YOU will want to like Anthem. On loading it up and playing the volcanic, bombastic, intro you'll be looking forward to diving in and seeing more. But then you'll find little niggles. You'll be confused about how combos and auras work, you'll wonder why you can't see what the cool new item you just picked up is, and you'll be perplexed why you have HOURS of ponderous grinding to do to be allowed to unlock the next stage in the story when the apocalypse is on your doorstep. Then you'll want to forgive it that grinding because flying around the world feels so good, and you may even want to forgive the brainless waves of dull enemies because combining your abilities and detonating a crowd of them with one aerial slam-kick is so satisfying. Let's say you do look past those issues and now want to make your Javelin -- the Iron Man style fighting suit at the heart of the game -- look cool and unique? Well, sorry -- there's only one alternate set of parts at the moment, so you're stuck to … [Read more...] about Anthem review – a game that’s hard to love, no matter how much you want to
Tech
‘Super snow moon’ set to be the biggest and brightest this year
A "SUPER snow moon" is set to light up our skies next week and it could be the biggest and brightest moon we see this year. The breathtaking full moon will reach its closest point to the earth on Tuesday at 9.06am in the UK, and will be at its fullest at 3.53pm. But the moon will only be visible after it rises at 5.11pm. The phenomenon is often referred to as a snow moon or hunger moon because February is usually the month which sees the heaviest levels of snowfall. It's the second of three supermoon's skygazers will be treated to this year. Last month the Supermoon was a particularly special occasion as it was a Super Blood Wolf Moon - with a lunar eclipse. Next month, sky gazers will enjoy a Full Worm Moon, that will be seen in the UK on March 21, marking the the start of spring. THE SIZE OF A SUPERMOON And if you miss it, you won't be able to view such a sight until 2026, it has been claimed. This is because the speed the moon orbits the earth changes every … [Read more...] about ‘Super snow moon’ set to be the biggest and brightest this year
How I make £75k a year LICKING microphones to give YouTube viewers ‘brain orgasms’
SOME describe the feeling as a gentle tingling that starts from the head and runs quickly down the spine. It's triggered by any number of sights and sounds, from watching someone brush their hair, to hearing a lick or kissing sound in your ear. But ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, is far more than just a feeling. An online community of millions has sprung up on YouTube, with fans chasing their next ASMR rush turning to a small group of stars who post new videos every week. In the clips, ASMR "artists" – often women wearing skimpy clothes – make sensual sounds into a microphone in a bid to give bated viewers that coveted tingle, described by some as a "brain orgasm". Some make videos full time, racking up hundreds of thousands of views per clip and even selling branded T-shirts for £30 a pop. Sarah Toth, a 27-year-old ASMR artist based in the United States, has been making ASMR videos for four years. Through YouTube and various other online ASMR … [Read more...] about How I make £75k a year LICKING microphones to give YouTube viewers ‘brain orgasms’
Rafts of ocean plastic rubbish carry harmful species around the world, experts find
JUNK plastic in the ocean is serving as a raft to carry potentially harmful creatures around the world. Experts warn the alien invaders may have diseases harmful to humans or threaten existing animals. Almost 400 species have been identified in North America after travelling 5,000 miles from Japan. They include fish, starfish, mussels, crabs, clams, oysters, sponges and sea anemones. Some had survived seven years at sea after scrambling on to plastic washed away in the 2011 Japanese tsunami. In other cases they had mated multiple times during the journey, with the fifth generation making landfall. Prof Jim Carlton, from Williams College, Connecticut, said animals previously travelled on wood, which sank after two or three years. But they are now “rafting across the ocean” on plastic, which can last much longer and travel further. He added: “The stuff washed into the ocean from land, floated near shore for a while, then colonised. GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 … [Read more...] about Rafts of ocean plastic rubbish carry harmful species around the world, experts find
Overwatch League is back with a bang – but can it keep it up for 2019?
IT'S no secret that Overwatch League needs and wants to grow its audience. It has already made it onto TVs across the globe as well as being streamed directly to the PCs and phones of millions of fans online. Franchises have been sold for millions of pounds, while sponsorship is coming in from huge brands like Toyota, Coca-Cola and T-Mobile. Those franchises have been snapped up by owners of other major sports teams -- and Gritty, the Philadelphia Flyers mascot, showing up to lead their sister team the Philadelphia Fusion out for their opening game demonstrates how seriously they're taking it. But money has to follow money, and the more cash that is staked on the league the more demand there is for a return on that investment. That means there need to be more fans, and those fans need to watch for longer and be more engaged. That's where the problem comes in. Tactics for all sports go in cycles, and right now Overwatch League is in a funk. TACTICAL CHANGE It's gone from a high-octane … [Read more...] about Overwatch League is back with a bang – but can it keep it up for 2019?