Month: October 2019

Supply Drop Addiction

First introduced in Advanced Warfare, supply drops allowed the gamer to play a lottery to “win” better weapons, cooler camos, and stylish virtual gear. Sledgehammer Games, the creator of AW, put this feature in the game as an added bonus to players who either played the game a lot (and earned ‘keys’ to open supply drops with each match played), or spent actual money on “COD Points”. Each opening of a supply drop yielded three items of various rarity. Players could use their virtual ‘keys’ or COD points to open a common (smaller chance of getting a rare item) or a rare (larger chance of getting a rare item) supply drop. With each opening, players received items to further customize their character or weapon to show off to their friends… and that’s why supply drops were so successful (and honestly, quite brilliant). The video game creators tapped into the competitive and somewhat immature minds of gamers. Players could now circumvent the arduous task of getting 250 headshots to get a rare camo by purchasing more COD points. It took time and skill out of the equation in exchange for money. Thus, cash came pouring in.

Supply drops became so successful that Treyarch and Infinity Ward, the creators of Black Ops III and Infinite Warfare respectively, continued with trend. Call of Duty franchise makers could now continue to earn revenue throughout the life of the game, instead of just when a person buys the game at the store. According to Activision’s Q4 2016 earnings call, the company made an additional $3.6bn through in-game content sales (mostly from COD: Black Ops III and Overwatch). That’s unbelievable!

Some gamers might say that supply drops are ruining the game, however. I happen to agree – especially for the newest CoD game, Infinite Warfare. In Infinite Warfare, weapon variants, or different (and statistically better) versions of guns, make playing public matches much more frustrating. For example, the Erad used to be one of my favorite guns in the game. I played with the common (base) variant, and I was pretty good with it… until I came face-to-face with a player who had the legendary (rarest) variant of the gun – called the ‘cyclopean’. It literally shoots a LASER BEAM instead of regular bullets. I didn’t stand a chance. I was insta-killed time and time again by the same player. I became so frustrated with this one match that I ended up not using my Erad stock variant ever again. I knew that if I wanted a chance of winning gun battles, I needed legendary weapon variants, which are quite difficult to come by without opening supply drops


Super Mario 3D World

The numerous playable levels are in fact very diverse, often very creatively and practically always fun to play. Exactly as we know from the Galaxy range. One moment you are caught up in a brilliant shade game filled with optical illusions, a moment later, you will work in a continuous one sprint with coins strewn trail off. The levels are all varied and really have a unique identity. Granted, there are a few less exciting levels in the game – for example, something brave rides on the back of a dragon Plessie – but the vast majority of climbing and scrambling courses are of great class.

The multiplayer Super Mario 3D World contains the usual three characters – Mario, Luigi and Toad – a fourth hero. Or rather heroine. None other than Princess Peach is entering one of the playable characters. This time she is not even the princess in distress, but pulls them together with Mario, Luigi and Toad battle to liberate Bowser’s hell grip.

That is partly because many items and power-ups that can be found in its levels – a portable and voracious piranha plant until the cherries item to duplicate your character immediately. Cat power-up is one of the most prominent additions and brings some new features with it. A feline Mario can new locations levels reached by climbing on walls or chop. By purple rocks around with his claws Naturally, the most perfect foes no match for the sharp cat claws.

Power-ups and items are not only very practical to complete a level, alive but are sometimes essential to collect all gather items. In most levels are three green stars to collect, some of which are often extremely well hidden. To find a star you must bite for example by an electrical barrier with a piranha plant or popping a well-disguised double wall with a gun headdress. Continuous vigilance, because the greens stars can be found everywhere. And the real collector, who wants them all obviously hauling.

Collecting stars offers an extra dimension when you play the game with more than one person. Stars deliver because quite a lot of points and that’s exactly where the competitive and cooperative multiplayer mode about. Expect an intense battle stars and other valuable collectibles if you play Super Mario 3D World with one or more other players. Although you can choose to clean each other to work together and to award some opportunities, but practice shows that the competitive nature often prevails over the cooperative mercy.

