Posts made in March 2024

CHRISTY LEE ROGERS SERIES

Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Kate Winslet, stars of 20th Century Studios’ “Avatar: The Way of Water,” posed for renowned underwater photographer Christy Lee Rogers for a series of photographs celebrating our oceans to raise funds to support The Nature Conservancy (TNC).

James Cameron, the film’s producer/director/writer, is a long-time supporter of ocean conservation. Rogers created these artworks in her unique style, breaking usual conventions and shooting the actresses through the play of light refracting through the water to evoke the feel of a painting.

Cameron said: “I have long admired Christy’s art and began collecting her works several years ago. Her unique style of shooting her subjects underwater naturally inspired me to suggest she do a special shoot with our cast.”

The artworks, released on March 8, 2024, are available as four limited edition, museum quality photographs signed by Rogers, as well as a series of high-quality prints both signed by Rogers and unsigned, available for purchase through Fraser Scott at A Gallery Artists Ltd. via Rogers’ website at www.christyleerogers.com/avatar

The Future of Virtual Reality in Online Casino Gaming

Virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a revolutionary force in the realm of digital entertainment, poised to transform various industries.

Among these, online casino gaming stands out as a sector ripe for innovation and enhancement through VR.

This article explores the trajectory of virtual reality in the online casino gaming landscape, delving into its current state, advantages, challenges, future trends, and growth potential.

Current State of Online Casino Gaming

Online casino gaming has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, propelled by advancements in technology and changing consumer preferences.

According to industry reports, the global online gambling market has been experiencing steady expansion, with a significant increase in the number of players and revenue generated.

The worldwide gambling market is expected to reach a revenue of US$107.30bn by 2024 and is further expected to exceed this by 2028 at a CAGR rate of 6.51%.

However, traditional online casinos face challenges such as the lack of immersive experiences and limited social interaction, which have led to a growing demand for innovative solutions to enhance the gaming experience.

Emergence of Virtual Reality in Online Casino Gaming

The integration of virtual reality into online casino gaming represents a paradigm shift, offering players a truly immersive and interactive environment akin to brick-and-mortar casinos.

VR technology enables users to enter realistic virtual worlds where they can engage with lifelike surroundings and interact with other players in real-time.

Several of the top NZ mobile casinos are now VR-enabled online casino platforms and games have already been introduced to their catalogue of offerings, showcasing the potential of this technology to revolutionise the igaming industry.

Advantages of Virtual Reality in Online Casino Gaming

The advantages of virtual reality in online casino gaming are manifold. Firstly, VR provides an immersive experience that transports players to intricately designed virtual casinos, complete with realistic graphics, sounds, and animations.

This heightened sense of realism enhances the overall gaming experience, making it more engaging and captivating. Moreover, virtual reality facilitates social interaction, allowing players to interact with each other and form connections in a virtual setting.

Additionally, VR casinos offer customisation and personalisation options, enabling players to create and customise their avatars and environments according to their preferences.

Challenges and Limitations of VR

Despite its potential, virtual reality in online casino gaming faces several challenges and limitations.

One significant barrier is the high cost of VR equipment, which may deter some players from adopting this technology. Moreover, technical constraints such as motion sickness and hardware requirements pose challenges to widespread adoption.

Furthermore, VR casinos may encounter regulatory hurdles in certain jurisdictions, necessitating compliance with stringent regulations and licensing requirements.

Future Trends and Innovations

Looking ahead, the future of virtual reality in online casino gaming appears promising. We anticipate increased adoption of VR technology as players seek more immersive and interactive gaming experiences.Players can expect to step into virtual environments that mimic the ambiance and excitement of a real-world casino, complete with interactive features and lifelike simulations.

Further technological advancements in VR hardware and software are expected to further enhance the realism and functionality of VR casinos. Additionally, the integration of other technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) holds the potential to revolutionise the online gambling landscape, offering new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Player engagement can also be improved and increased by providing a more dynamic and interactive platform for gameplay, incorporating elements like gesture controls and spatial audio to heighten the overall experience.

Perhaps most significantly, VR introduces a social element to online casino gaming, allowing players to interact with each other in virtual spaces, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie that was previously limited in traditional online platforms.

As VR continues to evolve, its integration into online casino gaming promises to revolutionise the industry, offering players a truly immersive and socially engaging gaming experience.

Market Opportunities and Growth Potential

The market opportunities for VR casino operators are vast, with the potential for significant revenue growth in the coming years.

As VR technology becomes more accessible and affordable, the demand for VR-enabled online casino experiences is likely to surge.

