A P-plater who borrowed his dad's BMW M3 Competition has copped over $1000 in fines and is facing a licence suspension.

80 Level Community80 Level CommunityPublished27 August 2025TagsArt-To-Experience Contest: A Creative Challenge by Emperia and 80 LevelJoin TodayToday at 3 PM UTC | 8 AM PT | 11 AM EST, we will host a Portfolio Review with José Vega, founder and senior artist at Worldbuilders Workshop!José will review the portfolios of our Showcase Competition winners and deliver an in-depth live critique. Expect actionable feedback on your strengths, as well as practical advice on refining your work to better align with your career goals. This is a unique opportunity to receive expert guidance that can help your portfolio shine and set you apart in the industry.Join us here!

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI is suing Apple and OpenAI, as reported by Reuters. The suit accuses the companies of illegally conspiring to stop rival AI companies from getting a fair shot on the App Store, alleging they have &qu

After a long, busy day, you boot up your gaming device but don’t quite feel like diving into an intense session. Instead, you open a broadcast of one of your favorite streamers and spend the evening laughing at commentary, reacting to unexpected moments, and just enjoying your time with fellow gamers. Sounds familiar?This everyday scenario perfectly captures the way live streaming platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, or Kick have transformed the gaming experience — turning gameplay into shared moments where gamers broadcast in real-time while viewers watch, chat, learn, and discover new titles.What started as friends sharing gameplay clips has exploded into a multi-billion-dollar ecosystem where streamers are popular creators, viewers build communities around shared experiences, and watching games has become as popular as playing them. But how did streaming become such a powerful force in gaming – and what does it mean for players, creators, and the industry alike? Let’s find out!Why Do Gamers Love Streaming?So why are millions of gamers spending hours every week watching others play instead of jumping into a game themselves? The answer isn’t just one thing – it’s a mix of entertainment, learning, connection, and discovery that makes live streaming uniquely compelling. Let’s break it down.Entertainment at Your Own PaceSometimes, you just want to relax. Maybe you’re too mentally drained to queue up for ranked matches or start that complex RPG quest. Streaming offers the perfect low-effort alternative – the fun of gaming without needing to press a single button. Whether it's high-stakes gameplay, hilarious commentary, or unpredictable in-game chaos, streams let you enjoy all the excitement while kicking back on the couch, grabbing a snack, or chatting in the background.Learning and Skill DevelopmentStreaming isn’t just for laughs – it’s also one of the best ways to level up your own gameplay. Watching a skilled streamer handle a tricky boss fight, execute high-level strategies, or master a game’s mechanics can teach you far more than a dry tutorial ever could. Many gamers tune in specifically to study routes, tactics, builds, or even to understand if a game suits their playstyle before buying it. Think of it as education, but way more fun.Social Connection and CommunityOne of the most powerful draws of live streaming is the sense of community. Jumping into a stream isn’t like watching TV – it’s like entering a room full of people who love the same games you do. Chatting with fellow viewers, sharing reactions in real-time, tossing emotes into the chaos, and getting shoutouts from the streamer – it all creates a sense of belonging. For many, it’s a go-to social space where friendships, inside jokes, and even fandoms grow.Discovery of New Games and TrendsEver found a game you now love just because you saw a streamer play it? You’re not alone. Streaming has become a major discovery engine in gaming. Watching creators try new releases, revisit cult classics, or spotlight lesser-known indies helps players find titles they might never encounter on their own. Sometimes, entire genres or games blow up because of a few well-timed streams (Among Us, Vampire Survivors, Only Up! – all made big by streamers).Together, these draws have sparked a whole new kind of culture – gaming communities with their own languages, celebrities, and shared rituals.Inside Streaming CultureStreaming has created something unique in gaming: genuine relationships between creators and audiences who've never met. When Asmongold reacts to the latest releases or penguinz0 delivers his signature deadpan commentary, millions of viewers don't just watch – they feel like they're hanging out with a friend. These streamers have become trusted voices whose opinions carry real weight, making gaming fame more accessible than ever. Anyone with personality and dedication can build a loyal following and become a cultural influencer.If you've ever watched a Twitch stream, you've witnessed chat culture in action – a chaotic river of emotes, inside jokes, and reactions that somehow make perfect sense to regulars. "KEKW" expresses laughter, "Poggers" shows excitement, and memes spread like wildfire across communities. The chat itself becomes entertainment, with viewers competing to land the perfect reaction at just the right moment. These expressions often escape their stream origins, becoming part of the broader gaming vocabulary.For many viewers, streams have become part of their daily routine – tuning in at the same time, celebrating