Super Mario 3D World is an extremely accessible game. For example, some levels are only difficult when you’re trying to collect. All collectible items Of course, the game also features plenty of spicy levels, which even the most experienced players have an uphill start. For the less talented players a chance of success to offer makes the white Tanooki power-up his re-entry. After a few unfortunate attempts this buoy will appear in the level and turns Mario into an almost immortal powerhouse. Picking up this item is of course entirely optional.

How do you play multiplayer, in most cases, fun is guaranteed. With emphasis on “in most cases”. Some levels in Super Mario 3D World are less suitable because of the hectic multiplayer violence and soon degenerate into an unpleasant mess. That is partly because the camera is often the fastest and most brutal player follows, allowing the slower players and collectors careful not regularly come to pass. An annoying blemish on it so far so neat blazon of Super Mario 3D World.

If you are one of the slow players or collectors are careful in hectic outside the boat: do not worry. Even watching and listening to or for bacon and beans play the game has been a pleasurable experience. Super Mario 3D World is one beautifully crafted game, and harnessed the power of the Wii U outstanding. In addition, the colorful and uplifting images are often jazzed up with a brilliant selection of tunes and melodies. But regardless of the wealth of listening and viewing pleasure, it is above all the unbridled fun that this new Mario adventure gets top marks.

Super Mario 3D World is full of dynamic, creative and diverse levels that we just became the Galaxy games and knows how to implement it in the style of Super Mario 3D Land. Flawlessly The result is a fantastic platform game play out not only delicious, but also a delight for the eyes and ears. The multiplayer is called predominantly managed already to some sessions sometimes culminate in a charming little chaos.


Arcade Shooting Games Online

Players who enjoy arcade shooting games online will find a vast number of games in this genre, and they represent a large number of interests. Some of the games revolve around a military theme, and are designed to mimic combat. Players may have a certain number of “kills” to make or missions to complete. Players may serve as a part of a team, or work as individuals in these games. In some of the games, players are assigned a sniper role.

Other types of arcade shooting games online are based on fantasy characters such as zombies, vampires or other mythical creatures. In these types of games, players take on these creatures and perhaps even get the opportunity to save the world from them! Games of this type can be based on books, movies, or television shows as well. Again, players can play as part of a team, or alone. They can play against other players on line and rack up points to determine a winner of the game.

There is a lot of controversy surrounding these games as many people claim that they create violence in children and in predisposed adults. With any games, parents should be aware of what their kids are playing and stress to them regularly that it is just fantasy. For most people, the games are nothing more than a harmless respite and fun way to spend a little aggression. If you think about it, it is really no different from little boys playing army in their backyards in previous generations.

Another type of arcade shooting games online does not include any people, creatures, or animals. There are games where players shoot things like bubbles, balloons, stars or other items. These games may not seem like shooting games at first, but technically they are since they involve players aiming and shooting at objects. These types of games are typically more child friendly as they do not simulate any type of violence. These games can be good for hand-eye coordination and can help develop fine motor skills.

Arcade Shooting Games Online are a fun way to slip into fantasy for a little while and to pass the time in a fun and harmless way. They are an amusing way to waste a little time, and take a break from your high stress world. Players can find just the right game that appeals to them, and there are so many of them available on the internet that they should have no trouble at all finding what they want.


Awesome Wii Games

Fun for the Wii

If you are interested in Wii games you should take a look at some of the fun games out there. One of the most popular is the Mario series. Super Mario, Super Mario Galaxy as well as Mario Kart. There are many others in this product line that are extremely fun to play. If you prefer more games you can find some of every different genre. If you like fighting games you can find those and if you like army games or even children’s you will have no trouble finding the perfect game for you.

If you love sporting such as baseball, basketball, soccer and archery there are many different kinds that you can get to play on your Wii. One of the most popular is the Wii Resort Sports. Filled with many awesome tasks such as bowling and tennis you are sure to have fun.

