ReportWire

Tag: Steam

  • Report: City-Builder Taken Off Steam After Fan Goes Rogue [Update]

    Report: City-Builder Taken Off Steam After Fan Goes Rogue [Update]

    [ad_1]

    Screenshot: Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic

    Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic is a city-builder that has a particular focus on how urban planning worked alongside the communist economies of Eastern Europe during the Cold War. It’s not for everyone, then, but it certainly has its fans.

    Sadly those fans are now the only ones able to play the game, because it is now unable to be purchased by anyone else after a DMCA takedown reportedly got the game removed from Steam’s marketplace.

    In a post made by the game’s developers, Slovakian studio 3Division, it’s claimed that a player, “once a respected member of our community”, has gone rogue and begun attacking the game’s online presence, trying to get everything from trailers to the game’s website taken down.

    Why? It’s alleged that this player had written a guide on a way to play the game more realistically, and that while the developers had already been working on a game mode that did just that, they had agreed to add him to the game’s credits as a goodwill gesture given his prominence in the community.

    3Division say this player then, having been told they wouldn’t added to the credits until after this new mode had been completed and released, “started to abuse the YouTube report system issuing copyright strikes to one of our most helpful influencers”, and that as a result of this behaviour they withdrew their offer to officially thank him.

    In response to this, it’s claimed the player then reported the game’s website and had it taken down (the link now directs back to 3Division’s main company page), then began reporting other official YouTube videos from the studio as well. Matters have now escalated to the point where the game itself has been taken off Steam due to a DMCA request, and the player is “now claiming that they own the rights to the [realistic] game mode”. For what it’s worth, 3Division say they are “are working to resolve the issue”.

    UPDATE 4:55am ET, February 17: 3Division’s Peter Adamcik says the fan in question is a lawyer, and tells Kotaku:

    It is very disturbing. First, the individual with law knowledge think he can better secure his rights than some other players. Another aspect why we would afraid to put him into credits would be that other players would get angry about it because his ideas was definitively not new. It seems like he just abuse the fact he is attorney at law – he will definitively handle the suit cheaper than us, so he think he may get anything he wanted from us because we will not go for costly suit. But legally he not have any ground under his foot to stay on and we will probably fight to the end! According to our opinion he is at big risk also – reputation, financial damage, also what he is doing is not with ethic either) If the game stays banned this will result into a enormous financial damage (aside from suit cost) for us and also for Valve…

    Another aspect what is very sad is that, DMCA mechanics just not works, seems like anybody can claim anything, the service provider is just forced to remove the content and in general not ask or nor the considering if the claims are real. Signed lawyer seems enough and everybody get fear from long and costly suits, content is then removed.

    This is Sad!

    [ad_2]

    Luke Plunkett

    Source link

  • Two More Online Shooters Are Winding Up, But In The Best Ways Possible

    Two More Online Shooters Are Winding Up, But In The Best Ways Possible

    [ad_1]

    Image: Natural Selection 2

    So many online games have shut down so far in 2023 that we’ve already had to do a roundup, and it’s only February. Which means loads more are going to meet similar fates over the next 10 months, and the next two to meet their demise are Natural Selection 2 and Spellbreak.

    The developers of Natural Selection 2, which has been running for 10 years, announced earlier today they would be ceasing “active development” on the game, but not fully shutting down. Instead, while they move onto other projects they’ll be leaving the lights on (emphasis mine):

    10 years since its official release and over 117 updates later, active development of Natural Selection 2 has ended.

    Our team and this community have provided many years of passion and support for this game. Over the years we had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with so many of you whether at an expo, live tournament, Discord or playing on a server. We thank you for your support and commitment to NS2 and know that this game would not have been the same without you. Now it’s time to look to the future and continue on to other projects within the company.

    While we won’t be actively working on NS2, we will still continue to host matched play servers so that community members will be able to play games on-demand with other players or bots.

    Although this isn’t goodbye, we still would like to say a very heartfelt thank you to you, our community and to all of those that worked with us on Natural Selection 2 over the years.

    Much love and appreciation,

    The UWE NS2 Team

    While it’s always sad for fans when a game winds up like this, a lot of them just want to be able to still play the thing, so it’s nice to see developers Unknown Worlds leaving some servers up for people to enjoy.

    As for Spellbreak, we knew its end had been coming as far back as June 2022, but it finally came today, with the game being delisted on Steam. That’s the bad news, though; the good news is that the game will live on, as the developers have “created a standalone version where players can host their own servers, play with their friends, and explore the game-space at their own pace.”

    That’s great! That’s even better than leaving some servers up, because as John Carmack said last week, it’s the absolute best case scenario for when official support for an online game winds up. By releasing the game into the winds, and freeing it from the constraints of shopfronts and online platforms, fans can keep playing it for as long as there are fans, and even when there aren’t anymore, the game can still be preserved for future generations.

    [ad_2]

    Luke Plunkett

    Source link

  • 16 Years After Release, Team Fortress 2 Is Getting A Major Update

    16 Years After Release, Team Fortress 2 Is Getting A Major Update

    [ad_1]

    Image: Valve

    I know it is still available and being played, but Team Fortress 2 can at times feel like a game from a different age. Partly because it is, but also because it’s so old—and has gone so long without a major update—that you’d be forgiven for thinking it was on its last legs. But no!

    The game’s website—which charmingly hasn’t appeared to have been updated since the game’s launch—hummed into life today, posting a news blog called “Attention, Steam Workshop Creators!”. It says that not only will the game be getting a “a full-on update-sized update” later this year, with “with items, maps, taunts, unusual effects, war paints and who knows what else?!”, but that the update will also include some contributions from the game’s community as well.

