Lucca Comics & Games, the prestigious festival dedicated to fantasy, provided an ideal backdrop for a thought-provoking discussion with Matthew Mercer, the celebrated voice actor and Dungeon Master of Critical Role. What began as a simple streaming project among friends has evolved into a worldwide cultural sensation, enchanting millions of fans across the globe. With each new campaign, the audience keeps expanding, and with the launch of the group’s novel role-playing game system, its reach is poised to grow even more.

Despite encountering travel setbacks, Matthew Mercer showed up at the press conference brimming with excitement, ready to connect with participants and fully dive into the festival’s lively environment. Commemorating the 10th anniversary of Critical Role, Mercer reminisces about the show’s transformation from its tabletop beginnings into a multimedia giant, featuring an animated series, publishing partnerships, and a video game collaboration. The path has not been without obstacles, as sustaining creative authority amidst swift expansion demands meticulous decision-making.

Mercer’s enthusiasm for Dungeons & Dragons ignited in the late 1990s, an era when nerd culture was not widely embraced. Nowadays, he is amazed by the presence of cosplayers portraying his characters at conventions globally, symbolizing the game’s evolution and broad acceptance. Despite the achievements, Mercer remains approachable and thankful, keen to discuss his creative projects and the encouraging fan base.

In a candid interview, Mercer expresses his astonishment at Critical Role’s success, recognizing the niche appeal of actual play prior to their initiative. The journey of protecting the brand while maneuvering through the entertainment industry has proven both thrilling and intimidating. Nevertheless, the team’s commitment to maintaining the spirit of their creation is unwavering.

Looking back on his connection with Dungeons & Dragons, Mercer fondly remembers his early playing days in high school, when the game was cloaked in myths. His enthusiasm for the game prompted him to introduce it to friends and colleagues, watching them develop a newfound admiration for its creativity and fellowship. Before Critical Role, Mercer championed tabletop RPGs, eager to spread the joy and connection they inspire.

The surprising triumph of Critical Role has enabled Mercer to observe the game’s influence on a global scale. From large cosplay communities to emerging game designers, the community’s expansion fills him with excitement and inspiration. For Mercer, the most fulfilling aspect is hearing how these games have fortified relationships among friends and families, reflecting his own experiences.

As Lucca Comics & Games honors the fantasy genre, Matthew Mercer’s adventure with Critical Role exemplifies the strength of storytelling and the lasting charm of tabletop role-playing games.

Capturing player interest today within the realm of digital entertainment is quite challenging. The abundance of choices often leaves users feeling inundated. Video games excel in mitigating this issue more effectively than other forms of media. They have discovered methods to capture attention and occupy the time of even the most active enthusiasts. This has been facilitated by technological enhancements, audience interaction, and, certainly, gamification strategies. These engaging elements have gained such traction beyond the industry that even services providing [200 free spins no deposit](https://cardmates.co.uk/free-spins/200-free-spins) are attempting to incorporate them. Let’s explore the specific video game strategies that generate excitement.

## Loot Boxes and Their Influence on Player Perspective

Rewards have always drawn in players; however, the notion that cash rewards could serve as such an attraction was unforeseen. Loot boxes stand out as one of the most debated mechanics in contemporary game design. Their core function is that players earn in-game currency through both achievements and setbacks. This currency can be utilized to purchase loot boxes, which have a chance of yielding even more coveted rewards upon opening. The intriguing part is that loot boxes can be acquired not solely with in-game currency, but rather, a random RNG algorithm determines the item awarded to the player.

### Counter Strike 2 – The Originator of Loot Boxes

While the loot box mechanism has existed for some time, it reached its peak prominence in *CS2*. The trend of opening cases with the hope of obtaining legendary skins evolved into a distinct genre of streams. Titles like *Call of Duty* also attempted to mimic this achievement. Ultimately, EA encountered repercussions in several nations. Nonetheless, EA was unable to eclipse the triumph of *CS2*.

