HOW ZOOM ESCAPER WORKS 

In March 2020, South Africans experienced their first lockdown which led to working, attending school and studying from home. Zoom has been a great mediator tool to allow communication between people when working remotely. However, several tedious meetings a day can push one to the brink.

Zoom Escaper is a free web widget that allows you to self-sabotage your own meetings. This is done by adding various sound effects that vary from an echo, a bad connection, a man weeping, an upset baby, wind, dogs and construction noises… even a urinating sound. 

And Zoom Escaper can be used on any application that requires you to use your microphone.

‘URINATING’ SOUND COULD BE USEFUL… OR NOT?

The Verge news editor Chaim Gartenberg rated the crying baby sound effect to be the most realistic and believable reason to drop a Zoom call — after you convince people you have a baby, that is.

He also mentioned that the “bad connection” sound effect worked very well, so that could be a close second for anyone without a baby.

The jury’s out, however, on how useful or effective the urinating sound effect could be.

WHY ARTIST SAM LAVIGNE CREATED ZOOM ESCAPER 

Sam Lavigne said he created this nifty web widget as an escape tool that “helps you escape Zoom meetings and other video conferencing scenarios. It allows you to self-sabotage your audio stream, making your presence unbearable to others”, he wrote on Instagram. 

Lavigne is honest about his motivations for creating the app — he hopes to see people doing less work.

“My hope with Zoom Escaper is that people use it to escape Zoom calls and do less work. I’ve been thinking about how sabotage might work in a digital context, especially one where the means of production are also personal devices that mediate your social life,” Lavigne told The Guardian. 

WATCH: HOW TO USE ZOOM ESCAPER

A THREAD ON HOW TO USE ESCAPER

AND NOW THE ‘SEQUEL’: ZOOM DELETER

Sam Lavigne is quite possibly more fed up with virtual meetings than anyone else out there. He also created Zoom Deleter, which he explains as a small application that immediately deletes the Zoom app when found on your device. Zoom Escaper is actually the “sequel” to Zoom Deleter.

“Zoom Deleter is a small application that continually monitors your computer for the presence of Zoom, and if found, immediately deletes it,” he wrote on Instagram.

The two applications are a form of art for Lavigne. He created them for the purpose of “deliberate slowdown; reducing productivity and output; self-sabotage”, he told The Verge.

This app ultimately has two objectives — annoy everyone in the meeting until they beg you to leave or use the available sound effects as the perfect excuse to make your escape.

ALSO READ: Paywall anyone? Twitter ponders subscription service

Within an hour of the major change, Instagram began to trend on Twitter as people were questioning if this was the permanent feature that the platform had previously announced. 

However, this was just a mishap that apparently occurred due to the platform unintentionally adding more people to the test which was actually a bug in the system.

“We’ve been testing a new experience to hide likes on Feed posts. We unintentionally added more people to the test today, which was a bug — we’re fixing this issue and restoring like counts to those people as soon as possible,” wrote the Instagram Comms page on twitter.

THE ISSUE IS FIXED

Two hours after explaining the issue that took place the Instagram Comms page on Twitter updated users saying that the issue is fixed and how to get their feed back to normal. 

“This issue has now been fixed. Pull down to refresh your feed and your likes should restore – thanks for your patience,” was posted on the account. 

INSTAGRAM REMOVING LIKES 

In 2019 the platform announced that they plan on removing the number of likes that shows on each user’s posts, from a limited number of people in Canada. The platform has not yet provided users with a proposed date for when this will take place throughout the platform. 

This change involves only the number being affected and not the concept of likes as a whole. 

Although some users were shocked, others seemed to like the change. 

The change is being brought in to create a more comfortable environment for users. 

“About creating a less pressurized environment where people feel comfortable expressing themselves,” said CEO Adam Mosseri according to Heavy. 

“We will make decisions that hurt the business if they help people’s well-being and health,” he also mentioned. 

WHAT WOULD THE PLATFORM LOOK LIKE WITHOUT LIKES?

According to Buzz Feed followers would not see the total amount of likes on a post on their Instagram feeds or when visiting a users profile. The owner of the account can still see the number of likes the post received and the people who liked the post. However, account owners would need to tap through a post to view the metrics. 

USERS ALLOWED TO REVIEW POLICY AT THEIR OWN PACE 

WhatsApp first announced its new privacy policy back in January. This created a lot of panic, and saw some users turning to alternative apps like Telegram and Signal in protest.

The Facebook-owned app then cleared up users’ concerns about the privacy policy. It also allowed for users to review the policy at their own pace, delaying the deadline by three months to 15 May. The platform has more than two billion users worldwide. 

WHATSAPP PRIVACY POLICY: WHAT HAPPENS COME 15 MAY?

WhatsApp will ask users to comply with the new policy in order to have full functionality of the app. If users still do not accept the terms by the new deadline, their accounts will not be deleted. They will still be able to receive calls and notifications, but won’t be able to read or send messages on the platform.

“For a short time, these users will be able to receive calls and notifications, but will not be able to read or send messages from the app,” WhatsApp said, as quoted by Tech Crunch.

HOW LONG IS A ‘SHORT TIME’?

The “short time” is said to last a few weeks. After 15 May, the policy for inactive users will apply.

WhatsApp’s policy for inactive users states that accounts are generally deleted after 120 days of not being active. 

This is a softer approach than the pop-up notification that hit users with an ultimatum of either accepting the new terms of the WhatsApp privacy policy or losing access to the app back in January. 

WHATSAPP PRIVACY POLICY: WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?

On its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet, WhatsApp laid out the following options:

“You can still accept the updates after May 15th. Our policy related to inactive users will apply.”

“Before May 15th, you can export your chat history on Android or iPhone, and download a report of your account. If you’d like to delete your account on Android, iPhone, or KaiOS, we hope you reconsider. It is something we cannot reverse as it erases your message history, removes you from all of your WhatsApp groups and deletes your WhatsApp backups.”

“If you need any help downloading a report of your account or deleting your account, you can contact us.”

TikTok’s partnership with Quizlet adds another way to deliver learning content to video viewers following the launch of the #LearnOnTikTok programme in May 2020. #LearnOnTikTok was the service’s initiative to encourage educational creators.

TikTok is further positioning itself as a platform that not only provides entertainment, but promotes educational content in creative, bite-size portions.

QUIZLET OFFERS WAYS TO AMPLIFY LEARNING

Aside from its self-referential audience-created tutorial videos, distinct creators will soon begin to see an option to embed a Quizlet study set to educational videos.

“We love the unique and creative ways creators use TikTok to teach and share information, and we’ll continue to support creators looking to make learning fun and accessible on TikTok,” TikTok said.

From science to maths and language to arts, deliverable topics are endless. Quizlet’s learning tools include digital flashcards and user-generated study material.

At a time where teaching explores wider possibilities of remote learning, the partnership provides educators with an innovative way to share their own Quizlet study sets as flashcards on their TikTok videos. This will enable a wider reach of students.

HOW TO USE QUIZLET ON TIKTOK

First, creators should find a study set on Quizlet. Creators can search from the popular online study platform’s more than 450-million study sets directly or through browsing topic pages. 

To add a Quizlet link to your TikTok video,  click on “add link” on the TikTok app during the video creation process. Under the drop-down menu, select the option Quizlet. Add the link to the video.

Once creators add a Quizlet study set link to the video, viewers can click on the link to learn more about the topic associated with the TikTok video.

TIKTOK’S MISSION TO PROMOTE LEARNING

Through the #LearnOnTikTok hashtag, the social media app portrays efforts to showcase the vast educational content on the site. The initiative followed backlash over the potentially harmful effects of millions of young users being glued to their phone screens. 

TikTok has committed to partnering with educational technology companies and allocating funding to promote subject-focused content creation. 

SA USERS EMBRACE #LEARNONTIKTOK

South African TikTok users have embraced the learning initiative, sharing content from cooking to language classes. 

With the addition of a Quizlet study set, the opportunities for South Africa’s learning-focused TikTok users to enhance their videos are vast. 

Here’s an example of a #LearnOnTikTok video from SA:

ALSO READ:

Here are the top 10 South African TikTok creators of 2021 [videos]

From TikTok to Twitter: Here are the social media records of 2020

The instant messaging platform alerted users with a pop-up notice saying they “need to accept these updates to continue using WhatsApp”, or delete their accounts.

What to expect from WhatsApp’s new privacy policy

While the app remains end-to-end encrypted, meaning your messages are encrypted to protect against WhatsApp and third parties from reading them, the app will collect and share private data of users to Facebook, which owns the app.

Users will not be able to opt-out of the new privacy policy, as its terms and conditions must be accepted to continue using the app. Users must agree to the new terms by 8 February or lose access to their chats and contacts.

There will be even greater integration between WhatsApp and Facebook’s other products like Messenger and Instagram. This means they will share data like your phone number, transaction data, IP address, and information on how you interact with others (including businesses).

WhatsApp to collect information about service activity

In its update release, WhatsApp explained that it will “collect information about your activity on our Services, like service-related, diagnostic, and performance information.

“This includes information about your activity (including how you use our Services, your Services settings, how you interact with others using our Services (including when you interact with a business), and the time, frequency, and duration of your activities and interactions), log files, and diagnostic, crash, website, and performance logs and reports.

“This also includes information about when you registered to use our Services; the features you use like our messaging, calling, Status, groups (including group name, group picture, group description), payments or business features; profile photo, ‘about’ information; whether you are online when you last used our Services (your ‘last seen’); and when you last updated your ‘about’ information.”

EUROPEAN AND UK USERS THE EXCEPTION?

However, parent company Facebook has confirmed while European and UK users also need to accept new terms, they won’t be subject to the same data-sharing changes.

In a statement regarding the “European region” — the EU, EEA and post-Brexit UK — a spokesperson said:

“For the avoidance of any doubt, it is still the case that WhatsApp does not share European region WhatsApp user data with Facebook for the purpose of Facebook using this data to improve its products or advertisements.”

The updated privacy policy for European users states that data can be shared with other Facebook companies.

— Additional reporting by BANG! Showbiz.

Acclaimed actor Reeves is one of the central characters in the Cyberpunk series with Cyberpunk 2077 being one of 2020’s most anticipated games.

The Matrix and John Wick star is also the co-owner of the real-life ARCH company which makes custom motorcycles that are featured in the game.

Apart from “starring” in the latest “What You’re Looking For” trailer, he also narrated the first “Seize the Day” trailer which appeared on the official Cyberpunk 2077 YouTube channel on 1 October 2020.

Developed by CD Projekt Red, Cyberpunk 2077 is a first-person action RPG based on the tabletop game of the same name. Although the game has faced many delays, the wait will soon be over, and gamers will finally be able to explore Night City on 19 November 2020.

The latest ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ trailer gives us plenty to look forward to:  

A superstar cast

Reeves stars as Johnny Silverhand — who he voices and does motion capture for — in Cyberpunk 2077. However, Keanu will not be the only recognisable face in the game.

In 2019, Canadian singer Grimes posted a picture of her character, Lizzy Wizzy, on Twitter. Like Grimes, Lizzy Wizzy is a celebrity with a bit of a crazy side.

As Grimes has explained on dazeddigital.com, Lizzy Wizzy is a pop star who committed suicide on stage with experts “quickly coming to preform emergency surgery and replace her whole body with cybernetics while she was dead for an hour and then she finished the show as a cyborg”. 

A killer soundtrack

Cyberpunk 2077’s soundtrack will also be a star-studded affair. As CD Projekt Red has confirmed on their site, several popular artists have recorded music for Cyberpunk. And judging by the selection, there will be something to please everyone. 

This include Run the Jewels, Refused, Grimes, A$AP Rocky, Gazelle Twin, Ilan Rubin, Richard Devine, Nina Kraviz, Deadly Hunta, Rat Boy, and Tina Guo.

The Night City is yours… 

“Why do you come here?” is the first question Keanu asks in the trailer. “For fun? For power? Looking for a shock to the system?”

As he narrates, scenes of speeding hovercars and cyborg body modifications flash on screen. 

What is clear from the trailer is that what happens in Night City is entirely your choice. Gameplay trailers and information from CD Projekt Red have revealed how in-depth the game character creation system will be.

Phillipp Weber, who is the senior quest designer for Cyberpunk 2077, has explained that the aim with the game was to provide gamers with “as much freedom as possible – for people to basically inhabit this character in Night City”.

Consequently, character creation will be extremely robust, allowing you to change everything from your character’s voice to the skin tone, eye colour, as well as scars and tattoos. 

The mission structure will also grant you a great deal of freedom. In addition to a fully explorable open world, mission quest structure will be non-linear and the choices you make will lead you down one of several different story paths. 

‘Cyberpunk 2077’: Pick your platform

Cyberpunk 2077 will be coming to PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on 19 November. Although CD Projekt Red has stated that dedicated versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S will be released in the future, you will not have to wait until 2021 to play it on next-gen consoles.

Thanks to backward compatibility, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of Cyberpunk 2077 will be playable on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S respectively from day one. 

CD Projekt Red’s last major release, The Witcher 3, proved that the studio has what it takes to deliver AAA open world gaming experiences that can compete with some of the best studios around the world. Soon we will see whether they have been able to surpass the extremely high bar they have set. 

Watch Keanu Reeves in the latest ‘Cyperpunk 2077’ trailer

1. ‘The Last of Us Part II’ 

The Last of Us Part II is the long-awaited sequel to the hit PS3 game released in 2013. Much like our world, the world of The Last of Us is one that has been struck by a devastating pandemic. Fortunately, our outbreak is nothing like theirs.

In The Last of Us, those infected slowly lose their humanity and turn into bloodthirsty monsters that will rip apart and devour any living thing in their path. 

The Last of Us Part II focuses on Ellie, a woman who is out for revenge after a violent faction of survivors harms those close to her. However, as she goes on her journey to find her enemies, she soon learns that things are not as simple as they seem.

Through complex character construction and intricate plot design, the thin line between justice and revenge is blurred, and players are forced to question their own notions of right and wrong.  

