Category: Entertainment

Jurassic World Evolution, 9 out of 10 Goldblums!

The Feebled Dream of a Mad Man

Frontier Inc., the creators of Planet Coaster have a rebellious nature and a real passion for sandbox games. The founders of the company previously worked under the developers of Roller Tycoon but eventually realized that the company had lost its passion, so they departed from RCT and embarked to create their own theme park simulator. The result was the astounding, addicting, and intricate game known as Planet Coaster. After the release and success of Planet Coaster in 2016, much was expected of Frontier’s next project. So the developers had to come up with a big idea. And like all great ideas, it starts with an ember…or in this case an Amber. (See what I did there)

It’s DINOmite!

Frontier’s passion for gaming shows through from the moment you launch Jurassic World Evolution. With John Williams original score and Jeff Goldblum narrating you the tutorial, you’re immediately drawn in to what we all know and love. A user-friendly interface and smooth mechanics make picking the game up a breeze. Then comes the scenery…The landscaping and environment is absolutely incredible. There is so much intricate detail everywhere you look. The water, the mountains, and the grasslands truly transport you to Isla Nubar (Ultra High settings of course). But the games true graphics feat is the dinosaurs themselves. Frontier was able to partner up with the original designers of Spielberg’s Jurassic Park (1993) dinosaurs in an attempt to create the most realistic dinosaurs in a game to date. You can literally see every muscle fiber move when the animal runs, eats, and even attacks…It’s truly a work of art.

Running a Jurassic Park

Once your park is up and running, you have to do everything you think you would need to do when running a theme park filled with man eating dinosaurs. Keep power sources on and fences electrified, feed guests and dinos alike, Animal containment units on constant patrol, etc. After about an hour of playtime, my favorite aspect of the game is taking your ACU jeep on free roam through the park. With an open world feel, you can enter habitats for a up close encounters with Mr. T-Rex, explore the mountains and really take in the games amazing scenery.

To keep attractions and guest numbers high, you constantly have to be adding new dinosaurs and genetically modifying new breeds. You send crews on dig sites around the world who return with the highly coveted DINO-DNA. Also since you are on a chain of islands off Costa Rica, weather plays a big factor in the game. Hurricanes, tornados, severe rains can affect your habitats and fences. If a Dino gets out of a perimeter and eats the guests, then…well let’s just say that mountains that surround you will pale in comparison the mountains of lawsuits you’ll have.

The summary

Jurassic World Evolution is a very compelling and immersive gaming experience. For a long time JP fan boy such as myself, I am just over the moon that there is finally a game that the captures awe and admiration of these dinosaurs that the first film did. They game could have more content when it comes to buildings and amenities, but I’m sure Frontier is purposely holding that stuff back for future expansions to keep gamers coming back for more. In my opinion, it’s a game that’s hard not to love.

June 12, 2018
Razer Expands RGB Support to Third Parties

Serious PC gaming doesn’t require you to have a flashy assortment of glowing peripherals and PC parts. It does, however, look super awesome. WIth tha in mind, Razer has expanded their back-end Chroma support to work with a wider range of manufacturers’ hardware.

Wait, What? RGB? Synchronization?

RGB is a type of lighting that is quite popular with PC gamers. As awesome as the flashing lights can look, it’s often a pain to synchronize their colors and flashing lights. This is due to the software used to control their color schemes: nearly every company uses different software. Corsair, AMD, Logitech and even Razer all have their own control programs.

To remedy this, Razer has issued its new Chroma partnership program. The stated goal? Helping make your entire set-up much more synchronized. Now, if you have hardware from AMD, MSI, Thermaltake, NZXT, or a few others, you can synch them all with the Chroma program.

What’s the Big Deal?

For those who haven’t used RGB, it might not seem like that big of a deal. However, many games, like Overwatch and Fortnite, offer some awesome functionality with the technology. Overwatch, for instance, changes your RGB colors when you change characters, further immersing you in the game. Additionally, having a unified keyboard, mouse, headset and PC case can make your set-up look slick and futuristic. Unless, of course, the colors and pulses are all out of sync.

