Call of Duty is one of the largest franchises so we know what type of gameplay is going to come with the game. Other games that are not as established, have to prove to the public that they are worth the time to play. This is why trailers exist—to show off highlights of the game to bring people in. Call of Duty: Ghosts shows no gameplay and alludes to what the setting of the game is going to be. Just from the trailer, it looks like the game is going to focus on a team that will not technically exist, thus allowing the developer full creative freedom in where the game takes place and what happens. But this is only a guess.

Cyberpunk 2077 also does not show any gameplay, but it shows what the look of the game is going to be like—a futuristic world where robots can be very deadly, and the weapons look really cool. While I am more intrigued by this trailer, it still tells us nothing about what the game is going to be like, but it goes about drawing the audience in, by showing a little bit more of the scene as the trailer progresses.

While some trailers are all cinematic, they do allude to how the game is going to play, like the Splinter Cell Blacklist trailer. They show off some of the things that the player would possibly be able to do. Role-playing games (RPG’s) are also like this. I am thinking more of the Final Fantasy games in this regard; they show the monsters that the player is going to fight against, and the characters that the player is going to play as. Out of all the different ways trailers show off games without the gameplay, I find the RPG way to be the most intriguing because it tells a little bit of the story along with showing some of what the gameplay could be, it just draws people in. 

I think that the reason games come out with teaser trailers with no gameplay is because the game is so early in development that the game play is not developed enough to be an effective marketing tool. So they try and hook people with a little bit of the story. This is what the Call of Duty trailer is doing, as well as Cyberpunk 2077. The other way is for the game to show what could be possible but cinematically.  Both ways are effective marketing tools, because they get people talking about the game.

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The idea of mobile gaming is something that has been around for a while; it is being able to entertain yourself while on the go. The most successful handheld systems are the ones by Nintendo in the Gameboy line, which has evolved into the 3DS, which is on the market today. The other major player in the mobile gaming market is the Apple iPhone. (I didn’t include the PS Vita in this conversation because the discussion is hardcore vs. casual, and the Vita is very similar to the 3DS in terms of it being a hardcore system.) While both systems allow for elaborate games, typically the 3DS has larger games, and the iPhone’s games are more casual.

The reason for the differences in the type of games that are available for each system is the control that can be given to the player. With the 3DS, there is a touch screen as well as a directional pad and six buttons that are not on the touch screen. The iPhone on the other hand has only a touch screen and thus the player’s hands are often times in the way of the game. More casual games have the ability to be played with one or two fingers, while more advanced games on the 3DS can have complex control schemes.

While the 3DS can have more hardcore games, that is not the direction that mobile gaming is going to go. Soon the majority of mobile games are going to be much more casual, this is due to developers wanting to create larger and larger games, and those games will be more suited to being played on a full system, like a PC or PS3. Developers want to be able to create a game that is very flushed out and expansive, so why not develop the game for a stay-at-home system instead of a mobile game? There is also the fact that the mobile market is smaller and developers can get more eyeballs on their games if they develop it for the stay-at-home systems.

There is also the fact that more people are getting touch screen phones like the iPhone and will be able to play those casual games. The game just has to be simple and fun to play. Angry Birds is a great example of a casual game that was extremely successful. More and more developers are going towards the mobile phone market because it is a market that is showing constant growth.

Mobile gaming is becoming more carefree because that is the growing market. I don’t want that to happen because there have been some really great games that are on the handheld systems. Having a handheld system gives a different kind of gaming experience that will be lost if all the games go towards a more casual format—I don’t like it, but its going to happen at some point.

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Exercising at home allows you to work at your own pace in a private setting, and you have the ability to work at a time that is conducive to your schedule. But maybe you don’t have a fancy dumbbell set or other amenities that a gym provides. No worries! Below are two great at-home fitness workouts that you can do just using your body weight, plus a few additional household items.

