Christ Centered Gamer Blog

Thank you Lizard Skins for sending us review samples!

Lizard Skins was founded in 1993 and their initial focus was making handlebar grips and long finger gloves for use in mountain biking. Since then, they have branched off into baseball, hockey, lacrosse and most recently, video game accessory grips. We were recently blessed with the opportunity to review PS4, Switch, and Xbox One controller grips. We were also sent a 4” x 6” cut to fit sheet which can be used to add grips to your mouse or anything else you want a better grip on.

The controller grips are pre-cut and are relatively easy to install. Each package includes an alcohol wipe packet and illustrated instructions. The cut to fit sheet includes a grid transfer sheet so you can trace and cut the grip as needed.

When applying the grips you’ll have to pay close attention to making sure that air bubbles are not being formed in the process. The product is pretty forgiving and lets you re-align it a few times without losing its stickiness. During my unboxing video I realized that I placed a grip on the wrong side of the controller and was able to remove and re-apply it without any issues. Naturally, I edited that mistake out of the video.

Each grip style is offered in multiple camo and color options. The camo options include black (and white), phantom (grayish), and wild fire (black, red, and white). Solid colors include black, blue, red, green, orange, yellow, and teal. The PS4 and Xbox One controller grips are similarly priced at $16.99 for solid colors and $17.99 for camo. The Joy-Con grips are $11.99 for solid colors and $12.99 for camo.

Though I found the Switch Joy-Con grips nice, the Xbox/PS4 grips are pretty much essential. I was recently playing on a non-gripped controller and longed for the increased grip and sweat absorption of our Lizard Skins equipped one. I look forward to installing more grips and equipping our next-generation controllers with them as soon as they’re available.

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Thank you Scarlet Moon Productions for providing a digital album to review!

I find it very interesting that the game 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim was nearly considered by publisher Atlus to be written down as a loss. When the game was originally released in Japan back in 2019, it didn’t even sell well in the beginning. It was only by the generous word of mouth by well-regarded game developers Masahiro Sakurai (Super Smash Bros. series) and Yoko Taro (NieR: Automata) that sales started to pick up—and eventually considered a sales success by Atlus despite its long and troubled development time. I previously reviewed said game here where I more or less gush about it for 2000+ words. If you’re a fan of sci-fi or adventure games and have a PS4/PS5, I highly recommend checking it out.

The soundtrack of 13 Sentinels is praised all around by the reviewers and players who experienced it. Basiscape Records, who previously worked on the game’s soundtrack took another crack at it with this arranged and remixed album, officially titled “13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Remix & Arrange Album -The Branched-”. Basiscape was founded by world-renowned video game composer Hitoshi Sakimoto (best known for his work on the Final Fantasy Tactics series). This album, spearheaded by Yoshimi Kudo takes twelve pieces from the Remembrance (adventure) segments and Destruction (battle) segments while introducing two completely new tracks, making a total of fourteen. The first new track, titled -[PROTEASE]- is in the style of the battle segments. The other new track, Stellar Memories is completely original, with vocals sung by one of the characters, Miyuki Inaba. 

The other twelve tracks are an alternative take, almost as if the story went along a different path. Some pieces tend to either double down on the intensity of the overall feeling, incorporating genres or inspiration from techno, dubstep, and digital instruments. Other pieces even slow down the pace, taking a more muted and mellow approach. My favorite track out of the remixed album is Halcyon Days -Branched- as it takes a soothing and relaxing theme that I already enjoyed a lot and energizes it, giving a bouncy and peppy feeling to it. It almost sounds like it could be the music to the first level of a platformer. 

I felt Yoshimi Kudo and Basiscape did a great job remixing these tracks, as well as creating new music in the style of 13 Sentinels. Each track lasts on average around three minutes and forty seconds with some being as long as nearly six minutes. If you’re a fan of electronic music or already liked 13 Sentinels, this is a great value for $9.66 through Apple Music where previews of each track can be played as well. Unfortunately, if you want a physical copy, you must tread through Japanese websites and possibly use a forwarding service. 

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The topic of agents is often omitted in various articles on the web. The reason is very simple – everybody’s attention is focused on the weapon skins and patterns. That’s where the real fun is, right? Well, that might be a fair statement, but CS:GO provides a lot of other visual elements for an FPS game. One of such elements is the CS:GO character model.

What is the Broken Fang?

The Broken Fang is a type of DLC for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. It introduces many new elements to the game: in this case, it changes the way of counting game statistics, introduces 6 new maps and the Broken Fang Coin and also adds many other collectible items, such as weapon skins, cases or graffities. Last but not least: Operation Broken Fang brings exactly twenty new agents to the game – 12 Terrorists and 8 CTs.

Agent models are quite similar to the weapon skins – they don’t really change anything important in the game. You won’t get any speed or damage boosts for using a particular agent model. But there are some details that can satisfy even the staunchest fans of the game: Master Agents have unique voices and cheers which add a small, personalised element to the game. Other agent categories have the same cheers and voices.

What are the types of agents in CS:GO?

There are four types of CS:GO characters. They are unlocked gradually, upon completing missions in any given operation. For example, Distinguished Agents could be unlocked upon gaining 28 stars in Operation Shattered Web (more info about the agent models at that time can be found here). But in the Broken Fang case, it’s a bit different. Here’s a list of all the agents in this operation, along with the number of stars needed to buy them from the Operation Shop:

• Distinguished Agents: 5 stars,
• Exceptional Agents: 7 stars,
• Superior Agents: 10 stars,
• Master Agents: 25 stars.

As you can see, unlocking the low-tier Agents is quite easy and does not require a lot of effort. Now, let’s flip through the Broken Fang Agents in some detail.

Operation Broken Fang agents. Who are they?

Let’s start with the SWAT CT faction. Valve introduced six new agents in this category. Here are their names:

• Bio-Haz Specialist (Distinguished),
• Chem-Haz Specialist (Distinguished),
• Sergeant Bombson (Exceptional),
• John “Van Healen” Kask (Exceptional),
• 1st Lieutenant Farlow (Superior),
• Cmdr. Mae “Dead Cold” Jamison (Master).

As you can see, there's a variety of new characters to choose from. Their names contain a lot of amusing references and the models tjohhemselves are designed with great detail. The new CT CS:GO character models have two other models from different fractions: “Blueberries” Buckshot (NSWC Seal) and “Two Times” McCoy (TACP Cavalry). Overall, it’s good to see a few more female characters – maybe this will encourage more women to play the game?

There’s a lot more of the Terrorist models introduced with the Broken Fang Operation. The most representative faction are The Professionals:

• Getaway Sally (Exceptional),
• Little Kev (Exceptional),
• Number K (Superior),
• Safecracker Voltzmann (Superior),
• Sir Bloody Darryl Royale (Master),
• Sir Bloody Loudmouth Darryl (Master),
• Sir Bloody Miami Darryl (Master),
• Sir Bloody Silent Darryl (Master),
• Sir Bloody Skullhead Darryl (Master).

It’s clear that Bloody Darryl got the most attention from Valve. His design resembles horror movies, such as Friday the 13th or Halloween. There are also some other factions which got a few Terrorist skins:

• Street Soldier (Phoenix, Distinguished),
• Dragomir (Sabre, Distinguished).

Conclusion. How to get the Broken Fang CS:GO characters?

It’s very simple. Just complete the missions, get the stars, and you’ll be able to gradually unlock all of them. But there’s another option. If you’re not particularly interested in this DLC, you can buy the character models independently, for very low prices. Right now, the weapon skin market is highly inflated, but the agent one might be a little bit undervalued. That’s why it’s very easy to obtain a great character model for just a few bucks, even without purchasing the DLC.

Gaming allows you to expand beyond the possible and engage in environments that are the products of your wildest fantasies. Obsessed with the zombie apocalypse and its repercussions on the world, as we know it? Play The Last of Us II, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, and Holdout, which are some of the latest titles in the zombie survival genre, and you’ll experience a rush of adrenaline going down your body, tingling at the tips of your fingers. That’s the effect gaming has on the modern generation. It reinvigorates a collective social interest and catches the eye of everyone, regardless of their age and circumstance.

Like the colors in a rainbow, gaming comprises different shades. You can play a game online or offline, on a dedicated console or a smartphone, with other players or alone. Most of the popular games these days are played online, for which the presence of a high-speed internet connection is a MUST. Cox WiFi packages have been known to cater to the needs of gamers especially with their Elite Gamer extension, which minimizes the ping rate and streamlines server response. Besides, gaming is something that has helped many people survive the pandemic lockdown anxiety and paranoia. It offers an escape from the worries of the world and is a cathartic activity, overall. With the global interest in gaming going on the rise generally, what sort of trends will you see in 2021? In fact, what is the future of gaming? Let’s check everything out below.

