tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9438193527308676562024-03-13T04:08:44.742-04:00SL Newser - Other Grids, MMOs, and GamesOther virtual worlds outside Second Life, Minecraft, Multiplayer Online Games, and Game ReviewsBixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-83896543243457025892023-12-11T06:00:00.002-05:002023-12-11T14:45:32.190-05:00Game Review: Rise of Cultures<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"> By Bixyl Shuftan</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I
haven't done any game reviews in a while, partially because I haven't
spent as much time playing games as I used to. But I do play a little. One I've been playing is "Rise of Cultures."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jQW9pfl3YNLtUABwprkvc2xjx1A0NAnYaYFIym4h-iuPTi7XmKeObQn58hYXa5Adm-inqmZdySYEv_5-NuFDnT0zrbHtwVWPzwE-JQteMgIY0fY-V49kj5X8ckwKvbCAYxPJ_Oh8kv0TCCX01xdIVXz31E3wtXbX-BQRJ0g6A7h2btnfgloJlkBemrE/s1246/Rise%20of%20Cultures_earlybronzeage.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1246" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jQW9pfl3YNLtUABwprkvc2xjx1A0NAnYaYFIym4h-iuPTi7XmKeObQn58hYXa5Adm-inqmZdySYEv_5-NuFDnT0zrbHtwVWPzwE-JQteMgIY0fY-V49kj5X8ckwKvbCAYxPJ_Oh8kv0TCCX01xdIVXz31E3wtXbX-BQRJ0g6A7h2btnfgloJlkBemrE/w200-h133/Rise%20of%20Cultures_earlybronzeage.png" width="200" /></a></div>Rise
of Cultures is a browser/mobile app game from Innogames, who also made
Forge of Empires. The game has much the same aspect as Forge, a
history-themed city builder, and plays much the same. But it does look a
little different, and will appeal more to some players. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You
start off in charge of a tribe of stone-age folk. You help them develop
the start of their settlement, and with a little guidance from a couple
advisors continue to help the place grow in size, technology, and
culture. Research points, which slowly accumulate naturally over time,
can be used to develop technologies. There are also quests to take care
of, which both encourage you to progress and some are needed to advance.
Many involve your two city advisors who give you objectives to
accomplish. Others are challenges by enemies and allies. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There
are occasional random happenings on the city map. This may include
fruit to collect, a broken-down cart to repair in exchange for some
gold, dealing with a wild boar guarding a treasure, and more. Sending
workers to deal with the happening takes a few minutes, but will get you
rewards in the form of food, gold, and occasionally crystals (more on
those later).<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq44b4U-f4kEzHv17-gVmL_Fro4rVrs2eWuD0XnNE2bF0-U2IlzysYtEmCnT3UrkB2MFbWyMisuXBDQ5RY_oKWBMSeaJ147YL47JShNqYXo-rmmo7Pl27PAlRyKkopB9DU-YSvhyphenhyphenWEL7c3ojJOw_rK36YwcaXlGfQmdI_NIPoSZw6EEgmRxbQV4JmDJSw/s1246/Rise%20of%20Cultures_techtree.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1246" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq44b4U-f4kEzHv17-gVmL_Fro4rVrs2eWuD0XnNE2bF0-U2IlzysYtEmCnT3UrkB2MFbWyMisuXBDQ5RY_oKWBMSeaJ147YL47JShNqYXo-rmmo7Pl27PAlRyKkopB9DU-YSvhyphenhyphenWEL7c3ojJOw_rK36YwcaXlGfQmdI_NIPoSZw6EEgmRxbQV4JmDJSw/w200-h133/Rise%20of%20Cultures_techtree.png" width="200" /></a></div>Technologies
help you in some way, such as unlocking certain buildings, improvements
of them, or allowing you to build more of something. The first ones
are simple, such as tribal settlement, cultivation, firemaker, and the
wheel, and cost just a few research points and maybe a few coins and
food. Further up the tech tree, technologies will cost more. Eventually,
they'll start to cost some goods as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsTYOl4MEHMR4ulo-Y9aGi5AV18lfidMAJKP1Eqadhyphenhyphenep90jQwVCkgKJ6lEXA2tcEKZdqKjL7dyvdEWj98f6_cLnGEVpqV5X-yVUBiA_2JvOTPXhB3oSi3G1XQT3AYJbMo75R_iEhc6uQqjsqzCekEB8O4BWeV4r57KQ1jiMOitR3zaD-N7m-NIocLjk/s1275/Rise%20of%20Cultures_houses.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1275" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsTYOl4MEHMR4ulo-Y9aGi5AV18lfidMAJKP1Eqadhyphenhyphenep90jQwVCkgKJ6lEXA2tcEKZdqKjL7dyvdEWj98f6_cLnGEVpqV5X-yVUBiA_2JvOTPXhB3oSi3G1XQT3AYJbMo75R_iEhc6uQqjsqzCekEB8O4BWeV4r57KQ1jiMOitR3zaD-N7m-NIocLjk/w200-h133/Rise%20of%20Cultures_houses.png" width="200" /></a></div>Your
first building is the Great Hall, which later on becomes the City Hall.
After the first couple technologies, you'll be able to build small
homes for workers. Later on, you'll develop the ability to build medium
houses which house two workers. You'll soon be able to build farms,
which come in two sizes, the larger ones taking more time to grow food
but when they do produce a lot more of it. You'll also soon be able to
make military barracks buildings. The first ones are for regular
infantry, but later you'll be able to build more kinds. Ranged units can
fire and hit units a distance away. Calvary can charge and bypass light
infantry. Starting in the Bronze Age, you can build goods buildings for
some materials you will need. You can also build some small cultural
sites, which help cheer up people in nearby homes and workshops,
resulting in more gold revenue and more productivity.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUp9gO_ZPJ4Ed_fVgKDUmXYoo2Vsr2rvdjagpO1QNJYr_FeW6JVUlTuk6NSMWyWoqM6YLGr7NCRkNbMBYi-WOX22a9WyiBZAA19fje4LaBNuk1JU-phe5mDKhW75T6cu9OKxPyjF4jJ5V_ZEL7si93lSTcw2htsxFV8TddpJIInnEiepGaNh0il8YGBmw/s1246/Rise%20of%20Cultures_strategic%20map.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1246" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUp9gO_ZPJ4Ed_fVgKDUmXYoo2Vsr2rvdjagpO1QNJYr_FeW6JVUlTuk6NSMWyWoqM6YLGr7NCRkNbMBYi-WOX22a9WyiBZAA19fje4LaBNuk1JU-phe5mDKhW75T6cu9OKxPyjF4jJ5V_ZEL7si93lSTcw2htsxFV8TddpJIInnEiepGaNh0il8YGBmw/w200-h133/Rise%20of%20Cultures_strategic%20map.png" width="200" /></a></div>Military
units are used to gain control of enemy areas on the strategic map in
campaigns. For the first few places of the Stone Age, you'll fight only
animals. But as you go on, you'll end up fighting bands of cavemen. And
once you finally beat their leader, the campaign is over and new areas
open to explore and start another. As the campaigns go on, the enemies
become more advanced. In battles, you can enlist the help of up to three
military leaders to help you in your battle. Some are mercenary leaders
of which you get tokens to enlist the help of for one battle. Rewards
for conquering territory can include food, gold, and occasionally city
expansions which you can use to grow the size of your city. Sometimes
after you beat a leader he or she joins your forces as a new leader. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Staring
in the Bronze Age, players can also build world wonders. Upon unlocking
this feature, you get one for free: Stonehenge. To get more, you need
blueprints. Go get those, you need gears, which you get from Treasure
Hunts, solving city events, completing quests, and special event
rewards. With 200 gears, you can make an orb. Opening one gives you a
chance at a blueprint, or resources for improving wonders. If you don't
get a blueprint after opening nine orbs, you get one on the tenth.
Wonders provide benefits from extra gold and research points, bonuses in
trades, extra rewards when doing the Treasure Hunt, extra military
units, and others. Wonders can also be improved, which takes research
points, food, gold, and usually resources. You can have up to four
wonders active. Any more, and you'll have to pick and chose which work best for you while the others are inactive. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Also
starting in the Bronze Age, players can join an Alliance. Joining one
has benefits. You have access to the Alliance City, in which once a day
you get some extra goods. Members of the Alliance can work together to
improve the city. You can also do the Treasure Hunt. At each step of the
way, there's a group of pirates. You can either negotiate with them or
fight them. Negotiations have three tries and take amounts of resources,
which increase further along the hunt. Fighting will take military
units. Once you beat the last group of pirates, the team has to work to
make the next level available. <br /></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCJNq0WqCQ9AsbdMgRryH0UBH0-pOnQEsE1MmnJnTqxM8srWx_2cFsZcbpgLeL4f4NCC-DmcOivw14KjWRs0APWrl7rT4MAvCEyu9yD21kIMvW8RLfrVxR2-SovcGdgtO1ljtbdE1b4UwBibhAdLYMY1ClRnr9kapUYWPuYykqb35-Yyk4VUXaW5qLWQ/s1257/Rise%20of%20Cultures_classicalgreece.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1257" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCJNq0WqCQ9AsbdMgRryH0UBH0-pOnQEsE1MmnJnTqxM8srWx_2cFsZcbpgLeL4f4NCC-DmcOivw14KjWRs0APWrl7rT4MAvCEyu9yD21kIMvW8RLfrVxR2-SovcGdgtO1ljtbdE1b4UwBibhAdLYMY1ClRnr9kapUYWPuYykqb35-Yyk4VUXaW5qLWQ/w200-h133/Rise%20of%20Cultures_classicalgreece.png" width="200" /></a></div>Progressing
will take you to difference eras, the Bronze Age being the first, "It's
good to get out of those animal hides!" After the Bronze Age comes the
Minoan Era, then Classical Greece, then the Roman Republic, then the
Roman Empire. Following the Antiquity eras comes the Byzantine Era, then
the Age of the Franks, then the Feudal Era, then the Iberian Era, then
the Kingdom of Sicily. <br /><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">As
time goes on, there will be special events. For instance the October
special event involved Count Dracula/Vlad Tepes. The reward for doing
his quests was a choice of a Mad Scientist's Lab, or "Crypt of The
Count" that you could place in your city for bonus resources once a day.
In the Christmas event, the city is blanketed with snow.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xAUBV75HWjJr_HPR5gESGJGL5DbTWjQxVqBYzLkTG5hsLHMT3roq5Ld083inqaI-EaSvqmpeG_HVcH-k2Yb3Adw2c0G2CObkh6YNZ6CoeJrsnMjwhz6s1L9EEeuIXVd3hQ19aF4TN4rT3hyTfAbBvNzow-6_bzdEmFlYxzj_IMsds33mhZw8BLxovrg/s1246/Rise%20of%20Cultures_earlybronzeagecloseup.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1246" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xAUBV75HWjJr_HPR5gESGJGL5DbTWjQxVqBYzLkTG5hsLHMT3roq5Ld083inqaI-EaSvqmpeG_HVcH-k2Yb3Adw2c0G2CObkh6YNZ6CoeJrsnMjwhz6s1L9EEeuIXVd3hQ19aF4TN4rT3hyTfAbBvNzow-6_bzdEmFlYxzj_IMsds33mhZw8BLxovrg/w200-h133/Rise%20of%20Cultures_earlybronzeagecloseup.png" width="200" /></a></div>And
then there's that the city map isn't static, but animated. Buildings
shake a little when updated. And then there's the people. They walk the
streets, they work at workshops. They carry things from one place to
another. They go back and forth to and from areas where events happen.
They play music and sit & chat. And more. What they're wearing is
determined by the era. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">For those who like city-building or history themed games, "Rise of Cultures" is certainly worth a look.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">You can find the game at https://www.innogames.com/games/rise-of-cultures/ <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For the wiki, check out https://rise-of-cultures.fandom.com/wiki/Rise_of_Cultures_Wiki</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Bixyl Shuftan</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> </div>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-43983143328799779422023-11-13T06:00:00.004-05:002023-11-13T06:40:23.815-05:00Game Review: Ark Survival Ascended<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">By Nydia Tungsten </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let me start this off by saying this game was gifted to me. While I am always grateful to the one that offer me games and all the good intentions that go with it, I would like to offer a heartfelt “Thank you!” <br /><br />BUT, That would be the only way I would have got this game, due to Snail games and Nitrado servers backroom deals to screw over the Ark community by making a quick cash grab before anyone knew what was happening. If you want to know more about their attempts, look to YouTube.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Pc9ZpwWro3JzPVzWcbWqySdp5PeoAvkfpcLBljkSl3L1agrfF8U06cSnePqLa0cBzJHYEulOzftLDOFwIC58zfyUuUXQBtNeQs63pl688KaMjdJTS7IkjwC4hLCWS41U5unHMlAyy-qTVKBwOrOJXXrMFOeE-YhomykT1FxHJYID2o-RSxu5BsUDQDs/s512/nydiaarkascended01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Pc9ZpwWro3JzPVzWcbWqySdp5PeoAvkfpcLBljkSl3L1agrfF8U06cSnePqLa0cBzJHYEulOzftLDOFwIC58zfyUuUXQBtNeQs63pl688KaMjdJTS7IkjwC4hLCWS41U5unHMlAyy-qTVKBwOrOJXXrMFOeE-YhomykT1FxHJYID2o-RSxu5BsUDQDs/w400-h225/nydiaarkascended01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I started a game and the first thing I noticed is the character creation was very well-detailed. The flora and fauna is more detailed, some more than other. I have noticed one major flaw with this new version, if you kill one of the smaller dinos, it is very hard to get at it to butcher it, I had to walk away from multiple kills just because I couldn’t interact with them … at all. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />But I do have to admit it has been optimized a heck of a lot more than “Survival Evolved” 21 minutes and some change for that to load up while ASA loads up in 2 minutes 30! If you have played Ark before you know how frustrating that can be, so this change is a welcome one.<br /><br />Another very interesting change is the Dino behavior they track a lot better … which is a good AND bad thing. Good in the fact that it is harder for you to lose one of your dinos as you run through the forest, they path much better to get to you, on the BAD side, the Hungry wild dinos can now track better to get to you as well. So a lot of mixed blessings I guess you could say.<br /><br />I have heard that the Island map has changed, which I have to agree, the topography, I have tried to visit the areas where my angels and I have had bases when we all first started playing Ark, and they are jungles and forests, so think it would be impossible to put bases there. I found the small cove area where we built our ship bases before they nerfed it. And the spot where we took over a giant cliff area that was so open and easy to defend. NOW it is a forest so think you can’t even think to build there without a larger group for support.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrOI-Zhg69wVkSIGkAVXIe0GyP7Ug9kgS4BPPxYHBe9QKwcIxXNlFhgpLiQRLgLPyr1TJxAx1CPPfzXjFP5qfTh1dtD_U3Gy9sM1B-dRwPu9Dl4fx3RGxdMotChAPae5hurWKAA3wZKoM_zeC-lGRVlhR9BheVLZ7lXU8pv_uCAwXQKlAi3RBPXCWloI/s512/nydiaarkascended02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrOI-Zhg69wVkSIGkAVXIe0GyP7Ug9kgS4BPPxYHBe9QKwcIxXNlFhgpLiQRLgLPyr1TJxAx1CPPfzXjFP5qfTh1dtD_U3Gy9sM1B-dRwPu9Dl4fx3RGxdMotChAPae5hurWKAA3wZKoM_zeC-lGRVlhR9BheVLZ7lXU8pv_uCAwXQKlAi3RBPXCWloI/w400-h225/nydiaarkascended02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />As you can see from these pictures, the graphics are incredible, I believe you can fly a bit higher in ASA, if you fly too high you can enter the clouds and actually be unable to see anything, just a greyish-white blurry blob.you can see the “Steaming Jungle” behind me in this shot<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4QZpwMY4tFxcynKKZXLLRJ3oBxSduqIFn-mkBisjfXnsT-vPLNnjMB1A0wcKmRkPeBwtX3wPMK2F9v7ut4YbO8zi-Kj4i2p8ikowZfYZQu0hFLrkzIzoRauqEGNeWq4OjCO3aGOaxIlvxS38uFSNV7s6FPqAIcHRcGAmgDCFnNaK-pQ1IQAg8pZUc_w/s512/nydiaarkascended03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4QZpwMY4tFxcynKKZXLLRJ3oBxSduqIFn-mkBisjfXnsT-vPLNnjMB1A0wcKmRkPeBwtX3wPMK2F9v7ut4YbO8zi-Kj4i2p8ikowZfYZQu0hFLrkzIzoRauqEGNeWq4OjCO3aGOaxIlvxS38uFSNV7s6FPqAIcHRcGAmgDCFnNaK-pQ1IQAg8pZUc_w/w400-h225/nydiaarkascended03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The bay you are looking at here is the changed cove where we built our Raft Bases, WHICH you can do again with the right mods.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGCzdRY78yO2ryVR-7J0SQpIozLizFw3bFo4LwUbcei_SPjs1M9XVSZtyvZPXIrh-rjHDUIEEmdDwM0TEqBBuI1yunjdjCjbp0QRiHBZtzinB0E1jXxZ_dlqraWS2itMAYZ9RqmlLmJVEZpQyyvTzu72PXxjfPAhMe70PDk0B1dasSAVvNzys4LOof50/s512/nydiaarkascended04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="512" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGCzdRY78yO2ryVR-7J0SQpIozLizFw3bFo4LwUbcei_SPjs1M9XVSZtyvZPXIrh-rjHDUIEEmdDwM0TEqBBuI1yunjdjCjbp0QRiHBZtzinB0E1jXxZ_dlqraWS2itMAYZ9RqmlLmJVEZpQyyvTzu72PXxjfPAhMe70PDk0B1dasSAVvNzys4LOof50/w400-h291/nydiaarkascended04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The mod makers are filling up the mod pages quickly. I am still tinkering with ASA as you are reading this, and I will do a part two eventually.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0LjKZASOh8nS9UJSZ1bq5MRCCv_fGzw6Pf13x8iLXX4zNHiWnhRtMUEUXKK0y7XlA30eagKbDEzD186OG_DKjTE8ThwgEE4agNZPNo9UkImGpgLOvE2Hct4G4KnLjVKdN3cJSp5LZZEkgpg24MTA3l-XBcLAJKLv57-ZS09WYjwIvoFvllAlzXeGfdE/s512/nydiaarkascended05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="512" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0LjKZASOh8nS9UJSZ1bq5MRCCv_fGzw6Pf13x8iLXX4zNHiWnhRtMUEUXKK0y7XlA30eagKbDEzD186OG_DKjTE8ThwgEE4agNZPNo9UkImGpgLOvE2Hct4G4KnLjVKdN3cJSp5LZZEkgpg24MTA3l-XBcLAJKLv57-ZS09WYjwIvoFvllAlzXeGfdE/w400-h241/nydiaarkascended05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Do I recommend you buy this game? In good conscious, No I can’t. All because of Snail games and they’re money-grabbing greed. BUT! If you DO get it, I am confident you too will be impressed with the changes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Remember, if your gaming company is doing things YOU don’t agree with let them know by NOT buying anything from them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Until next time GOOD GAMING TO YOU!<br /><br />Nydia Tungsten<br /></div>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-86232997006816937762023-02-10T06:00:00.077-05:002023-02-11T12:51:14.764-05:00A Glance At World of Warships<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> By Bixyl Shuftan</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With combat games, usually the focus is on land battles. Just give someone a rifle and maybe a tank and let them blast away. Ocean combat, not so much. It should be no surprise that Wargaming's first big hit game was "World of Tanks." But as those of us who study history know, sea power is important to. So soon after Wargaming released World of Warships in 2015, I signed up for it. Over time, yours truly lost his taste for World of Tanks, tiring of being little more than cannon fodder. But I still continue with "Warships" to this day, having recently gotten my 100th ship after about seven years of gaming.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGJ0iMXfz1BMtl4m5Ppz5CN2MqXzKBCKujbM46qXRk4Zec8xGtVOszI33WU4RmCMdX5SU6mhKtl7l13sCOg4R-VOgc1Pp1inIq8VE3N95U5QuQ36Ug-tD6I8wbQCJiaTUZkYmjpmEBVTo05W2P8FdBxXIaME-7oan7NSr4WwEMwve1sr_i2hYZVDI/s1920/warships2022-03-06_tierX.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGJ0iMXfz1BMtl4m5Ppz5CN2MqXzKBCKujbM46qXRk4Zec8xGtVOszI33WU4RmCMdX5SU6mhKtl7l13sCOg4R-VOgc1Pp1inIq8VE3N95U5QuQ36Ug-tD6I8wbQCJiaTUZkYmjpmEBVTo05W2P8FdBxXIaME-7oan7NSr4WwEMwve1sr_i2hYZVDI/s320/warships2022-03-06_tierX.png" width="320" /></a></div>For those familiar with the "Tanks" game, there are some similarities. Destroyers take the place of light tanks and are more nimble. Battleships take the place of heavy tanks and have a smaller rate of big gun fire, but pack quite a punch. Cruisers are in between, able to take on the roles of both to a degree. Carriers are the equivalent of artillery, able to strike from far away, but need some skill or luck to be truly effective, and tend to be lousy at close-range combat. Not unlike Tanks, players can also use terrain to their advantage, the islands. And just as tank players can fall off a ledge if not careful, ships can collide with rocks and sandbars and are stuck for some moments. And like Tanks, ships are ranked from 1 to 10/X, with matches seeing opponents close to one another in rank. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There's much more to the game than that though. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxAMGOTVgFUoPNfAkL_J8k3y_78J5vIcSi61cCb5pVVtKAcTbAaf9I8b2s4ixObbJeTaLbQxD5G16q_6uy4ICqoLspXnMQswQlx4YV1DNpIW6b5ETqacWPlapxD2IwTVb-0LpF3kLh8uxAYepjt-9dRP8d92ioNbhJlaRt4a0_UE5b-DyTvqtq18S/s1920/warships_2021-07-29_firstitalian.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxAMGOTVgFUoPNfAkL_J8k3y_78J5vIcSi61cCb5pVVtKAcTbAaf9I8b2s4ixObbJeTaLbQxD5G16q_6uy4ICqoLspXnMQswQlx4YV1DNpIW6b5ETqacWPlapxD2IwTVb-0LpF3kLh8uxAYepjt-9dRP8d92ioNbhJlaRt4a0_UE5b-DyTvqtq18S/s320/warships_2021-07-29_firstitalian.png" width="320" /></a></div>There are several types of matches. And the big difference between "Tanks" and "Warships" are the "Player versus Enemy" battles. Instead of taking on other players, you take on AI controlled opponents. There are the "Random Operations" battles in which players are on a team out to complete objectives such as destroying all ships at a port before enemy reinforcements arrive. But more played are the Co-Op battles in which a fleet of player controlled ships takes on a fleet of AI controlled ships. AI opponents tend to be more predictable and easier to defeat than experienced human ones, so the potential rewards for beating them are less than with human opponents. On the other hand, friends such as Nydia Tungsten have observed less drama in these matches (and far less than World of Tanks). PvP matches consist of Random Battles (the standard Warships fight), Ranked Battles, and the newest type, Brawls. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Most matches involve close matchups of ships in terms of ranks and class ratios, the number of destroyers, cruisers, battleships and carriers. Brawls though offer more different ones, sometimes pitting a larger number of lower ranked ships against a smaller number of higher ranked ones. With some matches such as Operations, Ranked Battles, and Brawls, only certain tier levels can take part. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0dXAc2aSFY0K6KD758000wx2a_W7CtDnhk1pCZpsaz3lHOGnfp7txKZhZ3o_yT_B45surpR-V7cxkFXRIZseU2rJ6P0BdgvKOdoiH2EsTX8SOtfyfUb_zUmgZNs3xkpy0sFI_aSIESde8EOS0ZoK72uNwUb7Wd1rJWm4FFScE211MvdutfG973xH/s1920/warships_2021-02-04_3_dockyard.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0dXAc2aSFY0K6KD758000wx2a_W7CtDnhk1pCZpsaz3lHOGnfp7txKZhZ3o_yT_B45surpR-V7cxkFXRIZseU2rJ6P0BdgvKOdoiH2EsTX8SOtfyfUb_zUmgZNs3xkpy0sFI_aSIESde8EOS0ZoK72uNwUb7Wd1rJWm4FFScE211MvdutfG973xH/s320/warships_2021-02-04_3_dockyard.png" width="320" /></a></div>New players start out with several tier one cruisers, one for each nation in the game. As you play, you'll earn credits, ship experience points, or XP, and free experience points. To get a tier 2 cruiser, you're going to have get some credits and XP. You can get those by taking part in battles, or you can buy some doubloons and convert them to either free XP and/or credits. Ship XP is good only for getting the next tier ship in line, or better equipment. Free XP can be used for any ship. Credits and doubloons can be thought of as silver currency and gold currency. Silver currency is used for repairing your ship after battles, as well as upgrading it (more on that later) and getting new ones.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Once you've researched the tier 2 cruiser, depending on which nation's tech tree is involved you may also have a chance at getting the first destroyers. Researching the first battleships in your tech tree is usually an option once you've gotten tier 3 cruisers. Nations available to play include Japan, America, Russia, Germany, Britain, and France. For a few nations, Europe, Pan-Asia, and the Netherlands, their tech-trees are smaller with no battleships available. Carriers are first available at level four, but are fewer in number, available later at tiers six, eight, and ten. Naturally, higher tier ships take more XP to research and more silver currency to purchase. The time it takes to earn what you need for a tier ten ship can be many weeks. And oh yeah, if you're going to get more ships, you need to get docks for them, which either takes buying them with gold currency or winning them in missions (more about those later).<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-RdH1jnbyWfyYteMzhMFfYtX6K5P7hdWzYmXFhoZRMOOtQLLWnEIHd0SI_ytTe5DI0r_wdnSWIl0q_voB-sD6Js3CEhdnOnCevf3HBCAqp5LqsdTwGAYstgAx4GuFPuo2251-Nev8v3htkBCJhRyMcj7qj04Ra6SMMSALAkB7aonytWBmSRzGV5p/s629/warships_nydia_fleetreport.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="629" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-RdH1jnbyWfyYteMzhMFfYtX6K5P7hdWzYmXFhoZRMOOtQLLWnEIHd0SI_ytTe5DI0r_wdnSWIl0q_voB-sD6Js3CEhdnOnCevf3HBCAqp5LqsdTwGAYstgAx4GuFPuo2251-Nev8v3htkBCJhRyMcj7qj04Ra6SMMSALAkB7aonytWBmSRzGV5p/s320/warships_nydia_fleetreport.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Matchups are typically 12 versus 12, a mix of cruisers and battleships, and maybe one carrier and one or more destroyers. Seldom are there two carriers or a match of all cruisers. Depending on the time of day, Random Battles can take some time, five minutes or so late at night, to arrange as the matchmaker looks for even matches. For PVE matches, setting things up is usually 30 seconds or less, with 'bots filling in the gaps of the player team if not enough players are found. On a late night game, I've occasionally been in Co-Op fights with just one other human teammate. One late-night PvP match pitted me against *exactly one* opposing ship. Rare, but it can happen.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Fighting other ships requires some strategy. You can't just simply point and fire as your shells take some time to reach where they're aimed, especially at longer distances. And if your intended target is moving not at or away from you but to the side, firing directly at them when they're a distance away is going to result in a miss. To have a chance at hitting them, you're going to have to aim your guns ahead of them, and try to time it so when you fire your opponent will have moved onto where the shell lands. If your shell hits at a wide angle, it will ricochet and cause little damage. A low angle means a penetrating shot is likely. This means firing broadside at an enemy should be done with some caution. You might be able to train all your guns at a target. But the low angle of your hull to the enemy's fire means you're more likely to take damage, including a critical hit which can really hurt you. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNn7ZimKz4qk7ruTiCQJOS2o_O9KQrl3073VUdR20_LmcLYNYnkJb6VEl1ORVuP8j1Ta073GBjbVURhnvwly-GLWP1cNsD_tlUD3864ODfIMoHH9SkM-ypXGqH3C8cKVeKNyj19jPjdQBOcl4WTDnAz-GeenepwaiwaekNjfOdO5htVxhTOyahtM3/s1920/warships_2021-01-23_1_freedom.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNn7ZimKz4qk7ruTiCQJOS2o_O9KQrl3073VUdR20_LmcLYNYnkJb6VEl1ORVuP8j1Ta073GBjbVURhnvwly-GLWP1cNsD_tlUD3864ODfIMoHH9SkM-ypXGqH3C8cKVeKNyj19jPjdQBOcl4WTDnAz-GeenepwaiwaekNjfOdO5htVxhTOyahtM3/s320/warships_2021-01-23_1_freedom.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">All ships can fire shells from their main guns. Shells come in two varieties: armor penetrating and high-explosive. AP ammo has a higher chance of scoring penetrations and critical hits. HE ammo has a chance of causing fires, which slowly cause damage over time. The bigger the guns, the slower your rate of fire will be. So destroyer guns don't cause much damage but can reload fairly quickly, while battleship shells take a while to load, 30 seconds or so, but can pack a wallop if they hit right. Firing your main guns makes your ship easier to see over a long distance, so you may want to hold your fire at times. Destroyers and many cruisers also have torpedoes as a weapon. They travel slower than shells, but aren't seen until they're close to a ship and cause more damage. This makes sailing closely alongside an enemy destroyer or cruiser hazardous as if they fire several torpedoes at just the right angle, your ship may be done for (or close to it). </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Carriers have planes as a weapon. They can launch dive bombers, torpedo bombers, or fighters. Dive bombers attack ships from above. Torpedo bombers will usually try to drop their "tin fish" from the side. Fighters will damage an opposing carrier's planes, and can be used defensively to help protect teammates. Most ships have some anti-aircraft guns, particularly battleships. So when several ships are close together, bomber squadrons will likely take damage and possibly end up getting shot down. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Different ships require different styles of play. Battleships are best at firing their guns from a medium to long distance. They should be careful in closer combat as their huge mass makes them slower to change direction than cruisers or destroyers. As destroyers are hard to hit with the slow-to-reload main guns, a battleship captain is best to leave enemy destroyers to the cruisers and destroyers on his side and concentrate on other targets. If an enemy destroyer is closing in with no other teammates firing at it, a battleship should steer away to avoid it and it's torpedo attacks, letting it's secondary guns whittle away at it. In real life, a battleship shell could easily demolish a destroyer on it's own. In the game, they often need several such hits, even when hitting their hulls at low angles. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepT5XNf_gVPl1eD9FcfUgukCkIiqJeWsegmLCcmrCNxaemNS9meC1mq2c1GP3AYkLTyXZz_POgH3ek6WGBgYo1Hd4mbBEsa0gtPZqthHfXExghEwtyhhVcU2UfgsOGX9zje5h1Uq3NtyU-YHHxP14XRDZPo0VuCuX9GtVA88XmDLEC6eaxrDDczjz/s1638/warships,%20cynthia_Exploding_CV.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1638" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepT5XNf_gVPl1eD9FcfUgukCkIiqJeWsegmLCcmrCNxaemNS9meC1mq2c1GP3AYkLTyXZz_POgH3ek6WGBgYo1Hd4mbBEsa0gtPZqthHfXExghEwtyhhVcU2UfgsOGX9zje5h1Uq3NtyU-YHHxP14XRDZPo0VuCuX9GtVA88XmDLEC6eaxrDDczjz/s320/warships,%20cynthia_Exploding_CV.png" width="320" /></a></div>Destroyers are smaller and quicker than battleships, but also have less hitpoints, so players are going to have to take advantage of their maneuverability and speed if you want to get very far. Most carry smoke charges, which can provide cover for the ships behind you. The job of destroyers in a team is to scout for enemy ships, provide smoke cover for their teammates, and try to get through the destroyers and torpedo the battleships. Emphasis on try as destroyers are often the first ships sunk in the game.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ships have various combat buffs, usually called consumables in the game. All ships have a number of repair parties that can put out fires and plug leaks. Many also have sonar or radar broadcasts. Destroyers have speed boosters and usually smokescreen layers. Battleships have a buff that can repair some of their damage and usually another that can sent a scout plane in the air. Cruisers have a mix, depending on the ship, sometimes having a fighter that can be launched. These are not unlimited. Once you use a buff, you have to wait a certain amount of time before you can use it again. And usually you can only use them so many times per battle, usually three to four.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ships are upgradeable. In the Equipment screen, you can use experience points and silver currency to give them a better hull, a better aiming system, a better engine, etc. There are also options to improve turret speeds, the ability for engines to still work but at reduced capacity if damage, etc, which cost credits only. You can also install signal flags that give the ship small bonuses such as faster speed or repair times. These have to be ether won or bought. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Ship captains also get better over time. As they gain experience, over time they get experience points. You can use them to give then abilities, such as being able to see which ships are training their guns on them to being able to make buffs/consumables last longer. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You can also give your ship Economic Bonuses. In the past, these were signal flags, but more recently changed to separate economic and experience buff<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You can get up to three bonus containers per day by getting enough experience points. The first you need only a couple thousand, which takes me usually just one or two matches. The second takes more, about ten thousand. The third is fifteen thousand. You can choose between containers with mostly signal flags to economic bonuses to coal (for use in the armory). The last option is to take a chance and if you're lucky you get a supercontainer, though odds are you just get a small one with a small reward. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWKb6tK30N1OilceArPXhmskC5LVU5ccQNg1B-GlAvgdaXXpsm-smw1OL5CvwD8PB-WmLWVYWgjG8JFlY66MlEZkCe2nRQBFUMgMkk70amd4is68Is401CJo6tEEcjueptlYpkeuM2oWAR7WdttIk4QxarOhKzC2WwVAe9O_OQUgAUswdGedX77DJ/s609/warships_2021-12-18b_supercontainer30days.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="609" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWKb6tK30N1OilceArPXhmskC5LVU5ccQNg1B-GlAvgdaXXpsm-smw1OL5CvwD8PB-WmLWVYWgjG8JFlY66MlEZkCe2nRQBFUMgMkk70amd4is68Is401CJo6tEEcjueptlYpkeuM2oWAR7WdttIk4QxarOhKzC2WwVAe9O_OQUgAUswdGedX77DJ/s320/warships_2021-12-18b_supercontainer30days.png" width="320" /></a></div>Players also get a reward for logging in daily. This can be free XP to silver currency to bonus containers. Log in enough, and you get a supercontainer. You may get upgraded to a Premium account for a week, lots of signal flags, or *maybe* a new ship. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you have ships tier five or above, there are missions that they can qualify for. These can be as simple as winning one or a few battles, to spotting so many ships, to winning a certain amount experience or credits over time. The prizes can be things from camouflage paint jobs to signal flags, to special flags that are awarded only at certain times. Some missions come in a series in which if you win them all you get a special prize. For instance in the Drydock missions in which a ship is slowly built as you complete objectives, if you win the last mission, you get the ship. One ship I got for completing a mission was the HMS Dreadnought, the first battleship as we think of them in history. As it's tier 3, I don't play it much, but it's neat to have. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Players can join clans. There are benefits to being in a clan such as small bonuses for research points earned and reductions on how many you need.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrrHKjzn1HhiGVQDwcyVUNco8YHyWCwpUR2oWaaia_ngqRLkdPBheHqgGOfBpXo6ZrbdHh56831bdbD-x98ahWjw0-WkgjdxPt4ooDs4zt_nGu3zfCwCbia6eOfw1sasUgGrkatnmrhlUMLZj1Z059oT1AvgFUQtabgm7I76pa_YUYMekuLN885kr/s1920/warships_2022-01-16_dreadnaght.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrrHKjzn1HhiGVQDwcyVUNco8YHyWCwpUR2oWaaia_ngqRLkdPBheHqgGOfBpXo6ZrbdHh56831bdbD-x98ahWjw0-WkgjdxPt4ooDs4zt_nGu3zfCwCbia6eOfw1sasUgGrkatnmrhlUMLZj1Z059oT1AvgFUQtabgm7I76pa_YUYMekuLN885kr/s320/warships_2022-01-16_dreadnaght.png" width="320" /></a></div>Fans of history, particularly naval history, should enjoy the ships. After the level 1 ships, you start out with early pre-WW1 vessels, with later and stronger models as you move up, ending up with the best WW2 could offer plus some post-war ships and concepts. This includes some famous ships, such as the battleships Bismark and Yamato. Some of the more recent warships introduced never made it past the drawing board in real life. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And then there's the music. The tempo was particularly fitting at times. It wasn't hard to imagine it in a movie about naval battles. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">On occasion, there are available scenarios in which some ships are temporarily available. The Halloween seasonal battles involve some fictional steampunkish vessels. The post-apocolyptic ones involve some freakish looking ones. There's also been some science-fiction themed ones taking place on an alien sea. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So what were my favorite ships to play? Early on, I liked the tier 3 US cruiser St Louis for it's rapid firepower, and the tier 5 US cruiser Omaha was another early favorite. The Japanese battleships Konga and Fuso, Tier 5 and 6 respectively, were also good. Over time I've also gotten a few premium ships. The Russian tier five cruiser Kransy Krym can be fun with it's firepower. But the tier seven US cruiser Atlanta can really pepper away with small but numerous guns, and can make quick work of a destroyer caught in it's fire. Same thing with the Flint, also a tier seven US cruiser. The tier seven British battleship Nelson stands out with all three turrets facing forward. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One recent addition to the game are submarines. Players are still trying
