#Virtualized mobile core

[omshinde5145]

The Growing Virtualized Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) Market: Driving Next-Gen Connectivity

The Virtualized Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) Market was valued at USD 8.1 billion in 2023 and will surpass USD 23.5 billion by 2030; growing at a CAGR of 16.4% during 2024 - 2030. At the heart of this transformation is the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), the core network architecture for LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and 4G networks. However, as the demand for data grows and the transition to 5G accelerates, traditional EPC systems are struggling to keep up. Enter the Virtualized Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) – a next-generation solution that is redefining how networks are built and managed.

Understanding vEPC

Virtualized Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) refers to the deployment of EPC functions using Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) technology. In a traditional EPC, network functions like the Serving Gateway (SGW), Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW), and Mobility Management Entity (MME) are implemented on dedicated hardware. In contrast, vEPC decouples these functions from physical hardware, allowing them to run as software instances on standard, off-the-shelf servers in a virtualized environment.

This shift to virtualization brings numerous benefits, including improved flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. By leveraging NFV, service providers can dynamically allocate resources based on demand, scale their networks quickly, and reduce capital and operational expenditures. This makes vEPC an essential component in the evolution towards 5G networks and beyond.

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Market Growth Drivers

The vEPC market is experiencing robust growth, driven by several key factors:

5G Rollout: As 5G networks become more widespread, the need for scalable and flexible core network solutions is paramount. vEPC provides the necessary foundation for 5G by enabling faster deployment, efficient resource utilization, and the ability to support diverse use cases, from enhanced mobile broadband to massive IoT connectivity.

Increased Data Traffic: The exponential growth in mobile data traffic, fueled by video streaming, social media, and IoT applications, is putting immense pressure on traditional network infrastructures. vEPC allows service providers to handle this surge in data traffic more effectively, ensuring seamless connectivity and improved user experiences.

Cost Efficiency: Virtualization reduces the need for expensive, proprietary hardware, enabling service providers to lower their capital and operational expenditures. Additionally, the ability to scale resources up or down based on demand helps in optimizing network costs, making vEPC a more cost-effective solution compared to traditional EPC.

Network Slicing: A key feature of 5G is network slicing, which allows operators to create multiple virtual networks on a single physical infrastructure, each tailored to specific applications or services. vEPC plays a critical role in enabling network slicing by providing the flexibility and agility needed to create and manage these virtual networks efficiently.

Rapid Time-to-Market: In today’s fast-paced environment, the ability to launch new services quickly is crucial for staying competitive. vEPC enables service providers to reduce the time-to-market for new services by streamlining network deployment and management processes.

Market Challenges

While the vEPC market presents significant opportunities, it also faces challenges that could impact its growth:

Interoperability Issues: As vEPC involves integrating various network functions from different vendors, ensuring interoperability can be challenging. Service providers must carefully select compatible solutions to avoid integration issues that could lead to network performance degradation.

Security Concerns: Virtualized environments can be more vulnerable to security threats compared to traditional hardware-based systems. Ensuring robust security measures are in place is critical to protect sensitive data and maintain network integrity.

Skills Gap: The transition to virtualized networks requires new skill sets that may not be readily available within existing telecom teams. Investing in training and upskilling is necessary to fully leverage the benefits of vEPC.

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The Future of vEPC

Looking ahead, the vEPC market is poised for continued growth as more service providers embrace virtualization and move towards 5G. The flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency offered by vEPC will be key to supporting the diverse and demanding use cases of future networks. As the technology matures, we can expect further innovations in areas such as automation, orchestration, and edge computing, all of which will enhance the capabilities of vEPC and drive its adoption.

[prajwal-agale001]

Virtualized Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) Market Landscape: Trends, Opportunities, and Key Industry Players

The Virtualized Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) market stands at the forefront of the telecommunications industry, driven by the burgeoning need for advanced network solutions capable of managing the exponential growth in mobile data traffic and enabling new technology paradigms. Projected to reach $17.05 billion by 2028, the market is expected to experience a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.4% from 2021 to 2028. This growth trajectory is a testament to the vital role vEPC solutions play in optimizing network performance, reducing operational costs, and supporting the transition to next-generation technologies like 5G.

In this comprehensive analysis, we explore the driving forces behind the vEPC market’s expansion, the challenges it faces, and the key players shaping its evolution. We also offer insights into the market’s future outlook and strategic opportunities for stakeholders.

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Market Overview

Definition and Importance of vEPC

Virtualized Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) refers to the virtualization of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network architecture, which is a critical component of mobile telecommunications systems. vEPC enables operators to manage their network functions more efficiently by virtualizing network components and leveraging cloud-based solutions. This approach allows for enhanced scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, essential for handling the increasing volume of mobile data and supporting new services and applications.

The vEPC architecture typically includes several key elements, such as the Serving Gateway (SGW), the Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW), and the Mobility Management Entity (MME). By virtualizing these components, operators can achieve greater operational efficiency, reduce capital and operational expenditures, and improve service delivery.

Drivers of Market Growth

Surge in Mobile Data Traffic

One of the primary drivers of the vEPC market is the unprecedented growth in mobile data traffic. As consumer and enterprise demand for high-speed internet and data-intensive applications increases, telecommunications operators are compelled to adopt advanced network solutions to handle this traffic effectively. vEPC solutions offer the scalability and flexibility needed to accommodate growing data volumes and ensure optimal network performance.

Cost Reduction Imperatives

Reducing operational expenditures (OPEX) and capital expenditures (CAPEX) is a significant motivator for adopting vEPC solutions. Traditional network infrastructures are often costly to maintain and upgrade. By transitioning to virtualized solutions, operators can achieve substantial cost savings through more efficient resource utilization, reduced hardware requirements, and simplified network management.

IoT Deployment

The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and applications is another critical factor driving the vEPC market. IoT deployments require robust and scalable network architectures capable of supporting a large number of connected devices and handling diverse data traffic types. vEPC solutions are well-suited to meet these demands, providing the necessary flexibility and performance to support IoT ecosystems.

Demand for Broadband Services

The growing demand for high-speed broadband services over mobile networks is fueling the expansion of vEPC solutions. Consumers and businesses alike are seeking faster and more reliable internet connections, driving operators to invest in advanced network technologies. vEPC solutions enable operators to deliver enhanced broadband experiences by optimizing network performance and increasing capacity.

Adoption of Cloud-Native 5G Core

The transition to cloud-native 5G core architectures is creating new growth opportunities for vEPC vendors. Cloud-native solutions offer improved scalability, agility, and efficiency compared to traditional network architectures. As operators adopt 5G technologies and explore the potential of cloud-native networks, the demand for vEPC solutions that integrate seamlessly with these new architectures is expected to grow.

Challenges Facing the vEPC Market

Security Risks

Despite its advantages, vEPC infrastructure introduces new security challenges. The virtualization of network functions can create vulnerabilities that may be exploited by cyber threats. Ensuring the security of virtualized network components and protecting against potential attacks is a critical concern for operators and vendors alike. Addressing these security risks requires ongoing vigilance and the implementation of robust security measures.

Awareness and Adoption Barriers

A lack of awareness about the benefits and capabilities of vEPC solutions can impede market growth. Many organizations may not fully understand the advantages of virtualization or may be hesitant to invest in new technologies due to concerns about complexity or integration challenges. Educating stakeholders about the benefits of vEPC and demonstrating successful use cases can help overcome these barriers and drive adoption.

Key Players in the vEPC Market

The vEPC market is characterized by the presence of several leading companies, each contributing to the sector's growth through innovation and technology advancements. Below, we provide an overview of some of the key players shaping the vEPC market.

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Company Overview: Cisco Systems, Inc. is a global technology leader specializing in networking, security, collaboration, and cloud solutions. With a comprehensive portfolio spanning multiple business segments, including Infrastructure Platforms, Services, Applications, Security, and Other Products, Cisco is a major player in the vEPC market.

vEPC Offerings: Cisco offers advanced technologies such as IP, security, optical networking, and wireless solutions. The company's vEPC solutions are designed to optimize network performance, enhance scalability, and reduce costs.

Global Presence: Cisco operates across the Americas, EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa), and APJC (Asia-Pacific and Japan). Its extensive distribution network and subsidiaries, including Cisco WebEx, OpenDNS, and BroadSoft, further bolster its global reach.