The Downside

The only bad news in this announcement is the timeline. For the time being, very few manufacturers have hardware out that supports the partnership project. Razer’s new program is a step up over its previous initiatives, though. The previous partnership program required that hardware had to be hard-programmed to work with Chroma. This means that manufacturers had to consider Chroma while making their own peripheral. The new program, however, uses a new Razer API to connect all the devices through software.

Razer has stated that we can expect supporting hardware by the end of the year. If you’re interested in just jumping in with a great gaming keyboard, though, you can check out our favorites right here.

June 12, 2018
Microsoft Looking to Shore Up First-Party Development for Xbox, Buys Four Game Studios

During their E3 press conference, Microsoft aimed to dispel the doubts about the Xbox One. The biggest doubts they took aim at, of course, where those of exclusive games. Recently, Sony has been absolutely sprinting past Xbox in terms of sales, and many gamers chalk this up to the exclusives. Sony has huge names like Uncharted, The Last of Us, God of War, Nier Automata and many more to bolster their brand. This is understandably frustrating for the company, as their Xbox One X system outpaces the PS4 Pro in terms of raw power. Microsoft’s answer? Their greatest strength: money to throw at the problem.

As it Has Been, so it Shall Be

This isn’t a new strategy for Microsoft, either. In the earliest days of the Xbox, monetary incentives were the primary reasons developers made games for the system. Halo creator Bungie was bought by Microsoft in 1999, and Rare, Banjo-Kazooie creators, were bought a few years later. This strategy helped Xbox make a name for itself with its exclusives.

That strategy worked once, and clearly the compnay behind Xbox hopes it can work again. At their E3 conference they announced their acquisition of four game studios. The studios in question: Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, Playground Games and Undead Labs.

Why Now?

It is a bit late in the Xbox One’s life cycle for Microsoft to only just now be acquiring these studios. Surely, any future games from these studios won’t be out for a year at least, meaning that their contributions likely won’t be felt on the Xbox One. Instead, it seems, this is a preemptive move to bolster the launch of the next Xbox.

Phil Spencer, head of the gaming division of Microsoft, confirmed at E3 that the hardware teams are hard at work on the next Xbox consoles. The pluralization is interesting, too. Is Microsoft working on multiple systems? Only time will tell.

Microsoft Learning from Their Own Mistakes

Hopefully Microsoft now sees the importance of their exclusives, and the importance of a consoles first impression. In 2013, their Xbox One announcement was met with near-universal criticism. Between the strong DRM and lack of focus on games, many saw the system as a step backwards. The next Xbox will need a stronger announcement and launch if it hopes to dislodge Sony and compete with Nintendo.

Hopefully the wealth of new talent being brought on board means stellar new IPs to bolster the brand. After all, competition between Microsoft and Sony just means more awesome games for us!

June 12, 2018
Streaming Games Instead of Consoles? Ubisoft CEO Thinks This is Last Console Gerenation

In an interview with Variety, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemont has stated that he thinks the next console generation shall be the last. In the interview Guillemont stated “I think we will see another generation, but there is a good chance that step-by-step we will see less and less hardware.” This prediction somewhat echoes the scenario that occurred for movies and music. Hardly anyone still uses CDs or DVDs, and, in fact, most houses don’t have a CD or DVD player even hooked up. However, Guillemont and others in the industry seem to think gaming will also move into the realm of streaming. Will streaming games become as normal as streaming movies, or is Guillemont talking nonsense?

Technological Hurdles

The first problem that would need to be overcome for streaming games with console quality would, of course, be internet connections. Currently, most Americans don’t live in areas with infrastructure that supports fast enough internet for streaming games to be feasible. Places like Japan and Europe, where servers are much closer to users, have no such issues. It makes sense that Guillemont, from France, would see streaming becoming the new industry standard. And maybe in Japan and Europe, it will!

However, in America, the infrastructure to make game streaming anything other than an exercise in frustration just isn’t there yet. Many areas are so remote and distant from the nearest server hub that they will likely never get internet speeds to rival more urban areas.

What do you Own When all Games are Streaming Games?

