Block is reportedly laying off around 1,000 workers

Block is the latest notable tech company to lay off hundreds of workers, according to reports. CEO Jack Dorsey is said to have informed employees that the company is firing a "large number" of them, with Cash App, Square and the foundational (i.e. operations) teams bearing the brunt of the impact. According to a Business Insider source, Block is letting go nearly 1,000 people.

Dorsey reportedly wrote in his memo that the company is becoming leaner. It laid off around 40 people from the Tidal team in December. Last year, Block said it planned to limit its headcount to around 12,000 workers, a reduction from the around 13,000 it had in late 2023. Engadget has contacted Block for confirmation of the layoffs.

While it was initially expected that the layoffs would take place over a period of months, executives reportedly opted against that in favor carrying them out at the same time. "Why is so much happening in one single day? All of these teams were confident in the direction they're taking, and were ready to take action within the same 2-3 weeks," Dorsey is said to have written in his memo. "We decided it would be better to do [it] at once rather than arbitrarily space them out, which didn't seem fair to the individuals or to the company. When we know we need to take an action, we want to take it immediately, rather than let things linger on forever."

The tech industry has shed tens of thousands of workers over the last year or so, including thousands this month alone across companies including Unity, Twitch, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, eBay and Google. It also emerged on Tuesday that PayPal is firing around 2,500 people

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/block-is-reportedly-laying-off-around-1000-workers-205319045.html?src=rss

Indie game champion Day of the Devs is now an independent non-profit

Day of the Devs is always one of the biggest highlights of Summer Game Fest and The Game Awards. The showcase places the spotlight firmly on emerging indie games and underground titles, and each event always has at least a few projects that are worth adding to your wishlist. Now, Day of the Devs is shaking things up by becoming an independent non-profit organization.

It started in 2012 as a collaboration between iam8bit and Double Fine, which Microsoft bought in 2019. The restructuring means that Day of the Devs will no longer have a formal affiliation with Microsoft and has more leeway to do its own thing while becoming truly platform agnostic.

The team notes that "we have essentially always run things as a non-profit, but making it official — through a fiscal sponsorship partnership with Legacy Global — it opens us up to better funding opportunities, makes our fundraising efforts more transparent and public and helps our sponsors and audience understand how critical their support truly is." The organization will use funds raised to cover things like venue fees, equipment, staffing, video production and general operating costs.

A fundraising campaign is now up and running. Supporters will receive perks such as keys for a bunch of killer games from a variety of developers and publishers, VIP tickets for events and physical goods. As Game Developer notes, donations to Day of the Devs now count as tax write offs.

Day of the Devs doesn't charge developers to highlight their games and it wants to keep things free for event attendees. Next up is an in-person showcase in San Francisco on March 17. Developers can now submit their games for consideration.

Day of the Devs has other events planned throughout March, including one at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art on March 18 and another at the Game Developers Conference. And of course, the organization will host digital showcases around the time of Summer Game Fest and The Game Awards later this year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/indie-game-champion-day-of-the-devs-is-now-an-independent-non-profit-163439253.html?src=rss

Indie game champion Day of the Devs is now an independent non-profit

Day of the Devs is always one of the biggest highlights of Summer Game Fest and The Game Awards. The showcase places the spotlight firmly on emerging indie games and underground titles, and each event always has at least a few projects that are worth adding to your wishlist. Now, Day of the Devs is shaking things up by becoming an independent non-profit organization.

It started in 2012 as a collaboration between iam8bit and Double Fine, which Microsoft bought in 2019. The restructuring means that Day of the Devs will no longer have a formal affiliation with Microsoft and has more leeway to do its own thing while becoming truly platform agnostic.

The team notes that "we have essentially always run things as a non-profit, but making it official — through a fiscal sponsorship partnership with Legacy Global — it opens us up to better funding opportunities, makes our fundraising efforts more transparent and public and helps our sponsors and audience understand how critical their support truly is." The organization will use funds raised to cover things like venue fees, equipment, staffing, video production and general operating costs.

A fundraising campaign is now up and running. Supporters will receive perks such as keys for a bunch of killer games from a variety of developers and publishers, VIP tickets for events and physical goods. As Game Developer notes, donations to Day of the Devs now count as tax write offs.

