Tag: Gaming

Interesting Ways Live-Streaming Is Changing Our Lives

While just a few years back live-streaming was seen as something innovative, the last couple of years really brought it to the forefront of your lives. Although this useful feature made it a bit easier during the last two years of the pandemic, it was on the rise even before we saw everything shut down due to COVID.

But, when did live-streaming begin and how did it get to where it is now? Which areas of our lives has it affected? Read on for more info.

A short history of live-streaming

If you’ve been taking live-streaming for granted and never really looked into its history, here is a quick guide that will teach you everything you need to know. The first live stream ever took place on June 24, 1993, when Severe Tire Damage, a band from Palo Alto, performed at Xerox PARC headquarters. During their performance, scientists from Xerox PARC were talking about a new technology, called multicasting at the time, that would make broadcasting online possible. In 1995, RealPlayer – the first media player that was capable of live-streaming was developed.

The world saw many technological developments in the next two decades and it’s only normal that the world of live-streaming changed as well. In addition to the rise of YouTube in the late ‘00s and Twitch in the early ‘10s, nowadays there are so many other live-streaming options available, from various social media platforms to other platforms that were made specifically for certain events.

With that in mind, what areas of life has live-streaming found a home in and why is it so popular?

News

Although channels that air news 24/7 have been available for a few decades, being able to stream news as they happen on social media has been a game-changer. For example, not only can broadcasting companies now share news all over the world but so can regular people. Simply by going live on Instagram, Facebook, or some other platform, people can show real-time developments in a certain matter. From live-streaming protests to using live-streaming to stay safe in certain situations, the ability to reach an instant audience comes with many benefits and makes spreading information much easier.

Education

Live-streaming has been present in education for a while, making it possible to reach a wide audience that cannot be present for a lecture. However, the pandemic put this type of teaching and studying into the spotlight. Live-streaming makes it easy for people to gather a class of interested students, regardless of where they live. Moreover, as audience participation is also possible and sometimes encouraged, watchers can easily type questions in the chat or directly ask them during the stream. This helps create an atmosphere that resembles the traditional classroom. With more and more alternatives for such an event available, the use of live-streaming in education is only expected to grow.

Entertainment

Live-streaming has also made a big impact on the entertainment industry. While we typically associate streaming with TV shows, this is not actually live-streaming. However, more and more content creators are using live-streaming to connect with their audiences. For example, in order to promote new shows and movies, Netflix regularly organizes live streams that include the cast and director during which they answer various questions. Other types of entertainment that we can find include live music and theater, which are being streamed while they are being performed so that a wider audience that cannot travel or fit into the venue can watch as well. Moreover, there are even influencers and various celebrities that live stream on their Instagram accounts while lounging around their home or doing some everyday tasks.

Gaming

The gaming industry has also seen a huge rise in popularity due to live-streaming. Viewers are able to watch their favorite Twitch gamer play their favorite game and even provide input by taking part in polls during the stream. Moreover, the live-streaming technology also impacted how we play games as now there are online casinos where users can play poker and other games with live dealers while also interacting with them via chat. For instance, SkyCityCasino offers a wide variety of live-streaming games, including roulette, baccarat, and blackjack, just like many other giants in this industry.

Business

How business is done is affected by live-streaming as well. While businesses were forced to implement working from home practices in order to be able to operate during the pandemic, live-streaming presents this industry with various benefits beyond the current circumstances. Not only can everyone in the company be able to be present during meetings but a wider audience can also be present during new product presentations and business events. An enterprise’s marketing endeavors can be boosted too, thanks to live-streaming. From being introduced to employees to answering various questions, social media and the ability to live-stream brought businesses closer to their target audience.

 

Live-streaming is no longer an innovation but a staple in our lives. It will only continue to change and improve our experiences in an increasing number of spheres.

Royal Frontier – Epic Turn Based RPG out now onPlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Steam PC and Nintendo Switch

Indie publisher Ratalaika Games, in collaboration with Finland developer Woblyware, is delighted to announce the digital release of Royal Frontier  for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Steam PC and Nintendo Switch.

