Thank you Paramount for sending us a digital screener to review!

There have been many movies adapted after popular video game franchises. Sadly, most of them are not very good. This film had a rocky start after fans heavily criticized Paramount’s original design of the blue blur. Sonic’s final appearance looks much closer to Sega’s design with the exception of his arms being blue instead of cream colored.

Sonic is voiced by Ben Schwartz and he does a great job with bringing out the attitude that gamers have grown to love. While Sonic is often cocky, there’s a lot of loneliness shown as he must remain hidden from humans while living on Earth. In the fictional town of Green Hills, Montana, Sonic watches many residents of this small community without being detected (for the most part).

When Sonic lets his emotions get the better of him, he causes a mass loss of power and the government calls upon Dr. Robotnik to discover the source. Jim Carrey’s portrayal of Eggman is quite funny and he provides a lot of humor in this film as expected.

With the help of a cop that Sonic dubbed the “Donut Lord,” they head to San Fransico to retrieve Sonic’s Rings. On this journey, a beautiful friendship is born, and some valuable life lessons are taught to both Sonic and the police officer (James Marsden), whose real name is Tom.

This film is family-friendly for the most part. There is some violence with most of it taking place in a bar fight that Sonic started. Language is pretty mild as I recall the start of a curse word being cut off before it’s said in its entirety.

Overall, my family enjoyed this movie and wouldn’t mind owning it in the near future. The Blu-ray is available for a little over $20 on Amazon. I’ll probably wait for a sale though. Fans of the Sonic franchise will enjoy this film and the hinting of a potential sequel.

Buy it on Amazon for $22.99

(Affiliate Link)

Those who enjoy playing video games know how easy it is to get fully absorbed into a game. A quick 10-minute play session can quickly turn into hours of gameplay.

It wasn’t all that long ago that enjoying a video game meant going to purchase it from the store and having full access to the game. However, in modern gaming, features such as paying to have to recharge or paying for special items are common.

To some people, having to pay to continue playing a game might seem like a minor inconvenience. However, for other players, the need to pay to continue playing a game becomes a compulsive impulse. This impulse is actually a form of addictive behavior. Many game developers are aware of this addictive behavior and are using it to increase their revenue.

Play-to-Win and Loot Boxes

Most games have the same basic mechanics, no matter the genre: to complete a series of tasks and unlock harder objectives. However, now that many games can connect to the internet, developers have realized that players will pay real money to complete an objective more quickly.

Most of the time, this payment happens in one of two ways. One is known as the “Play-to-Win” method, where players will pay to skip the objective or pay to unlock a new area. The other method is known as “Loot Boxes”, where players pay to receive a mystery “box” of virtual items that will enhance their gameplay.

Spending money to engage in games

Play-to-Win features and Loot Boxes require in-app purchases or microtransactions. Spending this money can become an impulse. People enjoy being able to advance in a game and feel satisfied when they’re able to unlock new content. Eventually, the brain becomes addicted to feeling this satisfaction.

This is a form of behavioral addiction, which is different than a chemical addiction. However, the need to spend, unlock new content, advance in the game, and feel that satisfaction is still a need for some people. To feel that satisfaction, many people willingly spend money on Play-to-Win features and Loot Boxes without realizing they’re addicted. It is a dangerous cycle.

Similarities between video games and casinos

Some people might find the gambling mechanics in video games hard to believe, but it is important to remember that casinos have used this technique for decades. When people purchase a Loot Box, there is no guarantee that they will get the items they need. This forces them to purchase more Loot Boxes.

People play the slots in casinos because they want a large money prize. Sometimes, they receive nothing. Other times, they only receive a little. But because the possibility of winning large is still there, they continue to play. Just like how people become addicted to casino gambling, they can become addicted to video game gambling.

Addicting games with microtransactions

Any game that offers microtransactions to continue to play can become addictive. One example of a popular game that is currently using these gambling mechanisms is Fortnight. While it is possible to play Fortnight without spending money, those who want to advance more quickly will need to purchase packs that grant them access to new items.

Other video games that have used microtransactions include FIFA and Overwatch. Even Nintendo is using microtransactions in Mario Kart Tour. It is usually easy to tell what games have microtransactions before you purchase or download them. For example, in the iTunes app store, apps will clearly state if they offer in-app purchases.

Beating the addition

So how exactly can you beat the addiction? Well, one way is to read reviews before purchasing a game to see if other players have concerns about in-app purchases. If they do, you know you’ll have to be more cautious when playing that game to not get absorbed into the gambling mechanisms.

Another way is to set clear limits for yourself. If you know a game offers microtransactions, give yourself a limit of how many Play-to-Win features or Loot Boxes you can buy in a month. If you like a game and want to support it, there is nothing wrong with buying a Loot Box on occasion, as long as you’re in control over your spending.

Final thoughts

Having an awareness of the addictive gambling mechanics in video games can help keep you from becoming too addicted to these mechanics. If you suspect you are already addicted to these mechanics, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional — behavioral addiction can be just as devastating as a chemical addiction.

With many considering the aim assist for gamepad users being a disadvantage, Epic Games is removing the legacy controls on March 13th.  In it's current state, gamepad users are able to track users through obstructions like smoke and walls.  Players with legacy controls currently enabled will have their controls set back to default settings.  Until the change happens, players who wish to preserve their settings may use the "Copy from Legacy" option and then manually disable the "Legacy Look Controls".

Check out Fortnite Items Available From PlayerAuctions.com

A video game is interactive digital entertainment that you “play” via a computer, a game console (like the Xbox or PlayStation) or phone or tablet. 

The reason why video games are awesome, and extremely popular among all age groups is that people are trying to escape the real world and prefer to live in the virtual world.

There could be many reasons why video gaming will take over but according to me, they can be summarised in seven points.

People find it easy to find a community within the gaming world.

Technology has been a boon for some people while it is a curse for the others.

People find it easier to join a community in gaming worlds and make friends or even compete with one another rather than dealing with the real people.

It saves people from the task of handling tantrums, or mood swings of the people face to face.

This is proved from the following data. 

Source: limelight.com-How many hours each week do you spend playing video games?