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson SE

Company Overview: Ericsson is a multinational telecommunications company renowned for its leadership in 4G and 5G mobile technologies. The company operates through four segments: Networks, Digital Services, Managed Services, and Emerging Business and Other.

vEPC Offerings: Ericsson's vEPC portfolio includes mobile and fixed network infrastructure, telecom services, and broadband solutions. The company's expertise in mobile technologies positions it as a key player in the vEPC market.

Global Presence: Ericsson has a wide-reaching presence across North America, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, and India. Its global footprint is supported by subsidiaries such as Ericsson-LG, Ericsson-Nikola Tesla, and Cenx, Inc.

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

Company Overview: Huawei is a leading provider of telecommunication solutions, specializing in wireline, wireless, and IP technologies. The company operates through four business segments: Carrier Business, Enterprise Business, Consumer Business, and Other.

vEPC Offerings: Huawei's vEPC portfolio includes enterprise wireless, Cloud Core, carrier networks, telecom services, and enterprise networking solutions. The company's innovative solutions are designed to meet the demands of modern network environments.

Global Presence: Huawei has a significant presence in China, EMEA, APAC (Asia-Pacific), and America. Key subsidiaries include Huawei Device Co., Ltd and Shanghai Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

Affirmed Networks, Inc.

Company Overview: Affirmed Networks specializes in transforming mobile data networks through advanced intelligence and virtualization. Acquired by Microsoft in 2020, the company operates under Microsoft's Intelligent Cloud segment.

vEPC Offerings: Affirmed Networks provides solutions for IoT virtualization, vEPC, and cloud-native mobile core technologies. Its offerings include 5G NR, virtualized DPI, GiLAN services, and optimized IoT access.

Global Presence: Affirmed Networks operates in the U.S., India, the UAE, and Czechia, leveraging Microsoft’s global reach and resources.

Mavenir Systems, Inc.

Company Overview: Mavenir Systems, headquartered in Texas, U.S., is a prominent telecommunication software company focused on redefining mobile network economics for service providers.

vEPC Offerings: Mavenir's core capabilities include VoLTE, VoWiFi, vEPC, and virtualized RAN. The company's solutions are designed to accelerate the transformation of mobile networks.

Global Presence: Mavenir operates across North America, the Caribbean & Latin America, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, Asia-Pacific, and South Asia. Subsidiaries include Ranzure Networks, Netonomy, and Aquto Corporation.

Nokia Corporation

Company Overview: Nokia is a multinational communications company engaged in manufacturing mobile devices, network infrastructure, and advanced technologies. It operates through four segments: Networks, Nokia Software, Nokia Technologies, and Other.

vEPC Offerings: Nokia’s vEPC solutions are part of its Networks segment and include core networks, mobile and fixed infrastructure, and 5G solutions.

Global Presence: Nokia has a broad presence across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Greater China, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Its subsidiaries include Nokia Networks, Alcatel Lucent, Scalado, and Novarra, Inc.

ZTE Corporation

Company Overview: ZTE is a telecommunications and networking company offering a range of communication systems, including network slicing software and services. The company operates through three segments: Consumer Business, Carrier Networks, and Government and Corporate Business.

vEPC Offerings: ZTE’s vEPC portfolio includes core networks, mobile and fixed infrastructure, network automation, 5G services, and Cloud Core networks.

Global Presence: ZTE operates in China, Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and Africa, supported by subsidiaries such as Double Fine Productions, Inc., and GitHub, Inc.

F5 Networks, Inc.

Company Overview: F5 Networks is a networking company specializing in web application technologies. The company operates through two segments: Products and Services.

vEPC Offerings: F5 Networks provides vEPC solutions including SGI, virtual application delivery controllers, diameter signaling, and IMS networks.

Global Presence: F5 Networks has a significant presence in the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific, with subsidiaries like Volterra, Inc. and NGINX, Inc.

NEC Corporation

Company Overview: NEC Corporation is a multinational IT and electronics company specializing in computer peripherals, IT infrastructure, and networking products. It operates through six segments: Public Solutions Business, Public Infrastructure Business, Enterprise Business, Network Services Business, Global Business, and Others.

vEPC Offerings: NEC’s vEPC portfolio includes core networks, mobile and fixed infrastructure, and 5G Core & LTE networks.

Global Presence: NEC has a global presence in North America, EMEA, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania, with subsidiaries such as Netcracker Technology Corporation and ABeam Consulting Ltd.

IPLOOK Technologies Co., Ltd.

Company Overview: IPLOOK Technologies, headquartered in Hong Kong, China, is a leading software company offering solutions for 3G/4G/5G core networks.

vEPC Offerings: The company provides end-to-end mobile core solutions, including 5G Core networks and IP multimedia subsystems (IMS).

Global Presence: IPLOOK Technologies operates primarily in China and Southeast Asia.

Future Outlook

The vEPC market is set to witness continued growth as telecommunications operators and enterprises increasingly adopt virtualized solutions to address the demands of modern network environments. The market’s expansion will be driven by several factors, including the need for enhanced network performance, cost efficiencies, and the integration of emerging technologies such as 5G and IoT.

Emerging Trends

Integration with 5G Networks: The integration of vEPC with 5G networks will be a significant trend, enabling operators to leverage the benefits of 5G while maintaining efficient and flexible core network operations.

Increased Focus on Security: As security concerns continue to evolve, there will be a heightened focus on developing robust security measures to protect virtualized network components from cyber threats.

Expansion of IoT Ecosystems: The growth of IoT ecosystems will drive demand for scalable and flexible vEPC solutions capable of supporting a large number of connected devices and diverse data traffic types.

Strategic Opportunities

Investment in R&D: Companies investing in research and development to innovate and enhance vEPC solutions will be well-positioned to capture market share and address emerging needs.

Partnerships and Collaborations: Strategic partnerships and collaborations with technology providers, network operators, and service integrators will create opportunities for growth and market expansion.

Geographic Expansion: Expanding into new geographic regions and emerging markets will provide additional growth opportunities for vEPC vendors, as demand for advanced network solutions continues to rise globally.

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Conclusion

The Virtualized Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) market represents a dynamic and rapidly evolving segment of the telecommunications industry. Driven by factors such as increasing mobile data traffic, cost reduction imperatives, IoT deployment, and the adoption of cloud-native 5G core solutions, the market is poised for substantial growth in the coming years.

While challenges related to security and awareness persist, the opportunities for innovation and expansion are significant. Key players in the market are actively contributing to its development through advanced technologies and strategic initiatives, shaping the future of network infrastructure.

As the industry navigates these developments, stakeholders must remain agile and forward-thinking to capitalize on emerging trends and opportunities. The continued advancement of vEPC solutions will play a crucial role in enabling next-generation network capabilities and meeting the evolving demands of the digital age.

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[bhavanameti]

Virtualized Evolved Packet Core Market Projected to Reach $19.87 Billion by 2031

According to the latest publication from Meticulous Research®, the virtualized evolved packet core (vEPC) market is projected to reach $19.87 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 19.3% from 2024 to 2031. This growth is driven by the significant increase in mobile data traffic volumes and the rising demand for high-speed data services. However, data security risks associated with vEPC infrastructure pose challenges to market growth.

[daytaker]

Sins, Virtues, and Motivations: A Critical Analysis of Characters in Shall We Date?: Obey Me!

In this essay, I will argue that each demon brother some of the demon brothers can be associated with a sin (no duh), a virtue, and a core motivation--and that this motivation is best pursued through a synthesis of that sin and that virtue. Hegel would be very proud. Yes, this is critical media analysis. No, I will not try to explain the twisted, broken path that led me to this point in my life.

I will be looking at Lucifer, Mammon, and Levi in this study. Their core sins are obvious - Pride, Greed, and Envy. Their accompanying Virtues and Motivations are listed below.

I used the Seven Heavenly Virtues for this little game. These are Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance, Faith, Hope, and Charity.

They should not be confused with the Seven Capital Virtues, which are inversions of the Seven Deadly Sins. These are Humility, Charity, Kindness, Patience, Chastity, Temperance, and Diligence. I tried these first and damn were none of them easy to match up. Tell me, fandom for this mobile game designed for players to lust over hot demon men, which brother should have the "chastity" virtue?

Lucifer

Core Sin: Pride. Core Virtue: Fortitude. Core Motivation: To protect his family.

