Have a super Monday, and... don't forget to mask up out there!
Wearing masks stops the spread, so imagine COVID-19 if everyone acted accordingly and wore their masks. People are dying, people are losing their jobs, people are being evicted, companies are losing business, essential workers are getting sick, and that only increases the scarcity of everything when you think about it. It doesn't require you to wear it in your car, just wear it in stores and public buildings around others, and when you're in crowded spaces and areas where you will interact with things where the public, in general, will go (i.e. gas stations).
Not sure what type of mask is most effective? Take a look at this lab test from June, where the Florida Atlantic University researchers developed a cough emulator lab configuration to determine what the most effective mask would be. The focus is air droplets and how effective certain masks are, and we have the most effective masks in the test available for you w/ a coupon code to save 15% off. So take a look at the video to verify for yourself, and... let's flatten the curve.
The surface of Mars is littered with Humanity’s failed attempts to colonize its surface. This time will be different - this time there is no room for human error.
Per Aspera is a planetary simulation game that combines hard science fiction and base building and takes the experience planet-wide. Step into the role of AMI, an Artificial Consciousness with the prime directive of terraforming Mars for human colonization.
FEATURES:
Balance a complex well of resources to build interconnected structures that span the entire planet.
Customize your planet with branching research trees that allow players to tailor their terraforming plan — Develop new technologies, steeped in real-world science, to create a thriving interplanetary civilization.
Cultivate relationships with your human colonists and ensure their continued survival on Mars’ unforgiving surface. How you choose to forge these relationships will impact how your mission concludes.
Uncover the mystery of a threatening presence on Mars and defend your colonies from unknown and combative forces.
Immerse yourself in a rich, compelling narrative or take your time and craft the perfect Martian landscape with Sandbox Mode.
Includes the immersive voice acting talents of Troy Baker, Phil LaMarr, Laila Berzins, Yong Yea, Lynsey Murrell, and Nneka Okoye.
Using scientific theories proposed by real space agencies and geographical data directly from NASA, Per Aspera presents life-like conditions and challenges steeped in theoretical science.
Per Aspera contains a rich narrative that presents players with difficult decisions with planet-wide consequences. See the world through the eyes of an infant AI as it traverses a complicated ocean of self-discovery and shapes the fate of the human race. Navigate your ever-evolving programming to adapt to morally challenging concepts and forge relationships with the human colonists that look to you for their continued survival. The choices you make will impact how your mission ultimately concludes.
Keep your wits about you as this is not the first time humans have tried to tame the Red Planet. Expose long-forgotten relics of Humanity’s failed attempts, learn from their past mistakes, and uncover a looming menace that threatens to see you fail at any cost.
Step into the vibrant, ever-evolving world of Red Dead Online and experience life across frontier America.
Forge your own path as you battle lawmen, outlaw gangs, and ferocious wild animals to build a life on the American frontier. Build a camp, ride solo, or form a posse and explore everything from the snowy mountains in the North to the swamps of the South, from remote outposts to busy farms and bustling towns. Chase down bounties, hunt, fish, and trade, search for exotic treasures, run your own underground Moonshine distillery or become a Naturalist to learn the secrets of the animal kingdom and much more in a world of astounding depth and detail.
Join millions of fellow players in the American West, and experience a world now packed with years’ worth of new features, gameplay, and additional enhancements.
Includes Red Dead Online. Red Dead Redemption 2: Story Mode must be purchased separately.
• Call of the Sea A first-person adventure puzzle game set in the 1930s that tells the story of Norah, a woman on the trail of her missing husband’s expedition. Explore a lush island paradise, solve puzzles, and unlock secrets in this otherworldly tale of mystery and love.
• The Call of the Sea Original Soundtrack A beautiful mix of adventure, mystery, romance, and melancholy, that sets the mood of the game and transports you to the mysterious nameless island, featuring 23 songs composed by Eduardo de la Iglesia.
• The Art of Call of the Sea A selection of concept art, sketches, and 3D renders of the beautiful environments, characters, locations, and puzzles featured in the game. This downloadable book contains large, full-color pages, that take you on a journey in the definition of the art style and the different visual directions throughout Call of the Sea development.
South Korea, Japan, and... United Arab Emirates came close!
