The arts industry in the U.S. – boards, staff, artists, and even the patrons – is a historically and overwhelmingly white space.카지노사이트

In Delaware, equity in the arts is a glaring issue, but progress is quietly being made.

In this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Division of the Arts director Jessica Ball joins Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon to discuss arts and equity in the First State.

“In the Division we believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in the arts can take many forms. But generally, it means a wide range of voices and perspectives are represented and heard in the arts. It means creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals regardless of their background,” said Delaware Division of the Arts director Jessica Ball.

The arts industry in the U.S. is a historically and overwhelmingly white space.

In Delaware, efforts are being made to clear a path for marginalized voices in the arts.

But Ball says change doesn’t come easily for a variety of reasons.

“Historically the industry has had a lack of representation of marginalized groups, particularly in leadership roles. Which can make it difficult for these groups to advocate for change, and have their experiences and perspectives taken into account in major decision-making,” she explained.바카라사이트

Racism within the arts and culture sector was already set to face a reckoning- but in 2020 the pandemic and the activism following George Floyd’s murder gave the movement momentum.

DDOA collaborated with the Delaware Arts Alliance to conduct an informal needs assessment of Delaware’s arts and culture organizations, with responses leading to the State of Delaware committing $3 million in seed funding to the Delaware Arts Equity and Innovation Incubator.

“This eight-month process prepares them to pilot new initiatives, programs, or practices, with technical support and expertise that they often don’t have internally within their organizations, and through financial support from the Division,” Ball explained.

Ball reports that so far this pilot program has been successful, with the first group of five organizations reporting positive feedback, and a second group in progress.

Jessica Ball’s article on equity and inclusion in the arts can be read here: Delaware arts groups must serve and reflect entire state. 온라인카지노

Prince Harry claims he had enough material for “two books”, and did not include some things in his memoir because his father and brother would never forgive him.카지노사이트

He told the Daily Telegraph there were some things “I just don’t want the world to know”.

He also said he wanted an apology to Meghan from his family members.

Spare, published this week, has become the fastest-selling non-fiction book ever in the UK.

The book outlines a long list of grievances against the Royal Family, as well as unresolved trauma over the death of his mother, his struggles with mental health, the isolated life he led before meeting Meghan, and the breakdown of relations with family members.

Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace have both said they will not comment on its contents.

In an interview with the Telegraph’s Bryony Gordon – who travelled to California to speak to him – the Duke of Sussex said he was not “trying to collapse the monarchy”, but “trying to save them from themselves”.

Prince Harry said there was information he revealed to his ghostwriter JP Moehringer “for context” but there was “absolutely no way” it could be included in the book.

“It could have been two books, put it that way,” he said, adding that the first draft was 800 pages, double the final 400-page manuscript.바카라사이트

“And there were other bits that I shared with JR, that I said: ‘Look, I’m telling you this for context but there’s absolutely no way I’m putting it in there.'”

He said it was impossible to tell his story without his family members in it, “because they play such a crucial part in it, and also because you need to understand the characters and personalities of everyone within the book”.

“But there are some things that have happened, especially between me and my brother, and to some extent between me and my father, that I just don’t want the world to know. Because I don’t think they would ever forgive me,” he said.

“Now you could argue that some of the stuff I’ve put in there, well, they will never forgive me anyway.

“But the way I see it is, I’m willing to forgive you for everything you’ve done, and I wish you’d actually sat down with me, properly, and instead of saying I’m delusional and paranoid, actually sit down and have a proper conversation about this, because what I’d really like is some accountability. And an apology to my wife.”

Among the claims made in the book, Prince Harry said his brother described Meghan as “difficult”, “rude” and “abrasive”. Prince Harry also accused his brother of physically attacking him.

He told the Telegraph that “no institution is immune to criticism and scrutiny”, claiming that if only 10% of the scrutiny put on him and his wife had been applied to the Royal Family “we wouldn’t be in this mess right now”.

He also spoke about therapy, describing it being “like clearing the windscreen, clearing away all the Instagram filters, all of life’s filters”.

