Tag Archives: online gaming

Gaming

VR Sailing On Oculus Now More Real With Wave Motions

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Ahoy! VR Mateys! Aaargghh!

Ever wished the MarineVerse Cup felt just a bit more like the real thing?

What is MarineVerse?

MarineVerse mission is to inspire, train and connect sailors, and share the feeling of this amazing sport with a wide global audience all via the virtual reality wonder of the Oculus Quest 2 (& the newer Quest 3) headset and hand controllers.

Through our VR sailing projects we bring entertainment and education together through virtual reality (VR). We create experiences to enable more people to sail through the creation of games, training experiences and more.

We’ve been busy over the last few weeks, rolling out some cool updates to the MarineVerse Cup simulation. 

One of the first new features you can dive into is “visual waves.”

Check out what people from our Discord chat said after giving it a try:

“Waves are awesome!” 

“Wave motion is great! doesn’t make me feel sick 🙂 it’s kind of calming, and it feels a little more like I’m in a real boat”“Strange to say I found it great in free sailing but when I raced with it I felt a bit sweaty.”

“I love the wave action. Adds realism.”

Want to try it out? Just go to the Main Menu, hit Settings -> Boat -> Enable Waves Motion. You can find more details here: 

After you’ve had a chance to test it out, I’d really like to hear your thoughts. Did you enjoy it? Please leave your comments below at the end of my article.

—

PS – By popular demand, you can now adjust the wind speed in Free Sail mode, giving you control over your sailing conditions like never before: 

For the Silo, Greg Dziemidowicz  Director & Lead Developer @ MarineVerse – Virtual Reality Sailing

Reviews

How Useful Are Review Sites In Canada?

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The level of consumer choice in 2023 is perhaps the highest it has ever been. This is a good thing.

Not only does it allow consumers to find a brand or company that aligns with their views and can deliver a product or service that solves a problem, but it shows positive signs for growing businesses in the economy. But as good as consumer choice can be, it can also be intimidating, especially when we want quick answers and don’t want to have to wade through reams of information. Growing with the range of consumer choice are websites that help simplify these choices for the average consumer – review sites. So, what review sites can be found in Canada?  

Man Raising Right Hand

Source: Pexels 

Review Sites for Lawyers  

When choosing an individual for important work – such as lawyers – it is crucial to make the right decision. At sites such as Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and Lawyer Ratingz, the lawyers are filtered by the specific type of work they do (e.g. Mergers and Acquisitions or Derivatives Law) or from where they are located from Calgary to Nova Scotia and beyond.  

Choosing a lawyer is possibly one of the most important decisions – and the wrong choice could lead to trouble – so these sites are particularly useful. Specific lawyer reviews are subject to confidentiality and the outcome of a case might not be down to the lawyer’s skills (or lack thereof), so many factors should be taken into account when it comes to looking at lawyer reviews. 

Review Sites for Contractors 

Similarly, choosing a contractor for building work can be a dicey business. Cowboy builders are infamous, so it’s important to find one that will conduct the work adequately, safely, in time, and within budget. Sites like HomeStars and Trusted Pros work through amalgamations of reviews by people who have had work done by particular contractors. Review sites for contractors focus on experiences of those who have hired them, and importantly, highlighting work that hasn’t been adequate. But as reviews are often subjective, it’s important to take each one with a pinch of salt.  

Review Sites with Added Value  

Review sites aren’t just about hiring an individual for a role. There are review sites that compare tech such as new phone releases, and review sites that compare streaming platforms. With the market for reviews also growing, it’s important for review sites to stand out from the crowd.  

For example, Casino Hacks offers honest casino reviews that focus on the games available and special features of particular sites. The added bonus here is that the site uses live streams and video to review games and online casino experiences. This allows people to see what they might want to engage in. When looking for a review site, one that has visual representations could more easily show consumers information.  

Review sites allow consumers to make choices across a wide variety of industries. Some reviews are tailored to value for money, such as telecoms and utilities reviews, while others such as insurance reviews or bank account reviews focus on added-value benefits. With so much consumer choice, review sites are useful to help create a shortlist for possible options and to remove some of the stress and hassle that comes with these choices.  

