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Round Up: Every Switch Announcement At Future Games Show Gamescom 2023

Future Games Show At Gamescom 2023
Image: Nintendo Life

Returning to Gamescom 2023 is GamesRadar’s Future Games Show. Following on from its showing during Summer Game Fest, Future Games Show @ Gamescom 2023 was full of an eclectic variety of titles — many of which are coming to both PC and Switch.

The showcase was hosted by voice actors Troy Baker (The Last of Us) and Erika Ishii (Apex Legends), and with plenty to run through, we’re just going to jump straight into things — here’s every game coming to Nintnedo Switch that was featured in the Future Games Show @Gamescom 2023 showcase.

You can watch the full 90-minute showcase over on the official FGS YouTube channel, or if you don’t fancy that, we’ve got you sorted.

Every Switch Game Announcement & Update

Blasphemous 2 – 24th August 2023

The launch trailer for Blasphemous 2 looks decidedly disturbing. The game is out tomorrow on Switch, and we’ve already spent time with the game. In short, we loved it. Check out our review:

AK-xolotl – 14th September 2023

AK-xolotl might look cute, but it’s a brutal bullet hell roguelike where the one who weilds the gun just happens to be adorable. The game finally has a release date on Switch — 14th September 2023.

Bloomtown: A Different Story – Q2 2024

Blending all sorts of classic RPGs with modern tropes, Bloomtown: A Different Story looks like a blast. Save a suburban town from a demon invasion and tame your own demons to boot. Blending EarthBound, Persona, and Pokémon, this turn-based JRPG launches next year on Switch.

The Last Faith – November 2023

The Last Faith’s gory concoction of Soulslike and Metroidvania may not be unique, but this game looks absolutely stunning. Originally slated for an October release, today’s new trailer revealed we’ll need to wait an extra month to tackle the demons. The game now launches in November, but if you’re impatient, there’s a free beta test on Steam right now.

It’s a Wrap! – 31st August 2023

Well, that was quick! It’s a Wrap’s Switch version was announced earlier this month, and it turns out, it’s also coming out this month — the last day of the month, that is. The game is out now on PC, so if you’re grabbing this on Switch, you’ve got time to get ready for the director’s chair.

Phantom Spark – TBA

Speeding onto Switch and PC, Phantom Spark is a time trial racer set in the future. Maybe this will scratch our F-Zero itch? This was our first look at the upcoming race, and it looks smooth as heck — we hope that’ll carry over to the Switch version.

Super Adventure Hand – 2023

Glover might have a run for his money, here — Super Adventure Hand had a snipped during the Ones to Play montage, meaning there’s a demo available on Steam right now.

Afterdream – 28th September 2023

A release date for Afterdream was revealed earlier today, but Future Games Show gave us another quick look at this surreal horror adventure. Give the demo a whirl on Steam.

CLeM – Q4 2023

We only got a brief glimpse of this from the Ones to Play Montage, but Clem is a quirky-looking puzzle game where you need to escape. It’s weird, wonderful, and pretty darn dark, too. You can find out more by checking out the game’s demo on Steam.

Warframe – Out Now

Warframe still has plenty to give. We’ll be getting more news on the free-to-play action shooter on 26th August at Tennocon 2023, and this teaser trailer gives us a sneak peek at what’s in store.

Wild Country – TBA

Giving card towers a whole new meaning, Wild Country blends city building with card battles. But the main takeaway is that all of the residents and characters are cute little critters. No release date has been given for this game, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for it for sure.

Ravenswatch – 2024

Ravenswatch is currently in Early Access on PC right now, but the Switch version is coming in 2024. The co-op action roguelite looks stunning in motion and features characters based on popular fairy tales. The Shores of Storm Island update is coming in September in Early Access, but we’ve got a bit longer to wait for the full game.

Symphonia – 2024

While Symphonia wasn’t specified for Switch, “PC and consoles” is good enough for us with this gorgeous-looking musical platformer. Use your violin to restore life to the world and power machinery to help you explore this steampunk-looking world.

Dome-King Cabbage – TBA

One of the highlights of the show for us was Dome-King Cabbage, which does absolutely what it says on the tin — surrealism. This is a visual novel set in the world of a monster-collecting RPG. The game has been in development for PC for a while, but we now know it’s coming to Switch too.

What was your favourite trailer or reveal at the Future Games Show @ Gamescom 2023? Vote in our poll below and share your thoughts in the comments.

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Dome-King Cabbage Is A Visual Novel That’s Just As Bizarre As Its Title Suggests

What do you think a video game called Dome-King Cabbage is about? If you said farming sim, you’re wrong. If you said survival game… you’re also wrong. The title doesn’t really give anything away, but it also gives everything away — it’s really darn weird.