Tabata Training

When I’m looking for a heart-pumping cardio workout, I go for a simple Tabata routine. The principle of Tabata is 20 seconds of high intensity training, followed by a 10 second recovery period. You do this 8 times and then rest 1 minute before you start your next set. You can find Tabata timers online that cue you when to start and stop. Here is a sample Tabata routine that you can do at home:

Warm-up: 3-5 minutes of static stretching (light jogging in place, basic squats, arm circles)

Set 1: 20 seconds Mountain Climbers, 10 seconds rest (repeat x8)

Set 2: 20 seconds Alternating Reverse Jump Lunges, 10 seconds rest (repeat x8)

Set 3: 20 seconds Alternating Elbow to Hand Planks, 10 seconds rest (repeat x8)

Set 4: 20 seconds Squat Jumps, 10 seconds rest (repeat x8)

Set 5: 20 seconds High Knees, 10 seconds rest (repeat x8)

Set 6: 20 seconds Push Ups, 10 seconds rest (repeat x8)

Set 7: 20 seconds Donkey Kick Ups, 10 seconds rest (repeat x8)

Set 8: 20 seconds Burpees, 10 seconds rest (repeat x8)

Cooldown: 5 or more minutes of stretching

*Be sure to rest 1 minute in between each set.

Strength Training Circuits

Get creative with common household items! Instead of dumbbells, pick up two water bottles or two soup cans. Try doing this circuit 3 times for a quick toning workout.

15 Bicep Curls

15 Over-Head Presses with Alternating Stationary Lunges

15 Dead-lifts into Upright Rows

15 Tricep Kickbacks

15 Squats into Overhead Extension – Start by squatting down holding a large bottle of detergent or a heavier weight. As you slowly stand up, extend your arms overhead to lift the detergent towards the ceiling. Then come back down into a squat and repeat.

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In the past there have been video games that get us hooked, whether it’s the story, the gameplay, or both, they become addicting to the point where that’s literally all you want to do, is play that game. After beating the game, all there’s left is to wait for the sequel. However, many great games have left us with no sequel, nothing to continue with, even if there was potential for another game. With the next gen. consoles approaching us, there are games that developers should consider making, considering these are games that had a huge fan base and never released a sequel for the games many of us grew to love. Below is a short list of popular games that are in need of a sequel for the next gen. consoles.

Timeshift
Story-wise it would seem that by preventing the explosion Krone initially succeeded in, nothing ever really happened. The story could have led into events that could’ve happened even days after that event at the lab. Timeshift had an incredibly fun gameplay and a great story to compliment it, what I liked about the gameplay was, of course, being able to control time by freezing and reversing it, as well as the variety of weapons. There was variety and it was always convenient to be switching your weapon based on the level you were playing.

Mirror’s Edge
The game is about messengers and even after Faith completes her missions and proves her sister’s innocence, there was still plenty of story material that the game could base itself from. The gameplay for Mirror’s Edge was unique and highly addictive, no other game offers what Mirror’s Edge did, running on walls and jumping over obstacles across the highest skyscrapers from the first person’s point of view. After finishing Mirror’s Edge I was-and still am-eager to play more.

Bully
Bully followed the story of a boy stuck at the fictional Bullworth Academy, filled with drama from just about every clique around the academy. By the end of the game, Jimmy and Zoe are reinstated to the academy after having been expelled, each for different reasons. The game was fun and had the potential to continue onto the upcoming school year. A potential new student could have given the game a story to base itself from, or a number of other things could have opened the doors for a sequel.

Perfect Dark
After defeating the Skedar leader, Johanna Dark and Elvis make it out of the Skedar planet safe and sound. The story could’ve continued, whether it was fighting aliens on Earth or outside of Earth, Perfect Dark had-and still may have-the potential to continue. The gameplay behind Perfect Dark Zero was on the right track, but they failed with the story, Perfect Dark fans want to know what happens after the Skedar leader is destroyed, were there Skedars left wandering the Earth, and are the Maians now at piece? The story had so much potential to grow, Perfect Dark fans deserve to get a sequel to what is one of the most popular games of the N64 era. With the next generation consoles coming out, this would be the perfect time for this game to come out.

Killer Instinct
To this day, Killer Instinct falls among one of the greatest fighting games of all time because of its vast playable characters and the quality of gameplay. When you would play Killer Instinct, it wasn’t solely about smashing the same button rapidly so you could corner your opponent and beat them, there was actual tactics involved. In all reality, fighting games don’t need a fancy story, it helps, but as long as the gameplay is great, the rest isn’t as important. Killer Instinct managed to pull of a Killer Instinct 2, but it was only playable at arcades. With next generation consoles approaching us, it would be nice to see a Killer Instinct 2, whether it be on arcade mode, or a playable disk with added features not seen in the previous arcade version.

