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From RPGs to UX: How progress indicators affect user engagementThe use of progress indicators, from video games to other digital applications.Level 99. The level indicator reads at the top of the progress bar as I hold my Gameboy colour with sweaty, Cheeto crumbed covered fingers. Im engaged in an intense battle with my Pikachu fighting against my rival. Im mashing the buttons rhythmically as though I can change the outcome of the game if I just press it hard or fast enough, I Quick Attack the remaining life away on the rival Pokmon and Ive won the battle. The victory tune plays through the little 8 bit console and the progress bar fills with experience points and I hear that sweet Ding sound as the level 99 ticks over to100.Progress Bars in the gamePokmonThat is around the time when I first encountered progress indicators, or better known in the gaming world as progressbars.What are progressbars?A progress bar is a graphical element used in user interfaces to visually represent the completion status of a task orprocess.Progress bars are also commonly used in graphical interfaces as an indicator of system status, say when a page is loading or when files are transferring, they are useful to let users know visually how long certain tasks will take. They are an indicator of progress. They map your position in relation to your end goal and give a visual measure that progress is being made, reassuring you that the system is working towards completing the task youve assigned it, or that you are making progress in completing your desiredgoal.Progress Indicators in videogamesVideo game interfaces are filled with progress indicators, usually referred to as experience bars or progress bars bygamers.Final Fantasy XIV ProgressBarsThey were commonly seen in role playing games such as Pokmon and Final Fantasy and are still being used today as a method of measurement to assess your power level and progression within games, as you gained points in the form of experience points (XP). As you gain XP you advance from one level to the next, you become more powerful and the game rewards you with improved equipment and stronger abilities. This simple progression system often fueled my desire to play, providing a satisfying sense of accomplishment as the numbers rose, keeping me engaged and eager for more. Despite its simplicity, this model effectively hooked me into playing the game more frequently as the rewards increased.A famous example of their use is within the online game World of Warcraft. The game prominently displays a large progress bar along the bottom of your screen ensuring that users are constantly aware of how far away they are from their goal. This simple bar fuelled millions of gamers efforts around the world as they completed tasks in the form of quests in order to fill it and get to the next level, unlocking new aspects of thegame.World of Warcraft ProgressBarWhats interesting in these games are the changes to the speed at which the progress bars fill. When you first start playing, the bar fills quickly, allowing users to progress through the initial levels in a reasonable amount of time. However, as you continue, the bar fills more slowly, requiring increasingly more effort to advance as you reach higherlevels.This gives users a sense of satisfaction early on by rewarding them with quick progression at the start of their journey with the game, as a way to keep them playing. Once users have invested sufficient time or money and have essentially become hooked, progression slows and requires more time investment. However, despite this slowdown, the rewards tend to be larger later on, offering additional incentives to continueplaying.Final Fantasy VII Menu Showing ProgressBarsThe strategy is used to quickly reward new players, reducing the risk of early abandonment at a point when they have invested less. As players invest more of their time and resources into the game, they increase their stored value and attachment to it, making them less likely to quit even as progress slows. This, combined with the anticipation of larger rewards, keeps them hooked andengaged.Effects of Progress Indicators on User PsychologyProgress bars or progress indicators, applied in games and other user interfaces can have beneficial effects on encouraging users to complete tasks within a digital application. However it isnt as simple as just providing a progress indicator within an interface to ensure users complete these goals. An interesting study sought out to determine what effect progress indicators had on task completion.A survey was set up and created three different progress indicator conditions with variable speeds, to examine their impact on user task completion rates.Condition 01 (Constant Rate): A progress indicator that moved at a constant, steady rate as users went through thesurvey.Condition 02 (Fast-to-Slow): A progress indicator that moved fast at the beginning of the survey and then slowed as users neared completion.Condition 03 (Slow-to-Fast): A progress indicator that moved slow at the beginning of the survey and then fast as users neared completion.The results showed that people were more likely to abandon the task when the progress feedback was slow-to-fast (was discouraging) with a breakoff rate of21.8%.Users were most likely to complete the task when the progress feedback started off fast and then slowed towards the end of the task (was encouraging) with a breakoff rate of11.3%When progress was shown at a steady, consistent rate they had an average breakoff rate of14.4%.Surprisingly, this indicated that showing progress can actually have a negative effect on user completion rates and can be discouraging. If users feel they are progressing slower than expected, they have a worse experience