After choosing the directory, click on Convert to start the video conversion: To do this, click on Browse and select a location in your computer through the Windows File Explorer. This refers basically to the output format of the video that you're trying to convert, in my case I will use MP4:Īfter specifying the output format, you need to specify the output file path. In this dialog you need to select the output type: Select one or multiple files (holding CTRL while selecting multiple files) in this file browser and click on Convert a file:Īfter selecting your file or multiple files and pressing convert a file, the following new dialog will appear. In this new window that will appear, you need to search for the directory where your BIK file is located, in my case I have plenty of them. The only thing you need to do is to launch Rad Video Tools ( radvideo64.exe or radvideo32.exe depending on the architecture of your PC). The first options is quite comfortable if you can do it through the graphical user interface. There are 2 ways of converting the files using the Bink Converter, the first option is to do it graphically using the GUI and the other way is to do it through the command line. Those tools are the only thing you need to do in order to convert a BIK file into multiple formats. ![]() Once the installation finishes, you will find the executables at the default directory C:\Program Files (x86)\RADVideo (if you didn't change it): You will find an installer namely radtools.exe, proceed with the installation in Windows as you would do with any wizard. On their official website, you need to download RADTools.7z and extract its content in some directory. The first thing you need to do is to download the official Rad Game Tools kit from the official website of Rad Game Tools here. In this short article, I will explain to you how to easily convert Bink Video files (BIK) to MP4, AVI or WMV in Windows using RAD Video Tools. Then I found that Rad Game Tools, the developers of the Bink Video Codec offers a free tool to do exactly what I needed. After some research, I found out it wasn't that easy to convert it specially when you don't want to install a complex trial software that promises that it will convert the file to any video format but at the end I had to pay to unlock the codec. After installing and testing I wanted to extract videos and images of the game in the installation directory, however the content was in this (new for me) BIK format that was unplayable without the RAD Video player and wanted to convert them to a regular format that I can share with anyone nowadays (MP4). In the last days I decided to play one of my favorites videogames of all time (Bioshock 2) once again with a new video card (RTX 2060 Super) to see how it performed. That's when Bink came out to the rescue with a very flexible and working library, making it easy to developers to display videos in windows or render into textures. This of course was prone to errors, and added hundreds of programmers hours in development and debugging time that maybe wasn't that critical for the game. ![]() ![]() Years ago, deciding to add video playback to a crossplatform game engine was a nightmare because you had to study the API for each platform, figure out the format that they use, test it and trying to configure the optimum ratio between video quality and video size (this was quite important when games were played directly from the game disc). Bink has been the standard for video in video games since it was published due to its excelent performance, support and reliability.
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Requirements: It is mandatory the Puzzle 1 is completed, construction technology level 1 and also crafting technology level 1. Rebuild the crafting hut with more villagers.In order to get a pickaxe, drag other villagers to the workbench. ![]() Now, take the bones to the research area.Drag a villager to the whale bones (east of the crafting hut).Solution: You will have to get 3 pieces of wood (across the island) and fix the dock (south) with them Puzzle 3 – Crafting the Hut After getting it repaired, go to Puzzles and collect your reward: 3 Lavastones. ![]() ![]()
For instance, the first game had a database, library, nested in the menu system that gave descriptions and background information for the world of Colony Wars. The original menu systems for both of the first two games were similar but very different in some key areas. That is something I as the project leader had to take into account when rebuilding the assets from first two games as well as combining their features, levels and briefings into one easy to navigate menu structure. It would seem straight forward enough to create 4k versions of the screens, however I had to take into account that the original games UX centered around placing a disk into the PlayStation. For instance, the original games displayed a full screen resolution of 640 X 480 pixels. For others in that audience, they’ve played through these games semi-recently and have seen how antiquated certain aspects of the originals are. For many in our target audience, its been a good long time since their last romp through the Gallonigher system. ![]() I can honestly say that the most challenging part of designing Colony Wars: Redux is building the art assets and behaviors that you think you remember. STAR WARS Empire at War: Gold Pack > General Discussions > Topic Details. Modernizing The User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Empire at War Remake, the Lite version you can get off of Moddb. But no, this was something new, something original and something infinity more playable and fun than anything Star Wars related on PlayStation. “What game is this?” I asked out loud approaching the kiosk thinking it was a PC to PS1 port of Star Wars: Rebel Assult. Needless to say, when the kiosks came out at Blockbuster, it attracted an audience.