Ellie does not travel alone. She is accompanied by her girlfriend Dina. Dina is as loyal as can be and has a light-hearted sense of humour that helps to relieve some of the tension that comes with trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world.

Dina and Ellie’s relationship is an important one, as it is one of the very few positive representations of LGBT+ relationships in mainstream gaming. Their relationship is presented in a humanising manner, and hopefully paves the way for more diverse video game characters in the future. 

2. ‘God of War’ 

Developed by Santa Monica Studios and released in 2018, God of War is an epic adventure game that takes you on a journey through the world of Norse mythology.

You take control of Kratos, a strong warrior who is left to raise his son, Atreus, after the death of his mother. However, you and Atreus must first travel to the highest peak of the nine realms to spread the ashes of Atreus’s mother. 

Kratos is a man of few words and is used to resorting to violence to solve his problems. However, he soon learns that fostering a relationship with his son will require a whole new set of skills.

Atreus’s story is a coming-of-age one which sees him learn the full extent of his powers. He struggles to find a fine balance between hubris and self-confidence. 

God of War tells a beautiful tale of a father and son relationship without compromising on the action-packed combat that the series is known for. As the story progresses, you will soon find that some battles are impossible without Atreus at your side, and that you need him as much as he needs you. 

3. ‘Shadow of the Colossus’ 

Shadow of the Colossus was originally released in 2005 for the PlayStation 2. Luckily, for those who might have missed it, the game received a stunning remake in 2018 for the PlayStation 4. 

Shadow of the Colossus takes place in a desolate world with sprawling landscapes. To traverse this expansive terrain, you have with you a trusty horse named Agro who always answers to your whistles.

Armed with nothing but a sword, you travel with Agro seeking 16 giant stone beings. The aim is to defeat them in hopes of resurrecting a young girl named Mono.

Most of the stone giants, known as Colossi, are breathtakingly massive and will make you feel as small as a flea in their presence. It is only through clever thinking, and a little help from Agro, that you will be able to defeat them all. 

The story of Shadow of the Colossus is not a straightforward one, and you will soon discover that some of the colossi behave oddly. While many are aggressive, others are more curious about you and Agro and barely attempt to defend themselves against your attacks. To say more, however, would be to give away secrets that are best discovered on your own. 

Shadow of the Colossus is a must-play game for anyone looking for a thought-provoking video game experience that offers a loveable four-legged companion. 

4. ‘Persona 4 Golden’ 

Persona 4 was first released on PlayStation 2 in 2008 before being ported to the PlayStation Vita and finally to Windows via Steam Store in 2020. A game having a lifespan this long is a good indication that there is something special about it. 

Persona 4 is a role-playing game set in the fictional Japanese town of Inaba. You soon find yourself embroiled in a murder mystery after several bodies are found hanging dead. You also discover that you can use televisions as portals to enter the TV world where you meet a quirky teddy bear who helps you bring the murders to an end. 

The events of Persona 4 are bizarre but, fortunately, you do not have to deal with them alone. Joining you are your friends that include a feisty girl named Chie, an introvert named Yukiko, a bad-boy biker named Kanji and a celebrity named Rise.

When you are not exploring the strange TV world, you can hang out with your friends in Inaba and do typical teenage things like loiter around the shopping district, go to the beach or even study in the library. 

If the idea of solving murder mysteries with your best friends sounds appealing to you, then Persona 4 is definitely the game to try. 

‘Crash Bandicoot’ spins his way to the top 

Crash Bandicoot is a series that has long been associated with PlayStation, although many of the games have since been ported to other platforms.

Like many of the prior games, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time is a platformer that requires lightning-fast reflexes and precision to complete each level. The star of Crash Bandicoot is a cute marsupial, named Crash, who jumps and spins his way through obstacles. 

The game was released on 2 October and debuted on Metacritic with a score of 85, indicating “generally favourable reviews” which is good news for fans of the series.

Venturebeat.com gave the game a perfect score. They praise its “precision platforming set in beautiful, cartoon-inspired levels”.

The reviewer, Mike Minotti, also commends the game’s boss fights and claims that they are “full of surprises that test your platforming prowess”. 

Rapid-fire homages to Crash’s past

Many critics note that Crash Bandicoot 4 is faithful to the series, and that long-time fans will feel right at home. The popular gaming site IGN gave the game an 8/10.

The reviewer writes that “Crash Bandicoot 4 makes rapid-fire homages to Crash’s past” and, in praise, adds that the game “has not only recaptured the magic of the original trilogy but added to it in new, exciting, and seriously tough ways”.

Similar sentiments are echoed by Gamespot who claim that Crash Bandicoot 4 “impeccably preserves the vibrant look and feel of the original Crash Bandicoot trilogy, while integrating new ideas and platforming possibilities”.

‘Mafia: Definitive Edition’: A welcome blast from the past

Of course, platformers are not for everyone. Some of us prefer to put on a dusty fedora and black trench-coat before venturing into the seedy underworld of mobsters.

If exploring intricate urban open worlds and engaging in intense gun fights sounds like a good time to you, then Mafia: Definitive Edition is worth a try. 

Released on 25 September, Mafia: Definitive Edition is a remake of the classic 2002 video game Mafia. It debuted with an impressive Metacritic score of 79 on PC and Xbox One, and 76 on PS4. These scores indicate “generally favourable reviews”. 

Shining example of a good remake

 As is the case with Crash Bandicoot 4, critics are happy with how Mafia: Definitive Edition has remained faithful to the formulas established by its predecessors.

Player2.net compliment the game’s visuals and claim it has “done a fantastic job overhauling the original Mafia while staying true to its spirit”. Digitalspy.com note that we are in a time that is rife with remakes both good and bad.

However, they describe Mafia: Definitive Edition as a “a shining example of exactly what a remake can be”. 

They give the give the game a 4/5 and conclude by calling it a “stunning remake that improves upon so much while staying true to its original vision”.

There were a few common criticisms, however. A recurring complaint was that the shooting mechanics felt unsatisfactory.

Gamerant, who gave the game a 3.5/5, complained that the cover-based shooting mechanics felt outdated. Game Informer did not mince their words, writing that the “gunplay is awful” before giving the game a surprisingly low score of 5.5 out of 10. 

Watch the official trailer for ‘Mafia: Definitive Edition’ here:

Conclusion? No excuse for boredom

Both recent releases scored very well and demonstrate that there is something out there for everyone. If you are looking for cartoonish platformer fun that tests your reflexes, Crash Bandicoot 4 will satisfy you.

If a gritty crime story set in a beautiful open world is more to your liking, then Mafia Definitive Edition is for you. Either way, there is more than enough to keep you occupied as the world eagerly awaits the upcoming release of the next-gen consoles.  

Picture this: You are in outer space along with your crew and you need to get back to Earth. However, a shapeshifting alien parasite has infiltrated the ship and is disguised as one of your crewmates.

And its goal is to eliminate your entire crew…

Sounds like a boatload of chaos and paranoia just waiting to hit, right?

This is the plot for the 2018 game, Among Us.

Why is ‘Among Us’ so popular?

Even though the game has been around for quite a while, it has only recently gained this much popularity.

The reason is that more people have begun to notice how much fun the game is to play and to watch from live streams on Twitch. The appeal stems from the game’s focus on its players and their interactions.

And if you are playing with your friends, it can be a rollercoaster of an experience.

The game is an online or local party game where teamwork plays an important factor, and anyone can betray you.

You can play with four to 10 players and your objective is to find the intruder and eject them before they kill everyone.

Where to find ‘Among Us’

The game is available on Android, IOS and PC. But the best part is that you can enjoy the game across multiple platforms if you are playing online. You could use voice chat online or play using LAN at a party with friends.

Obviously, though, a game focused on betrayal means that there will be a lot of lying and deceit happening. This opens the door to a lot of toxic people in the gaming community. So, when playing online, it would be a good idea to play with people you know.

The objective of the crew is to fill the group taskbar or discover the imposter. This can be achieved by:

• Reacting quickly to undo the impostor’s sabotages.
• Checking the admin map and security cameras to keep tabs on other crewmates.
• Reporting any dead bodies immediately to start discussions of who the suspected impostor is.
• Calling emergency meetings to discuss suspicious behaviour.
• Voting to eject suspected impostors.

Gameplay tips

The objective of the intruder is to kill the crew. This can be a little bit tricky, especially when you are a suspect. Some helpful tips to follow would be:

• Killing crewmates and framing bystanders.
• Pretending to run tasks to blend in with the crewmates.
• Sneaking through the vents to quickly move about the ship.
• Using sabotages to cause chaos and divide the crew.
• Closing doors to trap victims and kill in private.

The game also includes cool features, such as:

• Customisation: Pick your colour and hat.
• Lots of game options: Add impostors, tasks and more.
• In-game text chat.
• Rich discord integration.
• Cross-platform play between PC, Android, and iOS.

Among Us is now only R42 on Steam (and free on mobile) … and this game is one to check out with your friends!

The gaming world has its fair share of gritty shooters set in warzones and dystopian futures, but there are a few happy games that try to introduce you to a less ugly virtual world.

If you have been feeling the lockdown blues, or just need a little pick-me-up, these four titles take a break from the usual violence of video games. They are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. 

‘Rayman Legends’

Developed by the French studio Ubisoft Montpellier, Rayman Legends is a platformer that offers you dozens of levels to complete.

The levels are all set in different environments and with varying themes. In addition to making it to end of the level, you explore every nook and cranny to find hidden sections. This is where you can save cute little creatures known as Teensies.

Rayman Legends has vibrant visuals and a stunning soundtrack that matches the onscreen action. This allows for rhythm-based levels where the beat of the soundtrack guides your movements.

Best of all, Rayman Legends features levels from the previous title, Rayman Origins, so newcomers to the series can experience the fun they have been missing out on.

Rayman Legends is available on a wide variety of platforms including PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita.

‘Fall Guys’

Fall Guys is the new kid on the block but has already managed to cause quite a stir. Since its release in August, it has amassed millions of players who find its fast-paced and quirky gameplay addictive.

Fall Guys is a multiplayer game that has you controlling a cute jellybean as you navigate obstacle courses and avoid elimination.

It throws in a few team mini-games as well where you must work together with strangers online to ensure victory.

The chaos and luck involved in Fall Guys is part of its charm. The mini-game sees dozens of jellybeans scrambling towards a finish line while contending with spinning beams, rotating platforms and slimy inclines.

If you have had a hard day, Fall Guys is the perfect game to throw on for some mindless fun.

‘WipEout: Omega Collection’

WipEout is one of PlayStation’s longstanding franchises. It has you racing futuristic anti-gravity ships around neon-lit courses. Along the way, you can collect power-ups that give you either offensive or defensive advantages over your competitors.

WipEout: Omega Collection is a PlayStation 4 exclusive that features remakes of WipEout 2048 and WipEout HD.

The games are pure sensory overload. The treat you to an up upbeat techno soundtrack that will have you nodding your head. They also flood your eyes with a slew of colours as you speed along futuristic racetracks.

It should be noted that WipEout is one of those games that are easy to learn but hard to master.

Therefore, if you are the kind of person who strives for a first-place victory in every race, be prepared to put in plenty hours of practice.

‘PUSS!’

Of all the games on this list, PUSS! is likely the most colourful. The developer is teamCOIL and it is available for PC gamers to purchase on Steam.

The gameplay is simple enough to grasp. You simply use your mouse to drag your cat through a labyrinth of levels that have obstacles and occasional changing pathways. Things get harder as you progress.

The visuals of PUSS! are vividly psychedelic and surreal. Sometimes, the visuals are intense enough to interfere with gameplay at times. It will leave you both bewildered and enchanted.

PUSS! has a psychedelic soundtrack to complement its visuals. It can go from cheery in one level to eerie in the next but on the whole it is an extremely happy game.

For some, PUSS! might be just a tad bit too out there. But, if you are just the right amount of weird, PUSS! will put a smile on your face for being so brazenly strange.

In the digital age, spring cleaning is deeper than cleaning under the bed and washing the curtains.

Traditionally when you think of “spring cleaning” you think of the seasonal deep clean your family may do at home. However, as millennials and post-millennials there’s more decluttering to do than just the physical space around us.

A digital spring clean will declutter your digital spaces. The decluttering can free your mind and may help to give you a clearer and more organised outlook.

Here are seven tips for a digital spring clean.

1. Social media

Taking protective steps to secure your peace of mind is as important as taking oranges and lemons during flu season. Therefore unfriend, unfollow and unlike anything or anyone that emotionally drains you or which you no longer have any interest in.

A seasonal clean-up of your social media is more important than you think.
After cleaning out your social media platforms from everything you no longer want to see, start following the content you do want to see.

Follow pages that produce content you are interested in. For example if you like cars, follow more car pages or if you are into makeup, more makeup tutorial pages.

Also follow inspirational and motivational pages and hashtags. For example #MotivationMonday is a great way to start your week.

2. Clean out your gallery

As a habit, many of us take screenshots of almost everything and this tends to take up unnecessary space on our mobile devices. After all, screenshots tend to be an in-the-moment thing and then we forget about it.

Take some time to clean up your device’s gallery and app data as well.

Also, back up important files on to an external hard drive or on to your computer for safety.

3. Clear your browser history

Your browser stores information that may stay there for a long time. It is important to clear your browser’s history, the cache and cookies often.

This will lead to better performance and privacy.

Clearing your browser history also prevents websites from following and tracking your actions.

4. Set up a password manager

Most people tend to create different passwords for different apps and this becomes confusing.

You can simply download a password manager which will allow you to store, generate and manage your personal passwords and help restore them if necessary.

5. Unsubscribe to unwanted mailing lists

Adding your email address to almost any website results in e-mail marketing. This tends to spam your inbox and take up space.

Unsubscribing to this is key for decluttering.

You can do this by opening the e-mails you don’t want. There should be an “subscribe” link towards the bottom of the email.

This is likely to take you to another window which will check that you do really want to unsubscribe. Go through with it and click “unsubscribe”.

6. Clear your download folder

Every time you download a file it stores it in the download folder. You want to make sure you do not have any files you no longer need.

This is most important for students in particular as you will download resources for assignments which you don’t need after a while. Clear them out!

