The Gamer Guide - Issue 20

The Preamble

So, you have stumbled across The Gamer Guide and you are wondering, “Why do I need a guide to gaming?” Well, we will not guide you on how to game, but we will keep you informed as to what the gaming industry has to offer to get you the best gaming experience! Now, the second thing you are probably wondering is, “How did The Gamer Guide start?” Well, it can be a slightly long story. However, the shortened version is that the journey of three Twitch streamers brought them together, and with their passion for gaming, their experiences of streaming, and their love for everything within the world of entertainment… The Gamer Guide was born.

But what exactly is The Gamer Guide? The Gamer Guide is a digital magazine that focuses on everything gaming and streaming. This includes the latest/upcoming releases, reviews on gaming accessories, streaming tips, and even interviews with streamers and industry professionals from across the globe. Our readership is predominantly other gamers and streamers, just like us! We understand that the love and passion for gaming extends far beyond just playing a game, and that is what we are all about!

So, who are the people behind this magazine?

Brandon Sawyer - Content Director

Brandon who goes by the name of Sawyer is the Co Owner & Content Director of The Gamer Guide. Predominantly Sawyer is an Xbox Gamer where he mostly plays his Xbox Series X but also has a Gaming PC, a Nintendo Switch, and even a Playstation 5, with a variety of platforms this gives Sawyer the ability to review the latest games for TGG. Sawyers main gaming love is Gears of war and RPGs because who doesn’t love an adventure or some chainsaw slaying with a cheeky blind fire or wall bounce. Due to Sawyers vast knowledge and background within the industry he came together with Emily to form The Gamer Guide.

Emily Welfare - Creative Director

Emily, also known as CreativeTrashGaming, came together with Sawyer to form the Gamer Guide, bringing her creative knowledge. Her favourite types of games are those with a compelling story, or those that just make her inner Fantasy Nerd go ballistic. She also likes spooky stuff, not just in the gaming realm but in general, and has a podcast with her two sisters where they discuss all things horror. Emily loves to dabble in the art world often, creating digital art pieces and learning new crafts. A graphics designer in her full time job, Emily is an integral part of the team whom designs the entire layout of our magazines from top to bottom!

Jamie Yong - Operations Manager

Jamie joined The Gamer Guide late 2022 as the Operations Manager. With gaming experience in multiple platforms, Jamie’s preferred platform is PC gaming; from aiming down the sights in an FPS to brandishing swords in the world of MMORPGs. Jamie has come on board to bring you content on your favourite creators; from streamers and YouTubers, to cosplayers and artists!

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

Into Games? Into comfortable attire that resembles your favourite games? Well, do we have a treat for you today.Introducing the great Insert Coin Clothing who very kindly sent us an awesome care packaging containing Two Gaming Rugs and a range of clothing from The Witcher, Elden Ring, Fallout and Call of Duty which are all very high quality. Insert Coin all hooked us up with 200 of their special pin badges to give away at Timeless Gaming Convention on the 14th August 2024, last chance to secure your tickets here:

Timeless Tickets – Timeless Gaming Con

Those who may never have heard of Insert Coin let us first dive into who they actually are.

Who are Insert Coin?

Insert Coin Clothing is a leading brand specialising in video game-inspired apparel. They create stylish, official, and limited-edition clothing for gamers, drawing inspiration from popular video games. Their collection includes T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, loungewear, and accessories. Whether you’re a fan of Kojima Productions or Overwatch 2, they’ve got something for you! If you appreciate a blend of modern cuts, retro styling, and gamer culture, check out their exclusive apparel and accessories inspired by the Insert Coin brand.

Care package

From Rugs to Clothing and even Pins, what did Insert Coin send us and what do we think of the comfort?

• Rugs – 1 D.Va & 1 Junkrat

• Tokki D.Va Rug - Insert Coin Clothing

• Junkrat Rug - Insert Coin Clothing

• Call of Duty – 1 Hoodie & 1 Cargo Sweatpants

• Call Of Duty MW II Task Force 141 HoodieInsert Coin Clothing

• Call Of Duty Warzone Sweatpants - Insert Coin Clothing

• Elden Ring – 1 Hoodie & 1 T-Shirt

• Elden Ring Blade Of Miquella Hoodie - Insert Coin Clothing

• Elden Ring Iron Fist Alexander T-Shirt - Insert Coin Clothing

• Fallout – 1 Sweatshirt & 1 T-Shirt

• Fallout Nuka-Cola Sweater - Insert Coin Clothing

• Fallout Pocket Vault Boy T-Shirt - Insert Coin Clothing

• The Witcher – 1 Varsity Jacket & 2 T-Shirts

• The Witcher White Wolf Varsity Jacket - Insert Coin Clothing

• The Witcher Roach T-Shirt - Insert Coin Clothing

• The Witcher White Wolf T-Shirt - Insert Coin Clothing

+ 200 Pin badges for prizes at Timeless Gaming Convention.

Overall Insert Coin was very generous with what they sent over and you will see our team wearing many of these during Gamescom 2024.

Quality and What We Think?

I have tried many gaming inspired clothing from high end retailers to your budget friendly stores

and not many come close to quality or wear and tear. However Insert Coin right out of the bag just feels super premium and doesn’t break the bank. Insert Coin has such a great network of some of the best franchises in gaming minus my all-time favourite however – Dragon ball, so please collab soon guys I will buy it all!

At first I was somewhat sceptical as you see gaming related clothing everywhere that washed off the decal with one or two washes, Insert Coin wasn’t that in fact I washed some of the items intensely in all washing settings over the course of a month to find the product feeling still like brand new. We of course stress tested one or two of the products with how easy they will clean and how the stitching holds up and we were very pleased not like your average retailer where the colour fades easy or the seams come away, this seemed to look brand new each time.

As for the Rugs, I gave these the best test of them all, I gave them to my gamer fantastic children who like to eat and make a mess in their bedrooms during game time and believe me when I tell you in one week these rugs were dirty and mean come on kids what did they do! However I took a vacuum and some cleaning products to them and within minutes they seemed new and normally with a rug when cleaning it rags out the rugs detail this did not as these rugs seemed super sturdy and well crafted.

Price

After explaining to you all how sturdy and beautifully finished these designs are, you’re expecting a very premium price right? Well fear not as you would be surprised not only does Insert

Coin do many discounts but they also fall into a premium quality but reasonable priced bracket. The rugs themselves set you back £22.99 and they are reasonably small but look great in a games room tucked by your pcs that price is on point for what you are getting. Currently many of these products are on sale but expect T-Shirts to be priced at around £24.99 – £29.99 which again is cheaper than most. Hoodies to be priced around £59.99 but on sale the call of duty one is currently around £27 what an absolute bargain! The Varsity Jacket is of course more expensive as it’s a real Witcher custom premium Varsity jacket so expect around the £100 mark for that one. Overall the price point is very well thought out, catered to everyone and brilliantly finished.

To Summarise

Insert Coin makes some great lasting premium feeling gamer clothing, with little to no problems we found, however after reading online at customers feedback the only drawback to Insert Coin is when a really popular drop happens those pre-orders and back dates can be a pain of a wait but come on this is expected everywhere.

To rate such a product it’s very easy for this one as we got exactly what they stated however I may draw a couple points away until some Dragon ball merch drops (kidding) Easily a 9/10 which I Sawyer here at The Gamer Guide would highly recommend this brand and their clothing. Make sure to stay tuned to our socials for our Gamescom imagery of this wonderful clothing! And in the meantime why not head over to Insert Coin Clothing and check out their website, their great clothing and their socials.

piXL 34-inch UWQHD Ultrawide 165Hz Gaming Monitor Review

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

piXL reached out to us with their gaming monitor range in hopes for us to check them out and produce a review on, in which we gladly accepted and deep dived into their 34-inch UWQHD Ultrawide 165Hz Gaming Monitor.

When the name piXL was brought to our attention it wasn’t a name I was familiar with, as a monitor brand I was keen to learn more on who piXL is and what they produce, having used big names in the industry for monitors I was eager to test this one out. So our first question would be who are piXL? Well let us tell you all about them below.

piXL Technologies

piXL Technologies is a brand that specialises in creating premium monitors and accessories. They focus on delivering high-quality products with impressive features at affordable prices. Here are some key points about piXL monitors:

Frameless Display: piXL monitors feature frameless screens with narrow bezels, maximising visible on-screen real estate, especially useful for multi-monitor setups.

High Refresh Rate: Their monitors offer a 144Hz refresh rate, ideal for action games and highresolution videos. This ensures crisp, clear images without stuttering or blurring.

Curved Screens: piXL’s curved monitors provide an immersive experience, wrapping around you and allowing you to see more of the screen from a single point.

4K (Ultra High Definition) Display: With 4x the pixels of standard 1080p HD, piXL’s 4K/UHD screens deliver brighter colours, crisper images, and outstanding detail.

AMD Free Sync & Nvidia G-Sync: These technologies prevent graphics stuttering and

tearing, enhancing both visuals and enjoyment.

HDR (High Dynamic Range): HDR improves image quality by increasing overall brightness, resulting in more vivid colours and a wider dynamic range.

IPS (In Plane Switching): IPS panels offer true-tolife colours even from wide angles, making them popular among creatives working with video, photography, and graphics.

piXL 34-inch UWQHD Ultrawide 165Hz Gaming Monitor

Now let’s dive into what Monitor piXL sent over and some of its impressive features. The piXL 34-inch UWQHD Ultrawide 165Hz Gaming monitor offers an immersive gaming experience with impressive features.

Display: It boasts a 34-inch Quad-HD IPS panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio, providing crystal-clear colours from any angle. The 100% sRGB colour gamut ensures vibrant visuals and a Quad HD 3440 x 1440 Resolution.

Refresh Rate: A speedy 165Hz refresh rate ensures smooth, jitter-free gameplay and video.

Response Time: The 1ms response time minimises lag, making it ideal for fast-paced games.

Ergonomics: Adjust the height, tilt, and swivel to your preference. Plus, it supports VESA mounting.

Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, USB-B, USB-A, and a headphone jack cover all your device needs.

Warranty: Enjoy peace of mind with a 3-year warranty.

A lot of impressive spec there right? Well you must be asking how much would something like set you back? Being 34 inch Ultrawide and having superb response times, hertz and resolution well you will be gladly surprised as this monitor sits in a budget friendly bracket much cheaper than their competitors for the specs if not all competitors.

You can see more information on this monitor via Target Components website here: Target Components Ltd where all the specs information is for all to see.

Price & Availability

piXL sells their monitors via many independent tech businesses which to me is fantastic giving the little guys more ways to excel and save some money. A simple google search will bring up many of these monitors and nearby independent sellers for you to go test and or purchase.

Here’s the shocker for you, you can purchase The piXL 34-inch UWQHD UltraWide 165Hz Gaming Monitor for around the £329.99 mark. This monitor offers an immersive gaming experience with features like a Quad-HD IPS panel, 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and 100% sRGB colour gamut. It’s also equipped with ergonomic adjustments and various connectivity options. Making this a great choice for amazing quality and on a budget.

How long has piXL been around for?

Now another question you may have is, why am I just hearing about these now? Are they just a pop up and gone? Well the answer to that is no as piXL Technologies has been in the market for approximately 10 years. During this time, they’ve gained recognition for their affordable yet featurerich monitors, catering to gamers, creatives, and everyday users. Their commitment to quality and competitive pricing has contributed to their popularity.

So please rest assured their teams and products have been in this industry for many years providing superb products.

What do we think?

Now the most important part here, hands on in depth testing provided by Sawyer here at the Gamer Guide.

So what did we find and what do we think? Well I had the pleasure of spending an intense two week period with this monitor, in that time I carried out stress tests such as playing a 120 fps game of Call of Duty or kicking back in that great Quad HD 3440 x 1440 Resolution playing some Elden Ring. The piXL 34-inch UWQHD UltraWide 165Hz Gaming Monitor has garnered attention from us and many user and reviewers alike.

For us the main thing is the Immersive Experience. This monitor provides an immersive and sensory experience for gamers. Its large 34-inch UltraWide screen offers a viewing area similar in size to two 24-inch monitors combined, making it versatile for productivity tasks as well. The Impressive Specs of course are to take into consideration as for the price you ain’t going to match this for anywhere near the price. We can very much appreciate this monitor’s value for its features and price point.

Remember that individual preferences vary, but overall, the piXL 34-inch monitor offers a solid balance of performance and affordability. Now nothing is perfect so let’s dive into the drawbacks of course.

Drawbacks?

While the piXL 34-inch UWQHD UltraWide 165Hz Gaming Monitor has several positive features, it’s essential to consider potential drawbacks:

Pixel Density: The 3440x1440 resolution on a 34-inch screen may result in a slightly lower pixel density compared to smaller monitors with similar resolutions. Some users might prefer higher pixel density for sharper visuals however this is not really noticeable in my opinion and for a budget friendly set up you’d be silly to consider this.

Backlight Bleeding: Like many IPS monitors, there’s a chance of backlight bleeding along the edges. However, the severity varies from unit to unit and I haven’t come across any bleeding yet.

HDR Performance: While it claims HDR support, budget monitors often struggle to deliver true HDR quality. Don’t expect the same HDR experience as premium displays however the HDR seems to work well for its price as we ran multiple PCs and Consoles during our testing period and it seemed super colourful and great.

Built-in Speakers: The built-in speakers are usually basic and lack robust sound quality with a lower ended cost monitor and with this the speakers were bang on average not much bass and not very loud which is very expected. I will always suggest even on higher ended monitors, that for better audio, consider external speakers or headphones.

Limited Colour Accuracy Calibration: While it covers 100% sRGB, individual units might have slight colour variations. Professional colourcritical work may require additional calibration however out of the box I didn’t have to play with too much and it did look great but it’s always worth noting for different scenarios.

Remember that these drawbacks are common in monitors within this price range. If these factors don’t significantly impact your usage which for the average users it really shouldn’t, this piXL monitor either way remains a solid choice regardless of these minor drawbacks.

Overall

Some minor drawbacks, impressive specs and budget friendly costs. What more could you want when going for a display like this? piXL has a range of monitors in all sizes, so you don’t necessarily have to go for the 34-inch model; there’s plenty of options with even less prices too.

To rate such a monitor, I’ve had a blast. It looks great, feels great and improves workload. The monitor drawbacks didn’t really affect me but hey it’s only two weeks right? But don’t make that worry you with a 3 year warranty piXL has your back.

Easy 9/10 here for the piXL 34-inch UWQHD Ultrawide 165Hz Gaming Monitor with a much recommended by us here at The Gamer Guide. I Sawyer had a great time reviewing this and hope we can do more with piXL in the near future. It has been a pleasure.

If you want to check out piXL and their products then you can do so below.

dragon ball saga collaboration

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

Our wonderful friends over at Player Ammo went out of their way to produce a collab we have all been asking for and what a way to showcase such a collaboration? by sending over some of these amazing products to a massive dragonball fan like Sawyer here at The Gamer Guide.

Introducing the Dragon Ball Saga x Player Ammo Collab which brings shakers and (not custom here) flavours to you!

Player Ammo

Before we dive into what’s what, how about we tell you a little bit about Player Ammo of course.

Player Ammo is a gaming energy drink formulated to enhance cognitive focus and provide a healthier alternative to traditional energy drinks. It contains 16 active ingredients, including nootropics, designed to boost concentration and focus during gaming, work, or study. Here are some key features:

Improved Focus: The carefully derived nootropic formula helps improve concentration and focus when you need it most.

Natural Ingredients: Player Ammo uses natural colours and Flavors, avoiding artificial additives. Vegan Friendly: Suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.

Low Calories: Each serving contains only 18 kcal.

Zero Crash: The nootropic blend combats the crash associated with typical energy drinks and coffee.

Key Ingredients:

Ashwagandha: Known for stress relief and

memory enhancement.

Bacopa Monnieri: Supports brain chemicals related to thinking and memory.

Caffeine: Enhances alertness and cognitive functions.

L-Tyrosine: Boosts memory and creativity under stress.

L-Taurine: Supports nerve growth and calms the nervous system.

L-Choline: Precursor for acetylcholine, important for muscle control and memory.

