Technology

THE VIDEO GAME TWO FALLS (NISHU TAKUATSHINA) FINALLY LAUNCHES ON NOVEMBER 8!

Published

2 years ago

November 8, 2024

Each player will experience a unique journey tied to the perspective of the chosen character.

MONTRÉAL, Nov. 8, 2024 /CNW/ – The upcoming launch of Two Falls (Nishu Takuatshina) on Friday, November 8, will mark a pivotal moment in video game history. Centered around a narrative exploration, this interactive drama is the first Quebec-made game to address Indigenous realities and present them from the perspective of the communities themselves. In the context of national reconciliation, this approach will contribute to bridging the gap between the groups involved.

Two Falls depicts the initial encounters between French settlers and Indigenous peoples in the vast forests of 17th-century Canada. It allows players to experience the intertwined adventures of the characters Jeanne and Maikan.

Jeanne is a young Fille du Roy who has come from France, hoping to start a new life in the Canadian territories. However, her dreams quickly turn into a nightmare when her ship runs aground. Stranded far from the colonies and without any tools to survive the wilderness, her only companion is Captain, a charming English sheepdog.

As for Maikan, a young Innu hunter-gatherer, he embarks on a journey westward to unravel a mystery. His path will lead him through unfamiliar wilderness, but nothing can prepare him for his first encounter with outsiders.

Players will take turns embodying each character, discovering their unique realities and cultures. Each character has their own way of seeing, hearing, and feeling the world. As they experience different episodes from the perspective of Jeanne or Maikan, they will realize that the same event can hold very different meanings, leading them to question their beliefs.

Discovering through different perspectives

The publisher Unreliable Narrators has brought together a passionate team for Two Falls, including Indigenous creators Awastoki (3D artist), Isabelle Picard (writer and screenwriter), Tara Miller (art director), Charles Bender and James Malloch (actors), and Eadsé (composer). Its content has been validated by a council of Innu and Wendat elders, who suggested story variations that they wanted to highlight.

One of the game’s objectives is to revisit historical moments from contrasting perspectives. This results in a rich and nuanced narrative that encourages players to reflect on the current world. “We hope to inspire curiosity and interest in our culture, our history, and our perspectives,” explains Alexis Gros-Louis Houle, founder of Awastoki and 3D artist. “Our people are always happy to share their ways of thinking and acting with others. Inevitably, we find that the values of one and the other are similar despite our differences.”

A technology at the service of a unique storyline

Thanks to the powerful Unreal Engine 5, players will be able to explore the Canadian territory from two different perspectives. These viewpoints are expressed through distinct artistic directions that accompany the player based on the chosen character. Producing these elements was a significant challenge, says Kim Berthiaume, who participated in the project as the general director of Unreliable Narrators.

“It was essential to translate the contrasting perceptions of the protagonists into unique versions for each. We customized the textures, trees, rocks, soundscapes, and even the music for each perspective. This approach allowed us to accurately convey the emotional and narrative differences in the experiences of Jeanne and Maikan.”

Among the many features of Two Falls, we highlight the following:

Its stunning environments with lush vegetation and varied atmospheres;Its intriguing characters and a rich, captivating storyline drawn from the imagination of Wendat writer Isabelle Picard;Players’ decisions shape the personalities of the protagonists and their perceptions of the characters they encounter, the events they experience, and the environments they explore;The original soundtrack was composed by Indigenous musicians and singers.

Two Falls will be available for $25.99 on Steam and Epic Games Store on November 8, followed by releases on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in early 2025.

SOURCE Indie Asylum

Technology

America’s Largest Political Group Is Getting Its Own Election Night

Published

43 minutes ago

October 26, 2026

A record 45% of Americans identify with neither party. On November 3, they get the first nationally televised Election Night built around the independent voter bloc, presented by United Independents, the organization behind the Independent National Convention, in partnership with DeFiance Media.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Can the country’s largest bloc of voters turn identity into representation? Independents now make up 45% of U.S. adults, a record high in Gallup’s 2025 data, yet partisan coverage continues to dominate mainstream mediums. On November 3, one broadcast will cover the election from the Independent point of view.

Broadcast live from the National Press Club’s television studio in Washington, D.C. Election Night 2026: Independent Edition is an eight-hour program hosted by Christopher Life, founder and CEO of United Independents, and Macy Gunnell, NewsForce’s White House correspondent. DeFiance Media will be producing and streaming the broadcast.

Built on live election data from The Associated Press (AP), the program will call the national races as the returns come in. Then it goes where other broadcasts don’t: race-by-race coverage of independent candidates in consequential congressional contests, and guest conversations with the strategists and organizers behind them.

Built for the Voters Both Parties Are Chasing

Two generations of Americans have come of age as independent voters, and in 74 years of nationally televised Election Night broadcasts, not one has been built around them. This one is: national results and the balance of power, dedicated coverage of the independent candidates who could tip the next Congress, and a live chat with selected viewer questions put to the hosts and guests on air.

