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Cutthroat
+ What the fuck is kratom, really?
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OVERWORLD:
-AI is making working in gaming cutthroat (numbers).-
ONE BETWEEN:
-What the fuck is kratom, really?-
THE DEPTHS:
-The most mainstream and esoteric jingle of all time.-
 | O |  |
This shit again
AI is making working in gaming cutthroat (numbers).
Games are beautiful. To make them, you need to gather masters of all mediums; concept artists, writers, developers, producers, graphic designers, asset artists, illustrators, and so on.
But that means paying a whole lotta people. The video game industry, valued at nearly $200 billion, is already trying to cut some costs. AI likes this:
Lay-offs: In 2023, some 10,500 industry professionals got laid off. And an estimated 11,000 are expected this year.
Close downs: Companies like Microsoft, owner of Xbox and Activision Blizzard, and most importantly, OpenAI, have closed studios like Tango Gameworks and Alpha Dog Games. If anybody knows what’s to come, it’s Microsoft.
Numbers: A recent Game Developers Conference survey revealed that 49% of respondents reported AI use in their workplaces, with 80% expressing ethical concerns. Veteran game developer Violet noted the pervasive and inevitable presence of AI in the industry, indicating a major shift.
More numbers: CVL Economics reports the gaming industry's new crush on generative AI, about 90% of companies use such it. This adoption is whooping artists' asses, causing job displacement and fueling outsourcing trends.
✦Who’s getting eaten first?✦
The gaming industry is growing larger than Hollywood in economic power. There’s a key difference, though; it’s largely non-unionized.
It’s coming together though, with protections against AI kinda like those secured by Hollywood writers.
Important: AI is obviously not eliminating entire departments, but is being used to increase productivity and compensate for reduced staff. It’s more about automating simpler tasks.
That means AI is taking the tasks it can do “good enough”. In gaming, that means 2D concept artists are the ones getting smoked first. By the end of the last year, AI-generated content began appearing in games like Call of Duty, implying the layoffs of lots of 2D artists.
THE KING NEEDS YOU
Human, you are a mere. Do you not seek grander ventures? A greater title? Honor? Take up arms, and help me expand my kingdom!
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Refer a friend with this link.
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✦Business & Tech✦
Switcheroo: Wiz declined Google's $23 billion acquisition offer, opting to pursue an IPO. Concerns over antitrust issues and investor interests influenced the decision. Wiz aims for an IPO and $1 billion in annual recurring revenue.
Big winner: Spotify's monthly active users grew 14% to 626 million, missing expectations by 5 million. Subscribers rose 12% to 246 million. The company reported a record-high operating income of €266 million.
Getting serious: W, co-founded by Jake Paul, raised $11 million in Series A funding, valuing it over $150 million. Expanding beyond Walmart, the men's care brand attracts investors like Naomi Osaka and Paris Hilton.
✦Fashion & Culture✦
Stink: LVMH’s revenue fell for the second consecutive quarter, missing forecasts due to the global luxury market slowdown. Key factors included declining sales in China, weak US growth, and a significant drop in watches, jewelry, wine, and spirits.
Snoop Dogg will be the final torchbearer for the 2024 Olympics, carrying the torch through Saint-Denis to the Eiffel Tower, and will also serve as a news correspondent for NBC’s Primetime in Paris show.
✦Hmm… Interesting✦
Cozy 1-minute read: Anti-Resume*
Sick: Kawaii – A Keychain-Sized Nintendo Wii
Big read for big brains: Copying is the way design works
ONE
BETWEEN
What is drugs? Baby don’t hurt me.
What the fuck is kratom, really?
You probably already take this shit, but here’s some numbers:
New crack: Almost two million Americans used kratom in 2021, per SAMSHA. Despite its ban in seven states, kratom is widely available at U.S. gas stations, convenience stores, and online.
Natural: Derived from the leaves of an Asian tree, kratom produces mild opioid-like effects. It is promoted as an energy-boosting stimulant, a mood enhancer for anxiety or depression, and a treatment for chronic pain. However, its efficacy and safety remain controversial.
Opioid: Kratom’s active compounds include mitragynine, which targets pain receptors similar to opioids, and alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine, which has potent opioid-like effects. Kratom also interacts with serotonin and dopamine receptors, affecting mood and anxiety.
Historically, kratom leaves and teas have been used for centuries in Southeast Asia. However, U.S. kratom products are a little different; as in more potent.
The FDA lists kratom as a “drug of concern,” citing risks of addiction, seizures, liver toxicity, and in rare cases, death. Adverse reactions include drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, and rapid heartbeats. Kratom's regulatory status is ambiguous, allowing sales to individuals as young as 13.
Kratom is also used by individuals with opioid use disorder, though no clinical trials confirm its effectiveness for addiction treatment. Despite its potential, experts emphasize the need for proven treatment options first.
The safety of kratom is another concern. Western users often consume products with varying amounts of active chemicals. Dried leaf products tend to be less potent, while processed kratom supplements can be highly concentrated. Some products marketed as kratom are essentially synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine, posing significant risks. Unlabeled products can be adulterated with heavy metals or other chemicals.
The risk of addiction to kratom is relatively low compared to strong opioids, but the FDA warns of possible addiction with long-term use. Research suggests short-term use may be relatively safe, but the long-term effects are unknown. Some states are considering legislation to regulate kratom, imposing age restrictions, labeling, and testing requirements.
THE DEPTHS
Sick
The most mainstream and esoteric jingle of all time.
In 1994, Microsoft was ready to launch Windows 95. For the boot-up sound, Microsoft had hired Brian Eno, the fucking legendary musician and producer.
Microsoft’s brief to Eno was kind of absurd:
“A piece of music that is inspiring, universal, futuristic, sentimental, emotional…and only 3.25 seconds long.”
Eno worked in his studio, layering various sounds and effects. He aimed for a sound that was both simple and complex. After many attempts, he finally created the perfect sound.
Eno made 84 versions of the sound, trying to nail it.
He said it was “like making a tiny little jewel.”
To be honest, they robbed him. Microsoft paid him $35k for the sound, and it’s probably been heard by hundreds of millions of people.
The Windows sound is now a part of tech history. It showed how music and technology could work together. Eno’s creation remains a testament to his creativity and innovation. It’s a small piece of music, but it has had a big impact.