Exercise Wii

Everyone likes a great workout that gets them up and moving and the Wii system was built with that in mind. Several Wii games out there include fitness routines that can help you stay in shape and feel great. The Wii Fit has been very popular as well as games based on karate and zumba. Many people are amazed that they can find great quality games with the Wii that can help them to make sure that they exercise and get up off the couch. When playing your Wii make sure that you exert caution and have the Wii controller around your wrist as in difficult exercise routines your Wii remote could slip out of your hands.

Where to Purchase

There are many locations as to where you can purchase Wii games. If you want to purchase used many stores will sell these for a fraction of the price and you can also find them online. Keep in mind though the games are used and if they do not work chances are you will not get your money back. You also run the risk of the game being scratched and not working well. So always check the game out thoroughly before you purchase that game.

Another option is to purchase your Wii games new. Purchasing your games new will allow you to make sure that you are getting a quality game that will work and if something does go wrong with it you will have no trouble returning it. You can purchase your games online at many different gaming stores or in local retail stores in your area. Be sure to shop around so that you can find the perfect price for your particular game.


Witcher 3

The Glitcher is a poorly made RPG, full of sexist clichés, inexact fighting mechanics, occasional bugs, and infuriating design that often have you groaning or rolling your eyes.

The great world of this Witcher release is an ugly fantastical world, skillfully shaped to exploit emersion action and experience.

Geralt the Witcher is pursuing the trace of his ward/daughter Ciri, making the most of his ability as a tracker to trail the faint leads and traces left by Ciri as she escapes the ghostly and terrible Wild Hunt.

The haunted riders are hunting Ciri for unknown reasons, causing the local inhabitants even more misery as they are already dealing with yet another attack from the Empire of Nilfgaard, the situation is miserable, the landscape is bleak but the game is a joy.

This is an action RPG with many traditional elements exposed back and swapped with unique functions. You cannot create a party of characters, and you have only narrow control over Geralts look, more real-world based as you visit barbers and clothing stores.

Whereas the basics of combat are comparatively straight forward; light attack, heavy attack and dodge, difficulty is ramped up as time goes on. Geralt will shape a bestiary of enemies, learning the weaknesses of a wide variety of creatures.

Mounting, through alchemy, oils and potions Gerailt can boost his chances in battle by careful preplanning. This engages players even further in the world, Geralt will sometime employee Batman style research of a quest scene, investigate the area to help conclude what he might be up against shortly. There is no use whacking some Spectral oil on your silver sword if rounding the next corner has Geralt confronting a werewolf.

Signs round out Geralt’s collection of battle. These magic attacks are unlocked from the beginning and you will use all of them at times, courtesy some as you go through the game improving them where you can.

And there is so much to do, each question mark discovered on the map is a drawcard for it may hold anything as mundane as a bandit camp or monster nest, or more often than not, a complete and fleshed out sub quest with conclusions and consequences.

Even travelling the landscape through foot or horseback has its rewards. The wind sadly blows through the heavily forested areas, or across the fens. Towns are occupied by dour folk going about their business both menial and grand.

Geralt is not saving the world, but quest by quest he is making a difference to the land. Meeting old partners and enemies, discovering new story elements or playing a good game of Gwent are all extremely satisfying.


Learn to Play Bridge

Basic Rules

To play bridge you need four people, a table and a standard pack of 52 playing cards (you discard the jokers). The players form partnerships and partners sit opposite each other. Each player is assigned to one of the four points of the compass as they sit around the table. East & West are one partnership and North & South are the other.

At the start of a game, each player is dealt 13 cards. They sort the cards into suits and then value their hand. To value a hand the player counts 4 points for each Ace they hold, 3 for each King, 2 for each Queen and 1 for each Jack.

As an example, imagine you have been dealt this hand:

A, J 10 5 Spades, K Q 7 Hearts, Q J 6 5 Diamonds, K 2 Clubs.

You hold 1 Ace (worth 4 points), 2 kings (worth a total of 6 points), 2 queens (worth a total of 4 points) and 2 jacks (worth a total of 2 points). So the value of your hand is 16 points.

Bridge is a trick taking game and each trick comprises 4 cards – one from each player. At the start of each trick the player who won the previous trick plays a card. The other players must play a card from the same suit, if they hold one. If they don’t they can play another suit. If a “trump” suit is being used, playing a card from the trump suit will win the trick, provided another player doesn’t play a higher trump card.