Furthermore, the expansion of the global online gambling market presents lucrative opportunities for VR casino operators to capitalise on the growing popularity of digital gaming platforms.

Conclusion

In conclusion, virtual reality holds immense potential to revolutionise the online casino gaming experience, offering players unparalleled levels of immersion, interaction, and customisation.

As stakeholders in the online gambling industry, it is imperative to embrace VR technology and leverage its transformative capabilities to stay ahead of the curve.

By embracing innovation and embracing virtual reality, we can unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation in the dynamic world of online casino gaming.

MODELO + MOTORTREND

Podcast

Modelo Partners with MotorTrend to Publish Limited-Edition Revival of Lowrider Magazine Dedicated to the Women Shaping the Culture

In honor of Women’s History Month, this special-edition issue is completely written and designed by women who are “Más Que Modelos”—More than Models

Known for their hopping hydraulics, custom upholstery, and intricate paint jobs, lowrider cars are symbols of empowerment, freedom, and a celebration of culture. As a beer born in Mexico nearly 100 years ago, Modelo seeks to celebrate those who drive this culture forward by embodying the mark of a fighter that is prominent in this community. To spotlight those who haven’t always received recognition, Modelo has teamed up with MotorTrend to launch a special edition of Lowrider magazine that champions the women of lowriding throughout the entire issue.

“Modelo has always stood for those with grit and tenacity who demonstrate the mark of a fighter – traits the lowrider community certainly embodies,” said Logan Jensen, Sr. Director of Brand Marketing, Modelo. “Today’s female lowriders are in the driver’s seat, building and designing vehicles that deserve even more attention than they already receive on the road. With the return of Lowrider magazine, we’re able to highlight the women of this community who have been a critical part of its growth and evolution.”

The one-time re-issue of Lowrider is made by women, for women – from editorial direction by Dr. Denise Sandoval, a university professor of Chicana/o studies, to photographers, creative directors, writers and more. Modelo donated advertising space in the publication to women-owned businesses to further support and spotlight the entrepreneurs impacting the lowrider industry.

The issue features stories of women who have cultivated and redefined the lowrider movement across the country, including:

Tina Blankenship-Early (Los Angeles, CA): Long before she was the first woman inducted into the National Lowrider Hall of Fame and Lowrider magazine Hall of Fame, Blankenship-Early was known on the scene as “First Lady.” A true ambassador in the community, Blankenship-Early provides her take on what lowriders mean to her, taking her passion for car building and transforming it into a cultural movement.
Jacqueline Valenzuela (Whittier, CA): Valenzuela is a Chicana artist whose art depicts what it means to be Chicana in the lowrider community. Beyond the canvas, this artist and lowrider owner started the Prophets Car Club, which encourages both women and LGBTQ+ membership.
Sandy Avila (Pasadena, CA): Avila recalls fellow women in the lowriding community who inspired and encouraged her to start the Lady Lowrider Car Club. Her role in the lowriding scene stretches beyond car customization. Her club raises thousands of dollars annually for charitable causes and redefines the role of women in the community.
Angel Romero (Sunnyvale, CA): Romero shares her unique story of inheriting her passion for cars from her mother and growing up immersed in lowrider culture. As the president of Dueñas Car Club, she encourages fellow female lowriders to be proud of their spot in the community and empower the next generation, while also underscoring the importance of philanthropy by organizing annual fundraisers to organizations that support breast cancer research.

The roots of lowriding trace back to the 1940s when car culture was beginning to take hold across post-WWII America. As the hot rod trend swept the country, Mexican Americans began to purchase and alter their cars as a means of distinguishing themselves on and off the road. The concept of lowriders stretched far beyond customizations and demonstrated the strides made by the community, as well as beyond the Mexican American community.

“There are so many rich and diverse stories to tell from lowrider culture – and so many untold stories from the women who have made an impact on its trajectory,” said Ed Loh, MotorTrend Group head of editorial. “The return of Lowrider is something fans have been asking for since 2019 and we couldn’t have found a more authentic partner than Modelo to help us bring it back in a unique way to honor the women of lowriding.”

Historically, depictions of women in Lowrider magazine were often limited to models on the hoods of cars. This limited-edition revival highlights the women behind the wheel who have fought for their place as drivers, builders, mechanics, painters and welders in a male-dominated world.

“Being a female myself in the lowrider community, I have been so inspired by certain women who take on such impressive roles,” said Avila. “Women like those featured in this issue show that you can be powerful behind the wheel, but also charitable and graceful through lowriding. Now more than ever, it’s time for us women to ride together and continue creating a community of acceptance, strength and determination.”

