video games dawn

Press Play founders launch new studio Lightbulb Games

The founders of defunct Microsoft studio Press Play have opened a new development studio, Lightbulb Games.

The Copenhagen-based studio describes itself as a "small startup... with big ambitions", with its first game set to be a vehicle-creation game called Pioneers.

"Our vision is to create games we and someday our children will be proud of!" says Lightbulb. "We create games that you play with – not just play. Games that give players unrestricted tools and environments to create their versions of fun."

It continued: "Pioneers is a game about building complex machines out of simple blocks. With Pioneers we want to bring out the inventor in everybody and let them have an awesome time in a unique world of playfulness. We want make the construction game genre social on a new level."

PlayStation Plus subscriptions have almost doubled in the last 18 months

Paid subscriptions up from 10.9m in January 2015 to 20.8m.

By David Scammell

The number of PlayStation Plus subscribers has almost doubled within the last 18 months, Sony has revealed, climbing from 10.9m users in January 2015 to 20.8m.

The new figure was revealed during a presentation held by Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Andrew House yesterday, where the platform holder said that it had seen a "continuous growth" in paid PlayStation Plus subscribers, and a 51% increase in network sales in FY2015 (April 2015-March 2016) compared to the previous year.

In comparison, figures released by Microsoft in April put Xbox Live's monthly active users at 46 million, although that is expected to include both free and paid Xbox Live Gold users.

A key factor in PlayStation Plus' growth is likely due to its requirement to access multiplayer in PS4 titles, similar to that of Xbox Live. A PlayStation Plus membership is not required to access multiplayer in PS3 or PS Vita games.

An annual subscription to PlayStation Plus costs £39.99.

Source: Sony IR Day 2016

PS4 Slim to be released in addition to the PlayStation Neo - report

Sony analysts mention a PS4 Slim in the pipeline, separate to the already-confirmed PlayStation Neo.

Sony will release a PlayStation 4 Slim in addition to the previously-announced PlayStation Neo, according to a Tweet by a reporter for The Wall Street Journal.

The Slim edition of Sony’s flagship console is reportedly due to surface by the time the Tokyo Game Show rolls around in September. Note that analysts have said that this is in addition to the Neo, so it’s not simply another name for the upcoming PS4 revamp.

This is the first we’ve heard about a PS4 Slim, and Sony has yet to make any official announcement regarding a sleeker, more cost efficient version of its latest gaming platform.

PS4 Neo is real, but we're still no closer to finding out a release date

Sony announced the PlayStation Neo after months of rumors the week before E3, although the console itself wasn’t shown off at the Los Angeles event. However, it is expected we’ll get our first look at the new hardware at TGS.

Speaking to The Guardian, Andrew House, Group CEO and President of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), said that the Neo is not designed to replace the existing PS4, and that gamers can expect titles to run with increased visual fidelity on the new system.

“And perhaps we have an opportunity to move slightly away from just a static console that remains absolutely the same for a period of six, seven, eight years, and perhaps offer, in addition to the current PlayStation 4, something a little extra. Particularly - and I should stress this - in the area of graphical fidelity, and games that will essentially play an awful lot prettier," he said.

Elsewhere, Sony’s head of Worldwide Studios, Shuhei Yoshida, recently confirmed that the Neo was not powering any of the company’s demos, and that the device will not shorten the console's lifecycle.

Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice Stars An Empowered Party of Five

Given the Sonic The Hedgehog franchise’s rocky output these last two decades, it’s become all the easier to appreciate the few times when the series has been more than serviceable, whether it’s Sonic Generations or Sonic Colors. And the next game, Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice shows some promise in spite of the negative reception of the two prior games in this spin-off series.

The game’s subtitle is related to the polarity gameplay component, which is new to the series. Similar to critically acclaimed games like Outland and Ikaruga, specific areas of Fire and Ice can only be traversed by infusing Sonic with one of the two titular elements. It’s to either complement or counter an incoming obstacle, whether it’s to freeze a blob of water into a frozen platform or to conversely melt a similar cube to create a passage. All the while, you’re engaging in familiar Sonic traversal challenges and addressing those hurdles with his spin dash, rope swings, varying speeds, and an enemy-homing air dash attack.