## Perfect Parries as the Route to Triumph

Souls-like games demand utmost concentration, movement precision, and optimal builds from participants. The game and company From Software birthed this genre. The *Dark Souls* series set the standard for genuine difficulty. Nevertheless, a different title initiated another revolution in gaming, bestowing rewards upon players for timely responses.

The concept of parrying bears significant resemblance to timing-based game mechanics. Players must hit the button at the right moment to evade an enemy’s strike and redirect its force against it. Nowadays, most fresh titles, from *Lies of P* to *Ghost of Yotei*, incorporate this mechanic. Yet, one specific project propelled it to immense popularity and desire: *Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice*.

### Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – The Roots of Parrying

Sekiro’s parrying system exemplifies Miyazaki’s ingenuity in advancing game design. He deconstructed his effective systems from two prior series. This audacious decision crafted something wholly original and inventive. Parrying in *Sekiro* is contingent upon exact timing and visual signals. Players must observe indicators and attack colors, making frenzied decisions. To secure victory, one needs to “calculate” the precise moment and hit the correct buttons; voila! This is quite daunting: even the most adept foes succumb to well-timed parries and blocks. Misdirected inputs result in quick defeat, much like missed opportunities. The system rewards accuracy and penalizes indecision with instant repercussions.

## Leaderboards on the Server & the Quest for Dominance

Even though the peak of MMO games has passed, leaderboard mechanisms remain vibrant. Such tables are present in *Dark Souls 2* and even in Steam achievements. The urge to showcase ‘I am the greatest’ drives countless gamers back to the titles. The same framework is employed in e-sports arenas like *Dota 2* and *CS2*, which have refined and complicated these systems. Concurrently, the origins of this mechanism trace back to Cataclysm and Pandaria, namely *World of Warcraft*.

### World Of Warcraft – A Source of Inspiration for Leaderboard Systems

*WoW* stands out as one of the earliest MMO games ever developed. It is arguably the most successful in history. Throughout the decades, the project has experienced numerous updates. Countless books have been authored based on this game. Iconic memes have emerged, inspired by *WoW’s* universe and narrative. A film was even produced about this legendary title. Many games conclude upon reaching the highest level, whereas in *WoW*, everything merely commences thereafter.

Players must refine their abilities to attain excellence. They are required to engage in PvP contests on the server. Victorious outcomes in these contests yield valuable rankings for users. Each triumph advances players in the leaderboard. This system initiated a trend that has transcended gaming boundaries. Leaderboards are now commonplace on various gaming and entertainment platforms.

## Key Gamification Instruments: What Video Game Players Can Expect

The video game sector has leveraged numerous tools to maintain player involvement. Not every gamification tool yields effective results. The option to send messages

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At one point, storytelling was rooted in the realm of brush strokes and film reels. Nowadays, algorithms share the creative landscape equally. The role of artificial intelligence has gradually shifted from back-end assistance to front-end artistic expression. It enhances the visuals of films and photographs – even crafting realms that never were.

Across movie sets and digital studios, AI acts not as a shortcut but as a creative collaborator. It has the ability to fill in empty pixels, generate faces from rough sketches, and produce effects that previously needed large teams. It paves the way for a new genre of visual narratives, created more swiftly, yet often just as impactful.

## How AI Influences Contemporary Creativity

Groundbreaking technology has always progressed alongside human creativity. From Photoshop to 3D design, artists have long depended on software to manifest their ideas. However, with artificial intelligence comes an additional factor to creativity. It learns from countless examples, identifying patterns in style, emotion, and movement. It doesn’t just follow directives; it anticipates what might resonate emotionally.

In any artistic field, this technology is reshaping the limits of what’s possible. Photographers, illustrators, and digital creators now delve into identity, transformation, and emotion in ways that were once beyond imagination. The emergence of [face swap AI](https://icons8.com/swapper) illustrates how algorithms can creatively merge human expressions to craft entirely new aesthetic images, sometimes art, sometimes to challenge the concept of authenticity.

