Should cross-platform multiplayer be a thing for every game? (Debate)

Just five or so years ago, you would never see a multiplayer game that is capable to be played across various game consoles/PC. Now we have just a handful of games where this is implemented included Call of Duty Modern Warfare, Fortnite and Rocket League. There has always been an argument on whether all online games should be cross-platform or not. Some are against it, while others really like the idea. I would say I am more in between, so in this post I will address the reasons for being "for" and "against" the idea. To begin with, I am for the idea because with cross-platform you are able to play with your friends online that are on different consoles. This is pretty beneficiary if you are a big fan of one console and your friend likes another console a lot more, thus with cross-platform you are not forced to conform to using a console that you are not a huge fan of. Another reason I am for it is because it allows a games online player base to be much greater, which in turn results in quicker matchmaking. On the contrary, you could say that having a bigger player base allows PC players to be added into the mix. PC players in particular are referred to have a huge advantage over console players, so this addition can actually punish console players overall. One more reason for having cross-platform available everywhere is that it will basically eliminate companies like Microsoft and Sony from trying to steal fan base and in turn lower the concept of "console wars". Console wars have been going on for a while now and it is basically supporters of each console going after each other supporting their system and their system only. If online games were able to be played with everybody across different consoles rather then in their own ecosystem, then people would view each others consoles as more equal. That being said, the opposition would point out that having "console wars" allows video game developers to make as much money as possible, which they believe to be a great thing. Without a console war, there would be no competition they'd say. All in all, I feel like both sides have valid arguments but I think it would be best to stick with only have some really popular games as cross-platform.

What if Sony and Microsoft merged to create a new console? (Hypothetical)

I am well aware that this is super impractical, but I thought it would be fun to speculate on this nonetheless. Imagine if Sony and Microsoft were to team together and make a console that could contain the knowledge and best of the Xbox platform and Sony platform. At hindsight, I think that the console would turn out to be a disaster. I don't think anything would be totally agreed upon between both companies. So, the design would look freaky and awkward by trying to appeal to both companies visual departments and the controller, online experience and system software would most likely also be convoluted because both companies wouldn't be able to implement exactly what they want. Their ideas just wouldn't clash with the other companies ideas. Overall, I think the console would be a mess and be pretty poorly optimized. I also think this console would be absurdly expensive. One of the main things that keeps console prices and accessories reasonable is a "price war". For instance, Sony completely undercut Microsoft when they released their Xbox One in 2013. The Xbox One originally sold for $500, while the PlayStation 4 took the initiative and sold for $400, which resulted in higher sales for an about equal console. Without this "price war" being a thing the companies can sell their console for practically any price because people only have one choice. Potentially the only good thing I can see coming from this is that users would get the best of both worlds for their selection of games. 

Best of Video Game One-Stop Reader - June 2020 (Sneeze)

June 2020 has definitely been a pretty cool one, as I embarked on creating a gaming blog. 

 

As to be expected, for Video Game One-Stop Reader it has been a slow start regarding page and posts views with only a handful of people reading my content,  but soon enough we should grow into something quite special. 

 

I spent a few minutes sifting through the posts and articles I published throughout the month of June. I also spent some time reflecting on which content I believed to be the most useful and viewed. Here I have compiled this list for the best of Video Game One-Stop Reader. 

 

 

I sincerely hope you like this recap of this first month of content for June 2020. 

Month of June:

13 posts and 7 pillar articles – I got off to a hot start for my first month of blog content. Among this content, I strived to deliver both informational and opinionated content in order to create a more diverse blog. Here, I provide for you a list of posts and articles that I believe are the most worth checking out and generated the highest amount of traffic.

 

Most Content Rich/Useful

è Personal top five ideas for gaming blog content  - This post offers up advice for what type of content you should be creating in order to attract the most traffic and in turn earn the highest amount of revenue. Ideal for beginner bloggers and enthusiasts.

è How to write a video game review –  This post delivers steps a person should take if they want to create a professional and concise game review that is bound to gain attention. Ideal for hobbyists that like to voice their opinion and help others make a decision.

è PlayStation 5 general breakdown(what is known so far) – This post is meant to be a one-stop reader for up to date PlayStation 5 news. There is a lot of hype built up around this console, so everybody is searching for the latest information. Ideal for console enthusiasts.

è How to pick the right console for you – This article is extremely useful to check out if you are typically on the fence on buying one console over the other. Choosing the right option can be tricky so this will help you a lot by providing step-by-step guidelines.

è How to solve common PlayStation 4 problems – This article goes over some common problems with the PS4 and what you should do to solve them. If you are currently having a problem or know someone that does then this will be extremely useful.

