3 RTS Games You Need to Try

Source: Flickr

For most people, it’s easy enough to start playing an FPS (first person shooter) and hit the ground running. Any old brute can get used to a certain gun, or the trajectory of a grenade, then rush into the chaos of battle and do a fairly good job of it. However, RTS (real time strategy) games take a lot more brainpower, and a careful application of foresight and tact. If you’re more of a general than cannon fodder, here are three amazing strategy games to try.

Civilization VI

Often referred to simply as “Civ Six” this is the latest title in one of the most successful RTS series in history. This 25th anniversary installment of the series carries on the legacy from the previous titles, bringing us a potent, epic soundtrack and beautiful (albeit cartoonish) graphics which will turn your humble gaming desk into an ancient general’s observation post. If you’ve played any of the previous civ titles, you certainly won’t be disappointed by how attentive they’ve been with the gameplay. Having said that, there’s still a few offbeat new innovations, like builders that will expire after three turns, and cities that can be spread over multiple tiles.

Offworld Trading Company

If you’re very experienced with the RTS niche, and you want something that challenges you in a different way, then Offworld Trading Company could be the perfect title for you. While the Civ games are focussed mainly on our history here on earth, Offworld, as you’ve probably guessed, is a sci-fi title, and takes place on our red neighbor: Mars. If you need some action in your strategy games to stay engaged, you may want to give this game a miss. Offworld isn’t focussed so much on sending hordes of monstrous tanks into battle and demolishing bases. Instead, you achieve victory by managing your stocks of weapons, resources and cash in order to manipulate the market and decimate your competitors. You can make alliances and set up benevolent trade agreements, sure. However, if you want your company to survive in this cold and ruthless future where capitalism is everything, you’re going to have to do a little back-stabbing sooner or later!

XCOM 2

XCOM 2 is one of the all-time greats of the strategy genre, and if you enjoyed the previous installments of the series, you’ll have even more fun with this. XCOM 2 manages to combine all the best features from the previous games – the sense of a desperate upheaval, the ragtag band of heroes, the ruthless alien hordes – and improves every last one of them massively! Once again, you play as the commander of six soldiers who you send in to breach a given target. This time, however, it has much more of a guerrilla feel to it, as you play as survivors under the boot of a tyrannical alien dictatorship. The game has a bigger focus on dissidence and sabotage this time around, and even if you’ve never been all that into stealth tactics, I urge you to give this title a try. The whole XCOM fan base has been raving about it!

Book Review: "Give and Take"

"... when concern for others is coupled with a healthy dose of concern for the self, givers are less prone to burning out and getting burned—and they’re better positioned to flourish."

As a part of my professional development plan for 2017, I decided to finally read Give and Take by Adam Grant. I've been recommended this book several times by several different people so I figured it'd be good to get around to actually reading it. I'm so glad I did. I really enjoyed this book. I felt like it was speaking to me at just the right moment as I work to move up and grow in a very different work environment. There is so much good stuff in this book so the short version of this review is me telling you to go out there and get this book now. Here's the long version:

Through a series of interview, stories, and studies, Grant explores the idea that being a "giver" is the best way for someone to get ahead versus the popular notion that we all need to be ruthless "takers". Across all different industries, this theory holds to be true, and Grant gives objective evidence to back it up, much from his own experience as well as that of others. He also gives helpful advice on how to overcome common hurdles for givers, like negotiating, being assertive, and avoiding burnout.

"This is what I find most magnetic about successful givers: they get to the top without cutting others down, finding ways of expanding the pie that benefit themselves and the people around them. Whereas success is zero-sum in a group of takers, in groups of givers, it may be true that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts."

In a world where we're experiencing vast complex hardships, fear, and our social capital is at an all time low, I feel like this book is something we all need to read now more than ever. We can make a better world for all if we work together, trust one another, and build bridges, not walls.

"When people assume that others aren’t givers, they act and speak in ways that discourage others from giving, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy."

"Givers reject the notion that interdependence is weak. Givers are more likely to see interdependence as a source of strength, a way to harness the skills of multiple people for a greater good."

