September, 2024 – Tokyo, Japan – Sony Interactive Entertainment has officially announced the release of the PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro), set to hit the market on November 7, 2024. The PS5 Pro builds upon the success of the PlayStation 5 with significant upgrades in graphics performance, ray tracing, and AI-driven upscaling technology, positioning itself as the most powerful gaming console available today. Preorders for the PS5 Pro will begin on September 26, 2024.
Key Features of PS5 Pro:
– GPU Upgrade: 67% more compute units and 28% faster memory than the PS5.
– Advanced Ray Tracing: Provides 2x-3x faster reflection and refraction of light.
– AI-Driven Upscaling: PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution enhances image clarity with machine learning.
– Game Boost for Backward Compatibility: Applies to over 8,500 PS4 and PS5 titles.
Predicted Market Impact:
Based on previous console launch trends, the PlayStation 5 Pro is expected to capture a significant share of the console gaming market. Analysts predict that 15-20 million units of PS5 Pro could be sold globally within the first year of release. Early adopters and PlayStation loyalists are likely to make up the majority of these sales.
1. Demographics:
– Early Adopters (Ages 18-35): The core demographic, consisting of competitive gamers and tech enthusiasts, are expected to drive early sales.
– Casual Gamers (Ages 25-45): As the console matures, more casual gamers are anticipated to upgrade for the enhanced gaming experience, adding to overall sales.
2. Global Reach:
– North America and Europe will account for 65% of sales, with the U.S. alone expected to see 7 million units sold by the end of 2025.
– Asia, particularly Japan and China, will be major markets for growth due to strong console gaming cultures. Japan is expected to account for 3 million units sold.
– Impact on Rival Consoles:
The PS5 Pro is expected to attract current Xbox owners seeking better performance, with projections showing 5-8% of Xbox users considering switching to the PS5 Pro. The PS5 Pro’s launch, combined with exclusive titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, could lure high-performance gamers away from Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch.
Table: Console Market Share Projections for 2024-2025
Console
Projected Units Sold (2024-2025)
Market Share
PlayStation 5 Pro
15-20 million
45%
Xbox Series X
12-15 million
30%
Nintendo Switch OLED
10-12 million
25%
Sources: Market analysts at Statista and NPD Group
Predicted Impact on Daily Life and Gaming Habits:
With its enhanced performance, the PS5 Pro is expected to increase daily gaming time for players. According to previous studies, the average PlayStation user spends 2.6 hours per day gaming. With the PS5 Pro’s superior graphics and smoother gameplay, experts predict this number could rise to 3.2 hours per day, especially for competitive and multiplayer games, such as Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone.
Expert Commentary
Vadim Khrulev, CEO of The Solitaire online gaming, shares his perspective on the PS5 Pro’s expected impact:
“The PlayStation 5 Pro is not just an incremental upgrade; it’s a leap forward in gaming technology. Its advanced hardware will attract early adopters and high-performance gamers, positioning Sony to further dominate the console market. I anticipate that the PS5 Pro will likely capture 40-50% of the console market within a year, stealing market share from Xbox and even cutting into Nintendo’s casual gaming audience. The enhanced performance will undoubtedly increase daily playtime and keep players more engaged, which also opens the door for developers to push the limits of game design.”
Availability and Pricing:
– Launch Date: November 7, 2024
– Price: MSRP of $699.99 USD/ $952.41CAD [exchange rate at time of article posting], £699.99 GBP, €799.99 EUR, and ¥119,980 JPY
– Storage: 2TB SSD
– Preorders Begin: September 26, 2024
The PS5 Pro will be available at participating retailers and through PlayStation’s direct online store, direct.playstation.com.
About PlayStation:
Sony Interactive Entertainment is a global leader in digital entertainment and the PlayStation brand is synonymous with innovation in gaming hardware, software, and services.
For the first time this year, the European Speedrunner Assembly (ESA) isset to host their recurring speedrunning event, where gamers aim to conquer video games at record speeds and showcase mind-blowing talents.
For the first time ever, ESA is teaming up with Make-A-Wish International — an organization dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children facing critical illnesses. Last year, ESA Winter and Summer collectively raised an impressive $200,000 for Alzheimer’s research. ESA Winter is taking place right now in Malmö until February 24th.
Set in Malmö, Sweden, the event will revolve around gaming, entertainment, and interactive fundraising. An onsite global audience of several hundred attendees are already interacting, accompanied by a substantial online viewership exceeding two million. Both the onsite and online audience have the opportunity to actively support the charity, for example, by donating $25 to influence the course of the games or to support various shows and performances, such as a Ikea furniture building duel or rhythmic displays.
Last year, Make-A-Wish International granted more than 19,500 wishes to children living with critical illnesses around the world, including more than 5000 gaming and entertainment wishes. They are the second most popular type of wish granted by the charity, after travel wishes.
Ida Lidholt, one of the ESA organizers says: “We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Make-A-Wish International. ESA Winter is a festival where gamers and the community unite. Through video games and speed, we level up to raise funds for children living with critical illnesses. It is heart-wrenching to witness the struggles of these kids. If we can alleviate their burden even a little by helping them fulfil their wishes, it holds profound significance for us.”
Luciano Manzo, President & CEO, Make-A-Wish International says: “Children undergoing treatment for critical illness can experience anxiety, loss of hope, and isolation from friends and loved ones. For many of these children, gaming offers them a sense of escape, helps them connect with friends and distracts them from their long and often difficult treatment journeys. That’s why gaming and entertainment wishes are so popular among wish children. The funds raised from ESA Winter 2024 will help continue to grant these types of wishes and many others. We are so grateful to ESA and the gaming community for helping make wishes come true with this event.”
ESA is globally livestreamed on Twitch.tv/esamarathon. Viewers are urged to contribute during the broadcast, with opportunities to, for instance, name game characters, present challenges to players, or vie for fantastic prizes. By backing ESA and Make-A-Wish, everyone can play a role in fulfilling the wishes of children living with critical illnesses. Support the talented speedrunners and participate in the fundraising—tune in to ESA and make a donation!
European Speedrunner Assembly (ESA) is a biannual charity marathon dedicated to video game speedrunning, held in Sweden. Since its inception in 2012, these events have collectively raised over one million dollars for various charitable causes.
The two main flagship events, ESA Winter and ESA Summer, occur annually in February and July, respectively, each spanning seven days. Beyond these, ESA also organizes smaller speedrunning gatherings such as ESA Legends, a five-day in-person event uniting top RPG speedrunners, and Break the Record: Live, a three-day competition aimed at breaking world records in specified games and categories.
About Make-A-Wish International
Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Founded in 1980, Make-A-Wish is the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, having granted more than 585,000 wishes in 50 countries worldwide. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 27,000 volunteers around the globe, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child living with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. For more information about Make-A-Wish International, visit worldwish.org
Last year, consumer spending on Father’s Day was expected to total $20 billion USD / $27 billion CAD, nearly on par with the previous year’s record-setting figure of $20.1 billion, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual consumer survey. With approximately 76 percent of North American adults expected to celebrate Father’s Day in 2022, this year’s dad-driven holiday will surely be another boon for retailers.
With so many options, what is worth gifting to the guys in your life? Here are some tried and true gift ideas that’ll duly deliver.
Dad can get where he needs to go in style this summer and beyond with the Atomi Alpha electric scooter.
This motorized ride offers impressive performance and is packed with smart technology—enabling users to effectively commute, while avoiding traffic jams and high gas prices. Invented to provide an eco-friendly and flexible mode of transportation, the Atomi Alpha can easily be carried around or securely locked. The minimalistic, yet stylish, e-scooter comes equipped with a powerful 650-watt rear motor that lets riders experience quick acceleration and torque.
With its lightweight, 10Ah 18650-power lithium battery, owners can enjoy the daily commute or a long journey with a range of up to 25 miles on a single charge. In addition, the Atomi Alpha features a nicely hidden rear suspension that maintains the electric scooter’s elegant look, but maintains enough durability to handle potholes and uneven terrain. The Atomi Alpha comes with industry-standard, nine-inch wheels made of puncture-proof tubeless tires, making sure that you will never get a flat. Atomi leads with safety first—featuring an LED front light, blinking brake tail light and indicator lights on both sides. The scooter also has four reflectors that make night riders even more visible. And when you’re ready to park your ride, the Atomi Alpha’s built-in combination lock pairs effortlessly with its app-locking function so you can feel secure that your adult scooter is safe and will be waiting to transport you to wherever life may take you next.
Not sure what to gift that adventurous dad this year?
How about a guaranteed method of communication—no matter where life takes him. SPOT X is a two-way satellite messenger that connects to users’ smartphones via Bluetooth wireless technology when off the grid or beyond reliable cellular coverage.. Through the SPOT X app, users can then access contacts and communicate easily with family, friends or directly with Search and Rescue services in life-threatening situations. It even can be used as a standalone communication device, and has its own dedicated U.S. mobile number so others can message them directly at any time.
From backpacking, camping, fishing and hunting to snowmobiling, off-roading and cycling, SPOT devices support all off-the-grid adventuring, making them the ideal tracking and communications gear for recreational users. The company is a leader in satellite messaging and emergency notification technologies—having helped initiate more than 9,000 rescues worldwide. Its devices provide communication capabilities, even when users are out of cell range, and can initiate search and rescue with a single button. Plus, SPOT is committed to making its products and services affordable to ensure that its life- and money-saving technology is available to all who dare to venture into the unknown.
Keeping your busy household’s floors clean just got easier.
iRobot’s Roomba Combo j7+ Robot Vacuum and Mop is the reportedly world’s most advanced, and the first truly hands-free, two-in-one robot vacuum and mop with a fully retractable pad. While other two-in-one cleaning robots barely lift their mop pads and require users to run two separate mop and vacuum missions, the Roomba Combo j7+ performs both functions simultaneously—vacuuming hard floors and carpets while the automatic mop prevents wet carpet messes.