Finance

Crypto and E-wallets are Future of Gaming Payments

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The gaming industry is undergoing a significant shift. The payments ecosystem is evolving towards a new era of cryptocurrencies and e-wallets and away from conventional online banking accounts. According to our friends at LotteryCritic.com, the impact of this changing payments ecosystem is multifaceted, affecting everything from the speed of transactions to how funds are stored and managed. Freddie Smith, CEO of LotteryCritic, commented:

Integrating crypto and e-wallet payments into the gaming industry is particularly advantageous because it eliminates the need for third-party payment processors. This means that users don’t have to go through traditional banking channels, which can be slow and unreliable. Moreover, crypto and e-wallet payments are more secure than traditional systems since they use sophisticated encryption algorithms.  

Advantages and Opportunities of Cryptocurrency and E-wallets in the Gaming Industry

Cryptocurrency has widespread recognition as a form of payment, and the gaming industry is no exception. Many online gaming platforms now accept cryptos. Therefore, players can use them to buy in-game items or to place bets. The use of cryptos in the gaming industry offers several benefits. They include lower transaction fees, fast and secure transactions, and anonymity for players. E-wallets have also become increasingly popular in the gaming industry. Players use them to store funds and make transactions within the gaming platform. E-wallets offer several advantages, such as ease of use, fast dealings, and storing multiple currencies in one account. With the integration of e-wallets and cryptos, players can make quick and secure transactions.

The adoption of cryptos and e-wallets in the gaming industry has also opened up new revenue streams for gaming companies. For example, some gaming companies now offer in-game purchases using cryptocurrencies. Thus, allowing players to buy items using their digital assets. This has created a new market for gaming companies and has provided an opportunity for them to increase their revenue.

Challenges in the Adoption of Cryptocurrency and E-wallets in the Gaming Industry

The gaming industry has seen a rise in adopting crypto and e-wallets as payment. While these payment methods offer several benefits, adopting cryptos and e-wallets has challenges. One of the significant challenges is the volatility of crypto prices. Crypto prices can fluctuate rapidly and unpredictably. Thus, it can affect the value of in-game purchases made using cryptocurrencies.

The unpredictability can create confusion for both gaming companies and players. Besides, there is also a need for more regulation in the cryptocurrency market. The lack of rules makes it difficult for gaming firms to operate within a legal framework.

Moreover, the lack of regulation also exposes players to security risks, such as hacking and theft. Integrating cryptocurrencies and e-wallets into the gaming industry can also present technical challenges. Investors must ensure systems and processes used for transactions are secure and user-friendly. This requires significant investment in technology and infrastructure. The cost implications can hinder small and medium-sized gaming firms from investing.  For the Silo, Elizabeth Kerr.

Pi- the only crypto you can mine from your smartphone.

Gaming

Your 4-Minute Guide to Live Casinos in Canada

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Canada’s online gaming sector is snowballing, boasting sales up to $31 billion per year, thanks primarily to players staking through their mobile devices. Yes, you can now enjoy your favorite casino games from your home desktop or laptop; and when on the move, on your smartphone or tablet.

But as with physical live Casino Canada, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with existing platforms, accepted payment methods, your game options, and whatnot before signing up. 

Here’s your 4-minute guide to online gaming in Canada.

In this article;

Popular Games in Online Casino Canada

7 Things to look for in an online casino

Your deposit & withdrawal options 

10 Best Online Casinos in Canada

Popular Games in Online Casino Canada

Maybe you love table games and worry that your favorite game isn’t available online. But this shouldn’t be a problem, most service providers offer myriad games to improve the online casino experience for avid gamblers.

Online Poker. This is arguably Canada’s most cherished online game. Under Poker, Players can toggle between options like Triple Play, Deuces Wild, and so on.

Growing Jackpots. In these games, the jackpot lump sum increases in value each second and may shoot to millions of dollars. 

