Team Balance

Archive for May, 2011

Hot off of releasing a game steeped in metal culture, Double Fine Productions has come out with Costume Quest, an adorable Halloween-themed simple RPG with some really funny writing and great atmosphere. It’s an enjoyable if sometimes tedious title that’s well worth the low price of admission even though it’s far from Halloween season right now.

You play as your choice of a brother and sister going out for trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Whichever character you don’t choose will dress up for Halloween as a giant piece of candy corn, which (besides being widely mocked) will wind up with them being abducted by the “grubbins,” creatures that are ransacking the town for all its candy unbeknownst to every adult. The candy corn outfit makes the child appear to be simply an especially large and enticing piece of candy, and the rest of the game is spent tracking down your sibling to rescue him from being devoured by demons from some otherwordly plane.

To do this, you team up with two other neighborhood kids and collect materials to make different Halloween costumes, each of which has its own special abilities to take down the grubbins. These costumes transform from cute child outfits in the overworld into giant menacing suits of destruction in combat, which is always a hilarious transition to see for each new costume you collect. From robots and ninjas to unicorns and cats, they all have serious combat abilities that aren’t necessarily clear in their original forms.

The combat is very simple to understand, but because of that, it also gets repetitive very quickly. Special attacks are charged over two or three battle turns, so most battles are simple attacks every turn until you can use your charged-up special abilities. Therefore all the strategy actually comes before the battle, in choosing the costumes your character and his or her allies should wear, and which “battle stamps” they should each carry. Battle stamps keep an extra special ability of some sort and each character may use one, which sometimes have huge benefits in terms of attack strength or HP. Like many other RPGs, combat eventually becomes quite tedious, though by the end there is a bit more strategy and thought that goes into certain boss battles than you’ll see at the beginning.

A handful of minigames also spice up the gameplay, and there are also card collectibles the player may care to look through, but this game is really all about the art and the writing, not the gameplay. Your characters and all of their lines are extremely endearing and funny, and there are some laugh-out-loud lines that may have gamers recalling good lines from previous brilliant Tim Schafer projects like Grim Fandango and Psychonauts. The game’s also a treat to look at for the quick development time and low price, utilizing a cartoon style in a brilliant way in 3D, contrasting against the style of costumed characters in battle which carry some badassedness with them. That’s the draw of the game, and it’s paced out well so as not to keep gamers lingering too long between the rewarding dialogue scenes with tedious battle.

Costume Quest is guaranteed to entertain, and you’ll find the story and characters a great reward for progression through the otherwise drab and shallow RPG gameplay. A sure buy for next Halloween season, but I’m personally glad I didn’t wait anywhere near that long.

In the modern game of soccer or football recently, a formation or system 4-5-1 has enjoyed a much higher played ratio especially by smaller clubs or clubs or nations playing away. Here are five reasons why such a formation or system is employed.

A defintion of the system is first needed. A 4-5-1 would refer to the deployment of one goalkeeper, four defenders, five midfielders and a striker. An example of a team making a success of the formation is the Greek National in European Football Championships 2004 where they emerge as champions with the deployment of such a system. And now for the reasons.

Flexibility – Football or soccer is a fast paced game where an attack can be turned into the counter attack by the opposition if possession is lost. Hence the deployment of a 4-5-1 system allows the flexibility in both attack and defense. In attack or possession of the ball, the left and right midfielders would operate as wingers to push up and join the lone striker. Furthermore of the three central midfielders, one or two can also push to join the attack while the remaining midfielder would drop back to assist the defense in case of a break or counter attack by the opposition. As for defense or without possession of the ball, a five midfield in theory would be able to pressure the opposition to win back the ball. Another example, the five man midfield would add more steel into midfield portion to win or retain possession to ease off pressure at the back. Defending a one goal Lead – In some matches, the game can be very close one where a single goal can decide the outcome. Hence some managers would like to employ 4-5-1 formation to defend the lead in the last ten to twenty minutes of the game. The flexibility of the system is already explained under point 1. The system would also enable the team to launch counter attack if needed when the opposition throws caution to wind for an equalizer. The other purpose is to pass the ball around to run down the clock and the best way to do so is to keep possession. Playing an Away Game – In the modern league games, a point from a game drawn especially if the game is away or against a strong opposition is crucial. The reason is simple as most home teams would go out to try their best to win at home with their supporters behind them acting as the 12th man. For example, in recent games like Liverpool verses Birmingham City or Manchester United verses Reading, both City and Reading employed a 4-5-1 system to stifle the midfield of Liverpool and United. The system would usually enable a team to come away with a point or avoid a mauling at hand of strong opposition. Such a point usually meant a victory for the smaller clubs. Playing against Stronger Opposition – As mentioned in point 3, playing against strong opposition at home, a 4-5-1 system would be employed for the same rationale of getting a point or avoiding a heavy defeat. Such a attitude towards game can be seen as a defeatist attitude, but survival in the top leagues around the world would mean huge revenue for clubs. An example is the English Premiership where millions can be lost if a team is relegated. Hence some teams would rather employ such a formation to ensure of a low scoring defeat or a draw game for a point while a more attacking one when facing opposition of similar status. Injuries – This is the least common reason why a 4-5-1 formation would be deployed. The reason is a very simple one. There are usually more defenders and midfielders than strikers in the club. Hence if a club has a striker injury situation, it may be more inclined to employ such a system than others. Furthermore deploying players in familiar positions would be having a much better effect than playing them in an untrained position.