And he said he feels a responsibility towards William’s children, “knowing that out of those three children, at least one will end up like me, the spare. And that hurts, that worries me”.온라인카지노

A casino credit is a line of credit issued to a customer. It is an interest-free loan that the customer must repay within the time frame agreed upon. A casino credit can be easier to pay back than a consumer loan. However, if your finances are not in order, it can be a good idea to avoid taking out a consumer loan.카지노사이트

Casino credit is a line of credit issued by a casino without much background evaluation as to your creditworthiness

Casino credit is a form of credit that allows you to play in a casino without having to pay the casino in full. It is a great way for people with bad credit or poor credit to enjoy a day of gambling without having to empty out their bank accounts. Casinos do not evaluate your credit history, but they will run a credit check with a credit bureau and with a clearinghouse company used by the casino industry. This check will appear as an inquiry on your credit report and may affect your score. The amount of credit that you can receive will depend on your credit history, the average amount of available cash in your checking account, and your other assets.바카라사이트

Most casinos issue a limited amount of casino credit to new applicants. They check a player’s credit history and limit the credit line to the average buy-ins of previous players. However, casino credit is not an interest-free line of credit. This method was created before modern banking and technology became common, and casinos are cautious about its abuse.

It can be used by your spouse’s lawyer

If your spouse has gambling debt, your lawyer will be able to use this evidence against him. This type of debt is very debilitating to both of you, as it puts you in a precarious financial situation. Besides, it is considered wasteful spending and dissipation of assets. To prove that your spouse has used these debts for non-business purposes, you should gather documents that show your spending habits. These can include bank statements, investment account statements, credit card and mortgage statements, and credit line statements. Property deeds can also prove whether or not there are outstanding balances on these debts.온라인카지노

Ward has been named executive director of the Visual Effects Society — the first woman to lead the honorary society. She had served as interim executive director since the retirement of longtime executive director Eric Roth in September.카지노사이트

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as executive director of the Visual Effects Society,” Ward said in a statement. “It’s an enormous privilege to connect, educate, honor and celebrate the hardest working – and probably most underappreciated professionals – in entertainment, around the world. The VES is a beacon of creative and technological innovation and excellence, and it is my intention to further grow the Society into a powerful resource that is recognized and respected in all corners of the globe. I look forward to building on the strong foundation created by Eric Roth, and helping the Society cement its position as a leading voice at the epicenter of the entertainment industry.”바카라사이트

Ward joined VES in 2014 as its program and development director, overseeing direct fundraising, partnerships, alliances and new programs. She also oversaw the publishing team for VFX Voice, the Society’s print and digital magazine, and spearheaded initiatives around diversity, equity and inclusion. She was also in charge of the annual VES Honors Celebration, the VES New York Awards Celebration and other VES events, and led the VES Archives initiative and the development of the Society’s forthcoming VES digital museum.

Prior to joining the VES, she spent more than a decade in advertising and direct marketing, as both a client and an ad agency account manage, for General Motors, Taco Bell, Mattel and various nonprofits.

“Nancy has a passion for the VES and a vision to further uplift the Society and bring it to the forefront of the global entertainment community,” said VES Chair Lisa Cooke. “She has earned a tremendous reputation among the Board, staff, Sections, worldwide membership and industry partners, and we are confident that the VES will achieve new heights under her leadership. I am thrilled to have someone of Nancy’s caliber to helm our next chapter.”

Founded in 1997, VES has nearly 4,500 members in 45 countries.온라인카지노

Your wallet may still be quivering from the Steam Autumn Sale. Tough. It’s time to grab hold of it again, comfort it with a few tender strokes, then gorge on its innards to pay for some of the splendid turn-based strategy games on sale in Steam’s TurnBasedFest.카지노사이트

There are decent discounts for Katharine’s beloved Dorfromantik, my beloved Slipways, and many generally beloved digified board games. Most of the sales end on December 12th, so don’t spend too long thinking about it. Reality’s turn-timers aren’t optional.

You can head over to the sale’s Steam page to see all the deals. There’ll be a batch of new ones at 1pm EST/ 6pm GMT tomorrow, too.

Many of the better deals are for older board games, including classics Wingspan, Terraforming Mars and Istanbul. Those are all digified versions of real board games, with Terraforming Mars in particular benefiting from the sweet sweet faff-elimination baked into automation. Dozens of hours spent playing it on my iPad now make me shudder at the idea of moving its many trackers by hand.바카라사이트

My highlight is actually Antihero, which is a videogame pretending to be a board game. It’s about out-ganging other bands of thieves and wastrels in Victorian london, powering your economy via street urchins and burglaries. It’s got a solid single player campaign, which helps it dodge the feeling that you’re just playing an inferior version of a board game with hollow AI stand ins for people. A 75% discount makes it a bargain for £3/$4/€4.