Slots. Slots come with impressive rewards like bonus rounds, free spins, etc which you can enjoy for free or deposit funds and earn.

Blackjack. Online gaming spots also feature the old-school Blackjack for free or for gamble.

Roulette. Canadians can switch between different Roulette versions. Learn what your website offers and master your moves before depositing.

Live dealer. This is the game for those who prefer the classic casino atmosphere even when paying from home. 

Sports betting. Bet on a variety of sports.

These are some of the most popular gambling options in Canada, but there’s more to explore if you prefer something else.

7 Things to look for in an online casino

So you’d love to sign up with a website and begin enjoying your bonuses? That’s fine, but first, spend quality time comparing your options before diving in.

Below are the seven crucial factors to consider;

Signup Bonuses. With most websites promising a bonus, you will want to register with a casino that offers the best welcome rewards. 

Deposit & Withdrawal. The listed deposit and withdrawals method(s) should match your preferences. Also, check how long it takes to withdraw your earnings.

Game Options. If you value variety, be sure to go through a list of games on offer before registration. 

Unswerving Support. Because your playing remotely, it’s crucial to partner with a service that offers unswerving support through digital avenues like live chat, calls, or social media support.

Quick Upgrades or Promotions. You also want a platform that will promote you to better levels that include massive bonuses, and competitions. 

 Huge Jackpots. Most gamers prioritize jackpots and growing jackpots. If you’re eyeing the big price, be sure to compare these up-fronts. 

Transaction & Payment Data Security. Before putting your money where your mouth is, be sure to double-check the website’s security protocol.

Online Casinos in Canada: Your Deposit & Withdrawal Options 

Casinos in Canada allow players to deposit through various payment methods–the same applies for payouts (or withdrawals). The most transaction is instant or happens in a matter of minutes via secure platforms to protect your confidential payment data.

Still, you must consider the money-in and money-out options for your specific platform to ensure that the arrangement favors your money reservoirs.

Below are some of the safest common pay-in and payout options in Canadian online casinos.

Credit & debit cards

Neteller

PayPal

Visa

Mastercard

InstaDebit

paysafecard

American Express

Interac Online

Bank transfer

 ecoCard and ecoPayz

10 Best Online Casinos in Canada

We sampled some of the best platforms to get started with online betting and gaming. Here are the 10 best gaming sites for Canadians.

Spin Casino

JackpotCity

Betway Casino

Ruby fortune 

Casinocom

Europa Casino

CasiGO

Magic Red

National Casino

Bob Casino

Lastly, remember to compare the features that matter to you before signing up.

A Call to Action

Online betting and gaming are more fun than you imagine. But choosing the right platform is essential in enjoying a smooth experience. Compare these websites thoroughly and register with a preferred dealer to get started.

Gaming

How Developers Are Using New Rules And Modes To Keep Their Games Popular

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Game developers don’t just make money from the first release of a game anymore. One of the smartest ways of making money from games is to release one that can be updated and keep players enjoying it months and years after launch. Company’s like EA are making hundreds of millions of dollars from game releases such as Anthem and Battlefield V.

“Electronic-Arts-Logo” by Electronic Arts [Public domain]

This can be difficult for game developers trying to find new ways to change a game that has been available for years. They will have to find a way to add more to the game without removing what people enjoy so much about it, but it can be done.

Players Can Make Their Own Modes

File:Fortnite Pro-Am stadium at E3 2018 3.jpg

“Fortnite Pro-Am stadium at E3 2018 3” by Sergey Galyonkin [CC BY-SA 2.0]

If developers are worried about changing a game in a way that players won’t like, one idea is to allow players to make their own modes. This is also great for a game with millions of players, where different fans don’t all want the same thing and developers may be unable to release something that they all like. One game that has done this is Fortnite with its Battle Lab which allows players to create battle royale matches by changing how much damage is done and how to win. Overwatch also offers fans a custom mode where they can make characters much faster to hold Lucio races with their friends. This also helps the game to become popular as fans get their friends to play these modes with them.

