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StoryTerrace

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Nostalgia. We all love it. But why? Well, Biography writing service StoryTerrace reveals the health benefits of nostalgia. Furthermore it describes why nostalgia plays a big part in us wanting to document our stories. It’s a unique blend, as it’s a unique combination of thoughts which are wrapped up in emotion. Sure you can be happy and that’s cool, but when you’re nostalgic, it involves the cognitive process of remembering. Which also has emotions attached to it. Which could, have some positive influence on our health!

The stories of our lives are made up of memories and the empotions that come with them. StoryTerrace is encouraging everyone to tap into nostalgia, Rutger Bruining, an authority on nostalgia, shares his views on why we should indulge in nostalgia a lot more:

Nostalgia makes us feel happy.

Studies have discovered that writing down a nostalgic event tends to result in positive emotions. While this can be enhanced by focusing on all the things we’ve gained in the past. Whilst turning a blind eye to the sad things we’ve gone through.

Nostalgia brings us together.

Researchers have referred nostlagia as a psychological resource. Since it can make us feel safe and loved, yet, when you start to remember past relationships and lost loved ones. A feeling of bittersweet can accompany nostalgia.  Therefore when we feel such strong emotions like nostalgia, we often seek comfort in those close to us.

Nostalgia warms our hearts AND our bodies.

In 2012, scientific studies discovered that listening to nostalgic music caused participants ambient temperature to rise. Therefore the nostalgia made them feel warmer. Which as a result made them more tolerant to the cold, when they asked to dip their hand in ice water. The study’s volunteers also felt more nostalgic on cold days. Since it helped their bodies regulate temperature.

Looking at the past gives us hope for the future.

Nostalgia can help us remind ourselves that there’s good in the world. As it helps us look to the future. As the volunteers were introduced to nostalgic words, in response to this they reported that they felt a bright future ahead.

Reminiscing supplies our lives with meaning.

Taking into account the above, according to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, nostalgia can help with people deal with the fear of mortality. By making individuals feel as though their lives are meaningful, nostalgia can help to overcome hardships and give our lives purpose.

StoryTerrace

“Emotionally connecting with your younger self helps you maintain a sense of continuity over time. Without memory, we would have no identity. The experiences you’ve had throughout your life help define who you are at any given moment. Here at StoryTerrace, we understand entirely that a sense of connectivity to our pasts is vital for our mental health and wellbeing—and preserving and reminiscing on our own life stories is so important to our happiness. Documenting memories and the emotions attached to them allow us to share and reminisce on our personal tales – and everyone has a story worth sharing.” CEO and Founder of StoryTerrace, Rutger Bruining

StoryTerrace

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Capcom Home Arcade

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Capcom Home Arcade

This brings back sooo many memories! Credit: Capcom USA Home Arcade

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Thursday, 24 October 2019

We recently got to have a play on the Capcom Home Arcade and boy is it so good! It delivers a classic single and multiplayer arcade gaming experience. A real nostalgia buzz!

Hardware

This amazing piece of gaming tech features a grand total of 16 Capcom titles of the golden age of gaming. While it also features two full size premium stick and button configurations. Therefore allowing users to play the games how they were meant to be played back in the day!
The unit features a pair of competition class Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT sticks with 8-way GT-Y directional gates and OBSF buttons for the finest precision, response times and durability.

Capcom Home Arcade Games

The games that are on this fantastic nostalgia device include Mega Man, Giga Wing, Eco Fighters, Street Fighter 2 Hyper Fighting and many more! They are the original CPS1 and CPS2 arcade ROMS with emulation provided by CPS emulation dev Barry Harris. Therefore meaning that you get an authentic and accurate arcade experience!
Break some high scores in single player and team up with a friend in co-op multiplayer. Or if you fancy it you can battle them in head to head mode! Plus you can also upload your best scores via the Capcom Home Arcade’s WIFI to a highscore leaderboard!
The Capcom Home Arcade is a plug and play device, simply plug it into the TV with HDMI and the USB Cable to a USB power supply and you are away!

Purchase yours here!

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Goldeneye 007 REFRESHED!

