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Apr 13, 2023 Benjamin Carter A Comprehensive Guide to Overwatch 2 Heroes - Tips for Beginners Welcome to the world of Overwatch 2, the sequel to the award-winning team-based shooter. This game has something for everyone, from casual players to hardcore gamers and everyone in between. With a wide selection of characters to choose from, a robust selection of maps, and an ever-evolving meta, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned veteran, this guide will provide you with the information you need to get the most out of Overwatch 2. We'll explore the different heroes, the benefits of playing each one, and a few tips to help you get started.
The Heroes of Overwatch 2
For those who don't know, Overwatch 2 is a team-based shooter in which each team is composed of six players, each playing a different Hero. There are currently over 30 playable Heroes to choose from, ranging from damage-dealing characters to healers and tanks. Each Hero has a unique set of abilities, allowing them to fulfill different roles within the team. Some of the most popular Heroes include the damage-dealing Tracer, the tank Reinhardt, the healer Mercy, and the support Symmetra.
Choosing the Right Hero
Choosing the right Hero is essential to success in Overwatch 2. As mentioned earlier, each Hero has its own unique set of abilities and skills, so it's important to choose one that fits your playstyle. Some players prefer the fast-paced playstyle of the damage dealers, while others prefer the more strategic gameplay of the healers and tanks. Additionally, it's important to choose a Hero that can counter the enemy team's composition. This means that you'll need to familiarize yourself with the abilities of each Hero so that you can effectively counter the enemy team.
Unlocking Heroes
In order to unlock all the Heroes in Overwatch 2, you'll need to obtain Overwatch coins. These coins are earned by playing matches and completing in-game challenges. Additionally, they can be purchased with real money. Once you have enough coins, you can use them to unlock new Heroes or upgrade existing ones. However, it's important to note that the coins are finite and the cost of unlocking a Hero increases each... Read More
Apr 13, 2023 Alison Harvard TikTok’s Bold Move Into In-Stream Shopping TikTok, the short-form video app, is making a bold move into in-stream shopping. Following its success in China, the platform is launching a new push with retailers to try to get more Western audiences interested in shopping with the app. With free shipping and discount coupons, TikTok is hoping to make in-stream shopping a reality.
Though Western audiences have yet to truly embrace shopping via TikTok, the platform is not giving up. TikTok is inviting select retailers to participate in its in-app shopping program and offering them big subsidies on shipping and sales to boost interest. This initiative looks to push items in videos with the help of influencers by offering commission sales in a new affiliate-marketing program.
TikTok’s success with Lemon8 – a product-focused platform – is a good indication of the app’s ability to influence usage trends. Lemon8 was downloaded over 650,000 times in the US over the last week and a half, making it reach the top 10 in the ‘Lifestyle’ category.
Meanwhile, in China, Douyin reported a 320% increase in eCommerce sales last year, largely driven by live-stream shopping. While the Chinese live shopping economy is projected to be worth more than $500 billion in 2023, it’s not certain if TikTok will be able to achieve the same success in the Western market.
In conclusion, TikTok’s new in-app shopping push is an ambitious attempt to bring in more revenue for the platform. With free shipping and discount coupons, the company is looking to capitalize on the growing trend of live-stream shopping. While it may take some time for western audiences to really warm up to TikTok shopping, the app’s success with Lemon8 gives some hope to the initiative. Read More -
Mar 30, 2023 Alison Harvard The Last of Us Part 1 on PC Has Unacceptable Loading Times The Last of Us Part 1 is a remake of the PS3 original from 2013, released for PC on March 28, 2023. It was initially met with excitement, but gamers have reported experiencing hour-long load times while playing. This has resulted in The Last of Us Part 1 receiving a “Mostly Negative” rating on Steam and has caused many players to express their disappointment with the game’s optimization.
While the recommended hardware specs for The Last of Us Part 1 on PC are fairly reasonable, many gamers are still experiencing crashes due to the poorly optimized game. MP1st reported that a PC slightly above the recommended specs took around an hour to build shaders, and a high-end system required just under 45 minutes to do the same. Furthermore, the report states that The Last of Us Part 1 seems to be using 100% of the CPU, resulting in the hardware running hot for an extended duration. Even with GPUs that are well above the recommended system requirements, the game is still struggling to maintain a 60 FPS rate.
Naughty Dog has taken notice of these issues and stated that they are working on an upcoming patch. Until then, most players will have to continue dealing with these lengthy loading times and other optimization problems.
In conclusion, the Last of Us Part 1 is yet another example of a poorly optimized game coming out on PC. Even though the game was released after many of Sony’s other titles, it’s still facing technical issues that should have been addressed prior to release. This is especially unfortunate, as The Last of Us Part 1 offers a fantastic gaming experience, with many praising its vibrant visuals and slick new character models. Hopefully, the upcoming patch will fix these issues and allow players to fully enjoy The Last of Us Part 1 on PC. -
Mar 29, 2023 Alison Harvard Upgrading from Old Windows Versions: Steam to Officially Stop Support Steam, the popular video game platform, has announced that it will abandon support for current versions of the Windows OS – Windows 7 and 8.1 – starting January 1, 2024. This is because the latest features of Steam rely on the built-in version of Google Chrome, which no longer works on these older versions of Windows. Furthermore, future versions of Steam will require updates to Windows features and security present only on Windows 10 and above. As such, for those still running on older Windows systems, the only thing left to do is upgrade to newer software.