 

 

Most Viewed

è How to pick the right console for you  (12 views)

è Recommended pro gaming products (16 views)

è PlayStation 5 general breakdown (what is known so far) (4 views)

è How to solve common PlayStation 4 problems (10 views)

è ABOUT ME (40 views)

PC Gaming Vs Console Gaming

This particular comparison weights heavily on a lot of people. There has always been an ongoing debate on which one is better, but I am going to go with the most neutral approach and say it depends on what you prefer. I personally built my own desktop "gaming computer" and also have been playing console games for many years, so I feel like I have a decent understanding on the pros and cons of both.

PC Gaming: 

Pros 

• Can potentially play any game in 4K resolution with 60 FPS (Frames per second) and above 
• Upgrade-able hardware, you aren't stuck having to buy a completely new computer for a better experience. Just swap out the part.
• Games are extremely affordable; most games are around $20-$40  
• Free multiplayer game-play; You do not have to pay a yearly subscription fee in order to play an online game with other people
• Game modifications, you are capable of downloading tweaks to a game in order to change up the way it plays

Cons 

• Can be extremely expensive to purchase or build a capable "gaming computer", cost ranges from $600 to over $2,000 dollars depending on what performance you want 
• Many games only allow mouse and keyboard for a controller, to some this isn't a con but to people who are transitioning from console to PC it can be difficult to adjust. 
• Somewhat poor game compatibility, many games that are on the PC are ported from their console counterparts, so you may see a lot of game crashing and computer freeze ups. 

Console Gaming: 

Pros:  

• Relatively cheap, The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 go for around $300 
• Superb game compatibility, since developers only have to create coding and an engine for a specific console, then games will be better optimized .
• Very little troubleshooting, it's a game console at heart, so generally you will not run into issues with games not running properly 
• More online players, since consoles are relatively cheap compared to computers more people choose to play games on them which can make finding people to play with quicker. 

Cons:

• Virtually no upgradeability, if you want stronger performance there aren't any other options besides to convert to PC gaming or wait for new generation of consoles 
• Locked to 4K resolution and 30 FPS ( as of now) 
• Games are pricey, all new games will cost you at least $60 
• Have to pay for online access, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One both charge a $60 yearly subscription to play with other people. 

As you can see, there are definitely strengths and weaknesses for each platform of gaming. Generally, I think it is entirely up to the individual which one they prefer more, but this comparison should offer a bit of information for you to pick the right choice. 

        

Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time (Informational)

If you haven't heard the news about the new "Crash Bandicoot" game that is going to be releasing on October 2nd, 2020, then I guess you found exciting information. If you do not know what the game "Crash Bandicoot" is about i'll explain... hence the name you play as a mutant barred Bandicoot named 'Crash' that journeys across fictitious islands called "Wumpa Islands" His life is full of exploring for the most part, except when he has to defend himself against the main antagonist ' Doctor Neo Cortex'. Cortex wants Crash dead because he is a failed experiment that he created. In each game, Crash must defeat Cortex to prevent him from world domination. Created by the developer Naughty Dog then later produced by Beenox, this game was legitimately my childhood. The first iteration of the game was released back in 1996 and it most likely was the one of the first video games I ever played. I have so many memories of this game and am absolutely thrilled that It is coming back after a twenty year hiatus. This new game will pick up direct where the original trilogy left off, so I will definitely have to refresh my memory before I pick this one up. What is pretty interesting is that the game will feature offline multiplayer for 2-4 players. No information regarding this has been released, but I am intrigued to see how it will pan out. This game will be releasing on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One for $60, and personally I think every dollar will be worth it just for the pure nostalgia. 

Marvel's Iron Man VR Demo Review

This demo was such a thrill to play, who in their right mind wouldn't like to be Iron Man flying through the skies and shooting projectiles out of their hands. The Demo only consists of about twenty minutes of game play including an introductory mission to teach you the basics of virtual reality along with a full-fledged first mission of the game. Right when I entered into the introductory mission I knew that this game will be amazing once it releases. The tutorials go through how to shoot projectiles, use the power thrusters to move and how to change the direction you are facing. The one thing that stands out as really advanced compared to other VR games I've played is you are able to turn fully around without experiencing many tracking issues which is pretty neat. On to the first mission, there was definitely a lot of "this is insane" moments. Basically, you begin as Tony Stark, joined with his accomplice Pepper on an airplane in route to his home base in Malibu. The plane gets shot at and bursts into flames by enemies that are using Tony's old combat drones. Tony has to escape the plane and rescue pepper (who is the pilot)  before the plane crashes and burns to the ground. Overall, for a virtual reality game I thought the graphics were among the best I have ever seen and just the rush of adrenaline I got while trying to dodge enemy projectiles, whilst firing back at them was probably the coolest VR experience I have had. 

Overall, I give this demo a 10/10. Between it's amazing graphics, really good camera tracking, and immersiveness and just for the fact that you are playing as one of the greatest superheroes of all time, this ranks as one of the top VR games on my list. If this is indicative at all on how the full game will be, it should be one for the books. 