Dome-King Cabbage is a visual novel which takes place inside a monster-collecting RPG. Main character Mush is trying to become the ‘Dome-King’ and, in order to prepare for this job interview, uses their experience in monster-collecting to view the world through the lens of this beloved RPG. The trailer, above, is psychadelic, and it shows off the many strange choices you’ll have to make along the way to getting your new job.

Dome-King Cabbage has been in development for years by one person — Joe Buchholz, also known as Cobysoft Joe from Cobysoft Co. It won the gold prize at TyranoBuilder’s Spring Game Jam and IGN Japan’s Media Showcase Award.

Here are a few details from the game’s Steam page:

Dome-King Cabbage is an award-winning visual novel about a cloud-person named Mush nervously making their way to a job interview. Mush has to grapple with their ability to perceive the world through the lens of a monster-collecting RPG.

After getting in tune with their newfound extrasensory powers, Mush is drawn to Crumb Island, an elusive site where they can get the enigmatic title of “Dome-King.”

The narrative is told through an unmistakable, perception-bending style by the solo-developer Cobysoft Joe. Dome-King Cabbage is a vibrant collection of psychedelic visuals, warbled beats, and colorful stories that connect in a harmonious way because of this singular vision.

It looks like nothing else we’ve ever seen before, blending JRPG-style pixel art scenes, clay modelling, lo-fi beats and neon and pastel colours for what we think will be an emotive, unusual experience.

Dome-King Cabbage is coming to Switch alongside PC, though no release date has been announced yet. What do you think of think of the game? Let us know in the comments.

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Turn-Based RPG ‘Bloomtown: A Different Story’ Blends Monster Taming With 1960s Americana

What do you get if you cross EarthBound with Pokémon? Something like Bloomtown: A Different Story, we imagine. Developed by Different Sense Games and Lazy Bear Games, this turn-based JRPG-inspired adventure is coming to Switch Q2 2024, and it looks pretty darn amazing.

The game was first revealed during Summer Game Fest 2023, but publisher Twin Sails gave the upcoming game a bit of the limelight during today’s Future Games Show @ Gamescom 2023.

Taking place in a fictional American town inspired by 1960s Americana, the cosy town of Bloomtown is under threat from a demonic world growing underneath it. Kids across the town are disappearing, and it’s up to you and your friends to save your home.

The underground is known as Underside, and you can tame the monsters you meet in order to hunt more demons. But you need to live your own life too, right? That’s why you can visit the gym, get a job, do chores, or bond with friends. So there’s some Persona in here too, it seems?

Quirky dialogue, fun pixel art, and a unique premise? We’re sold; pixel art RPGs seem to be thriving right now. Check out the brief 30-second clip from the game from Gamescom below, or check out the original announcement trailer at the top of this article.

What do you think of Bloomstown? Will you be visiting and heading to the Underside next summer? Let us know in the comments.

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‘It’s A Wrap!’ Mixes ’80s Action Movies And Time-Bending Puzzle Platforming On Switch Soon

Update [Wed 23rd Aug, 2023 20:15 BST]: It’s a Wrap has revealed the cameras will start rolling on Nintendo Switch on 31st August.

The release date was announced at Gamescom 2023 during the Future Games Show presentation, alongside a brand new gameplay trainer. The game has shadow-dropped on Steam, but we’ll only have to wait just over a week to try this one out.

Announced at the beginning of the month, It’s a Wrap takes our love of the ’80s and pops it into a puzzle platformer full of style. For more details on the game, check out our original story below…

Original aritcle [Wed 9th Aug, 2023 14:05 BST]: Developer Chanko Studios and publisher AMC Games have announced that It’s a Wrap! will be bringing some puzzle platforming with a good dose of ’80s nostalgia to Switch later this summer.

The game will see you taking on the role of both director and actor, laying out a platforming scene using a ‘timeline editing’ mechanic and then ensuring that the star gets through it safely. By the looks of the trailer, the chances of getting your on-screen hero through the course first time might be slim, but hey, there’s always take two.

It’s clear that the ’80s Hollywood references are going to come thick and fast with this one as the lead actor, Johnny Rush, plays daring archaeologists, cool space wizards and sci-fi detectives — ringing any bells?

We don’t have a secure release date just yet, though the publisher and developer have confirmed that all will be revealed at this year’s Gamescom, so there’s not long to wait until we can find out more. You can check out some of the game’s features (via its Steam page) and a look at some screenshots below.