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Looks like lovers of the classic Nintendo 64 game, Goldeneye 007 is getting a remaster! Boy does it look really really really good! Three years have passed since we got a glimpse of how the iconic Nintendo 64 title would look with a fresh lick of modern paint.

Now the developers are back and this time they’ve brought some gameplay footage with them! So fans of the original and a new generation will get a taste of what Goldeneye 007 was like. They’ll soon realise what an iconic game it was and why many First Person Shooter fans love it so much.

Goldeneye 25 as it’s known began as an ambitious free to play game to port and remaster the original. It will be developed on the Unreal Engine and focuses on the classic solo campaign. While the game looks amazing, you may have to wait some time to play it. As it’s set for release in August of 2022. to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original.

Painstaking work, but worth it.

We get a glimpse of the ‘Silo’ campaign gameplay, plus we can see the hard work that the duo have been doing. As you can clearly see the tireless work that must have gone on. Creating enhanced textures, lighting and character models based on the source material. However, despite creating all original assets, the map layouts and enemy placements remain untouched and exactly how they were in Goldeneye 007.

Looking at the “Silo” campaign gameplay, we can see the duo behind the updated version have been working tirelessly the last few years to create enhanced textures, lighting, and character models based on the source material. Despite creating all original assets, all the map layouts and enemy placements found in GoldenEye 25 will remain exactly the same as they are in GoldenEye 007.

(Hypebeast)

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Ready Player One

Ready Player One – The MOVIE!

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We got an advanced screening of Ready Player One this week and we were really excited to go see it!

However, for those wondering, the movie is released on March 29th and we thought that it was…….well you got to listen to the show to find out! As we’re telling you about the movie before it’s out. You’re probably wondering about spoilers. Therefore it’s best to note that we won’t spoil anything! So it’s safe to keep reading!

Ready Player One is a science fiction movie, which is produced and directed by the great Steven Spielberg. It’s written by Zak Penn and Ernest Cline, which is based on Cline’s 2011 book of the same name. The movie is riddled with pop culture references from all decades! (1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s and 2010’s) Consequently any film goers of all ages will enjoy this film’s nostalgia fest. So, during the film, there are references that are sometimes subtle to a lot of people’s favourite comic, movie and even gaming favourites. From The A-Team, Mad Max, The Iron Giant to Robocop, Jurassic Park and Microsoft’s heavyweight game, Halo!

Ready Player One: Plot

Please see the summary of Ready Player One from Warner Bros below:

In the year 2045, the real world is a harsh place. The only time Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) truly feels alive is when he escapes to the OASIS, an immersive virtual universe where most of humanity spends their days. In the OASIS, you can go anywhere, do anything, be anyone-the only limits are your own imagination. The OASIS was created by the brilliant and eccentric James Halliday (Mark Rylance). Who left his immense fortune and total control of the Oasis to the winner of a three-part contest he designed to find a worthy heir. When Wade conquers the first challenge of the reality-bending treasure hunt, he and his friends-aka the High Five. Are hurled into a fantastical universe of discovery and danger to save the OASIS.

To listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

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Nokia 8110

Nokia 8110 – Banana Phone Upgraded!

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Nokia are playing on our nostalgia once again with the success of the 3310, HMD Global are re-releasing the Nokia 8110. This time with a whole new modern and upgraded set of insides. In 1996 the original ‘banana phone’ was made famous by Keanu Reeves in ‘The Matrix’

The original 8810 was groundbreaking due to the weird but useful shape, which many dubbed a ‘banana’. It may look silly but it served a very good purpose. The shape allowed the phones microphone to be placed as closely an as ergonomically to your mouth.

The upgraded 8810 runs a ‘Smart Feature OS’  which allows for 4g connectivity. Something you wouldn’t expect from such a stripped down phone. Plus would you believe it, it even has Facebook! Well eventually it will, Facebook have said that an app will be available to download at some point.

Nokia 8110 – Apps you say?

It may look small and but it is mighty. The Nokia 8110 will include stripped down versions of Google Assistant, Twitter, Maps, and search. Alongside the usual texts, email and of course the old favourite ‘Snake’.