Hence the above reasons should help to explain the rationale behind the employment of a 4-5-1 system or formation.

How does a Battle.net account become compromised?

Hackers will prey on your trust, naivety and innocence to discover your log-in credentials. Accounts become compromised when somebody discovers your log-in details (username & password) to the account.

Account Sharing

You share your account details with somebody you “trust”. It’s against Blizzard’s Terms of Use to share your account details because it’s so risky. Your friend could pass your log-in details to one of his friends, and so forth. Before you know it, everyone knows your account details. There is also no way of knowing if your friend has a secure computer; his computer might be infected by a Trojan/keylogger which means your account is then exposed. You might also fall out with your friend one day and he could decide to “get even” with you by stealing your gold and transferring to another realm.

Power Leveling Services

You buy a power level handing over your username & password to a complete stranger. Power leveling services are usually bought, with real money, through a website, which is just another scam to get your log-in details and hard earned cash. Once you hand over your payment, and divulge your log-in details, your account will be stripped of all valuables and the gold will be “laundered” through other hacked accounts (this gold is usually sold onto gold buyers). Finally, they will delete your characters, so they know when you have the account back, to do it all over again.

Account Buying, Selling and Trading

You buy, sell or trade your account. “I will give you mine if you give me yours”, so to speak. Once you hand over your account details the account will most likely become compromised. The guy offering the trade might appear be really friendly and honest but you should not be drawn in by it. Remember, they prey on your innocence and trust. You may even buy a stolen account and it is likely the original owner will one day claim it back leaving you with nothing.

Fake Websites

You click a link to a fake website directing you to a website that resembles an official Blizzard/World of Warcraft site. Thinking it’s real, you log into the page using your account details, which is when your username and password are emailed to a 3rd party. A typical fake website would be where you receive a whisper in-game saying you have won a free Blizzard mount but you need to visit an obscure site to get the code for it.

Infected Files

You download a file that contains a Trojan/keylogger. This means whenever you press a key on your keyboard, the keystrokes are automatically recorded and transmitted to a 3rd party.

“No problem. I will just retrieve my password!”, I hear you say. I’m afraid it’s not that simple; If you are keylogged then you should expect the scammer has the ability to also log into to your email accounts (since he knows all usernames and passwords entered since the computer became infected). All he has to do is log into the World of Warcraft Account Management page, change the registered email on the account, and finally log into your email account to verify the email change. Now your account has a new registered email which you have no access to, rendering Password Retrievel useless.

Malicious Links

You see a weblink, usually posted on a forum, and you click it. The link sends you to a web page which has some kind of invisible script designed to infect your computer with a keylogger. This can be a real problem on popular forums, including the official World of Warcraft forums. Fortunately, the World of Warcraft forum moderation team are quick to remove malicious links. Beware of clicking links!

How Do I Secure My Battle.net Account?

Follow these simple steps and you can log into your Battle.net/World of Warcraft account with confidence.

Passwords – Common Sense

Use a strong, unique password for your Battle.net/WoW account. Make sure the password is different to any other passwords you might be using for your Facebook, Email, MSN accounts etc. Don’t use simple words like “dog” and NEVER use your account name as a password!

Good password: &e5PSW:QtdH%#

Bad Password: hello

If you ever forget your password or need to change it you can do so by using the Password Retrieval service on the official WoW website. A new random password will be sent to the registered email on the account.