New Rules Make Games More Challenging

Game developers can also try to add new rules to their games. Players who have been playing a game for years may feel that they have become incredibly good at it and need new gameplay to help them work on their skills. Developers can add new rewards too which gives players more ways to feel like they’ve won. A game that does this well is Blackjack Perfect Pairs, which takes blackjack, a game that is popular all around the world, and adds a few new ways to win to it. Players can win by getting 21 and they can make a bet on if they’ll get a pair with their first two cards, and there’s 21+3 where players try to make a three-card hand with their two cards and the dealer’s card. Many people know how to play blackjack but the casino game from Realistic Games gives people something new to learn about it.

How to Make the Best Changes

File:Mario emblem.svg

“Mario emblem” by Nintendo/Hayden Schiff [Public domain]

When developers make changes to their games, it is typically to make them more enjoyable for fans. Fans don’t always like the changes that the developers have made and this can lead to criticism.

Some players didn’t like the Mario Kart Tour update, saying that it didn’t change many of the game’s maps by adding snow as they would have liked. Fans may not have had these criticisms if developers had asked the players before developing the updates. Asking players what they want on social media can help developers to make something great.

Keeping a game popular years after it has been released isn’t easy. The money that developers can make if they do is why so many teams spend hours developing updates.

Gaming

Keno Online Means Worldwide Lottos At Your Fingertips

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Many of us enjoy playing the lottery. Whether it’s regularly as a group at work or as part of a bunch of friends or perhaps as an occasional indulgence at the corner store- there is always the chance that you will win. And unlike most betting games, the lottery is simple to understand and simple to play. By choosing a series of numbers often ranging from between 1 and 80, players hope that they have correctly predicted the outcome of numbered ‘ping pong’ balls that are randomly drawn by a machine. This machine uses air pressure to float a large number of balls about until all the receiving baskets are filled up by the no longer floating balls. Beautiful randomness.


Keno takes this idea a step further.

The basic rules and playing instructions are the same but allow for more variety. Modern day casinos have offered keno for decades and it continues to be a highly popular choice for gamers. The casino is able to modify the general lotto rules in order to make their version more attractive and fun. For example, they may decide to increase or decrease the amount of balls used or design their own type of keno betting slips making your odds of winning higher than a state or provincial lottery.


The move towards random number generators.

Not every casino or lottery uses a ball machine. Today, digital technology holds the lead in many areas and computers are able to quickly and efficiently generate a series of random numbers. In 1946 John von Neumann, an early computer programming pioneer, developed a mathematical way of generating random numbers using a computer.

After almost 75 years, the random number generator has proven to be reliable. That’s great news for gamers since this method is used by digital casinos ensuring keno draws are now available online 24/7.

It can now happen.

Even more exciting is the way that digital Keno is played. Instead of being restricted to your local lottery, you can now play lotteries all over the world from anywhere you are connected to the internet. Online sites offering keno payout by matching the official lottery rules and results.

This is an exciting change that leads to all kinds of fun and new ways of playing. For example, if you have family in another part of the world you can now join them and play together. Or perhaps you have always wanted to play the National lottery in England but live here in Canada- it can now happen.

For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Gaming

Fast Track To The Future With Virtual Reality

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Occulus Rift Xray ImageThe implications of what Virtual Reality can achieve are vast, and it is predicted that VR will seep into every area of our lives in the very near future. VR is not just a concept that excites the entertainment business, but has a very real presence in some of the world’s most essential industries. However, many people remain skeptical about the impact virtual reality will actually have and suggest that it is only an attractive concept for gamers. Although it is true that VR is a fantastic way to improve online gaming, it has already been used in the medical and manufacturing industries, proving that virtual reality is not just a tool for play. Others fear VR could replace physical social interaction and they are therefore reluctant to consider the many benefits it actually presents. By taking a selection of real-life situations in which virtual reality is already used, we can assess its impact and perhaps decide whether it is to be embraced or discarded.