Day of the Devs doesn't charge developers to highlight their games and it wants to keep things free for event attendees. Next up is an in-person showcase in San Francisco on March 17. Developers can now submit their games for consideration.

Day of the Devs has other events planned throughout March, including one at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art on March 18 and another at the Game Developers Conference. And of course, the organization will host digital showcases around the time of Summer Game Fest and The Game Awards later this year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/indie-game-champion-day-of-the-devs-is-now-an-independent-non-profit-163439253.html?src=rss

Indie platformer Celeste gets a short, free 3D spinoff for its sixth anniversary

It's been six years since Maddy Makes Games released Celeste, a tough but heartfelt 2D platformer that turned out to be one of the most memorable indie games of the last decade. It was one of our favorite games of 2018 too. To mark the anniversary, the studio has created a 3D spinoff that you can play for free right now.

Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain has many of the hallmarks of the original game. You'll once again take control of Madeline as she attempts to traverse difficult terrain, only this time there's an added dimension. Madeline can jump, dash and climb her way up perilous floating platforms while avoiding spikes and pitfalls. There are some Easter eggs for fans to discover too. As ever, Madeline's movement is slick and, based on some brief hands-on time, Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain is an enjoyable, fresh dose of this universe.

"Relive the magic of Celeste Mountain alongside Madeline in this small, heartfelt 3D platformer," Maddy Makes Games wrote in the game's description. "Created in a week(ish) by the Celeste team to celebrate the game’s sixth anniversary."

Unsurprisingly, given the original game's popularity in the speedrunning community, players are already blitzing through the new installment. Some are already getting to the finish line in under a minute, while it took one player just over 26 minutes to complete a 100 percent run (on their first attempt) by finding all the collectible items. Best of all, composer Lena Raine crafted a new soundtrack inspired by Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine that plays off the original Celeste score.

Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain is available for Windows and Linux. You can download it from itch.io. Meanwhile, Maddy Makes Games' next project, Earthblade, is set to arrive this year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/indie-platformer-celeste-gets-a-short-free-3d-spinoff-for-its-sixth-anniversary-150937085.html?src=rss

Indie platformer Celeste gets a short, free 3D spinoff for its sixth anniversary

It's been six years since Maddy Makes Games released Celeste, a tough but heartfelt 2D platformer that turned out to be one of the most memorable indie games of the last decade. It was one of our favorite games of 2018 too. To mark the anniversary, the studio has created a 3D spinoff that you can play for free right now.

Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain has many of the hallmarks of the original game. You'll once again take control of Madeline as she attempts to traverse difficult terrain, only this time there's an added dimension. Madeline can jump, dash and climb her way up perilous floating platforms while avoiding spikes and pitfalls. There are some Easter eggs for fans to discover too. As ever, Madeline's movement is slick and, based on some brief hands-on time, Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain is an enjoyable, fresh dose of this universe.

"Relive the magic of Celeste Mountain alongside Madeline in this small, heartfelt 3D platformer," Maddy Makes Games wrote in the game's description. "Created in a week(ish) by the Celeste team to celebrate the game’s sixth anniversary."

Unsurprisingly, given the original game's popularity in the speedrunning community, players are already blitzing through the new installment. Some are already getting to the finish line in under a minute, while it took one player just over 26 minutes to complete a 100 percent run (on their first attempt) by finding all the collectible items. Best of all, composer Lena Raine crafted a new soundtrack inspired by Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine that plays off the original Celeste score.

Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain is available for Windows and Linux. You can download it from itch.io. Meanwhile, Maddy Makes Games' next project, Earthblade, is set to arrive this year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/indie-platformer-celeste-gets-a-short-free-3d-spinoff-for-its-sixth-anniversary-150937085.html?src=rss

Japan will no longer require floppy disks for submitting some official documents

Japan is an innovative country that leads the way on many technological fronts. But the wheels of bureaucracy often turn incredibly slowly there. So much so, that the government still requires businesses to provide information on floppy disks and CD-ROMs when they submit certain official documents.