Ī teenager clutched the PlayStation controller in his hands as he locked on an enemy target and launched a missile. It wasn’t like a GameStop with a permanent setup to try out the latest games. Its funny to think that in those days, the Kiosk only came out for special events. There was a small crowed of teenagers hovering over a PlayStation kiosk. ![]() ![]() Me, my dad and my little brother stumbled into the store one Friday night looking to grab a few rentals for the weekend. If there were new games out, or coming out, your best bet was to search the shelves of your favorite electronics or rental store. In 1997, The internet was brand new and every Tuesday marked the release of new Nintendo 64 and PlayStation games. I grew up in Santa Clara, the heart of Silicon Valley, and the town of a single Blockbuster. I’ve wanted to remake this game since the PlayStation 2 came out and I imagined what could be done with the brilliant design direction of these two games.īut first a quick story I fell in love with these game after getting to play them for the first time at a Blockbuster Video on El Camino Real & Kiely Blvd in Santa Clara California. For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been spearheading a remake of the PlayStation 1’s Colony Wars and Colony Wars: Vengeance. I’m so happy to announce this on the Amaranth Chronicles Blog. ![]() After learning of this and his exploits against the Big Mom Pirates, the press labeled him the "Fifth Emperor of the Sea," though many prominent figures initially considered this to be exaggerated. Luffy also has a penchant for attracting followers and has unwillingly been named the leader of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet, consisting of seven pirate crews who swore to come to his aid whenever he wishes. ![]() Luffy's accomplishments and heritage have caused him to be labeled as a "Dangerous Future Element" while in the process gaining a reputation for being "reckless" and, in some cases, "insane," earning the wrath of Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, the Marine Headquarters, and even the World Government. Furthermore, Luffy has invaded the territory of the Four Emperors on multiple occasions, and eventually managed to defeat one. He has also either defeated or befriended seven of the eleven known past or present Warlords prior to the organization's dissolution. He invaded and indirectly caused the annihilation of Enies Lobby, escaped the impregnable Impel Down, and was a focal figure in the Summit War of Marineford. Luffy has gone up against numerous global powers around him, starting with fighting the most powerful pirates in the East Blue and moving to clashes against the Marines, Seven Warlords of the Sea, Cipher Pol, World Nobles, and even the Four Emperors of the Grand Line, emerging victorious in a majority of these battles. Ace and Revolutionary Chief-of-Staff Sabo. Growing up on Dawn Island under the care of Curly Dadan, Luffy befriended and became sworn brothers of the late "Fire Fist" Portgas D. Shanks also gave Luffy the very straw hat that has become Luffy's signature accessory, having gifted it to the boy as part of a promise for them to meet again someday after he became a great pirate. At age 7, Luffy accidentally ate the Gomu Gomu no Mi, which turned his body into rubber. Garp, and their family carries the initial and Will of D. ![]() Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, and the grandson of the Marine hero Monkey D. īorn in Foosha Village, Luffy is the son of Monkey D. He believes that being the Pirate King means having the most freedom in the world. Roger and thereby become the Pirate King, which would help facilitate an unknown dream of his that he has told only to Shanks, his brothers, and crew. He desires to find the legendary treasure left behind by the late Gol D. Luffy, also known as "Straw Hat Luffy" and commonly as "Straw Hat", is the founder and captain of the increasingly infamous and powerful Straw Hat Pirates, as well as the most powerful of its top fighters. For the chapters of the same name, see Chapter 2 and Chapter 1000. ( Mythical Zoan) For other uses, see Straw Hat Luffy (Disambiguation). Li also recommends moisturizing to keep cleanly shaven skin hydrated and smooth. ✔️ Splash skin with cool water after a shave to reduce potential skin irritation. Avoid stretching the skin completely taut when shaving, she adds. Schick Intuition is made with natural fragrances and ingredients including organic. Otherwise, the tapered ends of just-shaved hair can poke back into the skin and cause ingrown hairs. ✔️ Always shave with the grain of the hair. Li recommends letting the product sit on the skin for a few minutes. ✔️ Use shaving cream, gel or a warm compresses to prompt a smoother shave and support optimal hair removal. Li advises never to shave on dry skin because it can increase the risk of irritation and cuts, which is why shaving in the shower or near the end of a bath is prime time. ✔️ Wet skin to help soften hair and make it easier for the blade to glide across. According to board-certified dermatologist Monica Li, MD, these are the shaving skincare steps you should take to get your best shave: Sometimes a good shave is just as much about the preparation and technique in addition to using the right tools. Ahead, we rounded up the best tested razors for women (based on over 2,800 survey answers!), including popular subscription-based razor brands, electric bikini trimmers, razors designed for sensitive skin, disposable razors and even facial razors. ![]() ![]() The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab has a history of testing and evaluating all kinds of razors and hair removal products, from bikini trimmers and epilators to waxing at-home kits and at-home laser hair removal devices. To help you get the closest, pain-free shave of your life, our experts did the work to find the best razors for women that you can buy online. The good news: Low-maintenance, silky smooth skin is within reach. While a good razor can make shaving quick and painless, settling for just any old blade can leave you with painful nicks, razor bumps and ingrown hairs. We updated this article in November 2022 to include two new winners from Oui the People and Schick based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute, plus more information about each featured product and what to keep in mind when shopping. ![]() ![]() Sources: Cambridge Associates LLC, Dow Jones & Company, Inc., Frank Russell Company, Standard and Poor's, and Thomson Datastream. Venture Capital Index Returns (%) for the Periods ending DecemFor the periods ending Returns for periods of one year and longer are annualized. The following table provides comparative returns for the fourth quarter and longer periods for private equity and venture capital vis-à-vis several key public market indices. However, over the 20-year period ending on the same date, venture capital dominated private and public equity, earning a 26.3% return. Private equity maintained a healthy lead over venture capital and the public market indices over the five- and 10-year periods ending December 31, 2010, earning 9.5% and 9.7%, respectively, for these time horizons. Private equity earned 19.9% for all of 2010, putting the category comfortably ahead of venture capital's 13.5% for the same period, as well as besting the S&P 500's 15.1% return. Venture capital funds outperformed private equity, earning a somewhat better 8.4% for the period, though they lagged the NASDAQ Composite's 12.0% return. Private equity funds returned 7.6% for the quarter, compared with the S&P 500's return of 10.8% for the same period. The indices represent the majority of the institutional capital raised by private equity partnerships between 19 and venture capital partnerships between 19.īoth private equity and venture capital funds underperformed the public markets during the quarter ending December 31, 2010. Private Equity Index® and the Cambridge Associates LLC U.S. Both alternative asset classes marked their seventh consecutive quarter of positive returns, with returns for venture capital funds reaching levels not seen since before the recession, according to benchmark indices published by Cambridge Associates LLC, a provider of independent research and investment advice to institutional investors and private clients.Ĭambridge Associates publishes a quarterly commentary on the performance of private equity and venture capital as measured by the Cambridge Associates LLC U.S. BOSTON, MA-(Marketwire - Jun 7, 2011) - Returns for private equity and venture capital funds ended 2010 in solid positive territory, buoyed by strong public markets, a robust technology sector, and rising commodity prices, among other factors. It reached over 60,000 concurrent players shortly after its release, within the top 15 of Steam games at the time. The release also included a soundtrack composed by C418. The game was released on Steam on its originally announced release date. On August 8, 2021, Orteil announced on Twitter a Steam release of Cookie Clicker, with the planned release date of September 1, 2021. Though the original version was coded in one night, Cookie Clicker is regularly updated. Orteil later released other idle games such as: Idle Game Maker, a tool allowing customized idle games to be made without coding knowledge AdventureQuest Dragons, a mobile game created with Artix Entertainment and NeverEnding Legacy. Bogost has called Cookie Clicker "the logical conclusion of Cow Clicker". Ĭookie Clicker is similar to Cow Clicker, a previously existing idle game created by Ian Bogost. On August 8, 2019, the mobile beta for Cookie Clicker was released for Android devices after a long delay. On October 25, 2018, Orteil launched the game's Patreon page, with the intent to develop Cookie Clicker and other Dashnet games becoming a full-time job. The game has had continual updates since its release, notably the "legacy" update in February 2016 and the "spiritual" update in July 2017. Orteil later wrote that traffic had peaked at 1.5 million hits in one day during August 2013, and by January 2014, Cookie Clicker was still getting a steady 225,000 hits per day. A month after the game's initial release, it had over 200,000 players per day. Written in a single evening, the game was posted in a link on 4chan, and garnered 50,000 players within hours. ![]() Julien Thiennot, also known as Orteil, created Cookie Clicker on August 8, 2013. Though the game has no clear ending, it has over five hundred achievements, and users may aim to reach milestone numbers of cookies. The game features geometric growth: the player begins by baking individual cookies, but can quickly reach billions of cookies, and eventually