Surgery

It may not surprise you to know that the health sector is one of the biggest users and advocates of virtual reality. VR is of exceptional benefit in surgical training, improving student skills whilst minimizing risk to potential patients. This type of training can improve confidence and allow students to explore surgical procedures and options that would otherwise be inaccessible to them during the initial stages of their training. Virtual reality is already used by surgical staff, trainee nurses, dentists, and in numerous other health settings, world wide, allowing students to quickly gain skills without putting themselves or other individuals at risk.

Therapy

The authentic nature of VR allows therapists to assist patients with certain phobias. VR promotes controlled environments which can quickly be changed or eradicated during a course of therapy. For example, a person suffering from arachnophobia would perhaps find it more helpful and less daunting to experience holding a spider via VR rather than in a real life situation, and of course, a virtual reality headset can be turned off immediately should the situation require it. Other phobias and aversions could be tackled through the use of VR, including water aversion, acrophobia (fear of extreme heights) or aviophobia (fear of flying).

Occulus Rift Hot Babe VR PornEntertainment

For some people, the online world is their only connection to society and if virtual reality gaming can help them continue to connect, then this can only be perceived as a positive thing. There is no denying that virtual reality is an amazingly entertaining concept and, when done well, is an excellent way to experience online gaming. Being fully immersed in a game is a highly attractive idea: whether it be one that takes you to a battlefield, or a game that allows you to feel as if you are actually being dealt cards at a plush casino in Vegas. Currently, gamers can connect with people from all over the world, or play slots in the comfort of their own home by visiting a site such as  www.luckynuggetcasino.com yet imagine the thrill of full immersion through the power of virtual reality.

Transport and Training

Again, we touch upon the benefits virtual reality provides to many aspects of training and, in this particular situation, to the world of transport. For years the aviation industry has been using simulations to help train pilots and virtual reality is a welcome advance in such training. VR flight training presents minimal risk to both the pilot and passengers whilst allowing pilots to experience the difficulties that may arise whilst being in control of the aircraft. The most spectacular example of virtual reality based vehicle training is perhaps that used by NASA to train its astronauts. The training includes various simulations including that of an astronaut having to perform repairs during zero-gravity conditions, as well as a simulated detachment from the shuttle with the astronaut having to use a powered backpack to return. NASA has even managed to use VR in space, keeping astronauts up to date with training whilst on a mission and it has been suggested that VR will be used to entertain astronauts in space in the future. Just imagine, you could soon be sharing your virtual poker table with the astronauts of tomorrow!

Supplemental- Gamers are talking about the Oculus Rift and the Playstation VR but the HTC Vive looks pretty sweet too!

A Musical Journey for Robots and their masters~ CLICK ME
A Musical Journey for Robots and their masters~ CLICK ME

Sci-Tech

Canadian Technology Turning Wrists Into Playgrounds With Smartwatch

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Canada are at the forefront of the technology scene – investing in areas such as quantum computing, space travel, environmental issues, medicine and natural sciences – and they are certainly not letting themselves get left behind when it comes to everyday applications either.

One of the biggest changes to technology over the past half decade has been the emergence of technology on smaller and smaller hardware items – from PCs to laptops, onto tablets and then onto our smartphones and it appears that the latest step has finally arrived. Watch-based technology is now readily-available, with so-called ‘smart-watches’ the most recent must-have items.

Montreal-based company, Neptune, have brought out the successor to their 2013 creation, ‘The Pine’ – a smart-watch called ‘The Hub’ – and is designed to replace, rather than work in conjunction with your smartphone. This means that it is the first truly mobile wrist-based device, and with increased battery life and functionality, it lends itself to a wide range of applications.

Online gaming is another field that has experienced enormous recent growth, and Royal Vegas Casino has managed to combine these two areas by offering a wide range of casino games and online slot machines direct to your wrist – meaning that you can get away with subtly playing roulette at the dinner table, or making real money on their recently-returned Wheel of Fortune slot-game when you should be paying attention to what your boss is saying at your next briefing.

iPhone6 paired with iWatch- online gaming for your wrist!
iPhone6 paired with iWatch- online gaming for your wrist!