Video gamers spend an average of 7.1 1 hours (seven hours, seven minutes) each week playing games. This is an increase of 19.3 percent in the last year.

Well, if you find that the servers of your country are particularly slow, then you can use VPNs and increase the speed.

The popularity of television as a means of entertainment is decreasing

“ According to estimates, there are 120.6 million TV homes in the United States for the 2019-2020 TV season. Whilst the number of TV households continues to grow, pay-TV is becoming less popular – the pay-TV penetration rate in the U.S. was pegged at 75 percent in 2019, marking a drop of almost ten percent in just five years.”- source Statica.

More and more people are turning to video games as a stress buster and for entertainment.

Easily downloadable games on mobiles.

Many devices are available to play video games but mobiles are the most preferred ones. 

How much of your total time playing video games is on the following devices?

(Scale 0-4)

Source: limelight

It is evident from the above data that people prefer to use mobile as a means of playing the game.

The easy availability of mobile phones and the compactness makes it a point to use them as gaming devices.

Due to this, the popularity of video games is increasing.

Career options in gaming.

Nowadays there is one more career in the minds of young people and that is to become a professional video game player. 

They don’t mind turning their hobby into a career which is evident from the below graph.

This has given a boost to the field of video gaming.

Would you quit your job if you could support yourself as a professional video game player?

 A shift in content consumption

There is a trend to watch online games on Twitch and YouTube rather than watching real sports on the television. Of course, online games cannot replace real ones.

 For instance, the overnight sensation “Fortnite”, reported 1.1 million simultaneous viewers on Youtube.

There is a paradigm shift in the way people want the content to be delivered to them, which makes video games a more popular option.

Requires less investment

Movies like ‘Star Wars’ require huge investment whereas video games do not require the investment of that magnitude. It is comparatively less.

Besides, there is a headache of approaching the celebrities and fixing the dates for shooting in case of T.V which is not so in case of video games.

Also, in television serials, there has to be continuity whereas in games they can be started from anywhere and slowly levels can be crossed.

Fictional characters are often used in video games and often a real game player substitutes himself/herself in that role.

This is one of the factors why gaming is becoming more popular than television.

Games are replicating T.V characters and T.V serials

Characters from popular T.V serials or movies are often animated and adopted in various games.

When people play games they shift themselves into these roles and it gives a kind of mental peace to them.

Besides in the case of T.V, people needed a television set to view it whereas in the case of gaming everything is stored on a cloud. Due to this, it can be accessed from anywhere and any device. 

CONCLUSION

So whatever be the purpose of gaming, be it a career, just for entertainment or watching people play games on Twitch, one thing is certain that video gaming will continue to be popular in the coming days.

Introduction

Since the 80s brought home entertainment systems into millions of households, video games have taken a strong position on the market ushering new jobs, products, and ideas. It didn’t take long for organized competitive gaming (esports) to appear, with numerous tournaments attracting gamers from all over the world.

However, are esports valuable only to video game marketers and console manufacturers, or is there a deeper value? In this article, we are going to go through some of the benefits that competitive gaming holds for education.

Improved cognitive function

Doctor Peter Gray, in his article on cognitive benefits of video games, shows evidence that video games improve our spatial attention, memory, and multitasking abilities. All of these skills represent a significant set of personality traits that allow us to learn faster, adopt new ideas, and extend our ability to focus during class, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, or create a reasonable schedule.

So if you’re still coping with these cognitive functions, try pursuing a professional gaming career. You might not reach the top but you’ll fix those issues that stopped you from getting your college degree.

Scholarship programs

In the US, alone, there are more than 450 institutions of higher education that provide esport programs with full scholarships for students interested in pursuing this career. What this means is that we could expect, soon enough, many aspiring gamers signing up at a college much like basketball and football students do. It's general knowledge that most students get through their college only thanks to their athletic endeavor, while they’re provided with a reliable assignment guide to help them with their homework, essays, and other academic challenges that they might face.

Furthermore, students that don’t get an esports scholarship or attend programs that don't offer this sort of help, can easily fund their college by winning tournaments or stream their gaming sessions. These sorts of activities attract a lot of sponsors that would gladly help financially or in some other way like donating equipment. 

Socialization

It’s not a secret that a lot of gamers tend to keep to themselves, don’t get appreciated enough by their age peers, and have a difficult time socializing outside their interest group. Organizing esport clubs on campus gives a chance for gamers to find likeminded people and fulfill the social aspect of their college experience. The value of socialization goes beyond making new friends and potentially build college teams. Students can also help each other with other subjects, exams, homework, and other activities. 

A highly organized esports club could also attract students to enroll because they would be pulled by the chance to learn next to other kids that share the same passion for games.

STEM education

Studies confirm that video games like the League of Legends and others significantly improve skills needed for STEM (Science Tech, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. This is one of the reasons why almost every college holds a gaming club, if not providing a program focused on esports.

As we already said, the influence of esports on STEM education shows a positive return, mostly by raising interest with kids that propels them to learn more about video game development and the skills required to produce this sort of content. Recent statistics show that only 36 percent of US students major in STEM fields. Since gamers predominantly choose science and technology-related programs, it's easy to conclude that providing more space to esports in universities will help to keep STEM programs alive.

Stress relief

College is a stressful period of life for most students. For a vast number of freshmen, this is the first time to leave home and live on their own. Others have a difficult time managing their academic obligations and personal life which can be a source of serious stress.

According to an article issued by The Independent magazine, video games can serve as a powerful stress therapy, releasing the extra pressure and keeping us calm. Since our learning abilities suffer under increased stress, it’s easy to connect the dots and see how esports can help students focus on their college assignments.

Conclusion

Video games are fun, engaging, and a great socialization platform if you have the right approach. The influence of esports is not only visible in education it shows its face in marketing, movies, tech, sports equipment, and virtually anywhere you can think. Since this industry has such a strong impact on our lives, it’s imperative to understand this value and channel it properly because no concept is perfect.

Author Bio:

Joshua Robinson is a freelance content writer engaged with several essay writing services. Joshua seeks new ways to improve the everyday lives of his readers through informative and engaging topics. In his articles, Joshua uses only relevant resources that bring practical value.

