Lockheed Martin Corp. is expanding its foray into futuristic space travel and missile defense by acquiring supplier Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc. in a deal valued at $4.4 billion, targeting higher sales and more savings in an environment of tightening defense budgets.

Aerojet is a supplier to Lockheed, including its Lockheed Martins Grand Prairie-based Missiles and Fire Control division and its F-35 assembly facility in Fort Worth.

As part of the transaction, Aerojet declared a $5 per share special dividend to be paid on March 24 to holders of record as of March 10. The payment of that special dividend will adjust the $56 per share consideration to be paid by Lockheed Martin, according to a statement Sunday.

At $51, Lockheed will be buying Aerojet at a 21% premium from the closing price on Friday. Lockheed chief executive officer Jim Taiclet stepped into the top job this year with a reputation as a dealmaker and a stockpile of cash. With Aerojet, he is picking up a key U.S. supplier of propulsion systems for missiles, rockets and other space and defense applications.

Still, the consolidation is likely to face scrutiny from key customers such as the U.S. Defense Department and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Another question mark is the reaction of competitors such as Boeing Co. and Raytheon Technologies Corp. that rely on Aerojets motors for their own hypersonics and missile products.

Its not clear how defense and antitrust officials will view this deal, especially in a new administration, but we could imagine pushback from others in industry, such as Raytheon or Boeing, Seth Seifman, an analyst at JPMorgan Chase & Co., said in a note to customers.

Aerojet soared almost 24% to $52.10 in afternoon trading in New York after surging as much as 26%, the most intraday since 2009. Lockheed fell almost 6% to $349.99. Aerojet has declined 7.9% this year through Dec. 18 while Lockheed dropped 8.6%. A Standard & Poors index of U.S. aerospace and defense companies tumbled 18% over the same period.

Lockheed has been scouting for acquisitions. In January, the company said it was flush with cash and open to deals as Raytheon Co. prepared to combine with United Technologies Corp. to create a powerhouse in aerospace and defense.

During Lockheeds October earnings call, Taiclet said the company would be active but very, very prudent in its drive to bring in the technologies faster into the company that we think are going to be crucial for the future.

The Aerojet transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2021 after getting regulatory approvals and a nod from Aerojets shareholders.

Lockheeds space division is its third-largest business, contributing 18% of its 2019 revenue. The company competes with Elon Musks Space Exploration Technologies Corp. for U.S. government rocket launches through the United Launch Alliance, its joint venture with Boeing.

Follow this link:

Lockheed to boost space expansion with $4.4 billion Aerojet deal - The Dallas Morning News

In late 2019, then-editor of Travel Weekly Rob Fixmer sat down to pen the introduction to our annual Preview issue. "Let's face it," he wrote, "some things are simply unknowable, unpredictable, undecipherable."

Examples in the introduction included volcanoes, technology fails, political action, revolutions. A global pandemic was not on the list.

Of course, we did experience some of those things in 2020. But as soon as the coronavirus hit the world with full force in the first quarter, the industry focus was singlemindedly on the virus and its impact. Travel was necessarily curtailed, travel advisors went from dream-makers to refund-obtainers, and last year's Preview issue suddenly was a quaint reminder of hopes and dreams of simpler times an era now known as "pre-Covid."

Yet here we are again, looking through the crystal ball at what 2021 might bring. And again, we face the unknowable.

Or do we? With our continuing focus on Covid-19, we know that much of 2021 will be driven and shaped by the response to the virus. In the short term, most experts project that the first part of 2021 is going to be tough. Especially at the start, the same challenges that we're facing right now will still be there. Airlines will lose money; cruise ships won't carry paying passengers; quarantines will continue; meetings and events will be pushed off.

But one theme, one strain (if you will) runs through our Preview issues year after year, in interviews with trusted sources, analysts and advisors: Optimism. The act of travel is an optimistic act, and the people who make up the travel industry are an optimistic, forward-looking bunch. So in our Preview pages you'll find optimism of a better year to come. And also stoicism. Travel may be bloodied, but it's not beaten.

Many of the predictions from experts, advisors, executives and journalists are that travel is poised for a comeback in the second half of the year. Could 2021 be the Year of the Comeback? Not immediately, perhaps. But it seems reasonable to predict that once the vaccination starts to take hold, and once transmission rates subside, and if there are no other major setbacks, that people will be eager desperate to travel. In the leisure space, we expect to see friends and family look for ways to make memories with the people they haven't seen or hugged in a year.

Meanwhile, we'll see how the adjustments and pivots of 2020 will play out. People will reckon with testing and vaccinations and whether proof will be required of one or both in order to travel. The easing this year of cancellation and rebooking policies will make travel more consumer-friendly. A willingness by companies to alter the way they view agent pay may change advisor-supplier relationships in the short- and medium-term. The ubiquity of Zoom makes home-based work even easier and more accessible. Mobile advancements pushed to the fore by necessity will make travel more hands-free and frictionless, and although the thrill of stepping into a buzzy restaurant is still a long way off, we're eager to see how hotels, resorts and cruise lines are rebuilding their dining and entertainment concepts to make things safe and yes, fun.

If just a few of the trends we identify in the Preview issue play out, our 2022 edition will be quite different from this year's. Let's just say we're optimists.

-- Rebecca Tobin

View post:

Introduction to Preview 2021 - Travel Weekly

Technology evolves at a rapid pace leading to a constant flow of innovation to help you live and work better. From space travel to food, here are six developments in science and tech that promise to make 2021 an exciting year

AR in ecommerceTHE NEW SHOPPING REALITYWant to walk into a store say Bata and try out their footwear with-out leaving the safe confines of your home? Augmented reality (AR) will change the game in retail. You can create a look, share it with friends and get their opinions before paying for the product. Even e-retailers will bet big on AR in 2021 as it can bring a mall to a customer's home. Reliance-backed ecommerce platform Fynd is already doing it. Amazon and Flipkart could well be next.