Whether or not a trump suit is being used is decided before the card play starts, when the players make their “bids”. The aim of bridge is to win at least the number of tricks that your partnership has said it will make if you win the bidding. The main aim of the bidding is to give your partner information about the content of your hand to help you decide how many tricks you think you can win.

In the bidding, players bid in a clockwise direction. A player won’t open the bidding unless they hold at least 12 points in their hand. If all players hold fewer than 12 points then the cards are redealt, although the final player has the option to open with fewer than 12 points if they feel their hand merits doing so.

Once a player has opened the bidding, there are two main decisions to be made. The other partnership has to decide whether to bid against the opener and their partner, or whether to let the opener and partner continue bidding unopposed. Meanwhile, opener and their partner are trying to exchange information about the make-up of their hands to decide how many tricks they think they can win.

There are 13 tricks in each game of bridge. The first 6 tricks are not bid for, so a bid of 1 means that the player believes they can win 7 tricks (6 +1). Bids can be suit bids or No Trumps. If the game is being played with a suit bid then a player can win a trick by “trumping” with a card from that suit IF they don’t hold a card in the suit being played. If the game is being played in No Trumps, then trumps are not played. (Note here that trumping is often referred to as ruffing by bridge players.)

Those are the basic rules that it is helpful to know before learning the intricacies of the bidding.

Hints and Tips

  • Practice. As with many things, practice is the best way of learning. If you enrol on a class or take lessons online, it is very helpful to try and play in between sessions. There are many websites or downloadable apps which allow you to play bridge against “robots” or dummy players. The great thing about the robots is they have infinite patience and really don’t care if you make wrong moves. A great way of learning and having fun in the comfort of your own home.
  • Learn one thing at a time. Learning bridge bidding can seem daunting with many conventions and rules. If you try to learn too much at once it will seem overwhelming. Find a good teacher or online site and learn one topic at a time. Don’t try to rush ahead – make sure you have understood each topic before moving on and trying to learn something new. As I have said to many of my own students: “It’s not a competition. Learn at your own pace.”
  • Don’t spend too long on each learning session. If you find yourself spending too many hours at one time trying to learn a topic you will stress yourself and start to get muddled. For beginners one hour at a time, if you are learning at home, is quite long enough. Take a break. If you try to learn too much at once you will simply forget it all.
  • Revision. If you enrol on a local bridge course, try to go through the topics you have learnt before the next lesson. This, along with some home practice play, will help you remember the topics that you learnt. Don’t try to get ahead of your teacher. Take it slowly – that way you will learn more in the long run.


War World Video Game

9 feet high and rising

In the simplest terms, there really isn’t a lot to War World at all. You’re initially treated to some intricate back-story involving a planet (War World itself) splintered into various city-states, governed by the Gathering of Leaders whose inhabitants work out their frustrations by staging regular battles in the Arena Combat Network. Rather than send in actual people, the battles are fought using 3-metre tall robots controlled by the player’s consciousness.

Of course very little of this actually matters, as upon starting the game you very quickly find that the background matters not one iota as there isn’t even a story mode to play through. Within 30 seconds of opening up the first arena you realise this is a good old simple arena deathmatch game, along the lines of Unreal Tournament and Quake 3 Arena. The aim? Get through 100 levels of against-the-odds battling. So far, so generic.

The science bit

My first couple of hours with War World were a tad forced. The graphics are nice enough and the levels are well crafted but the game’s just too darned fast for you to be able to appreciate any of this. Even though you’re only facing two or three enemies at a time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, even if the game does resort to using standard FPS controls.

What doesn’t help matters is the lack of a tutorial. There’s nothing too complex going on in the levels themselves, but before each round starts there’s an equipment selection area. Without having had any training or build-up at this point, it’s left up to you to decide whether miniguns will be a better choice than lasers, or whether you need to invest some cash into shields or mines. Luckily you soon find that you’re able to restart and select different weapons should things go pear shaped, but it takes a fair old while before you find your ideal combination.