and are more likely to quit the task. So if the progress indicator is only increasing in very small amounts, then this can put users off potentially leading to higher abandonment rates.They also found that the speed of the progress indicator affected their enjoyment of the tasks, with users who completed surveys in the fast-to-slow indicator group (encouraging), reporting higher enjoyment rates than users in the othergroups.The best results were observed when users experienced faster progress early on. If users felt they were advancing more quickly than expected, they were not only less likely to give up but also felt more positive about the task. This fast-to-slow progression is commonly seen in video games, as in the examples mentioned above, and is a proven method for hooking users and keeping themengaged.Endowed Progress EffectThe findings from the above study on progress indicators is also somewhat supported by another study by Joseph C. Nunes and Xavier Dreze that looked at a phenomenon called the endowed progress effect. This is a psychological phenomenon where people are more motivated to complete a task if they feel they have already made some progress towards it, even if that progress is artificially created.The study took two groups and gave each group a different punch card that awarded a free car wash upon a certain number ofwashes.Group 01: Was given a blank punch card with 8 squares tofill.Group 02: Was given a punch card with 10 squares, that included two punches already pre-punched.Although both groups had the same number of washes to complete before redeeming a free wash, Group 02 had a higher redemption rate than Group 01. This suggests that by using strategies like pre-filling progress bars slightly for users before they even start a task, you can encourage higher completion rates.Progress indicators in UXDesignThe success of progress indicators within video games has seen the adoption of them used in a similar fashion within other digital interfaces, contributing to a term in UX that is also known as gamification. As we have seen from the studies above, designers can use progress indicators and leverage these with strategies such as the endowed progress effect by pre-filling them or changing the perception of the amount of progress being made so that users are more likely to stay on their platform and complete tasks. Below are some examples of these progress indicators being used in popular digital interfaces.Duo lingoPlatforms like Duolingo use progress bars to show learners their progress through courses. This visual feedback motivates users to complete lessons and stay engaged with their learninggoalsDuolingo InterfaceLinkedInLinkedIn is a good example of using the endowed progress effect as each user starts with a progress bar that is prefilled, encouraging users to take small steps to improve their profile. This is a way LinkedIn encourages users to give them more information, which leads to increased user investment, leading to higher retention.Linkedin Progress IndicatorFitness AppsApps like Fitbit and MyFitnessPal use progress bars to encourage users to achieve fitness goals. Seeing progress towards daily or long-term goals can motivate users to keep healthy and further engage with the app. It also gamifies fitness and can give users a visual sense of progression, allowing you to compare your goals and even compete with otherusers.Apple Fitness Progress IndicatorCustomer Loyalty ProgramsCustomer loyalty programs use progress indicators like partially filled progress bars to create an initial sense of achievement, motivating users to continue engaging with the brand. They set milestones and reward tiers to show users how close they are to earning rewards, creating motivation for users to spend more money through enticing users with the promise that they are almost at the next loyalty milestone.Ethical Use of Progress IndicatorsOf course, there are ethical implications that should be considered when implementing these progress indicators before you decide to include them within your user interface. Two aspects for consideration are the ideas of manipulation andhonesty.Creating Excessive Engagement via Manipulation:Designers have the potential to exploit users psychological triggers potentially leading to compulsive behaviour and forming addictions by gamifying these systems. Designers should ensure that theyre not contributing to creating harmful addictive patterns and should also reflect on what habit theyre encouraging users towards. For example, encouraging spending more money by locking or severely slowing progress unless users pay money, a tactic often seen in free to play gaming models, is a fine line between unethical usage of these seemingly harmless graphical elements.Temu GamificationMisleading Progress via Dishonesty:There may be a temptation to mislead users into thinking they have made more progress towards a goal then what they actually have. Designers should try to ensure that the progress indicator accurately reflects the true progress being made and efforts involved. As we saw with the study comparing speeds of perceived progress, by artificially speeding up the progress indicator at the start of the task, it can encourage users to stay on the platform and complete the goals you want them to complete. Designers should be able to strike a balance so that users are not overly misled but are also not discouraged by a slow movingbar.ConclusionIn my research into progress indicators, these seemingly simple and innocuous UX elements, Ive discovered their potential to be a powerful tool in influencing user engagement and behaviour. From the early days of gaming to modern digital applications, progress bars have persisted as not only a way to track advancement but also influence user motivation and