Next-Gen Consoles

Technological upgrades come out every year and replace the older versions of devices. The Samsung cell phone you had back in 2012 pales in comparison to the Galaxy S21 smartphone, which offers next-gen specs and a thousand times more convenience. Similarly, the gaming industry has progressed by leaps and bounds, too. Only last year, Sony released the PlayStation 5, and Microsoft rolled out the Xbox X series for high-end gamers. You can enjoy ultra-realistic graphics and the smoothest gameplay known to humankind. The latest consoles are also equipped with advanced microchips, which amplify the processing speed and in turn, boost your performance in the game. So, it would not be wrong to say that we’ll be seeing newer versions of gaming consoles in 2021 with remarkable built-in technology and excellent throughput.

Mobile Integration

We do everything on our smartphones, these days, from online banking to video conferencing. Mobile phones lend us the ease of completing our day-to-day tasks with utmost efficiency. Their compact size offers the highest portability, allowing you to multitask like a pro. Today’s mobile phones are also ‘smart’ with AI integrated into them, and internet-enabled, letting you surf the web from anywhere there’s connectivity. What’s more, you can use your smartphone for gaming, too. Research shows that at least 2.2 billion people around the world have adopted mobile phones as a medium for playing games over the last ten years. The market revenue from mobile gaming has also expanded exponentially and is expected to grow by 59 percent in the years to come. So, the trend of mobile gaming will continue to rise in 2021, as well.

5G Adoption

Along with mobile gaming, mobile internet technology has also developed to a great extent. 5G is around the corner, supporting the fastest speeds up to 10 Gbps. How does it work? 5G taps into the sophisticated fiber broadband networks and then disperses the rocket-high speeds wirelessly through a string of interconnected towers. For gamers, this is great news. With 5G-enabled smartphones, they can play heavy MMORP games on their sleek devices with a global team while only facing one millisecond of ping delay. This means that their actions will be translated faster in a game and they can compete well with professional players. Downloading games will also become seamless with 5G. Instead of an hour, you’ll be able to download a game in a matter of minutes.

eSports Shift

Watching video games has become a substantial trend that’ll creep into 2021, as well. Online users, mostly aged 18 to 25 years, now prefer to watch live streams of gameplay rather than indulging in the games directly. This has turned gaming into an entertainment gateway. So much so that in place of actual sports, video game spectating has turned into a norm, especially among the millennials. Social media platforms have also played a part in this. I know several people in my circle who tune into  Twitch, YouTube, and other eSports platforms to watch their favorite gamers play a game in real-time. The live streaming technology gives them the freedom to not only view the games as they unfold but also to participate in how it turns out. Once you log into a live game stream, you can send your feedback to the gamer in real-time through the comment box and react to the gameplay with emoticons. So, the year 2021 will bring about more live-stream participation from online spectators in the eSports domain.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, the world of gaming continues to innovate. Mobile gaming, 5G, newer consoles, and eSports interactions are some of the trends that you will see in 2021. Besides these, augmented reality gaming, virtual reality gaming, cloud-based gaming, and facial recognition software have also entered the industry, and constitute the future of gaming, for sure.

Gaming is a very exciting and engaging way to spend time and it has also become quite advanced with the advancements made in technology. Nearly 2.7 billion people around the world play video games as a hobby. Some of them are even professional esports players.

The popularity of gaming consoles are also increasing day by day. Along with controllers that use wires, there are wireless variants as well. You can choose to sit at a distance and enjoy playing games on your controller.

Time flies when you’re playing video games. You won’t be able to keep track of how long you’ve been playing a particular game for if you’re too invested in it. For some people, gaming is something that is similar to a hobby, it is not just something they do to make them merely happy, or keep their mind away from things for some time. Gamers get a sense of accomplishment and they also get a sense of adventure from their gaming sessions.

Keep the controllers protected

Playing games for long durations can make your palms sweaty. This moisture may cause your controller to get dirty and it may also damage the electronic components inside your console. If you’ve been gaming with a controller for a long time now then this issue is likely to be very familiar to you. It’s right here that a game controller case would be important for you.

It doesn’t matter whether you play for money or just for having fun; it is natural that you’d want to perform to the best of your abilities. You’ll find it incredibly hard to operate a controller if your palms are sweaty. As mentioned earlier, too much sweat can also damage the controller itself.

Whether you’re going to play in a tournament or just looking to enjoy an evening playing games you should try the following:

You could use a game controller case to help you enhance your grip of the controller. You’ll be able to install it very easily on your computer. Not only will the controller be easy to grip, but it will also prevent it from getting damaged by scratches, grease and dirt. Here are some features that make it a worthy investment:

• Silicon ensures protective covering: The silicon materials used for making these cases don’t let it slip from your hands and forms a protective covering that keeps it safe from shocks in case you drop them accidentally.
• Diverse color options: These controllers come in various colors. You’ll be able to choose the ones you’ll like. A good quality game controller case will be able to let you use the control buttons seamlessly, without offering any hindrance.
• Perfect comfort: A high quality Game controller case will be able to personalize the controller for you in addition to offering you an optimum amount of comfort. These qualities will help you keep playing for a longer duration.

In order to stop sweat from damaging your controller, you can also choose to buy gloves for your hands. You can choose any glove that is meant for fitness or outdoor activities.

Although for experienced players the gloves might prevent making fast and accurate movements. So that makes game controller cases the best option available on the market.

A lot has been said about video games' negative impacts on kids. The fact is, while some games are inappropriate for children and teenagers, there are video games out there that have real benefits for children. They teach valuable skills that can help young people develop socially and academically. Games can help kids learn how to concentrate, solve problems creatively and work with others to reach a common goal. They also improve hand-eye coordination and teach speed, agility and quick-thinking skills. Kids can explore new worlds while taking risks in virtual worlds that they would not dare take in real life.

I will focus on the major benefits of video games for kids:

• "Personal Characteristics" where I discuss how games can help kids improve personality development skills, build confidence as well as improve creativity and problem-solving skills.
  
  
• "Parenting" where I talk about the possible effects that video games may have on children and families in a general way.

I. Personal Characteristics

A lot of research has been devoted to the benefits of video games for kids, and there really are many. This is because a significant number of video games encourage players to develop their personal characteristics and improve performance.

Problem Solving Skills

Like any other task, playing video games requires problem solving skills. There are always difficult levels in a game that require strategy planning as well as quick reflexes and problem solving to get past them successfully. This is very similar to what we ask our precious children to do when we give them math and reading problems to solve. Playing video games helps develop problem solving skills. At Bingo Blitz, you'll find variants of Bingo that teach kids numbers.

Creativity

Do not be surprised when your kids take a break from playing the latest shoot 'em up game and start drawing something. Games are a source of inspiration that help kids see things in new ways and express themselves creatively.

Hand-Eye Coordination

Playing video games helps develop hand-eye coordination; another skill that is essential for school success. Kids instinctively move the controller or mouse just like they have done on a computer or digital gaming device for years, as they aim, jump, shoot and explore new worlds in virtual space.

Hand-eye coordination is required to move the hand and the eye in a coordinated fashion, something that is also essential in other daily activities such as typing. It has been shown through studies that kids who play video games have better hand-eye coordination than those who don't, because this is what they spend their time doing in real life.

Improved Concentration

One of the biggest benefits of video games for kids is improved concentration, a skill that will help them throughout their education and on into their adult lives. As children play video games, they are required to constantly shift focus between different tasks and situations. This is not unlike what we demand of them in school when they have to shift from one math problem to another, from writing to reading the next paragraph in a story. The ability to juggle these demands on their attention will help them concentrate on important tasks for longer and perform better in class as well as their personal lives.

To make things easier for children, developers have created games that require multiple skills such as concentration, hand-eye-coordination and hand-eye-foot coordination. These multi-tasking games help improve concentration skills even more.

Teamwork & Cooperation Skills

Playing shooter games like Halo or Call of Duty encourage children to work together as a team and cooperate while playing together online. This is a skill that they will need in high school and later in the real world.

Teamwork is also important for many games where children have to work together to complete a common goal. There are games that even encourage team leaders to use these skills by making them responsible for the performance of their respective teams. These kids learn from a young age that being responsible for their actions can make a difference, both in and out of class.

II. Parenting

As parents, we are concerned about what our kids do when they spend time in the virtual world of video games. We are worried that these games will expose them to inappropriate content or encourage bad behavior. However, this is not the case. As long as you know how to find the right kind of game and be a good role model yourself, then there isn't any need to worry.

Choose games carefully for your kids from an early age. You should watch them play games not only for content but also to understand their level of skill and mastery over it. If they are good at it, then you can encourage them to continue playing by finding similar ones with more challenging levels. You can also have them play games that will help them develop skills they are having difficulty with. For example, if your child is a slow reader, then you can give them games that encourage reading and help build confidence and concentration. There are online reviews, previews as well as game shop assistants who can help with this process.

Be a good role model as well. If you are a gamer yourself, then make sure that your kids see you play the games with moderation. Make sure that they see your interest in video games without being extremist about it.

You should also remain involved with them as they explore the virtual world of video games. Ask them about the content they have watched, and discuss it with them honestly and openly. As long as you are open to hearing their thoughts and paying attention to their feelings, then there is no reason for you to worry.

Video games can be a great way to bond with your child. It can be a great way to spend some quality time together, and it won't cost you anything. Just make sure that when you do play games with your kids that you don't end up spending too much time on them and neglect the rest of your responsibilities around the house.