There’s also a streaming event running alongside the sale, with various YouTubers hopping into assorted games. You can see the schedule on the event’s website. 온라인카지노

A shortage of studio and rehearsal space for artists and musicians risks causing “severe damage” to Belfast’s cultural life.카지노사이트

That is according to a “cultural mapping” report carried out for Belfast City Council.

It also said that Belfast was “lacking in museums and art galleries” compared with other similar cities.

Among longer-term ideas proposed to fund culture in Belfast, the report suggested introducing a hotel levy.

Other cities in the UK such as Liverpool, Edinburgh and Bath have also looked at introducing a “tourist tax” to pay for cultural events.

Councils in those cities have considered an additional small charge on hotel rooms of £1 or £2 to raise extra money to spend on culture but introducing such a move may need a change in legislation.

Artists recently held a protest in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter to appeal for more affordable workspaces.

Some who took part had lost their equipment and work in a fire in a building on Donegall Street at the start of October.

The cultural mapping report was commissioned by Belfast City Council and the Department for Communities.

Carried out by the Daisy Chain Inc consultancy, it looked at how many museums, galleries, theatres, music venues and arts centres Belfast had.

But it also examined how much space and accommodation was available for artists, musicians and other people in the creative sector to work and rehearse.

“The lack of secure tenancy for artist studios in Belfast has put this sector in crisis,” the report said.

‘No space to work’
It said there was an “immediate need for provision for space for creative people to work” and that was “an existential threat that, if not addressed, will cause severe damage to the cultural fabric of the city”.

“With urgency, we recommend addressing the shortage of affordable studio space in Belfast,” the report continued.

“This should not be limited to visual artists – we include musicians, writers, theatre-makers and all creative producers.

“Belfast studio groups have waiting lists and when art students graduate every year there is no space for them to work.”

The report said that while the Cathedral Quarter area of the city was once “home to vibrant art studios“, rising property prices had caused them to leave.바카라사이트

Other established studios, like Vault Artist Studios which houses over 100 artists and the city’s first tool library in east Belfast, were coming to the end of their leases and looking for new premises.

Members of Array Studios, who won the prestigious Turner Prize in 2021, were among those who spoke to the report’s authors.

The report suggested a number of buildings in the city that could be used to provide more studio space, including the former Belfast School of Music on Donegall Pass in south Belfast and a former supermarket on Royal Avenue.

It also said that Belfast had fewer museums than comparable cities like Dublin, Edinburgh and Rotterdam.

“There is a gap in the infrastructure for both museums and galleries,” it noted.

The report said that the Golden Thread Gallery had a long-running plan to create a new venue and contemporary art gallery in the city centre, which could “provide a visitor destination for the gallery and the region”.

“Golden Thread’s years of planning and consideration for this project make them well placed to get this project over the line and increase the offering of contemporary art in Belfast,” the report concluded.

Further, more detailed research on Belfast’s venues, galleries, studios and museums and the number of people who use them is now due to be carried out.

The report was presented to Belfast City Council’s Growth and Regeneration Committee in November and is likely to be discussed when the full council meets on 1 December.온라인카지노

(CNN)-After three days on hurricane watch, Tiffany Trump breathed a sigh of relief.카지노사이트

The weather in Palm Beach, Florida, was finally easing and the forecast for Saturday, her wedding day, looked sunny and warm. Two people familiar with the bride-to-be’s mood tell CNN that Donald Trump’s younger daughter, his only child with second wife Marla Maples, had been “stressed” about the late-season storm and what it might mean for her Mar-a-Lago celebration with 25-year-old Michael Boulos, her boyfriend of four years.

But even though Tropical Storm Nicole is moving on, the Trumps may still be in for some tumult over the weekend. They’re gathering as their patriarch makes moves toward a 2024 presidential run, a prospect not everyone in the family is excited about. Some of them are signaling they don’t want to be involved much, if at all, sources close to the family tell CNN.

Three people familiar with the former president’s activities say he is not in the best of spirits. Many of the high-profile candidates he endorsed in the midterms failed to secure a win, and now some Republicans are whispering about his dwindling influence over the party. Trump is “cranky,” says one of the people.

