Belfast comedian wins funniest one-liner at Edinburgh Fringe Festival
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Belfast Telegraph
9 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Co Down duo behind immersive dragon game hope their AI tech will help future pilot navigation
Emma (33) and Matthew (35) Eaton of Genysys Engine have developed an interactive video game, dubbed Become the Dragon Rider, which simulates what riding a dragon would feel like. The Co Down team-of-two are co-founders of an AI research company which employs the technology to 'protect the planet', with Emma picking up awards for related conservation tech work in the past. The game features a VR headset to visualise the experience and a saddle for users to detect the ups, downs and turns of the beast, with the final product set to feature speakers and fans for noise and wind. What makes the project unique is the AI programming of the dragon, who can decide to fly in a direction of its choosing and has wants or needs, which 'makes him almost like the real animal'. Genysys CEO Emma explained that what started out as a way to take immersive gaming to the next level quickly snowballed for the couple. 'We just thought immersive experiences weren't really immersive enough,' she said. 'It's a new way that humans can really bond with AI and have almost real living animals within the game to create unique immersive experiences. The aim of that really is to improve education and scientific research long-term.' One of these pathways includes a pilot-guiding system to aid navigation in unexpected circumstances or difficult conditions. Chief technology officer Matthew provides his expertise to this aspect, with his background as an aerospace engineer officer. 'When we look at flight logs and things like that, it's normally down to slight human misjudgements,' Emma explained. 'Your weight wasn't right, you didn't have enough stuff. So if you're up in a mountain and it's completely cloudy and your navigation system is dying, all you have is that little needle to try to direct you through the mountain. 'If that's broken, then you would have our system, hopefully in the future, that would step in. And it would use the visuals to pretty much guide pilots safely to the ground. 'So with the immersive experiences and the way that it can create its own scenario, you can create pretty much every single variation of what would happen in an aircraft. 'And because you have that variation, you can train models and datasets on that to actually make a system that would be available during the flight.' The game created by the pair will be showcased at tech shows and stakeholder events in the coming months, with several investors in NI's expansive aerospace and technology industry already showing interest. Several 'prominent' entertainment companies have also been reaching out to Genysys and use its model to develop other experiences, such as space travel or exploring the seas. Sites such as the Mourne Mountains, the Obel tower in Belfast and even local bars have all been added to the game to create 'a digital replica of NI'. The company is also working with businesses which want to add their premises to the game via sponsorships. 'All the houses are kind of default for privacy and protection, but the landmarks are all there,' Emma continued. 'So you can fly down to the local bar. You can't go in it just yet; I just hope soon you'll be able to. 'There are a lot of things you can actually do in terms of the sustainable tourism side. They were putting that gondola in [the Mournes] because they wanted people to be able to go up there for accessibility. [But this] is a new way for people to kind of see it without putting infrastructure into the current place.' Another aspect of the game is its reflection of real-time weather conditions and the time of day in NI. Emma explained: 'We use a whole bunch of things to connect it to the real world. If it's snowing outside, it's snowing in the game... It correlates the date, time and the weather and stuff like that.' Local legends and folklore from across the island have also been incorporated into to the experience: 'You can transport through the fairy tree if you want to nip down to Belfast but don't want to fly the whole way there. 'We've also added in the blue light of Slieve Binnian, so you fly over the moor and you might see the blue light...' A trial event will be held at Annalong Community Centre on November 29 for those who want to experience the game.