L-Carnitine: Improves mood, learning, and memory.

L-Theanine: Reduces mental fatigue and stress.

The concept behind Player Ammo arose from a desire for a tasty, affordable, and healthy energy drink that caters to gamers and those seeking improved focus. If you’re looking for a cognitive boost during your gaming sessions, Player Ammo might be worth a try!

So as you can see from this information Player Ammo is more of a focus health boosting drink not your basic rot your insides energy drink

which being a gym goer myself, a heavy gamer and of course a journalist which writes a lot, this additional focus was much needed.

Dragon Ball Super Collaboration Black Cherry

Dragon Ball Super Black Cherry Blast is the latest collaboration from Player Ammo! This gaming energy drink combines the power of Dragon Ball Super with the refreshing flavour of black cherry. Here are the highlights:

Enjoy guilt-free energy without the

Natural Flavours: Player Ammo uses natural ingredients for a tasty experience.

The drink contains 16 active ingredients to enhance cognitive focus and concentration during gaming, work, or study.

Suitable for vegans.

No sugar crash here!

Each tub contains 60 servings.

if you’re a Dragon Ball Super fan, check out this Dragon Ball Super Bundle, which includes the Black Cherry Blast Tub, a Goku (SSJ3) Shaker, 2 unique coasters and a custom thank you

Dragon Ball Collaboration Pineapple Coconut

The second latest collaboration from Player Ammo! This extraordinary blend of energy and nootropics is crafted to invigorate your body and mind, giving you the competitive edge to conquer any adventure, with a sweet and fruity pineapple coconut taste.

Zero Sugar: Enjoy guilt-free energy without the sugar crash.

Natural Flavours: Player Ammo uses natural ingredients for a tasty experience.

Nootropics: The drink contains 16 active ingredients to enhance cognitive focus and concentration during gaming, work, or study.

Vegan-Friendly: Suitable for vegans.

Zero Crash: No sugar crash here!

Servings: Each tub contains 60 servings.

Bundle Deal: If you’re a Dragon Ball fan, check out this Dragon Ball Bundle, which includes the Pineapple Coconut Crush Tub, a Young Goku Shaker, 2 unique coasters and a custom thank you card.

Dragon Ball Z Collaboration

Dragon Ball Z Lemon, Lime, and Mint Surge is the third latest collaboration from Player Ammo! This zesty blend of energy and nootropics is designed to refresh and invigorate your body and mind, providing you with the competitive edge to tackle any challenge head-on. Imagine the refreshing taste of citrus with a splash of mint – that’s what awaits you in every serving of the Dragon Ball Z Lemon, Lime, and Mint Surge!

Zero Sugar: Enjoy guilt-free energy without the sugar crash.

Natural Flavours: Player Ammo uses natural ingredients for a tasty experience.

Nootropics: The drink contains 16 active ingredients to enhance cognitive focus and concentration during gaming, work, or study.

Vegan-Friendly: Suitable for vegans.

Zero Crash: No sugar crash here!

Servings: Each tub contains 60 servings.

Bundle Deal: If you’re a Dragon Ball Z fan, check out this Dragon Ball Z Bundle, which includes the Lemon, Lime & Mint Surge tub, a Goku (SSJB) Shaker, 2 unique coasters and a custom thank you card

Soon to be released additional shakers

You can also buy each of the following shakers individually with more to be launched on the horizon. The full list of shakers available are as follows:

• Vegeta Super Saiyan Blue

• Buu

• Jiren

• Piccolo

• Beerus (My favourite!)

However there is a huge lack of Gohan here which I would have loved to have seen, however I am told by Player Ammo that they do plan to expand on designs and more flavours and shakers are soon to be available.

What do we think?

Down to the end of all did we like it? Is it worth it? Does it work? Well to put it briefly yes, yes and more yes! I felt a huge increase in focus after drinking these over the course of a couple of weeks, the flavouring is great especially the Lemon, Lime and Mint Surge it feels so refreshing and not acidic whatsoever. Having tried their competitors before you can really see that this has more health focus than caffeine boosts and feels much smoother to drink.

The black cherry has a strong refreshing cherry taste so if you love cherry that’s for sure one for you and the pineapple wow this felt like I was on the beach sipping away it really pout a great taste overall.

As for the Dragon Ball Saga Collaboration you have hit it out of the park here, this to me is the biggest anime of all time and I can picture this flying off the shelves once available, I’m very grateful that you sent such a huge fan like me all of these products.

The shakers do lack some variety of key characters but I’m sure Player Ammo will bring out much more soon, maybe add somemore unique characters to the pot too like Kefla maybe? That would be cool. Overall though the taste feels very refreshing you

can feel the boost, there is more of an earthy feeling as you can imagine there is some prime wellbeing products put into this so its expected, but having a scoop of this in one of these cool shakers with ice even really sits a refreshing summer breeze making you feel ready for the day, focused, looking cool and overall more motivated to get up and become a super Saiyan!

Rating

To rate such a product for us was fairly simple, for collaboration it’s a 9/10 with additional flavours and shakers the only focus for more variety and for flavour and product another 9/10 again the flavour is spot on but a variety in flavours is much needed as some people may not be a fan of coconut or Lime or even cherry maybe a strawberry crush or something be great to see.

Although I know the wonderful team at Player Ammo are working hard to create many new flavours and shakers and you should really keep an eye out for these great bunch of people and their superb clean energy and mind focused drinks. Check out their website and socials below and go pick up these products today!

www.playerammo.com

Facebook: @playerammohq

X: @playerammohq

Instagram: @playerammohq

TikTok: @playerammo

vxN evo review

Our wonderful friends over at Tecware have once again hooked us up with one of their PC cases and this time it’s their VXN Evo in a wonderful white finish. Those who may be new to our magazine today may not have heard of Tecware. Well, let us give you an insight into Tecware first.

Who is Tecware?

Tecware is a company specialising in developing top-quality yet affordable PC gaming peripherals and DIY PC components. They’ve been around for almost 10 years, driven by a passion for personal computing. Their products include gaming keyboards, mice, mouse pads, headsets, and more. Known for their competitive pricing, Tecware manages to offer innovative features without breaking the bank.

If you’re looking for budget-friendly gaming gear, Tecware is worth checking out.

VXN Evo

The Tecware VXN EVO is a dual-chamber microATX (mATX) and mini-ITX (mITX) case that offers some interesting features for PC builders. Let’s dive into the details:

Dual-Chamber Design: The VXN EVO features a dual-chamber layout, which separates the main

components (like the motherboard, CPU, and GPU) from the power supply and storage drives. This design helps with cable management and airflow.

Stunning RGB Illumination: The case comes pre-installed with three 12cm ARGB fans, which provide eye-catching lighting effects. You can toggle between 14 different lighting modes using the case’s LED button or sync the lighting with compatible motherboards via the 3-pin 5V ARGB header.

Infinity Glass Side Panels: The tempered glass side panels offer excellent viewing angles without compromising the edges of the panels. It’s like having an infinity pool for your PC components! Removable Dust Filter: Cleaning is made easier with the integrated bottom dust filter, which you can slide out for maintenance.

Compatibility

• GPU Length: Up to 400mm

• CPU Cooler Height: Up to 157mm

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

• PSU Length: Up to 200mm

Radiator Support: Up to 240mm on the side, 120mm on the rear

Fans: Supports various fan configurations on the top, bottom, and side panels

I/O Ports: Includes USB 3.0, USB 2.0, USB Type-C (VXN EVO Pro only), and HD audio/microphone jacks

Dimensions: L415W280H377mm

The Tecware VXN EVO is a stylish and functional case that caters to both aesthetics and practicality. If you’re building a compact system, it’s definitely worth considering.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Dual-Chamber Design: Separates components for better cable management and airflow.

Stunning RGB Illumination: Pre-installed ARGB fans with 14 lighting modes.

Infinity Glass Side Panels: Excellent viewing angles.

Removable Dust Filter: Easy maintenance.

Compact Dimensions: Ideal for smaller setups.

Cons:

Limited Radiator Support: Only up to 240mm on the side and 120mm on the rear.

No Front USB Type-C: Now this is becoming more and more of a need lately and I would love to see Tecware implement this going forward on all their cases.

Overall, it’s a stylish and functional case, but consider your cooling needs and whether you need front USB Type-C which I personally do.

Price?

The Tecware VXN EVO is available on Amazon. co.uk for £59.99, and it comes with three preinstalled 120mm ARGB fans. You can choose between the black or white version. To me for £59.99 can you really get any cheaper for the great quality Tecware provides? I think not.

Rating?

Considering its dual-chamber design, stunning RGB illumination, and compact dimensions, I’d rate it around 8/10 mainly down to the lack of USB C but if you do no not need that and are after something great with fans and budget friendly then this is the case for you.

Overall

Tecware do produce some wonderful cases with a slick design and brilliant finish and at a budget friendly cost too, their caser basic fans are enough to get the average builder on the right path. I Sawyer here at the Gamer Guide has built a superb relationship with the wonderful team over at Tecware and look forward to any more cases, coolers and peripherals they create.

Stunning RGB, Dual Chambers, infinity Glass and for £59.99 you really can’t fault this great product and with that in mind if you too are looking for a clean great case then look no further and head below to Tecware’s website and their socials to pick up one of their cases today. www.tecware.co

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

Sawyer from our team here at The Gamer Guide was invited by Target Components to go behind the scenes and see what they do and learn all about their one of a kind custom PC Builder which is being used across the country daily. Those who may be unfamiliar with the name Target Components as they do work closely behind the shadows with some major names in the industry, let me explain below a little about what they do and who they are.

Who are Target Components?

Target Components is a UK-based IT distributor specialising in computer components and related products. They offer services like custom PC building, software licensing, and business networking solutions.

Their extensive range includes essentials like cases, processors, motherboards, memory, and hard drives, featuring brands like Intel, AMD, Gigabyte, and more. Whether you’re building or repairing PCs, Target Components has you covered!

Services Provided

Apart from distributing computer components, Target Components offers a range of services to meet various IT needs. Here are some of their additional services:

Custom PC Building: They can assemble custom PCs based on your specifications, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility. With a one of a kind builder that can build you custom PC from anything upwards, you can even start from a singular fan or keyboard, pretty cool right?

Software Licensing: Target Components provides software licences for operating systems, productivity suites, and other applications.

Business Networking Solutions: They offer networking hardware and solutions for businesses, including routers, switches, and wireless access points.

Technical Support: Their team assists with

troubleshooting, system setup, and maintenance.

Product Training: Target Components provides training sessions to help customers understand and utilise their products effectively. Remember that their services may vary, so it’s best to check their website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information!

Targets Own Brands

LOGIX

LOGIX is a brand-new range of desktop PCs designed for business, home, and gaming. These computers are hand-built in the UK using branded components.

The LOGIX philosophy is simple: design, build, test, and pack every LOGIX computer to the high standards they’d expect if they were buying it themselves.

piXL

piXL Technology offers premium monitors and accessories designed for various purposes, including home use, work, gaming, and streaming. Their focus is on providing high-quality features at affordable prices.

Key features of their monitors include:

Frameless Display: Minimal bezels for maximum visible screen real estate, especially useful for multi-monitor setups.

144Hz Refresh Rate: Ideal for action games and high-resolution videos, ensuring crisp, clear images without stuttering.

Curved Screens: Immersive experience, especially when using multiple monitors.

4K (Ultra High Definition) Display: Brighter colours, crisper images, and outstanding detail.

AMD FreeSync & Nvidia G-Sync: Eliminate stuttering and tearing for smoother graphics.

HDR (High Dynamic Range): More vivid colours and increased overall brightness.

IPS (In Plane Switching): True-to-life colours even from wide angles, preferred by creatives working with video and graphics.

MARVO

Marvo is a global gaming peripherals brand dedicated to improving the user experience for gamers worldwide. They provide highperformance and affordable products, including keyboards, mice, headsets, mouse pads, gaming chairs, speakers, and other gaming-related items. Whether you’re looking for a custom keyboard kit or other gaming gear, Marvo has you covered!

Custom Builds

Target Components are very well known for creating some wild custom builds from etching on the glass your logos or going all out and making a huge resident evil theme build, they really do make something superb.

The team themselves will cater to all your needs and make something really special so if you have a design in mind and a decent budget the team will make what you had in mind come to a reality. Target Components have made anything from budget builds to big £20,000 gaming rigs or even plane or racing sims which they once used parts from a old plane which one of their clients had acquired and built a fully function front of a plane setup so their client could enjoy flight simulator to their fullest potential without being in the sky that is.

Target Components also offers custom etching on your PCs at a very reasonable price, etching is where they engrave say your logo on the glass of your case etc. As you can see Target Components will consider your budget and what you require and try to match all your needs with their fantastic team of builders and well thought out custom PC Builder.

The People Behind the PCs that are being built

Target Components has hired some serious experts within this industry, not just providing

you with what you are looking for but decades of sheer knowledge across the board. Their team could spend weeks upon weeks testing all their components to ensure you have zero issues, their expert builders make some of the cleanest looking custom PCs and some of the best cable management i’ve seen to date.

I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to all the members of the build team as every question I had they answered with ease and brilliance. I know where I will go for all my PC needs going forward that’s for sure. The team over at Target Components puts their customers at the very top when it comes to their products creating new and upcoming ideas daily like how the team came together to create the world’s first unique custom builder which I must say was pure genius.

Their build teams consist of several like minded individuals who all have a range of talents and care for their builds, with many years of knowledge between them I am not surprised they manage to produce such great builds and work with some big brands in the industry.

Big Brands that you may be familiar with

You will be surprised to hear that Target Components build PCs for not just their customers but also many other big companies that supply custom builds throughout the UK. That being independent stores or some of the more upmarket names that you would normally see when you google search custom PCs.

Target works very closely with big names like Gigabyte & Kingston Technology really showcasing how great these companies and their products are. Here is a list of some of the brands Target Components work with which you may know or be able to secure Components from these.

• Microsoft

• Intel

• Aruba

• Marvo

• Ubiquiti

• AMD

• Gigabyte

• Seagate

• Pixl

• Western Digital

• DeepCool

• Tenda

• Mercusys

• TeamGroup

• Norton

• CoolerMaster

• Netac

• HP

• Genius

• Kingston Technologies

• Mad Catz

• EPSON

• Logitech

• Lenovo

• INNO3D

• Patriot

• ASRock

So as you can see that is a pretty elite list of big tech brands in this industry that all supply Target Components to build you some of your

great custom PCs.

Overall

Target Components is a huge brand that puts pure brilliance into their builds and designs with constant great ideas to excel within their business. From Top to bottom I found that their team all knew what they were doing and very well at that, Target Components deserve much more notoriety with creators and the PC Customer base than they currently have and hope that by going to their warehouse we have helped produce just that notoriety. If you are in the market of getting a custom build PC that you can create from the ground up yourself by expert builders situated in the North of England, who you too can chat to in person or over the phone, with UK full wide shipping then look no further! I’ve found the best price and quality for you and they are Target Components.

So what are you waiting for? go check them out at the link below!

kontrol koffee

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

The wonderful team behind the Assassins Creed Mirage Coffee! Reached out to us in hopes to be featured within our magazine, at first as an energy consumer not a coffee drinker I was a little sceptical. I saw potential with the collaboration with Ubisoft. It hit a specific gaming niche.

Not only that, Kontrol Coffee wanted to help us with our creator lounge at Timeless Gaming Convention which supplied even more coffee for our creators to enjoy, how cool right?

Let us dive into who Kontrol Coffee actually are before we showcased and reviewed their Coffee which I got creators to taste test this alongside our team.

Kontrol Coffee

Kontrol Coffee is a brand that caters to gamers with ready-to-drink iced coffees. They’ve recently launched in the UK. These drinks are designed to help gamers tackle fatigue and boost their senses while gaming. Kontrol Coffee has even partnered with Ubisoft for its Assassin’s Creed Mirage Vanilla Coffee, featuring artwork from the popular game franchise. If you’re a gamer looking for a caffeinated boost, Kontrol Coffee might be worth a try.

