Green Man Gaming Logo

Green Man Gaming (EXPLICIT WARNING)

We recently discovered this amazing smaller YouTuber called Green Man Gaming and they’re amazing! We think that they deserve a lot more eyes on them! So have decided to showcase them here on How To Kill An Hour.

They do a whole host of different types of videos, like the comedy style above, to a historic look through at games. For example, they looked at Ace Combat through the years, giving a good insight as to how the game has developed over the years. As well as longer play through’s they also do miniature (sub 10minute) play through of games, their most recent one was of Rage 2. Furthermore they also do a pretty cool Throwback Thursday features where by they look at past games, in this one they look at Super Mario 64. However, we cannot go by and not mention the really cool video they did before Christmas. It was called Video Games Rock. It’s a mash up video of video game’s dancing to Jingle Bell Rock. It’s worth a watch. Even if it is February!

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Anthem First Impressions

Anthem – Impressions

Anthem is EA’s brand new game that really surprised everyone during E3 2017. It’s a brand new game, a brand new franchise in a completely new universe. Anthem is a futuristic open-world RPG that we were very excited about and for good reason! Well, we’ve given it a go and one thing we can tell you is that it is incredible. Furthermore, it is even better with friends, it’s a wonderful co-op game.

Anthem is an online only, multiplayer, open world,  third person RPG game that’s being developed by BioWare Edmonton and published by EA. This game is HUGE and it’s just been released and many gamers are getting to grips with it. While, the game is being compared to Destiny where the game is constantly being updated. (Gameplay bugs, graphical enhancements, small gameplay updates etc etc)

While this game is already huge and there’s plenty to do. There’s gonna be so much more. As EA are calling Anthem an ‘Evolving World’. While game can be played single player, you can add teammates. As it is designed to be played with friends as it’s billed as a co-op game. Consequently, you and your friends take take on a role of a Freelancer in a group of up to 4 bold and courageous people who leave their civilisation to explore a dangerous yet beautiful landscape.

Events

Destructoid are reporting that EA and Bioware have a “roadmap” for upcoming updates and content drops. Act One is taking place right now and will conclude at the end of May. While, February will have three free events: Outlaw Outrage, There Be Giants and Shaper Surge. Yet, March will see Cortex Locked plus a bunch of new missions. April is said to add a new “Stronghold” and “Social Play modes. Furthermore May is said to add a major event called Cataclysm

(Destructoid)

Check out our play through to see what it’s really like! First of all, Part 1 is above, while part 2 is below.

 

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Rick Edwards how to kill an hour

Episode 316 Rick Edwards

VR Headset

5 Exciting New Gaming Trends

If you need tangible proof of the advancement of technology, the gaming world is the place to go. When you think about how far gaming has come in the last few decades, it’s remarkable. From slow black and white screens to intense real-time gaming, the industry has made leaps and bounds. However, it’s not planning on stopping anytime soon. So, if you want to know what you can expect from the gaming world in the next few years, take a look below.

VR Headset

Virtual Reality

 

Virtual reality isn’t a new concept in the gaming world, but there is room for so much more than there is right now. 3D has been around longer than many people know. The reason that it wasn’t as mainstream as it is now is because it wasn’t affordable. Like the majority of innovative technology, the wealthy are the ones who get to experience it first. However, VR headsets are about to change the gaming world forever. For example, Oculus Rift, created by Palmer Luckey, has a huge field view, quicker response than other headsets and immersive 3D technology.

 

Secondary Screens

 

For years, gamers have been complaining about not being able to do two things at once while playing certain games. This is especially true for action games where time is precious and the last thing you want to do is pause the game to access another screen. The introduction of secondary screens, like Wii U and Xbox SmartGlass. If you are going to use an additional screen, you’ll need a quality HD one the LG 27UK850 Monitor. Being able to access maps or menus from one screen and continue to play on another will make gaming that more exciting.

PS4 Controller

 

Cheap Gaming

 

One of the downsides to gaming is that it can be expensive to kit yourself out with everything you need to get the full experience of games on the market right now. That’s why so many people are playing games on their phones. You can expect to see a rise in android powered game consoles where people can get their hands on cheap and free games with a 1080p gaming experience. The industry will no longer rely on big corporations to create expensive games.

 

Augmented Reality

 

Augmented reality has just as many possibilities as virtual reality. When using augmented reality, a gamer’s reality is altered to provide them with a new experience each time. For instance, games like DroidShooting can be played on phones. The game takes your surroundings and you have to shoot at the droids that appear within those surroundings. You’ll see your own reality on your phone but the game will add to it to create an experience.