My Story Of Success (Inspirational)

Success comes in a lot of different ways, for gaming it comes with somehow finding a way to make a sustainable income on something that you love doing. This dream can definitely become a reality if you are ready to put in the work that is required. Personally, I had a little bit of success about four years ago when I decided to create a gaming YouTube channel. At first, like for many it was just something I thought would be cool doing and really did not expect to gain any "subscribers" or have any people watching my videos. And at first it was definitely demoralizing, I was making two videos every other day and was only getting 5 views at most. It was like this for at least 4-5 months, then one of the videos I posted struck gold. I got over 3,000 views on a video over a two week time span and 10,000 views in two months. Although this doesn't seem like much compared to the more established channels getting over 100,000 in one day; to me it was extremely motivating and my first mark of achievement. I continued to produce content for another 5-6 months, bringing in around 75 subscribers over that time period and it felt great. No, It definitely wasn't a million dollar channel by any means, but just seeing the 3-5 comments on my videos made me feel appreciated for my creations and glad I stuck with creating content when things were slow. Unfortunately, once I started to gain some traction I was entering my junior year of High School and just didn't have the time to keep producing videos, but it was definitely something I would have liked to continue. 

The reason I bring this story up is just to show that you should never be discouraged to try something different because you fear failure. Sure, I didn't continue with my YouTube channel,  but to me the happiness I got out of creating videos for viewers was success to me nonetheless. If you have the drive and passion, go for it and see that you may be able to accomplish more then you thought at first. Success may not come in boat loads, but you will definitely be glad that you took the time to explore an avenue that you thought was pointless at first, whether it be gaming related or not. 

PS4 Pro Vs Xbox One X (Best consoles of this generation)

Both the PlayStation 4 Pro and the Xbox One X were groundbreaking consoles in terms of power and graphical fidelity when they released 3-4 years ago. Both of these consoles have a lot to offer and are similar in many different ways so it can be hard to make a decision. That being said, these two consoles have pros and cons about them that can either make or break which console you leap on buying. Lets begin with the PS4 Pro...

Pros: 

1. Offers 1440P - 4K HDR gaming for only $400 

2. Offers Virtual Reality Support 

3. Offers 4K HDR streaming through services such as HULU, Amazon Prime, and Netflix 

4. A PlayStation Plus subscription is only required to play games online, you are still able to use other streaming video services and apps ($60 for a year) 

Cons: 

1. Lacks a 4K Blu-Ray movie player 

2. Does not produce native 4K visual quality in every game - sometimes drops to 1440 P or 2440p. 

3. Lacks backwards compatibility game-play with PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 games

Now on to the Xbox One X...

Pros: 

1. Offers a full native 4K HDR gaming experience

2. Offers backwards compatibility with games from the Xbox 360 and original Xbox 

3. Offers a native 4K Blu-Ray player 

Cons: 

1. Lacks an option for Virtual Reality Games 

2. Most expensive a console has even been

3. A Xbox Live subscription is necessary to play games online and to use streaming videos services and apps. ($60 for a year)

As you can tell, the PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X both have pros/features that the other console lacks completely or has lower performance on. Just like everything it's important to look at the price point for each of these consoles and evaluate if the included or improved upon features justify the increase in price. For many,  pros of one console aren't really a factor in their decision process and the cons do not really matter to you a lot. Which console is better is largely your opinion in regards to what you like. 

   

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PlayStation 4 Virtual Reality Headset - External Camera Player Tracking Problem

The PlayStation 4 virtual reality headset was the first VR headset to ever hit the shelves on consoles with an intuitive design and profound graphics. Overall, I really enjoy using the Virtual Reality headset because it makes games a lot more interactive, but on this headset in particular one huge negative I have is the camera player tracking. So, unlike many newer headsets like the Oculus Rift S that uses internal tracking cameras to detect the room around you and accurately detect your movements in the game, the PSVR uses external cameras to get this job done. With this brings the glaring problem of the duo sensor camera losing direct line of site with your headsets tracking sensors and motion controllers when you duck to low or move to far to the left or right. For reference, there has been several times when I was playing the game beat saber (VR "Guitar hero") and I either have to duck low to avoid an obstacle and the camera loses tracking or I swing my arms to far to the right or left and it loses tracking. This results in having to exit to the main menu and recalibrate the headset, camera, and motion controllers, which takes at least 2-5 minutes every-time.  It is a major annoyance and there is not anyway to fix it, only to prevent it as much as possible. Some methods that have worked somewhat for me is to position the PlayStation 4 tracking camera as low as possible while still maintaining sight with you when you stand up. And to alleviate tracking issues when moving to far left or right, I found that rotating the camera just enough so that the camera captures yourself and a few feet to the left and right helps keep the issue from reoccurring. This is definitely a major negative I have with this product and hope it gets an upgrade on the PlayStation VR2. 

