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The Most Impactful Gaming Industry Technologies

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As an industry, gaming has grown exponentially over the past few years. With close to 3.5 billion people in the world now playing games on a regular basis, the industry is all set to generate revenues of up to $197 billion by the end of 2022.  

The development of gaming to date and its ongoing evolution run in parallel with technological advancement – the gaming industry has always been poised at the forefront of innovation. With each new generation of video games – and gaming hardware – outdoing the last in terms of performance and cutting-edge features, today’s video games are highly immersive experiences.  

As each year passes, brand-new technologies enter the market that set the trend for game development. We’ve already seen this in play throughout 2022 with an increased focus on NFT games, the arrival of the metaverse, and, of course, the ongoing expansion and development in mobile gaming.  

While it’s true that new tech presents an exciting opportunity for the gaming industry to go through another stage of evolution, there are certainly unsung heroes of gaming tech that are often seen as an afterthought. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the most impactful technologies without which the gaming industry as it is today wouldn’t exist.  

Game Engines 

The games you enjoy playing now are all created in a game engine. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that modern video games are incredibly complex, with numerous algorithms and details that work together in harmony to create an immersive gaming environment. Without game engines, there would be no way to contain all these elements, let alone deliver them in playable form.  

Think of game engines as frameworks for video game development. Everything that’s involved in making a game, from developing graphics to how it then responds to gamer actions, happens within it. In the early days of gaming, titles were released with their own rendering engines. Today, however, most games are developed in commercial engines such as:  

  • Unity  
  • Creation Engine 
  • Unreal Engine 
  • CryEngine 
  • Anvil 

Audio Engines 

While today’s video games feature impressive visuals, compelling storylines, and exciting gameplay, they wouldn’t have the same impact without the right music, sound effects, ambiance, and voice-acting. Audio is such an important part of the modern video gaming experience that video game soundtracks have now become a stand-alone genre in their own right. Some of the world’s best musicians, composers, and orchestras have recorded video game soundtracks. Meanwhile, A-list actors such as Keanu Reeves and Kevin Spacey have lent their voices to games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Call of Duty  

Much like game engines, audio engines also play a fundamental role in ensuring that gamers actually have games to play, not just strings of coding and random sound effects. Due to video games needing several layers of audio, an audio engine provides the perfect environment to simplify such complex processes. Furthermore, audio engines enable developers to create hyper-realistic audio, which makes the gaming experience as immersive as possible.  

Some of the leading audio engines in use are:  

  • FMOD 
  • Fabric 
  • Miles Sound System 
  • AstoundSound 

Random Number Generators 

When it comes to playing video games, there’s nothing more likely to ruin your experience than ending up with the same outcomes each time you play. Have you ever wondered what prevents you from having those ‘Groundhog Day’ moments when you return to your favorite game, time and time again? That’ll be down to RNGs, AKA Random Number Generators. 

From making online slot games totally random – and ensuring they adhere to limits in the process – to randomizing the loot you’ll find when scavenging in a survival game, RNGs are responsible for it all.  

So, what exactly is an RNG? It’s a software algorithm that is integrated into a game during development. Developers can, of course, program RNGs to seamlessly integrate into a massive range of gaming experiences, but the purpose is the same: to ensure randomized outcomes.  

RNGs are particularly important in online slots and any game categorized in the gaming genre. Many an operator’s license rests on whether or not it has a provably fair random number generator powering its platform. However, you’ll also see games like Genshin Impact and Pokémon making great use of RNGs to enhance a player’s experience.

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The Definitive Answer: How Many Steps in a Mile?

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how many steps in a mile: When it comes to tracking our fitness goals or simply monitoring our daily activity, step count has become an essential metric. Walking or running has long been a popular exercise choice, and knowing the number of steps in a mile can provide valuable insights into our progress and overall health. In this article, we will explore the question that many fitness enthusiasts ask: “How many steps are there in a mile?” So, let’s lace up our shoes and dive into the answer!

Understanding Stride Length

how many steps in a mile: Before we delve into the specific number of steps in a mile, it’s crucial to understand the concept of stride length. Stride length refers to the distance covered by a single step. It varies from person to person and can be influenced by factors such as height, leg length, and walking or running technique.

Factors Affecting Stride Length

Height: Generally, taller individuals tend to have longer strides, covering more ground with each step.

Leg Length: Longer legs often lead to a longer stride length, as there is a greater distance between steps.

Pace: Walking at a leisurely pace typically involves shorter strides, while faster-paced walking or running results in long strides.

Calculating Steps in a Mile

The average stride length for adults is approximately 2.5 feet, but this can vary. To determine the number of steps in a mile, we need to consider the formula:

Steps per Mile = 5,280 feet (the number of feet in a mile) / Average Stride Length

Using the average stride length of 2.5 feet, we can calculate the number of steps as follows:

5,280 feet / 2.5 feet = 2,112 steps per mile

However, it is important to note that individual differences in stride length can lead to variations in the number of steps taken to cover a mile. For instance, someone with a shorter stride length may need to take more steps to complete a mile, while those with longer strides may require fewer steps.