to figure these out. Some like them, others dislike them. They're more
of a challenge to sail as they can dive and rise to the surface. They'll
need to dive sometimes as they can't take much punishment and easily
destroyed with airborne attacks available to be called in by certain
ships, or depth charges by destroyers and some cruisers. One near the
surface is also vulnerable to shelling. So far, I've had mixed results
when sailing them (temporarily given one as a prize for missions). Against AI subs, more often than not I end up KOing
them or helping to before they deal much damage to me, if any at all. </div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So how much does the game cost? Well, the initial price of the game is free. So what's the catch? Well, as I mentioned, gold currency often takes real money to get. And unless you can win docks in missions, you'll have to spend such money to get the docks. If you want a Premium account, that usually takes money. Unless you're willing to wait for months, and perhaps years, to get that shiny powerful ship in the Armory that looks really good, you're going to need to spend real money to get the needed doubloons. Patient players can play the game, and spend just a little real money to get the needed docks to eventually get some tier five ships so they can start winning some in missions. Less than patient ones will need to fork over more cash. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There's probably a detail or two or three that I've forgotten. But this should cover just about every important one in the game. The game isn't perfect, and there are occasional glitches. I've gotten penalized for crashing while the battle is being set up, and the computer reading it as quitting in the middle of a fight. Still, it's a great game that I recommend, especially to those who like ships. It may not be truly free, but I've kept playing it for years.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Image Credit: Cynthia Farshore, "Foxyfluff," Nydia Tungsten</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bixyl Shuftan<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-34677275323107090472022-11-28T06:00:00.010-05:002022-11-28T06:00:00.191-05:00Subnautica Below Zero Revisitied<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">By Rita Mariner </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>For Rita's first review, <a href="https://othergrids.blogspot.com/2021/07/reader-submitted-game-review-subnautica.html">Click Here</a>. </i><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneT_3jZr-NaHSll5c8lkKCx5H_3jSaTQrQBlWvARGbfBd9zGO44rB__zwjkLtOJ5vp0Hp6853qRfaTYGw1dG1ykRBCZNnx1FDE0-IVc-oH4sG78pcHqgPugWc9A3h_poa867eIx8Cfr0DSd_bqcfICdMwpgxPh1goYc1ScImX3od9VzRQXH28r8nt/s1600/rita_steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneT_3jZr-NaHSll5c8lkKCx5H_3jSaTQrQBlWvARGbfBd9zGO44rB__zwjkLtOJ5vp0Hp6853qRfaTYGw1dG1ykRBCZNnx1FDE0-IVc-oH4sG78pcHqgPugWc9A3h_poa867eIx8Cfr0DSd_bqcfICdMwpgxPh1goYc1ScImX3od9VzRQXH28r8nt/s320/rita_steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> It's been awhile since I wrote about my gaming. I am still playing both Subnautica and Subnautica Below Zero. According to STEAM counter, I have over 11,000 played in Subnautica and closing in on 4300 hours, in Below Zero. How can I play both games, for so long and not get bored? Simple, both games NEVER play the same way twice, in a row. Your starting point varies and stuff does get randomized. The best thing is, you can chose to play the games, anyway you want. For the most part it you search, discover things for yourself.<br /><br /> Both games have 4 modes of play. Freedom, where you only worry about health and air. Survival, where you have to keep track of health, air, food and water. Hardcore, pretty much same as survival, but you only get one life. You die, you lose everything and have to start over. Creative, you start out with everything, don't have to worry about anything, just play..<br /><br />Two months ago they had a major update to Below Zero, fixed a lot of annoying bugs and added a new,Sea Truck Dock. When you unlock the Moon Pool, you also get the new Sea Truck Dock. This allows you to now enter the dock, with your entire Sea Truck train. No need to detach any modules. It also has a built in vehicle control panel, allowing you to color and name your Sea Truck. It also repairs and recharges the Sea Truck cab, while docked. You also get access to modules from the dock. So it's very useful.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1DazQ22sCSbL3zAaiF6WcFvShNC1L6VoVja110jjRy72R55tlupVty0hvYNZiLHx_9HQVRuZcquRNPMx_Z3F4XyuijGtF7r0wBmDj0D2dU04yH_4LwXapgAviLsMTU_XI7ppk72y-HsiE_Pkf6eyvajhgtbllfPMnPOGSMG_P9D87Ks-st4WuN59/s1600/rita_steamuserimages-basebedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1DazQ22sCSbL3zAaiF6WcFvShNC1L6VoVja110jjRy72R55tlupVty0hvYNZiLHx_9HQVRuZcquRNPMx_Z3F4XyuijGtF7r0wBmDj0D2dU04yH_4LwXapgAviLsMTU_XI7ppk72y-HsiE_Pkf6eyvajhgtbllfPMnPOGSMG_P9D87Ks-st4WuN59/s320/rita_steamuserimages-basebedroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>With the new Large Room addition, you can really get creative with your base building. That is probably the nicest thing about the game. I put the Large Room out first, then build the rest of my base off of it. Of course, you can build you base in any configuration you like. <br /><br />They also added a Control Room, you can add this to your base. It was multiple functions, but the one most players like, you can color and name your base now, just like your Sea Truck and Prawn suit. I have seen some players color their bases in eye blinding colors. <br /><br />As to the creatures in the game, some are retreads from the first game, but all the bigger ones are new and 90% of them think your on the menu. While most are just plain annoying, a couple can eat you in one gulp. Even after 4300 hours, I still get unlucky, BITE!, SWALLOW! TASTY!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-n9WO202q81yFRrDj9zxvfPSghKe9KQW-kqSfmzGUEpZpXPSA_RE-bcZ--jbfnyhq4vc-aTycFRh2xCiLgLQVT4zVSstal_dFfimf9noZboTsCLQucZPebCejwYnjDhBY8NqEnPijkT5u9T5-YLBz6WadFb1JRGynAAur_FmCW7b8mWfQjW7vWBz/s1920/rita_steamuserimages-aliencube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-n9WO202q81yFRrDj9zxvfPSghKe9KQW-kqSfmzGUEpZpXPSA_RE-bcZ--jbfnyhq4vc-aTycFRh2xCiLgLQVT4zVSstal_dFfimf9noZboTsCLQucZPebCejwYnjDhBY8NqEnPijkT5u9T5-YLBz6WadFb1JRGynAAur_FmCW7b8mWfQjW7vWBz/s320/rita_steamuserimages-aliencube.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Regarding the alien in the game, I died laughing when I first heard his name. It's the same as my RL name, so I comment, "When I play this game, I am talking to myself." <br /><br />Overall the game is beautiful to watch, they really did a great job on the environments. It's easy to play, that helps a lot. There is no real set path you need to follow, you go in your own direction and speed. They give you prompts, but when you heed them is up to you. Plus the game is cheap and the music is awesome.<br /><br />I can therefore highly recommend both Subnautica and Below Zero to play, if you want a good, relaxing time, mixed in with moments of horror. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Images from Rita's steam account </i></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Rita Mariner<br /></div>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-69032496302491430852022-10-12T06:00:00.006-04:002022-10-12T06:00:00.175-04:00Misadventures in Rust Angels: The Base Defense Contest<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> By Bixyl Shuftan</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyone remotely famillar with Rust knows there are two kinds of servers. There are the PvE servers in which all is peaceful between players. And then there are the PvP servers, in which there's the potential of combat and raiding between players. Of the later, a few are somewhat relaxed, somewhat, with a majority of the players not fighting or raiding unless provoked. But some can be so vicious, players can expect to be attacked within minutes of entering, let alone after they've gathered enough materials for and having set up a base. While some of my friends have given PvP servers a try, hoping for the more relaxed variety, others have had more then enough of the "PVP kiddies" and are sticking to PvE ones. So when the Angels Rust server was back up, it was soon populated with Nydia and her friends, including myself.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSUsJ9WKSaVBet3wvk8D9HmcM0ViHJB01LG6dSS0KYAiAsG1pe7IN08oguB7ExflyN5rxmWzq-TjfrPB93ku6b3veZwf6gcRfG3B3OWBEfnJxTBAPunQnHLHBpID9QcMHLp1w_jyam5S8tevlcmdLZr4D7E3lS3VPgAmxBmunjaEfEgMtSzHD2ARr/s1920/rustumbra.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSUsJ9WKSaVBet3wvk8D9HmcM0ViHJB01LG6dSS0KYAiAsG1pe7IN08oguB7ExflyN5rxmWzq-TjfrPB93ku6b3veZwf6gcRfG3B3OWBEfnJxTBAPunQnHLHBpID9QcMHLp1w_jyam5S8tevlcmdLZr4D7E3lS3VPgAmxBmunjaEfEgMtSzHD2ARr/s320/rustumbra.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>But the trouble with PvE is, what to do to liven things up? Yes, there are the "ninja bears" who appear out of nowhere to eat you, the scientists who shoot at you, and the ever threatening chopper that fires death from above. But without human opponents, things can seem a bit predictable. To spark some excitement, there's been a couple "<a href="https://othergrids.blogspot.com/2022/08/rust-automotive-addition-and-wacky.html">Wacky Races</a>" in the server. But setting up the track was a lot of work to server moderator Umbra. So for September's challenge, he had a different idea: have the contestants get ready for a raid. <br /><br /><br /><i>Most folks have built their base so for those who are interested in doing so I have a little competition for those interested.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />The contest:</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />Build a base to house 4 to 8 players. <br />No items from mods<br />Base should be built to be defendable.<br />Base size around 12-20 foundations across, no height restrictions.<br />Contestants must build their own base, no team builds. (But definitely talk among your team mates and bounce ideas off them).<br />Required items that must be in base:<br />Workbench 1,2,3<br />Research bench<br />Repair bench<br />Storage<br />Smelter<br />Refinery<br />Furnace<br />Campfire/BBQ<br />Anything else is optional. Be creative with your designs.<br />How long?<br />Now till the end of the 24th. Judging on the 25th by myself and Nydia.<br /><br />How do I enter?<br />Pick a spot on the map, screen capture the map location and dm it to me.<br /><br />Are you in this channel? Good, you can enter.<br />Im not whitelisted on your server…<br />Dm myself or Nydia with your steam ID and we will get you whitelisted<br /><br />Do I have to gather resources?<br />Wood stone and metal are provided in three kits that are now live on the server. Items that require scrap or tech trash you will have to source out. <br /><br />Judging criteria?<br />Functionality - Does your base have all the necessary items to be sustainable?<br />Defendable - Can you fend off a determined raid of well equipped players?<br />Architectural design - Is there an idea of theme in how you built your base?</i><br /><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Foxy, who had experience in PvP servers and defending against raiders, one would think this contest would be a welcome challenge. But be bowed out as there'd been a few complaints about large bases causing lag, "I'd build the Citadel again but I'd get yapped at. So I'll be on the sidelines." But there were two entries. There was Snowy and there was me. Both our initial bases were too small to fit what the contest rules required. So she started a new one nearby. I ended up packing and moving to not too far from where she was, to a spot close to the stone quarry and within fair distance (by vehicle) of the sulfur and high quality metal quarries, as well as some abandoned marts & gas stations and a mining station. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_25BARSJGmI9-BJPCTzbpWicUbf7GcjWygFIf1huK8dKE-pFkiaHpHlbeUBvEmW3UP3yBT08VK2hji9C7fva4P0S0kT7Ptcvg8DB0bHA0nj5MBPlBopMtRcYCrYaakTQtAjt7xIpomrJld7Hyj4AltFpJAbh28ALz9hGlRfdypjB4GDs-vdq0dhBw/s1920/rustfrustrator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_25BARSJGmI9-BJPCTzbpWicUbf7GcjWygFIf1huK8dKE-pFkiaHpHlbeUBvEmW3UP3yBT08VK2hji9C7fva4P0S0kT7Ptcvg8DB0bHA0nj5MBPlBopMtRcYCrYaakTQtAjt7xIpomrJld7Hyj4AltFpJAbh28ALz9hGlRfdypjB4GDs-vdq0dhBw/s320/rustfrustrator.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Snowy had no real experience with defending against an attack, so she studied several Youtubes of bases made to be hard to crack. The result was what she called a "Frustrator." It was a two story base with a top wall that sloped outward - which rendered scaling to the top with ladders impossible without wrecking them. The top of the base was a "battledeck" with special slit windows that defenders could fire out of, but were reasonable protected. And the walls were made of high quality metal, making it a tough nut to crack. And if they did, they place was "honeycombed" with garage doors that were more difficult to take down than normal metal doors. And the tool cabinet was cleverly hidden. This would not be an easy base to take down. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcLdWzYDael-x1CAX1F7UsLnVyB8-lZAvV1MOZ8l2bdppMRYefyT34zo820J6h8xUjUP-Q4Rt2rQahMlsCsW9AtnV3JwZ3rM1Okfivs0z_rrwH1FU990BwenvGZwrosDEOPZ3bBb0A6k_VsdCm0AuDbKb0jvRVt6VL52ZAUqkfYtcqD-c0xWmV3gn/s1920/rustfunhouseentrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcLdWzYDael-x1CAX1F7UsLnVyB8-lZAvV1MOZ8l2bdppMRYefyT34zo820J6h8xUjUP-Q4Rt2rQahMlsCsW9AtnV3JwZ3rM1Okfivs0z_rrwH1FU990BwenvGZwrosDEOPZ3bBb0A6k_VsdCm0AuDbKb0jvRVt6VL52ZAUqkfYtcqD-c0xWmV3gn/s320/rustfunhouseentrance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My personal experience with defending against being raided has had, mixed results. A lot of redundant doors made a few turn around and leave before getting to anywhere important. One I caught in the act trying to chop down a door with hatchets, and blasted him. However I've found well-planned and equipped raids impossible to stop. Only once was I online and at the base when this happened, and I was poorly prepared, the two invaders armed with explosives blasting their way through and me with just a shotgun and grenades. I tried waiting in ambush, then tried tossing a grenade just as the wall in front of me came down. But somehow instead of being thrown, the grenade fell to my feet. Respawning in my bed, I tried getting them from behind with a pistol. But they saw me coming, and stopped me with a machine gun. There was nothing I could do after that, and they pretty much wrecked the place. Later on after traps were developed, I once logged on to find a hole in the wall and a number of doors knocked down, the last one having a shotgun trap behind it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKxVnOZvsp7ZoxjQuH7I16X0Q-qPMUnFWIh7TXZqCsdreQxvFQ5vlV8jeOGtEmfcLM8CxSQ6tNO_MQUkQvxu5K2-6XdFbDto_lsuA-0OwNIFRWlV-wwbx5R65RwxSKP9Cogo4cVdwhna6viV6jf7nrpNoACcZzMKpf2qO10segUF5HOrysYHRydlV/s1920/rustfunhouseworkroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKxVnOZvsp7ZoxjQuH7I16X0Q-qPMUnFWIh7TXZqCsdreQxvFQ5vlV8jeOGtEmfcLM8CxSQ6tNO_MQUkQvxu5K2-6XdFbDto_lsuA-0OwNIFRWlV-wwbx5R65RwxSKP9Cogo4cVdwhna6viV6jf7nrpNoACcZzMKpf2qO10segUF5HOrysYHRydlV/s320/rustfunhouseworkroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Concluding a determined raid couldn't be stopped at the outer wall, instead of going all out to try to, I concentrated on making the place hard to get through once inside. The place was also larger than Snowy's base, with individual bedrooms, the refinery and large furnace inside the building, and numerous stairwells. Only the bottom of the outer wall was metal and high quality metal. the rest was wood, with interior walls made of metal and stone. There were numerous HQM doors, most of which could be where the tool cabinet was hidden. But it was well hidden that would made finding it hard, at least that's what I thought. The main "vault room" where most of the guns and more valuable items were stored was out of the way, and I thought about making my stand there if they did get in for an ambush. And then there were the traps. I placed shotgun traps all over, notably in the stairwells and behind doors in closets. Thankfully Snowy had encouraged me to learn about making an electrical system, so I set up windmills and batteries, and rigged a number of turrets. Maybe Umbra would make a mess going in, but I was determined to make it a slow hard slog.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcM6QWXRgMdADKDhnf2ob5RaFvIAN74wF1VgzOfU7IL8Fg98Gp75mRY8XNyX9B7XkHzLeSTI1pBiTPZrYroIavIaPT6S_y_4C9Ews0olm1nsfABy1w26rDbXplYCUQpZLzwKR1Pbz0_t4GRM-sIfD4O2h5IiJb7MkzCjSkEPwcXDnJFNZHt1AD1jp/s1920/rustblownbradley.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcM6QWXRgMdADKDhnf2ob5RaFvIAN74wF1VgzOfU7IL8Fg98Gp75mRY8XNyX9B7XkHzLeSTI1pBiTPZrYroIavIaPT6S_y_4C9Ews0olm1nsfABy1w26rDbXplYCUQpZLzwKR1Pbz0_t4GRM-sIfD4O2h5IiJb7MkzCjSkEPwcXDnJFNZHt1AD1jp/s320/rustblownbradley.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Snowy and I also ended up cooperating some, trading some resources. I guess we saw it as more than just a competition, but also cooperating against someone who thought he could beat us, "All your base are belong to us." I also started helping her in fights against the Bradley Armored Personnel Carrier, patrolling the launch site. The thing is tough to beat, with a machine gun and a cannon. While it's possible to blow it up with explosive charges, you'll need a rocket launcher and rockets if you want much of a chance. Snowy found the best place to fire at it was from the top of one of the buildings. Beating the thing, you have a chance of finding an M249 light machine gun in the loot crates, one of the best guns in the game and one that can be found only by beating that or the attack helicopter, or things like heavy metal doors, which helped me in honeycombing my base. Snowy found taking it on and blowing it up therapeutic, as well as a team-building exercise. While she occasionally went after it alone, she usually had the help of her friend Nikki. For me, it helped that the launch site was not far from the sulfur quarry. Since the thing ran without my help anyway as long as it had fuel, several times I would go and help her while it churned out the mineral. I also gave her some shotgun traps. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk-n5ekMY9xXHNE85qVzeyPU87Ui-GNgmyI_-LVLKjceY2KCh9BAWIB0hs9vl4e4WQRZO2YlkyySe_ovkTtfPUDyPNI9PfIZr4erxDmRrmlqPzobqk3rHD9inYsv7HgDUkIcP4cfz5XP-D0ZI3Xneo4AEcCSKdqo-p-i7Nj9ykuHsYAmbOoQrMOdP/s1304/rustsnowycamperaccident.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1304" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk-n5ekMY9xXHNE85qVzeyPU87Ui-GNgmyI_-LVLKjceY2KCh9BAWIB0hs9vl4e4WQRZO2YlkyySe_ovkTtfPUDyPNI9PfIZr4erxDmRrmlqPzobqk3rHD9inYsv7HgDUkIcP4cfz5XP-D0ZI3Xneo4AEcCSKdqo-p-i7Nj9ykuHsYAmbOoQrMOdP/s320/rustsnowycamperaccident.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>With all of the traps on my base, I was confident at times Umbra would be in for it. Recalling the scene in "Home Alone" when the burglars called the kid's home a "funhouse," I started calling it just that. Snowy thought it more resembled a hotel with it's bedrooms and stairs. One small complication, I found out Nydia would be helping Umbra on the raid. Since Nydia and I are close, I was a little worried a hard fight might upset her. But she assured this wouldn't happen. So we got ready, during which time Snowy had a little accident with her camper that <a href="https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2870290703">she had to take a picture with her camera</a> to be believed. <br /><br />Finally the day of the contest approached.<br /><br /><br /><i>After judging Nydia and I will attempt to raid the base for 30 minutes, while we do that you can see how comically bad we are at this kind of thing and/or get shot. A lot. (Said base if destroyed will be rebuilt)</i><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2JOyD1_asaSFj099cB6HcjnWxQVtB9dcpdbKrhbNqEsP5GBGCYVFUMS8satolyu8h3JiU-NlgmGX5cTQkjEzOc9QQ4JDCpPQXDfJKp1bW64rUhYkdt_Hu_pTIHwX9wBAZiH4lCLbLux5-tVPJL19ql6i9s-pfQl5emU4BPczE--pHIjBMeIcVwbA/s1920/rustitspronouncednyeedeeya.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2JOyD1_asaSFj099cB6HcjnWxQVtB9dcpdbKrhbNqEsP5GBGCYVFUMS8satolyu8h3JiU-NlgmGX5cTQkjEzOc9QQ4JDCpPQXDfJKp1bW64rUhYkdt_Hu_pTIHwX9wBAZiH4lCLbLux5-tVPJL19ql6i9s-pfQl5emU4BPczE--pHIjBMeIcVwbA/s320/rustitspronouncednyeedeeya.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The day of the raid was going to be on Sunday night, but it got postponed a few days due to technical issues. I used the time to set up another few turrets after getting a few more TV cameras from military crates and Bradley kills. I also set up some "dragons teeth" around the Funhouse walls to discourage ladders. Finally on Wednesday night after the Cutlass party, Snowy and her friend Nikki got ready at her base while I got ready at mine. Umbra and Nydia decided to go after the "Frustrator" first. Umbra was streaming their actions, which made it a little easier for us. A little as we still couldn't always see what Nydia was up to. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Flying over in their helicopter, they encountered trouble right away as the base had a Surface to Air Missile launcher, as well as their own personal rocket launchers. Nydia dropped Umbra off, and tried to safely land the copter nearby. But it caught fire, and became unusable after she landed. Umbra tried sneaking over, and throwing grenades into the upper windows. It worked sometimes, but while one was respawning and running back, the other was still firing away. Umbra also got hurt by a shotgun trap and blown up by a mine. At one point, Umbra hopped into Snowy's camper and took off, "The keys were right in there." That might have been a successful troll, but unless there were any weapons or ammo in there, no contribution to the fight. <br /><br />Finally Umbra and Nydia gave the place a rocket barrage from a distance. The walls took a beating, but being made of High Quality Metal, they held. Snowy's team did have some trouble. Stormy came on late, and a glitch knocked her off the team, causing the shotgun traps to go off on her. Then for some reason the shotgun traps started going off on all of them. It seems after two or three respawns, they no longer saw you as friendly. They ended up having to hole up in the sleeping area. But Umbra and Nydia still couldn't get in. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDewZhgqivfKavtwnv87Ecwzh8XYzg6I0utVgqxzmNEqV0M6BnSdNOCnZBhKXNMDqgo3gEdsFQsEXAiEOzUNBqcnooOnvU4blJf5MnjaiLyaojXAbpQfdGy4jwKtbj3a6QjhLWMMeKh2DmcjlcsFoJO3i0oTspuXt_6kCAnN2BEXHpkw7XcrgB6CTi/s1920/rustwelcometothefunhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDewZhgqivfKavtwnv87Ecwzh8XYzg6I0utVgqxzmNEqV0M6BnSdNOCnZBhKXNMDqgo3gEdsFQsEXAiEOzUNBqcnooOnvU4blJf5MnjaiLyaojXAbpQfdGy4jwKtbj3a6QjhLWMMeKh2DmcjlcsFoJO3i0oTspuXt_6kCAnN2BEXHpkw7XcrgB6CTi/s320/rustwelcometothefunhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Finally after a little over an hour, Umbra called a ceasefire. Snowy's base had successfully held off the assault. It was then my turn. Seeing their chopper, I tried firing at it with my rocket launcher a couple times. But the only result was to get their attention. They landed and managed to get to the building, and I tried dropping grenades on them. They missed, but I'm sure it shook them up some. I then tried making quick peeks, and fired with my M249 when I had a target, darting back after a few seconds. Once I wasn't quick enough and got nailed with one of Nydia's rockets. I quickly got back up and resumed, and managed to get her back with the gun. They tried grenades, but only ended up knocking themselves out a couple times.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilLxkhctMGgCKU8MoiSxa9cI895XQ9dcBjFWsuAwofsGhE5cFSJDsb5o1QGI_z53obykrU1FQbfKDHWBBaramObgUo0cltzvUwFIFB2RgiqUt7S4qiEFAQ_PXRBaxTBbp25k38nET482RD8PXR5xK8By2uBVOZP4SuPQYKeLrjjvTROVkXKzoLpLw/s1920/rustturret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilLxkhctMGgCKU8MoiSxa9cI895XQ9dcBjFWsuAwofsGhE5cFSJDsb5o1QGI_z53obykrU1FQbfKDHWBBaramObgUo0cltzvUwFIFB2RgiqUt7S4qiEFAQ_PXRBaxTBbp25k38nET482RD8PXR5xK8By2uBVOZP4SuPQYKeLrjjvTROVkXKzoLpLw/s320/rustturret.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Eventually night fell, then Umbra and Nydia went back and gave the base a rocket barrage from a distance. I tried looking out with night vision goggles, but I couldn't see them. While trying to see them, another rocket ended those efforts, and trying to get back up, I got hit by my own shotgun trap. And with so many of them around, I could only hole up next to the vault and wait for them if they ever made it there. Their rockets ended up blowing a big hole in the side of the building, taking down not just the outer wooden walls, but sections of stone floor and metal and stone walls. Then then started moving inside. But while they took out a few traps, there were still enough turrets to slow them down, Umbra getting knocked out by them a few times and Nydia once.<br /><br />Finally after a little more than an hour, Umbra called a ceasefire. While they had gotten in, they had neither found the tool cabinet or main stash of supplies. And progress was slow due to the traps. So he felt this counted as a win for me. It was then he noticed, "Um, is your tool cabinet still up?" In all of the excitement, neither one of us noticed it was gone, presumably from the rocket barrage, the stone walls it was behind not quite enough. But since Umbra had already declared for me, it was too late for him to place one of his own. While I'd gotten some unlucky breaks in the fight, in the end luck was on my side.<br /><br />So both Snowy and I had won against the raids. Nydia ended up leaving her weapons behind at my base after the raid, and Umbra didn't bother picking up those from when he'd gotten clobbered earlier. But they'd left a big hole behind while Snowy's base was intact. It turned out one wall was close to breaking, but it didn't. So she was the bigger winner in the competition. Nydia and Umbra offered for us to return the favor on their base, but Snowy answered she'd rather take out Bradley another time.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJe889FKifPUPEl6U1FSbVJOrLDTr0koZrUlSV0tDmYhrKejESuqvC4E0voQshrzNcGESOvKpvRhR0HVPgPDHNNy0qofPqelv-D7OiSqa_OsL_tab5k8Fvr4-4zScgqIQFbod55He2saaXkk63bmnaDog7yls8t5IgAgD6yvmEadV33wc25o0E4Vcr/s563/Rust_First_Raid.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="563" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJe889FKifPUPEl6U1FSbVJOrLDTr0koZrUlSV0tDmYhrKejESuqvC4E0voQshrzNcGESOvKpvRhR0HVPgPDHNNy0qofPqelv-D7OiSqa_OsL_tab5k8Fvr4-4zScgqIQFbod55He2saaXkk63bmnaDog7yls8t5IgAgD6yvmEadV33wc25o0E4Vcr/s320/Rust_First_Raid.