**King of Meat: Glowmade’s Challenges and Impending Job Cuts**

Developer Glowmade is preparing for major shifts in the upcoming year, as reports reveal that the studio intends to lay off “approximately a dozen individuals” at the start of next year. This choice follows the release of their multiplayer party game, *King of Meat*, which debuted on Steam just two months ago but has struggled to achieve essential player engagement metrics. Originally targeting a concurrent player base of 100,000, the game reached a peak of only 320 players on PC, failing to sustain even 1,000 players across all platforms.

Numerous developers from Glowmade have recently turned to LinkedIn to declare their pursuit of new job prospects. Glowmade, a studio located in the U.K., launched *King of Meat* in October with support from Amazon Game Studios. Conversations regarding potential layoffs started in early December, despite prior assurances from management that the studio had “the runway to keep going.”

Amazon Game Studios first revealed in 2021 its collaboration with Glowmade to enhance its publishing initiatives, focusing on an investment in what was characterized as “exciting new IP.” At that time, Glowmade had a team consisting of 25 staff members, reflecting their aim to develop innovative gaming experiences.

Even with a substantial marketing push surrounding *King of Meat*, which included a notable appearance with the animated version of Geoff Keighley at Gamescom 2024 and a prominent video from content creator MrBeast, the game has not gained lasting traction. The promotional activities, which featured a large-scale event with many content creators and a considerable cash prize, ultimately did not convert into ongoing player interest, as evidenced by the game’s recent 24-hour peak on Steam being just 23 players.

In conclusion, Glowmade’s *King of Meat*, despite lofty ambitions and ample marketing resources, has not connected with players as anticipated. The forthcoming layoffs herald a tough time for the studio as it reevaluates its strategies and course after the game’s underwhelming launch. With the gaming community observing closely, it remains uncertain how Glowmade will steer through this challenging environment and what the future entails for its development initiatives.

**McDonald’s AI-Created Christmas Advertisement: A Disputed Holiday Promo**

Earlier this month, McDonald’s Netherlands unveiled a Christmas advertisement produced with AI generation tools that swiftly attracted negative feedback online. The ad, designed to connect with audiences during the festive season, showcased various AI-generated scenes highlighting the less favorable experiences tied to the celebrations. Regrettably, its execution was lacking, resulting in its ultimate withdrawal following public outrage.

This move into AI marketing by McDonald’s mirrors a similar experiment by Coca-Cola, which also ventured into AI-generated ads. The Christmas commercial sought to offer a humorous perspective on the difficulties of the holiday season but ultimately fell short due to its evident dependence on artificial intelligence, which diminished the overall viewing pleasure.

The advertisement was first shared on platforms like YouTube, but after facing considerable backlash, the fast-food chain removed it entirely from the web. Before its deletion, McDonald’s had already turned off comments on the ad to limit negative reactions.

The studio behind the advertisement, Sweetshop, asserted that they devoted seven weeks to meticulously crafting the project, utilizing a broad range of advanced methods and technologies. In a now-removed statement, the studio detailed their complex process, which included the use of Google Earth plates, style transfer, and extensive editing in an effort to produce what they deemed a top-tier cinematic experience.

Despite their assertions of purposeful artistry behind the AI-generated material, many viewers deemed the final output unattractive and disjointed. The combination of highly advanced digital techniques with the ad’s mediocre visual quality fostered doubt regarding the efficacy of AI in creative fields.

The conversation surrounding this advertisement provokes inquiries about the function of technology in marketing and storytelling. While the idea of employing AI can be viewed as groundbreaking, the result stood as a cautionary tale about the potential drawbacks of embracing novel approaches without necessary human supervision. Critics argue that conventional filmmaking methods, which incorporate human skill and creativity, could be more effective than relying exclusively on artificial intelligence.

In closing, McDonald’s venture into AI-generated marketing has turned out to be an unfortunate blunder, igniting discussions about the future of commercial creativity. This incident illustrates the persistent challenge of harmonizing technological progress with authentic artistic expression, particularly in an industry so centered on audience engagement as advertising.

Apple seldom reduces prices on its products, particularly soon after their release, but this year, Amazon is leading the way with considerable discounts on items such as the AirPods Pro 3, perfectly timed for the holiday season. These third-generation AirPods Pro are available for $219, down from the standard $249, matching the lowest prices recorded during Black Friday. While previous versions like the AirPods Pro 2 might attract buyers because of their lower cost, the enhancements in the AirPods Pro 3, driven by Apple Intelligence, offer essential improvements that can significantly elevate the user experience.

### Efficient Noise Cancellation

The AirPods Pro 3 claims to block double the noise of the Pro 2 model, effectively muting distractions like subway noises, airplane sounds, and café conversations. This is accomplished through active noise cancellation that adapts dynamically to the distinct shape of your ear canals and the ear tips’ fit. To enhance this experience, the new version comes with five ear tip sizes, enabling a tailored fit that greatly enhances sound isolation and bass output.

Additionally, the audio experience has been revamped to create what Apple refers to as “three-dimensional sound.” This establishes an auditory landscape where music feels as though it’s enveloping the listener instead of merely coming from the earbuds. With enriched bass depth and clarity in mid to high frequencies, listeners can truly savor each element of intricate musical compositions. The spatial audio feature, equipped with dynamic head tracking, guarantees that sound sources remain anchored in relation to devices like iPhones or iPads, enriching the experience during movies or gaming.

### Health and Fitness Features

A notable feature of the AirPods Pro 3 is its ability to sense heart rates. This turns the earbuds into fitness partners, enabling users to monitor heart rate and calorie burn across 50 types of physical activities. The data syncs with the Activity app on the iPhone, contributing to daily activity stats and providing valuable insights through the new Workout Buddy feature powered by Apple Intelligence.

Moreover, the Live Translation feature utilizes Apple Intelligence for real-time language processing, allowing for naturally flowing translations during conversations. This feature removes the necessity for a different translation app while traveling, enabling effortless communication in various languages. The Active Hearing Protection feature tracks ambient noise levels and adjusts the volume accordingly to prevent potential harm from loud surroundings, such as bustling streets or concerts.

### Hearing Aid Functionality

The AirPods Pro 3 also functions as a clinical-grade hearing aid, utilizing the snug fit and sophisticated noise processing technologies. It boasts an automatic Conversation Boost feature that enhances speech frequencies for improved clarity. Users can even perform a hearing test at home via their iPhone, leading to customized audio profiles for enriched listening experiences.

Battery life is commendable, providing eight hours of use with active noise cancellation engaged and up to ten hours when using Transparency mode and hearing aid features.

### Conclusion

The chance to buy AirPods Pro 3 at a lower price is significant, as Apple products typically maintain their full price shortly after launch. This season, Amazon’s price matching offers a unique opportunity for consumers to acquire premium earbuds that serve as fitness trackers, translation tools, and high-fidelity audio devices all in one. The array of features available makes the purchase worthwhile, particularly in anticipation of the holidays.

For those interested, you can check the offer on Amazon [here](https://shop.kotaku.com/go/4214/).