Lab-grown or plant-based meatIMPOSSIBLE BECOMES POSSIBLEThe Impossible Burger a plant-based, lab-grown meat from Impossible Food Inc is all the rage in the US. Even chains like McDonalds and Burger King are getting into the game. In India, the government has granted Rs 5 crore to a couple of in-stitutions to work on lab-grown meat. This could well be the year of vegetarian meat in India. Not having to kill an animal to fill your stomach may help give you a clear conscience. But note that plant-based meat sells for almost double the price of regular meat in several parts of the world.

Rollable, waterproof TVsROLL, BABY ROLLIn 2020, Samsung launched a TV called The Terrace. USP: water-proof TV. It could be a pool-side companion or a prop for that rain-dance party. More brands are likely to follow with similar TVs. And then there are rollable TVs which can be rolled up and tucked away. LG launched the worlds first rollable TV. Others won't be far behind. But you might have to pay a bomb for these. The water-proof Samsung TV costs $3,500 (roughly Rs 2.7 lakh) and the rollable TV costs a whopping $87,000 (an eye-popping Rs 64 lakh). Who said innovation comes cheap.

Space travelA WEEKEND AROUND THE MOONRichard Branson, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are all working on sending ordinary people to space. India isn't far behind. Isro is working on a manned mission to space Gaganyaan. This could lay the foundation of space travel and tourism in the country. Ordinary Indians might not be able to go to space in 2021. But soon, it would not be out of reach of a billionaire to realise such a million-dollar dream.

Foldable devicesMORE THAN SMARTPHONESSamsung, Huawei and LG have thrown their hats into the foldable smartphone ring. But brands are just getting started in this space. 2021 may very well be the year when foldable PCs make a mark. Lenovos foldable PC also the worlds first that arrived in 2020 gave us a glimpse of what to expect. But it would cost a bomb. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold costs a whopping $2,499 (roughly Rs 1.85 lakh). Foldable devices not only ensure innovations in hardware but also software. If you can stomach the inevitable glitches, it is going to be an exciting time.

Read more from the original source:

A visit to the moon, lab-grown meat: Projects that promise to make 2021 an exciting year - Economic Times

Before Tom Cruise and Doug Liman team up to make SpaceX Project in outer space, Russia is hoping to beat them to it with the new film, Challenge.

Ahead of Tom Cruise's plan to shoot a feature film in space, Russia hopes to beat the American to it. Cruise has been keeping very busy of late, as his upcoming film roster includesMission: Impossible 7 andMission: Impossible 8 (which are currently in production), as well as the completedTop Gun: Maverick. The sequel to the 1980s classic would have seen its release this year if it weren't for the ongoing COVID pandemic. It's now set to come out in July 2021, a handful of months beforeMission: Impossible 7. And after that, he's got something even bigger planned.

Cruise'shard work in filmmaking has continuously impressed. Known for completing many death defying stunts across the world, Cruise is scheduled to shoot a movie in outer space with Doug Liman, whom he worked with onEdge of Tomorrow.The film, currently known as the SpaceX Project, is expected to start production late next year with the help of NASA, as well astechnologyinnovator and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.SpaceX Project boasts a $200 million production budget, and will shoot on the International Space Station. It's certainly an ambitious project, but Cruise could get beaten to the punch depending on how things play out.

Related:Every Upcoming Tom Cruise Movie

Sky News has reportedthat Russian space agency Roscosmos and Channel One are lookingto start production in October 2021 on Challenge, a film that Channel One CEOKonstantin Ernst says"is not science fiction, this is a very realistic version of what may happen in the near future". They have also put out a casting call for an actress to appear in the film, whom will ideally be a Russian citizen, have no criminal record, and have a "chest girth of 112 cm", to be trained as acosmonaut-researcher. Plot details of Cruise's space film are currently unknown,exceptthat he will be in a starring role, also planning to begin production in October 2021.

The space race is back on. While this fun film battle may not carry the same repercussions than that of the Cold War, Cruise is clearly a very determined, and at times aggressive, film producer, as evident by his recent on-set rant concerning crew members not following COVID guidelines. While that may have recently been called out as a publicity stunt, the news still goes a long way in indicating that Cruise and his team will rise to the challenge of being the first narrative film production crew to ever shoot in space. Though the Russians' casting call isn't very telling in terms of Challenge's plot, it is still slightly more information in terms of what audiencesmight be seeing in the near future, meaning Cruise, Musk, Liman and NASA have a bit of catching up to do. After the Edge Of Tomorrowduo of Cruise and Liman demonstrated potential for great action spectacle in that film,their outer space film hasthe slight edge of a proven track record, as opposed to the Russian film castingunknowns. However, audiences will have to wait for a long time to find out.

Seeking an exclusive theatrical release, Tom Cruise's SpaceX Project has mounting competition from Russia'sRoscosmos and Channel One.Challengehopes to find its "big international star" soon in order for training to begin for outer space travel. Whichever film shoots on the International Space Station first will no doubt have audiences' full attention for being an historical moment, provided all the principal photography goes smoothly.

Next:How Fast Tom Cruise Can Run

Source: Sky News.