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>Umbra would later do a post-mortem on the raids. The fight at the Frustrator had more people getting clobbered more often, Umbra getting 5 kills while clobbered three times. Nydia got two kills in while being knocked out three times. Snowy was even, four to four, while Nikki got a kill in while getting knocked out three times. Stormy having gotten in late ended up getting clobbered once by opposing action without getting a kill of her own. Umbra didn't count the deaths by the shotguns. With the Funhouse, there were fewer kills overall, but more friendly fire accidents and several kills by the turrets. Umbra missed one of the two rocket kills by Nydia on me and considered us even. He never got a kill on me, joking that time he was a "deployable dummy," just on the traps which he considered hollow victories. "Those turrets Bix ..." he would later groan, saying they really hurt, musing if the machines ever take over, I'd have a place among the robotic overlords. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg108GalrgrVSezN07B36RmKo-21RyWda11_GVKyuCyzZLB-Ep1h5mzY-ZExvqANwo456tQNX4lz6vZjxpyDv7DbyeutTSgPaBz46XgVVsEBVcSSiqRv5CY3UmiBeXCZ-RoeWpPX37LFCjG5gpVLviS_SgnfDqop9dimvB5aXfAX4Jog_EOoBt2-n1/s557/Rust_Second_Raid.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="557" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg108GalrgrVSezN07B36RmKo-21RyWda11_GVKyuCyzZLB-Ep1h5mzY-ZExvqANwo456tQNX4lz6vZjxpyDv7DbyeutTSgPaBz46XgVVsEBVcSSiqRv5CY3UmiBeXCZ-RoeWpPX37LFCjG5gpVLviS_SgnfDqop9dimvB5aXfAX4Jog_EOoBt2-n1/s320/Rust_Second_Raid.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>So could the lessons here be applied to a base in a PvP base? Maybe. We both knew when the attack was coming and had time to prepare. In PvP servers, this would seldom happen, attacks coming anytime from anywhere and most likely when we were asleep and logged off. There's also that decay was extremely low in the Angel's server. In a normal one, both bases would require materials to maintain every day, mine more overall and Snowy's more of the hard to get high quality metal. Still, some version of the Frustrator would be useful, and would certainly deter a number of raiders who would look for easier targets.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9W-IZvMjX-WjV4lGnWjZFij7WqvzBXiojOOlUaaHb91Ze_UxsIlpQRh1-E9_iUUvDcWlV0A692jVmRLOi98Yx7sxZvPWV9DpUuvfzUWXK4IKRMmW6psHUiEeaGGOKBu_eWNIkR23Ju4I_7GI7jDMd6jNS2OCZ6e25CuhHRODfQUaSFS2Tb6w5820A/s1920/rustfunhousecamper.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9W-IZvMjX-WjV4lGnWjZFij7WqvzBXiojOOlUaaHb91Ze_UxsIlpQRh1-E9_iUUvDcWlV0A692jVmRLOi98Yx7sxZvPWV9DpUuvfzUWXK4IKRMmW6psHUiEeaGGOKBu_eWNIkR23Ju4I_7GI7jDMd6jNS2OCZ6e25CuhHRODfQUaSFS2Tb6w5820A/s320/rustfunhousecamper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>With the competition over, Snow and I would take on Bradley a few more times. Once I would clobber it solo while waiting for her, real-life having interrupted her trip over. But most of our time was getting ready for the wipe by deciding what to store in our backpacks to make setting up again easier. Snowy had gotten more M249 light machine guns than we could take. Umbra told us we couldn't take metal, wood, or stone. Among the things I would take with me were several weapons and stacks of ammo, pipes and tech parts, a stack of cloth, a tier three workbench, and lots of scrap. Snowy and I would say goodbye to our vehicles and bases that served us well.<br /><br />And if we hold another base-defense competition? Foxy would say he might take part if we have another, time permitting. I've also thought about what worked and what didn't and what I might do differently. But there won't be another for some time at least. As for what Umbra's challenge will be in October, he hasn't told us much. His only clue was that it would involve "precision." That could mean a number of things. In the meantime, there's time to prepare for whatever it is, and time to set ourselves up again after the wipe. <br /><br />"Good gaming to you,"<br /><br />Bixyl Shuftan<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-71932500843417795582022-08-28T06:00:00.005-04:002022-08-29T06:54:55.372-04:00Rust: Automotive Addition and "Wacky Races" Part Deux<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> By Bixyl Shuftan</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's been some time since I last wrote about my experiences in Rust. I last wrote about the survival MMO somewhat infamous for its PVP action in <a href="https://othergrids.blogspot.com/2019/08/rust-after-five-years.html">August 2019</a>. The reason was when I had to get a new computer around then, the game took over an hour to load and easily disconnected. So I had to say goodbye to the game for a while.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIiqa9mt-USVwt6I_fnO9-QPyUIYEGM3v-VwZfAG4yWBQv7f_RenQ9v39L2eq5aXtqbHBMeyGZLkMUm3CNT8HEVltzB0l4pph6KAYpvM8i3ylGiULJmUSrw6hB9a11IsTu2CjuuaP8M6P8cyiAsAm8udfjSIG2nRiLGA77-f37ix0fvunN9EWPBI1/s1920/20220827060548_1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIiqa9mt-USVwt6I_fnO9-QPyUIYEGM3v-VwZfAG4yWBQv7f_RenQ9v39L2eq5aXtqbHBMeyGZLkMUm3CNT8HEVltzB0l4pph6KAYpvM8i3ylGiULJmUSrw6hB9a11IsTu2CjuuaP8M6P8cyiAsAm8udfjSIG2nRiLGA77-f37ix0fvunN9EWPBI1/s320/20220827060548_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Recently, I had my computer upgraded. And not only has my performance in Second Life improved, so have other games. And Rust is playable once more. There's been some more changes to the game over the past few years. But the most interesting one from my point of view has been the addition of cars. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">There have been alternatives to getting around on foot before that. But it's my opinion this is more of a game-changer than the others. Boats just take you around the shore and maybe up a stream if you can get to one. Balloons are slow to control. While horses are more versatile, they can be killed with gun fire, as well as you. Cars, or modular cars as they're officially called, are not only faster than horses, which can make a difference with that pesky chopper, but one often feels more comfortable inside a vehicle if someone might take a shot at them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTbm10Dv4diP0vXryoAod9oyaa_VZSLWtjJhQFZzIkxvvTxRiK9C9RAKV8cglfN4raBIxSowP83c6xRJZUNUyOPT8a9lBfhbIurUHL0Q_lH8Sm4feWMD_mqdwXjt7b-YtWTmdJAi-HOOcYq08-yYHhxiq7JRPINnF1s0hrT1BALSya8bGh0w1kWnQ/s1920/20220827203922_1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTbm10Dv4diP0vXryoAod9oyaa_VZSLWtjJhQFZzIkxvvTxRiK9C9RAKV8cglfN4raBIxSowP83c6xRJZUNUyOPT8a9lBfhbIurUHL0Q_lH8Sm4feWMD_mqdwXjt7b-YtWTmdJAi-HOOcYq08-yYHhxiq7JRPINnF1s0hrT1BALSya8bGh0w1kWnQ/s320/20220827203922_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So where do you get a car in Rust? You can find them alongside the roads, abandoned and in poor shape. To get one up and running, you're going to need to repair the vehicle with metal, wood, and maybe some high quality metal. You're also going to have to find engine parts: crankshaft, carburetor, pistons, spark plugs, and valves. And you're also going to need some fuel in it's gas tank. Once those are taken care of, you have your car. Keeping it, however, is another issue. Someone else could swipe it if it's unattended. And in the words of one Dutch player, "they deteriorate faster then a French sedan." So if you're offline too long, the car will fade (or Rust) away. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQj0EcUPyU4OXEP7IBG4SJ3maxRGlWaYBqB6lmotTP7eCfJx3p9l052NzSSpXxP3SWwWGNJ_8kdoQKGb-TuKlcqztUnEFTny9h0CStD_23JcO47kxyLXdMuJAbUpP-vhRaYiUNsLKeDodh6f6VIfVE0H4oXxCH26IBY0mVNaNsK4W6qk6HEMfqOAf/s1920/20220827144833_1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQj0EcUPyU4OXEP7IBG4SJ3maxRGlWaYBqB6lmotTP7eCfJx3p9l052NzSSpXxP3SWwWGNJ_8kdoQKGb-TuKlcqztUnEFTny9h0CStD_23JcO47kxyLXdMuJAbUpP-vhRaYiUNsLKeDodh6f6VIfVE0H4oXxCH26IBY0mVNaNsK4W6qk6HEMfqOAf/s320/20220827144833_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>To take care of both problems, you need a <a href="https://rustlabs.com/item/modular-car-lift">car lift</a> (hydraulic jack) *and* electric power going into it, constantly if you don't want your car to degrade. So you're going to need a power source: a solar panel (put outside where the sun shines), windmill (huge, the higher up it's placed, the better the power, works night and day), or a generator (small, but can be placed inside), a battery (small, medium, or large), and a wire unit. Place the power source and battery, then plug the latter into the former then plug the battery into the lift. It's now powered, and when you drive your car onto it, it will be maintained as long as the power is going. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Lifts, as well as windmills and solar panels, appear once in a great while in crates. Or you can buy one at an outpost for some scrap. Or you can use the new research table system to learn the blueprint at a level 2 workbench. For the later, you're going to need to farm a lot of scrap if you don't have the bench yet. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuP7lyMbkAE2xUpFGf4o7LEqE-9IrQVc9P7DtFCnTkp0wCvqkpjmbqn_vysYqGcEzSlVOIqP22webXQa3I5lw1gK3wt_puo-XpkTrNiHjDRfiTJWbuHGkWdZdpT7CttZaGAR9z251jXuWjNm4MTH-jnxkwkenkRPnNrqGC5jNl6VNl28oFJHzQ4ee/s1920/20220819003736_1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuP7lyMbkAE2xUpFGf4o7LEqE-9IrQVc9P7DtFCnTkp0wCvqkpjmbqn_vysYqGcEzSlVOIqP22webXQa3I5lw1gK3wt_puo-XpkTrNiHjDRfiTJWbuHGkWdZdpT7CttZaGAR9z251jXuWjNm4MTH-jnxkwkenkRPnNrqGC5jNl6VNl28oFJHzQ4ee/s320/20220819003736_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Once it's on a powered jack, either your own or the one at the Junkyard, you can make a lock on the car so no one else can just drive off with it. This cost 75 metal, and you'll need to keep the key on you. If someone knocks you out and you can't get back to your items in time, you won't be able to drive it. While it's on the jack, you can also modify the car. You can take sections off and replace them and move them around. The larger the framework, or chassis, the more sections can go on. Sections aren't available in crates, but you can research and build them with metal and wood and maybe some high quality metal. You can make yourself a flatbed truck in which a buddy can shoot from, a storage truck with space for loot you find while going about or on raids, a camper with storage space and a cooker for meat plus a bed you can respawn at, or some combination with a large chassis.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBAb2Ulbxi0faf9VJUdqlqdXsT6AMVYG2y9zgFn65Byj6Bau3bBykhLXk4gW8_Z7e5COICN2u6eDh0KwCQbY-UOt0dnfTqESEjgU2uuda5U23UtgnwTWNtmJgXXSB7_8y_bl1hXi81RrBLJC7alIQ-e7VTiRPJyVn1-OB0KqjkC6nimg3POfUf5BY/s1920/20220803162545_1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBAb2Ulbxi0faf9VJUdqlqdXsT6AMVYG2y9zgFn65Byj6Bau3bBykhLXk4gW8_Z7e5COICN2u6eDh0KwCQbY-UOt0dnfTqESEjgU2uuda5U23UtgnwTWNtmJgXXSB7_8y_bl1hXi81RrBLJC7alIQ-e7VTiRPJyVn1-OB0KqjkC6nimg3POfUf5BY/s320/20220803162545_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And yes, if you get hit by a car hard enough, you end up having to respawn. Conversely, you can also kill things while driving them, such as those pesky bears and shoot-on-sight scientists. After getting "ninja-beared" so often, it was sweet revenge turning bears into roadkill. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For me, cars have changed the game in Rust. I can get around places and farm items faster. Instead of having to stop somewhere for the night I can just turn on the lights and drive home. There's also a less primitive feel about the game. This has made the game more interesting. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For more on cars, check out this guide here: <a href="https://www.rustafied.com/modular-vehicles-in-rust-guide">Rustified Modular Vehicles Guide</a>. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fF_wB2mM_odJQ2lEMYvaOS1HodaeQedjuvDudy3TNC7qs1KqXl2XjKFFhRgZmn9eNTSDBvijpUWe4xF-17UV9sQZFGorI6V1YbzoJJ68tuuu0uvgnipHficx6_huML6KxjDRjngxokcdggzu-FqnrJ4ukXVqJnilc959duU9h9zqGrboPIdwoVsE/s1920/20220731044957_1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fF_wB2mM_odJQ2lEMYvaOS1HodaeQedjuvDudy3TNC7qs1KqXl2XjKFFhRgZmn9eNTSDBvijpUWe4xF-17UV9sQZFGorI6V1YbzoJJ68tuuu0uvgnipHficx6_huML6KxjDRjngxokcdggzu-FqnrJ4ukXVqJnilc959duU9h9zqGrboPIdwoVsE/s320/20220731044957_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>With a two-section chassis, you can put in a large engine and a cockpit for a racer, which will go faster if high quality engine parts are used. In a PvP server, this would be useful from getting away from danger in a hurry. In a PvE server, perhaps less of a need for a faster car. But the lack of actual humans trying to get you means one can hold a race. Earlier this year, Nydia started up her Angels server in Rust again, and in May they had what got called the "<a href="https://othergrids.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-great-wacky-race-on-rust.html">Wacky Races</a>." They had so much fun, there was talk of eventually doing another. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Finally in late July, I had my computer upgraded. And among the first things I did was to download Rust once more and check out Nydia's server. I took a look at my friends' bases, took part in some zombie raid defenses, and set up a little place of my own. But not for long. It was soon time for The Wipe. And before long, we had to start over. This time I would set up a place next to a road near a grocery store and not too far from the junkyard. Snowy and her friends would set up a few buildings in the desert area on both sides of the road. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Shortly after the middle of the month, there was talk to doing another "Wacky Race." Players such as Kamida and I wanted to give it a go. And Snowy wanted to try again after overturning last time. So we agreed, and Umbra began building a course. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1IJioGI6sLxc2Q4FxiubGCviL70udtw_14dA88j3IZNtXZoSZF0sJDgAF5PdteEVjIB3IZxIMnr4T2l4W0RmHWOyF3sl-s_KPF1JE92lkVAdg4q9wvkPq5ARcOKrjQwuMZirV13so2g-Nl47DEbQkl3hIZSy20Sm9h-a-ObrhkGTiAJY4pZ45V_A/s1920/20220820183931_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1IJioGI6sLxc2Q4FxiubGCviL70udtw_14dA88j3IZNtXZoSZF0sJDgAF5PdteEVjIB3IZxIMnr4T2l4W0RmHWOyF3sl-s_KPF1JE92lkVAdg4q9wvkPq5ARcOKrjQwuMZirV13so2g-Nl47DEbQkl3hIZSy20Sm9h-a-ObrhkGTiAJY4pZ45V_A/w400-h225/20220820183931_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Finally, he announced it was ready for a test run, so I decided to check it out. The starting line was a little north of Snow's compound. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEWZxfvsZtEbliSUY-fTT4x_mDC3vKURepGaVmQMS0OJXVP5EcjHy7qbZNGDj8idkQ8QEofxVW_zFEGEil-5Y1-kVBKHn2gE3x3dNxQGGPNuNLKMs-ZETRi0FHBO_7yO0JHsxdPsmfuFFq90Vjw7pV5AFIh7pc0ZHHDfg20Qg9Cu7dUPi3_-i65AY/s1920/20220820184149_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEWZxfvsZtEbliSUY-fTT4x_mDC3vKURepGaVmQMS0OJXVP5EcjHy7qbZNGDj8idkQ8QEofxVW_zFEGEil-5Y1-kVBKHn2gE3x3dNxQGGPNuNLKMs-ZETRi0FHBO_7yO0JHsxdPsmfuFFq90Vjw7pV5AFIh7pc0ZHHDfg20Qg9Cu7dUPi3_-i65AY/w400-h225/20220820184149_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Next to it was a garage called the "Pist N Broke Speedway." Jasmine joked she was thinking "Pissed And Broke."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFRg8fuIFw2HXzkIDT4Uf9GKvupIeLR60d6JNboFHbuzIOJ7N2mibDJ33gzbRMadsK87OlC1luf46Xm_5hoO7zx9zgEX1e-ME2D3c2hmJjs9TB8_Ip4NlKTwXtkbTROkv1X8EvOgTP6k94TT_jvhbIFhV39UNgHio7gK6oDPoTvgUrsYjpyvWQm4Q/s1920/20220821164930_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFRg8fuIFw2HXzkIDT4Uf9GKvupIeLR60d6JNboFHbuzIOJ7N2mibDJ33gzbRMadsK87OlC1luf46Xm_5hoO7zx9zgEX1e-ME2D3c2hmJjs9TB8_Ip4NlKTwXtkbTROkv1X8EvOgTP6k94TT_jvhbIFhV39UNgHio7gK6oDPoTvgUrsYjpyvWQm4Q/w400-h225/20220821164930_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Inside were the cars for the race. Since the server was No Decay, the lifts didn't need to be powered unless the cars were being worked on.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJk-B9KwDwBl-GqBHBz_X1HVnw0xOW6MMgs-48O_wEeDyy51F5NT3ED5xoaYrt3TAm3BzGLICGcn5TBudxsiTusaJ4TURFrET4SaqpN1wd3s4WfdyC7oFxCEbfhHFaff1WWMlNcqTs69tXSI5PxID6Mw7Il_hkGgXFdVZ9MT9K8-8NF3MkYHpMxXnY/s1920/20220822225804_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJk-B9KwDwBl-GqBHBz_X1HVnw0xOW6MMgs-48O_wEeDyy51F5NT3ED5xoaYrt3TAm3BzGLICGcn5TBudxsiTusaJ4TURFrET4SaqpN1wd3s4WfdyC7oFxCEbfhHFaff1WWMlNcqTs69tXSI5PxID6Mw7Il_hkGgXFdVZ9MT9K8-8NF3MkYHpMxXnY/w400-h225/20220822225804_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Umbra let us practice a few times. The race was originally going to be on a Sunday, but it got postponed a day to Monday. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuVsfYOwZjBidPh2zNAhbHLC_YTMvEoM1wdltckRAUZXtoa1S4waXbe9eq5eh9ioI3-aXpAbTFf2pQYiIpmAbOptZNTnGHnFNylsDN1vAgtbLp73RBG3pl4zRQgrLYdbCoG_ge-V8bq_bIJlr51hMQjnzXCOgAgFb_2W5vNTlZv-8PtwD-FnDyt9B/s1920/20220822225827_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuVsfYOwZjBidPh2zNAhbHLC_YTMvEoM1wdltckRAUZXtoa1S4waXbe9eq5eh9ioI3-aXpAbTFf2pQYiIpmAbOptZNTnGHnFNylsDN1vAgtbLp73RBG3pl4zRQgrLYdbCoG_ge-V8bq_bIJlr51hMQjnzXCOgAgFb_2W5vNTlZv-8PtwD-FnDyt9B/w400-h225/20220822225827_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Several of us, Jasmine, Nydia, Snowy, Nikki, and myself were taking part. Umbra was also taking part, but was also watching over things. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOj885U6YtCzolKmC7kaF5D-gTKXsxc4-IiBCJ5W66bN8f8KOwNP0ucXY3I1OVsw_kTfCVQ8flBvL_zSH-_ZLD9j9DGDCVbGEhCCgW7aMfxYeFL0g5z3QApoQ06lK2EmKzkcPQSKing4k8YxXHd0oxCGCAUTWldzClw3ebdcjUxYoxr4vZ4Kh1T2Ye/s1920/20220821192947_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOj885U6YtCzolKmC7kaF5D-gTKXsxc4-IiBCJ5W66bN8f8KOwNP0ucXY3I1OVsw_kTfCVQ8flBvL_zSH-_ZLD9j9DGDCVbGEhCCgW7aMfxYeFL0g5z3QApoQ06lK2EmKzkcPQSKing4k8YxXHd0oxCGCAUTWldzClw3ebdcjUxYoxr4vZ4Kh1T2Ye/w400-h225/20220821192947_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The start of the track was a twig build that went straight for several seconds, then led to a turn, </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5449WHbVDo1cm6pBZQvyH8yVj7b6iCHh4R9SFzlAkZLEEyjzSr60cWd5xfBg56dwDQmrAoBZiuiFgImlJwGnJujkAhqi-9BnYhcoVR0zPwy1JRXbZWVZK3-pWq33Aq4sgTWQuBXh_idFO-j4llEAfh2mb-F-C0XZ1xZSNmoHYG_A6_I0bMdsvg5h/s1920/20220828192730_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5449WHbVDo1cm6pBZQvyH8yVj7b6iCHh4R9SFzlAkZLEEyjzSr60cWd5xfBg56dwDQmrAoBZiuiFgImlJwGnJujkAhqi-9BnYhcoVR0zPwy1JRXbZWVZK3-pWq33Aq4sgTWQuBXh_idFO-j4llEAfh2mb-F-C0XZ1xZSNmoHYG_A6_I0bMdsvg5h/w400-h225/20220828192730_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: left;">followed by a jump. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3LVL4FFK-oKso2u2fQpC4-OvwBzKOwvDQVsFRVKKEbRNCxw_41eLRkn1wQ1cWW_yX2wT2g0cVuN6yAkAHXkFHJnkjbccwgNrPZWhdxJoMQQHLqGVBYq_r5vgojgp2K72C6nd8Gsi9cscpIcrZMK9mOYaCCT7jhXurgD60XwP_FUH3fy0EfZKRNPW/s1920/20220821193002_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3LVL4FFK-oKso2u2fQpC4-OvwBzKOwvDQVsFRVKKEbRNCxw_41eLRkn1wQ1cWW_yX2wT2g0cVuN6yAkAHXkFHJnkjbccwgNrPZWhdxJoMQQHLqGVBYq_r5vgojgp2K72C6nd8Gsi9cscpIcrZMK9mOYaCCT7jhXurgD60XwP_FUH3fy0EfZKRNPW/w400-h225/20220821193002_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxiKLQcP2k1PEepit74HWObaLsXv0K3v7aG1s-2Y89MOxx40eM1iJfYx3uAJxIB0BdV5RVJTK5FsMQXcTdPJkNMPGTcxGEZFul088wpu0uOPAO1yKEN8CxUgpfkEViP81NtESVFuocSecmIilf3yX-c3U9norh_qqaf-3ymlAbyJcPOUp4hEfUrC8/s1920/20220822233931_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxiKLQcP2k1PEepit74HWObaLsXv0K3v7aG1s-2Y89MOxx40eM1iJfYx3uAJxIB0BdV5RVJTK5FsMQXcTdPJkNMPGTcxGEZFul088wpu0uOPAO1yKEN8CxUgpfkEViP81NtESVFuocSecmIilf3yX-c3U9norh_qqaf-3ymlAbyJcPOUp4hEfUrC8/w400-h225/20220822233931_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>And then back onto the road.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhC7StTMb9-mnGUbiqEGbCbiuKWH39uOtkvi-1-w9nWfajIHwmQszIxPzLlVZu4QkPE_lJvkG1ghD2O2xwu6wuX7VrugKQUILjbh794Z-Qx4z1SFw4xdKufu5SWlwsc3936kYydV0OChrBDcJyY60Mqlpe4qW1PTARp-cPQrUwNaLg4toiIChKDIdG/s1920/20220821162956_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhC7StTMb9-mnGUbiqEGbCbiuKWH39uOtkvi-1-w9nWfajIHwmQszIxPzLlVZu4QkPE_lJvkG1ghD2O2xwu6wuX7VrugKQUILjbh794Z-Qx4z1SFw4xdKufu5SWlwsc3936kYydV0OChrBDcJyY60Mqlpe4qW1PTARp-cPQrUwNaLg4toiIChKDIdG/w400-h225/20220821162956_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then a heads up things were about to get interesting.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj81J5hoeBi19xcM_rURHvGguoPKWFb07SZIv-9KV6ZTxVZZu4WXrX83micD6zWWdq1wNNbkrB9PPAzl9yeA0gq_lgBJBiyL85TUWqo5PfkI4vEfaqzZUhE1Mi-86O8DNVzTKy4ygtPvhfej2yxcAIeUIBSsFe6pH-uv2fZAy6POfF8pzfuKr3MiPM/s1920/20220828193514_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj81J5hoeBi19xcM_rURHvGguoPKWFb07SZIv-9KV6ZTxVZZu4WXrX83micD6zWWdq1wNNbkrB9PPAzl9yeA0gq_lgBJBiyL85TUWqo5PfkI4vEfaqzZUhE1Mi-86O8DNVzTKy4ygtPvhfej2yxcAIeUIBSsFe6pH-uv2fZAy6POfF8pzfuKr3MiPM/w400-h225/20220828193514_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> The course went off the road onto some rough ground.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCpDlf9fXivd3YH8HzgGnkDaAvJp22ia7Lfh61AFvHGdgvjc7j3ACr-RFMRNwShqBrMG0ph5onGUFKRtMpZ6b6ZK75nA_BCOeQQAziYTwmMyCgAOQmjs-NVVkQSgb-1dMNgtNxtYPZjpU-FUu-WHLttCG2jpB0tBYSFFhs-PKsYa2hSULiNTwtQ7_/s1920/20220828193527_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCpDlf9fXivd3YH8HzgGnkDaAvJp22ia7Lfh61AFvHGdgvjc7j3ACr-RFMRNwShqBrMG0ph5onGUFKRtMpZ6b6ZK75nA_BCOeQQAziYTwmMyCgAOQmjs-NVVkQSgb-1dMNgtNxtYPZjpU-FUu-WHLttCG2jpB0tBYSFFhs-PKsYa2hSULiNTwtQ7_/w400-h225/20220828193527_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Which could easily result in you going topsy-turvy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsjcYTreblk-WBQMuaMZTcD9WvS5fS2RZRgUr3bhTaMoAy_30Ld6smWSq9G4Lq1TJJapptsUpSZWRu9g3S2Vu5anjhG0VK91rqIc-yiq5Yw0jLPz1BUyesHo3nATwR6FA64w-8ri1dfgcs0itYTPNRjsTJ48x8i8MOK6CFlxpzKH-U0ngFZ77QaHa/s1920/20220828193535_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsjcYTreblk-WBQMuaMZTcD9WvS5fS2RZRgUr3bhTaMoAy_30Ld6smWSq9G4Lq1TJJapptsUpSZWRu9g3S2Vu5anjhG0VK91rqIc-yiq5Yw0jLPz1BUyesHo3nATwR6FA64w-8ri1dfgcs0itYTPNRjsTJ48x8i8MOK6CFlxpzKH-U0ngFZ77QaHa/w400-h225/20220828193535_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8ffYHXCciqwSHSVpLBthUVsB_6dhewjFdOv5WUSgjJBiuwVZMTTVECWSFluP2fP4Lozc6FNIbk4XZ9ioUg2pm7BXSXqrfcuUTq9NUL4aoOckEJpwR2oAFLhDQLPDxaniSwdMVdVFl8qU_Wn8cPJeAOxLdcop_ox0iLxgZ0arIZpbW8K839NDd_Wn/s1920/20220828193613_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8ffYHXCciqwSHSVpLBthUVsB_6dhewjFdOv5WUSgjJBiuwVZMTTVECWSFluP2fP4Lozc6FNIbk4XZ9ioUg2pm7BXSXqrfcuUTq9NUL4aoOckEJpwR2oAFLhDQLPDxaniSwdMVdVFl8qU_Wn8cPJeAOxLdcop_ox0iLxgZ0arIZpbW8K839NDd_Wn/w400-h225/20220828193613_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3e6KIeo7tRgjY1X_PNowRvmms-h8zN7vkYL1ZtdOt0O7-Hz4RgUwz6Sl9cUqv54_8sHa5c7zGcP4f30ROd-gwV0DWmNueBcGnxcfeWbC0qp9LeCGHvrDnwS6fEhUrqieOkoqKwRqnNhHBOgIBE6aDQHSJi3Z5KsNhJ-wzA9plsJMp7imIwqYF3k0h/s1920/20220828193655_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3e6KIeo7tRgjY1X_PNowRvmms-h8zN7vkYL1ZtdOt0O7-Hz4RgUwz6Sl9cUqv54_8sHa5c7zGcP4f30ROd-gwV0DWmNueBcGnxcfeWbC0qp9LeCGHvrDnwS6fEhUrqieOkoqKwRqnNhHBOgIBE6aDQHSJi3Z5KsNhJ-wzA9plsJMp7imIwqYF3k0h/w400-h225/20220828193655_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Eventually, there was a road besides the course, but a very narrow one through some woods.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-04RojEsliXuJv9sEZL5P_cA18q0G8poO86Sss_X1cl70pk47bvl-AxxyCueR-Nrdp6DdphGIxsQ5pTGzEmQfQQtJG6XiOZ-O3gVZr_3gnZB5_9uAE6LCv21jJ79NJCXj3r_2bmF0LF97j6WA4A5FgoVO0A-rAW7G7R4do7RpIn6OBV7n2xVnmajO/s1920/20220828193719_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-04RojEsliXuJv9sEZL5P_cA18q0G8poO86Sss_X1cl70pk47bvl-AxxyCueR-Nrdp6DdphGIxsQ5pTGzEmQfQQtJG6XiOZ-O3gVZr_3gnZB5_9uAE6LCv21jJ79NJCXj3r_2bmF0LF97j6WA4A5FgoVO0A-rAW7G7R4do7RpIn6OBV7n2xVnmajO/w400-h225/20220828193719_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then back onto the main road.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpOvMz010IjRXCr-fKhyFOmClPiV0FsG_edLR_ik15COq8L15uiY0PxCmB8ZpX4sQ9ggVzPVmwB0MMgtGo5CNm-uPKiQnuWzwYflN5p_WMULW3Iz0NQETxJHN0ZPF9L1bfNiBsqVXWUW7KFlDinuIzs2LMf7tDtRg1IuiVxKlbbS4h_Y9zo2rktWS/s1920/20220821193334_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpOvMz010IjRXCr-fKhyFOmClPiV0FsG_edLR_ik15COq8L15uiY0PxCmB8ZpX4sQ9ggVzPVmwB0MMgtGo5CNm-uPKiQnuWzwYflN5p_WMULW3Iz0NQETxJHN0ZPF9L1bfNiBsqVXWUW7KFlDinuIzs2LMf7tDtRg1IuiVxKlbbS4h_Y9zo2rktWS/w400-h225/20220821193334_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> It was then back onto another stretch of wooden track.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIzJA0dnlK9absFONqXYuMOe1UswwgktF1NhLgQ2u-e8x2Hr-U-uUKUj1wku78oyqY3aavGpVZI9qJZb6W0q56cQfB-2pmkl88CGYgohMMUNCi6lNK0mXxoT0bpuvsQvxSUDCWOGXTk-0p6XP5EJBSXfv5TXeFAj7oPP2Ie3Zx9o9n4FzFwn8spkg/s1920/20220828193803_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIzJA0dnlK9absFONqXYuMOe1UswwgktF1NhLgQ2u-e8x2Hr-U-uUKUj1wku78oyqY3aavGpVZI9qJZb6W0q56cQfB-2pmkl88CGYgohMMUNCi6lNK0mXxoT0bpuvsQvxSUDCWOGXTk-0p6XP5EJBSXfv5TXeFAj7oPP2Ie3Zx9o9n4FzFwn8spkg/w400-h225/20220828193803_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Which led to another jump.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3CO5ng0bThm1D4be38QaI6G2o3lpppkemVuE5ea0w4gug7l9tfGHIVVD0Ipay61RoZQkycH0mheAGG_eEA-Nbe7crSn4EDWg80xtPDi11fPm4Y6nBy18-akUZ2ifXv3zg1cC_C9ZXIGdJGlAKO9HuiflA-ElI-erZvHjQuxkSxscFSZX4MX21GYk/s1920/20220828193804_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3CO5ng0bThm1D4be38QaI6G2o3lpppkemVuE5ea0w4gug7l9tfGHIVVD0Ipay61RoZQkycH0mheAGG_eEA-Nbe7crSn4EDWg80xtPDi11fPm4Y6nBy18-akUZ2ifXv3zg1cC_C9ZXIGdJGlAKO9HuiflA-ElI-erZvHjQuxkSxscFSZX4MX21GYk/w400-h225/20220828193804_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhBYfPEb_--expvmXp0wMJ3nQJajdGnVSFvmcqGpmm3YE-QX5Giqq1Evu6J6CYknYMGgEtEOf5smi2kdzDJq5sjBIbG2MuenuljH1cfY_YFKJ2fsV3uoTvC-EwrGQrkxCGX9sBVHeLWYSX_NlUaH6HxBCJNoebA91614PVfxjPA_2eW52pT1gsiMi/s1920/20220829011226_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhBYfPEb_--expvmXp0wMJ3nQJajdGnVSFvmcqGpmm3YE-QX5Giqq1Evu6J6CYknYMGgEtEOf5smi2kdzDJq5sjBIbG2MuenuljH1cfY_YFKJ2fsV3uoTvC-EwrGQrkxCGX9sBVHeLWYSX_NlUaH6HxBCJNoebA91614PVfxjPA_2eW52pT1gsiMi/w400-h225/20220829011226_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And back onto the road.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGpKoJF8s61jRycRdxBvwvsIdpaRbQi82LlvJHyuiqzyNrDbiqiJ3KoB1zJucWICfqYLgob_d0t7ufFvpiM_eFsMkptmno_Cxiiif6RpUeZS942hQ-IidNklhJ4N7-jN7fotXMFNgVOSg6msNoB7Tw8IBLJV5xLhygHcG_JfAsHDc_-Kyb3mi1GSm/s1920/20220829014546_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGpKoJF8s61jRycRdxBvwvsIdpaRbQi82LlvJHyuiqzyNrDbiqiJ3KoB1zJucWICfqYLgob_d0t7ufFvpiM_eFsMkptmno_Cxiiif6RpUeZS942hQ-IidNklhJ4N7-jN7fotXMFNgVOSg6msNoB7Tw8IBLJV5xLhygHcG_JfAsHDc_-Kyb3mi1GSm/w400-h225/20220829014546_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And soon things got cold.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6K6B65eEI27xHZj_BU6SRYkgibaIC92ILmLAs4qCi3-cCGQQfdW3smkfxO5e7fe4io_S7oXo5PuG6on-UvDv6FhleaYzbn395HcTQ9hvPf6bLcs1FDJ5g8OSxF24TDYErwnDzzUlJS64_OThStWh-H9RwhRo2lK3aC90jtkt2xW6VPdLIOBPTsYt/s1920/20220829014712_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6K6B65eEI27xHZj_BU6SRYkgibaIC92ILmLAs4qCi3-cCGQQfdW3smkfxO5e7fe4io_S7oXo5PuG6on-UvDv6FhleaYzbn395HcTQ9hvPf6bLcs1FDJ5g8OSxF24TDYErwnDzzUlJS64_OThStWh-H9RwhRo2lK3aC90jtkt2xW6VPdLIOBPTsYt/w400-h225/20220829014712_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzABXASkBPCLpn4nkRuDK1p4t5GRGsIOTrQvNnskMZ_JMjDtdAHMKzekIT4LNp3Zkof-FmCY9Qy05rtxnz7l7uwrqzBWC9w8EFhqwGKr18b1H--BNWAokO_lRKDcdRtQ-Fe0iq6RI8bIEg6O619lX8xyjQHtVA1iQE7Vg_dfRMklIZxFTrVu8LTmu/s1920/20220821193730_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzABXASkBPCLpn4nkRuDK1p4t5GRGsIOTrQvNnskMZ_JMjDtdAHMKzekIT4LNp3Zkof-FmCY9Qy05rtxnz7l7uwrqzBWC9w8EFhqwGKr18b1H--BNWAokO_lRKDcdRtQ-Fe0iq6RI8bIEg6O619lX8xyjQHtVA1iQE7Vg_dfRMklIZxFTrVu8LTmu/w400-h225/20220821193730_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Which led to some offroad into the snow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn6ajAapoIOmnsejAvOOcCvatHyxeP-LQtzO7aIB2Ssph0uQGbO-PDruK21b_NapSD5YPTaDcZidpzl3arZRn6I08GTMyqsWByW0rVyjGjMoxRG8hV6PMGV0Vdv7uL7ILVuYPDM5yywuDhvkd34B3O3QH1cNeKX1fcXcP8zIC1dV8AYSQ3Itabl5O/s1920/20220829020208_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn6ajAapoIOmnsejAvOOcCvatHyxeP-LQtzO7aIB2Ssph0uQGbO-PDruK21b_NapSD5YPTaDcZidpzl3arZRn6I08GTMyqsWByW0rVyjGjMoxRG8hV6PMGV0Vdv7uL7ILVuYPDM5yywuDhvkd34B3O3QH1cNeKX1fcXcP8zIC1dV8AYSQ3Itabl5O/w400-h225/20220829020208_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTDT_GLsMLrxIeNMxrAkbqvdCJXcQMgLLsYnR_l86XLSIjdW3SHoEXoSBqPpt107w9txF1SWKdl0f5E0TB4TGTO5ZhyLmegO6fP-Jmlk3gi3a2SvlzruZnkcr563NgvvyDomPDHfsfSV9iZC3KCgtnJFlkl12ooz6X6PwsTMTvSTJ26OlMGoKPdpl/s1920/20220822233256_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTDT_GLsMLrxIeNMxrAkbqvdCJXcQMgLLsYnR_l86XLSIjdW3SHoEXoSBqPpt107w9txF1SWKdl0f5E0TB4TGTO5ZhyLmegO6fP-Jmlk3gi3a2SvlzruZnkcr563NgvvyDomPDHfsfSV9iZC3KCgtnJFlkl12ooz6X6PwsTMTvSTJ26OlMGoKPdpl/w400-h225/20220822233256_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And at one point going over a frozen lake and it's ice. I never tried braking on that. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDegdi01OXqeoVgmk6P5WoFPNu687FEuuxeXLLDjxgBgBpptQHuR8cqbXR64HO-N6XNVsRAXWpkRtCnDe4Q9L5JxpqaO3fSFvqRe23fGuBVKLYcGpdBLVhfw1v8cxP-1ZCLVwPLKyswPkoQTYc9EAWZiKIidVEw76HL2CREtFFi_VUh2HefQN1fK7V/s1920/20220829020244_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDegdi01OXqeoVgmk6P5WoFPNu687FEuuxeXLLDjxgBgBpptQHuR8cqbXR64HO-N6XNVsRAXWpkRtCnDe4Q9L5JxpqaO3fSFvqRe23fGuBVKLYcGpdBLVhfw1v8cxP-1ZCLVwPLKyswPkoQTYc9EAWZiKIidVEw76HL2CREtFFi_VUh2HefQN1fK7V/w400-h225/20220829020244_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Just after that was an airport, </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIz8PrqUjIOhojj1jgarxvCK7k6KWcOayBsc_JJA0b_D_EDTo7uSYdckog8kQaCm3u17_z09ohNAmUO52LFZAV5BXROGr-DwEnzUXCZnESBsVySHW54aB4Kch3qTXMzFDpeHurDX-6icYuC3VtVwR9QjXJAnxJfnS_BDoMPubgbt8SwI0A0pJHYmM/s1920/20220829020926_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIz8PrqUjIOhojj1jgarxvCK7k6KWcOayBsc_JJA0b_D_EDTo7uSYdckog8kQaCm3u17_z09ohNAmUO52LFZAV5BXROGr-DwEnzUXCZnESBsVySHW54aB4Kch3qTXMzFDpeHurDX-6icYuC3VtVwR9QjXJAnxJfnS_BDoMPubgbt8SwI0A0pJHYmM/w400-h225/20220829020926_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">and it's narrow security gate. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQho-lnNYCwXnv61k772iaNzGXIwR1Uiw0MJGObqCMISq98_zx1GDVEiEAzEc6sqXmtQDV_oj3rWNW0RS9G2nLaIJlBckdoYWabOVLGGtGBqGWRHTNRjbFlNkOSKDA8x1CMQ3jXFYmmh1lS6yB36KxuRopNlSh7kS-pSfD9m3DYeRikA56Zk6ZUTi/s1920/20220822231407_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQho-lnNYCwXnv61k772iaNzGXIwR1Uiw0MJGObqCMISq98_zx1GDVEiEAzEc6sqXmtQDV_oj3rWNW0RS9G2nLaIJlBckdoYWabOVLGGtGBqGWRHTNRjbFlNkOSKDA8x1CMQ3jXFYmmh1lS6yB36KxuRopNlSh7kS-pSfD9m3DYeRikA56Zk6ZUTi/w400-h225/20220822231407_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Past the airport, it was down a stretch of road in the cold area.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhdzrFIm0P6n8c_CATfaTyOhYo6jDHLDVjgRWzXzYa5LzCCW5LbAtYf16PX5Blc_ZVAumBveoiqvP3KEO4GpjIZUerRMIGHBuDD1zqKT6PFzZbCTNzrak0EoLsLk0zcENeNxM4-6hSogTQihIsoUoOHLfRKAAohKotMGThlebSrlW5os2_TBnBFeV/s1920/20220829020939_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhdzrFIm0P6n8c_CATfaTyOhYo6jDHLDVjgRWzXzYa5LzCCW5LbAtYf16PX5Blc_ZVAumBveoiqvP3KEO4GpjIZUerRMIGHBuDD1zqKT6PFzZbCTNzrak0EoLsLk0zcENeNxM4-6hSogTQihIsoUoOHLfRKAAohKotMGThlebSrlW5os2_TBnBFeV/w400-h225/20220829020939_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> That soon changed to temperate. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFmkmBCh16iFKoOoHQiomAxie7CQfptWc_QpM5VdXJP0t24Mjvo2fBwVJV2SoRsi-RM4wrPBg8ECmTmE2mEGnCGyOtJI7barRXv6a1Kuid9Fq_0SkneH_xhShhU26mcWDy20AUuvG_4H1QapRaLzjvEUyVepYhEZ1XNHU3cUgVDu-hiJHeDnEqBWL/s1920/20220821193931_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFmkmBCh16iFKoOoHQiomAxie7CQfptWc_QpM5VdXJP0t24Mjvo2fBwVJV2SoRsi-RM4wrPBg8ECmTmE2mEGnCGyOtJI7barRXv6a1Kuid9Fq_0SkneH_xhShhU26mcWDy20AUuvG_4H1QapRaLzjvEUyVepYhEZ1XNHU3cUgVDu-hiJHeDnEqBWL/w400-h225/20220821193931_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijw4HSpNlj3rhFjVaasPf7c5_GtaWLaJMoWgVohwJob_oL88sEF5tGVWWMHtShzy8MWKqHUytXtYM5kM0H1nR7fg5S4-mebNFTRB2534kYmlIrttGL0JXbFjgE6cJCUKrrWeCJnNzWDYWO7_D_FMqaxUcIVZGlbfH1-6lBpsbH7P7MxCOAAsNtvfq0/s1920/20220822232053_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijw4HSpNlj3rhFjVaasPf7c5_GtaWLaJMoWgVohwJob_oL88sEF5tGVWWMHtShzy8MWKqHUytXtYM5kM0H1nR7fg5S4-mebNFTRB2534kYmlIrttGL0JXbFjgE6cJCUKrrWeCJnNzWDYWO7_D_FMqaxUcIVZGlbfH1-6lBpsbH7P7MxCOAAsNtvfq0/w400-h225/20220822232053_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Then the course went offroad again, </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiNBcr3U2Es11nyv9QKjV47Y6C9JL9KlaiRu2n8WsNMDgnaoi2At1H6c_QM81fV2r9zHijzz7-NiGl9rjCY5DqI1AI_eO6pxPrMaSDHY_viJK9q98zl1f55CFuRhlw6VvgOFGFwx5TlgFavpkh9zYszzdtQ-myFPUF35INrYV3lrinQ9CHZn-F7aJ/s1920/20220829021421_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiNBcr3U2Es11nyv9QKjV47Y6C9JL9KlaiRu2n8WsNMDgnaoi2At1H6c_QM81fV2r9zHijzz7-NiGl9rjCY5DqI1AI_eO6pxPrMaSDHY_viJK9q98zl1f55CFuRhlw6VvgOFGFwx5TlgFavpkh9zYszzdtQ-myFPUF35INrYV3lrinQ9CHZn-F7aJ/w400-h225/20220829021421_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">this time onto a section of rails. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT27wom9XZ69Jvgi7wYPZNgBm_Acw79DM6STPuqnGqlKSRQNi3UoyK1WJ0aJQy7WY_gKZxuVlKyOfuJU0UWY85dseZ--ij7SGNO6v-5ZzmsRqZ-tjLPWeqSBM6n_r-UKp-xbDirrwlhU08TeWe141d_yYQA8EjABOGyFCzxQCNMsSAVGQfzE90W6n5/s1920/20220829021506_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT27wom9XZ69Jvgi7wYPZNgBm_Acw79DM6STPuqnGqlKSRQNi3UoyK1WJ0aJQy7WY_gKZxuVlKyOfuJU0UWY85dseZ--ij7SGNO6v-5ZzmsRqZ-tjLPWeqSBM6n_r-UKp-xbDirrwlhU08TeWe141d_yYQA8EjABOGyFCzxQCNMsSAVGQfzE90W6n5/w400-h225/20220829021506_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Bear, you better run.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHUL-_l9N1En_R--e-zqWAuywl8DVS5dYz2frIkZahECW87CPHY9LZ-y1seTfvrBwo3z6UXYaBrJnpSNiEe9QklWYaMCGDbzmIKgnyjQT3WfSjRGu0uVIhGJ2U2uMaCng0T7Jl1kBNVCe48wINYjK4aRku_uhuYxrKK1q6ylkCs9DYcStRhA6CDg1/s1920/20220829021640_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHUL-_l9N1En_R--e-zqWAuywl8DVS5dYz2frIkZahECW87CPHY9LZ-y1seTfvrBwo3z6UXYaBrJnpSNiEe9QklWYaMCGDbzmIKgnyjQT3WfSjRGu0uVIhGJ2U2uMaCng0T7Jl1kBNVCe48wINYjK4aRku_uhuYxrKK1q6ylkCs9DYcStRhA6CDg1/w400-h225/20220829021640_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The forest soon thinned to the dry and somewhat flatter land.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_coJup2Ub8dM5VCWa7KKvZsgEx5i5mZh0VKMWgwjMmHygvRQZL3VMEmRXOlCAMHNVyMFQAiZuXp9KkVkp_UBf-Ac9WYP2qXnseusiEJrG6inDQoo-P2nM5tnp1oxgxMr3IEKUTT2q7C69wQBXHrbUTzXb_h4jpJskdlTYJOEXydUevWd-1JdkBPY/s1920/20220829021648_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_coJup2Ub8dM5VCWa7KKvZsgEx5i5mZh0VKMWgwjMmHygvRQZL3VMEmRXOlCAMHNVyMFQAiZuXp9KkVkp_UBf-Ac9WYP2qXnseusiEJrG6inDQoo-P2nM5tnp1oxgxMr3IEKUTT2q7C69wQBXHrbUTzXb_h4jpJskdlTYJOEXydUevWd-1JdkBPY/w400-h225/20220829021648_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-THmX-3TWwcw7zOaB99iuh6KU7vDWMiHQQpGvpohak41QaT0CipI4vQ3-QspCw6oob9L21kWichG7h7NMYQfmc4kNqID218ErUghv_DC6uErsF7mk8V9guU2YhvzpzogAfsnexZ9f2p72Gqm_w1qVUTghkSC8aNoarqIKjSBnXpeLU-l3tdpPsVGh/s1920/20220829021651_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-THmX-3TWwcw7zOaB99iuh6KU7vDWMiHQQpGvpohak41QaT0CipI4vQ3-QspCw6oob9L21kWichG7h7NMYQfmc4kNqID218ErUghv_DC6uErsF7mk8V9guU2YhvzpzogAfsnexZ9f2p72Gqm_w1qVUTghkSC8aNoarqIKjSBnXpeLU-l3tdpPsVGh/w400-h225/20220829021651_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0d4kV9tu9CPN4AOJw0xsEMqebnXAcWx7B2nvYEMwuE4BOW5q2B2sXvIhC0_zmcziUEjLoZIJHydzA0P_M34btwjL5plZjEuHS_Xob0nNSUlUhyd_V7X3jQeh1JN8iLXFAf4Z8Wyhmuy-8Yeq0YQHHpAuEsQIaYjX6Ih6Bf0Wc1sRWhmrd_xHxqmb-/s1920/20220829021853_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0d4kV9tu9CPN4AOJw0xsEMqebnXAcWx7B2nvYEMwuE4BOW5q2B2sXvIhC0_zmcziUEjLoZIJHydzA0P_M34btwjL5plZjEuHS_Xob0nNSUlUhyd_V7X3jQeh1JN8iLXFAf4Z8Wyhmuy-8Yeq0YQHHpAuEsQIaYjX6Ih6Bf0Wc1sRWhmrd_xHxqmb-/w400-h225/20220829021853_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">A brief patch of green.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMRAWIbzu_H49jlyLcM74kn1RAWt9L1aTAc38YDIyK1PxniccWpQUcvv2WXVPxjEMvcXaUU1oDma-RZJ0BRs2qO6ujJk6UknNg8HhllIUcLXnos5C7Z7I9AT1LHn7lSfMUZi_UU7Wc5qcJIoq-NM7VdStl8rtG3MzF6THfyrYSfJ07PIO04Nn5EQU/s1920/20220829021959_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMRAWIbzu_H49jlyLcM74kn1RAWt9L1aTAc38YDIyK1PxniccWpQUcvv2WXVPxjEMvcXaUU1oDma-RZJ0BRs2qO6ujJk6UknNg8HhllIUcLXnos5C7Z7I9AT1LHn7lSfMUZi_UU7Wc5qcJIoq-NM7VdStl8rtG3MzF6THfyrYSfJ07PIO04Nn5EQU/w400-h225/20220829021959_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then back onto the dry land. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOJejgM1jOgnrHHMrODvBK8_mxqqDDideCTNOlIfbAbHa62axpSuXwT8VldJA39v2_RrkADFispRQaAucDEcsAB4HEdTaUjPzbufpuS0sq1r4y1p0t1B48QP5wLpctr7_Z9NNImIJWU9ow3P0YvdPvyo5eQK6FH1YshROtFGqp-Lvek2KSJHV_wvb/s1920/20220829022006_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOJejgM1jOgnrHHMrODvBK8_mxqqDDideCTNOlIfbAbHa62axpSuXwT8VldJA39v2_RrkADFispRQaAucDEcsAB4HEdTaUjPzbufpuS0sq1r4y1p0t1B48QP5wLpctr7_Z9NNImIJWU9ow3P0YvdPvyo5eQK6FH1YshROtFGqp-Lvek2KSJHV_wvb/w400-h225/20220829022006_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Driving up onto higher ground.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KFOTanDtcJtYyJMJzB5jAZ3c8xritwomObspQAoRNnw0lt4y8C5WEIzBJA8v2uYqWvpWVbEZJSQSdl3Vx2E_L67SsQ0DJxPOu67mSn7AHNsG8lyJ0Y0j8grdXXfb1oVY4myB4c95IFwui13jP_c0CzDYSROscToTophpcIDnPW79GxI_gCIHwk8_/s1920/20220822232434_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KFOTanDtcJtYyJMJzB5jAZ3c8xritwomObspQAoRNnw0lt4y8C5WEIzBJA8v2uYqWvpWVbEZJSQSdl3Vx2E_L67SsQ0DJxPOu67mSn7AHNsG8lyJ0Y0j8grdXXfb1oVY4myB4c95IFwui13jP_c0CzDYSROscToTophpcIDnPW79GxI_gCIHwk8_/w400-h225/20220822232434_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After some time, the course led back on the road for the final stretch.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQhsIhvMjC0FNkkC1uNuA7NSJ03aC-B37FHER3RAcd_gIuPKdlU80igVAxdTrDARNXA0L-roc47-2OdwR2UZEHZIyPA2oSKkFhRzbg5m59EUVoMG9wMFznmHgj7m21vG53Zcxxo84zBko_ilatMpKNGj2JDi16U8qZMxNuublreGAnthG1D3yMM2m/s1920/20220829022038_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQhsIhvMjC0FNkkC1uNuA7NSJ03aC-B37FHER3RAcd_gIuPKdlU80igVAxdTrDARNXA0L-roc47-2OdwR2UZEHZIyPA2oSKkFhRzbg5m59EUVoMG9wMFznmHgj7m21vG53Zcxxo84zBko_ilatMpKNGj2JDi16U8qZMxNuublreGAnthG1D3yMM2m/w400-h225/20220829022038_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnh19DOx5np5iDUGNJ34iJzHms3s17iKjtVKvp40deb1CmcUrEmhJuWLidnRg7AtnmGyoJst2HO7xUiF3YVEZhTCyJwc2775oC6tBdnOPEHU6BpL_cKk9WL7uVDeoPQ63bKwTXIxl2a0b3BVeaBgogsmFNWB1mTXy8F56efFNJL_fQ8PSex2zZZkj/s1920/20220829022315_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnh19DOx5np5iDUGNJ34iJzHms3s17iKjtVKvp40deb1CmcUrEmhJuWLidnRg7AtnmGyoJst2HO7xUiF3YVEZhTCyJwc2775oC6tBdnOPEHU6BpL_cKk9WL7uVDeoPQ63bKwTXIxl2a0b3BVeaBgogsmFNWB1mTXy8F56efFNJL_fQ8PSex2zZZkj/w400-h225/20220829022315_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> And back at the start and stop line. The race involved two laps.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> The race went wacky from the start. A couple cars overturned at the first turn, and after the first jump my car did as well. I spent some time trying to push it up, and with that I figured winning was unlikely, just avoid finishing last. I ended up overturning as well in the cold area, along with Umbra's car. As we were both trying to push our cars upright, somehow mine ended up on top of my persona and I ended up having to respawn. Umbra had to teleport me back to my location, where I got my items back, uprighted the car, and resumed the race. Second lap, after the first jump I lost track of where the course was supposed to go and had to turn around to find it once more. And all of us ran over various critters, and shot at by NPC scientists. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwbCmTvRdaoCT_gVPbs9TMV90QDE8ZOSZPy3-O3T-VCTF94bkyEZJtuNhuqBYPBYiHlFfbRSUEfCPWTTExeFm4qOFsvg09bcOm702qR3haPTRFA0_aVbTsyfMOrLcPlBRmn3LYBcVH8D2GSKum1gvx42FrepwXpcMt0GicL2AKvr3vtl-KO7Etrut/s1920/20220822234604_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwbCmTvRdaoCT_gVPbs9TMV90QDE8ZOSZPy3-O3T-VCTF94bkyEZJtuNhuqBYPBYiHlFfbRSUEfCPWTTExeFm4qOFsvg09bcOm702qR3haPTRFA0_aVbTsyfMOrLcPlBRmn3LYBcVH8D2GSKum1gvx42FrepwXpcMt0GicL2AKvr3vtl-KO7Etrut/w400-h225/20220822234604_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />First place was Jasmine, then came Nydia, myself, Nikki, Snowy, then Umbra himself. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4avs8yA9KaYf9a4ZWaEK87bLfr2w1OJv7tbE1_b91qrc0VDRY7S8G8auf5LRdYDHC8-cklZVLIPbfNc9WKbuoqm194U6FkHH8u5iTMPnxh2hng-2lej-R5jFZ8yHmFlKeUApt0Heck2vHUG5PQ7yggM41hJlqElDNw-i6q6YV-lXUfN8ZNCdNF2P/s1920/20220822235624_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4avs8yA9KaYf9a4ZWaEK87bLfr2w1OJv7tbE1_b91qrc0VDRY7S8G8auf5LRdYDHC8-cklZVLIPbfNc9WKbuoqm194U6FkHH8u5iTMPnxh2hng-2lej-R5jFZ8yHmFlKeUApt0Heck2vHUG5PQ7yggM41hJlqElDNw-i6q6YV-lXUfN8ZNCdNF2P/w400-h225/20220822235624_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Umbra's reward to Jazzy for finishing first was to lend her the Chinook helicopter, normally NPC controlled, to Jazzy for an hour. Yes, it's flying upside down. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuDqjsPGokrYVpn72XrdduQjzUrjKnx7urgYDdo_fpCi-5WuzlZNZajmWPd2E8OvcAgYP4cs2BVIFfKDIAcCb0OhPCrP0CfCdXshR3GMFUpPO7W_Tjoxx5WvKqGspZStp-MvPVAO-L7xptxtnTE8Uf9YZF0oXLz_DGFUiCj-RwIJhyrMWv7Mbrx73/s1920/20220823000141_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuDqjsPGokrYVpn72XrdduQjzUrjKnx7urgYDdo_fpCi-5WuzlZNZajmWPd2E8OvcAgYP4cs2BVIFfKDIAcCb0OhPCrP0CfCdXshR3GMFUpPO7W_Tjoxx5WvKqGspZStp-MvPVAO-L7xptxtnTE8Uf9YZF0oXLz_DGFUiCj-RwIJhyrMWv7Mbrx73/w400-h225/20220823000141_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AJ4FDz3ocPZczjU7piuak9l8CKuqBJGuKgZj0f1JJrGpIA2Emb3nd9o4IvjM9maveF_ctLBNbcyCO-dQApQ6nJOiEZbsrNGAg2psO62u_ipPKM8_D-7RBo5RdQE-CbwtYyXaaVBEx24QcaAjKN7h5AnKnsMYjXMxlVMLyGAJDtrrQG2T2wvmOHIE/s1920/rustwackyrace2after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AJ4FDz3ocPZczjU7piuak9l8CKuqBJGuKgZj0f1JJrGpIA2Emb3nd9o4IvjM9maveF_ctLBNbcyCO-dQApQ6nJOiEZbsrNGAg2psO62u_ipPKM8_D-7RBo5RdQE-CbwtYyXaaVBEx24QcaAjKN7h5AnKnsMYjXMxlVMLyGAJDtrrQG2T2wvmOHIE/w400-h225/rustwackyrace2after.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Nydia would say, "I want to publicly thank Umbra profusely for all his hard work on our servers, and without him, we wouldn't have them."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There would be a couple more races. Nydia, Umbra, and I would have another one a few days later. She ended up first, followed by me, then Umbra. The day before I finished this article, Snowy, Nikki, and I had another. I finished the first lap first. But without Umbra there the chopper showed up, and when my car overturned, it caught up to me and fired a missile salvo. I had to respawn and run over back to the car. Nikki had her own problems, her car ending up into the water. Snowy was first, then me, then Nikki. There should be at least one more before the end of the month.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So what happens next month after The Wipe? Umbra says he may just hold a competition to see who can come up with the most raid-resistant base. But this isn't the end of the racing. He may build another track in October or November.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the meantime, some of the group have been checking out another Rust server run by "The Orange Floof" (FriendlyDaWusky Resident). This one has treasure hunts, in which people try to get to the spot in time, defeat the guards, then grab what's in the trunk. But the server also has some lag. Floof plans to change this soon.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hOnV7sI7H0jripliDJbj8U-f43UMjnOv9AjJoiRbXOFqntlLk49Nb5XYwsI8slTJzyNH46RxsaBM7ZcvXO4qMB5I99ZoYo8gUlZW9FF1IDFPr6YRMcvWawxJJCGr3ANkfTctL6jZEMhup2vTkPb6gWPosRsFxn3vfihVArMYJZaaG8YNhl4R024h/s1920/20220730010036_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hOnV7sI7H0jripliDJbj8U-f43UMjnOv9AjJoiRbXOFqntlLk49Nb5XYwsI8slTJzyNH46RxsaBM7ZcvXO4qMB5I99ZoYo8gUlZW9FF1IDFPr6YRMcvWawxJJCGr3ANkfTctL6jZEMhup2vTkPb6gWPosRsFxn3vfihVArMYJZaaG8YNhl4R024h/s320/20220730010036_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>There are other things to talk about soon. There are the backpack mods that allow people to store additional items, which are carried over if the person gets clobbered and depending on what the moderator wants may carry over through the wipe. There are the zombies that appear at night due to another mod. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But those are for another story.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks again Umbra,</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">And Jazzy, there's next time. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bixyl Shuftan<br /></div>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-68664421296995414362022-07-29T06:00:00.089-04:002022-07-29T06:34:17.013-04:00VR Chat Security Update Results in Mass Protests by Playerbase<div style="text-align: left;"> <br />By Bixyl Shuftan</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />In the past few years, VR Chat has enjoyed an increase in numbers. They've gone from 9,100 active users in February 2018, when the Newser gave a review, to 42,500 in December 2021 (<a href="https://steamcharts.com/app/438100#All">link</a>). These are numbers that have made it a true rival to Second Life in contrast to the various Opensim worlds. The world has gotten both praise and condemnation. Early in its history, it was documented that several players came to the aid of another who suffered an epileptic seizure (<a href="https://gamerant.com/vrchat-seizure/">article</a>). More recently, there were allegations that younger teen users were being "groomed" into sexual acts (<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60415317">article</a>). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0cihAH5pzPPro0qd2p6JiCXAUC4WDTidnyrTyn81D3Vqa3ha47thqxzFUyv6cl8hmVK_G4w1y-OVaHEol7VXpKOQoIwGhXI4RjZjJAVS-0VBPrGXRyxzE33XLA5Jll3VcBzIn1WfmugznLY13n8Ec43Ponx9uLN9JBaUfmZrrryFEVU3mEvOZD5T/s1500/vrchat_securityupdate.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0cihAH5pzPPro0qd2p6JiCXAUC4WDTidnyrTyn81D3Vqa3ha47thqxzFUyv6cl8hmVK_G4w1y-OVaHEol7VXpKOQoIwGhXI4RjZjJAVS-0VBPrGXRyxzE33XLA5Jll3VcBzIn1WfmugznLY13n8Ec43Ponx9uLN9JBaUfmZrrryFEVU3mEvOZD5T/s320/vrchat_securityupdate.png" width="320" /></a></div>This week however came a move by the development team that resulted in both pushback from many users plus fewer people getting online in the world. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />On Monday July 25, the developers announced a security update (<a href="https://hello.vrchat.com/blog/vrchat-security-update">link</a>), the largest change being the installation of "Easy Anti-Cheat." "If you’ve played Apex Legends, Fortnite, Gears of War, Elden Ring, or many more," they stated, "you’ve seen Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC). EAC is the industry-leading anti-cheat service. It’s lightweight, effective, and privacy-focused. In short, for any game or platform looking to prevent malicious users from breaking the rules, it’s a powerful solution."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The reason for this security update, they stated, was because of problems with modified viewers being used to grief other users, "“Modified clients” are a large problem for VRChat in a variety of ways. Malicious modified clients allow users to attack and harass others, causing a huge amount of moderation issues. Even seemingly non-malicious modifications complicate the support and development of VRChat, and make it impossible for VRChat creators to work within the expected, documented bounds of VRChat."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IofwLHfMJTczf776qoX5in2K-llh1PTig702aSiI82i27h8mKx9MTyz8R1_F59QGjMGGIVBhiNJPe62QgFHcIHVBrPhESyRW3ffndCDc75YgUOMJFXPPKw1sFcYrhS4gJIN2dcsKsJ_iNYcQdvaiJLJeeUnsbNAdyLu_1yzVDlFX6U9Hz0H84ydM/s1134/foxipso_vrchatccmod.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="1134" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IofwLHfMJTczf776qoX5in2K-llh1PTig702aSiI82i27h8mKx9MTyz8R1_F59QGjMGGIVBhiNJPe62QgFHcIHVBrPhESyRW3ffndCDc75YgUOMJFXPPKw1sFcYrhS4gJIN2dcsKsJ_iNYcQdvaiJLJeeUnsbNAdyLu_1yzVDlFX6U9Hz0H84ydM/s320/foxipso_vrchatccmod.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The problem is, EAC will not just block harmful mods, but ones useful to players. Some help in avatars being more interactive. Some help enhance the experience, such as <a href="https://twitter.com/TheFoxipso/status/1551640725455982593">VRC-CC</a> which allows closed-captioning for deaf players so they can see movies inworld. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><a href="https://twitter.com/TheFoxipso/status/1551640725455982593">https://twitter.com/TheFoxipso/status/1551640725455982593</a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Apparently, there's been an "unspoken culture," as A<a href="https://kotaku.com/vrchat-virtual-reality-quest-anti-cheat-mods-facebook-1849341196">lexandra Hall of Kotaku describes</a>, of mods being tolerated "unless they flaunted their upgrades or otherwise caught moderators’ attention." The result has been a "thriving underground mod scene" that allowed players to enjoy the game in ways not intended by the developers and for disabled players to get around the platforms shortcomings many say the developers were slow to adress. Some were also made to help protect players from malicious mods, "oftentimes unofficial mods have been the only means by which to access certain features, ranging from support for exotic hardware like advanced trackers and networked sex toys to addressing accessibility concerns like closed captioning and text-to-speech. Also popular were mods that tried to protect against malicious 'crasher' avatars, mods that helped to increase framerates in the notoriously sluggish, Unity-based game, and mods that allowed avatar searching, a basic-seeming feature that VRChat still lacks."<br /><br />The development team acknowledges there is a problem, "we hear you and see you saying that many of the modified client features that are being lost due to this are extremely important to you, or in some cases allow you to use VRChat at all, when in regards to modifications that added accessibility features that VRChat currently lacks." But are going ahead with it, "we are going to be releasing this update, and we do not have plans or intent to revert or roll it back." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The result has been numerous complaints, including many angry ones, from a number of VR Chat's users. The Steam page was full of recent negative reviews. "The latest update introduced Easy Anti-Cheat which has turned the game into garbage," wrote a Yifrick, "This was an amazing social game but now the developers have gone and ???? on it and everyone who loved this game by including this spyware under the pretence of making the game 'safer' for users, when it does absolutely no such thing, and actively harms the community." "Many hours i played and some years on it," wrote an Appie_Dude, " but when I heard of the new update, no (I) am done, am out. ... the devs won't listen to people and go for the money now. You ruined a game, goodluck." "You literally just destroyed your community who heavily relys on mods for quality of life improvements since you are so slow to do it yourself," wrote a Smackdatmoney, "What a actual shame that you continued and STILL went through with it anyways even after massive community backlash. ... you've just became another one of those companies who see their own community as 'idiots who dont know what their talking about'. ..."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />In <a href="https://steamreview.info/review/2245725">one review</a> by a Soulful, "there's not a lot to be said here about the state of VRC. I've had issues for a while, game has serious optimization issues for folks who play through virtual desktop, has pretty much no graphical optimization implemented in any capacity, atop of compounding problems with lack of communication, community engagement, and a huge lack of understanding with their userbase's needs and wants. I lived with these issues, in hopes that these features would be implemented sometime, having relied on modding and even Steam's own built in VR stuff to help with these problems, which has been a godsend for those times when there's more than a handful of folks around ... For a long while the VRC team either would ignore a lot of these posts of critique and even real complaints of issues, or directly missing the point of something being brought up to begin with, it was nothing new, now though they're showing their ugly heads when it comes to something as big as adding an anti cheat. Normally I'd be for them implementing something into the game to help with dealing with malicious users doing things like code injecting or script kiddy nonsense to harass and disrupt other people. (But) to destroy something as big and as fundamental as the modding community, the Steam community, and even just plain ol Meta/Quest users on Virtual Desktop ... outright shutting down all sorts of background apps and taking snapshots of your PC if it even suspects even a little bit of something 'suspicious' or 'malicious', and is already VERY well known for not playing well with lots of 3rd party software used in day to day services, including VR services, and from the statements they've been handing out, and lots of the other things going on with VRC itself lately in terms of monetization, it's very clear where they lie in terms of the future of their platform. And it's not to be user friendly, not to be community friendly, and definitely not to be true to the spirit of a social platform to push any envelopes in the VR industry."<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Someone named Keith complained the update didn't really stop malicious users, <a href="https://steamcommunity.com/app/438100/discussions/0/3471730587767553229/">writing</a>, "EAC was defeated in less than 2 hours after it hit the Beta Branch. This means that any malicious actor who wants to continue to use mods to cause problems can do so unimpeded. ... even if EAC was a perfect anticheat with no way around it? That wouldn't stop 99% of crashers, rippers, and account hijackers. The VAST majority of those people utilize completely vanilla clients because VRChat's code is just that insecure. ... at the end of the day EAC is a pure negative. There isn't a single pro about its presence in VRC. It will only make the crashing and other issues worse as it strips people of community made defenses, it takes away many accessibility features disabled folk relied on to be able to participate, and without the community driven QOL options many people use, VRChat just becomes an inferior platform compared to other options."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNFYU86BPOKPN1JwGscLDBszDfc0xNlOJgUH4LEvUjQ51SEp6YuQDcvfa9qA0rF34IBtlJXe-17MOatIs_pehpAa3jS7AkjGEsB6tsG4EMHIANxr3fnSqr8dhHOBLUjsQZda5dcaOnBId1KarftbnOoXwWH8I-BGK474qgobuM1K9X2Ly1qUGN9T-/s665/VRchatsteamreview.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="665" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNFYU86BPOKPN1JwGscLDBszDfc0xNlOJgUH4LEvUjQ51SEp6YuQDcvfa9qA0rF34IBtlJXe-17MOatIs_pehpAa3jS7AkjGEsB6tsG4EMHIANxr3fnSqr8dhHOBLUjsQZda5dcaOnBId1KarftbnOoXwWH8I-BGK474qgobuM1K9X2Ly1qUGN9T-/s320/VRchatsteamreview.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>In the past few days, upset users have "<a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/438100/VRChat/">review bombed</a>" VRChat. Its recent reviews were ranked "Overwhelmingly Negative."<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />"Disabled players are feeling the brunt of this update the most," stated an article from Eurogamer that appeared in <a href="https://senegalbgc.org/blog/2022/07/28/vrchat-bans-all-mods-leaving-disabled-players-and-community-feeling-abandoned/">senegalbgs.org</a>, "They say they are now stuck with a game they cannot play, with no guidance on when the game will be made accessible to them and no guaranteed way of making sure their needs are being listened to. ... this is a huge setback, particularly considering the work that is going into accessibility options in high-profile games . They say they now find themselves stuck in an ecosystem that has taken away the tools that allow them to join in without providing a sufficient alternative."<br /><br />Not everyone is complaining. Talking to Marusame, who started out in Second Life, but appears much more often in VRChat now, he stated he didn't use mods, "Most people are just (complaining) because they can no longer use mods that give you power like flying around, crashing people, messing with things like turning off mirrors or making things move around or generally being a nuisance. ... though this doesnt get rid of crasher avatars. Imagine if in Second Life someone could whip out an avatar and crash a sim?" She also thought people had plenty of time to get ready, "I've known they was gonna do something like this for MONTHS. I've hanged out with some of the devs and one works on security. ... so for me, this change didnt do much other than lobbies are filled with less crashers now and they are more chill. (It) reminds me of the Second Life Windlight UI thing where everyone said they'd go to Opensim because of it, and a month later everyone came back."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />So what to do? There are calls not to get on VRChat for a week so the drop in numbers will get the attention of the development team. There are also calls for those who signed up for VRChat Plus, a $9.95 USD a month subscription service to cancel. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTo08ylgA68uAibxZGNSe2dGbQK3_lB-VNF6t95xDI9Ko3bK1nOfr8mek0qdXjpel3RSQgxMxFj-0XnpZMdUyvD91Htz3lvH9uDhYaeBpx-B1pa6ahaQL3_RRWkBKQu5TReopT8sbICiFW0i6tXfqdjq3masob2kkZgcOiD0idN13ITY4xNhAJkhc/s460/chilloutyrlogo.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="460" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTo08ylgA68uAibxZGNSe2dGbQK3_lB-VNF6t95xDI9Ko3bK1nOfr8mek0qdXjpel3RSQgxMxFj-0XnpZMdUyvD91Htz3lvH9uDhYaeBpx-B1pa6ahaQL3_RRWkBKQu5TReopT8sbICiFW0i6tXfqdjq3masob2kkZgcOiD0idN13ITY4xNhAJkhc/s320/chilloutyrlogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I had a few words with Johnny Vulpine, who was "a longtime SL user and also a VRC user." He recommended using a couple alternative clients to get onto VRChat, Neos and ChilloutVR, "If you are looking for something similar to VRC where you can hop in, throw on or upload an avatar and go socialize. ChilloutVR might be more your speed. Like VRC, it's easy to get in and just go. Content creation is done outside of the game and uploaded in. If you are looking for something more like SL but in VR, I think you will love Neos. Neos is a VR social app just like VRC and Chillout. But like SL, it has a full range of building tools in-game, you have an in-game inventory which already comes stocked with some basic things. Or you can upload content built outside the game. I will add that the learning curve for Neos can be a bit daunting. BUT you do not need to learn every aspect of building and content creation to enjoy the game. There are already TONS of avatars (many of the same ones used in VRC) that you can pickup and use for free."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Marusame was less enthusiastic about the alternative clients, saying ChilloutVR was harder to use, "the api is fried, also the sdk is janky was harder to upload an avatar than vrchat especially to get material toggles and has a harsher public avatar upload review process." But went on to say they are "doing a lot of hiring so maybe they actually want to do something. Neos VR I hear is more complicated and you can build in world, very Second Lifey experience. But development is dead at the moment with people leaving and infighting."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXejgrmgS7ZnMNkdVt83nnsP482EcqWxazKSeZ0b3TOOEdw-1T4LBsULSUmE_cYTSDVhQGyA-0HUwsSI7914WQHON7X547yxUpOjRnPpVXdseQEI-AyHy2RTeCfCM1LSsb2JSnpVPem2lBCOdpLdjFoLBy_iTRjDJbyyTk8Sp4EEyxne2A-7hl6F30/s537/vrchatupdatememe.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXejgrmgS7ZnMNkdVt83nnsP482EcqWxazKSeZ0b3TOOEdw-1T4LBsULSUmE_cYTSDVhQGyA-0HUwsSI7914WQHON7X547yxUpOjRnPpVXdseQEI-AyHy2RTeCfCM1LSsb2JSnpVPem2lBCOdpLdjFoLBy_iTRjDJbyyTk8Sp4EEyxne2A-7hl6F30/s320/vrchatupdatememe.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>So what are Second Life users thinking of this development? There was one meme of two sailors getting disciplined by their captain. One was a VRChat user, complaining this was cruel and unusual punishment. The other was a 16 year veteran of Second Life, who was taking things in stride, and looking to the VRChat user and asking, "First time?"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Erron Kelly in Venturebeat <a href="https://venturebeat.com/2022/07/26/vrchat-is-banning-all-mods-including-one-for-the-hearing-impaired/">would comment</a> that there was something about VRChat that reminded him of the early "Wild West" days of the Internet, which while offering an unexplored frontier also had bad guys such as trolls using racist language, "VRChat taking steps to sanitize that stuff? In the long run it’s probably good for the software. But every time the Old West gets settled it’s a little sad. That’s just me being nostalgic about how I grew up. The people losing access to genuine quality-of-life mods? They’ve really got something to complain about."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Sources: <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3pv8v/vrchat-security-update-throws-the-metaverse-into-chaos">Vice</a>, <a href="https://www.pcgamer.com/vrchat-is-being-review-bombed-to-hell-and-back-after-anti-cheat-announcement/">PC Gamer</a>, <a href="https://venturebeat.com/2022/07/26/vrchat-is-banning-all-mods-including-one-for-the-hearing-impaired/">Venturebeat</a>, Steam, <a href="https://senegalbgc.org/blog/2022/07/28/vrchat-bans-all-mods-leaving-disabled-players-and-community-feeling-abandoned/">Eurogamer/Sengal</a>, <a href="https://kotaku.com/vrchat-virtual-reality-quest-anti-cheat-mods-facebook-1849341196">Kotaku</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Bixyl Shuftan<br /> <br /></div>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-33424691678725351182022-07-01T06:00:00.003-04:002022-07-01T06:00:00.175-04:00Game Review: Ripples<p><br />By Nydia Tungsten<br /><br />Ripples is an ongoing adult visual novel. It is a sci-fi visual story that centers around the main character, an 18-year-old in his last year of high school. He reunites with his long-time friend Darci, a feisty little firecracker, who has feelings for him but needs to play the tough guy, unsure how to show him her softer side.<br /><br />As they head to school together it starts out like any other day but then they meet the new high school queen, which immediately starts crap, Now the main character lost his mother when he was very young, leaving him with his father to raise, and life is good, until your father is killed in an accident at work, and he goes to an elderly woman to raise… but she wasn’t the nicest person… until she dies. THEN he is given to a long-term family friend. (Spoiler, she lives) Tiffany. She was always nice to you as you grew older, you spent time at her house before you lost your father and now you live with this beautiful woman and her daughter…… this should give you an idea of the many ways this game can go, then mix in a bit of intrigue and time travel and you get a hell of a story. <br /><br />Okay okay, YES, there is plenty of sex, for those of you wanting to know about that, the animations and textures are some of the best I have seen. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIx5TVjE7dUZA1dn09zEPWqikiRE7Pk8biOCP6l_O2DPPYW0P6_UO0ZDfyDpkzv0pS58Y6PtCwGvsVL4GIAVjrGPSOgtbI4rO6VI9BtcJaQFFRYxEKQTTszpPCoKM3lTE3YHqNFuX1g479924WeAKYt3CH-L_uOKfruFOtsFi5goenAsuFo88ohnY/s512/nydia_ripples01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="512" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIx5TVjE7dUZA1dn09zEPWqikiRE7Pk8biOCP6l_O2DPPYW0P6_UO0ZDfyDpkzv0pS58Y6PtCwGvsVL4GIAVjrGPSOgtbI4rO6VI9BtcJaQFFRYxEKQTTszpPCoKM3lTE3YHqNFuX1g479924WeAKYt3CH-L_uOKfruFOtsFi5goenAsuFo88ohnY/w400-h224/nydia_ripples01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I try and judge something like this on more than that to get my recommendation, there were times I was laughing my butt off. And there are Easter eggs everywhere.