It is also important for parents to not only consider the content of video games, but also the time they get exposed to it. In moderation, video games are actually quite beneficial for children's development because they teach them important skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork. However there may be instances where children spend a little too much time playing these games which may result in an unhealthy addiction issue.

Thank you Materia Collective for sending us this digital album to review!

Deus Ex was originally released in 2000 and this album was released to coincide with its 20th anniversary. While Deus Ex doesn’t look great by today’s standards, it was a revolutionary first-person shooter (FPS) for its time. The story is engaging and the ability to upgrade your augmented body adds strategy to the gameplay. While violence is always an option, you can opt to simply knock out most of the foes if desired.

The electronica background music for this title is phenomenal. I remember extracting the Unreal music files and burning it to multiple CDs since I really enjoyed the music from this game. Not all of my favorite tunes made it onto Conspiravision: Deus Ex Remixed, but most of them are there.

This album consists of seventeen tracks ranging from three to four minutes apiece and will keep your ears happy for over an hour. Alexander Brandon did a fine job staying true to the original songs while giving them all a nice tune-up.

If you play this album in order, you’ll be treated to the iconic menu music followed by training tunes. From there you may recognize theme and battle music from Liberty Island, UNATCO, Battery Park, New York Streets, Lebedev’s Airfield, Paris Club, Duclare Chateau, The Synapse, Majestic 12, Oceanlab, and Area 51. The ending theme and credits music is also provided for your listening pleasure.

You can own this tribute to video gaming history in MP3 format for $9 on Amazon. If you prefer lossless formats like FLAC you can get the digital album on Bandcamp for $10. Physical CDs are also available on Bandcamp for $15. Fans of this series should definitely give this album a listen and consider adding it to their music library!

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Today, we can’t imagine a world without video games that entertain us in our free time.

We came to a point in which video games are not only for amusement nowadays. They can also help us make some serious cash along the way. 

Some in-game items can bring you a lot of money if you get lucky enough to get them from loot boxes. The most expensive CS:GO skins list has shown us that their loot system is one of the best in the current market. 

We learned a lot only by observing what Valve does so well and figured out that such a model of the economy has a high potential for making large profits.

The main question is, can you take advantage of such a system and earn some money along the way?

We’ll help you understand this type of economy better and give you the necessary skills to take advantage of it.

How Items Generate Value in Virtual Environments

This economy is complex. The demand for items will, in most cases, determine the price tag on the items. This kind of economic model will generate a high value on rare in-game items in the virtual environment.

How does this happen? Is there something you can do to increase the value of your inventory?

The rarity levels and the public demand are the factors that will determine the in-game item’s value. There’s not much you can do to increase the value of anything in your possession aside from acquiring those that are in-demand.

If an item is highly desirable by the players, its price will automatically go up. Like with any other product, the in-game items are worth only as much as they’re popular in the community.

It might seem that a virtual item can’t be too expensive as it is not a solid object. However, we could see in many examples that even a virtual item stored on our computers can have a very high value.

A few of them might even go higher than $100000 in the sales price, which is a ridiculous amount of money for such items.

Games With Most Valuable in-Game Items

We can find many examples of games that have high-value items in their in-game economy.

The first one, already mentioned above, is Counter-Strike Global Offensive. CS:GO has a loot system that awards the players by giving out cases and drops in which they win weapons skins and knife skins, which have added value due to their rarity. 

The value of some knife skins can go as high as $10000. The reason for such a high value of knives and their skins is their rarity levels and a high place on the players’ wish list. 

Players love knives in Counter-Strike, and they would do anything to grab some of the most famous skins for themselves.

Another good example of items sold at high prices is World of Warcraft. Some inventory items in this game require a lot of time and effort to acquire. Thus, having one can make you richer in real life.

There’s an example of a sword sold back in 2012 for $16000, which was unheard of up until that point. Since then, the players offer their inventory items on websites specialized in selling them. 

The Economy Around Virtual Items

The option for selling and buying virtual items online has created a one-of-a-kind economy.

The number of sites specialized in selling these types of items has grown exponentially over the years, and they are now successful businesses. 

Just like with any other online store, you can browse their offer through a well-designed and user-friendly interface. If you desire a rare skin or a weapon in a specific game, you can have it if you’re ready to pay for it, rather than spend time grinding to get it. 

Alternatively, if you’re looking to sell your in-game items, you can also offer them on those sites and make some incredible profits. 

If you own something with a high market value, why not take advantage and make some money along the way. It’s the 21st century, and the internet has given us options for getting rich without having to do traditional work.

Why shouldn't we use the opportunity given to us?

Buying and Selling Virtual Items

Buying and selling such items online is now a lucrative business that many are trying to start online.

Nowadays, you can find websites that are intermediaries between the buyers and the sellers without having any of the items in their possession. These sites offer some of the most popular skins and weapons for online games at competitive prices.

If you’re looking to sell your inventory, these sites are an excellent platform for you to do so. Most of them have customer support that will guide you through the whole process and ensure that your resources are safe throughout the process.

In many cases, players buy rare items, store them in their inventory, and wait for some time for a price to go up. 

A limited number of rare items create a drought after they’ve all sold out, and after some time, they become more valuable than before. It’s almost like investing in gold. You buy it and wait until the time is right to scoop up the profit. 

If you have enough money to back up your plans, you can consider trying this type of investment and enter this new market. 

Conclusion

Precious in-game items created a new market that has a high potential for economic growth. 

The gaming industry has made billions over the years by generating them and making games more exciting. Their success opened a world of possibilities for the players to make some money on items they’ve acquired by grinding away in the game they love.

Would you like to exploit this possibility and make some serious money?

Go and check your game inventory. Maybe there’s something valuable without you even knowing.

If you’ve been following gaming videos and livestreams over the past few years, you are probably aware of the massive Minecraft revival that occurred in 2019. It paved the way for numerous new streamers and content creators, who gained fame by jumping on this trend at the right time and introducing their own spin in these videos.

It's been two years since this event occurred and Minecraft continues to be a big part of the mainstream. Content creators today know the importance of introducing unique elements to their gaming videos, such as warzone hacks, since thousands of creators online play the same game. 

One of the best ways Minecraft gamers have made their content stand out is by creating their own versions of the game,which they either introduced to the world or played. Most of these versions have also been made available to the public by their programmers, so if you are tired of the original game, give these a try.

The World Changes Regularly by Dream 

Dream is undoubtedly one of the biggest names today in the online Minecraft community. He has 17 million subscribers and is famous for his speedrun videos. 

In this custom plugin, the world is coded so that it keeps changing after a specific interval of time. While at the beginning you'll have 5 minutes before everything transforms, the amount of time reduces as you keep playing. This version is sure to keep you on your toes because one second you will be cooking food in your furnace, and the next, you will be stuck underground among stone blocks. You must be quick and not spend too much time on any task. Creating a nether portal is also sure to be difficult, and you will need as much obsidian as you can carry to create a portal wherever you emerge.

A block is generated everywhere you look by GeorgeNotFound

GeorgeNotFound is one of the three regulars in Dream's videos and has his own channel with almost 6 million subscribers. The title is pretty self-explanatory: in this version of the game, a random block develops wherever you look. Because it’s random, this could mean a diamond ore, lava, terracotta, stone or basically anything else that exists in Minecraft. This might seem pretty cool since you can now find diamonds by just standing on the surface. But the issue is, the block can change as soon as you or someone else looks at it again. Even chopping down a tree and collecting wood becomes extremely difficult, and you are in constant danger of being burned by lava.

The spooky difficulty by Fundy

Fundy is an extremely creative programmer with nearly 3 million subscribers. His content is both entertaining and funny, and he also spends weeks and months coding new Minecraft modes. Though he does not always try to beat the game in these modes, he introduces all the features, and often other creators make videos about beating them. 

The spooky mode that was released towards the end of 2020 makes this pretty scary game terrifying. Fundy made it so that the world is extremely dark at night and sort of misty during the day time. You always have a torch in your left hand that shows you what is in front of you. He also inserted numerous scary sounds, which could pop up any time and have you jumping out of your seat.

Additionally, he created two terrifying monsters, one of which can randomly appear at your side and destroy you if you look in the wrong direction.

The hardest difficulty by Slimecicle

Slimecicle is another member of the international Minecraft community on YouTube and Twitch. He has over 2 million subscribers, and in December 2020, released a mode referred to as the "hardest" difficulty in Minecraft. While coding, he made many changes to the game which make it extremely interesting and tremendously challenging to play. Let’s look at a few of the numerous features of this version. One of the funniest changes is that, if you chop wood, you only receive items like apples and sticks that you usually get from leaves. To get wood, you must chop down leaves, making it incredibly easy to gather stacks of logs. Coal, one of the essential items in Minecraft, damages you, so you must stay away from it.Be prepared for angry polar bears that spawn anywhere and attack you in a frenzy of rage.Slimecicle made crafting incredibly confusing too, so that you create a crafting table out of cobblestones, and lo and behold, it works as a furnace.