Flavours

Their iced coffees come in four Flavours. Original Latte, Mocha, Caramel, and Mirage Vanilla Latte. What flavour is the best? Ah, the eternal question of coffee connoisseurs! While taste preferences can be quite subjective, I’ll share some insights about Kontrol Coffee’s

Flavours:

Original Latte: If you’re a purist who enjoys the classic coffee flavour with a creamy touch, the Original Latte might be your go-to. It’s a safe bet for those who appreciate simplicity.

Mocha: For chocolate lovers, the Mocha flavour combines the richness of coffee with the indulgence of chocolate. It’s like a cosy hug in a cup!

Caramel: If you have a sweet tooth, the Caramel flavour offers a delightful blend of coffee and caramel notes. It’s smooth and slightly sweet.

Mirage Vanilla Latte: The Mirage Vanilla Latte, inspired by Assassin’s Creed, adds a twist with vanilla. It’s a great choice if you enjoy a hint of sweetness and a touch of adventure.

Ultimately, the best flavour depends on your personal taste preferences. Why not try them all and discover your favourite? But if you’d like to know our favourite it had to be the Original Latte it just didn’t feel as strong and was how you’d expect a Latte to be.

Each drink is best served chilled and or with ice however so preference could be different.

Kontrol Coffee is a brand that caters to gamers with its ready-to-drink iced coffees. Here are the key details:

Gamer-Centric: Designed to help gamers tackle fatigue and boost their senses, these drinks provide natural caffeine without artificial boosts.

Assassin’s Creed Partnership: Kontrol Coffee has partnered with Ubisoft, featuring artwork from the game Assassin’s Creed Mirage on their Mirage Vanilla Coffee cans.

Availability: Currently, you can find Kontrol Coffee products on their website, but they plan to expand to UK retailers soon.

Pricing: Packs of 12, 24, and 36 are available at £1.33 per can, with free shipping for orders over £40. If you’re a gamer looking for a caffeinated boost, Kontrol Coffee might be worth a try.

Creators test

We took several of the original latte and several of the Mirage Vanilla Latte to a twitch event which was live streamed to over 10,000 people. We went through a bunch of creators and coffee lovers who gave us their verdict. Creator Celt Brenny had this to say: Had the pleasure of testing these out both warm in the back of a car boot and chilled in the fridge! Great in both scenarios. I can’t wait to be back with my beloved iced coffees again at Timeless Gaming Convention in the amazing creator lounge with The Gamer Guide.

If you ask me that’s a bold statement he tried them warm and chilled and still gracefully gave these a 9/10

What do we think?

As a non-Coffee drinker it really wasn’t for me so I’m very biassed here but having a team of coffee drinkers they all loved it! With 8/10 9/10 and even a 10/10 from the whole office it went down a treat however it was much preferred in a cold or chilled setting. If you love the style and Coffee then I would recommend this to you especially if you like a vanilla latte or two, or if you keen to taste this product then make sure you at Timeless Gaming Convention August 14th grab your tickets here:

Timeless Tickets – Timeless Gaming Con

And why not check out Kontrol Coffee and all their socials below.

instax mini 99 review

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

The team over at Fujifilm sent over to us from their INSTAX range the INSTAX Mini 99 which is a classic instant camera by Fujifilm that combines sleek design with creative features.

Who is Fujifilm?

First let us introduce you to Fujifilm. Fujifilm, officially known as Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate headquartered in Tokyo. They operate in various fields, including photography, optics, office and medical electronics, biotechnology, and chemicals. Their diverse products range from photographic films (which they still produce) to medical imaging and diagnostics equipment, cosmetics, biologics manufacturing, optical devices, digital cameras, and more. In essence, Fujifilm aims to create innovative solutions that serve society, enhance quality of life, and promote environmental sustainability.

INSTAX MINI 99

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 is a remarkable addition to the Instax camera lineup. It strikes a balance between serious photographic features and playful creativity.

Crafted to perfection, it features a stunning tactile matte black finish, sleek dials, and buttons. The camera’s classic styling exudes elegance.

Twin Shutter Buttons which are Conveniently placed with one on the side for landscape shots and one on the front for portraits ensure easy handling.

Great Colour Effects giving a Twist the Colour Effect Dial to choose from six awe-inspiring

analogue colour effects, powered by LEDs inside the camera. Options include Light Blue, Vignette, Sepia, Soft Magenta, Light Leak, and Faded Green.

Exposure Control allows you to adjust brightness using the Brightness Control Dial (L+ for brightest, D- for darkest). The Manual Vignette Switch lets you darken edges for artistic shots or capture all available light for natural photos.

Macro Mode, which is Perfect for selfies, twists the lens into Macro Mode to get up close and personal.

Flash Options allowing you to choose from fill-in flash, red-eye removal, automatic flash, or flash off to match your creative vision.

Overall, it’s a fantastic choice for enthusiasts seeking both control and artistic expression in analogue photography. If you’re passionate about instant film, this camera won’t disappoint!

Price?

For an Instant camera like the INSTAX Mini 99 with tons of wonderful features you would think the price for such a camera would be much more than it actually is with this price only £174.99 which to me is an absolute bargain for such a premium finished product. The only costly aspect to this product is the cost of the Instant print photos sitting at £39.99 for 40 photos however if you were to get photos printed yourself you would be looking at a higher cost for the quality you receive.

Specifications

Format: Instax Mini (credit card-sized prints).

Lens: Fixed focus, 60mm f/12.7.

Shutter Speed: 1/60 second.

Exposure Control: Manual (brightness adjustment dial).

Viewfinder: Optical.

Flash: Built-in (constant firing).

Self-Timer: Yes (approx. 10-second delay).

Battery: 2 AA batteries.

Dimensions: 116mm × 118.3mm × 68.2mm (W × H × D).

Weight: Approx. 307g (without batteries, strap, and film).

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 uses Fujifilm Instax® MINI instant colour film, which is available separately. The film size is 86mm x 54mm, and the picture size after developing is 62mm x 46mm. The film develops in approximately 90 seconds, although the exact time may vary depending on the ambient temperature.

Inside the box?

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 comes with the following items in the box:

The Instax Mini 99 camera itself.

A wrist strap for easy carrying.

User manual and documentation.

A Tripod mounting bracket

Remember to grab some Fujifilm instax® MINI instant colour film separately as the camera does not come with any film.

What do we think?

The advanced controls for the Instax Mini 99 offers fine-tuning options for your images, making it the most sophisticated Instax camera yet. The new creative modes and LED light effects add an exciting twist to your instant prints and with a refined, timeless look, the Instax Mini 99 is arguably the best-looking Instax camera to date.

Keep in mind that some parts are disposable, impacting sustainability.

For me this product is one for the picture books providing those key moments instantly for you to cherish and share with those loved ones. It really is priceless.

If you are a creator who attends many events and want to showcase those key moments forever then this camera is the one for you, the price alone is very reasonable and the quality is second to none.

I, Sawyer, here at The Gamer Guide have thoroughly enjoyed this product from head to toe and will be capturing some superb moments at the upcoming Gamescom event late August.

Rating

To rate such a product, for me the only downside is the absence of a selfie mirror as this would have been a key thing for this product but for the price id imagine the camera itself would need to be bigger and more costly to add such a thing, but safety we can rate this a 9/10 with a recommend for all to capture those key moments to save and cherish forever.

Why not pick one up today? Start that journey, make those memories with the wonderful instant INSTAX Mini 99.

Check their website and social below to learn more or purchase today.

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

Our wonderful friends over at Anker Innovations have teamed up with us in reviewing their Eufy range which is the perfect home security system with zero subscription fees. This product is ideal to secure your content creation spaces and or homes.

But first let us tell you a little bit about the brand Eufy.

Who are EUFY?

Eufy is a brand that focuses on smart home technology. It’s a subsidiary of the company Anker Innovations. Originally known for its smart vacuum cleaners, Eufy has expanded into home security, offering a range of products such as cameras, baby monitors, and more. Their motto is “Smart Home Simplified,” and they aim to create easy-to-use devices designed to enhance your life. If you’re interested in home security or smart home gadgets, Eufy might be worth exploring.

What did EUFY send us?

Well Eufy hooked us up with three of their wonderful products to really secure your creator space and or products on the go.

HomeBase S380

First up Eufy sent us the Eufy HomeBase S380, also known as HomeBase 3 which is a central hub for your Eufy Security devices. The Homebase 3 offers local Storage of up to 16 TB of expandable storage.

BionicMind™ AI which means it can differentiate between family members and strangers which is a fantastic feature. Centralised Security Management which allows all your devices, regardless of which HomeBase they’re connected to allowing them to transmit data and store it on HomeBase S380.

And of course Privacy where the Homebase 3 uses AES-128 and RSA-1024 encryption for data safety which is a very safe and secure encrypted data safety.

Indoor Cam S350

Second product Eufy sent us is their Eufy Indoor Cam S350 which is an impressive indoor security camera that combines 4K and 2K telephoto lenses for superior clarity and 360° no-blind-spot protection.

With Dual Cameras which integrates both a wideangle lens and a telephoto lens.

A superb 4K UHD Resolution and with dual cameras you get a clear and detailed view of your home or space.

Pan and Tilt features which motorize a pan-andtilt system allowing you to adjust the camera’s view remotely.

No Monthly Fees Unlike some other cameras, there are no ongoing subscription costs which is fantastic putting this at the top end of products. A super cool feature is the people and pet detection which can identify and track movement of people and pets.

And of course a great push notifications feature where you’ll receive alerts on your phone when activity is detected making this super easy and convenient for the average user.

Smart Track Link

Eufy SmartTrack offers convenient tracking solutions to help you locate your belongings effortlessly. Here are the standout features of their smart tracking tags:

SmartTrack Link which Seamlessly integrates with Apple Find My. You can locate your items anywhere, anytime even in silent mode by doubletapping the tracker. The eufy Security app also provides left-behind alerts and location sharing with friends and family.

There is also a SmartTrack Card which is an ultrathin card which functions similarly to Apple’s AirTag. It integrates with Apple’s Find My network and delivers an ear-catching alarm even when covered. Plus, it’s water-resistant for durability.

Never worry about misplacing your valuables again and simplify your life with Eufy’s smart tracking devices.

Cost?

The products themselves I personally think are very reasonably priced and easily bought via Amazon or Eufys own website. There are several bundle options making the cost even cheaper. You do need a Homebase however to store your videos which does cost the most but picking up a bundle with a cam is much recommended.

HomeBase S380 & Indoor Cam S350 bundle is currently priced at £288 however there are regular coupons to make this around the £250 mark for a storage system and an indoor camera that is really cheap compared to subscription based cameras that reach that just for a camera plus sub fees.

Now for the Smart Track Links these are priced in packs from solo to double and four smart track links. Solo you’re looking at £19.99, double is £39.98 and for the four pack it is £69.99 however if you head to Eufys main website there is always a discount coupon provided by them for you to save even more.

What do we think?

Well Eufy was only recently brought to my attention having used a well known doorbell company prior, I was very much drawn in by the zero subscription fees, it is safe to say I replaced my whole office

and home with Eufy instead. Eufys slick design and brilliant features put their products about anyone else’s. Their App is brilliant allowing you to set alarms and features at the click of a button.

The Quality of the camera at such a low price was a shock to me as it looks better than some other cameras at double the price.

The Smart Link Trackers are an absolute life saver, as we travel a lot for events. This became an absolute hero of a product allowing me to track movements of all our expensive kit just by placing one of these trackers inside a bag it made everything super easy and convenient to be tracked.

The HomeBase 3 is a perfect size to be hidden around your home or space to keep out of reach of little ones or intruders to safely secure any trouble footage you may need saved, not to forget that all the data is saved to your phone so if the HomeBase did get harmed you’d have a back up already initiated which is perfect in itself.

Overall

No subscription fees, low cost products and high quality features and design make this product an absolute must whether you want to secure your home where you create all your content or secure your content creator space.

Is your cat knocking over your sacred action figures or destroying your desk while you’re away from home? Well with pet detection you can now tell!

I Sawyer here at The Gamer Guide has been shocked with Eufy and how great their products actually are so if I was you I’d cancel that subscription to that doorbell company and pick up a Eufy product today.

To rate such a brand and their products is very easy for us and you can’t fault this product on cost, quality and design, nothing is perfect we understand that but Eufy does come close with a 9/10 TGG Stamp of approval.

We highly recommend you secure your homes, your expensive equipment and or office space today so head on below to pick up your Eufy products today and check out their socials too.

crucial p310 review

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

Our great friends over at Crucial sent over their all new P310 in 2TB to review which Crucial proudly announced back on the 21st July.

Who Are Crucial?

But before we get into the P310 lets us explain to our potential new readers who Crucial actually are. Crucial is a brand of Micron, one of the largest memory manufacturers globally. They provide high-quality components that are often prebuilt into new computers.

For 25 years, Crucial has been connecting millions of customers to Micron’s innovation and technology, offering guaranteed compatible memory (DRAM) and storage (SSDs) for systems. Their compatibility tools like the Crucial System Scanner make it easy to find the right components for your system, delivering an unparalleled performance edge to power users. Reliability is crucial to Crucial; every memory module and SSD undergoes rigorous quality inspections from sand to silicon to finished product. As Micron’s global consumer brand, Crucial products are available worldwide, enhancing system performance and user productivity on every continent.

P310

The P310 is the fastest Gen4 M.2 2230 SSD on the market to date. With up to 2TB of capacity, the P310 has room for more AAA games with the added benefit of blistering performance. With read/write speeds at 7,100/6,000MB/s1, the P310 is perfect for upgrading handheld gaming consoles, offering a unique edge for gamers looking to level up their performance and gaming library at the same time. Experience quality storage engineered with the

latest Micron® 3D NAND technology and let the P310 transform your gaming world.

Target audience

The P310 Gen4 NVMe SSD in the M.2 2230 form factor is best for handheld gamers looking to expand their gaming library and increase their load speed, and for select compatible laptops.

Compatibility

The thin, compact design of the P310 Gen4 SSD offers a lightweight solution that you can install into certain handheld gaming consoles like the Valve Steam Deck™, ASUS ROG Ally™, MSI Claw and certain laptops like the Microsoft Surface or select Dell™ models in as little as five minutes6.

Bigger gaming libraries made EZ

The P310 offers capacities up to 2TB to help gamers level up their library for heavy gameplay from anywhere.

Experience extreme performance

With read speeds up to 7,100MB/s and random reads up to 1M IOPS1, the drive is 40% faster than other Gen4 competitors. It allows gamers to expand their gaming library, drop into games faster, and boot up high-demand AAA games at lightning-fast speeds.

Faster gameplay

Don’t get rekt on lag times — come out on top with

more fast-loading multi-world and graphically demanding games at your fingertips for the ultimate dream gaming library.

Power

efficiency wherever you go

The P310 Gen4 SSD prioritises power efficiency to limit battery loss on the go so gamers can focus more on dominating their opponents and less on powering up their devices.

What are the real-world benefits of the P310?

Even though the P310 displays up to 12% faster real world performance in 3Dmark testing, gamers won’t be penalised. Our results show that after 20 minutes of game play, the charge level of an ASUS ROG Ally is comparable to the WD_Black SN770M, which has 40% slower sequential performance.

3D Mark Storage Score

P310 2TB 1,560 SN770M 2TB 1,374 Crucial

Crucial PS10 features:

• Sequential read/writes up to 7,100/6,000MB/ s1

• Random read/writes up to: 1M/1.2M IOPS1

• Capacity: 1TB, 2TB

• Endurance: 220TBW (1TB), 440TBW (2TB)

• MTTF: 1.5M hours • Generation: PCIe 4.0

NVMe™ technology

• Form factor: M.2 (2230)

• Warranty: 5-year limited

Product Highlights:

Extreme performance: Discover top-tier Gen4 performance that’s 40% faster than other Gen4 SSDs3 at up to 7,100MB/s1 for all your favourite games

Bigger gaming library: Get up to 2TB2 of digital space for your gaming handheld console or laptop Power efficiency: Limit battery loss while you’re on the go

Don’t get rekt on lag times: load multi-world and graphically demanding games faster and beat the lag for more responsive gameplay

Be compatible: Install into certain handheld gaming consoles like the Valve Steam Deck™ and ASUS ROG Ally™ and certain laptops like the Microsoft Surface or select Dell™ models in as little as five minutes.