At present, say those who are familiar, Trump is more focused on his “special announcement” on Tuesday, when he may – or may not – announce his planned third run for the presidency. His mind is consumed with the 2024 political landscape and where and how he will fit into it.

But first he has to get through one other job: Father of the bride.

Trump typically likes being the center of attention at his private club, which also serves as his home, but only if he’s being congratulated or in the mood for accolades. The run-up to Tiffany’s big day has been rough and, as the skies clear and her guests descend on Mar-a-Lago, sources say the former president is lying low.

Two of the people familiar with Trump’s mood say he has also been on the outs with his wife, Melania Trump, after a post-election day news report said she got the brunt of his ire after Dr. Mehmet Oz’s loss in his run for the US Senate. The New York Times reported that Donald Trump blamed Melania Trump for his endorsement of the TV doctor; during a rally this year, he mentioned his wife was a big Oz fan.

Showing up in a news story is not something the ultra-private Melania Trump enjoys, and Trump was soon apologizing on Truth Social to her for what he called “made up” stories about her involvement. The damage, however, say the two people, was done. Plus, everyone steers clear of the former president when he’s in a bad mood, including his wife. CNN has reached out to a spokesperson for the former president.

Still, it’s a wedding, and an entire family cannot completely avoid one another. Tiffany Trump has close relationships with all of her half-siblings, say those who know her. Though she was often referred to as Trump’s “forgotten daughter” during the White House years, when older sister Ivanka Trump was center stage, Tiffany – who graduated from Georgetown Law in 2020 – is tight with her older sister. Ivanka was on hand last weekend at Tiffany’s bridal shower, held at a friend’s home in Palm Beach, a celebration that included a tiered Tiffany-blue cake along with her mother, Marla Maples, and her stepmother, Melania Trump. CNN has reached out to a spokesperson for Tiffany Trump for comment on this story.

Ivanka and Tiffany Trump still have a strong relationship, but elsewhere the family dynamic has been shifting over the past two years. Ivanka’s interactions with her father have changed since both left the White House. Now living in Miami, Ivanka is not wistful for Washington – “far from it,” says one of several people who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity to preserve personal and professional relationships with the family. CNN reached out to a spokesperson for Ivanka Trump and did not receive a response.

Senior adviser to the president is not a role Ivanka Trump wishes to resurrect.

“(Ivanka) would never go back to that life,” says one of the people familiar with her thinking. “She knows it’s not something that would serve her or her family at this point.”

Another person says Ivanka has been “done” with Washington “since the day she left” and that “hasn’t changed.” A third person contends if Ivanka had any interest in taking part in politics again, people would have seen her on the campaign trail, pushing candidates for the midterms. Yet she made zero appearances or public endorsements, despite requests for participation by some of those in tight races, says a person with knowledge.

All of the people who spoke with CNN say Ivanka Trump’s life is centered around her three young children. Though she may not yet have had direct conversations with Donald Trump about her lack of interest in a second White House campaign, he is aware that any bid would not include the assistance of his daughter, says one of the people with knowledge of family discussions.

Trump would also lack the presence of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, once the gatekeeper for Trump in the White House and one of the most connected and influential voices of his administration.바카라사이트

“Jared does not intend to join the campaign and get back involved,” says a source familiar with Kushner’s plans. CNN reached out to a spokesperson for Jared Kushner and did not receive a response.

The person maintains Kushner has a good relationship with his father-in-law and that he “makes an effort to be with (Trump),” but said he would do little more than offer the occasional piece of advice should Trump run again.

“I’m sure (Jared will) be tested in numerous different ways, he’s his father-in-law, but that said, it would be a far cry from helping in the way he helped before,” said the person. Kushner, who now runs a private equity firm, has “moved on,” from the last several years in a way Trump has not.

Trump is presumably aware of the lack of interest his wife, Ivanka and Jared have in campaigning. Melania Trump did little in the way of stumping for her husband during his first run for the White House and held only three solo campaign events on his behalf before the 2020 election.

There is no indication Melania Trump would change her habits and take an active part in any upcoming campaign. “Never say never” was all she would say when asked during a May interview if she could live in the White House again. In Ohio last week, during a rally for JD Vance, where it was rumored Trump might announce his latest presidential run, there were only four chairs set up for Trump family. They were designated for Eric and Lara Trump and for Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle.