Lucifer's core motivation is to protect his brothers. He looks at this as a sort of penance for the outcome of the Great Celestial War. He knows that he's the reason they rebelled, and he feels responsible for their wellbeing. He is able to endure the relentless pressure of the responsibilities he puts on himself thanks to his core virtue, fortitude.

Fortitude is strongly associated with courage. Specifically, it is courage in the face of pain and adversity. We see him displaying this trait any time those he cares for are in jeopardy, and it often helps him make difficult decisions where neither outcome is ideal. Lucifer is decisive, canny, and accepts the consequences of his choices, good or bad.

His driving motivation is also bolstered by his core sin: pride. He views himself as ultra-competent, while his brothers consistently make mistakes; beyond that, it's only natural that he take responsibility for the choices of his brothers (like the choice to join him in rebelling) because he is so significant an influence as to virtually rob them of their autonomy.

This has led to Lucifer having a somewhat toxic relationship with his brothers. Lucifer often acts as a parental figure rather than a peer, while the rest of them are all in arrested development of some sort, often acting more like kids than the adults they insist they are.

Lucifer either doesn't recognize that by doing everything for the family on his own, he's stemming their ability to grow and learn, or he does know the consequences of what he's doing and he feels conflicted about it. He ultimately blames himself for the fact that they're all in the Devildom in the first place, living as avatars of sins to the extent that they struggle to function as independent adults.

So, while fortitude and pride allow Lucifer to simulate the act of protecting his family, it's a matter of perspective whether controlling every element of their lives is protection or harmful coddling.

Mammon

Core Sin: Greed. Core Virtue: Charity. Core Motivation: To be valued and valuable.

Mammon is simultaneously a vessel of greed and its inverse, charity. This is because his core motivation is twofold, and those are the rewards of greed and charity; to be valued - to fulfill a want, to be desired, to look flippin' cool - and to be valuable - to fulfill a need, to have inherent worth, to serve a purpose.

Setting aside his unhealthy relationship with money, let's examine how Mammon behaves and what his deeper interpersonal motivations tend to be. He clearly places a high value on his brothers and MC, and he has shown on multiple occasions that he is willing to put himself at risk to help or protect them. Early on in both the original game and in NightBringer, Mammon attempts to heroically rescue MC (and his younger brothers, in NightBringer). In both cases, though, Lucifer shows up and does it for him. Mammon's pursuit of his core motivation clashes with Lucifer's quest for his, and Lucifer is strong enough to simply take it from him. Although in NightBringer he and his brothers do earn the not-insubstantial reward of the title "Lords of the Underworld" after Lucifer's rescue, he appeared so dejected by Lucifer's oneupmanship that he spent a good portion of the next day sulking. In the original game, Mammon wants MC to promise that they won't be saved by anyone else besides him in the future. It appears that his greed for an improved status in his interpersonal relationships is left unfulfilled.

Mammon wants to be heroic - to be valuable - and he wants to be admired for it - to be valued. The cognitive dissonance that accompanies motivations like these is all that sustains a person with such a diminished sense of self-worth.

Speaking of a diminished sense of self worth...

Leviathan

Core Sin: Envy. Core Virtue: Hope. Core Motivation: To find joy in the things that give him joy.

Confusing motivation? Yes it is. But envy is a confusing sin. All the other sins--pride, greed, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth--are enjoyable to indulge on some level. Losing your temper when you feel you've been wronged, or eating a bunch of delicious food, or sleeping through the snooze alarm: We know why we do those things. We might regret them later, but we indulge them in the moment because of the enjoyable side.

There is nothing enjoyable about envy. Wanting something that isn't yours, that belongs to someone else, be it tangible goods, talents, a partner, a job... is nauseating. And it makes you feel like a bad person, and it drains the joy out of things that you used to love. Speaking from personal experience for a second, when I was a teenager, I played music in a company with a much younger musician who was incredibly talented, and I was deeply envious of her. I wanted her talent; I wanted the praise she received; I wanted to impress people; I wanted what she had. But there was nothing I could do. I hated feeling that way, but I couldn't shake it. And it ate away at my desire to play music. It took the joy out of something that once gave me joy.

You see the connection?

Levi struggles to find pleasure in anything he does, despite how many interests he has, because, in spite of his blustering dismissal of all things "normie", he is deeply envious of those he perceives as his social superiors. Now, I am not in any way saying that Levi is or would be an inc3l, but there's an element of his character that has a strong parallel to inc3l culture. The idea that there is something fundamentally wrong with him that prevents him from achieving what he wants socially and that the only way he can protect himself from those who would ridicule him is with a defensive contempt for the group that rejects him... Does any of that sound familiar?

But Levi is not an inc3l. No, not because you're willing to **** him and his two *****, though I'm sure that helps. It's because he has his core virtue: hope.

Have you ever heard of the black pill? It's kind of like the final stage of inc3l culture, where you accept that you're not an alpha male, you'll never be one, you'll never be accepted by a woman, you're ugly and unloveable, and you might as well just stop existing. It is sheer despair.

Levi maintains hope for the future, even if he prefers not to admit it out of fear of jinxing himself. He is able to form a deep bond with MC, who he views as a "normie", without renouncing his hobbies or being mocked for them. In fact, I would argue that the anxiety Levi sometimes displays over the possibility of being made fun of (for example, in NightBringer when he considers trying out cosplay) is emblematic of the hope he has that he can be accepted.

"But wait, daytaker," you say. "That doesn't sound like he's making progress towards his core motivation of getting joy out of the things that bring him joy! Being self conscious is not joyful!" Well, you're right. What Levi needs is to somehow find the right balance between enjoying his hobbies and allowing himself to enjoy other people as well. As we can see from his effusive excitement in sharing his favorite games and stories with MC and his brothers, the social component of media consumption is a major component in making it enjoyable. If Levi loses hope, he loses that connection to the world offline, and if he loses that connection, he loses the joy.

@blackstqr (I did it.)

[margaretoakgrove]

HEISENBERG'S METAL ARMY

● HAULER

Mutant corpses revived by the Cadou parasite, the Haulers were modified by the vengeful engineer Karl Heisenberg, using electrodes from attached headgear of his own creation to stabilize their neural activity. Despite the 1.01s having combat capabilities that's virtually non-existent, the Haulers were repurposed as slaves that serve as workers and low-level guards under Heisenberg's control.

Humanoid appearance

Surgically mounted headgear

Capable of wielding handheld weapons with accuracy

Ashen complexion

Limited mobility, slow moving

Moderate intelligence

Heightened aggression

Moderate physical strength, durability and endurance

Crystallization of cellular structure after death

● SOLDAT EINS

Empowered by the mutagenic Cadou and industrial technology, the Soldat Eins were the basic grade of soldier from Lord Heisenberg's army of mechanized corpses. A more proficient machine of murder thanks to its Cadou Control Reactor and weaponized prosthetic, the Eins series would be the first of many variants to utilize the dead for the Village Lord's vendetta.

Humanoid appearance

Surgically mounted headgear

Exposed reactor replacing heart

Singular arm replaced with mechanized industrial drill implant

Ashen complexion

Limited mobility, slow moving

Moderate intelligence

Heightened aggression

Heightened physical strength, durability and endurance

Crystallization of cellular structure after death

Detonation of reactor core after sustaining significant damage

● SOLDAT ZWEI

An upgrade to the Soldat Eins bioweapon, the Zwei series were augmented with dual industrial-grade drills to remove the weakness of their necrotic flesh. With their Cadou Control Reactor relocated to a less conspicuous spot on their patchwork body, a single Soldat Zwei is capable of annihilating multiple targets endowed with the mutant parasite in a singular minute.

Humanoid appearance

Surgically mounted breathing apparatus

Exposed reactor replacing heart relocated to upper back

Both arms replaced with mechanized industrial drill implants

Ashen complexion

Limited mobility, slow moving

Moderate intelligence

Heightened aggression

Heightened physical strength, durability and endurance

Crystallization of cellular structure after death

Detonation of reactor core after sustaining significant damage

● SOLDAT JET

A flight-based variant of the Soldat Enhancement Development Project, the Jet series were developed for more mobile soldier amongst Lord Heisenberg's mechanized army of the undead. Equipped with rocket engines and head stabilizing wings, the Soldat Jet's three-dimensional maneuverability can get across even the most rugged terrain in combat deployment.