One of the coolest things about this Minecraft version is that if you place a golden apple atop a golden block, it will create a huge crater that leads to the centre of the Earth. Once you find your way to the bottom, you will get a ridiculously long and powerful sword with which you can effortlessly kill your enemies.

Summing up

Minecraft is known as the game where you can do anything. Today, skilled programmers have taken this to the next level and created fantastic, unimaginable versions of this well-loved game. If you manage to beat these challenging modes, we bet it's going to feel really good. Maybe you will even achieve some fame among the Minecraft community.

Thank you Loot Crate (Affiliate Link) for sending us a review sample!

Loot Crate is an interesting service that surprises you with random stuff delivered to your door for a monthly fee. There are many different themes available including gaming, anime, film/TV, and Pop Culture. Each of those themes are further broken down into sub categories for die-hard fans of particular games, movies, anime, etc. They also have apparel only crates available. Those are broken down into subcategories including hats, tees, socks, underwear, wearables, and more. The Loot Gaming Boxes we have been getting have usually included some clothing, art prints, pins, and other nifty trinkets from popular game franchises.

We recently received and unboxed the “Best of” December Crate and here’s what we found inside:

• An art print from DOOM Eternal
• Destiny Crucible Socks
• Elder Scrolls USB LED Soul Gem Lamp
• Pac-Man Blinky Drawstring Bag
• Trophy Pin

I can usually find information about the crates on LootCrate’s website, but the December crate doesn’t have an entry. I didn't recognize the inspiration behind this month's art print, but thanks to a YouTube comment it has been identified as coming from DOOM Eternal. The trophy pin is vague, but fitting for the “Best of” theme. Like the other pins, I don’t plan on wearing this one either. The Soul Gem lamp is awesome and makes my computer desk look nicer. I also adore the Blinky drawstring bag and have to figure what to put inside of it. I look forward to wearing the Destiny socks.

Each crate is said to have at least $50 or more worth of items inside. I wouldn’t pay that much for the stuff I got, but the monthly cost of $28.95 is reasonable and I can definitely see the contents being worth that much. If you subscribe for three or six months, the cost is reduced by 9% and 11% respectively.

Are you a gamer? What particular game do you play? What features and qualities do you enjoy the most?

Most people, especially the youth, are fond of gaming. There are various types of gaming applications. However, the most popular one is an adventure video game. Now, what makes it so fun, entertaining, and addictive?

Almost every kid or teen is a video gamer. Perhaps, you often see a bunch of street boys going to an Internet café. There, they challenge each other, playing in real-time multiplayer mode. Unfortunately, they spend almost the entire day just playing.

Then, what about Christian game apps? Yes, there are. Do you know any? Let us know some of them and what makes them attractive.

Types of Gaming Apps

Educational Games

• Alphabet Games

This type of game is mostly for kids like preschoolers who are learning the alphabet. 

So, here are some examples:

1. Write Uppercase Letters
2. I Spy Alphabet
3. Learn ABC
4. Connect ABC
   
   

• Number Games
  
  

Like alphabet games, number games are also best for children. Parents can let their kids play these at home. Also, teachers can incorporate these into the classroom lessons. 

Then, we have the following as examples:

1. Numbers Ice Cream Attack
2. Comparing Numbers Quiz
3. Ordering Numbers 11-20
4. Ski Racer: Even Numbers
   
   

• Skill Development Games
  
  

These games can be any classroom-related game applications. They intend to develop skills that the subject requires. 

Now, examples are as follows: 

1. Colorfy: Coloring Art Game
2. Vocabulary Spelling City
3. Typing Race Master
   
   

Problem Solving Games

• Puzzle Games
  
  

This type of game exercises the player’s skill in solving puzzles. 

Then, these are some examples:

1. Jellipop Match
2. Fishdom
3. Wood Block Puzzle
4. Pirate Treasures
5. Scrabble Go
   
   

• Card Games
  
  

Many people are fond of playing cards. Good thing, game developers have made card games available on mobile! 

So, here are some of them:

1. Solitaire
2. Hearthstone
3. Poker Games: World Poker Club and Reigns
   
   

• Strategy Games
  
  

This game type focuses on developing the player’s skill in planning. Specifically, it emphasizes building a strategy or tactic to win the game. 

Now, below are some examples:

1. Clash of Clans
2. Clash Royale
3. The Escapists
4. Shredder Chess
   
   

Video Games

• Adventure Games

This type of game is perfect for those looking for challenging gameplay. 

Specifically, it involves fast action and war. It brings the player into exciting situations. For this, there is a combination of puzzle-solving and reflex testing as a challenge. 

Examples are the following:

1. Grand Mountain Adventure
2. Genshin Impact
3. Crashlands
4. 80 Days
   
   

• Arcade Games 
  
  

Arcade gaming is a competitive type of game. For instance, it topped a mobile gaming competition in 2016. 

Now, this type offers short gameplays and instant challenges. It is different from other games that feature a story or content.

Then, these are a few examples:

1. Fruit Ninja
2. Space Frontiers
3. Subway Surfers
   
   

• Role-playing Games 
  
  

This category includes games with longer gameplays. Also, it has journeys, long storylines, and various characters. 

So, these are some examples:

1. Ragnarok
2. Dungeons and Dragons
3. House of the Dead
4. Pandemic: A New Challenge 
   
   

• Multiplayer Online Battle Arena Games 
  
  

This type of game involves two teams of players. They compete against each other on a battlefield.

Precisely, each player controls a single character. It has unique abilities that improve throughout the game. Significantly, it contributes to the overall strategy of the team.

Now, here are some examples:

1. DOTA
2. Arena of Valor
3. Defense of the Ancients
4. Heroes of the Storm
   

Some of the Most Popular Mobile Games We Play     

Pokemon Go

Are you familiar with Pokemon? Specifically, it is a Japanese anime television series. It features the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his Pokemon, Pikachu.

In its developed mobile game, the player discovers a whole new world. Unlike that in the series, the game allows for extra navigation of the locations. Specifically, the player can view places far and wide.

Besides, one gets to discover more Pokemon characters. To catch one, target a Pokemon. Then, throw the Poke ball.

Candy Crush Saga

Candy Crush is a popular puzzle video game. 

In particular, the goal is to swap colored candies to match three similar colors. A match of four or more colors creates power-ups with a larger board.

Around 2014, more than ninety-three million people played this game. Consequently, it made a revenue of almost five hundred million dollars in three months.

Angry Birds

Who hasn’t tried playing this? Almost everyone has, right?

Specifically, this game series involves multi-colored birds. They try to save their eggs from their enemies, the green-colored pigs. The goal is to destroy the pigs’ support beams using a slingshot.

Significantly, it generated more than two billion downloads in January 2014. Then, it increased to over three billion in July 2015. This success made it the most downloaded freemium game series of all time.

Assassin’s Creed

Assassin’s Creed is an action-adventure video game. 

To be particular, it depicts a fictional struggle between the Assassins and the Templars. Assassins fight for peace with free will. Meanwhile, Templars work for it through order and control.

Furthermore, the game features historical and science fiction involving fictional characters. They relate to real-life historical events and figures.

Minecraft

Minecraft is a sandbox video game. It is the best-selling video of all time. Notably, it sold two hundred million copies. In 2020, it had a hundred and twenty-six million active users monthly.

A player explores a blocky world with infinite terrain. Also, he discovers and extracts raw materials and craft tools or items. Besides, he builds earthwork structures.

Examples of Christian Games  

Bible Bingo

Most of us play bingo. It is indeed one of our favorite games. Did you know that the Bible has its version?

Specifically, the mechanics are the same as in any typical bingo. However, instead of numbers, this game uses Bible verses. The game flashes a biblical passage. Then, cross out all verses that serve as references for it. 

Bible Crossword Puzzle

This game is similar to any crossword puzzle that we know. In particular, there is a set of questions to answer. Then, you have to input the words into the intersecting tiles of letters.

However, this game uses biblical terms instead. These may be characters, places, events, or the like.

Bible Crush

Candy Crush is a favorite of most gamers. Are you one? Surprisingly, there is also a crushing game for the Bible.

The concept is the same. However, instead of candies, Bible Crush uses fruits and plants. Also, there is a bonus. Specifically, it includes a trivia question at the end of every level.

Bible Hangman

Hangman is a guessing game. Typically, it uses paper and pencil. A player thinks of any word, phrase, or sentence. Then, the other tries to guess it by suggesting letters. There is a limit of guesses.

Generally, Bible Hangman is the same. However, it employs biblical books, persons, events, and the like.

Heroes Bible Trivia

Heroes? Yes, the Bible has heroes! 

They are characters like Adam, Moses, Jacob, Abraham, and others. How? They have traits and deeds that make them significant for people to know. Of course, the list includes Jesus, the ultimate superhero of all.

Now, this game educates the player about the life of biblical icons. It does this in the form of trivia questions for him to answer. With every correct answer, he collects power effects that he can use to upgrade further.

It is an educational yet fun way of knowing the heroes of the Bible. Instead of spending too much time on useless games, why don’t you choose this one? While enjoying the thrill of the game, you learn facts.