Advanced features:

• Micron® Advanced 232L 3D NAND5 and innovative controller technology

• Redundant array of independent NAND (RAIN)

• Dynamic write acceleration • Multistep data integrity algorithm

• Adaptive thermal protection • Integrated power loss immunity

• Active garbage collection and TRIM support

• Self-monitoring and reporting technology (SMART)

• Error correction code (ECC)

• NVMe low power modes supported

• User password security (TCG Pyrite)

Performance at a glance:

Seq reads1 (MB/s)

Product numbers and pricing

Note: MSRP pricing may change during launch and be variable across different regions and resellers

Crucial® P310 1TB PCIe® Gen4 NVMe™ M.2 2230

SSD US retail pricing $114.99

Crucial® P310 2TB PCIe® Gen4 NVMe™ M.2 2230

SSD $214.99

Worth noting

Typical I/O performance numbers as measured using CrystalDiskMark® with command queue full and write cache enabled. Fresh out-of-box (FOB) state is assumed. For performance measurement purposes, the SSD may be restored to FOB state using the secure erase command. System variations will affect measured results.

Some of the storage capacity is used for formatting and other purposes and is not available for data storage. 1GB equals 1 billion bytes. Speed comparison is between Crucial P310 published top speeds of 7,100MB/s and published competitor NVMe Gen4 SSD speeds. Your performance may vary.

Consult your device’s manufacturer to verify your warranty before installing an SSD.

Crucial P310 Gen4 NVMe M.2 2230 SSD will launch with Micron® Advanced 232L 3D NAND. Micron reserves the right to exchange NAND generations without notice on future production cycles.

Overall

During our testing periods we used the P310 in 2TB capacity inside of an ASUS ROG Ally which we found to be super easy to actually use, the screws came off very easily and the SSD slot was the first thing you see with one screw making it super easy.

The Ally loaded up super fasts and straight away we noticed the new improved and increased storage capacity.

Throughout all testing we found that the read and write times were all spot on with some major games loading in a matter of seconds. The P310 is an absolute lifesaver for the upcoming rise of handheld gamers especially now that these handhelds are more like PCs than anything and all seem to come with very low storage options, not anymore however as Crucial have created a

reasonably priced solution. The P310 is a fantastic product with it being super easy to install, even for amateurs or someone who has never done this it’s very simple so please do not worry when opening up your handheld devices.

The Price point, the speeds and the overall ease of such a product comes with zero flaws on our side and easy money well spent for consumers in this market.

The P310 gets a wonderful 9/10 from me Sawyer here at The Gamer Guide with high recommendations as there is literally nothing on the market like this at the capacity and ease.

If you too would like to purchase one of these then please head over to Crucial’s website below and check out their socials too.

interview

Once again the amazing folks at Crucial have hooked us up - this time with their brand new P310 Gen4 NVMe SSD! Sawyer has been testing out the product for quite some time at The Gamer Guide HQ. If you haven’t already, make sure to go check out his review in this issue!

Hi James! Thank you very much for taking the time to have this chat with us! Can you tell our readers a bit about who you are?

My name is James Van Patten, and I am the Director of Memory and Storage Product Line Management for Crucial. My team is responsible for Crucial memory and storage roadmap development and then working with cross-functional teams to bring those products to market. We are the voice of the customer within Crucial.

What game are you currently obsessed with? I have a few favourite games I enjoy playing these days…

Baldur’s Gate 3 – RPG that mimics D&D and is one of the world’s biggest games right now. I have always loved to play D&D with friends. During covid, my friends and I needed a way to keep playing, so we got used to playing D&D through Zoom and D&D Beyond. Baldur’s Gate 3 allows us to play online with each other with an even better experience.

Cyberpunk 2077 – I’m a gigantic Shadowrun fan! So, I was very excited when they announced the game, then launched it and even more so now that it’s a strong game (after a bit of a slow start).

When you’re on the go, what is your preferred handheld gaming console?

I primarily use my gaming laptop. But when I’m traveling, I rely on my Nintendo Switch since I don’t have any of newer console devices; until the latest crop of PC handhelds, a Nintendo Switch could plug into an airplane power plug and not overload it for long trips to Asia. The newer console gaming devices are on my Christmas list!

And Civilization, all versions, all timelines, even the console one released. It’s a classic! Just one more turn...

The brand new Crucial P310 Gen4 NVMe SSD, designed with upgrading handheld gaming consoles, as well as for select compatible laptops. What can you tell us about this SSD, and why would someone want to buy the Crucial P310 SSD?

The Crucial P310 offers strong performance per watt, which means exceptional performance without having to compromise existing battery life. Additionally, the Crucial P310 has been optimized & tuned to provide a great user experience. Our testing shows solid performance in 3DMark Storage as well as other application-type benchmarks (not just the synthetic benchmarks).

Which handheld gaming consoles is the Crucial P310 Gen4 NVMe SSD compatible with?

The Crucial P310 is currently compatible with Steamdeck, ROG Ally and the MSI Claw, as those are the specific devices we tested internally. That said, many of the new PC handhelds are compliant with the same industry standards as the P310, like NVMe and PCIe. So, we anticipate wide compatibility for devices that use similar industry standards as the handhelds already on the market.

For a lot of gamers, they don’t tend to swap or upgrade components within a handheld gaming console. How easy is it to fit the new Crucial P310 Gen4 NVMe SSD?

There are several valuable video references to

learn how to upgrade the storage in handheld gaming consoles, from iFixit to YouTube. The important thing is to carefully follow the prescribed steps. I would also say from personal experience and as someone with a love for “tinkering”, to not stress out over it and just have fun!

The P310 Gen4 NVMe SSD is made with the handheld consoles in mind. Why do Crucial want to tackle the handheld gaming market?

Crucial is committed to supporting gamers who want high-performance, high-capacity storage solutions regardless of their gaming platform or device. Since the market for handheld gaming consoles continues to grow, we determined it was the right time to introduce the P310 22x30 form factor to meet the storage needs of console gamers.

The SSD is available in 1TB and 2TB options. Are there any plans to release higher storage capacity versions, like 4TB for example?

Although the initial launch is 1TB and 2TB, we are watching market demand and will take that into consideration. We will be sure to keep you and your readers posted as we are ready to make any future announcements.

The Crucial P310 Gen4 NVMe SSD is marketed as being 40% faster than its competitors. Does the higher performance impact other areas, like the battery life of the handheld gaming console?

Even with the most recent competitive announcements, the Crucial P310 remains the fastest drive available on the market, offering 12% better real-world performance with no battery penalty. We’ve improved performance without a negative impact to battery life.

This new SSD is launching with Micron® Advanced 232L 3D NAND and innovative controller technology. For your everyday consumer, how will their handheld gaming consoles benefit from these features?

Consumers will benefit from Micron’s 232-layer 3D NAND through increased capacity, density and performance.

With the increase in performance is there also an increase in heat generated that consumers should be aware of, and if so, what does the Crucial P310 Gen4 NVMe SSD have in place to counteract it?

The P310 does not have a heatsink but the drive provides built-in thermal management to monitor for overheating.

Finally for consumer’s peace of mind, what warranty can they expect to come with their purchase?

The Crucial P310 is available with a 5-year limited warranty.

And that’s it! Again, thank you very much for taking the time to have a chat with us about the new Crucial P310 Gen4 NVMe SSD.

We’ve had hands-on with this product for some time now and we can see the read and write speeds are spot on. The Crucial P310 will be a fantastic upgrade for those who enjoy gaming on a handheld gaming console.

The Crucial P310 Gen4 NVMe SSD will be available at £129.59 for the 1TB version, and £224.39 for the 2TB version (Note: MSRP/ RRP may be subject to change across different regions and resellers).

storage and ram upgrades you must try!

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

We met up with the wonderful Sandy from Apacer at Odyssey gaming festival who discussed some of Apacer’s products with us in which we knew we must feature this brand in our magazine. Apacer sent us these products below in order to review in our magazine.

2 x 1TB CFexpress cards

1 x 1TB NAS M.2 SSD & 32GB DDR5 6400 PANTHER RGB RAM

Who is Apacer?

Before we dive into each product, let us tell you who Apacer actually are. Apacer Technology is a leading brand specialising in data storage solutions. They offer a range of recommended products, including industrial SSDs, memory modules, memory cards, and USB flash drives.

Based in Taiwan, Apacer has a global presence, with subsidiaries in major markets and an optimised distributor system to serve local markets worldwide. Their industrial SSD solutions cater to various applications, such as defence, healthcare, factory automation, networking, IoT, and servers. If you need reliable storage solutions, Apacer is a solid choice.

Apacer CFexpress Endurance

Let’s start with the CFexpress Insurance Type B cards, which are designed for some not all DSLRs. Please make a note when purchasing as we had to go through four cameras to find only two that were compatible. Apacer’s CFexpress Type B PA32CF is a professional high-endurance series memory card designed for demanding applications. Here are the key features:

Speed and Performance:

Continuous read speeds of up to 1,700 MB/s and write speeds of up to 1,200 MB/s.

Ideal for 4K and 8K video shooting.

Supports firmware adjustment for mainstream camera equipment, delivering high image detail and post-production tolerance.

Durability and Reliability:

Military-grade shockproof and anti-vibration standards.

Passed the MIL-STD-202G drop test and MIL-STD810G anti-vibration test.

Can withstand extreme conditions during filming or photography.

Plugged and Unplugged Reliability:

Complies with the CF Association’s specifications. Proven to keep working even after being plugged and unplugged more than 12,000 times.

Peace of mind for professional photographers.

Multiple Capacities:

Available in capacities of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.

Choose the right size for your needs.

Apacer’s CFexpress Type B card is a reliable choice for next-gen cameras, offering ultra-high performance and extremely low latency.

Price?

For price and availability as of testing this card we only found this for sale in one place and I was shocked not to see such a product on amazon as there’s plenty of competition on there for such a card.

128GB - £90.99

256GB - £129.99

512GB - £189.99

1TB - £259.99

Premium prices for a premium product which is very much so expected.

Overall

The Apacer’s CFexpress Type B PA32CF packs a punch, with its high endurance and professional quality you really are getting your bang for buck here.

It’s worth considering what model camera you have for this but if you can use such a card you will produce some fantastic quality content and at 8k too which is not very common with these cards.

From start to finish I was overall very pleased with such a card and at 1TB too I could store hours of data and at high quality too if you are in the market on upgrading to such a card Apacer should be your go to choice.

Rating

I love this card and I will be using this for capturing much of my content at big events like Gamescom, however due to hard availability of writing and a premium price we have to knock a couple of points as our reader may struggle to pick one up. Although that doesn’t affect performance as that is perfect but all in all 7/10 which is a great score!

Apacer NAS SSD’s

Apacer’s NAS SSDs are specifically designed for network-attached storage (NAS) applications. Here are the key features of their NAS SSDs:

High Durability and Extended Service Life:

These SSDs offer excellent write performance, meeting the stringent read/write load requirements of NAS systems.

Compared to consumer SSDs, their life expectancy is at least 4 times longer.

High-speed Access:

Apacer’s NAS SSDs provide low latency and fast response times.

They can handle high-resolution image formats, making them ideal for graphic designers.

Quick Upgrade:

Available in 2.5-inch and M.2 (SATA III & PCIe) form factors.

Perfect for upgrading existing NAS systems quickly.

Silent Operation and Low Power Consumption:

These SSDs are lightweight, compact, and vibration-proof.

They consume significantly less power compared to traditional hard drives.

Plus, they operate silently.

Apacer NAS SSD PB4480-R M.2 PCIe Gen 4x4

Let’s take a closer look at the Apacer NAS SSD PB4480-R M.2 PCIe Gen 4x4 which is what we got sent:

Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4, fully compliant with NVMe 1.4 standard.

Capacities: Available in 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB options.

Sequential Read Speed: Up to 5,000 MB/s.

Sequential Write Speed: Up to 4,400 MB/s.

MTBF: Impressive 2,000,000 hours.

Random Read/Write (4K): Up to 450,000 / 340,000 IOPS.

Heat Spreader Design: Ensures efficient cooling.

Purpose: Tailor-made for NAS systems, ideal for creators and businesses.

This SSD combines speed, stability, and durability, making it an excellent choice for video creators and small-to-medium-sized users seeking unparalleled performance in their NAS environment.

The Apacer NAS SSD M.2 PCIe Gen 4x4 is wellsuited for the following workloads:

Media Production and Editing:

Its high sequential read and write speeds make it ideal for video editing, rendering, and content creation. Creators working with large files benefit from its performance.

Database and Virtualization:

This SSD handles database queries and virtual machine operations efficiently. It ensures responsive performance in virtualized environments.

Business Applications:

For small-to-medium businesses, this SSD accelerates application loading times. It’s suitable for office productivity tools, accounting software, and more.

Data Backup and Archiving:

Reliable and durable, it’s great for storing backups and archives. Its long lifespan ensures data integrity over time. Remember that its robust design and high-speed capabilities cater to demanding tasks, making it a versatile choice for various workloads. However I wouldn’t really use this SSD mainly for your games more like a workload one for editing and storing data etc.

Price?

Again price and distribution is next to nothing here for us as we again only found one company actually selling this product with just the 1tb around £95 mark, which is a shame as I would love to see such a great company more available here in the UK.

Overall

The Apacer NAS SSD M.2 PCIe Gen 4x4 is a great SSD when available. It is cheap and has some great specs, mainly for workloads and not gaming. It is a great choice. I just wish it was easier to obtain here in the UK.

Rating

With availability very poor at time of writing but great work capable SSD it’s a 7/10 mainly down to not really great for gaming more editing side of things but the availability for us was a huge letdown as the SSD is good for what it’s designed to do.

Apacer PANTHER RGB DDR5

Finally down to my personal favourite as I love RGB Ram and that’s the Apacer PANTHER RGB DDR5 which is a high-performance RAM kit designed for gamers seeking strong performance in modern games. Let’s dive into the details:

Capacity: Available in either a single 16GB DIMM or a pair of 16GB sticks (total capacity of 32GB). While 16GB is sufficient for esports and older titles, 32GB is recommended for optimising gaming performance in modern AAA games.

Transfer Speeds: The PANTHER RGB DDR5 offers transfer speeds ranging from 5200MT/s to 6400MT/s. Although not the highest available, it’s a substantial upgrade from older DDR4 kits (which typically maxed out at 4000 MT/s).

XMP Compatibility: These kits are XMP 3.0 and EXPO compatible, making overclocking easy across both AMD and Intel PC builds.

Design: As the name suggests, the PANTHER RGB DDR5 features colourful RGB lighting on top of each DIMM, adding eye-catching flair to your PC build.

Performance: Our UserBenchmark results show that this RAM performs well across multi-core and single-core workloads, particularly excelling in threaded tasks where higher RAM speeds matter.

Keep in mind that DDR5 RAM generally has higher latency than DDR4, but the speed gains are worth it. If you’re looking for a balance of performance and aesthetics, the Apacer PANTHER RGB DDR5 is a solid choice!

Customizable RGB

The Apacer PANTHER RGB DDR5 RAM offers customizable RGB lighting to enhance your PC aesthetics. Here are the options:

Colour Customization: You can choose from a wide range of colours, including static colours or dynamic effects like rainbow, breathing, or colour cycling.

Effects: The RAM supports various lighting effects, such as pulsing, strobing, and fading. You can adjust the speed and intensity to match your preference.

Synchronisation: If your motherboard supports RGB synchronisation (e.g., ASUS Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light, or Gigabyte RGB Fusion), the PANTHER RGB DDR5 can sync with other RGB components in your system.

Price

The Apacer PANTHER RGB DDR5 RAM comes in various configurations, and prices may vary based on capacity and speed. Here are some approximate price points:

16GB (1×16GB) DDR5 5200MHz CL38: Around £69.99

32GB (2×16GB) DDR5-6000: Priced at £124.99

Keep in mind that prices can fluctuate based on location, retailer, and availability. However again I struggled super hard to find a retailer here in the UK.