And as with prior Sonic Booms, you’ll have access to the unique skills of his friends including Tails, Knuckles, and Sticks, all of whom are unlockable fairly early. New to this side series is Amy, who is adept with a hammer, useful against Fire and Ice’s many frozen barriers.

If you haven’t touched the prior Sonic Booms, consider it a blessing as you don’t need to have done so to play Fire and Ice. While acknowledging the shortcomings of, a Sega spokesperson was optimistic about Fire and Ice’s back to basics design working in conjunction with the new elemental mechanic. Expect each level to maintain a sense of focus while also presenting worthwhile opportunities for exploration.

Moreover, the special abilities of each supporting character create replay opportunities as their talents open parts of levels that Sonic can’t access. Adding to Fire and Ice’s replay potential is an endless runner minigame, which is unsurprising given Sega’s success with Sonic Dash on mobile. Another notable improvement to this latest Sonic Boom installment is the effort made to build a stronger connection to its TV counterpart.

Unlike the previous game, Fire and Ice is voiced by the program’s voice cast as they recite lines that are more in tune with the tone and spirit of the show. And while the evolving character designs of Sonic and his buddies has long since been a divisive topic, its of some comfort that the cast’s proportions will be more faithful to the Sonic Boom show.

gamespot

5 ‘No Excuses’ Tricks to Stick to Your Workouts

We’ve all had those days where we forget our sneakers, or just don’t get moving in time to squeeze in some cardio. But if you find yourself regularly skipping workouts for silly reasons (“I just washed my hair!”), it’s time to organize your life in a way that makes it easier to embrace exercise.

Contrary to popular belief, creating a seamless fitness habit isn’t just about willpower. “Most of getting to the gym comes down to preparation and habits,” says Mark Crabtree, ATC, founder of Ignite Fitness in Naperville, Illinois.

Streamlining your daily routine will help eliminate excuses that might derail you during moments of weakness. “You only have a limited supply of willpower on any given day,” says Christine Carter, Ph.D, sociologist and author of The Sweet Spot. “When something is a habit, you’re running on autopilot, so you don’t have to draw on those limited sources of self-control.”

These easy tricks will pinpoint what’s keeping you from getting fit — and help you learn how to get back on track with your routine.

No Excuses: 5 Ways to Stick to Your Workouts

1. You always forget to pack your gym bag.
“If you’re continuously forgetting something so necessary to your workout, each time it is like a little act of self-sabotage,” says Carter. For two weeks, put a Post-it on your sneakers saying, “Do you have all your gear?” Eventually you’ll automatically remember to check, even when your sneakers are sans reminder.

Another clever option is to get a gym bag with separate sections, so you can more easily see if you’re missing something vital. “Bags are individual to each person, but it can help to have one with compartments for your sweaty stuff, for your work clothes, for snacks and water, and for things like keys,” says Crabtree.

2. You’re too ravenous by the end of the day.“Solve this problem by preparing your meals for each week in one go,” says Carter. (Or, start with these 12brilliant meal prep ideas to free up your time.) Horrified by the thought of eating a turkey sandwich prepped three days before? Try to at least plan your menus, so you can stock up at the grocery store on Sunday.

Post-work trips to Whole Foods are a surefire way to foil your goal of going to the gym before dinner. One solution could be introducing a pre-workout snack into your routine to tide you over. Not only will it fuel you, but “that food becomes part of your mindset. When you eat it, you know a workout is coming soon,” says Crabtree. If they aren’t perishable, consider putting a week’s worth of snacks in to your gym bag so you don’t have to remember to do it each day.

3. You’re digging through the hamper in the morning.No, we’re not going to tell you to sleep in your gym clothes (just lay them out the night before). Because no matter how comfy those Nike leggings may be, you should designate them strictly for working out. “Don’t wear workout clothes to sleep or lounge around the house in,” says Crabtree. “When your brain ties those clothes only to exercise, it will start to get into the right frame of mind when you put them on.” Plus, there’s less of a chance of your gear being dirty when you need it, if you’re not living in it 24/7.