Factors Influencing Step Count Accuracy

How many steps in a mile: While the above calculation provides a general estimate, it’s important to acknowledge that step count accuracy can vary due to several factors:

Inaccuracy of Fitness Trackers: Fitness trackers and pedometers may not always provide 100%, accurate step counts. They rely on sensors and algorithms to estimate step counts, which can result in occasional discrepancies.

Terrain and Conditions: Walking or running on uneven surfaces or uphill versus downhill can affect stride length and, consequently, the number of steps needed to cover a mile.

Personal Variations: As previously mentioned, individuals’ unique stride lengths and walking or running techniques can lead to deviations from the average step count.

Conclusion

how many steps in a mile: The number of steps in a mile is a popular query among fitness enthusiasts, but the answer isn’t set in stone. While the average estimate suggests around 2,112 steps in a mile, individual differences in stride length and other factors can affect the actual count. It is important to remember that step count serves as a useful tool for tracking progress and encouraging an active lifestyle, but it should be considered alongside other indicators of health and fitness.

Whether you’re aiming for a certain step count or simply trying to incorporate more physical activity into your daily routine, understanding the relationship between steps and distance can help you set realistic goals and monitor your achievements. So, put one foot in front of the other, embrace the journey, and enjoy the benefits of walking or running toward a healthier lifestyle!

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Smart Unified Building Systems

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Since their introduction in the early 2000s, smart commercial tech has continually evolved and improved to provide today’s unified buildings (sometimes called smart buildings). However, designing a system that can automatically adapt to changing occupant loads, foot traffic, and climate controls has proven difficult but possible. The biggest challenges involve connecting multiple systems into a singular monitoring platform and the limited functionality of smart technology applications available on the property.

But, with the constant improvement in building automation systems (BAS), combined with emerging features such as the Building Internet of Things (BIoT), the vision of a unified building is much closer than you realize. Today it’s possible to connect and integrate all your devices, components, and systems to a singular platform for real-time monitoring and adjustments based on changing occupant needs.

Creating a Unified Building System

Depending on your business or industry, your commercial space can utilize more than two dozen different systems, potentially created by up to two dozen other manufacturers. As a result, system integrators and facilities managers using a single platform often need help to incorporate different systems together.

  • Power
  • Plumbing
  • Ventilation
  • Security
  • Public Safety
  • Communication
  • Mechanized systems

Further complicating the process are millions of existing buildings with outdated legacy systems or incompatible systems. With today’s improved sensor technology and a network of embedded sensors (installed during renovation or maintenance work), many older properties can begin to share the benefits of a unified building system. Architects, designers, and contractors should consider technology and products such as:

  • Smart power optimization and regulation
  • Predictive building maintenance
  • Mobile, touchless, and facial recognition systems
  • Occupancy sensors
  • Visitor navigation and wayfinding
  • Smart ventilation and lighting systems

And while full integration won’t happen for some time, those commercial properties that have integrated unified building systems report saving time and money while providing a better experience for tenants and visitors, such as:

  • Stronger security
  • Reduced energy usage
  • Fewer maintenance chores
  • Improved space utilization

Unified Buildings Offer Stronger Security

Facilities managers can incorporate smart technologies to reduce the need for, and the risk to, human security guards while providing a safe and secure environment for tenants or occupants.

BIoT will improve and streamline access control options by leveraging facial recognition systems. As a result, intrusions, attacks, or emergencies can be dealt with quickly and effectively. Additionally, these technologies can distinguish artificial from natural threats, start the evacuation process, and notify the first responders while protecting and monitoring the building’s infrastructure.

Unified Controls Reduce Energy Usage

Occupancy sensors can turn off lights and adjust thermostats when a room or building area is unoccupied. But why stop there?

When integrated with BIoT and AI, a facility manager can identify the peak and off-peak energy costs and adjust additional options, such as shades or screens, to further control lighting and ventilation systems.

Scheduled Maintenance Results in Fewer Chores

Smart buildings can sort and organize real-time data using AI and BIoT to quickly recognize potential issues within infrastructure elements, including public safety, plumbing, and power systems.

Other systems allow facility managers and techs to receive notices when a component requires maintenance, repairs, or replacement. Some programs utilize algorithms to predict servicing or repairs based on usage and performance trends. In comparison, others can automatically order the parts or schedule the repairs from a predetermined vendor list. As a result, a unified building typically avoids the usual breakdowns, downtime, and emergency repair costs compared to buildings with legacy systems in place.

Improved Space Utilization

Thanks to sensor technology, a manager can easily track the actual number of people utilizing a space over an extended time frame or a singular event.

Or by examining foot traffic data, a retail location can make truly informed decisions regarding fixture placement and merchandising options.

Virtually any commercial business or service provider can use this technology to provide a better customer experience, including:

  • Restaurants
  • Hotels/resorts
  • Transportation
  • Medical services
  • Theatres
  • Shopping centers
  • Offices
  • Public buildings

The technology is easily scalable, meaning the systems utilized in a small retail location can also serve a high-rise office building.

