Further Thoughts
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Welcome to another edition of Danny Designs! On This edition I take the time to talk about the campaign of Gears of War 4. I take a deeper look at the campagin, story and plot of Geas of War 4. Far too often people dismiss Gears and being a "Bro Shooter", it was time for someone to look at Gears of War 4's campaign with a critcal eye.
Further Thoughts
- After 25 years the COG didn't develop any new guns: The game does not introduce any new COG weapons, technically you can argue that the DeeBees and their weapons count, I am however dissappointed by the lack of any new COG weapons to add to the arsenal.
- The Prolouge has nothing to do with the narrative of the game: It's purpose was just to inform players on the overall history of Gears of War. A prolouge featuring the main cast of characters would have served the plot better.
-Pacing: The pace of the game feels uneven. Once the game starts going, we hit a couple walls. And once the game comes to an ened, there is a huge sense of "Thats it?". The first couple acts are slow and the final act feels rushed.
- Legacy of the Fenix: I understand why they felt that they needed to bring Marcus back in this game, but I feel that it was a bad move because how underdeveloped the new characters are. Especially when the story has us literally chase after Marcus, he becomes a central element in the plot rather then a mentor to JD. There is no passing of the torch when he is still intergral to the plot of the game.
- CO-OP: Minor point here, but this could have easily been a 4 player co-op game in terms of narrative. For example, there is no reason why Oscar could not have joined you on your mission, He is written out of the game. 4 player co-op is much more demanding to design for and is a huge undertaking, which is why I undertand why they decided to keep it 2 player.
- Fabricator: This is something that I instantly did not like. The idea of a 3D printer is fine, but the Fabricator is presented as a magic device that instantly creates anything and everything you need. It just doesn't feel right in this universe.
- Defense Missions: These sections were dreadful. One of the biggest issues with these 3 wave missions was that they didn't even provide you with enough energy to construct the items inside of the Fabricator! What is the point of having the Fabricator if you can only build a single barricade?! Give us a ton of energy and allow us to build a real defensive position and then just unleash enemies accordingly.
- Defense Missions II: These feel like they only exist as a way to shoehorn in elements from Horde Mode into the campaign.
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As a hobbyist streamer I know that it can be intimidating to get started. There is a lot to learn and a ton of equipment to get your hands on. What kind of microphone should I get? What is the best headset? How expensive is a green screen? Where can a new streamer find everything they need?
I decided to answer the call and organize everything you would need in one place, under my website. So when someone asks "What do I need to start streaming?" or "What is a good microphone to stream with?" all they will need to do is visit the Stream Store! Everything they need (excluding the PC/Game Console) can be found! Getting Started
So you want to get started streaming? The first thing you should do is identify what your goal is. Do you just want to do it on the weekends during your free time for fun? Do you want to try and do it regularly in hopes of making it a part time job?
Once you know that you can then move onto equipment. Are you going to need a microphone or will a headset suffice? Do you want to have a green screen and webcam? Figure this out and then see what is available and what the prices are. For example, a basic webcam can cost about $20 and that will be perfect for someone who is just streaming for fun. But if you want full 1080p quality, you are going to want to pick up a more powerful webcam. Start Small and Scale Up
Regardless what your end goal is I would recommend you start small and build up. Don't feel pressured to convert your room into a full recording studio with the most expensive equipment just because you feel that you have to. When I started streaming, I was using the twitch app on xbox and the basic xbox headset. It got the job done. Now that I've been streaming for a while, I slowly upgrade to a better mic, pop filter,capture card and added some acoustic foam to the walls.
Keep in mind that buying everything all at once can be very expensive. It can also be very discouraging to have spent hundreds of dollars on your set up only to find out that you have no viewers. Equipment is one thing, but establishing yourself as an interesting twitch personality is something money can't buy.
Research Equipment Before You Buy
F.A.QQ: What can I find in the Stream Store?
A: Capture cards, Microphones, Acoustic Foam and more! Everything you would need to get started streaming or improve your setup! The only things you won't find is a computer or gaming console. We assume that you already have a platform capable of streaming.
Q: Where can I find the Stream Store?Q: How do I shop on the Stream Store?
