• Here's when Call of Duty Black Ops 6's Double XP weekend kicks off with Prop Hunt
    www.dailystar.co.uk
    Level up twice as fast with the Black Ops 6 Double XP weekend, helping you tear through your Battle Pass, level your character, or upgrade your weapons at super speed.
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  • Why are so few big budget video games set in the real world? Readers Feature
    metro.co.uk
    Why are so few big budget video games set in the real world? Readers FeatureGameCentralPublished December 1, 2024 1:00am GTA 6 an uncommon modern setting (Rockstar Games)A reader thinks they know why there are so few triple-A video games set in the modern world and worries that the situation might never change.GameCentral ran a very interesting article recently about why there are so few GTA clones nowadays, which is not something I had really thought about before. There used to be a lot the recent resurgence of interest in the PlayStation 2s The Getaway was a fun bit of nostalgia but now there are basically none, even though open world games are more common than ever.Im not a big fan of GTA though, so this was really only of passing interest to me, until I read further and got to the point about there being very few games of any kind set in the modern day, real world. Basically, theres just Call Of Duty, then sports and simulation games and thats it.Therere outliers like Life Is Strange, and a lot of indie games, but in terms of big budget mainstream games theyre extremely rare. None of the top titles at the moment are set in the real world, and even ones we used to see fairly often, like Far Cry and Watch Dogs, are becoming increasingly rare. I find this very interesting and very strange.The first assumption is that it must be cheaper to make fantasy worlds, but I really dont see how. As GC points out, you have to invent a fantasy world from scratch and make a new one again for each franchise. Make a photorealistic city and you can copy and paste that into any real world setting you like, with minimal changes.You dont have to make up monsters or background lore with a modern day game or come up with weird weapons and vehicles. You dont even have to get real world licences to make things look realistic, because GTA doesnt bother with that and you know Rockstar could easily afford it if they thought it was important.One of the main reasons this seems so strange to me is that modern video games are often obsessed with being seen as serious and grounded (oh how I hate that phrase) and yet its always in the context of a fantasy world. Final Fantasy 16 is perhaps the most extreme example of this with, its miserable Game of Throne style world, which is vastly less interesting to explore than the whimsical strangeness of Final Fantasy 7 Remake.If youre so obsessed with telling a serious and plausible story, why dont you just set it in the real world? Its not as if that stops you from having any action. Does Call Of Duty not have action? If you want to look at movies you dont even have to be super serious like Heat, because something like James Bond or Mission: Impossible (okay, maybe not the last one) are still far more realistic and grounded than 99% of video games. Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 the first impressions are good (Activision)The question of why publishers dont make more GTA clones basically comes down to the expense and the fact that Rockstar has a stranglehold on the market, which is fair enough. But why does that mean no real-world games or crime thrillers at all?Sadly, I think the reasons are more pathetic than even GC realised. I think its because theres no one else to copy and because there are no old franchises that do that, that you can be a part of. Video games, just like movies, are all based on nostalgia and existing properties nowadays. Publishers would rather remake a game for the third time than create a brand new one.But most older games, especially ones going back decades, arent set in the real world and so that fact never changes. But even if someone was brave enough to make something new, theyd at least like to copy something else thats popular. They cant do that with GTA though and so that leaves Pay Day?More TrendingIts a real shame and all the worst because theres no obvious way out of the rut. For all of the industrys talk about appealing to a more modern, adult audience most video games are still living in a fantasy world. When Silent Hill 2 is one of the most grounded and realistic games of the year you know that something isnt quite right.By reader Orion Silent Hill 2 not quite the real world (Konami)The readers features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you wont need to send an email.ArrowMORE: Why I blame Xbox for Sony buying FromSoftware GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy
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  • Why the PS4 is my favourite PlayStation console and better than PS5 Readers Feature
    metro.co.uk
