Bill Loguidice's Blog, page 63
May 15, 2018
Name your own price for Rocket League, Besiege, and more in The Humble Hooked on Multiplayer 2018 Bundle
Here’s the link. Offer expires 2018-05-29 11:00:00 PDT.
Leeloo Dallas Multiplayer. You’ll be in your element with this bundle of multiplayer games! Get Rocket League, Besiege, Stick Fight: The Game, Tumblestone, and more. Plus, your purchase can support the Special Olympics, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals/Extra Life, and a charity of your choice! No multi pass required – just choose your price.
Pay what you want. Normally, the total cost for these games is as much as $104. Here at Humble Bundle, though, you choose the price! Pay $1 or more to access Steam keys.
Redeem DRM-free and on Steam. All of the games in this bundle are available on Steam for Windows, and some for Mac and Linux too. Tumblestone is also available DRM-free. Please check out the full system requirements here prior to purchasing.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the developers, the Special Olympics, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals/Extra Life, and, if you’d like, a charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like the bundle or like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The Humble Hooked on Multiplayer 2018 Bundle
The post appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
Fast-paced dungeon crawler Wizard of Legend is now out!
Wizard of Legend is a fast-paced dungeon crawler with an emphasis on dynamic magical combat. Quick movement and even quicker use of spells will allow you to chain spells together to unleash devastating combinations against your enemies!
Take out your enemies!
Unlock and master over a hundred elemental spells which will allow you to create a hand best suited to your play style. Dive head first into the fray or stand back and let your minions do the work for you, the choice is yours!
The post Fast-paced dungeon crawler Wizard of Legend is now out! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
May 14, 2018
Review: AuCuTee White Noise Sleep Machine
I’m into hacking both my sleep and concentration for peak performance. One way to do that is through timers and focus apps, but another way to do that is through the use of background white noise and natural sounds. This helps reduce distractions and can also help your brain achieve a more restful state, helping to make sleep both easier and deeper.
The AuCuTee White Noise Sleep Machine, otherwise known as the AuCuTee Sleep Therapy Sound Machine, is a device that can play white noise and a range of natural sounds. This is a multi-function device, however, and its other features are similarly noteworthy. But first, let’s focus on the built-in sounds.
The box.
The contents.
There are 10 different sound modes, all selectable via slider. The higher you raise the slider, the louder the sound relative to the master volume dial. Each of the 10 sounds, which include crickets, a brook, birds, a lullaby, frogs, white noise, ocean waves, a fireplace, a grandfather clock, and a thunderstorm, can also be mixed together. This powerful feature is definitely a stand-out, and the chosen sound or sound mix can be set to a 30, 60, or 90 minute duration, should you not want it to run all night.
The unit.
The next feature is the AuCuTee’s wireless charging surface. This Qi-compatible surface works with a range of devices, like the iPhone 8/X and later model Samsung Galaxy series phones.
The third and final major feature is its use as a Bluetooth speaker. With the press of the Mode button, you switch from sound effects mode to speaker mode. I tested this particular feature with an Amazon Echo Dot, and pairing was simple and painless. While the AuCuTee doesn’t get particularly loud and isn’t especially impressive sounding as a Bluetooth speaker, it’s still an improvement over what’s in the Echo Dot. On the plus side, there are also dedicated Pause/Play, Previous Song, and Next Song buttons on the AuCuTee.
A post shared by Bill Loguidice (@bill_loguidice) on May 14, 2018 at 3:03pm PDT
The AuCuTee is powered via a standard microUSB connection. You can use the included adapter with the included cable or simply plug the device into a suitable USB port. There’s even a pass-through USB port to charge most other USB devices.
There really is an impressive range of features packed into this one lightweight and relatively compact device. The fact that it’s powered over USB makes it easy to use in different places throughout your house. This way you can not only hack your sleep, but also hack your concentration, listen to any paired Bluetooth device’s audio, or charge your Qi-compatible phone. It’s hard not to like such a versatile device.
Thanks to BittBoy for the review unit.
Pluses:
– Good selection of natural sounds with easy volume control and mixing
– Qi-compatible wireless charging
– Works as a Bluetooth speaker
Minuses:
– Volume levels over Bluetooth are somewhat low
– Sound quality over Bluetooth is mediocre
Summary:
The AuCuTee White Noise Sleep Machine packs a lot of useful functionality into a relatively small package.