HMD Global, Nokia’s parent company suggest that the Nokia 8110 is a phone that we should use to switch off from the always connected modern world. That the use of their phone would be perfect for the weekend to:

“switch off, have fun and relax in the knowledge that all your smartphone essentials are there when you need them”

Will the 8810 be as popular as the previous upgraded 3310? We will soon find out when it’s released in May in the UK for a total price of £69. The banana phone will be available in black or yellow.

Do you remember the Nokia 8110? What are your thoughts on the newest upgrade from Nokia? Let us know by contacting us via our socials! @howtokillanhour

To listen to our latest podcast please click here.

To see more watch our Mobile World Congress Day 1 Vlog please click here!

Mario Odyssey

8 Awesome things about Mario Odyssey

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We struggled to put our Nintendo Switch down and show you 8 AWESOME things about Mario Odyssey! check em out here:howtokillanhour.com/entertainment/8-awesome-things-mario-odysseyMarcus BronzybFunk Butcher DJ Ace Nick Bright

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Wednesday, 15 November 2017

Mario Odyssey: 8 Awesome Things

Mario Odyssey has been out for a while and we are enjoying it here at the studio, on the train into work, at home, in the bath. Everywhere! We cannot put it down! It truly is one of Nintendo’s best Mario games to date. If not one of their best games. However, we’ll take a minute or two from playing the game and pry it away from our hands and tell you 8 Awesome Things that we LOVE about Mario Odyssey!

Gameplay

Firstly, the gameplay of this game is second to none. Nintendo have done an absolute incredible job building this game. It’s in 3D, yes. Which some people won’t like as it’s not true to what Mario was always about, 2D side scroller. But it has some of the 2D elements that we all know and love from the original game. It plays like a 2D side scroller but in 3D open world bliss. Incredible. It just feels like Mario and not a cheap 3D version of itself.

Audio

This game just sounds great! We know that this isn’t something that you can physically see, but it helps the game! It remains true to Mario and keeps a lot of the retro style audio, even if a little enhanced to bring it into 2017. If you’re stuck on a level it can get repetitive. But you’ve got to ignore that and not let it affect you, you WILL get past that difficult part!

Motion Sensor

The motion sensor plays a big part in Mario Odyssey, you can use it to climb higher, swim faster even fly faster. The motion sensor also enhances the cap’s abilities. These little elements is what separates the Nintendo Switch from other consoles. Small but beneficial gameplay tweaks that push your experience further.  When the console is docked it’s best to use the motion sensors, however they do work in portable mode, just not as well.

The Cap

The Cap is what everyone is talking about. While we won’t go into exactly why the Cap acts this way as it’ll ruin the story. You won’t get far not using the Cap as it is a very crucial element to the game. Some enemies you won’t be able to take over, while some you can, so it’s a trial and error game when it comes to the cap. Some parts of the game you can’t get around NOT using it. We love it here at How To Kill An Hour and it’s what makes this game great! Be inquisitive when using it too, You may be surprised!

New Donk City

This is the level that got a lot of attention on social media and for good reason. People have been looking forward to New Donk City ever since it was used to promote the game, when first announced! A derivative of New York City, Mario is transported into a world of humans, cars and tall buildings. It truly is one of the more enjoyable levels of the game, there is A LOT to do on this level. Plus keep an eye out for the intricate 2D level as well. A famous Mario character makes an appearance!

 

Nostalgia

This is a quick one but a good one. If you’ve ever played the old Super Mario games, Mario Odyssey has an intelligent nod to yesteryear. At various points throughout each level you will have to complete a short level, or task, in complete 3D. At some points the 3D elements even affect the 2D elements!

Difficulty

Mario Odyssey has an ‘adult’ feel to the game, yet remaining it’s core element of a childs game. The game is relatively easy in the sense that it’s got a main gameplay element to it. Collect enough moons to power up your Odyssey, hit the boss 3 times to defeat them. Then move on to the next planet. But there are also levels to this game. If you want to complete it 100% there’s lots of replayability to go back and collect all the purple collectables and find ALL the moons. There are some elements to the game that require a lot of logical thinking to overcome a task. So it’s not just an easy breeze through kind of game. This game will also challenge most adults!