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With all the bustle of spring and the nice weather upon us, it’s time to clean up all the winter clutter. First things first though, let’s get rid of all those unwanted programs and processes on your PC.

Is System Mechanic a program your computer needs?

Read our review to find out!

System mechanic is a program that you can use on your desktop or laptop to analyze all of the potential programs that are wrong with your computer. If you suffer from long boot up times or excess processes that slow your computer, then this program is just what you need.

After several months and years of using your computer (PC or laptop), data, cookies, and spyware can build up on your computer. This program is perfect to determine what your computer needs or doesn’t need.

System Mechanic scans your computer to analyze how the installed programs affect the performance of your computer. After this scan, it will give you a detailed report on the performance of your PC. You will then have the option of disabling those programs and processes in an effort to speed up your PC.

Most of the time, programs such as this, don’t do what they are supposed to. System Mechanic does everything and then some. System Mechanic provides a detailed and simple recommendation screen that even newcomers can learn quickly.

There are five categories with sub-sections that allow for easy access to your computer. In these categories, you will have the best-recommended advice for each process and program that should be scanned and cleared out of your computer.

It is a great feature because it makes the program so easy that even the most novices of computer users can get their PCs working much faster. The only problem that I have with the program is that it works too well. It works so well that it can have you deleting and stopping programs that you do need on your PC. Even though this is a great system if a user is unfamiliar with some of the processes on their PC, it can confuse them. However, System Mechanic works wonders from the moment you use it on your computer.

As you use System Mechanic, from time to time, you will notice the improvements on your computer.

In addition, you can look into each process and get recommendations based on what other people have on their PCs. The benefits of this program are its price and accessibility.

Pros:

• Price
• Easy to use
• Improves performance

Cons:

• Works too well with identifying programs

Final Thoughts:

In conclusion, System Mechanic is a great program that is wonderful to use just in time for some friendly spring-cleaning on your PC. It is helpful in optimizing performance and making sure your PC is up to par. If you need something new to fix up your PC this is definitely the way to go. A must buy for anyone looking for a spring cleaning program. If you want to try this out for yourself get a free download here.

Final Score:

I give System Mechanic 9 out of 10.

A review unit of System Mechanic was provided for this review.

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For example, let’s consider a game like Fallout 3, or Fallout: New Vegas. These games have deep RPG elements, many characters to meet, a vast world to explore, and a story to delve into. Games such as these have a ton of aspects to them, many of which cannot even be explored without intense searching. One of these traits is random, meaningless items, such as plates and spoons. These are all items that can be picked up and carried around, but they don’t really do anything at all. The player can collect them in bulk and lug them around for a while until they find a merchant to sell to, but they only receive a small amount of money. So what is the reasoning for all of these scattered, useless things?

One idea is the concept of immersion. To be able to pick up almost anything, even a mug, is one way to bring the player deeper into the video game’s universe. The ability to throw stuff around and take things just to take things seems primal, but it is certainly a thought people have while gaming and it proves fun and immersive. If you can see something that you’d be able to take in real life, why not be able to take it in the video game as well? Some people may not even choose to grab it, but the ability to do so proves engaging. There may be more to useless collections, however. Perhaps, there is something instinctual in human nature that inspires us to collect.

Scavenging was one of the most important means of survival, and because it was so important, I believe it still stays with us today. To collect things just because we are able to is intriguing, especially in a post apocalyptic or RPG environment. Sometimes, it provides legitimate help. Fallout 3 provided ways to create weapons out of pencils and toy cars. Borderlands 2 founded itself on the very idea of scavenging. Other times, however, collecting everything provides very little. It presents an interesting look into the way people play video games, as well as the way that human instinct can be incited through video games.

The question I’m inclined to ask is this: Do we pick things up just because the game lets us, or do we see a potential purpose in everything that is around?

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Getting breakfast after hitting the gym, I received a little surprise. Okay, no it wasn’t at all little—it was an 800 calorie surprise.

I had done my weights before cardio like I’m supposed to, did abs after the elliptical, and then went to out get breakfast. I skipped the muffins, the doughnuts, the smoothies made with multiple servings of yogurt, apple juice, and fruits, but I was sick of oatmeal and eggs so I went to the perimeter of the store and picked up a parfait. This is where I messed up.