Overall

The Apacer PANTHER RGB DDR5 RAM is great with beautiful RGB wonderful 6400 MTs and great compatibility it’s a fantastic piece of kit for any setup to really make your product shine and a superb boost when running your games, however due to lack of availability as of writing its not an easy recommend here. This may change soon however as it’s a strong contender for RGM Ram.

Rating

Again this comes down to availability, you have a big market here in the UK and I would love to see these products more available as the products themselves are great and reasonably priced but availability is your problem with a 7/10 across the board.

To Summarise

Apacer as a brand is definitely a great supplier of great storage solutions however due to lack of availability in certain countries especially the UK this may be a struggle for our readers to purchase. However what I do suggest is to keep an eye on Apacer as they may broaden their availability here in the UK and you may just have some of their products yourself very soon.

We thank the team a bunch for sending these products over and wish for more availability soon as the products are great, getting them that’s another story.

Why not check out their website below and follow along for news and updates for a retailer near you.

Twitch meets are back! Yes you read that right! The great Twitch powered events which brought creators together is back and with a hefty bang too. On Fri 21st June the relaunch of the Twitch Manchester Meetup took place at Arcade Club Bury, UK. This event brought together 75 wonderful twitch content creators in physical attendance I must say. The real life in person event hosted a mix of live stream interviews, gaming challenges and just general messing around.

Hosted by Middle Aged Gamer Guy UK, Lisa Paranorma & Celtbrenny who put on not only a great event but this was live streamed too which twitch pushed to the front of the page of twitch. The livestream itself managed to reach over 10,000 people watching live.

Throughout the event some Content creators of different sizes got the chance to be interviewed to shine a light on their streams. Not only that the twitch Meet hosted some live streamed Mario kart tournaments, fun party games and Two demos of brand new Indie games which were kindly supplied by the Devs from Bullion & Piffsy, each Dev also had hands on game time and an interview live to the 10,000watchers via Twitch.

Twitch also supplied the wonderful attendees some Goodie bags which included Twitch shirts, pens, coasters and some drinking cups with all of Twitch branding. Not only that Sawyer from our team The Gamer Guide was at the event talking to 10,000 people about our wonderful magazine, Sawyer even brought along our great friends over at Tecware to give out 40 of their Torque+ Mice throughout the event.

Sawyer could be seen on the Livestream, throwing

mice at creators or building some great networks between streamers to help boost their content and brand approaching.

Due to the success of the event the team are planning a special Christmas event back at Arcade Club Bury and a potential Blackpool event for the Autumn. So if I was you I’d stay up to date with this event because you too could be at this one talking about your channel to thousands of viewers or just networking with brands and like minded individuals.

Sawyer thoroughly enjoyed this event and would love to see more creators at the next one. To find out more or be kept up to date make sure to follow the team on their socials and their twitch channel which is below.

We were kindly invited to Tech Max 2024 by the Tech for Techs team who put on a wonderful show. Tech Max 2024 is a small event at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham UK, It offers 4000 m² of dedicated event space, located close to both Sheffield and Rotherham with free parking and easy access from the M1 Junction 34 Meadowhall. The event highly focuses on some amazing tech from PCs and their components to advanced data and protection for your files. There were big names like MSI and Cooler Master across the floor alongside others big names including Tecware and Target Components plus many others. If you are really into your Tech and want to see some latest and greatest stuff and even market yourself a little then TechMax is one of your calendars.

Tech For Techs

First of all let us dive into who Terch for Techs are as they put this show together annually.

Tech For Techs is a free community and review site for techs, distributors, and manufacturers. It provides valuable information, product reviews, and advice for computer stores and professionals in the field. Additionally, there’s a Facebook group with over 800 members, including computer shop owners, techs, vendors, and distributors. Whether you’re looking for unbiased reviews or need technical insights, Tech For Techs is a helpful resource!

TechMax

Tech Max is an event for techs, vendors, and distributors in the UK. Attendees can showcase their products and services, network with other tech professionals, learn from vendors, and

participate in exciting activities. Prizes and POS materials are also part of the event.

Throughout the day there were a bunch of talks and giveaways followed by an evening meal and awards ceremony, sadly I missed this as I had to head over for our Twitch meet in Manchester but from others I heard it was a wonderful ceremony.

Vendors

So who actually was at Tech Max? well we have listed below all the vendors who we managed to check out and have a chat with on the show floor and which would cater to our readers mostly, however if you want to see a full list of all venders please do so here:

Exhibition | Tech Max 24 - Tech Trade Event! (tftmax.com).

With big names like many above you can see why people travelled overseas just to be at this event, each vendor showcases something new and super cool looking, the team really hit it out of the park with vendors at this show.

Ticket Prices?

Well with an event you would expect to pay a fee regardless to check out some of this great tech however you are happily mistake as this event was free to attend tickets started at £0 with the option of paying an extra fee to get food or haver an evening meal during the awards which over all was cheap just for the food.

Parking was also free so this event is a no-brainer to attend with it being free and showcasing all those lovely brands and their great tech.

The main purpose of Tech Max 2024?

The main purpose of this event is to network with Industry Peers: Connect with other businesses, share insights, and build valuable relationships. Discover the Latest Tech and Get an Early Look at New Products Before they’re Released.

Meet Vendors and Distributors with direct access to leading tech vendors and distributors, offering the latest products and solutions. Business Growth Opportunities with the ability to explore avenues for business expansion through partnerships and new technology.

Learn from the Best by gaining knowledge from experts on how to leverage tech trends for business advantage. Everyone is welcome with free entry, making it easier for every

business, big or small, to access the resources they need to succeed. The huge reach the event brings by attracting attendees from the UK&I, Europe, and beyond, perfect for expanding your network.

Overall

Overall as a brand, tech influencers or enthusiasts or just love cool tech and want to expand your tech this event is truly for you. Having free entry and parking some of the biggest names in the industry all in one place with their positive and welcoming approach Tech Max 2025 should be on your go to list next year.

I managed to network with some great companies, meet some wonderful people and all around had a wonderful day. I Sawyer here at The Gamer Guide would recommend this event to all in the industry as a great place to show off your brand or network with like minded people. huge thanks to Philip Griffiths at Tech For Techs for putting on this wonderful show. Make sure to head down below to check out their web and socials, we hope to catch you all at the next one.

We were kindly invited to Odyssey Gaming Festival by the wonderful team who put this two day gaming event together for the first time ever. The Odyssey Gaming Festival is an exciting event that brings the world of video games to Harrogate! Taking place at The Crown Hotel from July 6th to July 7th, 2024, it offered a gaming adventure for all ages.

Sawyer went along to this event with his family and upon arrival was greeted very friendly from a lovely elderly gentleman who I am afraid I did not catch his name. He was very helpful and even provided some awesome hats for my kids, so the first approach was off to a great start. Into the venue we all went to check out what Odyssey Gaming Festival had to offer.

Vendors

Let’s start first the Vendors which are a key focus for events and with this event you of course had some amazing vendors like Target Components, Pixl, Kingston and Logix, so the backing is there and all these vendors did a superb job at showcasing their products with some of the best knowledge in the business.

Here is a full list of all vendors we managed to catch up with:

Target Components, Pixl, Kingston, Antec, Sure Fire, Gigabyte, Marvo, Stormforce, Phase 4 Computers and Arcade kid. The vendors to me was the main focus of this event, I would have liked to of seen more variety in the arcade machines and more umph in the merch department as the team selling pops as such didn’t really seem interested in being there and we was promised exclusive loot which I couldn’t really find any.

Target Components and a range of brands they work with was the main focus of this event to me, as you walked in you saw them immediately with their amazing upcoming Logix brand which puts businesses at the front with providing PC equipment and components to cater all their needs. Not only that, their whole team seems

to have been hand picked with pure brilliance, rolling off the tongue every single answer to all my questions with in depth great knowledge. I would love to see these people at more events this year.

Lets not forget to mention how great Kingston was at showcasing some fantastic products alongside Antec who had a UK first Gaming handheld which was super cool too, I loved the tech aspect the most I must say.

What was on the show floor?

Mentioned prior to the event was a child friendly zone and some table top areas with competitions, indie games, retro games and some tech brands. Across the event you also had a range of talks and some wonderful networking opportunities.

The Family Friendly Zone

The family friendly zone was a bit of a let down for me as it seemed to be one small table with some magnetised toys, it would of been nice to have something more or maybe some Minecraft related themes, that being a couple of Xbox consoles with Minecraft loaded on to them to make it be a huge hit for the little ones, maybe even face painting or colouring that would have been great, even I would of liked to of coloured in a Minecraft sheep.

I wouldn’t really recommend what I saw for children but with someone who has children you need to be speaking to the parents of this industry for what you could have added as there were children there but many of them did seem bored outside of the retro games.

Board Game Zone

Another slight disappointment I came across was the Board Game Zone, you had some great games including the fallout strategy type board game, but they was all thrown down on a table unopened with no one around to show anyone how to play or incite them to play, my kids would have loved to play these but they seemed more like they was for sale and not to play which was a shame.

The Retro Gaming area

The Retro Gaming area was probably the best part and for my kids too, you had a N64, PS1, SNES and a bunch of retro arcade machines. This part was fun, the kids preferred this more than anything, so would love to see more of this in the future. The person who worked on this area was very helpful in providing a great in depth how to play on all the machines, he was very friendly and welcoming. The Retro side of things was being run by Arcade Kid which I would love to see more of this team.

Indie Games

There were two indie developers on the show floor showcasing their games who all had a friendly approach and you see the huge passion that they had for their games which in itself is always lovely to see.

Competitions

Sadly for the team they ran into many tech issues when trying to organise their Fortnite competitions so I didn’t really get to see one but there were some very well thought out Tekken games near the entrance which was lovely to see.

Merch

As briefly mentioned some of the vendors didn’t seem enthusiastic, however there were a handful of small sellers hidden around the back who did love their products like Little Lions Lair who do deserve to be back next year. So this area in itself is still a great aspect to have with the smaller businesses for sure.

Overall

With this being the first ever Odyssey Gaming Festival you can expect some issues and being a little unorganised, which unfortunately did happen in some cases for this event, as there was tech issues, the competitions were not as well put together and the host of the competition and talks area had little to zero enthusiasm that may of been because they had ran into issues and was a little annoyed with that.

However this is expected when you put on an event for the first time with a very small team with not massive experience in events, for next year this is where my team could really help and assist with such an event if the team would like to catch up with us for some constructive criticism. The team themselves are very friendly, well knowledgeable about tech and have a good backing so with a little extra help this could be a big hit next year. The Odyssey team have the tech influence down to a tee with their event and I couldn’t fault this part, it was just the minor setbacks which are not to be beaten up about.

Rating

You can’t really rate an event in their first year, as problems are expected and it’s not fair, however I do really think these guys have potential, they have such great vendors and the ideas are there it’s just teething problems as per, which can be perfected for next year. I personally would love to see this event bigger and better and next time I come to this event I would love to be able to rate it a 10/10 I really would and with such a great team they will only learn and progress for next year. With the lack of cosplay and creators this is for sure something to think about next year and with our team having such a huge influence in that department we would love to assist the team with this.

I had fun catching up with brands playing some retro games and seeing a new event up north pop up. I personally would love to see more of this event and their team as it does have potential. You should follow this event as it continues to grow as who knows this may be one of the biggest events up north next year.

Check out their website and socials below.

xbox games showcase 2024

On June 9th 2024 The Xbox Games Showcase 2024 showed players everywhere that they have a ton of games to look forward to. Fans of Activision, Bethesda, Blizzard, Xbox Game Studios, or the countless partners building for Xbox were treated to a peek at what’s coming for their favourite franchises and new games alike.

Players can look forward to incredible returns to beloved series with Gears of War: E-Day and Doom: The Dark Ages, fresh looks at the likes of State of Decay 3, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Perfect Dark, and South of Midnight, a reveal for Starfield: Shattered Space, and much more. The show even extended to Azeroth, with the release date reveal of The War Within, the next expansion for World of Warcraft.

And from Xbox partners, there was a world-first look at gameplay from Assassin’s Creed Shadows, an introduction to your future party members in the greatly anticipated Dragon Age: The Veilguard, an exciting look at the return of Big Boss in Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater, not to mention some incredible debuts with the likes of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Atomfall, and Winter Burrow, among many others.

Plus, Xbox brought you a first reveal of new Xbox hardware with the announcement of three new Xbox Series X|S console options joining our current lineup this holiday, featuring the same speed and performance with more design, storage, and price options to fit your needs.

And on top of all that, Xbox also brought the gameplay reveal of a brand-new Call of Duty game with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 which then following it up with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct, offering you an enormous deep-dive into the game. (Some of this information you are about to read has been sourced by Xbox Wire.)

Upcoming Titles from Activision, Bethesda, Blizzard, and Xbox Game Studios

Age of Mythology: Retold – World’s Edge

Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam and cloud, or play it day one with Game Pass

World’s Edge – the award-winning studio behind the Age of Empires franchise – showcased a trailer of truly mythical proportions: with a first look at gameplay from the upcoming Age of Mythology: Retold.

Age of Mythology: Retold will combine the best elements of the beloved Age of Mythology (2002) with modern real-time strategy design, visuals and gameplay. The newly premiered trailer at Xbox Showcase 2024 revealed the first gameplay footage, showing off exciting action and divine powers, as well as some newly redesigned deity portraits. The World’s Edge team also confirmed the launch date for Age of Mythology: Retold –September 4, 2024 – and that this will be the first title in the Age of Empires franchise to ship on both PC and console at launch.

Age of Mythology: Retold is available to pre-order now.

Avowed Offers a New Look at its Captivating Story

Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam and cloud, or play it day one with Game Pass

This year, brace yourself for an expedition into the uncharted wilds of the Living Lands in Obsidian Entertainment’s Avowed. In a brand-new story trailer, we learned more about the incredible journey we’ll be taking later this year, and met Giatta, one of the game’s four companions. As an envoy of the Aedyran Empire, you’re tasked with stopping the Dreamscourge, a mysterious blight wreaking havoc on the tumultuous frontier. Your soul hangs in the balance as you navigate the chaos of the Living Lands and embrace its wonders. Prepare for an expedition into the perilous, captivating, and utterly bizarre unknown where you will forge your destiny and shape the fate of the frontier. Avowed will be released in 2024

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Direct Reveals Campaign, Multiplayer and Zombies Details

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam, Battle.net, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, or play it day one with Game Pass

It’s official: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the latest addition to the popular Call of Duty franchise, is set to arrive on October 25. Developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is a spy action thriller where nothing is as what it seems. In this mind-bending narrative set in the early 1990s, a shadowy force has infiltrated the U.S. government and players will be forced to go rogue for the first time. In addition to a compelling new campaign, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 features new innovations like Omnimovement, giving players the ability to sprint, slide, and dive in any direction and move like a Black Ops action hero across all game modes. Including the return of Classic Prestige, Theater Mode, and of course Round-Based Zombies, there’s something for everyone.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 launches on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC on October 25. Play it day one on select Xbox Game Pass plans (Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass PC, Game Pass Console).

Doom: The Dark Ages Comes to Xbox in 2025

Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, PlayStation 5, or play it day one with Game Pass

Revealed worldwide today, Doom: The Dark Ages heralds the return of the unstoppable Doom Slayer in this upcoming single-player, dark fantasy action FPS from the legendary id Software.

The prequel to Doom (2016), Doom: The Dark Ages puts players behind the visor of the mighty Slayer as they battle demonic hordes in grounded, hard-hitting combat inside an epic, cinematic tale of gods, kings and monsters. Supplementing his superhuman skills and over-the-top arsenal, the Slayer will also call upon his colossal Atlan mech

to brawl with titanic beasts and retake the skies aboard his ferocious steed: a jet-fueled, cybernetic war dragon.

Don your Shotgun, Shield Saw and Flail and charge headfirst into battle in 2025 when Doom: The Dark Ages arrives on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Add Doom: The Dark Ages to your Wishlist via the Microsoft Store.

Playground Games Asks, ‘What Does It Mean to be a Hero?’ in the Next Installment of Fable.

Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Steam, or play it day one with Xbox Game Pass

What does it mean to be a hero? In last year’s trailer, that question was answered by Dave, a gardenerturned-giant with a chip on his shoulder. This year, we get a much darker take from Humphry, played by the British comedy actor Matt King. Humphry was once Albion’s greatest Hero, but those glory days are long gone. In Fable, Humphry will be forced out of retirement when a mysterious figure from his past threatens the very existence of Albion.

Playground Games also confirmed its collaboration with Eidos Montreal, who will be supporting the ongoing development of Fable, which will be coming to players in 2025.

E-Day Marks a New Dawn for Gears of War

Gears of War: E-Day is the next mainline game in the Gears of War universe, set during the pivotal Emergence Day. Fourteen years before Gears of War, war heroes Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago return home to face a new nightmare: the Locust Horde. These subterranean monsters, grotesque and relentless, erupt from below, laying siege on humanity itself.

In the announced trailer for the series’ next major instalment, The Coalition has teamed up with Blur Studio to forge a visually stunning trailer using in-game assets in Unreal Engine 5. It features a new instrumental version of ‘Mad World,’ originally performed by Gary Jules for the iconic 2006 commercial, now brilliantly reimagined by the game’s composer Adam Lastiwka. The trailer made its debut in 4K resolution and 30 FPS with 5.1 stereo sound. These specs, optimised for streaming, do not represent the final game’s performance.

New Trailer for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, or play it day one on Game Pass

Become the famous archaeologist and face off against sinister forces as you fight to uncover the truth behind one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Brand new gameplay and a scene from a pivotal moment in the game were debuted during the Xbox Showcase. An intercepted message sends Indy and Gina to the Himalayas where their treacherous trek through the mountains leads them to a startling discovery.

Play Indiana Jones and the Great Circle day one on Game Pass when it launches later this year on Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Take to the Skies on November 19 with the AllNew Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, cloud, or play it day one with Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the next instalment in the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise. It is the most ambitious consumer flight simulator ever undertaken. It features the largest, most diverse and detailed fleet of aircraft, the most complete representation of airports and air traffic, and the most visually stunning rendition of Earth ever created.

This brand-new simulator is designed to take advantage of the latest technologies in simulation, cloud, machine learning, graphics and gaming. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 goes beyond merely operating the aircraft; it will allow simmers to pursue their dream of an aviation career. With features like aerial firefighting, search and rescue, commercial flights, remote cargo ops, VIP charter service, air racing, and more, simmers will not only be experiencing the joy of flight, but also dive into the pilot career they always dreamed of. The sky is calling! Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 takes off on PC and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, and will be available with Game Pass on console, PC, and cloud on day one.

Perfect Dark Unveils First Look at Gameplay in New Trailer

Today, we got a first look at gameplay from Perfect Dark, The Initiative’s highly anticipated reboot of the secret agent series featuring the iconic

Joanna Dark. In the near future, Earth is struck by a series of global disasters, bringing ecosystems around the world to the verge of collapse. In the all-new Perfect Dark game, you experience the journey of Joanna Dark, dataDyne’s elite agent, as she hunts down the world’s most wanted criminal, Daniel Carrington, to uncover the mysteries behind the technological breakthroughs that could threaten the lives of millions of people.

The new trailer showed us Joanna’s descent into the game’s Cairo setting, offered us a glimpse at the mysteries behind this near-future ecological sci-fi story, and introduced us to a game that blends fluid traversal, gadgets, close-quarters combat, gunplay, stealth, and more to create the ultimate secret agent experience.

South of Midnight Shows Off First Gameplay

Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, cloud, or play it on day one with

Xbox Game Pass

South of Midnight – the beautiful third-person action-adventure game from We Happy Few creators Compulsion Games – showed off its first gameplay trailer during the show, ahead of its launch in 2025. We meet Hazel and her newly-revealed companion, Catfish, as they travel through a flooded area inspired by the Mississippi Delta – and quickly find themselves facing down one of the game’s monster Kings. Meet Two-Toed Tom, a gigantic albino alligator with a powerful hunger, and even his own theme song.

The trailer offers a look at combat and traversal, showing off Hazel’s magical weaving powers, and gives us a taste of the game’s darkly gorgeous Deep South setting.

Open World Zombie Survival Game State of Decay 3 Unveils New Trailer

Today at Xbox Games Showcase, Undead Labs revealed a new trailer for State of Decay 3, giving us a closer look at the ambitious open world zombie survival game. This follow-up to fanfavourite State of Decay 2 represents a huge leap forward for the series and the studio.

In State of Decay 3, the game’s world is now years into the apocalypse, with an evolving zombie threat taking over the landscape. You must fight back and reclaim lost ground, carving out a life for your community of survivalist homesteaders.

Fans of the series might pick up on nods to some franchise staples in the new trailer: brutal combat; cooperatively battling back threats to the survivor group; permadeath; opening a car door on a zombie while speeding down the road. But the more you watch it, the more you can see hints at how State of Decay 3 will be the most ambitious game Undead Labs has ever envisioned.

World Premieres and New Games from Xbox’s Partners

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ First Gameplay Glimpse Revealed

Xbox Series X|S (see developer website for other platforms)

Assassin’s Creed Shadows launches on November 15 for Xbox Series X|S, giving players a chance to explore 16th Century Japan as Naoe, an adept shinobi from the province of Iga; and Yasuke, a powerful samurai and Assassin’s Creed’s first fully playable historical figure. Today’s gameplay trailer gave fans their first glimpse at what’s new in Assassin’s Creed Shadows – we saw how the two protagonists, Yasuke and Naoe will differ (and complement one another) in equipment and abilities, as well as the game’s wider world, and Shadows’ changing seasons.

Survive, Explore and Uncover the Truth in Atomfall

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, or play it day one with Game Pass (see developer website for other platforms)

Set in the rolling British countryside with idyllic pubs, quaint villages, and red phone boxes, it soon becomes clear that things are far from normal. Created by Rebellion, the makers of the muchloved Sniper Elite and Zombie Army franchises, Atomfall is inspired by a real-world nuclear disaster that occurred in northern England in 1957. The game follows a fictional storyline where you find yourself in the quarantine zone five years after the event.

Explore the countryside, villages, and settlements and meet odd people, wicked cults, rogue government agencies and others along the way. Explore this open world adventure and seek out the truth at your own pace. A single player, survivalaction game, Atomfall blends post-war Britain

with Cold War paranoia, folk horror, and elements of classic British sci-fi to create an immersive and thrilling gameplay experience.

Atomfall will launch in 2025, coming to Game Pass on day one. It will also be available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC. The studio will be revealing more about Atomfall soon.

Prepare to Fight for Your Life in Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Xbox Series X|S, or play it day one with Game Pass (see developer website for other platforms)

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an upcoming reactive turn-based RPG that will transport you to a beautiful, surrealist new world inspired by France’s La Belle Epoque – a period famous for its stunning and lavish contributions to the country’s world-renowned culture of art.

As a member of the Expeditioners, who are embarking on an impossible quest to end the Paintress’ cycle of death, you’ll journey through a vast and beautiful fantasy world where you’ll battle deadly adversaries, befriend fabled creatures, and discover traces of those who came before. You can wish list the game today on the Xbox Store and follow @Expedition33 on X (formally Twitter) to stay up to date.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Meet the Veilguard for the First Time

Xbox Series X|S (see developer website for other platforms)

BioWare and Electronic Arts revealed a new trailer for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, where we meet your team of seven companions, each with their own rich story to discover and shape. Together, you will become The Veilguard.

Expanding upon the Dragon Age stories, worlds and characters from previous games, players will enter a vibrant land of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths, and glittering cities –steeped in conflict and secret magics. Together with your companions, you will challenge a pair of corrupt ancient gods, who have broken free from centuries of darkness and are hellbent on destroying the world. Thedas needs someone they can count on, and that person is you. Rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight to stop the gods from blighting the world.

Souls-lite Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Arrives With a Bang on July 18

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, or play it day one with Game Pass (see developer website for other platforms)

The long-awaited return from Ashen developer A44 is almost here – during the show, we announced that Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn will arrive on July 18. Set in the beleaguered world of Kian, you’ll guide Nor Vanek, a Flintlock weapons expert, on a quest to kill the rampaging gods that have invaded her world. Blending classic Souls mechanics with a brutal, fast-paced combat system, Nor can use a combination of axe combat, flintlock weapons, and magic, creating devastating combos – but you’ll need skill to survive. Pre-orders are open now, and a deluxe edition offers alternative outfits and weapon customization options.

FragPunk Explodes Into the Show

Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (see developer website for other platforms)

Looking for a new competitive FPS? FragPunk is a frantic, squad-based, 5v5 hero shooter where you set the rules of engagement for every new round by activating power-up cards. With its debut at Xbox Games Showcase 2024, FragPunk rocks the hero shooter genre with fast-paced combat and a plethora of synergies and counterplays between over 70 shard cards, 10 heroes, 14 weapons and 4 maps!

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure Brings Back Our Original Star

Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (see developer website for other platforms)

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure isn’t just a return for the beloved narrative adventure series, but a return for its original star, Max Caulfield. Several years after we guided her through Arcadia Bay, Double Exposure sees Max return later in her life, now an artist-in-residence at the prestigious Caledon University. Unfortunately, calamity is never far away – Max’s friend Safi is killed, and we’ll be plunged into a full-on murder-mystery, with a supernatural twist. Max’s original power to rewind time has morphed into the ability to entirely Shift timelines, and we’ll be exploring two parallel realities – one where Safi is safe and well, and the other in the wake of her death – in order to discover the identity of her killer. Life Is Strange:

Double Exposure arrives on October 29, and those who pre-order the Ultimate Edition will be able to play the first two chapters from October 15.

Mecha Break Revealed: Create Your Mech and Take It to War Together

Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (see developer website for other platforms)

Mecha Break is a multiplayer mech-based shooter that allows players to choose from a variety of mechs, customise their appearances, and battle colossal war machines on treacherous terrain.

Prepare for adrenaline-pumping battles, lightningfast manoeuvres, and explosive firepower. Mecha Break’s Xbox Closed Beta will be coming to Xbox Series X in August 2024 and will be available to all players in 2025. Mecha Break features customizable mechs, player-created mech pilots, a wide array of mech and weapon types, and three distinct game modes — a 6v6 Battlefield mode, 3v3 Arena mode, and up to 60-player PvEvP mode — to put players in the pilot seat and create the ultimate mech showdown experience. Discover an array of attacker, brawler, defender, sniper, and support mechs, each with unique play styles and toolsets. Players can personalise each mech with custom full-body paint jobs and upgrade attachments, enhancing their stats to suit their chosen playstyle.

For the upcoming August Closed Beta Test on Xbox Series X, the highlight game mode will be the 6v6 Battlefield mode. Work together with your team and engage in intense aerial and ground combat as you fight for the objective.

Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater Shows Its New Take on a Classic

Xbox Series X|S (see developer website for other platforms)

Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater creates a deeply immersive world with enhanced visuals and sounds, using the full potential of Unreal Engine 5 while keeping legacy controls and voice lines from the original title intact. A new third-person camera and control layout offers players an intuitive introduction to the beginning of the Metal Gear Solid saga as they step into the boots of Snake in a high-stakes, espionage thriller.

Mixtape: Nothing But the Hits – Coming 2025

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, cloud, or play it day one with Game Pass (see developer website for other platforms)

From Beethoven & Dinosaur, award-winning developers of The Artful Escape, comes Mixtape. On their last night of high school, three friends embark on one more adventure together. En route to their final party together, a perfectly-curated playlist draws them into dreamlike reenactments of their formative memories together.

Immerse yourself in the teenage wasteland, playing through a variety of narrative vignettes exploring the pivotal moments that shaped them. The story is delivered through a mixtape of comedic, joyful gameplay, from skateboarding and flying to taking photos after hours at an abandoned theme park, and much more. It’s the greatest hits of teenage friendship, from the first kiss to the last dance. Similar to games like What Remains of Edith Finch, Mixtape ties its narrative to a unique, vignettedriven structure that emphasises variety, surprise, and comedy in its gameplay. Featuring music from DEVO, Roxy Music, Lush, The Smashing Pumpkins, Iggy Pop, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, and more. Mixtape effectively blends gameplay, narrative, and music. Join the crew on their last night together as they experience a mixtape of memories, set to the soundtrack of a generation.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Reveals the Time of Opportunities

Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, or play it day one with Game Pass (see developer website for other platforms)

The new trailer for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is here. Packed with brand-new reveals, this trailer showcases the array of experiences awaiting players, from locations to encounters with mutants and archanomalies. And hubs! Places to have some well-deserved rest and prepare your body and gear for the next intense mission.

In-game footage is mixed with narrative snippets, highlighting the prominence of the non-linear storyline in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. The Time of Opportunities trailer is aptly named, reflecting the boundless potential that awaits within this unforgiving landscape. How will you

see the Zone? And how will She remember you? This time, you’ll hear much more of the Ukrainian voiceover. Being a Ukrainian company, GSC Game World knows that many fans are eager to experience the game in Ukrainian with subtitles of their choice. The trailer is aimed to provide a better understanding of what this experience will feel like. The Time of Opportunities trailer kicks off a series of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 showcases throughout this summer. Please stay tuned for additional announcements.

Winter Burrow Is a Cozy Survival Experience Inspired By a Love of Nature

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, or play it day one with Game Pass (see developer website for other platforms)

Build your dream burrow and explore a charming, snow-coated open world in Winter Burrow, a cosy woodland survival game. As a tiny mouse, spend your days adventuring through brisk environments as you search for your lost aunty, and collect up resources to restore your childhood burrow. Winter Burrow merges comfy, cosy game elements with challenging yet approachable survival mechanics. Spend time in your burrow, crafting cute decorations to make your surroundings feel homely, knit cosy clothing to stay warm in the cold weather, and make sure you’re prepared for those big days of foraging in the forests. To stay up to date on all things Winter Burrow, wishlist the game on the Xbox Store and follow Winter Burrow on Twitter.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Revealed – A Journey Into the Darkness of the Late Ming Dynasty

Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, or play it day one with Game Pass (see developer website for other platforms)

Step into the dark and tumultuous land of Shu in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. This soulslike actionRPG launches day one on Xbox Series X|S and immerses players in the dark late Ming Dynasty, a period rife with warring factions and a mysterious illness turning humans into monstrous creatures. You are Wuchang, a pirate warrior struck by amnesia and afflicted by Ornithropy, a horrific disease but the source of immense power. As you explore the depths of Shu, you’ll enhance your arsenal, master new skills harvested from fallen foes, and evolve your fighting style by sacrificing

Red Mercury.

Battle against grotesque abominations, drawing on ancient lore to challenge the creeping darkness that threatens the humanity that remains. As you piece together Wuchang’s lost memories, your choices will lead you to one of several endings— each determined by the choices made, secrets unearthed and the allies you choose to trust. Will you reveal the truths of Wuchang’s curse and bring peace to Shu, or will you succumb to the encroaching horrors? The fate of the land rests in your hands. Nothing is Forever.

New Updates for Live Games

Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Releases October 8 – Pre-purchase Now and Get In-game Rewards Today

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, PC via Battle.net, Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4

Prepare yourself for the next chapter of Diablo IV from Blizzard Entertainment: Vessel of Hatred, the game’s first expansion, emerges on October 8. Unleash the power of the Spiritborn, a new class that harnesses the mystical spirits of the jungle for swift and devastating attacks. The hunt for Neyrelle begins anew as she strives to thwart Mephisto’s sinister plot. Dive into the jungle region of Nahantu, where new Dungeons, Strongholds, and enemies await, along with a new PvE coop activity where you can team up to take down challenges for promising rewards. Plus, recruit new Mercenaries to aid you in your quest, grow in power as they progress, and help you in combat with their unique abilities.

Embrace the shadows on October 8! Vessel of Hatred is set to redefine your journey through Sanctuary. Pre-purchase now and unlock immediate in-game rewards. The darkness does not rest – neither should you.

The Elder Scrolls Online Invites You to Discover Tamriel

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam, Epic Games Store, cloud, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4

Celebrating a decade of adventures within Tamriel’s Second Era, The Elder Scrolls Online invites you to begin your epic story with a new

trailer. Whether you’re an Elder Scrolls veteran or a newcomer to the series, you can explore an ever-growing world, party up with your fellow adventures, and discover why over 24 million players have now experienced the award-winning online RPG.

