Free games

• Epic – Free until the 22nd

• • Hyper Light Drifter

  • • Hyper Light Drifter is an action adventure RPG in the vein of the best 16­bit classics, with modernized mechanics and designs on a much grander scale.

  • Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden

  • • Mankind has been eradicated by climate change, nuclear war, and pandemics. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is a tactical adventure game combining turn-based combat with real-time exploration, story, stealth, and strategy.

From Open Media email

• The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) just announced they’re slashing the wholesale rates that small internet service providers (ISPs) pay for access to the networks of large ISPs like Bell, Telus or Shaw.1-3
• This is a huge win for Internet users across Canada. It will increase competition with more small ISPs able to enter the market, and lead to cheaper home Internet options for customers.4
• It’s no secret that Canadians have been paying too much for their Internet for way too long, and today’s decision is proof that Big Telecom has been holding the market hostage, gouging smaller providers for years.
• These new rates bring us one step closer to seeing more affordable Internet available through a wider choice of providers.

Huawei is researching 6G networks

• Huawei has been a leader in the 5G network field
• • And will be investing over $17 billion into research and development of the next spectrum
• At the Ottawa Research and Development Centre, it has begun the early stages of 6G
• • And is planning on using Canadian researchers to develop the next-generation of wireless systems
• Song Zhang, vice-president of research strategy and partnership in Canada, said:
• • “5G is very new, and looking at 6G is part of the so-called 5G evolution.”
• Huawei claims it has 50 5G commercial contracts
• • Has shipped more than 150,000 base stations
  • And plans to ship 350,000 more this year
• I am concerned with the effective range of a 6G spectrum
• • There are so many difficulties with having 5G accessible in cities, because the wavelength has trouble penetrating most surfaces, it may be a possibility to have 6G, but not practical.

To paraphrase “Whoops, our bad” from the Kremlin this month

• The was an apparent explosion of a nuclear-powered cruise missile during a test
• • A statement made says that accidents happen and they are far ahead in the development of advanced weapons
• The spokesperson declined to confirm that the recent deaths of at least five nuclear specialists were related, during a jet propulsion system test
• • An official state of mourning was declared in the Russian city of Sarov
• The spokesperson said that only an expert on the matter could speak on it, but did say:
• • “Accidents, unfortunately, happen. They are tragedies. But in this particular case, it is important for us to remember those heroes who lost their lives in this accident.”
• The local authorities reported a brief increase in radiation immediately after the incident
• • The Russian Defence Ministry said the levels were normal
• Asked about the conflicting reports, the spokesperson said:
• • “I have nothing to add beyond what I stated. … I can just assure you that in such a situation all the competent agencies do everything to assure the safety of the citizens of the Russian Federation is fully provided.”

Teaser trailer and call for help on a massive Skyrim mod

• The TESRenewal modding group is working on bringing Oblivion into Skyrim.
• • They are completely volunteer-based
• They have done a lot since the work on the mod started in 2012
• • They have made a teaser trailer to show everything they have been able to make with the support of everyone involved.
  • The video description is calling for help
  • • 3D and Coding people
    • Concept artists
    • CK modders
    • and Texture artists are listed as needed
• They have nearly completed the exterior world map
• • There is the application of critters, plants, weapons and armour to make the world feel alive
  • They now have wild animals and monsters in the wild
  • Quests are a thing as well! But they need to do a lot more debugging to make everything smoother.’
• If you’re interested in helping, or just checking it out
• • Go to: https://skyblivion.com/

A new Star Wars board game I want to check out!

Star Wars: Outer Rim

• 1 to 4 players
• 120 to 180 minute play time
• Moderately easy game according to Board Game Geek
• • Thematic type of game
  • Categories: Adventure, Exploration, Movie theme, SciFi, Space Exploration
  • Mechanisms: Card Drafting, Dice Rolling, Modular Board, Pick-up and Deliver, Trading, Variable player powers
• Game description:
• • In Outer Rim, you take on the role of an underworld denizen, setting out to make your mark on the galaxy. You’ll travel the outer rim in your personal ship, hire legendary Star Wars characters to join your crew, and try to become the most famous (or infamous) outlaw in the galaxy!
  • But it won’t be easy since the warring factions of the galaxy roam the outer rim, hunting down the scum that have proven to be a thorn in their side, and other scoundrels looking to make their mark see you as the perfect target to bring down to bolster their own reputation. Do you have what it takes to survive in the outer rim and become a living legend?
  • In more detail, a game of Outer Rim takes place over a series of turns that sees players taking dangerous jobs, tracking down bounties, upgrading their ship, and more, all in service of gaining more and more fame. Regardless of the path you take to get there, your goal is to gain ten fame, which can come from a variety of sources, such as completing your character’s personal goal, collecting on bounties and jobs, delivering illegal cargo, taking down patrols from the various factions struggling over the galaxy, and enjoying the finer things in life by purchasing luxury items with your hard-earned credits.
  • While the path to victory may be different for scoundrels finding their way in the Outer Rim, everyone starts from the bottom with a simple starship. Your player board not only tracks your fame progress, but also contains slots for your ship, your character card, gear, reputation, modifications, jobs, and bounties.
• Defiantly one I want to play in a game cafe before purchase.
• • It looks like it has a lot of components that would a lot to lug around for a game night

Tid Bits

• Hat in Time has a reveal trailer for the Switch. Releases October 18th this year.
• Overwatch role queue is live on console was well as the release of Sigma on all platforms
• The long-awaited Minecraft Super Duper Graphics pack for Xbox One X has been cancelled due to being too technically demanding

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