WAN Show: Tech CES Displays, D&D License Controversy, and Business Updates

CES 2023 Display Technology

This episode dives into several experimental display concepts showcased at CES 2023. The hosts explore the practical use cases—or lack thereof—for exotic technologies, including:

• Asus Spatial Vision: A glasses-free 3D OLED laptop.
• Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Twist: A device featuring both an OLED screen and an e-ink display.
• LG Wireless OLED TV: A 97-inch television utilizing a Zero Connect box for wireless video transmission.
• Samsung Display Concepts: Various slidable and foldable prototypes designed to demonstrate the versatility of future display form factors.

The Wizards of the Coast Controversy

A significant portion of the show is dedicated to the massive backlash against Wizards of the Coast (WotC) due to leaked revisions of their Open Gaming License (OGL).

"I promise, [the bean counter] has never even touched D&D... You have this openness to thank for your growth, and now what?"

• The proposed changes would require creators earning over a certain revenue to hand over 25% royalties on gross revenue.
• WotC would gain perpetual, royalty-free usage rights to third-party content.
• The community is heavily criticizing the move, as the OGL has been the foundation for the game's massive ecosystem for over 20 years.

Business Updates and Future Projects

Linus and Luke discuss the Linus Media Group operations and future web development plans:

• Labs Website Development: They are building a comparison engine to facilitate side-by-side video comparisons of hardware, aiming for better data transparency.
• Floatplane Integration: Future plans to integrate Floatplane subscriptions into the Labs website to add value to the ecosystem.
• Personal Goals: The hosts touch on their physical health journeys, specifically discussing injury prevention and the use of science-backed data to track progress.

Hardware News

• AMD vs. Intel: Discussion on AMD's new Ryzen 7000 series chips (including the performance-focused X3D line) and Intel's quiet launch of non-K 13th Gen processors, which has sparked speculation regarding their performance and pricing strategies.
• PS5 Hardware: Addressing concerns from repair technicians about the risk of liquid metal leakage when storing the PS5 in a vertical orientation.