Check out the latest Blu + You Podcast where I respond to a recent videogame study... because it's not exactly black and white. There's a gray area worth talking about, even if addiction is real. Plus, you may find an interest in what games are played the most by those who exhibit gaming-dependent behaviors.
Shout out to Good Shepherd for supplying Transport Fever 2 for this review.
We're going... we're going... we're going on a trip... Trains, Ships, Planes, and Automobiles... Transport Fever 2... is... here!
Transport Fever 2 is a business simulation game focused on the transportation industry, and your job is to make the road, water, railroad and airways work for the citizens + industries in the surrounding areas... without crashing and burning financially.
Tip: If you're new to Transport Fever, I recommend starting off in the campaign so that you can get a good feel for the gameplay while being walked through the UI (which still has a bit of a learning curve to it).
That said... I urge newcomers to get nice and familiar with the interface so that your investment in Transport Fever 2 is worth it. The campaign will get you started but... I still recommend having an interface reference on hand until you're able to flow without one... trust me, it just makes the experience better.
One thing this game should have... is a digital manual to get newcomers over that hump with the UI, because some people get turned off by the learning curve in some games. It doesn't have to be a full blown manual... but have something to make sense of the UI so the focus can be on the gameplay.
I have spoken with the development team, and i'm happy to report that they're working on a Wiki for Transport Fever 2 (soooo... stay tuned)!
While in-game hit "ESC" and then go to "Settings"... followed by "Controls" to access the key mapping. I took some time to list the default key map here:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1988964654
Fun factor: Sims aren't games that I normally play (in the traditional sense)... but when I do, I want them to be enjoyable, and Transport Fever 2 checks out with addicting + challenging gameplay. It doesn't get me hype like some of the big action titles, but it definitely keeps me engaged for a lengthy period of time (unlike some of the action games that get me hype)... to the point that I have to set a timer to make sure that I'm not playing into the wee hours of the morning.
I love constructing roads and tracks in this game, making bridges and all that good stuff (use "," to go higher and create bridges, use "." to go lower and create underground tunnels). Watching the world come alive and grow in Transport Fever 2 is pretty cool, and as an artist... setting up locations with a beautiful looking layout is quite enjoyable (especially when its a functional design).
Oh yeah... there is a part of Florida with a huge circular road... (huge) which will probably end up being in my next layout if I can get everything placed just right. If it can work in reality, i'm curious to see how well it would work in a digital city.
Another thing I like about Transport Fever 2 is that you have a good variety of assets available.
Assets can be placed in your layout to pull off your desired look. You aren't just laying out the transport routes, you can place a variety of assets like trees, rocks, hills, mountains, canyons, valleys, benches, fences, etc.
Etcetera's are part of the replay value... so i'll get to those later.
Setting things up... super fun... no one taking the bus... frustrating, but keep at it if you're trying to create something beyond a basic layout.
I will help you out with getting those stubborn city slickers and townsters to your trains: 1st... You need to connect a road to the train station (duh of the day). 2nd... Add a bus or tram stop near the train station, and then follow up by placing additional bus and/or tram stations around the cities. 3rd... Add a Depot for road vehicles. 4th... Click on the Depot so that you can buy some Passenger vehicles (buy at least 2 or 3 based on the size of your city or town). If it's a small location, perhaps 1 would work to get you started. Nothing wrong with slow and steady, especially if it helps you get a flow before you build upon that. 5th... Go to Line Manager and set up a line that goes to each of those bus or tram stops and over to the train station (you're basically creating a circle). *Make sure the stops are on the side of the road where the bus or tram will reach them easily so that they don't have to go on the opposite side of the street and slow things down. Pat yourself on the back from that point... you should have successfully set up a route for your citizens to utilize the train.