Smart and young CS players are well aware of the benefits of gaming. They’re not afraid to believe in their chance of making it big, so they’re often sacrificing the rest of their daily activities in order to become successful counter-strike players.

Regardless of your age, playing a complex video game like CS should never make you feel that you’re wasting your time. If your friends and parents judge you, they’re doing so because they don’t understand the value that we can extract through such experiences.

However, regardless of your age, you should never allow video games to make your life worse and stop your personal and professional growth.

When it comes to college students, there are many individuals who are sabotaging their future without even being conscious. Failing in college is not something you want to happen, especially if you’re committed to grow and become a responsible adult, and you cannot allow computer games to put you in that position.

In today’s post, I’m going to share 5 relevant tips for college students that want to succeed in good games like Counter-Strike more than anything else while still wanting to create a balance in their life. Pay attention and apply!

Establish Solid Objectives

To succeed at Counter-Strike, you need to treat your experience like a mission rather than entertainment. Getting to the top of the ladder requires a lot of work, experience, mistakes, lessons, emotion control, and so much more.

Therefore, establish your objective first and set a deadline. Create a strategy based on habits and keep repeating those habits until your objective is reached. For example, an objective could sound like this:

“I will pass X and Y exam by 20^th of January while ranking up to Nova 2.”

Take that objective and give it your full attention, energy, and time.

Assume Responsibility for Your Growth and Actions

If you want to be successful at anything you do, you need to be responsible. A responsible person is someone who understands the impact of his own actions and the consequences that are about to follow. No lies, no blaming, no complaining.

If you want to learn more about responsibility, you should check the crucible essays and learn from the characters who are committing the most mistakes.

Either way, when it comes to CS and college, assuming responsibility is about understanding that you cannot ignore either. For that reason, you need to have a very well-defined purpose (as mentioned above) and create a solid action strategy around it.

Understand the Purpose of College

Before you go to class or write an essay, remind yourself why you’re doing it. You are here because you’ve chosen to be here, but also because you know that it will help you become a better person. Acknowledge the purpose and embrace it!

Important vs. Urgent

When it comes to balancing games and college, you need to think in terms of important vs. urgent.

When you feel like playing, ask yourself what’s more important: this game or this essay? What are the consequences of each action? What do you really have to do now?

Use this comparison and make smart choices whenever you’re not sure about what you have to do next.

Commit to Be Good at Everything You Do

If you want to be successful in life, you need to approach a winners’ mindset. Be great at what you do and never stop improving yourself.

Since you’re also in college, why not raise your standards and do great at school too?

It doesn’t have to be games vs school. It can be games and school!

It all starts with a decision. A commitment to be good at Counter-Strike, a commitment to finish college without problems, a commitment to live an abundant life!

Takeaways

The benefits of video games cannot be denied. The Esports industry is growing every year and the standards for reaching the higher leagues are getting higher every moment.

Succeeding in Counter-Strike takes a lot of focus and balance. If you’re serious about becoming really good at this game, you need to be serious about becoming the best version of yourself. That includes passing your college exams, eating healthy, sleeping enough hours each night, exercising on a regular basis, and so on. Take today’s tips into consideration and take action!

BIO: Joshua Robinson is a highly talented CS:GO player, academic tutor, and blog writer. He is passionate about gaming since he was a very young man, and he’s always been a big supporter of the benefits provided by video games. In his free time, he’s a father of three children and a supportive husband.

Gaming is a billion-dollar industry these days, and it’s not hard to understand why. One of the best things you can do to capitalize on this is to try to make the most of the gaming experience. Video games are no longer a solo activity for people in their bedrooms to enjoy. They are becoming more and more mainstream, as well as evolving into sociable events. 

This is why it is so important to make sure you focus on improving your approach to gaming and trying to get the best possible outcome. There are a lot of factors to keep in mind here, and trying to enhance your gaming experience in 2020 is so important. Make sure you look at what it takes to improve and enhance your gaming experience this year and here are a few great ideas that can help you.

Get a Gaming Chair

A gaming chair, in many ways, is seen as the pinnacle of the gaming experience. You need to do as much as possible to improve the process of gaming, and a chair is going to provide you with excellent comfort, as well as helping you to play in a more immersive way. This is something you are going to need to work on improving, and it can help you in a big way when it comes to having a better gaming experience. 

Stock up on the Latest Games

If you want the best possible gaming experience for 2020, you also need to make sure you have the latest and greatest games. And the best way to do this is to make sure you check out upcoming PC games in 2020. This is something that you are going to need to do if you want to find new games that are going to make your gaming sessions more fun and immersive.  

Use a Projector

Another excellent way of being able to improve your gaming experience is to use a projector. This can give you a much larger screen to play your games on and would be perfect for allowing you to have a more social gaming experience. So you need to look at how to choose the best projector for gaming, as this is a massively important part of the gaming process, and this is something to look into as much as possible. 

Get Your Friends Involved

Getting your friends involved is something that you need to consider when it comes to improving and enhancing your gaming experience. Do as much as possible to consider how you can do this, and try to get involved in some social gaming as much as you can. There are a lot of things that play a part in helping you enjoy your experience more, and getting your friends involved is something that can really help with that.

There are so many great ways in which you can work on improving your gaming experience, and this is something you need to make sure you work on. There are lots of incredible things that you can do to achieve this, and it is important that you make sure you make the most of this moving forward. Do as much as you can to enhance and improve your gaming experience right now with these great tips. 

Here’s our 2019 Christmas buying guide!  Below are our favorite gadgets and family appropriate titles we have played throughout the year.  More reviews can be found on ChristCenteredGamer.com! Each game is given a gameplay score for the overall gaming experience and a moral score for how suitable it is for younger gamers.   The Amazon and Humble Store links will benefit Christ Centered Gamer by giving us a small % of the sale.

Projection is one of the best inventions in the technology era and short throw projector the most exciting breakthrough in projection technology. With more advanced lenses and lighting sources, they are not only useful in movies and office presentations but also good for gaming.