And, thanks to iRobot OS and the robot’s PrecisionVision Navigation system, customers don’t have to pick up before the cleaning begins. The Roomba Combo j7+ recognizes more than 80 common objects, which enables the robot to clean more specific places on command, such as around kitty litter boxes, toilet bowls, dishwashers and more. Pair the robot with your voice assistant and instruct it to clean specific rooms or by selected objects in your home, as the Roomba Combo j7+ understands approximately 600 voice commands—more than any other two-in-one robot on the market. Users can also customize their device’s cleaning jobs in the iRobot Home app by choosing what rooms should be vacuumed and mopped, vacuumed only or even adjust the amount of cleaning solution the mop should dispense.
Relief, relaxation and recovery have never been so conveniently accessible.
Cubii Revive’s whisper-quiet, portable and battery-operated footplate utilizes therapeutic vibrations to help relieve minor aches and pains while supporting muscle recovery—all from your favorite place to sit. The 14.6-inch by 16.9-inch device features a compact design, built-in handle and is compatible with all foot sizes to accommodate your natural sitting position wherever is most convenient for you. Its 10 levels of passive vibration intensity support lower body muscle recovery and pain relief for fully personalized recovery sessions with every use.
In addition, the ergonomic Cubii Revive also includes a backlit LCD monitor to display battery and intensity levels in any lighting and cordless functionality with a four-hour battery life. Cubii focuses on holistic solutions in its approach—offering customers new and innovative products to serve a diverse community. Whether taking that first step on your path to wellness or beating a personal record, the brand is here to cheer on your every move. And, with wellness at the forefront of Cubii’s vision, the company believes everyone should have an equal opportunity to be healthy. In fact, it reportedly regularly donates Cubii ellipticals to those who would benefit from using one, but might not be able to obtain one by their own means.
Gift them a Dream Controller constructed directly from their wildest imagination. These unique, quality devices are custom-tailored to customers’ preferences—featuring cosmetic and technological upgrades that are also intended to improve their overall performance. Dream Controller’s inventory includes hundreds of trendy, handcrafted designs developed using the hydro-dipping paint process. Even more, each item is professionally designed by graphic artists that carefully create each controller to perfection. Customers can choose from controllers that are compatible with Xbox One, Elite, Nintendo Switch and Oculus Quest 2 as well as themed AirPods and others.
Created by gamers, Dream Controller saw a need for state-of-the-art, modified controllers in the marketplace and wanted to back the company with stellar customer service and technical support. The range of customizable options seems to supersede that of its competitors, with Dream Controller customers having the option to create personalized gadgets designed to their specifications if they’d like to go beyond the many pre-made designs and templates already available. And, whether your old man is an expert or new to the community, a beautiful, distinctive and high-quality device from Dream Controller is sure to level-up their game in all areas.
Want to make that round of golf get even better? Provide an awesome soundtrack to play alongside dad and his pals. The G-ROK Wireless Golf Speaker from ROKFORM instantly mounts to a golf cart or any other metal surface with its super strong, MAGMAX magnetic technology. Its aluminum hook easily attaches to a golf bag and it’s compact enough to slip into one. This rugged iPX7 waterproof and dust-proof wireless speaker is perfect for taking on and off the course, rain or shine. The G-ROK Wireless Golf Speaker features dual eight-watt drivers to deliver a clear, crisp sound and just the right amount of bass for the course.
And, for those who’d like to listen to music without announcements or interruptions, the device’s optional SD card stores up to 5,000 songs, so music can be played with or without a phone. Its 24-hour battery life lasts up to six rounds before needing a charge; because who wants to charge their speaker after only two rounds? For the ultimate on-course experience, users can pair their portable golf speakers to create double the sound, which already amplifies across a resounding 30-foot range. ROKFORM’s user-friendly design allows customers to operate the device from their phone or speaker with easy buttons, so they can play, pause, control the volume, skip, answer calls and power the device on and off with ease.
Who says keeping it classy has to mean discomfort?
The xSuit 4.0 is the newest version of the brand’s highly popular xSuit—the suit known for extreme comfort, stretch and convenience. This recently released iteration is the most comfortable and stylish version yet, taking into account years of research and customer feedback. Among expanded stretch and other upgrades, the updates feature additional sizes and colors, including brand-new light blue and light gray versions. Utilizing advanced R&D and technology, the xSuit 4.0 is wrinkle, stain and odor-resistant—optimizing the convenience for wearers. It’s also fully machine washable, which eliminates the need for frequent dry cleaning and ironing. This makes it the ideal travel suit, whether sporting your xSuit 4.0 for business, weddings or other events. Due to its top quality construction, the garment is highly durable and lasts five times longer than average.
Even more, the men’s clothing brand’s versatile designs enable easy mixing and matching to give you a wide range of choices in outfits and styles. xSuit works with some of the world’s top manufacturing experts in fashion technology in order to make the most comfortable clothing that keeps customers looking their best all day long. The company’s products are engineered with innovative materials—bringing the highest quality and sustainable alternative to fast fashion to men around the globe.
Add some key staple items to Dad’s closet this year with Jachs New York’s blend of classic and modern take on clothing essentials.
Its Blue Reverse Slub Jogger, for instance, delivers effortless style with an upgrade on the brand’s knit piece. Jachs NY’s new reverse jogger features the coziest, softest fabric that feels as great as it looks. It’s designed with 63 percent polyester, 33 percent viscose and four percent spandex and includes a soft-brushed fleece backing—providing just the right amount of added stretch.
Another customer-favorite, Jachs NY’s Navy Striped Tri-blend Short Sleeve Henley, offers the classic, three-button sleeve Henley fit in a super soft and light-weight linen tri-blend fabric that is ideal for summer weather. For a more polished look, the Grey Rayon Blend Stretch Herringbone Blazer features the classic two-button frame, but is half-lined with rayon for extra softness, stretch, comfort and mobility. Jachs NY was founded in 2008 with a mission to make the perfect clothing for those who want to live their own American dream. From classic outerwear to everyday shirting, chinos and sweaters, the menswear company creates essentials needed for your daily life—and your daily adventures. Using time-tested techniques and vintage inspiration, its brand philosophy is simple: great style should be effortless.
PUMA X IGNITE Spikeless Golf Shoes by Volition America
Level up the dad in your life’s game with better golf gear.
A collaboration with PUMA and Volition America, the IGNITE Fasten8 Spikeless Golf Shoes are a cool, America-inspired shoe featuring the stars and stripes on the footwear’s upper and outsole. They’ll provide the performance needed on the course … and the style while off of it. The innovative materials and progressive design include both PWRFrame and TPU overlays to create a breathable and waterproof outer, while the TPU PWRCAGE offers unparalleled support around the midfoot. The laces’ integrated webbing straps wrap the area for a secure fit. Plus, you can’t overlook the shoe’s ignite foam midsole that’s wrapped in SoleShield for added durability, unparalleled comfort and an energy return that can help you feel and play your best all day long. Volition America has made it its mission to disrupt the industry as America’s apparel brand—uniting Americans under a common goal to use the power of choice to affect positive change. With options ranging from shoes to apparel, the company has partnered with high-profile brands like Puma to give back to worthy causes.
As the demand for men’s jewelry booms, Craftd London has become a go-to brand across the globe.
Each piece holds its own story and comes with a lifetime guarantee, no questions asked—making it literally a gift for life. Its best-selling Blue Tennis Chain was recently given the Blue Iced treatment and has leveled up wearers’ styling options with just the right amount of edge. The three-millimeter piece features AAA-grade Blue Cubic Zirconia, 316L stainless steel and rhodium, while also being water, heat and sweat-resistant. The Blue Tennis Chain is available in two sizes: 19.5-inches or 21.5-inches. But why stop at just one of these beauties, when you can gift dad a matching bracelet? Craftd London’s Blue Tennis Bracelet offers the same exceptional quality and specs as its necklace counterpart, including two size options to help customers find the right fit. For those who are looking for a touch of symbolism with their jewelry, Craftd London’s Silver Rose necklace illustrates the beauty and fragility of life in its simple, yet stunning, craftsmanship.
The 316L stainless steel and rhodium pendant comes with a chain that is water, heat and sweat resistant. The brand’s Compass Pendant also holds a message to the wearer, reminding people that a true leader crafts his own path. Give your loved one the gift of discovering new places and living a life of freedom with this 18-karat gold and 316L stainless steel chain and pendant. Like all of Craftd London’s products, the Compass Pendant is sweat proof, waterproof, hypoallergenic and tarnish resistant. Most importantly, it’s designed with its own meaning to make it personal for the wearer. “We all like to feel championed,” cofounder Alex Cannon says. “And with something that tells its own story, you can really give that personal touch.”
Who doesn’t love a new pair of sunglasses, especially from a world renowned designer brand?
The Versace VE2212 Sunglasses from SmartBuyGlassesmake a stylish Father’s Day gift that’s perfect for the summer season. He can look great and feel protected from the sun the next time he’s out and about. Versace’s seasonal collection offers a wide variety of colors to choose from, but these aviator shades are a perennial favorite—made super swaggy with its mix of gunmetal frames and grey-silver mirror lenses. The shades ate available in a variety of lenses to suit your lifestyle and vision needs, including prescriptive for distance, reading, progressive and more as well as blue light blockers and polarized. No matter the lens type, the Versace VE2212 Sunglasses can effortlessly complete any look. Plus, SmartBuyGlasses offers amazing prices and 100-day returns. The online store’s mission is to deliver great-quality, low-cost eyewear to its customers worldwide as fast as possible. Even more, when you shop online with SmartBuyGlasses, you’re shopping an exhaustive catalog of brands, types and designs boasting chic new trends and excellent-quality glasses.
Nolah’s Bamboo Sheet Set is made of a lightweight, satin-smooth and breathable bamboo material that is just as good for the environment as it is for your shut-eye. Bamboo sheets are a great option for hot sleepers and allergy sufferers, as bamboo wicks away excess moisture to help keep you dry and comfortably cool during the night. This material is also naturally antimicrobial and hypoallergenic, so your sheets will remain fresh and clean for much longer.