10 ways to become a better gamer (Link)

There are a lot of people out in the world that want to become better at video games, but do not know where to start or what to do.  The blog ProGamerReview compiled a list of eight ways in order to become a better gamer; whilst I believe these are great ways I wanted to expand on this list and give you 10 concrete ways to become better at video games.

8 Ways to Become a Better Gamer by Johannes Amstrup Andersen: https://www.progamerreview.com/7-ways-to-become-a-better-gamer/  

    For the most part I agree with how this author has structured his list, but personally I would switch #3 "watch professional streams" with #2 "playing private matches". The reason I would personally do this is because while at face value practicing against people is beneficial to improving at a game, you could be playing with people that are a lot lower in skill level then you are and might not be taking the practice session that seriously. On the contrary, when you watch a professional stream you get to see what tactics and strategies the pros use in order to try them out yourself. In addition, you could even play the game while watching the pros play, in order to improve at an even more rapid rate compared to just playing with a bunch of people that may not take the game as seriously as you do. 

The two ways I would add on to this are:

9. Play Ranked Matches

  

A majority of games nowadays allow you to play compete with other with other competitive players in a playlist called "Ranked". Everybody in this playlist are about the same skill level as you are or even marginally better. Therefore, this allows you to really zone in on how they play and the mistakes they make. If you can learn from their mistakes as well as your own then you can become a better player and as a result continue facing better opponents while continuously improving.

10.  Take A Break 

At least from my experience it seems like people think that you need to play a game practically non-stop in order to improve. In my opinion, this is furthest from the truth. I believe someone would improve at a game much steadily if they play in moderation instead. Just like a lot of things, getting burnt out is a very real thing and from this you become agitated, tired and your concentration starts to dip a lot. Once you see this set in, you would be much better off not playing for a week compared to continuously playing for hours and not improving nearly as much because you're not in the right mindset. 

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8. Gaming Gear

On the bottom of my list, I have put gaming equipment, even though a lot of people may disagree. Some people will claim that it is an absolute necessity, while others will say it is 100% about the skills. I believe it is somewhere in between. You can get good without excellent gaming gear. There are even rare examples with professional CS-GO players, gaming on old school equipment, and still performing at the top. But this is the exception, not the rule, and most people will benefit from updated equipment. With that said, it is not all expensive gaming gear that will enhance your performance. Whereas a flashy mouse with a higher DPI most likely won’t change your performance, a monitor with faster response time or a mouse with those extra key bindings can do wonders for you.

Related: Best mice for MOBA, fps, and gaming in general. Complete lists.

7. Practice

This obviously sounds like a bit of a cliché, but playing more generally improve your capabilities. But I am not just talking about playing the game since at some point you will not gain much from simply playing. I am talking about playing the game, intending to improve and notice your mistakes. The most significant and most crucial part of this is: be critical of your own playstyle! Most people tend to blame everything on everyone else, and that is a significant hindrance if you want to improve. Next time you play your game of choice, analyze what went wrong every chance you get. Once we begin to look inward and realize our own mistakes, there is usually so much room for improvement.

YOU WILL NEVER BE GREAT, IF YOU DON’T FIRST ADMIT YOU’RE FLAWED.

6. Watch/analyze Replays

This is obviously a bit of a continuation of the point above, but it deserves its own section. I would argue that this is one of the absolute most essential factors when you seek to improve your skills. Most people keep playing hours on end and do not realize what they do wrong. Watching replays of your games will give you a massive advantage over your opponents, and if you ask any professional gamer, it is a part of their process. Most gaming developers know this, and most current day competitive games do have spectator/replay mode. Alternatively, you can choose to record your gaming sessions using fraps, Action, etc. and sometimes this is preferable over just watching replays. In conclusion, even though it is probably more boring watching a replay than playing, you will usually gain so much more from it.

5. Communication/Teamplay

Dota, LoL, CS-GO, Fortnite, WoW, and the list goes on. These are all highly competitive games that rely highly on communication and teamwork. There are times where you can carry your team, especially in casual matches and solo queues. But as you begin to rank up and meet more skilled opponents, proper executed team play and communication are the keys to success. In many cases, you can actually have a team existing of fully capable individuals, but if they all have different plans or ideas, it can quickly go wrong. I realize that not all people are interested in playing in premade teams and use vocal communication, although that is the best way to go.

Even if you don’t use voice chat, good communication through chat will go a long way. And you will surely have a much harder time climbing the ladder if you stay silent. Final note: Being toxic in chat, does NOT count as good communication.