    Steam Workshop Creators, can we have your attention please. The following message is so urgent, so time-sensitive, we made the executive decision to skip TikTok and Twitter entirely and break the glass on the most bleeding-edge communication technology available.

    Welcome to the future. Welcome… to a “blog-post”.

    “Wow!” you’re probably thinking. “I forgot how hard reading is!” Yeah, it’s scary how fast you lose that. Don’t worry, we’ll be brief:

    The last few Team Fortress summer events have only been item updates. But this year, we’re planning on shipping a full-on update-sized update — with items, maps, taunts, unusual effects, war paints and who knows what else?! Which means we need Steam Workshop content! YOUR Steam Workshop content!

    So get to work! (Or back to work, if you were already working but got distracted when the entire internet simultaneously found out about this state-of-the-art blog-post.) Make sure to get your submissions into the Steam Workshop by May 1st, so they can be considered for this as-yet-unnamed, un-themed, but still very exciting summer-situated (but not summer-themed) (unless you wanted to develop summer-themed stuff) update.

    This is the first good news the game’s community have had for a while, since over the last few years the only things outsiders have heard about Team Fortress 2 has been the enormous issues the game has had with bots, and the userbase’s subsequent protests about it.

    [ad_2]

    Luke Plunkett

    Source link

  • Dead Stadia Game Lives On Through Sneaky Steam Update

    Dead Stadia Game Lives On Through Sneaky Steam Update

    [ad_1]

    Image: Necrosoft

    As Google prepares to kill off its Stadia streaming service for good, there have been a few parting gifts to emerge from its demise. Users got a final game, along with the ability to unlock the Bluetooth capabilities of their controllers (even if that was something they should have been able to do from day one), but one of the last surprises can be enjoyed by all of us. Especially those of us who never paid for Stadia in the first place.

    Back in 2020 Necrosoft (finally) released Gunsport, a sci-fi take on 2D volleyball, as a Stadia exclusive. It was pretty cool! It was also, as a Stadia exclusive, a game that most of us never got to enjoy. In June 2022 it was followed by a sequel, Hyper Gunsport, which was much more widely available, since it came out on PC, Switch, Xbox and PlayStation.

    Gunsport Stadia Teaser

    While two completely separate games, they’ve now been brought a lot closer, with Necrosoft saying in a tweet earlier today Since we care about game preservation we’ve made an offline version of Gunsport available in the Steam version of Hyper Gunsport, through the beta channel.”

    You can see a video of this game-smuggling move (done by Necrosoft’s Lotte May) in action below:

    If you’ve never had to use a Steam game’s beta channel system before, the video above will give you a quick rundown on how to activate the original game, then be able to easily switch between playing it and the sequel.

    This is a very cool move! Not just because people are getting essentially a free video game, but because this is a super interesting way to implement a form of game preservation, one that thinks way outside the box but which, thanks to the way Steam is structured, also seems to work pretty damn well!

    [ad_2]

    Luke Plunkett

    Source link

  • Amazon Bans Lost Ark Bots, Humans Caught In Crossfire

    Amazon Bans Lost Ark Bots, Humans Caught In Crossfire

    [ad_1]

    Image: Amazon

    Amazon’s Diablo-like RPG, Lost Ark, had over 1.3 million people playing it at launch. It’s cooled off since then, but there are still tens of thousands of people who log on every week to enjoy it. Or they would, if they hadn’t been banned for no reason.

    Last week Amazon decided to do some house-keeping and kick off a wave of bans, ostensibly targeting bot accounts. Loads of actual human beings were caught up in the bans too, though, and making things even worse was that for Steam players that counted as a ban on their Steam accounts as well, which is a serious blemish on their overall record.

    Amazon were quickly notified of this, and over the weekend were “actively working on reversing them for all affected players regardless of whether a support ticket has been filed”. For Steam players in particular, sweating the consequences of having a ban recorded on their account, Amazon say the reversal will not just “remove your game ban” but also “any marks on your Steam account”.

    The company issued this statement over the weekend:

    Greetings Heroes of Arkesia,

    Following a recent wave of bot bans, we’ve seen an increase in ban appeals from players who have been incorrectly impacted by these bans.

    We have determined the error that triggered these false bans, and are actively working on reversing them for all affected players regardless of whether a support ticket has been filed. This will remove your game ban and any marks on your Steam account. We will let players know when this work has been completed. In the meantime, you are still welcome to submit a Ban Appeal ticket to Customer Support so that the team can more quickly assist with restoring your account and removing all penalties.

    Thank you for your reports and patience as we work to make this right with affected players.

    And followed it up yesterday with a notice saying all bans should now have been reversed. The bans come in the wake of efforts by developers to fix certain areas of the game that were being swamped by bots, particularly the market and auction house.

    [ad_2]

    Luke Plunkett

    Source link

  • 20 Best Steam Deck Games Of 2022

    20 Best Steam Deck Games Of 2022

    [ad_1]

    A steam deck shows Ciri, The Master Chief, and Elster from Signalis.

    With so many great titles available on the Steam Deck, 2022 was an explosive introduction to Valve’s handheld.
    Image: Valve / CD Projekt Red / Microsoft / rose-engine / Kotaku

    Steam Deck, Valve’s mega-powerful mini-PC, only arrived this year, and while there are many reasons to check out one of the most exciting pieces of gaming hardware available today, the amount of great, hassle-free games available on the device is proof enough of its success.