Independent testing showed a 99 percent E. coli and staph reduction and 90 percent Candida albicans (yeast) reduction on the bamboo fibers after 18 hours of incubation. In addition, the Bamboo Sheet Set is Forest Stewardship Council-certified and Oeko-Tex 100-certified—guaranteeing Nolah’s product contains no harmful chemicals, toxins or dyes. And, when it is time to give them a wash, Nolah’s bamboo sheets are highly durable and washing machine-friendly for a convenient clean every time. The sheets are available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king and split king sizes to accommodate more sleepers. Nolah prides itself on being a sleep technology company that is on a mission to improve your sleep and mattress shopping experience, with products ranging from top-notch mattresses to bed frames and bedding.
Help dad lavish his best friend in luxurious comfort with the Kingston Organic Pet Bed.
Taking luxe dog beds to a whole new level, this pet bed is made entirely of a plush mix of three unique shredded foams. This includes Essentia Mattress’ patented Beyond Latex organic foam combined with natural latex foams for maximum pressure relief, breathability and durability. The family pooch will nestle in and enjoy the soft, organic cotton cover that allows them to customize the adhesive-free Kingston to their liking by burrowing in the cozy blend of organic foams—the same natural, healthy and high-quality materials used to construct all Essentia products.
The company’s attention to detail ensures your pet keeps a fresh, comfortable sleep surface. The organic, SoftGrip cotton bottom helps stop the bed from sliding and makes it safe to use on all floors. Even more, the removable and washable Kingston’s organic cotton cover features food-grade waterproofing integrated into the inside backing, which helps protect the bed and facilitate easy cleaning. This product is available in three sizes—accommodating furry pals up to 110 pounds! Essentia Mattress’ options are packed with non-toxic, certified organic vegan technology.
Say goodbye to sweaty, messy coasters and hello to the Terra Stone Coasters by Brightly.
These natural and eco-friendly coasters are made with high-quality, diatomaceous earth—providing maximum moisture absorption and quick-drying action. The unique properties of diatomaceous earth make the Terra Stone Coasters perfect for use with cold drinks, which helps to prevent condensation and keep your home’s surfaces clean and dry. Plus, the natural composition of diatomaceous earth makes them an excellent choice for those looking for a more sustainable option for their decor, and wish to enjoy their purchases with a clear conscience.
Their unique properties and elegant design make them the perfect choice for those who value function and style in their home accessories. The package comes in a set of four. Brightly’s goal is to empower conscious consumers around the world—recognizing that small, daily actions add up to a huge impact on the world around us. Along with its products, the company educates more than three million individuals every day through inspiring short-form videos on social media, an award-winning podcast and thoroughly-researched, myth-busting articles. Brightly holds itself accountable, as well, and is Climate Neutral Certified. To do this, the brand must show that it is working to reduce greenhouse emissions throughout its operation and compensates for all of them every year.
No matter if you’re traveling around the block or around the world for business or pleasure, travel should always be a fabulous experience—never a hassle.
The main culprit for travel angst? Having the wrong gear. One great resolution is the The ULTI Messenger Bag by CONMIGO, which provides the luxury of being comfortable, joy of being organized and peace of mind of being safe—all in one bag. This re-designed carry-on is perfect when a backpack doesn’t meet your needs or style. It has enough panache for the boardroom and is rugged enough to handle whatever the road throws at it. Lightweight so you can stay nimble, the ULTI messenger bag’s crossbody design keeps your hands free, so you can hold on to what matters.
Plus, this functional travel and laptop bag features an abundance of secured pockets and compartments to help keep you organized and on point wherever you may be journeying to. Other ULTI bag highlights include a TSA-compliant, detachable portfolio for electronics, seat cushion and enhanced safety features. CONMIGO designers also crafted the gear with water-resistant, ballistic nylon and ensured its ability to comfortably fit under the seat when traveling in an aircraft. A donation from each sale of the ULTI travel bag is also made to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation.
Is dad embarrassed by the persistent odor in his car or is he tired of that suffocating artificial scent from common fresheners that require constant refills? Or, does it bother everyone else?
Well, if any of the above criteria resonates, the PURGGO’s Car Air Eco-Purifier and Freshener will make the perfect Father’s Day gift this year. It’s made with pure and sustainable natural bamboo charcoal, which absorbs and eliminates odor instead of masking it. Fragrance- and allergen-free, the PURGGO is all-natural, non-toxic and 100 percent asthma, pet- and allergy-friendly. All this product contains is pure, all-natural moso bamboo charcoal: one of the most renewable natural resources in the world. Bamboo charcoal has been used for thousands of years in Asia to purify the air, and PURGGO harvested this power—making it the longest lasting available product of its kind on the market worldwide. Plus, it lasts for more than 365 days and works continuously in the background. PURGGO’s mission is simple: to create an effective, safe and responsible product that the company would want to use itself, and is reflected in the design philosophy of the air freshener—from the materials used to the rounded corners and smooth textures that have its roots in Asian culture.
If dad likes to golf, give him the gift of an indoor putting green this Father’s Day.
Putt-A-Bout provides just that with their USA-made products that are top-sellers on Amazon—offering the perfect solution for short-game practice anywhere and anytime. Ideal for golfers of all skill levels, these portable mats can turn almost any floor space into a fun putting area that lets you hone your game, have some fun and enjoy some low-key competition. The company’s XL215 Putting Mat is large at 15 feet long and two feet wide.
It’s great for practicing both short and long putts with a realistic stimp speed. Its premium back that will eliminate folds and creases in the putting surface. Also portable, it’s easy to roll and store away or transport. Putt-A-Bout’s Par Three Golf Putting Green is another great gift option, as this kidney shaped practice putting green with three practice cup cutouts has a surface that always stays smooth. Built in sand trap cutouts catch missed shots. Putt-A-Bout designed its product to be easy to use, but also handily stored away when not being utilized. With its top-notch and lay-flat backing material, users can conveniently lay out the mat when ready to play and roll it back up for compact storage or transport on-the-go. Customers can also personalize their putting mat, which is available in five different sizes and perfect for both home and office use.
Do you want dad to have the best seat on the beach this summer season?
SUNFLOW’s Beach Bundle Chair offers four different positions and a host of innovative accessories for optimal seaside lounging. This chair is built with the highest quality, rust-resistant frame—necessary for wet environments—and is crafted with water-resistant fabric that can be hosed off without harming the material.
SUNFLOW’s Beach Bundle Chair includes removable straps in its design to help make the versatile recliner easy to carry, while also offering several fashion-forward color options to best meet its owners’ style. But, while the construction is impressive, this product really shines with its attachments. Its sun shade helps protect users from 98 percent of the sun’s rays, while the dry bag keeps valuables just that: dry, safe and sand-free during every beach excursion. Plus, the Beach Bundle’s drink holder provides the perfect spot for everything from a canned beverage, to a wine bottle. The chair’s added towel attachment keeps your towel safely stowed beside you without the fear of it falling down or flying away on a windy day. SUNFLOW’s Beach Bundle is the brainchild of fashion and product designer Leslie Hsu, with the mission of reinventing the beach chair by giving it the functional makeover it deserves. This is all part of the premium beach brand’s goal of filling every day at the water’s edge with smiles—helping to make your happy place even happier.
Give the father figure in your life the gift of high-quality, Australian cuts of meat with Herd & Grace’s Signature Steak Boxes, which will be delivered right to his doorstep.
Herd & Grace is a premium delivery service for steaks sourced from pastures located in Australia and Tasmania. The company’s environmentally-conscious, halal-certified steaks are featured in Michelin and AAA-rated fine dining steakhouses and eateries, and are now available to homes across the globe. Australian beef sets itself apart from the usual type found in the U.S. due to its high marbling scores, delicious taste, unmatched tenderness and unique flavor. For these reasons, Australian beef is a superior pick, thanks in part to the wide open spaces for livestock to roam and the cleanest air in the world—giving the cows a better quality of life and generating singular dining experiences. In an age where factory farming in America confines cattle to over-crowded feedlots, these Australian and Tasmanian farms and ranches offer at least an acre of land per cow. In addition to the elite flavor and silky tenderness, Australian steaks feature ethical, sustainably grazed pastures, which reduce topsoil erosion and decrease emissions of methane and greenhouse gasses—all while removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
These Old World, sustainable processes help in the effort to combat climate change. Choose from a selection of Herd & Grace’s finely curated boxes, or customize your cuts utilizing the brand’s various subscription level options. I sampled the Herd & Grace BBQ Box boasting cuts you won’t find at the market. With highly coveted delicacies are normally reserved for the most upscale restaurants, one bite and you’ll understand why they are in such demand. It features 24-28 ounce Pure Black Tri-Tip Cut; two massive 28-32 ounce Cape Grim Tomahawk Steaks; and one 3-4 Pound Cut of Pure Black Picanha MB5+. This premium collection can be delivered directly to dad’s doorstep lickety split.
Customizable Cheese Boards and Platters from Lynn & Liana Designs (https://lynnliana.com/)
Lynn & Liana Designs offers Customizable Cheese Boards and Platters that will serve as art in your home, while also helping serve up delicious treats to guests.
Not only do the boards come in nine colors, but no two boards are alike. Lynn & Liana Designs uses eco-friendly resin to create stunning pieces that are unique to each board. These one-of-a-kind items are hand-poured and meticulously crafted—making for a beautiful charcuterie spread and great conversation items at dinner parties. Singer Meghan Trainor even shared her love for the cheese boards in her viral TikTok video, which garnered seven million views. The small Manitoba family business has grown tremendously since starting in 2018 from a garage set-up. Lynn & Liana Designs went from producing 100 boards in its first year to well over 100,000 boards in 2022 alone. Now available in 2,000-plus stores, 28-year-old founder Melissa Funk has done more than jump on the charcuterie board craze. She’s reinvented it by crafting elegant boards and platters that stand out and bring a piece of nature into people’s homes. Even more, a portion of the brand’s sales go toward the replanting of trees across North America.
Add to dad’s entertaining collection with The Entertainer’s Tray from Groovy Girl Gifts.