7. Update your apps

Do not rob yourself of an application’s new features by missing out on updates. Rather, update your applications as and when they are available.

You should also go through your “my apps” list in your app store and uninstall apps you no longer need.

The studio is developing the game with an engine it created, called S2 Engine HD.

Hellseed is a first-person horror adventure game with puzzles and some action elements.

One of the ‘scariest releases this year’

Profenix Studio SRLS is an indie company in Benevento, Italy, born from the individual company Profenix Studio di Fabio Di Paola in Naples. It is a small company with only two releases out so far, one of which is Hellseed.

This contributes largely to the lack of attention the game is receiving. However, this game could be considered one of the scariest releases this year.

What do we know about ‘Hellseed’ so far?

Up until recently, the studio has only released images of the game on its Steam page. However, with the release of the free demo on Steam, there is more gameplay available on YouTube.

Channels such as UltimateGamerz and DerkFerk offer 30 to 40 minutes of gameplay from the demo.

The graphics in the game are very realistic and add to the game’s unsettling atmosphere.

The pictures in this article may give you an idea of how to navigate the world and interact with the environment. It also gives players an idea of the mechanics of the game.

Much like Outlast, it seems that the player has to manage their health and torch batteries.

There are a lot of shadows and dark corners for monsters to hide in. So, it would be smart to prepare yourself accordingly as there are some hard-core jump scares.

What is the game about?

Hellseed is set in Italy in 1980 and players take on the role of a detective.

Said detective must investigate the disappearance of a doctor from a local psychiatric hospital.

The investigation begins at the doctor’s house, which seems abandoned. However, there is something amiss in the house.

A dark presence shadows you as you make your way throughout the house, at times chasing you.

You find clues and uncover puzzles that reveal the relationship between the doctor and the dark presence. Your only options are to run and hide.

The game features:

• Realistic graphics: With the S2ENGINE HD the game performs a photo-realistic environment that will completely immerse you.
• Horror atmosphere: Inspired by classic Italian horror cinematography, there are a lot of jump scares and references to Italian culture.
• Puzzles and investigation: Using a well-structured inventory, players will be able to collect and examine objects to solve puzzles.
• Chasing gameplay: A dark presence will start to chase you at a certain point in the game, you must run and hide using what the environment offers you.

If you are a fan of puzzling solving horror games, then definitely take a look at the very underrated Hellseed. Chapter 1 is now available on Steam.

Players will be happy to know that if  they buy it on early access, they receive the full game upon its release.

When do we get the full ‘House on The Hill’?

The final version of House on The Hill is due to release in September. The early access game was released earlier this year so developers could get some feedback.

The developers plan to make use of the Steam community feedback to improve the game. This way they can find out which storylines are working, and what they need to add or remove from the game.

Will the full version be different?

As it stands, the early access version seems to be a sample of the full game. This means that the full version is likely to change a lot.

The developers will add more scenes and events to contribute to the atmosphere of the game. Also, storylines within the game will expand and endings will change to give players more interesting gameplay.

So, what is ‘House on The Hill’ about?

In the game, you play a young thief with a struggling family looking for the next job. Your partner has convinced you to steal a rare jewel from an old mansion as your final heist.

Your partner is your only companion throughout the game. He offers you tips and comments on your surroundings through the help of a digital earpiece. Your goal is to break into the house on the hill, a deserted Victorian mansion.

However, House on The Hill has a very important and intriguing element in its dynamic storyline. Each time you enter the house, you face a different story.

There are four chapters that you get to play through, and the choices you make push each one forward.

Each time, you must face off against a different monster. These range from a gas-mask-wearing psychopath to a huge monstrosity from another dimension and are pretty scary.

As the game unfolds the player discovers more about the monsters chasing him or her.

What is the gameplay like?

Since the game basically rewinds each time you finish a chapter, it can begin to feel repetitive. Therefore, some chapters introduce puzzles and unique mechanics into the gameplay.

These puzzles are the perfect level of difficulty. They are enough to feel like you have earned an achievement while not feeling frustratingly impossible. Plus, your partner is happy to offer you some tips on the puzzle to help you progress along.

Overall, the game has some flaws which are sure to be fixed in the full version. There are some spelling errors and the main character’s speed causes a bit of lag.

However, it is a great horror game to give a chance. Just keep in mind that is still under development.

For instance, a poll by pop culture agency Experience12 has revealed that 84% of participants were more excited for the PlayStation 5.

Sony Exclusives

Sony has focused on offering quality AAA exclusives that gamers can only play on the PlayStation platform.

Because of this, iconic titles such as Gran Turismo, Spider-Man, God of War and Days Gone have helped solidify PlayStation as the premier place for gaming experiences that you cannot get elsewhere.

Both The Last of Us Part II and Ghost of Tsushima hit the market in 2020. They are Sony exclusives that have won both critical and commercial success.

Xbox Game Pass

However, Xbox has been having its own fair share of success in the form of its subscription services.

Microsoft offers the Xbox Game Pass to give subscribers access to a catalogue of more than 100 games. Best of all, you do not need an Xbox console to enjoy Xbox Game Pass because the service is available on PC too.

The subscription plan comes in different packages which range from R49 per month for PC access to R149 per month for the ultimate bundle. That includes access to both the PC games library and the console games library.

This is an avenue of gaming where Microsoft is leaving Sony in the dust. As Business Insider explained, as of 2020, Xbox Game Pass boasts 10 million users. Sony’s subscription service, PlayStation Now, only has 2.2 million subscribers.

In addition, while Sony tends to guard its exclusives closely, Xbox has had no problem making its games available on PC.

This seems to fall in line with recent comments Phil Spencer, the vice-president of gaming at Microsoft, made in an interview. Here he explained that being part of the Xbox community is not about owning one device.

Instead, he emphasised that Xbox did not necessarily want to sell more consoles than its competitors. Instead, he wants you to be able to use Game Pass on any screen you please.

Netflix for gamers?

This may indicate that the future of gaming lies not with physical hardware, but with online subscription services. This will allow you access to a library of games in the same way Netflix offers a library of movies for viewers.

According to cloud-gaming service Google Stadia, it has yet to forge a formidable presence in the gaming world. However, improving technology and internet worldwide might make cloud gaming an attractive alternative to traditional consoles in the future.

The different approaches that Microsoft and Sony are taking means there will be several options for gamers.

For those who want access to a large library of games and do not mind paying monthly fees, the Xbox Series X might be perfect.

Those who prefer a more traditional console experience and are in favour of the PlayStation franchises, will be catered to.

A Captcha is one of those mysterious things, like the little plastic pieces at the end of your shoelaces, that makes sense and definitely makes our lives easier. So, we should probably know more about these little pieces of computer code.

How Captchas work

Quite simply, a Captcha code prevents a site from viewing you as a robot.

And, Captchas may have stopped a few robotic invasions of the internet. Apart from showing that you are in fact a human being, Captchas protect websites from spammy bots and robots that appear to be human.

Although they might seem like a modern invention, Captchas actually developed from the “Turing Test”, which was a series of experiments in the 1950s.

Computer scientist extraordinaire Alan Turing theorised and then proved that machines were able to think, speak and act in human-like ways by running a machine. During the Second World War, Turing had been involved in breaking German codes.

The experiments tested whether a judge could distinguish between a computer and a person.

The word “Captcha” is an acronym which stands for “Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart”.

Today, Captchas are able to prevent spamming on websites so that when people post content on websites, the site knows that it was done by a “100% human”.

Are you a robot or a human being?

Of course, Captchas are not totally effective, but they do make a huge difference. Captchas come in various formats, including text-based and image-based tests.

It may ask you to click on all the pictures featuring a traffic light, or a bus, for example. Or it may ask you to give the sum of two simple numbers, such as five and nine.

Spam bots are unable to solve the puzzles but it’s much easier for humans.

There are Captchas for disabled users as well.

If you have a website that needs protecting, you can add a Captcha to your page through programs like ReCaptcha or BotDetect Captcha.

The coding is fairly simple and will often come with the program.

Firstly, it is important to remember that leveling up on Steam is purely cosmetic.

And secondly, when you have more badges and experience, people are more likely to trust you. It is, after all, an online gaming community.

How to get started?

When you first open your Steam account, you will immediately notice that it looks bland compared to others. Starting, your level will most likely be zero.

If you have not yet bought anything on Steam, you will notice that your account is limited. You will not be able to perform simple tasks such as accessing the market or leveling up. This is because you are required to spend a minimum of $5 (R80) on Steam.

You can spend the money on a game or by adding funds to your Steam wallet. Once this step is complete, you will be able to level up.

Buying games with trading cards is key

Next, you should probably buy some games. You can either buy on Steam or other supporting websites such as Kinguin.

When buying a game, be sure to check whether it has any trading cards. You can do so by scrolling down on the purchase page and checking on the right side of your screen. A grey box should list what the game contains.

Once you have some games in your library, you are granted card drops after you have played them for more than three hours. If you have no plan to actually play the games you bought or just do not have the time, then try Idlemaster.

This cool piece of software idles your game for you and collects all the card drops. A good idea would be to leave it idling overnight for the best results. Each game gives you two to four card drops and so, by morning, you can purchase the rest.

Once you have purchased the rest, you will have a full set. There should be an option to craft a badge that will give you a certain amount of XP and level you up.

You can monitor how much XP is needed before you level up again on the “badges”’ page on Steam.

Try bots and Level up websites

Once you craft a badge, you will notice that you receive backgrounds and emoticons. These can be found in your inventory.

These items can help you level up. On the SteamlvlUP website, you can trade these items in for gems. You then use these gems to buy full sets of trading cards for any game you please (even if you do not own them).

Once you have a full set of trading cards, level up, and then repeat the process with the backgrounds and emoticons you receive.

And the last method is using the bots on Steam. It is a straightforward process. You can trade items in your inventory such as gems or keys for sets of trading cards. There are quite a few bots you can try.

Once you level up, just keep repeating the process and your Steam level will skyrocket in no time!

So, as it stands, Grounded has only been released on early access, giving players about 30 minutes of gameplay. It is already quite clear that this game is different from other survival games.

Grounded is your typical co-op survival game, with you playing as one of four teenage explorers who must stay alive. Here is where we receive our plot twist. Instead of sending you to another planet or stranded island, you end up in an everyday suburban backyard.

Sounds odd for a survival game, right?

If you are familiar with the film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, then you have a good idea of where this is going.

What is ‘Grounded’ about?

The 30 minutes’ worth of gameplay does not reveal much concerning the plot of the game. However, to start things off, you wake up with no recollection of how you ended up in this situation.

What is quite apparent, though, is that you have been shrunk down to one two-thousandth of your regular size. And you have two goals:

1. Try to get back your normal size; and
2. Try not to die.

It sounds simple, but it is easier said than done.

However, the story is far from “finished”in its current state. After wrapping up the 30 minutes of gameplay, you are not close to being “big” again. This is because the game has not yet been completed.

What can you expect in the gameplay?

Grounded starts in what can only be described as a deceptively easy manner. You are given a series of simple tasks such as finding food and water. If you do not find these, you will perish.

You spend the first day trying to figure out what is edible and what is not. Water is supplied through dew drops found on blades of grass. But your priorities change quite quickly as you discover that a lot of creatures are interested in eating you.

Grounded features a system in the form of SCA.B OS which helps to detail crafting recipes. And, while this system will help you move along, the real progress depends on your internalisation.

Negating the pressures of survival

The better you know and understand the world you are in, the better you can manage your needs and wants. Even in its unfinished form, Grounded supplies you with an array of methods to negate the pressures of survival.

Once you know what you are doing and where to go, it is a straightforward path to “finishing” the game. From there, you can complete rudimentary quests, and continue to build and explore in the backyard world. However, you will not be achieving any story goals.

• Buy Grounded on Steam and be sure to check out the gameplay trailers on YouTube to get an idea of what you are doing.

From PlayStation 2 to 3 and on Xbox 360, fans would take the reins of their favourite team as manager and lead them to glory.

Also, from transfer markets to training and squad selection, the game mode had players hooked.

However, after changing the manager mode to newly named “career mode” in recent years, the updates have slowed down. Online modes in the franchise have dominated.

Then pre-order bonuses stopped including any career mode gems and new features stopped becoming a thing in recent editions.

This year, though, FIFA 21 career mode is set for its biggest overhaul in over a decade.

So, let’s take a look at some of the new career mode features available on FIFA 21

Interactive match simulation

A feature once available back in the day makes a return and it’s better than before.

Once called “virtual sim”, interactive simulation allows managers to adopt a more tactical and faster paced approach to matches.

In this, managers make all-important decisions from the touchline and watch their impact on the pitch from a top-down view.

According to FIFA, managers will be able to interact with team management, change game plans and monitor team and opponent information in real-time.

And it certainly looks fascinating in the trailer!

The new player development feature is a fully revamped player growth system. FIFA 21 is enabling gamers to grow their squad.

‘FIFA 21’ player development

You can develop and get players to specialise in various roles based on their playing position. You also can improve attributes that best fit your style of play.

Whether you favour playing out from the back, possession, or fast counter-attacks, you can instruct your players to focus their growth where you want.

What’s more, you also can convert players to other positions, allowing for more freedom and control to manage your squad.

This new feature gives a chance to players who fall out of favour in their original role, giving you more flexibility.

New transfer options and improvements

The modern-day transfer market has been going through some changes and FIFA 21 claims to better reflect that in the game.

With loan-to-buy, swap deals and contract renewal improvements, FIFA 21 has completely overhauled the transfer system in career mode. All in all, this makes it an immersive transfer experience.

Have a look at all these features and more in the all-new FIFA 21 career mode trailer:

‘FIFA’ fans react

Here are some of the reactions from the FIFA community to the new features:

• You can pre-order FIFA 21 digitally and at selected retailers worldwide ahead of the 9 October release date. The game will also feature a free dual-entitlement feature. This enables gamers who purchase the game on PS4 to upgrade to the PS5 edition at no extra cost when the new console releases. 

What exactly is ‘Goat of Duty’ about?