Indeed, it’s like studying the Bible already! You don’t have to worry about having an overdose of addiction for this. The more you enjoy playing, the more you gain knowledge.

5 Features That Make A Christian Game Awesome   

Nonfictional Content

Most video gameplays comprise fictional characters, places, ideas, or events. In contrast, a Christian game uses nonfiction elements. Notably, it is one of the best things about this type of play.

Because of this, there is no room for deception and misleading. In essence, everything the user learns from the app is a piece of truth.

Integration of the Bible, History, and Faith

Unlike secular gaming apps, a Christian game incorporates religion and spirituality. That is, it touches on sacred truths from the Bible. It introduces biblical teachings, personalities, cultures, and occurrences. 

More particularly, it educates the player on a certain Bible hero, place, or event. He gets to know his life, challenges, and significant acts. 

Eventually, it leads him to God. He increases his knowledge about Him. The more he plays, the more he grows in His likeness. Hence, it develops his faith.

Stunning Yet Nontoxic Graphics and Sounds

Christian games are at par with other popular gaming apps. Like them, they have excellent graphics and sounds.

Unfortunately, most secular adventure gameplays are harmful to health. For instance, most players of Mobile Legends develop eye problems. It is because of the extremely rapid motions that demand close attention.

Fortunately, Christian games are more eye-friendly. They do not have optically demanding graphics. Also, their sound effects and music do not pollute the ear and the brain.

Educational Value with Fun and Entertainment

Undoubtedly, Christmas games provide educational value. It teaches about the Bible and enhances spirituality.

But at the same time, the player enjoys the game. There are exciting puzzles to exercise the brain. Also, there are fun quizzes to challenge memory and stock knowledge. Still, there are exciting trivia to learn.

Excellent Gameplay

Significantly, Christian games do not go behind in terms of technical features.

Specifically, it has excellent input controls. It works well with keyboards, mouses, gamepads, joysticks, and the like.

Moreover, Christian games are compatible with most devices and operating systems. They work well with both Android and Apple systems. 

Finally, Christian games have a fast loading time. Like other video games, it has advanced graphics and animation technology. Hence, it prevents lagging.

Bio

Heroes 2 : The Game is a Bible trivia game released by the Hope Channel. It is a sequel to the game, Heroes, which was released way back in 2013. The latest game version is on its new 3D animation, comes with unique features, and has more challenging Bible questions in four languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. The game is available on both iOS and Android.

Thank you Loot Crate (Affiliate Link) for sending us a review sample!

Loot Crate is an interesting service that surprises you with random stuff delivered to your door for a monthly fee. There are many different themes available including gaming, anime, film/TV, and Pop Culture. Each of those themes are further broken down into sub categories for die-hard fans of particular games, movies, anime etc. They also have apparel only crates available. Those are broken down into subcategories including hats, tees, socks, underwear, wearables, etc.

We recently received and unboxed the November Crate and here’s what we found inside:

• Beast Pin
• DOOM Eternal Cacodemon Stress Ball
• Fallout Art Print
• Fallout Silicone Oven Mitts
• The Elder Scrolls Art Print
• The Elder Scrolls T-Shirt

I can definitely see myself wearing the shirt and using the oven mitts. While the mitts are functional, they’re thinner than my current neon green set. I still think they’ll handle the task of removing freshly made hard boiled eggs from my Instant Pot just fine though! The Doom stress ball is nifty and thankfully, I’m not super stressed so I don’t know how much use it will get. Given that it's made out of foam, it wouldn't survive my puppy's jaws for more than five minutes. To avoid that from happening, it looks nice on our shelf in the office along with the art prints.

Each crate is said to have at least $50 or more worth of items inside. I wouldn’t pay that much for the stuff I got, but the monthly cost of $28.95 is reasonable and I can definitely see the contents being worth that much. If you subscribe for three or six months, the cost is reduced by 9% and 11% respectively.

Any serious gamer would be familiar with the Halo series. But if, for some reason, you aren’t aware, Halo is a Microsoft-exclusive video game that focuses on the adventures of Master Chief and his AI sidekick Cortana as they battle against the alien forces of the Covenant to prevent the extinction of life in the galaxy. With its impressive performance and visuals, it is the perfect game for an Xbox or a specialist gaming PC.

The game has undergone a lot of change since its first release back in 2001, so now’s the time to talk about the evolution of Halo.

Early development

Bungie began development on a new video game in 1997 with a working title ‘Monkey Nuts’ before it was changed to ‘Blam!’. The game was planned as a real-time strategy (RTS), but Bungie soon decided the game was suited to this genre. This decision led them to change tack and go in the third-person shooter (TPS) direction.

Thanks to inside contacts at Apple, the developers were able to get a meeting with an impressed Steve Jobs, who agreed to showcase the game at the 1999 Macworld Conference & Expo. At this time the game still didn’t have a final name, so Bungie had to bring in a branding firm to help. They suggested ‘Halo’. This went down like a lead balloon with the developers - nobody liked it, complaining it was too “on the nose” in regards to the ring world the game was based around. At Macworld, Steve Jobs announced that Halo would be released for MacOS and Windows.

Despite this, in June 2000, Microsoft purchased Bungie and Halo was announced for a day-one launch title for their first games console, the Xbox. At E3 2000, Halo was shown as a TPS but after their acquisition, Microsoft pushed for the game to go down the FPS route - a rarity for consoles at the time. //H2:

The original trilogy

Halo: Combat Evolved

On 15 November 2001, Halo: Combat Evolved (CE) was released in North America in line with the launch of the Xbox. Initially Bungie developers felt uneasy about the ‘Combat Evolved’ subtitle, with some labelling it “stupid”. However, this was added by Microsoft to better describe the game and compete with other FPS games.

The game provides players with a first-person experience of a 3D environment, predominantly set on the ring-like world - Halo. It follows the adventures of lead character Master Chief (or John-117) pitted against the enemy forces of the Covenant, a group of allied alien species. Aided by the United Nations Space Command (UNSC), it’s up to the player to navigate their way through the missions and destroy the Halo ring before it’s weaponised by the Covenant to destroy all sentient life in the galaxy.

The player is equipped with a heads-up display (HUD) that registers both allied and enemy movement, and Master Chief’s shield charge (the traditional health bar), which automatically recharges if the player takes no damage for a brief period.

The player also has access to a range of vehicles throughout the campaign and on multiplayer, including armored 4x4 Warthogs, Scorpion tanks and various alien craft.

Halo: CE came with a split-screen mode, allowing two players to journey through the campaign together (co-op). The game’s multiplayer allows for up to 16 players - four per Xbox using a ‘System Link’ feature. With the game launched before the introduction of online multiplayer service Xbox Live, gamers had to play together through a local area network (LAN). Despite this limitation, Halo: CE is thought to have one of the best multiplayer experiences.

Sales for Halo: CE were a slow burner but it’s long-tail sales rate saw it become very successful commercially. It sold more than 5 million copies over three years, and it was sold alongside more than half of all Xbox consoles sold in the first two months.

Halo: CE has received critical acclaim, being regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time. With many publications posting review scores of 10/10, it was also up for numerous awards.

Marking exactly ten years since its release, Halo: CE was re-released in 2011 as Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. This version came with highly enhanced graphics and supported the online multiplayer mode, which was previously lacking.

Halo 2

The sales figures posted from Halo: CE were impossible for Xbox to ignore. Fans worldwide were anticipating a sequel, especially with Master Chief’s hint at the end of CE that the fight was only getting started. Thankfully they didn’t have to wait too long - at E3 2002, Xbox announced that Halo 2 was in production.

Halo 2 was released worldwide on 9 November 2004. The campaign picks up directly after its predecessor: a Covenant Elite commander is punished for his failure to prevent Master Chief destroying the Halo ring. He is given the rank of Arbiter and acts as one of the game’s many antagonists - alongside the parasitic species, the ‘Flood’, the Covenant leadership and Covenant Brute, Tartarus. Halo 2’s campaign sees the player journey through a number of locations across the galaxy, including the Covenant's planetoid station, High Charity, another Halo ring and our very own planet Earth.

Unlike its predecessor, the Halo 2 campaign alternates between two storylines - one following Master Chief and the other as the Arbiter. Both act as playable characters throughout the game. Master Chief’s HUD is similar to Halo: CE, just without the health bar. When playing as the Arbiter, the player can activate a camouflage feature for a short time.

Halo 2 again features a multiplayer system. With the successful launch of Xbox Live, this was the first game in the series to have fully functional online multiplayer. Players could find online games and also socialize through voice chats.

This also marked the beginning of downloadable content for Halo, where players could buy extra map packs. It also gave Bungie the ability to fix bugs and glitches found after the game’s release and distribute them to their playerbase.

A remastered edition of Halo 2 was released in November 2014 as part of Halo: The Master Chief Collection for Xbox One.

Halo 3

It was never intended for Halo to be a trilogy, but the success of the franchise made it inevitable. The Halo series had garnered a hugely passionate fan base across the world. Very shortly after Halo 2 released, Bungie began work on Halo 3.