Humanoid appearance

Equipped with crude armor-like scrap metal encasing upper body

Equipped with rocket engines and head stabilizing wings for flight

Exposed reactor replacing heart

Both arms replaced with mechanized industrial drill implants

Capable of short distanced aerial attacks

Moderate intelligence

Heightened aggression

Heightened physical strength, durability and endurance

Crystallization of cellular structure after death

Detonation of reactor core after sustaining significant damage

● SOLDAT PANZER

An armored mutant from Lord Heisenberg's Soldat Enhancement Development Project, the Panzer series were engineered as soldiers with absolute protection against conventional firearms. Encased in full-body aluminum alloy armor, the Soldat Panzer are formidable bioweapons amongst Heisenberg's arsenal with their unyielding defense and overwhelming destructive power.

Humanoid appearance

Exposed reactor replacing heart

Overall body encased in crude armor-like aluminum alloy

Both arms replaced with mechanized industrial drill(s) implants

Ashen complexion

Limited mobility, slow moving

Moderate intelligence

Heightened aggression

Heightened physical strength, durability and endurance

Crystallization of cellular structure after death

Detonation of reactor core after sustaining significant damage

● STURM

A prototype Soldat-based bioweapon developed by Lord Heisenberg, the Sturm's turbo-prop aircraft engine in place of its torso makes it an unbeatable force through head-on confrontations. Deemed a failure due to its uncontrollable nature and self-destructive capabilities, the Sturm was instead utilized as a subterranean executioner for Heisenberg's factory.

Humanoid appearance

Surgically mounted turbo-prop engine to upper body

Exposed reactor replacing heart

Loss of hands and forearms due to oversized propeller

Low intelligence

Heightened aggression

Superhuman physical strength, durability and endurance

Crystallization of cellular structure after death

Detonation of reactor core after sustaining significant damage

[pico-farad]

I've been watching Vrains for the first time, and I finished season 1

some thoughts below (a lot. a lot of thoughts below)

Setting & Setup

The setting is a very smart choice, and the highlight of Vrains in my opinion.

The aesthetic is relevant, it integrates well with Konami marketing its mobile games, and it neatly deals with the problem every Yugioh series has to address of how to make consequences for duels that can be safely broadcast on children's television (aka the shadow realm / sent to the stars problem)

The virtual world opens up so much possibility in how to present things. 

In the character and setting designs, obviously, but also, the duels have their own visual identity. They don't need to play cards on a duel disk or hold cards in their hand, cards will just appear and disappear in pixels (it also probably saves on their animation budget). The duel grid and other visualizations can show up as they're relevant. And seeing the character take gashes to their avatars is dramatic while still being kid-friendly.

Every Yugioh needs its peanut gallery to react to the duel and be explained to, and Vrains incorporates them the most easily of any series, since they don't need to be physically present.

Kill the frog and the pigeon though.

On the topic of duels, I like both link summoning and speed duels.

I like the spacial/positioning element of link summoning, it puts an additional layer on top of "little monsters make big monster."

And speed duels have all the advantages of turbo duels, allowing for dynamic action, visual metaphor for the tide of the duel, and the ability to change locations without sacrificing pacing, all while requiring less suspension of disbelief than card games on motorcycles. It's easy to take for granted, but the heist sequences wouldn't work at all if they had to be standing duels. 

I also liked this about season 1 of 5Ds, where there's two modes of dueling (turbo duels and ground duels). The contrast between speed duels and master duels is fun.

Skills are cool too, though I feel like they could have designed better ones. Seeing Yusaku drop below 1000 got kind of predictable.

And finally, there is rich thematic potential in this kind of virtual setting. Themes about our relationship with social media, video games, artificial intelligence, and tech corporations are very relevant and have depth. I don't have the highest of hopes for Yugioh tackling them, based on how this first season has gone, but I'll withhold judgment on this until I'm finished.

Yusaku

I like Yusaku. He's blunt, but he's not edgy like I thought he would be. He's actually kind of nice toward Naoki when they meet. The three things tic is charming. I like his hacker deck, it's probably my favorite protagonist deck theme after Elemental Heroes.

Yusaku's problem is not that he's boring per se, but he isn't really put in any interesting situations in S1. 

A lot of his duels are just him being challenged to a duel he has no interest in (Go, Blue Angel, Ghost Girl), he beats them, and they don't actually end up forming a relationship or establishing a dynamic. Because their characters don't have anything to do with each-other except mutually not wanting the bad guys to do bad things.

Yusaku gains allies, but he doesn't make friends. He starts off with his only real relationship being Kusanagi, and that doesn't really change by the end of the season (and his relationship with Kusanagi is not very developed either).

Now, there is a reason for this, which is I think the core of Yusaku's character in S1. It's that due to the traumatic event of his childhood, time has stopped for him. This is very real for victims of traumatic events, being unable to move forward in their lives, develop relationships or think about the future, because their minds are still stuck in the past. This is why Yusaku seeks his revenge. It's not revenge he's seeking, it's closure.

This is a theme that's worth exploring. The problem is that I don't really think they explore it, not sufficiently enough for me to give them credit. If they were exploring it, they could have shown Yusaku reckoning with the divide between him and others in a number of ways. 

Most chiefly, by forcing him to make friends anyway. This is Yugioh goddamnit. The opportunity was right there with Naoki, but it's just played as a joke. Instead, most of this theme is squeezed in at the end of the final duel vs. Revolver, and without the proper build-up, the moment of Yusaku renouncing his revenge and reaching out to be friends with Revolver doesn't land nearly as strong as it could have.

If there is one relationship that Yusaku maybe develops though, it's...

Ai

The relationship between Yusaku and Ai should be what the show hinges on, based on the premise, Ai's status as the "partner," and glimpses I've seen of them through fandom.

Ai is the inciting incident of the story, his existence drives the plot forward, because Hanoi wants him, but Yusaku has him, and Ai doesn't want anything to do with either of them. This premise is gold. It's rife with dramatic potential. Ai is forced to work together with his captor. Yusaku is forced to work together with this goddamn annoying AI. They are both just trying to use the other, but end up developing a bond.

Or at least... that's what I think should have happened...

Very little happens between them in season 1, and it either goes nowhere, or comes out of nowhere. Ai tries to escape, but that thread is just dropped and forgotten. Various Hanoi guys hint that the Ignis can't be trusted, but it doesn't really faze Yusaku because he already doesn't trust Ai. The same thing happens when Revolver reveals that Ai is his counterpart from the Lost Incident and has known it this whole time.

There's only one turning point in their dynamic, which is in the second to last duel vs. Revolver, where Ai uses his body as a shield so that Yusaku can use Storm Access. And even then, Ai says it's because if Yusaku loses, Revolver will kill him. But that's been their entire dynamic for the season anyway? Why is this positioned as the emotional moment where they become partners?

By the end of season 1, they're... allies. The same as the rest of the characters on Yusaku's side. But if there was one character Yusaku should have made friends with, it's Ai. Especially if they are positioning for a humans vs. AI conflict.

His design is cute though.

Go

Go's problem is that he needs to be integrated into the story and cast. Aoi at least has a relationship with her brother and Ghost Girl. Go is connected to... some nameless orphan children, a nameless manager, and a childhood orphan friend who shows up for 5 seconds, is put into a coma in order for Go to have a motivation to duel Genome, and never appears again.

Go isn't a best friend character, and he's not a rival either. He's not even a friend character, period. He really just seems there to be a third duelist.

Does he even know about the Lost Incident, or why Playmaker is even fighting Hanoi? Go has no clue what the plot even is, how can he be involved in it? My guy is living in a different story.

It's a shame, because Go does have some interesting bits to his character. Being a charisma duelist is central to his character (unlike Aoi, whose relationship to charisma dueling seems to end at being a cute idol girl), which could have been used to explore the culture of Link Vrains and the performativity of online spaces.

This is tied to some kind of theme he has going on of dueling for others vs. dueling for yourself. It's brought up in contrast to Yusaku, and why he initially dislikes Playmaker. All of that could have been interesting, but it doesn't really get a full treatment.

Revolver

Revolver is fine as a season 1 antagonist. He's not really a character yet, but I'm interested in where they take him from here. His backstory is sympathetic honestly. It's a pretty familiar and tragic situation, where a child narcs on their parent, who isn't even a good parent, but then comes to regret it.