This was shared with us yesterday, but wasn't this to be expected with the boost in promos about the game headed to launch? I don't think it's that shocking but I thought it would be fun to show where the most interest was coming from! Let's look at the top 10 Countries with the greatest interest in... Cyberpunk 2077, which is available now!!!!! Feels like the 25th... is already here!
Top 10 Global Interest in Cyberpunk 2077 (on Google from Nov 8 - Dec 5)
Before I jump into this review, I have to give a shout out to Warner Bros for supplying Steven Universe: The Complete Collection... for this review. Secondly, I can't even say anything else right now... just... check out this sweet unboxing!
I can't recall seeing a collection presented like this before, it's like a book (as you see) and each page is a sleeve for the 15-discs... cataloging each episode. I love that about this collection, it's a creative way to house discs versus the standard case and booklet. Love it!
Story: This six-time Emmy-nominated show revolves around a half-human... and half-gem by the name of Steven Universe, who doubles as a heroic klutz that kinda sorta reminds me of Peter Griffin. He makes up 1/4th of the Crystal Gems that protect Earth. The rest of the team consists of Garnet, Amethyst, and... Pearl.
The episodes are served up as... minisodes about 12 minutes each, and... wraps heroic action in with digestible normalcy. I think show's like The Simpsons, Family Guy, and so forth... make this show even more embraceable... because it delivers a similarly laid-back approach while at the same time taking its own action-packed adventurous direction. The show progresses, while also delivering the day to day life that doesn't really seem to contribute to anything except for situational comedy.
Steven is described as the little brother of the team, and you can easily see that as the rest of the team looks after him... or tries to get him to stay put during his attempts to tagalong.
Considering his klutzy nature, and his inability to control his powers (initially)... it's the perfect reason to take the bench, but... his persistence gives the show charm. You have the hero missions that showcase Steven's potential, while also grounding things by way of his interactions around Beach City (the day to day as mentioned above). Everyone pretty much treats him like a nuisance... outside of the Crystal Gems... who don't really interact with anyone in the city unless the baddies show up.
I feel for Steven because he didn't get the chance to meet his mother... who gave up her physical form in order to give birth to him. He doesn't really show it initially, but he did get upset with one of the teens in town who said something about his mom... and he responded that he doesn't even know his own mom. Luckily the rest of the team sort of acts like a surrogate family, even if I don't understand why he doesn't live with his dad... but the show almost seems to sell this notion that he's in better hands with the Crystal Gems because his dad is too irresponsible.
Fun fact: Steven Universe is loosely based on Rebecca Sugar's brother.
Garnet is definitely the leader of the group (outside of the late Rose Quartz), strong, and silent... but she's up for a good time.
Amethyst reminds me of the little sister of the group that slightly older than Steven. She is super mischievous and tends to be the rebel of the group.
Pearl reminds me a little of Garnet, she's disciplined... while at the same she has her individuals quirks. She's particular and doesn't like for things to be untidy, she reminds me of a responsible teenager... still a bit on the immature side but she dances on that line with maturity. I label her like that because it doesn't take much to annoy her... as far as Amethyst is concerned.
Steven Universe: The Movie... takes the collection and wraps things up in a musical bow. I respect the fact that it's included in the complete collection because it provides information about the past while ushering you into Steven Universe Future. The movie isn't just a bridge that fills in holes, the Crystal Gems are faced with an enemy that basically forced them into a hard reset... outside of Steven's human half.
The mission, which he chose to accept... is to basically recover the memory of the Gems while also saving the earth (not to minimize the second part).
There is also a kinda-sorta silly yet dangerous twist in there that I won't spoil (outside of pending doom), but I think it was nicely laid out.
I think the music was digestible for the most part... because it wasn't just music accompanying you on the adventure, it was part of the plan... and the movie was wrapped up well. I still think that more could have been expressed where Steven's mom is concerned (and even Pearl to an extent), but... I'll leave it. I just think it would've made the movie more complete... (for me) when it comes to the antagonist, but I enjoyed it overall. You'll see what I mean.
You can watch the movie as a standalone, especially with those who aren't big on watching shows... but wait until you reach that area of the collection. It doesn't replace Steven Universe (the show) but at the same time, the show would be more appreciated if you don't jump ahead. I'm glad they didn't just tuck the movie in the back, they maintained the order of where it should be.