satisfaction.The studies and examples explored reveal that while progress indicators can enhance user experience by providing feedback and a sense of achievement, they also come with ethical considerations. Designers must balance the psychological triggers they tap into with a commitment to honesty and user well-being. By understanding the nuances of how users perceive and respond to progress, we can design interfaces that not only engage but also respect and support users goals. We can reinforce good habits in users when used in fitness apps, but can also become detrimental when used nefariously in gambling applications.As we continue to integrate these elements into our digital experiences, the challenge lies in leveraging their strengths while remaining mindful of their potential pitfalls. Ultimately, the goal is to create interfaces that are not just effective and engaging, but also ethical and respectful of users time and attention.References:Conrad FG, Couper MP, Tourangeau R, Peytchev A. The impact of progress indicators on task completion. Interact Comput. 2010 Sep 1;22(5):417427. doi: 10.1016/j.intcom.2010.03.001. PMID: 20676386; PMCID: PMC2910434.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2910434/Nunes, Joseph C., et al. The Endowed Progress Effect: How Artificial Advancement Increases Effort. Journal of Consumer Research, vol. 32, no. 4, 2006, pp. 50412. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.1086/500480. Accessed 7 Aug. 2024.https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/500480Nir Eyal and Hoover, R. (2019). Hooked: how to build habit-forming products. New York, Ny: Portfolio/Penguin.From RPGs to UX: How Progress Indicators Affect User Engagement was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Audio enthusiasts need no introduction to Sony's 1000X series. They've been around since 2016, improving on the previous iteration to eventually land on the Sony WH-1000XM5, the best over-ear headphones for audio your money can buy. If you're willing to splurge, it's a good time to do so. The WH-1000XM5 is currently $298 (originally $399.99), the lowest price they've ever been, according to price-checking tools. Sony WH-1000XM5 The best wireless noise canceling headphones with auto noise canceling optimizer, hands-free calling $298.00 at Amazon $399.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal Get Deal $298.00 at Amazon $399.99 Save $101.99 I have been a loyal customer of the 1000X line for many years as my go-to headphones for most activities. The WH-1000XM5 came out in May of 2022 to an "outstanding" review from PCMag for its top-notch audio quality, but also for its exceptional audio when using its best-in-class active-noise canceling (ANC) (most headphones lose their audio quality when using ANC). The headphones are also well-designed to be comfortable for long sessions. The ear controls use tapping and swiping, which aren't my favorite, but it's where all the modern headphones are moving toward. There is an app that comes with the headphones that lets you adjust your EQ settings to your liking, including what the swiping and tapping functions do on your headphones.A great touch on these headphones that is often neglected is a Stereo 3.5mm connection, perfect for those who want to use a wired cable without worrying about battery life. Speaking of battery life, Sony says you can expect about 30 hours, but it will vary depending on your usage of ANC. They are compatible with AAC, LDAC and SBC codecs and have multipoint connection (you can pair them with more than one device at the same time). If you're looking for the best headphones for audio quality with ANC you can buy right now, the WH-1000XM5 is it. And with their current discount, you'll be getting the best and the best price.

As much of an AI skeptic as I am, Android's "Circle to Search" is a useful implementation of the technology. By holding down the home button or navigation bar, you can circle anything on your display to start an internet search for it. Now it seems the feature is being expanded beyond solely visual elements on your smartphone, to include audio as well: So long as you have a compatible device, you can use Circle to Search to both discover music playing on your phone, as well as identify a song playing around youincluding a tune you sing or hum yourself.The feature was first discovered in testing by Android Authority: The site found a feature called "Audio search" during an APK teardown back in June, and was able to get it working last week. As of now, it appears to only be rolling out toSamsung Galaxy S24 phones, but Android Authority believes it will soon hit all smartphones that support Circle to Search. Using Circle to Search for identifying musicFirst, pull up Circle to Search: If you use gesture navigation, hold the navigation bar. If not, hold the home button. Once Circle to Search is up and running, you should see a pop-up informing you about the new feature. Either way, you'll find a new music icon appear in the bottom-right corner of the display. Tap this, and your phone will start listening, complete with a message that says, "Play, sing or hum a song..."Since the feature uses your phone's microphone to analyze music, you can let audio play from your phone to identify a mystery song, or let it listen to audio in the space you're currently in. If you have a song stuck in your head, sing or hum it, and Circle to Search can try to identify the track. While certainly a convenient feature, it's far from the first option for identifying music in the wild. Programs like Shazam have been around for years, and you've been able to sing or hum to the Google app to search for music for some time as well. Still, if you're going to be searching for other things with Circle to Search, why not audio as well?