There is not much that can be said about the plot driving the game. GOD (known as CuD) is simply an intense and fast-paced multiplayer first-person shooter.

It is very straightforward, so there is no need to familiarise yourself with characters, combine skills or master strategic team play.

The game is full of crazy combat arenas, powerful weapons and fast-paced action.

The cherry on top is the silly humour, goat costumes and skins, as well as goat mechanics to troll your friends.

What more could you ask for in a game?

What to expect

• You play as an armed goat…fighting other goats, of course.
• There are intense deathmatch multiplayer battles that can involve two to 10 goats.
• There are four multiplayer modes: Classic free-for-all, Gun Deathmatch, Herd Wars (or team deathmatch for humans), and an original new mode: The crazy Fus Ro Arena.
• Old-school shooter experience.
• You can explore a variety of different maps based on your playstyles. You can frolic around on a futuristic farm or experience hair-raising fear at the horror well. Sounds like fun?
• Fast-paced gameplay.
• Dance around and troll your friends in your very own crazy “goatstumes” (goat costumes).

With a 9/10 rating on Steam, this is probably a game you will want to check out.

Unlike Goat Simulator, this game has managed to pull through with good graphics and fast-paced gameplay. The game may seem like a joke at first glance but, once you get into it, it has some promise.

In addition to the already genius idea of having goats partake in deathmatches, there are somewhat realistic elements added to the game.

Playing dead is a very underrated mechanic in games. And in Goat of Duty, you have the ability to allow your goats to play dead. This is a rather clever play on fainting goats, which is a trait found in a certain goat breed.

When startled, the muscles of myotonic goats seem to freeze up and they end up falling over. Technically, it is not a faint, but it’s cool to see how the game mirrors this exactly.

• Goat of Duty is available on Steam and be sure to check out the early-access trailer on YouTube.

Knowing the little details and understanding the specifications, or specs, is key for making the most of your investment.

University of KwaZulu-Natal electronic engineering graduate Koleen Naicker explains what you need to look at.

Three questions

Here is her easy-to-understand guide, starting with the three questions you need to ask before you start looking:

1. What is my budget?
2. What do I want to the laptop for?
3. What is my career path?

The answer to the first question narrows down your choices as you would set yourself a price bracket based on your budget.

Secondly, you must determine whether you are buying a laptop for campus, work, gaming or other purposes. Once you know this, then you can choose a laptop with an appropriate processor.

Thirdly, you want an investment such as a laptop to last you for a few years, so having your future career in mind is key.

For example, if you are a graphic designer, game designer, or an engineer who needs AutoCAD, you would want a laptop with a suitable graphics card.

The key specs to consider are the processor, operating system, RAM, internal storage, battery performance and screen size. It is also important to consider the warranty and what generation the laptop is.

Laptop processors

There are various types of processors. A Celeron processor is low end, for example, which is generally quite slow.

“Intel has rolled out three core processors with each increasing number being better than the latter. The processing power refers to clock speed, size of cache and number of cores,” says Naicker.

An i3 processor generally has one dual core. In comparison, i5 and i7 have both dual-core and quad-core processors which means that these are better in terms of processing power.

HDD and SSD

Under the laptop’s specs you will often see HDD and SSD, which mean:

• HDD – Hard Disk Drive: This is an older technology that is used as a storage device and uses a read/write function to access data.
• SSD – Solid State Drive: This is a newer and faster technology that easily stores data on accessible memory chips.

RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory.  This is basically the short-term memory that serves to store temporary data. Your laptop uses RAM to immediately access your applications, browser and program files.

• 4GB RAM is fine for web browsing, basic office applications and possibly dabbling in personal photo editing.
• 8GB RAM is for heavy multi-taskers or light gamers.
• 16GB+ RAM works best for intensive tasks such as gaming, video editing and programming.

And, with the recent release of the Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes, fans have taken a new interest in the survival horror game series.

And while the remakes of RE2 and RE3 were a hit, the confirmation on the remake of RE4 may have fans bouncing off the walls in excitement.

After all, the 2005 game is Capcom’s highest-rated offering of all time. It has sold more than 7.5 million copies on various platforms.

Time to remake ‘Resident Evil 4’?

Also, in the 15 years since its release, Resident Evil 4 has been ported and remastered many times. However, it has never been fully remade.

RE4 takes place in 2004, six years after the events of RE2. Our beloved former Raccoon City police officer Leon S Kennedy now has turned government agent.

He goes on a mission to Spain to rescue the US president’s daughter Ashley Grahams. A mysterious cult has kidnapped her and it’s time for action.

While this is the basic storyline of Resident Evil 4, it could change.

However, in the remake of RE3, there are already some potential nods to the RE4 Remake.

This would include Parasite zombies which are quite similar to the Plagas from RE4. And, at least one Quick Time Event (QTE) featured heavily in the fourth game.

Developer Osaka-based M-Two has been preparing since 2018. However, Capcom’s internal teams are likely to provide significant development resources.

Original game director gives his blessing

The original director of the game, Shinji Mikami, has given his blessing for the remake of RE4.

However, he has officially declined to lead the project himself. It seems he is currently committed to a different project: Bethesda’s GhostWire: Tokyo. On the bright side, though, he is offering informal advice throughout the development of the game.

Resident Evil 4 is one of the most influential games of the 2000s and a reboot would be the route to take.

We know how visually stunning the Resident Evil 2 and 3 Remakes are. So, you have to wonder how one of the best Capcom games would fare with insane graphics and up-to-date gameplay.

Thankfully, PlayStation gamers do not have to watch from the side-lines any longer. Cuphead was both announced and released on PS4 on 28 July 2020.

What is ‘Cuphead’?

Cuphead is a colourful game that has you taking control of a cute anthropomorphic cup. The visual aesthetic of the game reminds you of old Disney cartoons, and it features imaginative boss battles and a catchy soundtrack.

Those who have played the game will know that despite its cute outer appearance, Cuphead can be a challenging game. It certainly requires a sharp mind and quick reflexes. Cuphead can be played alone, or as a co-op game. 

‘Cuphead’ is now out on PS4

Chad Moldenhauer, co-director of Cuphead’s developer Studio MDHR, announced the release on the PlayStation Blog.

As Moldenhauer explains, the game plays out in the fictional world of Inkwell Isles where Cuphead must collect souls to save himself from the devil. In co-op mode, players can also take control of Cuphead’s brother Mugman.

Moldenhauer stressed how important the influence of 1930s cartoons had been on Cuphead.

The studio even used “the same techniques of animation studios of the era”. In addition to the background of watercolour paintings, the soundtrack to Cuphead also features over three hours of jazz by live musicians.

The game debuted on South Africa’s PS Store at the price of R319, which is a good deal for a game with many levels and hours of gameplay.

The trailer

The announcement of Cuphead came with a trailer made using stop-motion. Stop Motion Department, a Toronto-based studio, put it together.

Staying authentic to its source material, the puppets in the trailer feature “wooden heads, leather hands, and lots of primary shapes to reflect the children’s toys of the 1930s”. As seen, the product is amusingly quirky and a visual splendour.

More ‘Cuphead’ on the way?

The Cuphead Show! is an animated series that will screen on Netflix. The announcement on Netflix explains that the “new series will expand on the characters and world of Cuphead”.

This is sure to be a treat for fans of the game who want more of Cuphead, Mugman and the world of Inkwell Isles.

Last week’s giveaways were Next Up Here and Tacomo, read more about it here. If you missed your chance to get it for free, you can still get it, but it will cost you: R151 for Next Up Hero, and R135 for Tacoma.

Available from Epic Games Store this week — 30 July to 6 August

’20XX’

20XX is a roguelike action platformer developed and published by Batterystaple back in November 2014. The object of the game is to play with a friend. Yep, that’s right…

“Jump and shoot your way through ever-changing levels, collect awesome new powers, and battle mighty bosses in the name of saving the human race maybe”.

Batterystaple

If you like roguelikes then this is for you, although personally, it would not be my first choice when looking for something to play. That said, this is purely a personal preference and doesn’t reflect on the game itself.

In addition to jumping and shooting your way through to the next level, the game also features full-co-op and supports one to 2 two players locally or online. You have until 6 August to download the game for free. Get it here.

Watch: ‘20XX‘ trailer

‘Barony’

Barony is a “premier first-person roguelike” developed and published by Turning Wheel LLC. Make your way past cryptic items, brutal traps and devious monsters as you slay the bad guys and collect treasure.

“Barony is a love-note to RPG classics like ‘Ultima Underworld’, ‘System Shock’, and ‘Daggerfall’, created by fans of the classics.”

Turning Wheel LLC

This game grew on me after a while. It reminds me of a silly game I used to play on my first PC back in the early nineties, but for the life of me, I can’t remember what it was called. I was a pre-teen then, and memory loss is a sign of growing older, apparently.

You have until 6 August to download the game for free. Get it here.

Watch: ‘Barony‘ trailer

‘Superbrothers: Sword and Sorcery’

Superbrothers: Sword and Sorcery — which features songs and sounds by the award-winning Jim Guthrie — was developed and published by Capybara Games back in April 2012.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to help a wandering warrior monk complete her woeful errand. You have until 6 August to download the game for free. Get it here.

The landmark action-adventure crafted by Superbrothers and the video game wizards at CAPY,

Watch: ‘‘Superbrothers: Sword and Sorcery’‘ trailer

Previous deals from the Epic Store

‘Next Up Hero’

Next Up Hero, which was developed by Digital Continue and published by Aspyr Media Inc back in January 2018, is a dungeon crawler RPG (role-playing game) filled to the brim with hand-drawn heroes.

It is a dungeon crawler featuring hand-drawn heroes that hack, slash, bongo-drum, boomerang, and jet their way through Ventures. Choose your hero and start exploring the dungeons straight away. Gear up, gear out and max your stats to progress in the game.

‘Tacoma’

Tacoma which was developed and published by Fullbright back in August 2017, is an adventure Indie game. It’s weird, to say the least… But quite enjoyable.

The crew of Lunar Transfer Station Tacoma were going about their workaday lives when disaster threw them into chaos. It’s now up to you to discover what fate awaits your crew.

The game is bold, it’s innovative and an intriguing follow up to the acclaimed Gone Home

Also, it seems that the game will adopt the Dungeons & Dragons experience for PC along with its tabletop rules.

Larian Studios has been revealing more gameplay as we near the early access launch.

‘Baldur’s Gate’ Release Date

With the current pandemic have such a huge impact there is uncertainty about the release date. However, it can probably be expected in August as an early release game. And, since it is arriving in early access first, who know’s what Larian Studios is planning for the full release.

The game will be released on Steam and GOG.

Trailers and Gameplay

The original cinematic trailer is probably something that you would want to check out. It gives a taste of all the body horror and gore you may be signing up for.

There is also more than an hour’s worth of gameplay streamed during PAX East 2020. This was when Vincke showed a detailed look at combat in classic Larian style. You can see it going right and wrong and, because of this, the combat has been edited since the February stream.

Setting

The player starts outside of the city of Baldur’s Gate and heads inside the city walls which can be seen in the game’s premiere trailer. The city as a whole will not be available, however, only certain sections will be accessible based on relevance.

Players should probably prepare themselves as the demo suggests you do not reach Baldur’s Gate. So, you may have to take a bit of a trek to get to the city.

‘Baldur’s Gate’ storyline

The game follows a brand-new story in the current era of the Forgotten Realms. Game-maker  Larian hints that the story may visit other places, or even the Underdark. The “mind flayers” have found a way to make ships that allow them to travel between worlds – and they are now invading.

The player character and companions are infected with a parasitic tadpole that turns them into mind flayers. However, as with any main character, the process does not work the way it normally would, so characters do not all appear to transform into mind flayers.

The tadpole is behind one of the game’s key quests: find out more about tadpoles and how to remove them.

The cool thing in Baldur’s Gate is that you can link minds with others who have the tadpole, and this benefits you greatly. The more you use your power, the easier it will be to control when happening upon another mind flayer.

This will be a great game for fans of RPG to check out.

The hype on Death Stranding revolves around the visual aspect of the game and how stunning the designs of the landscapes, scenery and people are.

The game has bizarre characters, lengthy exposition, and indulgent cutscenes which fill it to the brim. This does not mean, however, that there is no value in the plot.

‘Death Stranding’ backstory

The backstory of the game seems to be pretty mind-breaking, and the storyline is interesting in an odd way.

The story follows Sam Porter Bridges (played by The Walking Dead actor Norman Reedus), who is a courier delivering cargo across the apocalyptic remains of what once was the United States.

A cataclysm known as Death Stranding has driven what remains of humanity into underground cities leaving the surface abandoned and empty. Ghost-like beings known as BTs plague the land, along with rain that ages anything it touches, and other weird occurrences.

Your mission is to hike across North America, from the east coast to the west. You have to connect scattered settlements to the Chiral Network, equivalent to the internet that has been wiped out.

Baby bonding

Here is where it gets a bit weird. Sam is chosen because he can detect BTs with the help of – bear with us please – a tiny infant strapped to his chest.

Other characters in the game consider these infants to be no more than equipment. But, as can be expected, Sam forms an unbreakable bond with the creepy baby. And also, just throwing this out there, Sam just so happens to be immortal.

Much of the gameplay is spent out in the open as you move slowly from one place to another.

You could describe the game as one long fetch-quest with many challenges.

Breathtaking landscapes

While out there, you encounter eery but breathtaking landscapes that will haunt you. As you trek across the continent, you will encounter everything from enormous, cascading waterfalls to snowy mountains, and steam-spewing volcanic fissures to raging rivers, dense forests and wide, grassy plains.

And it is not just for show, because the game is a brilliant hiking and mountaineering simulator which treats each piece of terrain as a puzzle.

This means that Sam has to be very careful and patient because one wrong move could mean being swept away in a powerful current or slipping down a steep incline. This forces you to think about your every move and makes the game that much more intense.

Multiplayer benefits

And probably the most amazing aspect of this game is the genius, asynchronous multiplayer that makes you feel as if you are not alone out there. As players traverse their world, they drop items along the way such as ladders, ropes, ziplines or other useful devices which end up in other people’s games. This is a convenient feature that benefits players a lot.