Cloud Gaming

 

If you thought the Cloud didn’t have its finger in this pie too, you’d be wrong. The future of gaming will be more accessible, like music and movies, to those who want to game at the click of a button. All it will take is a device and an internet connection to play a selection of different games online.

 

Gaming is constantly changing, but always for the better.

 

Science(ish)

We recently had Rick Edwards on the show and had a wonderful time chatting to him about all things science, Fatbergs and hunting for treasure in rivers. Most notably we discussed his Science podcast that he presents alongside Dr Michael Brooks: Science(ish). Science(ish) is all about discussing the science in popular culture.

What are the episodes about?

In the podcast that we had with Rick we discussed recent Science(ish) shows such as discussing what would happen if there were Nuclear Warfare. Dr Michael Brooks’ revelation that the best way to figure out humanity. It would be to place loads of babies on a desert island and do experiments on them. How plants defend themselves against caterpillars. Plus Rick informed us about a special that was once shelved, it was due to be released on Valentines Day. To find out exactly what the special was, listen to Rick’s show with us! Furthermore Marcus found out during his chat with Rick that they’re doing an episode on Wolverine soon! In this EP, Rick discusses with Dr Michael Brooks about regeneration, much like Wolverine! Also we touched on genetic mutation and how people may be able to mutate gene’s in the future to design their children!

Science

We had a great time chatting to Rick about his podcast Science(ish) and book of the same name. It is very apparent that Rick is very passionate about Science. Yet, the things he spoke about whilst with us, were made very simple for us to understand. This is what Science(ish) is all about, talking about Science in a cool, entertaining and interesting way. So, therefore, even if you’re not a fan of Science, you may have had some Science discussions with your mates without even knowing about it as Rick stated in the podcast!

Science is not as dull as many Tv shows and text books may lead you to believe. While Science(ish) is the cool cousin of that. You will want to delve into things with your friends about many of the subjects that Edwards and Brooks discuss on Science(ish). Therefore we feel that it will open your eyes to the things! Such as how exciting and exhilarating Science can be, more specifically the future of the world.

Science(ish) is a very cool podcast and we highly recommend that you check out Rick’s podcast, you can listen to Science(ish) by clicking here!

Listen to Rick Edwards on How To Kill An Hour by clicking here!

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Metro Exodus

Metro Exodus is OUT NOW and we think that it is absolutely incredible. Not only is it beautiful but the story is said to be one of the most interesting and immersive gaming experiences out there right now. We will definitely come back to you with a full look at Metro Exodus in the future. But in the mean time, we’re on board. This game has no competitive multiplayer, it has no co-op but what it does have is a vivid story which will keep you entertained for hours. It looks like a movie, what more could you want?!

Five years on from the previous Metro game (Metro: Last Light) you control Arytom and a band of Spartan Rangers. WHo have fled the Moscow Metro and embark on an incredible continent spanning epic journey. Not just any journey either, it’s across a post apocalyptic Russia.

The story is inspired by novels of Dmitry Glukhovsky. Metro Exodus’ storyline is a huge expansive single player experience that blends an incredible narrative. With high octane impact combat, exploration, survival and stealth. Therefore creating one wonderfully atmospheric, immersive world. We haven’t been this excited for a single player experience since Red Dead Redemption II! 

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10 year Challenge for Phones

#10YearChallenge – Smartphone Edition

The #10YearChallenge has only just finished sweeping the world. However, what would the #10YearChallenge look like if our smartphones undertook this challenge instead? CompareMyMobile have undertook a really cool study on how the smartphone world looked 10years ago. It’s very suprising to be fair! We’ve come a very long way!

For example 10 years ago only 17% of adults had a smartphone, compared to a whopping 78% of adults currently. Which as a result we are more addicted to our smartphones than we ever were. They’ve also changed in a number of other ways

  • Costs – the mobile phones of today are in some cases 7 times more expensive than they were in 2009
  • Memory capacity – it has increased 16 times in some cases
  • Display is twice as big (or more!) compared to mobile phones in 2009
  • Camera – smartphone cameras today have at least 3 times (or more pixels) than in 2009

CompareMyMobile.com has compiled a list of the most talked about phones in 2009 and compared them to their 2019 rivals from the same manufacturer. They also took a look at what contracts were on offer to punters in 2009 too!