    Is the PS4 Sonys best console? (Sony)A reader explains why hes disappointed by the PS5 and yet considers the PS4 to be his favourite console ever.Following on from my Readers Feature about my favourite PlayStation video games of the last 30 years, this time I thought Id look at some games that, although they were either originally multiformat or are now multiformat, I still associate with PlayStation. But I also want to talk about my top five PlayStation consoles and accessories.Top 5 games I associate with PlayStation5. Tomb Raider The first Tomb Raider game I actually played was Rise Of The Tomb Raider and it was for the Xbox One. However, Im old enough to remember seeing one of my friends play the game on their PlayStation. I remember being blown away by the T-Rex and seeing them locking the butler in the fridge. I also remember the rumours of a pervy cheat that showed Lara in the shower. Id like to think things have changed since then but probably not.4. Tony Hawks Skateboarding Me and my friends played this to death. I cant actually remember if it was split screen or not. I remember we usually played to see who could get the highest score and it was either that the winner stayed on or if not wed take it in turns.3. Metal Gear Solid I was a late adopter of the PlayStation and cant actually remember how I got my hands on one. I didnt have much money for new games, but I knew someone that sold copied discs. Metal Gear Solid was one of the few games at the time that I managed to complete.I replayed it recently and its kind of weird in that theres not actually that much stealth and most of the game consists of boss battles. At the time I thought it was the peak of what video game storytelling could be but actually, after my replay, its cheesier than a fondue.2. Resident Evil 2 This, again, was one of the few games I actually finished. Before I played the game, Id played the demo version to death, as it came free with the Official PlayStation Magazine, which I bought from time to time. I remember being blown away by the graphics, especially the fire effects and the environments. I had played a bit of the first game, but this seemed an improvement in every conceivable way.1. FIFA 98 onwards I remember my friend had FIFA 98 on PC and I was so envious, as it was on another level to other football games at the time. When I got a PlayStation, I remember my parents got me the World Cup 98 iteration for my birthday and having to wait an agonising number of days before I could play it, since we were on holiday at the time.Me and my friends would go down to the local Blockbuster (remember those?) and rent the latest edition when it came out and play it, usually in the school holidays. In later years we defected to Pro Evolution Soccer, but I still dip in to FIFA (now EA Sports FC) now and again.Top 5 PlayStation consoles and peripheralsHonourable mention: PS VitaI didnt mind the PS Vita. I had a good time with Tearaway and it was my first time playing an Uncharted game. Ultimately though it didnt seem to have enough support.5. PlayStation VRI picked up the original PlayStation VR for cheap during its later years. Like most I found it mindblowing at first and its great to show off to people that arent usually bothered by video games.However, with the exception of Astro Bot: Rescue Mission I didnt really care for many games. I feel Sony missed a trick that PlayStation VR2 wasnt backwards compatible. I felt games like Iron Man, for example, showed promise but I found the Move controllers too clumsy and games of that ilk would be greatly improved with better controllers.4. PlayStationI dont have strong connection to the PlayStation, as I wasnt hugely into gaming at the time. However, I cant overlook the impact the console has had on gaming over the years. I kind of wish I could go back in time and experience games like Spyro The Dragon, Ape Escape, PaRappa the Rapper, Tomb Raider, and Soul Reaver, among others, as I feel Ive probably missed the boat to play them now.3. PlayStation 5Im somewhat on the fence about the PlayStation 5. I was an early adopter and the first few years were decent, with games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Sackboy: A Big Adventure at launch, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Horizon Forbidden West, and God Of War: Ragnark coming a few year later. However, most of these titles have been cross-generational and even with PlayStation 5-only games Ive struggled to see how they differ from PlayStation 4 games. Has the PS5 been a disappointment? (Sony)I actually got rid of my PlayStation 5 for while, to get a portable gaming PC, as it was better for me in terms of being able to play more. I ended up regretting this shortsighted decision and ended up buying back a second-hand PlayStation 5 for a good price 18 months later. This was mainly so I could play Astro Bot and Ive loved the game. With Silent Hill 2 also exceeding expectations this year, lets hope Sony can ensure the later years of the PlayStation 5 go with a bang.2. PSPIve always been won over by the ability to play games on the move. For me, the novelty never really wore off. In terms of games, I played a lot of FIFA, Grand Theft Auto, Ridge Racer, and Tekken. I also used it for going on the Internet, listening to music, and very occasionally watching films. As a handheld multimedia device, it was probably ahead of its time.1. PlayStation 4For me the best console Sony have produced, hands down. Id only started to get into gaming properly towards the end of the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 era, after a bout of pneumonia left me housebound for several weeks.I was an early adopter and although I cant really remember much of those early games you could see already a step up in quality from PlayStation 3 games.Because I had more disposal income those days, I was often able to buy a number of newly released games day one. Having not played much of the original I managed to complete the GTA 5 remastered version. I also experienced the Uncharted trilogy for the first time.However, the first must-have AAA release for me was Batman: Arkham Knight, having been a fan of the previous games. The game looked absolutely stunning and still holds up well today. I also think its a worthy sequel, despite the tank battle fights.2018 for me, though, is the year that it really came into its own, with the excellent God Of War and Spider-Man released within a few months of each other. And although I wasnt hugely impressed with Red Dead Redemption 2 at the time, I have since reevaluated my opinion and consider it one of the best games ever made.More TrendingThe fact that games are still being releasing for the PlayStation 4 goes to show what a great console it has been.By reader matc7884 The PS4 certainly had some great games (Sony)The readers features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you wont need to send an email.ArrowMORE: Why I blame Xbox for Sony buying FromSoftwareGameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy
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  • Save Nearly $1,000 on the Best Cloud Storage Service This Black Friday
    gizmodo.com
    Sure, you can get any cloud storage, but why settle when you can have the best on the market? pCloud proudly leads the pack, offering incredible discounts for Black Friday, continuing all the way through Cyber Monday. Youre looking at a 62% discount for the 3-in1 Lifetime bundle consisting of:pCloud Pro 5 TB (cloud storage)EncryptionPass Premium (password manager)Thats not all; pClouds other plans have massively gone down in price.Stay tuned to find out more about them and use the buttons below to claim them.Get pClouds 3-in-1 Bundle At 62% OffpCloud Black Friday & Cyber Monday DealsHave you ever wanted to give pCloud a try? Perhaps it was expensive for you. Now, you cant use this silly argument. This Black Friday, pClouds bundle is talked about by many cloud storage experts and enthusiasts.pClouds 3-in-1 bundle comes with a whopping 5 TB of fast, secure, and reliable storage! Thats just 33% because pCloud Encryption is now here, offering a zero-knowledge architecture for maximum security. pCloudAs said, Pass Premium will grace you with its presence.You can manage and protect your passwords with ease while keeping files safe and sound on the cloud. But what if you want only storage?The best cloud storage service has your back. Were looking at three more Lifetime plans:Premium 1 TB at 54% off and $199Premium Plus TB at 53% off and $279Ultra 10 TB at 58% off and $799All Black Friday pCloud offers are protected by a 14-day money-back guarantee. Unimpressed? No worries. pClouds diligent team will reimburse you in a day.Why Get This Exclusive pCloud Offer?Frankly, weve never seen such a great offer from pCloud.5 TB is ample storage, and when combined with encryption and a password manager, the bundle is feature-heavy. However, even opting for the 10 TB plan alone yields massive savings and even MORE storage.In short, pClouds most notable features in all plans include:Up to 10 TB of fast storageZero-knowledge-encryptionUnlimited file syncingFull drive backupsFile versioning of up to 365 daysApps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOSSelective and block-level syncServers in the US and EUTLS/SSL encryption in all plansOutside the pCloud Black Friday deal, this cloud storage will be pricier. This begs for a quick reaction, especially if youre reading this on Cyber Monday.pClouds unique offer stormed the online storage industry with a blitzkrieg. Grab it while it lasts and enjoy one of the most amazing cloud storage providers at only $599 for your entire life!See at pCloud
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  • Ultimate Wolverines Trailer Turns the New Weapon Loose
    gizmodo.com
    The Ultimate Universe is growing with a new take on one of Marvel's top mutants hitting shelves in January 2025.
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  • horongbul Liquor Bar / DEEF
    www.archdaily.com
    horongbul Liquor Bar / DEEFSave this picture! Kwon ByunggukBarYongsan District, South KoreaArchitects: DEEFAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:66 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Kwon Byungguk Lead Architects: Ko sangyoung, Hyun youngsik More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The first impression the client wanted to draw was "a comfortable space like a subtle light," which was located quietly under a slope just off the main street of Itaewon. He said he wanted to sell traditional alcohol without sweeteners in an exotic neighborhood and serve food that goes well with it. We felt strongly that the meeting between traditional liquor and Itaewon was so fresh and that we wanted to create a harmonious space. The harmony we are talking about should be selling traditional liquor and creating an atmosphere that suits it, but I think he wanted to mix something modern.Save this picture!Save this picture!As a first step in the harmony, we adapted the scenes heading into space into lyrical stories like a movie. I wanted to take a break in the midst of the commotion, so I went on the road. How long I walked, I could see a beam of light from a distance. I moved my feet half-curious, half-conscious as if I were possessed. As I got closer, I could hear a calm laughter. It seemed crowded, but it was peaceful. Each person's own story is blooming in their own area. I think you can relax here without looking at it.Save this picture!Save this picture!As such, the space we will create was the greatest desire to be someone's haven and hideout. I continued my immersion and went into design. In order to create the background of the night sky, the outer wall was painted darkly and the first image was made with