In conclusion, Death Stranding is a visual masterpiece which has astounding graphics and amazing character designs.

However, the story is where Death Stranding’s weakness lies. The finer details of the story do not capture the player’s interest and the mythology is too much to keep up with.

This game, at the end of the day, is still worth checking out. Like all other games, it has its flaws but if you can see past them then you are really in for a treat.

Resident Evil 3 follows Jill Valentine, an original protagonist from Resident Evil, in a story that plays out at the same time as Resident Evil 3.

The original PlayStation release was named Resident Evil 3: Nemesis due to the iconic creature hunting Jill. Nemesis pursues her as she tries to escape Racoon City. The premise for the remake is the same.

Jill then and now

Just look at the difference! Jill’s character in the remake is much more modern and visually appealing. She loses the ’90s look.

Her sarcastic and irritable personality makes the game feel that much more relatable.

The remake dips into the somewhat trashy script of its predecessor. It also gives back something that sounds much smarter and seems more confident.

This can be seen in the opening sequence when Nemesis attacks Jill in her collapsing apartment building, ending with an epic flameout.

‘Resident Evil 3’ is faster

Resident Evil 3 is also much faster than Resident Evil 2. It focuses more on the action and survival aspect than it does on puzzle-solving and exploration.

Your ammo supply is plentiful, for one.

However, if you expect Nemesis to pursue you for the entire game without any breather then you may be relieved. This is because his presence is limited to script, jump scares and boss fights.

Besides the add-ons, part three practically identical to part two. The graphics are amazing and the game is visually stunning.

However there is a problem with its straightforward structure. The game feels rushed in comparison to Resident Evil 2. There you could explore and take part in puzzle aspects.

Based on the original game, this was to be expected as it was more action-orientated. It also focused on Jill and reused different stages from Resident Evil 2.

Unlike the original, however, your choices are not able to influence the game and all players face one end.

Shorter gameplay

It has a short gameplay that you can finish in five hours. Compared to part two, that is not much shorter. However, due to the pace and lack of depth, you may feel as if part three is just an extension of part two.

Resident Evil 3 does not quite live up to RE2, but it does have its moments.

It is a game that may make you nostalgic and bring back a lot of memories and even if it isn’t as great as Resident Evil 2, it is still worth checking out.

Paper Mario games are probably one of the biggest reasons as to why Mario has been able to expand his character past his basic platforms.

The Paper Mario games break Mario away from the traditional save-the-princess trope and allow the character some more depth. Even the more familiar characters from the classic Mario games are given new life in this series.

Paper Mario: The Origami King continues the family-friendly story of the previous games that one could consider to be rather cheesy, but with charm and verve.

The Origami King’s evil plans

The new story pushes aside our classic King Bowser as the villain and replaces him with Olly The Origami King. Our new villain gives off very subtle (not really) racial supremacist vibes. He has an evil master plan to transform the flat paper citizens of Paper Mario’s kingdom into thicker, folded origami versions of themselves.

And, if they just so happen to become mindless zombies who will follow him to the ends of the earth, then that would be a bonus.

The adventure begins with Olly turning Princess Peach into an extremely off-putting origami version of herself. To make matters worse, he wraps her castle in a series of colourful streamers and places it on top of a volcano.

Paper Mario saves the princess

To free Peach and the kingdom, Mario and the team must follow the trail of streamers to its source. Then they have to turn it to confetti and release everyone.

You move through the usual settings of the desert, ice, water, and forest and meet highly animated and – very talkative – new characters.

However, their motivations seem to be paper-thin…

You need to complete what seems like a straightforward task, but it ends up being an inevitable number of sub-quests. Yes, you have to complete all of them to reach the princess.

New battle system

The game also strays from the normal role-playing game cliches through a new battle system. Instead of the usual turn-based affair Paper Mario: The Origami King uses spatial-relation puzzles. The battles take place in a segmented circle, cut into radial and lateral slices. Mario takes up arms in the central hub, while enemies arrange themselves on “squares” on the board.

This game is worth checking out. What Paper Mario: The Origami King lacks in depth and complexity, it makes up for in joyful silliness. And, although it feels like a mishmash of original ideas, it is still great fun.

In Ghost of Tsushima, you assume the role of a samurai living on the Japanese Tsushima island during the Mongol invasion. To protect your people, you must learn new ways of combat.

Ghost of Tsushima is set to be released on Friday 17 July 2020. It debuted with a score of 84 on Metacritic, a review aggregator site. This is an impressive feat for a new IP. Other PlayStation exclusives to win similar scores include Nioh 2 (at 85) and Ratchet and Clank (at 85).

Top score for ‘Ghost of Tsushima’

Japanese gaming magazine Famistu also gave Ghost of Tsushima a perfect score. According to KeenGamer, it is the third Western game to receive this honour.

Many critics praise the game’s beautiful open-world and aesthetic. The Destructoid review described Ghost of Tsushima as being “somehow moody, yet idyllic. Bloody and dangerous, yet calm and serene”.  GameRant applauded Ghost of Tsushima’s story by describing it as an “exciting adventure filled with twists, turns, and epic showdowns that all fit the setting and the tone”.

According to Sucker Punch, you will be able to switch between stealth and direct combat to tackle enemies. Furthermore, the natural environment will play a large role in how the game feels and how players navigate.

As Sucker Punch revealed in a PlayStation Blog post, wind will assist players to navigate. This will allow players to focus on the environment rather than an immersion-breaking HUD. Wild animals can also guide players to interesting locations and items.

A samurai love letter

Ghost of Tsushima is a love letter to classic samurai movies. As such, it features a Kurosawa mode which fine tunes the game’s visuals to mimic a Kurosawa samurai movie. Many critics praise this feature, including GamingAge which gave the game an A-grade rating.

Some critics did criticise the game for being bloated and filled with busywork. Spieltimes claims the game suffers “from the open-world bloat syndrome that drags down many open worlds”, while The Telegraph argued that Ghost of Tsushima was plagued by a “sparse open-world and bloated mechanics”.

Judging from reviews, it appears that Ghost of Tsushima will be popular anyone with an interest in samurai movies and Japanese culture.

The 22-year-old fourth-year student started work remotely last week

A DUT release outlines how in 2016 Mohapi was in his first year of university when he saw a poster seeking managed service providers (MSP) around campus.

He applied, and one of his lecturers helped by speaking to Microsoft staff in Johannesburg.

As an MSP, he worked with Microsoft engineers and professionals who taught him the latest in technology.

The power of networking

Mohapi then used this knowledge to conduct workshops and virtual sessions both on and off campus.

In his first year, Mohapi also had the opportunity to study in the United States (US). Now that he has been hired by the US firm, he is excited to experience this again.

Mohapi said he scored this job through the power of networking, and advises other students to do the same.

“While I was a MSP, I would strive to attend conferences, seminars, workshops where I would meet people.”

“Last year when I went to Johannesburg for this conference, I met Dona Sarkar, who gave me the opportunity to work at Microsoft. She was interested in the work I was doing for the community in Durban.

Get out there and network

“People should not be afraid of going out of their comfort zone, speaking to people, talking about the work they are doing. You never know that one day you may be speaking to your future employer!” said Mohapi.

According to the statement by DUT, Mohapi is looking forward to joining the team in Seattle, Washington. However, that will only be after the national lockdown ends and international travel opens up.

For this year he will be working remotely which will allow him to complete his Advanced Diploma in IT.

“Earlier this year, a position opened up where she [Sarkar] wanted someone who could help to upskill students on a global level. She contacted me, based on all the work that I have been doing.

“I applied early this year. I got the e-mail that I got the job and I started working last week Wednesday. I am working remotely for now.

“We don’t know what the future may hold. We have discussed possible outcomes after lockdown, but right now the main focus is on me getting started.

“We will discuss all other things after lockdown,” said Mohapi.

It has announced September 18 2020 as the release date of the all new arcade-style game WWE 2K Battlegrounds.

The game will release worldwide on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows platforms and will feature over 70 WWE superstars.

Explosive WWE action

Developed by Saber Interactive, WWE 2K Battlegrounds offers explosive excitement in an approachable experience for everyone from passionate WWE fans to casual players.

The game will feature traditional exhibition and online modes as well as the all-new campaign mode.

Gamers will be able to join the adventures of seven new WWE hopefuls — created for WWE 2K Battlegrounds — in campaign mode. Gamers can also compete for the chance to earn a WWE contract.

Along the way, they will be able to unlock new arenas inspired by locations such as the Everglades, a military-style bootcamp, Mexico, New York and Scotland.

Wrestling legends

Legendary personalities including “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Paul Heyman will give guidance.

Fans of online gaming will be able to take each other on in the King of the Battleground mode. This is  an online, last-man-standing competition. Four players start in the ring while four more wait outside to enter, challenging gamers to run the gauntlet and stand tall.

Eight unique Battleground environments will play a major role in the action, with many of them featuring interactive elements. This will add to the mayhem alongside a variety of outrageous melee weapons that players can use to pummel opponents.

Players can soar from military helicopters, smash opponents with cars in an autoshop and toss them into the jaws of a hungry alligator in the swamp.

Play-by-play comment

WWE commentators Mauro Ranallo and Jerry “The King” Lawler will provide bombastic play-by-play comment to complete the mood.

Players can also customise their own arenas to give each brawl a personal touch. They can use the Superstar Creator to build their own unique WWE Superstar with different body types and sizes, facial features, clothing, hair and fighting styles.

“We know WWE fans and gamers enjoy a wide variety of experiences, ,” said Chris Snyder, Vice President of Marketing for 2K.

“With WWE 2K Battlegrounds, we’re presenting a whole new dimension through arcade-style gameplay that’s completely different than our WWE 2K simulation franchise.

“We look forward to seeing everyone tear it up with friends and family in the Battlegrounds.”

Suits all skill levels

WWE 2K Battlegrounds is apparently designed to be easy to pick up and play, but challenging to master. There are more advanced techniques to be learned and skills to be unlocked so players of all skill levels can enjoy the action.

A roster of today’s biggest WWE superstars are featured. These include Roman Reigns, Drew McIntyre, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Asuka, Daniel Bryan, Kofi Kingston, Randy Orton — combined with legends — including Andre the Giant, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and many more.

There are more unlockable Superstars to come via free updates in the future.

• WWE 2K Battlegrounds is available now for pre-order in Standard Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition on the respective console stores.

One of the things that differentiate video games from other forms of art is that they allow the consumer to make their own decisions.

It is therefore surprising that very few games take full advantage of this feature of the medium.

When players take the opportunity to make narrative choices, the options are usually limited and superficial. Thankfully, there are a few titles that do allow players to make decisions that impact the game’s narrative meaningfully.

Here are four games where the choices you make truly matter:

‘Erica’

Interactive movie games let players feel like they are the directors of a movie. They use full motion video instead of animation, and players advance the plot through the decisions they make.

Erica is a PS4 exclusive interactive movie game that tells the story of a girl named Erica who, as a child, witnesses her father’s murder. Years later, she receives a parcel that contains a disembodied hand with the Delphic Epsilon symbol carved onto it.

For her own safety, police officers move Erica to a mental institution called Delphi House. Here, she unravels mysteries that reveal the dark side of her father and Delphi House.

Erica is a campy murder mystery game that makes innovative use of the DualShock 4’s touchpad.

It has many branching plotlines that yield wildly varying endings depending on the choices you make.

Best of all, it can be completed in about 2 hours, which makes it great for a quick gaming session before bed. 

‘Detroit: Become Human’

David Cage is a video game director known for games such as Heavy Rain, which place a strong focus on the decisions players make. Games his studio, Quantic Dreams, develops are often ambitious.

They try to create many different narrative branches to accommodate for the wide array of choices that players may make.

Detroit: Become Human is easily Cage’s magnum opus. It is a science fiction game set in a future where androids have entered the workforce, leading to rapid societal change. While others embrace androids, some loathe them for replacing humans in the workforce. There are problems when the highly intelligent androids begin to bypass their programming and exercise their own free will.

The game raises many questions on the ethics of human-robot interactions. It asks whether our creations will ever become worthy of rights and dignity.

Detroit: Become Human is a thrilling adventure where you get to decide whether you will support the android revolution or whether you will sympathise with your fellow humans.

‘The Walking Dead’

The Walking Dead is a Telltale-developed video game based on the television series of the same name.

It puts players in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. The protagonist is Lee, a man who is on his way to prison for murder when chaos breaks lose and society begins crumbling. Although his one-way trip to prison is disrupted by the hoards of undead, he now must face survival in a dystopian world. He finds a little girl named Clementine and, together, they fight to stay alive and find her parents.

The Walking Dead raises many moral conundrums and forces players to make difficult choices. The characters Lee comes across are all complex individuals. They each bring further complications to the touch decisions that must be made.

Will Lee protect Clementine? Who will live and who will die? The answers to these questions lie in your hands.

‘Until Dawn’

One of the most frustrating parts of watching a horror movie is seeing your favourite characters make the wrong decisions. Until Dawn solves this problem by handing all the control to you.

The story of Until Dawn is one which mainly takes place in a lodge on top of a snowy mountain. A year after two girls go missing, a group of teens return to the lodge. There, they slowly come to realise that they are not alone.

Until Dawn presents an interesting array of characters and you will either love them or loathe them. Luckily, you will be able to kill off anyone you believe does not deserve to live.

The game also features segments where a therapist interviews you about your fears, which adds an interesting meta layer to the experience. It also makes liberal use of the DualShock 4’s unique features including its touchpad and motion sensors.

The choices you make will result in many different outcomes which gives the game plenty of replay value.

This includes features ranging from Ellie’s new stealth options to seamless dodging during one-on-one encounters.

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, here is a list of combat-related tips and tricks to help you on your journey into the world of the infected.