WB May Have to Pay $250 Million for Godzilla vs. Kong Streaming Release

Darius Azadeh is a film and television news writer for ScreenRant. After graduating university, he went on to report at the world's leading film festivals, including Cannes, BFI London and Raindance, writing reviews, think pieces and interviews. While he continues to do so, his love for cheesy shlock is never ending, despite claiming Le Cercle Rouge to be one of his all time favorites.Based out of Birmingham, U.K., he also works as an event organizer and part time programmer at an independent cinema.

Read the original post:

Russia Wants To Film A Movie In Space Before Tom Cruise Does - Screen Rant

More than half a century ago, director Stanley Kubrick, alongside futuristic writer Arthur C. Clark set out to make, a good science fiction cinematic experience. The resulting film,2001: A Space Odyssey,premiered in spring 1968 (nearly a year before Neil Armstrong landed on the moon) is a landmark moment in the history fo cinema and one that has influenced sci-fi filmmakers for generations including the likes of George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Christopher Nolan.Nolan, in an interview with the Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society, said, [2001] is in dialogue with our ideas of the future.

The influence of2001: A Space Odysseyon subsequent sci-fi technology and special effects has been pervasive. The film won an Oscar for its pioneering special effects and has been called a quantum leap in technological advancements by film criticJames Verneire. However the concurrent artistic and philosophical bravura of the film is unparalleled. Never before or after has a film on space engaged in such immersive visual dialogues on the philosophy of humanitys evolution and the philosophy of technological advancement. Unlike Kubricks 1964 nuclear satireDr. Strangelove or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love The Bomb,2001:A Space Odysseyrestrained its use of humour to one hidden intentional joke which stopped the comic element of an otherwise ambiguous film from flushing down the toilet.

The virtuosity of Kubrick is indeed in infusing the scientific with the enigmatic. The subliminal transcendence of the trajectory of 2001 can be akin to a psychedelic hallucinogen ingestion induced epiphany or Scientological epiphany depending on the viewers biases. At the time of its premiere in 1968, Renata Adler in the Times described the movie as somewhere between hypnotic and immensely boring.

Indeed one of the biggest philosophical easter eggs hidden within2001:A Space Odysseyis the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. The film opens to Richard Strausss evocative tone poem, Also Sprach Zarathustra based on Nietzsches, Thus spoke Zarathustra, with the visual the sun, moon and earth aligning in the symbolism of Zoroastrianism, based in the teaching of Zoroaster (also known as Zarathustra).

2001s divergence from quintessential sci-fi music is reiterated with Johann Strauss The Blue Danube playing to the docking of the space shuttle. The films divergence from the staple is future exacerbated by exiguous verbal sound in the film. While most cinematic pictures rely on dialogues to reveal plotlines, Kubrick intended 2001 to be a visual experience, mostly devoid of verbiage. In 1970, Kubrick explained that the movie was basically a visual, non-verbal experience. It avoids intellectual verbalisation and reaches the viewers subconscious in a way that is essentially poetic and philosophical.

Kubrick further added, I think that 2001, like music, succeeds in short-circuiting the rigid surface cultural blocks that shackle our consciousness to narrowly limited areas of experience and is able to cut directly through to areas of emotional comprehension.

2001 exemplifies Hitchcocks dictum not to tell what you can show. The narrative of the film unfolds in four movements:

The Dawn Of Man

The initial Dawn of Man segment opens with the eponymous landscape shots of dawn in prehistoric earth. A tribe of apes in a Darwinian struggle for survival engage in territorial battle over a watering hole with another tribe of apes only to be defeated. The former tribe of humanoid primates encounter a mysterious black monolith. The monolith accelerates their enlightenment, as one of the Apes figures out the use of bones as weapons and kills a tapir, turning the pirates into carnivores. The tribe deploys their newfound weapon in a battle against the opposing tribe and kills the leader of the opposing tribe.

In triumphant jubilation akin to a footballers celebratory high five, the ape-man flings the bone in the air. In one of most iconic jump-cuts in cinematic history, the bone in the air transforms into what is presumably a space satellite, propelling the timeline of the narrative forward by four million years. According to Clark, the Space Satellite is supposed to be an orbiting space bomb, a weapon in space. Thus the transition from the Pleistocene era to space-age is tethered by the notion that human evolution is concurrent with the evolution of bigger and better ways of destruction.

The Floyd Segment

This segment introduces Dr Heywood Floyd (William Sylvester) en-route to a space station and onwards to Clavius, a lunar settlement. Replete with technological advancements such as artificial gravity, zero-gravity toilets, voiceprint recognition, video payphones, corporatisation of space travel (did someone say Elon Musk?) Clarke and Kubricks futuristic predictions are of near Nostradamus proportions of accuracy if not wholly infallible and a tad over-optimistic.

The banality of dialogues between Floyd and his Russian counterparts is interspersed with the parody of a full page of instructions to use a zero-gravity toilet. The narrative progresses with the revelation of the discovery of a monolith, now identified as TMA-1 or Tycho Magnetic Anomaly, buried under the lunar surface which emits a signal to Jupiter.

The fearful reverence of the apes is replaced by the arrogance of man as the astronauts try to take a picture in front of the monolith. Under instructions from the National Council of Astronautics, Floyd prohibits his colleagues from disclosing the news of the TMA-1.

The Jupiter Mission

Fast forward 18 months Dr Frank Poole (Gary Lockwood)) and Dr David Bowman (Keir Dullea) are aboard a spacecraft, Discovery 1, on an expedition to Jupiter along with three other astronauts in hibernation and a H.A.L 9000 (voiced by Douglas Rain) supercomputer that talks in a Canadian accent.

