LUTs. Regularly updating your collection can provide fresh perspectives and ideas for your projects.
  7. Regular Practice: The more you work with LUTs, the better you’ll understand their impact. Experiment with different LUTs on various types of footage to build your skills and develop your own style.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What are LUTs in Premiere Pro?

    LUTs, or Look-Up Tables, are presets used in color grading to enhance video footage’s visual tone and mood.

  • Why use LUTs in video editing?

    LUTs provide a quick and efficient way to achieve professional color grading, helping to maintain consistency and enhance the overall look of a video.

  • Can LUTs be adjusted in Premiere Pro?

    Yes, LUTs can be fine-tuned in Premiere Pro to suit the specific needs of your footage.

  • Are LUTs suitable for all types of videos?

    While LUTs are versatile, choosing the ones that match your footage’s style and lighting for the best results is important.

  • Do I need professional skills to use LUTs in Premiere Pro?

    Basic knowledge of Premiere Pro is helpful, but many LUTs are user-friendly and come with instructions for beginners.

  • Can LUTs fix poorly shot footage?

    While LUTs enhance color grading, they work best on well-shot footage. They cannot fix all issues related to poor lighting or exposure.

  • Are free LUTs as good as paid ones?

    Free LUTs can be effective, but paid LUTs often offer more variety and are created by professional colorists.

  • Do LUTs affect video resolution?

    No, LUTs only alter color and do not impact the resolution of your video.

Conclusion

By understanding what LUTs are, how to install them, and the best practices for using them, you can now take your color grading to the next level.

Remember, experimentation is key. Each project is different, and finding the perfect LUT can transform your footage, enhancing its storytelling and visual impact. So, dive in, explore these LUTs, and watch as your videos take on a new life.

We have previously published color grading collections of LUTs for DaVinci Resolve and Lightroom, should you need them.

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