That's starting to change. Back in 2022, Minister of Digital Affairs Taro Kono urged various branches of the government to stop requiring businesses to submit information on outdated forms of physical media. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is one of the first to make the switch. "Under the current law, there are many provisions stipulating the use of specific recording media such as floppy disks regarding application and notification methods," METI said last week, according to The Register.

After this calendar year, METI will no longer require businesses to submit data on floppy disks under 34 ordinances. The same goes for CD-ROMs when it comes to an unspecified number of procedures. There's still quite some way to go before businesses can stop using either format entirely, however.

Kono's staff identified some 1,900 protocols across several government departments that still require the likes of floppy disks, CD-ROMs and even MiniDiscs. The physical media requirements even applied to key industries such as utility suppliers, mining operations and aircraft and weapons manufacturers.

There are a couple of main reasons why there's a push to stop using floppy disks, as SoraNews24 points out. One major factor is that floppy disks can be hard to come by. Sony, the last major manufacturer, stopped selling them in 2011. Another is that some data types just won't fit on a floppy disk. A single photo can easily be larger than the format's 1.4MB storage capacity.

There are some other industries that still rely on floppy disks. Some older planes need them for avionics, as do and some aging medical devices. It also took the US government until 2019 to stop using floppy disks to coordinate nuclear weapon launches.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/japan-will-no-longer-require-floppy-disks-for-submitting-some-official-documents-212048844.html?src=rss

Japan will no longer require floppy disks for submitting some official documents

Japan is an innovative country that leads the way on many technological fronts. But the wheels of bureaucracy often turn incredibly slowly there. So much so, that the government still requires businesses to provide information on floppy disks and CD-ROMs when they submit certain official documents.

That's starting to change. Back in 2022, Minister of Digital Affairs Taro Kono urged various branches of the government to stop requiring businesses to submit information on outdated forms of physical media. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is one of the first to make the switch. "Under the current law, there are many provisions stipulating the use of specific recording media such as floppy disks regarding application and notification methods," METI said last week, according to The Register.

After this calendar year, METI will no longer require businesses to submit data on floppy disks under 34 ordinances. The same goes for CD-ROMs when it comes to an unspecified number of procedures. There's still quite some way to go before businesses can stop using either format entirely, however.

Kono's staff identified some 1,900 protocols across several government departments that still require the likes of floppy disks, CD-ROMs and even MiniDiscs. The physical media requirements even applied to key industries such as utility suppliers, mining operations and aircraft and weapons manufacturers.

There are a couple of main reasons why there's a push to stop using floppy disks, as SoraNews24 points out. One major factor is that floppy disks can be hard to come by. Sony, the last major manufacturer, stopped selling them in 2011. Another is that some data types just won't fit on a floppy disk. A single photo can easily be larger than the format's 1.4MB storage capacity.

There are some other industries that still rely on floppy disks. Some older planes need them for avionics, as do and some aging medical devices. It also took the US government until 2019 to stop using floppy disks to coordinate nuclear weapon launches.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/japan-will-no-longer-require-floppy-disks-for-submitting-some-official-documents-212048844.html?src=rss

Former Call of Duty chief Johanna Faries is Blizzard’s new president

Microsoft didn't have to look too far to find the new president of Blizzard. Former Call of Duty general manager Johanna Faries is replacing Mike Ybarra, who stood down from the role amid last week's sweeping layoffs in Microsoft's gaming division. Blizzard was said to be particularly hard hit as Microsoft fired around 1,900 people.

Faries, a former National Football League executive, joined Activision as the head of Call of Duty esports in 2018. She started overseeing all things Call of Duty in 2021 and officially starts her new role on February 5. 

Blizzard has largely operated independently since it merged with Activision in 2008. As such, Blizzard workers may be forgiven for being concerned at someone from the Activision side taking control. Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick often meddled in Blizzard's affairs, reportedly resulting in Overwatch 2 delays, among other things.

In an attempt to soothe any worries, Faries wrote in an email to staff that "Activision, Blizzard, and King are decidedly different companies with distinct games, cultures and communities. It is important to note that Call of Duty’s way of waking up in the morning to deliver for players can often differ from the stunning games in Blizzard’s realm: each with different gameplay experiences, communities that surround them, and requisite models of success. I’ve discussed this with the Blizzard leadership team and I’m walking into this role with sensitivity to those dynamics, and deep respect for Blizzard, as we begin to explore taking our universes to even higher heights."