    But Steam is a big marketplace, and not every game works well on the Deck. While many hit games do run well on the device, some won’t launch, while others will have you chasing through various settings and scrolling forums and Reddit posts for solutions. Fun for the tech enthusiast, but not ideal when you just want a great gaming experience. Valve has made the process easier by labeling certain games “Verified” on the device, but sometimes that’s not always a guarantee that a game will run without issue.

    Read More: The Steam Deck Had A Phenomenal First Year

    Worry not, this list will guide you to the best experiences you can have in year one of the Steam Deck’s life. All but one of these games are Deck-verified. They work great on the first boot. That said, adjusting a few settings here and there might make a given game experience even better for you, so I’ll call that out where relevant. Tweaking the visual settings…can’t do that on a Switch!

    As you may know, there are relatively simple ways to get non-Steam games running on the Deck, but those we’ll handle another time. This list is focused on great games you’re guaranteed to have access to right out of the box.


    Update 12/27/2022: Wrapping up 2022, we’ve now bumped this list up to 20 amazing games you can play on the Steam Deck now. To hit this number we had to bend a rule: We now have two games that are technically not “Deck Verified,” but are still totally playable.

    Update 10/21/2022: The Steam Deck’s library keeps growing, and so too does this list! I’ve added five new games to the main list and one new honorable mention. Nearly all of these games are Deck-verified, but I’ve made an exception for one particular title.

    [ad_2]

    Claire Jackson

    Source link

  • 5 Best Steam Winter Sale Deals on Awesome Games

    5 Best Steam Winter Sale Deals on Awesome Games

    [ad_1]

    As someone who has been using video games as socialization and therapy over the last few years, having a SteamDeck has allowed me to play things on a whole new level. Playstation and X-Box games, but on a handheld? A dream. Plus, I can link it to my TV if I want to. There is a holiday sale going through January 5th, 2023. Here are some games I highly recommend picking up if you have been sitting on them.

    The Witcher Franchise

    All three games in The Witcher series are currently on sale, and you can pick them up for just under $15.00 with taxes. It is a steal, especially since The Witcher III just got some upgrades, and the game has only continued to be popular in the five years since it was first released. I have just picked up the third game, which is a lot of fun. Playing as Geralt is interesting; there is enough open-world stuff to stay engaged, and with so many different endings, you are encouraged to keep playing and find the one that is most pleasing to you. It took me a while to get into the series, but I’m glad I finally did.

    STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order

    While unsupported on the SteamDeck itself (for now *fingers crossed*), if you have another means to play it would definitely be worth it to check out this epic installment in the Star Wars video game series. The deluxe edition is $6.99, and you can even pick up a bundle with all three games for $17.64. That is an over 80% discount from what they would usually cost.

    Assassin’s Creed Franchise

    You can get eleven Assassin’s Creed games for less than $100 on Steam. But if you are like me and want to be a hot queer woman, you can get AC: Odyssey at 65% off. The bundle does not include the latest installment in the series, Valhalla, but is also discounted. As someone who has always wanted to play this series, I will take advantage of this sale personally to see what all the hype is about.

    Civilization VI

    I am addicted to Civ VI, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive that you can buy the entire thing (all expansions, including the most recent one) for $29.59. I already own Civ on the Switch, but I decided to get in on the SteamDeck because of the price and because I could get the new Leader Pass DLC. It is … so much better on the Deck. It feels more like the desktop game, the graphics are a lot better, and despite only downloading it last night, I spend two hours straight playing it. If you have been waiting to check out Civ VI and get the latest DLC on the cheap…it is now.

    Take a Risk on an Indie

    Not to cheat in the final part of this listicle, but I mean it. When games go on sale, I think it is the best time to invest in trying out an Independent game to expand your horizons about what gaming looks like. One of the things that I have truly enjoyed about Steam is that it helped me have access to a whole new roster of games on the handheld market. I love Nintendo, and I’ve sincerely enjoyed playing their selection of Indie games—but it is on a new level on Steam. We talk a lot about abusive work environments in some major gaming companies, so it is also important to celebrate the games that are made with love, care, and respect. Some games on sale from smaller companies are: Hades, Slay the Spire, Skullgirls 2nd Encore, Valheim, and Tunic.

    (image: Steam)

    The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

    [ad_2]

    Princess Weekes

    Source link

  • My Favorite Steam Game of 2022 Is Also the Perfect Xmas Gift

    My Favorite Steam Game of 2022 Is Also the Perfect Xmas Gift

    [ad_1]

    I played an astronomically high number of video games this year. Overwatch 2? Yes. Splatoon 3? You bet. Genshin Impact? Obviously. Valorant? I’m addicted. But over the summer, a little indie gem launched on Steam and stole my heart. It has pretty much everything I would ever want in a video game: Cute girls shooting big guns at eldritch monstrosities. A dream come true.

    20 Minutes Till Dawn is a roguelite action-horror game by developer flanne and publisher Erabit Studios. Choose from one of several women with their own unique power-ups, grab a gun of your choice, and get ready to kill an endless horde of horrific otherworldly monstrosities. On death, enemies drop XP, which you can collect to level up and grab an upgrade perk for your character. You’ll have to kill, collect, and level up fast. While the game only lasts 10 to 20 minutes (depending on your game mode), your opponents only get stronger as time goes on. It’s a fair bit challenging, but ridiculously fun.

    It’s also relatively approachable to play when compared to similar action roguelite survival games like Vampire Survivors, as you can actually point and shoot at which enemies you’d like to kill. Innovative! However, the game’s health system is far less forgiving, so be prepared to shoot at and maneuver around your enemies like your life depends on it. Believe me, it does.

