CONSOLE YOURSELF

Fun and Games New consoles excite video game fans

Xbox Series X

By Theresa Tanner EVERCANNABIS WRITER

It’s a good time to be a gamer.

With all the extra time at home and indoors in 2020, both novice and veteran video game players have relied on the form for hours of entertainment. And with online play, gatherings in a virtual space are a creative and safe way to connect with friends and family scattered across the globe.

Just in time for the holidays, some big developments are on the horizon that will have you even more excited to hunker down at home for a long, cold winter.

Console Wars Xbox Series X and Series S

Release date: Nov. 10, 2020 Introductory price: $499/$299

The Microsoft consoles are the fourth generation of Xbox models, succeeding the 2013 Xbox One. The highend Series X will support up to 8K resolution and frame rates, real-time ray tracing and high-speed solid-state drive to reduce loading times. It also includes a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray drive. The low-end Series S uses the same central processing unit (CPU) but with reduced graphics processing, memory and internal storage. It lacks an optical drive, which requires digital game downloads. Both consoles feature backwards compatibility with previous Xbox games, controllers and accessories.

PlayStation 5 (PS5) and PS5 Digital Edition

North American release date: Nov. 12, 2020 Introductory price: $499.99/$399.99

Sony Interactive Entertainment is also succeeding its 2013 PS4 release this season with two consoles that are virtually the same, save that the Digital Edition is not equipped with an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive. With identical technical specifications – instantaneous load speeds, 8K graphics and advanced 3D audio – the choice between the two versions will depend on the preferences of the gamer. If you don’t care about owning physical copies of games and you have reliable Internet that will allow for speedy game downloads, the Digital Edition will save you $100. But if you want to continue playing old PS4 discs on your new console or watch DVD/Blu-rays, the standard PS5 will be worth the extra expense.

Game on

What good is a flashy new video game console without some brand news games to explore? Here are a few titles you’ll want to get to really create the perfect gift package for your favorite gamer, plus some 2021 titles to look forward to in the new year.

“Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War”: Capitalizing on the wave of 1980s nostalgia ushered in by Netflix’s “Stranger Things” in 2016, the latest COD installment pits original “Black Ops” characters against Soviet spies in the middle of the Cold War. The multi-

See GAMES, 17

PlayStation 5

UPCOMING EVENTS

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player game will allow “cross-generation” play, meaning players using different generation consoles and competing platforms will be able to game together.

“Assassin’s Creed

Valhalla”: After adventures in the Crusades, various revolutionary wars and Ancient Egypt, the open world, role-playing game takes players to the Viking invasion of Britain in the 9th century. The fast loading times on new PS and Xbox consoles will create a more immersive experience, according to game developers.

“Cyberpunk 2077”:

This long-running tabletop role-player game franchise makes the leap to video games courtesy of CD Projekt, developer of “The Witcher” series. Set in an alternative history America, ravaged by war and societal collapse, the open world game features a variety of hacker missions and quests, plus guidance from Keanu Reeves as rock star Johnny Silverhand.

“Spider-Man: Miles

Morales”: A PS-exclusive title, this Marvel Comics game brings the new Spider-Man, Miles Morales (as seen in 2018’s animated film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”), into focus as a defender of Harlem and New York City against an ongoing conflict between corrupt energy corporation Roxxon and criminal genius, Tinkerer.

Future releases: “Resident Evil Village,” “Hogwarts Legacy,” “Final Fantasy XVI” (PS exclusive), “The Ascent” (Xbox exclusive), “God of War: Ragnarök (PS exclusive), “Far Cry 6,” “Halo Infinite”

Strain recommendations

One of the great things about video games is getting transported to another world. And cannabis, when used responsibly

and with moderation, can enhance your experience. We checked in with EVERCANNABIS’s regular strain reviewer Rick Misterly to find strains that will take your game to new heights.

Strains to help you focus and stay alert during an intense

game: Misterly suggests “a good, old school strain like Acapulco Gold or Durban Poison” to provide energy and alertness “while giving an almost out of body focus that will keep you going and take the mind to the next level.”

Low-key strains to mellow you out during a more casual gaming

experience: If you’re just vibin’ on your “Animal Crossing” island or trying to keep cool during “Tetris Effect,” a updated version of the classic 1980s tile-matching puzzle game, Misterly offers Shiatsu Kush, Akcademics and Oregon Diesel to “keep you calm … and allow you to slow down, be more analytical and solve complex problems in a game.”

Something that will get you active and moving after a long

gaming session: OK, it’s time to put the controller down and get yourself up for some physical activity. Misterly recommends reaching for a strain with a high level of the terpene Limonene to combat fatigue. “Anything with lemon in the name should be high in that terpene and bound to bring you back around: Lemon Sour Diesel, Lemon Haze or good, old Colombian Gold.”