– Director’s Phase. Grab your megaphone and hop into the director’s chair to puzzle your way through the timing of props, actors, and special effects to make your scene work—and keep your star in one piece.
– Action Phase. When you think you’ve got your scene set up correctly, roll the cameras and enjoy a variety of traditional 2D gameplay like platforming, car chases, and space battles where you control the movie star Johnny Rush in his most iconic roles.
– A hundred colorful ways to “die”. Every time you fail, poor Johnny—who does not have a stunt double—will suffer a hilarious demise inspired by classic cartoons and adventure games. But don’t worry about long-lasting injuries, just rewind back to the beginning of the scene and try again!
– Heaping spoonfuls of nostalgia. Each level is part of a movie with its own unique genre and look inspired by the biggest blockbusters of the 80s. See if you can spot all the references to your favorite fictional professors of archaeology, space wizards, and retired soldiers on the run from the law!

It looks like we will have to wait a little longer before we can get the It’s a Wrap! cameras rolling on Switch, but we like what we have seen so far. Popcorn at the ready, folks.

What do you make of It’s a Wrap? Looks like it will be up your street? Let us know in the comments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AeBx9oVxiU

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Guide: Best Nintendo Switch Soulslikes – Games To Play If You Like Dark Souls

Best Switch Soulslikes
Image: Nintendo Life

Updated with the macabre sequel, Blasphemous 2 and the surprising stripped-down experience Bleak Sword DX.

When Dark Souls launched back in 2011, it ushered in a new era of lore-filled and inscrutable combat-focused games that gave players the freedom to follow their own path and play style, but steadfastly refused to ‘go easy’ on them. Every encounter in FromSoftware’s series, no matter how minor, has the potential to end in tears; if you blunder in mindlessly mashing buttons, you will be punished.

What defines a ‘Soulslike’, though? It’s not just difficulty, although that’s a part of it. Games that exhibit Dark Souls-style elements demand concentration and intent if you want to overcome the challenges they present. They can be 3D or 2D (side-on or top-down), but they typically include exacting combat against unforgiving enemies, large boss fights, the loss of reclaimable ‘essence’ or similar currency on death, and the freedom to explore different areas of the map, with your skill often being the only gate to progress down a specific path. Bonfires — or equivalent ‘safe’ zones that offer respite and restoration — are another key part of the Souls experience; that tension of risk vs. reward while inching through an enemy-filled environment on just a sliver of health, desperately hoping to find a bonfire around the next corner.

For the list below we’ve stuck to games which feature as many of those elements as possible, although several incorporate other systems and styles, or not-quite-all of the facets described above. Some inclusions are primarily associated with another genre (Metroidvania or roguelike, for example) but they feature Soulslike gameplay in some capacity. They might not fit the Souls mould perfectly, but everything below has a Soulslike flavour to a greater or lesser degree.

As with any sub-genre definition (again, see Metroidvania), there will be debate both healthy and circuitous over whether a given title qualifies for the category of Soulslike — which is fine. You may not totally agree with the list below, but rest assured that if you enjoy Dark Souls, you’ll almost certainly enjoy these games thanks to shared ideas, elements and systems.

So, let’s take a look — in no particular order — at the games on Switch that’ll force you to git gud or go home.

Dark Souls: Remastered (Switch)

Dark Souls: Remastered (Switch)

Publisher: Bandai Namco / Developer: FromSoftware

Release Date: 19th Oct 2018 (USA) / 19th Oct 2018 (UK/EU)

Ah yes — the Dark Souls of Dark Souls, if we’re not mistaken.

Dark Souls: Remastered is a faithful remaster of a touchstone in video game design that improves overall performance of the original release while preserving all of the character traits that made it such a memorable experience. While it’s no less forgiving — and its menus are a little fiddly — this slick Nintendo Switch iteration offers an excellent way to experience Lordran’s ultra-challenging odyssey in true handheld form.

Plus, it’s got Solaire of Astora amiibo compatibility that you won’t find in any other version of the game. Praise the Sun, indeed.

Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.

Dark Souls: Remastered

Ashen (Switch eShop)

Ashen (Switch eShop)

Publisher: Annapurna Interactive / Developer: A44 Games

Release Date: 9th Dec 2019 (USA) / 9th Dec 2019 (UK/EU)

Ashen doesn’t try to hide the fact that it’s a Souls clone through-and-through. However, where many before it unwisely try to out-do FromSoftware in terms of difficulty or obtuse systems and lore, A44 has taken its game in a more refreshing, community-focused direction. This is a slightly more relaxed take on a Souls-like; it gets you into its action and gameplay rhythms quickly, isn’t interested in punishing you particularly unduly and doesn’t outstay its welcome. Its story and setting are enchanting and the sense of togetherness and companionship that it creates as its plot unfolds sets it apart in a genre much better known for relentless loneliness and isolation.