Billed as an epic roguelite styled, light hearted, turned based, strategic adventure it encompasses many exciting experiences and challenges giving it a broader appeal than many other similar games of this genre.

Setting the scene

Settlers are ready to head East, across the perilous continent, through hardships and dangers, in hopes for a better life in the far away land. A group of heroes is tasked to guide the caravan safely through the dangerous continent. Not all succeed. The main goal of the game is to choose the right paths, make the right decisions while making the most of the resources you have available, and guide the settlers safely through the continent. The game also gives players smaller challenges they can try to complete on each run.

Features:

  • Unlock characters and power ups for your next trip
  • Use the gold to buy weapons and equipment
  • Take decisions that can help or hurt your party
  • Turn-based and time-based combat
  • Choose your road wisely

 

The Challenge is set

Each run will be different, and as you play more you will unlock new heroes to try out and more powerful blessings that will push you towards the final boss. 60 optional challenges  that vary from surviving 4 days without taking any damage to hunting down Old Sawtooth, an ancient grizzly living in the heart of the forest.

Royal Frontier has a wide variety of items, spells, heroes and monsters to keep each run interesting. The paths and events the player experiences are randomly chosen for each run, so every time you play the game, it should be a new experience. Combinations of different heroes will require the player to try new tactics and finding the right combination of heroes can be critical for survival.

Get Ready

Before each run the player will get to choose 3 heroes from a total of 6. After that they will choose 3 out of a selection of 48 blessings. Blessings will give the party various buffs that will increase the chances of survival. The party will face a wide variety of monsters along the way. From lowly goblins to powerful ogres. There is also a boss at the end of each area, as well as optional bosses the players can hunt down, in search of greater challenges and rewards.

The length of the game will of course vary greatly depending on the player’s abilities but Royal Frontier has a really nice intuitive feel to ensure fun and immersement into the experience.The game doesn’t end when the player completes one run. Each run is different and the player won’t be able to find all treasures, bosses, or complete all challenges during one run. So the replayability is quite high

VR Bartending heads into Space to Meta Quest and Meta Quest 2

Startenders, developed by Bristol-based Foggy Box Games, is a new VR bartending experience out now on Meta Quest and Meta Quest 2. An immersive arcade-style game with a wacky sci-fi narrative, Startenders puts players behind the bar to mix cocktails for an assortment of weird and wonderful patrons.

As a newly enrolled intern in the Startenders Academy, players will have to shake, slice, cryo blast and serve to level up their skills behind the bar. Startenders has over 100 named recipes utilising over 25 ingredients which can be served at three different temperatures, within three styles of glass and topped off with 13 different garnishes, so there’s plenty to keep on top of as you rise through the bartending ranks. That’s over two million unique combinations of possible drinks – a lot.

Startenders offers ‘Story’, ‘Free Mix’, ‘Pass the Headset’ and ‘Daily Run’ game modes, allowing players to enjoy a hilarious narrative adventure meeting new alien species, experiment with the craziest cocktails imaginable or compare their drinks-making skills with the rest of the world in daily challenges.

“We wanted each player’s Startenders experience to be unique, so we built a system that can provide endless procedurally generated shifts, with different customers and orders each time you play,” says Chris Youles, Creative Director of Foggy Box Games. “We strove to create an experience where the players are not punished for having fun, even if it means going off script. The game doesn’t have fail-states or restarts, we want players to experiment and let their creativity influence their mixology.”

Features

  • Full hand tracking
  • Pass The Headset local social party mode
  • Create your own custom drinks for customers to order
  • Make multiple drinks on time and as requested – the quicker and more accurate your concoction the higher your tips.
  • Upgrade your equipment, purchase different ingredients to discover a wide array of drinks to serve.
  • You get one chance a day compete on the global leader board for the best score in Daily Play
  • Relax or train in-between shifts in your habitat

Startenders features a range of VR specific accessibility options for the comfort of players. Playable seated or standing, the game also allows for teleport node-based locomotion and optional snap turning, seated mode height offsets, in-world subtitles and height adjustment on all surfaces.