A: Every item is organized by category. Select the category you like, browse the items and then add them to your cart. Once you have all the items you want in your cart, proceed to check out! You will be prompted to sign into your Amazon account and finalize your purchase.
Q: Does the Stream Store have sales?
A: Anytime an item goes on sale on Amazon, it will be on sale on the Stream Store!
Q: What is something I buy turns out to be defective or I want to return it?
A: You would have to return it through Amazon.com's return center.
Q: Is the Stream Store safe to use?
A: Yes! It is powered by and run through Amazon.com. It is as safe as using Amazon.
Spread the Word!
If you like what I am doing here, please feel free to spread the word! You can spread the word on twitter with the hashtag #StreamStore and you can share the link to the store by linking people to dannylv100.com or via the direct link.
If you are a streamer, I would love to hear your feedback! Want to add a new category? Have a recommendation? Shoot me an email: [email protected] or tweet me!
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Originally posted on 8/24/2012
Capture the Flag? In Gears?
I have been wanting to talk about this topic for quite some time. I am an avid Gears of War player and a big fan of the franchise. You can safely assume I love Gears 3. I have spent hours playing and studying this game. In fact I love to look at the top downs for the mulitplayer levels and dissect them. As someone with a degree in level and game design I been itching to try my hand at designing levels and game modes for multiplayer.
As someone who visits the Gears forums on a regular basis one thread in particular caught my eye. It was a thread talking about adding a Capture the Flag (CTF) mode into Gears. I read this thread awhile back and I saw that my fellow Gears enthusiasts wanted a objective game mode that was familiar to them. Capture the flag is a very common game mode found in most popular First Person Shooters throughout time.
If you're familiar with CTF you know that most games have certain mechanics and rules that are specifically for that mode. In the Halo series the player with the flag runs slower and can't use their primary weapon. Certain actions such as equipping a weapon will cause the player to drop the flag.
Gears 3 was the first time the community was introduced to Team Deathmatch (TDM), a very common mode found in almost every First Person Shooter. Why not introduce a CTF mode? After all Halo has one, Call of Duty has one. The question is "Would these mechanics work within Gears of War 3?" From the perspective of a designer and fan...not directly at least.
Gears of War 2 - Submission
Now you might be saying that Gears 2 did in fact have a CTF mode called "Submission". It was what the developers called "CTF with a Gears twist".
In this game mode players attempted to capture an AI controlled "meat flag" and bring them to a designated zone in order to win the game. When the player is holding the meat flag their speed is decreased to a slow crawl and they can only use pistols.
Submission in my opinion was an underrated game mode. I loved it! I would play private matches with friends all the time. However, this isn't really a Capture the Flag mode now is it?
Gears of War 3 - Capture The Leader
An evolution of the Submission game type, Capture the Leader was introduced in Gears of War 3. In this game mode, one player is selected to be the leader of their team. Their team must defend the leader while also trying to capture the enemy leader.
Gears of War 3 implemented a Team Death match game type that remains popular to this da Gears TDM isn't the same as a TDM you would find in any popular shooter. It has the "Gears Twist" added to it. My point here is that if we were to force the traditional game mechanics of a CTF to Gears it wouldn't work. If we put too much of a Gears twist on the mode players might not identify it as the CTF they crave.
Loader Mech CTF
The mode I propose is a Capture the Objective game mode but with the use of the Loader Mech from the Gears 3 campaign. The game mode would be a capture the flag mode using the mech to pick up and return a crate (aka the flag) to the designated goal.
My reasoning for this is simple. The loader is something the player is familiar with in terms of gameplay, controls and lore. It gives the player limited mobility but for a reason and context the player will instantly understand. The player in the mech will be a clear target and since the mech does not have any weapons the pilot would need to rely on their teammates for adequate protection.
The team with the Mech takes the offensive, trying to capture the crate and take it to the designated goal in order to win the round. The defending team will try to capture the mech, playing a very aggressive role of attempting to intercept the Mech.
The mech has no weapons unlike the Silver back Mech. The Loader Mech can only use melee attacks to defend itself. If the pilot attempts to use a melee attack while carrying the flag, they will drop the Flag. The Flag is a large crate which can be used as cover as long as the mech is not carrying it. The player piloting the mech would need team members to guard their rear flank and form a protective perimeter to ensure that the pilot is not simply shot out of the mech.