When you find a shirt or pair of pants that you really like, it can be tempting to wearand washthem frequently. But after a few laundry cycles, you may start to notice some small, stubborn balls of lint stuck to certain areasor to the garment as a wholethat aren't easily removed with a lint brush or roller. This is called "pilling," and it's frustrating, but preventable. Here's how to stop it from happening to your clothes.What causes pilling on clothes?"Pills" are small, firm balls of lint or fuzz that form on clothing the more it's worn and washed. They can make items of clothing that are otherwise in great shape look old and less polished.Pilling happens when individual fibers on the surface of fabric break as the result of regular wear and tearmost commonly the underarms of shirts and the inseam of pantsor extra friction caused by wearing a backpack or purse, for example. These broken fibers get tangled, forming little knots or clumps of lint. When you wash your clothes, these lint balls tend to attract loose micro-threads, which accelerates the pilling.But unlike loose lint that you can remove easily with a lint brush or roller, getting rid of pills takes more efforthence why it's better to prevent them in the first place. Some fabrics are more prone to pilling than othersWhen it comes to pilling, not all fabrics are created equal. Clothing made out of shorter fibers are more prone to breakage, and, in turn, pilling. Fabrics more prone to pilling include:Loose-knit itemsCottonWool FleecePolyester NylonMicrofiberAcrylicSpandexViscose rayonNatural & synthetic, or 100% synthetic fabric blendsOther synthetics Fabrics less likely to pill include:Tightly knit fabricsLinenSilkDenimRayonHigher quality cotton (with longer fibers)How to prevent pilling on clothesThanks to normal wear and tear, it's not always possible to avoid pilling completely, but there are ways to slow down the process and minimize damage to your clothing, keeping them looking newer longer. Here are a few examples:Remove lint before washingPrior to popping your clothing in the washing machine, take a minute to remove any loose lint using a lint brush or roller. If you don't have one handy, a piece of tape with the sticky side out will also get the job done. In a pinch, thoroughly shake the item out to dislodge anything clinging to the fabric.Zip and button upZip up any zipper, button any buttons, and fasten any other types of fasteners on your clothing before washing to prevent them from snagging other items.Turn clothing inside outOnce you've fastened everything and removed any loose lint, turn the item inside out before washing it. Any clothing that you wash together in the same load of laundry will inevitably rub up against other garments, and this way it won't speed up pilling on the visible side of the items.Sort your laundryYou may already sort your laundry by color, but in order to prevent pilling, you may also want to sort it by fabric type. The idea is to reduce abrasion by washing heavier fabrics separately from lighter fabrics.Use the gentle cycleLess agitation in the washer means less friction, and less pilling.Wash your clothing in cold waterHot water can make clothing more susceptible to pilling by wearing out the fibers faster, which may then lead to them becoming tangled and forming pills.Use an enzyme detergentOne of the easiest ways not only to prevent pilling but also reduce existing pilling is to use laundry detergent that contains the plant-based enzyme cellulase, which can help loosen and remove those pesky balls of lint. When shopping for detergent, look for "cellulase enzyme" on the ingredients listit's usually near the bottom. Some examples of detergents that contain cellulase include Cheer Free Liquid Detergent, Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Packs, Free & Clear, and Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent with Touch of Downy.Air dry your clothingWhen clothing is tumble-dried, it rubs up against other itemsand itselfwhich can contribute to pilling. Air drying isn't always an option, but if there are garments that you actively want to protect, consider skipping the dryer.