Startenders is out now on Meta Quest and Meta Quest 2 priced $14.99 / £11.99 / €14.99. PlayStation and PC VR versions are planned for a later date. Developed by Foggy Box Games and published by Yogscast Games.

Visit joinstartenders.com for more info.

Should an Obsessive PC Player Take a Career in Software Engineering?

On one hand, someone with such a keen interest in video games might have the analytical skills and creative thinking necessary for a successful career in software engineering. On the other hand, some might argue that too much time spent playing video games could lead to a lack of focus and dedication in this more serious field. So, what’s the right answer? Let’s find out. 

What Software Engineering Requires

The first thing we should consider is what software engineering entails. It’s not just about knowing how to code – it’s about understanding algorithms, being able to solve complex problems, and having strong analytical skills. It also requires at least an online software engineering degree because with proper education you can better master the knowledge needed. A software engineer needs to be able to think abstractly and see the big picture. They need to be able to understand how the different parts of a system fit together and how they interact with each other. They also need to be able to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable pieces.

Communication Skills Are A Must

In addition to all of this, a successful software engineer needs to be a good communicator. They need to be able to explain their ideas clearly and concisely, both in writing and in person. They also need to be able to listen attentively and understand the ideas of others.

The Skills of a Gamer

Now that we know what’s required for a career in software engineering, let’s take a look at some of the skills that a gamer might have. Gamers are often very analytical and good at problem-solving. They’re also typically creative and have strong attention to detail. They often have strong technical skills and are familiar with different coding languages. They’re also usually good at working under pressure and can stay calm under stress.

Are These Skills Transferable?

So, do the skills that gamers have transferred over to a career in software engineering? The answer is yes – many of them do. However, it’s important to note that not all gamers will have all of the necessary skills for software engineering. And, even if they do have the skills, they might not be able to transfer them over to this new field. It’s also worth noting that many of the required skills for software engineering can be learned through proper education and training. It’s ultimately up to the individual to decide whether or not they want to pursue a career in software engineering. If they have the required skills and are willing to put in the hard work, then there’s a good chance they’ll be successful in this field. However, if they’re not dedicated or don’t have the right skill set, then it’s probably not the best career choice for them.

So, someone who is an obsessive PC player could have a successful career in software engineering if they have the right skills and are willing to put in the hard work. However, it’s ultimately up to the individual to decide whether or not this is the right career choice for them.

HSBC to become first global financial services provider to enter The Sandbox

HSBC, one of the world’s largest international banking and financial services providers, and The Sandbox, a leading decentralized gaming virtual world and subsidiary of Animoca Brands, today announced a new partnership that will open up a host of opportunities for virtual communities across the world to engage with global financial services providers and sports communities in The Sandbox metaverse.

The groundbreaking partnership between The Sandbox and HSBC will see the global financial services provider acquire a plot of LAND, virtual real estate in The Sandbox metaverse, which will be developed to engage and connect with sports, esports and gaming enthusiasts.

The agreement opens the door for other global institutions to continue innovating in Web3 as consumer adoption demands more robust experiences in the metaverse through decentralized and gamified offerings.

Metaverse virtual worlds deliver interactive and immersive experiences to users, with many of these platforms built on blockchain technology. The global metaverse market is estimated to grow from $45.4bn in 2019 to a staggering $1.5tn in 2030 (source: PwC | Seeing is Believing).

Suresh Balaji, Chief Marketing Officer, Asia-Pacific, HSBC, said: “The metaverse is how people will experience Web3, the next generation of the Internet – using immersive technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality and extended reality. At HSBC, we see great potential to create new experiences through emerging platforms, opening up a world of opportunity for our current and future customers and for the communities we serve. Through our partnership with The Sandbox we are making our foray into the metaverse, allowing us to create innovative brand experiences for new and existing customers. We’re excited to be working with our sports partners, brand ambassadors, and Animoca Brands to co-create experiences that are educational, inclusive and accessible.”