In a fastidious sub-plot, the question of the sentience of the machine is evoked when H.A.L who proclaimed to be foolproof and incapable of error misdiagnoses a fault in AE-35 unit and Poole and Bowman discuss disconnecting HALs primary brain functions. HAL goes ape-shit crazy (Remember the primate with bone?) and kills the entire crew except for Dave, who manages to disconnect HAL. The supercomputer is acutely humane in his last moments as it says, I am afraid Dave, my mind is going, I can feel it.

Jupiter and Beyond the infinite

Perhaps the most baffling part of the movie is its ending, which is more evocative than instructive. A third monolith suspended in Jupiters atmosphere propels Dave in a space pod through a kaleidoscopic, psychedelic plethora of colours and shapes, popularly known as the Stargate sequence.

Kubricks special effects supervisor Douglas Trumbull used a pioneering slit-scan technique to achieve the impressionistic psychedelic effect, a feat which will be replicated decades later by CGI. Dave is transported into a neo-classical French style room, and in an anachronistic time wrap the film rapidly shifts perspective from young Dave to an older Dave and finally, a bedridden Dave, who reaches towards the monolith in action oddly reminiscent of Adam reaching out to God in Michaelangelos fresco in the Sistine chapel, only to be transformed into a foetal Star child.

The film ends in a shroud of ambiguity with the star child floating in space near earth. However, Kubrick, unperturbed by the annals of audience restlessness to the pervasiveness of ambiguity in 2001 said in aninterview with Joseph Gelmis: Once youre dealing on a nonverbal level, ambiguity is unavoidable. But its the ambiguity of all art, of a fine piece of music or a paintingyou dont need written instructions by the composer or painter accompanying such works to explain them.

Perhaps, thus the zero-gravity toilet instructionis the only intentional joke in the film. In a scene aboard the space station, Floyd is seen peering at a detailed and convoluted instruction manual on the use of the zero-gravity toilet. Kubricks disdain of instructions for the understanding of the film highlights the irony of a page long instructions from the zero-gravity toilets. In an interview, Kubricks explained the zero-gravity toilet was the only intentional joke in the film. That evolution and technological advancement would lead to convoluting of tending to basic human needs is well worth a snigger. Despite its ambiguity, Kubrick doesnt want to spell out a verbal roadmap for 2001. Kubricks film doesnt come with an instruction manual, but the zero-gravity toilet does.

Originally posted here:

Breaking down the one joke Stanley Kubrick hid within 2001: A Space Odyssey - Far Out Magazine

Looking back at the games we played this year reads a bit like a soundtrack to a disaster film, with each game representing a specific piece of time. We dove into Animal Crossing headfirst as lockdowns began. Then Jackbox was a go-to for Zoom happy hours with friends and family. As time--and the pandemic--wore on and as reality sunk deeper into our lives and routines, Hades conveyed the idea of persistence in the face of hell itself. And so on.

The games here offered some escapism, some human connection, a joyful retreat from the turmoil we faced and continue to face. We appreciatethe developers of these games as well, who had no idea the context in which their work would exist.We're thankful that these 10 games in particular came out when they did.

Listed in alphabetical order (developer, publisher)

Animal Crossing: New Horizonswas a long time coming and, for many of us, exactly what we needed to make it through the pandemic's early days in the United States. The latest in the nearly 20 year old series,Animal Crossing: New Horizonsis the first mainlineAnimal Crossinggame fans of the series have seen since 2012'sNew Leafand it couldn't have arrived at a better time.

New Horizonsis excellent in its own right, but the serendipitous timing of its launch elevated the game into a cultural phenomenon. It was the first comfort game many of us fixated on to get through those initial weeks of lockdown. It was rare to turn on your Switch and not see an entire friends list of people playingAnimal Crossing: New Horizons.Friends met up to enjoy a meteor shower together, group chats lit up when the illusive traveling shopkeeper Redd graced one islander's shores, andAnimal Crossingitself became the backdrop for social chats, general shenanigans, and birthday celebrations.

That commotion has died down and given way to the relaxing, piecemeal gameplay theAnimal Crossingseries is known for, allowing its tedious but somehow still super charming mechanics to really shine. There's less going on inNew Horizonsthan, say,New Leafbut all in all it still makes for an incredible game that remains a cozy escape from everything this year has had to offer. - Alissa McAloon

As next-generation hysteria reached fever pitch, few people were talking aboutAstro's Playroom,the unassuming 3D platformer that came pre-loaded onevery PlayStation 5. In retrospect, that was a blessing in disguise, because it meant those lucky enough to get their hands on the hefty unitgot to experience one of the best console launch titles ever made with completely fresh eyes.

Team Asobi's nostalgia-drenchedjaunt is first-and-foremost designed to introduce players to the unique capabilities of the DualSense gamepad. That alone made it the first proper'next-generation' experience I played this year, with the game providing a perfect showcase for the controller'spinpoint haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. It's impossible to conveyjust how much those features addedin terms of immersion, but trust me when I say that after blitzing throughAstro's Playroomwith the DualSense firing on all cylinders, conventual controllers and their bare bones rumble feel woefullymundane.

Astro's Playroomis more than a glorified tutorial, though. It's a compellingexperience in its own right, chock full of dynamiclevels ripe for exploring, a plethora of collectibles, a hub-world filled with secrets, testing boss battles,and a lead character that's more than deserving of their very own franchise. The only question at this point, is whetherAsobi Team will be given the chance to make good on that promise and gift the world a properblockbuster sequel. Make it happen, Sony. - Chris Kerr

How do you even describe Blaseball? How can a procedural adaptation of America's most popular pastime, filled with incinerations, teleporting, and demigods make any kind of sense? Ask the folks at The Game Band, who went from "notable Apple Arcade developers" to "chaotic baseball developers who want to attack and dethrone God" in the space of a few months.