milestones, or witnessing historic gaming moments together. When a streamer finally beats that impossible boss, the entire community shares in the victory. These aren't just individual entertainment experiences — they're collective memories where thousands can say "I was there when it happened," creating communities that extend far beyond gaming itself.How Streamers Are Reshaping the Gaming IndustryWhile players tune in for fun and connection, behind the scenes, streaming is quietly reshaping how the gaming industry approaches everything from marketing to game design. What started as casual gameplay broadcasts is now influencing major decisions across studios and publishers.The New Marketing Powerhouse. Traditional game reviews and advertising have taken a backseat to streamer influence. A single popular creator playing your game can generate millions of views and drive massive sales overnight – just look at how Among Us exploded after a few key streamers discovered it, or how Fall Guys became a phenomenon through streaming momentum. Publishers now prioritize getting their games into the hands of influential streamers on launch day, knowing that authentic gameplay footage and reactions carry more weight than any trailer or review. Day-one streaming success has become make-or-break for many titles.Designing for the Stream. Developers are now creating games with streaming in mind. Modern titles include built-in streaming tools, spectator-friendly interfaces, and features that encourage viewer interaction like chat integration and voting systems. Games are designed to be visually clear and exciting to watch, not just play. Some developers even create "streamer modes" that remove copyrighted music or add special features for streamers. The rise of streaming has birthed entirely new genres — party games, reaction-heavy horror titles, and social deduction games all thrive because they're inherently entertaining to watch.The Creator Economy Boom. Streaming has created entirely new career paths and revenue streams within gaming. Successful streamers earn through donations, subscriptions, brand partnerships, and revenue sharing from platform-specific features like Twitch bits or YouTube Super Chat. This has spawned a massive creator economy where top streamers command six-figure sponsorship deals, while publishers allocate significant budgets to influencer partnerships rather than traditional advertising. The rise of streaming has also fueled the growth of esports, where pro players double as entertainers – drawing massive online audiences and blurring the line between competition and content.Video Game Streaming in NumbersWhile it’s easy to feel the impact of streaming in daily gaming life, the numbers behind the trend tell an even more powerful story. From billions in revenue to global shifts in viewer behavior, game streaming has grown into a massive industry reshaping how we play, watch, and connect. Here’s a look at the data driving the movement.Market Size & GrowthIn 2025, the global Games Live Streaming market is projected to generate $15.32 billion in revenue. By 2030, that figure is expected to reach $18.92 billion, growing at an annual rate of 4.32%.The average revenue per user (ARPU) in 2025 stands at $10.51, showing consistent monetization across platforms.China remains the single largest market, expected to bring in $2.92 billion this year alone.Source: Statista Market Insights, 2025Viewership & Daily HabitsThe number of users in the live game streaming market is forecast to hit 1.8 billion by 2030, with user penetration rising from 18.6% in 2025 to 22.6% by the end of the decade.In 2023, average daily time spent watching game streams rose to 2.5 hours per user, up 12% year-over-year — a clear sign of streaming becoming part of gamers’ daily routines.Sources: Statista Market Insights, 2025; SNS Insider, 2024What People Are WatchingThe most-watched games on Twitch include League of Legends, GTA V, and Counter-Strike — all regularly topping charts for both viewers and streamers.When it comes to creators, the most-streamed games are Fortnite, Valorant, and Call of Duty: Warzone, showing a strong overlap between what streamers love to broadcast and what audiences enjoy watching.In Q1 2024, Twitch users spent over 249 million hours watching new game releases, while total gaming-related content reached around 3.3 billion hours.Sources: SullyGnome, 2025; Statista, 2025Global Trends & Regional PlatformsChina’s local platforms like Huya (31M MAU) and Douyu (26.6M MAU) remain key players in the domestic market.In South Korea, following Twitch’s 2023 exit, local services like AfreecaTV and newcomer Chzzk have positioned themselves as alternatives.Meanwhile, Japan and Europe continue to see steady engagement driven by strong gaming scenes and dedicated fan communities.Source: Statista, 2025Event Livestreaming Hits New HighsNintendo Direct was the most-watched gaming showcase in 2024, with an average minute audience of 2.6 million.The 2024 Streamer Awards drew over 645,000 peak viewers, highlighting how creator-focused events now rival traditional game showcases.Source: Statista, 2025As game streaming continues to evolve, its role in the broader gaming ecosystem is becoming clearer. It hasn’t replaced traditional gameplay – instead, it’s added a new dimension to how people engage with games, offering a space for connection, discovery, and commentary. For players, creators, and industry leaders alike, streaming now sits alongside playing as a core part of the modern gaming experience – one that continues to grow and shift with the industry itself.