Speaking of where they should be, Steven Universe Future... is the cherry on top. When I tell you this is a truly Steven Universe: The Complete Collection, I think they did a fantastic job rounding it out from beginning to end. Steven Universe Future is... where they are now, with the charm still intact.
Visuals:As far as visuals are concerned, the art style caught my eye years back via Steven Universe: Soundtrack Attack... which makes sense as a rhythm game when I think about it. That's the first time I learned about Steven Universe... and I described the visuals (at the time) as sort of block'sh art style. It's still cool looking and doesn't cling on to traditional.
Audio + Extras:As far as audio goes, I think they nailed it. The sound is fantastic, and I'm wondering if they went the extra mile there based on the musical elements of the show. It also stood out to me during one particular concert scene that the surround sound was being utilized in the movie, and I literally jumped out of my chair going from speaker to speaker just to make sure. It lists Dolby Digital 2.0 on the box, but maybe that's not the case for the movie.
As far as extras are concerned, (dude) you're looking at hours of all-new bonus content that include:
Animatics, Minisodes, Commentary, Steven Universe The Movie: Sing-A-Long, etc. Things like the Sing-A-Long would be appreciated by those who like to sing... while things like the Animatics + Pitches would be appreciated by aspiring artists and others pursuing opportunities in the industry.
Price: In total, you're looking at 2062 Minutes worth of content across 15 discs... priced at the suggested retail price of $89.99, though you can grab the collection here for $69.99. Could they have added anything extra? You know I'm always game for extra... but they didn't have to based on what you get. A Steven Universe keychain would've been a nice touch... if they didn't deliver the collection in this awesome package.
Con: One drawback I have about the collection, actually has nothing to do with the shows and the movie... it's the awesome package they reside in. It's a sweet package (don't get me wrong), it's just this one thing... which is that the pages are... uhhh a little tight in this collection, so much so that you can't just slide the discs out. I want to mention this to those of you who plan to get your hands on the collection because I don't advise trying to pull the discs out the traditional way... because it would only set your collection on a path to Scratch City.
Tip: I'd advise turning the book over and tapping them out far enough to get a light grip. Once you get them out far enough... I'd suggest leaving the discs out far enough to where they're just shy of the top of the case. This will allow you to pull them out, enjoy some Steven Universe action and... maintain the quality of your discs. While reviewing the collection, I put the book back into the protective case to prevent the dust from collecting... which could also compromise the collection.
If you're a collector who doesn't want to open your package, you can still enjoy Steven Universe: The Complete Collection on digital.
Overall, I can't say much that wasn't already said above. Damn good collection, and you're basically getting two shows + a movie w/ all the extra fixings tucked into a package worth being showcased.
It's that time again, I hope your Monday is off to a great start... sending thanks out to the essential workers doing what they have to do in order to provide the needs that keep our society going. At the same time, I have to give a thumbs down to the people going out of their way to make that task more difficult than it has to be. That makes zero sense, and we can't get back to a no mask life until the spread stops. There are literally people who don't seem to get it until they... get covid, and unfortunately, some of these people don't make it. Mask up and have a safe enjoyable week!
Xsplit was so laggy this week, I was wavering on whether to even do the M.U.M. this week. I'm going to mess with some settings and do some test recording this week, and if it still sucks... I'll just switch up. I did want to show that the W was obtained... but yikes.
Wearing masks stops the spread, so imagine COVID-19 if everyone acted accordingly and wore their masks. People are dying, people are losing their jobs, people are being evicted, companies are losing business, essential workers are getting sick, and that only increases the scarcity of everything when you think about it. It doesn't require you to wear it in your car, just wear it in stores and public buildings around others, and when you're in crowded spaces and areas where you will interact with things where the public, in general, will go (i.e. gas stations).
Not sure what type of mask is most effective? Take a look at this lab test from June, where the Florida Atlantic University researchers developed a cough emulator lab configuration to determine what the most effective mask would be. The focus is air droplets and how effective certain masks are, and we have the most effective masks in the test available for you w/ a coupon code to save 15% off. So take a look at the video to verify for yourself, and... let's flatten the curve.
