PS Plus October Game Catalog Adds Dead Island 2, Two Point Campus, Return to Monkey Island, and More

The PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for October has been unveiled, offering an exciting lineup of games. Leading the pack is Dead Island 2, a zombie action-adventure set in a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. Players are thrust into a world overrun by the undead, navigating through a colorful mix of washed-up Hollywood actors, rockstars, and popstars amidst the chaos. Along with Dead Island 2, this month’s additions include the popular university management sim Two Point Campus, the interactive survival-horror experience The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me, the beautifully crafted adventure platformer Gris, and the return of the iconic point-and-click adventure Return to Monkey Island. These titles will be available to PS Plus Extra and Deluxe/Premium subscribers starting October 15.

In addition to these Game Catalog updates, Sony has revealed new PS VR2 titles and Classic Catalog offerings exclusively for PS Plus Premium members. For those subscribed to any PS Plus tier, the monthly games for October, announced late last month, are already available. These include WWE 2K24, Dead Space, and Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!, which members can now download and play at no extra cost.

Among the standout titles this month is Dead Island 2, developed by Dambuster Studios. The action-RPG delivers a thrilling zombie-slaying experience, tasking players with surviving the streets of LA, also dubbed “Hell-A” in the game. After crash-landing into the city, players are confronted by hordes of zombies, each one adding to the nightmarish atmosphere. The gameplay focuses on crafting and upgrading a variety of melee weapons, from simple baseball bats to katana swords, giving players creative ways to fend off the undead. While the game offers firearms, the satisfaction of smashing zombies up close with melee attacks makes it all the more engaging. Both PS4 and PS5 players will be able to dive into this zombie-infested world.

The variety of titles in this month’s lineup caters to a wide range of gaming preferences, from horror fans to those looking for strategic simulations. Whether managing a quirky university in Two Point Campus or diving into the psychological horror of The Devil in Me, October’s PS Plus additions deliver a diverse gaming experience for subscribers. With so many exciting games across different genres, this month offers something for everyone.

Nvidia CEO Highlights Need for Affordable Computing to Drive ‘Reasoning’ AI

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has outlined a vision for the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI), where AI systems will be capable of “reasoning” rather than simply responding to inputs. Speaking during a podcast with Arm Holdings CEO Rene Haas, Huang emphasized that achieving this advanced level of AI will depend on making computing more affordable. Current AI tools, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which Huang personally uses daily, are powerful but still limited in their ability to carry out complex reasoning processes. To reach the next stage, AI will need to be able to analyze queries through hundreds or even thousands of steps, reflecting on its conclusions.

This capability would represent a significant leap forward from current AI models, which are highly efficient at generating responses but lack the depth of self-reflection and reasoning. Huang explained that future AI systems will differ by being able to process and interpret information with a much greater degree of complexity. This new form of AI will be more dynamic, capable of reasoning through multiple scenarios before arriving at conclusions, making it more adaptive and intelligent.

To make this vision a reality, Nvidia plans to continue enhancing its hardware capabilities. Huang stated that Nvidia will increase the performance of its chips by two to three times annually, while keeping the cost and energy consumption at current levels. This continuous improvement in chip technology is essential to lowering the cost of computing and making advanced AI systems more accessible. Huang believes that this will lay the foundation for AI models capable of handling inference, or the ability to spot patterns and draw conclusions, at a much more sophisticated level.

The transition to reasoning AI will be transformative, reshaping how AI systems operate and interact with the world. However, Huang noted that this leap will only be possible once the infrastructure required to support such advanced computation becomes affordable. With Nvidia at the forefront of this technological advancement, the company is positioning itself to play a pivotal role in making reasoning AI a mainstream reality.

Retail Investors Show Growing Interest in Crypto, but Market Volatility and Fraud Concerns Limit Engagement: IOSCO Report

Retail investors are increasingly drawn to the cryptocurrency market, despite the speculative and highly volatile nature of these digital assets. This insight was underscored in a recent report released by the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). The report, titled “Investor Education on Crypto-Assets,” was compiled through a survey spanning 24 jurisdictions. Based in Madrid, Spain, IOSCO highlighted the importance of guiding this growing interest by promoting crypto awareness and education, particularly as large, capital-rich investors become more involved in the market.

The report revealed that even during the challenging times of 2022, when the total market valuation of cryptocurrencies dipped below $1 trillion, retail investors continued to engage in crypto trading. This sustained interest was observed not only in advanced economies but also in emerging markets, showcasing the widespread appeal of digital assets across various regions. Despite the downturn, crypto remained an attractive option for many retail investors, reflecting a long-term belief in the market’s potential for growth.

The IOSCO report also highlighted that since 2020, the crypto market has seen significant evolution. Although the 2022 “crypto winter” led to substantial market declines, the involvement of retail investors has persisted. Notably, the demographic of these investors has shifted. According to IOSCO, younger, more diverse investors are driving the retail participation in the crypto space, challenging traditional perceptions of who engages in financial markets.

Despite this sustained interest, IOSCO raised concerns about the risks associated with crypto investments. Market volatility, fraud, and a lack of regulatory clarity continue to deter many retail investors from fully embracing the space. The report emphasized the need for comprehensive investor education, especially in light of the complex risks associated with crypto assets. As the sector matures, addressing these challenges through robust investor protection and education initiatives will be key to fostering a safer environment for retail participation