Lowrider magazine fans in the Los Angeles area can be the first to get a copy of the magazine at the Lowrider Long Beach Super Show at the Long Beach Convention Center on Saturday, March 9, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST. Fans nationwide can access the digital version of the issue at MotorTrend.com/Lowrider.

LuisaViaRoma + Mithridate

LuisaViaRoma and Mithridate celebrated the launch of an exclusive capsule collection with an intimate dinner in Paris.

Held during Paris Fashion Week, at the historical Bastille Design Center, the night featured a special welcome cocktail followed by an intimate dinner for around 80 guests from all over the world, including international press and celebrities where Tina Jiang, CEO of Mithridate, warmly greeted the guests with a welcome speech. The dinner party was co-hosted by the actress Kelly Rutherford, a long-time maison enthusiast.

Mithridate fuses traditional with modern through oriental cutting designs and Southwest China’s bean dye technique alongside laser cutting and hydraulic spray painting. Infused with her signature maximalist style, the capsule collection plays with flowing textures, as well as depth of light and layering to embody healing energy.

“Personally, I am fond of street elements in design and style. Street fashion embodies cultural fusion—it’s vibrant, imaginative, and never conventional. So, sometimes I try to incorporate a “street” attitude to deal with the conflict and fusion between “East” and “West,” “tradition” and “trend.” For example, this season, we incorporated patchwork and woven textures of auspicious clouds and gourd patterns onto denim jackets, while balancing the complex patterns with an over-size silhouette”. Demon Zhang, Creative Director of Mithridate.

The Mithridate exclusive limited edition capsule, as well as the new Spring-Summer 2024 collection, is now available exclusively at LuisaViaRoma, online and offline.

Starting from March 8th LuisaViaRoma & Mithridate will host an in-store pop-up at the LuisaViaRoma store in Florence to celebrate and unveil the new exclusive collection. The pop-up will be open to the public until March 22nd.

Discover more about LuisaViaRoma x Mithridate exclusive capsule here.

JSCREEN HIGHLIGHTS RAD51D

This March, JScreen Highlights Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Month

JScreen, a national non-profit public health initiative dedicated to preventing genetic diseases and hereditary cancer, encourages the public to learn about triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for approximately 10-20% of breast cancer and is often aggressive and difficult to treat. Many cases are related to mutations in cancer susceptibility genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. Genetic testing for these and other cancer-related genes can help prevent breast cancer or lead to early detection and more effective treatment.

JScreen’s mission is to make comprehensive cancer genetic testing and counseling easy, accessible, and affordable. A unique feature of JScreen’s process is access to licensed genetic counselors who provide consults via phone or secure video conferencing. Genetic counselors help ensure that people understand their results and next steps so they can be proactive about their health.

Morgan Wade, a country music singer, learned that she was positive for a RAD51D gene mutation that put her at a higher risk (15-30%) for triple negative and other types of breast cancer. There’s also a 10-20% risk for ovarian cancer. She was 28 at the time and decided to undergo risk-reducing double mastectomy surgery. Wade’s mother, Robin Fonville, also tested positive for the RAD51D gene mutation and had prophylactic surgery as well. As Wade told Emily Goldberg a Cancer Genetic Counselor at JScreen, “I did not realize how easy and simple it was to get genetic testing, and so now I recommend it to everyone to take control of their health,” said Wade. You can view the video here: Morgan Wade, Robin Fonville, & JScreen’s Genetic Counselor on Life-Saving Cancer Genetic Testing (youtube.com)

According to Melissa Berry, Board Chair of the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, Founder of Cancer Fashionista, and JScreen Advocate, “I am living proof that genetic testing can save your life. If I didn’t get tested for the BRCA gene, I wouldn’t have been closely monitored and I wouldn’t have been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at such an early stage. I consider myself very lucky and it’s my obligation to share this knowledge with as many women as I can,” Berry says. “My partnership with JScreen is a very natural one, as it underscores my passion for being proactive, knowing your family history, and ensuring that genetic testing is accessible to everyone.”

About JScreen

JScreen is a national non-profit public health initiative dedicated to preventing genetic diseases and cancer common in Jewish and other populations. Headquartered in Atlanta at Emory University School of Medicine, the JScreen initiative provides convenient at-home access to cutting-edge genetic testing technology, patient education, and genetic counseling services. JScreen believes the combination of education, access to premier genetic screening technologies, and personalized, confidential support are the keys to preventing devastating diseases.

Please visit JScreen.org for more information.