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWeFuAQflphqmc3wjz3XsxBQMsNbB4dVGoQa2Wo5lpcil2uBplcmEldIBOHwpsaj5D3BTcYHZlCGYoNPnobRfTuST4sMiLHjUu2Uew1WCgVtWYEVr6nFU_AGdzozNdw25MdaKod8cPCW6_Dq7wlrzkxlA7hWIRh7AdRyFGOlB4YE5k8oyGl-mCtG4/s512/nydia_ripples02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="512" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWeFuAQflphqmc3wjz3XsxBQMsNbB4dVGoQa2Wo5lpcil2uBplcmEldIBOHwpsaj5D3BTcYHZlCGYoNPnobRfTuST4sMiLHjUu2Uew1WCgVtWYEVr6nFU_AGdzozNdw25MdaKod8cPCW6_Dq7wlrzkxlA7hWIRh7AdRyFGOlB4YE5k8oyGl-mCtG4/w400-h224/nydia_ripples02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlDkfjyiRvB8KhdELOh3wmNMRWGhySSedO7xenyOahHetwbqrW9-eWHWtj5dyS8W8IkCVtICjdm5SsH03FkMhq9FGraHlj4UcFSA9ZqS188-ogeHhzl-yAeHuu-igPn5myjAkH3EYeiBs_vkVp1dpNu74kU8GuRKdIdqos6KhfqqyTIc1RUCE1-ly/s512/nydia_ripples03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="512" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlDkfjyiRvB8KhdELOh3wmNMRWGhySSedO7xenyOahHetwbqrW9-eWHWtj5dyS8W8IkCVtICjdm5SsH03FkMhq9FGraHlj4UcFSA9ZqS188-ogeHhzl-yAeHuu-igPn5myjAkH3EYeiBs_vkVp1dpNu74kU8GuRKdIdqos6KhfqqyTIc1RUCE1-ly/w400-h224/nydia_ripples03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>There are a lot more but not as obvious and have to look for it and listen for it as for just a small part of the humor…<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Y7TlDH5WubCEojDIkIxnK28FR8cZKyPeFXNlHP7xFE-BEASehT1BdIsGXyiOvY2R8cHVjHwbK8Cp8gQE8xs8-NNogxz82rWXMDaTNCzItscx9PvUCV2NOGOLIkF6go4LxeznyNHFGwiwdmeqDJNXCtKOOUVDWfQ0FPJ3WPaFSENA0lYzLTLEglcy/s512/nydia_ripples04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="156" data-original-width="512" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Y7TlDH5WubCEojDIkIxnK28FR8cZKyPeFXNlHP7xFE-BEASehT1BdIsGXyiOvY2R8cHVjHwbK8Cp8gQE8xs8-NNogxz82rWXMDaTNCzItscx9PvUCV2NOGOLIkF6go4LxeznyNHFGwiwdmeqDJNXCtKOOUVDWfQ0FPJ3WPaFSENA0lYzLTLEglcy/w400-h122/nydia_ripples04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6GiJkfAyweOUMzhbscBYFi3k7if83IExolGzBqUap3MNLjd2fh8_VjZsNraFgFLlmmIDhR4SmhGUHdTsfhgnrdPEHudmcL4kibQCs_17t6tBnOjCZUDkEWRcgilnfXlAjLWgebRo1JqR0zaSpq4MoOsqypXCoGosphbDXjzZ7GoJD2T8nEgMFsfq/s512/nydia_ripples05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="512" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6GiJkfAyweOUMzhbscBYFi3k7if83IExolGzBqUap3MNLjd2fh8_VjZsNraFgFLlmmIDhR4SmhGUHdTsfhgnrdPEHudmcL4kibQCs_17t6tBnOjCZUDkEWRcgilnfXlAjLWgebRo1JqR0zaSpq4MoOsqypXCoGosphbDXjzZ7GoJD2T8nEgMFsfq/w400-h129/nydia_ripples05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhgHC9lZX1bjz6pIL23Fftc6vOOCRCHUPfc2Wuj3rFSX8-ttKyZ88PdgPyaepUa48HwYntQVFKpKqUv-_TRTwDyNh6fHSsH2H8vFoxv1wKVaNzdXYMEF-IwPoQ-FKsVKEMtD1JCug_OtAN9a7rqWbgEUlS8I1e-YGFwWkydRM10jiC-uuLMIZS8O6/s512/nydia_ripples06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="512" height="68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhgHC9lZX1bjz6pIL23Fftc6vOOCRCHUPfc2Wuj3rFSX8-ttKyZ88PdgPyaepUa48HwYntQVFKpKqUv-_TRTwDyNh6fHSsH2H8vFoxv1wKVaNzdXYMEF-IwPoQ-FKsVKEMtD1JCug_OtAN9a7rqWbgEUlS8I1e-YGFwWkydRM10jiC-uuLMIZS8O6/w400-h68/nydia_ripples06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Let's not forget Tiffany</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdxVTLvXG1jnE_9enm8AIpWtNZihY_3G7u6Ded5VwyZpi8BfwbL6TjrEM0zia2kexFBbiDRIf6dRFDI8TbPYqLFXYFX4FI3POYDsSofcdxJRMDQBdusyTaiULtLNC_tjeECzwd3uyY-oIByQFzaxB4YU2C7Qn3JTldp1jb8feIwtXWssR0AdB1CjS/s512/nydia_ripples09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="512" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdxVTLvXG1jnE_9enm8AIpWtNZihY_3G7u6Ded5VwyZpi8BfwbL6TjrEM0zia2kexFBbiDRIf6dRFDI8TbPYqLFXYFX4FI3POYDsSofcdxJRMDQBdusyTaiULtLNC_tjeECzwd3uyY-oIByQFzaxB4YU2C7Qn3JTldp1jb8feIwtXWssR0AdB1CjS/w400-h226/nydia_ripples09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This is a really well-done visual novel the artwork is on point as well as the writing. This is a definite 8 out of 10 from me and I highly recommend it.<br /><br />Don’t just take my word for it, let the main character tell you…<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnqbxM0fXFzlrc3sqEnU4ukd0ZUUdiDOzNx8Q-_X6-m4zQoCq0XSpgwav-2G3XhGxTn5fYamF9A-ZttzLG8zWwsMnLfLGrxUaG2NjMs3RBDne2dGXWUK8eLKzFb_zM5HCpxOws78mod2TthZNSUAeVTSmdfgApf02HlJrCumCSViU1zRY81yAb8Xo/s512/nydia_ripples10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnqbxM0fXFzlrc3sqEnU4ukd0ZUUdiDOzNx8Q-_X6-m4zQoCq0XSpgwav-2G3XhGxTn5fYamF9A-ZttzLG8zWwsMnLfLGrxUaG2NjMs3RBDne2dGXWUK8eLKzFb_zM5HCpxOws78mod2TthZNSUAeVTSmdfgApf02HlJrCumCSViU1zRY81yAb8Xo/w400-h225/nydia_ripples10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>In short, I really enjoyed this game and don’t really mind that Bixyl is forcing me to play these perverted games. (Love ya Bix)<br /><br />If you want to try it yourself you can find it here. BUT BE WARNED THIS LINK IS NSFW!!<br /><br />https://jestur.itch.io/ripples<br /><br />I hope you all found this informative as well as entertaining, and let me know if you try it and what YOU think about it.<br /><br />It was great talking to all of you again and I am looking forward to our next time, but until then, as always, <br /><br />GOOD GAMING TO YOU!<br /><br />Nydia Tungsten<br /> <br /><br />Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-43504106240687043332022-06-24T06:00:00.002-04:002022-06-24T06:00:00.162-04:00ARK: Fjordur<p> <br />By Nydia Tungsten<br /><br />I have been playing ARK pretty much since it came out in Beta. For the most part, I enjoy it, except when the devs started pandering strictly to the PvP crowd. Changing the game's mechanics almost destroyed the PvE players' enjoyment. I had left the game for a while until I learned that the modding community came to the PvE community's rescue, undoing everything the Devs tossed aside chasing the PvP demands. So I started playing again and enjoying it again. The best maps came from outside, and this is one of those maps: Fjordur.<br /><br />It is a brand new map, as of this writing it is only maybe a week old, but it is packed with so much to explore, so much to lore. And the graphics seem like they have improved as well. <br /><br />The other maps only have certain Dino’s for that map alone, but Fjord opens that door and brings in almost every animal, they probably have every animal I just hadn’t found the small ones yet as of this writing. <br /><br />It is full of prime base areas not only to build in but move into as well. There are ruins both inside and outside you can take over, there are also houses, I found one abandoned village, the one I moved into the is very close to a pillar in case I need it</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxsTTbTKdFwSEoZjqfxslGo_3v3bdkeBxFERV9lGYceeoG9Y9hm6t1iYAG55JmhiQOttPbRVwYED8f6f6J9VSWuMiBtb4xQ6F1c38GEkr8TQY_aXwujE5ePLaX6fPFA2UyebDnJuhaXrxGJIo7LgrJFcseB0_abqAMb9dAZWVMo0q4FhD8E0H1Dno/s512/nyda_arkfijord_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxsTTbTKdFwSEoZjqfxslGo_3v3bdkeBxFERV9lGYceeoG9Y9hm6t1iYAG55JmhiQOttPbRVwYED8f6f6J9VSWuMiBtb4xQ6F1c38GEkr8TQY_aXwujE5ePLaX6fPFA2UyebDnJuhaXrxGJIo7LgrJFcseB0_abqAMb9dAZWVMo0q4FhD8E0H1Dno/w400-h225/nyda_arkfijord_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>This Viking-looking building is where I am putting my workshop<br /><br />But
like I said there are more places you can build your own home or base
or compound. I really can’t wait to see what some master builders will
build in there, I can only imagine what Jazmare or Lomgren or Brandi or
Snowy, (any of whom can build circles around me) will end up building
once they decide to visit. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjFFWemH7KnnsoGwvX-F6sJvQ0BmXJPFSf3gsIa8F_tFCfr-JEm60Mbf5JF1A6_mlcPwxRfPJVR4G40hnAn-X4RmrM9rFNHX5DDf1qlR692R_EnEP2CRn8yfEOlGBOuoqhjAWHIBGo0tUpsqaHnl26PSJgZRdiwrSRUyFBwqtdEDIFtXxubSfcdgH/s512/nyda_arkfijord_02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="512" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjFFWemH7KnnsoGwvX-F6sJvQ0BmXJPFSf3gsIa8F_tFCfr-JEm60Mbf5JF1A6_mlcPwxRfPJVR4G40hnAn-X4RmrM9rFNHX5DDf1qlR692R_EnEP2CRn8yfEOlGBOuoqhjAWHIBGo0tUpsqaHnl26PSJgZRdiwrSRUyFBwqtdEDIFtXxubSfcdgH/w400-h224/nyda_arkfijord_02.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div><p>Let's talk about graphics, I don’t
know if this map builder did some tweaking, but everything looks great! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRV3aiFrZ02JnkACKlXgRYi4QhsBQ5msBF9YrXu_Avha7F_pokrVoPWuCfSAdu7smu9UlQcYw7w0yOj9jXMu42e2uvpwDiMqmFeiuD7RlU3tYrbYi-dLcx4W46nxsJa0c2aVxK-6zZRCGOMzCTGe9sMduEq2-ZqUxxOUmWFMLWY9bUXwv6o_4vDBjp/s512/nyda_arkfijord_03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="512" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRV3aiFrZ02JnkACKlXgRYi4QhsBQ5msBF9YrXu_Avha7F_pokrVoPWuCfSAdu7smu9UlQcYw7w0yOj9jXMu42e2uvpwDiMqmFeiuD7RlU3tYrbYi-dLcx4W46nxsJa0c2aVxK-6zZRCGOMzCTGe9sMduEq2-ZqUxxOUmWFMLWY9bUXwv6o_4vDBjp/w400-h224/nyda_arkfijord_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Here are a few pics just to emphasize that.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHiDeGU6Qq9347EdWarN4ngNN2kQIM4xOmt2fRQZgKCtrFB-dz4GhpeRdRpgiRsNDTNx_8TCnd5-4oW1zA22qfWBw6-un9CmBMVoXIOwrG3y_Sa1GB39FeCNZHqUuWixvF7KFSqhVtbSHLCFkWLLYak5VYWPzphJA3QIt1I3cdUFsZ9j8I1qKj3W4/s512/nyda_arkfijord_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="512" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHiDeGU6Qq9347EdWarN4ngNN2kQIM4xOmt2fRQZgKCtrFB-dz4GhpeRdRpgiRsNDTNx_8TCnd5-4oW1zA22qfWBw6-un9CmBMVoXIOwrG3y_Sa1GB39FeCNZHqUuWixvF7KFSqhVtbSHLCFkWLLYak5VYWPzphJA3QIt1I3cdUFsZ9j8I1qKj3W4/w400-h224/nyda_arkfijord_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZXnkgE1GHOkMY2cdwr5Pk8upbqJc8HZdq0I5GVPmH2aANXz0T76VzfN4zy5Iitw9w-QTw5W-2wocramKh0gpLOHTOq_wLJ7_e9ncCju6XZsjrTRPvyxSI44lById9KNhB4Tf8OFFqbUjA7_gyv2ey9qudzGgrSbWOQc5_fow9cBaPPM2V1GMGlCV/s512/nyda_arkfijord_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZXnkgE1GHOkMY2cdwr5Pk8upbqJc8HZdq0I5GVPmH2aANXz0T76VzfN4zy5Iitw9w-QTw5W-2wocramKh0gpLOHTOq_wLJ7_e9ncCju6XZsjrTRPvyxSI44lById9KNhB4Tf8OFFqbUjA7_gyv2ey9qudzGgrSbWOQc5_fow9cBaPPM2V1GMGlCV/w400-h225/nyda_arkfijord_05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Those are just a few of the many I have. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPg_CwB2ybYMAqN4wOE6MXLv3GqQc4Mns-q3QGdBhqicNXizwtV341MOZz-Ho9DrZFYrkkHoj9izaVw8o7ZcXElKofd5LpJdWSkXHwhyoNHUMbQE3KR1o32iQ0tEgDDoZ7ul-WqUMsQBhBTEVOmnU4sIAwKxNc7-P6Ru0aVReThelHVniOuz1ULixE/s512/nyda_arkfijord_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="512" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPg_CwB2ybYMAqN4wOE6MXLv3GqQc4Mns-q3QGdBhqicNXizwtV341MOZz-Ho9DrZFYrkkHoj9izaVw8o7ZcXElKofd5LpJdWSkXHwhyoNHUMbQE3KR1o32iQ0tEgDDoZ7ul-WqUMsQBhBTEVOmnU4sIAwKxNc7-P6Ru0aVReThelHVniOuz1ULixE/w400-h224/nyda_arkfijord_06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNkas46IYBVJ99Tal_SFOe4QRE2N4Jr77u03EiJ9GFvNuOxmtocIIWTtOtkkes8b1VcmnIEoynPOy-OJ4_X5jDuEl8NGF4oaRQpfAEw2S8PGu-u9SkrrnhFRsemjJWk-FvK-1g3kQI1kIUDsE5tfdDj5_IAgNNyu2d8aBSQEq7sam0QZ4-XWib15f/s512/nyda_arkfijord_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="512" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNkas46IYBVJ99Tal_SFOe4QRE2N4Jr77u03EiJ9GFvNuOxmtocIIWTtOtkkes8b1VcmnIEoynPOy-OJ4_X5jDuEl8NGF4oaRQpfAEw2S8PGu-u9SkrrnhFRsemjJWk-FvK-1g3kQI1kIUDsE5tfdDj5_IAgNNyu2d8aBSQEq7sam0QZ4-XWib15f/w400-h224/nyda_arkfijord_07.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FeRbacljZBOxOofbD-hmjzmzK9vG0qhYevhQ9wkYLZWe2RFsl8nOVLP5k_6NJS79Dz8c8KGGzGcH49XzfZGZTDA1g6IozU-wP6GirWQL96cjuUayNPx-ZPezg_zrLX6oGEY7d6IRc-dPDln6pWod-w-rPaG-VCxeP0xJ1NVYRyKkWrrWEZDay0Gl/s512/nyda_arkfijord_08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="512" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FeRbacljZBOxOofbD-hmjzmzK9vG0qhYevhQ9wkYLZWe2RFsl8nOVLP5k_6NJS79Dz8c8KGGzGcH49XzfZGZTDA1g6IozU-wP6GirWQL96cjuUayNPx-ZPezg_zrLX6oGEY7d6IRc-dPDln6pWod-w-rPaG-VCxeP0xJ1NVYRyKkWrrWEZDay0Gl/w400-h224/nyda_arkfijord_08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjddPccYLEZw94NG0Runkf9lKaFgnTsk5Tt9GYb3DY-qcGMvQFw5uzWpR0z91ZhiWtumSfTvzOwOlI3RPvnKqNtzhD_na78u8fzmXjY8wC8HBFolSPK68LlwrQPBuwD719BjYyd3EAJhG8Mujq7jYUC_yYjVNidACKRT7pxDTzMfHgwq7X-Rc7hhAr/s512/nyda_arkfijord_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjddPccYLEZw94NG0Runkf9lKaFgnTsk5Tt9GYb3DY-qcGMvQFw5uzWpR0z91ZhiWtumSfTvzOwOlI3RPvnKqNtzhD_na78u8fzmXjY8wC8HBFolSPK68LlwrQPBuwD719BjYyd3EAJhG8Mujq7jYUC_yYjVNidACKRT7pxDTzMfHgwq7X-Rc7hhAr/w400-h225/nyda_arkfijord_09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWyY1JbynLKn6vTs6KhtOHKVRKFw3ahD_ZDwPijkiz7XobklJrdA2cWZnYi3FR8gLNK1kW4sFpZUKyLhLxqvVeuBag-aBK4PBiJxoFgt188MHaHFOJx2_msBkfNbChVM1oSni193JzqCy6W3v4u5GDrs5xHFF0kUiQRfmZPo1ySJR4Pai0cr4xGSa/s512/nyda_arkfijord_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="512" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWyY1JbynLKn6vTs6KhtOHKVRKFw3ahD_ZDwPijkiz7XobklJrdA2cWZnYi3FR8gLNK1kW4sFpZUKyLhLxqvVeuBag-aBK4PBiJxoFgt188MHaHFOJx2_msBkfNbChVM1oSni193JzqCy6W3v4u5GDrs5xHFF0kUiQRfmZPo1ySJR4Pai0cr4xGSa/w400-h224/nyda_arkfijord_10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBySMBWzuZSQMr2GRxxpem2droC2HXWMczyAUe6glAvnXPruii2yyALPZisny9vWQbZWmR2EZklBn3sJAJmMLkqCfk_rt8WvciSbh-1s8y0Sixh5iMTufyPV3XsuLkCanzu4-IFkJZ_VgIIZvSMr4j1DpZ1A6UMKbfuXrXLTGLhhj-qdVigMvVwtW/s512/nyda_arkfijord_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="512" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBySMBWzuZSQMr2GRxxpem2droC2HXWMczyAUe6glAvnXPruii2yyALPZisny9vWQbZWmR2EZklBn3sJAJmMLkqCfk_rt8WvciSbh-1s8y0Sixh5iMTufyPV3XsuLkCanzu4-IFkJZ_VgIIZvSMr4j1DpZ1A6UMKbfuXrXLTGLhhj-qdVigMvVwtW/w400-h224/nyda_arkfijord_11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />There is a Viking theme to this map and it shows<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11-QOQgwREoIGbHzpmNmODAi-HK-jGjVTnCwo_orbI1dBT3020oP9136-hBr-hS5slLFjb1kXy9QUQpU2xayHZUAFpfJYroN0C2nojKd4ZhumjGb0R51waxqzhQKzAlXd2GM2FmiRfveCXnTiZKfk44yCQiX0d7zZ_QbHHVHwEjoTaqbqBc7eXHAv/s512/nyda_arkfijord_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="512" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11-QOQgwREoIGbHzpmNmODAi-HK-jGjVTnCwo_orbI1dBT3020oP9136-hBr-hS5slLFjb1kXy9QUQpU2xayHZUAFpfJYroN0C2nojKd4ZhumjGb0R51waxqzhQKzAlXd2GM2FmiRfveCXnTiZKfk44yCQiX0d7zZ_QbHHVHwEjoTaqbqBc7eXHAv/w400-h224/nyda_arkfijord_12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I
have found out there there are three more levels to this themed map,
but you need to get “Ruin stones” to activate the teleporters to reach
them.<br /><br />This is the teleporter chamber that will take you to the other “Realms” <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnO5LhRFs0ZxJ-pzP6gKfKHVUdFh8HwT-Y5jcHyWo2-ftoZdiBJenkc7BFty6ISGNpmSdkvuy2lbK_O3TEHvy3VglnpJvDvKvvswYRtMszAWuN8WU9WGRNJF4tZqTGFpk_CiAftKzfJjoS0_20dOvoDMctQHnFz2L2kN02xb2ysgGEUnUGkKblsJ-f/s512/nyda_arkfijord_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="512" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnO5LhRFs0ZxJ-pzP6gKfKHVUdFh8HwT-Y5jcHyWo2-ftoZdiBJenkc7BFty6ISGNpmSdkvuy2lbK_O3TEHvy3VglnpJvDvKvvswYRtMszAWuN8WU9WGRNJF4tZqTGFpk_CiAftKzfJjoS0_20dOvoDMctQHnFz2L2kN02xb2ysgGEUnUGkKblsJ-f/w400-h224/nyda_arkfijord_13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />There
are secrets hidden all over the map on each of the islands that you
will find and have a blast exploring, I won’t give anything away because
this is the type of map you want to explore yourself.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqnpQyXm19n8VYwl8COkv3IfBA3rRUXTRELd-dj4_pJ27YJlNILU5TxLg5kLwA4RkyM-TpCV_Zi_WEmaA1-ZuCjWIw8s4GQn_4E3DtvIQonUNg1-A8oTkcPlc8jBDFfZXiUALBjNcSl-FBLqPKHTfF-m5rgQdDl4Kcsf__lRH7nyiGCeTH7I5WiZZ/s512/nyda_arkfijord_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqnpQyXm19n8VYwl8COkv3IfBA3rRUXTRELd-dj4_pJ27YJlNILU5TxLg5kLwA4RkyM-TpCV_Zi_WEmaA1-ZuCjWIw8s4GQn_4E3DtvIQonUNg1-A8oTkcPlc8jBDFfZXiUALBjNcSl-FBLqPKHTfF-m5rgQdDl4Kcsf__lRH7nyiGCeTH7I5WiZZ/w400-h225/nyda_arkfijord_14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />There is beauty here, but also death!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiPEj2t5qkT70PqSeuDpxdnlKe2GxVPhN2mvupc4V8IlUB7CU0XwUU2EaO8EfiCCQbIVPZRa-rrf-M0Iwrt6PZbjShFdat1IOsbUNvjuQn6qWod6rVjThAyQkAJhVtwbASBVyNQtLT8k0grPJvl5r71gTlzfSMKUQhLJ0_P8eqQsXwOQOsZVx-6Et/s512/nyda_arkfijord_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="512" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiPEj2t5qkT70PqSeuDpxdnlKe2GxVPhN2mvupc4V8IlUB7CU0XwUU2EaO8EfiCCQbIVPZRa-rrf-M0Iwrt6PZbjShFdat1IOsbUNvjuQn6qWod6rVjThAyQkAJhVtwbASBVyNQtLT8k0grPJvl5r71gTlzfSMKUQhLJ0_P8eqQsXwOQOsZVx-6Et/w400-h224/nyda_arkfijord_15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This map IS a bit more difficult to start on, but so far it is worth it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsWBPWoybHhN50-JsOHqfYWRvFNwRsgGfui5IWv7uTEjAgS-MvNt5u08vfWij_aP_vC8I7Z0bCYMsARomjYF77VNIeoS4SXi4Yke0KcUcASxy2bCUvSfrRnNoCPdb5izq9g6xgndUSxw4qYSQVaGvZRoRQrWE3YjlMvJ6nu0CwurBAdbr-8GzYRNA/s512/nyda_arkfijord_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsWBPWoybHhN50-JsOHqfYWRvFNwRsgGfui5IWv7uTEjAgS-MvNt5u08vfWij_aP_vC8I7Z0bCYMsARomjYF77VNIeoS4SXi4Yke0KcUcASxy2bCUvSfrRnNoCPdb5izq9g6xgndUSxw4qYSQVaGvZRoRQrWE3YjlMvJ6nu0CwurBAdbr-8GzYRNA/w400-h225/nyda_arkfijord_16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />But if you do want more hints and tips on where things are with more spoilers just hit youtube where you will find them all. <br /><br />So until next time, GOOD GAMING TO YOU!<br /><br />Nydia Tungsten<br /> <p></p>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-37474840348236782422022-05-06T06:00:00.026-04:002022-05-06T06:00:00.178-04:00"The Great Wacky Race" on Rust<p> <br />By Bixyl Shuftan<br /><br />It's been about eight years since my friends and I first heard about the Survival MMO "Rust." It's gone a long ways since <a href=" http://othergrids.blogspot.com/2014/02/reader-submitted-game-review-rust.html">its early days in 2014 of dodging zombies and zombie animals on a circular road</a>. The game was <a href="http://othergrids.blogspot.com/2016/01/return-to-rust.html">overhauled in 2015</a> to more or less it's current form, though has gotten numerous updates over time to tweak and add things such as hostile NPCs, new areas such as the scientist and bandit compounds, boats and diver gear, and more. But some things remain the same, such as the infamous chopper. And while the adage "never trust anyone on Rust" may be slightly exaggerated, it's still a good one to hold onto in the more vicious Player versus Player servers which aggressive players find it their mission to crack into any base they can, and wary players set up eleborate defenses that clobber anyone, hostile or frendly, within range. But not everyone wanting to play Rust wants to raid or deal with raiders. So there are numerous Player versus Environment servers for the more peaceful gamers. <br /><br />Over the years, Nydia and her friends have had their share of adventures in Rust, notably on <a href="http://othergrids.blogspot.com/2016/04/rust-misdventures-in-angel-island-and.html">Nydia's Angel server when it's active</a>. Recently when Nydia asked her group of Second Life friends on her Discord server what game they wanted to play together on, the majority chose Rust. Unfortunately, my computer has a hard time with the Rust, taking over an hour to access a server when it took just twenty minutes to download the game. So after a couple last visits to finish <a href="https://othergrids.blogspot.com/2019/08/rust-after-five-years.html">my last review,</a> that meant I had to do little more than wish them well and know what was going on through Discord chatter and the occasional streamed session by a player, such as Brandi Streusel. <br /><br />As I mentioned, the game has been continued to be tweaked and have things added. In the most recent update, driveable cars became an option. Vehicle cabs began appearing across the island, and players could either turn them to scrap or rebuild them. One could make a basic car to get around, or a truck to haul stuff. From the chatter and the streams I saw, my friends were having fun with them.<br /><br />Then I heard some chatter about a race. And before long, it happened. I only heard scattered details, then Jasmine told me in her own words what happened at "The Wacky Races" as the race came to be called. Presumably it got it's name from <a href=" https://youtu.be/-uU6KzAbSTg">the Hana-Barbera cartoon</a> that first aired in the late 60s in which a number of zany characters competed in various cross-country races, with most giving an honest but competitive effort and Dick Dastardly always trying to cheat his way to victory (fun fact: Dick Dastardly almost won a couple races honestly, but blew it when he couldn't resist stopping to pose for a camera.or giving someone his autograph). <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKCnDtqmOcVg6dU0CDku7qwdfHUuqdwy9VUKS0ZmpxUEsMco2xxKIcPWj7xSqkPwraQybq-VwTBeFNL0m23pWr5zmc4p6xe5LfzLjJ84rUjxjF6UYDpX_sKkDAmspRLinOkiuY0QLyPVtpUHb_wAXvq30JT12IrcB30M_xOwE5qb0j4Bvbz5Q_fBh/s1304/rust_wackyraces_jasminecar.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="1304" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKCnDtqmOcVg6dU0CDku7qwdfHUuqdwy9VUKS0ZmpxUEsMco2xxKIcPWj7xSqkPwraQybq-VwTBeFNL0m23pWr5zmc4p6xe5LfzLjJ84rUjxjF6UYDpX_sKkDAmspRLinOkiuY0QLyPVtpUHb_wAXvq30JT12IrcB30M_xOwE5qb0j4Bvbz5Q_fBh/s320/rust_wackyraces_jasminecar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>"Those little cars there are a blast to drive," Jasmine would tell me, "And if you can ramp them they get serious air time, to the point I worry if the server will ban me for fly hacking." Of the race, "Yeah the race literally started out as a silly idea I passed on to Skylark, a challenge to her to build a three engine, three-mod car, and had already figured it out and was curious to see if she could. At first she said it wasnt possible till I told her. And then the first and second of the rave cars was built. I was at my place, commandeered Umbras three-mod water tanker, and refit it to become the third racer. Then me and Umbra worked on his four-mod to make it the first four-mod racer. The thing actually looked like a rolling cock, I at least thought it was funny<br /><br />"Then I did a shout out to Nydia to get on the server cause I was up to shenanigans. She had NO clue what I had in mind. I used a three-mod that had been sitting out beside the road since the server was last wiped, made that one into yet another 3mod racer. (I then) grabbed some wood, scanned the map for a good start point and chose the Entrance to Bandit Camp. I let.everyone, know and that we would be racing along the rail line. If your wondering why we raced along the rail line is because the ground was reasonably flat and it eliminated all the curves that plagued the map."<br /><br />"By the time everyone had arrived, I had made a proper starting point building. We had wait for the Patrol helicopter to leave.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMTx_QVl_RfmaQRJHHGy2tMdmdLBPQ9HJ535sVnWCHMHShOU8uKKpd2Car6iKsb2-d3Ej5sQntI8q6rmrNHKKcAyqbNsCHy6BHaXIkk4alHrR6qhfy8ST7T1swe1ujiYDXYsf5sVIGV2HQtnh_drbc5T3JAaKpql2SsWK7PpQtc6DCRdArnbPXQD2/s1304/rust_slylark_cargarage.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="1304" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMTx_QVl_RfmaQRJHHGy2tMdmdLBPQ9HJ535sVnWCHMHShOU8uKKpd2Car6iKsb2-d3Ej5sQntI8q6rmrNHKKcAyqbNsCHy6BHaXIkk4alHrR6qhfy8ST7T1swe1ujiYDXYsf5sVIGV2HQtnh_drbc5T3JAaKpql2SsWK7PpQtc6DCRdArnbPXQD2/s320/rust_slylark_cargarage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>"Nydia finally got logged in and was instructed to go by my vehicle bay and grab the car sitting there, and to hustle her *ss up. Her exact words if I recall was, "HOLY S**T!" Once she arrived, I explained the rules. Nobody was friendly during the race. It was a single lap around the map. First one back (would win) my hat, I liked that Snowman head hat, plus 1000 scrap.<br /><br />"We lined up, and off ripping it up racing along the rails. I honestly think I hit every tree, and backed into the ones I missed. These cars moved soo fast the smallest bump or collision would send them barreling out of control. I somehow managed to get in the lead for the most of the map race, right up till a chicken, yes a chicken, walked out in front of me. I hit the bird and was flipped end over end, and landed in the trees and got stuck.<br /><br />"Right as I got back on the rails, Nydia went flying passed me to take the lead and won the race. I came in second place. Umbra took third place. Nikki took 4th and Skylark came in last. Sky wasn't able.to control the car, leaving her to collide and tumble in the snow biome area. But we all stayed there cheering her on and finally sent Umbra looking for her. She was soo mad and I can understand why. Maybe by the time we have another Wacky Race she will mop the floor with us.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytjPBeUMVwva0-vok0GMw3_4Qv4Vqan1aVpGKDL8PlauIct8kh2LjEW5rn2HJOiMi5OdeZra5NEO_hfIc4UEpmQGSYh4NlczG3epNJNyeI81Om23DJqjyT5-jsGCtiZA7OWX4GRKI_Rss728lhkQptqjTsq9vImv475tsfsdA_hwcje5EHDfpJPKA/s1304/rust_slylark_slightlyusedcars.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="1304" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytjPBeUMVwva0-vok0GMw3_4Qv4Vqan1aVpGKDL8PlauIct8kh2LjEW5rn2HJOiMi5OdeZra5NEO_hfIc4UEpmQGSYh4NlczG3epNJNyeI81Om23DJqjyT5-jsGCtiZA7OWX4GRKI_Rss728lhkQptqjTsq9vImv475tsfsdA_hwcje5EHDfpJPKA/s320/rust_slylark_slightlyusedcars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>"There ya go Bix, your you a first hand account of the recent Wacky Race. Maybe next race I'll get Nydia to live stream it."<p></p><p>Snowy, who had a few pictures, was saying it wasn't too bad, "I was not all upset with the races. I thought the races were fun, but I was frustrated. I was getting no where fast."<br /><br />It's going to be some time before I get back into Rust again. Recent events have not been kind to neither my wallet or amount of gaming time. But in the meantime, it's good to hear my friends are still having fun with it, and finding creative ways to do so.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Image Credit: Skylark Lefavre/Snowy AngelBun Lefavre</i></span><br /><br />Bixyl Shuftan<br /> </p>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-83713569237200358432022-04-20T06:00:00.007-04:002022-04-20T06:00:00.177-04:00News And Commentary: Questions Raised About Horizon Following Zuckerburg's Comments, Announcement of Creator Fees<p> <br />By Bixyl Shuftan<br /><br />Facebook/Meta's virtual world of "Horizon" has gotten it's share of criticism (and jokes) over time. But two recent developments have added to it. There was an inworld meeting not long ago in which Mark Zuckerberg met with several online creators. That the owner of Facebook goes online to meet the people there is certainly a positive development. But among the things he had to say was something at one point when they were discussing the ability of people to build things within Horizon using existing tools there, rather than building them outside the game and importing them. Just after the six minute mark in <a href="https://youtu.be/aJViJbEQEgA">the video of the meeting</a>, Zuckerburg makes this comment:<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aJViJbEQEgA" width="477" youtube-src-id="aJViJbEQEgA"></iframe></div><br />"...one of the things that we've just tried to do differently is the whole co-developing experience, the fact that everything that you're building is in Horizon itself. I think that is really just different from all of the other experiences out there."<br /><br />Anyone even remotely familiar with Second Life knows this is not true at all. Since the begining, it's residents have had the ability to build items. Among the first things yours truly did was make a new shirt and jacket. So surely Zuckerburg would know this? Probably, though it's not outside the realm of possibility that he's been so disinterested in Second Life, he hasn't bothered to learn much more about it than it exists (If he's spoken anything about our virtual world, I haven't heard it). <br /><br />Another possibility is that he is aware that Second Life, and other virtual worlds, do allow inworld building. So why would he just up and tell a mistruth? Maybe he sees that as part of a "spin" to promote his virtual world, pretending that there's no one else that can match him. Or maybe he doesn't want to acknowledge Second Life's existence and feels he doesn't have to. <br /><br />So either he's unaware of basic details of other virtual worlds, perhaps unaware of them entirely, or he's not telling the truth. Neither one looks good. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgd0oZx5FXAN6fMCuaiSN3GMAR8AQyPUuzMKZLuFd8dJXZW1laAcKke8hvB8FzF-zNl9Rf5tmTvM6i6hiKd5Gg3dfY1WY_0C_FRndhL0nKnUPNRIqPXIWBBf3FCBT158o3ud_Z_Reee-eWziJGgc4c4GxfE9ZPH_iMylFFuQzZ8tfefuBy2IO3WEr/s780/metaprice.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="780" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgd0oZx5FXAN6fMCuaiSN3GMAR8AQyPUuzMKZLuFd8dJXZW1laAcKke8hvB8FzF-zNl9Rf5tmTvM6i6hiKd5Gg3dfY1WY_0C_FRndhL0nKnUPNRIqPXIWBBf3FCBT158o3ud_Z_Reee-eWziJGgc4c4GxfE9ZPH_iMylFFuQzZ8tfefuBy2IO3WEr/s320/metaprice.png" width="320" /></a></div>Facebook/Meta was criticized over another detail of Horizons: how much of a cut do the owners of the virtual world take from content creators? An article in <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-metaverse-charges-creators-47-percent-sales-fee-cut-zuckerberg-2022-4">Business Insider</a> stated that they would charge content creators 47.5% in fees, almost half. "We think it's a pretty competitive rate in the market," Facebook/Meta's Vice President would say of it. But in the past, Zuckerberg had been critical of Apple charging 30% for developers to sell in it's App Store. Naturally, Apple was quick to point this out. A spokesman would say the "announcement lays bare Meta’s hypocrisy. It goes to show that while they seek to use Apple’s platform for free, they happily take from the creators and small businesses that use their own." <br /><br />PC Gamer <a href="https://www.pcgamer.com/meta-horizon-worlds-fee-creators/">suggested a better comparison</a> was Second Life in which fees to "move money into or out ... range from 3.5% to 7.5%" Executive Chairman Brad Oberwager would say, "I can't imagine that Meta's nearly 50% take will be that motivating to creators," pointing out that the Lab had paid 86 million USD to content creators last year. Philip Rosedale, the founder of Linden Lab, would tell PC Gamer, Facebook/Meta's fee "seems like a great way to dissuade creators from actually participating in its economy, but, frankly I would expect nothing less from them. They need to find some way to fill the coffers as their surveillance model loses steam."<br /><br />Meta/Facebook seems rather untruthful and greedy, which will not help it's reputation, or that of it's virtual world Horizons, and will discourage people, regular users and content creators alike, from using it.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Hat tip: Hamlet Au, Mattie Carlton</i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sources: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJViJbEQEgA">Vidyuu Nights</a>, <a href="https://www.pcgamer.com/meta-horizon-worlds-fee-creators/">PC Gamer</a>, <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/facebook-parent-meta-set-to-take-nearly-50-cut-from-virtual-sales-within-its-metaverse-11649885375">Marketwatch</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-metaverse-charges-creators-47-percent-sales-fee-cut-zuckerberg-2022-4">Buisiness Insider</a></i></span><br /><br />Bixyl Shuftan<br /> <p></p>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-32997371293869500872022-02-21T06:00:00.002-05:002022-02-21T06:00:00.164-05:00Call of War<p> <br />By Bixyl Shuftan<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwbtY73FX_NLnCxorUu8XPmMpK1Atnm1be4CzlBWFHkCuvbbAaJkPYcS-coQe5gRTT3anCpZSVNxyd-xuLPjqOw-3Vi17cD8schvcwtnxwyTg-oeE3PxWfRFfzsnZCT3-GY8M66q1TWoVzkXmI-BlwkwhR6V_b9q3aUw1rm0lbu5IF2txAooibggFE=s734" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="734" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwbtY73FX_NLnCxorUu8XPmMpK1Atnm1be4CzlBWFHkCuvbbAaJkPYcS-coQe5gRTT3anCpZSVNxyd-xuLPjqOw-3Vi17cD8schvcwtnxwyTg-oeE3PxWfRFfzsnZCT3-GY8M66q1TWoVzkXmI-BlwkwhR6V_b9q3aUw1rm0lbu5IF2txAooibggFE=s320" width="320" /></a></div>One of the games I see advertised numerous times online is "Call of War," also known as "Call of War: World War II" or "Call of War: 1942." The game is a free-to-play browser-based World War Two style strategy game developed by Bytro Labs. The company also made "Supremacy 1914" and "Conflict of Nations: World War III," which play much the same.<br /><br />After playing it a number of times, my conclusion is it's enjoyable, but be prepared to spend plenty of gold currency if you want to achieve victory in this Pay to Win game. <br /><br />To play the game, make a new account, and after reading the rules go to "new games" and select a scenario. There are several from "Europe - Clash of Nations" in which 22 people can play to "World at War" in which a whopping 100 players can take part. games will list how many openings remain, so obviously the more who are already taking part the fewer nations that are left to play. In "American Homefront," some of the nations are really states or provinces in this "alternate history scenario." Once in, you pick one of the available nations. All start with a roughly equal number of cities and resources and a small number of units.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx5MLHGUGzzF9IZTTz5vPzDbBWKTIOfR2KITlyouYTpruL6XJZWVSct9nQSrYGCWDWyhqjDxCG2nQXcnY7YrMDuwkhcWJWMgfTw5aiB2NH8tRcTBRF1l1ohP4-wl0nK1mOKtNrB1DUd-7E068PmJbfvitBYLU6XndPkOSELIw-NknwwSmzohAqcVTF=s1334" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1334" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx5MLHGUGzzF9IZTTz5vPzDbBWKTIOfR2KITlyouYTpruL6XJZWVSct9nQSrYGCWDWyhqjDxCG2nQXcnY7YrMDuwkhcWJWMgfTw5aiB2NH8tRcTBRF1l1ohP4-wl0nK1mOKtNrB1DUd-7E068PmJbfvitBYLU6XndPkOSELIw-NknwwSmzohAqcVTF=s320" width="320" /></a></div> All cities and provinces have build menus, though cities have larger