I hope you read this book and integrate more giving into your life in however you see fit.

Thanks for stopping by!

Social Gaming: 5 Tips to Help You Throw an Amazing LAN Party

What gamer doesn’t love to throw an amazing LAN party for their friends? Hours and hours of high-octane gaming, screaming at the top of your lungs and chowing down on pizza and fast food snacks is how many people spent their childhood and teenage years—so why not revisit those moments and throw a LAN party?

One of the most incredible and memorable experiences a gamer can have is relaxing with a group of their friends while playing through some of their favorite games together. It could be online team-based games like League of Legends, old competitive gems like Starcraft or even modern party games like Rocket League. Whatever your choice, you’re bound to have a great deal of fun by inviting your friends over and setting up some space for them to use their computers.

LAN parties have been somewhat forgotten over the past couple of years due to the increase in distance between friends who move away for work or family related reasons, the rise of accessible internet gaming due to fast internet speeds and the lack of LAN support for many newly released games. But it’s still a nerdy gaming ritual that many people still indulge in when given the opportunity. So get a pen and paper out and start planning your glorious LAN party with your friends and family members with these five helpful tips.

Flickr

1. Spacious Seating Arrangements

The more space you can clear the better. LAN parties usually involve people bringing over their own computers, so make sure you can provide them with desk, tables and chairs. You can check out this site for some excellent gaming chairs to fit your budget. The best thing about gaming chairs is that they’re as comfortable and durable as premium office chairs but come with unique design flairs, racing-inspired shapes and many LAN party creature comforts such as being able to recline the seat all the way down to create a makeshift “bed” to sleep in.

If you also plan to use a big-screen television to play console games or if you have a PC setup that uses controllers, you might also want to invest in some large beanbag seats or ensure that your sofa has been cleaned up and all the cookie crumbs have been hoovered up to create a clean and comfortable seat. LAN parties usually involve people sleeping over as well, so ensure that you have enough space for guests to stay over such as spare beds, guest rooms or sleeping bags.

2. Extra Hardware or Computers

One of the worst things that can happen during a LAN party is a piece of crucial hardware breaking or someone forgetting to bring a cable after driving halfway across town to get to your home. It halts the fun, someone will get left out and it won’t be the nostalgic experience that you had hoped for. Things like power cables, network cables, wireless adapters and even monitor cables are extremely important, and there’s always someone that manages to forget a vital piece of equipment for their computer.

If you’re the host of a LAN party then it’s common to always carry some spares or extras so that your guests can game away without worrying too much about hardware failures. You don’t need to have an extra computer or laptop (though that would be handy for anyone that couldn’t bring their computer) but some extra cables, controllers, keyboards and mice will go a long way if you host regular LAN parties in your home.

3. Ensure You Have a Fast Internet Connection

Since most online games require you to have a stable and decently fast internet connection, it’s going to slow down your gaming experience if you have multiple computers connected to a puny router that can’t handle all of the load. To remedy this, check if your internet service provider can upgrade your internet speeds before the LAN party starts. This way you can ensure that everyone in your home gets the optimal internet speeds to make downloading, updating and playing games smooth and fast.

If your router is old and can’t handle multiple wired internet connections, then consider using wireless. Using wireless isn’t recommended for serious gaming, so if you prefer a wired connection it’s a good idea to invest in a simple budget network switch so that everyone can connect to your home network.

Flickr

4. Plan What Games You Want to Play

This is the second worst thing that can happen at a LAN party. If you aren’t playing games then you’re probably sitting around doing nothing. Make sure you make a list of games that you want to play together. You don’t need to conform to a schedule, but making sure that you and your friends share common interests is key to hosting a successful LAN party.

Don’t just pick from the latest releases because you’ve probably played those games to death. How about revisiting some old classics? Heroes of Might and Magic 3 was a popular staple for video game enthusiast and it can still hold its own against modern strategy RPG games of today. Old FPS games like Quake 3 Arena are still a blast to play as well. Though they aren’t as popular as newer team-based FPS games such as Overwatch, you can definitely squeeze an hour or two of nostalgic fun out of older titles. And best of all? Old games support LAN play which means that you’ll get buttery smooth lag-free connections to your friends.