Salt and Sanctuary (Switch eShop)

Salt and Sanctuary (Switch eShop)

Publisher: Ska Studios / Developer: Ska Studios

Release Date: 2nd Aug 2018 (USA) / 2nd Aug 2018 (UK/EU)

All told, Salt and Sanctuary is just about what you’d expect it to be: it’s more or less a 2D Dark Souls, but with a little more emphasis on less. Salt and Sanctuary does an admirable job of hitting all the right beats that it needs to provide a challenging and fun action adventure that will no doubt provide a solid bang for your buck, but it doesn’t do a whole lot to stand on its own two legs; this is a game that can only thrive on the scraps generated by the overwhelming popularity of a much better game series. Therefore, we’d give this one a recommendation to Dark Souls aficionados who just can’t get enough — those who’ve never been interested won’t find much new here to entice them.

Mind you, you’re reading the wrong list if you’re not interested in Dark Souls, hmm?

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (Switch eShop)

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (Switch eShop)

Publisher: Binary Haze Interactive / Developer: Binary Haze Interactive

Release Date: 21st Jun 2021 (USA) / 21st Jun 2021 (UK/EU)

Not only does the combat in Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights take cues from Dark Souls, but the way the story is drip-fed via notes and environmental storytelling is very similar to the FromSoftware classic.

A very fine Metroidvania, Ender Lilies boasts excellent visuals throughout, with bursts of colour lighting up the otherwise dreary kingdom, and a wonderful soundtrack that we guarantee will live rent-free in your head for hours. All of this is held together by strong gameplay, with a particular focus on customisable load-outs via the spirit abilities. It’s a tough game at times, and minor frame rate dips hold it back from true greatness, but it’s an experience you’ll be glad you stuck with.

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights

Death's Door (Switch eShop)

Death's Door (Switch eShop)

Publisher: Devolver Digital / Developer: Acid Nerve

Release Date: 23rd Nov 2021 (USA) / 23rd Nov 2021 (UK/EU)

Death’s Door is nothing less than a modern classic, utilizing old gameplay ideas in a new setting to make for a short and sweet experience you won’t want to miss. The snappy combat, rewarding exploration, and relaxing music will stick with you once you’ve finished, and while it may not have anything ‘new’ to offer, Death’s Door is so high quality that you’ll hardly have time to think about it’s lack of innovation. Developer Acid Nerve crafted an experience that’s absolutely worth your time and money of any fans of Zelda or Soulslike games.

Death's Door: Ultimate Edition

Death's Door

Blasphemous (Switch eShop)

Blasphemous (Switch eShop)

Publisher: Team17 / Developer: The Game Kitchen

Release Date: 10th Sep 2019 (USA) / 10th Sep 2019 (UK/EU)

Blasphemous is a beautifully crafted Soulslike/Metroidvania action game set in a delightfully unhinged, deliriously gory world filled with well-designed enemies, satisfyingly meaty combat and some truly memorable and grotesque boss battles. Platforming sections are uniformly well-crafted and the whole thing comes together to create one of the most visually arresting and solidly enjoyable action titles currently available on Switch.

Spanish developer The Game Kitchen created a nightmare world in Cvstodia, one that will truly test your combat and platforming skills and leave you begging for more come that final bloody battle.

Blasphemous Deluxe Edition

Furi (Switch eShop)

Furi (Switch eShop)

Publisher: The Game Bakers / Developer: The Game Bakers

Release Date: 11th Jan 2018 (USA) / 11th Jan 2018 (UK/EU)

With a focus on boss fights, Furi presents a series of daunting challenges which are capable of turning all but the most committed of player into a gibbering wreck. It’s a deceptively clever game that combines shooter and and beat-’em-up mechanics, all wrapped up in a stylish anime-influenced shell. It’s not for everyone, with numerous difficulty spikes and an over-reliance on repetition. But it’s refreshing to see a game rewards patient observation and persistence, as well as mastery of a carefully calibrated control system. While it’s lacking several elements of a Souls game, it still feels very much of that ilk.

3000th Duel (Switch eShop)

3000th Duel (Switch eShop)

Publisher: Neopopcorn / Developer: Neopopcorn

Release Date: 19th Feb 2020 (USA) / 19th Feb 2020 (UK/EU)

3000th Duel is a highly enjoyable Metroidvania that some would argue borrows a bit too much from Dark Souls. With engaging combat bolstered by lots of unlockable weapons, a decent progression system, and some truly memorable boss fights, it can stand proud amongst the many examples of the genre currently available on Switch, even if it doesn’t quite do enough to feel truly unique.