Donald Trump Jr. is sending different signals to his friends. “Of course!” is the answer from a person familiar with Don Jr.’s thinking when asked if Trump’s son will campaign on his behalf, should he announce his candidacy next week. Don Jr. has none of his stepmother, sister and brother-in-law’s hesitancy about another Trump presidency.

“He’s going to be out there campaigning for his dad,” said the person. CNN reached out to a spokesperson for Donald Trump Jr. and did not receive a response.

Don Jr. is right now the closest family adviser Trump has. Unlike his presidential years, when Ivanka and Jared were the inner circle, Don Jr. has emerged as a key figure in the future of Trumpian politics. But that’s not to say Don Jr. wants to fill the shoes of Jared and Ivanka.

“He does not want the Jared behind-the-scenes role,” says the source, adding Don Jr. isn’t in to the micromanagement of Trump. “When (Don Jr.) has strong opinions about something involving his father, he does not have a problem saying them out loud,” says the person, giving as an example Don Jr.’s insistence Trump not announce his candidacy before the midterm elections. “He just didn’t think it made sense.”

Opinions and appearances will be Don Jr.’s sweet spot should his dad run again, but the eldest Trump son will draw the line at a defined job description.

“He’s not going to be the shadow campaign manager or anything,” says the source, who adds Don Jr. is also focused on his five children, his publishing company and “hunting.”

Eric Trump, and likely more so his wife, Lara Trump, a frequent guest on conservative news outlets, will fall more under the Don Jr. level of participation in a Trump second act, than that of Ivanka and Jared.

Most of the people who spoke to CNN say family division over the political plans of their patriarch is not a concern – Tiffany Trump won’t be switching up seating arrangements to keep the pro-campaign faction away from the anti-campaign. Mar-a-Lago, closed for the storm until Friday at 6 p.m., will be back in full swing in time for Tiffany’s marriage to Boulos, the son of a wealthy businessman who owns several companies in Nigeria.

The wedding will not be a place for squabbles and power plays. “It’s going to be a day that is all about Tiffany,” says a person familiar with the event, rumored to be a $1 million affair.

“They get along great,” says one of the people who spends time with the siblings, adding that politics and their dad are not always what they talk about when they get together. “Believe it or not, they’re a pretty normal family.”온라인카지노

If you’ve ever played sports, you’re probably familiar with the concept of in-play wagering. This type of wagering involves betting on an event after it has started, but after the event has ended, the wager will be void. In this article, we’ll look at the implications of betting in-play on favorites and underdogs, as well as over/under bets.카지노사이트

Betting on underdogs is a popular choice for sports betting. This strategy is great for amateurs and experts alike. The underdog’s high odds and low probability of winning help make betting on the underdog an attractive option.

It is important to note that sportsbooks take into account many factors when setting odds. The more time you have before a game, the more likely you are to see underdogs at good odds. However, it’s important to avoid getting carried away by the hype surrounding the favorite.

Betting on underdogs can make a great profit even if you bet a small amount. However, the size of the wager depends on many factors. Firstly, the importance of the game affects the odds of the underdog. If the game is not critical, the underdog will have better odds, meaning that you should wager a low amount.

When betting on underdogs, make sure that you are betting on the team you think is more likely to win. This is because sportsbooks are trying to keep the action balanced. In order to keep the odds even, they may push the line to favor the underdog. This means that underdogs often get more points on the spread than they should.

Betting on favorites has a few advantages. First, you can win more points. Second, you can hedge your bets and win regardless of the outcome. Third, betting on a favorite with an underdog can increase your odds of winning.

Bettors like betting on the favorite, so the favorite often ends up with a lower point spread. This means that you can bet less on your bet and still win a larger amount. If you bet $100 on the Maple Leafs, you’ll win $135. On the other hand, if you bet $100 on the Bruins, you’ll win $125. This means that the amount you bet affects the outcome, so be careful about how much you bet.바카라사이트

Betting on totals is a great way to get an edge on a game if you’re a serious sports gambler. Betting on totals is usually set at a parenthesis number called the “vig” or “juice.” Hence, if the game total is -110, you will have to bet $110 to win $100. However, the juice can vary depending on the risk of the sportsbook. For instance, the Over/Under totals can be set at -115 or -105. If you’re betting $100 on the Over/Under the total, you’ll have to risk $115 or $105 to win $100.