Blaseball's "game"isn't just in the clicker-website that lets you bet money on games and vote on cosmic events that will reshape a season. It's in the Discord servers that popped up for each team, it's in the stories that players have come up with for each of the players (shoutout to Jessica Telephone). It's in the chaos that leaves viewers panicking when the developers tweet ominous messages in all caps.

It's sucked in the attention of game developers, ordinary players, and folks who might not fully grasp the procedural chaos of Crusader Kings III, but can definitely piece together the drama of surviving a baseball season (emphasis on surviving). Blaseball is one of 2020's indie success stories, and we'd be remiss to not feature it here. (Claws up!!!)- Bryant Francis

Dreams is so dang good. #MadeInDreams #PS4sharehttps://t.co/9yFhybO35F pic.twitter.com/qOrr3IXota

I've barely scratched the surface of Dreams. Media Molecule's long-awaited creative engine technically launched this year (despite opening up a sort of early access in 2019) and, impressively, released an update with PSVR compatibility several months back. Dreams exists on user-created content; players can either roam from dream to dream and try out a wide array of games created within Dreams by other players, take a stab at creating their own assets for other players to use, or build their own playable creations.

I can't speak to the creation tools because I haven't quite dived that deeply into Dreams, but it's impressive judging only by what players have managed to make thusfar! I've played remakes of Beat Saber and Guitar Hero within Dreams (with very little success because I'm trash at rhythm games), been completely enthralled by a deceptively complex puzzle game starring a little lightbulb robot friend (above), laughed to the point of tears in a Wallace and Gromit inspired(?) meme-laden adventure, and relaxed to an in-game recreation of Godot's very good theme song from the Phoenix Wright games. (We won't talk about the Sonic VR remake I played, but I will say that WIP VR experiences are a trip.)

There's such depth in Dreams and you don't have to look far to find it. The game shines both because of its community and because of the palpable love Media Molecule put into creating something powered by the purest creativity. If you've been on the fence about picking this one up, it's well worth checking out. -Alissa McAloon

Mediatonic knocked it out of the parkwithFall Guys. The studio's overwhelmingly endearing take on the battle royale format proved you can do more with the genre than ask players to blast each other to smithereens. The concept at play here is simple: waddle your way through a series of solo and team-based slaloms packed with all manner of madcap traps in a frantic bid to be the first to cross the finish line.

It's essentially the video game equivalent ofshows like Takeshi's Castle and Wipeout, and succeeds in tapping into the same zany, unpredictable energy that made those series so popular. Of course, there's more toFall Guysthan its impeccably crafted, wacky obstacle courses--many of which have taken on lives oftheir own on the meme-fuelled Twittersphere.

It also packs plenty of heart thanks to some whip-smart character and sound designthat turnedthe game's bouncing beans into the real stars of the show. There'ssomething almost hypnoticabout watchingswarms of those rotund,hapless creatures squeak and scramble over each other before being sent packing by an inflatable hammer the size of a fridge, knowing full well that you could (and likely will) be next. Edge-of-your-seat moments like those are the bread and butter ofFall Guys, and helped transform the bumble royaleinto bona fide video game gold.- Chris Kerr

Among the most universally-praised games of 2020 is Hades, Supergiant Games' latest effort and proof positive that this studio is something special. Hades takes everything people love about roguelikes (replayability, predictable controls, tough but fair challenge) and smooths out the qualms that many have with the genre (repetitiveness, frustration, little to no narrative progression or character development).

Other games have approached character death or endgame states in unique ways as well, but Hades is a standout example. The game loop is intertwined with the narrative in such a way that one cannot exist without the other. Death loses its sting when you realize that dying pushes the story forward and develops not only Zagreus as a character, but all of the gods and monsters he encounters along the way.

This is a game explicitly designed around failure. When you fail, what you lose in terms of your current build and level progression, you gain in story development and access to new skills and abilities. Failure ensures a tradeoff that feels fair, and gives the player immediate encouragement to try another run. And that kind of positive persistence is something we can all relate to this year. - Kris Graft

The folks at Blackbird Interactive crafted a wonderful and unique science fiction game that deserves to be celebrated for portraying not only the future of space travel, but the future of work. It's a really fascinating piece of work that mixes the power of game development technology with a unique setting and tone, all to create a game that feels like a job, that still manages to have a decent amount of social commentary relevant to 2020.

Blackbird did all this while only launching the game in Early Access. They've already added a number of features that have improved on the game's core experience, and continued to make it all the more worthwhile to while away hours tearing ships apart.

The lesson of the game's development--how it went from scripted four-hour experience to evolving Early Access phenomenon--seems reflective of how many game developers are evolving in 2020 in games like Teardown and even Baldur's Gate 3. We've known for a few years that Early Access titles have the potential to be foundation for generation-defining games, it's great to see developers like Blackbird Interactive continue to so much great work in the space at this year has rolled on. - Bryant Francis

A number of games from this year help define certain periods of pandemic lockdown, and for us, the Jackbox Party Pack series occupied the early part of the pandemic. Remember back then? Regularly-scheduled happy hours with friends, family and coworkers. An apprehension about the months to come but a belief that "we're all in this together." There was confusion about face masks, concern about mass toilet paper shortages, and the habit of disinfecting absolutely everything.

We have more toilet paper now, but we got that in exchange for a dose of reality. But throughout the waves of anxiety Jackbox has been a welcome escape from the world while bringing family and friends together virtually.