### Areas Where AI Makes a Significant Creative Difference

This trend isn’t about substituting human creativity – it’s about expanding it. With a mindful approach, AI should serve as a creative ally rather than a substitute, a tool that perceives challenges differently and encourages artists to step beyond their usual boundaries. Today, AI tools support creators across various fields:

– **Photography:** Refining lighting, tone, and composition with nuanced precision.
– **Digital artistry:** Providing color schemes and stylistic options in mere seconds.
– **Marketing:** Tailoring campaigns to align with cultural and emotional contexts.
– **Film pre-production:** Producing quick concept art and storyboards for mood setting and framing.

The more artists explore, the clearer it becomes: AI isn’t diminishing creativity – it’s introducing a new lexicon.

## Filmmaking Transformed: When Algorithms Become Part of the Team

From the inception of digital cameras to the latest virtual productions, filmmaking has continually welcomed innovation. Yet artificial intelligence takes this further into the creative sphere. Filmmakers can visualize entire scenes with AI assistance. It can analyze light movement across an actor’s face or predict crowd behavior in conflict scenes. Algorithms employed in post-production are used to remedy flawed footage or synchronize dialogue. Even deepfake technology, while controversial, has found legitimate artistic use in documentaries to restore lost history; in dramas, to depict natural aging of characters. In skilled hands, AI doesn’t distort reality – it enhances the authenticity of cinema.

## AI in Gaming and Virtual Worlds

The gaming sector has transformed into a haven for AI-driven narratives. Beyond procedural level generation, AI now crafts characters that emotionally respond to player decisions. Their eyes blink realistically, their facial expressions register tension, and their voices adapt to emotional shifts.

Game studios are employing AI tools to quickly prototype environments in days, not months. Artists can experiment with visual concepts without needing to painstakingly create every element. In indie gaming communities, this leads to greater experimentation – games that feel intimate, hand-drawn, and vibrant.

At its finest, AI doesn’t diminish creativity; it multiplies it. It empowers smaller teams to achieve cinematic levels and provides players with narratives that offer endless replayability.

## The Ethics of Artificial Creativity

AI-generated narratives have emerged as a creative entity in the gaming industry. Beyond generating procedural levels, AI is now creating characters that react emotionally to player choices. Their eyes display realism and their expressions or voices shift with emotions. Other applications of AI tools in game development facilitate the swift creation of simulated environments in days, unlike the lengthy processes of the past.

Artists no longer need to painstakingly detail every aspect to test their ideas before transforming them into artworks. This leads to a broader range of experimentation in indie spheres – games that are personal, hand-crafted, and lifelike. At its pinnacle, AI doesn’t undermine creativity – it enhances it. It allows smaller teams to create at a cinematic scale and provides players with stories that feel perpetually fresh.

### Questions We Cannot Overlook

The most urgent issues include:

– **Authenticity:** How much human influence defines a “genuine” artwork?
– **Ownership:** Who holds the rights to an AI-generated image?
– **Representation:** Can algorithms inadvertently replicate bias or exclusion?
– **Transparency:** Should creators reveal when AI contributes to their work?

Ultimately, these inquiries aim to steer progress rather than hinder it. Ethics in digital creation have continually evolved with technology – from photography to

The rise of large-language models in the past three years has sparked both enthusiasm and concern among universities. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and numerous smaller systems can produce acceptable essays in mere seconds, compelling educators to rapidly reconsider their plagiarism policies. Consequently, a new ecosystem of “AI detectors” has emerged, software designed to detect machine-generated text and uphold academic integrity.

However, the situation is more complex than marketing claims suggest. Accuracy rates vary significantly across different fields, false positives can negatively impact honest students, and institutional guidelines often lag behind technological advancements. This article explores the functioning of these detectors, identifies the leading products in educational settings, and examines how to utilize them responsibly without transforming teaching into a digital cat-and-mouse pursuit.