Sebastien Borget, COO and Co-founder of The Sandbox, said: “We’re pleased to see large, trusted institutions such as HSBC join The Sandbox open metaverse and embrace the culture of Web3, connecting with users through entertainment, gaming and user-generated content. We believe this is the beginning of a broader adoption of Web3 and the metaverse by institutions driving brand experiences and engagement within this new ecosystem.”

As the metaverse’s leading decentralized gaming virtual world, The Sandbox fully embraces the idea of the metaverse as a continuous shared digital space where worlds and brands collide to make magic and create real utility and economy. HSBC joins over 200 existing partnerships including Gucci, Warner Music Group, Ubisoft, The Walking Dead, Snoop Dogg, Adidas, Deadmau5, Steve Aoki, Richie Hawtin, The Smurfs, Care Bears, Atari, ZEPETO, and CryptoKitties, all following The Sandbox’s vision of empowering players to create their own experiences using both original and well-known characters and worlds. Details of the HSBC and The Sandbox collaboration will be announced in due course.

Make your mark on Formula 1 in the officially licensed F1 Manager 2022 from Frontier

Frontier Developments plc have just unveiled F1® Manager 2022, their major new management simulation game coming this summer. Following a licensing agreement signed in early 2020 with F1®, Frontier is creating a major new game franchise to join a successful portfolio which includes Elite Dangerous, Planet Coaster, Jurassic World Evolution 1 & 2 and Planet Zoo. The F1® Manager franchise will be Frontier’s first foray into an annual sports license, as part of a long term, multi-title agreement with F1®. F1® Manager 2022 will launch in summer 2022 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation® 5, Xbox One, PlayStation® 4, Steam and the Epic Store.

Step into the shoes of a team principal and lead your drivers, engineers and fans to glory in the 2022 FIA Formula 1 ® Drivers’ World Championship and FIA Formula 1 ® Constructors’ World Championship. With unparalleled authenticity and broadcast-quality presentation, F1® Manager 2022 delivers a challenging experience for new and die-hard F1® fans alike, while showcasing the intricacies of the world’s most prestigious racing brand.

Ross Brawn, Managing Director – Motorsports, Formula 1®, said, “It’s great to see F1 Manager 2022 take shape and for people to see this exciting title come to life. I know from personal experience that leading a team can be challenging, but it’s certainly rewarding. The F1 Manager franchise is a great opportunity for fans to put themselves in the shoes of a team principal and experience some of that for themselves. I am confident that with their own successful track record in management gaming, Frontier will deliver an enjoyable and engaging experience for fans.”

The first entry in this exciting series of games will invite players and F1® fans to own every aspect of leading a team to victory, upgrading cars and race facilities, hiring drivers and engineers, balancing budgets and driver demands, all before the race weekend kicks into gear. Once the race gets underway, stay calm under pressure and make critical decisions as you manage your team to victory.

Game Director Andy Fletcher, said, “There’s never been a better time to be a Formula 1 fan, and we’re excited to deliver a new way for F1 fans to immerse themselves in the biggest racing spectacle in the world. F1 Manager 2022 will deliver an experience for both new and long-term fans that is as authentic as it is exciting. Our commitment to the ever-changing world of Formula 1 will build a strong foundation for a long and special series that will evolve over time.”

Frontier CEO and founder, David Braben, said, “We are delighted to partner with the great team at Formula 1. We’ve been working closely with them to deliver a truly authentic experience, and they have provided us with extensive access to all aspects of the sport to enable us to do this. We feel this is the start of something special – we’re looking forward to bringing F1 Manager 2022 to players in summer 2022.”

F1® Manager 2022 will launch in summer 2022 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation® 5, Xbox One, PlayStation® 4, Steam and Epic Store. The game is available to wishlist on Steam now and on the Epic Game Store, here: https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/p/f1-manager-2022.

Deliver Us The Moon Preparing for Lift Off on Google Stadia

Indie games publishing label Wired Productions and acclaimed Dutch game studio, KeokeN interactive announced that the epic sci-fi thriller Deliver Us The Moon is launching onto Stadia, Google’s cloud gaming platform that lets you instantly play video games on screens that you already own, in April 2022.