Beginner combat tips

• Stealth killings may not always be the most fun, but they are the safest. If possible, try and take out your enemy from behind. You could attempt to take them out from the side if you happen to be close enough. Just be sure to close the gap before they notice you!
• Crouching is a good way to improve your accuracy but lying down will increase it much more.
• Use items that are lying around as often as you can such as bottles and bricks. It can be quite useful to throw at your opponent to stun them or to lure them into one place.
• If you are killing human NPCs, make sure to clear out of the area as soon as possible.This is because there is a good chance their comrades could show up and blow your cover.
• Double Tap. Ever seen Zombieland? Then you know exactly what I mean by this. Make sure a zombie is actually dead before walking away.
• Be on the lookout for gun holsters! This makes swapping weapons more efficient.
• It may not feel very heroic but running away is okay. This will allow Ellie to be able to hide while you catch your breath. Be careful though, enemies’ response time will be increased if they know you are in the area.
• Save ammunition by letting multiple enemy factions take each other out if you happen to be in the same area.
• And finally, be careful while crafting! The game does not freeze time while you are in your crafting menu so just be sure to get to a safe spot when you decide it’s time for a health pack.

Advanced combat tips

• Strategise, strategise, strategise. Experimenting is always a great idea, for example, Trap Mines at entry points can make quick work of your enemies.
• If they are wearing jeans, kill’ em! You will eventually reach an area where there will be infected walls with stalkers lodged in them. If they are wearing jeans, they are the ones who are about to pounce.
• Use pistol silencers and do not ignore your silence count. This is important because an accidental loud shot can blow your cover. You can find your silence count underneath your gun’s icon, separate from the ammo. Make sure to keep track of how many silenced shots you have left.
• Do not try to get up when knocked down. This is a good tip for any zombie game, really, if you are knocked down: Shoot from your position on the ground instead of wasting time trying to get back up.
• Lastly, when fighting humans, use your surroundings to hide. Try approaching things from a different angle each time if you keep dying.

When Ashely first auditioned for the role of Ellie, she said in an interview with BBC: “I am so unbelievably proud to play this character. I love Ellie and think it’s very important for people to see characters like her in video games. To have a young female lead that is gay makes it feel real.”

The Last of Us Part 2 is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Last of Us.

It follows the story of Ellie, a teenage girl, and her protector-slash-smuggler, Joel, as they travel across America while scientists attempt to make a cure for a virus that ends up turning people into zombies instead.

Relatable characters and controversy

The ending kept gamers abuzz in gaming communities and the sequel picks up Joel and Ellie’s story a few years later.

Many gaming companies have been criticised for their lack of diversity in games in the past. This is where The Last of Us Part 1 and 2 stand out from the rest.

The Last of Us Part 2 especially includes a diverse range of characters that range from different sexualities to different ethnic backgrounds.

This is a big deal as it is a major release which has created characters that people can relate to more, since they are finally able to see themselves in a video game. This makes the game more enjoyable to a wider audience, although it has also attracted controversy.

Diversity enriches the game

Gamers will be pleased to know that the decision to include this diverse cast was not just for the sake of it.

Game director Neil Druckman said in an interview with BBC: “We didn’t say, ‘let’s get diverse just to stand out’. It was more like an option to give us a richer story.”

As one of the bosses at the development studio Naughty Dog, Druckman points out the studio has been attempting to broaden the scope of characters in the game for years.

“Some of the stuff we did with the first game, like even putting Ellie on the front of the box was a bit controversial,” said Druckman.

“I don’t think it should have been, but it was at the time. I think that’s why we feel more confident to be able to draw all these different kinds of characters, with different backgrounds and identities to give us a diversity of storytelling.

Something ‘magical’

“That doesn’t automatically make the story better. But there’s something magical when people see themselves in games. It broadens our audience and I think that’s important.”

Druckman is also aware of the position Naughty Dog studio is in. It can take risks due to the privileged position it is in following a series of commercial successes.

“If The Last of Us Part 2 is successful, and someone wants to make a game with a similar cast, at least then marketing teams can look over and be like, ‘Well that worked’ so it won’t be the thing that holds people back.”

The Last of Us 2 is a great game for many reasons, and the inclusion of this diverse cast of characters is what adds to the success. This is definitely a game to check out.

While Sony does not offer PlayStation Now in South Africa yet, there are still a few methods to bring your PlayStation gaming experience to PC. 

Remote Play

Although Remote Play requires you to own a PS4, it also allows you to play PS4 games on PC. This is made possible by downloading the PS4 Remote Play app on PC. The app allows you to access your PS4 via WiFi and stream your games on PC.

Best of all, Remote Play is not limited to PC. Remote Play can also be used on iOS and Android devices, including cellphones and tablets. This is particularly useful when you want to snuggle in bed and play games at night.

Gamers should be warned that Remote Play requires an internet connection and consumes lots of data to stream gameplay, so tread with caution if you are not using an uncapped internet plan.

Use Your DualShock 4 on PC

The DualShock 4 is a pretty nifty controller. Released for the PS4, it is small, lightweight and has a comfortable ergonomic shape. It also brought a host of features to PlayStation consoles including a touchpad and a headphone jack.

Luckily, the DualShock 4 can also be used on PC.

Steam has native support for the DualShock 4, so all you need to do is plug in and play. Many games on Steam feature controller support, and some, like Waking, even have support specifically for the DualShock 4.

For those who do not use Steam to launch their games, an application known as DS4Windows can also be used to enable you to use your DualShock 4 with your favourite games.

Buy ports

Sony’s host of exclusives are one of the reasons that many gamers choose PlayStation over its competitors.

For gamers that live in supported countries, PlayStation Now is a service that allows PC gamers to play many PlayStation games on PC. Unfortunately, PlayStation Now is not available in South Africa yet.

However, there are a few PlayStation games that have received PC ports.

Two PlayStation games with PC ports:

‘Horizon Zero Dawn’

Horizon Zero Dawn, developed by Guerrilla Games, is a third-person action adventure game that has you controlling Aloy as she explores a post-apocalyptic world.

Robotic dinosaurs known as machines roam this world. Using only primitive weapons such as slingshots and spears, Aloy must combat these metal beasts as she tried to uncover the secrets of her origins.

Released to critical acclaim in 2017, Horizon Zero Dawn will be coming to PC in 2020 according to Guerrilla Games.

‘Death Stranding’

Death Stranding, developed by Kojima Productions, is another PlayStation exclusive that will be coming to PC.

Death Stranding has players navigate a barren landscape to make deliveries and reconnect America once again.

The game encourages gamers to collaborate through its online functions.

Tools and structures – such as bridges and ladders – left behind by one player can be used by others too.

If players find your structures useful, they can leave behind “likes” that let you know that your sacrifices are appreciated. Death Stranding will also be coming to PC in 2020. 

With these three tips, PC gamers will able to enjoy PlayStation gaming too.

It is far more eccentric than its predecessors, and features a black, white and blue colour scheme.

To the surprise of many, there will be two versions of the PS5. The first is the standard edition while the second is the digital edition which lacks the Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive of the standard edition.

Before we get hyped for the arrival of the PS5, we must ask whether South Africa is ready for a console that is incompatible with physical media like a game disc.

Upsides and downsides to physical media

Physical media has merits and downsides. Many gamers enjoy owning physical copies of their favourite games. Some publishers offer special editions of games in metal cases, have beautiful artbooks and come with decorative figurines. Furthermore, some take pride in having large physical libraries to show off.

Owners of the digital edition of the PS5 would have less incentive to purchase special editions of their favourite games. After all, while the extras might be appealing, they would be unable to use the game discs.

Some gamers might be quite happy to ditch the physical market forever. Game discs can break, and gamers who travel a lot might find it cumbersome to lug their discs around if they travel with their console.

Second-hand gaming market

Another aspect to consider is the second-hand gaming market. Gaming can be quite expensive, and many gamers rely on the second-hand gaming market to buy games for lower prices and to sell games they no longer play.

A digital-only PS5 would prevent gamers from benefitting from the second-hand gaming market.

Sony might be quite happy with this as it means gamers will be forced to purchase their games from the PS Store. However, for gamers who find themselves frequently buying and selling second-hand games, the digital edition PS5 is probably not a good fit.

Will movie buffs be happy?

Without a disc drive, the digital-only PS5 will also be unable to play Blu-ray movies on disc. For movie fanatics this may be a deal-breaker. However, for those who do not use their consoles to watch movies, it may be a worthwhile sacrifice.

Is South Africa’s internet infrastructure ready?

The biggest hurdle for the digital edition PS5 to overcome in South Africa is internet connectivity.

Thanks to mobile networks and the increasing number of cellphones, more South Africans than ever have access to the internet.

However, PlayStation games are often large, and need a robust internet connection to download games speedily.

According to Cable website, in 2019 South Africa had a mean download speed of 8.4 Mbps and it took, on average, 1 hour and 21 minutes to download a 5GB movie.

To put that into perspective, Red Dead Redemption 2, a popular game by Rockstar Games, is listed as 89.19 GB on the PS Store while The Last f Us Part II weighs in at a whopping 93.37 GB.

For many gamers, especially those whose internet speed is lower than the average, it is simply more convenient to buy games physically.

Is the PS5 Digital Edition for You?

Many laptops today no longer have disc drives, and it is clear that the world is making a gradual shift towards digital media.

Nevertheless, one should not forget that a high-speed internet connection is a luxury that many South Africans do not have. Whether the digital edition PS5 will be a success in South Africa has yet to be seen.

However, it is good that Sony is giving gamers options. If you have a reliably fast internet connection, and do not buy your games second-hand, the digital edition PS5 might be just what you need.

For those with spotty internet, or who use their consoles to watch movies on Blu-ray discs, perhaps it is better to invest in the standard edition.

MTN Arcade allows subscribers to access hundreds of mobile games for R3 a day.

Classic titles, such as Pac-Man and Sonic The Hedgehog, are on the platform. Gamers who love sports games have not been left out, because there are several sports games including Pro Cricket 2019, Ronaldo: Kick ‘N’ Run and Minigolf Mania 2.

MTN Arcade on iOS and Android

Players can access MTN Arcade on iOS and Android devices.

“We have a longstanding relationship with Gameloft, and we were looking for new ways to add value to our offers,” said MTN chief digital officer Ernst Fonternel.

“Their expertise in the mobile ecosystem led us to trust them with our subscription offer management.”

MTN Arcade does not get to enjoy a competition-free market, however. The Vodacom platform Playinc.com offers access to thousands of mobile games for a subscription cost of R5 a day. Playinc.com features a host of hit mobile games such as Tomb Raider and Hitman GO.

While many South Africans don’t have the money for computers and gaming consoles, most do have mobile devices which makes mobile gaming a potentially lucrative market.

As a recent report by the South African Cultural Observatory revealed there are more than 11 million gamers in South Africa. Mobile gamers make up a significant percentage of that. This, in part, is due to the increasing presence of WiFi and the ease of connecting to the internet via mobile networks.

“The ability to connect to the wireless networks meant that users could now combat mobile data costs and fully explore the functionality of mobile devices through web browsing and gaming,” the report said.

Which mobile gaming subscription?

Personal preference and budget will determine what mobile gaming subscription service to choose.

However, new platforms for gaming in South Africa are a net positive as they make the hobby more accessible. They also give opportunities for developers, both local and international, to showcase their talent.

Instagram has officially launched its first stage of IGTV monetisation in the United States (US) but there is no mention of this in Mzansi just yet (we can only wait…).

This is the first time that creators will be able to make money directly from IGTV since its launch in 2018. IGTV is a separate video application from Instagram for smartphones on Android and iOS.

What does monetisation mean for creators?

Content creators can start making an additional stream of income by allowing ads to appear on their IGTV videos.

According to Insta, the video ads will only appear when a user clicks to watch an IGTV video from the preview button in their feed. The ads will last up to 15 seconds.

They will also be adding new digital “badges” for IG Live. These will allow viewers to donate money to their favourite broadcasters.

When Instagram approached a few content creators in February to test this venture, the creators received a standard rate of 55% of all ads in IGTV content. So let’s cross fingers that this figure stays the same or, even better, that it increases.

What does monetisation mean for viewers?

More annoying ads interrupting you while you watch an entertaining video. I know, totally exciting, right? Not!

However, the content creators hope you will think of it this way: You are sharing 15 seconds of your time to make the next person’s life a little better by helping them to get a pay cheque. And, who knows, you might learn a thing or two from watching that ad.

Over the course of the year, Instagram will be trying out various ways to make things easy for everyone, such as being able to skip over an ad.

Competition, competition

As exciting as this sounds, it’s not ground-breaking. YouTube was the pioneer of this opportunity.

However, with the same rate of 55% being offered to creators, Instagram means business and is certainly set on giving YouTube a run for its money.

We also need to applaud them for continuing to expand, adapt and innovate in a way that really prioritises and is beneficial for content creators.

In case you’re wondering who would pay more between the two heavyweights, here’s something to consider. According to Bloomberg, Instagram made a stupendous $20 billion in advertising revenue last year, which is $5 billion more than YouTube’s $15 billion.

Everybody wins with IGTV monetisation

IG can certainly attract many more creators onto the app with this new feature. And with more creators on board, more viewers will visit the app and everybody is happy.

Content creators can even have two simultaneous channels, YouTube and Instagram, to maximise profits.

Here’s some advice though: Now more than ever your content has to be unique to stand out.

Create more videos and grow your following so that when this wave hits South Africa, you are able to ride it.

Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, especially for millennials.

This multi-media platform instantly shares what you are doing and it has grown into platform for content-driven personal blogs, business pages and one of the bigger new media marketing platforms.

Like most social media platforms, however, Instagram gives out a lot of user data through the default settings your account holds. You may not give it much thought, but there are five features you should know about, particularly if you want to increase your privacy.

1. Privacy

By default your Instagram privacy is set to public on your and this may be the first setting you want to change. You can do this by going to Settings > Account privacy > Private account. This changes the setting from your posts being public to only being seen by people whom you accept as followers. This means anyone whom you have not given permission to follow you will not be able to view your posts.

2. Two factor authentication

Two factor authentication is a feature which adds extra protection to your account by sending you a login code every time you log in with a mobile or computer that is unrecognised. To activate this you go to Settings > Security > Two factor authentication.

3. Visibility

Any social media account can picked up by searching for the name on Google. The search engine giant then provides you with a direct link to the social media account holder’s page.