4. You stay up too late and skip morning workouts.Ah, the siren song of bypassing bedtime in favor of scrolling through your Instagram feed. Give yourself a hard deadline for when you’ll quit your screens for the day — and publicize it, says Carter. “Tell colleagues, friends and family that you won’t be texting, talking on the phone, or emailing after a certain time,” says Carter. That may sound extreme, but sleep is a key part of making gym time non-negotiable. “Most people would not skip a doctor’s appointment, a meeting with their lawyer, or a work meeting,” says Crabtree. “Treat your workout as if it carries the same importance — it’s a meeting scheduled with yourself.”

5. You get shut out of workout classes because you never register on time.Self-sabotage strikes again! “When you’re truly motivated to do something that requires a reservation, you’ll make it,” says Carter. Check out these workout motivation tips, then set at least one weekly calendar reminder to prompt your sign-ups (end date: never). It’s best if you can do all your registration at once, says Carter, but feel free to set multiple prompts if you need to. Even better, find a workout solution that gives you access any time of day (hello, DailyBurn 365!).

Weight Loss Tips from the Ladies of Georgetown Cupcake

Right about now, you're probably craving a cupcake. Just reading the name Georgetown Cupcakes practically has us salivating for one of those melt-in-your-mouth, adorably decorated sweets, perfectly topped off with a swirl of icing. Which makes us wonder: How exactly do owner-sisters Katherine Berman and Sophie LaMontagne—also the stars of TLC's DC Cupcakes—stay so slim? Turns out, it takes some work. Over the past year, after struggling with pregnancy weight gain (and sympathy weight gain), the two woman shed a combined 100 pounds. And they didn't even have to give up their famous cupcakes! We got the scoop straight from Berman and LaMontagne on how they lost the weight—and kept it off.
How It Happened
Berman: Ever since we were young, we’ve been extremely active and played a lot of sports—our weight was never a concern for us. Even when starting Georgetown Cupcake and being surrounded by fresh-baked cupcakes every day, we never struggled with our weight. However, when I got pregnant, things changed dramatically. During my pregnancy, I ate—a lot. Before I knew it, I had gained 60 pounds. My husband got a big kick out of the fact that I weighed more than he did. Like many other pregnant women, I did not feel like I was in my own body, and I found myself feeling emotionally overwhelmed by my weight gain. (How Much Pregnancy Weight Should You Really Gain?)
LaMontagne: Katherine and I spend all day, every day, together, and that definitely did not change during her pregnancy. Suffice it to say, being around a pregnant sister all day did not help my personal eating habits. Katherine was eating for two, but the problem was that I was eating as much as Katherine. After Katherine gave birth and started lamenting about her weight gain, I got on the scale for the first time in a long time and saw that I had gained 40 pounds. It was obvious how it happened, but I didn’t want to believe it. I suddenly found myself wondering how to get back to the “old me.”
How We Did It
Berman: After I gave birth, Sophie and I decided to become focused on getting our weight back on track—and we decided to do it together. However, “diet” was not a word that was in our vocabulary. Working in the food world, we love to eat, we love cupcakes and all things sweet, and we knew that we didn’t want to be miserable and give up all the things we love and replace them with diet foods and shakes. What’s the point of life if you can’t enjoy it? We wanted to lose the weight in a realistic way that was going to work for us.
LaMontagne: We decided that if we didn’t want to give up our favorite foods, we would find a way to burn the calories. And most importantly, we needed to burn the calories in a way that we knew that was doable for us, so we wouldn't give up after a couple of weeks. So, how did we do it? One simple thing: walking. We walked 6 miles a day. Five days a week. That’s it.
Berman: Some people might think, “Six miles? I can’t possibly do that!” and other people might think “Walking? That’s it?” The truth is, walking six miles a day is extremely doable—and yes, that’s it. We ate balanced diets of all of our favorite foods and desserts (including cupcakes) and we walked six miles a day—within nine months, I lost 60 pounds and Sophie lost 40 pounds! (And if you can master the 6-mile walk, then you can definitely accomplish these 10 Ways to Lose Weight Without Even Trying.)
Why It Worked
Berman: One of the main reasons that Sophie and I were able to do this was the fact that we did it together. Having a buddy who can be your support system through this journey makes a huge difference. When people who can be unhealthy influences surround you, it can make sticking to your routine so much more difficult. When you surround yourself with people who are in it with you, you can support and encourage each other and keep each other accountable. Try to find a friend or family member and do it together. (Not only will you lose weight, but you’ll also score major health perks! Here, 12 Ways Your Best Friend Boosts Your Health.)
LaMontagne: Try to approach it as a permanent lifestyle change—not a “crash diet” with a particular target date or special event in mind. Being active by walking six miles a day and eating sensibly is not a “crash diet”—it’s a conscious choice to lead a healthy lifestyle. And it doesn’t mean giving up all of your favorite foods. You can have your cupcake and eat it too!