attain duodecillions (10 39) of cookies or beyond. Additionally, seasonal events occur during their respective holidays which come with more upgrades and cookies to unlock. With "kitten" upgrades, the player earns extra production depending on their total achievements. Upon reaching a certain number of achievements, the player unlocks different colors of milk that appear below the cookie. Achievements can be earned by completing various tasks or goals, such as reaching a certain number of total cookies produced, owning a particular number of buildings of a certain type or clicking a certain number of golden cookies. Other game mechanics include "wrinklers" (eldritch beasts which reduce cookie production, but can be popped by clicking them, returning all the cookies it digested with interest), Krumblor the Cookie Dragon, mini games, and sugar lumps (which take 24 hours to coalesce and are used to level up buildings and boost their production rate). However, the number of cookies needed to unlock the next prestige level goes up proportionally with the cube of the level, becoming harder to attain as more are acquired. Prestige levels add a permanent boost (+1% per level) to the rate of cookie production in future play-throughs, while heavenly chips can be spent on a wide variety of prestige upgrades. Golden cookies, small cookies that appear in random locations and fade away after several seconds, appear periodically and grant effects, such as a temporary increase in the rate of production, if clicked before they disappear.Īfter earning a certain number of cookies, the player can 'ascend', losing their progress but earning heavenly chips and prestige levels. The player may also purchase upgrades to increase cookie production for these buildings. Prices increase exponentially, with each asset costing 15% more than the last-purchased asset of the same type. ![]() With these cookies, the player can buy additional means of production such as cursors, grandmas, farms, mines, factories, banks, temples, and several more that automatically generate cookies. At first, the player clicks on a large cookie, earning one cookie per click. ![]() If both sides reach 500 points in a single deal, the side with the higher score wins. The side that reaches 500 points first wins the game. If a nil bid fails, the tricks won by the nil bidder don't count towards the partner's bid, but would count as bags for the team if the total goes over your partner's bid. Again, your partner's score is still factored into the round as well. If you bid nil and don't pull it off, you lose 100 points so it can be very detrimental as well. Remember the nil (or zero) bid? If you can pull of a nil bid and get no tricks, you receive 100 points! This will be in addition the number that your partner wins or loses. Each round you keep track of the number of bags you get, and if you reach a total of 10 bags, you lose 100 points on that round. Back to the example: if we bid 5 and get 7, then we get 2 bags.īags can also be bad. Sandbagging: Each trick we win that is over the bid is known as a bag. So if we bid 5, then get 4 tricks - we lose 50 points! Eek! This means we lose 10 points for each bid. However, if we don't get 5 tricks, we're in trouble. This means if my partner and I bid 5, then get 7 tricks, our total score for that round will come to 52. Additional tricks (overtricks) are only worth one point apiece. If you get exactly 5, you win 10x your bid, so 50 points. If you bid 5, you want to get at least 5. So we've already talked about how the goal is to get the number of tricks that you and your partner bid. The winner of each trick leads on the next.Īfter the first spade has been played, then spades are "broken." Scoring If no spades are played, the highest card wins of the suit that was played first. So even if someone plays the Ace of diamonds, and I play the 2 of spades, I win that trick if no other spades are played. If someone plays a spade, that spade trumps all other cards EXCEPT for higher spades. If you do not have the same suit, you can play any card of any suit! The card must be of the same suit as the person who started (in this case, the person to the left of the dealer). Then, again in clockwise, each player lays down a card (trick) face up. It can be any heart, diamond or club, but no spades. Playing SpadesĪfter all of the bidding is done, the player to the dealers left begins by playing any card EXCEPT for a spade. There's also a penalty for bidding nil and getting 1 or more tricks. Why would anyone do that though? Well, there's a huge bonus if you can bid nil and succeed. This is basically a player trying NOT to win any tricks. Billy and Sarah's goal is to win at least 5 tricks based on their bids (4+1), Terrance and Beyonce will attempt to win at least 7 (4+3).Īs mentioned previously, a bid of zero is also called a nil bid. A bid of zero or "nil" is another strategy we'll talk about shortly. But be smart and remember that it's very difficult to get all or even half of the tricks. Bidding then continues clockwise around the table. The first player to bid is the person to the left of the dealer. This is the number of tricks that team has to win in order to get a positive score. The teams then add together the total number of bids. Before each round of Spades begins, each player will bid (or guess) how many tricks they will take. Biddingīidding is simply guessing how many "tricks" you can take. The dealer will deal out all of the cards so each player will end up with 13 to start. The goal is to accumulate points, and the first to 500 points wins. You are on the same team as the person across from you and the same goes for the other two. The players use undesirable cards to slough.