Open to Every Newsroom

Television pool feed. U.S. television outlets, including local stations, can carry the program live, in full or in part, separate from DeFiance Media’s full-program streaming.Social streaming. The broadcast streams through participating social media partners. Channels that want to carry it can sign up at Election2026.live.Live clips and excerpts. Newsrooms, commentators, and creators can pull portions of the program for reporting and social distribution while the broadcast is underway.

Request access through the Media & Distribution Access Form at Election2026.live.

Free and Accessible Nationwide

Going live Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026, from 6 PM- 2 AM ET. Updates, guest announcements, and viewing instructions: Election2026.live.

Media Contact

Shaun Saunders
shaun@graffiticreativegroup.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/americas-largest-political-group-is-getting-its-own-election-night-302919753.html

SOURCE DeFiance Media

Technology

Pianist Michael Weinstein Wins Best Social Media Music Collaborations at the 2026 Vega Awards

Published

43 minutes ago

October 26, 2026

With more than a million followers across social media, Weinstein’s piano collaborations bring together vocalists from around the world to create unique musical performances and reach new audiences.

SOUTH SALEM, N.Y., Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Pianist, entrepreneur and social media creator Michael Weinstein has been recognized at the 2026 Vega Digital Awards in the Social Media Collaboration category for his music collaboration series, Piano Sessions: Bringing Voices Together Through Music.

“I love collaborating with talented singers including building friendships that have become just as meaningful as the music itself.”

Weinstein has built a social media audience of more than a million followers across TikTok, Instagram and other platforms by sharing piano performances and collaborations with singers from around the world. His videos feature vocalists performing alongside his piano accompaniment, creating intimate musical performances that showcase each artist’s individual talent and style.

While Weinstein has spent much of his professional career building businesses and marketing consumer brands, music has always remained one of his greatest passions.

“Music has always been a huge part of my life and one of the things I enjoy most is collaborating with other musicians,” said Weinstein. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many incredibly talented singers and I love being able to play alongside them and create something special together. It’s also rewarding to introduce these artists to new audiences while building relationships and friendships that have become just as meaningful as the music itself.”

An accomplished pianist and keyboardist, Weinstein has collaborated with an impressive range of vocalists, including artists who have performed and recorded with Maroon 5, Sting, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Usher, Lauryn Hill and Jill Scott. He has also collaborated with standout performers from American Idol, America’s Got Talent and The Voice.

Weinstein is also planning a live concert in New York City in 2027, bringing together several of the talented vocalists featured on his social media channels for a special collaborative performance. Additional details will be announced in the coming months.

Outside of music, Weinstein is the Founder and CEO of JAM Direct, a marketing and advertising agency, and former Chief Marketing Officer of Allstar Products Group, where he was responsible for marketing some of the most successful products in “As Seen On TV” history, including the Snuggie, ShamWow and Shake Weight.

Watch Michael Weinstein’s performances here:

https://linktr.ee/mweinsteinmusic

About the Vega Digital Awards

The Vega Digital Awards is an international competition recognizing excellence in social media, digital marketing and brand strategy. Judged by the International Awards Associate (IAA), the competition honors work that demonstrates innovation, effectiveness and measurable impact across the global marketing landscape.

Media Contact

Michael Weinstein, JAM Direct, 1 9146610053, mw@jamdirect.com, https://michaelweinstein.me/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/pianist-michael-weinstein-wins-best-social-media-music-collaborations-at-the-2026-vega-awards-302919551.html

SOURCE JAM Direct

Technology

Landis+Gyr Secures Major Contract with Leading US Utility

Published

2 hours ago

October 26, 2026

CHAM, Switzerland and ALPHARETTA, Ga., Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Landis+Gyr Group AG (SIX: LAND), a global energy technology leader driving intelligent innovation across the grid, today announced that it has secured a major contract with a leading US investor-owned electric utility. The agreement covers more than 3 million advanced metering endpoints.

Under the agreement, Landis+Gyr will provide Revelo meters and associated network and head-end system technologies, complemented by advanced security solutions, premium support, and software maintenance and services. The deployment is expected to advance the utility’s grid modernization objectives by enhancing security, grid visibility and operational performance.

“This important win reflects the strong momentum of our Grid Edge Intelligence portfolio and the trust customers place in Landis+Gyr to support large-scale grid modernization programs. By combining advanced metering, integrated technology, security and support capabilities, we look forward to helping this utility enhance grid visibility, reliability and operational performance,” said Peter Mainz, Chief Executive Officer of Landis+Gyr.

About Landis+Gyr

Landis+Gyr is a global energy technology leader, delivering intelligent solutions that connect devices, data, and decisions across the grid. Trusted by more than 2,000 utilities worldwide, we transform traditional devices into intelligent, networked sensors, giving utilities real-time grid visibility and system control. With these combined insights, electric, gas, and water companies can anticipate demand, optimize operations, and deliver energy that’s more reliable, resilient, accessible, safe, and sustainable for everyone. For more information, please visit our website www.landisgyr.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/landisgyr-secures-major-contract-with-leading-us-utility-302919687.html