5. Don’t Forget the Food!

How else are you going to fuel your all-night gaming sessions if you don’t eat? Gather up some oven pizza, microwaveable snacks and lots of sugary drinks to keep you and your guests playing all night long. You could also contact a takeaway or catering service if you have a lot of guests or if you want to ensure they have quality food instead of fast food.

You might also want to consider the dietary needs of people. For example, if you have guests that are vegetarian or vegan then you want to have some options ready for them too, and consider allergies as well.

Now go forth and have an awesome party!

Thanks for stopping by!

Books Got You Broke? Find Your Way Back To Reading With These Ideas

What student has time to read? You’re already reading enough for your studies, right? Wrong. For the booklovers among us, there’s no such thing as too much reading! We’re all good at making time for what we want to make time for, after all. The only problem is that new books are expensive! If you’ve been struggling to afford your love of reading, we’ve got some tips to help you find a way back to it!

Flickr Image

VISIT THE LIBRARY

This one should be obvious. You’re a student. You have access to a fantastic library! You could even sign up for your local library and have two options available to you! If you avoid visiting the library because you think the books will be old and uninspiring, it’s time to change your view. Libraries have a range of books, and receive new releases all the time! Not to mention that you should be supporting your library as much as you can. The more use a library gets, the more likely it is to stay open for years to come! Set aside some time in your day to browse the shelves. You’re sure to come away with more than you bargained for!

KINDLE

Buying a Kindle may cost you to start with, but it’ll soon pay for itself. As well as being easy to carry around, and convenient, Kindles offer the chance to buy cheap books! You’ll only receive a file copy of the book in question, so you should be paying a lot less than you would for a physical copy. New releases can still be pricey, so it might be worth holding fire on those. Most of the time, though, you’ll be paying under the odds! There are even free ebooks for Kindle that you could get stuck into.

Flickr Image

SWAP BOOKS WITH FRIENDS

Swapping books with friends can be a lot of fun, and an excellent way to get new books for nothing. You may want to keep a few favorite books for yourself, but you’ll find that you don’t mind giving away many of your reads. You and your friends could set up a swapping club. You could even talk to the people in your building about setting up a swapping library. This can be a fantastic way to discover books you would never come across otherwise!

BUY SECONDHAND

If all else fails, you could always buy books second hand. It’s still going to cost you; there’s no denying that. Even so, it’ll cost a lot less than buying books new. Not to mention that you can trade books when you finish them, and pick up some new ones! After the initial payment, you should just be able to trade. Check this is a service your local second-hand shop offers before you buy.

So, there you have it. Getting books cheap isn’t difficult once you’ve set your mind to it. All it takes is a little planning. Don’t go without anymore. Take advantage of the resources available to you!

Getting The Most Out Of Your Android Phone

No matter the price tag - there are some extremely beefy android phones on the market today. From Oneplus to Samsung and from Motorola to Sony - many manufacturers are producing premium, yet accessible options - meaning almost anyone can get their hands on some serious mobile power. Tariff options from providers are also dropping in price.

So, when you get your hands on the power of a new mobile device bursting to the seams with Android features - what do you do? How can you get the most out of it?

(source)

Firstly, invest in some serious protection. Premium phone options like the Xperia have a large screen surface area and even though the glass is well protected, you’re always a drop away from disaster. A good case is going to protect the chassis and screen of your phone but you cannot go wrong with a tempered glass screen protector that offers so much more safety than the flimsy plastic ones. You’ll be safe from drops for the foreseeable future. What’s more - your screen will be protected from grease and the oils of your fingertips.

Your phone needs to be treated like a computer. Make sure you clean dust from it to prevent the dust and dirt from breaching into the phone. It can cause just as much damage as it does to computers. Compressed air is a great way to blast dust and debris from your phone!

Secondly, you need to keep your phone operational. Again, like a computer it needs to be kept free of old data and files. These do, like dust, build up and can slow your phone down. Enable your photos to auto upload to cloud-based storage to save space - and make sure you rid your phone of apps that you are not using.