The other issue that would need to be tackled, of course, would be one of ownership. Or rather, convincing gamers to give up their ownership of their games. This issue has already cropped up with music and movies. If you opt to just use streaming services for everything and physical media becomes a relic of the past, you actually won’t be able to own any of the things you love.

Take this anecdote from Xbox Live Arcade, for instance. The video game adaptation of Scott Pilgrim vs the World was pulled from that service due to licensing issues. Now, unless you have that game saved on a hard drive already, it’s gone. That video game has effectively been erased due to its digital-only distribution method. If the gaming industry wants seriously to move towards streaming, there will absolutely be major pushback. Gamers who value owning physical media will be some of the loudest voices if gaming moves in this direction.

Even now, you can see some pushback against digital-only trends in other industries. Vinyl record sales stay steady, despite the prevalence of streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify. Print book sales remain solid in the face of e-readers. There’s something inherently desirable about holding physical media and owning the art you love.

A Likely Future?

That all said, Guillemont’s future isn’t exactly an impossibility. Streaming services will certainly be here soon, but they will likely never fully replace the home console. Nintendo, for instance, has recently revolutionized what can even be considered a “home” console with the Switch! Were all games streaming-only, innovation like a hybrid console wouldn’t have come to be.

In much the same way that the cell phone didn’t kill handheld gaming, I am fairly certain that streaming won’t kill the home console. You’re fighting more than just technological hurdles, you’re fighting people’s sense of ownership and attachment. And if we’ve learned anything, it’s that people like their stuff.

Feature Image Credit: jeuxvideo.com

June 11, 2018
Beau’s Number 1 App Review: Twisty Arrow!
Beau’s App series. Each week, I install whatever is the No. 1 bestselling app on the iOS or Android store and review it, to save you the effort in case it’s total waste of life. This week a game called Twisty Arrow is in the top spot and we are gonna talk about it. Why isn’t it No. 1? not sure, its a very simple and basic game but it’s free. So let take a look and see what has this game rocketing to the top of the charts.

Twisty Arrow is a simple tapping game. Shoot arrows at the spinning circle target but don’t touch the other arrows. Use the right strategy to improve your accuracy and hit the bullseye on the circle as it twists every time. The more arrows you shoot, the harder it is to be accurate and hit the bullseye. Can you beat this impossible rotating wheel? What level can you get to? Download right now and spin the wheel to find out.

The Basics of Twisty Arrow
- Tap your screen to shoot arrows at the spinning wheel
- Hit the bulls eye with the arrows without touching other arrows
- Each level requires a certain amount of arrows to hit the bulls eye to complete
- Different levels spin, twist, and rotate in different directions and at different speeds
Highly Addicting

I started playing for just a few mins just to get an overview next thing 6 hours is gone. Gone, hours ill never get back. Wasted? yes immensely. This should be a five minute game, yet somehow here we are. Its very repetitious and very simple, it gets frustrating and you start to doubt your self worth when you fail at something this simple. I wish there was more to say than its just a arrow into a spinning circle, in black and white.

The Final Thought

This is the most uninspired and basic game or app I have ever played. I can not comprehend why this made it to the top of the app store chart. However, it did and now with their incessant ads the creators are essentially printing money, Congrats to the guys a tasty pill. Capitalization on peoples boredom, what a time to be alive.
June 10, 2018
E3 Conference and What You Need To Know

Its that video game-glastic time of the year were we get a glimps of the future of our obsession. gaming. This year the E3 conference is slated for a slew of great and exciting news, loaded with games and consoles to set our hearts and minds racing like the first time we played Donkey Kong. Lets take a look at whats up

E3 Conference Schedule

Saturday, June 9

Electronic Arts — 11 a.m. PT (2 p.m. ET)

Sunday, June 10

Microsoft — 1 p.m. PT (4 p.m. ET)

Bethesda — 6:30 p.m. PT (9:30 p.m. ET)

Monday, June 11

Square Enix — 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET)

Ubisoft — 1 p.m. PT (4 p.m. ET)
PC Gaming Show — 3 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET)
Sony — 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET)

Tuesday, June 12

Nintendo (livestream only) — 9 a.m.