List of Gears 3 Maps Best suited for CTF
Loader Mech Capture The Flag - Rules
At the start of the match the Loader Mech would spawn in a ring in the center of the map. The match would begin with both teams making a push to try and capture the mech. Once a team has taken control of the mech, a timer counting down when the flag will appear on the map. Once the flag appears the mech pilot needs to retrieve it and take it to the designated capture zone aka the goal.
The basic rules of King of the Hill apply. If a mech pilot is hit with a smoke/ink grenade, they will be forced out of the mech temporarily. If the Flag has been dropped for thirty seconds, it will spawn at a new location and the goal will be reset. CTF Playthrough
Here is a quick rundown of what a typical Loader CTF game would play.
Notes: - COG (Blue Team) and The Locust (Red Ream). - The Loader Mech is Yellow (neutral) until a team claims it. - The Loader Mech icon is from the flim Aliens, because I couldn't find a good pic of the mech from Gears 3. - The Flag is a large steel crate. The Flag can be used as cover as long as it is not being carried by the mech.
Phase 1 - Round one begins! Players spawn and the location of the mech is highlighted on the map. Both teams begin to head toward the mech.
Phase 2 - Players begin to make the push to capture the mech. Players meet at the center of the map aka the "Front" and begin to engage in a shootout.
Phase 3 - Blue team (Cog) is now in control of the mech. They must now hold the mech until the flag appears. During this time the COG team will have to defend the mech against the Locust.
Phase 4 - The location of the flag spawn appears on the map. Both teams have twenty seconds until the flag spawns in that location. Red team needs to prevent the Blue team from capturing the flag and attempt to take control of the mech. Blue team needs to play offense, keeping the attackers at bay and the Loader mech in their possession.
Phase 5 - Blue team pushes toward the flag as Red team scrambles to defend and possibly intercept the mech.
Phase 6 - Blue team now has control of the flag. After a short wait the location of the goal will appear. They will need to take the flag to this goal in order to win the round.
Phase 7 - The Blue team now make their way to the Flag capture point while holding off the Red team.
Phase 8 - Blue team is able to defend the mech until it makes the drop off and captures the flag to win round one.
Gears LMCTF
A mode like this will give the fans exactly what they want, a fast paced, dynamic mode that requires team work and coordination. This game mode brings all the excitement of a great CTF mode to Gears while adding that key "Gears Twist" that keeps people coming back.
I would love to hear what you think. Leave a comment or tweet at me. Thanks for reading!
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Note: I do not work for Niantic or Nintendo. This is just a blog post talking about how I would handle designing an event in Pokemon Go.
Would You Like to Join the Hunt?
Pokemon Go is the biggest thing since Pokemon. It is crazy to see hordes of people walking around from Pokestop to Pokestop in search of the lovable monsters.
Here we all are, at a public park walking around looking for a Pinsir. I thought to myself, "Why don't we just visit the Safari Zone?" And it hit me, With a game like this we can do just that, we can have an alternate reality event where players visit the Safari Zone!
What is the Safari Zone?
The Safari Zone in the Pokemon games is sort of like a Pokemon Nature preserve. Players pay a small fee so they may enter this preserve and attempt to catch the Pokemon inside. The safari zone is home to many rare pokemon that are not found anywhere else.
Upon entering, players are given Safari balls and a time limit. They are allowed to catch as many pokemon they can before the time runs out or before they run out of Pokeballs. Event Rules (In the real world)
One weekend every month, large public spaces (Parks, Zoos, Theme Parks etc) will become Safari Zones. In order for a player to have access to the Pokemon in the Safari Zone, they will have to have a ticket. Without the ticket, players will encounter the usual Pokemon at that location. With their ticket the activated, Pokemon from the Gen 1 Kanto Safari Zone will be lured to the player as they travel through the designated Zone.
How can a player obtain a ticket?
Any unused tickets will still be valid for the following month's event. Tickets never expire and can be gifted to your friends and family.
What Pokemon are in the Zone?
The player will encounter a variety of Pokemon in the safari zone. The most sought after being the rare Pokemon (Dratini, Pinsir, Chansey etc).