While we've played every single Jackbox Party Pack this year as well as standalone Jackbox games like Quiplash and Fibbage, this year's Jackbox Party Pack 7 is notable on its own. Made partially under remote working conditions, Party Pack 7 is a rare iteration of the franchise where every single game is pure gold. Whether it's Talking Points (essentially an improvised presentation party), The Devils and the Details (a collaborative game where you're part of a family of demons), or a new version of a classic word game in Quiplash 3, Party Pack 7 is the best collection yet. It's something we look forward to playing with friends and family once we're not confined to our little Zoom phantom zones. - Kris Graft

After 2018's Marvel's Spider-Man, Insomniac Games would have been well within its rights to sit back and devote most of its efforts toward a PlayStation 5-exclusive sequel. Instead it worked quickly to ship a standalone game that's one part expansion pack, one part origin story, and one part tech demo to show off the best of what the next generation has to offer. And notably, it's a work that celebrates the power of a Black superhero who's from a working class community.

Miles Morales benefits from a streamlined reconstruction of Marvel's Spider-Man's core mechanics, wisely slimming down the missions that fill out the experience without sacrificing story quality or the beauty of its huge, open world New York.

It's a bold experiment in what "defines"a full $60 game that hopefully clears the way for other developers to make more meaningful experiences with the same scope, beauty, and sense of focus. -Bryant Francis

Yakuza: Like a Dragon is one of those games that has notable flaws--there are pacing issues, the grind can get tiresome, and it's impossible to ignore some problematic issues that continue in the series regarding its portrayal of women.

Ok, that's a difficult intro to claw back from when making a game of the year argument. But the fact is that overall, Like a Dragon is an utter joy to experience. Even in moments when protagonist Ichiban Kasuga is scraping rock bottom and making bad decisions, there is something effervescent and innately playful about him. He's loud, he wears his own joy and disappointment on his sleeve, he's child-like. He's flawed but exhibits moments of self-awareness which allow him to take the initial steps forward to improve himself.

Also notable aside from Ichiban and his small gang of outcasts is the switch from the series' well-established real-time beat-em-up combat system to a turn-based RPG system. It's an unexpected change that works surprisingly well. It changes the tenor of the action when compared to previous entries, while still retaining all the face-slams in enemy encounters. When all the pieces of Like a Dragon are combined, the game is like Ichiban: a little fucked up, but incredibly memorable and so easy to root for. - Kris Graft

Read more here:

Gamasutra's Best of 2020: The top 10 games of the year - Gamasutra

dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

Here are the top new hypergrowth industries Im focused on right now. My research shows all of them will soon have their breaking out moment in 2021:

1.Synthetic Biology

Synthetic biology is a brand-new sector where breakthrough technology allows scientists to program living things. Im sure youve seen the DNA double helix before.

Source: edn.com

DNA is basically your bodys unique set of instructions. Its what makes you, you. Your unique DNA makeup determines what you look like, how your body functions. Think of DNA as the source code of every living thing on Earth. Synthetic biology gives us the tools to edit and create the DNA of an organism to get it to do something entirely new. Basically, it allows scientists to alter the makeup of living things.

How does it work? In short, engineers design sequences of DNA on computers. Then they physically print out those sequences and insert them into living things. This can then add beneficial character traits to a living thing.

For example, scientists already use it to make self-fertilizing plants. Joyn Bio used fake DNA to modify the microbes of plants so they can pull nitrogen gas from the air and convert it into fertilizer. Using synthetic biology, scientists have also created a reliable source of artemisinin which is used in malaria vaccines.

Fake meat pioneer Beyond Meat also harnessed this new technology to create more realistic veggie burgers. It was first to use a DNA coding sequence from soybeans to create meat that looks and tastes like beef but is actually made from vegetables.

In short, this breakthrough tech allows scientists to reprogram the operating system of plants and other organisms. Synthetic biology is hands down the most cutting-edge industry on earth right now. Just as Intels microchips and IBMs computers underpinned Americas computing revolution,Twist BiosciencesDNA synthesis platform provides the building blocks for the biology revolution.

2.Genomics

DNA carries your genetic information. Think of it as a set of instructions for your body. Mapping your DNA allows scientists to decipher your bodys unique set of instructions. By learning the secrets hidden within your DNA, doctors can tell what diseases youre likely to get. This allows them to catch problems earlier and diagnose them more accurately.

In fact, the use of DNA mapping in healthcare is exploding right now. A new prenatal test based on DNA mapping can detect hard-to-find problems with babies inside their mothers wombs. Its the fastest-growing medical test in American history.

Invitae(NVTA)is using these breakthroughs to turn Americas healthcare system on its head. In short, its building an alternate healthcare industry around DNAor geneticinformation.

By the end of 2020, Invitae will have mapped the DNA of almost one million Americans. And its creating a system where this information is used in our healthcare decisions. For example, most cancers have a genetic link. In other words, mapping DNA can help detect the disease early. And when it comes to cancer, an accurate and timely diagnosis can literally save your life.

But right now, many cancers go largely undetected. Invitae is working to change this. I see genetic mapping ushering in the era of personalized medicine in America. If you havent heard about this yet, you will soon.

In short, DNA mapping will allow you, as an individual, to know which diseases youre most at risk for. Knowing this, youll better understand the perfect foods, the perfect drugs, and the perfect exercise regimen, just for you.

But thats only stage one. The genomics industry is evolving from mapping our DNA to editing it. Gene editing promises to transform how we treat and cure disease. Humans have between 20,000 and 25,000 genes that carry the DNA instructions for our bodies. But devastating diseases like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia are caused by just one error.

Gene editing is making cures for certain diseases possible for the first time in history. It has the potential to cure thousands of diseases like cystic fibrosis, Huntingtons, sickle cell anemia, and hemophilia.