As I said earlier, fights are a simple “deathmatch” affair, with you being very much on your own. Unlike Unreal Tournament and Quake 3 though, here there’s no in-fighting whatsoever. Everyone’s out to get you and you alone. A typical round may last only a couple of minutes, with you having to clear the arena of up to 4 or 5 enemies at a time. Dropships will bring in new waves periodically on the longer missions, whereas other levels will simply have one seriously tooled-up mech to defeat.

The weapons choices you made earlier will pay off here, as some guns will hold more ammunition/power than others. If you do run out of ammo mid-match, there are caches dotted around so a quick blast of your shield (which only works for a limited amount of time and prevents you from using weapons) will usually see you right whilst you locate your nearest supply point. Health is catered for by killing other mechs, where you’ll have to be sure that you pick up the energy supply they drop as they explode. A victory on the battlefield will take you out to the equipment selection area with a reward of 3,000 credits. As you can swap existing weapons and recoup their original asking price, it doesn’t take long before you can truly find your killer combo of lasers, miniguns, mines, rockets and shield.

Ooooh, shiney!

I touched upon the graphics previously but I think it’s worthwhile pressing that they are very lovely indeed. The levels move from future industrial through desert via jungle ruins (looking very reminiscent of Thai temples) and because the arenas have been kept very small, the game moves at a cracking pace even with a relatively modest system. My system’s only a reasonably middling one in gaming terms and I still had the ability to throw on a good couple of levels of anti-aliasing whilst keeping the framerate well over 60FPS.

Unlike the graphics, the sound could only honestly be described as functional. Everything sounds fine and the positioning on a 5.1 system is good, but there’s nothing that lifts it above the crowd. Maybe it’s because I’ve been spoilt by the likes of FEAR recently, but I couldn’t help thinking it was an area that could still take a little work.

Old-timers apply here

Now you’d be forgiven for thinking that nothing mentioned above seems to ensure War World stands out, but it’s at this point that I’d ask anyone over 35 to pay attention: War World may appear to be a Q3A or UT clone, but in actuality it’s nothing more than Robotron or Smash TV in 3d. Some would think this isn’t an important statement, but as someone who’s piled hundreds of hours into the likes of Geometry Wars (the retro blast-em-up featured as an Easter egg in Project Gotham Racing 2). Mutant Storm and Llamatron (Jeff Minter’s seminal take on the Williams game Robotron) I feel it’s a deeply significant point, especially as it’s actually just as satisfying to pile a bit of spare time into.


Learn FIFA

FIFA SHOOTING

In FIFA 15 the finesse shot is back and better to attempt than the normal shot without pressing any other button than B / CIRCLE.
Do not hold the shoot button too long as well because he will shoot the ball to the stars.

FIFA TACTICS

Some tactics you can use is. Fine tune your direction with the L / LS joystick. Minimal direction turning will drastically better your performance in dribbling and passing an attacker. You should have a good balance between passing and keeping the ball.

A nice trick I like to use is hogging the ball as long as you can so your opponent gets agitated. In FIFA 15 it is really easy for noobs to shoot goals in the last minute and even make you lose the game when you have done all the work.

So keep playing safe and keep passing the ball.

Another thing you need to take care of with runners is that you need to use B / CIRCLE to pull or push the opponents. Most of the time referees do not see that and you can get away with it.

FIFA DRIBBLING

Dear player, try to master at least two dribble skills. Practice them in the arena until you can do them in all directions. Note that you have to use R / RS in the direction your player is looking for him to make the skill.

After you have mastered two, you should do them not too often throughout the game. Do one and pass. Do the other one and pass. When you get close to the goal, shoot. Try to shoot whenever the way is free. This will give your team an emotional boost and make them play better. Do not try too hard and shoot when you think it will be a goal 100%. Try to shoot whenever you can.