This stunning, charcuterie serving board, which can be personalized, brings a touch of class to the functionality of creating a stellar presentation for guests. Crafted from premium acacia wood, it features a sleek marble insert and is built to withstand regular use. Even more, the Entertainer’s Tray provides ample space for arranging a variety of cheeses, dips, cured meats, fruits, nuts or whatever tasty snacks strike your fancy. This item includes three dipping spoons, three bowls and four charcuterie utensils packaged nicely in a white box to round out the entire piece. Whether hosting a small gathering with friends, or putting together an elaborate spread for a special occasion, the durable board is sure to impress with its smooth, polished surface. Plus, it’s the perfect backdrop for showcasing dad’s personal style. The Entertainer’s Tray is also easy to clean and only requires a wipe down with a damp cloth after each use to maintain its appearance—making it the ultimate versatile, go-to set for all your hosting duties this summer.
A tasty and delightful gift worthy of those food-loving fathers, Cheese Brothers’ “World’s Cheesiest Dad” Gift Basket brings all the cheese, but in the best way possible.
This hand-picked gift collection combines the e-commerce company’s finest Wisconsin cheeses with classic mustard and award-winning artisan salami. Dad will love the smoked Gouda, which is cold-smoked with applewood and hickory at Cheese Brothers’ Wisconsin-based pack house. And, for lovers of the sharp variety, this basket has him covered with its eight-year-aged cheddar that’s sure to hit the spot. Other basket highlights include four, six-ounce blocks of Wisconsin-made cheese; two five-ounce blocks of aged cheddar; a jar of classic mustard or cherry lavender jam; artisan salami; white organic crackers and a “World’s Cheesiest Dad” sticker to tie it all together.
Cheese Brothers proudly honors its roots by following in the cheese-making traditions established by one of the founders’ great grandfathers when he immigrated to the U.S. from Switzerland in 1919. None of the business’s products are ever processed or artificial—sourcing milk from local family farms and utilizing only natural and simple seasonings to enhance its gourmet products. The eight-year-old company ships cheese and gift packages nationwide, so show your pops how much you care through their taste buds with Cheese Brothers’ uniquely cheesy basket. After all, the world’s best dad deserves the best.
The perfect after-dinner sip for dads on Father’s Day.
Bisquit & Dubouché’s X.O. is a silky, sumptuous cognac that’s incredibly rich, full-bodied and stunningly smooth. The X.O. expression is matured in French oak barrels for a minimum of 10 years—offering drinkers a symphony of woody flavors and smoky notes. The initial notes explored on the nose are enriched with aromatic hints of plum, mocha, cedar wood and licorice. Crafted using only the most prestigious Eaux-de-vie from the Grande and Petite Champagne crus, the premium beverage’s lingering finish and incredibly smooth taste are the satisfying results of the brand’s uniquely long distillation time. For the best tasting experience, Bisquit & Dubouché’s X.O. cognac is best enjoyed neat. The company was founded more than 200 years ago by Alexandre Bisquit and Adrien Dubouché, making its formal debut in the U.S. in February 2022 as an official sponsor of Frieze Los Angeles. The avant-garde cognac maison is known for its innovative cognac-making and the rebellious spirits of its founders. The unique distillation method relies on intuition over conventional techniques to create Bisquit & Dubouché’s distinctive taste of nuanced floral and fruity aromas.
Looking to add some flair to dad’s drinks this year?
Look no further than Siligrams’ Customizable Ice Cube Tray Molds. These durable, high-quality silicone molds provide a personal touch to any gift, party or occasion and can be customized with the text, monogram, a graphic or logo of your choice. Whether you’re looking to create ice cubes in the shape of dad’s favorite sports team logos, adding a unique touch to the home bar or giving a gift of monogrammed ice cubes, Siligrams’ molds are the perfect solution. American-made, the ice cube trays are easy to use and maintain, all while being safe for use in the dishwasher, freezer and oven. The Customizable Cylinder Ice Cube Tray can be customized with your unique text, monogram, or graphical design.
The ice cylinders measure 2.3 inches in diameter, making it a great fit in a standard rocks glass for spirit forward cocktails or in tumblers and thermoses for your soda and iced coffee. The Customizable Whiskey Ball Mold makes an iconic cocktail ice ball as a classy companion to your favorite spirits. The spherical shape maximizes the surface area to volume ratio, meaning you’ll get maximum chilling of your drink with minimum watering down. The ice balls are 2.3in diameter spheres, and can also be customized with your text, monogram, or logo! I also like Siligrams non-slip Customizable Silicone Bar Mat that keeps your glasses and bottles steady and collects spills to keep your bar area clean. It’s also easy to clean – just dump it into the sink and run it through the dishwasher. Use it as a drying mat or a coffee bar mat too! Plus, personalize it with your name, logo, or any design to make it truly your own.
Gift the father figure in your life with the ultimate wine-drinking experience: all the delicious flavor of their favorite bottle of vino without the hangover. Üllo’s Original Wine Purifier + Decanter combines the purification power of Selective Sulfite filtration with the time-honored tradition of decanting to create a premier expression of red wine. The hand-blown Decanter, made from ultra-transparent and lead-free crystal, is the perfect fit for the Üllo Wine Purifier and lets your favorite red or white wine’s aromas and flavors come alive.
Üllo is the first and only wine purification brand to target just sulfites in the removal process—and none of the natural compounds that make every wine unique. Along with eliminating hangovers and irritation, sulfite-free wine also allows drinkers to enjoy any bottle without the stuffy nose, headaches or other common side effects of histamines. Plus, the easy-to-use Üllo Wine Purifier works with all Üllo wine filter replacements, rests on any wine glass and fits perfectly with Üllo’s decanters and carafe. Other features of this set include a purifier travel bag, soft-touch display base and six Selective Sulfite full-bottle filters. The kitchen gadget simplifies the clean-up process and disassembles easily, is dishwasher-safe and makes enjoying pure wine a delightful experience.
A bright and savory red wine that dad will love, PEJU Winery’s 2018 Sketches charms the senses with aromas of fig jam, vanilla and a hint of nutmeg. This Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend begins with notes of savory black truffle, honeyed oak and pomegranate and finishes with notes of cocoa powder. PEJU Winery’s 2018 Sketches can be uncorked and enjoyed now, or put away in your wine fridge for another 8-10 years. The blend is harvested from PEJU Winery’s acclaimed Persephone Estate Vineyard in Napa Valley, California at nearly 1,000-feet elevation, producing fruit with rich, focused flavor and a precise sense of place as a strong foundation for its wines.
The story behind the 2018 Sketches bottle stems from owner Herta Peju’s lifelong love for artistic expression. From her early school years through college, she would draw all over her notebook as a tool to remember her lessons. Working closely with winemaker Sara Fowler, the two created a magnificent wine encompassing the beauty that Peju sees in everyday life. Each bottle of Sketches features a label with artwork by Peju, making it an excellent trophy for your cellar.
Cutting back on wine may be good for dad’s health, but that doesn’t mean his beverage selection needs to be limited, too.
The Non-Alcoholic Quartet Pack from Jøyus brings variety, the pleasure of a glass of wine and the non-alcoholic peace of mind together in four delicious bottles. One-hundred percent woman- and sober-owned, the brand’s product doesn’t have that overly sweet or grape-juice taste commonly associated with non-alcoholic wines. These delightfully dry and complex, alcohol-removed selections can have even the snootiest of vino snobs pouring a second and third glass.
Take its Cabernet Sauvignon, for instance. The blend delights the palate with its warmth and complexity, while the well-balanced tannins, notes of ripe dark berries, aged oak and undertones of vanilla will keep you coming back sip after sip. Jøyus’ pack also includes a Rose and Sparkling Rose that feature delicate notes of watermelon and peaches, or hints of blackberries, strawberries and California citrus, respectively. Drinkers can also expect the notes of crisp green apple, fragrant fall pear and ripe melon of the Sparkling White wine to help round out the set. Still unsure? Not only did Jøyus win two awards at The San Francisco International Wine Competition and another at the International Wine and Spirits in London, but there are only 15-30 calories per serving—a perfect, guilt-free treat for everyone, no matter where they are on their sober journey.
Add to his arsenal with La Tourangelle’s Truffle Infused Oils. The company’s White Truffle Infused Oil features complex notes of woods, earth and fruit that are characteristic of the Italian White Alba Truffle, while the Black Truffle Infused Oil highlights complex, earthy notes of damp forests and dried mushrooms that can be found in the French Périgord Truffle. Earthy, robust and distinctive, these truffle-infused oils are a perfect finishing drizzle atop a range of unique culinary creations. La Tourangelle is passionate about making high-quality ingredients that are good for the table, community and planet. Through regenerative farming, artisan production methods and nature-friendly packaging, the company aims to empower people to cook like they care.
Each natural product is crafted locally in California and France using traditional practices. From sourcing the best quality ingredients, to small batch production, La Tourangelle’s products are rooted in artisan know-how. La Tourangelle believes in making staples that are authentic, delicious and sustainable—all while spreading joy and well-being through food. As a family business, La Tourangelle brings expertise and craftsmanship techniques learned from previous generations to modern day oil-making, using traditional French practices to produce delicious artisan oils in California.
Upgrade your ice cream experience and say goodbye to meltdowns. Calicle’s smart and stylish Insulated Ice Cream Bowl Set keeps your favorite frozen treats at the perfect consistency from the first bite to the last, so you can savor every single spoonful. These vacuum, triple-insulated bowls keep your scoops from melting up to 200 percent longer than traditional bowls—even in warm weather. Perfect for barbecues, pool parties, beach days, picnics or at home on the couch, Calicle’s Insulated Ice Cream Bowl Set makes it easy to enjoy ice cream indoors or out, and includes lids for mess-free treats on-the-go while. And, the durable construction and grippy base make them safe for kids and glass-free zones. Not just for cold foods, they’ll keep hot foods hot longer as well.
This set comes with two 12-fluid ounce bowls in white frost or midnight black colors. In addition to providing reusable products to help reduce the waste produced by single-use items, Calicle also uses recyclable packaging materials. Plus, the brand believes it’s important to support organizations whose work is meaningful and donates two percent of its sales to support the Coral Reef Alliance. Whether you’re spoiling yourself or seeking a sweet gift, these bowls are guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Make every spoonful count with the gift that keeps giving—scoop after scoop.