Nov. 12

The Cannabis Alliance, Seattle. Monthly meeting of growers, retailers and other supporters of Washington’s cannabis system. The Alliance is also scheduling virtual happy hours for social interaction for members each Tuesday at 5 p.m., and “Office Hours” to meet the staff Mondays and Fridays at 11 a.m. thecannabisalliance.us

Nov. 17

The Dope Show, Everett. Comedians perform at the Historic Everett Theatre before and after partaking of locally purchased cannabis products. The crowd often loves it. thedopeshow.com

Nov. 16-19

Interchange, Renton. Retailers and producers are invited to come together to discuss the current industry and learn about each others’ products and services. Event will be divided into two two-day events to accommodate state safety rules. www.interchangemv.com

Dec. 15-17

Winter Emerge Virtual Cannabis Confer-

ence. This online event brings together more than 30 speakers. Event includes the ability to create an avatar to attend a virtual job fair, discuss current trends and get to know representatives from more than 50 businesses and other influencers. emergecanna.com

Due to health concerns, some events may be canceled, postponed or moved online. Please check with event organizers to verify prior to attending.

CANNABIS BRIEFS King County proposes shifting revenue

ASSOCIATED PRESS

King County Executive Dow Constantine talks to reporters March 4 during a news conference in Seattle.

Opponents fear budget move could impact area public safety

SEATTLE – King County Executive Dow Constantine has proposed reallocating $4.6 million from the county sheriff’s department budget to help residents with past cannabis problems.

The money comes from legal cannabis tax revenues allocated to counties around the state.

Dow would like to see the money to toward programs, such as youth marijuana prevention, and also help people vacate past convictions and clear fines/fees due to past cannabis arrests or convictions. The fund shift is in his budget proposal for the next two years.

“As my proposed budget took shape, our anti-racism priorities and criminal legal system transformation coalesced around three principles: Divest, invest, divest, I mean stopping current practices that cause harm, and diverting the savings to serve a greater good.”

This is part of a recent push by some in various Washington municipalities to focus less on enforcement funding and more on helping traditionally disadvantaged populations.

His proposal would divert $2.8 million to vacate convictions due to marijuana-related offenses that are no longer against the law, along with settling any court fees or restitution. It would also put $1.8 million toward community services and employment.

The proposal has already met with opposition from King County Council member Reagan Dunn, who feels it’s dangerous to public safety to reduce law enforcement resources.

Source: Marijuana Moment

Hoops legend Kemp opens cannabis store

SEATTLE – Last week, SuperSonics legend Shawn Kemp opened a cannabis shop in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle.

Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis, located at 3035 1st Ave. near the Climate Pledge Arena (formerly KeyArena, the longtime home of the Sonics) and the Space Needle, became Seattle’s first Blackowned dispensary with its opening on Friday, Oct. 30.

“I hope that Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis will be an inspiration for people to get involved with the legal cannabis industry, especially people of color,” said Kemp in a news release.

Kemp was joined by his former teammate, Hall of Famer Gary Payton for a green ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a meet and greet with customers. The event also unveiled a new art piece displayed on the building’s exterior by local muralist, Jeff Jacobson, also known as Weirdo. The 30-by-80-foot mural depicts Kemp playing basketball in his Seattle SuperSonics uniform.

Kemp is partnering in his cannabis venture with industry veterans Matt Schoenlein and Ramsey Hamide, two of the co-founders of Main Street Marijuana, the number one cannabis retailer in the state of Washington since the company’s inception in 2014. and re-imagine,” Constantine said. “By

Source: The Seattle Times

COURTESY OF SHAWN KEMP’S CANNABIS

More licenses available in Everett

EVERETT – The City of Everett will allow three more cannabis retailers, five years after setting five as the maximum number in city limits.

The City Council voted 6-1 in mid-October to approve a plan to permit a maximum of eight stores. There are restrictions for a shop to receive a license, however. It must have a state medical marijuana endorsement and be at least 2,500 from any existing cannabis store.

Though the city has been granted approval from the state to license as many as 10 shops, past city leaders were initially cautious and only issued permits for five licenses when establishing the legal marketplace.

However, public interest has grown toward more access to cannabis, especially for medical needs. Other cities in Snohomish County are also seeing increases in revenue. Predicted fears of increased crime and addiction never came – in comparison to proponents who said cannabis was a useful alternative to prescription medicine.

Several supporters spoke at the council meeting, including parents who say cannabis access has helped their children’s medical treatment.

The Everett Police Department said that calls to cannabis shops were the same or lower than calls to alcohol establishments.

Source: Daily Herald