For us Fanboys If you are in L.A. you can head down to the L.A. Convention center and for $250 hang out all weekend with a 3 day E3 conference pass. The general pass for people in the games industry is free.

What We Are Expecting at E3

Consoles.. Both the Xbox one and PlayStation 4 are 5 years old now. They got some upgrades and tweaks in the past year but we need a step forward. usually we get an announcement 18 months before a commercial release of a big box console. This means Both Sony and Microsoft vould announce a new console in development at the E3 for Q4 2019 release. Seems plausible. At the very least a price slash on the current line up is due.

Nintendo is riding high on the success of the Switch console. At the E3 conference 2018, we may get to hear about a purported new Star Fox game, a possible Fortnite port, and more details on the next version of Super Smash Bros.

Games: Rocksteady

There are a few we are waiting and looking out for. Rocksteady is the developer Im most interested in hearing from. They have been tightliped about a game for a few years now, but speculations have it being a Superman game in the mode of the Arkham series. We may even have a possible title leak. Superman: Worlds Finest… Mind blown, ill put my vacation request in now and start stocking up on hot pockets, I wont be leaving the house for at least a week.

“World’s Finest” isn’t just a cool subtitle. Those two words together carry a lot of weight, going back several decades in DC Comics history. World’s Finest is the tag team moniker used to describe Superman and Batman when they work together, and has been the title for several volumes of comic book issues.

We are most likely going to see game announcements for Hitman 2, Gears of War 5 and Crackdown 3

EA

EA is looking to make a big splash this year. They are arriving early for their own pregame rally. EA has already confirmed that, as you’d expect, fans will get the chance to see and play the latest EA Sports titles such as Madden 19, FIFA 19, NHL 19 and NBA Live 19, and that the new Battlefield game will make an appearance though we still don’t know anything about what the game will actually involve.

We also have a solid rumor that the MLB is coming back to EA. I would love to see them bring back Triple Play Baseball..

Cyberpunk

CD Projekt RED’s Cyberpunk 2077 has been a white whale of ours for a better part of the decade. Since the game’s 2012 reveal, the studio has gone on relative radio silence regarding the project, instead (and understandably) focusing on The Witcher 3. However, now that Geralt’s story is done, it finally seems like it’s time for Cyberpunk 2077 to come out of hibernation.

The Final Thought

Im still giddy at the thought of a Superman game.. Im super excited for this weekend, I’ve played video games for 35 years. I don’t have any hobbies or interest that can make that claim so its nice to see a big extravaganza involving my oldest hobby.

June 9, 2018
E3 is Soon! What are We Expecting to See?

It’s almost time for E3! Are you excited? I know we are! We had an article about what we were hoping to see, but now that we’re in the home stretch before the big event, let’s round up what we’re expecting to see. The Hype Train is moving full speed ahead, hop on board!

Nintendo at E3: Super Smash Bros and Pokemon

Nintendo surprised everyone when they announced Pokemon Let’s Go a full two weeks ahead of the event. You can rest assured we’ll see an in-depth breakdown of Nintendo’s newest Pokemon games at the event. Given that these are the first big console Pokemon RPGs since the Gamecube’s Gale of Darkness, they’re going to be huge. Expect to see Switch sales bolstered immensely by Nintendo’s yellow mouse mascot.

Speaking of Nintendo mascots, the other surefire topic at the event is assuredly Super Smash Bros. After the surprise reveal during March’s Nintendo Direct, the internet has been abuzz with rumors and speculations. Expect to see gameplay footage, new stages, new characters, and tons more. Nintendo has promised a tournament in the new game featuring some of the top Smash Bros players from around the world during the event. We’re sure to see new characters and gameplay features during this event.

Microsoft: More Exclusives? Please?

The Xbox One X is the most powerful home console out there, no doubt. The PS4 Pro doesn’t keep up. But that means very little when the system has next to no exclusives. Sea of Thieves doesn’t count, sorry; that game doesn’t come close to making the system flex. (Even if it is super fun.) Rumor has it that Microsoft is looking to remedy this with a slew of first-party titles to be revealed during E3.