Still, if you loved FromSoftware’s Souls series and fancy some more of the same — albeit a very specific slice of the same — you could do a lot worse.

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Prompt Engineers Use This ChatGPT Prompting Formula

5/5 – (1 vote)

In this article, we will delve into the art of crafting effective queries (i.e., prompts) for AI language models like ChatGPT, Bard, and Bing.

A well-formed prompt can make a significant difference in the quality of the responses you receive, saving you time and effort in refining your questions. We will unveil a simple, adaptable formula applicable to various situations, ensuring that you maximize the benefits of these incredible language technologies — and stay on the right side of change.

After grasping the underlying principles of prompt engineering and exploring real-life examples, you’ll be able to harness the full potential of AI-supported language systems.

7 General Prompting Tips

Before giving you the perfect prompting formula, let’s recap some basic prompting tips you may have already considered, but that may not be on your mind. 👇

  1. Be specific: Offer as much detail as possible to ensure the answer is relevant and tailored to your needs. Sounds simple but many people actually skip this step. It’s like talking to your friend; if you don’t share the details of your problems, you’ll get generic “fluff” advice.
  2. State your intentions: Clarifying your intentions helps the AI tailor its response to your specific requirements. For example, if you’re helping a child with homework, specify the need for a simple explanation suitable for their age.
  3. Ensure correct spelling and grammar: Though the AI might figure out most mistakes, addressing any errors in your prompt steers it in the right direction.
  4. Direct the output format: For instance, asking the AI to provide information as a numbered list or a paragraph helps you receive answers in the desired layout.
  5. Follow up with questions: Sometimes, even the perfect prompt might need clarification or additional input to achieve the desired results. Iterative prompting is a powerful technique and many beginners stop the iterative refinement too early.
  6. Experiment with phrasing: If the AI doesn’t understand your query, change or rephrase your prompt for better comprehension. Sometimes a single word can make all the difference. Here’s where prompting is more an art than a science.
  7. Fact-check when necessary: Feed the AI’s output back into the system to verify statements and ensure accuracy. You can even ask ChatGPT to grade its own output and edit or rewrite according to its own grading.

With this out of the way, here’s …

The Perfect Prompting Formula 🧚‍♂️🪄

The formula to achieve this is Context + Specific Information + Intent + Response Format. Use this formula, adapt it to fit your unique inquiries, and you’ll receive valuable results from your AI tools.

Here’s an example prompt that adheres to this formula:

🧑‍💻 Prompt Example: "I'm a teacher preparing a lesson on the solar system for my 5th-grade students. I want to focus on the planet Mars. Can you provide a brief overview? Please present it in a simple, bullet-point format suitable for 10-year-olds."

Let’s examine how this prompt adheres to our perfect prompting formula:

  • Context: “I’m a teacher preparing a lesson on the solar system for my 5th-grade students.”
  • Specific Information: “I want to focus on the planet Mars.”
  • Intent: “Can you provide a brief overview?”
  • Response Format: “Please present it in a simple, bullet-point format suitable for 10-year-olds.”

It provides a beautiful output that can be used right away:

So remember the perfect 4-step prompting formula:

  1. Context
  2. Specific Information
  3. Intent
  4. Response Format

Deep Dive Into the Four Steps and Examples

(1) Context

When using AI platforms like ChatGPT, Bard, or Bing, providing the proper context is crucial. By introducing yourself or your specific situation, you help the AI better understand your needs and deliver a more relevant answer.

Examples:

  1. Medical Research Context: “I’m a medical researcher studying the effects of prolonged screen time on children’s eyesight. Given the rise in virtual learning and increased screen usage, I’m keen to understand the long-term implications.”
  2. Historical Analysis Context: “I’m a history teacher preparing a lesson on the Renaissance period for high school students. I want to emphasize the influence of this era on modern art, science, and philosophy.”
  3. Entrepreneurial Context: “I’m an entrepreneur in the early stages of developing a sustainable fashion brand. With the growing concern about fast fashion’s environmental impact, I’m looking for insights into sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing processes.”

(2) Specific Information

Be as precise as possible in your request to receive more relevant answers. Instead of simply asking about different dog breeds, for example, narrow down the focus by asking about small breeds suitable for apartment living.

Examples:

  1. Medical Research Specific Information: “I’m focusing on children in the age range of 6-12 years old and the effects of screen exposure on their eyesight.”
  2. Historical Analysis Specific Information: “I’m particularly interested in Leonardo da Vinci’s contributions during the Renaissance, especially his innovations in both art and science.”
  3. Entrepreneurial Specific Information: “I’m considering organic cotton and recycled polyester as potential materials for my fashion brand.”

