It took 20 years for Children of the Sun to become an overnight success

Children of the Sun burst onto the indie scene like a muzzle flash on a dark night. Publisher Devolver Digital dropped the game’s first trailer on February 1, showcasing frenzied sniper shots and a radioactive art style. A Steam demo highlighting its initial seven stages went live that same day and became a breakout hit during February’s Steam Next Fest. Two months later it landed in full and to broad acclaim. This explosive reveal and rapid release timeline mirrors the game itself — chaotic but contained, swift and direct, sharp and bright. Though it feels like Children of the Sun popped into existence over the span of two months, it took solo developer René Rother more than 20 years to get here. René Rother As a kid in Berlin in the early 2000s, Rother was fascinated by the booming mod community. He spent his time messing around with free Counter-Strike mapping tools and Quake III mods from the demo discs tucked into his PC magazines. Rother daydreamed about having a job in game development, but it never felt like an attainable goal. “It just didn't seem possible to make games,” he told Engadget. “It's like it was this huge black box.” Rother couldn’t see an easy entry point until the 2010s, when mesh libraries and tools like GameMaker and Unity became more accessible. He discovered a fondness for creating 3D interactive art. But aside from some free online Javascript courses, he didn’t know how to program anything, so his output was limited. “I dabbled into it a little... Continue reading at 'Engadget'

[ Engadget | 2024-04-18 19:45:11 UTC ]
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How OpenAI's ChatGPT has changed the world in just a year

Over the course of two months from its debut in November 2022, ChatGPT exploded in popularity, from niche online curio to 100 million monthly active users — the fastest user base growth in the history of the Internet. In less than a year, it has earned the backing of Silicon Valley’s biggest... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-11-30 14:00:50 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #prove true #money wrapped #revenue streams #firms incorporating #rapid uptake #calendar resetting #upward trajectory #responsible development #congress beginning #draft legislation #significant impact #$10 billion #$30 billion #— heck #authors guild


The 2023 Stocking Stuffer of the Year Award! (shelftalker)

One last chance for these once august awards to reclaim their honor and dignity. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-30 13:00:00 UTC ]
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Year of the Rabbit: Why We’re Seeing So Many Bunnies on Books

The bunny is having its book cover moment. If you don’t believe me, head to your closest bookstore and look for recent award winners: you’ll find Bora Chung’s Cursed Bunny, recently shortlisted for the National Book Award for Translated Literature, cozied up next to last year’s winner for... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-11-29 09:51:35 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #rabbit hutch #recently shortlisted #translated literature #tess gunty #national book award #bookstore #book cover


2023 Shanghai Children's Book Fair in Photos

The fair celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, hosting 478 exhibitors from 25 countries and territories, including 127 from overseas, and 42,733 visitors—making CCBF the biggest event dedicated to kids' books and content in Asia. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-28 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book fair #10th anniversary #children's book


Apple Books Names 2023 Bestsellers, Launches 'Year in Review' Feature

A new feature on Apple Books gives users Spotify Wrapped–style insights into their reading habits in 2023—a year in which Jack Carr, Prince Harry, Britney Spears, and Rebecca Yarros topped the Apple Books charts. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-28 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #reading habits #jack carr #prince harry #britney spears #apple books


Doctor Who has left the ABC after nearly 60 years – and Russell T Davies knows some fans aren’t happy

The Doctor Who showrunner sympathises with Australian fans annoyed about its move to Disney+ but hopes the show will provide something ‘positive and optimistic’After nearly 60 years, Doctor Who is leaving Aunty and moving in with the Mouse. The much-loved British science fiction show is no... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-11-25 19:00:02 UTC ]
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Children's Starred Reviews 2023: All of Our Stars

Our Children’s Starred Reviews Annual features nearly 400 reviews of exceptional books for young readers, a selection of interviews with some of today’s top authors and illustrators, our 50 Best Books of 2023, and a cover by Vashti Harrison. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-22 05:00:00 UTC ]
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73-year-old who walked north to south in Gaza returns to Canada

A 73-year-old man who was first trapped in Gaza and then forced to walk from northern to southern Gaza to avoid Israeli airstrikes has reunited with his family at Toronto's Pearson International Airport. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2023-11-22 02:43:00 UTC ]
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Book Riot’s SFF Deals for November 20, 2023

The best science fiction and fantasy book deals of the day, curated by Book Riot. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-11-20 17:10:43 UTC ]
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Inclusive Children’s Book Publishers

Editors at four children’s imprints that focus on promoting underrepresented authors tell 'PW' how they got their start and what they love about their work. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-17 05:00:00 UTC ]
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This Week's Bestsellers: November 20, 2023

BookTok sensation Rebecca Yarros has the #1 book in the country with 'Iron Flame,' sequel to 'Fourth Wing,' which appears twice on our top 10 list. Plus Christopher Paolini returns to the world of Eragon with 'Murtagh,' and Ali Hazelwood makes a foray into YA with 'Check & Mate.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-17 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Book Deals: Week of November 20, 2023

Ballantine signs Norah O’Donnell to write a “female-focused retelling of American history,” Jamaica Kincaid sells a book about her garden in Vermont to Timber Press, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-17 05:00:00 UTC ]
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France’s Vivlio, 10 Years Old, Launches New Ebook Service

Not unlike the 'Storytel Originals' effort to create new audiobook content in some markets, France's Vivlio is starting a 'Stories' platform. The post France’s Vivlio, 10 Years Old, Launches New Ebook Service appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-11-16 22:07:48 UTC ]
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Children's Creators Travel for Conservation and Inspiration: A Photo Essay

Nine members of the environmental group Children’s Book Creators for Conservation spent October 8–21 in the eastern South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, volunteering with the stewardship organization Wild Tomorrow. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-16 05:00:00 UTC ]
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It took 28 years, but this book club finally finished reading Finnegans Wake

After 28 years, a book club in Venice, Calif., has finally finished reading Finnegans Wake by James Joyce — but the club's founder Gerry Fialka would argue you're never really done reading it. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2023-11-14 22:49:00 UTC ]
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CEO of Hachette Book Group will step down at end of the year

The head of Hachette Book Group, Michael Pietsch, is retiring as CEO and will be succeeded by Hachette UK CEO David Shelley Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2023-11-14 20:46:13 UTC ]
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This is the Best Book of the Year, According to Barnes & Noble

Barnes and Noble has announced their Book of the Year for 2023 — plus the inaugural winner of their Author of the Year award. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-11-13 15:03:30 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble’s Best Books of the Year

Barnes & Noble has released the finalists for their Best Books of the Year. The 12 books include a mix of genres and age categories. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-11-10 20:12:21 UTC ]
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NYT, NYPL Announce Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2023

The 'New York Times Book Review' and the New York Public Library have announced the 10 winners of the Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-10 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Research Publishing: Projekt DEAL, Springer Nature in New Five-Year Accord

The three-publisher program devised to elevate German open-access research publication reports that it expects a formal signing of a new accord within weeks. The post Research Publishing: Projekt DEAL, Springer Nature in New Five-Year Accord appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-11-08 21:43:12 UTC ]
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