As well as a wide range of games (complete with huge welcome bonuses, free spins and access to members-only tournaments and prize draws) Royal Vegas Casino also offer their users access to their regularly updated blog, which keeps players up-to-speed with the latest goings-on from the world of online gaming. This means that you need never miss a release date or a chance to take advantage of limited time offers – and all from your watch!

NYMI wrist-tech from Toronto
NYMI wrist-tech from Toronto

But it seems that Canada is leading the way in more than one wrist-based technology and Toronto tech company ‘NYMI’ have created a wristband that reads heartbeats and has the ability to use them as a form of personal identification, allowing you access to bank accounts or internet services without the risk of them being stolen in the same way that fingerprints can be.

Whichever way you look at it, Canada is at the forefront of cutting edge and user-friendly technology – and if it beeps, chirps or flashes on your wrist, the odds are that it was conceived in The Great White North – and so long as they keep making our lives more interesting, safer or convenient, long may it continue. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker

 

Gaming

UK’s “ICE Totally Gaming” A Must Visit In The Gaming And Technology Sector

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ICE TweetThe ICE Totally Gaming exhibition returns to London in the UK next month, but it’s a huge event for the industry worldwide where innovation comes to the fore and the future is literally paraded in front of our eyes. The three-day event offers conferences, seminars, networking and much more from companies around the world, and, of course, Canada is represented.

 

There’s a reason why the reach of Totally Gaming is so vast, as it encompasses online casinos, sports betting, social gaming and street gaming amongst other areas, bringing together the best minds and freshest technology into one place. Last year there were 23,506 attendees from 156 countries, and although Canadians represented just 0.93% of that, the fact that 218 of us (yes, I did the math) were willing to make that trip shows just how important it is to the industry, even over 6,000km away.

But why is that trip worthwhile, and will 2015 be value for money if you’ve got vested interests in gaming, technology and the business behind it? With the amount of knowledge on offer for the ticket price, I’d have to say yes.

ICE Totally Gaming 2014 Recap
This year’s seminars – which are all free to attend – include information on emerging and growing markets such as Bitcoins and Cryptocurrencies, expert knowledge from the likes of the International Masters of Gaming, and informative start-up workshops which can help build networks with mentors and even open business-to-business dialogue. You can pitch your own business to ICE to get some floor time, and there are heads of industry there that make it a must for anybody with an idea or a business plan, or even just a desire to make it in the field.

One of the seminars sure to be a big hit is the aforementioned Bitcoins and Cryptocurrencies offering, with notable industry figures taking to the podium for various sessions. As the world of money online is constantly changing, arming yourself with knowledge is one of the best weapons. Jon Matonis, board director of the Bitcoin Foundation, will open things up and delve into why cryptocurrencies have been so well adopted. Further to that, you can learn about risk management, boosting business, regulation and more. Having all this information in one place would be invaluable.

The Bright Group's Raif Oymen
The Bright Group’s Raif Oymen

It’s not the only one sure to instill potentially revolutionary ideas on the attendees, however. The workshops and mentorship for start-ups feature some successful names already well embedded in the gaming industry, who will be dispensing advise on getting your business of the ground and, more importantly, keeping it afloat.  Martyn Evans of Unboxed Consulting talks lean start-ups, Phil Smith of Joelson Wilson will discuss the merits of London for a new business, and there are more workshops for crowdsourcing, licencing and finances. For more details on all of these information-packed seminars, you can look here.

Leading companies like IGT choose the event as a premiere for their freshest ideas, and the big internationals make sure it’s a part of their calendar. “ICE is a really good opportunity,” said The Bright Group’s Raif Oymen, who will be exhibiting after travelling all the way from Australia.

If you have to be at the forefront of emerging technology and know where the cutting edge of the gaming markets is then it should be a key date in your calendar. Even more importantly, if your career aspirations or business future relies on the gaming sector then there won’t be a bigger, more beneficial way to spend three days in the whole year.

Supplemental- Mapping the Future of Gaming