Space has always been a business dominated by governments. The Space Race between America and the Soviet Union kicked off back in the 1950s. And since then, the US government has pumped $600+ billion into NASA. That dwarfs the $20 billion that private companies have invested in space.

But over the past decade, theres been a quiet revolution in the space industry. The advent of reusable rockets and innovative launch methods have slashed the cost of going to space. The cost to launch a satellite into orbit has dropped more in the past 10 years than in the entire history of space!

Rapidly declining costs are transforming space travel into a thriving business. In fact, private space investment has jumped 400% since 2013. Elon Musks intergalactic company SpaceX has launched 20+ resupply rockets to the International Space Station over the past few years. And earlier this year SpaceX sent its first two astronauts into space on its Crew Dragon capsule. It was the first privately built rocket and capsule ever to put humans into space.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is also pushing private space exploration forward. His company, Blue Origin, recently won a NASA contract to put Americans back on the moon. In short, the era of private space exploration is here. Over the coming years, tourists will fly into outer space, companies will figure out how to mine asteroids, and companies likeMaxar Technologies (MAXR)will continue to improve their fleets of spy satellites.

Over the past decade, investors have poured a record $26 billion into 535 space companies globally. Last year alone $5.8 billion was investeda new record. In fact, data from the Space Foundation shows the space economy generated $415 billion in revenue last year. Current industry projections peg the 2040 global space economy at between $1 and $3 trillion.

And keep in mind, government activity in space is growing once again. The Commerce Department revitalized the Office of Space Commerce, which was established over 30 years ago to help enable commercial space activities. Last December, Congress approved a $738 billion defense policy bill to create a Space Force, the sixth branch of the US military.

The core idea of artificial intelligence (AI) is a machine that learns and thinks just like you or me. Most important, it learns all by itself, without human intervention. But please understand, AI isnt one single all-knowing machine like you see in the movies. Instead, it describes intelligent computers that do ultra-specific tasks.

For example, right now machines are learning to see for the first time ever. This is the basis of the flourishing computer vision industry. Medical imaging disruptor Paige is using computer vision to revolutionize the way we diagnose cancer. Paige fed millions of real-life medical images into its computer program and taught it to detect early signs of tumors.

And it recently tested the system by scanning 12,000 medical images for potential tumors. It had never seen these images before, yet achieved near-perfect accuracy. In other words, this computer has learned to recognize cancerous tumors better than human doctors. Paige is just one example of machines performing like superhuman doctors.

Stanford researchers recently built a computer that scans MRIs to detect Alzheimers disease with 94% accuracy. Other teams are teaching computers to drive. Amazon recently acquired top self-driving car startup Zoox for $1.2 billion. Zooxs computer on wheels is so good at driving it can zip through San Franciscos busy streets without a human driver.

Then you have firms developing checkout-free grocery stores, which turns your local Whole Foods into a giant supercomputer. Earlier this year, Amazon launched its Dash Cart. The shopping cart uses computer vision algorithms and sensors to identify the items in the cart. So you can simply grab items, throw them in the cart, and walk out.

In short, these are all world-changing technologies that will make many folks rich. Many new, unique disruptions are hiding underneath the misleading banner of AI.

Do you remember when every company had a dedicated payroll department?Now most businesses outsource it to companies like Paylocity and Paycom. In fact, offloading your payroll department makes total sense. Why do it yourself when you can pay a specialist to do it for less?

And as businesses outsourced their payroll needs, Paylocity and Paycoms stocks surged. This outsourcing phenomenon isnt just confined to payroll anymore. All kinds of functions that used to be done in-house like accounting, web design, IT support, and data storage are being offloaded now. For example, most companies that need to build a website no longer hire a whole web design team. Instead, they pay firms like Shopify and Wix to handle all their online needs.

Firms still employ armies of accountants to look after their finances. But this is rapidly changing. An upstart called BlackLine has created software that automates most accounts payable and receivable jobs. It now counts major firms like Nike, Costco, and Dominos as customers. And its stock has shot up 300%+ in the past couple years.

Remember when every office in America had a dedicated server room? The in-house IT department would look after the companys systems. And ensure hackers couldnt steal valuable data.

IT departments are now shrinking rapidly. Instead of employing dozens of workers to stop hackers, companies now simply pay cybersecurity firms likeOktaandZscalera monthly fee to protect their networks.

Then you have a company likeSmartsheet, which is automating much of what project managers used to do. Its app basically allows teams to collaborate, manage, and report on work in real time. And its stock has surged 150%+ over the past couple months.

All these jobs used to be done by in-house employees. Now they are being outsourced to specialist firms. And the firms pioneering new software products have been among the best-performing stocks in the entire market.

Get my report"The Great Disruptors:3 Breakthrough Stocks Set to Double Your Money".These stocks will hand you 100% gains as they disrupt whole industries.Get your free copy here.

Visit link:

The Top Five Hypergrowth Industries I'm Targeting In 2021 - Forbes

George Clooney's Netflix movie The Midnight Sky has inspired viewers to find other movies about space; check out these 10 recommendations.

After three year-hiatus from making movies, George Clooney returns to the big screen as the leading actor, producer, and director in Netflix's newest film, The Midnight Sky.

RELATED:The Midnight Sky: Every Project George Clooney Has Directed, Ranked By Rotten Tomatoes

Alongside George Clooney, the movie consists of an ensemble cast that includes Felicity Jones, David Oyelowo, and Kyle Chandler. It is an emotional film that will leave viewers anticipating the missions by the scientist and astronauts. Also, it shows the beautiful visuals of space and the disheartening imagery of Earth. Of course, The Midnight Sky is not the first of its kind. Several other films capture the movie's essence, whether it be another space mission or another apocalyptic catastrophe.