ones. In cities, you can construct buildings, such as barracks, ports,
air bases, factories, etc. Barracks allow you to produce infantry units.
Ports allow you to make ships. Aircraft factories will allow you to
make planes. Tank factories allow you to make tanks. Ordinance factories
allow you to manufacture artillery and similar guns. Secret factories
will allow you to make rockets, and eventually atomic weapons. In
provinces, you can build infrastructure aka roads, that allow units to
move faster, air bases that aircraft can fly missions from or stop to
refuel on trips, local industry to increase local resources, and a few
more. <br /><br />But in order to make units, you need two things. You'll
need to have researched the particular kind of unit, and you'll need the
required resources. Provinces produce a small amount of manpower and
money, which are needed for all units and all buildings need money.
Cities produce much more of them, in addition to producing one of
several resources: food, goods, metal, oil, and rare materials. Most
units need some of most of these, though some more than others such as
infantry needing more food, tanks ships and planes needing metal and
oil, artillery needing goods. If you're short on one or more goods or
have more of one or more than you need, you can buy and sell goods on
the stock market. And once a unit is produced, that isn't the end. Each
needs a small amount of manpower and resources to be maintained. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiNnW7auwxUuZ37N_dCpIlnERbNLbkbEtSf63MOZJW-B1CA8R3BFPNLkvS3YuoyaRu-cHHbyOrC0tYBSC6rJ5oCCXxK28rvFLlk7o9xz1ma1S58d873q9818QaoQ9ieVJdEvI_LOVOnV-osWfUyWvkATM2WOdhtRdHZ9mTcgY6p2Ap4JtL5JCuSZ8u=s1334" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1334" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiNnW7auwxUuZ37N_dCpIlnERbNLbkbEtSf63MOZJW-B1CA8R3BFPNLkvS3YuoyaRu-cHHbyOrC0tYBSC6rJ5oCCXxK28rvFLlk7o9xz1ma1S58d873q9818QaoQ9ieVJdEvI_LOVOnV-osWfUyWvkATM2WOdhtRdHZ9mTcgY6p2Ap4JtL5JCuSZ8u=s320" width="320" /></a></div>Research
will make new units available. At first, you'll only be able to
research a few units and the earliest tiers of, such as level one
infantry and level one destroyers. But most of these only need a few
resources and not much time. As time goes on, more are unlocked. But
further ones available cost more units and take more time. You can
research two kinds of units at once, and they are in several categories,
such as infantry, tanks, naval, etc. Nuclear weapons are not available
until late in the game. The highest tier units need blueprints that
cannot be researched but found on the map via airdrops. When a new tier
of unit is researched, you can upgrade old units, but that takes
resources and time. <br /><br />Each province has different terrain that
various units can use to their advantage. Infantry are strongest in the
city, and get smaller bonuses in hilly and wooded terrain. Tanks are
strongest in open fields. If there are fortifications, defenders in the
owner's province get a defensive bonus when attacked. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0bKIAj-yLA86TCus9oE4fZZHFaa3epA4ArfyAoxnn0Siyaf8ef3yBDS4_gbzG9Cq5-GbdwYo2MUULPImz5LHQwkuhSXv8-ImvWP23QOG4TevFxWQbb3CR2yVb6K9Vp8ZJ85X1O63kuu36J-vYWYKgPcKrWczgudTBlmiwLnG7hx-eWPhWbHQgwZml=s1334" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="1334" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0bKIAj-yLA86TCus9oE4fZZHFaa3epA4ArfyAoxnn0Siyaf8ef3yBDS4_gbzG9Cq5-GbdwYo2MUULPImz5LHQwkuhSXv8-ImvWP23QOG4TevFxWQbb3CR2yVb6K9Vp8ZJ85X1O63kuu36J-vYWYKgPcKrWczgudTBlmiwLnG7hx-eWPhWbHQgwZml=s320" width="320" /></a></div>One new
feature is Doctrine. Each of the nations subscribes to one of four
doctrines, each with it's advantages and disadvantages. Countries with
the Axis doctrine have more hitpoints and can deal more damage, but cost
more to make. Pan-Asian countries move faster, can see further away,
and get greater terrain bonuses, but have fewer hit points. Allied
countries can produce units faster and can research and upgrade faster.
Comintern countries can produce and maintain units using less resources,
but they deal less damage. <br /><br />In order to attack another country,
there needs to be a declaration of war, either you on it, or it on you.
Early in the game, it's unlikely a computer-controlled country will
attack you. As the game goes on, there is that chance of it happening.
Player-controlled countries can attack you at any time. When a territory
is conquered, it delivers a fraction of the resources to the new owner
as it did the original. It's morale also goes down to the point a
successful rebellion is possible. Raising it will mean keeping a couple
units there for a while. Capturing one of a country's core cities will
mean a big loss of the production of one of it's resources, in addition
to one less place they can raise units. The loss of two or three will
mean the country's in serious trouble and defeat is near without
intervention. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjEI3aepm1P_LRtVWV6Z-dHtzeePfc5eN9bi5r5PH49z5AS4Qw-wBowg5_WgPYMwJJJxrZ5q7KLNX3Kwf34ic1rcBzH_P2J3TDwgGAqWbW68a_B3oepzaEXrMPwYcLr3fa4DHl6JUgfj4ScILqAXc5Fd4Jgn66GCoHkqFc56OCPQKqxyq7ZQpY8exe=s1329" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="1329" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjEI3aepm1P_LRtVWV6Z-dHtzeePfc5eN9bi5r5PH49z5AS4Qw-wBowg5_WgPYMwJJJxrZ5q7KLNX3Kwf34ic1rcBzH_P2J3TDwgGAqWbW68a_B3oepzaEXrMPwYcLr3fa4DHl6JUgfj4ScILqAXc5Fd4Jgn66GCoHkqFc56OCPQKqxyq7ZQpY8exe=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />The score in games is determined by Victory
Points. In most games, conquering cities will get you those, with
capital cities delivering the most. But it's how many you have at the
end of the game that determine who wins, so taking the lead in the
middle of the game won't help if you lose it. <br /><br />Diplomacy is a
part of the game. You can message other players and make deals. You're
free to honor them, or surprise and backstab. However, they're free to
do the same. You can also join a collation of states, or form one of
your own and try to attract members. <br /><br />And then there are
different maps. There's an European map in which players can take charge
of a major country (or a faction of a broken-up major country). Or you
could play on a world map, one with a moderate number of players, or one
with a whopping 100 players. More recent maps include American
Homefront in which the US and Canada are split apart, and Antarctica. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoXrQAvhJDtIIguqPGGj24BdAaXUTea9nk-IgtsiI4HTRBRqlbjJ-8ODlFk9yXM_aKYnFjiWTC_05mLa7BzBo_1EX6wVIMETL8qKcSY7xrBuH_mG5S9EPyameCCaq-zoWVC529tQqLTYzcwoQhK36qKArfiO0gG7hD8pUGy7KEM2xMXlnw5Jpj1zQv=s1336" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="1336" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoXrQAvhJDtIIguqPGGj24BdAaXUTea9nk-IgtsiI4HTRBRqlbjJ-8ODlFk9yXM_aKYnFjiWTC_05mLa7BzBo_1EX6wVIMETL8qKcSY7xrBuH_mG5S9EPyameCCaq-zoWVC529tQqLTYzcwoQhK36qKArfiO0gG7hD8pUGy7KEM2xMXlnw5Jpj1zQv=s320" width="320" /></a></div>One
interesting detail is the newspaper. There you can read about who's at
war with who. Players can also write their own articles. Some write
"news" stories describing why such a country was attacked. But gamers
being gamers, there can be charges of certain players being cheaters,
backstabbers, or "wallet warriors."<br /><br />So how can such a detailed
game be free to play? This is where Premium Accounts and gold come in.
You have the option of paying to get a premium account, which means a
few more options. And then there's buying gold. So why buy gold? With
gold, you can get money and resources on the stock exchange, you can
hurry up the construction of a building, hurry up the construction of a
unit, hurry up the research of a technology, heal a unit completely, or
raise the morale of a province to maximum. While you can get some gold
by accomplishing achievements, such as destroying so many of a
particular kind of enemy unit, the easiest way you can get it is to
spend real-world money to buy it. So this puts the game in the category
of "Pay to Win."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAsOWGdpuoTpSaTFme7CljDLf3BR4XGhVG3kUjOOoncFf_1xwQCjza-zS35BVTDjZInx6dZIyv49AhWEsgA5c9TpSwboDUEp7q5ccL09OiBxapjZmRjDFIcfKDmhk9y48zCA_JmUvQ6OikysDJkbadyQhAbj_itmgwaaI-ZqRv20U6AFVhP5TEj4G6=s1327" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="1327" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAsOWGdpuoTpSaTFme7CljDLf3BR4XGhVG3kUjOOoncFf_1xwQCjza-zS35BVTDjZInx6dZIyv49AhWEsgA5c9TpSwboDUEp7q5ccL09OiBxapjZmRjDFIcfKDmhk9y48zCA_JmUvQ6OikysDJkbadyQhAbj_itmgwaaI-ZqRv20U6AFVhP5TEj4G6=s320" width="320" /></a></div>Another problem can be the real-time progress of
the game. While someone is sleeping, working, or doing anything else,
others are free to attack his country and units. So someone could easily
go to bed in the middle of a campaign, and wake up to find his country
attacked where his units aren't and the enemy already having marched
over much territory and cities. This causes some players to walk away
out of frustration, or not willing to play a losing campaign as they
don't have the time to spend to make it a winning one. <br /><br />Call of
War isn't a bad game. It can be an enjoyable challenge to come up with
the right combination of units for a successful military campaign, and
if you have the time to spare, even better. But if you don't have a lot
of time due to being a full-time worker (or working two jobs), playing
other games, or other activities, then you're going to have trouble
winning games unless you're a member of a league, and they may get
unhappy if they think you're not playing very often. So some gamers are
better off with playing "Hearts of Iron" or some other strategy game
they can play whenever they have the time. <br /><br />I rate the game a
medium at three stars out of five. While I can't recommend this game, I
won't call it not recommended either. For more information, <a href="https://wiki.callofwar.com/wiki/Main_Page">check the wiki here</a>. <br /><br />* * * * *<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_0Pjpbp6kzdj76Ib7zIs0m8sqSJf0D2HERK5XD794uFnx1I1SwWee_ADYRPCoYDHhzDwx_SO-uO1E2TWu4hHN1tofxGiGYJwpSxaOnNEOpCJrJGkmY4hrV2JlyKa6L8C1WGSFfelwOxzGkqUkdG85X3jwm4drmqzfuof9OgwgK9BiCoiUifP92vju=s1334" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="1334" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_0Pjpbp6kzdj76Ib7zIs0m8sqSJf0D2HERK5XD794uFnx1I1SwWee_ADYRPCoYDHhzDwx_SO-uO1E2TWu4hHN1tofxGiGYJwpSxaOnNEOpCJrJGkmY4hrV2JlyKa6L8C1WGSFfelwOxzGkqUkdG85X3jwm4drmqzfuof9OgwgK9BiCoiUifP92vju=s320" width="320" /></a></div>When
launching an attack on a country, leave a few units to help cover other
parts of your lands to keep from leaving your backside completely
exposed. You also might want to invest in infrastructure to speed up the
movement of units from one part of your lands to another.<br /><br />Different
units have different strengths and weaknesses in different terrains.
Infantry is vulnerable to armor in plains. But is stronger against it in
woods, and moreso in cities. <br /><br />Don't completely neglect
artillery, especially when mobile artillery is available. A stack of
units can defend itself from air attacks with an anti-aircraft unit or
two. But there's no defense against an artillery bombardment, especially
a bombardment from multiple artillery units, except to retreat out of
range or attack. A computer controlled stack of units when under
artillery bombardment will sometimes try to attack it, either splitting
or sending everything. So be prepared.<br /><br />Keep in mind the higher
tier of a unit, the longer it takes to produce. So you may want to delay
research for a while until you upgrade your barracks, tank factories,
shipyards, etc. <br /><br />If you have a coastline, watch out for the
possibility of an invasion by sea. Make a navy when you can, and build
battleships when you can (and don't forget to give them escorts).
Seaplanes and artillery can help defend against bombardment by ships.
Land units are vulnerable when being transported by water, and take time
to disembark, where they can be attacked by land units or bombarded by
artillery or bombers.<br /><br />If you're a free player, save your gold for
emergencies. If someone attacks you where you're wide open, you can use
it to build units and buy resources for them, in a hurry.<br /><br />A single game can last for many weeks. If a
game isn't fun anymore, or if all of a sudden your real life demands a
lot more time than you can spare from your game, don't be ashamed to
walk away (after messaging any allies of yours). You can always start a
new game later. <br /><br />Bixyl Shuftan<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYDfJfvAsPkY5bnwFe7Jd_wLLvajgnw9do2rLsR6KiyUR5IFekQyWQvgvGxD7SnzETRDGhQMe6_1-x0BEfSMuP7jh6z3JuuAVotVOIhz3AXnDMojuLB8RT5IAKGlwy-iY4GzapDOflSt6GLIFRK5dGauwdy1kXSMvRDmzAxu5JRdYmPh7DTe_OmF5N=s1334" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><p></p>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-66078977183418688572021-12-17T06:00:00.010-05:002021-12-17T06:00:00.164-05:00Reader Submission: Moving About the Metaverse<p> <br />By DrFran Babcock<br /><br />INTRODUCTION<br /><br />Greetings, everyone. Since I left Second Life for Philip Rosedale’s VR-inspired High Fidelity, I have not been around Second Life much. Sadly, High Fidelity, as a 3-D virtual world, died a little over two years ago. If you ask Philip Rosedale, co-creator of both Second Life and the subsequent High Fidelity, why this happened, he attributes much of it to the slow adoption of virtual reality hardware and some other reasons that have to do with how people choose to interact.<br /><br />I love virtual worlds. I have never left virtual worlds since I left full-time Second Life in 2014, moving to the aforementioned High Fidelity. Since then, I have spent most of my time in Vircadia (the open-source world based on High Fidelity’s architecture), Sansar: The virtual world created by Linden Lab as the successor to Second Life; and even Horizon Worlds—Meta’s foray into virtual worlds.<br /><br />What I plan to do, in writing a sporadic column for the Newser, is to share some news and tidbits from the rest of the Metaverse. It’s important to understand that my view of the Metaverse is colored much by the work of Tony Parisi and Avi-Bar Zeev. Thus, many worlds and One Metaverse.<br /><br />Last, I want to thank Bixyl Shuftan and Gemma Cleanslate for nudging me back to writing again. I am in Second Life, but only for brief periods of time. <br /><br />NEWS FROM SANSAR<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5NYyKxWBivsA6A4oYY9vrxBAc99d1hxwgARpKQM4Yg17GZ-KhWcOmR4kmX9xdaJh09DSV0d94f5ZQpKtjyuajhmUdVOvdE7cbSGfnqdvVNOvDVDNUKSWt1xQ96ehOVCqltnCry882Egd9UYSwEGKYTXfiL8-jBErh5JQ-d_3o_zRqXRuXPsIgNsYW=s3023" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="3023" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5NYyKxWBivsA6A4oYY9vrxBAc99d1hxwgARpKQM4Yg17GZ-KhWcOmR4kmX9xdaJh09DSV0d94f5ZQpKtjyuajhmUdVOvdE7cbSGfnqdvVNOvDVDNUKSWt1xQ96ehOVCqltnCry882Egd9UYSwEGKYTXfiL8-jBErh5JQ-d_3o_zRqXRuXPsIgNsYW=s320" width="320" /></a></div>It is sad to report that Sansar is on life support. At the time of this writing, all of the employees have been furloughed, and many have gone on to other jobs. They are still open, and are still filled with the most beautiful worlds bar none. The remaining community of about 50 avatars are fiercely loyal, and continue to function as if things are without problems.<br /><br />I would recommend that you go in there, and look around, because I fear that it might evaporate. Sansar was sold to Wookey Technologies a while ago, and at that point, all communication with the owners ceased. There were no more Product Update meetings, and each time the Umbra License (a tool that helps the graphics to run better) was not repurchased it took a while for it to be repurchased. I believe, at this writing, that the license has lapsed.<br /><br />It would be a tragedy if Sansar was lost, because I still believe it’s the best looking virtual world. It has drawbacks, chief among them that you cannot build collaboratively, but how many people know you can have 20 worlds completely free? <br /><br />NEWS FROM HORIZON WORLDS<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtJKv6XvsBtK2MhrKAMNx-7XeHZaAKfqF5V1YsV59YjCGuqm9ON7weLP5vg16ksvt0BphTrq5ySm7qFyFnCDgdMnuPv3HxEx985o0rB8EYq0ie4k9R-166k-ZjW8Ku_uU5xt91IegH4oFxM_kt7JPcOrR362kzSqMeo7S_vLE6QeLWKitJNZNE3dBm=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtJKv6XvsBtK2MhrKAMNx-7XeHZaAKfqF5V1YsV59YjCGuqm9ON7weLP5vg16ksvt0BphTrq5ySm7qFyFnCDgdMnuPv3HxEx985o0rB8EYq0ie4k9R-166k-ZjW8Ku_uU5xt91IegH4oFxM_kt7JPcOrR362kzSqMeo7S_vLE6QeLWKitJNZNE3dBm=s320" width="320" /></a></div>I was lucky (?) to score a closed Beta invite to Meta’s Horizon Worlds. I have no love for Facebook, but I was curious to see what they had to offer. I will discuss the positives and the negatives here:<br /><br />Positive:<br /><br />Building, while rudimentary, is easy, and you can do some creative and different things.<br /><br />You can build in collaboration. It’s very cool to make your avatar huge, and look down on your build, manipulating objects as if they were a diorama.<br /><br />The scripting language, proprietary, is visual. This means that hopeless coders like me can manage to script some life into the worlds I build. This is a big plus, in my opinion.<br /><br />At present, the developers were accessible and willing to answer questions. Since they have opened Horizon Worlds to all USA and Canada adults, it seems to have change.<br /><br />Negative:<br /><br />Well, it’s Facebook/Meta, so they want our data.<br /><br />The avatars have a lot of variety, but I want legs. Come on, Meta.<br /><br />Children are running rampant in Horizon Worlds. I attended a scripting question and answer meeting, and children kept disrupting the meeting with profanities and racial slurs. The lone developer was unable to manage the number of trolls, and the session was ruined for me. If Meta wants their world to succeed, they will have to deal with this. I think it’s a problem of children “borrowing” their parents’ Quest 2s.<p></p><p>I will leave it at that, and promise more to come.<br /><br />NEWS FROM VIRCADIA<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmELLUFlIKIMguxfpdj0cmXnDydg7D4p086Z3br_0-QZ9T3m48kvQ7eCgY8anIEhcrz_A9H7ptUeUMXPNCukO8RrHKGH6Vur6NguLu-kpzYHpxIxaA4bmIQ7VcPzcZs7U5IVGq7rgl_GAmycRd_a89PaPs-3Qwcw33up1cXZx3nfzzRrM1Ow-wqKwE=s1444" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1444" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmELLUFlIKIMguxfpdj0cmXnDydg7D4p086Z3br_0-QZ9T3m48kvQ7eCgY8anIEhcrz_A9H7ptUeUMXPNCukO8RrHKGH6Vur6NguLu-kpzYHpxIxaA4bmIQ7VcPzcZs7U5IVGq7rgl_GAmycRd_a89PaPs-3Qwcw33up1cXZx3nfzzRrM1Ow-wqKwE=s320" width="320" /></a></div>This is the world where I spend most of my time. It is most definitely not for everyone, because it is not easy to download, easy to use, nor easy to create.<br /><br />Vircadia is developed by a small, dedicated, committed, and productive group of content creators and residents. There is one event every night except Tuesday, and the folks in their Discord server are helpful, and not fatigued by answering the same questions over and over.<br /><br />Currently, we are working on a live-action play based very loosely on A Christmas Carol, but with a dark satirical bent, and a focus on virtual worlds. It will take place on Tuesday, December 28, at 2PM Pacific Time.<br /><br />IN CLOSING<br /><br />I also attend other virtual worlds, and I am glad to talk about what I do, but I would love to hear from you. If this is content you want, let me know and I will continue to share what I see as I move about the Metaverse.<br /> <br /><i>DrFran Babcock</i><br /> <p></p>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-74264823127377382582021-11-15T06:00:00.040-05:002021-11-15T06:00:00.147-05:00More on Facebook And Meta And Virtual World Plans, Grumpity Linden's Interview<p> <br />By Bixyl Shuftan <br /><br />Late last month in late October, Mark Zuckerberg announced <a href="https://slnewser.blogspot.com/2021/11/of-facebook-corporation-changing-its.html">Facebook the company would be changing it's name to "Meta"</a> to reflect it's plans to build a huge virtual world called the "Metaverse." Since then, there's been more than a few comments and developments. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXEha7PbK-tHHS8UFuYB6MV_rV_LOwWm_SiKaemLAoFMmuNNPqY7pz3SiD-sVBvWe50fi3hdyV1fqK2O5NJByw1eNb_wKen6O8E2fQMq7D21uRK8H99kXjw9S8TNIQYoPQJQHeHfZSdI/s1920/axios1635552757299.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXEha7PbK-tHHS8UFuYB6MV_rV_LOwWm_SiKaemLAoFMmuNNPqY7pz3SiD-sVBvWe50fi3hdyV1fqK2O5NJByw1eNb_wKen6O8E2fQMq7D21uRK8H99kXjw9S8TNIQYoPQJQHeHfZSdI/s320/axios1635552757299.webp" width="320" /></a></div>As the term "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaverse">Metaverse</a>" was developed by Neal Stephenson in his cyberpunk novel "Snow Crash," <a href=" https://www.axios.com/metaverse-creator-neal-stephenson-facebook-name-change-a4259282-5016-4c67-a7ae-b0eb381a7773.html">he was interviewed about Facebook's move</a>. "It’s flattering when readers take the work seriously enough to put their own time and money into bringing similar ideas to fruition," he remarked, "... science fiction writers have occasionally been given credit for inspiring real-life inventions, so this is not new and it’s not unique. I was aware of that fact thirty years ago when I wrote 'Snow Crash,' but I didn’t necessarily expect it to happen." He had never spoken to Zuckerberg, nor expected any kind of compensation, "In order to get compensation from FB or any other company I would need to sign some kind of deal in which I gave the company rights to some IP in exchange for payment."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLoG3-9NsWUEEmtE0D_nisTmqW_GWfQY7cI7ycca9BfABaEI56KqSRKyjQJrY1R6QrNIorS4HKZripNqMcYYHiPGYjlAF36KO9Y1niPXZW-e5M5JptOa7YfGceP_i-vR2xEHTt5-In34/s808/FCzwczcUYAE6Q2j.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="808" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLoG3-9NsWUEEmtE0D_nisTmqW_GWfQY7cI7ycca9BfABaEI56KqSRKyjQJrY1R6QrNIorS4HKZripNqMcYYHiPGYjlAF36KO9Y1niPXZW-e5M5JptOa7YfGceP_i-vR2xEHTt5-In34/s320/FCzwczcUYAE6Q2j.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>As it turns out, Facebook may have a problem <a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/meta-facebook-trademark-name">as another company filed first for rights for the name</a>. Meta PC, which has been in business for a little more than a year, decided to officially apply for the name in August. The founders Joe Darger and Zack Shutt say they're willing to let Facebook have the name, but <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2021/11/01/meta-trademark-applicants-will-sell-to-mark-zuckerberg-for-20m/">only if the larger company pays them 20 million</a>. They also poked fun at Facebook by photoshopping a picture of Mark Zuckerberg holding one of their computers. Since neither company officially owns the name, Facebook may still be able to get it. But this oversight is resulting in a few chuckles. In the meantime, the result has been a great amount of free publicity for the smaller company, which saw it's social media followers increase by fifty times. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLVCWKsGUrWXFHG2DE4aMUcxb_tAyFsl2x6Y8jqr2LkwteXyVDOYcPWuuEi0XF4CfqxFaoECU2XWtAyutY3ywznyS6lB0d79Yb3zpcR4ryoOveziksSAxXr-qo9Adxe1VVa8smAw2mec/s1273/GrumpityJDN.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1273" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLVCWKsGUrWXFHG2DE4aMUcxb_tAyFsl2x6Y8jqr2LkwteXyVDOYcPWuuEi0XF4CfqxFaoECU2XWtAyutY3ywznyS6lB0d79Yb3zpcR4ryoOveziksSAxXr-qo9Adxe1VVa8smAw2mec/s320/GrumpityJDN.webp" width="271" /></a></div>And what do the people at Linden Lab think of Facebook's move? Grumpity Linden, or Anya Kanevsky in real life, was <a href="https://www.journaldunet.com/media/publishers/1506137-anya-kanevsky-vp-product-de-second-life/">interviewed by the French magazine Le Journal du Net</a> (JDN). "It's interesting to see this interest in the metaverse from the Epic Games and Facebook announcements," Grumpity commented, " A metaverse is a collection of connected virtual worlds. In a sense, Second Life is a full-fledged metaverse. A living place in which, in the form of an avatar, you can stroll through shopping malls, go to the beach, visit art galleries, etc. Second Life also has its own economy and its own currency, the Linden Dollars."<br /><br />She would go on to say that Zuckerburg and his people, "realized that the reputation Facebook has forged over time can be a barrier. This lack of confidence in the company exists and there will have to be a number of levers of confidence to allow those who wish to explore these virtual worlds. At Second Life, we ensure the privacy of our residents. For example, some assume their homosexuality in Second Life, but we know that some may live in areas of the world where their sexual orientation could lead them to prison. We are therefore extremely vigilant on this issue of data security. With the immense wealth of data in the hands of the digital giants, it will be necessary to ensure the protection of the privacy of the users of these virtual worlds." <br /><br />Grumpity would remind that most content in Second Life, "was created by our residents and not by Linden Lab employees. We just play the role of facilitator. This represents our vision of the metaverse. I don't see how creating different games that would be connected to each other could be akin to the metaverse. In my eyes, this is content created by companies for users. For the metaverse to exist, it must be created and managed by the people who live there."<br /><br />Sansar and it's option to wear VR helmets came up, "Many were not thrilled with the idea of carrying these VR headsets that are quite heavy and require enough space at home to be able to use them. If virtual reality allows for an immersive and incomparable experience, we observed that few of our residents were ready to wear these helmets for more than thirty minutes. So we plan to keep trying new things around virtual reality, but VR isn't the only possible future for Second Life."<br /><br />Grumpity would remind Linden Lab's virtual world was still making money, "In 2020, the creators of Second Life collected nearly $ 73 million. Many of them use the platform as a completely or have made it their main source of income." Although the Pandemic was ending, the people who signed on or returned were still logging on to Second Life, "even if they spend less time there."<br /><br /><a href="https://www.journaldunet.com/media/publishers/1506137-anya-kanevsky-vp-product-de-second-life/">The interview</a> can still be read on the JDN website. As it's in French, English speakers may need to copy-paste in Google translate or have some other way of traslating it. Inara Pey would also <a href="https://modemworld.me/2021/10/26/grumpity-linden-talks-second-life-to-le-journal-du-net/">write about it</a>.<br /><br />As time goes on, no doubt there will be more developments about Meta and it's plans to go into virtual worlds. Stay tuned for further details.<p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sources: <a href=" https://www.axios.com/metaverse-creator-neal-stephenson-facebook-name-change-a4259282-5016-4c67-a7ae-b0eb381a7773.html">Axios</a>, <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2021/11/01/meta-trademark-applicants-will-sell-to-mark-zuckerberg-for-20m/">TMZ</a>, <a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/meta-facebook-trademark-name">IGN</a>, <a href="https://www.journaldunet.com/media/publishers/1506137-anya-kanevsky-vp-product-de-second-life/">JDN</a>, </i></span><br /><br />Bixyl Shuftan<br /> </p>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-10998202606242995992021-09-24T06:00:00.035-04:002021-09-24T06:00:00.193-04:00Game Review: Harem Hotel<p> <br />By Nydia Tungsten<br /><br />First off let me warn you that this is another NSFW game, (Yes it means there is porn in them thar hills and DON'T LOOK <i>ETHELLLL!</i>) Now that the children are out of the room...<br /> <br />I was given the link to download it and have a look. It starts off kinda slow for an adult game, I was streaming it on my NSFW Discord channel and a few people got bored at left, that’s how slow it starts.<br /> <br />There is only a little music in this game for audio, no actors at all, you read the entire game, but personally, I don’t mind because I enjoy reading. I know some people don’t enjoy reading an entire game. So to those, I will wave you off right here. While I don’t mind reading it is hard to see some of the subtle facial changes on the character’s faces.<br /><br />Unlike a lot of other ‘3-D’ games, there are many small reactions to watch for. <br /><br />It starts off with the death of your grandfather that you barely knew and his wanting to pass on his ‘dream’ of the hotel that he has started from there you start meeting the girls. And finding out more and more about slaves,</p><p>You are soon plunged into a world of corrupt government as well as a corrupt church working together in a bad way. I won’t give the plot away because unlike a lot of other adult games this one matters.<br /><br />In the Harem Hotel you will meet:<br /><br />Lin</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qZM3EYqq0CdlueCsOdsZdp9YUsH6GddoZlbkg5aIdf50Z_f4-8K7_T8pCPZ3VS0aR03GVDUh6kdD48bSIVSD9QuLf-pgu5X6WVsNDil_FZBAze6ilBCFQxxw-amWdqo1lalt2ke-niM/s512/nydia_haremhotel_lyn.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="372" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qZM3EYqq0CdlueCsOdsZdp9YUsH6GddoZlbkg5aIdf50Z_f4-8K7_T8pCPZ3VS0aR03GVDUh6kdD48bSIVSD9QuLf-pgu5X6WVsNDil_FZBAze6ilBCFQxxw-amWdqo1lalt2ke-niM/w291-h400/nydia_haremhotel_lyn.png" width="291" /></a></div><p><br />Your humble Elf maid, who was recently hired before you inherited
the hotel. Lin always aims to please her master in any way she can!<br /><br />Kali</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5dRRVISwZ3_JHDyfdqIw55UfEzkhyphenhyphenjjpaE2VPi8ANGjXgBVmHZFZwa4Jycvf7YlOQs9_L6zbY2PKfoCkcwfqrDNkc0M9bNvRaYZOAPMdUCQa823OUeFxa9Op_kXh6_zDzuD59VwuJlg/s512/nydia_haremhotel_kali.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="512" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5dRRVISwZ3_JHDyfdqIw55UfEzkhyphenhyphenjjpaE2VPi8ANGjXgBVmHZFZwa4Jycvf7YlOQs9_L6zbY2PKfoCkcwfqrDNkc0M9bNvRaYZOAPMdUCQa823OUeFxa9Op_kXh6_zDzuD59VwuJlg/w400-h393/nydia_haremhotel_kali.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />A
nerdy girl who was left at your hotel by her father, and she's not too
happy about it. But you may just be the person to keep her happy.