## How AI Detectors Function

Most detection engines depend on statistical fingerprints instead of insider knowledge of an author’s identity. When a student submits a paper, and educators [verify if the text is AI-generated](https://smodin.io/ai-content-detector), the system divides the writing into tokens and processes them through language-model probes that assess perplexity (how unexpected each word is to the model) and burstiness (the variability of surprise). Human writing, particularly from novices, typically features unpredictable phrasing, minor grammatical oddities, and topic deviations that elevate perplexity. In contrast, AI systems designed for fluency produce more consistent curves. Detectors flag sections where the curves appear “too flawless.”

Moreover, contemporary tools incorporate semantic checks. They analyze a paper’s structure against millions of recognizable AI outputs and look for tell-tale patterns, generic introductions (“In today’s society…”), repetitive transitions, and citation formats that seem artificially generated. Certain vendors, such as GPTZero and Turnitin’s AI Score, even include watermark tests: brief sequences of tokens intentionally embedded by model providers to assist in identifying synthetic text.

### Reasons for Varying Accuracy

No detector observes the author composing in real-time, making all decisions probabilistic estimates. Accuracy hinges on three elements: the length of the sample (short discussion posts are difficult to assess), the training data utilized by the detector, and whether the student edited the AI-generated draft. At the same time, heavily refined text may evade detection due to the reintroduction of human fingerprints into the writing. This explains why two reviewers using different tools on the same assignment can come to disparate conclusions.

## Leading Tools on Campus in 2025

Three platforms are predominant in North American and European institutions, each presenting unique advantages:

– Turnitin AI. Integrated into various LMS environments, based on a GPT-4 framework. Offers inline highlights and a singular “Overall AI” percentage.

– GPTZero. Originally a free web application, now provides institutional dashboards. Focuses on transparency with sentence-level perplexity displays.

– Originality.ai. Favored by publishers and SEO teams. Allows batch scanning of URLs and Google Docs.

– Smodin. Promoted as an “all-in-one” writing solution, it supplies both an AI Content Detector and an “Undetectable AI” paraphraser, positioning itself on opposing ends of the chessboard.

Smodin’s detector marks sentences it suspects are AI-generated, similar to Turnitin’s approach. However, the same platform also offers an AI Humanizer and AI Detection Remover designed to bypass detection. From a commercial perspective, this addresses demand, while from an ethical standpoint, it complicates policy formation. Institutions that endorse Smodin exclusively for detection should clarify that its rewriting features could breach honor codes if employed to conceal authorship. Clear communication in course syllabi can avert misunderstandings.

### Quick Overview Comparison

While each provider advocates for distinct metrics, a practical benchmark is “usable accuracy,” the proportion of instances where a busy instructor can trust the flag without manual verification. By this standard, Smodin and GPTZero linger around 85%, with Copyleaks trailing at 80%. The figures are promising, yet they still suggest that approximately one in five flags could mislead if taken at face value.

## Major Risks and Constraints

The most perilous misunderstanding is that detectors provide courtroom-ready evidence. They do not. The output of a detector is an educated guess, significant only when paired with human evaluation. False positives frequently accumulate in two scenarios: writing by non-native English speakers and highly formulaic tasks (lab reports, legal documents) that inherently display low perplexity. Conversely, false negatives often occur when students utilize paraphrasing tools or manually reword an AI draft to reintroduce stylistic variability.

Another limitation is dataset drift. Large language models advance every six months; detectors trained on GPT-4 outputs may struggle with data from the more advanced GPT-5-Turbo or open-source Mixtral v1.3. Vendors issue weekly model updates, yet universities rarely refresh policies at the same rate, causing confusion regarding which version was used to evaluate a submission.

Lastly, privacy continues to be a murky issue. Some detectors transmit all submissions to cloud servers for analysis, which raises concerns regarding compliance with FERPA.