(3) Intent

Always make your goals clear in the prompt. This could involve explaining the purpose behind your request, such as needing a simple explanation of quantum physics for your son’s science homework. With your intention clearly stated, the AI will generate a response tailored to your needs.

Examples:

  1. Medical Research Intent: “I want to understand the recommended guidelines for screen time for this age group to ensure their eye health.”
  2. Historical Analysis Intent: “I aim to create a lesson plan that highlights da Vinci’s influence on modern disciplines. Can you help me outline his major achievements?”
  3. Entrepreneurial Intent: “I’m looking to make an informed decision on which material to prioritize for my brand. Can you provide insights on their sustainability and market demand?”

(4) Response Format

Guide the output format to receive the information the way you want it. For instance, if you need a step-by-step guide, ask for a list of steps. If you prefer a concise explanation, request that the information be provided in a paragraph. By specifying the format, you ensure that the AI’s response is organized and easy to comprehend.

Examples:

  1. Medical Research Response Format: “Please provide the guidelines in a bullet-point list so I can easily share them with parents.”
  2. Historical Analysis Response Format: “Could you present da Vinci’s achievements in a timeline format, highlighting the years and his corresponding innovations?”
  3. Entrepreneurial Response Format: “I’d appreciate a side-by-side comparison table of the two materials, detailing their sustainability metrics and market demand.”

Let’s try these three full prompts to check the quality of the output with GPT-4 (ChatGPT):

Practical Examples

Example 1: Medical Research Prompt

🧑‍💻 Prompt Example: "I'm a medical researcher studying the effects of prolonged screen time on children's eyesight, focusing on children in the age range of 6-12 years old and the effects of screen exposure on their eyesight. I want to understand the recommended guidelines for screen time for this age group to ensure their eye health. Please provide the guidelines in a bullet-point list so I can easily share them with parents."

Example 2: Historical Analysis Prompt

🧑‍💻 Prompt Example: "I'm a history teacher preparing a lesson on the Renaissance period for high school students. I'm particularly interested in Leonardo da Vinci's contributions during the Renaissance, especially his innovations in both art and science. I aim to create a lesson plan that highlights da Vinci's influence on modern disciplines. Could you present da Vinci's achievements in a timeline format, highlighting the years and his corresponding innovations?"

Example 3: Entrepreneurial Prompt

🧑‍💻 Prompt Example: "I'm an entrepreneur in the early stages of developing a sustainable fashion brand. I'm considering organic cotton and recycled polyester as potential materials for my fashion brand. I'm looking to make an informed decision on which material to prioritize for my brand. Can you provide insights on their sustainability and market demand? I'd appreciate a side-by-side comparison table of the two materials, detailing their sustainability metrics and market demand."

Bonus Example: Python Developer

🧑‍💻 Prompt Example: "I'm a Python developer working on a web application using the Flask framework. I've encountered an issue where my application isn't connecting to my PostgreSQL database correctly. I need help troubleshooting this connection problem. Could you provide a step-by-step guide to ensure proper database connectivity using Flask and PostgreSQL?"

TLDR & Next Steps

Let’s recap our simple formula: The perfect prompting formula consists of

  • context,
  • specific information,
  • intent, and
  • response format.

Applying this approach to ChatGPT, Bard, and Bing will significantly improve your results and save time.

Feel free to check out our other Finxter article on Alien technology, aka LLMs, and how they work: 👇

🪄 Recommended: Alien Technology: Catching Up on LLMs, Prompting, ChatGPT Plugins & Embeddings

Prompt Engineering with Python and OpenAI

You can check out the whole course on OpenAI Prompt Engineering using Python on the Finxter academy. We cover topics such as:

  • Embeddings
  • Semantic search
  • Web scraping
  • Query embeddings
  • Movie recommendation
  • Sentiment analysis

👨‍💻 Academy: Prompt Engineering with Python and OpenAI

The post Prompt Engineers Use This ChatGPT Prompting Formula appeared first on Be on the Right Side of Change.

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Steamworld Build Plasters Up A December Release Date On Switch

Publisher Thunderful and developer The Station have announced that SteamWorld Build will be making its way to the Nintendo Switch on December 1st, 2023.

Developed simultaneously for PC and console, the game will arrive on switch with “no compromise” considering the genre is more typically geared toward PC players. The dev team has also strived to ensure that the game will be appealing to both newcomers and veterans of the genre.