The post Review: AuCuTee White Noise Sleep Machine appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
May 10, 2018
Get Flame in the Flood for Steam for free, as well as other big game sales in the Spring Sale!
We’re giving away FREE copies of The Flame in the Flood for 48 hours in the Humble Store! This promotion is available from Thursday, May 10 at 10 a.m. Pacific time to Saturday, May 12 at 10 a.m. Pacific time.
The Spring Sale has also sprung in the Humble Store on Thursday, May 10 at 10 a.m. Pacific time! The sale will be live through Thursday, May 24 at 10 a.m.Pacific time.
The Spring Sale
The post Get Flame in the Flood for Steam for free, as well as other big game sales in the Spring Sale! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
Why Vintage Videogame and Computing Enthusiasts Should Think Different About Modern Technology
Curmudgeon, meaning a crusty, ill-tempered, and usually old man. A lot of people don’t like when that word is applied to them, but in my experience, it’s definitely applicable to a lot of the people complaining about today’s technology and romanticizing what we had in the past.
Modern videogaming and computing is absolutely amazing, full stop. It’s not perfect – far from it – but it sure as heck wasn’t perfect at any other time either. The only people who don’t want to accept that are stuck in the past and/or are uncomfortable moving forward with the times because it scares them in some profound way. The latter is certainly not uncommon, although one would hope it takes place in the latter stages of life rather than at the so-called mid-point of life.
I too love the relative simplicity of most past videogames and computers, and genuinely find their regular use cathartic in many ways. However, I sure as heck won’t diss – or worse, not use – the new stuff in the process. It’s like the equivalent of telling our childhood selves from the 1970s/1980s that you don’t want to use the current technology of that time because the older technology of the analog world is so much better in so many ways. It just goes against everything I think the collective we experienced for a time — the unbridled joy of using or getting shiny new videogames and computers.
Sadly, some of us grew out of this sense of wonder, turning into the curmudgeons – there’s that word again – who make up a not insignificant, and vocal, minority of the readership of site’s like this one, Website or social media forums, or any of the countless other places such enthusiasts like to congregate.
Of course, modern technology can be scary. We need to stay on top of our privacy, make sure our information doesn’t get stolen, and fend off trolls, who are empowered by their anonymity and seemingly feed off making the Internet miserable for the rest of us.
As stated earlier, modern technology is also undeniably wonderful. It’s sometimes hard to realize that because it’s natural to become a bit jaded. If you think about it, however, wouldn’t your younger self be in sci-fi-like awe if you could relay that in 2018 you’re carrying around an always-connected, pocket-friendly device with super computing powers and access to virtually unlimited media and knowledge? You bet, and, as previous articles at Armchair Arcade have shown, you can even do that from that same device at destinations like 888 slots.
I dare you to genuinely not be wowed by one of the high-end virtual reality experiences.
And in terms of still being wowed by technology like we were wowed at almost every corner several decades back, it’s there if you know where to look for it. The best example perhaps is VR, or virtual reality. Everyone who has put on my PlayStation VR or HTC Vive headsets (room scale for the win!) has been blown away. And yes, that includes me, a person who’s literally been there and done that for most of my 45 years.
To put it simply, if you actively avoid modern technology, it’s probably not us who are in the “wrong,” but you. Modern technology can take you to heights never before possible. As long as you understand and take reasonable precautions against the risks when you dive in, I’m sure your younger self would unequivocally agree.
The post Why Vintage Videogame and Computing Enthusiasts Should Think Different About Modern Technology appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
May 9, 2018
Name your own price for The Humble Book Bundle: Super Nebula Author Showcase 2018 presented by SFWA
Here’s the link. Offer expires 2018-05-23 11:00:00 PDT.
Not just the daughter of Thanos. The Nebula bundle is back with another shining compilation of some of the best works of speculative fiction ever published. Get titles from authors like Ursula K. Le Guin, Greg Bear, Octavia E. Butler, James Morrow, Tim Powers, R. A. MacAvoy, and more. It’s not around for an infinity, though, so grab the bundle now!
Pay what you want. All together, these ebooks would cost over $445. Here at Humble Bundle, you choose the price and increase your contribution to upgrade your bundle! This bundle has a minimum $1 purchase.