Edinburgh Live
a day ago
- Edinburgh Live
Loved-up Fringe performers tie the knot on stage in first ever for the festival
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A loved-up couple have tied the knot in a 'history making' performance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Linus Karp and Joseph Martin were married on Saturday in front of a sold-out audience at The Pleasance Grand on Saturday. The couple, known for hit shows such as Gwyneth Goes Skiing, are the first pair to marry on stage with a ticketed audience in the Fringe's 78-year history. At the ceremony, Joseph entered to Charli XCX's Von Dutch - while Linus was carried on stage to the tune of Jellicle Cats, from the musical Cats. The service was conducted by Edinburgh Council's Jackie Blackburn, who pronounced the couple husband and husband to a 'momentous' standing ovation. After the ceremony, Linus said: "This day was so fergalicious. Being in a room so full of love alongside the love of my life is a moment that will live with me forever. "We cannot wait for our incredible officiant Jackie Blackburn's debut comedy hour at next year's Fringe - she was an instant icon." Joseph added: "The nerves kicked in when we went to get dressed with our incredible designer Cosimo Damiano - then it felt real! But once we were in our outfits and backstage, it felt like the most natural thing for us to be doing. "Walking down the aisle to Charli XCX's 'Von Dutch' with bodyguards and spark machines wasn't necessarily how I saw my wedding going, but I don't think it gets any more iconic. I couldn't be happier to be Mr Ljunggren." The couple are also starring in The Fit Prince, which is on at the Pleasance Courtyard. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Edinburgh Fringe Festival: Welsh language on the global stage
The thousands of people attending the Edinburgh Fringe Festival may well be expecting to see shows in German, French or for one performance duo, it is the Welsh language that takes centre stage as they bring the audience on a journey deep into Celtic Phillips, of the Harebell Tellers, says she is passionate about telling place-based stories that bring the language of the land to the spectators. Creu Cymru, who promote performing arts in Wales, say Welsh language and bilingual shows give global audiences an opportunity to share in the "richness of our heritage". Every year Welsh acts descend on the Scottish capital and join more than 3,500 shows from performers all over the world ranging from comedy to cabaret, to street acts and spoken word. The Harebell Tellers perform folklore and mythological stories through the traditional art of storytelling. Ffion Phillips, from Wales and Ailsa Dixon, from Scotland, weave the Welsh and Scottish languages into their from Conwy, said there are people at the Fringe who have never heard the Welsh language before."It's amazing to take what is really a living, breathing language into venues that don't get a great deal of it," she said."If they are Welsh speakers it's a beautiful point of connection."I love interweaving stories in a way that English speakers in the audience can still hopefully follow what I'm saying - it really brings them into the world of the story."The 20-year-old student has been storytelling since she was eight and started to incorporate the Welsh language soon after."The vast majority of my repertoire is Welsh folklore and myth. As a Welsh speaker in my daily life, I've always loved telling stories bilingually."Their show, Aderyn/Bird, explores bird mythology, dreams and fate. Over three weeks in August the venues and streets in the Edinburgh turn into a hive of arts and culture. Emily Davis is currently performing two shows, Blodwen's in Town and Escape the Rat song, Emily, from Newport, Pembrokeshire, tells her story of moving from west Wales to London and then escaping corporate life all through the eyes of Blodwen. "It's about the culture shocks that happen to you when you come from a small village in west Wales and how you find yourself navigating a new world, leaving behind a support system and finding a new one," she started her theatrical career 10 years ago after completing a cabaret course but found it difficult to perform as herself, so she created an alter ego."Blodwen is me, but without all the self-doubt and emotional baggage," Emily 41-year-old pulls inspiration from her own life and, like Blodwen, works in an office when she's not performing. But the variety is not just in her performances but in the audiences that go to watch."Some days you might get two people at the show, other days 50 people will turn up and others will come because it's raining outside. Every day is different," she said. Stand-up comedian, Stuart Thomas, has been performing at the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time, sharing what life was like growing up on a sheep farm in Port Talbot. "I talk a lot about being Welsh, and about being fat as well, which is why the name of the show is called 'Bad Fatty'. It is all about changing stereotypes."People sometimes hear my accent and don't expect a lot from me, but you can use that in comedy and play with it. It's a fun thing to do to change perceptions."Stuart now lives in Salford but has not forgotten his Welsh roots. "It's great to share a bit about Wales and have Welsh representation at the festival. The Fringe is a global showcase and people come from all over the world," said the 32-year-old. His show talks about body image, sexuality and mental health. Stuart now works as a software engineer designing apps, as well as pursuing a career in got into stand-up after the Covid lockdown and has since gigged in more than 200 locations across the UK. Louise Miles-Payne, Director Creu Cymru said: "The Fringe gives performers a platform for Welsh stories and our language in a unique environment. "It's a chance to test work out, showcase their talent and ensure that the voices of Wales are heard, celebrated, and understood on a global stage."The Edinburgh Fringe Festival runs until 25 August.