Blizzard Authenticator

The Blizzard Authenticator is a great way to secure your Battle.net account. It’s a little device which you attach to your account through Account Management. Once attached, whenever you log into your Battle.net/World of Warcraft account, you will be asked for your username, password and a digitally generated code which you get by pressing the little button on the Blizzard Authenticator. Without that code you cannot log into your account. The cost of the Authenticator is $6.50/€6.00 and you can buy it from the online Blizzard Store.

Update:

There is a free Battle.net Mobile Authenticator available for your iPhone.

Anti-Virus Software

You should have good anti-virus software installed on your computer. Anti-virus software protects against infected files that might contain a Trojan or keylogger. I personally use ESET NOD32 which has always done a good job but there are many good alternatives on the market. If you don’t have the cash to invest in anti-virus software have a look at AVG Anti-Virus Free.

Once you have installed your new anti-virus software, and updated the virus definitions, go ahead and run a full system scan. You should also set the software to automatically run at least one full system scan per week (I prefer nightly), preferably when you know you will not be using your computer. Most anti-virus software have options to automate system scans; I have mine setup to run a full system scan every night at 04:00am.

Firefox and NoScript

I highly recommend switching from Microsoft Internet Explorer to Mozilla Firefox with the NoScript plugin. NoScript is a really cool plug-in that cuts the risk of being infected by a keylogger.

You may have been on a forum and seen someone posting a link to something that sounds really cool. You click the link and get keylogged instantly without actually knowing it. This is because hackers sometimes use hidden code, on web sites you visit, to infect your computer. NoScript is an extension, or add-on, for Fox which automatically blocks Javascript and Java from running. If you trust a website, you click the NoScript button and tell it to allow scripts either temporarily or permanently for that specific site. It’s great.

Flashblock

Flashblock is another add-on for Firefox which blocks all Flash content until you specifically allow the content to be viewed. This is useful for avoiding potential risks with infected Flash content.

Malware

Anti-virus software is NOT enough. You also need to download and install good anti-malware software because even the best anti-virus can sometimes have problems detecting and removing threats. I highly recommend Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware and SUPERAntiSpyware. Both are free and do a very good job.

Security Checklist

Buy the Blizzard Authenticator. Install anti-virus software and keep it updated – scan regularly. Choose a complex password. Install Firefox and NoScript. Pick good password – complex and unique. Don’t Share your account with anyone. Don’t buy power levelling services. Don’t buy, sell or trade your account. Check your browser status bar for masked links. Use Windows Update regularly. Install Flashblock for Firefox. Install anti-malware software. Don’t click links right away. Think before you click. Treat every Blizzard email, which requests personal information, as fake. Double check you’re on an official Blizzard website before entering any log-in details. Make sure the log-in page is secure (https as opposed to http).

Back in November of 2006 Nintendo unveiled the motion-sensing game system known as the Wii and in the process opened up gaming to a whole new audience. Video games have long been the domain of young males, a demographic that accounts for the majority of game system and video game sales. But with the Wii’s revolutionary stick-like wand controller many new users came on board to give it a try and Nintendo cashed in like never before seeing three straight years of record profits that finally slowed in March of 2009. During that time gaming competitors Sony and Microsoft have been busy designing their own motion-sensing game systems and used the recent E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles to announce their product launch dates.

Microsoft has set a date of November 4th for introducing the motion sensing Kinect and early reports indicate the software giant is looking to expand the casual user demographic even more. Reviewer Matt Peckham of PC World summed up the new system from a hard-core gamers perspective, “It’s probably not for me. I like complex, hard to master games. It’s (Kinect) more for my wife, for kids, for whole families.” The new users who came to gaming because of the simplicity of the Wii now are being wooed my Microsoft’s version that features advanced motion-sensing technology to practically map the entire body of the console controller and higher resolution tracking and audio input for better verbal command communication. Some analysts in the gaming industry warn that with the recession lingering now is not the time to introduce new game systems but Microsoft is betting that better graphics and simpler games will continue to bring in new gamers.

Beating Microsoft to the shelves will be the new Sony Move, a motion sensing platform wand that can be bundled with the Sony Eye and the PlayStation 3 that will be in stores September 15th. The Move features a motion controller with a special light bulb, navigation controller and eye camera that can detect the precise movement, angle and absolute position in 3D space of the Move motion player allowing gamers to intuitively play the game as if they are part of it.