Considering the mysteries behind a black monolith, two astronauts venture into space to find answers regarding its origin. While traveling with H.A.L. 9000, a supercomputer, a new conflict arises between humanity and machine that changes the course of their mission and brings about revelations regarding the space and time continuum.

Of course, 2001: A Space Odyssey sets the foundation of the space theme that we now see today. The film was gratified for its complex story and breathtaking visuals that have since inspired future sci-fi films.

Interstellar is one movie that most equates to the tone and premise of The Midnight Sky. As Earth becomes inhospitable, a pilot joinsa team of researchers to try and save humanity. His time and sacrifice mean leaving his children behind for several years, and matters worsen when there is deception regarding their plans.

Interstellar is like any Christopher Nolan movie. The story is convoluted, but it is still substantive in its approach. The stakes of it all make thefilm emotionally investing, from phenomenal performances by the cast, such as Matthew McConaughey,Anne Hathaway, and Jessica Chastain, and the beautiful score composed by Hans Zimmer.

As a group of astronauts escapes the conditions of Mars, one botanist gets left behind, leaving him stranded on the red planet. Now, he has to find a way to communicate with Earth and keep himself alive as long as possible, with his innovation and intelligence.

RELATED:10 Movies To Watch If You Loved The Martian

Though most space movies have a dramatic tone,The Martianis a unique movie, where it is more light-hearted. Based on Andy Weir's novel of the same title, the film is one of a kind that viewers compliment for its brilliance, thrill, and humor. Furthermore, Matt Damon gives a genuinely unforgettable performance.

George Clooney has a soft-side when it comes to space movies and their calamities. When space debris causes critical damage to the space shuttle, a medical engineer and a team commander are the only ones to survive the impact. Now, they have to figure out how to get back home to Earth, which means understanding the ways around space.

Gravity was one of the biggest movies in 2013. It is quite a harrowing and anxiety-inducing film that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. Critics praised the film for its beautiful visual effects and direction, which earned the film Best Director for Alfonso Cuarn and Best Visual Effects at the86th Academy Awards.

With the sun slowly dying, the resultscould lead to the end of humanity. Therefore, a group of astronauts is on course to reignite the sun and give humanity another fighting chance. However, when the team detours and meets upon an older spaceship, they face the unexpected aftermaths that jeopardize their mission and risk everyone's life onboard.

Danny Boyle presents another thrilling piece of work with Sunshine. It is extraordinary with the complexities and psychological elements of space traveling, with incredible visual effects and impactful storytelling. The movie is also supported by an ensemble cast that includes Chris Evans, Cillian Murphy, and Rose Byrne.

Moonis no ordinary space movie as it takes a turn on the psychological and quintessential effects of space travel. An astronaut travels home from his research on the moon. However, he deals with hallucinations that could be from his trip. Now, he has to figure out what all the mysteries mean before he arrives home.

Moon may not be the most highly-budgeted sci-fi movie, but it is a must-watch for viewers to watch. Of course, Sam Rockwell is the star of the film. He gives a remarkable performance and is perhaps one ofRockwell'sbest roles to date.

Sometimes, mother nature can change unexpectedly. These cases could lead to unspeakable natural disasters from tornadoes around cities to a tsunami-like hurricane during the cold season. For one paleoclimatologist, he goes on a complicated journey through a superstorm to find his only son and bring him home before it's too late.

RELATED:10 Best Disaster Movies That Don't Have A Happy Ending, Ranked

The Day After Tomorrowis nota perfect movie,especially for a natural disaster flick. However, the visuals are horrifying yet mesmerizing that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. The movie stars Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Emmy Rossum.

Ad Astra is not any usual sci-face movie in space. It is more than that as it focuses on the estranged bond between a father and son. After Roy McBride's father has been missing for three decades, Roy goes on a mission to find the truth about his father's expedition and stop the threat upon those at home.

Not everyone loves this movie because of the slow pace and development. However, it is quite ambitious in its approach by narrating a different spin on space-related movies. Also, it is visually stunning with brilliant cinematography and an amazing performance by Brad Pitt.

In this post-apocalyptic world where Earth undergoes a second Ice Age, civilization now lies on speed-trains to keep humanity alive. However, everyone is located in each cart by the class system, leaving the poorest to live in unbearable conditions. With the help of one man, they push their way to the engine and change the rules and lifestyle set by those in control.

Before becoming an Oscar-winning director, Bong Joon-ho was already crafting pieces of art. Snowpierceris surprisingly entertaining due to its unique and captivating story. Itconsists of a stellar cast of Chris Evans,Song Kang-ho, andTilda Swinton.

This biographical drama centers on Neil Armstrong's life story as he becomes one of the first astronauts to step foot on the moon. However, life as an astronaut is more than just space alone as he recounts the people that he loses close to him.

Directed by Damien Chazelle, First Manis a touching and beautiful movie about Neil Armstrong, played by Ryan Gosling. Critics and audience alike raved the film for its emotional storytelling, brilliant direction, and amazing performances by Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy. Also, the Moon landing sequence is quite a stunning scene that viewers surely cannot miss.

NEXT:The Midnight Sky: 10 Best Movies About Astronauts & Outer Space

Next Star Wars: 10 Of The Empires Deadliest Moffs, Ranked

Based in South Florida, Fariba Rezwan is a list writer for CBR and Screen Rant. Though working on her graduate degree at the University of Florida, her science education does not take away her love of movies and TV shows. She is a huge geek and considers her herself a huge fan of many fandoms including Star Wars, Marvel, GoT, Supernatural and many more.

Continue reading here:

10 Movies To Watch If You Like Netflix's The Midnight Sky - Screen Rant