Deliver Us The Moon Google Stadia Announce Trailer:

 

 

 

The Stadia announcement sees the continuation of the stellar voyage by the award-winning title Deliver Us The Moon which was originally released in October 2019. Set in an apocalyptic near future where Earth’s natural resources are depleted, Deliver Us The Moon follows the astronomical journey of a lone astronaut, sent to the moon on a critical mission to save humanity from extinction.

  • Real World Issues: The narrative focuses on topical issues, like climate change and the depletion of the world’s natural resources
  • Multiple Gameplay Styles: Experience sequences of 1st and 3rd person play, as Deliver Us The Moon takes you on a genre busting narrative adventure
  • Be an Astronaut: Launch a rocket from Earth, journey through the WSA space station and explore the open lunar landscape with weightless freedom – by foot, rover or monorail
  • Uncover the Past: Ruins of previous lunar missions have many stories and secrets to tell. Use your Astrotool to uncover the history of the lunar colony.
  • Suit Up with Space Age Tech: With the ASE drone as your sole companion, utilise the greatest technology mankind has to offer from new age space-suits, cutting lasers, rockets and robot arms
  • Survive Hazardous Environments: With oxygen tanks running out and the never-ending void of Space staring you down, staying alive won’t be so easy
  • Crack the Code: Overcome obstacles, dangers blocking your path and uncover the secrets of the past by using various tools and all of your wits to solve intricate puzzles
  • Feel Weightless with a Breathtaking and Atmospheric Soundtrack: Inspired by the greatest works of Sci-Fi in cinema, Deliver Us The Moon has an awe inspiring soundtrack to rival the movies with three hours of original music
  • Powered by Unreal® Engine 4: Deliver Us The Moon uses Unreal® Engine 4 to deliver incredible gameplay and stunning graphics

“We are pleased to continue on our out-of-this-world journey with the team at KeokeN Interactive as we bring Deliver Us The Moon to more players across every platform” Said Neil Broadhead, Head of Marketing at Wired Productions. “We are thrilled to bring this title to Google Stadia ahead of its release for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S later this year.”

“Bringing Deliver Us The Moon to the Cloud is only the start of our interstellar adventures this year.” Said Koen Deetman, CEO at KeokeN Interactive. “We are proud to deliver the title to Stadia fans in April, we can’t wait for players to step into our deeply immersive game world once again and feel like an astronaut!”

Deliver Us The Moon is launching on Google Stadia in April 2022

LucidSound Announces Price Drop On Their Flagship LS50X Wireless Gaming Headsets

LucidSound, one of the fastest growing gaming headset brands, is thrilled to announce that its flagship LS50X Wireless Gaming Headset for Xbox Series X|S with Bluetooth is getting a £50 price drop down to £199.99. With this reduction, LucidSound aims to make its ultimate Xbox headset accessible to a broader audience.

Offering a premium experience within the LucidSound range, the LS50X Hybrid Wireless and Bluetooth Gaming Headset for Xbox sports a luxurious design. Its gel-cooled, spacious earcups and flexible lightweight frame ensure superior comfort across longer play sessions, made possible thanks to a reliable up to 20 hour battery life. For the more competitive gamer, the LS50X boasts lag-free wireless audio and crystal-clear chat with dual mics enabling effective communications with party members in the heat of action.

Other features of the LS50X:

  • Intuitive controls: Easily control audio and chat without breaking your concentration via on-earcup quick-access controls including game/chat balance control
  • Custom-tuned audio: 50mm drivers with 5 custom-tuned EQ modes deliver high-fidelity stereo and surround sound on Xbox with Windows Sonic.
  • Stream bluetooth simultaneously while you play on Xbox: Connect and use your Bluetooth devices while you play on Xbox. Play your own music in-game, use team chat apps from your PC, and take calls without interrupting your game.
  • Easy setup for lag-free interference-free wireless: The advanced chipset in the LS50X enables a strong and clear wireless signal even in crowded WiFi and mesh network areas. One-step setup gets you gaming on Xbox in no time

How Technology Has Reshaped the Sports and Entertainment Industry in Maryland?