Now, let’s talk apps - there are plenty of apps that will enhance your Android user experience - it just depends on what type of person you are!

If you’re an ideas person, look no further than Google Keep or Evernote - these apps are great for jotting down ideas and miscellaneous notes so you’re always in touch with your ideas and have a willing notepad ready and waiting.

If you love your film and TV, look no further than Showbox for your viewing needs. This free app boasts nothing but awesomeness. A great option for catching up and binge watching!

What about the creative types? Well, you have Snapseed at your fingertips to turn your photos into award winning art. The complex editing tool can certainly improve the finished product and turn anyone into a master auteur. Snapseed is a comprehensive photography app, and if you're at any level beyond amateur, you should check it out!

By equipping your phone with some amazing applications and ensuring that it is protected at all times, you can have the best chance of getting the most out of your Android phone - after all, you paid money for it! Why wouldn’t you want to get the best out of it?

The Importance Of Safeguarding Your Computer

What does your computer do for you? If you’re like everyone else, it probably does everything. It helps you study, complete work, relax, play games.

Computers do a lot for us, so we should be doing a lot back for our computers. This isn’t always the case though. Another thing to remember is that our computers hold a lot of data that is key to our livelihoods and safety.

It’s time to take the security and health of your computer seriously.

No matter what you’ve got, be it a desktop or a laptop, it’s important to remove dust from the chassis and components of the computer regularly. This could be by taking the computer apart and spraying the inside with compressed air, or it could be by giving your desk and the surrounding area a good wipe down. It’s vital to ensure there is good ventilation around your workspace so that your computers aren’t constantly overheating and those fans are not sucking in dirt. If they are working harder to cool your computer down, they are going to be attracting more dust and dirt.

Cleaning isn’t just something you perform on the exterior of your computer though. You need to clean the internal software of junk. Like dust, your software attracts temporary files and caches that can fill the hard drive of your computer in no time at all. It’s important to wipe your computer clean of files you don’t need as they will only build up and slow your computer down. Masses of files will lead to a stodgy computing experience and you won’t be getting the best out of your laptop. Try to be consistent with your cleaning and although you should regularly clean out unused files, removing software you do not use is pretty key to the lifespan of your computer. The rule is, if you don’t need it - don’t keep it.

(source)

But what about things you do need? Films and memories. Well, you’ve got to back it up! Backing up your precious files to the cloud is one way, but you should have a number of methods so you can store the files you need, whilst keeping your computer clean. Using physical media such as hard-drives and CD-ROM’s can keep your memories and useful files at your fingertips. If you’re scared of losing your CD’s you can encrypt them with passwords and have them duplicated by a service like Nationwide Disc Replication.

You should also be scanning your computer for viruses and malware on a regular basis. Viruses can infect your computer and hide in your files, which is why regular cleaning is important. Anti-virus software is the best safeguard that you can deploy against the threats that your computer faces. Regular scans could prevent a disaster from occurring.

With simple steps you can safeguard your laptop against physical and digital threats. It’s important that you take the security of your data seriously. Don’t be left out and vulnerable.

These Outlets Got Web Application Design Just Right

Sometimes when we’re brainstorming for a new project, we need a little inspiration to get our creative juices flowing. But most of the time, it’s hard to find inspiration for web applications themselves. Yes, there are plenty of blogs categorising beautiful websites, but when it comes to the applications themselves there isn’t as much material out there.

As a result, this post will focus on some of the best interfaces used right now for existing web apps. Web apps don’t just have to be practical: they can be beautiful too.

Gumroad

Gumroad was set up back in 2011 to be a platform that helps creators sell their products directly to consumers. If for instance, you’re a music artist, Gumroad is a way to bypass music studios and all of the hassle of getting signed and make your work public for anybody to buy and download.

(Flickr)

Being an arty website, you’d expect the design to be awesome, and it is. The colour bars that animate when you click save help to make the whole experience more interactive and bring pages to life. The site also has a clean feel, making it easy to navigate and understand pricing.