June also features the launch of ESO’s latest Chapter, The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road, now available on PC/Mac and coming June 18 on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles. Unravel the mystery of the return of the Forgotten Prince, unlock the Scribing System to create your own abilities, and delve into the region of West Weld, a part of Tamriel not seen since The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

Fallout 76 Skyline Valley Release Date Announced

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam, cloud, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, or play it day one with Game Pass

In Skyline Valley’s major expansion of the world map, you’ll cross the Savage Divide and travel to the southern reaches of Appalachia. This picturesque new region, Skyline Valley, introduces fresh locations to explore among the woodlands once known as Shenandoah National Park.

Seek out Vault 63 and uncover its mysteries. Learn the truth about the Lost, the electric Ghouls that inhabit the Vault, and their enigmatic overseer, Hugo Stolz. You’ll chase storms in Skyline Valley’s new Public Event, Dangerous Pastimes, and fight new region bosses, a monumental trifecta of Robo-brains. Skyline Valley comes to Fallout 76 on June 12.

Sea of Thieves Season 13 Update: Being Bad Can Sometimes Feel Good

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Steam, cloud, PlayStation 5, Game Pass

Rare showed off their dark side with a fiery new Sea of Thieves trailer, heralding the return of Captain Flameheart and inviting players to become the boss fight. An all-new world event will pit pirates against Flameheart’s mighty flagship in order to seize it, raining fire on their foes with a skeleton crew at their command and reaping the rewards of their dastardly deeds. This thrilling new encounter is part of Sea of Thieves: Season 13, which arrives on July 25 as a free update for all players on Xbox, PC and PS5.

Starfield Shattered Space Reveal Trailer, Plus Highlights from the June Update

Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, Game Pass

Deep in the dark reaches of space, the followers of the Great Serpent live shrouded in mystery. Begin an epic new story and explore House Va’ruun territory in Shattered Space, Starfield’s first major expansion. Watch the reveal trailer now and experience the story of House Va’ruun when Shattered Space launches later this year.

In addition to the first look at Shattered Space, highlights from Starfield‘s latest major update were shared immediately following the Xbox Showcase. Official mod support with the launch of Creations, the first new quest DLC with the introduction of Trackers Alliance, new bounty hunting features, and improvements to melee weapons are the highlights of Starfield’s June Update.

The June Update is now available on Xbox Series X|S and PC.

The Darkness Calls on August 26 with World of Warcraft: The War Within PC via Battle.net

Blizzard Entertainment’s 10th World of Warcraft expansion and the opening chapter of the most ambitious story arc in the game’s near 20-year history, The War Within is set to launch on August 26.

This upcoming expansion, the first of three in The Worldsoul Saga will draw you deep into the mythology of World of Warcraft, weaving narrative threads from the past two decades together in a way that will captivate players both old and new. For a limited time, Blizzard is offering the Welcome to Azeroth Bundle, which includes everything players need to begin their adventure in Azeroth. The bundle includes the current expansion –the critically acclaimed Dragonflight, a level 60 character boost, and 60 days of game time, for $24.99 USD.

Don’t miss out on this legendary adventure! Join the community today, explore the wonders of Dragon Isles, and prepare yourself for The War Within pre-purchases are available now through Battle.net.

Hardware Announcements

Three New Xbox Series X|S Console Options Revealed

Three new Xbox Series X|S console options are joining our current lineup, and we’re excited to give players more ways to join gaming with Xbox – it’s the best way to enjoy the diverse experiences crafted by game creators. This holiday, our 1TB Series S in Robot White, an all-digital Xbox Series X, and a 2TB Xbox Series X Special Edition in Galaxy Black will be available in select markets (console assortment will vary by market). Stay tuned for updates in the coming months where we’ll provide information about market availability and regional Estimated Retail Pricing (ERP) when we share pre-order details.

With the incredible lineup of games shown at the Xbox Games Showcase 2024 and Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6 Direct, this is one of the best years ever to upgrade your console or jump into Xbox for the first time. 10/10 Xbox the Hype Train continues!

summer games fest 2024

Summer Game Fest kicked off Friday 7th June 2024 with a two-hour extravaganza of game trailers, announcements, and surprise reveals.

In addition to new looks at Capcom’s Monster Hunter Wilds, Atlus’ Metaphor: ReFantazio, and Funcom’s Dune: Awakening, viewers were treated to plenty of new games and first looks at gameplay. Here’s everything big announced at Summer Game Fest 2024.

LEGO HORIZON ADVENTURES

Aloy’s adventures through a post-postapocalyptic wasteland just got a lot... cuter? And silly! Lego Horizon Adventures is an isometric, Lego-fied take on Guerrilla Games’ open-world adventure series, and it’s coming to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Windows PC later this year.

HARRY POTTER QUIDDITCH CHAMPIONS

The multiplayer Quidditch game set in the wizarding world of Harry Potter is coming this summer. Our first look at Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions also comes with a release date: The game will come to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X on Sept. 3. It’ll be available through PlayStation Plus on day one.

CUFFBUST

The developer behind horror train game Choo Choo Charles revealed Cuffbust, a cute, chaotic prison escape game in which you play as Jailiens trying to bust out of the hoosegow. It’s out in 2025.

SID MEIER’S CIVILIZATION 7

The next entry in the Civilization series is finally official. Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 will bring the grand historical 4X turn-based strategy game series back and destroy your sleep schedule when it’s released on PC and consoles in 2025.

STREET FIGHTER 6 YEAR 2 CHARACTERS

BRING THE CAPCOM VS. SNK

The Street Fighter 6 roster is expanding, with M. Bison (this summer), Fatal Fury’s Terry Bogard (fall) and Mai Shiranui (winter 2025), and Street Fighter 3’s Elena (spring 2025), Capcom revealed at Summer Game Fest.

DRAGON BALL: SPARKING! ZERO

The Dragon Ball Budokai Tenkaichi series returns with Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero this fall. The high-flying fighting game comes to PS5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X on Oct. 11.

FATAL FURY: CITY OF THE WOLVES

A new trailer for SNK’s Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves confirms an early 2025 release window on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X, as well as showing new fighters B. Jenet and Vox Reaper in action.

MONSTER HUNTER WILDS

Capcom’s already shown plenty from Monster Hunter Wilds, the next-game in the open-world action-adventure hunting franchise. At Summer Game Fest, Monster Hunter aficionados learned even more, thanks to an appearance from series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto and a new trailer. Tsujimoto promised another look at Monster Hunter Wilds later this summer at Gamescom Opening Night Live.

METAPHOR: REFANTAZIO

Persona fans, take note. Atlus and Studio Zero revealed more about Metaphor: ReFantazio, their new turn-based fantasy strategy game with a new trailer and a release date: Oct. 11 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.

SIX TITLES FROM BLUMHOUSE GAMES

Blumhouse, the movie production company that turns indie-budget horror films into blockbuster hits (most of the time), is getting into games. At Summer Game Fest, the new Blumhouse Games division revealed its first projects: Crisol Theater of Idols from Vermila Studios, Grave Seasons from Perfect Garbage, Sleep Awake from Eyes Out, Fear the Spotlight from Cozy Game Pals, The Simulation from PlayMeStudio, and Project C from Sam Barlow and Brandon Cronenberg.

ALAN WAKE 2: NIGHT SPRINGS

More Alan Wake is coming. Remedy’s first expansion for Alan Wake 2 presents “mysterious, terrifying, and quirky what-if scenarios,” Sam Lake says, with clear The Twilight Zone vibe. Alan Wake 2: Night Springs will be out this weekend.

PHANTOM BLADE 0

S-Game’s new trailer for character action game Phantom Blade 0 looked more Sekiro-like than ever at Summer Game Fest.

SLITTERHEAD

The new horror game from ex-Silent Hill and Siren developers may not be what you were expecting, but Slitterhead has some fascinating design choices, like the ability to make machine guns, swords, spears, and claws out human blood to battle horribly mutated human beings. Slitterhead also got a release date: Nov. 8.

DUNE: AWAKENING

Funcom’s Dune survival MMO continues to look great, and in a new story-heavy trailer, we get a look at the setup for Dune: Awakening: a universe without Paul Atreides.

MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: RITA’S REWIND

A new Power Rangers game from Digital Eclipse, the developer increasingly known for its carefully researched and lavishly presented archival retro game collections, was revealed at Summer Game Fest. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind takes classic moments from the show and wraps them in retro gameplay styles, with a time-travelling twist.

CAIRN

The creators behind Furi and Haven revealed their next project, an intense-looking and stylish mountain-climbing game named Cairn.

WANDERSTOP

Annapurna Interactive and Ivy Road — which is le by Davey Wreden, creator of The Stanley Parable, Karla Zimonja, co-creator of Gone Home and Tacoma, and Daniel “C418” Rosenfeld, the composer behind the music of Minecraft — revealed Wanderstop, which they describe as “a narrative-centric cozy game about change and tea.” As fallen fighter Alta, “you manage a tea shop within a magical forest and tend to the customers who pass through,” something she doesn’t really want to do. Sounds like there’s another layer to this one... Wanderstop is coming to PlayStation 5 and PC.

SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS

Sega’s remaster of Sonic Generations, now with extra Shadow the Hedgehog, is coming Oct. 25.

VALORANT IS COMING TO PS5 AND XBOX

Riot Games’ tactical team-based shooter is making the jump from PC to console. Valorant’s PS5 and Xbox Series X versions launch later this year, with a limited beta test kicking off June 14.

HYPER LIGHT BREAKER

Heart Machine gave Hyper Light Drifter fans a long and enticing look at the 3D sequel, Hyper Light Breaker, and brought some good news: The new game is coming to Steam early access this summer.

DELTA FORCE: HAWK OPS

Delta Force: Hawk Ops is the latest instalment in the classic Delta Force shooter franchise, and this one includes multiplayer PvP, an extraction mode, and a full remaster of the original Delta Force: Black Hawk Down video game, based on the Ridley Scott movie.

NEVA

Summer Game Fest gave us a look at Neva, the “emotionally-charged action adventure” from the developer of Gris. According to the game’s official description, “Neva chronicles the story of Alba, a young woman bound to a curious wolf cub following a traumatic encounter with dark forces. Together they embark on a perilous journey through a once-beautiful world as it slowly decays around them.”

BLACK MYTH: WUKONG

Action game Black Myth: Wukong is a great looking game, but the latest trailer is all CG. The PC game is coming Aug. 20.

KUNITSU-GAMI: PATH OF THE GODDESS

Capcom’s fantasy strategy-action game Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess got a surprise (surprisingly soon) release date: July 19.

Overall the showcase was great, adding release dates to many anticipated games and really beefing up the love for indie games. We look forward to seeing Geoff Keighley once again for opening night live at Gamescom on 20th August which Sawyer here at The Gamer Guide will be attending in person.

nintendo direct

Nintendo held its first Direct of the year back on June 18th and in case you missed it here are the biggest announcements Nintendo made during its June 2024 Direct stream. Nintendo may not have shown the next Switch console which we know is coming, they did however show a bunch of games coming to Switch in the near future to tide you over until the new switch does drop.

Mario & Luigi: Brothership

After almost a decade since the last one, Nintendo is bringing back its beloved Mario & Luigi turn-based RPG franchise with Brothership. It’s in 3D now, but still features a ton of flashy partner moves between everyone’s favourite plumber brothers, to go along with a new nautical setting and a gang of villains who all appear to be based on electrical equipment. This game launches on Nov. 7.

Fantasian Neo Dimension

Fantasian hit iPhones a few years ago as part of Apple Arcade, but it’s been begging for a proper console release — and, well — we’re getting that at some point in winter 2024. Fantasian Neo Dimension is a turn-based RPG from Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, with music by legendary Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

This is an HD port of a 2009 Wii game, so it’s not too exciting. But Donkey Kong Country Returns was always a solid, more modern take on the old DKC games, with stylish visuals, great music, and an acceptable level of challenge.

Marvel Arcade Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

Square Enix is remaking three old Dragon Quest games in a new, gorgeous art style. Using the same “HD-2D” tech that powered Octopath Traveler and Live a Live, the original DQ trilogy will launch in a weird order. Dragon Quest III is coming out on Nov. 14, while the remakes of the two games before it will launch sometime in 2025. Apparently, there’s some reason why you’d want to play them in that order, specifically, but you’ll have to wait to find out.

Capcom made a bunch of kick-ass Marvel superhero arcade games in the ‘90s — and they’re all back in this collection. The most important inclusion is Marvel vs. Capcom 2, of course, but there’s a bunch of others to go along with cool-looking museum features.

Marvel Arcade Fighting Collection launches on Switch this year.

Super Mario Party Jamboree

Mario Party is back! Nintendo’s devilish board/ party game franchise returns with Jamboree, which brings with it several new maps as well as some remastered old maps from previous Mario Party games. Again, you kinda know whether or not this interests you already.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Holy mackerel, they finally made a game where you play as Princess Zelda! It launches on Sept. 26.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

This one doesn’t feel real, but it is, somehow. Metroid Prime 4 was originally announced with nothing but a logo in 2017. In 2019, Nintendo announced that it was restarting development with a new team. Five and a half long years passed and people started to doubt whether we’d ever see Prime 4 at all.

But Nintendo came through, showing a couple minutes of fresh-looking gameplay footage just to prove that the game does, indeed, exist. It’s called Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and launches some time in 2025 for Nintendo Switch. We think it’s for Switch, anyway.

Through their campaign, Wish 200 Week, the charity Make-A-Wish UK is bringing together gamers, content creators and the games industry to help grant 200 wishes for critically ill children across the country.

Creators already signed up to take part include DanTDM; Slogo and Jelly; and Smallish Beans from Hermitcraft server. From 22 until 28 July audiences will be able to watch their favourite gamers such as Knightenator, Becsters and SariaSlays stream challenges, and support in raising vital funds for Make-A-Wish UK. The charity is encouraging as many creators to sign up and take part as possible.

To kick off this year, ten-year-old Ewan Reeve from Isle of Wight, was granted his wish to meet YouTubers Slogo and Jelly after finding much needed distraction and community with their gaming videos whilst recovering from surgery for a brain tumour.

“It came out of the blue. He hadn’t been poorly for very long,” said mum Stefanie.

In August of 2022, after an MRI scan revealed that her then eight-year-old son had a brain tumour, Mum and Ewan were rushed to Southampton Hospital.

Just three weeks after his initial symptoms, Ewan underwent surgery to remove the tumour. Ewan then began a seven-week course of intense radiotherapy in London, followed by four blocks of high dose chemotherapy in Southampton - a world away from the family home in the Isle of Wight. Ewan’s diagnosis not only separated him from his brother and dadit robbed him of his basic skills. As Mum told us, “After his surgery, he had lost most of his mobility on his right side, so he had to learn how to eat, walk and write again.”

But there was one thing that allowed Ewan to

connect with his brother whilst in hospitalcatching up on Slogo and Jelly’s latest YouTube videos.

“The night before his brain tumour operation, I said we can put their videos on to put his mind into a good place. When he came round from the operation, he could barely talk but asked to watch their videos. We were in hospital for four and a half months, completely isolated from the outside world. We had to create our own comfort and Slogo and Jelly were it.”

When the family found out they were eligible to have a wish granted by Make-A-Wish, it was this love for Slogo and Jelly’s videos that inspired Ewan’s wish to meet them. More than 63,000 children in the UK like Ewan have been diagnosed with a critical condition and are eligible for a wish. That number is estimated to reach over 73,000 by 2030. During their time together, Slogo, Jelly and Ewan sat down to play Minecraft, building a mansion with the Minecraft pros before battling some zombies, Ewan’s favourite part of the wish. Even Ewan’s brother Finley, also a fan of the gaming duo, was able to have a play.

Make-A-Wish UK has seen a 400% increase in gaming-related wishes in recent years, with more children than ever finding a lifeline in gaming whilst undergoing treatment for critical conditions, meaning many of the wishes will go to members of the gaming community themselves. For children like Ewan, wishes aren’t just nice-to-have, they serve as an urgently needed experience, redefining a childhood that was once shaped by their condition.