Without a job, she's willing to do almost anything she can for some
extra cash.<br /><br />Ashley<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRCiYZj3jLyviXTfPAZPHL48pqDTqXjbwm3tI69ZUVSLXdH9GCUznWRm8q4vUSYDM1d-wZyRSvZXeL2q9GU3HlB1F1BXyU5942crYo6NIZNBV4ShBX8A3c8bpcg2PfDanvLQuSxRS2Fc/s512/nydia_haremhotel_ashley.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="488" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRCiYZj3jLyviXTfPAZPHL48pqDTqXjbwm3tI69ZUVSLXdH9GCUznWRm8q4vUSYDM1d-wZyRSvZXeL2q9GU3HlB1F1BXyU5942crYo6NIZNBV4ShBX8A3c8bpcg2PfDanvLQuSxRS2Fc/w381-h400/nydia_haremhotel_ashley.png" width="381" /></a></div><br />A college student who was just kicked
out of her house by her strict parents. Finally free from them, she's
very eager to explore things she never had the opportunity to.<br /><br />Maria<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOKansgsYMzLtQoTxTpAbbE3XeOoSLWCMte8KQmYe0FCW5GW78SRIuAQjZsobtwFslm6dwpZQ3eUqPjVy-XxEYcPYT7gHOEMDxRD7w1yhfRjVekmPgR6gHsaJADpxcarb_JoEh65nNaE/s512/nydia_haremhotel_maria.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="295" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOKansgsYMzLtQoTxTpAbbE3XeOoSLWCMte8KQmYe0FCW5GW78SRIuAQjZsobtwFslm6dwpZQ3eUqPjVy-XxEYcPYT7gHOEMDxRD7w1yhfRjVekmPgR6gHsaJADpxcarb_JoEh65nNaE/w230-h400/nydia_haremhotel_maria.png" width="230" /></a></div><br />A
college student and friend to Ashley, she's quite experienced and loves
to flaunt, especially in public. She'll do a lot for some attention.<br /><br />Your Android<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH04S-uGDvbX0o4sZ48g8XwB6sEZdPiCdqyqNVzKLfZxgUHnEAGT9fLiH6Iv7HOgdGcBHqMva7GZz0AMxcwoTm41hKa3RlguozlYlEeG-ci6YEBLC85XMALTIQ_ADqAjm3-VpWhNTNyg8/s512/nydia_haremhotel_android.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="442" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH04S-uGDvbX0o4sZ48g8XwB6sEZdPiCdqyqNVzKLfZxgUHnEAGT9fLiH6Iv7HOgdGcBHqMva7GZz0AMxcwoTm41hKa3RlguozlYlEeG-ci6YEBLC85XMALTIQ_ADqAjm3-VpWhNTNyg8/w345-h400/nydia_haremhotel_android.png" width="345" /></a></div><br />Created
by your grandfather, and there before you joined the Hotel, his project
now belongs to you! Her name is up to you and she comes with some very
useful commands. Buy her parts and upgrades to unlock some very
interesting events.<br /><br />Felicity & Emma<br /><br />Cheerleaders,
clones, and bitchy. Felicity is the boss wherever she goes, and Emma
loves to follow the boss, whoever that may be…<br /><br />Autumn<br />This
religious girl was born with a body made from sin. However hard she may
try to hide it, it's painfully obvious. Her lack of knowledge and
embarrassment of everything lewd will just make her corruption even
sweeter.<br />And more coming!<br /><br />More unique girls will be added in future updates to allow for even more fetishes.<br /><br /><br />As
the story progresses you learn more and more about the slavery of elves
and how bad their lives truly are, you also get to learn about the
girls themselves and each ones back story, to the point you start to
really care about them and you can feel your emotions react to each
adventure they stumble into.<br /><br />The story itself is very
captivating, well written and you can easily lose yourself in it. By
itself, it could be a stand-alone Manga… if it weren’t for all the
graphic sex, there is a LOT of that. There are repeatable events. And a
lot of the sex is just, the same thing word for word. But the creator
has said that this is a Work in progress and they plan on taking care of
that to make it not so much the same.<br /><br />There are certain levels you need to raise in the girls to move the story along <br /><br />Friendship<br />Lust<br />Obedience <br />Sluttiness<br />Exhibitionism<br />Submission<br /><br />As those go up you can go on into the adventure.<br /><br />Overall I have to admit I have enjoyed this game greatly and plan on following it.<br /><br />How
do you get it? Since it is not on steam you have to look for it, I
found it and I was surprised, it wasn’t some adult corp. Wanting a huge
price tag for it. You can pay what you feel you can afford, even free,
download it and enjoy it here is the link:
https://runey42.itch.io/harem-hotel?download<br /><br />Good gaming to you!<br /><br />Nydia Tungsten<br /> <p></p>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-49538562662620562902021-08-02T06:00:00.011-04:002021-08-02T06:00:00.188-04:00Game Review: College Bound<p> *<br />By Nydia Tungsten<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bM3PYfJRipZVDeopIf8pxtdXlMvIp_uvNABVHKWfwZ2yh6TRmDXxIS0z-McF_d-VVaYZENHEmKWI8tjBwtKz1Werd7KhnQ_bAd6CLCOiRNmrqpoBvR78Y81sn_OzUcsCDXQ03eYRvvs/s600/collegebound01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bM3PYfJRipZVDeopIf8pxtdXlMvIp_uvNABVHKWfwZ2yh6TRmDXxIS0z-McF_d-VVaYZENHEmKWI8tjBwtKz1Werd7KhnQ_bAd6CLCOiRNmrqpoBvR78Y81sn_OzUcsCDXQ03eYRvvs/s320/collegebound01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>“After two years of working your butt off in college, you and your girlfriend Summer finally managed to qualify for an international student exchange program in sweet, sweet Paris. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Well, maybe if the principal didn’t suddenly exclude you from the program completely. Bitch.”<br /><br />From almost the start of the game you get into graphic sex, with little more than a thin porno plot the entire way through. They did spend some time on the skin textures, kinda. While the skin doesn’t look like shiny plastic like some of the other 3-D games, the textures they decided to go with are from old women, as in stretch marks everywhere, as well as some cellulite.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGAasi3robiyi3BOZQod2xAx_K9a9Lxej2a0FLIMEg32vTdgEvUhKs0RUtAkukSAULzMDoPDDtzRfTFW2llTrteWiTMLjkly0Nvnk4bJWOe9a6eVnUw-i6ZHm9PWGlS_TC1pkdcGNlYM/s1920/collegebound02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGAasi3robiyi3BOZQod2xAx_K9a9Lxej2a0FLIMEg32vTdgEvUhKs0RUtAkukSAULzMDoPDDtzRfTFW2llTrteWiTMLjkly0Nvnk4bJWOe9a6eVnUw-i6ZHm9PWGlS_TC1pkdcGNlYM/s320/collegebound02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This game does let you make choices here and there, which for any graphic novel/dating sim is a good thing, that leads me back around to the plot, which is as deep as maybe a teaspoon. It CAN be a little entertaining. Basically you are playing as a young man still in college about to become an exchange student, Oh yes, you are a virgin, that just starts having sex with almost everyone {Yeah, porn plot}.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDugWEMHoV2TfFohgMUvNljwPY6c4NmoESu3I9oSBrwFCXU9pM-Gedjn6dHlU-CfCWaEMROFhG47jGpIoh12KwdPo_BomuN3po1G-0nRjX1wtOakKlshuhS9tC649241roCrJrC_aUPs/s1920/collegebound03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDugWEMHoV2TfFohgMUvNljwPY6c4NmoESu3I9oSBrwFCXU9pM-Gedjn6dHlU-CfCWaEMROFhG47jGpIoh12KwdPo_BomuN3po1G-0nRjX1wtOakKlshuhS9tC649241roCrJrC_aUPs/s320/collegebound03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>But if you are looking for a finished game, pass this one by, it is still in development {maybe they can develop a plot too} but on the plus side it FREE for now on steam you can find it here: <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1630080/College_Bound__Episode_1/">https://store.steampowered.com/app/1630080/College_Bound__Episode_1/</a> (Warning: Not Safe For Work images)<br /><br />As you might be able to tell, I am not too impressed by this one.<br /><br />Please let me know what you think of my Reviews and if you would rate them differently.<br /><br />And as always GOOD GAMING TO YOU!!<br /><br />Nydia Tungsten<br />*<p></p>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-263187953099779692021-07-23T06:00:00.029-04:002021-07-24T07:50:08.259-04:00Game Review: Wasteland Survival<p> <br />By Bixyl Shuftan<br /><br />When checking Steam for games the other day, one that got my attention was "Wasteland Survival." It's the sole game offered by Joyloft Co. Limited. The type, a survival game in which one fights zombies. The price: Free to purchase. The game had gotten mixed reviews. Deciding to check it out, I downloaded it, which took only a short time, and started playing. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7k2ly-KNxX9RW-ZZMYblr6TXejFYrtZSS7ABbrLasD3nZZ6Y463NA1UW5zMrJhJQtbQG38ZntageLTlEyHRLlo3PsS-9qKmQ24TRmskfkLmWlmLGf0ivBNQ5ruZSF3dZGOkp5nK2PHzk/s460/wastelandsurvival_header.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7k2ly-KNxX9RW-ZZMYblr6TXejFYrtZSS7ABbrLasD3nZZ6Y463NA1UW5zMrJhJQtbQG38ZntageLTlEyHRLlo3PsS-9qKmQ24TRmskfkLmWlmLGf0ivBNQ5ruZSF3dZGOkp5nK2PHzk/s320/wastelandsurvival_header.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The opening scene was that of an unconscious man having washed up on a beach being woken up by a friendly dog, happy to find human company. With no sign of the owner, what's left is to look around the area. Going about, you find a few tools and weapons. You also come across a few low-level zombies that are easily beaten. You can equip a weapon by dragging it from your storage to one of the two weapon slots on your inventory page. You can also wear clothes by dragging them onto your legs, torso, and head spaces. Your main screen has an action bar on the bottom with two weapon spaces and a space that can hold an item such as bandages or food.<br /><br />Your character has only so many hit points, which are reduced from zombie attacks. Your character also gets hungry and thirsty, with your hunger and thirst levels steadily going down. Once either reaches zero, you will start to take damage. To stave off thirst, you need to drink bottled water or eat food with water content such as berries. To take care of your hunger, you need to eat food such as canned beans, berries, and more. Eating also replenishes your hit points, some foods doing so better than others. While you can find monster meat off some zombies, it's not recommended for eating (but does have another purpose). <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwWUlOg4g0Kb9JGISlPEaKSzYhz45ok0lpOR75CKEQG6GO8CwIi2JZ_HooJ_LvEGgJOIFgu3sjzrIOC-XGRhB0NHn9CkU4RfqZs5EWl9So86Kvl_DSjLzjWwOVcw9BOtetYCBrrBcvWw/s1679/wastelandsurvival01.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1679" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwWUlOg4g0Kb9JGISlPEaKSzYhz45ok0lpOR75CKEQG6GO8CwIi2JZ_HooJ_LvEGgJOIFgu3sjzrIOC-XGRhB0NHn9CkU4RfqZs5EWl9So86Kvl_DSjLzjWwOVcw9BOtetYCBrrBcvWw/s320/wastelandsurvival01.png" width="320" /></a></div>You can also craft items. At the start, you're limited to just a couple tools, the stone hatchet and pick, a few weapons such as a baseball bat, bandages, and a couple items of clothing, survivors' shirt and pants. You can also build structures such as floors and walls, storage containers, a garden to grow food, a campfire to cook food, a rain barrel to get water, and the kennel for your dog, which you'll need to finish for it to travel with you. And the way you get the materials for this is to gather them. You can gather grass and an occasional log and stone on the ground. You can also chop trees for wood, pick bushes for edible berries, and pick rocks for stone and iron ore. Zombies can carry cloth and occasionally rope or some other material. Crates can carry bottled water, canned food, glue, bars of iron, and others. <br /><br />To get items, you'll have to search other areas. At first you're limited to just a few, the lush woods, the small mine, and the novice hunting grounds. The woods has more wood, the mine has more rocks that deliver iron ore, and the hunting grounds has critters that drop meat you can cook, leather and hides you can use to craft, and bones you can feed your dog. Sometimes two other areas will pop up. A crashed plane has a number of suitcases you can open that you can find items from dog food to better clothes and more. This is about the only zone that's zombie free, but one place may explode and damage you for a few points. The airdrop is the most dangerous of these early areas as there are zombies that can quickly rush up to you and quickly kill you. So here you'll need to be ready to make a break for it and retreat. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMiPwBiGRnuNNoNmcsLM8NUc9vYycOURHmafrahXHyGDOYHbluwKruqoUo0nPeeYCTxQVqtBN8ID2aLAm088B7Sh8Fna5wstkfTCtUPCKjpzEX1c0WBCvrTR1MK04047nX8_vjELtrw8/s1671/wastelandsurvival02.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="1671" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMiPwBiGRnuNNoNmcsLM8NUc9vYycOURHmafrahXHyGDOYHbluwKruqoUo0nPeeYCTxQVqtBN8ID2aLAm088B7Sh8Fna5wstkfTCtUPCKjpzEX1c0WBCvrTR1MK04047nX8_vjELtrw8/s320/wastelandsurvival02.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Of the zombies, the first ones you'll encounter are no big deal, slow, lumbering, and taken down with a few wacks of a baseball bat or one or two. But if you've played "Left 4 Dead," you have some idea what's to come. Later on are "Coneheads" whom require more hits to kill, and the "Ironhelms" that take a lot more. The "Batters" can quickly run over and proceed to pound you with their baseball bats, dealing more damage than the Coneheads and Ironhelms. The "Bloaters" can deal heavy damage in close combat, and will spew acid that not only hurts you but can slow you down. But the most deadly of the zombies you'll run into early on are the "Engineers" and "Spitters." They will quickly catch up to you and kill you with just a couple blows. Spitters in particular are to be watched out for as not only can they outrun you, but they sometimes can detect you from long distance and make a beeline to you. And if they catch you while stopping to eat or drink something from your backpack, you'll likely end up dying - and losing your stuff. I eventually got the hint to put food in my action bar instead of bandages.</p><p>Eventually, you'll start to start to stink, or "smell of aged cheese" as your character puts it. It will happen faster if you have to take a pee. This means the zombies can smell you and detect you easier, which can be inconvenient if there's a crate with zombies nearby you don't want to tangle with. Build a shower and have bottled water on hand to take care of this. <br /><br />Early on, you find a body with a diary. Each page will give you a mission, and in carrying them out, you read more of the diary and get a small reward. If you play daily, you'll be given a reward once a day. Sometimes it's a pickaxe or bow. But once in a great while, you'll get something valuable like a shotgun. There is a trader in the game, offering items like ammo, but he demands high prices for his goods. <br /><br />If the zombies in the zones weren't bad enough, once a day a horde will head to your base. If not stopped, unless your base has defenses, they will damage it and possibly take some things from your containers. At first, they're just a few not too tough ones. But as time goes on, they get more numerous and some more dangerous. Early on, you have an automatic turret that can help as there's some ammo boxes you find. But it's useless when they run out. Building barricades will cause the zombies to attack them first before nearby buildings (if the obstacles are between the buildings and the horde) and damage themselves. The first ones will be killed, but a horde will eventually smash a barricade. More barricades will stop more zombies. But eventually the horde will have a powerful boss zombie at the end that just smashes them with his weapon. If you're around when they make your attack, you have a chance to stop any damage. You also get a small reward if you stop the attack. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqNKb7yZuZ4WQB_G_sH0KAPOjdPpj3Zy9loml0BpedvvTHhpnhmyl6Yh9MRWsSJLaqSWvaNFGgRpgXouK7um4qvAE_PLwh5Emk9a6woEBaiHXkjnGNYFfMvozTyAfy-Owjd4_5U3L5ok/s1670/wastelandsurvival03.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1670" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqNKb7yZuZ4WQB_G_sH0KAPOjdPpj3Zy9loml0BpedvvTHhpnhmyl6Yh9MRWsSJLaqSWvaNFGgRpgXouK7um4qvAE_PLwh5Emk9a6woEBaiHXkjnGNYFfMvozTyAfy-Owjd4_5U3L5ok/s320/wastelandsurvival03.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Dying in the game means you end up waking up back at your base, without
your clothes or any other gear you had when the zombies caught you. You
have ten minutes to get your gear before it vanishes. But if it was a
Spitter that killed you, it will be waiting for you. You'll need a gun,
preferably an automatic rifle, to take it out. Otherwise you'll have to
say goodbye to whatever you lost, which can be very, very, aggravating. <br /><br />As
you progress, you'll get points that can be spent for extra abilities,
for you and your dog. You'll also be able to craft more. Some builds
allow you to make goods, such as the furnace will allow you to smelt
iron ore into iron bars, and sewing machines can turn grass into cloth.
Some are two-part builds. One automatic crossbow build turned out to be
only the base, with the top requiring materials I hadn't found yet. <br /><br />Early
on, I found a pistol. This made progressing not *too* difficult. That
is until a Spitter caught me while I was eating and clobbered me. And in
trying to get back to get the gun, it clobbered me yet again. So it was
goodbye gun, and slow progress as I had to find the stuff to make my
clothes and new weapons. And more than once the Spitters and Engineers
would get me before I'd gotten a full set of decent gear and weapons. <br /><br />The
game often offers me a shortcut, dangling items like weapons if I pay
up some real cash. Considering the aggravating setbacks, I can imagine
players fed up with the slow progress going ahead and paying cash so
they'll have a working gun or a machete so they have a chance against
the Engineers and Spitters. It would seem this is how this "free" game
makes money for it's creator. </p><p></p><p>On the plus side, it doesn't seem to take too much processing power to play. I'm able to run it and Second Life at the same time. It also pauses if some things, such as the SL viewer, are what you're using at the moment. <br /><br />Wasteland Survival will likely
frustrate you, but it's unlikely to be boring. If you want fast progress
though, it's probably best to pass this game and head for another
of the survival genre. This game will have you grinding a lot as you keep
searching for supplies to rebuild the gear you lose to the zombies. <br /><br />You can get the game for free on Steam: <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1044200/Wasteland_Survival/">https://store.steampowered.com/app/1044200/Wasteland_Survival/</a><br /><br />Bixyl Shuftan </p>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-41535384054176382332021-07-19T06:00:00.021-04:002021-07-19T22:58:15.632-04:00Reader Submitted: Game Review - Subnautica: Below Zero<p> <br />By Rita Mariner</p><p>I will be commenting on Unknown World's latest release, Subnautica: Below Zero. This video game has been in testing for two years. I started playing it, on STEAM, in the experimental mode, at that time. Since then the game has gone through several rewrites, primarily due to change in writers.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbjLVocq9w03ZUYii18gRUxMqf9MC8t3q5JCV97KbJGQIej7hqK3bD6M3mic6A5WNwdRSk-h-haUtkQD1levi1kmV0QzbMrnmHi25WrnrCXLi93HG5E-p_UXskbsCUreA05dE5f41qfM/s1920/ritasubnautica_landbase.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbjLVocq9w03ZUYii18gRUxMqf9MC8t3q5JCV97KbJGQIej7hqK3bD6M3mic6A5WNwdRSk-h-haUtkQD1levi1kmV0QzbMrnmHi25WrnrCXLi93HG5E-p_UXskbsCUreA05dE5f41qfM/s320/ritasubnautica_landbase.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Below Zero still plays in the four basic modes of the first game. Survival, where you have to watch and manage your air, food, water and health. Freedom, where you only worry about air and health. Hardcore, where you have to manage air, food, water, health and you get no PDA prompts reminding you, so if you die. YOUR DONE and have to start all over from scratch. Then Creative, where you worry about nothing, you get everything at the beginning and you just poke around and do whatever you like. I would get bored in like two minutes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1gxxJ1B60QGigoFt9ir1_xmhTEBtk5YigrRo3QfB-PS08mwnTJZmbVaCarXGekDTSdnsjZ4snbjeEeC8aKBYQYeFtnna1jF-jyVkxz8SAAuhgKJiCM15cywZEMQEtPBb_YMWkoHKOk8/s1440/ritasubnautica_aliensuit.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1gxxJ1B60QGigoFt9ir1_xmhTEBtk5YigrRo3QfB-PS08mwnTJZmbVaCarXGekDTSdnsjZ4snbjeEeC8aKBYQYeFtnna1jF-jyVkxz8SAAuhgKJiCM15cywZEMQEtPBb_YMWkoHKOk8/s320/ritasubnautica_aliensuit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In Below Zero, you play Robin Ayou, a female, Xenobiologist, who comes to Planet 4546B, to investigate the death of her sister Sam Ayou. You aren't buying Alterra's story she died from negligence. While here you discover and get stuck in your head a rather annoying alien. So between investigating your sister's death, you now have to help an alien, so you can kick him out of your head.<br /><br />Now for the good points of the game I have found. The alien world is beautiful, lots of great detail, interesting new plants and creatures you get to investigate. The idea you are playing a female character, this time is a nice touch. When you get a message to listen to, on the PDA, the face of the person talking will appear in your HUD, I like that. There are several references back to the first game, if you find them. Some of the plants and creatures you will encounter are brought over from the first game, but the bulk of the creatures and plants are all new and you will need to check them all out to see if they are useful, or not. One of the more interesting creatures, is the Sea Monkey, or Sea Thief! They look cute, but if you swim around them, with any of your tools out, it becomes THEIRS! You can swim after them and attempt to get it back. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkreNUUjiCKKYOvt51oLZJOR6IQK6azru9z0Zdfkm1EFOVVU2SYYkg62290MNc5Bfiu4LCui1y3YMM4nMpVa4l74MyYmhajv846TUHHHqTWoYUa4e03GJqgAtCPRqa8KsSzDGtlKEquo/s1920/ritasubnautica_landcritter.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkreNUUjiCKKYOvt51oLZJOR6IQK6azru9z0Zdfkm1EFOVVU2SYYkg62290MNc5Bfiu4LCui1y3YMM4nMpVa4l74MyYmhajv846TUHHHqTWoYUa4e03GJqgAtCPRqa8KsSzDGtlKEquo/s320/ritasubnautica_landcritter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>There are many bases and wrecks to explore and you will need to do that to collect all the blueprints you will need for the game. Make sure to make beacons to mark them, encase you need to return to any of them later.<p></p><p>Now for the parts of the game I wasn't to thrilled with. One is right at the beginning. Our character PLANNED to come to Planet 4546B. She knows where she is going is COLD! Yet the only item she brings with her is 3 bottles of water, 3 nutrient bars and a PDA? She doesn't bring a full set of basic tools and a COLD SUIT! She is suppose to be this experienced xenobiologist, and planned this trip and brings NOTHING with her? PLEASE!<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQAgZGpFG2BjRzKrak_RMWhNvA1c_3CGcvv_mU-SV1Ye-GSeB4ko7_MFGiB-OAVzknETxhrnLY1dsWoXgcuPomOAnf6x_tWu-1t0q00dubgCo3x9rcRdmNswe_JoOokrAUDZB2kEtS3o/s768/Rita_BelowZeroBase02.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQAgZGpFG2BjRzKrak_RMWhNvA1c_3CGcvv_mU-SV1Ye-GSeB4ko7_MFGiB-OAVzknETxhrnLY1dsWoXgcuPomOAnf6x_tWu-1t0q00dubgCo3x9rcRdmNswe_JoOokrAUDZB2kEtS3o/s320/Rita_BelowZeroBase02.png" width="320" /></a></div>The next thing they never explain is, why did ALTERRA leave the planet, no one from ALTERRA is there, period. Also at the KOPPA MINING SITE, there are no habitats for an office, crew break room, power supply and storage. Plus they have drillable chunks of Titanium, Copper, Ruby, Gold, Diamonds, Quartz, in the game, but no Lead or Lithium and you need a boatload of those two items, in this game. Since they changed most of the blueprint recipes around.<br /><br />There are several new leviathans in the game, a couple you want to avoid at all costs, especially if your outside your Sea Truck or Prawn Suit, they can KILL You. The Chelicarate and the Shadow Leviathan. Even then, they will put a serious hurt on your Sea Truck or Prawn Suit. Unless you have the Perimeter Defense Module for the Sea Truck.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BmbY9_t3GvSbjq0EWn57_g9LRZ35A5p38jA5Vzu0S2_Ux9l5bY_C3kx22QxzZxr5G1jzUI0hj-qo9cdfyaDyUiyRcaT7wFs8mnvUnJ2KF3ZnXvoUnxsr-JQUMeTDbbg_OIuDn3VVlp0/s1280/ritasubnautica_prawnsuit.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BmbY9_t3GvSbjq0EWn57_g9LRZ35A5p38jA5Vzu0S2_Ux9l5bY_C3kx22QxzZxr5G1jzUI0hj-qo9cdfyaDyUiyRcaT7wFs8mnvUnJ2KF3ZnXvoUnxsr-JQUMeTDbbg_OIuDn3VVlp0/s320/ritasubnautica_prawnsuit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Which brings me to the Sea Truck, I hate it! If All I had to do was haul stuff from point A to point B, it does okay. Unfortunately, that's not all you need it to do. You have to explore! The Sea Truck is ill-suited for that job. It gets caught on everything, plants damage it, hard to control and clumsy. I have gotten to the point I explore the Sea Monkey Tunnels, near The Pilot's Last Reported Position, in my Prawn Suit.<br /><br />Is Below Zero a bad game? No, it's playable and can be enjoyable, but it could have been so much better.<p></p><p>Rita Mariner <br /> </p>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-16030436143972865992021-07-08T06:00:00.004-04:002021-07-08T17:16:38.891-04:00Game Review: Love & Sex : Second Base<p> <br />By Nydia Tungsten</p>Steam has lifted it’s ban on nudity and sex in the games it allows, and since then there has been an explosion of ‘adult’ rated games available in the steam store. Now most of them are just "teenagers' wet dreams" put into game form, with not even a plot developed before the humming and humping commence. When you hear movie reviewers refer to a movie's plot line to be as thin as a porno’s, they aren’t kidding. Just a lot of “Wham bam, thank ya ma’am.” <br /><br />It took a while for me to find a few I thought might be decent enough to recommend. I did not think it would take so long to find one, dear goddess the amount of games out there is STAGGERING. But I did find a few. The best one I found is called "Love & Sex : Second Base."<br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Merriweather,serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Merriweather,serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrnN8lnocf2LjBnbQFFk0KVlv6aKEO_hWfzIUVdf9dffqj_sCLxwdtL4meoUODithawOmQS6AM7DKzsCtRZ976N8uo3etNHf9F-gcKMHzF2wLYXUt7ovudylwyMlo1WYEVkhsRddRp2k/s1013/nydia_loveandsex01.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="969" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrnN8lnocf2LjBnbQFFk0KVlv6aKEO_hWfzIUVdf9dffqj_sCLxwdtL4meoUODithawOmQS6AM7DKzsCtRZ976N8uo3etNHf9F-gcKMHzF2wLYXUt7ovudylwyMlo1WYEVkhsRddRp2k/s320/nydia_loveandsex01.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>Just when I was about to give up hope on there being any adult game with any plot, along comes this one. It has comedy, drama and suspense in it. Along with some pretty decent artwork, well… most of it, there are a few that look like Disney and Hanna Barbarra had an Anime love child, I think it was supposed to look sexy. ( it didn’t) <br /><br />You start out as a self proclaimed “Code Monkey” working for a local company. You meet a LOT of young ladies and 99.9% of them you have a chance with, such as Anne. The two main characters you have a chance with are your two new housemates Bree and Sasha. If you do everything right, you can marry both of them in the end, but I am getting ahead of myself.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8CCmwGstYs3u17Ucesj8aDQ6-SGxDcvSKmy9jw4i21C3avWyJDShepA_Qz1L-u-Bluckg_4cer8VrrHnFHj7Fu-VlyI7dx_f6h_eRfZLhwxAHOsBs-M_5etJQJKKlb1y6gr4-iQxYkM/s512/nydia_loveandsex02.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8CCmwGstYs3u17Ucesj8aDQ6-SGxDcvSKmy9jw4i21C3avWyJDShepA_Qz1L-u-Bluckg_4cer8VrrHnFHj7Fu-VlyI7dx_f6h_eRfZLhwxAHOsBs-M_5etJQJKKlb1y6gr4-iQxYkM/w200-h113/nydia_loveandsex02.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Bree, the blond, her father is the lead character from ‘Die hard’ and he will ruin your day if you hurt his little girl. Another Easter egg is being taught martial arts by none other than ‘Master Roshi’ himself, and yeah it is kinda funny. There are a few other Easter eggs but I won’t spoil any surprise. There is a section when they play their version of D&D. It shows a few pictures of them at their table and their characters in game. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwXhpV35RJpcnIfUhOrExTHMLm1bK2DYp5-_741qyrxz7DS0Vl2lrhGqqjRf2A9mGlwlPcfPbaSiFCIXPdMWR8VKAgkvfOGuufPxP99Qs2hrQROYRN7WkXxz0H-osX8LZSa1MM8AS-uE/s512/nydia_loveandsex03.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="512" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwXhpV35RJpcnIfUhOrExTHMLm1bK2DYp5-_741qyrxz7DS0Vl2lrhGqqjRf2A9mGlwlPcfPbaSiFCIXPdMWR8VKAgkvfOGuufPxP99Qs2hrQROYRN7WkXxz0H-osX8LZSa1MM8AS-uE/w200-h112/nydia_loveandsex03.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>There is a lot of love, a lot of sex, a little bit of violence with a touch of spanking involved. When you have a high enough level with one of the women you have the option of putting a collar on them. And each one is different. Ranging from a cowbell (yeah guess her kink) to a leather and steel one. But each one of them has their own personality that you have to figure out.<br /><br />The game itself gives you ZERO hints. And without those you CAN die in multiple ways with zero warning. I know that first hand. But don’t despair, there is WIKI, yes there is already a page for it. You will find it here: <a href="https://love-sex.fandom.com/wiki/Love_%26_Sex_Wiki">https://love-sex.fandom.com/wiki/Love_%26_Sex_Wiki</a> Without those tips and hints, it can get frustrating very quickly.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZYQ78PyTSnXYkiRGGmnFjGopvPDrjTKOB3O7jJHpzXHMg1LBEntx7p5lBpDMoxxt2QF7_ugIWQeEOH8l0KJRroAN1KaosMSPKcwOVKRMK7i2FYhU0uUK3eVsw4jqIwPiesrXV-h0Qa0/s1807/nydia_loveandsex04.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1807" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZYQ78PyTSnXYkiRGGmnFjGopvPDrjTKOB3O7jJHpzXHMg1LBEntx7p5lBpDMoxxt2QF7_ugIWQeEOH8l0KJRroAN1KaosMSPKcwOVKRMK7i2FYhU0uUK3eVsw4jqIwPiesrXV-h0Qa0/s320/nydia_loveandsex04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>That said however, there is also a lot of replayability in this game. There are a LOT of story paths you can take as you play, one for each girl. It is just a matter of finding the right one for the ending you want. BUT, once you marry, there is no going back and it is game over and time to pick your next...conquest? Well pick the next girl you would like. There are a few harem endings as well if you like those and want to try for them. <br /><br />The game itself can be found here: <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1264710/Love__Sex_Second_Base/">https://store.steampowered.com/app/1264710/Love__Sex_Second_Base/</a> It is normally $20 usd but is on sale for $14.99 (caution, some picture and animations are Not Safe For Work). <br /><br />So in my opinion it is worth it IF you are looking for this kind of ‘dating sim’. I will leave off here, if you get the game let me know YOUR opinion and see if we agree.<br /><br />Until then, may the prize be yours and may you save the princess! <br /><br />GOOD GAMING TO YOU!<br /><br />Nydia Tungsten<br /> <br /><p></p>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-42474130660992238582021-01-15T17:00:00.002-05:002021-01-15T19:59:42.084-05:00Trump Twitter Ban Raises Questions About Roles and Responsibilities of Social Media<p> <br />By Bixyl Shuftan<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqEVMR0RRR9NPpkpRfS5iF4IUa4MfKa5666XuAjjl99vMc2DoRNt4nVztGmgUL3vP-VQOQ4Y08F43sMT1TnGgRcrmkAhptVrtJcLFnVd1znBXiUURxhUtxhxlJkQlC2Y1PZzrL1qeWTw/s646/trumptwitterban.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="646" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqEVMR0RRR9NPpkpRfS5iF4IUa4MfKa5666XuAjjl99vMc2DoRNt4nVztGmgUL3vP-VQOQ4Y08F43sMT1TnGgRcrmkAhptVrtJcLFnVd1znBXiUURxhUtxhxlJkQlC2Y1PZzrL1qeWTw/s320/trumptwitterban.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />It was about a week ago on Friday January 8 <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55597840">that President Donald Trump was permanently banned by the social medial platform Twitter</a>. The reasons given by Twitter on <a href="https://blog.twitter.com/en_us/topics/company/2020/suspension.html">it's official announcement</a> were "recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them — specifically how they are being received and interpreted on and off Twitter." <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-twitter-ban-raises-concerns-unchecked-power-big/story?id=75150689">The ban got attention for a number reasons</a>. One was that no previous President had relied so much on the social media platform, or anything similar. His numerous, and unfiltered, tweets to his followers, sometimes "dozens a day," were a big part of how he communicates with the public. While Trump's separate <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS">Presidential account remains</a>, the takedown of his personal account meant the loss of his most frequently used means to communicate.