    Admittedly, 20 Minutes Till Dawn mainly appeals to me because of its female character design. All 12 playable characters are women, and they’re also lovely. Flanne’s design here walks the perfect line between “cute girls being cute to look at” and “action horror heroes hellbent on fighting their way through Lovecraftian nightmares.” For example, here’s Diamond, the buff warrior that starts with a whopping 7 HP. She’s great for beginners.

    Diamond, the buff woman from 20 Minutes Till Dawn.
    Erabit Studios

    Then there’s Dasher, who can even turn into a deer. Yes, a full blown deer. The pagan deergirl energy is a nice touch, and it really captures the “Xmas update” feeling flanne and Erabit were going for here when she was added earlier this week.

    Dasher, the pagan-like deergirl, from 20 Minutes Till Dawn.
    Erabit Studios

    My personal favorite, however, is Hastur. Her special ability? Tentacles. She’s literally a tentacle girl. Oh, my dreams come true.

    Hastur, a tentacle girl, from 20 Minutes Till Dawn.
    Erabit Studios

    20 Minutes Till Dawn is easy to learn but very, very hard to master. It’s also ridiculously affordable on Steam, at just $4.99 ($4.24 during the Steam Winter Sale through Jan. 5) to purchase. So yes, please go buy it, and please go buy it for your friends. It makes for a lovely holiday gift thanks to its low price, high replayability, and, yes, cute girls.

    (Feature image: Erabit Studios)

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

    [ad_2]

    Ana Valens

    Source link

  • Valve Reveals Plans To Improve Steam Deck’s Screen, Battery

    Valve Reveals Plans To Improve Steam Deck’s Screen, Battery

    [ad_1]

    A Steam Deck shows gameplay from The Last of Us.

    Image: Valve / Sony / Kotaku

    As we discussed earlier this week, the Steam Deck has had one hell of a launch year. It should be no surprise, then, that Valve has its eye on the future of its new handheld, which it has officially categorized as a “multi-generational product.” The company has now revealed a bit of what it’s hoping to improve and where it’s looking to expand in the hardware game.

    In a wide-ranging interview with The Verge, Steam Deck designers Lawrence Yang and Pierre-Loup Griffais talked about ambitions and concrete goals for the Steam Deck. After nearly a year out in the wild, the Deck has certainly impressed with its performance and wide selection of games. However, areas for improvement are clear: The screen is serviceable, but it’s far from that of, say, the new Nintendo Switch OLED Model. And the battery not only tends to drain quickly but, as iFixit observed in its review, it’s one of the least fixable things in an otherwise repair-friendly device. We know now that these last two points are top of mind for Valve.

    Though the company didn’t reveal much of its plans for the screen’s improvement, it did share some insight into the battery, its replaceability, and how future iterations of the product are addressing areas of concern.

    With a battery that’s quick to lose its juice, and the nature of such a power source being to degrade over time, poor replaceability is a disappointment. Griffais told The Verge that due to the possibility of battery expansion, “you can’t really have the battery-shaped hole [inside the Deck] be exactly the same size as the battery” and that all of the glue that holds it in place is to keep it from moving around too much.

    Concern for a rattley battery was apparently an issue in development. “In some of our early prototypes,” Griffais said, “we had [the battery shifting around] and I’ll tell you, it doesn’t feel good at all when you’re just moving around and trying to use your Deck.” Yang comically added, “You don’t want a Steam Deck maraca, and you don’t want a battery possibly touching other important components and jostling them around.”

    So the decision to secure the battery in place so rigidly was necessary to get the Deck in a playable, shippable, and reliably safe state. Yang revealed that Valve has “rolled in a change to the geometry of the [glue that holds the battery]” which should allow for easier removal and repairs down the line.

    Valve also revealed, perhaps to the surprise and joy of a select few, that a new Steam Controller is also something the company is aspiring to make happen. The original Steam Controller was a bit of an odd bird, but its high level of customization certainly caught the attention of a dedicated, if small, fan base. Us select few who fell in love with it already knew it, but the Steam Deck has continued to demonstrate the need for more malleable and dynamic gamepads for PC gaming.

    Read More: The Steam Deck’s Funky Controls Prove That Gamepads Are Outdated

    But if you’re ready to throw money at the screen for a follow-up to Valve’s owl-shaped controller, I’m sorry to say that it might take a while. “Right now, we’re focusing on the Deck,” Yang said. “[A controller is] definitely something where we’d be excited to work with a third-party or explore ourselves.”

     

    [ad_2]

    Claire Jackson

    Source link

  • Milf Hunter Won A Steam Deck And You Didn’t

    Milf Hunter Won A Steam Deck And You Didn’t

    [ad_1]

    Image for article titled Milf Hunter Won A Steam Deck And You Didn't

    Screenshot: Steam.TV | Kotaku

    One of the main advertising gimmicks of tonight’s Game Awards was a promotion being run by Valve that would see a viewer win one of the company’s prized Steam Deck handhelds every minute.

    As we reported last week, to be eligible you had to be watching the show on Valve’s own Steam.TV website:

    As announced November 30, Valve is celebrating The Game Awards with a massive Steam Deck giveaway. The company will be giving out a free handheld PC to a single person every minute for the entire run of The Game Awards. (Never in history has someone wanted The Game Awards to run long, until now…) To have a chance, you’ll need to first register for the drawing, which you can do now, then watch The Game Awards via Valve’s Steam.TV website.

    It was an odd promo for a number of reasons. Firstly, because as early as the first major award presentation the show was clearly running way over time, something even host Geoff Keighley had to acknowledge in relation to the giveaway. And secondly, because of who won.