Due to more improvement in technology, today's models are highly-advanced and provide high-quality resolution and brightness. And most importantly, they are affordable. However, people facing difficulty when planning to buy the best short throw projector as so many options are available in the market. To assist you in making the right decision and selection, we have compiled a detailed guide that will lead you to get the best possible short-throw projector to enhance your gaming experience.

Benefits of Using Short Throw Projector

• Easy to install: Installation and integration are usually affordable and flexible when using a short throw projector. They are designed in such a way that you can either mount the projection unit on a wall or install it onto the ceiling.
• Great for small spaces: You can enjoy a home cinema experience in the smallest of space with short throw projectors. They are capable to eliminate the clutters such as people walking in front of the projection image, and focus on optimizing the overall watching experience during movies or presentations.
• Advance technology: Nowadays, most of the projectors are equipped with advanced features in terms of picture quality, contrast ratio, and lamp life. With these features, you can drastically improve the way you conduct your presentations.
• Better gaming experience: Previously, projectors were rarely used in gaming because they were too long in size and had fewer features. But the latest model of short-throw projectors come with a clear LCD or DLP technology with a variety of modes, such as gaming mode.

Buying Guide for the Perfect Short Throw Projector for Gaming

Once you've decided to buy a short throw projector, it's important to understand some of the important factors to get the best value for your money. 

Brightness

One of the important factors that you need to look for the best short throw projector is brightness. It is measured in lumens that define the level of brightness a projector can produce or how bright the image will be on the projection screen. If your aim to use the projector is in a dark environment, the low lumens may be sufficient. However, if you plan to use it brightly-lit rooms, then you should not go for anything below 3000 lumens.

Throw Ratio

Throw ratio is defined as the distance of the projector from the screen divided by the width of the projected image. Smaller is the throw ratio, wider will be the screen image from a projector. A short throw projector has the throw ratio between 0.38 to 1. This means the projector can fill an 8-foot screen from the distance of 3.5 feet. Because of the small throw ratio, many people use these projectors for gaming as not much space is required to get a stunning large image.

Lighting Source

The lighting source is the most important part of projection technology. Therefore, it's necessary to understand the difference between the types of light sources before buying a projector. The DLP "digital light processing" projector uses a fancy light bulb or mirrors to project images that can burn out easily and need to be replaced. On the other hand, the LCD projector uses laser and LEDs to create an image on the screen. They are usually last long with little or no maintenance compared to DLP projectors.

Resolution

Another important key factor while looking for a projector is the resolution. We recommend a high-resolution projector with at least a native resolution of 1280x768 which is good for projecting image with a 16:9 aspect ratio. If you have a good budget and want to run high-definition applications such as Blu-rays and gaming systems, then the projector with 1920x1080p resolution will be the best option for you.

Connectivity

Last but not least, connectivity is another important aspect you should look for. Today, most of the projectors available in the market have multiple connectivity ports such as USB, HDMI, DVI, and AV ports. Some projectors are also available with wireless connectivity such as WiFi and Bluetooth. These features eliminate the need for wires to connect your laptop or smartphones.

Final Words

When choosing a short throw projector, you'll need to know where you'll be using it and your budget accordingly. We hope this buying guide will help you to find a suitable projector for your needs. If you have any concerns about this article, let us know in the comment section below.

Thank you GeekStore.com for sending us review samples of the Sonic The Hedgehog Christmas Sweater and Star Wars ornaments!

Christmas shopping season is almost upon us! Chances are that you have at least one geek in your family that you need to buy some presents for. If you live in the UK, www.GeekStore.com has free delivery. If you live elsewhere, they do ship worldwide. The US priced version is us.GeekStore.com and offers free shipping on orders over $100.

Ugly Sweaters are pretty popular and to be honest, I find the selection offered on this site more attractive than ugly. You can find officially licensed Pokemon, Nintendo, Marvel, Star Wars, and many other movie franchise themed sweaters available for $29 - $45. If you buy one sweater, you can get the second for half price!

The Sonic The Hedgehog Christmas sweater is very high quality and comfortable to wear. It’s not itchy and is very warm. I like how it says “Merry Christmas” on it instead of “Happy Holidays.” I hope to wear this for many years to come!

The Star Wars ornaments are $15 for 3 TIE fighter and 3 X-Wings. The packaging is really durable and nice though the ornaments feel rather cheap and fragile in contrast. They are only silver in color as they are made out of plastic and have a chrome-like finish on them. I won’t deny that these ornaments look cool and they are bound to please any Star Wars fan. They just don’t seem very durable and would not likely survive any mishaps. If you prefer (fake) gold coloring, there’s a similarly priced set available in that finish as well.

Along with sweaters and ornaments, GeekStore.com has keychains, mugs, t-shirts, rubber ducks, action figures, coasters, hats, magnets, pins, bottle openers, and more. Be sure to check out the latest offers and 3 for 10 or 3 for 20 deals too. The only thing I couldn’t find are gift cards. Fortunately, returns and exchanges are hassle free if any issues arise.

Gamers who play on FIFA, and more specifically, career mode, are always on the lookout for players that will soar in ratings through training and game time. These players can be affordable very early on but could be more expensive, the more seasons that pass.

One of the best clubs to find the best talent is at Tottenham Hotspur. They have enjoyed success over the past couple of seasons with the evolution of Harry Kane and Oliver Skipp also making his mark last season in the first team. There are a few players in the FIFA 20 that gamers can buy for long-term success. Here are a few of those.

Troy Parrott

Striker

Initial Rating: 64

Potential Rating: 85

There is a clear gateway to the first team for young strikers in the Tottenham academy, and that has been shown by Kane. However, one player that could be on the verge of making that transition is 17-year-old Troy Parrott. He has already played on one occasion for the first team this season, although that ended in disappointing fashion in the League Cup against Colchester United.

He is a speedy striker with a knack of being in the right place at the right time and can be brought for virtually nothing very early in the game. However, he never reaches the same rating as Kane according to Spursforlife.com, but he can present a good long-term purchase. Fans will be seeing a lot more of him this season, and his rating is only sure to increase the more that we see him on the pitch.