Costa Coffee

Costa Coffee didn’t get to become Britain’s favourite coffee shop by chance - not with competitors like Starbucks and Caffe Nero breathing down their necks. Instead, they worked with a Magento agency to produce one of the most beautiful and helpful web apps out there. Everything has a sort of cartoon-like feel, except of course for the products themselves which stand out. There are also tools that help visitors find local stores and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.

Grooveshark

(Flickr)

Grooveshark is a music streaming service based in the US, designed to help users upload, stream and organise digital audio files. The company is going up against the likes of SoundCloud, and to a lesser extent, Spotify, and as a result, they’ve prioritised the aesthetic. The interface is quick and snappy, and like Gumroad there are a lot of clean edges and minimalist lines. Every audio file on the site is labelled and categorised, making the whole site easy to navigate.

AirBnB

Just a couple of years ago, most people hadn’t heard of AirBnB. But thanks to it, and other sharing economy services, like Uber, it’s become a lot more popular. One of the ways it managed to draw people in was the simplicity and beauty of its web app. It knew that it had to make it simple for people to book rooms and hotels in other countries, and so it immediately set about streamlining the process. Now users have all sorts of features, like wish lists as well as smart search. The search bar simply asks users the question “where do you want to go?” It’s that simple to get started.

(Flickr)

There’s also the fact that the colors on the sites are done to perfection. AirBnB knows that the way to sell a holiday is to show pictures of it, so they combine quality photography with a simple colour scheme.

Want To Kill Some Time? Check Out These Awesome Online Gaming Ideas

We’ve all been in situations where we’re seriously bored for periods of time. Luckily, technology makes it hard for us to stay bored for long these days. There’s been a huge growth in the gaming industry which allows us to do so many fun things whenever we have time to kill. Bearing that in mind, here are some great online gaming ideas for when you’re bored:

(Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/eC6sXt)

Run Down The Minutes With An FPS

First person shooters have long been a popular online game for this current generation. Games like Call of Duty, Battlefield, and Counterstrike are played by millions. What makes these games great is that they’re set up so perfectly for killing time. You can hop on a console or PC and jump straight into a Free For All or Team Deathmatch in seconds. The games only last a few minutes, and you can quit them whenever you like too. So, if you have some time to spare before you leave for work, an FPS game is a perfect choice. You can run around, shoot the enemy team, and then leave when it’s time to go to work. These games are quick to set up, and you really don’t have to think too much when playing them.

Pass The Time With Some Online Bingo

Bingo has become such a popular online game for people to play when they’re bored or just looking for some fun. Many people associate bingo with huge halls filled with middle aged women that are looking for ways to kill time with their friends. It’s often been seen as quite a boring game to play, but, times are changing. Nowadays, everyone is at it, thanks to online gaming. You can play bingo on sites like Ladbrokes Bingo and experience the game like never before. You’ll play against people all over the country, and it becomes very fun and competitive. Plus, online bingo often includes cool features that regular bingo can’t boast, like multipliers to increase the winning pot. The best thing is, you stand a chance of earning some cash when you play bingo too, making it an ideal game to play in your spare time.

(Source: https://flic.kr/p/oQ48PJ)

Melt Away The Hours With A Simulation Game

Simulation games are very popular amongst people that want to play something they can return to whenever they please. These games revolve around you simulating something that happens in the real world. A good example of this is a game like Planet Coaster where you build and manage your own theme park. It’s something that you can do whenever you like, and there’s no real way to end the game. You just keep playing and expanding your park and introducing new things, etc. There are other examples out there too like popular franchise The Sims, which was a game that essentially simulated real life. These games are perfect if you’re often left bored for hours each day and want to plug away at something.

These three ideas are all different and offer varying experiences for you. But, they’ll all kill time and help combat your boredom. 

Ultimate Updates to Give Your Gaming Setup a Boost

You've created a great gaming setup in your home, and it's your refuge at the end of a long day. But you can't help feeling that it could be better than it is. Just one or two changes could make it perfect and even good enough to share with someone else. You might already have all of the essentials, but you can always go one step further to make it even better. If you're looking to pimp your gaming setup, there are a few impressive things you can do to make a big difference. Try one of these moves to improve your experience and maybe wow your friends.