Faries added that she is "committed to doing everything I can to help Blizzard thrive, with care and consideration for you and for our games, each unique and special in their own right.” Meanwhile, on X, Faries wrote that Blizzard's Diablo 4 was part of her current rotation of games, alongside Call of Duty and Baldur's Gate 3.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/former-call-of-duty-chief-johanna-faries-is-blizzards-new-president-193852238.html?src=rss

Former Call of Duty chief Johanna Faries is Blizzard’s new president

Microsoft didn't have to look too far to find the new president of Blizzard. Former Call of Duty general manager Johanna Faries is replacing Mike Ybarra, who stood down from the role amid last week's sweeping layoffs in Microsoft's gaming division. Blizzard was said to be particularly hard hit as Microsoft fired around 1,900 people.

Faries, a former National Football League executive, joined Activision as the head of Call of Duty esports in 2018. She started overseeing all things Call of Duty in 2021 and officially starts her new role on February 5. 

Blizzard has largely operated independently since it merged with Activision in 2008. As such, Blizzard workers may be forgiven for being concerned at someone from the Activision side taking control. Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick often meddled in Blizzard's affairs, reportedly resulting in Overwatch 2 delays, among other things.

In an attempt to soothe any worries, Faries wrote in an email to staff that "Activision, Blizzard, and King are decidedly different companies with distinct games, cultures and communities. It is important to note that Call of Duty’s way of waking up in the morning to deliver for players can often differ from the stunning games in Blizzard’s realm: each with different gameplay experiences, communities that surround them, and requisite models of success. I’ve discussed this with the Blizzard leadership team and I’m walking into this role with sensitivity to those dynamics, and deep respect for Blizzard, as we begin to explore taking our universes to even higher heights."

Faries added that she is "committed to doing everything I can to help Blizzard thrive, with care and consideration for you and for our games, each unique and special in their own right.” Meanwhile, on X, Faries wrote that Blizzard's Diablo 4 was part of her current rotation of games, alongside Call of Duty and Baldur's Gate 3.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/former-call-of-duty-chief-johanna-faries-is-blizzards-new-president-193852238.html?src=rss

Zoom’s Apple Vision Pro app will let people see your facial expressions via an avatar

The Apple Vision Pro will be missing some major native apps at the outset, including Netflix, Spotify and YouTube. One notable app to which users of the mixed-reality headset will have access when it debuts later this week is Zoom, which will support the Vision Pro's Persona feature.

Vision Pro users will be able to create digital versions of themselves. If you have said Persona, others on a Zoom or FaceTime call will be able to see your facial expressions and hand movements via your avatar. So while you may not be using a traditional webcam, other folks might notice your persona cringing at one of your boss' bad jokes.

According to Zoom, the app's spatial experience can be "scaled to the perfect size," so it shouldn't seem like you're miles away from someone's Persona. Although Vision Pro users will be represented as a Persona (if they choose to be), those joining the call from other devices will be represented as a floating tile. 

Zoom will be one of the first major third-party apps to use this tech. Apple said Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex are getting in on the party too. The company claims that it only takes a few minutes to set up a Persona with a Vision Pro.

There are more features coming to Zoom's app this spring. You'll be able to share 3D object files and view these in a virtual space through Vision Pro. Team Chat is also coming to the app, as is a tool called real-world pinning. Zoom says you'll be able to use this to pin five meeting participants anywhere in the virtual space and have the option of removing their background. The company suggests this will help Vision Pro users "feel more connected to the people in the meeting."

While Zoom might not be the most exciting app for those who are picking up a Vision Pro primarily for entertainment purposes, it's interesting to see what third-party companies are starting to do with the tech. A Zoom call might not be too much different from a FaceTime chat out of the gate, but the addition of features like 3D object sharing could make it a more intriguing prospect for mixed-reality use.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/zooms-apple-vision-pro-app-will-let-people-see-your-facial-expressions-via-an-avatar-184536273.html?src=rss