At Lucca Comics & Games 2025, the minds behind *Stranger Things* along with several cast members graced the stage for a Q&A session in the historic Teatro del Giglio, just before the season 5 Netflix premiere. This marks a return of *Stranger Things* to Lucca, yet it’s the inaugural instance of having any cast members present, and the fortified city was filled with fans eager to catch a glimpse of the team.

Festival director Emanuele Vietina, a devoted fan of *Stranger Things*, moderated the panel for the Italian audience. The lineup featured *Stranger Things* creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, alongside the primary four boys: Gaten Matarazzo, portraying Dustin, Finn Wolfhard as Mike, Caleb McLaughlin appearing as Lucas, and Noah Schnapp in the role of Will. While attendees may have been hoping for tantalizing insights into the final season of *Stranger Things*, the panel resembled a reunion of colleagues who have spent years together, reminiscing with a mix of nostalgia and slight melancholy.

These young actors have genuinely grown up on the set of *Stranger Things* over the past ten years, transitioning from young teens to their 20s. Many anecdotes shared focused on how the show influenced their lives while growing up. Noah Schnapp reflected, “I believe everything made an impact on me in various ways,” and proceeded to narrate a touching story about his co-star and former child actor, Winona Ryder, who guided him as he faced challenges with emotional scenes on set:

“The first occasion I did it, I distinctly recall being extremely anxious, and there was immense pressure to deliver tears and perfection. I remember messaging Winona, saying, ‘Hi, I understand you were a child actor, and if you could assist me in figuring this out, I don’t wish to bother you.’ I was scrolling through our texts recently, and she was incredibly kind and supportive.

“The scene that holds the most significance, oddly enough, is the initial scene we shot, which is the boys engaged in Dungeons & Dragons in the basement…”

She sent a lengthy response, ‘Don’t worry, sweetie, we can excuse you from school, or we can sit together for 15 minutes. Come into my trailer; we’ll ensure it’s comfortable.’ She was consistently generous and attentive, ensuring that we, as kids, felt at ease. It wasn’t just about me, but all of us.

And I vividly remember that initial scene. She offered advice, shared how she uses her hands, where she allows herself to be open and vulnerable, and how she listens to music. I just followed her lead, and it felt so natural and easy to connect with her. Since that moment, she has been an absolute pleasure to collaborate with and has become like a second mother to me.”

Caleb McLaughlin also expressed his feelings on stage, revealing how he grew alongside his *Stranger Things* character, Lucas, and how their journeys intertwined, permitting him to infuse his own life experiences into his role. “In season four, I noticed how Lucas’s storyline reflected my own life. Watching the seasons, I thought, ‘Were Matt and Ross observing my life?’ It felt as though they were capturing my experience during a formative time when I was seeking to understand myself.

He elaborated on how his role facilitated his growth beyond *Stranger Things*, stating, “I thought, ‘Perhaps I should pursue something different and explore new avenues.’ I believe many can identify with that. For me as an actor, that season was instrumental in my personal development and performance. It significantly aided my decision-making process.”

Even the Duffer Brothers engaged with the emotional core, discussing how crafting the show required them to invest a part of themselves into the narrative. Ross Duffer articulated, “When we conceived the show, much of it stemmed from our experiences… However, for us, it was about encapsulating the sensations we felt as children, which involved friends and the challenges of growing up.”

Ross continued, highlighting that *Stranger Things* was inspired not solely by their childhood but also by elements that shaped them, “Furthermore, it encompassed the narratives we were exposed to as we grew up. While recounting our childhood experiences, we also needed to incorporate…

In moments when every moment is crucial, a sluggish connection can transform triumph into exasperation. Whether you’re delving into expansive open worlds, striving in ranked contests, or broadcasting your gameplay in real-time, your internet speed can either enhance or ruin the experience. But what does “adequately fast” truly entail in the context of gaming?

In the following sections, we’ll explore the actual speed you require, why consistency often outweighs mere numbers, and how crucial fast internet has become not only for conventional gaming but also for digital entertainment.