<br /><br />While Trump's opponents supported the move, many saying the ban should have been done a long time ago, a number have expressed criticism and reservations. Conservatives and populists accused Twitter of taking sides in political debate. Libertarians expressed concerns about free speech issues, especially as like or dislike him that Trump as US President is a major figure in US Government while he is in office. <br /><br />A number of Trump's statements over Twitter were flagged for misinformation, notably some during the election, which itself touched off controversy. Various civil rights groups have criticized Twitter and other platforms for allowing Trump to air conspiracy theories and false claims. But the American Civil Liberties Union, while critical of his statements as well in the past, also expressed concern about the ban, saying while they understood the reasons for the ban, "the unchecked power" of major social media "should concern everyone."<br /><br />Katie Fallow, a senior staff attorney at Columbia University's Knight First Amendment Institute, felt the Trump Presidency has brought about new questions about the roles and responsibilites for social media platforms such as Twitter for both people in government and those advocating for free speech. "Some people have called for (applying) antitrust law to the social media platforms on the idea that there's essentially a monopoly on the speech environment, but those are untested legal waters," she spoke.<br /><br />British Health Secretary Matt Hancock felt the Twitter ban, in addition to bans by Facebook and Instagram, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-55609903">raise a "very big question" about how social media is regulated</a>, commenting the bans were "taking editorial decisions." He went on to say while the scenes in Washington DC, "were terrible - and I was very sad to see that because American democracy is such a proud thing," he added, "But there's something else that has changed, which is that social media platforms are making editorial decisions now. That's clear because they're choosing who should and shouldn't have a voice on their platform."<br /><br /><a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-european-leaders-question-twitter-donald-trump-ban/">Other officials in Europe expressed concerns</a>. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the ban "problematic." French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire condemned Trump's "lies," but also spoke out against the ban, "What shocks me is that Twitter is the one to close his account. The regulation of the digital world cannot be done by the digital oligarchy."<br /><br />Currently, social media companies are protected under US Federal law by Section 230, a provision of the 1996 Communications and Decency Act, which shields platforms from being held liable in court for the speech of users, unlike traditional media companies. But critics feel considering how much has changed since then and how big Facebook and Twitter have become, it's past time for a change. Trump and some of his supporters have called for a repeal of the law. But Fallow stated such a repeal would end up hurting him and other populists as the law shields Twitter and other social media of responsibility for allowing them to use the platforms. <br /><br />Jack Dorsey, the man in charge of Twitter, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55657417 ">would issue a series of statements on Wednesday Jan 13</a>, feeling the ban was "right," but also "dangerous," with potential consequences for free speech later on.<br /><br /><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcIGj1cZUNbHuMWl6xxAqUdq0h2hvPWCrUnfKmNvAH1YzxV-QEysAAGWYI7yVBtKJSBGf6IQAIXo7SPFUncGfCntedm-jvjiZYGhKry18BxzgHzGIcPswU4KbzBHE_DGlF1vTayFcuIM/s598/2021-01-15+jack+on+Twitter.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcIGj1cZUNbHuMWl6xxAqUdq0h2hvPWCrUnfKmNvAH1YzxV-QEysAAGWYI7yVBtKJSBGf6IQAIXo7SPFUncGfCntedm-jvjiZYGhKry18BxzgHzGIcPswU4KbzBHE_DGlF1vTayFcuIM/s320/2021-01-15+jack+on+Twitter.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />I do not celebrate or feel pride in our having to ban @realDonaldTrump from Twitter, or how we got here. After a clear warning we’d take this action, we made a decision with the best information we had based on threats to physical safety both on and off Twitter. Was this correct? <br /><br />I believe this was the right decision for Twitter. We faced an extraordinary and untenable circumstance, forcing us to focus all of our actions on public safety. Offline harm as a result of online speech is demonstrably real, and what drives our policy and enforcement above all.<br /><br />That said, having to ban an account has real and significant ramifications. While there are clear and obvious exceptions, I feel a ban is a failure of ours ultimately to promote healthy conversation. And a time for us to reflect on our operations and the environment around us.<br /><br />Having to take these actions fragment the public conversation. They divide us. They limit the potential for clarification, redemption, and learning. And sets a precedent I feel is dangerous: the power an individual or corporation has over a part of the global public conversation.<br /><br />The check and accountability on this power has always been the fact that a service like Twitter is one small part of the larger public conversation happening across the internet. If folks do not agree with our rules and enforcement, they can simply go to another internet service.<br /><br />This concept was challenged last week when a number of foundational internet tool providers also decided not to host what they found dangerous. I do not believe this was coordinated. More likely: companies came to their own conclusions or were emboldened by the actions of others.<br /><br />This moment in time might call for this dynamic, but over the long term it will be destructive to the noble purpose and ideals of the open internet. A company making a business decision to moderate itself is different from a government removing access, yet can feel much the same.<br /><br />Yes, we all need to look critically at inconsistencies of our policy and enforcement. Yes, we need to look at how our service might incentivize distraction and harm. Yes, we need more transparency in our moderation operations. All this can’t erode a free and open global internet.</i><br /><br />Twitter has also been criticized on the move on the grounds that while Trump's account is gone, some very undemocratic world leaders still have theirs. But Twitter has suspended some of these accounts on occasions in the past for violating it's rules. In another example of social media enforcing it's rules, a few days ago <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55623722">Facebook shut down several accounts liked to the Ugandan government</a>.<br /><br />President Trump is due to step down on Wednesday January 20. <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden">Joe Biden</a>, whom also has a personal Twitter account, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-55675826">was given another one as President-elect</a>, "Folks — This will be the account for my official duties as President. At 12:01 PM on January 20th, it will become @POTUS. Until then, I'll be using @JoeBiden."<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sources: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55597840">BBC News</a>, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-twitter-ban-raises-concerns-unchecked-power-big/story?id=75150689">ABC News</a>, <a href="https://blog.twitter.com/en_us/topics/company/2020/suspension.html">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-european-leaders-question-twitter-donald-trump-ban/">Politico</a></i></span><br /><br />Bixyl Shuftan<br /><br /><p></p>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-49400117504677871902021-01-13T06:00:00.014-05:002021-01-13T06:00:05.959-05:00Whatever Happened to Linden Lab's Blocksworld?<p> <br />By Bixyl Shuftan<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1np2vU88N6GhL6gfenQhPOC6oto8YqfSprnZIalVfdz8unGAdlBmop2-A7z-LUAFhhLF1fCADKmZIVAPN1wR6ZuXyeWcuCMViWMecGChZQAdTNeIwp-sqARADmQc1iJrB4gIAhg7rJ_E/s220/blocksworld1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1np2vU88N6GhL6gfenQhPOC6oto8YqfSprnZIalVfdz8unGAdlBmop2-A7z-LUAFhhLF1fCADKmZIVAPN1wR6ZuXyeWcuCMViWMecGChZQAdTNeIwp-sqARADmQc1iJrB4gIAhg7rJ_E/s0/blocksworld1.jpg" /></a></div>Longtime residents may remember the days of Rod Humble when Linden Lab's strategy then was to offer more than just Second Life, <a href="http://othergrids.blogspot.com/2020/02/top-stories-of-2010s-linden-labs-shared.html">but either developing or buying other products they hoped would make up for it's then declining income from the virtual world</a>. Among them was Blocksworld, which the Lab <a href="http://slnewser.blogspot.com/2013/01/linden-lab-buys-blocksworld-ipad-game.html">acquired in January 2013</a>. Described as "a mix of Lego and Minecraft," it was clearly aimed at younger users than Second Life. It did have one advantage to the virtual world then, it was playable on tablets. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6zgFKGaFcAs" width="471" youtube-src-id="6zgFKGaFcAs"></iframe></div> <br />By the middle of the year, <a href="https://slnewser.blogspot.com/2013/08/linden-labs-blocksworld-proving-success.html">Blocksworld was doing pretty good</a>. The game in August 2013 was doing downloaded at a rate more than Candy Crush. It probably wasn't making nearly as much as the game, which was described to be making $880,000 a day at the time, as <a href="https://slnewser.blogspot.com/2013/09/update-on-linden-labs-blocksworld.html">it was a top download in just the "Family" category</a>. But it was the most successful of Linden Lab's products other than Second Life, and the only such product of the "Shared Creative Spaces" era that would remain at the end of 2014.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdgKTbTymQphNbX4_Y0NVqF90ivXfyJv8DmNK1TjdhyphenhyphenQRcClTZ6tmYMKq2FdKFhUzUGAyuFzKrMIl0i0IPqfQ9BfpoymjknB_WCxbDEnEwWa2etxVcF6MIP3nCkqpfqUvGz2QOUzdnek/s1208/2021-01-12+Create+Virtual+Experiences+Linden+Lab%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdgKTbTymQphNbX4_Y0NVqF90ivXfyJv8DmNK1TjdhyphenhyphenQRcClTZ6tmYMKq2FdKFhUzUGAyuFzKrMIl0i0IPqfQ9BfpoymjknB_WCxbDEnEwWa2etxVcF6MIP3nCkqpfqUvGz2QOUzdnek/s320/2021-01-12+Create+Virtual+Experiences+Linden+Lab%25281%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>In 2019, Blocksworld was still listed as one of Linden Lab's products and was available in Steam. But a recent look at https://www.lindenlab.com shows both Second Life and Tilia, but no sign of Blocksworld. And checking <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/642390/Blocksworld/ ">the Steam page</a>, there was the following message: Notice: At the request of the publisher, Blocksworld is no longer available for sale on Steam. Checking <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blocksworld">Wikipedia</a>, "As the game got downplayed by Linden Lab, the game remained without updates since early 2018, then the servers were fully shut down on June 17, 2020."<br /><br />So what happened to Blocksworld? There was an effort by Linden Lab too make something of it. In March, they <a href="https://www.lindenlab.com/releases/blocksworld-expands-to-iphone-and-offers-real-money-redemptions-to-creators">announced an update that allowed players to sell content for virtual coin and allowed people to cash the coin in for real-life currency</a>. According to a page in fandom.com. "<a href="https://blocksworld.fandom.com/wiki/The_Fall_of_Blocksworld">The Fall of Blocksworld</a>," there was also, "a contest to see who could build the best world based off of a theme, determined beforehand by the Linden Labs Employees," from about once a week to once a month, at least until 2017. The Lab also made a deal with Hasbro and people had access to "My Little Pony" and "Transformers" sets, and build characters from the shows. <br /><br />Unfortunately, the Lab was being described as lax when it came to enforcing content rules. Rival groups began forming and started engaging in "wars" in which a group would build a world showing another group as getting clobbered. There were also players that were uploading obviously adult content. According the the page, Linden Lab didn't act on them at first, and the result was people leaving due to the drama and the family-environment tainted. Eventually it did start to ban adult content uploaders, but their solution to the "wars" was to limit players to building one world a day and just three models a day. The Lab also stopped the building contests and didn't renew their license to allow MLP and Transformer content. The Lab was also described as laying off the one employee whom was good at keeping the place from getting hacked and loaded with questionable content. Then came a glitch that kept people from logging into the computer version of Blocksworld and caused problems with the tablet app.<br /><br />Over time the page stated, the game had dropped in popularity to the point the Lab decided it was a lost cause, and that was the reason it was shut down in June 2020 with no announcement.<br /><br />It should be noted that "The Fall of Blocksworld" was the only page I found with reasons as to why Blocksworld was closed. If there's any players from the place that saw what happened, your comments are welcome<p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blocksworld">Wikipedia</a>, <a href="https://www.lindenlab.com/releases/blocksworld-expands-to-iphone-and-offers-real-money-redemptions-to-creators">Linden Lab</a>, <a href="https://blocksworld.fandom.com/wiki/The_Fall_of_Blocksworld">Fandom</a>,</i></span><br /><br />Bixyl Shuftan<br /><br /></p>Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-34738657890969178422020-09-07T14:00:00.000-04:002020-09-07T17:19:58.035-04:00Sansar Update: A New Direction, Torley, And Account Issues<br />
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The Newser hasn't written much about Sansar, the "next generation virtual world" since <a href="https://slnewser.blogspot.com/2020/03/linden-lab-announces-sansars-sale-to.html">Linden Lab sold it to Wookey in March</a>.
For most Second Life users, only a handful such as Draxtor Despres
expressed enthusiasm about it. So most reactions of it's sale were along
the lines of "good riddance" and "why did it tale so long?" While many
of it's personnel stayed with Linden Lab and went back to Second Life,
<a href="https://modemworld.me/2020/04/09/sansar-product-meetings-2020-week-15/">some such as Torley Linden stayed and left the Lab</a>. Torley is still with
Sansar as it's Production Director. Another former Linden, Sheri
Bryant, also stayed, continuing as it's General Manager.<br />
<br />
Under
Linden Lab, the original concept of Sansar appeared to be as Second
Life's successor. But as it's development went on, the Lab began to
realize most of it's residents would be reluctant to do more than casual
visits. But it went on and to it's credit stuck with Sansar for some
years, <a href="https://ryanschultz.com/2020/02/24/editorial-high-fidelity-sansar-and-the-sin-of-hubris-and-why-second-life-users-hatred-of-sansar-contributed-to-its-downfall-2/">but didn't seem to have much of a plan other than "if you build it, they will come," and not many came</a>.
Exactly what Linden Lab could have done to make it work, and why it
didn't do more has been debated numerous times. Perhaps it was simply
beyond the Lab's ability to make Sansar thrive while operating Second
Life.<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WDIPhfOh6JQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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(<a href="https://youtu.be/WDIPhfOh6JQ">Click here if the video does not play</a>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLfgbKG73ne03k4zLhLP2-0-dxdO0wBhiIrVCr78vX6MsDdlRQ2FjIvK9rcoXbzd_ok1SGksmWt-9kQqyZwKui4bgAmlW4mkCJuWsaIKQbSOhPuIeW0w9jrB3c8wjWDv6B_PkeSiBIqk/s1600/2020-09-07+%25287b%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="800" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLfgbKG73ne03k4zLhLP2-0-dxdO0wBhiIrVCr78vX6MsDdlRQ2FjIvK9rcoXbzd_ok1SGksmWt-9kQqyZwKui4bgAmlW4mkCJuWsaIKQbSOhPuIeW0w9jrB3c8wjWDv6B_PkeSiBIqk/s320/2020-09-07+%25287b%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
So how has Sansar been doing under Wookey? <a href="https://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2020/08/sansar-social-vr-linden-lab-wookey.html">According to an article in New World Notes</a>, lately it's been looking less like an open-ended virtual world where users can create their own experiences and more of a "virtual venue platform" for live events.<br />
<br />
<i>It's a smart move to target the live music/concert market in the COVID
age. And I do like a lot of the functionality they are showing off in
the video, especially avatar-to-avatar VR meet-and-greets for artists.</i> <br />
<br />
Going to the website, <a href="https://www.sansar.com/">https://www.sansar.com/</a> , there's a clear emphasis on live events, right down to the title: "Sansar - A New Live Events Destination." There's nothing on the front page about being able to make your own content or create your own place, just a link to the old atlas of user-generated places on the bottom.<br />
<br />
This isn't necessarily a better approach as if a person has time to hang around once the event is over, unlike Second Life where someone with even a small amount of experience knows they can explore around. But it seems Wookey's Sansar has come to the conclusion this is their best course of action to get users, and money.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSwzzhYLDjz36y1DOxBsfpmrRGmT4fJxLtDsV7OeuBAqgi9J_znyXK9fmCRE61P3-gGRqHlfGQaRH32C1ZiHmSoMfiqIjzKHji0n-AeWSZGcidKC6s3NqrihdgXVtc58QYKKJMXZGaYs/s1600/cyfir_sansar01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1395" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSwzzhYLDjz36y1DOxBsfpmrRGmT4fJxLtDsV7OeuBAqgi9J_znyXK9fmCRE61P3-gGRqHlfGQaRH32C1ZiHmSoMfiqIjzKHji0n-AeWSZGcidKC6s3NqrihdgXVtc58QYKKJMXZGaYs/s320/cyfir_sansar01.png" width="320" /></a></div>
However, there is one customer service problem that former Newser writer Cyfir informed me about. From his point of view, it's "almost impossible" for Sansar users to erase their accounts, "I requested to be removed back in may out of concerns that the new company would not handle my personal information in the right way. And four months later, I get an email, which just happened to be during my three day vacation, requesting information and proof that I am part of the European Union (Cyfir is in the US) ... and they gave me three days to reply before closing the request."<br />
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And as Cyfir wasn't in a position to check his email until after his vacation, the company sent him another email saying "as we have not heard back from you, our support system has automatically marked your ticket as resolved." As Cyfir put it, "So if I still want to close my account, I would have to send another request, wait another four months, and all the while they still have my personal information and my account is still active on a platform I don't want to be on."<br />
<br />
Coming across <a href="https://help.sansar.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/115009779626-Delete-Account">this thread</a> in the Sansar "Bug Reports" forum, there were others whom found themselves in similar positions, including when the world was owned by Linden Lab. While some tried to assure them it shouldn't be much trouble, the response was that deleting accounts was a lot more difficult than it ought to be, "I've not bothered to repeat the request because every answer has made it
clear no one is interested in helping. Not wanting an account here is
not a protest, its simply a matter or personal privacy- which in this
case is being handled poorly to say the least. being able to delete an
account should be a very basic function of the system. what reason
could there be to not allow it? Maybe to hold onto personal data that
the person does not wish them to have- like name and e-mail." It seems those whom have yet to visit Sansar and are considering giving it a look may need to keep this in mind.<br />
<br />
So under Wooley, Sansar has found itself a new direction with a few of Linden Lab's talent keeping it going, such as Torley. But it appears not unlike the "Hotel California," those trying to check out may find they can't truly leave.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Source: <a href="https://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2020/08/sansar-social-vr-linden-lab-wookey.html">New World Notes</a>, <a href="https://modemworld.me/2020/04/09/sansar-product-meetings-2020-week-15/">Modem World</a> , <a href="https://ryanschultz.com/2020/02/24/editorial-high-fidelity-sansar-and-the-sin-of-hubris-and-why-second-life-users-hatred-of-sansar-contributed-to-its-downfall-2/">Ryan Schult</a>z </i></span><br />
<br />
Bixyl ShuftanBixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-12333731186819959922020-08-07T06:00:00.000-04:002020-08-07T06:00:05.770-04:00Mooogle As A Search Engine For The Metaverse<br />
By Marcel Mosswood<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9Ti8jFKqlko_Af9eo4dShm3P2GqKR2m73fX6JYIb75WfeJ1m2GKuXidO5E8YZdqYTRIQ4FopD21THwsvDSRmCtVNrWeLGpBH13AUYs9v5P18o2We4ns-fymhECpcVjUWVQbKx_9rjeo/s1600/moogle01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1404" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9Ti8jFKqlko_Af9eo4dShm3P2GqKR2m73fX6JYIb75WfeJ1m2GKuXidO5E8YZdqYTRIQ4FopD21THwsvDSRmCtVNrWeLGpBH13AUYs9v5P18o2We4ns-fymhECpcVjUWVQbKx_9rjeo/s400/moogle01.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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As an Internet user, what is important and what you should be able to do? Know how to find a website or information that meets your needs among millions of other websites. We know Google as the most popular search engine today for all web needs, if we search for one keyword, it will display a larger selection of websites thar might suit our needs. But what if we just want to find websites related to the Metaverse?<br />
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One day, I tested with the words "Marcel and Sebastian's." What appears there is not what I meant. Then I expanded the words to include "art gallery," and it displayed art galleries in the real world, and a very small number in the Metaverse. It's hard to find anything specific about the Metaverse world. But do you know about Mooogle?<br />
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Mooogle is a search engine specifically for all websites of the Metaverse. So if I search with the keyword "art gallery," then it will display all websites that discuss art galleries in the virtual world. Likewise, if I search for education, all that comes up is about education in the Metaverse. With Mooogle, I can easily search for information about the Metaverse world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNaJ4LfRjJtClCzH3V928VczTo0mNrY4-5IL_3gy1a_7t58rTtX9-5_RSS58-8JdrEu17B7Ceh8hcezDFha4msj5WGYQFdpQn_dqcmR0mSnSKR2twjnK1yeCT59fYFsTYBHguz91a0Ac/s1600/moogle02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1317" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNaJ4LfRjJtClCzH3V928VczTo0mNrY4-5IL_3gy1a_7t58rTtX9-5_RSS58-8JdrEu17B7Ceh8hcezDFha4msj5WGYQFdpQn_dqcmR0mSnSKR2twjnK1yeCT59fYFsTYBHguz91a0Ac/s400/moogle02.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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How to access it simply by clicking on: https://mooogle.gridlist.info/ then fill in the keywords in the search box. It's as easy as turning your palm. If your website that contains your adventure in the metaverse world can't be displayed by this search engine, then you need to register your website at <a href="https://dir.mooogle.gridlist.info/suggest.php?action=addlink&catid=0">https://dir.mooogle.gridlist.info/suggest.php?action=addlink&catid=0</a> Registration is very easy. And in no more than forty-eight hours, your website can be found in Mooogle search engine. <br />
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If you want to find out more about Mooogle please click here: <br />
<a href="https://wiki.gridlist.info/mooogle?fbclid=IwAR2SEAP0s2qm5EEw3VBQx3ZqSLgaCK_E3_8bwcpjUx47c-dUza0gYIIOA8U">https://wiki.gridlist.info/mooogle?fbclid=IwAR2SEAP0s2qm5EEw3VBQx3ZqSLgaCK_E3_8bwcpjUx47c-dUza0gYIIOA8U</a><br />
<br />
Marcel Mosswood<br />
<br />Bixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-18482433532253654762020-07-29T06:00:00.000-04:002020-07-29T06:00:00.785-04:00Tales From Gaming : "L Is Real"<br />
From Cyfir (Cyfiremmerich)<br />
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When I was growing up, we didn’t have the Internet. We spent much of our free time either outside or playing video games. For those who leaned more toward playing video games, there was probably no better time for the launch of the Nintendo 64. I spent hours in games like Super Mario 64 exploring every nook and cranny and trying to unlock everything that I could. When I finally did unlock everything, I set my sights to rumors that I heard about other unlockables in the game. One was that if you wall jumped just right outside in the corner of the castle, you could make it up to the roof without the need for unlocking the cannon. Failing that, I turned my sights to another rumor about Luigi being in the game. Apparently, in the back courtyard of the castle, there was a sign that seemed like it read “L is Real 2401” and many believed that this was proof that Luigi was somehow unlockable in the game. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bFy2JG3LSQgqu3wharOcnnKJ4trJpSBSTCs8VOlLx-opYnip6XE1eEGAqXvHLXZzpAeX0FNBs6sqIuhDle9dLlh_J5SdMCqMc6VnI4DI8t57hhJLmfJPnZp6GZ3sNeUAXULbCOD1uOU/s1600/cyfir_lisrealscreen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="505" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bFy2JG3LSQgqu3wharOcnnKJ4trJpSBSTCs8VOlLx-opYnip6XE1eEGAqXvHLXZzpAeX0FNBs6sqIuhDle9dLlh_J5SdMCqMc6VnI4DI8t57hhJLmfJPnZp6GZ3sNeUAXULbCOD1uOU/s400/cyfir_lisrealscreen2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In reality, this sign texture was just some random blurry texture asset that they even used in "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time," and these rumors were just the result of bored youth trying to find anything to do with their time that they could. However, twenty four years later, it turns out that they were at least partially right about the Luigi rumor.<br />
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Thanks to a recent massive leak of assets from Nintendo, it was discovered that Luigi was indeed in the source code of the game. This was due to the fact that there were original plans for the game to be two player. But that was scrapped in development due to them not being able to decide how to do it and the technical abilities of the system at the time. Of course, he had not been compiled into the actual game, so there was no way to actually unlock him by playing the game normally. But hackers got to work on retrieving the polygon and texture assets from the character model.<br />
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And here he is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwA714-K4TcGyMaPm7281uD_-AFz6NQRF0ZD8w4503Yyc7Iyn8n-nYVRJLby49IdGToZP6G-uaY3LXXdD2xga4YzVHJdQwm5HuCB4Qg57uPSX2xZA_tXnScVcmdrAyXqAOJT8RaclYDw/s1600/Cyfir_Ed03mAYX0AAa4nL.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="553" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwA714-K4TcGyMaPm7281uD_-AFz6NQRF0ZD8w4503Yyc7Iyn8n-nYVRJLby49IdGToZP6G-uaY3LXXdD2xga4YzVHJdQwm5HuCB4Qg57uPSX2xZA_tXnScVcmdrAyXqAOJT8RaclYDw/s400/Cyfir_Ed03mAYX0AAa4nL.jpeg" width="326" /></a></div>
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L is real after all.<br />
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CyfirBixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943819352730867656.post-87237310568616088762020-07-22T06:00:00.000-04:002020-07-22T06:00:02.113-04:00The Importance of Digital Media<br />
By Cyfir (Cyfiremmerich Resident)<br />
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In <a href="http://othergrids.blogspot.com/2020/07/why-physical-media-is-still-important.html">my last article</a>, I covered the importance of preserving physical media for future generations. If we got rid of all physical media in favor of going “all digital,” it could severely limit our ability to preserve works of art in the future. That being said, there are many advantages of digital media that do need to be covered in the interest of fairness. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjYCrShKaoCgKckEhIZpasiHK0usDq8iLeLo7XmOIqnCn83mc28w5c5pSPGjXSIxRCfpReNJdjZk_XjZjmXRdkdfHmsUQCH1VYo0Qn7V4_gW3r9Q9vK7uo4PtyVrEA9DJwGylREPTZ8g/s1600/cyfir_importanceofdigitalmedia01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjYCrShKaoCgKckEhIZpasiHK0usDq8iLeLo7XmOIqnCn83mc28w5c5pSPGjXSIxRCfpReNJdjZk_XjZjmXRdkdfHmsUQCH1VYo0Qn7V4_gW3r9Q9vK7uo4PtyVrEA9DJwGylREPTZ8g/s320/cyfir_importanceofdigitalmedia01.jpg" width="320" /></a>One big advantage that digital media has over physical media is that you can often get it quicker. Instead of having to wait for it to show up in the mail or having to drive to the local store, all you have to do is purchase digital media with your credit or debit card online and download or stream it. With a pandemic going on, this obviously means that there is less risk to you or the person who has to deliver it to your house.<br />
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Obviously, being able to just download or stream media is more convenient. We live in a convenience society. We want things now, not later. We’re busy. Shaving off time anywhere we can is important to us. It’s more convenient to just start up your video game system and select the game you want to play from the menu rather than looking for the game on your shelf, opening the case, inserting the game, and waiting for it to load. Hell, we even eliminated the step of getting up to turn on your console. Most consoles today are able to be turned on with the included controller. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWebxIiI-MUu5fSn6bJCpCan04fbciiVDWYZ2q2bLA437aXJ5ONloP1X8wfySgBviLKz8G4LIB9mw_qsgIqjE9GSlC-ECkIsz5qWAsyGFyzZGCtgZoeC2qXef_DRv576rCiMvblziaY4/s1600/cyfir_importanceofdigitalmedia02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1600" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWebxIiI-MUu5fSn6bJCpCan04fbciiVDWYZ2q2bLA437aXJ5ONloP1X8wfySgBviLKz8G4LIB9mw_qsgIqjE9GSlC-ECkIsz5qWAsyGFyzZGCtgZoeC2qXef_DRv576rCiMvblziaY4/s320/cyfir_importanceofdigitalmedia02.jpg" width="320" /></a>Economically, digital media is a great option, especially for independent companies and creators. Physical media can be cost prohibitive for independents to get published, physically produced, and shipped. It’s much cheaper to just put a game, movie, or song up on a digital storefront. That’s why you nearly only ever see video games from independent publishers on digital storefronts. <br />
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You would think that the environmental impact of digital media would be less than physical media. You don’t have to use environmental resources to manufacture digital content. You don’t have to load it on a truck, boat, and plane and burn a bunch of fossil fuels to get it to your local store or your house. However, the servers that digital media are stored on run on electricity. These servers have to be up and running day and night. The environmental impact that these servers have or totally dependent on where the companies running the servers get their electricity from. Many server farms run on renewable energy. Google in particular took many initiatives to get their electricity from renewable sources. <br />
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Digital media has many advantages, just like it has many disadvantages. I do not believe that digital media should ever fully replace physical media. It’s an option, though, and options are good.<br />
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CyfirBixyl Shuftanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15409792769906782556noreply@blogger.com0