Be Happy: Happy as You Want to Be

Happy as You Want to Be

Almost everyone have heard the hit single 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' by Bobby McFerrin. The song has a very catchy way of conveying its message of being happy to everyone. Bobby Mcferiin's simple message surely made a lot of people by telling them not to worry.

Living a happy, resilient and optimistic life is wonderful, and is also good for your health. Being happy actually protects you from the stresses of life. Stress is linked to top causes of death such as heart disease, cancer and stroke.

One of the better things ever said is - 'The only thing in life that will always remain the same is change', and in our life we have the power to make the necessary changes if we want to. Even if we find ourselves in an unbearable situation we can always find solace in the knowledge that it too would change.

Social networks or relationships are essential to happiness. People are different, accept people for who or what they are, avoid clashes, constant arguments, and let go of all kinds of resentments. If arguments seem unavoidable still try and make an effort to understand the situation and you might just get along with well with

Happiness is actually found in everyone, increasing it is a way to make a life more wonderful and also more healthy.

To be happy is relatively easy, just decide to be a happy person. Abraham Lincoln observed that most people for most of the time can choose how happy or stressed, how relaxed or troubled, how bright or dull their outlook to be. The choice is simple really, choose to be happy.

There are several ways by which you can do this.

Being grateful is a great attitude. We have so much to be thankful for. Thank the taxi driver for bringing you home safely, thank the cook for a wonderful dinner and thank the guy who cleans your windows. Also thank the mailman for bringing you your mails, thank the policeman for making your place safe and thank God for being alive.

News is stressful. Get less of it. Some people just can't start their day without their daily dose of news. Try and think about it, 99% of the news we hear or read is bad news. Starting the day with bad news does not seem to be a sensible thing to do.

A religious connection is also recommended. Being part of a religious group with its singing, sacraments, chanting, prayers and meditations foster inner peace.

Manage your time. Time is invaluable and too important to waste. Time management can be viewed as a list of rules that involves scheduling, setting goals, planning, creating lists of things to do and prioritizing. These are the core basics of time management that should be understood to develop an efficient personal time management skill. These basic skills can be fine tuned further to include the finer points of each skill that can give you that extra reserve to make the results you desire.

Laugh and laugh heartily everyday. Heard a good joke? Tell your friends or family about it. As they also say -'Laughter is the best medicine'.

Express your feelings, affections, friendship and passion to people around you. They will most likely reciprocate your actions. Try not to keep pent up anger of frustrations, this is bad for your health. Instead find ways of expressing them in a way that will not cause more injury or hurt to anyone.

Working hard brings tremendous personal satisfaction. It gives a feeling of being competent in finishing our tasks. Accomplishments are necessary for all of us, they give us a sense of value. Work on things that you feel worthy of your time.

Learning is a joyful exercise. Try and learn something new everyday. Learning also makes us expand and broaden our horizons. And could also give us more opportunities in the future.

Run, jog, walk and do other things that your body was made for. Feel alive.

Avoid exposure to negative elements like loud noises, toxins and hazardous places.

These are the few simple things you can do everyday to be happy.

And always remember the quote from Abraham Lincoln, he says that, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."