Help dad get a total body workout with a single, convenient fitness tool this summer: the HEROBOARD. This highly-functional, moving exercise platform offers users an incredibly smooth and stable experience, while being able to move evenly on all types of surfaces—forward, back and side to side. Designed for both beginners and advanced athletes, the HEROBOARD allows for a variety of exercises that target every part of the body and is the perfect piece of equipment to use at home, outside or at the gym. The easy-to-use HEROBOARD jumpstarts those that need that extra bit of encouragement and is even utilized by trainers and physical therapists to assist in their work with clients.
The platform ensures stability and doesn’t flip over when operated. It’s also angled by three degrees for a raised heel, which eases your form to protect your knees and helps in bringing the board back for eccentric exercises. Each HEROBOARD comes with a drawstring bag for portability, a poster with QR codes linking to instructional videos, a custom-shaped foam exercise pad and a resistance band that can be easily attached to the board’s hook to take your exercises to the next level. Plus, dad can access new and creative instructional workout videos each week from the company’s website or its various social media platforms.
Give dad the at-home pampering he deserves with Derm Dude’s quality selection of men’s grooming products.
The company’s EVERYTHING Trimmer is the absolute perfect tool for both the beard and body. The three-in-one trimmer includes 17 unique “easy spin” dial settings for beard, mustache and facial hair; stainless steel blades and guide combs with precision trimming for a nick-free beard, body and groin area; and an IPX7 high, waterproof-rating for convenient use in the shower. Derm Dude’s device also includes a 60-minute runtime; rechargeable, built-in battery with compact USB charger; and is small, lightweight and cordless for ease of use and convenience. The EVERYTHING Trimmer does it all—including every length option and style in-between. And, to keep dad’s beard nourished and itch-free, the brand’s Accelerator Beard Oil is formulated to moisturize, soften and condition facial hair in a single application.
The fast-absorbing and non-greasy Nutribeard Complex is formulated with natural Jojoba oil, Argon oil, vitamin E and other natural oils, which promote healthy beard growth when used over time. Derm Dude’s Accelerator Oil 3-Pack offers three scents that are sure to keep the user smelling and feeling good. The Sandalwoody scent has a slight, new leather hint while being warm, spicy, exotic, musky and, most importantly, woody. The Island Rum oil has notes of rum and coconut to create a warm and summery scent, while Morning Woodsy exudes a masculine, outdoorsy scent with notes of evergreen woods, cedarwood and mountain air.
Elevate dad’s oral care routine with MOON Oral Beauty’s LED Teeth Whitening Kit.
Equipped with the brand’s best-sellers, this set includes its LED Teeth Whitening Device, Kendall Jenner Teeth Whitening Pen and Dissolving Whitening Strips to help keep customers’ smiles healthy and bright. In fact, the LED device is reported to rapidly whiten teeth up to 12 shades in just two weeks or less, with just five minutes per use. Its lightweight, wireless design pairs with the Dissolving Whitening Strips to remove tough stains on the teeth’s surface for a no-mess application, with no rinsing required.
The device already comes with a two-week supply of Whitening Strips, a travel-friendly case and a charging base. Plus, this bundle includes an extra pack of strips. MOON’s Dissolving Strips are unique, as they whiten teeth up to seven shades lighter and dissolve completely in your mouth within 15 minutes. They are made with gentle, better-for-you ingredients that are perfect for sensitive teeth. Made with Elixir III, the pen features MOON’s proprietary antioxidant blend of lavender oil, strawberry fruit extract and honeysuckle flower extract, which is proven to instantly brighten and whiten teeth over time. It’s great for touch-ups to keep those pearly whites polished while on-the-go. Now, dad can easily throw it in a bag and have it on hand and ready to use when needed.
The “Kanuda Lumbar Nap” Sacral Still Point Pressure Pillow is a one-of-a-kind product that integrates physical therapy benefits into a pillow—ensuring proper neck alignment while sleeping on one side or the other. Its design mimics a physical therapy session at home by stimulating pressure points of the sacrum, stretching your lower back with its natural bending lumbar spine curvature. A few of the benefits of the Kanuda Lumbar Nap pillow include improvement of the craniosacral system function, tension relief in the lower back muscles, restoration of the spine’s natural lumbar curve to the correct posture and improvement in the range of motion in the hips. All the user needs to do is place the polyurethane foam pillow on the floor and lie down on their back so that the sacrum groove on the Kanuda Lumbar Nap is positioned directly underneath the user’s sacrum. For best results, it’s recommended to stay in this position for anywhere between 10-40 minutes daily. The South Korean company has been perfecting its product through ongoing research and development since 2005—helping to lead the way in customer satisfaction. Reportedly the first-ever pillow to incorporate physical therapy techniques to relieve neck pain and induce proper sleep positions, Kanuda helps keep your neck, spine and shoulders truly aligned in proper resting position.
For the Silo, by Merilee Kern.
Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. Merilee is Founder, Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List” as well as Host of the “Savvy Living” lifestyle TV show that airs in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta and other major markets on CBS, FOX and other top networks; as well as the “Savvy Ventures” business TV show that airs nationally on FOX Business TV and Bloomberg TV. As a prolific lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker, Merilee keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at www.TheLuxeList.com and www.SavvyLiving.tv / Instagram www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / Twitter www.Twitter.com/MerileeKern / Facebook www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIN www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern.
***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost or sponsored to accommodate if this is review editorial, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***
Drinking with friends until late at night is fun, which is why lots of people do it especially on weekends. You get to talk with friends about your romantic problems and work issues, or you may enjoy watching live games in sports bar with other fervent fans. But what can you do after the bars close? Many take things easy and wind down with one of the excellent erotic massages in Montreal. That seems like the perfect way to end a fun night.
However, there are other ways to continue having fun even when the bars all seem closed late at night. Discuss matters with your friends, and see if any of these suggestions suit their fancy:
Drink Coffee
Haven’t you noticed how many of these specialty coffee shops are open 24 hours? That’s because they know that when people are done drinking but they don’t want to go home yet, they get coffee to continue their story-swapping activities.
Coffee is perfect for those who have been drinking, since it can keep people from just sleeping. Your friends will hate you if they have to drag your sleeping body home. So drink some coffee, and afterwards hire a cab back to your place. Just don’t drive! You may be awake, but you’re still drunk!
Eat Something
Lots of people experience the “munchies” when they’ve been drinking. So once the drinking is done, it may be time to continue the night with some fast food treat like a nice juicy burger or some hot pizza. You may also want to try shawarma.
Scientific studies have confirmed that alcohol can really make you feel hungry. It’s been found that alcohol fires up a type of brain cell that’s also active when you’re starving. So when you drink, your brain thinks you haven’t eaten for a long while.
Play Video Games
In some cities like Montreal, you may find arcade places where you can play various video games even at 3:00 AM. You can play Tekken and other fighting games if you’re one of those inclined to violence after a bit of drinking—at least this time, no one gets really hurt!
You can also try any of the racing games, and you may find out why it’s a bad idea to drink and drive. Of course, even if you do well in these games it doesn’t mean you’re ready to drive home for real.
Sing Some Karaoke
You may be a shy wallflower type when you’re sober, but you may be a performer yearning to break free once you’ve imbibed enough alcohol. You’re not alone, so why not join other would-be singers and have some fun belting out your favorite tunes?
The nice thing about being drunk is that it makes you brave enough to try this, and you’re also drunk enough to think you’ve done justice to that Bon Jovi song you’ve always liked. Most people in these places are non-judgmental, so even if you’re off-key they won’t mind. Not that you’d know you were off-key…
Go Bowling
Bowling is another activity that somehow seems a lot more fun when you’ve been drinking. It also shows you exactly how drunk you are—if your bowling ball can’t hit any of the pins every time, then it may be time to call it a night. Bowling is something you can do if the bar you went to closed early at 1AM or so, as some bowling places may close at 3AM.
Try Your Luck at a Casino
You better believe that if you’re a well-behaved drunk, the casino will love you. You get to enjoy yourself playing blackjack, while the casino plies you with drinks as they happily take your money! For the Silo, Dimitry Karloff.
IRVINE, Calif. – Waaaay back in Summer 2011, BenQ America Corp. announced that as the official gaming monitor sponsor of Major League Gaming (MLG), the world’s largest competitive video game league, it would be supplying monitors for the then upcoming 2012 MLG Pro Circuit Summer Championship that were held in Raleigh, North Carolina. At the tournament, hundreds of the top gamers from around the world competed using BenQ’s RL2450HT and GL2450HM monitors, designed specifically for professional gaming and engineered to meet the specific needs of eSports athletes. The GL2450HM was also featured in the Virtua Fighter(TM) 5 and Skullgirls(TM) Exhibition Tournaments, alongside the Pro Circuit competition.
At the 2012 MLG Pro Circuit Summer Championship, gamers — including BenQ-sponsored Team Dynamic and Manuel “Grubby” Schenkhuizen — competed for their share of nearly $215,000 in prizes playing the real-time strategy (RTS) games StarCraft(R) II: Wings of Liberty and League of Legends(R) on PC, and fighting games Mortal Kombat(TM) and SoulCalibur(R) V on the PlayStation(R)3 (PS3(TM)).
[Then] 26 year old Dutch professional videogamer Manuel “Grubby” Schenkhuizen and friend Cassandra. How good is he? Check out- http://www.sk-gaming.com/player/90-Grubby image:courtesy MechWarrior onlineThousands of spectators watched the tournament at the Raleigh Convention Center, and hundreds of thousands of fans watched the action online at www.majorleaguegaming.com/live.
For those retro system fans, there was even a Summer Championship that let fans get in on the action with Virtua Fighter 5 and Skullgirls Exhibition Tournaments, played on the good old PS3.
Anyone with a Raleigh Spectator or Competitor Pass could participate in these tournaments, which were sponsored by PlayStation. Winners of the best-of-three matches held the station until defeated and could re-enter as many times as they wished. The two players for each game with the longest winning streaks battled it out for $2,000 per tournament in the Finals on the
Fighting Games Main Stage.