Data from the February survey reveals that Windows 7 holds a market share of 1.52%, while Windows 8.1 has 0.34%. These systems have not been supported by Microsoft since January 10 of this year, and the decision of Valve Software to terminate their support for the old systems is understandable.
The app, which is essentially a browser, works completely differently in the Windows 10 system. It is able to use certain features of Chrome, and as such, it can make use of a much more sophisticated set of features. For instance, the app has virtual reality support and game-streaming, which works much better in the newest version of Windows.
In addition to the features and upgrades, Windows 10 also provides a more secure environment. The newer Windows OS is equipped with features such as Windows Defender and Windows Firewall, which add extra protection to the system against malicious attacks. Furthermore, this OS also has better overall performance and stability, making it much more efficient.
Overall, it’s clear that Steam’s decision to end support for older versions of Windows is justified. These systems are no longer supported by Microsoft, and the latest features in Steam require the built-in version of Google Chrome, which does not work on such systems. As such, for those still running on Windows 7 and 8.1, the only option is to upgrade to Windows 10. This will provide not only the latest features for Steam but also overall better performance, stability, and security for the system. -
Mar 28, 2023 Benjamin Carter The Best Xbox Game Pass Games to Play in March 2023: What the Critics Say When it comes to enjoying a wide range of gaming options, Xbox Game Pass has quickly become one of the most popular platforms. With access to over 100 titles, there's something to suit every type of gamer. Whether it's a classic title, something new, or a game released exclusively to the platform, there's something for everyone to enjoy. To help ease the process of picking out the best titles, we've rounded up the highest-rated and most popular Xbox Game Pass games in March 2023.
Forza Horizon 4
Forza Horizon 4 is an acclaimed racing simulator from Playground Games and Microsoft. This game is based in Britain, where players explore an open world with dynamic seasons. In addition to the varied environments and terrain, the game boasts an impressive array of vehicles. Each one can be fully customized and tuned for maximum performance, allowing for an unprecedented level of personalization. With an extensive single-player campaign and multiple online modes, Forza Horizon 4 is sure to keep you entertained for hours.
Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves is a unique action-adventure game developed by Rare and published by Microsoft. Players take control of a pirate captain as they explore an expansive open world. The game features both single-player and multiplayer options, with each of them offering its own unique experiences. In addition to completing story-based quests and missions, players can also engage in ship battles and search for treasure. With an ever-changing world and an array of activities, Sea of Thieves is perfect for all types of gamers.
Gears 5
Gears 5 is an action-packed shooter from The Coalition and Microsoft. The game takes place in the Gears of War universe, and players take control of a variety of different characters as they work together to save humanity. The campaign can be played in single-player, two-player co-op, or four-player squad modes. In addition to the story, there is also an intense competitive multiplayer mode. With a host of different characters, weapons, and environments, Gears 5 is a must-play title.
State of Decay 2
State of Decay 2 is a unique zombie survival game developed by Undead Labs and published by Microsoft. Players take control of survivors living in a post-apocalyptic world and must scavenge for resources and build a base in order to defend against the zombie hordes. The game features a dynamic, open world with AI-controlled characters and events that change based on your decisions. The state of Decay 2 also offers an online co-op mode, allowing up to four players to work together to survive.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Halo: The Master Chief Collection from 343 Industries and Microsoft is a must-play title for any fan of the iconic sci-fi shooter. This collection brings together six different Halo games,... -
Mar 16, 2023 Alison Harvard A Safer and Easier Way to Enjoy Call of Duty: Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2 with Inverted Flash Call of Duty: Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2 players can now enjoy a better gaming experience thanks to Beenox's latest patch. The new setting, called Inverted Flash, makes flashbang grenades easier on the eyes by turning the screen completely black instead of completely white when it is activated. This minor but much-requested feature was released as part of Call of Duty: Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare2's Season Reloaded on March 15th.
Beenox, an Activision subsidiary known for its work on games such as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 remaster, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, Call Of Duty Black Ops Cold War alongside Infinity Ward’s new Call Of Duty Modern Warfare2 from which Call Of Duty Warzone2 spun off unveiled this feature via a short clip posted on Twitter. The video showcases how enabling inverted flash works in the game; in conventional circumstances throwing a flashbang grenade at the feet would make the screen go completely white for a second before fading back in. However, with inverted flash enabled, the screen goes immediately dark, then fades out partially before switching over to a white effect until it eventually wears off entirely. This should protect gamers from becoming blinded because they will remember to turn it on beforehand.
Inverted Flash mode can be enabled in the game’s options menu under “Graphics Settings”, where it appears as a checkbox labeled “Reduce Screen Flashes On Impact”; when enabled, this setting will reduce the intensity and duration of those flashes significantly.
All in all, Beenox has once again managed to impress with yet another impressive update making sure that players are able not only to play safely but also enjoy themselves even further, knowing that developers are doing everything possible so everyone may continue having fun no matter where they stand concerning skill level. Hopefully, future updates will bring about even more improvements than what we have seen thus far, building upon what is already an amazing foundation and resulting in something truly special down the line.