Related: Best Gaming Headsets – Top 5 List

4. Watch Professional Streams

Almost all competitive games have an active ESport scene of some sort. And whether we like to admit it or not, there is a good chance the pro players a just a tiny bit better than us. Watching competitive tournaments or a professional players stream does wonder. Not only are they most likely fantastic players, but it is also an excellent way to learn about the newest builds/meta/tricks, etc. And this is also something that will give you a significant advantage when playing competitively. And With the popularity of Twitch, there is a good chance that a lot of you already do this. Most games are ever-changing, with new hotfixes and balance patches coming in each other week. So watching pro streams keeps you informed and up to date, and probably improve you along the way.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

3. Private Matches

If you and your friends have already done everything on this list, you probably won’t gain much from random quick matches and such. A team of well communicating and highly coordinated players will usually destroy any random team. Not only is it horrible to be demolished by a much better, premade team, but you will also get bored with tilting bad teams. This is the perfect time to reach out to other teams that are around and about your lvl. I highly recommend going the subreddit for your game on Reddit and search for groups. I have had a lot of great experience with this. Not only will you find great challenge in this, but it is also so much fun! As rivalries are bound to happen and you will probably find your love for the game renewed.

2. Get Healthy!

Gaming has long been associated with health issues like obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and overall bad physical condition.

Obviously, there is some truth to this as a lot of people tend to neglect both diet and physical activities when sitting in front of a computer for hours on end. However, in competitive gaming, your most important weapon is your brain, and countless studies show how vital dietary and physical health is to your brain function. Cognitive health, in particular, is known to take a hit when you neglect your health, and it also happens to be incredibly crucial for your in-game performance.

In most situations, you will benefit more from cutting the practice session short and hit the gym or prepare a healthy meal. Competitive gaming requires immense focus for extended periods, and having a healthy brain is the secret key to success.

1. Enjoy it!

This is number 1 on my list only because it affects all the above points. If you are toxic and angry, you will not have good communication, and will, therefore, have a hard time. You will also have a tough time finding both teammates and private opponents. But when all is said and done, this is gaming, and it is supposed to be fun. That is why we all became gamers because we enjoy playing very much. And we should all try to be a little more positive when gaming, and remember why we fell in love with it in the first place. If you do this, all the other steps on this list will not be hard work, but the time of your life.

Interview with my friend nick (Interview)

I decided to interview my friend Nick on my gaming blog because compared to my other friends he is much more into technology and video games. Thus, he would be well versed on this topic to provide opinions in order to bring more diverse views into this blog. 

The first question I asked him was “What is your favorite video game of all time?”

This was his response: My favorite video game of all time would have to be super smash bro’s on the N64. I grew up with a lot of my friends playing the game, so it brings back a lot of good memories. I thought the chaos of the game made everything more fun and exciting. It brought a lot of competitiveness and laughter, so I thoroughly enjoyed the game to a high extent over others. One major thing that this game did compared to others is it brought a lot of my friends and family closer. I would play it with my cousins during holiday gatherings or with my friends when we hung out. A bag of chips, salsa, and a pop along with playing the game with a bunch of people made it time well spent. I also just loved the fact that you could have more than four people playing at a time, it allowed everyone to get involved in the same room which is something that games nowadays are missing.

 

The second question I asked him was “in your opinion, what makes up a good gaming blog?”

This was his response: I think that the number one thing you need to do in order to develop a good gaming blog is you need to find a way to captivate your audience. One way of doing this would be to stay up to date with new upcoming games and other technology that could be releasing. It is also important that you do not completely spoil the game for your readers. I think you should strive to be concise and straight to the point with your reviews and information. I get bored whenever I am reading a review and the reviewer rambles on and on about information that does not really matter. I think it would also be important to connect with your readers. Be present in the comment section of your posts and start up conversations with them, it doesn’t even have to be about games. I also think it would help to throw giveaways to your fans consisting of products and merchandise. This could help keep people looking at your blog content and attract visitors by giving away free stuff. You should try to really personalize your blog in order to make it unique. I think visitors would be much more attracted to your blog if you really show that you care about them and appreciate them for taking the time to read your content.

EA sports madden video game rant

Let me be as blunt and as straight forward as possible; Madden is the same game every year. All EA Sports does to the game each year is add “new” player animations; which are basically just repeats of animations that have been in Madden before in prior years and taken out, then brought back into the game as “brand new”. Each new title continuously has an overpowered emphasis on either the offensive running or passing game in which some plays cannot be stopped no matter what you try. I am sick and tired of entering an online match-up against basically an unbeatable opponent that runs the same plays over and over again because there is an exploit in the game. You would think that EA Sports would care about making a lot of new additions and being innovative with every release, pleasing their fans. But The fact is that they know they are the only creators of a football video game now that NCAA football is out of the picture. This basically allows them to continue to make new iterations of a game while only updating player rosters, adding a few more animations and barely updating a yearly lackluster franchise experience. Without any competition from anyone else, EA knows that anyone who is looking for a daily video game football fix will buy their game even if it barely improves. It is strictly a monopoly, and until an underdog comes in and captures some of their fans, they will continue to deliver a lackluster and “broken” video game experience that people are sure to complain about but still will purchase. This is as far from simulation football as you can get. 