Crowd shot from the MLG #gamerompfest
“The Summer Championship in Raleigh [was] sure to provide an exciting culmination to an amazing summer season, and we [were] honored to have our RL2450HT and GL2450HM in the middle of the action,” said Bob Wudeck, Director of Retail and e-Commerce at BenQ America Corp. “The fast response times of BenQ’s monitors result in high-action competition, while features such as the RL2450HT’s Black eQualizer help eSports athletes not just play the game, but conquer it. In addition, the incredibly low lag of the GL2450HM provides perfect timing in fighting and shooting games.”
Delivering a supreme RTS gaming experience, the RL2450HT was used for StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty and League of Legends PC games tournaments at the Summer Championship. The RL2450HT was engineered with input from the world-class StarCraft II professional gaming team, STARTALE, which is sponsored by BenQ. For top-level RTS gamers, the monitor features a 60-Hz refresh rate for smooth movement, an LED light engine for great color and low power consumption, and a 2-ms GtG response time with 12 million to 1 contrast ratio.
The RL Series RTS Mode maximizes StarCraft II visibility and optimizes color, while its Black eQualizer enables total visibility by allowing gamers to adjust the screen brightness without over-exposing white levels — revealing critical combat details with improved visibility in darkened areas. The RL Series Display Mode allows gamers to interchange between monitor screen sizes, while the Smart Scaling feature gives them the freedom to scale the screen manually to any custom size — from 17 to 24 inches — depending on their preferences. In addition, the unit’s adjustable height stand allows for optimal screen positioning.
The 24-inch-wide GL2450HM monitor is an ideal choice for console gaming platforms, featuring brilliant LED backlighting, a dynamic contrast ratio of 12 million to 1, and a 2-ms GtG response time that yields high dynamic videos without ghosting or other artifacts.
At a later MLG Summer Championship, console games Mortal Kombat and SoulCalibur V were played on the GL2450HM, in addition to Virtua Fighter 5 and Skullgirls in the Exhibition Tournaments sponsored by PlayStation.
Supporting competitive and competitive retro gaming, BenQ offered the monitors used in the tournament at special discount pricing available to all MLG tournament fans.
You may have only recently heard about esports and esport athletes but professional video game sport competitions have been around for over half a decade. Since 2018, Prodigy Agency carries the mission to bring 360° support to esports players by guiding more than 170 talents around the world.
Are you an accomplished esport athlete? Prodigy can help you become a professional and compete against the world’s best. Much like a physical world professional, you can find your way to the top and earn sponsorships, awards and a real world salary. Read on…..
This post is dedicated to geeks who want to let their passions shine through their decor.
The graphic below gives cool examples of accessories that you can introduce into your home to give people an idea of the geekier side of your life. Some are subtle, like the equation bookshelf, while others are more in your face, such as the giant rubrics cube coffee tables. What all of these share is how they have incorporated elements considered to be ‘geeky’ into stylish decor. A personal favourite is the wall that has apparently been repaired by Lego bricks. We assume that this isn’t actually the case, but if we were buying a property with that in we’d certainly want a thorough survey done.
Whatever style of decoration you prefer, if you’re looking to add something a little fun and a tad geeky to your home then this piece will help give you some great ideas. Friends of the Silo, Terry’s Fabrics.
Christmas is coming and kids across Canada and the World will be telling their parents, and Santa Claus himself, about the latest and greatest video game excitement they want under the tree on the big day. Buying age-appropriate videogames can be a daunting proposition but a great place to start if you’re feeling overwhelmed is the Entertainment Software Rating Board’s video game classification system, a series of easy-to-use ratings designed to help parents pick out the right games for their kids.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board was established by the video game industry in 1994 to provide age-based purchasing guidelines for games. ESRB rankings, which are used in both Canada and the United States, have been applied to nearly 20,000 individual video game titles since then, making it easier to decide what to bring home by providing a snapshot of what’s in the box.
The ESRB assigns virtually every video game on the market one of four rankings: E (Everyone), T (Teen), M (Mature) and AO (Adults Only.) The E rating indicates that a game is suitable for all players, while games rated T are considered appropriate for gamers aged 13 and up. Games with an M rating are for players who are at least 17 years old, and AO games are reserved for those of at least 18 years of age and generally aren’t sold by mainstream retailers. Age ratings are prominently displayed on the front of the game box, while “content descriptors” on the back provide details about specific game content, like alcohol and drug references, mature humour, strong language and violence.
ESRB ratings are a fantastic tool and studies by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission have consistently shown that the video game industry boasts better rating compliance than any other entertainment medium in North America- better, even, than MPAA ratings for movies. But ultimately, only parents can decide what their kids should play. Not sure about what they’re asking for? Check the box and then make the call.
To learn more about video game ratings, have a look at the Rating Board’s website where you can also access a detailed list of all currently-rated games. For the Silo, Andy Chalk.
LOS ANGELES: JULY , 2020 – Wood Entertainment is proud to announce the August 18 digital/VOD release of the highly anticipated documentary feature PRETENDING I’M A SUPERMAN – THE TONY HAWK VIDEO GAME STORY. Wood Entertainment acquired Worldwide rights to the film in May at the Mammoth Film Festival in a deal negotiated between CEO Tara Wood and Producer Ralph D’Amato (“Tony Hawk Pro Skater” series, “Gun”) on behalf of D’Amato Productions.
Arriving just ahead of the eagerly-awaited reboot of the $1.4 USD billion Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game series coming this September, this definitive documentary from Director Ludvig Gür tells the story of skater turned video game mogul Tony Hawk, and the near extinction of skateboarding culture before exploding back into the mainstream in the early 2000s.
“PRETENDING I’M A SUPERMAN is a robust, real-life story of our successful videogame series as told by those who created it, and many who were inspired by it” said multi-record-breaking skateboarder and documentary subject Tony Hawk.
“I’m really excited to partner with Wood Entertainment” said director Gür. “It’s been a long journey making the documentary and I’m stoked it will finally be released for skateboarding and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater fans worldwide. The art form and video game had an enormous impact on Generation Y / Z and the story behind it is even more fascinating.” In 1999, the video game Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater shook the world when it sold 9 million copies upon release and changed the skateboarding scene forever. Pretending I’m a Superman is the story of the skaters and developers who came together to create the best-selling game as well as a look into how skateboarding became a part of the mainstream. Featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with the legendary skater Tony Hawk as well as industry stars interviews with Steve Caballero, Rodney Mullen, Chad Muska, and Jamie Thomas, Gür takes audiences through an intimate yet extraordinary journey, chronicling the meteoric rise of skate boarding’s most famous name.
“Tony Hawk has one of the most inspiring stories ever told, from groundbreaking skater to gaming mogul” said Wood. “We are thrilled to present it to its worldwide audience.” For the Silo, Scott Motisko.
As game franchises go, EA Sports produce some of the best and certainly some of the most durable. A video game often doesn’t stand the test of time too well given the advancement in technology, but sport is a constant in the lives of fans the world over and EA have taken full advantage. They have several famous titles with the Madden series for the NFL and the FIFA series for soccer, but their NHL franchise has been a hit ever since it was first released.
Why has it been such a success? Let’s take a look…
Hitting the early consoles
The first game in the series was released in 1991 on the Sega Mega Drive and received excellent reviews. It was, for many, the first time ice hockey had been placed firmly in their consciousness and people lapped it up.
Between 1992 and 1995 there were four more NHL titles from the team at Electronic Arts, all of which could be played on console. They were all given high praise from industry critics with NHL 96 getting top marks for the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) version by Next Generation magazine who gave five out of five stars.
Enter windows
The first titles to appear on PC arrived in 1996 as Microsoft brought out Windows 95. The PC allowed the graphics to be further enhanced and these titles were a huge success. At this period in time, the Detroit Red Wings were the dominant force in the NHL winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1997 and 1998.
Just to highlight how times have changed, the Red Wings have NHL betting odds of +150000 to win a Stanley Cup in 2020, the longest odds of any team. The team in the late 1990s was full of stars, which contrasts with the current day and EA was able to render them with realistic graphical modelling – for the time – which delighted the fans.
The PC was competing with Sony’s PS1 and then, in 2000, the PS2, which meant graphics and gameplay became more and more life-like. The crowds also had an overhaul as did the sound effects which made fans feel as though they were in the arena but the next generation consoles took it further still.
Next-gen blows the mind
EA improved the features and control systems when Xbox was released and deke moves were conducted using the joystick on the controllers making them like an extension of the actual players stick.
The latest version have found it harder to get top reviews as fan expectation level continue to increase. NHL 15 was the first game to feature on the PS4 and Xbox One and these were not well received due to the rushed feel and missing features. GameSpot actually gave NHL 15 a score of five out of 10, which was hugely disappointing for EA.
The most recent version has seen much improvement thanks to the time which has been spent in development, generally tweaking the good features and remodeling those that didn’t work.
NHL 20 is like a different world compared to the very first release from the franchise and EA are still going strong after close to 30 years – here’s to 30 more.
CineHome HT2550 Makes Stunning 4K Picture Quality Available to Any Home With Exclusive CinematicColor™ Technology
COSTA MESA, Calif. — November, 2017 — BenQ America Corp., an internationally renowned provider of visual display solutions, today announced the launch of the CineHome HT2550 DLP® projector, offering movie aficionados 4K UHD HDR cinematic quality right at home and at an incredible value. The HT2550 comes fully loaded with true 8.3-megapixel UHD 4K resolution, 96% Rec 709 CinematicColor™ accuracy and projection-optimized HDR for stunning true-to-life image quality.
“Homeowners today want to replicate the magic of the big-screen 4K digital cinema at home,” said Lars Yoder, President, BenQ America Corp. “The HT2550 makes that possible, delivering striking 4K resolution for spectacular movie nights. Engineered with advanced audio and video enhancements and HDR capabilities, it’s an incredible value for the finest home cinema experience.”