The Switch

Mario Odyssey was built for the Switch, which sounds silly. But this game was built for both the home version of Switch and the portable one.

Some of Nintendo Switch’s games are easily identifiable as portable or home console games. But with Mario Odyssey it works either way. Sure you can play it either way but you get the feeling that it just doesn’t work.

Most importantly though, it works for Nintendo’s AAA game, Mario Odyssey. The gameplay fits both a pick up and play portable game and a sit at home, ‘take your time with it’ game. This is really hard to explain in words, but once you play it, you will understand what we mean!

Purchase Mario Odyssey

To buy Mario Odyssey please click here!

To listen to the guys talking about this please click here!

What do you think of Mario Odyssey?

Don’t forget to hit us up via our social media channels (@howtokillanhour) on ALL platforms and give us your thoughts on Nintendo’s stellar AAA game! Let us know how far you’ve got and what elements of Mario Odyssey that you like the most!

Ready Player One

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Ready Player One, Co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Zak Penn and Ernest Cline, based on Cline’s novel of the same name.

In the dystopian near-future, much of Earth’s population centers have become slum-like cities; to escape their desolation, people engage in the virtual reality world of the OASIS (Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation), where they can engage in numerous activities for work, education, and entertainment.

Wade Owen Watts is a teenager from Columbus, Ohio who frequents the OASIS and attempts to win “Anorak’s Game”, a game created by the recently-deceased creator of the OASIS, James Halliday, in search of its Easter Egg. The winner is to be granted full ownership of the OASIS and Halliday’s $240 billion fortune. While Wade works with several friends from the OASIS to discover Anorak’s treasure, the corporate giant Innovative Online Industries (IOI) employs a number of players to try to discover the treasure first and seize control of OASIS for themselves. Due For Release March 2018.  (Wiki)

To listen to the guys chatting about this please click here! 

To buy the book that Ready Player One is based on please click here!

 

 

Episode 159 – Dodow

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Cassette sales increase!

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Seem’s as though we all want to live in the past! As we have already said, Vinyl album sales have increased in 2016 but it seems as though another dark ages media has risen from the dead.

Cassette tapes sales grew with an incredible 129,000 copies sold! A 74% increase from 2015 sales. Most of the sales were online with the rest going to small independent retailers.

A few reasons may be because of this, due to Justin Beiber, The Weeknd selling their albums on Cassette tapes and Eminem re-issued The Slim Shady LP cassette selling 3,000 copies. The Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 soundtrack was the most popular, having sold about 4,000 copies each in 2016 and 2015.

To listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

Anki OverDrive!

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Remember Scalextric as a kid and how much fun that was pretending to be your favorite racing driver as you weave in and out of the dining room table legs before eventually crashing at the corners, because you didn’t listen to your Dad and went full speed all the time?

Well, get prepared to have some incredible nostalgia, this week on How To Kill An Hour we got to play with Anki Overdrive (video above) and this is Scalextric for the 21st Century! Each car is driven by the Anki app on your iOS or Android device and is driven on long, wide pieces of plastic track which can be altered however you want, there’s accessories that you can buy to make banks, bridges and even a cross over section for impending crashes! What’s even more impressive is there is Mario-Kart like abilities where you get to shoot down the other cars!

Also, each Supercar is a self aware robot that is driven by incredible artificial intelligence with the ability to learn whatever track that you build. So you don’t even have to have someone racing with you, you can race the other cars! Wherever you drive the artificial intelligence cars will chase you down! You don’t even get a chance to out run them because the better you become the better they become!

With constant software updates the game will always be fresh, coupled with the ability to customise weapons, swap cars and build new tracks there’s hours that you could kill playing this!

Also there’s much more to Anki OverDrive than just racing:

(Information pulled from AnkiOverDrive Official website)

  • RACE

    The first to the finish line wins, so step on the gas.

  • BATTLE

    Take aim at your opponents, score big, and win big.

  • TIME TRIAL

    Put your driving skills to the test in a race against the clock.

  • KING OF THE HILL

    Chaotic fun as players battle for the crown to see who rules the road by holding the lead position the longest.

Buy Anki OverDrive here!

Download the free Anki OverDrive App Here: Apple / Android

Price: £149.99