Chris Plante: Editor-In-Chief and Co-Founder of Polygon (Profile)

Chris Plante is an editor-in-chief and co-founder of the website Polygon. Polygon is a top ten gaming website that publishes news, game reviews, game culture, and videos. Under the websites owner Vox Media this site differs from others by focusing on the biographies of people behind the games rather than primarily the games itself.  Chris Plante is a highly influential person that strives for creativity and thus helped jump start this website towards success. He developed the sections Cooperatives, reviews, previews, reports and opinions as separate video series which increased video views over 400% for Polygon, whilst also publishing numerous of Polygon’s most read feature articles. Prior to landing his position at Polygon, he worked as a freelance writer for roughly 9 years for The New York Times, The Guardian, The Daily, Joystiq and others. During his years as a freelance writer, he was able to develop himself as a person that has a lot of creativity energy and someone that websites can depend on because he has a lot of experience and respect from companies that he has written for.  I believe something others in the gaming niche can take away from Chris Plante in order to be successful as well is to try their hand at freelance writing because it can really get your creativity juices flowing. As a freelance writer, you could be asked to write about things that you are not enthusiastic or knowledgeable about and present it exactly how the publisher would have wanted it.  This translates to a gaming blog because in order to be successful creativity is key. You need to be able to stand out from your competition by posting information that grabs people’s attention to your blog over the others. I am not saying that you need to do freelance writing for 9 years with various companies, but if you do it as a side gig it could translate to higher success on your website.

How I predict video games will look like in 10 years (Prediction)

    There is no doubt in my mind that in ten years time video games will have made leaps of technological advancements and probably in hindsight look magical compared to what we have now. Right now, ray tracing has just been introduced to games and is still not widely available to a lot of people and platforms. I can see ray tracing and possibly other graphical enhancements becoming the norm in the future as hardware becomes even more powerful. If you are unaware of what ray-tracing is, it is basically a visual emulation within games that accurately replicates how light refracts and reflects off of real world objects. It makes games look much more true to life as if you were there in the game. In addition to ray tracing becoming the norm, I can see virtual reality headsets and equipment really taking off in popularity. Currently, there are only a few VR headsets available like the PSVR, Oculus Rift and HTC VIVE. One of the things that deters people from buying them right now are their high prices. The HTC VIVE alone can sell for over $1,000. As technology continues to advance, I would predict that these prices will also start to become more affordable and thus more attractive to the general public. In addition to VR headsets becoming more popular,  I also think they will become so powerful that using one becomes even more realistic then they already are. A few things that virtual reality is lacking right now is resolution still isn't up to par with a television and wires on some models still keep you confined to one area. In ten 10 years, I expect every virtual reality headset to be completely wireless so that games can possibly use real-player walking/running and translate it directly into character movement inside the game. This may be a stretch but it may even be possible to not need dedicated headsets anymore but instead be able to utilize glasses with all the processing power you need inside of them. All in all, In ten years I predict video games will be so technologically advanced compared to now that they almost look "too real", games will become the ultimate escape from reality. 

Personal top five ideas for gaming blog content (Lists)

It could be hard to come up with ideas for what kind of content you want to put into your new gaming blog. It is important that you post content that fits your agenda/purpose but you also do not want to be too repetitive in the specific content you are pushing out. For instance, not many readers will want to explore reviews of games all the time and are instead demanding for varied content revolving around video games and technology. 

I am here to bring you ideas to really break out of that habit or comfort zone. Whilst working to develop and further vary the information that you put out in order to appeal to not only a wider audience but to also keep people more engrossed overtime. 

1. Reviews 

    This one is pretty self-explanatory, you personally play a game for at least 8-10 hours or enough to develop a solid all encompassing opinion. This idea for a gaming blog is magnificent and can potentially earn you a lot of money. People are always looking for new games to play and you could be the one that influences their purchase decision. Gaming blogs tend to go this route as you are fairly expected to draw in a lot of traffic and thus potential earnings may be higher compared to making game walk-through's which only some people may find useful depending on the difficulty that a majority of people are having. 

2.  New arrivals/upcoming games 

    I believe this could be a massive way to gain a large amount of followers for you blog and subscribers. Search the web and try to find out as much as you can about upcoming game releases in order to optimally be the primary destination that people go to for news. You could capitalize on these blog posts even more if you can be one of the first people to push out new information.

3. Game/Console comparisons 

    Instead of just reviewing a console or game you could write a comparison between a similar console or game. For reference, especially when new video game consoles release people everybody wants to know which one is the better console in certain areas or features. On the video game side, you could compare a racing game such as Need For Speed to Forza Horizon in order for your audience to have more confidence in picking the game that delivers more of what they are after in relation to the other game. 