I also think Revolver is sympathetic because I would nuke the internet in a heartbeat.

His Link Vrains design is cool. Mirror Force is funny, so are the gun dragons. The final duel vs. Yusaku was sick honestly, I loved the extra extra link.

Anyway, I still enjoyed season 1 and think there's room to take a turn for the better. In my experience, there's two kinds of yugiohs, the ones that start off strong, and the ones that end strong. My suspicion is that Vrains is the latter.

On to season 2! Time to meet everyone's favorite Salad king :^)

Hm? Was there someone I missed?

ha ha...... you get your own post, Aoi.

[bestworstcase]

Hello! I’ve enjoyed reading your rwby analysis posts, especially the things you’ve had to say about Penny. The amount of care you put into thinking and writing about her is great. I’m curious what you thought about Penny getting turned into a human, because… I personally really didn’t like it. It just really hurt me that after she was attacked repeatedly because she was built differently, that the solution to that was to remove everything which was different/unique about her and make her “normal.” And then have the actual physical representation of her differences violently die and then be obliterated like they were some horrible, hideous thing.

A good chunk of her story seemed to revolve around being just as much a person as anyone else even though she had a body that worked differently. And I sure did relate to that irl! But then turning Penny human seemed to send the message that Penny could only actually be a full and happy person (such as immediately discovering how wonderful hugs feel) if she was normal. I want to believe I’m taking that scene the wrong way, but… I’m not sure how else I can interpret what happened. So yeah, I’m curious what you think! I’ll be interested to read your thoughts, whatever they may be.

ooh, well, i’m not keen on the way the fandom writ large interprets the scene (as ‘penny became human’/‘penny became real’) and i like how it was done because imo it is really NOT framed as a positive transformation?

there’s an element of relief and joy to it of course—because everyone’s glad that penny survived this ordeal with the virus—but, as you say, the self-destruction of her robotic body is a big focal point of the scene and it is done in a very horrifying way, with the camera moving between penny’s POV as she watches it happen and her robotic body’s POV as it desperately tries to reach her before succumbing to the virus. and penny herself is profoundly disturbed by the experience—she’s not happy to be ‘free’ of that body at all, and ruby hesitantly asks if she’s alright because penny clearly isn’t. 

so while penny does then find a small thing to appreciate about her new flesh body and that momentarily alleviates the horror… the tone is very much set by the amount of focus given to penny watching a part of herself die and, after that small burst of joyous relief, watching her old body crumble into ash and flinching away with horror again. 

to me, this reads as a rebuke of how flippant yang was about the loss—“the mechanical parts are just extra,” except penny’s body isn’t truly equivalent to a prosthetic, right? that’s just her body. 

it’s not all she is, but it’s also a lot more like the arm yang lost than it is like the prosthetic yang got afterwards. penny loses a core part of her identity…

…which is reinforced later, inside the portal, when penny is taken off guard by the abrupt realization that she no longer has floating array. weapons are a fundamental part of huntsmen identity, seen and understood as “extensions of our selves,” and penny’s is literally destroyed by her involuntary transformation—involuntary in the sense that it’s a choice she was forced to make under extreme duress thanks to watts—and she has to recreate that piece of herself with magic.  

and there’s smaller, subtler things wrong, too. i think the amount of focus put on her bare feet is meant to highlight that she does not have thrusters any more—an essential aspect of her natural mobility is just gone, again leaving her dependent on the maiden powers to do something she used to be able to just DO. 

or consider how disoriented she seems right before cinder gets her. in her original body, penny had sophisticated tactical software built into her sensory array which among other things made her virtually immune to emerald’s semblance. she could see infrared light and aura and the tactical analysis program worked much, much faster than any human could keep up with—because her physical brain was a computer! and then she loses that and spends the entire fight mainly getting clobbered and then struggles to keep track of what’s even happening when cinder gates her off from her allies!

her new body is healthy and whole by human standards, but measured against what penny had before… the narrative gives, like, a LOT of attention to signaling that penny has been measurably disabled in a multitude of ways. if she wasn’t also the winter maiden—& bear in mind that penny only became the winter maiden BECAUSE of what her original robotic body could do!—penny would have been rendered utterly helpless by this transformation. no weapon, no flying, in a much more fragile and vulnerable body that could feel pain. (think about how much screaming she does during that final fight, compared to the time she gets flung several blocks by a grimm so hard there’s an impact crater and she’s like “ouch! :)” about it)

and obv, that fragile new body is the only reason cinder was able to kill her at all. i think that’s sort of the point: penny did the equivalent of *barely* surviving a debilitating illness, went from her sickbed to a battlefield, tried to fight like that, and died because she in a state of extreme physical vulnerability due to recent illness. that’s why all of her friends were so insistent that she not participate in the fight—she wasn’t ready to be fighting! if she’d lived, she would have needed to spend quite a long time recovering, learning and accepting her new limitations, and training within those new limits.

so, to me? the narrative framing of the transformation feels somber, with “she lived! it worked!” being the silver lining on what is otherwise a tragic outcome. watts infected her with this brutal, horrific virus and the only way to save her life was to sacrifice a fundamental part of her self, in this acutely traumatizing way. i think the fandom collectively sort of tunnel visioned on the pinocchio narrative of ‘becoming a real girl’* to such a degree that the bittersweet framing and the underlying horror of what happened to her gets widely overlooked. and i don’t think those tragic/horrific notes are there by accident—the narrative puts quite a lot of emphasis on them, and deliberately bookends the joy of “do hugs always make you feel this warm?” with those moments of intense horror with the violent death and then destruction of her robotic body. 

(*something that… really isn’t a prominent theme with penny?, because her struggle with personhood is centered on how *other people* treat her like an object and i would argue her pinocchio ‘becoming a real boy’ moment is actually her acceptance of the maiden power—not because that ‘proves’ she’s a person or whatever, but because it’s a moment of emotional self-actualization where she chooses to do the right thing according to her own judgment instead of mindlessly following orders like the puppet ironwood expects her to be. it’s symbolic! & that gets called back to explicitly by winter, later, with “you were *always* the real maiden, i was the machine,” the ‘realness’ in the pinocchio narrative here is about emotional authenticity and refusal to sacrifice conscience or heart in the name of following orders.

rwby is… pretty profoundly uninterested in the question of ‘does the robot girl count as a person?’ because it answers that within literal seconds after revealing that she is a robot with an emphatic ‘yes, obviously, she has a soul, zero ambiguity here’ lmao. what it does do is leverage pinocchio to explore themes of dehumanization and personhood within an authoritarian military regime.)

so yeah, that’s how i read that. it’s joyous because she lives but it’s also not a victory earned without grievous loss, and the tragedy is exacerbated because she *does not have time* to catch her breath / process / learn how to live in her new, disabled body before cinder… cinders.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Jair Bolsonaro against democracy

Jair Bolsonaro, the former far-right president of Brazil, has been formally accused of participating in a plot concocted at the top level of his government to perpetrate a coup that would have prevented his rival, the leftist Luiz InácioLula da Silva, from assuming power after a clean electoral victory. The Supreme Court has also charged almost 30 more people with the crime of violent abolition of the state, including several reserve and active generals. The multiple pieces of evidence collected by Federal Police investigators make up an accusation that takes up 135 pages and is based, mainly, on the confession of a lieutenant who served as Bolsonaro’s private secretary.

The investigating judge is accusing the former president of, among other things, preparing a draft coup decree presented to the leadership of the Armed Forces in the presence of the Minister of Defense. Among the evidence, several WhatsApp messages stand out in which a general belonging to the core of the Cabinet promoted a virtual lynching campaign against the head of the Army after the latter refused to mobilize his troops and join the coup effort.

Thirteen months have passed since January 8, 2023, when thousands of Brazilians, falsely convinced that Lula and the Supreme Court judges had conspired to steal the elections from their leader Bolsonaro, attacked the headquarters of the three powers in Brasília. Never since the end of the dictatorship in 1985 had Brazilian democracy suffered such a serious attack.

Until now, only some of the actual perpetrators have been tried and convicted by the Supreme Court. It is very positive that the judges have focused beyond the ordinary Bolsonaro supporters who vandalized buildings and zeroed in on individuals suspected of organizing the failed democratic breakup from the hallways of power. Along with the role of the previous head of state, suspicions regarding the prominent role of several ministers and the then commander of the Navy are especially serious. At the same time, it is fair to note that the heads of the Army and Air Force refused to rise up against the legitimately elected president.

