An AI Dark Horse Is Rewriting the Rules of Game Design

The video game Valorant, a fast-paced team-based shooter, has recently become a testing ground for a promising new direction in artificial intelligence research. The game’s developers at Riot Games (a Tencent subsidiary) are using 3D-native AI models to prototype new characters, scenes, and storylines, according to a researcher familiar with the company’s efforts who spoke…

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10 Cheap Cars That CR Recommends

To help members find the best car at the lowest cost, we analyzed the average transaction price for new cars using national data from TrueCar, a CR partner, and sorted all models based on their selling price. These 10 models all meet our stringent standards for road-test performance, owner satisfaction, reliability, and safety to be…

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Best Paper Plates

Although I don’t recommend switching entirely to paper plates because they are not as environmentally friendly as reusable ones, they are great for when you’re hosting a large group and want to minimize post-event cleanup. If you’re planning to skip the dishes for events, holidays, or any time, really, consider our recommendations for the best…

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How to Apply Wood Stain

These extra steps, taken before you even open the can, will help make your stain go on more easily and help ensure a frustration-free experience and seamless results. Sand the wood, starting with coarse-grit sandpaper. You can use a belt or orbiting sander, but renting a drum sander may be more effective for very large…

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Talking Cars 489: Best & Worst Cars of 2025

Main theme: Following our year-end tradition, we present our own version of “Wrapped” by gathering a wide range of staffers at CR’s Auto Test Center to share their picks for the best and worst cars that Consumer Reports tested in 2025! This goes beyond our usual podcast panelists, sharing a look behind the scenes while giving…

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