4. Game Walk-through's 

    As I mentioned above, writing "Walk-through's" or basically guides for beginners to new games or in order to assist players that are stuck and can't progress through a part of a game could be in high demand depending on what it is. If you are able to accurately identify what people are looking for help or guides on and which games are booming at the moment this can bring in tremendous traffic. Although, I rank this lower then Reviews in general because from my experience I tend to turn to YouTube for visual help. 

5. Top 10 list of your favorite games

    This one can be a pretty big conversation starter. Put together a list where you rank the games you have played from best to worst. This idea will help expose gamer's to new games they may have never heard about and even may lead to a debate that can hopefully be controllable and civil. Overall, a top 10 list can bring attract a lot of visitors looking for games that they expect they will enjoy. That being said, it ranks at the bottom of my list because it is not very flexible or dependable for a constant flow of traffic. As you can only make a handful of top ten games before you run out. 

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Xbox series X console design critique

       The design of the Xbox Series X is bland and boring to say the least. It is practically a black rectangular box with a disc drive, and a bunch of television connections and cratered fan holes on the top. To me nothing screams innovative or raises eyebrows from the design. Now to be fair, I see what Microsoft was going for. They most likely were after resembling a desktop tower in their design and to each their own it will help a lot with cooling off the system as it will enable the system to utilize a parallel cooling architecture according to Microsoft which strives to not obstruct any airflow. People across the world are saying the Xbox One X resembles a trash bin or an air purifier and I see it. To me a next-generation console design should resemble a leap in design cues with sharp curves and a flashy design that remarkably stands out compared to items around it. At the very least, Microsoft should have incorporated a two-tone design or something other then a drab black. Basically, I feel like Microsoft dropped the ball on the design. It’s one thing to keep the “box” look hence the console name “Xbox” but at least they should have added some flair to it. Don’t get me wrong, I am aware that it’s more about the internals then the external look, but they should have put in some eye-catching qualities. The Xbox Series X is not winning any beauty awards that’s for certain.

Doom Eternal general review (PC)

       Just like It’s predecessor Doom Eternal fails to disappoint. This successor to Doom (2016) still offers that fast-paced first-person gory combat we’ve all grown to love, and the demons in this reboot are even more deadly and highly equipped with explosives and extremely deadly weaponry. The graphics on this reboot are still as stunning as ever, representing something just shy of what you would see out of a underground horror movie. One thing is for certain, this game doesn’t skimp out on the bloody cut-scenes. The iconic rip and tear hectic environment has yet to wear off in this franchise and It really kept me engrossed in the campaign. One thing to note, this successor was hugely more strategy and skilled based then the previous release. There were a few times through some missions where I had to lower the difficulty from “Hurt me plenty” to “I want to live” because I just could not get through the checkpoint without dying. This reboot demands that you conserve your bullets as much as possible, because ammo drops are scarcer then ever. On top of that, throughout this game it is imperative that you use the most effective weapon for each type of demon you want to kill. Some weapons expose weak spots and finish off demons quicker, and one’s things for sure there are a ton of demons to kill. Overall, I view Doom Eternal as a superb successor to Doom (2016). It follows in the footsteps of its predecessor closely while also adding new weaponry, tactics, and character abilities into its arsenal. If I were to pinpoint one thing that I wasn’t a huge fan of it would be the difficulty scaling and just how few and far between ammo drops are, but for some that just adds to the prowess and experience.

 

 

I give this game a 9.5/10, If you have played the predecessor you will certainly not be disappointed, and it is a game that new gamer's of the franchise can pick up and start playing without prior recollection of Doom (2016). Also, If you are a fan of first-person shooter intense combat, I would definitely look into this one.

How To Write A Video Game Review

Since this blog revolves largely around myself making reviews for games, I believe it would be a good idea to make sure you fully understand how to make a review properly in order to get the most out of my postings and possibly give you some guidance if you want to start your own video game blog. 

Steps: 

1. Begin simply by playing the game of your choosing for at least 6-10 hours. It is crucial to get a significant play-through of the content and explore as many features in the game as to not rely on first impressions only. 

2. Whilst playing, take notes about what you like during the play-through. Take notice of game aspects such as graphics, sound, player and world mechanics. Also, take the time to jot down notes about how smoothly the game flows from scene to scene. 

3. Likewise, take notes about what you do not like during the play-through. For instance, if the graphics look drab or unclear jot that down. If you feel like the game does not transition smoothly and has you confused or wishing for more than that is another thing to take notice of. No game is perfect, it is important to identify anything that you believe caPern be improved upon in order for the game to deliver a better experience. 