Big names like Crackdown 3, Forza Horizon 4, Gears of War 5, Halo 6 and more are expected at the show. Hopefully Microsoft has more than just sequels to aging franchises, though. Something fresh, exciting and new should be at the top of their list of reveals this year.

Sony: Upward Trajectory

Sony’s doing pretty well in the gaming world. They’re not doing too amazingly well elsewhere, but they’re leading the current console war. Expect to see news on first-party titles like Spider-Man and The Last of Us 2. New IPs like Ghost of Tsushima, Days Gone and Dreams will also likely make appearances.

Sony’s PS4 has been selling well and riding a wave of newfound popularity. God of War, the revival of the popular action series, has already sold over 3 million units. All Sony needs to do this year is keep telling us about awesome new games on the way and we’ll be happy!

The Other Stuff

Other big names at the event will be showing off their multiplatform efforts, of course. Bethesda will talk about Fallout 76, that one is for sure. They launched a teaser video last week with scant details, so fans will be ravenous for more come showtime. Borderlands 3 will likely be on display from Gearbox. We can expect Just Cause 4 and Kingdom Hearts 3 to also make appearances. Also, oddly, Rage seems to be getting a sequel and will be unveiled at E3 this year.

What Won’t We See?

Next gen consoles, probably. Sony and Microsoft have both only just pushed out updated versions of their existing consoles with better hardware. The odds of them overshadowing these updated consoles with announcements of next gen are pretty low. Similarly, Nintendo just released the Switch last year, and its sales have been quite strong.

Odds are good that this year is going to have the focus on games, first and foremost. This is good news for gamers who were getting sick of too much focus on gimmicks like Kinect and AR and the Wii U. Wait, that last one was its own console? Man, Nintendo fumbled the marketing for that thing…

June 8, 2018
Xbox Systems to Support Voice Assistants Like Alexa

A new report from Windows Central has shown a screenshot of options for voice assistants in Xbox One. While the system already has support through the (now shuttered) Kinect service via Cortana, the Windows Central report goes beyond Microsoft’s proprietary AI. The report indicates Google Assistant and Alexa would both be supported in addition to Microsoft’s own assistant.

Smart Speaker Integration

Smart speakers are sort of taking over the world right now, so it makes sense that Microsoft would focus on this technology. The Xbox One has always been marketed as a home entertainment system first, with TV and music being huge for the system. Having the system connect to your Smart Home network is a no-brainer for Microsoft.

Xbox Voice Gaming Potential

Additional inputs aren’t a bad thing, and Xbox is known for unconventional inputs. The aforementioned Kinect service serves as evidence of this. Voice and gesture commands were once a hallmark of the Xbox family of games but fell out of favor as the company refocused on core games. However, the surge in popularity of voice assistants could signal another push by Microsoft to reenter the Kinect space. “Alexa, start Halo on my Xbox,” is one thing. But “Alexa, help me find nearby save points,” could bring a new layer of depth to certain games.

Heck, Microsoft could even be cute and play favorites with Cortana funcitonality in Halo. As fans know, Cortana is actually an AI character in the famed sci-fi series. Talking to her directly in game via a smart speaker could bring another layer of immersion to the experience. “Cortana, where are the enemies?” “Cortana, show me the way out of here,” you can imagine the possibilities.

Considerations for Xbox Owners

There is nothing more frustrating than buying a cool new piece of tech only to find out it isn’t compatible with your set-up. If you’re an Xbox owner thinking about getting a smart speaker, it may be wise to hold off until Microsoft announces more. We aren’t sure as of yet which services and speakers will be compatible. For the moment, hold tight and see what unfolds.

June 6, 2018
Atari VCS, First New Atari in Decades, Raises $2 Million in one Day

Atari’s love letter to retro gaming, the Atari VCS, was up on Indiegogo for a day before it nearly crashed the site. The retro-inspired console pulled in over $2 million in pledged funding. The Atari VCS is a system unlike most we’ve seen in the past, in that it’s a hybrid of the micro-consoles Nintendo has been releasing, and a more traditional console like the PS4. It is slated to come pre-loaded with over 100 Atari games, making it sort of like the SNES Classic. It is also going to offer more modern gaming experiences, more comparable to a full console.