Just a heads up: While you're having fun building away... don't forget that you have a loan that needs to be paid off, so you have to aim at getting some income going ASAP so that you aren't paying more in interest than necessary. My account is currently doing a dance between 5 and 6 million in the game as I get things leveled off, if your earnings remain in the blue... you're holding steady. If it dips, don't fret... because once the passengers begin to pour in and your city grow, it should shift (if not, just find out where transportation is needed for passengers and/or cargo).
Visuals:Transport Fever 2 is visually cool in both low and high res. Clearly it's going to look better in higher res, but... if you need to go to that lower setting, I don't think you're going to miss much. I didn't notice much of a change as seen below... minus the lines and shadow looking a little less clean in the low res image (leaves and grass have a bit more depth in high res but... you don't really notice).
By the way, you get the option of taking a tour of your transportation layout (so make it look good, i'd probably recommend high res for the tour... since it takes you ground level). It would be great to actually check out the inside of the trains and what not... but who knows what updates are down the track.
Low resolution:
Highest resolution:
The User Interface is nice and is simple enough not to feel overwhelmed, but you still have to get nice a familiar with it... to avoid being lost in the sauce. That's crucial, because you'd be surprised how quick certain games are abandoned by some gamers based on how complicated the UI is. Start out slow on a small scale so that you're able to get a feel for the UI, you could still get that feeling of being in the deep end if you bite off more than you can chew so pace yourself and get a good rhythm going.
Another thing I love visually about this game is just seeing the world transform as once transportation in the area starts to pick up... as well as when the time progresses (communities grow, but also you will see some locations go from a small structure to a freaking skyscrapper). You can also click on buildings and find out the year they were built.
(Look at the account amount... things got real bad before the turn around.)
Replay Value: When it comes to replay value, you get tons and tons of it! You're able to customize your layouts to your hearts content, the map generator gives you unpredictable results to challenge yourself but... also the etceteras (like the mods in the Steam Workshop).
Mods range from scenarios, vehicles, stations, tracks/streets, depots, buildings, assets, and more. Did I forget to mention that you can create and share your own mods here as well? Well... you can! I think this would be a really cool plus not only for the gamers who enjoy new content, but also inspiring game developers who want to show off their mods.
The map generator allows you to change up the amount of Hilliness, Water, Mainland, Forest, and Islands (based on what type of terrain you prefer). All you have to do is a tiny shift of the bar and you will see a change to the lay of the land.
Temperate (Easiest to start with)
Hilliness (Eliminate these completely if you want to get a good feel of how to make things do what they do... before jumping into more challenging maps.)
Water
Forest
Dry
Canyons
Mesas
Ridges
Water
Forest
Tropical (New to the franchise and allows you to get more use out of your ships)
Hilliness
Mainland
Forest
Islands
In addition to these options for your map, you also get to choose between vehicle types... based on location (Europe | USA | Asia).
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The campaign is presented in chapters, like in Chapter 1... you have 6 missions. So you aren't just doing your own thing...you're being put to the challenge.
By the way... shout out to the team for this Editor's Note:
"The campaigns aim to portray key milestones in the history of transportation, as vividly as possible in their historical context. They also deal with dark chapters in the world's events, whereby the corresponding episodes are never supposed to be downplayed, and the victims within them never ridiculed. After all, it shouldn't be left by the wayside that the history of transportation was often and still is a story of conflicts, oppression, and sometimes great suffering. Accordingly, the value judgments conveyed in the individual missions do not reflect the developers' own values."
The starting dates range from the 1850's to the year 2000, but no worries... time goes beyond the year 2000 (so game on!). It's crazy to think about the year 2000, because some of you weren't even born then.
Oh yeah... when it comes to the music, it was just okay for me. It wasn't really something I could get into, I end up just playing something in the background.
One con that I could give it regarding the learning curve... should be taken care of via the pending Wiki (which was also created for the first installment), but before the launch of future installments they should have a UI map available regardless. Also, a suggestion I would give the team is... give us the ability to change up the transportation routes. I don't want to do new lines, and if we do have the option to alter those routes... it needs to be easier to identify.