Continue reading.

[cyberdragoninfinity]

so i just got into duel links (thanks to you) and now i have a thought bout the Lore as i'm scrolling through your DL tag

do you think kaiba learned how to code an eldritch abomination, or was he just making a silly VR game that an eldritch abomination found and proceeded to imbed itself in the core code?

AW honored to have gotten you into the Duel Links fray! Just a funny little yugioh mobile game :)

Anyway, tbqh I don't actually think it's either of those scenarios...? Duel Links may be dancing along the edge of the cosmic horror genre but it's pretty clear that there isn't some eldritch abomination lurking in the code, or any mysterious entities coded into the game by Kaiba (knowingly or otherwise.) The eldritch-adjacent horror the characters in the DL overworld are going through (especially the VRAINS guys) is stemming more from the fact Theyre Being Exposed to Worlds and People and a Vastness Beyond What They Ever Expected Could Be in This Digital Realm

If anything, the closest thing we could maybe even slightly approximate to an "eldritch abomination" is Duel Links itself, no outside force wriggling itself in required! Seto Kaiba set out to program a virtual world he could lord over and raise the dead within in the process, it's built on the back of people's memories, and it's tough to tell if even he's aware of the fact that this has expanded out far beyond the reaches of Duel Monsters. Hundreds of memories spurring on the creation of dozens of new AI copies, a spiraling, growing network of brainwaves, and the smattering of implied Real People walking the DL grounds are left to figure out how they got here and just how deep the rabbit hole goes and Hey while we're at it maybe speak to a long dead friend again.

The horror of the unknown and unknowable in Duel Links isn't tied to any particular abominable figurehead, it's just the consequences of one billionaire with emotional issues dabbling in digital necromancy and memory replication within his little virtual playhouse. Go figure!

[jaisrakesh]

Game Software Development: From Concept to Code

Game software development is an intricate process that combines creativity, technical skill, and strategic planning to bring engaging virtual worlds to life. From the initial concept to the final lines of code, every step requires meticulous attention to detail. Whether you're an indie developer or part of a large studio, understanding the game software development process is crucial to creating a successful game. Let’s explore the journey from concept to code and the key steps involved in game software development.

1. Conceptualization and Planning

The journey of game software development begins with a concept. This is where the initial idea is born, often inspired by personal experiences, popular genres, or unique storytelling angles. During this stage, developers outline the core mechanics, gameplay elements, and overall theme of the game. A Game Design Document (GDD) is usually created, serving as the blueprint for the entire project. This document details the gameplay, characters, story, and technical requirements, ensuring that everyone on the team is aligned.

2. Designing the Game

Design is a critical phase in game software development where the concept starts taking shape visually. This stage involves creating sketches, storyboards, and prototypes to visualize the game's environment, characters, and user interface. Tools like Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot are popular for building game prototypes that help developers test ideas quickly. Level design is also crucial, defining how the player will interact with the game world, navigate challenges, and experience the storyline.

3. Development and Coding

Once the design is finalized, the game moves into the development phase, where coding takes center stage. Developers use programming languages like C++, C#, or Python to build the game’s mechanics, controls, and AI behaviors. Game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine provide a solid framework, offering pre-built assets, physics, and lighting to streamline the coding process. Collaboration between developers, artists, and sound designers is key to integrating visuals, audio, and gameplay seamlessly.

4. Testing and Debugging

Testing is an ongoing process throughout game software development but becomes particularly intense as the game nears completion. Quality Assurance (QA) testers play through the game to identify bugs, glitches, and gameplay issues. Debugging involves refining the code to ensure the game runs smoothly and provides an enjoyable player experience. This phase is crucial for fixing performance issues, balancing gameplay, and polishing the final product.

5. Launch and Post-Release Support

After testing, the game is finally ready for launch. Developers release the game on chosen platforms, whether it’s PC, console, or mobile. However, the journey doesn’t end there—post-release support is essential for addressing player feedback, releasing updates, and fixing any remaining bugs.

Conclusion

Game software development is a complex but rewarding process that turns creative visions into interactive experiences. By following these stages, from initial concept to final code, developers can bring their ideas to life and create games that captivate players worldwide.

[sonic-hot-takes]

@halloween-cats said:

Sonic and The Secret Rings is fucking fantastic you guys are just mean. I think it and Black Knight are some of the best Sonic games ever.

(although for the record I watched a playthrough of those games instead of playing it myself, so I cannot in good conscience defend the gameplay. What I care about is the story, characterization, visual design, and music. And they're damn good at that!)

1) It’s not fair to say something like “this is one of the best Sonic games ever” when you haven’t played the actual game. Story and presentation are important, but will always come second to the core gameplay in a platformer.

2) secret rings OST is mid as hell ngl. Extremely forgettable in a series known for its bangers

3) Here’s why I think Secret Rings is the worst Sonic game:

When rating games in a big franchise like this to determine which one is the best or the worst, I consider two thing: quality and scale.

Quality is self explanatory. How good is the finished product? Is it fun to play, are the mechanics well thought out, is the story good, yadda yadda. This is how most games are analyzed and reviewed.

Scale is a bit trickier. What was the game trying to achieve, and how well did it go about achieving it? What kind of impact did it leave on the series as a whole? Is it a big, 40 hour console game, or just a fun little mobile game to waste time with?

That second one is why I scoff at people saying stuff like “Sonic Labyrinth is the worst Sonic game!” “Sonic Jam on game.com is the worst Sonic game!” “Sonic Schoolhouse is the worst Sonic game!” In isolation, these games certainly don’t hold a candle to 90% of what this series has put out, but at the same time, they were never trying to compete with them. It’s obvious that games like these aren’t trying to be anything more than what they are: low budget side games there to turn an extra buck for Sega. They are filler. They don’t count.

(Granted, there is some gray area as to what “scale” can entail. Games like Chronicles and Free Riders can fall on either side of the argument, but for the purposes of this post, it’s not all that important to get into)

With all that in mind, the worst games in any given franchise are the ones that promise the biggest scale but have the worst quality. They’re not just bad, they’re disappointing.

I’m sure that you’re thinking “by that criteria, 06 is the worst Sonic game.” And yeah, you’re right! But there’s a silver lining to it.

It’s no secret that 06 had a rough development. Like, “it’s a miracle this got out at all” rough. While Sega rushing the game for Christmas was definitely the final nail in the coffin, the two biggest factors in the game’s failure are as follows:

Yuji Naka, the game’s director, leaving halfway through production. In a post Balan society it’s easy to say that this was a good thing, but it’s difficult for any project to bounce back after losing its director, let alone a game of 06’s scale.

The development team splitting in half to make, you guessed it, Secret Rings.

Having played through a decent bit of the Project 06 mod and cross referencing it with vanilla 06 on my 360 (which I’m astonished hasn’t red ringed yet), I’ve realized that Sonic 06 does have some good ideas trapped deep inside its messy, messy code. The level design really isn’t that bad. The mach speed sections are great when you can actually control your jump. The more I play Project 06, the more I think to myself…what if Sonic 06 had more development time? Or better yet, what if Sonic 06 had more developers that weren’t forced to work on another project?

Basically, I blame Secret Rings for a lot of the issues with 06. There’s an argument to be made that that’s not really fair to Secret Rings, and sure, it’s fine if you think that, but I hold to my opinion for a few reasons.

Secret Rings has had virtually no impact on the series otherwise. This applies to Black Knight as well, but Black Knight has better music, marginally better gameplay, and didn’t cause another game to suffer by eating up development resources. At least 06 gave us Silver (even if @spiritsonic is the one who made him good).

Even on its own, Secret Rings is not a good game. Controlling Sonic with the Wii remote feels incredibly awkward and I don’t think any amount of fine tuning would’ve fixed that, especially not for a game of its era. The fact that you’re on rails leads to level design that blurs together in your head, so nothing ever stands out. The missions are all monotonous and tedious, so you rarely ever feel like you’re pushing the story forward through the gameplay, which is essential for a video game with any semblance of plot.