    During Christopher Judge’s acceptance speech, which, yes, did run long but was also incredibly emotional and heart-warming, the winners of Steam Decks started popping up. So while Judge was up there, pouring out his heart, the rest of us were witness to:

    People who were either disappointed (a minority) or who found it incredibly funny (the majority) began tweeting their congratulations to Mr or Mrs Hunter, which led at one point to “Milf Hunter” becoming a trending topic in the United States across all of Twitter.

    Given “Milf Hunter” is also the name of a porn outlet, and The Game Awards have almost zero cultural penetration outside this bubble, you can understand some people’s confusion:

    Image for article titled Milf Hunter Won A Steam Deck And You Didn't

    Screenshot: Twitter

    I mean, it is definitely where that site is heading, don’t get me wrong. Just not tonight.

    If you missed this, or any other Game Awards stuff, we’ve got you covered with this roundup, which includes everything from a Death Stranding 2 reveal, to a Hades 2 announcement, to Al Pacino.

    [ad_2]

    Luke Plunkett

    Source link

  • Aperture’s Bulk Reef Supply Announces Mr. Chili Kids and the Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Aquarists

    Aperture’s Bulk Reef Supply Announces Mr. Chili Kids and the Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Aquarists

    [ad_1]

    Great products at great prices for the seasoned aquarist and next generation of aquarists alike

    Press Release


    Nov 8, 2022

    Tis the season of savings and great gifts, and Aperture Pet & Life’s online retailer Bulk Reef Supply is kicking off the holiday season with a holiday gift guide for aquarists of all levels to ensure those giving gifts get just what they want and need for thriving aquariums. This includes the launch of Mr. Chili Kids with marine-focused STEAM products, toys, games and much more that will help inspire the next generation of aquarists to love and conserve marine life.

    The 2022 Holiday gift guide is now live at bulkreefsupply.com/holiday and includes:

    “We really want to help aquarists and those buying them gifts with great products that would be ideal for both beginner and advanced aquarists,” said Melissa Ortiz, Vice President of Merchandising Operations at Aperture, “And with many of our customers wanting to share the joy of this hobby with the kids in their lives, we launched Mr. Chili Kids to help younger people enjoy and learn to appreciate marine life as much as we do.”

    For more information, visit bulkreefsupply.com/holiday, your favorite local fish store or online retailer for many of these great gifts. 

    About Aperture

    Aperture is a leading online retailer, manufacturer and distributor of products and solutions in over 50 countries through an integrated platform, which includes the industry’s leading online marketplace for saltwater aquarists, world-class products for the success of saltwater, freshwater and reptile and amphibian ecosystems and habitats, distribution operations, sales professionals and one of the pet industry’s largest YouTube platforms, with over 400,000 subscribers and 110 million views. Through its banner brands Bulk Reef Supply, Neptune Systems, EcoTech Marine, Aquaillumination, Leap Habitats and others, the company offers its customers the products and resources they need to create thriving ecosystems. For more information, visit www.apetlife.com.

    Bulk Reef Supply, Neptune Systems, EcoTech Marine, Aquaillumination and Leap Habitats are trademarks of Aperture, LLC. ©2022 Aperture, LLC. All rights reserved. 

    For Media Inquiries:

    Jay Sperandio

    jay.sperandio@apetlife.com

    Source: Aperture, LLC

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • No More Launchers For PC Games, Thank You!

    No More Launchers For PC Games, Thank You!

    [ad_1]

    Image for article titled No More Launchers For PC Games, Thank You!

    Image: Kerbal Space Program | Kotaku

    The was once a golden age of PC gaming where you could open up Steam (or even just launch an executable yourself!), boot up a game and the next thing you would see would be the game itself. For many big (and small) releases those days are now long gone, replaced by an era of launchers that are, at best, a nuisance. Now, they’re even infecting indie projects like Kerbal Space Program.

    If you want to play a Rockstar game on PC you need to install the company’s own launcher, which boots before you play the game you clicked to play, then makes you click another play button so you can finally play it. And that’s how it works when it’s working; when it’s not you simply can’t play any Rockstar games that you own, sorry!

    Want to play a Total War game? You get a launcher. Paradox game? A launcher. Blizzard game? Battle.net. Fortnite? Epic Games Store. An EA game? Origin. Ubisoft? Hey, guess what, you gotta launch Ubisoft Connect, a launcher. Even Kalypso has a launcher.

    Note that there are some bright spots here; Bethesda killed its own launcher off earlier this year and just let Steam handle everything, and some launchers have practical benefits like letting you manage your mods (Paradox) or jump straight into a save game (Creative Assembly).

    While publishers have clear reasons to dump these things on us (from DRM to $$$), these launchers are wildly unpopular among players, in part because of the connectivity hassles (see Rockstar’s example above), but mostly because they’re just a pain in the ass, a speed bump on your way to the place you actually want to go.

    Things have hit a new level of absurdity this week, though, with news that Kerbal Space Program—yes, the one with the little aliens building rockets—now has its own launcher for the Steam version of the game, announced as “a resource for news and updates about KSP & KSP 2 Early Access.

    Given the profile of the game, the fact it’s already launching through Steam and its reputation as a weird little indie sandbox, fan reaction has been understandably negative. Folks are venting on Steam, while on the game’s Reddit workarounds have already been found to disable the launcher entirely.

    Publishers, please, we’re begging you. This sucks. As the best comment in that Steam discussion says, “GAMES ON STEAM DO NOT NEED A LAUNCHER. STEAM IS THE LAUNCHER.

