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Dubious Innovations of 2015 – still want a Segway?

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As we approach the end of 2015, it is with hindsight and sharpened critical claws that we look back at the most controversial and ultimately disappointing innovations that have been a feature of the year. Rewind your minds back to April the 24th, when the CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, stepped out of the tech giant’s Californian headquarters and announced that the divisive and potentially disruptive Apple Watch was now on sale. That moment saw plenty of debate over whether it was revolutionary or just gimmicky but, as usual for Apple, it proved to be a success. Here however, we look at inventions that, at least in our view, are more miss than hit.

The Segway

Given that when Segways were invented at the tail end of the 20th century it was predicted that we would all be buzzing about on them come the end of the following decade, we can only consider them a failure. Today the Segway’s most useful function seems to be that of a punchline to a passé joke. Envisioned as a way for people to get home after work in urban areas, it was then banned on the streets and then on the pavement in most places, causing its quick demise. Segway? No way. And, oh, what’s that ridiculously buzzing around the corner? Maybe the hoverboard will be more of a success?

Plastic Grocery Bags

Despite oil always having been a much sought after commodity, some supermarkets in the late ‘70s decided it would be a grand idea to utilize a new way of transporting groceries from till to cupboard – the plastic bag. 40 years on, and an ocean full of traumatized dolphins later, we are now in the process of encouraging retailers to opt for paper bags … sigh

Auto-Tune

Thrust upon the world like a knitted Christmas jumper from your aunt Donna, auto-tune was not requested nor desired by any music-loving human being with a set of functional ear drums. But we got it all the same. It aided the flourishing of appearance-oriented ‘artists’ and made it okay for musicians not to have any musical ability. The auto-tune gave birth to a tidal wave of dubious music.

These were our top three, but there’s plenty more where that came from. A few honorable mentions from the past 100 years are: subprime mortgages, spam email, CFCs and Mr. International, Pitbull.

Although George has many hobbies, he likes nothing more than to play around with cameras and other photography equipment.

Gaming

Helldivers 2 Players Face Overwhelming Hordes of Factory Striders

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In the ongoing conflict against the Automaton invasion fleet, the Helldivers 2 players have successfully halted their advance. However, the situation has now reached a tiresome stalemate. Yet again, the machines refuse to take a break from their relentless pursuit of progress, with reports emerging of the Factory Striders being deployed in record-breaking quantities.

There have been reports of alleged machines that were supposedly encountered during Operation Swift Disassembly, which was just the beginning of a larger campaign. However, these accounts should be taken with a grain of salt, as they are unverified and seem to be more on the imaginative side. Factory Striders have gained a reputation as formidable weapons platforms that can produce more Automatons while enduring significant damage. If the machines are able to withstand such a relentless assault, it will be necessary to develop innovative strategies.

Have you come across groups of Factory Striders in Helldivers 2? Which strategies are proving to be the most effective in taking down these armored brutes? The Orbital Railcannon Strike will prove to be a valuable asset in the comments section below.

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Todd Howard affirms that the timeline of the Fallout series is coherent and well-constructed

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The recent release of Amazon’s adaptation of Fallout has ignited a renewed interest in the series and brought attention to the captivating alternate history that forms its foundation. Fans have expressed concern that the TV show’s events might be at odds with the plot of the Obsidian Entertainment video game New Vegas. Warning: Spoilers ahead for New Vegas and Amazon’s show!

Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard and Fallout TV executive producer Jonathan Nolan recently sat down with IGN to discuss the timeline. Howard was taken aback when showrunners Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet presented him with the surprising concept of obliterating Shady Sands, the bustling capital of the New California Republic, in the aftermath of the events in New Vegas. Howard eventually warmed up to the idea: “After discussing it, we realized that this could be a significant story moment that many things hinge upon.”

It seems that they had to make some tough decisions to ensure everything fell into place, but Howard emphasizes the importance of preserving the integrity of the Fallout timeline: “We take great care with the timeline. There seems to be some confusion in certain areas. However, all the events from the previous games, including New Vegas, did occur. We take great caution in that matter. We’re really pushing the limits here, but the explosions occur right after the events of New Vegas.

What are your thoughts on this? Is it up to par? Even though it may not have a significant impact on the overall quality of the games or show, it is comforting to know that those in charge are paying attention. We value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Evaluating Fallout 76’s Value in 2024

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If you’ve been keeping up with the new Fallout show on Amazon Prime, chances are you’ve been relying on PS Plus Extra and PS Plus Premium to access and enjoy one of Bethesda’s legendary RPGs. We decided to bypass the highly acclaimed Fallout New Vegas and Fallout 3, opting instead to explore the vast landscapes of West Virginia in Fallout 76. Infamous for its initial reception, Todd Howard’s “Fallout with Friends” has evolved significantly over the past six years. However, does that imply the game is of high quality? Is it worth playing in 2024?

As we ventured out of Vault 76 for the very first time, we were determined to find the answers to those burning questions. Recalling our escapades on the Push Square YouTube channel, we encountered quest-giving NPCs—a feature that was surprisingly absent upon release—awe-inspiring bases built by fellow players—and an abundance of loot that could easily burden us 76 times over.

In the midst of the vast array of open-world online experiences, we found ourselves quite enthralled by the combination of 50s classics playing in the background as we obliterated the heads of ghouls. And to top it off, we were able to enjoy all of this with our friends. Exploring the wasteland in the company of a ragtag band of survivors adds a unique element to Fallout 76, setting it apart from other games in the series. However, does it manage to prevent us from uninstalling and transitioning to one of the mainline entries in the series? To discover more, be sure to watch the complete video!

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