Price: Transport Fever 2 rolls in at $39.99, which is sweet. I noticed that it was almost 50% less than it could've been and instantly gave it a thumbs up (after my experience of course). There is plenty to enjoy at this price point, especially with the level of replay value in the game and in the Steam Workshop so make that... two thumbs up! By the way, you get 61 achievements to unlock.
Overall, I had fun with Transport Fever 2... even in the height of my frustrations... I came back again and again. One of my biggest goals is to make one of the smallest little big cities I can that just rakes in the income like crazy, but there is still quite a bit for me to learn... so when its time for me to cross that bridge...I'll be ready. It's time for me to do some more tinkering, so until next time... game on!
Fun Factor 3 (This took a hit based on the learning curve)
The ever popular Disney's Tsum Tsum is now available on the Nintendo Switch™!
The cute little characters from Disney's Tsum Tsum step foot into a toy store, where they can have a blast playing ten different party games, including curling, hockey, and more! Enjoy many modes of play such as cooperative and versus play. Choose your favorite Tsum and have a good time with friends and family!
What's more, you can go online to play with players from around the world!
Including the classic puzzle game, Tsum Tsum offers worldwide online multiplayer support for the first time ever!
With the World Health Organization announcing it’ll officially recognize video game addiction as a mental disorder and countries like China taking extreme measures aimed at curbing the problem, video game addiction has recently gotten a lot of attention.
But are gamers really taking their hobby too far? My team at Clutch, the platform aimed at helping gamers find community, was curious to know. Using a modified version of the Greenfield Video Game Addiction Test, we survey over 1,570 gamers to find who is most likely to be exhibiting gaming-dependent behaviors, which games are the most addictive, and what parts of their lives would gamers be willing to give up for their game. A quick look at what we found:
Over 1 in 4 (27.8%) gamers in our survey exhibit gaming-dependent behaviors that correspond with potential video game addiction
Games with the most players exhibiting gaming-dependent behaviors? Minecraft, Red Dead Redemption, and For Honor
Women are more likely to be prone to video game addiction: women spend more minutes per gaming session and are more likely to play games every day
Minecraft also has the highest number of adult players who still depend on their parents for financial support
As with any health-related issue, more clinical research is required before links can be made between video games and addiction. But the self-reported experience of the gamers in our study does seem to indicate that there are some games and gamers that are more correlated with addictive behavior than others. - Nelson Garcia
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Video Game Addiction... hmmm. It can definitely be a problem, even if we love gaming and our interest in games is huge... we still need and indulge in downtime and non-gaming related activities. It's not the only addiction out there, like some people can sit around and watch TV the entire day... binge-watching show after show losing track of time and so on (but it can certainly be one).
I'm not a doctor, even if I was in the Mental Health field at one point... but if I can give any suggestions it would be to apply some moderation to everything you do. Variety is a beautiful thing, and we've mentioned this when it comes to game genres to avoid burn out but... even when it comes to gaming it doesn't hurt. Get outside, get away from the screen, play a tabletop RPG with friends or get with your favorite people and... do something else.
The data about Minecraft players is the most shocking, but... at the same time, there are all sorts of reasons some people log many hours in games (it's not always an addiction vs being one of few options). Not saying that it should be done to an unhealthy degree, but... there are people who game more often than not because that's their social life. There are people who have no one to communicate with on a day-to-day basis as often as when they're gaming, some people live in rural areas... some people are new to certain areas and don't know anyone. The list goes on (i.e. those with certain physical challenges).
As far as being a dependent, I know for a fact that some people game a lot as an escape during that window of unemployment... and let's not forget about a large number of people with college degrees and nothing but debt to show for it. Unemployment isn't always a choice and I don't know anyone who job hunts 24 hours a day.
It can be extremely complicated, and in order for some to avoid being depressed... they game... sometimes a crap ton to avoid hopelessness from kicking in. In February 2019 the National Institute of Mental Health estimated that 17.3 million adults in the United States (alone) had at least one major depressive episode, which represents 7.1% of all adults in the Nation.