Like most people, I've been using search engines to do math for some time now. It's just ridiculously easy for basic calculations or unit and currency conversions, especially because I'm almost always using a web browser when I'm on my PC. However, I recently opened the Calculator app on Windows 11 and discovered that it can do a lot more than just simple calculations. The app can perform unit conversions, currency conversions, and even calculate the difference between any two dates. Since Calculator is far more lightweight than the web browser (and doesn't come with any distractions besides typing 80085), you should try all these features out and see if it might be a better optionyou might be surprised by what you find.Use a scientific calculator on your PC Credit: Pranay Parab First and foremost, if you need an advanced calculator, you can still use the Windows calculator app. Open the app and click the three-lines button in the top-left corner of the Calculator window. This reveals all the app's hidden features. Here, select any of the following modes for more detailed calculations:ScientificGraphingProgrammerThe programmer's calculator is made for computer scientists and programmers, while the graphing calculator can plot graphs and solve equations. For most people, the scientific calculator will be the most useful, since it can perform basic arithmetic along with more advanced functions such as trigonometry.Use your calculator app for unit conversions Credit: Pranay Parab Once again, click the three-lines menu in the top-left corner of the Windows 11 Calculator app's window and you'll be able to see all of its unit conversion features. The following are listed under the Converter section:CurrencyVolumeLengthThese features are self-explanatory: I use them a lot to understand imperial units. As someone who's used to the metric system, there's no way I'd be able to manage if I had to use mental math for imperial unit conversions. Even if you don't need unit conversions, the currency converter is a godsend in today's globalized economy.See the difference between any two dates Credit: Pranay Parab The Windows 11 calculator has an interesting mode called Date calculation. You can use this to calculate the difference between any two dates. This is great if you have to know for sure if a certain number of days has passed or not. For example, I need to pay some bills every 28 days and renew a couple of certifications every 180 days. This date calculation allows me to quickly check when the next payment or renewal is coming up. Find this under the three-lines menu in the app's top left corner.

A deep-dish, homemade fruit pie is a thing of beauty. Its a great housewarming gift, an acceptable apology, and a good way to make friends. A hefty slice sporting a thick layer of cherry filling (or blueberry, peach, applehey, it all depends on your fruit love language) can make anyone reconsider whether theyre actually too full for dessert.Thats what makes the disappointment of cutting into a watery-bottomed fruit disaster all the more poignant. You shouldnt have to put your pie in the oven and wonder if itll be fruit soup when you take it out. You deserve better. The key to making the best fresh (or frozen) fruit pie is to cook your filling first.Why should you cook fruit pie filling before baking?The two recurring issues with pie recipes that use a raw fruit filling are a soggy lower crust and the formation of a giant air pocket between the fruit and the upper crust. I almost always see this with apple pies that use the raw-apple method. The sloppy bottom is the result of trapped juices released from the fruit while baking and using too little thickening agent (usually cornstarch or a flour mixture). Recipes usually consider an average amount of fruit juices but they cant predict the variables in species of fruit, frozen versus fresh, or whether it was an especially rainy season in your region. Ive had pies that literally pooled up with fruit juice at the bottom because I was unable to predict how much of the thickening ingredient I needed. It's heartbreaking.The upper crust air pocket is your pies other special magic trick of disappointment. Lets say you fill a pie with a heap of raw apples and lovingly drape the top crust over them. When your pie hits the oven the first thing to cook and set will be the top crust, since its the most exposed, and comparatively thin. The apples will take longer to cook. Over the course of the pie's bake time, the fruit's cells will break down and shed water. This results in tender bites of fruit, but also shrinkage. Meanwhile, the crust will hold its shape even as the apples cook down, fooling your guests into thinking its packed high with fruit when really its packed with air.How do you thicken a fruit pie filling?Precooking your cherry, peach, or berry pie filling is the best way to ensure your pie will be exactly as you intend it, and it also provides some other perks. Youre in charge of how thick the filling will be; you can make it days in advance (weeks, if you store it in the freezer); you can more precisely adjust the flavor; and the bake time is quicker. 