Supersize Your Screen

You haven't enjoyed gaming properly until you've done it with a huge screen. There's something about getting a cinematic experience when you're playing that nothing can beat. If you want a larger screen, you don't even need to have that much space available. There are a few options you can choose from to get your wish. The first is having a large TV or computer screen, which you could put on a stand or mount on a wall. Another option is to use a projector. One advantage of this is that you can easily put it away so that it doesn't take up too much space.

From Pexels

Add Accessories to Your Console

Getting accessories for your console is often an ongoing task. You start with the essentials like controllers and headsets. Then you begin to consider other must have accessories, such as remote controls or even just different cables. Some accessories can improve your gaming by speeding things up or giving you better control. You can keep your console healthier using cooling fans or just store more games on a handy external hard drive.

Make It More Comfortable

Creating a more comfortable setup is another way to improve your gaming experience. However, it involves more than just getting a comfy gaming chair. You can also consider the other things that keep you comfortable when you're playing. For example, you might like to have a drink and some snacks within easy reach. You can have some supplies close by, perhaps in a mini fridge or just wherever you have space to put them. The level of lighting in the room might also have an effect on how comfortable you feel. You might want to get some lamps so you can be in control of how much light there is.

Add New Consoles

Of course, the ultimate way to improve your gaming setup might be to add more consoles. Everyone has their favorite, but sometimes there's a game that's not available on your preferred console. They all offer different experiences, so some days you might prefer to use one over the others. Having two or more consoles gives you options if you sometimes feel in a different mood. Of course, you'll need all the latest accessories to go with each of them.

Your gaming setup can always be better. Once you have the basics sorted out, you can continue to add to it to have more fun and keep improving!

Gifts That Will Make Any Gamer's Christmas

Like countless parents, girlfriends, and students out there, you might have a gamer who means a lot to you, and naturally you’ll want to get them a thoughtful gift for Christmas. However, if you don’t know the difference between a Necromorph and a Koopa Troopa, buying for the gamer in your life can be an extremely hard thing to do. Being the nerd that I am, I figured I’d do my duty, and give you all some ideas that will make your gamer’s Christmas one to remember!

New Graphics Card

Ask a cross-section of people what the most important part of a computer is, and you’ll get a wide range of answers. For gamers though, the answer is obvious: the graphics card. This is the part of a PC that has the biggest impact on the gamer’s overall experience, dictating how detailed the maps are, how smooth and responsive their commands are, and generally how great the game looks. There are a wide range of gaming-standard graphics cards out there, which start at around $200. Just make sure you do a little recon before going out and buying one. Your gamer probably has a pretty competent graphics card as it is, and you’re only going to waste money if you get them anything lower than what they’re using!

New Headset

Source: Pixabay

Just like the mouse, graphics card and CPU, the gaming headset your gamer uses is going to be an important part of their setup. The quality of the earphones will dictate how crisp and sharp every monster’s roar, every swoosh of a sword, and every gunshot sounds. It will also ensure they hear other gamer’s groans and insults clearly, and come up with the best response! By the same token, the quality of the mic will ensure everyone in your gamer’s lobby hears exactly what they’ll do if another player keeps spawn-camping. If your gamer’s headset is a little worse for wear, then this could be the gift that makes their whole year. Try to find out about the one they’re already using, then source some detailed reviews any headset that’s a little better.

Steam Voucher

So, what if your gamer doesn’t need any new gear this Christmas? Usually, I’d never recommend getting vouchers for anyone as a gift. Why would you take currency, which you can spend anywhere, and convert it into credit which is tied to a single store? When it comes to us gamers though, it’s a different story. For hardcore PC gamers, money exists for two reasons and only two: upgrading their setup, and buying things on Steam! If you weren’t already aware, Steam is the largest online gaming market in the world. If you’ve known the gamer in your life long enough, you probably would have seen the iconic logo a few times. Here, your gamer can buy and review new blockbusters, along with niche indie games and DLC for pretty much any title. It may feel a bit impersonal, but believe me your gamer won’t be disappointed!