By the way, as gamers... many of us stream or know streamers who game for a living or have hopes to game for a living. There are also plenty of people making videos on YouTube, whether it be gaming or otherwise... in hopes of gaining enough followers, enough views, enough likes, and enough etceteras to make ends meet.
Scenarios vary and it's not always a hobby.
Ever seen some people walk away from their YouTube channels and streaming endeavors once they get a "good enough" job? I didn't say "just walk away" because it's not always that easy but... it makes sense if they're able to breathe easier and become more independent with their newfound opportunity. Some come back because it's still a passionate pass time... but not as often because that window of unemployment is now gone.
To sum it all up, it's complicated and one study won't be able to pinpoint everything related to those who log hours upon hours in games. For what it's worth, I do wish the best for those who are actually fighting a gaming addiction because other necessities can fall by the wayside... including one's health. Take care of yourself... and game on... responsibly!
The Phoenix Point review is just around the corner... stay tuned! - Blu
DESCRIPTION
Phoenix Point is the new strategy game from the creator of the original X-COM series. It features turn based tactics and world based strategy in a fight against a terrifying, alien menace. Your enemy will mutate and evolve in response to your tactics, creating a huge variety of challenges and surprises for you on the battlefield.
This product is available in: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Plurinational State of, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jamaica, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Poland, Republic, Romania, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten (Dutch part), Slovakia, Slovenia, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of, Virgin Islands, British
Be the hero in the ultimate Star Wars™ battle fantasy with Star Wars™ Battlefront™ II: Celebration Edition! Get Star Wars Battlefront II and the complete collection of customization content acquirable through in-game purchase from launch up to – and including – items inspired by Star Wars™: The Rise of Skywalker™ when they release December 17, 2019. The Celebration Edition contains:
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More than 25 Hero Appearances - Including six Legendary Appearances, plus one Appearance each for Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren inspired by Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, coming December 17
More than 125 Trooper and Reinforcement Appearances
More than 100 Hero and Trooper Emotes and Voice Lines
More than 70 Hero and Trooper Victory Poses.
Put your mastery of the blaster, lightsaber, and the Force to the test in Capital Supremacy’s massive, multiplayer tug-of-war. Battle alone against AI foes in Instant Action. Play together with friends through exciting Co-Op missions. Partake in large conflicts on iconic planets and with characters across three Star Wars eras. Additionally, experience intense battles on an exotic new battlefront with Reinforcements inspired by Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, starting December 17. Celebrate two years’ worth of free updates and content since launch alongside the game’s thriving community. Live out the Star Wars battles of your dreams. Heroes are born on the battlefront.
KEY FEATURES
The Complete Collection of Customization Content* – Own more than 150 Hero, Trooper, and Reinforcement cosmetic Appearances, including six of Legendary value, and over 170 Emotes and Victory Poses to express yourself during or after a match. Plus, get Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Appearances for Finn, Rey, and Kylo Ren on December 17, 2019. Look elegant, scruffy, or anything in between with Star Wars Battlefront II: Celebration Edition.
Immerse Yourself in the Finale of the Skywalker Saga – Deploy on an exotic new planet and enjoy Hero Appearances and Reinforcements inspired by Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, starting December 17, 2019. Celebrate two years’ worth of free game updates since launch – including online Co-Op, massive offline battles against AI foes in Instant Action, and the non-linear, multiplayer tug-of-war between planetary surfaces and capital ships in Capital Supremacy – alongside the game’s thriving community. There’s never been a better time to step out on the battlefront.
Huge Star Wars Battles Across Three Eras – Meet your destiny as Luke Skywalker on Death Star II. Get boots on the ground in massive Clone Wars conflicts. Lead the First Order to dominance as Kylo Ren. Rebel against the Empire. Crush the Resistance. Whether you want to be the hero, villain, or elite trooper, there’s a Star Wars battle fantasy for everyone in Star Wars Battlefront II: Celebration Edition.