The label described the cup in my hand as containing low-fat vanilla yogurt, blueberries, cranberries, and granola. I knew it wasn’t the healthiest option by far because of the granola and the higher than average amount of yogurt, yet I didn’t think it was a glorified dessert either. It had to be better than the smoothies, right?

I didn’t investigate, but probably not. What isn’t better than 800 calories? I should have just gone for the muffin.

This led me to investigate the other foods that have been hiding from me in all their un-labeled glory when eating out. A fair warning, the results were a bit sickening.

1. Sandwich Wrap Tortillas: Free bird spinach tortilla wrap: 350 calories, 47 g carbs, 7 g protein, 3 g fiber and flour tortillas only have 10 more calories.

2. Trail Mix and Dried Fruit: Trail mix and dried fruit are tricky. The thing is, they are healthy but are not the best option. It is better to eat whole fruit and raw nuts. With dried fruit it is easy to eat too many servings of your favorite fruits, as they are smaller, saltier, and overall manufactured to make you want to eat more. Trail mix has the same problem. No one eats just a serving so a good option is to buy raw almonds, pine nuts, and cashews, and divide them up into single serving size snack bags.

3. Muffins: Muffins are a favorite breakfast staple—a quick source of fuel on your way out the door. But be careful of what one you grab. It is better to make your own. That way you can control how much sugar and fats you are ingesting. A single Kirkland double chocolate chip muffin is 692 calories, 79.2 g carbs, 48.1 g sugar, and 10 g protein. A 1/3 cup serving of KIND Dark Chocolate & Cranberry Clusters have 130 calories, 23 g carbs, 7 g sugar, 3 g fiber, and 3 g protein.

4. Granola: Granola is advertised as a filling source of fiber but in reality, it’s a small snack with way too much sugar involved. Find your fiber elsewhere. Choose celery, oatmeal, or other fruits and veggies instead.

5. Protein Bars: All those times people told you protein bars are candy dressed up as healthy, they were spot on. An Apricot Clif Bar has 230 calories, 44 g carbs, 24 g sugar, 9 g protein, and 5 g fiber. This is half of the recommended carbs for the average person, and the majority of a day’s recommended maximum of sugar.

6. Croutons: Why would you ruin a salad with these? The point is to stay away from carbs at a meal, not add them into it under the guise of adding another topping to a healthy meal. If made wrong, even salads can be unhealthy. Croutons, specifically, are compact pieces of toasted bread. Imagine cutting up a bagel into squares, toasting them, and you will have imagined croutons. A 14 g serving of Wendy’s Home-style Garlic Croutons, for example, have 70 calories, 9 g carbs, and 2 g protein.

7. Sushi Rolls: A California roll is 255 calories and 38 g carbs, a shrimp tempura roll is 508 calories and 64 g carbs, Sushi has white rice, avocado, and some of it is fried adding even more empty calories.

8. Instant Oatmeal Packs: This is another situation where it is better to make your own oatmeal. Buy raw oats and add things form there. Skip the sugar and go for fruits and cinnamon to make it delicious. Or add almond butter and protein powder to get your protein, and a fiber fix all in one. Quaker Oats Maple & Brown Sugar instant oatmeal packs have 160 calories, 32 g carbs, 12 g sugar, 1 g fiber, and 4 g protein.

9. Tea Drinks in a bottle: Tea is advertised as a healthy choice but this doesn’t apply to all teas. Many brands add unneeded sugars to their teas for example. Tea is good on its own or with cinnamon, or a small amount of honey in it if needed. Lipton Ice Tea Lemonade, for example, has 50 calories 13 g carbs, and 13 g sugar, while homemade iced tea has 0 calories, 0 g carbs, and 0 g of sugar if made on your own.

Eat smarter, not less. Things like salads with balsamic vinegar, egg whites, veggies, oatmeal, and fruits can be key ingredients to a better diet.

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Square Enix game director, Tetsuya Nomura has spoken about about the long awaited Final Fantasy XIII Versus; he apologized for the delay and pleaded fans to wait a little bit longer. Final Fantasy XIII Versus has been in development since November 2005 and many fans are wondering if they will ever get to play it. The game follows the story of Noctis who is the prince of a dynasty that guards the last remaining crystal of the world. When the crystal is taken, Noctis must find a way to get it back. There are currently rumors that the game is being renamed to Final Fantasy XV and moved to the PS4 console.