Tanguy Ndombele

Midfielder

Initial Rating: 81

Potential Rating: 89

It shouldn’t come as much surprise that one of the biggest growers for Tottenham comes in the form of their record-signing that they made in the summer. Spurs moved heaven and earth to bring in Ndombele from Lyon in the transfer window, and while he may have struggled to adapt to the Premier League so far, it would seem only a matter of time before he does.

That is certainly the case if FIFA is to be believed. Unless you start a career mode with Tottenham, you won’t be able to tempt them to sell the Frenchman until at least the next summer window, and he won’t come cheap. However, he is a perfect all-round midfielder that is talented on the ball and can also win possession back at ease. His strength is also astounding and would improve any team’s midfield.

Oliver Skipp

Midfielder

Initial Rating: 67

Potential Rating: 84

We briefly mentioned Skipp at the beginning of this article, but he is also one of the fastest growers in this edition of FIFA. He began to make his mark in the Premier League last season as he was needed to fill in following a build-up of injuries. He works tirelessly for his side and has a high stamina rating. His main skill-set lies in winning the ball back and passing. However, he will need to work on his shooting if he is going to add goals to his game.

VPNs are great resources for data security while accessing sites and information online. A fact about VPNs that is not so well-known is that they can be effective at providing online gaming experiences if they are high-quality enough.

Here are five important ways that VPNs can heighten anyone’s video game experiences while online.

1. VPNs Overcome Geo-Blocking Obstacles

Many video game developers restrict where their games will properly function through geo-

blocking activation keys and obstructive technology. Geo-blocking was created in part due to gamers purchasing games from countries where the games are less expensive. VPNs can beat geo-

blocking because the technology relies on location-detecting technology that uses an IP address. As VPNs replace a user’s IP address with a different one that represents a location of the user’s choice, the VPN can overcome any geo-blocking. ExpressVPN notes that as VPNs can get around this geo-blocking obstacle, gamers can play even console exclusives from anywhere in the world.

2. No Penalization for Bandwidth Use

Online games nowadays require massive amounts of bandwidth. Having access to high volumes of bandwidth should mean that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should not limit the bandwidth of these online game players. However, there have been stories of ISPs throttling bandwidth, regardless of whether its users have or have not reached their monthly bandwidth limits. This is due to the ISP’s reasoning that a given user is taking up too much bandwidth in a relatively short time-frame, such as the bandwidth that would be used up by an online gamer.

VPNs can provide a solution for online gamers who feel that their ISPs are unfairly penalizing them. A VPN can encrypt online traffic even during online gaming sessions. VPN users are untrackable by ISPs. Due to this, ISPs will not be able to punish gamers for their online gaming sessions.

3. Low Ping Times

For serious online gamers, ping is king. According to Player.One, ping is a kind of digital signal sent from a user’s computer to a given server and then sent back to the original computer; this process is done repeatedly throughout an online session to measure latency. Latency is a way of measuring the overall quality of a given internet connection.

High ping means long latency, and it will mean that it takes a long time to move data between a gamer’s computer or console and the host server being used to play the game. Long latency rates will equate to poor, lagging gaming sessions and frustrated gamers. Low ping means that a gamer’s inputs will lead to fast responses from the host server. It will also mean smooth and crisp gaming experiences.

VPNs such as this one can improve latency issues. If a gaming device and the host server are very far away physically, then the latency will get worse. With a VPN, the gamer can digitally locate themselves closer to the host server, which reduces the distance that the signal has to travel in turn. This means more consistent low latency periods and improved gaming experiences.

4. Out-maneuvering IP Bans

Emotions can sometimes ruin gaming experiences for others. Emotions can run so high that gamers may complain to the game gatekeepers and administrators, resulting in bans from a video game. Usually, a gamer is banned from a game through their IP address.

With a VPN, a gamer’s IP address is changed to a different one. This permits a gamer to continue playing their favorite games, even when other gamers attempt to prevent them from doing so.

5. Evade DDoS Attacks

Cyber attackers sometimes target gamers through a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. These attacks can shut down a website by overloading its system with more requests than the system can deal with.

When used on individuals, DDoS attacks typically target a user’s IP address. The attacker can flood a gamer’s network connection with extremely high levels of traffic, causing the gamer’s connection to be cut off. VPNs can evade these sorts of attacks due to the IP address being encrypted and completely invisible to DDoS attackers.

To answer such an interesting question, what is the difference between Xbox 360 and Xbox One? First, you should check the history.

The first console was launched by Microsoft, and about ten years have passed since its creation. The appearance of the console for so long has undergone many changes. The Kinect sensor was added and the hard drive became faster and with more memory.

Xbox one arrived in the Russian Federation in 2014. These two console models came in completely different configurations and the number of pre-installed games with licenses.

It is quite difficult to compare these two consoles xbox one vs xbox 360, since the latter belongs to a completely new generation and, by definition, should be much better. But despite this, it is worth comparing them.

What arguments can be distinguished for the previous generation console - Xbox 360?

First, this console is perfect for those who are going to buy a console for the first time. And no matter what player the age will be, it will bring joy to everyone! It is very good to play alone or in the company. In the ten years of existence of this console, the games have come out a lot and for a variety of tastes. You can hack arcades, realistic simulators, and colorful shooters. You can even play retro games: dandy or sega games by installing emulators.

And what is worth only a Kinect for Xbox 360! It is an exciting way to have a good time with your family, as well as invite friends. Kinect: the sensor is created so that the character in the game moves with the help of the body. The camera can track the player's movements and transfer them to the screen with amazing precision. With the help of Kinect, you can play both games of the sports and children's genre, and you can even find horror movies...

·        Kinect

There are several multimedia applications in the console software that are completely free. With your help, you can watch videos, such as your favorite cartoons or TV shows, and without connecting additional devices. He did not spare this radio and television prefix.

A strong argument in favor of the 360 is its price. After all, it's almost three times less than the price of the Xbox One. The games also cost much less. Above this, of course, it is worth reflecting.

How can you summarize all this?

The Xbox 360 is an excellent purchase almost perfect for novice players. And if the Kinect sensor is also included in the kit, it will bring a lot of joy and pleasure to both children and adults.

For sufficiently experienced and enthusiastic players, it is advisable to buy a model that has increased the capacity of the hard disk, up to five hundred gigabytes. This will allow you to write a complete library of games, significantly accelerate your loading and also save the drive.