The startup ecosystem in Central Eurasia is having its moment. What started as 485 applications from across 27 countries — including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Pakistan, Qatar, Rom

Musk said the partnership between the two companies has given the ChatGPT-maker access to “billions of user prompts.”

Gamescom 2025 is wrapping up this weekend, but the winners of the annual Gamescom Awards have already been named. This year's biggest winner was Resident Evil Requiem, which took home four awards, including Best Sony PlayStation Game.There were some surprises along the way--including the winner of the inaugural Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game--and there were surprise winners among the indie titles like Windup's Hela, which won two awards against stiff competition from more established games like Donkey Kong Bananza.To be considered for Gamescom Awards, publishers pay to nominate their games in one or more categories. However, the actual awards are chosen by a jury that evaluates each title across multiple criteria, including graphics, gameplay, and innovation.This year's Gamescom opening night had a number of new announcements and trailers, and there may be more to come in the show's remaining two days.For now, we've put together a complete list of the 2025 Gamescom Awards with all categories and nominees. The winners are listed in bold. Best VisualsBorderlands 4 - Gearbox Software / 2KBye Sweet Carole – Little SewingMachine / Maximum EntertainmentCrimson Desert – Pearl AbyssMIO: Memories In Orbit – Douze Dixièmes / Focus EntertainmentWINNER: Resident Evil Requiem – Capcom Entertainment Best AudioCairn – The Game BakersLittle Nightmares 3 – Supermassive Games / Bandai Namco EntertainmentPhantom Blade Zero – S-GameWINNER: Resident Evil Requiem – Capcom EntertainmentRockbeasts – Lichthund / Team17 Best GameplayWINNER: Donkey Kong Bananza – NintendoHela – Windup / Knights PeakMario Kart World – NintendoPVKK – Bippinbits / Kepler InteractiveResident Evil Requiem – Capcom Entertainment Most EntertainingDispatch – AdHoc StudioDonkey Kong Bananza – NintendoGrounded 2 – Obsidian Entertainment / Xbox Game StudiosWINNER: Hela – Windup / Knights PeakMario Kart World – Nintendo Most EpicCrimson Desert – Pearl AbyssDune: Awakening – FuncomWINNER: Resident Evil Requiem – Capcom EntertainmentSuper Meat Boy 3D – Sluggerfly, Team Meat / HeadupWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – Saber Interactive / Focus Entertainment Most WholesomeWINNER: Hela – Windup / Knights PeakIs This Seat Taken? – Poti Poti Studio / Wholesome Games PresentsStar Birds – Toukana InteractiveTiny Bookshop – neoludic games / Skystone Games, 2P GamesWinter Burrow – Pine Creek Games / Noodlecake Games for ImpactCairn – The Game BakersForever Skies – Far From HomeHollow Home – Twigames / GalaktusMonowave – Studio BBBWINNER: Tiny Bookshop – neoludic games / Skystone Games, 2P Games Best Microsoft Xbox GameBorderlands 4 – Gearbox Software / 2KCrimson Desert – Pearl AbyssWINNER: Grounded 2 – Obsidian Entertainment / Xbox Game StudiosLittle Nightmares 3 – Supermassive Games / Bandai Namco EntertainmentNinja Gaiden 4 – PlatinumGames, Team Ninja / Xbox Game Studios Best PC GameWINNER: Anno 117: Pax Romana – Ubisoft Mainz / UbisoftBorderlands 4 – Gearbox Software / 2KPVKK – Bippinbits / Kepler InteractiveTowa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree – Brownies inc. / Bandai Namco EntertainmentWorld of Warcraft – Blizzard Entertainment / Activision Blizzard Best Sony PlayStation GameBorderlands 4 – Gearbox Software / 2KCrimson Desert – Pearl AbyssCronos: The New Dawn – Bloober TeamPragmata – Capcom EntertainmentWINNER: Resident Evil Requiem – Capcom Entertainment Best Nintendo Switch 2 GameDonkey Kong Bananza – NintendoWINNER: Mario Kart World – NintendoMetroid Prime 4: Beyond – NintendoTowa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree – Brownies Inc. / Bandai Namco EntertainmentWinter Burrow – Pine Creek Games / Noodlecake Best Mobile GameArknights: Endfield – Hypergryph / GryphlineDungeon Clawler – Stray Fawn / Stray Fawn Publishing, PlayworksGenshin Impact – HoYoverseWINNER: Love and Deepspace – Papergames / Infold GamesServant of the Lake – Rusty Lake

The Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property of Montenegro has announced the results of the international competition for the new Museum District and Park of Arts & Culture in Podgorica. The winning proposal, led by Mila

1st place — Feixiang LongThis work is a secondary design inspired by Toothwu's original artwork, infused with numerous personal touches.2nd place — BaiTong LIAttic Studio is an interior Unreal Engine environment, inspired by the Resident Evil series.3rd place — Ouanes BilalThe main character of Grendizer: The Feast of the Wolves.Portfolio review with José VegaJose Vega is the founder and Senior Concept Artist of Worldbuilders Workshop, working mainly in the video games and film industry. Some of his clients include: Hirez Studios, Replicas, Shy the Sun, Wizards of the Coast, Cryptozoic Entertainment, Blur Entertainment, and others.The exact date of the Live Event will be announced soon. Stay tuned!A huge congratulations to our winners and heartfelt thanks to all the amazing creators who took part! Your talent keeps our community inspired and energized. Want to explore more outstanding projects? Join us on Discord and stay tuned for the next 80 Level challenge!

We’re excited to announce that OpenAI is co-organizing two NeurIPS 2020 competitions with AIcrowd, Carnegie Mellon University, and DeepMind, using Procgen Benchmark and MineRL.

Rev your engines, racers, there’s new Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds news that just dropped at Gamescom. Over the past few days, Sonic has dominated the newsfeeds with not one, but two trailer drops, featuring huge reveals.  Play Video The first was a crossover no one saw coming – two iconic retro gaming heroes coming together in a universe-shattering collaboration: Sonic the Hedgehog and Pac-Man playable in each other’s upcoming games. Sonic joins Pac-Man in Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac for an explosive birthday celebration, featuring Sonic-inspired levels, costumes, and more.  Then, Pac-Man and Team Ghost put their racing skills to the test in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds as part of the growing roster of guest characters included in the Season Pass.  Players can venture through Pac-Village, eat up Pac-Dots, & escape the iconic Maze in the Pac-Man Mobile. Play Video The all-new Competition Trailer showcased even more Sonic Racing action and detailed the various game modes players can look forward to experiencing once the game is released. In Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, there are tons of ways to compete: Grand Prix – Compete solo or with friends in local splitscreen co-op for first place in one of 7 cups (comprised of 4 races each). Racers are awarded points based on their placements at the end of races, and the racer with the most points at the end wins. World Match – Test your skills and compete online against 11 other players. Earn Rank Points, increase your World Rank, and aim for the top. Friend Match – Play with up to 11 other players online in custom lobbies where you can control all aspects of a race such as Speed, Team Size, Course/CrossWorlds, AI Difficulty, Frenzy Gates, Items, and Rule Sets. Race Park – Change up the rules and teams online and offline in this party mode that features six unique race formats. Time Trial – Compete for the best time on individual courses and aim for the top of the Leaderboard Rankings. Custom Match – Play with up to 4 players offline split-screen where you can control all aspects of a race such as Speed, Team Size, Courses/CrossWorlds, AI Difficulty, Frenzy Gates, Items, and Rule Sets. Eagle-eyed fans will also notice that the trailer revealed a few new tracks based on Sonic’s most recent adventures. Kronos Island from Sonic Frontiers makes its debut, featuring iconic ancient architecture strewn across the open fields. Northstar Island from Sonic Superstars arrives colorfully on the scene, with many nods to stage obstacles, local fauna, and even a… giant mechanical dinosaur whale? And Shadow fans, rejoice. The White Space from Shadow Generations has been recreated in glorious detail, down to the Doom’s Eye looming menacingly overhead.  On the racetrack, there’s no shortage of competitive trash talk. Just as Sonic, Shadow, Espio and Jet are shown jockeying for first place and taking their rivalries to the next level, players can look forward to over a thousand voice lines and interactions between their favorite Sonic characters. Ever wonder what a race between Amy and Big the Cat would sound like? You may find out.  On top of all that, it was announced that fans can get their hands on Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds a little sooner than expected during the Open Network Test. This free, limited-time event will take place from August 29 to September 1. Players on PS5 will be able to race online with 12 iconic Sonic characters, compete on 16 courses (9 main courses & 7 CrossWorlds), and mix and match 42 gadgets to create the ultimate racing machine. Put your driving skills to the test against players worldwide. There might even be a couple of surprises in store…  Come Race on our level when Sonic Racing CrossWorlds zooms onto PS5 and PS4 on September 25!