The final installment of the original trilogy was released on 25th September 2007. However, fans who had preordered the Xbox game Crackdown had the opportunity to get an early hands-on look with the game’s beta version. This was beneficial to Bungie, who could act upon feedback from players before finishing development.

The campaign is centered around “Finishing the Fight”, continuing the war between Humanity and the Covenant. Following on from the events of Halo 2, Master Chief joins forces with his previous adversary, the Arbiter. They fight to destroy the Ark, a huge artificial structure that can activate all Halo rings and is constructing another ring to replace the one destroyed in Halo: CE

Spin-offs and prequels

Halo 3: ODST

Halo 3: ODST was launched as the fourth installment of the Halo franchise on 22 September 2009. It was the first Halo game not to feature Master Chief as the main protagonist.

The campaign takes place during the events of Halo 2 and is set entirely on Earth, in the city of New Mombasa in Kenya, Africa. It follows the story of a lone Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (ODST) called Rookie as he awakes from a crash landing to discover what has happened to his squad.

While this game does not feature an online multiplayer matchmaking system, it does introduce ‘Firefight’. This is a game mode in which the aim is for the player to battle against increasingly strong waves of Covenant enemies to score points and survive as long as possible. Multiplayer firefight supports up to four players who share a pool of seven lives, which are replenished every five rounds.

Halo Reach

Announced at E3 in 2009, Halo: Reach was to be the last in the series developed by Bungie and the prequel to the original trilogy. Gamers who owned Halo 3: ODST had access to Halo: Reach’s multiplayer beta - which alone garnered between two and three million players.

Halo: Reach was released on 14 September 2010 and takes place shortly before the events of Halo: CE. Set on Earth-like human colony Reach, it follows a group of Spartans called Noble Team who are tasked with seeing off the Covenant in their efforts to destroy the planet. After it becomes inevitable that Reach will fall to the hands of the Covenant, it is up to the team to transport AI Cortana to the UNSC Ship we see in the events of Halo: CE.

The playable character in Halo: Reach is simply called Noble Six, a lone wolf who is a person of few words - they have no dialogue in the campaign.

Due to the dreary nature of the storyline, the feel of the game as a whole has a darker tone. Bungie introduced a redesigned game engine and hired an expert in motion capture to creative more realistic animations for the characters.

Halo: Reach came with online multiplayer matchmaking, Forge and Firefight - seemingly a culmination of all Bungie had introduced during their time developing Halo games.

Drawing critical acclaim again, Halo: Reach served as the perfect prequel to the series but also a great farewell to Bungie. It beat Halo 3’s record in sales, making $200 million on day one.

Halo in the strategy genre

In 2009, Halo dipped its toes into the strategy genre with developer’s Bungie initially planning for the game to be an RTS. Microsoft has published two Halo games in the RTS genre: Halo Wars and Halo Wars 2. The former was developed by Microsoft-owned Ensemble Studies who had previously experience in the strategy arena. Halo Wars takes place from a bird’s-eye view. Players can build bases, which in turn produce vehicles and troops to fight against their opponents.

After receiving a positive reaction to Halo Wars, Halo in the RTS scene went quiet. It wasn’t until 21 February 2017 that Halo Wars 2 was released, developed by 343 Industries and Creative Assembly.

343 Industries takeover

From 2011, Microsoft entrusted 343 Industries with the development of future Halo games after Bungie separated from Microsoft. Named after Halo character 343 Guilty Spark, the studio is dedicated exclusively to the Halo franchise.

343 spearheaded the development of the remastered editions of Halo: CE and Halo 2. They also introduced a new Halo series, the Reclaimer saga. This series would continue to follow the adventures of Master Chief as he fights against new enemies. Halo 4 was released in November 2012, with its successor, Halo 5: Guardians, released October 2015. There has been a much more mixed reaction to the 343 Industries’ titles compared to the original trilogy.

The future: Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite will see Master Chief return to the ringworld after battles on the planet Requiem and the betrayal of AI sidekick Cortana. Originally slated to release alongside the Xbox Series X/S, the title has been delayed until late 2021. While fans are understandably disappointed about the postponement, it’s worth noting that 343 Industries is taking the time to get the development of the game right.

Summary

By the time Halo Infinite is released in 2021, Halo will have been going for 20 years. This is hugely impressive and is testament to the extremely passionate and large fanbase that it has accumulated over the years. Halo has become so popular that it has not only dipped into multiple genres, but other media has also been created with the brand. There are books centred around it, and there is even a TV show in development. With its ability to evolve and diversify, one thing’s for certain: Halo is a juggernaut of the video game industry and it certainly isn’t going away soon.

Author Bio: Oliver Griffiths has a passion for film, video games and technology. He can be found at Tillison Consulting running a number of clients’ digital marketing campaigns across all sectors and platforms.

Learning on the go has become the norm in recent years. While studying is important, it’s also important to take frequent breaks and have some fun playing your favorite games. With that, let’s take a look at some of the best gaming laptops which you can get as a student.

1. Acer Aspire E15

The Acer Aspire E15 line provides a comfortable balance of power and utility for both K-12 and academic students. It features 12-hour battery life, a dedicated MX150 graphics card, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and a 256GB SSD coupled with a 4-core processor. It is a great laptop line designed for students on a tighter budget.

1. Asus VivoBook

If you’re looking for a lightweight laptop with good gaming performance, Asus VivoBook has you covered. It comes with an AMD 4-core processor, Radeon Vega 8 graphics, 128GB SSD, and 8GB DDR4 RAM. This laptop will allow you to comfortably work on your student projects and games without issues.

1. Dell G5 15

Students with a little more money to spend should consider Dell’s G5 15 as a gaming/studying laptop. This laptop comes with Intel’s i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070, 512GB SSD, and 16GB DDR4 RAM. It’s a good option for students who use 3D modeling or graphic design software.

1. HP Pavilion 14

If a sturdy and well-built casing is what you’re after, this is the machine for you. HP Pavilion 14 comes with Intel i5 processor, integrated graphics, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and 256GB SSD storage. This is a great choice for students who write papers frequently and need a good, sizable laptop to work with. Getting in touch with top essay writing services available online can also make writing papers and essays much more comfortable.

1. Acer Chromebook 315

Not every gamer will be into the latest titles, which rely on Ray-Tracing and Acer understands that. Their Chromebook 315 is a great choice for students who enjoy pixel-art and indie games while working on their school projects. It comes with a dual-core Intel processor, integrated graphics, 32GB SSD, and 4GB DDR RAM.

1. Microsoft Surface GO 2

Students who like to take their laptops to classes and use them for presentations should consider this option. Microsoft’s laptop comes with an Intel M3 processor, integrated graphics, 8GB DDR RAM, and 128GB SSD. It’s a 2-in-1 laptop that can double as a tablet, making it great for studying, gaming, and playing multimedia.

1. Lenovo IdeaPad L340

Lenovo’s L340 is a great balance of raw gaming power and value for money given the setup of its components. It comes equipped with an Intel i5 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX1650, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB SSD. This laptop will cover all of your online gaming and student needs for the foreseeable future.

1. Acer Nitro 5

Touted as a gaming laptop by Acer, Nitro 5 is a great machine for students who spend all day at their computers. Nitro 5 features an Intel i5 or AMD 4-core processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX1650 or AMD Radeon RX 560, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and 256-512GB SSD. It is a powerful piece of technology for students who like more modern games.

1. Dell Inspirion 15 5000

Students in need of a high-quality display and a touchscreen should consider this laptop by Dell. It comes with Intel i7 processor, integrated graphics, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and 256GB SSD. It is a solid, sizable laptop great for both studying and gaming.

1. Lenovo IdeaPad 310

Lastly, IdeaPad 310 may not be the beefiest machine on our list, but it’s still a classic. It has a 6^th gen Intel processor, integrated graphics, 8GB DDR RAM, and 2TB HD space. While it won’t let you play the latest games, it will still work great with older titles and serve as a great studying machine.

Conclusion

If you’re shopping for a budget gaming laptop that can double as a studying platform, these machines will work great for you. Make sure to check each one out and compare their prices in your region and with different sellers. You’ll settle for your next student gaming laptop before you know it.

Bio: Henry Mcdowell is a writer, editor, blogger, and tech aficionado. He has a passion for writing, which he expresses through articles and essays published on various outlets. Henry also likes to game in his spare time.

Do you play CSGO? If you do, you will know the value of item skins in the game. In CSGO, players get to collect item skins, and the best thing is that you can also buy or sell CSGO skins online. You will see a price difference in different item skins, as some are more popular than others. You can save time and effort by buying skins online, as you will be able to get the skin of your choice directly. But is it safe to buy CSGO skins online?

If you are planning to buy skins online, it is very important to choose a trustworthy site. You can easily get scammed by someone if you don’t pay attention, and this is the last thing you would want to happen. People can run away with your money, and they can even take your account by asking for the username and password. Logging in to your account on a reliable website isn’t an issue, but if you do it on an unreliable platform, you can lose your account. 