To disable Google picking you up through the Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) you can go to Settings > Security > App and websites > Remove.

When you set up your social media account you may sometimes just press on the pop-ups without reading them, one of Instagram’s pop ups is a contacts sync. This allows your social media account to be visible to your contact list.

You may want to disable this. If you do, then you can turn off contact syncing Settings > Account > Contact syncing >Remove.

One of Instagram’s new features is directly removing people from following you. Previously you would have had a harder time to do this but now it’s much simpler. You can go to Profile > Followers > Select the follower > Remove follower.

4. Instagram stories

You can hide your Instagram story from specific people by going to Settings> Story> Hide story from > (insert the name of the person).

You can also select who sees your stories by using the “close friends” feature. To do this you click Settings – Close Friends and then add a close friends list.

The share features on both Instagram and Facebook have become quite popular, but you can stop followers from sharing your story by going to Settings> Story > Allow resharing stories > Disable.

5. Activity status

Instagram is generally a little more private about your activity than Facebook but to make sure you cover all your tracks even further, you can disable your activity status. This can be done by Settings> Privacy > Activity status > Disable.

Hackers or stalkers do not need much to find your data. They can use even a photograph shared on a friend’s wall, or Instagram feed, to start tracking you.

Therefore, unless you specifically need to tag your photos with a location – also known as geo-tagging – it is a smart idea to remove the location data.

Remove location before you start

You can strip location data from your photographs before you use your device.

You also can have the location function on but toggle it off for situations where you know you will not want your location to be public knowledge. This may be for personal protection.

To do this, go into the camera app on your phone and look for the settings option. On Samsung, it should be in the top right corner of your device.

From here, turn off the location toggle. This means that when you taking a picture in the future, the location data will be left blank. This leaves no way for a stranger to use this data to track or hack you.

On the other hand, you may want to keep this data, for example if you would like to be tracked in case of an emergency, or if need proof of where a picture was taken. Then simply leave the location toggle on.

Remove location from existing photos

So, what about the hundreds, if not thousands, of photos you have already taken? How do you go through each and every one to remove their location tags?

There is a solution but it will take a bit of time and patience.

It is important to note that the gallery app on your cell phone may differ so if you have a Google Pixel phone then skip to the next section as your gallery will be Google Photos.

First, open up your gallery app and tap on the picture that you wish to remove the location tag from.

Next, swipe up (or click on the menu and select “details”) to access the picture’s information.

You should be given the option to edit the information and you will notice a red minus next to the location tag. Tap this to remove it, and then save the picture. The location data will now be blank.

There does not seem to be a way to do this in bulk directly from your Android. However, there are different apps you could make use of to complete this task.

Remove location from Google Photos

When it comes to Google Photos, unless your app is password protected it is still a liability to have it on your phone while it is constantly showing off your photo locations.

Even turning off Google location does not help, so your safest option is  to disable the app when leaving your home.

However, if you are not a fan of this then you can strip the location data individually.

First, open Google Photos on your phone or visit the website on your computer.

Open the picture you wish to edit, and then swipe up for the information (click on the info icon on desktop).

Then tap the icon to the right of the listed location. If you are using the app, click Remove Location then click Remove. On desktop, just click No Location.

Again, there is no batch option for this straight from your mobile device so you will need patience is required when attempting this.

However, it is worth being safe and protecting your sensitive data at the end of the day.

The ideal is to disable location right from the start, then you do not have the headache of stripping location from individual photographs after they have been taken.

With the release of the PS5 on the horizon, it is worthwhile to look at the many amazing exclusives the PS4 brought gamers.

Released in 2014, the PS4 has enjoyed a phenomenal six years and has grown to become one of the bestselling consoles of all time. One of the PS4’s selling points is the host of high-quality exclusive games it has to offer. Many franchises found only in the PlayStation’s library are considered some of the best in the industry.

The following list rounds up the best PlayStation exclusives that every gamer should try.

Notable titles that did not make the list include Horizon Zero Dawn and Death Stranding. Although both games were PlayStation exclusives at one point, they are both set to be released on PC in 2020.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

Nathan Drake might be one of the most recognisable and beloved protagonists in PlayStation’s stable. It is not hard to understand why. He’s a charming devil, even when he’s shooting at enemies with one arm while he swings from a grapple hook. Nathan Drake is the star of the Uncharted series which feature some of the best exclusives available on PlayStation.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End takes all the elements that made the previous Uncharted games exciting and manages to perfect them. The product is a masterpiece in the realm of single-player linear narratives. The game features some of the most adrenaline-filled set pieces of the franchise while still providing many moments that progress Nathan’s story and delve more into his life.

Needless to say, as a Naughty Dog title, Uncharted 4 is a high-quality adventure that stands as one of the best titles available on PS4. However, it is not without its flaws. Climbing segments can be long and unengaging, and it can be hard to sympathise with Nathan in cutscenes when we have just witnessed him murder endless waves of humans during gameplay moments earlier.

Despite the few minor flaws, however, Uncharted 4 is still a spectacle that provides good fun and more action than a blockbuster film.

Shadow of the Colossus

Sony exclusives are known for their compelling single-player experiences that feature immersive stories rivalling those found in Hollywood movies. Shadow of the Colossus may be the best example.

Shadow of the Colossus was first released on the PS2 and has since been remade for the PS4. It tells the story of a young man called Wander who wishes to resurrect a young maiden. To do so, he must defeat 16 stone giants known as colossi. While this may seem like a cliché hero’s journey, the twists that ensue brings Wander’s motivations into question and force you to reconsider whether his quest is morally justified.

The remaster on PS4 excels in creating a sense of scale by juxtaposing Wander with colossi so large that Wander is a speck of dust in comparison. This elicits feelings of awe and makes Shadow of the Colossus feel otherworldly. It is a visual spectacle that complements the epic nature of Wander’s journey.

Shadow of the Colossus earns its spot on the list for elevating video games to the level of art and providing a quality story that can stand alongside some of the best found in books and movies.

WipeOut Omega Collection

There is one arcade racer that has managed to both stand out in a crowded market and remain alive long after its competition has faded away. I am of course referring to WipeOut.

Released originally on the PlayStation One, WipeOut is a series of racing games that put players in the cockpit of a futuristic anti-gravity vehicle. The racetracks are festooned with psychedelic neon lights and the soundtrack has upbeat music, making the whole game a sensory treat.

PS4 owners can enjoy WipeOut Omega Collection which features beautiful remasters of the PS3 games WipeOut HD and WipeOut HD Fury, as well as a port of the PlayStation Vita game WipeOut 2048.

It is one of those “easy to learn, hard to master” kind of games and you will need a lot of dedication if you wish to finish first in every race. Nevertheless, it is a must-have for any PlayStation owners looking for a high-speed experience that can be found on no other platform.

God of War (2018)

God of War is a not a new entry to the PlayStation library. Kratos, a powerful warrior strong enough to take on the gods of the Greek pantheon, leads the God of War franchise. His story is one of revenge, self-loathing and the search for redemption.

In 2018, the series received a reboot in the form of God of War. It ditched the fixed camera angles in favour of a controllable third-person, over-the-shoulder view that makes combat feel up close and personal. The game focuses on the relationship between Kratos and his son Atreus, allowing players to see a softer, more human side of Kratos.

God of War is a masterpiece of storytelling and offers some of the most colourful and immersive fantasy worlds to be found in any video game. The game showcases what the PS4 is capable of in terms of graphics. The combat is satisfyingly complex and becomes addictive once you get the hang of it.

Bloodborne

People play video games for a variety of reasons. For some, games are a way to relax. For others, games offer a fantasy-fuelled escape from the stresses of real life. However, there are a rare few who play video games to be challenged to their limits. If you are one of those people, Bloodborne is the perfect game for you.

Developed by FromSoftware, Bloodborne has players visiting the old Gothic city of Yharnam. A plague has struck the city and turned everyone into violent savages. What ensues is a long night of battling beasts, dying repeatedly, and unravelling the dark mysteries of Yharnam.

Bloodborne offers no easy victories. Making any progress will require dedication, practice and the ability to overcome the frustration of constantly dying. This, combined with its dark and ghoulish atmosphere, might make it off-putting. However, if you are willing to put in the investment, the reward is a phenomenal high every time you defeat a powerful enemy.

Malicious software can end up on your phone through simple downloads of seemingly harmless files, such as music, an application, or even a wallpaper. This happens much more regularly than one might think.

Because Snaptube is a third-party app (that is, outside the official Google Play Store, or the Apple iStore), the Android device security prompts a warning dialog box when you try to download the app.

Google measures might not be enough

Google has taken measures to ensure its users are protected, but the security team at mobile technology company Upstream have warned this may not be enough.  

On its website, Upstream says that users in South Africa, as well as Brazil, Egypt, Sri Lanka and Malaysia have been the most affected by the attacks.

Upstream advised SnapTube users to “carefully watch their phone bills and report to their operator any subscriptions or charges that they did not authorise”.

Upstream also advised users to delete the app from their phones if they saw signs of irregular activity pointing to a suspicious application consuming data in the background.

The Upstream security team said it had seen the rise of malicious software found in various apps rise by 55% in the first quarter of 2020.

SnapTube has been installed by more than 40 million Android users around the world.

Warning on suspicious background activity

While the app allows you to download videos from YouTube and Facebook, Upstream claimed that SnapTube generated premium calls and texts to the value of $100 million without the knowledge of its users.

In 2019, Upstream warned that SnapTube is “a screen for suspicious background activity … We found not just background advertising click fraud, but also countless examples of users being signed up for premium digital services or subscriptions.”

Chinese firm Mobiuspace developed SnapTube and it has 100 million users every month around the world. In October 2019 Mobiuspace linked the issue to a collaboration to a third party known as Mango SDK.

Make sure to update SnapTube

Mobiuspace promised it had taken immediate action against the threat and released a new update to the app which removed the Mango SDK versions. At the same time, it sent out notifications to alert all their users to upgrade to the latest version of the SnapTube app.

This means that the user has to delete the app from their device and install a new and safe version.

Mobiuspace took a step further and considered a partnership with security companies such as Upstream. Since then the security team said it had noted a decline in the number of SnapTube issues, which suggests that the solution is working.

However, Upstream has noted there were still tens of millions of users who needed to delete the old app and install the new one, and SnapTube therefore  remains at the top of Upstream’s chart for security risks.

So if you have the app on your phone, it is wise to check you have the latest version. If you are in doubt, delete and install the latest version.

Keeping the old version is the same as leaving your doors unlocked at night in a sketchy neighbourhood!

YouTube is willing to pay for good content and quite a few YouTube channel owners are able to live off what their YouTube channel makes. Here’s a guide on the different options the YouTube partner programme offers.

The first step is to enable monetisation. To do this, you go to YouTube Studio – “Your channel” – “Monetisation”. The requirements you need to meet to start are a minimum of 1 000 subscribers and 4 000 public watch hours over the last year.

Under the monetisation tab you are able to see how many more subscribers you need and how many more public watch hours you need to make up.

Advertising

You can make money from advertising by making videos using a youtube ad creator that attracts viewers the advertiser wants to reach.

Your views do not determine how much you make, but how much of your Ad is watched does. Non-skippable adverts do not count as a view, therefore a YouTube user needs to watch 10, 15 or 30 seconds of the advert, after the “Skip Ad” pop up is shown, in order for you to get paid.

Channel membership

For channel membership you need more than 30 000 subscribers. Your members will pay you monthly for benefits you offer them, this makes them members of your channel and that is how you generate income.

Merchandising

For merchandising, you need more than 10 000 subscribers. You can sell your own branded merchandise to your fans or followers. This turns your channel into a virtual store.

YouTube has an agreement with Teespring where the platform also receives an incentive from this. Channel owners sell their merchandise over Teespring, this includes T-shirts, mugs, bags and the like.

Super Chat

Super Chat is a feature that allows viewers to pin a comment on live streams. This feature is selectively available depending on your country. Thankfully South Africa is one of the listed countries. Viewers pay for this feature.

YouTube Premium

You will have seen YouTube Premium pop up when listening to music on YouTube. YouTube Premium is basically Ad-free YouTube, created for viewers to enjoy uninterrupted watching for a monthly subscription.

If you ever feel like you cannot do any of the above, just remember there are actually children who get paid to review toys on YouTube. Child’s play…

The delay was announced just hours after Sony cancelled its big PS5 event, one of many cancellations due to the volatile situation not only in the United States (US) but around the world after the murder of George Floyd.

Infinity Ward tweeted saying, “now is not the time” on the COD Twitter account.

This seems like a smart choice considering protests around the world which have erupted in anger about the way in which Floyd was killed. Up until now, COD: MW Season 4’s release date has been up in the air. Even Sony’s PS5 event’s postponed date has yet to be announced.

And this makes sense. Why? Because the current civil unrest has dominated international conversation and now would not be the best time to release a first-person shooter game or host a major gaming event.

Originally expected to be released on 3 June, the release date was pushed back following the murder in Minneapolis on 25 May. And, due to the state of the US at the moment, even the Call of Duty: Mobile’s new season has been delayed.

However, Activision is now facing a backlash due to its retweet of a post by Activision Blizzard.

The backlash Activision is receiving is not immediately obvious as yes, fans are disappointed, but not to the point that most would complain about the delay for a cause like #BlackLivesMatter.

However, some fans have objected to one line in the tweet, “There is no place for it in our society – or any society.”

Accusations of double standards

This follows on fan reaction to Activision-Blizzard’s response to the Hong Kong Protests in 2019 in which it banned professional Hearthstone player, Chung “Blitzchung” Ng Wai for showing his public support of said protests.

The company claimed that this was because of a conduct policy which strictly forbids politicking during tournaments. This caused an even bigger uproar which resulted in an apology from Activision and a reduction in Blitzchung’s penalties.

However, there are people who remember this incident and called out the company for what they see as double standards. eSports journalist Rod “Slasher” Breslau was quick to point out what he called Activision’s hypocrisy on this retweet supporting #BlackLivesMatter. He suggested that it did not look good for the company to only support an American movement and not also a Chinese movement which just perhaps may have given problems for Activision-Blizzard and its image.