The Future of Unified Buildings

As facility managers continue to address new challenges from environmental initiatives, new legislation, and ever-changing consumer demand, those integrating BAS, AI, and the BIoT will be able to achieve the goals of reduced energy consumption and lower operating costs.

And while some compatibility concerns do remain, consumer demand for unified buildings that are safer, more comfortable, and less expensive to operate continues to grow by leaps and bounds.

Learn more about the revolutions  Gridd® Adaptive Cabling Distribution® System from FreeAxez.

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7 Basic Functions of Text Analytics & Text Mining

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Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Text Analytics are branches of artificial intelligence (AI) that help derive insights from text-based data.

It helps explore how each of them will help know the features of natural language processing. Also referred to as text mining, text analytics contributes to the computer science discipline, which is the combination of natural language processing and machine learning. It helps in drawing the meaning from different unstructured text documents. In this article, you will find information about the seven basic functions of text mining and text analytics. This article will help you to get a clear overview of text analytics services and text mining services before you opt for them.

Text analytics engine is known to break down different phrases and sentences before it analyzes anything. Breaking down unstructured text documents into specific components contributes to being an initial step in each NLP feature, including theme extraction, entity recognition, and sentiment analysis.

You should remember that there are seven basic steps involved in the preparation of the unstructured text document to ensure in-depth analysis, which are inclusive of syntax parsing, chunking, parts of the speech tagging, sentence breaking, tokenization, language identification, sentence chaining, to name a few. You should understand that every step is procured between pure software rules and pure machine learning on a wider spectrum.

  • Language identification

The NLP feature stack and text analytics technology of Lexalytics reveal the processing layers. So, every document undergoes transformation to be changed into structured data. The initial step in text analytics is the recognition of the language in which the text is written. Every language comes with its own set of idiosyncrasies.

You should remember that language identification helps in determining the different processes for each text analytics function. Hence, it is crucial to ensure that this sub-function is proper. Lexalytics provides support to 25 different languages, spanning the plethora of alphabets.

  • Tokenization

The majority of text analytics systems depend on different rules-based algorithms, which are useful in tokening different alphabetic languages. But, logographic languages need the use of complicated machine-learning algorithms. Once you are aware of the language in which the text is present, you will be capable of breaking it into different pieces.

You should remember that tokens are recognized as the individual units you are trying to operate. They are known to be phonemes, words, and full sentences. Tokenization contributes to the process to break the text document. Tokens are known to be the only words in text analytics.

The sentence of every ten words comprises ten tokens. Speaking of deeper analytics, it is beneficial in expanding the definition of the token. Such tokens are inclusive of hyperlinks, punctuation, words, and possessive marketers. Tokenization is known to be language-specific. Every language comes with its own set of tokenization needs. The majority of alphabetic languages adopt straightforward conventions, which help in breaking sentences, phrases, and words.

  • Sentence breaking

With the identification of the tokens, you will be capable of telling where the sentences are ending. You should check whether the punctuation is ending in the last sentence. Before you execute the in-depth text analytics functions, you will be capable of telling where the boundaries are present in the sentence. At times, it is a simpler process. There are a plethora of communication channels that are challenging to break down.

  • Parts of the speech tagging

After recognizing and tokenizing the text document language, it is essential to break down different sentences. After this, it is necessary to tag it. Parts of speech tagging contribute to the process to determine different parts of the speech present in the document’s token and tagging it.

Text Analysts make use of PoS tagging, which helps in figuring out if the specific token is the representation of the common noun and the proper noun. Besides this, you need to find if the specific token is the representation of the adjective or verb.

  • Chunking

It is essential to move out to the text analytics function, which is referred to as Chunking. Chunking contributes to the range of different sentence-breaking systems, which are known to splinter the sentence into different component phrases.

  • Syntax parsing

The sub-function syntax parsing contributes to being the option, which helps in determining the sentence structure. Syntax parsing is all about the fancy talk for sentence diagramming. However, it is considered a vital preparatory step to perform sentiment analysis and different natural language processing features.

There are different business enterprises that make use of unsupervised machine learning models, depending on complicated matrix factorization and input words. It helps in understanding the syntax.

  • Sentence chaining

Sentence chaining happens to be the last step that helps prepare the unstructured text to ensure in-depth analysis. There is a wide assortment of business organizations, which use the technique referred to as lexical chaining. It helps in connecting different sentences.

The companies are known to chain the individual links sentences by the association strength of every strength to the whole topic. As the sentences appear in different paragraphs along with the document, you should remember that the lexical chain flows through the document. It is useful to the machine in detecting and diagnosing the overarching topics, thereby quantifying the complete feel.

With the withdrawal of the associations between different sentences, you should perform complicated analyses, such as contrasting and comparing the sentiment scores. It helps in generating long document summaries accurately.

Summary

Natural language processing and text analytics are regarded as ultra-complicated computer science functions, which well-trained data analysts understand. Text analytics contribute to the discipline of computer science, which combines natural language processing and machine learning, which helps in seeking the prerequisite meaning from different unstructured text documents. By utilizing data analytics services, which include all data-related solutions like text analytics and text mining, businesses can acquire insightful information about consumer feedback, market trends, and other crucial information to make data-driven decisions.

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