I don’t feel guilty for pinning 06’s failure on Secret Rings. Truly, it can not be overstated how much of a negative impact 06 had on this series—you still get gaming journalists who go “remember when Sonic kissed some real woman?”—and if Secret Rings hadn’t existed, if Sega just held off on releasing something early in the Wii’s lifespan and relied on Sonic Rush to reel in Nintendo gamers, things might have been a whole lot different. Since Secret Rings doesn’t really have a legacy of its own, whenever I look at it, I just think to myself, “they cut Sonic 06’s development team in half for this?”

[omninoz-technologies]

The Next Big Thing: Exploring the World of Cash App Clone

In today's fast-paced world, managing finances has become more convenient than ever before, thanks to the emergence of innovative mobile applications. Among these, the Cash App has garnered significant attention for its user-friendly interface and seamless money transfer capabilities. But what if you could replicate its success with your own custom solution? Enter the Cash App Clone – a revolutionary concept that is reshaping the financial landscape.

Understanding the Cash App Phenomenon

Cash App, developed by Square Inc., has become synonymous with peer-to-peer payments, allowing users to send and receive money effortlessly. With its straightforward design and intuitive features, it has amassed millions of users worldwide, transforming the way people handle their finances.

The Birth of Cash App Clone

Inspired by the success of the Cash App, developers and entrepreneurs have sought to create their own versions of this popular platform. These clones aim to replicate the core functionalities of the Cash App while offering additional features tailored to specific user needs.

How Does a Cash App Clone Work?

A Cash App Clone operates on a similar principle to its predecessor – facilitating secure transactions between users. Users can link their bank accounts or debit cards to the app, enabling them to send money to friends, family, or merchants with just a few taps on their smartphone.

Features That Make a Cash App Clone Stand Out

While the basic premise remains consistent across Cash App Clone, developers often integrate unique features to differentiate their product. These may include:

In-app chat functionality for seamless communication.

Integration with popular payment gateways for added convenience.

Personalized reward programs to incentivize usage.

Budgeting tools and financial insights to help users manage their money effectively.

Benefits of Using a Cash App Clone

The adoption of a Cash App Clone offers numerous benefits to both individuals and businesses alike:

Convenience: Instantly send or receive money anytime, anywhere.

Accessibility: Reach a broader audience with cross-platform compatibility.

Cost-effectiveness: Avoid the hefty transaction fees associated with traditional banking methods.

Security: Benefit from robust encryption protocols to safeguard sensitive information.

Flexibility: Customize the app to suit your specific requirements, whether it's for personal use or business transactions.

Security Measures to Safeguard Your Transactions

With the proliferation of digital payment solutions, security concerns have understandably become a top priority for users. Cash App Clone addresses these concerns by implementing stringent security measures, such as:

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is used to prevent unauthorized access.

End-to-end encryption to protect sensitive data during transmission.

Regular security audits and updates to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.

Future Prospects of Cash App Clones

As society continues to embrace digitalization, the demand for innovative financial solutions is expected to soar. Cash App Clone is well-positioned to capitalize on this 

trend, offering a convenient and secure alternative to traditional banking methods. With ongoing advancements in technology, the possibilities for future iterations of Cash App Clone are virtually limitless.

In conclusion, the rise of Cash App Clone represent a paradigm shift in how we interact with money. By harnessing the power of mobile technology, these clones empower users to take control of their finances with ease and confidence. Whether you're a tech-savvy individual or a forward-thinking entrepreneur, embracing this revolution could be the key to unlocking financial freedom in the digital age.

Ready to explore the future of financial technology? Dive into the world of Cash App clone and discover the next big thing in digital transactions. Join us at Omninoz  to stay ahead of the curve and revolutionize the way you handle your finances. Let's embark on this exciting journey together!

[prajwal-agale001]

In its latest research, Meticulous Research® projects that the global virtualized evolved packet core (vEPC) market will surpass $19.87 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 19.3% between 2024 and 2031. The market expansion is fueled by the soaring volumes of mobile data traffic and the increasing demand for high-speed data services, particularly as 5G networks become more prevalent. However, concerns around data security within vEPC infrastructure pose challenges to this growth.

On the upside, growing investments in 5G technology, the rising shift toward cloud-native 5G core solutions, and the increasing adoption of IoT technology are set to create substantial growth opportunities in the market. Yet, reliability concerns and a lack of awareness around vEPC solutions remain significant obstacles.

Additionally, the integration of edge computing with vEPC technologies is emerging as a key trend, further propelling the market forward.

Download Sample Report Here @ https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=5201

Market Segmentation Overview

The virtualized evolved packet core market is broadly segmented by component, application, deployment mode, end user, and geography. The study offers a detailed analysis of industry competitors and regional markets, providing a comprehensive overview of the sector's future trajectory.

Component Analysis

The market is divided into solutions and services. The solutions segment, which includes critical components such as mobility management entities, home subscriber servers, and packet data network gateways, is expected to account for the largest share of the market in 2024. The growing need to reduce both operating and capital expenditures, combined with rising mobile data traffic and the advantages of vEPC solutions—such as agility, scalability, and real-time low-latency application delivery—are driving demand in this segment.

Collaboration among major companies to enhance network performance for both 4G and 5G users is accelerating innovation. A key example is the December 2022 collaboration between T-Mobile USA and Cisco Systems to launch the world’s largest highly scalable cloud-native converged core gateway, significantly improving speed and latency for users.

Conversely, the services segment, which encompasses professional services (such as integration, consulting, and training services) and managed services, is forecasted to experience the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The increasing need for consulting and support services, particularly among telecom operators, is driving this growth.

Application Insights

By application, the vEPC market is segmented into Mobile Private Networks & Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MPN & MVNO), Long-term Evolution (LTE & VoLTE), and Internet of Things & Machine to Machine (IoT & M2M). In 2024, the MPN & MVNO segment is projected to capture the largest market share, driven by the growing penetration of mobile devices, rising demand for affordable mobile services, and the need for high-speed internet connectivity. Companies are increasingly adopting vEPC solutions to enhance LTE and IMS network revenues through cost-effective deployments. For example, in April 2022, Summa Networks partnered with Cirrus Core Networks to offer a fully managed packet core for MNOs and MVNOs.

Meanwhile, the IoT & M2M segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growing need for autonomous monitoring of connected devices and data-driven decision-making processes is driving demand in this segment.

Deployment Mode and End-User Insights

The market is also segmented into cloud-based and on-premise deployments. In 2024, the on-premise segment is forecasted to hold the largest market share, largely due to its ability to offer greater control over network infrastructure, particularly for large enterprises.

However, the cloud-based deployment segment is anticipated to grow at a faster pace, driven by the cost-efficiency, scalability, and superior flexibility offered by cloud-based solutions. The increasing use of cloud networks for vEPC and growing demand for seamless customer data management are key growth drivers for this segment.

Regarding end users, telecom operators are expected to dominate the market, holding the largest share in 2024. The segment’s growth is attributed to the increasing adoption of vEPC solutions by telecom providers to improve latency issues, enhance IT agility, and reduce operational and capital expenditures. Notably, this segment is also forecasted to register the highest growth rate during the forecast period.

Telecom providers are increasingly focusing on improving network performance, bandwidth, and connectivity to stay competitive. For instance, in February 2024, NEC Corporation partnered with NTT DOCOMO to provide a virtualized radio access network (vRAN) for 5G commercial network services, further enhancing DOCOMO’s nationwide 5G infrastructure.

Regional Market Insights

Geographically, North America is expected to lead the virtualized evolved packet core market in 2024, driven by increasing investments in 5G telecom infrastructure, government support for advanced networking technologies, and the widespread adoption of cloud-based services. Recent collaborations, such as the 5G deployment initiative between Ericsson and Nex-Tech Wireless in rural Kansas, highlight the ongoing advancements in North America’s telecom landscape.

Asia-Pacific, however, is set to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by the region’s expanding mobile subscriber base, rapid growth in mobile data traffic, and increasing deployment of 5G-ready infrastructure. Leading companies are targeting this region for growth, with recent developments such as Asia-Pacific Telecom’s partnership with Ericsson to modernize Taiwan’s LTE network using Ericsson’s 5G NSA solutions.

Key Industry Players

The virtualized evolved packet core market is fiercely competitive, with key players such as Cisco Systems, Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson, Huawei Technologies, Samsung Electronics, Nokia Corporation, and Microsoft’s Affirmed Networks leading the charge. These companies are focused on strengthening their market positions through strategic partnerships, product launches, and innovative technological solutions.