4. Try to compare the game to previous releases or other similar games in the genre that you have played. It could become easy to be overcritical about an aspect or feature in a game. Thus, comparing to previous releases or other similar games allows the audience and yourself to have a reference point and not just a blanket opinion that can seem harsh. If a feature of the game is not up to par with your expectations but has improved from previous releases than that's a step in the right direction. 

5. Start compiling these components above into a full fledged review of about 500-1000 words. 

6. Begin by introducing the game you will be reviewing. Especially, if it isn't a popular game it is important to hook the reader in and give a general insight of what the franchise or title is about. Focus on around 2-4 sentences. 

7. Next, dive into talking about the graphics, sound, and overall mechanics. Be sure to at least mention what console you are playing on as this may influence graphics and sound to some degree. This portion should be fairly comprehensive consisting of at least 4-6 sentences. 

8. Write about the overall plot and characters that are in the game. Make sure not to go too indepth, as this can unintentionally spoil the game for the reader. Write just enough so your reader gets a general idea of the game and is able to accurately identify if this would be a title they would want to play. Focus on around 3-5 sentences. 

9. Project your personal opinion on the game. Give an overall score on a scale from 1-10 whilst saying if you would recommend it or not all things considered. 

10. PROOFREAD, look for common punctuations errors, run on sentences, grammar errors etc. It is very important for your reviews to look professional. It would be hard for a reader to take your opinion  seriously if you have hundreds of errors. When it's ready, send it off to be published or post it yourself. 

PlayStation 5 General Breakdown (What is known so far)

With next-generation consoles just over the horizon it's never been a better time to start investigating if your pre-order will be worth the investment. Sony's PlayStation 5 is slated to release during holiday 2020. What a better time to see a wrapped box under your Christmas tree? One thing is for certain, the Specifications of Sony's PlayStation 5 will surely be a monumental upgrade over the previous generation.

First we have the CPU ("AKA the brains of the console) 

 This new system will utilize 8 Zen 2 cores clocking in at around 3.5 GHz, compared to that of the PlayStation 4's 8 Jaguar cores clocking in at a measly 1.6 GHz. In layman's terms, The PlayStation 5's CPU is roughly 60% faster than that of the PlayStation 4. Fair enough, Sony claims that this new console will be over 100 times faster then the previous generation, whilst coupling a solid state hard drive as well in the system. 

Now on to the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 

The PlayStation 5 will be utilizing a whopping 10.28 teraflops, with 36 CUs (Computing Units) at 2.23 GHz - these computing units will be operating on variable frequency, which basically means that this speed may drop given the workload put on the console. What will undoubtedly open a lot of eyes is the new GPU architecture this new console will be utilizing called RDNA 2 technology. This will bring forth ray tracing to the table, which will take full use of reflections and shadows in order to make games as true to life as possible. Just imagine being spider-man swinging from skyscraper to skyscraper rendered in true to life image quality... sounds pretty sweet right? 

Here comes the shell shocker SSD storage!

I make that proposition because Solid State Hard drives have been around for years and finally consoles will be making use of them. The base model of the PlayStation 5 will sport a 825 GB SSD effectively delivering 5.5 GB/s of performance/speed. In efforts to eliminate all the technological jargon that no one really understands/cares about, this new SSD will use the most powerful PCIe 4.0, which will make it roughly 100 times faster then the PS4's current hard drive. Loading times will be cut down significantly or become nonexistent, and video game developers will be able to utilize faster visual rendering by introducing instant teleportation to different areas of a game and all in all this will make games feel a lot smoother and polished.

Lastly, there comes the console design of the PlayStation 5  

 (Image Credit:Sony) 

Some say it resembles a WiFi router, I for one love the two tone color design and futuristic look Sony is after. 

About (Video Game One-Stop Reader)

Welcome everyone to my blog - Video Game One-Stop Reader, as intended by the title this website will be dedicated to reviewing PS4 and PC games that I have personally played, whilst omitting any biases created by paid reviews,  which well known websites like IGN are notoriously known for. In addition, to video game reviews I will also be the one-stop reader for new tech news regarding next-gen consoles or blockbuster games that are revealed or soon to be released. Readers of this blog will gain further knowledge on technology that they are interested in and also get an honest review of video games that they may potentially purchase. 

Let me introduce myself: my name is JDAVIS and I have grown up in the North-West Suburbs of Chicago. I have been a pretty big fanatic of video games since I was around 8 years old; which at the time I played on the Super Nintendo and PlayStation 1. I have written numerous product reviews and video game reviews on Reddit and Amazon, so therefore I feel like I have sufficient background and experience in this niche. 

To those of you who do not know what a blog is or what I will be doing on here, I will give you a run down. Basically, a blog is a specific website typically run by a writer who produces content on a specific niche area. A blog is a great spot to build connections with people that share a common interest through comments and recommendations. This page will serve as a meeting ground in order to build a community. 

For questions or if you simply want to chat, email me at onestopreviewer1@gmail.com