Overcoming the uncanny valley of emotion is the major challenge of AI when creating a virtual human, according to Armando Kirwin, co-founder of Artie. He spoke at the NAB panel titled “AI in Media and Entertainment: Driving the Future, New Content Formats – Immersive.” HP’s Joanna Popper moderated the panel that also included Digital Domain’s John Canning, Lillian Diaz-Przybyl from Butcher Bird Studios, and Baobab Studios’ Kane Lee. The panel discussion ranged from synthetic characters and evolving views on acceptable versus realistic behavior, to what happens when your smart speaker becomes a virtual character. Continue reading Industry Panel on Latest AI Trends in Media & Entertainment

According to Rockstar Games, its “Red Dead Redemption 2” earned more than $725 million in global retail sales in its first three days on the market, breaking several records. The company deemed it “the biggest opening weekend in the history of entertainment,” surpassing the $640 million raked in by “Avengers: Infinity War,” which earned more than $640 million in its opening weekend. But “Red Dead Redemption 2” doesn’t top Rockstar Games’ own “Grand Theft Auto V,” which pulled in more than $1 billion in its first three days. Continue reading Rockstar’s ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’ Breaks Sales Records

On its opening weekend, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” demolished box office records — as well as the trope that crowds no longer throng to movie theaters, even in the first days. The Walt Disney Company’s latest “Star Wars” movie brought in about $517 million globally, a success that is stunning in its size and scope, and that underscores Hollywood studios’ efforts to focus on repurposing the blockbuster, from “Avatar” to “Frozen.” According to Disney, 3D screenings account for 47 percent of the gross. Continue reading ‘Star Wars’ Smashes Box Office, Rallies Blockbuster Strategy