Forgotten N64 Games

WinBack

Gamers that owned the original PlayStation will likely wax lyrical about a little game called Metal Gear Solid. It was one of the first console stealth-action games to really make an impact on the mainstream market, and after the success of the first Solid game the series became an important flagship for the PlayStation console. What few gamers remember though, is that the N64 had a stealth-action game of its own though in WinBack. Featuring ahead-of-its-time cover based shooting and some not-quite-MGS stealth mechanics, WinBack was a great game that was sadly in the wrong place at the wrong time. Metal Gear Solid went on to be one of the biggest series’ in gaming, and WinBack went on to be number 5 in our forgotten N64 games list.

Tetrisphere

Tetris is a hugely important game. One of the best selling titles of all time, and one that was a massive money-spinner for Nintendo on Game Boy, the ultra-popular puzzle game so successfully transcended the gaming medium that it’s up there with Pac-Man and Pong in the list of games that even your Grandpa has heard of. One thing Gramps almost certainly won’t have heard of though, is Tetrisphere. Just like you might have figured out from the name, Tetrisphere was essentially Tetris played, well, on a sphere. Eschewing all notions of the idea that “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, Tetrisphere was one of the few games that managed to put a new spin on an old classic and not leave everyone involved red faced.

Blast Corps

Blast Corps was a game of little finesse. There’s no elaborate story to follow. There’s no emotional connection to characters. There are no delusions of grandeur. This is a game in which you drive trucks through cities and suburbs and smash them up real good. And that’s about it. The trucks never handled particularly well, and the forced repetition of levels could certainly grate, but there was something incredibly satisfying about reducing a city to rubble using just one little truck.

Beetle Adventure Racing

On the surface, Beetle Adventure Racing might sound like little more than a cash-in or an advertisement dressed up as a game, but to the surprise of anyone who played it, the game was a rare treat. Access to some parts of the game was cut off in the beginning with the player charged with unlocking them via exploration and standard racing throughout a massively enjoyable single player experience. The focus on exploration as well as more traditional racing didn’t quite make it an open world racer like we see today, but it was certainly ahead of its time. And the local multiplayer? It was up there with GoldenEye for the most fun you could have on the system.

Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber

Okay, let’s get it out of the way. Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber has an absolutely ridiculous name. And that might well have contributed to the cartridge not landing on many Christmas lists all those years ago, bagging Ogre Battle the dubious honour of being number one on our list of forgotten N64 games. The overlooked role playing game featured a huge branching story, some decision making, and a surprising amount of replay value thanks to the way the world would change based on your actions. While you’ll likely get nothing but bewildered looks if you try talking about the game with many gamers today, Ogre Battle was a wonderful RPG and one that any self-respecting fan of retro gaming should endeavour to try out.


Operate a Private Game Server

Player slots

You can find a lot of servers there, but not all of them are set up properly. Actually, the owners fail to realize that their server is not meant for a large number of users. Their computer doesn’t support that many users at the same time.

For instance, Minecraft makes use of your computer RAM in order to serve each user connected to your server. So, if you want to serve, say, 200 players, your server should have enough free RAM to help the players play the games properly. You don’t have to spend millions of dollars on a fast server. By spending a few hundred dollars more, you can get a server with enough RAM to serve a lot of users.

Internet connection

Some games require a blazing fast connection. So, if you want those games to be played smoothly, we suggest that you have a faster internet connection. If you have a slow connection, the server will experience lags and won’t be able to serve too many users. Ideally, we suggest that you go for a 10Mbps connection. Make sure it’s the upload speed of your connection. Unlike this game, Minecraft can be run properly with only 0.5Mbps upload speed.

Uptime

The uptime of your server is based on the fact whether it is going to be a public server. If you are going to set up the server for your family members or friends, for instance, you don’t need to keep it online all the time.

In case of a public server, know that your server must be up all the time. You have no idea when someone will connect to your server to play their favorite game. You will lose users if your server remains offline for most of day. Once a user fails to connect to your server, they will go to some other server never to come back again.

Staff

How many moderators do you need to operate your server 24 hours a day? Actually, the answer depends upon the number of users that connect to your server simultaneously. If your server has a huge number of users, we suggest that you hire additional staff to take care of things. On the other hand, if the server is not a public one, you don’t need to hire a big staff.