What would make an ideal Safari Zone?
A while back I visited the San Francisco Zoo, it was one of the first places I thought would be ideal for a real life Safari Zoo. It is broken up into zones that replicate the habitats of the various animals from around the world.
If a player is looking for a rare bug Pokemon such as Pinsir, they need to explore the Insect Zoo in the exploration zone. If they are looking for a Kangaskhan, it would be an obvious choice to check our the Kangaroos at the Australian Walkabout.
The Zoo has already done the work of building the enclosures and landmarks that will become Pokestops. All we have to do is add the Pokemon. I also think this design would encourage people to visit the Zoo and gain an appreciation for the real life animals Pokemon are often based off.
If you're thinking "This is a bad idea!" and "Zoos wouldn't like these kinds of events!", check out the Pokemon Go week at the Los Angeles Zoo. Businesses and locations are welcoming these kinds of events! More people visiting means more sales. Tickets, refreshments and merchandise. I wouldn't be surprised if The Zoo started selling Pokemon branded merchandise alongside their own. Event Exclusive Pokemon
Collect Event Stickers For Rewards!
Did You Get A Good Haul?
The Safari Zone event is a fun way to strengthen an already strong community. It is also a preview of how we can bring ideas and events from the games into the real world. The Safari Zone isn't the only idea from the original Pokemon games that would be possible.
What do you think? Do you think an ongoing monthly event has some potential? Do you think it still needs some work? Whatever your opinion is, feel free to leave a comment or tweet me directly. Thanks for reading! Need more Battery?
Is your phone constantly dying while catching Pokemon? Why not get yourself a portable phone charger? Easy to store and they will recharge your phone on the go. Any of the options below would make an excellent choice. Pick one up here and help support the site!
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The Gears of War 4 beta is now upon us! And as an avid Gears of War fan I have been keeping up with all of the news. A screenshot from the Gears 4 caught my eye. In this screenshot we see one of the new enemies in the game holding a Hammerburst, the reliable Locust rifle from previous games. The strangest thing about this, it still bears the the Locust colors and even the Locust emblem!
COG Hammerburst - Hammerburst Mk. III
Lore: "At the end of the Locust/Lambent conflict, the COG found themselves severely crippled and low on supplies. COG forces struggled to rebuild their supply of Lancer rifles, however resourceful COG engineers now had a surplus of Hammerburst rifles. They began to re-engineer the crude Locust design and streamline it. The Hammerburst Mk. III began to fill the gap the Lancer had left behind. It was quickly adopted by COG soldiers for scouting missions and made an excellent companion weapon for COG snipers."
The COG Hammerburst aka The Hammerburst Mark III, is a mid-long range battle rifle. It packs a powerful punch and kick to match. Equipped with a rugged optic scope, the Mark III makes a great weapon for dealing with distant targets with impeccable accuracy. It has a semi-auto and a three round burst fire mode that can quickly take down a man sized target.
The 3 round burst of the Mark III is much more manageable than the 6 round burst of the original Hammerburst and offers more stopping power then the HB II. In semi-auto, the Mark III offers the same power and accuracy of the HB II but has more recoil due to the Mark III's lighter weight.
Just like it's predecessor, The Mark III allows players to go into a first person mode where the player uses the rifle's optics in a first person view to take aim at enemies. However, the optic sight is made for durability, this means the optic's zoom leaves a bit to be desired as the magnification of the scope is minimal. Breakdown
The weapon is designed to be visually similar to Longshot Sniper Rifle and Markza. This visually similarity with help players understand and read the rifle as a long range weapon. Instead of being the trademark locust red, it has a dark blue and gray color scheme that matches the current Lancer's colors.
The red lights of the HB III have been replaced with the traditional COG blue. The Mark III has been stripped down and built back up, removing excess weight, making lighter. A synthetic stock has been added, however if fired rapidly the recoil can cause the weapon to kick, resulting in a loss of accuracy.
Battle Ready
What do you think? Do you think that I designed a convincing COG Hammerburst? Do you think the COG wouldn't change the Hammerburst from it's Gears 3 Interpretation? Do you have a few notes or suggestions? Leave a comment here orsend me a tweet.
Thanks for reading!
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