1. Add the fruit to a potPlace the desired amount of fruit in a large pot. Over medium heat, add two tablespoons of water and, if desired, some sugar. The water might seem like a confusing addition, but this small amount will eventually evaporate and, more importantly, keep the fruit on the bottom from burning while it comes up to temperature. 2. Add the thickening agentStir occasionally as the fruit continues to cook. After about five minutes, most of the fruit juice will release and be bubbling. You're then ready to add your thickening ingredient. I usually use a cornstarch slurry, which is about two teaspoons of cornstarch mixed with a quarter cup of cold water. Depending on how much filling you're making, you might need more of this mixture. Slowly pour in the slurry while you're stirring the filling.3. Taste and adjustOnce youve mixed in your thickener, bring it back to a boil. This fully activates the starch and shows you what it will look like when it comes out of the oven. You can decide if you like the consistency, but keep in mind it will stiffen up a tad more once it's cool. If you want it to stand up when you slice it, add more slurry. If you think it's too thick, stir in one tablespoon of water at a time until youre happy. Carefully taste the filling and decide if you'd like to add more sugar, a squeeze of lemon juice, or maybe some dry spices. Allow it to cool to room temperature.This technique is a must when you're using frozen berries and fruits for pie, too. Freezing and thawing can further damage the fruit's cell walls so you might see even more juice release from frozen blueberries versus its fresh counterpart. No more unpredictable puddle of juice, and the filling has already reduced, so there's no danger of a giant air pocket. You have the perfect filling, with no surprises. (Clutch move: If you think youll miss the pop of barely cooked fruits, reserve a half cup of uncooked berries or fruit slices and stir them in at the end for a perky texture.)Dont forget to adjust the baking time Feel free to cover and store it in the fridge for up to five days, put it in the freezer for up to six months, or use right away. When you are ready, fill, prepare, and bake the pie as you normally would but: Adjust your bake time. You can knock off about 20 minutes because the filling is already cooked, so youre essentially reheating it inside of the crust. Once the crust is a lovely brown shade and you can see the filling gently bubbling at the air vents, its done! Allow it to cool and get ready to slice into the most fruit-packed pie of your life.

What do you get when you make a game influenced by movies like The Running Man and Labyrinth, toss in a bit of flair from professional wrestling (the kind with squared rings, not circular mats) and then throw all that on top of a co-op 3D platformer with user-generated dungeon building? To be honest, Im not quite sure, but thats sort of what Amazon Games and developer Glowmade are going for with its next title: King of Meat.Trying to balance elements from that many properties seems like an impossible task. But after I got a chance to play an early build prior to Gamescom, King of Meats world and presentation might be the best thing about it. The game is centered around the Komstruck Koliseum, which is a Battle Royale-esque arena that also serves as the stage for an in-world TV show. Your job is to fight through various stages while helping out your friends and keeping the audience entertained.Amazon/GlowmadeThis is where the WWE inspiration factors in because the audience isnt simply there for the ambiance, its an actual game mechanic. Grabbing gems and beating up foes increases your multiplier, allowing you to earn more points and get higher ranks (like bronze, silver and gold). The better you do and the more bounties you complete (like killing a certain number of specific enemies), the more currency you get, which you can then spend on new weapons, costumes and special attacks called Glory Moves. Theres even an in-game announcer to help keep the hype up.Stylistically, King of Meat feels like a mix between Fortnite and Castle Crashers (another inspiration for the title), but with a more outlandish and sinister bent. Weapon skins include Cthulhu-like tentacle swords or jagged 8-bit facsimiles while Glory Moves range from silly to shocking, like calling down a giant hoof from the sky or birthing a massive belch to blow enemies away. And behind this over-the-top, energy-drink-fueled facade, theres a bit of evil lurking in the corners, hinting that the fictional megacorps such as KOMSTRUCT may not be what they seem.Amazon/GlowmadeAs for the gameplay itself, its a pretty typical hack-and-slash platformer. You have basic melee attacks using weapons like swords and hammers, a heavier charge-up move, specials and a handy long-ranged sidearm (I used a crossbow, but theres much more to choose from). You also get a double jump and while theres some light comboing between moves, from what I saw the game stops short of letting you do more complex things like air juggles. Sadly, this is one of my concerns with the game, because while I only had a chance to play a handful of early levels, it feels like the games combat and pacing underdelivers, at least when compared to its over-the-top presentation and visual design.When playing co-op with four people, there were