Some sites as for personal details that aren’t even required, and sharing your personal info with an unknown third-party service provider can be an issue. There are a lot of ways in which you can get scammed; however, you are unlikely to face any issues if you choose the right site. But how to choose a trustworthy CSGO trading site? In the next section of this article, we will discuss how you can find a safe platform to buy, sell, or trade CSGO skins. 

Visit GameZod to find a safe CSGO trading site

On GameZod, you will find lists of various gaming-related sites, and there is a category for CSGO on the homepage. In this category, you will find the best CSGO trading sites, and you will also find sites where you can buy or sell item skins. If you choose a site from the listing on GameZod, you are unlikely to face any of the above-mentioned issues. 

All sites mentioned on the platform are safe for users, and you are likely to have a pleasant experience while making a purchase on them. On these sites, you will find several options to choose from, and you will easily be able to find the skin you want to purchase. You can purchase skins safely by paying for them, or you can trade skins to get your favorite ones. 

Selling an item skin you don’t like can also be a good idea, as you can use the money to buy a skin you like. Some skins go for high prices, so you can get a good amount of money if you own a popular skin. CSGO skin prices can vary depending upon their popularity, launch year, appearance, and platform on where they are sold. On GameZod, you will find multiple sites on the list, which means you can easily compare prices as well. 

Conclusion 

If you have read this article carefully, you will know how to find a reliable CSGO trading platform. Buying CSGO skins can be a good idea as you won’t have to rely on your luck to get your favorite skin. You can directly select the item skin you love and get it by paying for it. If you don’t want to spend money, you can trade skins to get the desired item. Now that you know where to find the best trading sites, let’s find the item skin you love and rock the game. 

Believe it or not, but running a game review site isn’t all fun and games.  Surprising right?  Streaming first impressions is mutually beneficial for our reviewers and visitors.  Our reviewers can refer back to the video for the game’s story and their first impressions.  Our viewers can see if the game is interesting enough to consider buying.  Since I don’t like showing too much of a game without spoiling it, I try to only stream the first hour or so to avoid going into spoiler territory.  While this approach is thoughtful, it’s counter-productive. 

By providing several streams a week we’re trying out several new games and not getting enough time to go back to finish their reviews.  Currently, I have thirty-five games assigned to myself (Yikes!).  I like to compare these streamed games to boxes of cereal.  I keep opening up new boxes of cereal and need to finish them up before they go stale.

To help me catch up on these backlogged games, I’ll be taking a break from regular streaming until next year.  There’s a lot on our plates and many of us are working full or part time jobs while still maintaining this site.  If you are blessed by the work we do, please consider supporting us on Twitch (we currently have 0 subscribers and Amazon Prime members can subscribe for free!), Patreon, Subscribe Star (Nobody has used this yet!), Ko-fi, Paypal, or Giving Grid.

Thank you UberStrategist for sending us a screener to review!

Insert Coin is a documentary about the rise and fall of the popular arcade game making company, Midway. Though Midway has been around since 1958, this film covers the 80s through their bankruptcy in 2009. The 1981 acquisition of Bally is also discussed with their rivalry with Williams. These companies combined are well known for their pinball and early video games like Defender, Joust, Robotron 2084, and Rush. In the mid-80s people were getting tired of the copycat and low-quality games and as a result, the industry was losing its audience.

In 1988, the recently re-branded Midway released Narc which was an arcade hit and stirred up some controversy with its bloodiness and dismembering of body parts. Smash TV did well in the theaters but Midway had to learn from a mistake of teasing the gamers about a nonexistent hidden area (Pleasure Dome) and shipped out ROM chips to actually add it to the game. Countless quarters were spent trying to find that mystical area.

It’s interesting to know that a successful arcade game was one that generated $700/week. NBA Jam was such a success that the arcade machines were deemed defective because their quarter holders were filled to capacity! Their most popular franchise, Mortal Kombat is covered in detail with its over-the-top violence and backlash for it. The film adaptation is also covered. Mortal Kombat was so edgy that Nintendo removed the blood from their SNES release. SEGA left the game intact to attract an older audience.

As the console systems took off, arcades became less popular. In 2001 Midway phased out their coin operated machines and closed their doors for good in 2009. They have made some great games and seeing their inspiration and backstories in this documentary is truly fascinating. Some of the executives and game developers have unbridled tongues so you may want to think twice before letting young kids watch this movie. There's also a lot of violence and blood/dismemberment shown in the game footage too. If you’ve enjoyed Midway games, you should check out this film on demand or at virtual cinemas!

Gift cards are quickly becoming a popular gift idea. If you don't know what a person will like or they already have everything you can think of, the perfect solution is a gift card from Gift Card Summit. There is something for everyone on your Christmas list, even if they live across the country. Gaming, movies, live stream services, and general cards that can be used at almost any location, gift cards from Gift Card Summit offer you the chance to give a gift that everyone will be happy with.

Great for Gamers

Whether it's a new piece of gaming equipment or a software addition, gamers are always looking for the next step up that will give them an advantage over other players. When it comes to this type of gift, odds are, if you aren't a gamer yourself you will buy the wrong thing. This is when a gift card from Gift Card Summit for your favorite gamer will come in handy.

Ideal for Shut-Ins

Gift Card Summit gift cards are an ideal gift for shut-ins who do much of their shopping online. General gift cards are are easy to purchase as a gift for a loved one and even easier to use especially online. Gift Card Summit gift cards can be used to buy a special item for fun or leisure, or they can be used for basic necessities. The beauty of gift cards is that the recipient is in charge of what they buy and when they make their purchases. 

Use Online or In Person

Gift cards can be used just like a credit or debit card. The primary difference between a gift card and the others is that most gift cards do not come with a chip. You have the option of using them online, over the phone, or in person. With the right card, you can buy almost anything from anywhere. With more and more stores offering virtual shopping, gift cards are becoming one of the most popular gifts around

Easy to Mail

Gift cards are a great choice if you have to send gifts across the country. Bulky gifts can take weeks to deliver through the postal system or via a bulk package carrier like UPS. Instead, gift cards travel in a regular size envelope and will arrive at their destination in less than a week, in most cases. Even if they are mailed in an odd-sized envelope, they will arrive much faster than if you were sending a larger gift. Even better, digital gift cards from Gift Card Summit are extremely easy to send. 

Several Cards Can Be Used at Once

Another benefit of gift cards is that you can use all of them on one purchase. Whether you are buying online or in the store, you can use all or some of your gift cards for your purchase as long as they aren't associated with a specific service or company like Netflix or Amazon. It's easier to double up on cards when you are purchasing an item in a store or over the phone.

Works Just Like a Pre-Paid Credit Card

Gift cards work just like a pre-paid credit card. Many gift cards work just like pre-paid credit cards allowing you to reload them again and again. This is a great idea if you have a student who is away at school. They can buy whatever they need and when their funds get low, you can reload them by purchasing a refill card and transferring the funds. It makes it extremely easy to make sure your student always has what they need.

Choose Your Amount

Many gift cards have a set amount they can be loaded with. Amounts can start with $5 or $10 and go as high as $500 or higher depending on what type of card you are purchasing. Reloadable cards can be purchased for a wide variety of amounts as well. Being able to choose the desired amount allows you to give exactly what you want without having to worry about cutting someone's gift short.

Easily Transferable

If you are the recipient of multiple gift cards, you can always pass them on to someone else. Gift cards do not come with a name printed on them so there is no need to provide an ID or pin when using them. This makes it easy for you to pass them on to someone on your list who you may not know well enough to buy the perfect gift. Google Play, Amazon, iTunes, and Netflix cards are great ideas if you plan on handing your gift cards off to someone else.

At Gift Card Summit, you can find almost any type of gift card imaginable. You can shop for everyone on your list in just a few minutes instead of spending hours waiting in line at the store or going through online shopping sites. Take a few minutes and make your list and then place your order. Be the Santa that everyone loves this year by giving gift cards from Gift Card Summit to the ones you love.

As the world progresses towards better technology and improved skills, we are experiencing a massive gaming industry transformation. Faster internet, better consoles, and the gaming community's growth have made 2020 one of gamers' best experiences.

With a whopping 164 million people hooked on online gaming, primarily due to COVID-19, it is increasingly becoming one of the mainstream industry of the year 2020. Let's see below how the gaming industry is evolving and what are its latest trends.

The following are the lastest online gaming trends for the year 2020:

1. Video Game Streaming

A new trend that is very famous now in online gaming is the streaming of video games. Twitch and YouTube are currently the largest platforms for these video game streams. Last year people viewed streams for more than 2.5 billion hours on Twitch, while on YouTube, viewer hours were more than 700 million hours.

The platforms do not restrict to only professional streamers, but anyone can stream any game they want for their viewers. These streams could contain streamers completing a walkthrough of a single-player game or playing an online multiplayer game with friends. Popular games like League of Legends, Fortnite, World of Warcraft, and more have seen a massive spike in viewers as most people stay home during the pandemic.

New games are being released, requiring the person to grind for several hours before being competitive. In such a case, people leave the grinding and watch their favorite streamer grind to see what it looks like on a competitive level.