    [ad_2]

    Luke Plunkett

    Source link

  • No Man’s Sky Update Made Player Inventories ‘Unrecognizable’

    No Man’s Sky Update Made Player Inventories ‘Unrecognizable’

    [ad_1]

    Spaceships do battle in a procedurally generated universe.

    Image: Hello Games

    Last week’s comprehensive update to No Man’s Sky brought with it a host of changes. Some made the game far more malleable and approachable, while others, like tweaks to inventory mechanics, have been the subject of controversy within the community. Seemingly in response to the backlash, Hello Games appears to be making some adjustments to how the inventory works in the game’s experimental PC build.

    No Man’s Sky’s “Waypoint” update brought with it a sudden change to the game’s inventory system. Naturally, the term “inventorygate” has developed in response. The result has been the usual rush of memes, review bombs, since-locked Reddit threads with gamers arguing over whether the game is “ruined” or not. Those upset over the changes have a point, however: The updated inventory layout limits players to three tech upgrade slots, capping potential power levels below what they were pre-update. However, the game’s October 10 experimental build added additional upgrade slots, suggesting the devs are looking to address the playerbase’s fairly widespread outrage.

    An experimental update, however, might not be enough to quell the frustration many have aired. Steam reviews alone have taken a recent trend toward a “Mixed” status, with many specifically calling out the inventory changes. “The most recent update essentially deleted dozens of hours of grinding,” reads one Steam review. “With the new 4.0 update my inventories are unrecognizable and after all the grind time I have spent it all seems useless,” reads another.

    The backlash hasn’t been universal, though. While many are “complaining that they worked 100+ hours for upgrades that are now functionally useless,” as one Reddit thread puts it, others have found that the tweaks and restrictions bring more balance and challenge to the game. The negative responses do appear to be the loudest, however, and it’s uncertain if those have influenced Hello Games’ decision to expand the slots in the experimental build.

    The experimental build patch notes on Steam note that Hello Games has added “additional free technology slots,” both for players newly updating their game to the Waypoint version and folks who already have existing saves. You can access No Man’s Sky’s experimental build by right-clicking on the game in your Steam library, selecting “Properties,” navigating to “Betas,” entering the password “3xperimental”, and choosing the “Experimental” build.

    A comparison image of different builds of No Man's Sky show off updated inventory slots.

    Pictured: Above is the more limited inventory of the current build. Below reveals the expanded slots in the experimental version.
    Image: Hello Games / Kotaku

    The changes are clearly visible on a brand-new save I created to test with. As expected, the regular, stable, build of the game only provides three possible technology slots at the top. Updating to the experimental build, however, doubles the slots on the top row. Further updates to the beta branch since October 10 also fix other issues many had with unlocking inventory slots and navigating the menu overall.

    Though these changes have yet to be merged into No Man’s Sky’s stable build, there is no indication yet as to when or if these will be made permanent. Kotaku has reached out to Hello Games for comment.

    [ad_2]

    Claire Jackson

    Source link

  • Wild Life Aims to Bring Adult Gaming Thrills Mainstream

    Wild Life Aims to Bring Adult Gaming Thrills Mainstream

    [ad_1]

    The forthcoming game gives players complete control over immersive combat and adult experiences in an RPG environment that thrills.

    Press Release



    updated: Oct 21, 2021

    While the world of adult video games is growing in popularity, the genre isn’t anywhere near reaching its full potential. In creating more realistic adult simulations, game creators are beginning to push the boundaries of what is possible for gaming while exploring what mainstream markets will accept. And at game development hub Candy Valley Network, the team is hoping to crack the code of sensuality and gaming to make its game Wild Life the first mainstream indie adult game.

    Wild Life creators describe the game as leading players through a world of wild encounters. Players lead Maya or Max through exploring the lush, wild planet Kerpal, while for all of its beauty, holds hidden dangers at every turn. Maya is a descendant of the planet’s inhabitants who survived the crash of their colonist ship eons ago, and since then adapted to its dangers. Sometimes these adaptations mean they have become dangerous themselves. Max is part of an expedition to Kerpal led by a group of explorers, but some have darker motivations.

    Max and Maya must navigate these dark natural and human challenges as they determine who they can trust and whose animalistic instincts have gotten the better of them, posing grave danger to them and others on Kerpal.

    In an immersive RPG environment, Wild Life gives players the opportunity to engage in visually stunning combat and even more stunning interactions, with details never seen before in a gaming environment.

    With its rich, immersive experiences, Wild Life seeks to break the mold in gaming. As Max and Maya explore Kerpal, players simultaneously experience the desires of the lead characters, driving their interactions with a diverse cast of characters, both human and animalistic.

    Wild Life is currently securing funds via crowdsourcing platforms Kickstarter and Patreon to bring the project to full production. As development continues, the game is available on Patreon for PC play in two modes, Demo and Sandbox. Patreon community members gain access to various aspects of the game in development by contributing to the process. The team hopes to launch mainstream and worldwide.

    Thus far, the demo cut has been met with rave reviews from supporters and industry influencers for its rich, immersive gaming environment and stunning, realistic graphics.

    “Our aim with Wild Life is not only to create a top-notch gaming experience but also revolutionize the way the mainstream gaming market thinks of adult content,” said Christian Wagenfeldt, CEO of Candy Valley Network. “We’re excited to bring this tantalizing, immersive experience to the public-at-large very soon, giving them the chance to experience gaming in a pulse-pounding way they’ve never experienced before.”

    To learn more and contribute to development efforts, visit Wild Life’s Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/adeptussteve.

    Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/candyvalley/wild-life-0

    # # #

    For more information about Wild Life or media inquiries, please contact Candy Valley at info@candyvalleynetwork.com.