Contracts

They discovered that in 2009, upfront costs for phones and monthly payments were a lot cheaper (unsurprisingly) however, what is shocking is that some of the 2019 prices compared to their 2009 equivalent have TRIPLED! Whereas mobile devices were affordable in 2009 when looking at upfront costs. While in some cases monthly payments are fairly similar. The one thing that is surprising. If you look at all of the contracts today for smartphones. It’s normal to expect Gigs of data. It’s crazy to think now, but in 2009, some networks were charging  £5 per megabyte for internet usage!!

In 2009 500 texts per month, which was deemed as quite good. Minutes were 100-900minutes. Fast forward to 2019 and both those are often listed as unlimited. (Who calls these days anyway?)

(CompareMyMobile)

Please see two examples below!

For a much more detailed look at the #10YearChallenge Smartphone edition please click here! There’s a look at past popular smartphones developers such as Blackberry’s (remember BBM!?) and the ever favourite Nokia.

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When is the best time to sell your Samsung?

Are you planning on getting the latest Samsung Galaxy, the Galaxy S10 once it launches on February 20th 2019? Do you already own a Samsung smartphone, or have an old one around your home somewhere?

Well, trade in site musicMagpie have got some news for you! If you want a new one, the best time to sell is NOW! They’ve got a handy chart (seen above) which depicts the value of a range of smartphones after 12 months.

Why is the best time to sell NOW? Well musicMagpie found that Android devices. Such as Samsung handsets. Could lose as much as a 35% decrease in value once the latest handsets release. In this case, the S10.

Trade-In Value

musicMagpie figure that the Samsung Galaxy S9 since its release in 2018, could fetch £300 if they trade in now. Those that have the larger handset, the S9+ can see a return of £340. However, once the S10 drops the value decrease is said to drop! If users were to trade in early, they will ensure a very good return on their initial investment.

The research from musicMagpie also found that both handsets the S9 and S9+ both decreased in value by 64% over a 10month period. Which was more than any other previous generation Galaxy handset over a 10month period. Suprisingly and interestingly, if the S10 follows the same decrease in value than it’s predecessors, it is set to lose at least 50% of it’s value in the FIRST MONTH after launch.

Thoughts

“With the S10 launch just around the corner, consumers looking to upgrade to the S10 can get more money for their old device now rather than after. The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ lost the same amount of value in the same time and we’ve never really seen that in any other device range – usually, the newer version of the handset takes longer to lose value.

While cars typically lose approximately 20% when driven off the lot, technology items can lose up to an average of 65% once they are taken out of the box, depending on the brand. It’s well documented in our bi-annual depreciation studies that iPhones hold their value better than Samsung devices, and it’ll be interesting to see how much more the Samsung Galaxy S9 will drop in value once the S10 is out.” Liam Howley, Chief Marketing Officer at musicMagpie

For more detailed look at phone depreciation, please click here!

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Far Cry: New Dawn

Far Cry: New Dawn is the brand new Far Cry game from Ubisoft Montreal,  a sequel to Far Cry 5, the hugely popular first person shooter. Set 17 years after the events of Far Cry 5 and you will see similarities to the setting of Hope County, yet in a completely different setting. Post Apocalyptic.

In Far Cry: New Dawn you return to Hope County 17 years after a global nuclear catastrophe. Civilisation is all but been wiped out. Therefore those that remain are fighting to survive. Factions have been created and risen. Bringing everything into disrepute.

One of the factions that have arisen in this post apocalyptic civilisation is the Highwaymen. Which is led by twin sisters Mickey and Lou. The Highwaymen cause terror amongst the civilisation bleeding survivors of all available resources.Help those left behind defend their lands against this relentless onslaught or come to their aid and lead the fight.

You can help the remaining communities grow stronger, help craft a makeshift arsenal. By doing a range of cross-country expeditions, helping to upgrade your homebase. Leading to an improvement in facilities which lead to powerful weapons and gear. You can even form alliances with those you may not expect. All to secure your place in the new world you have found yourself in.

You can play the game singularly or like Far Cry 5, take on the world in two player co-op. You may come across some mutated forms of wildlife!

Features

  • Start your journey in the apocalyptic world of Far Cry: New Dawn with style thanks to the limited Edition including -Far Cry New Dawn game
  • The Knight Pack, which contains a Sniper rifle skin and a sidecar motorbike skin that will give to your character a vintage apocalyptic touch. Because style matters, have fun with this modern interpretation of the classic medieval blade and horse!
  • Pre-order to get an additional vehicle skin in game at launch. Ride in style across post-apocalyptic Hope County, Montana, with The Unicorn Trike skin
  • Fight for survival in a breathtaking post-apocalyptic world
  • Battle for resources in Hope County and beyond

(Amazon)

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Episode 315 IKEA Takeover