If this is happening to you, but you still want to play games like World of Warcraft competitively, in that case, you have the option to buy wow accounts safely from authorized websites. That will supersede your ranking so that you can stay ahead of other players and catch up to players on a high level in an instant. Many websites sell accounts for reasonable prices, and they are 100% safe and verified.

2. Cross-Platform Gaming

Another trend that is very popular these days is cross-platform and cross-progression. Cross-platform is when games allow their players on one console or device to match up and play with players on other consoles. Many famous multiplayer games enable cross-platform so that people can play with their friends or other online players.

Most of the same games provide cross-progression, which allows you to keep your account if you have switched from one console to another device. Players on the PlayStation can now match with players of Xbox and PC. Even if it's an excellent option,  many games choose not to allow cross-play functionality. Many do not want to play with players from another console or device because the skill gap might be higher on other devices.

3. Online Dealer Games

The year 2020 has also been an awful year for gamblers who used to play casino games and win massive amounts of money from it. Due to the global pandemic, almost all of the casinos closed their operations. But these gamblers do not have to worry anymore as the internet can now give you access to the same gambling games on an online platform.  Games such as slots, poker, blackjack, slots, and roulette are available to play online. These gambling websites allow you to play and gamble your money on any game you like.

Similarly to real life, you will be playing against other players who also have money on the line. The online gambling industry is booming as well. More than two billion people play these online dealer games, easily accessible on most devices, including smartphones.

4. Mobile Gaming

Everyone has access to a smartphone, and every smartphone has games on it. Mobile gaming was a viral trend last year as it allowed people to play from anywhere, be it their office, college, or home. Because of the global pandemic, mostly everyone is staying at their home. However, this has increased the trend of mobile gaming to be even bigger than before.

Most people in a household do not have access to a console or a PC, but everyone has a smartphone. These days, many popular game companies have now integrated their games to play them on most mobile devices. The launch of the 5G network to many phones and areas has increased the internet speed so that gamers can play these games on lower ping. Mobile Gamers have access to all kinds of games, like board games, casino games, action, sports, and much more.

5. Remastered and Remakes

There have been triple-A title games that were released and impacted the gaming community in the past. Even though popular sequels of acclaimed games are released, everyone wants to play the classics to feel nostalgia. Video game companies have considered this and are now releasing remakes and remaster of old classic games.

The remastered and remakes of cult-favorite games are getting popular these days. Many video games like Demon Souls, Final Fantasy VII, FFXIII, Resident Evil 2 and 3 went through the remaking process. Moreover, there are remastered games like Dark Souls, Uncharted and Last of Us. These allow players to revisit their childhood games with a new touch or newcomers to try the game's best version. Remastered Games and Remakes have secured many units over the past years profiting many gaming companies.

Conclusion

Many gaming companies have seen this global pandemic as a source of profit. Some gaming platforms like Steam had over 20 million online concurrent users on March 15, 2020. Since people want an activity that explores their creative ability and provides them with stimulation, gaming is the possible source which fulfills their need.  It is no wonder that new genres and various games continue to be pushed to the audience as players stay home during the pandemic.

Guide to Picking Lane in League of Legends

When you start playing League of Legends, you will face many questions, such as which lane to pick, which champion to choose, and how to play. Let's start!

League of Legends has many heroes, and it takes a lot of time and energy to learn about all the high-level champions and play them.

You will rarely see players playing all the roles in a game. Usually, the players choose roles and stick to them, mastering several heroes at once. 

In case you don't want the hassle of playing through the basic and unranked matches, we've got your back. You can buy league accounts through secure payment methods. Here are some of the perks of buying LOL accounts!

Why specialize in roles?

There are excellent reasons for meticulously mastering a champion. There are not many explanations to disagree with this. There are 140 playable heroes available after the latest patch. 

The current meta includes 5 characters; top lane, mid lane, jungle, ADC, and support. Reaching the consistently high tier of 140 champions is nearly impossible.

It is very advantageous to play as multiple champions, particularly when climbing solo queues. A deeper understanding of the championships and their role will be available to you. 

If you keep changing characters, you'll never be an expert in one character, but if you stick with one, it means you can master it. Now let us take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of lane specialty.

The Pros

• You're going to have the fullest understanding of the characters, know the ins and outs, and start developing your playing style.
• Throughout the match, you'll be more consistent.  
• Builds and skillsets are part of the game, meaning you can focus on learning the skills needed, orienting your map, and understanding when to push or wait in a lane.
• You better understand the fundamentals. It will be much more accurate to realize when and how to push in and when to return, which indicates you will make fewer mistakes and enhance your squad's potential.

The Cons

• Riot recommends that you learn to play each role, so you always know what to do on each lane.
• While expertise is the right choice, don't make it a trick - you'll find you've reached a certain level where you need more knowledge of other characters to deal with them.

As a player, you can avoid the inconvenience by playing different roles from time to time. Pile up a few typical games, then dive into the discomfort zone. If you specialize in the jungle, shut Ahri in the middle. If you're carrying ads with you, please opt-out of support and lock up Teemo for the top lane.

Now that you are convinced, you will have to make some decisions. How to choose the lead role?

We'll analyze each character and point out each character's playstyle so that you can match the character to yourself.

Top Lane

Objective

• For the most part, the top laners keep to themselves in the upper half of the map.
• 1v1 battle, so you need to have an outstanding expertise of your champion.
• There's a tendency to shift mostly from lane once the tower is moved.
• Don't think about other lanes before the laning process unless the enemy is weak and you are dominating.

Is It for You?

• You want to be a lone wolf.
• Solo playing is just something you're passionate about.
• You usually love playing tanky champions.

Mid Lane

Objective 

• 1v1 war but usually more active engagement than the top lane.
• Roaming, also playing as a jungler, if necessary, during the laning process.
• Builds primarily offensive artifacts to annihilate opponents.
• Mainly based on accurate spell placements 

Is It for You?

• Your preferred buff is the blue buff.
• You're a skillful player, but you are aware of your drawbacks. Almost all of the eyes are on you.
• You admire the snipers and the capacity to take one shot.
• You can efficiently execute spell deployments and control resources when in the lane.
• Becoming the main attraction, that's all you ever wished.

Jungle

Objective

• Continuous wandering around the map.
• Stealing/Gankinglanes to take full advantage of your match.
• Keeps track of individual goals and interacts only with the team.

Is It for You?

• You have a solid understanding of game awareness.
• You understand when the lane will require any help and when it won't.
• You have a strong tolerance, and you're going to be criticized for many things, even though you're doing all the smart work.
• You've strong-pacing expertise and reaction time for taking such shots.

Support

Objective

• Unfortunately, it doesn't earn much attention. Still, it works diligently on the lane and defends AD Carry at any risks.
• Map vision controlling is comfortable for you. 
• You buy useful items for the advantage of the entire squad.
• Depending on the support champion, different play types can vary from tanky and low defense but severe damage.

Is It for You?

• It's too challenging to play other roles. 
• You don't mind giving up fame for undervalued help.
• Your understanding is equal to nothing. Yet you enjoy helping the rest of the squad.

Attack Damage Carry/ ADC

Objective

• Typically plays with the assistance that concedes a small probability of victory in the lane.
• Long-ranged enormous damage with weak defense ensures that alignment is a requirement in terms of playing style.
• Last hitting is a vital aspect.

Is It for You? 

• You should remain composed during challenging experiences.
• Last hitting and remembering the recent hit are fun and reasonably simple for you.
• Placement and situational perception are all you can do.
• Penta-kills are the key targets of your existence.

Tier List

N.B: Remember this tier list is made for patch 10.24, and only S-Tier champions are listed.

Top Lane

Champion - Win%

Shen - 54.7%

Camille - 51.7%

Maokai - 52.4%

Kayn - 52%

Galio - 52.5%

Kayle - 56.2%

Darius - 51.1%

Jayce - 50.3%

Poppy - 52.2%

Heimerdinger - 52.6%

Mid Lane

Champion - Win%

Janna - 53.6%

Leona - 53%

Bard - 52.4%

Thresh - 51.4%

Maokai - 52.8%

Galio - 52.9%

Lulu - 51%

Jungle

Champion - Win%

Hecarim - 53.1%

Kha'Zix - 53%

Nunu & Willump - 56%

Kayn - 54.6%

Graves - 50.9%

Poppy - 53%

Support

Champion - Win%

Janna - 53.6%

Leona - 53%

Bard - 52.4%

Thresh - 51.4%

Maokai - 52.8%

Galio - 52.9%

Lulu - 51%

ADC/Attack Damage Carry

Champion - Win%

Jhin - 54.1%

Samira - 52.5%

Kai'Sa - 50.4%

Vayne - 51.9%

Conclusion

The list is only a small-scale study of each character. The best way to do this is to get a little understanding of the playstyle. So, get into the game and pick a hero from among the characters you want. 

Play a few games, swap roles until at least a few games have been played, then decide which feel suits you the best. 

There are also other opportunities available on the web that can help you increase competitiveness in these positions.

Here is everything you need to know about LOL selling accounts.