Elon Musk’s X may have tweaked its algorithm to boost his account, along with those of other conservative-leaning users, starting around the time he announced his support of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. That’s according to a new study published by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), which found that Musk’s posts in particular were suddenly much more popular.

The study’s authors — QUT associate professor in digital media Timothy Graham and Monash University communications and media studies professor Mark Andrejevic — first looked at Musk’s engagement before and after his July endorsement of Trump. They report that starting around July 13th, Musks’ posts received 138 percent more views and 238 percent more retweets than before that date.

Musk’s numbers “outpaced the general engagement trends observed across the platform,” they concluded. (This paper isn’t the first time it’s been suggested that X adjusted its algorithm to specifically boost Musk’s account.) The researchers also found that other Republican-leaning accounts they examined saw similar boosts that started in July, albeit to a lesser degree.

The study’s results are similar to other recently reported findings by The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post of potential right-wing bias in X’s algorithms. However, the researchers say they were limited by the “relatively small amount of data” that could be collected since the platform cut off access to its Academic API. They add that although they don’t see indications of missing data, there’s “no guarantee that 100% of posts have been collected.”

We’re in a pretty good moment for sprawling, complex role-playing games. New releases like Metaphor: ReFantazio and Dragon Age Absolution, along with older titles like Elden Ring (including this year’s expansion), Cyberpunk 2077, and Baldur’s Gate 3 have sucked millions of people into their expansive worlds. They can be all-consuming experiences, offering players all kinds of freedom to explore their worlds and characters. But honestly? Sometimes I don’t want to fuss with conversation wheels or make difficult, narrative-altering choices. I just want to go on a big adventure and slowly turn into an overpowered hero fighting monsters — and that’s where the excellent new remake of Dragon Quest 3 comes in.

The game originally came out way back in 1988 (it was initially called Dragon Warrior 3 in North America) and it has a refreshingly straightforward premise: you’re on a quest to kill a great evil that your father failed to destroy many years before. There are a few colorful characters, but there isn’t a whole lot else to it beyond a quest for revenge. This isn’t a game you play for the story. Instead, it’s about going on adventures, exploring strange and dangerous locations, and killing lots of cute blue slimes.

That simplicity has stood the test of time rather well, with systems that are easy to grasp while still offering a challenge (even if the regular battles can eventually get tedious). This is a good thing, because the remake doesn’t change all that much. The exploration and turn-based battles all still feel largely as they did. This means that the game follows a largely predictable path, as you go from one dungeon to the next, visiting towns in between to rest and gear up for the next challenge. There are some additions, like a new character class that lets you collect monsters, along with additional story scenes to flesh out the barebones narrative.

Though it’s mostly the same as the original, there are major changes to the presentation and some notable quality of life features. To start, this version of Dragon Quest 3 looks incredible. It uses the same visual style as games like Octopatch Traveller and Triangle Strategy, which Square Enix awkwardly calls “HD 2D.” Basically, these are still games with pixel art characters, but they explore incredibly detailed worlds. The developers then throw in a tilt-shift effect that gives the whole thing a diorama-like appearance. The result is a game that looks decidedly old-school, but in a slick, modern way. I especially love the adorable monster animations in battle. There’s also an updated orchestral score performed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony, along with all-new voice acting.

It’s more than just an aesthetic overhaul, though. The Dragon Quest 3 remake also makes some very smart tweaks that often make it less frustrating to play. These include a more useful map that makes it easier to find where you’re headed, an option to speed up battles so you can grind quicker, and a handful of difficulty options. These may sound small, but they’re the kind of modern conveniences that can make many older games difficult to play, especially ones built around repetitive combat like a classic RPG. Smoothing out those few rough edges has a big impact on the overall feel of a game like Dragon Quest 3.

Even though it’s technically the third game of the series, this version of Dragon Quest is also a great place for newcomers to see what the series is all about (and really, things haven’t changed all that much over the years). It’s a pretty, approachable way to experience an epic quest without getting overwhelmed by story or features. It’s just you, some swords and magic, and a whole lot of monsters to defeat. Sometimes, that’s all you really need.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D is available now on the Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

China’s Shanghai Kepler Robotics is making waves in the world of humanoid robotics with its innovative Forerunner series. 

Its latest humanoid robot, the Forerunner K2, has quickly become a hot topic, showcasing Kepler’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what robots can do. 

With each new development, Kepler is not just keeping pace with the competition. It’s setting the stage for a future where humanoid robots play an integral role in our everyday lives.

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Pioneering technology

The original Forerunner, now known as K1, showcased Kepler’s advanced technology, including proprietary planetary roller screw actuators, intelligent dexterous hands and the Nebula AI system. Standing at 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighing 187 pounds, the K1 was designed to compete directly with other leading humanoid robots in the market.

Forerunner K2 humanoid robot  (Shanghai Kepler Robotics Co., Ltd)

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The next generation: Forerunner K2

Building on the success of the K1, Kepler has introduced the Forerunner K2, representing the fifth generation of its humanoid robot technology. This latest model has undergone extensive software and hardware enhancements, tailoring it for commercial applications across various industries.

Forerunner K2 humanoid robot  (Shanghai Kepler Robotics Co., Ltd)

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Advanced features and capabilities

The Forerunner K2 features an impressive 52 degrees of freedom throughout its body, allowing for more natural and fluid movements. Its rotating and tilting head module, combined with improved arm and leg rigidity, enhances its overall functionality and ease of maintenance.

One of the most remarkable features of the K2 is its dexterous hands. Each hand supports up to 11 degrees of active and passive freedom and can carry up to 33 pounds. The fingertips are equipped with sensor arrays, each containing 96 contact points, enabling precise object manipulation and tactile sensing.

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Forerunner K2 humanoid robot  (Shanghai Kepler Robotics Co., Ltd)

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AI and software advancements

Kepler has significantly enhanced the K2’s vision system and navigation software, allowing it to better perceive and react to its environment in real time. The robot’s artificial intelligence capabilities have been expanded through a combination of embodied intelligence software, imitation and reinforcement learning and a cloud-based cognitive model.

These improvements enable the K2 to perform specific tasks autonomously and cooperate effectively with human operators. The robot’s stability and walking speed have also been improved through advancements in gait planning and control algorithms.

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Forerunner K2 humanoid robot  (Shanghai Kepler Robotics Co., Ltd)

Commercial applications and future prospects

Kepler has positioned the Forerunner K2 as an ideal solution for various industries, including intelligent manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, high-risk operations and research and education. The company has already begun evaluating the K2’s performance in customer facilities, where it’s being used for materials handling, sample processing, patrol and inspection and quality control tasks.

With an estimated retail price range of $20,000 to $30,000, Kepler aims to make its humanoid robots accessible to a wide range of businesses. The company plans to commence mass production of its humanoid robots in the second half of 2024, positioning itself at the forefront of the industry.

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Forerunner K2 humanoid robot  (Shanghai Kepler Robotics Co., Ltd)

Kurt’s key takeaways

Kepler’s Forerunner K2 is truly a game changer in the world of humanoid robotics, showcasing impressive advancements that hint at a future where these machines become commonplace in our workplaces. With rapid improvements from the K1 to the K2, it’s clear that Kepler is not just keeping pace but leading the charge in innovation. As these robots become more capable and affordable, we can expect to see them assisting us in various industries, from manufacturing to health care.

How comfortable are you with the increasing presence of humanoid robots like Kepler’s Forerunner K2 in everyday life and the workplace, and what concerns or benefits do you foresee? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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