Stunning 4K Comes to Life Producing 8.3 million distinct pixels for true 4K UHD performance, BenQ’s HT2550 projector uses 0.47″ single-DMD-chip DLP technology. This minimizes the projector’s profile for a sleek, compact design that fits modern lifestyles. Its pure, 4K-optimized optical system produces ultimate image precision and color accuracy without artifacts that are known to plague LCD projectors. In addition, it employs exclusive BenQ CinematicColor technology and a RGBRGB color wheel to meet the film industry’s highest standards of color accuracy. With over 96% coverage of Rec. 709 color gamut with precise Delta E<3 performance, it faithfully reproduces exactly what filmmakers intended.
Advanced Technology for Uncompromising Entertainment The HT2550’s pristine 4K video quality is supercharged by high dynamic range (HDR10) support, offering greater brightness and contrast with auto image optimization to bring out every lifelike detail and breathtaking realism for cinematic enjoyment. Powered by the same durable 2015 Academy Award of Merit Oscar®-winning DLP technology used in 90% of the world’s digital cinemas, HT2550 delivers long-lasting picture quality with precise colors and razor-sharp clarity without maintenance or degradation. Its performance is further enhanced by motion-adaptive edge pixel enhancement, sophisticated color algorithms, accurate flesh tone rendition and proprietary CinemaMaster Video+ and CinemaMaster Audio+ 2 technologies, giving even modest spaces the likeness of world-class cinemas. With full support for the latest HDCP 2.2 copy protection, it allows users to enjoy all the fast-growing choices for 4K content.
Contemporary Design and Easy Setup to Fit Any Space Blending beautiful aesthetics with flawless function, HT2550’s lightweight design, sleek profile and compact footprint blend perfectly into any décor. It’s designed to set up fast with auto keystone correction and powerful 1.2X big zoom, overcoming any installation hassles with ease. In addition, the HT2550 quickly becomes a smart projector by simply connecting an HDMI dongle, such as Google Chromecast, Roku, or Amazon Fire TV Stick, to instantly stream TV shows, movies, sports, and even video games to the big screen.
About BenQ America Corp. The BenQ digital lifestyle brand stands for “Bringing Enjoyment and Quality to Life,” fusing lifestyle with technology, ease of use with productivity and aesthetic design with purpose-built engineering. It is this mantra that has made BenQ the No. 1-selling projector brand powered by TI DLP® technology in The Americas(1). BenQ offers an extensive line of visual display and presentation solutions that incorporate the latest technologies. The company delivers a broad range of CinematicColor™ projectors, ZOWIE eSports gear and monitors, interactive large-format displays, mobile audio products, cloud consumer products and lifestyle lighting for any application and market — education, home, gaming, enterprise, government, house of worship, digital signage, A/V and IT — with cutting-edge models that lead the industry in performance, reliability, environmental sustainability and aesthetics. Whether it’s interactive projectors or digital whiteboards for conference rooms or classrooms, high brightness projectors for auditoriums or houses of worship, short-throw projectors for schools, 4K UHD projectors for home cinema, interactive flat panel displays for collaboration, or digital signage screens for public spaces, BenQ continues to defy the limits of digital displays. The company’s products are available across North America through leading value-added distributors, resellers and retailers. More information is available atwww.BenQ.us. (1)Based upon CY2016 data from the Quarterly Projector Shipment and Forecast Report from PMA Research
About BenQ Corporation Founded on the corporate vision of “Bringing Enjoyment and Quality to Life,” BenQ Corporation is a world-leading human technology and solutions provider aiming to elevate and enrich every aspect of consumers’ lives. To realize this vision, the company focuses on the aspects that matter most to people today — lifestyle, business, healthcare and education — with the hope of providing people with the means to live better, increase efficiency, feel healthier and enhance learning. Such means include a delightful, broad portfolio of people-driven products and embedded technologies spanning digital projectors, monitors, interactive large-format displays, audio products, cloud consumer products, mobile communications and lifestyle lighting. Because it matters.
COSTA MESA, Calif. — ZOWIE, BenQ’s eSports brand, was the official tournament eSports monitor of The Brooklyn Beatdown, recently held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Held alongside the ESL One New York Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) tournament, the Street Fighter V event featured the RL Series console monitors as 256 competitors battled for a $75,000USD prize pool. The ZOWIE RL Series armed competitors with experience-enhancing features such as head-to-combat, lag-free technology, instant response and adjustable stand.
“The Brooklyn Beatdown was an intense weekend full of epic battles between the world’s best SFV players,” said Ronald Kim, eSports marketing at BenQ America Corp. “We’ve been looking forward to watching the pros compete head-to-head on our RL2460 monitor.”
The Brooklyn Beatdown streamed matches utilized the RL2460 monitor’s exclusive head-to-head feature, which allows multiple monitors to connect to the console system without any additional lag and eliminating split screen sharing.
About BenQ Corporation Founded on the corporate vision of “Bringing Enjoyment and Quality to Life,” BenQ Corporation is a world-leading human technology and solutions provider aiming to elevate and enrich every aspect of consumers’ lives. To realize this vision, the company focuses on the aspects that matter most to people today — lifestyle, business, healthcare and education — with the hope of providing people with the means to live better, increase efficiency, feel healthier and enhance learning. Such means include a delightful broad portfolio of people-driven products and embedded technologies spanning digital projectors, monitors, interactive large-format displays, audio products, cloud consumer products, mobile communications and lifestyle lighting. Because it matters.
The Benq 1075- a full 1080p HD image, with the promise of over 1 billion colors and options for 3D. We want! CP
COSTA MESA, Calif. — BenQ America Corp., an internationally renowned provider of visual display solutions and the No. 1-selling DLP® projector brand in The Americas(1), today introduced its next-generation Colorific™ home entertainment projectors: the HT1075 and HT1085ST. Building on the incredible success of the company’s top-selling W1070 and the short-throw W1080ST, the new home theater devices have been designed to take content to an entirely new level — combining the magic of over 1 billion colors, 3D-readiness, and the realism of full HD 1080p picture quality. What’s more, the new projectors add streaming and mirroring capabilities for devices equipped with Mobile High-definition Link (MHL) to allow the transfer of small-screen content from any portable device. When such an astounding feature set meets such a small price tag, enthusiasts can now easily bring home a full-on cinematic experience.
“BenQ has taken two enormously successful projectors and made them even better,” said Bob Wudeck, Associate Vice President, Strategy and Business Development at BenQ America Corp. “Sustaining our value promise to our customers, the all-new HT1075 and HT1085ST provide enhanced benefits such as Colorific image quality, SmartEco technology, and flexible setup options that allow users to install and easily integrate the projectors with their MHL devices. Available at an amazingly low price, the duo delivers more vibrant colors and richer contrast levels for the ultimate in big screen entertainment.”
Featuring BenQ’s Colorific image quality, the HT1075 and HT1085ST provide more vivid and accurate color reproduction, higher brightness levels, crisper contrast, and longer-lasting picture quality. Both units offer full HD 1080p and 3D support, while the short-throw HT1085ST allows users to fill screens measuring up to 100 inches by simply setting up the device at only 6 feet away — making it an ideal choice for urban environments or media room settings where installation space is limited. Adding to the projectors’ razor-sharp imaging are 2,200 ANSI lumens of brightness and a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, which turn colors from TV shows, movies, or sporting events into more natural-looking, film-like content. The projectors are also ISFccc-certified by the Imaging Science Foundation® (ISF®), enabling viewers to enjoy a professionally calibrated picture with two optimized modes — ISF Day and ISF Night.
To create a household media hub, users can easily connect Blu-ray players and gaming consoles to the projectors via HDMI® as well as view cloud content using any MHL-ready streaming device, including Roku®, Chromecast®, and Apple® TV. As a result, viewers can bring their favorite content from popular services such as Netflix® or Hulu™ onto the screen using their streaming player of choice or even directly from their smart device. Rounding off the unparalleled convenience are the units’ new 10W chamber speakers, which offer rich audio to create a complete solution whenever a dedicated sound system is not practical, or in outdoor situations such as movie nights under the stars.
Further reducing installation and setup time is a new vertical lens shift option for the HT1075, allowing users to perfectly align the projected image to the center of the screen, thus eliminating any tedious tinkering. To ensure even more placement flexibility, both models offer horizontal and vertical keystone correction, which delivers picture-perfect projection at the push of a button. Saving money by lowering total cost of ownership (TCO), the projectors are equipped with BenQ’s SmartEco™ lamp-saving technology to prolong lamp life up to an amazing 6,000 hours while lasting three times as long as projectors sold just a few years ago. Additional cost-saving features include a filter-free design built around a sealed DLP chip that eliminates the need to clean or change messy filters; a unique lamp door design that enables lamp replacement down the road without needing to take down the projector; and a special sleep mode that reduces power consumption to under half a watt when connected but not in use.
To further simplify installations, a new optional wireless connectivity kit will be sold separately and is planned for release in Q4 2014. The fully wireless system will allow users to send content to the projectors from up to 100 feet away, giving homeowners the freedom to move the projectors throughout the house or even take them outdoors without the need to run cable.
Available in September 2014, BenQ’s all-new HT1075 and HT1085ST projectors retail at $1,199 (USD)and $1,299 (USD) respectively.
More information on BenQ’s full line of products is available at www.BenQ.us.
About BenQ America Corp. The BenQ digital lifestyle brand stands for “Bringing Enjoyment ‘N’ Quality to Life,” fusing lifestyle with technology, enjoyment with productivity, and aesthetic design with purpose-built engineering. It is this mantra that has made BenQ the No. 1-selling DLP® projector brand in The Americas(1). BenQ America Corp. offers an extensive line of visual display and presentation solutions that incorporate the very latest technologies. The company delivers a broad range of Colorific projectors, RevolutionEyes™ monitors, and flat-panel displays for any application and market — education, home, gaming, enterprise, government, house of worship, digital signage, A/V, and IT — with cutting-edge models that lead the industry in performance, reliability, environmental sustainability, and aesthetics. Whether it’s interactive digital whiteboards for classrooms, full HD 3D projectors for home theaters, short-throw projectors for boardrooms, interactive flat-panel displays for digital signage, or LED backlight monitors for professional gaming, BenQ continues to defy the limits of digital displays. The company’s products are available across North America through leading value-added distributors, resellers, and retailers.