Betting on totals doesn’t require you to pick a team. Instead, you’re betting on the total combined score, not the winning team. Because you’re not picking the winner of a game, totals bettors don’t have to worry about whether a team can score a half-point or a full point.

Over/under bets have become one of the most popular types of bets. But before making a decision to place an over/under wager, you should consider the odds involved. This way, you can make sure you are receiving the right amount of reward for the risk you’re taking.

Over/under betting is a fun way to make money on sports. You’ll have to guess which team will score more or less than the predicted total. You’ll also want to think about overtime, which can make a difference in the final score.

The best bets to make are those with a low vig rate. This means that sportsbooks will take a smaller cut of your money and still give you a good return. Betting on totals is also popular among mathematical models, who can use clear inputs like expected possessions and efficiency. However, this makes it difficult for the average bettor to beat them.

Betting on over/under involves placing a wager on how many points will be scored by each team. If you bet on a game that has a total of 48 points, the Patriots would win and the Eagles would lose. Conversely, if the Eagles were to score more than 20 points, the underbet would win.온라인카지노

If there is one film that explores tragedy and romance so beautifully and poetically, it would be “Dead Poets Society.” The film is a cult favorite among so many people and is one of the films that showed the great Robin Williams’ acting prowess.카지노사이트

The daring and incredibly charismatic Mr. Keating, the character that Williams played, inspired a bunch of teenage boys and encouraged them to see the world in all its tragic and beautiful glory.

If you are not familiar with this film, let this article entice you and serve as an invitation to watch one of the most beloved films in cinema.

Here are some of the reasons why “Dead Poets Society” will always ring true to the hearts of those who love and watched it:

Emphasis on literature

Set in a boarding school, one can imagine that things are serious, and the academe is very much stuck in a very traditional way of teaching that is usually done in a very monotonous fashion.

Mr. Keating deviates from that kind of teaching, and, as an English teacher, he teaches the boys to live bold and passionate lives through the power of literature. One of the best lines of the film, “poetry, beauty, romance, and love… these are what we stay alive for,” is a reminder that as human as everyone can be, it is important that there is beauty in the simplest of things.

Carpe Diem

This Latin phrase means “seize the day,” and it is another lesson that Mr. Keating taught to the boys in one of his classes. It is the most famous quote from the film, and it has become widely associated with the film. Living with so many constraints and in the expectations of others, it is time to break free and live the life that one’s heart truly wants.바카라사이트

Your voice matters

“Dead Poets Society” is a cult favorite to many, most likely because of the realistic depiction of teenage boys: scared, awkward, reckless, and sometimes rebellious. The movie also narrates the journey of young boys who are inspired to live every bit of their lives with utmost vigor. Furthermore, the movie is a reminder that words and ideas matter no matter how small they may seem to you or to the world.

Tragedy

One of the reasons why this film gets so much of the credit that it deserves is that it does not portray a happy image until the later part of the film. It integrated tragedy in a way that no one saw coming as a factor that resonates in the hearts of many as it shows the cruel realities of this world—one can never be too happy in their lifetime. The initial sense of comfort in the film lulls the viewer into a false sense of security that everything will turn out perfectly well, but it ultimately does not.

“Dead Poets Society” is a story about how life can be beautiful and tragic all at the same time. It does not sugarcoat the realities of this calloused world, but it serves as a reminder that there is so much beauty and tragedy and it all comes with the territory of living. The eternal relevance of “Dead Poets Society” is a testament of poignant hope that affects everyone one way or another, and it is something that the world should constantly be reminded of.온라인카지노

GAME STUDIOS RARELY SHARE THE SECRETS OF THEIR SUCCESS.카지노사이트

A great game can spawn countless imitators — look at Breath of the Wild or Stardew Valley — and it’s all but unheard of for a company to tell its competitors the magic formula. But accessibility is increasingly becoming a notable exception to that rule.

God of War Ragnarok — a continuation of the 2018 adventures of the grizzled warrior Kratos and his tween son Atreus, and the ninth installment of a venerable PlayStation franchise — is the most accessible game in the series yet. To help make that vision a reality, the team at Santa Monica Studio turned to the folks at Naughty Dog, known for its boundary-breaking innovations for players with auditory, visual, and motor differences.