But most fans seem to think it was the right call to postpone the release of Season 4

And, with the arrival of this new season, thanks to many detailed leaks by the gaming community on the gameplay, players know what to expect. When the game drops, new weapons and maps are certainly on the table, as well as zombies.

Back to the game buzz

However, the real buzz seems to be around the game’s next operator, Captain John Price. The latest trailer (see below) teases Price as the next person to join the Modern Warfare operator roster.

With the return of an old face, and the promise of some sweet new upgrades, this game is definitely something to look forward to despite the delay.

Steam

This one is the obvious first choice when installing software on your new gaming PC. It allows you access to a larger gaming community that you would often only find with console gamers. In addition, Steam also has a very secure and professional interface.

This software offers you access to a variety of games ranging from some which are free to play, to games that are basically platinum.

The cool thing? You might get lucky and can buy a game that would normally cost you a good few hundred in store for half the price if you look through the special offers and deals available.

You can track your progress and launch a game from inside Steam, as well as keep track of all your achievements.

Razer Cortex: Game Booster

Razer has various other premium software oftions available but if you are looking for something that costs you nothing then Razer Cortex Game Booster is probably your best option. It works very well on any build you might be using, whether it is older, modern but basic, or a full-blown monster gaming PC.

Razer Cortex Game Booster software optimises your device as it automatically enhances the games you are playing by changing them to the best settings that can be handled. It will work with any platform you might be using to game from, such as Steam or Origin, and is a good way to see just how well your gaming PC works.

MSI Afterburner

Interested in seeing whether your graphics card is worth the arm or leg you gave to buy it? Well, this free optimisation software is a must-have.

MSI Afterburner allows you to push your hardware to the limit and unlock the hidden potential of your GPU. You can improve the overall performance of your GPU by opening voltage settings of your chosen bit of hardware.

However, messing around with the settings too much can really damage your equipment, so be careful.

This software is also a good way to monitor how well your GPU holds up under graphics-heavy games, it will help you to ensure it does not overheat.

Piriform CCleaner

Sometimes there are junk files and resource-hungry programmes that you are totally unaware of which considerably slow down your PC. This software takes care of these files and clears them out to make sure that your PC does not lag overtime, as this would not be ideal for a gaming set-up.

Piriform CCleaner identifies and deletes temporary files and clears out broken Windows registry entries automatically. Be careful how you use it however, as it is important to note that this is a very powerful software. You may lose valuable files if you do not check the settings before installation.

So, there you have it: Four great pieces of software to enhance your gaming experience, and they won’t cost you a cent.

I’m sure it must be frustrating to hit a winning streak with your ranked promotions only to end up hitting a wall and ending up in a worse position than you were before despite knowing you’ve played really well.

Taking Season 11 to the next level

While Season 10 saw numerous improvements from Riot which included autofill and duo parity, the company is looking to take Season 11 to the next level when it comes to the topic of improvements and upgrades.

League of Legends Competitive Gameplay Lead Cody “Codebear” Germain stated that Riot is looking to push more improvements to ranked queues after a successful start to Season 10 in a blog post on 1 June. This includes the removal of the promotion series from the game entirely which will give us something very different than what we are used to.

Sceptical fans

However, with this major implementation of the removal of the promotion series, the flaws are quite obvious as this would make it much easier for gamers to climb higher in the game. And a game is no fun if it is too easy which is leaving fans rather sceptical about the huge change. 

Therefore, Riot has taken the necessary precautions to combat this by looking at demotion protections. So, if it is easier to go up in the game, they will be making sure it is just as easy to fall back down to keep the game as enjoyable as before.

The removal of these systems, however, could mean a total downgrade to the Elo systems utilised in seasons 1 and 2 of the game. Other popular games, such as Overwatch, still utilise this system though and seem to be very successful nonetheless as it is well received overall.

Removal of promos a big eyebrow raiser

Riot Games’ decision to remove their inter-division promos is a rather big eyebrow raiser in the gaming community. And this is a valid reaction as Riot must now not only focus on improving the quality of matchmaking, but also properly rewarding improving players — as well as improving their progression system.

Players are unclear about what this huge decision would mean for the future of the game because — while this upgrade will take away a lot of frustration from the gameplay — it also leaves the question of whether the illustrious move from Silver to Gold will still be as fulfilling as it was when the game contained the ranked promotions.

However, Season 11 is still far off and Season 10 still looks good at the moment, having released reworks of fan-favourite characters, such as Volibear and Fiddlesticks. So be sure to check it out.

We have rounded up three safe websites to check out, and the good news is that they are all free.

Ninite

This is a very good website that allows you straightforward access to your computer software and applications. It has a very simple interface and the process is very easy.

All you have to do is select the applications and software that you want to install, scroll down to step two, and click install. They all install quickly and effortlessly, in one go.

This is a good choice for bulk-installs. However, it is probably a good idea to not use the computer while everything installs.

Softpedia

Softpedia is a very good and reliable website but, unlike Ninite, it does not allow you to install your software in bulk. However, it does have everything you are looking for as it is one of the biggest file hosts around.

Not only this, but all the software that can be found here is always up to date so you are guaranteed to always have the latest version of everything you download. The website has a very easy interface which allows for smooth navigation and an easy installation process.

Filehippo

Filehippo is another good and very well-known website to be able to access your latest software for Windows, Mac and the web. It has a very easy-to-use interface with all the software divided into categories which helps to make navigation easier.

It is safer to use the direct download link when using Filehippo. It also has a built in Update Checker programme which allows it to scan your device and check whether or not all your applications and software are up to date.

So, this is not only a good website for downloading software, but it is also an excellent website for keeping all your current software and programmes up to date.

So, there you have it, three of the safest websites to download reliable software. There is no need to look for links as a quick google search will get you straight to the website you are looking for. These are all safe, easy to use and trustworthy. Good luck!

Online learning comes with its own challenges, though, with the two main student concerns data and devices. Several universities have given their students data packages to help them access online learning, but not all will qualify as they need to meet certain criteria.

Students in lower and middle income households especially may battle to get a suitable study device, like a laptop, at a price they can afford. Laptops can be expensive but there is an alternative at the tip of your fingers because, if you load the right applications, you can use your smartphone as a key tool for online learning.

Smartphone apps for students

Downloading the correct apps is key, with the following among those most useful:

Microsoft Word 

You will need Microsoft Word as a basic tool. The Microsoft Word app will allow you to create, write and edit your assignments just like you do on a laptop or PC. You can share your work directly from the app. Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint are also available to download free on the Google Play store. 

Email

Set up your student e-mail to work on your smartphone. You can do this by adding your student email address to the standard email application built into your smartphone. 

Google

A Google account comes with a suite of handy apps you access on your smartphone just as you would on your laptop. These include:

• Gmail, where you can send and receive emails;
• Google Docs, which allows you to create, write and edit your assignments and saves your work automatically;
• Google Sheets, which works like Microsoft Excel;
• Google Slides, which works like Powerpoint, and
• Google Drive, which stores your work and give quick access so you don’t have to exhaust your phone memory.

All these applications are convenient and available free on your app store. Google Lens may also be helpful as it gives information on daily life activities, and can identify topics. Think of it like Shazam but for so much more!

Zoom

Zoom is one of the most commonly used interactive apps for business and study, perfect for “attending” lectures and consulting lecturers. You can even record your lectures on Zoom, and it is compatible with Android, Apple and Blackberry. 

Adobe Scan

Adobe Scan, also available free on the app store, allows you to scan documents directly from your phone’s camera. 

Dropbox

You can use Dropbox for cloud storage. The basic version is free and accessible through your smartphone. 

Evernote

Evernote is like a personal assistant on your smartphone. This app can be used as a daily journal, write and update lists, manage projects and much more.

The indie game industry is teeming with creative and experimental works. However, it can be hard to find good titles as indie developers do not have the big marketing budgets of AAA studios.

The following list discusses five indie video games that will play with your emotions as much as you play with the game. All the games listed are available on Steam.

*It should be noted that some of the games below deal with themes of self-harm and suicide.

Missed Messages

Missed Messages is a short indie game developed by Angela He. It features a watercolour art style that makes the game feel dreamy.

Missed Messages tells the story of a girl who discovers that her roommate, May, has been feeling down. The player is then given several options for dealing with the situation.

There are four endings to Missed Messages, and each of them demonstrates the potential outcome of the choices players make.

The scenario presented is realistic, and is made relatable by the believable dialogue between the protagonist and May.

Emotions can be difficult to deal with, and it can be hard to understand how to support someone who is struggling with depression. Mixed Messages demonstrates that compassion, understanding and being a good listener is the best approach.

The Suicide of Rachel Foster

The Suicide of Rachel Foster is another indie game that hits many emotional notes. Developed by One-on-One games, The Suicide of Rachel Foster centres on a woman named Nicole who returns to an old hotel which used to be owned by her father.

However, after her arrival at the hotel, she finds herself trapped alone following a heavy snowstorm. In the days she spends in the old hotel, she uncovers dark family secrets that shake her to her core.

The Suicide of Rachel Foster is primarily a first-person psychological horror game that makes its emotional impact by allowing players to identify with Nicole before exposing her to all the skeleton in her family’s closet. Players feel the same pain that Nicole does as she comes to learn that the people that she loved are far from perfect.

If you are looking for a narrative-driven story that can be completed in a single afternoon, The Suicide of Rachel Foster is a pick you will not regret.

Depression Quest

This award-winning game was released in 2014. People who are not fans of reading will probably want to skip this title because it is a text-based game. Players are put in the shoes of someone suffering from depression and are tasked with making daily choices and interacting with her friends and family.

Choices made have an impact on the story, and decisions made in the past will affect what options are available in the future.

Depression Quest is effective at demonstrating the challenges somebody living with depression goes through. This is done in a way that anyone can empathise with regardless of whether they have experienced depression or not.

For instance, it illustrates how important seeking help and speaking about problems are, and how well-meaning people can often have misconceptions about depression and how to deal with it.

The game is simple yet effective at getting its point across. Despite its themes of depression, Depression Quest still carries a strand of hope by demonstrating how friends and family can help us during our darkest times.

Actual Sunlight

Perhaps the most emotional game on this list, Actual Sunlight is an indie game that deals with sensitive topics, such as suicide, self-loathing and feelings of worthlessness. The main character of Actual Sunlight is Evan Winter, a man who is unsatisfied with his life and has unrealised dreams of being a writer.

In the few days players spend with Evan, they discover his insecurities and go with him down his spiral of depression which eventually leads to self-destruction.

Actual Sunlight is impactful because it deals with many common feelings that people struggle with including loneliness and a lack of fulfilment. It illustrates how these feelings can destroy your life if they are left to fester.

Actual Sunlight has a morbid ending and serves as a cautionary tale to all who choose to lay down and rot instead of fighting the darkness.

Fortunately, there are many tips and tricks to get the most out of every rand. Here are four ways to game on without hurting your wallet too much.

1. PlayStation Plus

Sony offers the PlayStation Plus platform for gamers to play multiplayer games online. Hence, PlayStation Plus is required for games, such as Call of Duty and Fifa, if you wish to play with your friends online.

PlayStation Plus comes with many other perks that may be of interest to anyone who is gaming on a budget. Subscribers receive exclusive discounts on games, themes and avatars.

Most importantly, PlayStation Plus offers two free PS4 games every month. Past games that have showed up in the deal include AAA titles, such as The Last of Us Remastered, Bioshock: The Collection and MLB The Show 19.

2. Epic Game Store

Most PC gamers will be familiar with the Steam online store which offers a convenient place to buy digital games.

Epic Games Stores is the new kid on the block, and it has been trying its hardest to catch the attention of gamers. It is worth getting an account with Epic Games thanks to the free games they regularly offer.

Epic Games surprised the world recently when they offered the highly popular Grand Theft Auto V free from 14 to 21 May 2020. If that sounds appealing to you, then the Epic Games Store may be the perfect fit for you.

3. Buy second-hand

Although many gamers prefer digital games, the physical games market is far from dead.

One of the advantages of buying physical copies of games is that you can sell them once you are done with them. Selling old video games is a good way to make money to buy newer games.

Another advantage is that second-hand games can be bought for lower prices. Gamers looking to buy second-hand games, should consider www.pwnedgames.co.za where pre-owned games can be bought online.

4. Explore indie games

New AAA games can be quite pricey upon release, and it sometimes takes a long time before they go on sale. However, there are plenty of indie games that are released daily that will not force you to empty your wallet.

Some of them are available for an extremely low price and even more of them are free. Websites, such as www.indieranger.com, are a good place to start if you want to find hidden gems within the indie game marketplace.

Outlast 

If you are looking for gore, horror, and a very strong adrenaline rush, then this horror survival game is perfect for you. It’s played in first-person mode as investigative journalist Miles Upshur. You must investigate Mount Massive Asylum, a very remote psychiatric hospital located in the deep mountains of Lake County, Colorado.

The game is filled with enough gore and bothersome scenes to keep you up at night and jump scares that will keep you on your toes. You do not get a moment of peace and this game will keep you hooked.

And more good news? This is only the first game in the series. Check out Outlast: Whistleblower, followed by Outlast 2, which continues the original story.

Little Nightmares

This is a really good horror game that will definitely keep you hooked. It tells the story of Six, a nine-year-old girl who must escape from a huge ship called The Maw out in the middle of the ocean. She must start from the bottom of The Maw and find a way out.

The game has beautiful graphics and a very eerie atmosphere. There are moments that will leave your heart pumping and have you panicking. And do not be fooled by the cute cover — you will see some very disturbing things…

Amnesia: The Dark Descent

This game, much like Outlast, is a first-person survival horror game in which you play as Daniel who is navigating Brennenburg Castle. You must avoid multiple dangers as you make your way through the castle, as well as solve various puzzles.

This game is very atmospheric and will have you on your toes the entire time. It does not hold back on the scares and will have chills running down your spine even when nothing is happening on screen. This game is a definite must-play for any horror game fans and be sure to check out the rest of the games in the Amnesia series. 

Check out these games and enjoy them. You probably will not be getting any sleep again any time soon. Goodluck!