Do you still wait for match updates to be read out to you from a newspaper or a magazine? Or you tap your mobile screen, navigate through a channel, and start watching live. Technology has transformed the entire world into a new place. No wonder why the sports industry has seen growing trends in recent years, with so much variation in introductory elements and shaping foundation, mechanisation has completely revolutionised the sports and entertainment industry. 

The world is stuck amid the riddles of the global pandemic and technology has played a vital role in reshaping the connection between the users and developers. The sports industry has seen a magnificent rise in terms of economy as well as user-base. Many technological aspects have been introduced in the domain of sports in Maryland. 

 

  • Better Vision

 

With live streaming content, virtual reality, and augmented reality becoming a boost-up for the online sports platforms, artificial intelligence has piqued its offering for facilitating the user’s experience and enlightening them with a real-time gaming experience. With digital enhancements, it has become easy for users to spend time in their homes with an enhanced virtual experience. You can sit in front of your PCs and install headsets and glasses and take the feel of traditional gaming space. 

 

  • Fantasy Sports

 

Technology has given rise to various fantasy sports that are played virtually by players worldwide. Players make their own teams and participate in imaginary professional sports. With updates in technology, it has become possible for the users to analyse the actual performance of the player and make teams accordingly. This is a new trend growing nowadays with the advancement of tech innovation relating to ongoing matches.  

 

  • Virtual Standing

Technology plays a pivotal role in shaping the virtual standing of any sport. Amid the growing online market, any industry be it sports or entertainment cannot sustain itself without online reach and social media coverage. The virtual base needs to be strengthened in order to make a developing future. Big names such as Maryland Fanduel have also collaborated with other giant operating businesses to expand their reach online. Good virtual recognition is very essential in today’s generation, users rely on your social standing more than its traditional base. 

 

  • Easy News Transmission 

 

With technology spreading its innovation and developing trends throughout the world, any news or any event update is ready to be covered just with a tap on your phone or with news on the screen flashing. You don’t have to wait for television or newspaper for story sessions or the latest news updates, all you need to do is get a network connection and start reading the latest news on your smartphones from anywhere anytime. 

 

  • Video Gaming Experience

 

Video gaming has become the newest gaming trend in the online gaming industry. Cloud gaming has facilitated various gaming offers for its new users as well as existing users to play trending video games, live streaming from computers, or streaming devices. These online video games are quite affordable and attractive for the youth, and it’s easy to install on devices or set up on PCs. Technology has helped gamers invest in the modern mechanics of video games. 

 

  • Detailed Information 

With various sports news apps and entertainment websites flourishing, it has become simple to acquire information from the internet. You can simply visit ESPN or any other channel and derive the latest sports information, match scores, athletes’ performance, and whatnot. Similarly, entertainment news is also popular and is forecasted in various channels from where you can gather detailed information and work accordingly. 

 

  • User Engagement on Social Media

 

Social media engagement is a necessity for any online platform to sustain. Youth today are investing most of their time in social media platforms, this can be taken as an advantage. Why not list your social media page amidst your user-profiles and create live sessions, webinars, etc., and engage fans worldwide at a massive scale. Platforms like Twitter uses hashtags to create separate individual content for their fanbase. These little innovative trends in social media help improve fans’ motivation and trustworthiness for a particular firm. 

 

  • Digital Sports Stadiums

 

The traditional sports stadiums are no more simple, they have transformed into smart places with wifi connectivity, seat locators, ticket scanners, online food services, etc., for the spectators. All these digital conveniences give the viewers a completely different in-stadium experience. Probably, the fans would be able to interact with the athletes, play quizzes, and start with live polls in the near future.  

Conclusion

Technology has not left any front unseen or untouched and has completely changed the way the sports industry performed earlier. With the advancement of augmented reality, virtual reality, mobile applications, esports, etc., everything seems so lively and new. Also, the entertainment industry has shifted its base to a completely new generation with new mechanics and efficient solutions.