ĭiscarding a penalty card on a trick doesn’t start with a heart or a Queen of Spades.In a typical game, there are four players and two team. When it is not possible to follow the suit, and the player throws any other card. A high card taking the trick and preventing a given player to obtain all necessary cards for shooting the moon. The term Slam the moon is also used for this.īlocking someone to Shoot the Moon. Winning every penalty card, scoring 0 points and adding 26 to every opponent. ![]() This particular situation is when a player begins with lower Spades trying to lure out the player holding the Queen of Spades. ![]() This term refers to discarding the first heart in the game, thus allowing Hearts to be led after that. We hope that this information will help you to train and play Hearts online. For your convenience, we have compiled a list of the most common terminologies. Like any game that stood the test of time, Hearts has it’s own slang and terms, seasoned players are familiar with. Option two would be to explore areas of the lore that have only been brought up but never really delved into. On the other hand, for those who have never read the books, this would be the chance to explore a new part of the franchise they haven't otherwise. For those that have read the books, this wouldn't feel like something completely new, but sometimes a change to a different medium can enhance a product. The simplest way would be to take some of the Halo books and turn them into games. Halo's biggest asset is the lore it has built up over the years, which can be used in many ways. Reach was also assisted by one of the best multiplayer experiences in the Halo franchise, something the past three games have been a rollercoaster with. Though Noble team may not be as well-liked as the ODST group, they were still a personal bunch whose deaths felt impactful and emotional. Reach showed that humanity has not always been on the winning side of its war with the Covenant and that the losing end is not pretty. Halo: Reach returned players to the life of a Spartan but also introduced one of the best campaign experiences in not just Halo, but all gaming. As ODSTs are not as strong as Spartans, this game required more thought and strategy, a nice little reprieve from the usual guns-blazing approach of Halo. ODST allowed players engage with a slightly more complex experience without being a genetically advanced super soldier, while also introducing some of the favorite characters in the franchise. ![]() While all five of Bungie's Halo games are loved, Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach are standouts. To complete this challenge, all you need to do is find one artifact from each area - one from Stealthy Stronghold and one from Coral Castle. In total, there are four artifacts across each area. In this guide, we’ll break down the locations of each artifact across both areas, along with tips on how to complete this challenge. Here’s how to raid an artifact from Stealthy Stronghold and Coral Castle in Fortnite. Everything you need to know about Fortnite chapter 2, season 6.Fortnite season 6, week 11 challenges and how to complete them.Stealthy Stronghold artifacts Fortnite.ggĪbove is the full map of all four artifacts in this location (thanks to Fortnite.gg). These artifacts look like statues and resemble a colorful bird. Remember, you only need to find one artifact from each area, but let’s get into the locations of all of them, so you’re aware. First, there’s one located on the western side in the center, on the bottom floor of one of the ruins. Next, head east of the previous location on the ground level of a ruin, next to a tree. If you head north from there, you’ll find the next one, yet again inside the ruins. Fourth artifactĪnd the final one in this area is just north of the previous, on the eastern side of Stealthy Stronghold. Coral Castle artifacts Fortnite.ggĪs for Coral Castle, we recommend using the map above to find the artifacts in this location (again, thanks to Fortnite.gg). These artifacts are similar to statues and resemble a frog. The first one is on the south side of Coral Castle, on the western side of the structure. It’s on the ground level next to a pillar. The next one is north in the center structure underwater. If you head north of that, you’ll find the next one underneath an arched structure. Fourth artifactĪnd the final one in this area is to the east on a sandy hill. Once you’ve found one artifact from Coral Castle and one from Stealthy Stronghold, you’ll complete the challenge and earn 24,000 XP for doing so.Epic Games is leaning into the fun of April Fool’s Day this year by introducing the Diamond Hanz skin to Fortnite, a silly cosmetic item that brings together the popular "Stonks" meme, Reddit's r/WallStreetBets, and the strange GameStop stock situation. ![]() Epic’s battle royale is known for its plentiful, and often fanciful, in-game cosmetics. The game recently kicked off its first Spring event, which allows players to celebrate the season with a selection of Spring-themed animal skins. The new meme-inspired set announced today will now join Fortnite’s unusual menagerie. The events that led to the Diamond Hanz’s humorous offer began in January when game retailer GameStop suddenly found its stock prices soaring. ![]() #Anomaly in stealthy stronghold how to#. |
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