The Significance of High-Speed Internet

A quick, stable connection is fundamental to contemporary gaming. It goes beyond simply downloading hefty files or updates; it’s about instantaneous interaction. Each time you shoot, dodge, or maneuver in a multiplayer game, that data must swiftly travel to a server and back without delay. The more fluid the interaction, the fairer and more satisfying your game experience will be.

This same concept holds true for various other digital experiences that depend on accuracy and immediacy. Streaming services demand a flawless connection to prevent films and television programs from buffering, and the same applies to music or podcast streaming. In online gaming, speed is vital, not just for gameplay but also for in-game transactions.

Numerous current online casino platforms now offer same day withdrawals, granting users access to their winnings within hours instead of days. With reliable payment systems and stricter verification processes, players benefit from quicker access to their funds and an overall more fluid experience. Nevertheless, just as a low-latency connection keeps gamers in the game, a rapid connection is crucial for ensuring these transactions are swift and for keeping digital entertainment seamless and free of stress.

Ultimately, high-speed internet is not solely about velocity; it’s also about maintaining flow. When each click, wager, or action occurs without pause, you retain control over your experience.

What Speed Is Truly Necessary?

When individuals inquire about the optimal speed their internet should have for gaming, they are often surprised to discover that bandwidth (measured in megabits per second, or Mbps) isn’t the primary concern. Most online games consume minimal data, typically around 1–5 Mbps during active gameplay. What is most crucial is latency, frequently referred to as ping.

Ping gauges the interval it takes for your action to reach the game server and receive a response. Anything below 50 milliseconds is deemed excellent; 50–100 ms is standard; and anything over 150 ms, you’ll start noticing lag. Picture pressing a button to shoot in a first-person shooter and the bullet registers half a second later; that’s the result of elevated latency.

However, bandwidth is still significant if you’re gaming while streaming, downloading updates, or sharing your internet with others. For a solo player, 25 Mbps usually suffices. For families or shared living spaces utilizing multiple devices, aim for 100 Mbps or higher. This ensures that everyone can game, stream, or video chat without hindrances.

The Impact of Stability and Ping in Competitive Gaming

In competitive gaming, whether it’s Fortnite, Valorant, or FIFA, consistency is paramount. A fleeting internet disruption or latency spike can result in missing a pivotal moment. That’s why professionals and streamers frequently utilize wired Ethernet connections rather than Wi-Fi, which can be impacted by interference.

Consider it akin to a live concert feed: even a tiny delay between audio and video disrupts the rhythm. The same principle applies to gaming. High ping can cause a mismatch between what you see and what’s occurring in real time, granting opponents an unjust advantage.

Some gamers invest in gaming routers or Quality-of-Service (QoS) settings that prioritize gaming traffic. Others choose fibre-optic connections, providing lower latency and symmetrical upload/download speeds, ideal for live streaming on platforms like Twitch or YouTube.

Downloading, Streaming, and Cloud Gaming

While gameplay itself doesn’t

Nintendo is preparing to enhance its footprint in the film sector with a calculated strategy to launch video game adaptation films more regularly. This initiative comes in the wake of the expected releases of “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” and “The Legend of Zelda.” In a recent financial briefing, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa highlighted the company’s dedication to creating a consistent release timeline for these films. This move is motivated by the exceptional success of the 2023 blockbuster, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Nintendo’s main objective remains to “create smiles through entertainment,” placing greater importance on the development of its intellectual properties and family involvement over box office performance.

The forthcoming “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is anticipated to be a significant highlight, with its first teaser already released for public viewing. Nintendo Pictures, the animation studio responsible for initiatives like the “Pikmin” animated short “Close to You,” was established in 2022 to aid these film projects. Moreover, Nintendo Stars, a recently created subsidiary, aspires to explore inventive methods to utilize Nintendo’s cherished characters through licensing and secondary applications.