Advantages and disadvantages of Xbox One

The console is perfect for fairly active players who love and await the launch of the new generation of games. Some of them have already been released, and for some, there is only one announcement.

·        Xbox One

This console can play the role of an additional console if the Xbox 360 is already available. After all, it is possible to transfer an existing profile. Also, Microsoft has announced that shortly the compatibility function with previous versions will be presented on the console, that is, it will be able to play games from 360a. It is possible to display the image from the console on a personal computer if Windows 10 is installed on it.

As a result, Xbox One is still too early to advise a fairly wide range of players, but for those whose age have reached eighteen and are familiar with Microsoft products, the new generation console will allow them to be at the forefront of the modern gaming industry while maintaining their achievements.

Conclusion

Someone will remain loyal to the old and good Xbox 360. After all, many games have been made, which you will not be able to overcome for a long time, not to mention that you passed them completely. Yes, and the price is not limited, almost everyone can pay for this console, especially if you buy it with this hand. Also, there are still games that are very popular to this day. Take, for example, the fifth GTA, who does not like to participate in the network, or simply drive, through a virtual city with friends. For many, this console is enough for the eyes, because the new one simply does not have enough money.

Gaming is the act of playing video games. And in today's world, technology has given children this present. From generation to generation, gaming is widely practised. But it was not so long that this thing is discovered. Just to our previous generation, computer games have been introduced. And the video gaming zone is created on the verge of that generation and ours.

Nowadays, children have a craze on video games and day-by-day the quality and type of games are increasing. Well, recently a new video game was launched in the market. The name of the game is Fortnite, developed by epic games and released in the year 2017.

This game has marked a remarkable success in just one year. The game has high resolutions and graphics which create a ravishing craze among gamers. The best configurations which you need to experience yourself in the world of Fortnite are:

1)         RAM:

RAM means random access memory. For this game, RAM is not a big issue. People recommend 8GB, but 4GB memory can sustain the requirement of this game. Now most players use PCs having 4GB RAM as 8GB RAM is overkill. It can make your computer take overload. For further details, you can continue reading this article.

2)         GPU:

GPU means graphics processing unit. It is highly recommended to use NVIDIA GTX 600 or AMD Radeon HD 7870 graphics cards. Minimum Intel HD 400 is to be used; otherwise, this game will not support.

The function of a graphics card is to make hassle-free visualisation of the game on your monitor. The better the graphics card is, the better it will work. So you have to keep in mind about the graphics while playing Fortnite.

3)         Processor:

While playing games a processor enhances the 3D resolution of the game. For this game, the best processor is Intel core i5 2.8 GHz. The game can also be run with a minimum processor of Intel Core i3 2.5 GHz. A gamer knows the experience of playing a 3D resolution game.

So if you want to play Fortnite, you have to run it on the highly recommended processor to experience the heights of the game.

4)         Storage:

Storage is not an important issue which is tough to fulfil. The size of this game is 19.76 GB, and so, you require a free space of 19.76 GB to get the game on your PC. Hence, there are no otherwise references of storage. You have to fulfil this demand for the game to play it.

5)         Operating system:

OS is also an important point to notice. A game does not support every OS. There are specific operating systems for every game. For Fortnite, you need windows 7/8/10 64-bit. 32-bit can not support it. Least you can use Mac OSX Sierra.

Versions:

The game has three variants namely,

• Fortnite: Save the World
• Fortnite Battle Royale
• Fortnite Creative

These versions have the same gameplay and same game engine. In the Fortnite: Save the World version, you have to fight and kill zombie-like creatures and defend their invasion on earth. This is a four-player game.

The Fortnite Battle Royale is the free-to-play version where about 100 players can participate. In this version, these 100 fighters fight with each other and ultimately one fighter stands, who is the winner.

The Fortnite Creative is the third version, where players have the freedom of creating their virtual world and fighting scenery. The first two versions were launched in 2017 and the third one in 2018.

Conclusion:

The Fortnite series is a huge blast in the gaming world. If you are a true gamer, you should definitely let your hands on it.

As I noted in my review, Kingdom Hearts III is a fantastic game. But it's certainly not without its weird moments...

If you like playing alone, there are many games where it is just facing the mobs, mini-bosses, side quests, and main bosses. It is a lot of fun, and when you play a game well, or you really enjoy the gameplay, it is hard to imagine a day when you didn’t love the game. As you play more, you learn more about how to play online securely, the details that you shouldn’t share, and how to remain anonymous. And eventually, you might find yourself safely ensconced in a guild, team or just enjoying playing the same game with the same people regularly. 

Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Co-ops and multiple players bring a more social aspect to any game. And it is pretty cool chilling with your friends, catching up and then, of course, destroying either each other or the opposition in a game. 

There are some games that are hailed as the best two-player board games, console, and PC games. 

So let’s take a look!

Payday 2 

You can’t, shouldn’t and won’t rob a bank in real life. But Payday 2 will let you and a friend do just that. You can pay with up to 4 people which is pretty good. You will be playing with alarms, case the joints and try to steal as much from the banks as you can before the police arrive. This game is tension-filled, and you have to stick to the plan. Unlike the movies where one person always goes rogue, you’ll be making a clean getaway… maybe. 

PC, Switch, Xbox One, PS4

Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2

This is for both local and online. Lego games are highly rated because they are a lot of fun. You can play with anyone of any age too. Most Lego games are co-op, but Marvel Super Heroes has a little bit of an edge. You can play as pretty much any character, which is a nice touch. The gameplay is well done, and the cutscenes are carefully prepared. 

PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One

Call of Duty WW2 Zombies

This is a stark contrast in comparison to the last game on the list. The CoD games are a lot of fun, and pretty intense, but with this one, you and up to four friends can play against some brain-eating enemies. Each wave gets more powerful, with more bodies running your way. But of course, you can only get hold of more powerful weapons by powering forward and opening up new areas of the map. Coordination and communication will see you clear it thoroughly. But you’re going to die, a lot. 