With the launch will be software titles including Resident Evil 5, Big 3 Gun Shooting and Sports Champions that will continue to cater to hard core gamers while also reaching out to casual gamers as well. The Move system contains high-tech advancements including a three-axis gyroscope, a three-axis accelerator, a terrestrial magnetic field sensor and a color-changing sphere that is tracked by the PlayStation console camera to deliver amazingly precise accuracy.

Whether or not the Nintendo can fend off the new blood of motion-sensing games remains to be seen. The Wii manufacturer is planning to update popular Wii games in the hopes of keeping the brand relevant. Popular favorites that will see enhancements include Metroid, Donkey Kong and Legend of Zelda. As of now Nintendo has no plans to overhaul the Wii system but new changes to its DS handheld system to incorporate 3D technology hints where development will be heading.

RPG PC games are one genre of the massive PC gaming world. RPG stands for role-playing game. It involves a style of gaming in which the user controls the outcome of the player by the choices that they make during the game. The player also is able to gain experience and levels throughout the game which lets the user choose certain skills and traits that further define the player. It has become one of the most popular PC game genres due to the addictive style of gameplay and simplicity. Some of the best RPG PC games are Diablo, Fallout and Neverwinter Nights.

The cost of computer games is always inflated in stores. Stores have to worry about employing large amounts of staff, rental costs and store running costs. All these costs and more come out of the margin in the computer games they sell. This means that they simply cannot offer as good a price as an online store can.

An online store can be run simply one man who uses software and a distribution company to manage and distribute his products. This means that he can offer you a much better price on any games that you may want to buy because he can reduce to the margin to suit his lower costs.

There are many other benefits from buying online:

You can browse a huge range of games from the comfort of your computer. Search functions means that you do not have to sift through hundreds of games for one title (that may be sold out anyway). Once you have ordered your game you can simply forget about it until it arrives right on your doorstep. It’s easy to compare prices between several online stores just buy opening a new browser (rather than walking around a shopping centre all afternoon). Once you have found an online store that you would like to buy from the next thing to do is to search online for any coupons that may be available. A lot of online stores offer coupons to entice first time buyers, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be entitled to this discount as well.

If you are unconcerned with getting a box and a disk for your RPG games, then an even cheaper method to get your game is via download. Once you have purchased the game you will be given a link from which you can download the installation for the game. Always back up the download on a DVD or back up hard drive. I only recommend going down this path if you have a fast internet connection with a large download limit. Some new games can be over 5GB for just one game.

Mafia Wars is a well known game that can be played on Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo, Tagged and even a new iPhone app so you can play it right on your iPhone. I have personally been playing this game hours on end for over a year now and have learned Mafia Wars best cheats and tips. This articles purpose is to help you learn how to dominate Mafia Wars and teach you some strategies to get you further in the game so you can get the most out of it like I have.

First, I want you to know that there are NO cheats for this game. There are no cheat codes that will allow you to magically start dominating the game with a special code. There is no special cheat that will allow you to gain millions of dollars in a matter of seconds. However, there are different legal methods to get this done effectively and you will feel much more accomplished because you will have done it all yourself.

For you to learn how to dominate Mafia Wars, you need to have dedication towards the game and follow all cheats and tips thoroughly. The key to dominating your rivalries is to have a strong and dedicated family. You need to ensure that there are absolutely no weak players on your team and that each team member is going to put their effort in to helping each and every family member. To have a strong family, each member also needs to have access to weapons, armour and vehicles. This will ensure that if they ever get attacked, they are prepared to help themselves. If they can’t help themselves, then you should have other equipped family members to defend them.

The next method to learn how to dominate Mafia Wars is to ensure that you are constantly working and taking jobs. Money is one of the most important aspects of this entire came, and is probably the best tip I can give you. Working will give you the opportunity to purchase properties which will make you stronger and give you a good return for the money you have put into things. Don’t forget to always put your money in the bank, never keep it on you because it will make you much more susceptible to being robbed or getting in a fight.

This all being said, the most important tip is to completely put your efforts on building and strengthening your family. Work on having the biggest family in all of Mafia Wars. If you can do this you won’t even need to learn how to dominate Mafia Wars anymore because you will have it all figured out and under control. To have the biggest family will allow you to start dominating Mafia Wars very quickly. This article is just the start to learn how to dominate Mafia Wars; there are many different ways to start dominating quickly.