several times when I just had to stand around while waiting for more enemies to arrive. Jumping across platforms also didnt feel as tight or responsive compared to a lot of other 3D platformers. And even in the heat of battle, I didnt get the sense that switching between attacks was much more effective than simply mashing buttons. I also ran into a few bugs where I got stuck in a wall or an enemy disappeared, which prevented our squad from moving on to the next section. That said, this was far from a final build, so hopefully Glowmade can polish things up before release.Amazon/GlowmadeUnfortunately, I didnt get a chance to try out any dungeon building, which was a bummer since thats meant to be a huge draw of the game. Out of the box, there will be a number of pre-made stages and a story campaign. But, similar to titles like Super Mario Maker, Glowmade is counting on users to create even more levels, with some of the lead developers saying We want to reward players for being interesting. Glowmade says first-party dungeons are built using the same tools players will get access to. This sort of reminds me of the Trackmania community, where even if youre not the best racer, you can still make major contributions by creating fun courses, or in this case, dungeons. Cross-platform gameplay and dungeon building will also be supported, so youll have plenty of options for co-op.Amazon/GlowmadeI still havent fully decided how I feel about King of Meat. Its got an interesting premise and during my preview session, there were certainly moments where it felt like it was delivering on the spectacle while also scratching the grab-and-smash itch you tend to search for in hack-and-slash platformers. But at the same time, I wasnt totally hooked either, possibly due to not being able to experience dungeon-building myself or not having a bigger arsenal of weapons and attacks to play around with. That said, since Glowmades founders previously worked at studios including Lionhead and Media Molecule and franchises like Fable and Little Big Planet, it feels like they should have the pedigree needed to properly bring King of Meat into the spotlight.King of Meat will be available on PC, PS5, Xbox X/S and the Nintendo Switch, though Amazon and Glowmade have yet to set an official release date.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/king-of-meat-preview-a-monstrous-mash-up-of-a-co-op-platformer-183015893.html?src=rss

One of the main reasons to have a smart speaker is to help you control various smart home devices. Light bulbs are among the most common products used for that purpose, so it only makes sense to bundle one of those with a smart speaker. As part of a back to school sale on Amazon devices and bundles, a combo of the Echo Pop and a Sengled smart bulb is available for just $23. That's 61 percent or $37 off the regular price, and only $3 more than it was selling for during Prime Day last month. Amazon introduced the Echo Pop last year as an entry-level Alexa-powered speaker. The semi-spherical device can handle some machine learning tasks locally and it can work with Eero mesh routers to extend the range of a home network. Meanwhile, Sengled makes solid smart light bulbs that are a more budget-friendly alternative to name brand models like Philips Hue. The main drawbacks are that the colors aren't as nuanced as pricier options, while the mobile app isn't totally refined (though that's maybe less of a concern if you're using your voice to control the bulb anyway). Amazon is also offering the bulb as part of other discounted bundles. You can snag an Echo Show 5 and Sengled smart light bulb for $60, down from $110. If an Echo Spot is of more interest, you can pick up one of those and a bulb for $55. The bundle usually costs $100. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/an-amazon-echo-pop-and-smart-light-bulb-bundle-is-just-23-170035540.html?src=rss

Once upon a time in the tail-end of the last century, there was something called the Y2K bug. This bit of computer code was supposed to herald a global robot apocalypse at the stroke of midnight when 1999 became the year 2000 because of, uh, clock dates or something. Anyways, nothing happened. Or did it?Thats the premise behind A24s new horror comedy, the appropriately-named Y2K. The film imagines a New Years Eve of 1999 in which the computers really did turn on humanity. Its written and directed by SNL alum Kyle Mooney, who made the fantastic and underrated Brigsby Bear.As you can see from the trailer, its a 1990s teen party comedy, like Cant Hardly Wait, but also an apocalyptic horror film. This particular hodgepodge brings to mind This is the End, in which Seth Rogen and other celebrities fight off a demonic horde.However, instead of a demonic horde, these teens will be fighting for their lives against VCRs, old-school computers and, of course, murderous Tamagotchis. Also, Limp Bizkits Fred Durst is somehow involved. The cast is composed primarily of unknown teenagers, but the adults are played by Tim Heidecker, Alicia Silverstone and Mooney himself. The movie hits theaters on December 6.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a24s-y2k-has-teens-battling-old-school-computers-and-bloodthirsty-tamagotchis-164537560.html?src=rss