PS4, PC, Xbox One

Legendary

Doesn’t take too long to play the game from start to finish. It is a deck-building board game. So, in essence, you will draw 6 cards and use the power they provide to battle opponents. Be they villains, new heroes, henchmen and beyond. Legendary is a Marvel-themed game, so it makes a neat collector's item for people who are big Marvel fans, or people who enjoy a deck-building game. The mastermind and the plot are selected by the players at the start of the game, and you can set the difficulty too. The game changes and remains something you can play multiple times because the luck of the draw is a big deal here. There are expansions to this board game too. 

Monster Hunter World

An online co-op that has a rep for not being super friendly when you first start playing. However, after you have been around awhile it you’ll be taking out the bigger monsters with teams of players. It can feel like the online system is a bit disjointed and takes too long. But once you get over the fact you need to go through a few steps before you can even get online, and that you have to watch/clean the cutscenes… Well, there is a lot to get used to, but in general, it is a really great game. 

PC, Xbox One, PS4

Photo by Mateo Vrbnjak on Unsplash

Bananagrams

People have loved Scrabble for years. It works well for two players and up. Games can last for ages too. But if you want to break out of the box that Scrabble puts you in the Bananagrams is the way to go. It is more competitive because rather than be a turned-based game, you are looking to race to be the first to use all of your letters in a grid. And if you are a fan of the kitch, it comes in a banana-shaped bag, and you have to yell Bananagrams when you complete your crossword grid. 

Snipperclips

This is a two-person puzzle game. It’s super smart, and you will waste plenty of time with your buddy messing about with the main gimmick - before you even get into the meat of the game. You will both have control of a 2D toon, and you can cut pieces out of each other. Sounds gruesome but looks cute. You cut the pieces out that overlap. Due to the cutesy feel, this can be played by younger kids too. You take one Joy-Con each from the switch, and away you go. 

Switch

A Way Out

Most games at least give you the option to play alone, but A Way Out throws that rule into the sea. It is designed with two players in mind, and you can feel that when you play it. You are two criminals trying to find a way out of prison. You’ll be squeezing and shimmying up tiny wall gaps, finding exit routes by passing tools to each other, playing basketball and Connect Four. 

There is a lot to do, just you two. 

PC, Xbox One, PS4

Rivals For Catan

You probably already have this in your board game stash, or perhaps Settlers of Catan. If not, don’t worry. Where Settlers isn’t great for two players, Rivals works really well. This card game lets you start out with your own principality, with 6 different regions - which are already arranged. Two settlements are connected by a road, each settlement needs to gain extra resources and expand as they go. Each settlement and city are worth different points, and so it goes. It is a lot of fun and works really well for game nights. 

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection

This is a game for casual gamers. You can drop in and drop out, and just spend some time shooting some grunts and trading goods. If you are really into the game, you can head for some mega bosses and start coordinating to clear more content. There are mega-rare loot drops, and who doesn’t love some epics? 

PS Vita, Xbox 260, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC

Don’t Starve Together

Never has a more heartwarming title been created. Sharing the imminence of death is comforting in many ways. You’re both going to die, but at least you can do it together, right? This game is about resource gathering and creating bases for you both. You can split up the tasks between you and your co-op buddy and get everything done nice and quickly. Ideally, you just want to survive. The cartoon style day of the dead animation keeps the game light enough, and the tasks are enjoyable. 

Ps4, PC, Xbox One

Gaming has always been a great way to spend time. And the more social the game, the more immersive it can be. Fortnite, WoW, WoW Classic, HoTS, and LoL are all a testament to the power of playing in groups. So if you aren’t always keen on branching out and sharing the load, it might be time to grab one of the games above and get started.

If you enjoy video games, then you know how important it is to get the perfect computer accessories. If you want to be fully immersed in the experience of gaming, you have to remove yourself from the external environment.

There are many different ways to do this. Comfort has to be your top priority if you want to experience your videogame lifestyle fully. You need to make sure you purchase the ideal mouse that fits your hand shape and the type of gaming that you do. 

You absolutely need a high-resolution monitor so that you can stand the right distance away from your screen and see all the details that you need. And that there is no denying that the ultimate gaming chair will make a huge difference in your overall experience.

The Ideal Mouse

When you begin to research the best ergonomic mouse for your gaming activities, you’ll be amazed at the variations that you find. You can have different sizes, types, and shapes. You can get a mouse that has a cable or is Bluetooth connected or has a laser. 

You can find one that is vertical, or horizontal, or lays flat like a magic pad. It may take some experimentation to find out which one works the best for the type of game that you want to play, but once you do figure it out, you’ll be amazed at how much difference it makes in your gaming experience.

A High-Resolution Monitor

For gamers, the visual experience is a massive part of what allows them to immerse themselves into the storytelling aspect of the journey. To dive fully into this concept, you need to buy a high-resolution monitor. The production quality of video games these days is phenomenal. To appreciate all the details that go into the programming, you need a high-resolution monitor to make it shine. 

The Ultimate Gaming Chair

If you’re like most people, then you play your video games while you are sitting down. In fact, you may spend more time sitting down then doing anything else. Because of this, how important do you think it is to buy the perfect gaming chair? 

If there is one expensive purchase that you should make, it should be your chair. There are even options for chairs that have speakers built-in or motors that vibrate different parts of the chair, depending on what kind of video game you’re playing.

People entertain themselves in different ways. Videogame culture is a fascinating group to be a part of. But to totally immerse yourself in any videogame, you have to be as comfortable as possible for long periods. Knowing this, expect to invest in all of the necessary accessories.

Gamification is a major trend in education. Educators realize that if they don’t do something to engage the students on a higher level, they lose their influence and authority as teachers. They have to keep things fun for the learners!

Many teachers and parents are still afraid of games, though. They believe that the students get distracted and addicted. What most of them don’t realize is that with the introduction of educative games, the students can process and retain information more effectively. They develop important skills that boost their capacity to learn. 

Even if they get consumed by the gaming process, what’s the worst thing that could happen? They might get interested in taking game development courses online and turning their passion into a career. That’s not bad at all.

For now, let’s talk about the top Indie games of educational value.