Nintendo’s role in the film production process is notable, with Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario, acting as a co-producer alongside Chris Meledandri from Illumination. This proactive approach signifies a shift from previous projects such as “The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!” from 1989.

Looking forward, the “The Legend of Zelda” movie adaptation is scheduled for a 2027 premiere. Nintendo has indicated that two additional film projects are in progress, demonstrating a long-term investment in the film industry. With these initiatives, Nintendo is set to leave a significant mark on the realm of cinematic entertainment.

It’s time for People Magazine to select another Sexiest Man Alive for 2025, and this year, their pick is Wicked and Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey.

The annual custom of People Magazine naming the “Sexiest Man Alive” has continued for 2025, and they have selected a new winner. The magazine’s choice was revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last night, and the honor for 2025 goes to Wicked and Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey. Bailey takes the esteemed title from The Office star and A Quiet Place Director, John Krasinski, who received the accolade in 2024. Jonathan Bailey is best recognized for his roles in Bridgerton and Wicked, but he has also made his mark in gaming, portraying the beloved character G’raha Tia (and later, the Crystal Exarch) in Final Fantasy XVI.

Upon accepting the award, Jonathan Bailey stated, “It’s a huge honour,” adding, “Obviously, I’m incredibly flattered. And it’s completely absurd.” The star is the first openly gay individual to be awarded this title, and Bailey described the acknowledgment as “the honour of a lifetime,” to Jimmy Fallon. Jonathan Bailey speaks candidly about being a gay actor, and he has established The Shameless Fund, which aims to support other LGBTQ+ organizations and non-profits through creative partnerships.

The Shameless Fund charity was established in 2024, and Bailey remarked, “I know the LGBT sector is under immense threat at the moment.” He continued with, “So it’s been amazing to meet people who have the expertise and see potential that I could have only dreamed of.” Bailey joins a 40-year legacy of ‘sexiest men alive,’ starting with the inaugural Sexiest Man Alive, Mel Gibson, in 1985.

Other previous honorees include Brad Pitt, George Clooney, John F. Kennedy Jr., David Beckham, Michael B. Jordan, John Legend, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Rudd, Pierce Brosnan, John Krasinski, Chris Evans, and Patrick Dempsey. Jonathan Bailey shares the list with two Avengers, James Bond, and the President of the US. The Bailey People Magazine cover will be available Friday, featuring Bailey’s dog, Benson, alongside him.

Jonathan Bailey reprises his role as Fiyero in his upcoming film, Wicked: For Good, which is set to release in theaters on November 21.

**Ben Starr Returns to Portray Jimbo in New Balatro Calendar**

In a delightful homage to the Balatro realm, Ben Starr has reprised his legendary role as Jimbo, the cherished mascot of the game, in a fresh 12-month calendar. This distinctive calendar, showcasing an array of Jokers from the game, is a partnership involving LocalThunk, Playstack, Fangamer, and Starr himself. Recognized for his roles in various promotional content, such as the “Friends of Jimbo” trailer, Starr’s participation stems purely from his passion for the Balatro universe, as affirmed by LocalThunk and Playstack.

The calendar serves not only as a collector’s item for enthusiasts but also as a philanthropic effort. All proceeds from Playstack and LocalThunk will be allocated to SpecialEffect and Extra Life. SpecialEffect is acclaimed for its efforts in improving the lives of those with physical disabilities through technology, while Extra Life provides essential healthcare funding to local member hospitals. Furthermore, Fangamer will donate $5 for every calendar sold through its store.

Additionally, Balatro has embarked on a crossover with the popular title Vampire Survivors. The update, named “The Ante Chamber,” is available at no cost and brings four new characters, including Jimbo, into the roguelike mayhem of Survivors.

The Balatro calendar can be exclusively purchased on Fangamer for $19 and is currently available. Fans of the game and advocates for the charities can buy it to relish a year of Jimbo and the Jokers while supporting significant causes.