    Source: Candy Valley Network

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Kids Science Labs Announces New Introduction to Chemistry and Physics Series

    Kids Science Labs Announces New Introduction to Chemistry and Physics Series

    [ad_1]

    Award-winning Children’s Hands-on Science and Innovation Centers – Kids Science Labs

    Press Release



    updated: Aug 29, 2019

    ​Kids Science Labs today announced an exciting new hands-on science series “Introduction to Chemistry and Physics” for children 3-12 years old. 

    This all-new series takes students on an adventure into the core concepts of Chemistry and Physics and applies them to real world experiences – from why trees can grow so tall to the chemistry and physics required to design running shoes. “Kids want to mix, build, break and explore. Early experience with hands-on science opens doors to problem solving and creativity and also builds an early interest in STEM careers,” says Nina Tinucci, Director of Education. 

    This new series has been under development for two years. “We are very excited about our Introduction to Chemistry and Physics series, which provides kids an early advantage for understanding concepts they will see in high school and college,” says Keith Norsym, co-founder at Kids Science Labs. “There is something deeply satisfying about solving a problem and being able to apply that new knowledge to the world around us – as Chemistry and Physics are intertwined in our daily lives.”  

    Features and benefits include:

    • Children and parents have been requesting a fun and engaging introduction to real chemistry and physics to help prepare for school.  
    • Studies have shown that early and regular exposure to science and problem-solving leads to long-term out-performance.
    • On average children receive 45 minutes of science instruction a week; classes at KSL are 75 minutes a week.  
    • A STEM degree is just about the most valuable asset a young person can have in the modern economy.

    The “Introduction to Chemistry & Physics” series will be available starting September 10 at all of their learning centers. For more information, visit www.kidssciencelabs.com.

    About Kids Science Labs

    What began as a single location in 2011 has grown into a nationally recognized brand that is teaching kids problem-solving, creativity and innovation. Started by two dads and engineers, Shegan Campbell and Keith Norsym, the science-learning centers run classes, camps, and events for children that enable them to explore their world through hands-on experiments all year round. 

    With computer programming and STEM fields expanding at rapid rates, parents and kids are searching for opportunities to gain an early advantage, even before preschool. 

    Since opening the first center in 2011, Kids Science Labs has taught over 100,000 students a year at their centers located in Chicago and Seattle. As the company continues to expand nationally, kids ages 2-14 years old are becoming better problem solvers and critical thinkers through hands-on science experiments. Parents see their children gain confidence and learn core science concepts all while having fun and exploring questions they are interested in.  

    Kids Science Labs is on a mission to enable the next generation of creative thinkers. Find out more.

    www.kidssciencelabs.com

    Source: Kids Science Labs

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Children’s Learning Adventure is Developing Kindergarten Readiness Skills

    Children’s Learning Adventure is Developing Kindergarten Readiness Skills

    [ad_1]

    Press Release



    updated: Jul 1, 2019

    ​​Children’s Learning Adventure is committed to helping prepare students for kindergarten through their comprehensive Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten programs. Their Lifetime Adventures® Early Learning Standards supports student achievement by introducing the skills necessary for a successful kindergarten experience. Students are introduced daily to STEAM-based curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, The Arts, and Mathematics) while participating in specialty enrichment classes, gathering time, social studies, science, health and more.

    A child’s social development involves learning the values, knowledge and skills that enable him/her to relate to others effectively. Building these relationships impacts a child’s positive contributions in the community, with family and at school. At Children’s Learning Adventure, children develop these interpersonal skills in Imagination Island, a uniquely designed miniature city created to enhance social interactions and development. This play-based learning environment supports and influences children’s social development.

    Children’s Learning Adventure has also created monthly themes related to their curriculum. Students are introduced to various learning activities in each classroom that focus on a monthly theme, such as “Things That Go,” “Health and Nutrition” and “Tropical Adventures.”

    Children’s Learning Adventure also promotes lifelong health and well-being to their students, as it begins in early childhood. Children experience a variety of meaningful, physical activities in a climate controlled indoor gym and outdoor play area. Children develop socially and physically as they interact with peers and teachers daily, building an understanding of team and individual sports.

    To instill a love for learning, Children’s Learning Adventure has created fun and interactive activities for their students. These activities allow them to discover and explore areas they are interested in while learning about something new. Founder and CEO Rick Sodja explains, “What separates Children’s Learning Adventure from others is that we champion working collaboratively with parents to develop students into lifelong learners.”

    Children’s Learning Adventure believes it is important to provide a fun, positive and engaging atmosphere for both their students and parents. They offer innovative lesson plans and enjoyable learning activities that are developmentally appropriate. Children’s Learning Adventure creates a welcoming and nurturing environment that encourages parents and families to be actively involved with their children’s learning experiences throughout the year.

    Children’s Learning Adventure is now accepting fall enrollment for all programs. To learn more about Children’s Learning Adventure or their STEAM-based curriculum, please visit www.childrenslearningadventure.com.

    Kyle Greenberg 

    kgreenberg@childrenslearningadventure.com  

    Creative Manager 

    Source: Children’s Learning Adventure

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Children’s Learning Adventure Continues to Help Kids Grow With STEAM-Based Curriculum

    Children’s Learning Adventure Continues to Help Kids Grow With STEAM-Based Curriculum

    [ad_1]

    Press Release



    updated: Jun 25, 2019

    Children’s Learning Adventure continues to help their students grow with STEAM-based curriculum while also offering unique environments designed at each center to capture a child’s imagination and encourage exploration. Their proprietary curriculum is STEAM based and is seamlessly integrated into every classroom.