5 Best Indie Games PC: Teacher Approved

1. Stardew Valley

Privileged life is great! We have access to all the food we like, whenever we want it. We don’t need to grow our own food on farms; we get it ready to eat. But there’s a downside to that privilege: people stop appreciating the effort that goes into the production of everything we eat. A game can help them understand.

The player of Stardew Valley inherited an old farm from their grandfather. Now, they have to learn everything from scratch. They will have all kinds of responsibilities that change according to days, seasons, and years. They cannot accomplish everything in a day, so they will learn to set priorities. 

2. Universe Sandbox

This game is a realistic space simulator. It’s built on the principles of gravity, material interactions, collision, and climate. The players explore the space while understanding how these principles work.

Did you know that most students hated physics? The reason for this is simple: the lectures are stacked with formulas and information they need to memorize. They don’t understand most of what they read in the textbook or they hear in class. Only a small percentage of students in a classroom can visualize and understand how these principles work in reality. The remaining students rely on high-quality assignment assistance to get passing grades. It’s hard for them to study because they don’t see the practical side. This game helps them to overcome that issue. 

3. Kerbal Space Program

This game allows you to build and manage your own space program. You can create spacecraft and operate them.

It’s a fun game that helps students to understand the complexity of space research. They learn to appreciate all the information about the Universe that they hear during the lectures. They understand what it took for scientists to get that information. And they want to learn it, so they could play this game more successfully.

4. Crayon Physics Deluxe

Physics puzzles that look like childish crayon drawings? They work for most students! With this game, they see what it would be like if their drawings would become real objects. They can draw anything, and they will see it come to life on the game board. With ropes, wheels, levers, and other objects, the sketches will have to play with the rules of collision and gravity. It’s a great way for students to understand how the concepts of physics work in the world that surrounds them.

5. Lingotopia

The graphics are a bit weird, but that doesn’t make the game less enjoyable to play. For young language learners, it’s perfect. This is how the story goes: a little girl is shipwrecked on a weird island. She has to explore it and find a way to communicate with the inhabitants if she wants to go back home. They speak a foreign language, so she has to learn it.

The languages you can learn through this game are Spanish, Russian, German, Japanese, French, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, and English. The community contributes to the database, too. So far, Dutch, Icelandic, and Tlingit have been completely translated. You can get partial translations in many other languages, and you can make your own contributions.

Everybody Loves a Nice Game

The best Indie games 2019 are not a threat to a student’s intellectual growth. On the contrary - they help them develop particular skills that enhance the learning process. The games we listed above are educational in their nature. They are built with the intention for the player to learn something new. But even the “time-wasting” games, as teachers like to call action games, help students to develop skills of coordination and time management.

We should stop seeing games as something that prevents proper functioning. When we play the right games at the right dose, we’ll only benefit from them.   

BIO:

Robert Everett is a gamer, blogger, and word traveller. He’s also an avid online learner. Robert used to be a lazy person who spent most of his days in front of the TV, but he learned how to be productive. Now he’s accomplishing a lot in a single day.

Thank you Quarto Group for sending us this book!

This is a book that teaches Fortnite players how to become a pro at the game. It teaches players the art of speed building, how to build a good base, the best strategies, and much more.

This book tells the readers about emotes. It shows what they look like, and when to use them. It also talks about a lot of epic things that happened in the history of Fortnite: Battle Royale. It will explain you many ways that you can bend the rules. It tells you that you can play the game however you want to play the game, so that you can have fun as well as everyone else who is playing with you.

The only problem with this book is that it is outdated. Fortnite is one of those games that changes or has something added or removed every few weeks, so that makes this book incorrect in some of the things that it says in it. When this book was made, it was season 7. As of this review, season 10 just came out. It is a little more up to date than the first book (the 100% Unofficial Fortnite Essential Guide), which was made in season 5. Other than that, the book is great.

I think that any Fortnite players that want to become a pro (probably all of them) should read this book. If they just want to become a master builder, then this book would help them. If they just want to know how to properly raid an enemy base, they are covered. This book covers stuff from battle tactics to just organizing your inventory. This book is very useful, but I still think that you should read the first book before reading this one, that the first one covers the basics, while this one contains more advanced things.

(Amazon Affiliate Link)

You have likely played some type of game today on one of your many various digital devices.  From games like Angry Birds to Call of Duty, video gaming is a mainstream part of today’s culture.  

However, playing video games for extended amounts of time can cause physical damage to your body.  Your eye health, in particular, should be your main concern.  

Take a few moments to read through some of the most common ways in which excess gaming can affect your eyesight, and go forth with new knowledge. 

Problems focusing

Focusing on words you see on a piece of paper is much different than what your eyes go through when you play video games for hours.  Your eyes are used to focusing in on one depth and angle to read and write, but gaming requires much more from your vision.  

Gamer eyes are required to refocus on a dime, and long hours of play can really wear your eye muscles down.  You may experience problems focusing even after you turn the game off. It helps to limit your exposure. 

Issues with dry eyes 

Gamers tend to get tuned in to their chosen activity, and blinking becomes a bit of a distraction.  Hardcore gamers can go for quite some time without blinking their eyes.  

Though it may have seemed like a gift when you were young, allowing your eyes to dry out on a regular basis will likely cause vision problems in the future.  Remember to take the time to blink when you play games, and keep your most effective weapon on point.  

Eye irritation 

Eye irritation is a common effect of excess gaming.  Not blinking, constantly shifting your focus, and staring at the contrast of the screen for too long can really leave your eyes in a world of irritation.  

If you have kids who love gaming, it’s helpful to set a timer for breaks in screen time.  Every 20 minutes, make your kid take a break. Step away from the game, and go find something else to do for at least five minutes.  Taking a break will give your eyes time to rest, reducing your risk of inflammation and irritation.  

Computer Vision Syndrome

Using any digital device excessively can cause you to suffer a physical price.  You may experience pain in your neck and shoulders, headaches, and unusual fatigue after playing video games for a long period of time. 

Computer vision syndrome is not compartmentalized solely to the excess use of computers.  You may also experience these symptoms from gaming.  

There are some positive things

There are some positive aspects of gaming.  When done in moderation, gamers can really improve their eye’s abilities.  Gamers can see things quicker and more fine tuned than the average watcher.