Other notable players include Mavenir Systems, ZTE Corporation, F5 Inc., NEC Corporation, and Intel Corporation. As the demand for cloud-native solutions and 5G infrastructure continues to grow, these industry leaders are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the vEPC market.

In conclusion, the global virtualized evolved packet core market is on a robust growth trajectory, fueled by advancements in 5G, IoT, and cloud technologies. As telecom operators and enterprises continue to adopt vEPC solutions, the market is set to experience significant growth, creating new opportunities for innovation and investment.

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iQOO Z9 5G price in india features and specifications

 iQOO Z9 5G Price in India

iQOO has officially announced the launch of its latest smartphone, the iQOO Z9 5G, in India on March 12th. This much-anticipated device is poised to make waves in the market with its impressive array of features and specifications.

At the core of the iQOO Z9 5G lies the groundbreaking MediaTek Dimensity 7200 processor, marking a significant leap forward in speed and performance within its segment. With an impressive AnTuTu benchmark score surpassing 7.3L+, the iQOO Z9 stands out as the fastest device in its category, even rivaling higher-priced competitors.

One of the standout features of the iQOO Z9 5G is its expansive 6.67-inch AMOLED display, offering a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1800 nits. This ensures an immersive viewing experience for users, whether they're streaming content, gaming, or simply browsing the web.

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chipset, the iQOO Z9 5G promises seamless multitasking and blazing-fast performance. It offers up to 8GB of RAM, with the option to expand virtually up to 16GB, ensuring smooth operation even with demanding applications.

In the realm of photography, the iQOO Z9 5G boasts a versatile dual rear camera setup, likely to include a high-resolution 50MP primary sensor. This setup ensures stunning detail and clarity in every shot, allowing users to capture their most cherished moments with ease.

Keeping up with the demands of modern users, the iQOO Z9 5G packs a robust 5,000 mAh battery, ensuring all-day usage without the need for frequent recharging. Additionally, it supports 44W fast charging, allowing users to quickly replenish the battery and get back to their activities in no time.

In terms of design, the iQOO Z9 5G impresses with its sleek profile, measuring just 7.83mm thick. It will be available in a striking Brushed Green color variant, featuring a metallic finish that exudes sophistication and style.

The iQOO Z9 5G is slated to go on sale in India exclusively on Amazon, offering consumers easy access to this feature-packed smartphone. With a price tag expected to be under Rs 25,000, it presents an attractive option for those seeking cutting-edge performance without breaking the bank.

In the competitive landscape of the Indian smartphone market, the iQOO Z9 5G is set to rival the upcoming Nothing Phone 2a, scheduled to launch on March 5th. The Nothing Phone 2a is confirmed to feature the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chipset and an impressive 12GB of RAM, supplemented by an additional 8GB of virtual RAM. With both devices offering formidable specifications and features, consumers can expect an exciting battle for dominance in the mid-range segment.

As the launch date approaches, anticipation is running high for the iQOO Z9 5G, promising a powerful combination of performance, innovation, and affordability for discerning smartphone users in India.

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Exploring the Power of Amazon Web Services: Top AWS Services You Need to Know

In the ever-evolving realm of cloud computing, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has established itself as an undeniable force to be reckoned with. AWS's vast and diverse array of services has positioned it as a dominant player, catering to the evolving needs of businesses, startups, and individuals worldwide. Its popularity transcends boundaries, making it the preferred choice for a myriad of use cases, from startups launching their first web applications to established enterprises managing complex networks of services. This blog embarks on an exploratory journey into the boundless world of AWS, delving deep into some of its most sought-after and pivotal services.

As the digital landscape continues to expand, understanding these AWS services and their significance is pivotal, whether you're a seasoned cloud expert or someone taking the first steps in your cloud computing journey. Join us as we delve into the intricate web of AWS's top services and discover how they can shape the future of your cloud computing endeavors. From cloud novices to seasoned professionals, the AWS ecosystem holds the keys to innovation and transformation. 

Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud): The Foundation of Scalability At the core of AWS's capabilities is Amazon EC2, the Elastic Compute Cloud. EC2 provides resizable compute capacity in the cloud, allowing you to run virtual servers, commonly referred to as instances. These instances serve as the foundation for a multitude of AWS solutions, offering the scalability and flexibility required to meet diverse application and workload demands. Whether you're a startup launching your first web application or an enterprise managing a complex network of services, EC2 ensures that you have the computational resources you need, precisely when you need them.

Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service): Secure, Scalable, and Cost-Effective Data Storage When it comes to storing and retrieving data, Amazon S3, the Simple Storage Service, stands as an indispensable tool in the AWS arsenal. S3 offers a scalable and highly durable object storage service that is designed for data security and cost-effectiveness. This service is the choice of businesses and individuals for storing a wide range of data, including media files, backups, and data archives. Its flexibility and reliability make it a prime choice for safeguarding your digital assets and ensuring they are readily accessible.

Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service): Streamlined Database Management Database management can be a complex task, but AWS simplifies it with Amazon RDS, the Relational Database Service. RDS automates many common database management tasks, including patching, backups, and scaling. It supports multiple database engines, including popular options like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server. This service allows you to focus on your application while AWS handles the underlying database infrastructure. Whether you're building a content management system, an e-commerce platform, or a mobile app, RDS streamlines your database operations.

AWS Lambda: The Era of Serverless Computing Serverless computing has transformed the way applications are built and deployed, and AWS Lambda is at the forefront of this revolution. Lambda is a serverless compute service that enables you to run code without the need for server provisioning or management. It's the perfect solution for building serverless applications, microservices, and automating tasks. The unique pricing model ensures that you pay only for the compute time your code actually uses. This service empowers developers to focus on coding, knowing that AWS will handle the operational complexities behind the scenes.

Amazon DynamoDB: Low Latency, High Scalability NoSQL Database Amazon DynamoDB is a managed NoSQL database service that stands out for its low latency and exceptional scalability. It's a popular choice for applications with variable workloads, such as gaming platforms, IoT solutions, and real-time data processing systems. DynamoDB automatically scales to meet the demands of your applications, ensuring consistent, single-digit millisecond latency at any scale. Whether you're managing user profiles, session data, or real-time analytics, DynamoDB is designed to meet your performance needs.

Amazon VPC (Virtual Private Cloud): Tailored Networking for Security and Control Security and control over your cloud resources are paramount, and Amazon VPC (Virtual Private Cloud) empowers you to create isolated networks within the AWS cloud. This isolation enhances security and control, allowing you to define your network topology, configure routing, and manage access. VPC is the go-to solution for businesses and individuals who require a network environment that mirrors the security and control of traditional on-premises data centers.

Amazon SNS (Simple Notification Service): Seamless Communication Across Channels Effective communication is a cornerstone of modern applications, and Amazon SNS (Simple Notification Service) is designed to facilitate seamless communication across various channels. This fully managed messaging service enables you to send notifications to a distributed set of recipients, whether through email, SMS, or mobile devices. SNS is an essential component of applications that require real-time updates and notifications to keep users informed and engaged.

Amazon SQS (Simple Queue Service): Decoupling for Scalable Applications Decoupling components of a cloud application is crucial for scalability, and Amazon SQS (Simple Queue Service) is a fully managed message queuing service designed for this purpose. It ensures reliable and scalable communication between different parts of your application, helping you create systems that can handle varying workloads efficiently. SQS is a valuable tool for building robust, distributed applications that can adapt to changes in demand.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of cloud computing, Amazon Web Services (AWS) stands as a colossus, offering a diverse array of services that address the ever-evolving needs of businesses, startups, and individuals alike. AWS's popularity transcends industry boundaries, making it the go-to choice for a wide range of use cases, from startups launching their inaugural web applications to established enterprises managing intricate networks of services.

To unlock the full potential of these AWS services, gaining comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience is key. ACTE Technologies, a renowned training provider, offers specialized AWS training programs designed to provide practical skills and in-depth understanding. These programs equip you with the tools needed to navigate and excel in the dynamic world of cloud computing.

With AWS services at your disposal, the possibilities are endless, and innovation knows no bounds. Join the ever-growing community of cloud professionals and enthusiasts, and empower yourself to shape the future of the digital landscape. ACTE Technologies is your trusted guide on this journey, providing the knowledge and support needed to thrive in the world of AWS and cloud computing.