Brantford, ON. The Personal Computer Museum is publishing a brand new book called “Collecting for Dragon’s Lair and Space Ace” (ISBN 978-1490383583) that covers two of the most loved LaserDisc video games ever made. Dragon’s Lair officially turned 30 years old on June 19, 2013.
Written by Syd Bolton, who (according to the CBC) has the largest collection of video games in Canada.
Collecting for Dragon’s Lair and Space Ace not only chronicles the hundreds of home releases of games, clothing, collectible merchandise, magazines, toys and more, but also includes an incredible amount of behind-the-scenes information on the development of the games which continue to see home releases right up until this year.
“Along with an introduction that’ll likely slap a nostalgic smile across your face, Syd Bolton has exhaustively aggregated and annotated virtually every Dragon’s Lair and Space Ace video game and merchandise known to modern man” says Marc Saltzman, syndicated gaming and technology columnist, author, TV and radio show host. “While it’s a specialist’s book, game enthusiasts, retro fans, and old folks will find it a fun read” says Steven Kent, noted video game historian and author of “The Ultimate History of Video Games”.
The book will ship next week (July 24, 2013) and can be ordered through the website
www.collectingfor.com, which will contain support materials for the book shortly. The book will also be available on Amazon.com next week. It is 170 pages, 8.5″x11″, full color and perfect bound.
Dragon’s Lair recently celebrated its 30th anniversary and was the first fully animated LaserDisc video game. It generated millions in sales and revived, for a short time, the ailing arcade industry. The follow-up, Space Ace, was released in the Spring of 1984. Unfortunately, the arcade business continued to decline. Both games have been available for home computers and game consoles since 1984 spanning hundreds of releases and also spawned many related items.
Interest in the franchise has continued to this day and there is even a new documentary film “Inside the Dragon’s Lair” in the works which is expected to release in 2014. For the Silo, by Syd Bolton.
Spacewar! Videogames Blast Off looks at the first 50 years of video games through the lens of Spacewar!, the first digital video game, its development, and the culture from which it sprang. In addition to a model of the original PDP-1 (Programmed Data Processor-1) computer running a playable simulation of Spacewar!, the exhibition presents 20 playable video games ranging in platform (arcade, console, handheld, PC), genre (shooters, platformers, action, arcade) and developer (commercial, independent, experimental). From Computer Space to Portal, the exhibition draws connections and contrasts between these games and Spacewar!, signaling the latter’s central place in the development of video games as a cultural form.
Spacewar! was created by a group of students and researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1961, conceived of as a demonstration for the new Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-1 computer. The game premiered at the 1962 Science Open House at MIT, and was later shared and modified at computer labs around the United States. This “computer toy” influenced untold technological advances and gave rise to the cultural phenomenon now known as video games. Among other things, Spacewar! set the template for the game development industry and its relationship to technology, established shooting as a core game mechanic, and inspired space and science fiction themes for future games.
This exhibition was organized by guest curator John Sharp.
Full game list (subject to change):
Spacewar! (1961–62), PDP-1 model
Computer Space (1971), arcade
Space Wars (1977), arcade
Space Invaders(1978), arcade
Asteroids (1979), arcade
Battlezone (1980), arcade
Defender (1980), arcade
Missile Command (1980), arcade
Tempest (1981), arcade
Planet Zeon (1982), Tomytronic
Yars’ Revenge (1982), Atari Video Computer System
Star Wars (1983), arcade
Metroid II: Return of Samus (1991), Game Boy
Galaxy Force II (1988), arcade
Galaga ‘91 (1991), Game Gear
Star Fox (1993), Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Vertical Force (1995), Virtual Boy
Portal (2007), PS3
Osmos (2009), iPad
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010), Wii
Child of Eden (2011), Xbox 360
Each paid visitor will receive four complimentary arcade tokens (maximum ten per party). Additional tokens may be purchased in the gallery. Recommended for ages 8+. Support for Spacewar! Video Games Blast Off was provided by the Entertainment Software Association. Thanks to moving image for this article. http://www.movingimage.us/exhibitions/2012/12/15/detail/spacewar-video-games-blast-off/
Post featured image from Guild Wars 2 courtesy of wallpaperhi.com Is this art? The concept behind computer wallpaper certainly has an artistic focus. Many users view their desktops throughout the day and using stills from a videogame reminds me of the 19th century practice of scrapbooking. When today’s users ‘cut and paste’ images that they choose and arrange and modify, these stills become a decorative treatment. CP
It was 2011 when I wrote this piece and everywhere I turned I saw the influence of one videogame or another. Now they’re no longer just a niche sideline favored by the odd and socially awkward; they’re as ubiquitous as music and movies and, as an industry, bring in just as much or more money too. Is it really all that surprising, then, to see the unique influence of the medium turning up in some rather unexpected places?
Consider the Rocket Racing League. Heard of it? Founded in 2005, the RRL is a private air-racing league that, if it ever manages to get off the ground, will use custom-designed canard “rocket racers” in aerial races with a twist: instead of flying through physical obstacles as conventional air racers do, RRL pilots will navigate a virtual race course created by a computer.
“The Rocket Racer pilots see the Raceway-In-The-Sky with a custom Cockpit Based Augmented Reality System projected onto a 3D helmet display,” the Rocket Racing League website The Rocket Racing League explains. “For the thousands of fans in attendance, they will witness the racing action live and in real-time on large projection screens fed by the Ground Based Augmented Reality System. For the millions of fans watching on televisions and PCs at home, they will experience the thrill of the Rocket Racing via unique remote and rocket-mounted cameras that give at-home fans the sensation of riding right alongside famed Rocket Racing League pilots.”
The system will not only challenge the fliers but also provide a unique opportunity to engage with the live audience through jumbo video screens projecting the virtual course and even viewers at home by way of a planned video game that will let armchair pilots actually take part in the races, competing online in simultaneous real-time. But what if you’re after a more visceral, in-your-face experience? That’s doable too, and it doesn’t take a million-dollar rocket plane to make it happen.
Behold “Wipeout,” the ABC game show that puts contestants through the wringer of various bizarre and rather rough obstacle courses that more often than not result in a spectacular wipeout – hence the name – and a quick trip into a mud pit. Its roots can be traced back to the 1980s Japanese show “Takeshi’s Castle,” Vintage Video of Takeshi\’s Castle better known to American audiences (in edited form) as the Spike television extravaganza “Most Extreme Elimination Challenge.” But more to the point, these shows share a more basic commonality: a powerful video game sensibility in their design.
Check out a video clip or two at the “Wipeout” website – http://www.abc.go.com/shows/wipeout and tell me that those courses don’t look like some twisted Nintendo Super Mario Bros. creation sprung to life. All that’s missing is a oversized, angry gorilla who throws barrels. And while some people just love to compete, and the big cash prize for the winner is a mighty powerful incentive, the real attraction is far simpler: it’s an opportunity to put yourself into the middle of a full-size, real-life Super Mario level. Who could say no to that?
As gamers get older and technology gets better, we’re certain to see this kind of game-inspired entertainment become increasingly commonplace. In another facet Video Games Live has become the new musical craze. The performance is a musical compilation of some of the classic 8 bit game tunes from games such as Pong. Performed by the Video Games Live orchestra. In a way, we’ve come full circle; art imitates life and, as always, life imitates art.. It gives a whole new meaning to the term “virtual reality,” wouldn’t you say? For the Silo, Andy Chalk.
Machinarium is not a new videogame. But if, like many gamers, you overlooked it when it was released in late 2009, you owe it to yourself to go back and pay it some attention. Machinarium may look simple or perhaps even a touch primitive at first glance, but in reality the game is an inspirational fairy tale set in a wondrous, grimy world of living machines; a touching story of struggle, heroism and robot-love.
One of Machinarium’s most remarkable qualities is the way its tale is woven without a single word—there’s not one instance of speech or text in the entire game. Instead, everything is told visually. Dialog between characters unfolds as brief animations, while plot details are filled in through flashbacks.
Even the physical appearances of the game’s denizens, from the diminutive main character to his ruffian tormentors and the strutting, tin-pot police who, in theory at least, guard over the city, figure prominently in the storytelling process, as the pint-sized underdog struggles against bullies and thugs to be the hero his doe-eyed beloved has always believed him to be.
That may be a lot to read into a game that, bizarre setting aside, is a fairly straightforward point-and-click adventure. From a gameplay standpoint, Machinarium is solid if not particularly noteworthy. But the details of its world most definitely are. Each level and everything in it is entirely hand-drawn, providing a unique and whimsical visual style, while the soundtrack, both musical and ambient, is every bit as impressive—possibly more so. The combined effect is nothing short of extraordinary.
Gamers unfamiliar with the standards of “adventure logic,” in which odd, occasionally arbitrary sequences of actions are required to complete tasks and move things forward, may need a little time to get settled, but veterans of the genre will feel right at home. You will collect objects, you will combine objects, and you will use those objects on other objects to make things happen. But the game mechanics are actually quite simple, because everything is visual and its various regions are fairly tightly compartmentalized. Some of the problems you’ll face are real stumpers, however, and while one hint is available for each of the game’s screens, don’t expect it to do much more than give you a very gentle nudge in the right direction.
But that’s okay. Machinarium is a slow-burning experience that’s best savored rather than merely consumed. It crafts gripping beauty out of an ugly world in a way that elevates it from the merely good to the truly memorable. It’s not for everyone: twitchy Halo junkies probably won’t find too much to like in it. But for anyone in the mood for something a little more thoughtful, or who’d just like to see the videogame medium stretch its legs a little bit, Machinarium is a wonderful, magical game that simply should not be missed. For the Silo, Andy Chalk.
s the official tournament eSports monitor of The Brooklyn Beatdown, recently held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Held alongside the ESL One New York Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) tournament, the Street Fighter V event featured the RL Series console monitors as 256 competitors battled for a $75,000USD prize pool. The ZOWIE RL Series armed competitors with experience-enhancing features such as head-to-combat, lag-free technology, instant response and adjustable stand.
www.ingearpr.com/BenQ/160928BenQ-ZOWIE.docx