Crowdfunding?

The console was sure to release with or without the crowdfunding campaign, but the Indiegogo success indicates something else. Developers can rest easy knowing that there is ample excitement for Atari’s first console since the 90’s. Additionally, this helps Atari gauge interest and produce enough units to meet demand. This allows them to avoid a Nintendo-like situation where their console proves more popular than anticipated and supply runs out too quickly.

Worlds Collide

The VCS is going to have a price tag of $299. That puts it in the same league as the Switch, the PS4 and the Xbox One. This is a very bold move for a video game maker who hasn’t been in the mix for 25 years. The last time Atari made a console was the Jaguar, released in November of 1993. The VCS, however, is looking to be a modern device with streaming and online play in mind. Atari is marketing the console’s open Linux OS, making it highly customizable and open to user software. As mentioned earlier, the console will also come with a wide library of older Atari games.

The main draw, however, will certainly be the newer games living in harmony with their older cousins. Atari promises favorites from PC and indie games will be on the console. The VCS sports a modern looking controller, in addition to a classic-looking input.

When Can I Get My Own Atari VCS?

If the promise of a modern console with classic sensibilities sounds your speed, then you’ll be pleased to know the Atari VCS hits store in June of 2019. You’ve still got time to head over to their Indiegogo page and pledge and check out Atari’s videos and descriptions of the console. What do you think, could this be the return of Atari? Or is this idea too weird, and doomed to fail?

June 6, 2018
Asus to Enter Gaming Phone Space with ROG Phone

Early reports from various outlets have begun to describe Asus’ entry into the phone market. The ROG Phone, which shares a name with Asus’ gaming computer line, is set to boast powerful gaming performance. Razer entered the mobile market last year with their aptly-named Razer phone. However, Razer hasn’t quite managed to capture the attention of gamers. Most who prefer gaming on the go have stuck to their gaming laptop or Nintendo Switch. They instead opt for using their phone as, well, a phone. But Asus seeks to change that, and it looks like they might do just that.

Air Buttons

The first innovation worth noting on the ROG phone is the Air Button technology. While the phone sports a normal large touchscreen display and has no physical buttons, it does have Air Button sensors. Those sensors can tell when a finger falls as though it were mashing a button, giving haptic feedback and sending the input. The Air Buttons are programmable, allowing gamers to program key actions, like pulling a trigger, to the handy input.

TwinView Dock

Another fascinating addition that Asus is bringing to the smartphone market are gaming-related peripherals. The TwinView dock is one of them, turning the phone into something of a Nintendo DS-like gaming apparatus by adding a second screen. The dock also sports two physical shoulder buttons in lieu of the Air Buttons, which makes the phone feel more like a dedicated gaming device.

AeroActive Cooler

A peripheral set to be included with every ROG phone, the AeroActive cooler seeks to combat a common criticism of long gaming sessions on phones. Mobile devices don’t have any room for a cooling system, meaning that long sessions of Fortnite or Pokemon Go will cause the phone to heat up and have worse performance. To remedy this, the ROG Phone will come standard with this cooling device to help maintain a stable temperature. The option to keep the phone cooler for longer will make it a more attractive phone for serious gamers.

ROG Phone: A True Gaming Smartphone?

The ROG Phone has all the design choices that could make a phone desirable as a gaming platform. It even sports a side-mounted charger, in addition to the bottom-mounted one, to allow for gaming while charging. Asus has also promised a dock to allow your phone to be displayed on a monitor or computer screen, sort of a reverse game-streaming.

If gaming smartphones are ever going to be a viable market, the ROG Phone is set to be the phone to make them so. If this one underperforms, it likely won’t be the fault of the phone, but instead the hard-to-predict whims of gamers. For now we’ll have to await further details, as Asus hasn’t even floated a release date yet.

June 5, 2018