If this game is moved to the PS4 console it could irritate many in the game’s fanbase. The fanbase has been waiting for almost 8 years to play this game and hearing that it is going to be, not only pushed back once again, but possibly bumped up to a next generation console would be disastrous for Square. If the game is moved to the PS4, fans who cannot afford a PS4 upon release would be even more upset with Square.

However, if XIII Versus does move to the PS4, the quality of the graphics would be even higher. As the graphics are already of such a high standard, it would be interesting to see what Square could come up with. We could also expect to see the new features of the PS4 being used in the game somehow. It would also be an amazing game to sell with the PS4 in a bundle deal.

As of now, the title and console change are still nothing but speculation. Square has claimed that new, concrete information is coming soon. However, for the time being, it seems that we will have to continue to wait in hope that the game will be worth it.

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The chia seed is a member of the mint family and has been grown since 1500 B.C. Chia seeds were mainly grown in Mexico but are becoming increasingly popular and are commercially grown. It was used by ancient Aztec warriors as a fuel source for their bodies. It was also used medicinally to aid joint pain and stimulate saliva. The seed was an essential part of the Aztec/Mayan diet and is known to have a whole slew of health benefits.

Chia seeds have many health benefits; they are high in fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. Fiber helps reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, and regulate bowel function. Antioxidants are also beneficial to the body because they help protect the immune system, and help fight signs of aging and some forms of cancer. Omega-3s are important for the brain because they help enhance cognitive performance.

They also help reduce inflammation and high cholesterol, while being full of protein and having more than other grains such as wheat or rice. The seed is also very important for regulating blood sugar; it can reduce insulin resistance, lower high levels of insulin in the blood, and help reduce blood pressure The chia seed can also be used as an energy supplement; one tablespoon can sustain a person for 24 hours.

Chia seeds can be added to almost anything; from drinks to foods, they are extremely versatile. They can also be used in vegan and gluten free cooking. Chia seeds become slightly gelatinous when placed in water so they can be swapped with recipes that call for eggs.

This is very helpful if you have an allergy or are on a special diet. The seeds also help with detoxifying the body by cleansing the colon and absorbing toxins.

These little seeds are part of the newest health craze, luckily they possess actual health benefits and can help keep a healthy, nutritious diet.

Sources:

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/top-10-health-benefits-chia-seeds-6962.html

http://whatscookingamerica.net/CharlotteBradley/Chai-Seeds.htm

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/chia-seeds-health-benefits-tips-and-recipes/

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Millions of Americans consume a cup of coffee every morning as a start to their day. That amounts to approximately 45 million pounds of caffeine every year! This national ritual is considered a norm, but is it healthy? About 54% of Americans drink 3 or more cups of coffee daily. Caffeine can help keep you awake and focused but is it good for the body?

There are many myths surrounding caffeine and its effects on the human body, which may or may not be true. Hearsay like coffee being connected to heart disease or that Coffee is not connected to dehydration. When in actuality, coffee drinkers are no more likely to develop heart disease than non drinkers and coffee is diuretic, but the amount of fluids in coffee more than outweigh the diuretic effect.

Caffeine actually has many positive health benefits such as protecting against Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. It does this by stimulating the brain and nervous system which can help keep you more alert and focused. Interestingly, decaf coffee does not have the same effect on such diseases; it only works about half as well as regular coffee. Caffeine ease headaches; many painkillers are actually made with high amounts of caffeine.

However, caffeine can also have adverse effects if it is not used in moderation. Too much caffeine can lead to jitters, anxiousness, and trouble sleeping. It is also linked to stunting the growth and development of babies that are in the womb,usually during the first trimester. Pregnant women should not consume caffeine at all to ensure a safe pregnancy.

For everyone else, caffeine is relatively safe and has numerous health benefits. The normal recommended caffeine consumption for one day is 300 milligrams (which is about 3 cups of coffee). If you do not exceed this recommendation feel free to enjoy all the benefits of caffeine.

Sources:

http://www.thedailymuse.com/health/is-caffeine-bad-for-you/#.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/health/fitness/2011/03/is_caffeine_actually_good_or.html

http://nutritiondiva.quickanddirtytips.com/benefits-of-caffeine.aspx

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