Here’s a look at the official synopsis:

“As the architect of a SteamWorld mining town, break ground and raise houses for your steambot citizens, keep them fed and provide some rootin’-tootin’ entertainment. Venture into the abandoned mine sitting under your town, rumoured to be filled with ancient tech that holds the key to escaping impending doom. Using the natural resources above ground and the abundant ores buried below, expand your town, stimulate new residential tiers to join the quest to dig deeper, unearth untold riches and ultimately help them to hightail it off the planet!”

We went hands on with Steamworld Build upon its initial announcement and came away feeling very positive about the whole thing. Be sure to check out out full thoughts in the article below.

Will you be grabbing Steamworld Build in December? Let us know your thoughts with a comment down below.

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Lucid Pixel Art Horror ‘Afterdream’ Snaps Up September Release

Afterdream, the unsettling pixel art horror game from Jesse Makkonen, will be out just in time for Halloween. Publisher Feardemic has announced that the game will launch on Switch, PC, and other consoles on 28th September.

Developed in Finland, Afterdream is currently on show at Gamescom. This psychological horror adventure gives you a camera to explore an old mansion — but nothing is as it seems. The trailer covers the unique pixel art in swathes of mist, and the narration is just chilling enough to make us reconsider ever going to sleep ever again.

We’ve got some more details about the game’s premise from publisher Feardemic:

Get lost in a lucid dream, bending the lines between reality and fiction. Navigate through a ghostly mansion using a strange camera and find out its mystery and your role in it. Witness vivid, yet dreamlike locations in beautiful, stylized 2D pixel art graphics.

Jump into a 2D psychological horror adventure game that will take you on a trip through a lucid dream, bending the lines between reality and fiction. Use a special camera to analyze your surroundings and navigate your way through a mysterious residence populated by ghosts. Find the purpose of your nocturnal visit in a vivid and dreamlike setting.

Features:
– One doom-scrolling, hold the doom – Marvel at the side-scrolling 2D graphics with unique art-style
– Oh, snap – Interact with hidden objects through the lens of a strange camera
– Must’ve been the wind – Get lost in the atmospheric music and sound design
– Asleep at the wheel – Delve into a lucid dream, bending reality and fiction and explore a ghastly mansion
– To the point – Enjoy a minimalist yet efficient interface that helps keep your focus intact
– Valmistettu suomessa – Explore an experience hand-made in Finland with no asset flips or cheap tricks

Afterdream develops on Switch on 28th September. Will you be taking up the camera? Line up your comments below.

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Inside the Apple Vision Pro labs

As CEO of Flexibits, the team behind successful apps like Fantastical and Cardhop, Michael Simmons has spent more than a decade minding every last facet of his team’s work. But when he brought Fantastical to the Apple Vision Pro labs in Cupertino this summer and experienced it for the first time on the device, he felt something he wasn’t expecting.

“It was like seeing Fantastical for the first time,” he says. “It felt like I was part of the app.”

That sentiment has been echoed by developers around the world. Since debuting in early August, the Apple Vision Pro labs have hosted developers and designers like Simmons in London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, and Cupertino. During the day-long lab appointment, people can test their apps, get hands-on experience, and work with Apple experts to get their questions answered. Developers can apply to attend if they have a visionOS app in active development or an existing iPadOS or iOS app they’d like to test on Apple Vision Pro.

Learn more about Apple Vision Pro developer labs

For his part, Simmons saw Fantastical work right out of the box. He describes the labs as “a proving ground” for future explorations and a chance to push software beyond its current bounds. “A bordered screen can be limiting. Sure, you can scroll, or have multiple monitors, but generally speaking, you’re limited to the edges,” he says. “Experiencing spatial computing not only validated the designs we’d been thinking about — it helped us start thinking not just about left to right or up and down, but beyond borders at all.”

And as not just CEO but the lead product designer (and the guy who “still comes up with all these crazy ideas”), he came away from the labs with a fresh batch of spatial thoughts. “Can people look at a whole week spatially? Can people compare their current day to the following week? If a day is less busy, can people make that day wider? And then, what if like you have the whole week wrap around you in 360 degrees?” he says. “I could probably — not kidding — talk for two hours about this.”

‘The audible gasp’

David Smith is a prolific developer, prominent podcaster, and self-described planner. Shortly before his inaugural visit to the Apple Vision Pro developer labs in London, Smith prepared all the necessary items for his day: a MacBook, Xcode project, and checklist (on paper!) of what he hoped to accomplish.

All that planning paid off. During his time with Apple Vision Pro, “I checked everything off my list,” Smith says. “From there, I just pretended I was at home developing the next feature.”

I just pretended I was at home developing the next feature.