    Each campus offers specialty classrooms and an outdoor playground that encourages students to actively engage in the learning process. A child’s learning environment can directly affect their learning and their overall educational experience, so Children’s Learning Adventure has created their campuses to be engaging, exciting and fun. Their main goal is to make learning an adventure and encourage their students to actively participate in the learning process in a safe and welcoming environment.

    Children’s Learning Adventure believes that the implementation of a STEAM-based curriculum is a meaningful way to prepare children for everyday life. They encourage intellectual growth through engaging, hands-on STEAM activities. Teachers at Children’s Learning Adventure also encourage children to actively participate in and explore the various learning activities. By using this unique approach to teaching science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics, their students develop the necessary critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to be successful inside and outside the classroom.

    “The learning process is an ongoing adventure that requires perseverance and support. At Children’s Learning Adventure, we encourage students to set and reach their educational and personal goals,” said Rick Sodja, CEO.

    A core objective at Children’s Learning Adventure is to prepare and equip their students to excel in their lifelong academic journeys. They implement a STEAM-based curriculum daily to immerse students in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. By surrounding students with engaging teachers, stimulating environments and purposeful curriculum, Children’s Learning Adventure had made it their main goal to help build a foundation for their students’ future academic careers while preparing them for a lifetime of positive thinking and excitement towards learning.

    To learn more about  Children’s Learning Adventure, please visit http://www.childrenslearningadventure.com/.

    Media Contact:
    Kyle Greenberg
    ​kgreenberg@childrenslearningadventure.com
    Creative Manager

    Source: Children’s Learning Adventure

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Children’s Learning Adventure Commits to Helping Students Grow This Summer

    Children’s Learning Adventure Commits to Helping Students Grow This Summer

    [ad_1]

    Press Release



    updated: Jun 9, 2019

    Children’s Learning Adventure helps teach their students the value of adopting personal skills that they can use outside of their traditional learning environment. Practicing interpersonal skills are invaluable for young students, as these skills will apply throughout their lives. Children’s Learning Adventure incorporates these skills in their homeroom and specialty classrooms as well as their summer camp, with role play and meaningful activities to encourage students to develop and hone interpersonal skills.

    Children’s Learning Adventure also offers non-stop, exciting experiences throughout the summer. This year’s “Hooray for Hollywood” summer camp is centered around all things Hollywood and movie magic. It includes lunch and snacks, weekly field trips and engaging STEAM-based activities. In addition to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, Children’s Learning Adventure also provides campers with the opportunity to thoroughly explore and discover the arts.

    Each summer camp is intentionally planned to offer a specialized, uniquely designed curriculum that encompasses STEAM learning and literacy. Every year, a theme is chosen and developed to engage students of all levels in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics.

    “At Children’s Learning Adventure questions, curiosity, and hand-on learning experiences are encouraged and valued. By implementing fun and purposeful STEAM based lessons and activities, we create an engaging environment where students can enjoy the learning process. Our students grow, learn, and explore every day!” – Rick Sodja, CEO

    The all-inclusive camp, available at all 44 Children’s Learning Adventure campuses, also includes weekly field trips, meals, activities, and flexible scheduling. Giving campers the experience of a lifetime, so they can enjoy their summer while also learning something new.

    To learn more about Children’s  Learning  Adventure or Summer Camp please visit www.childrenslearningadventure.com.

    Media Contact:

    Kyle Greenberg
    kgreenberg@childrenslearningadventure.com
    Creative Manager

    Source: Children’s Learning Adventure

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Children’s Learning Adventure Gears Up for an Amazing Summer

    Children’s Learning Adventure Gears Up for an Amazing Summer

    [ad_1]

    Press Release



    updated: May 31, 2019

    As students enjoy summer break, Children’s Learning Adventure’s Hooray for Hollywood summer camp is the perfect way to stay engaged while school is out. Their STEAM-based curriculum provides campers of ages 5-12 (5-13 in Texas) with the tools to create a fun, engaging and educational summer experience.

    “Students should be actively involved in learning activities both in and outside the school setting, even during school breaks,” said Rick Sodja, Children’s Learning Adventure CEO.

    Children’s Learning Adventure has created a fun and unique way for students to stay engaged throughout the whole year. Taking a break from school doesn’t mean there needs to be a break from learning. Children’s Learning Adventure’s summer camp is a perfect option to keep children actively engaged, focused and eager. Their holiday camps provide an amazing opportunity for campers to engage in innovative activities, explore exciting hands-on projects and grow friendships.

    Children’s Learning Adventure implements their STEAM-based curriculum into all activities while intentionally planning engaging lessons that correlate with our learning objectives. Their learning activities give students the opportunity to fully explore the theme and topic of the week.

    One of the most valuable aspects of this year’s summer camp is the way Children’s Learning Adventure is encouraging creativity. At Children’s Learning Adventure, campers are encouraged to express and recognize their emotions through communication and creativity. Their STEAM-based curriculum incorporates the arts, promoting students to explore and express themselves through a variety of mediums in a positive, supportive environment.

    The all-inclusive camp, available at all 44 Children’s Learning Adventure campuses, also includes weekly field trips, meals, activities and flexible scheduling, giving campers the experience of a lifetime so they can enjoy their summer while also learning something new.

    To learn more about Children’s Learning Adventure or Summer Camp, please visit www.childrenslearningadventure.com or call (877) 797-1417.

    Media Contact:
    Kyle Greenberg
    kgreenberg@childrenslearningadventure.com
    Creative Manager

    Source: Children’s Learning Adventure

    [ad_2]

    Source link