In keeping with that spirit of open collaboration, Lead UX Designer Mila Pavlin says the team at Santa Monica Studio isn’t interested in keeping the 70+ accessibility innovations in God of War Ragnarok a secret.

“Accessibility has a very unique place when it comes to cross-collaboration because it is the one set of features where we want that innovation to spread. We don’t want to contain that just to one franchise,” Pavlin tells Inverse.

“If we can develop a feature and then someone else were to implement a very similar feature based on our work, that would be a bonus to the player overall. That’s something that we want to encourage, that the community for accessibility is sharing that information,” she adds. “Accessibility is for everyone. It’s not a race. Regardless of who comes out with a feature first, the player is really the winner at the end.”

Like the rest of the gaming world, Pavlin and the team at Santa Monica Studio were impressed by Naughty Dog’s groundbreaking innovations for 2020’s The Last of Us Part II, which includes a broad suite of tools to customize the experience to an individual’s preferences and needs. Ragnarok was already well into development at that point. Still, the team was eager to incorporate some of those innovations into the next God of War game. Naughty Dog was happy to oblige.

“They shared information about consultants they had brought in and players they had consulted with. We were fortunate enough to have one of their team members join our team as an accessibility designer, which especially helped us with some of the motor functions and many of the combat accessibility items. It gave us a direct connection into the accessibility community,” Pavlin says.

God of War Ragnarok’s accessibility features encompass four main areas: hearing, motor, cognitive, and vision. Notably, the game builds upon the high-contrast visual mode pioneered in TLOU 2, allowing players to assign more than a dozen brightly-colored filters to more easily distinguish between enemies, treasure chests, NPCs, and bosses. Pavlin says the depth and breadth of those options in Ragnarok were directly inspired by player feedback.

“Players were telling us what they wanted, as opposed to us deciding on these things,” she explains. “There’s a statement in the accessibility community, ‘never about us without us.’ We really took that to heart.” 바카라사이트

“THAT IS A HAND-DONE, HAND-WRITTEN, HAND-TAILORED KIND OF EXPERIENCE.”

The goal wasn’t simply to make Ragnarok easier, but to make it more enjoyable for more players — whether this is their first God of War game or they’re seasoned veterans of grueling battles with Valkyries and trolls.

“We’ve had some of our low-vision players say that they wanted to play on Give Me God of War [the series’ highest difficulty], but they just had trouble understanding what was happening on screen,” Pavlin explains. “Adding features like high contrast made it approachable in a way that didn’t significantly change the experience.”

Ragnarok’s suite of accessibility options also includes a host of quality-of-life tweaks many players could benefit from, like automated item pickups and customizable subtitles. This philosophy of helping players have the best experience possible is baked into the game in more subtle ways, too.

For instance, if you spend a bit of time bumbling to find a solution to a puzzle, one of your companion characters will offer a clue, like “maybe you should try your axe.” Better still, if you notice a conspicuous object that’s just begging to be tinkered with, those same companions will flat-out tell you “we should come back later” rather than let you bang your head against the wall for half an hour.

These kinds of additions aren’t settings that can be turned on or off. Each situation needs to be individually produced and scripted, which is a massive undertaking for something that may be a boon to series newcomers, but longtime fans might never notice.

“WE DON’T WANT TO CONTAIN THAT JUST TO ONE FRANCHISE.”

“What we’re trying to do is create an experience where you can organically learn things and experience that world, so as you become more confident, we can step back a little bit and let you go wild,” Pavlin says. “That is a hand-done, hand-written, hand-tailored kind of experience. That’s one of the things that makes the game so great, the love and care that has gone into this.”

Making Ragnarok approachable to more players also demanded a dramatic rethinking of some core mechanics from the 2018 game. The team scrapped and rebuilt the entire user interface to accommodate larger text sizes, and reworked the control scheme to allow for button remapping. The team also built in more flexibility for “flavor moments” like quicktime events and traversal, adding options for fewer button inputs where the team felt it didn’t detract from the experience.

Pavlin hopes all of those changes will add up to a game more players can love.

There are a lot more people who are able to play Ragnarok now than were able to play the 2018 game,” she says. “I think the expansion of accessibility is really going to surprise people.” 온라인카지노