Read them anywhere. These books are available in PDF, ePUB, and MOBI formats, meaning you can read them anywhere at any time. Instructions and a list of recommended reading programs can be found here.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the publishers and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The Humble Book Bundle: Super Nebula Author Showcase 2018 presented by SFWA
The post appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
May 8, 2018
Name your own price for The Humble War Gamez Bundle (Rising Storm, 8-bit Armies, etc.)!
Here’s the link. Offer expires 2018-05-22 11:00:00 PDT.
Check out these dope gamez. Wazzaaaaap dudes, a phat new bundle’s in town, and this means war. Score sick games like Rising Storm 2: Vietnam – Digital Deluxe Edition, Day of Infamy Deluxe Edition, 8-Bit Armies, and more. Your friends’ll be all, oh snap, these gamez are the bomb.
Pay what you want. Normally, the total cost for these games is as much as $159. Here at Humble Bundle, though, you choose the price!
Redeem on Steam. All of the games in this bundle are available on Steam for Windows, and some for Mac and Linux too. Pay $1 or more to access Steam keys. Please check out the full system requirements here prior to purchasing.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the developers, and, if you’d like, a charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like the bundle or like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The Humble War Gamez Bundle
The post appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
May 7, 2018
Pre-order discounts available for impressive new M3D Crane 3D Printer series – full-color 3D printing!
Coupon Code Link: Get $25 off the Crane 3D Printer Series – Crane Quad
Coupon Code Link: Get $25 off the Crane 3D Printer Series – Crane Dual
Coupon Code Link: Get $25 off the Crane 3D Printer Series – Crane Bowden
You can check out M3D’s campaign here for full details on the printers, but long story short, each model on offer is incredibly impressive sounding, particularly the Crane Quad, which will allow full color blending and printing using four different spools of filament. This is far superior to the full-color printers that use a type of white filament that they then spray with inkjet-like coloring. (You can just imagine which of the three models I pre-ordered.)
Here’s their ad copy:
The Crane 3D Printer is more than a new product launch for M3D, it’s a whole new framework of printers. What may look like a normal 3D printer, the Crane is so much more when you read between the lines. At first glance, Cranes represent another cost-saving, M3D innovation of bringing features and quality together in a compact manner and at a great value: the base Bowden having a Duet board with built-in webhost and untethered printing for a starting price under $200 is a steal, there’s no other way to phrase it. Adding a dual or even quad extruder to that for under $600 and now we’ve gone above and beyond creating a value-packed 3D printer. What makes this new Crane product truly special is the ecosystem it establishes: users can start with the familiar Bowden-style printer, then shift to direct drive, advance to dual-extrusion printing and then graduate to four filament 3D printing. This four-filament extruder puts the Crane Quad in serious contention for creating prototypes as well as finished pieces with its ability to print various colors and filament types in the same print.
The build volume across the line is impressive.
The possibilities for color mixing, as well as straight color printing, are virtually limitless.
I’m interested in not only printing in color, but also with dissolvable supports.
The post Pre-order discounts available for impressive new M3D Crane 3D Printer series – full-color 3D printing! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
Name your own price for The Humble Book Bundle: DevOps by Packt
Here’s the link. Offer ends 2018-05-21 11:00:00 PDT.
Opsie devsy. Make no mistake, this software engineering bundle is packed with information! Streamline your processes with ebooks like Automate it!, DevOps for Networking, Mastering Ansible, and Continuous Delivery with Docker and Jenkins. You can also get a library of videos including Mastering DevOps, Mastering Windows PowerShell 5 Administration, and Learning Kubernetes.
Pay what you want. All together, these ebooks would cost over $1613. Here at Humble Bundle, you choose the price and increase your contribution to upgrade your bundle! This bundle has a minimum $1 purchase.
Read them anywhere. The books in this bundle are available in PDF, ePUB, and MOBI formats, meaning you can read them anywhere at any time. Instructions and a list of recommended reading programs can be found here. The videos in this bundle come in HD MP4 format.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the publisher and the Innocent Lives Foundation via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The Humble Book Bundle: DevOps by Packt
The post appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
Abzu, Assetto Corsa, and more Steam games up to 90% off in the 505 Games Sale
The 505 Games Sale just launched in the Humble Store on Monday, May 7 at 10 a.m. Pacific time! The sale will be live through Thursday, May 10 at 10 a.m.Pacific time.
The 505 Games Sale
The post Abzu, Assetto Corsa, and more Steam games up to 90% off in the 505 Games Sale appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