David Smith, developer and podcaster

Smith began working on a version of his app Widgetsmith for spatial computing almost immediately after the release of the visionOS SDK. Though the visionOS simulator provides a solid foundation to help developers test an experience, the labs offer a unique opportunity for a full day of hands-on time with Apple Vision Pro before its public release. “I’d been staring at this thing in the simulator for weeks and getting a general sense of how it works, but that was in a box,” Smith says. “The first time you see your own app running for real, that’s when you get the audible gasp.”

Smith wanted to start working on the device as soon as possible, so he could get “the full experience” and begin refining his app. “I could say, ‘Oh, that didn’t work? Why didn’t it work?’ Those are questions you can only truly answer on-device.” Now, he has plenty more plans to make — as evidenced by his paper checklist, which he holds up and flips over, laughing. “It’s on this side now.”

‘We understand where to go’

When it came to testing Pixite’s video creator and editor Spool, chief experience officer Ben Guerrette made exploring interactions a priority. “What’s different about our editor is that you’re tapping videos to the beat,” he says. “Spool is great on touchscreens because you have the instrument in front of you, but with Apple Vision Pro you’re looking at the UI you’re selecting — and in our case, that means watching the video while tapping the UI.”

The team spent time in the lab exploring different interaction patterns to address this core challenge. “At first, we didn’t know if it would work in our app,” Guerrette says. “But now we understand where to go. That kind of learning experience is incredibly valuable: It gives us the chance to say, ‘OK, now we understand what we’re working with, what the interaction is, and how we can make a stronger connection.’”

Chris Delbuck, principal design technologist at Slack, had intended to test the company’s iPadOS version of their app on Apple Vision Pro. As he spent time with the device, however, “it instantly got me thinking about how 3D offerings and visuals could come forward in our experiences,” he says. “I wouldn’t have been able to do that without having the device in hand.”

‘That will help us make better apps’

As lab participants like Smith continue their development at home, they’ve brought back lessons and learnings from their time with Apple Vision Pro. “It’s not necessarily that I solved all the problems — but I solved enough to have a sense of the kinds of solutions I’d likely need,” Smith says. “Now there’s a step change in my ability to develop in the simulator, write quality code, and design good user experiences.”

I’ve truly seen how to start building for the boundless canvas.

Michael Simmons, Flexibits CEO

Simmons says that the labs offered not just a playground, but a way to shape and streamline his team’s thinking about what a spatial experience could truly be. “With Apple Vision Pro and spatial computing, I’ve truly seen how to start building for the boundless canvas — how to stop thinking about what fits on a screen,” he says. “And that will help us make better apps.”

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Denuvo’s ‘Switch Emulator Protection’ Is Now Available Via Nintendo’s Official Dev Portal

Nintendo Switch OLED Metroid Dread
Image: Zion Grassl / Nintendo Life

Denuvo protection software is now available to game developers creating games for the Nintendo Switch via Nintendo’s Developer Portal. Cybersecurity company Irdeto announced the news at Gamescom 2023, with the “authorised Nintendo Switch middleware” now available (via VGC).

Denuvo says it is the first security partner available on the Developer Portal, following on from last year’s ‘Switch Emulation protection’ reveal. Designed to prevent “unauthorized emulations on PC”, the tech is now easily available to all developers working on Switch titles, and this has stirred up a rather passionate response from the community.

The firm claims that its solution integrates “seamlessly into the build toolchain with no impact on the gaming experience” in order to block emulators, preventing games from being pirated and emulated on PC so that “studios are able to increase their revenue during the game launch window, which is the most important period for monetization”.

Denuvo has long proved controversial with gamers over the years, with many claiming it has affected the performance of games on Steam and PC. Square Enix has been removing the tech from many of its PC releases over the past few months, with both Forspoken and Octopath Traveler II being affected.

Many fans have been vocal on Twitter about the update. Interestingly, some have pointed out that Denuvo’s announcement comes with an image that looks suspiciously like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s key art, with others claiming this to be an AI-generated piece.

In a statement, Irdeto CEO Doug Lowther says that the team is “thrilled” for the tech to be included in the Nintendo Developer Portal, and that “We witness an increasing need to protect against emulation on PC from game launch, our solution is a must have for publishers to monetize the games fairly on this platform and also not impact PC game sales.”

This is just the latest step in Nintendo’s crackdown on emulation. Just last month, makers of the GameCube and Wii emulator Dolphin announced that it would no longer be coming to Steam after Nintendo contacted the platform. And in May, development on Skyline — a Switch Android emulator — was halted due to “potential legal risks“.

What do you think of this Denuvo news? Share your thoughts in the comments below.