a wall lantern that could be reminiscent of subtle moonlight. It blends naturally with the lights inside shown by the two windows. The entrance was made as solid as possible, creating a sense of tension before entering the interior. The sign was made of Corten steel and the front door was painted with the texture of terra cotta. It feels brighter than the existing terra cotta tone. It was a choice that could remind you of the warmth of the horongue and traditional liquor at the same time.Save this picture!The external black and terracotta colors are connected to the inner ceiling and walls, respectively, creating connectivity. In the room area, which is the endpoint of the space, the terracotta color spreads to create the warmest image, and the material is changed to brick tiles to create a more stable and sturdy feeling. Subtle lights are counted through the holes in the temporary wall, which are drilled according to the tile standard when viewed from the inside to add fun and relieve frustration.Save this picture!Save this picture!Finally, we wanted a story to unfold from the moment they faced Horongbul and naturally stay in the space. It may be a clich, but I really want to tell you. I just want you to have a drink of traditional Horongbul liquor in the space we have sincerely cultivated, shake off all your inner feelings, and relax.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Yongsan District, South KoreaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeDEEFOfficePublished on December 01, 2024Cite: "horongbul Liquor Bar / DEEF" 30 Nov 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024100/horongbul-liquor-bar-deef&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream
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  • The Showcase / DPA DESIGN STUDIO
    www.archdaily.com
    The Showcase / DPA DESIGN STUDIOSave this picture! Vinay PanjwaniStoreAhmedabad, IndiaArchitects: DPA DESIGN STUDIOYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Vinay PanjwaniManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Flexstone, Hrisha Lighting, Jaipur Rugs More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. At its core, The Showcase embodies the principles of cell membrane FEFS technology, a pioneering approach that enhances structural integrity and environmental interaction. Just as a cell membrane separates and regulates its contents, our design will harmoniously blend commercial and communal spaces, creating a vibrant ecosystem within the urban fabric of Ahmedabad. The architectural approach we employ harmonizes fluidity with Parametricism, allowing for designs that transcend traditional boundaries.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The execution commenced post a series of brainstorming & structure analyses to meet the interesting Geometrical symphony of the helical open hyperboloid of a sheet made in FlexStone Exterior Facade System core membrane structure. Internal tensile members were planned accordingly & the desired shapes were achieved through the Malleable Foam Concrete FlexStone Exterior Facade System Manoeuvering elevational variations simultaneously shaping the interiors with projected fixed furniture. The floor used was a UHPC jointless terrazzo in interior areas & Paver blocks on exterior pathways. The projected hung canopy was an ideal example of a suitable conjunction of two shapes, yet enhancing the total structure.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!We aim to provide an immersive experience within The Showcase, drawing locals and visitors alike with curated retail offerings and engaging atmospheres. Our vision is to establish a dynamic hub that encourages community interaction and cultural exchange.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Ahmedabad, IndiaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeDPA DESIGN STUDIOOfficePublished on November 30, 2024Cite: "The Showcase / DPA DESIGN STUDIO" 30 Nov 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024115/the-showcase-dpa-design-studio&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream
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  • Pyramid #b3d #blender3d #conceptart
    www.youtube.com
    Pyramid modeled using the Random Flow addon in Blender.Shops:blendermarket.com/creators/blenderguppygumroad.com/blenderguppyPatreon:patreon.com/blenderguppy#shorts #b3d #blender3d #3d #3dmodeling #blendermarket #conceptartist #3dmodel #blenderaddon #3dmodel
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  • Blender's Grease Pencil Pro Bundle
    www.youtube.com
    Draw/Concept/Turnaround now bundled on Blender Market and you'll get 30% off all Cyber weekend!Get the full bundle now on Blender Market: https://b3d.blendermarket.com/8pG6Pu "WHO IS CG COOKIE?"We are real people! (OK, maybe some of us are cyborgs - we don't ask.) CG Cookie is a small crew of Blender artists, baking fresh videos for the Blender community. If you love what we do, consider enrolling to http://cgcookie.com to stream 100's of Blender courses with passionate Blender instructors there to answer your questions. "WHERE SHOULD I START LEARNING BLENDER?"For Blender beginners, we have a free tutorial series "Getting Started with Blender" https://rb.gy/khqdl7 "I WANT MORE CG COOKIE IN MY LIFE!"Got it. Here's where you can reach us!http://instagram.com/cgcookie http://twitter.com/cgcookie http://facebook.com/cgcookieinc Want Blender news in your mailbox? Sign up here for spam-free newsletter https://cgcookie.com/newsletter #CGCookie #blendertutorial #b3d
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