“After having gone through so much he was quite shy, but on his wish, he was chatting to Slogo and Jelly so much- he was so confident!” expressed Mum Stefanie. For her, the highlight of the wish was “seeing him so happy meant so much for Ewan and I, it’s all you want as a parent.”

The charity is calling on studios and developers, gamers and streamers to get involved with Wish 200 Week and grant wishes with every game to raise funds for 200 wishes for critically ill children just like Ewan. Rob Small, President and Co-Founder of Miniclip. Rob helped the charity to create the Wish 200 Week campaign. Rob said: “I’m very proud to support Wish 200 Week again this year. Over the years it’s been incredibly rewarding to see the impact that wishes can have on critically ill children.

“For children battling critical illness, there is no time to wait for a wish that could bring joy, healing and strength during their toughest times and Make-A-Wish UK needs our help to grant more wishes, sooner – before it’s too late. The community spirit we have in the games industry is unmatched, so it’s no surprise that so many people come together each year and harness that to help create incredible memories for families to treasure forever, no matter what the future holds. I would urge everyone to join us in making this Wish 200 Week the biggest yet.”

Partners supporting the campaign include Miniclip, First Touch Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Overclockers UK, Logitech G, Play Ventures, Playrix, Diva Agency and Perpetual Games.

Jason Suckley, Chief Executive at Make-AWish UK said “Every child deserves to wish for more than a life defined by illness. Gaming is a lifeline for children undergoing treatment and unable to attend school or clubs with their friends. It allows children to leave behind the everyday realities of their condition, bringing entertainment, connection and achievement into their lives. A growing number of our wishes are gaming focused, and we know these gaming related wishes have a hugely positive impact on improving a young person’s mental health at a time when they need it the most. We are calling on streamers, gamers, and industry partners to take part in Wish 200 Week by streaming, fundraising and donating to help us to grant even more wishes, sooner.” Wishes granted provide respite and distraction from the challenges critically ill children like Ewan face every day.

DDS2 also known as Drug Dealer Simulation 2 is a simulation game that lets you step into the shoes of a budding drug tycoon. This game is meant for entertainment purposes only and strictly over 18s only.

The story within Drug Dealer Simulator 2 puts us into the shoes of a new drug tycoon who is trying to reclaim their name in the Isla Sombra region, a dashing archipelago filled with many people from all walks of life, paired with different landscapes such as mountainous areas and beaches, to rural villages and bustling downtown, Drug Dealer Simulator 2 has all the landscapes fit for a new drug empire.

Another aspect that helps elevate the story of Drug Dealer Simulator 2 is the numerous important characters that we encounter throughout our journey in Isla Sombra. The first notable character will be Llazo, Overall, while the story is technically there, I don’t feel any weight in them, be it from the dialogues, which for me, sounds incredibly bland and the cast doesn’t give it their all and just reading the lines from the script to the overarching story which seems grand at first. Still, it’s fetch quests after fetch quests but masked as a drug dealer’s story.

Once we get the backstory of how we end up in Isla Sombra, and how we are there to be the

next big drug kingpin on the island, it’s time to dwell into Drug Dealer Simulator 2‘s main strength for the next part of this review, which will highlight its gameplay. For that purpose, I will divide the gameplay section into two, one for highlighting Drug Dealer Simulator 2‘s drug production system, and the other for its drug distribution mechanism.

The first major element of Drug Dealer Simulator 2‘s gameplay is the way we can produce the good stuff for our empire that will fuel the people of Isla Sombra for days and weeks, even for years if possible: the drugs. Now, of course, things don’t start big right off the bat, and creating your cartel is no different. At first, your tools for producing drugs are heavily limited and confined to just one hideout, which is The Bunker. Here, you will meet one of your best buddies who can help set up the entire operation.

The drug production itself is relatively simple and concise, as I was able to produce everything that the good people of Isla Sombra need after following the tutorial just once, and I have to commend the developers for making sure that the production side of the cartel is not bogged down with needless explanations and tidbits that might hinder the flow of Drug Dealer Simulator 2.

It is not complete to talk about being a cartel without mentioning drug distribution, because without this process, no matter how much you produce, be it 10 kilograms or even 10 tons won’t matter if you can’t move them from one place to another. Fortunately, Drug Dealer Simulator 2 has many ways to let its players figure out how to handle and distribute the drugs effectively.

Once you manage to secure a robust drug pipeline, it’s time to distribute them to the people of Isla Sombra. Initially, you must distribute them manually by accepting the requests through your Phone (by holding the Tab button and then holding the F button to accept a request), and then head out to their respective regions such as Small Island, Archipelago, and so on. While I understand from the story and gameplay perspectives, this initial drug distribution system feels super clunky and more of a chore than actual distribution to promote your cartel’s products. There’s almost no fun in doing them, and they feel more like obligated fetch quests.

However, things do start to feel much better and more streamlined after a certain point in the story. Once you get yourself the first distributor, usually obtainable after you have finished several missions for Llazo and other characters in the Archipelago area, you can then start to expand beyond the initial areas without having to go back and forth between your supplies and the buyers. Moreover, at this point in the game, your money should start increasing substantially thanks to all the drugs you sell in the game, so purchasing a vehicle from the Mechanic is a great investment to

improve your mobility from one area to another. Not only will this help with the initial slog of drug distribution in Drug Dealer Simulator 2, but it will also enhance your effectiveness in getting from one important place to another, such as from the Furniture Store to the Pawn Shop.

The one thing that stands out for me is the lack of animations for almost everything within the world of Drug Dealer Simulator 2. Even the interactable items, such as houses, NPCs, and vehicles’ doors are static and do not give any feedback no matter what input we use, be it for trading, travelling, or entering your secure Hideouts. However, I have to give credit where credit is due, as the developers successfully provide relatively smooth and fluid combat mechanisms and animations, where every hit I land against the police or other gangs has weights behind them, making the combat rewarding and satisfying.

Moving on to Drug Dealer Simulator 2‘s sound design, while there are no remarkable music pieces or sound effects throughout my playthrough, I don’t find any particular faults with them, there’s no bugs or anything that hinders my enjoyment of the game, and I have to tip my hat off to Byterunners for making everything works here, albeit not remarkable in any way.

Overall, unfortunately, Drug Dealer Simulator 2‘s graphics and sound design are not its strengths, though I’m certain future patches and updates can further improve everything here, because I see the potential that this game has, and it will be unfortunate if the developers abandon it before fully polishing everything.

Overall TGG Rating

6.5/10

Audio 6/10

Audio isn’t exactly the best but being in beta there is room for improvement

Visuals

6/10

While not award-winning, the game’s visuals are somewhat decent for a sim like game.

Playability

7/10

The game offers robust resource management for drug production and distribution. You’ll interact with various characters and factions. However, there’s some filler content, and transportation options are lacking

Delivery

7/10

Drug Dealer Simulator 2 has potential but needs polish. If you’re into this genre, it’s worth checking out.

Version tested: PC

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

protagonist of Still Wakes the Deep, then the arrival of a mysterious cosmic horror running rampant throughout the Beira D oil platform is just salt in the wound. Caz’s day is about to go from bad to much, much worse as it happens. And what follows is an intense, nerve-jangling first-person horror experience that doesn’t let up for long.

Taking its title from a fictional poem called ‘The Trawlermen’, Still Wakes the Deep instantly grabs you and immerses you inside its lived-in microcosm. It opens within the boxy confines of Caz’s small room – a relative moment of quiet that does little to prepare you for the claustrophobia and constant sense of unease that ensues. Caz is already having a rotten time before shite hits the proverbial fan. His belligerent boss, Rennick, wants to see him in his office, and it can’t be for anything good.

Cue an angry exchange liberally peppered with effin’ and jeffin’, and Caz finds himself fired, forced to depart the Beira D by chopper. Except there’s no way he’s getting out of here anytime soon; not without a fight. As Caz approaches the helicopter, all hell breaks loose, and the rig is engulfed by a bizarre, fleshy mass, a seemingly alien organism that’s weaved its way through every corridor and crevice, breathing

It falls to Caz to find a way off the Beira D, but with a violent storm raging, and friendly cook Roy not faring so well in the canteen storeroom, the odds are stacked against him. It’s deathly cold, it’s inhospitable, the rig is being steadily torn apart and filling with seawater, and there’s a murderous lumpen after you. There’s a good reason Still Wakes the Deep enables you to quickly whip your viewpoint around 180-degrees with a click of the right stick you’re being relentlessly hounded and that thing doesn’t give up.

You’re able to hide in lockers, cubbyholes, and other nooks, throwing objects like wrenches, hammers, mugs, flasks, hardhats, or whatever else is at hand to create a distraction. But invariably, you’ll end up having to frantically sprint to safety, squeezing into a tight gap or narrow ventilation shaft for brief respite from the chase. Caz is the rig’s electrician, but his fraught situation means he soon has to become a jack of all trades, firing up short circuited ‘jennies’ (generators), releasing the lifeboats, and draining rising water from the platform’s flooded legs

There’s a lot of throwing levers, pushing buttons, turning creaky valves, and flicking switches in an effort to keep ailing systems running, to

find some way to escape. The Beira D feels like an entirely authentic place; groaning and clanking as it dies a slow and agonising death – its struts, gantries, cranes, and pipework are bent and tangled like spaghetti, stairways and ladders sheared off, thoroughfares aflame beneath unending, lashing rain. Every inch of Still Wakes the Deep’s setting is hostile before you even consider the abominations stalking Caz at every turn.

It’s a desperate situation, and the rig’s crew of mostly Scottish workers react believably to each unbelievable occurrence. In what’s become typical of developer The Chinese Room’s output, dialogue is impeccably written and everyone speaks as you’d expect. Who, trapped and hunted like this, wouldn’t spout a stream of expletives? It’s perfectly, quintessentially British, and it all rings true. Or, at least as true as a horror scenario like Still Wakes the Deep can be. This is practically movie-quality stuff, making it difficult to put the game down once you’ve picked it up. I finished Still Wakes the Deep in a single sitting, so propulsive and compelling is its narrative.

Hints of Caz’s past come through as the screen edges bubble like melting celluloid, and, suddenly, Still Wakes the Deep becomes a metaphor. Is Caz really experiencing all of this? Did something else happen to him before the rig was taken over by the monster’s unctuous tentacles and bloated pustules that shimmer like luminescent pearls? Is he really trying to escape his difficult past flashbacks to arguments with his wife Suze hint at something more complicated not to be taken at face value. There’s more going on here than meets the eye. This is The Chinese Room at its finest, then. The same studio that defined the so-called ‘walking simulator’ with Dear Esther in 2012, firing on all cylinders to create an experience that wholly envelops you for the entirety of its lean 5-6 hour duration, right up until the inevitable denouement and downbeat epilogue. Still Wakes the Deep offers no simple answers, no neat and satisfying conclusions or Hollywood ending. Instead it delivers the walking simulator as a haunted house; one with little walking and a lot of running, a cinematic survival horror in which both the monster and the setting conspire to kill you. And it’s superb.

Overall TGG Rating

Still Wakes the Deep is wonderfully, authentically Scottish even the carpets on the Beira D oil rig are tartan. It’s also a singularly immersive and utterly memorable piece of work that’s among The Chinese Room’s very best.

8.5/10

Audio

9/10

Composer Jason Grave’s soundtrack is incredibly atmospheric and used sparingly, while the voice cast ensemble does a great job across the board in engendering a sense of danger and desperation. Excellent stuff.

Visuals

8/10

The frame rate can seem a bit sludgy at times, but the level of detail on show is excellent. The Beira D oil rig feels lived-in and authentic, while the driving rain outside is suitably oppressive.

Playability

9/10

Using the right trigger to grip and the left stick to manipulate levers, breaker switches, and so on, feels fantastically tactile. Everything is intuitive and makes sense, so there’s nothing to complain about here.

Delivery

9/10

Exactly the right length at 5-6 hours, Still Wakes the Deep is hard to put down once you’ve started. With a compelling, well-written story, this is of the typically high standard you’d expect from The Chinese Room.

Version tested: PC

Reviewed by: Brandon Sawyer

SCHiM is a relaxing 3D puzzle platformer where you clear levels by jumping from shadow to shadow in an interactive world. What originally started out as a school project for Ewoud van der Werf has now evolved into a full fledge game with the help of co-developer Nils Slijkerman and the publishing team of Extra Nice and PLAYISM(Japan).

In this game you play as something called a Schim, a blobby frog like creature (Schim is the Dutch word for shadow/apparition). Everyone and everything has a Schim and unfortunately you end up getting separated from your person. The ultimate goal in this game is to make your way back to this person of yours, however as a Schim you can only travel in shadows.

The core mechanic of this game is utilising the shadows casted by the people and objects around you to complete the levels. The movement between shadows feels polished and as the levels progress you get increased complexity in how you interact with the environment around you to form your shadow stepping stones - the factory/warehouse level is definitely one of my favourite levels to play through! However The fun, complex, and creative methods to clear the level don’t come soon enough as the early levels can feel a bit repetitive.

The 3D element of the game comes as an ability to switch camera angles to show objects, shadows, and areas that are obscured by other

things in the level. SCHiM also has a feature in the game where you can see the target location to reach so you’ll always know the general direction you need to head towards, but it does a good job with not giving away the steps you need to take to reach the goal.

Additional options will unlock after completing the first playthrough, providing replayability through increased difficulty. Players can choose to make the game more challenging for themselves with options such as disabling the extra jump, removing level checkpoints, and enabling ‘Risky Mode’, which gives you a finite amount of lives (find out more about Risky Mode in our interview with Ewoud further in this issue).

The majority of levels will have something you’ll can collect, usually an object of some sort, that will then become part of the level and help you by providing another shadow you can hop to. Once you have completed a level you can see how many collectibles there are in total for each level and how many you have collected; a nice little quality of life feature that could have been easily overlooked.

The key selling point of SCHiM is definitely the shadow jumping in collaboration with interacting with the world, but there is also story that is being told as you progress through the levels. The story follows the struggles of the person your Schim becomes separated from. You’ll witness the relentlessness of life your person

experiences; disappointment and heartbreak being thrown at them without a hint of a break. The game has zero dialogue so the story is being told through the emphasis of other elements, such as body language and the tone of the soundtrack at specific moments to convey the character’s emotions. Some cutscenes feel like they did drag on for a bit too long but overall I feel the developers did a good job in trying to tell a story without any dialogue. However it is a ‘mechanics first, and story second’ type of game.

It’s fantastic to see SCHiM, an indie game with such a small development team, have the accessibility options they have available from launch. The game currently supports up to 34 different languages and it is playable on controller as well as mouse and keyboard. The game allow players to re-bind action and movement inputs on both controller and keyboard. There is also the option to increase the outline thickness to make objects easier to see, and players can even change the colours on each individual level from the colour palette to whatever colour combination they want,

which is an amazing feature to have for gamers with colourblindness.

My playtime clocked in at around 5 hours after completing the story. This is without exploring the levels, looking for collectibles, increasing the difficulty for another playthrough, or playing on Risky Mode. This was at a pretty neutral pace for me - not rushing through the levels, but at the same time not dragging my little blobby froggy feet either.

As of writing this review, the price is currently £20.99 on Steam, Nintendo eShop, as well as Xbox. It is ever so slightly cheaper at £19.99 on the Playstation store.

Overall SCHiM is an enjoyable wholesome puzzle platformer that is centre around a fun and interesting mechanic. You can binge it all in one gaming session, or hop on for a quick couple of levels - whichever way you choose to play it, the chill lo-fi beats will keep you nice and relaxed as you enjoy the game at a pace you are comfortable with.

overall tgg rating

A fun and wholesome 3D puzzle platformer with a unique core game mechanic. A game to kickback and relax with.

8/10

Audio 8/10

The soundtrack keeps in theme with the chill and wholesome vibes the game is aiming for. Players can interact with almost anything that casts a shadow in the world, and each one have their unique sound effects for players to discover.

Visuals

8.5/10

Sometimes simple is better and this is definitely one of those times. The graphics and colour schemes keep the levels tidy and allows the core mechanic to shine. Beauty in simplicity.

Playability

8.5/10

Smooth gameplay and easy mechanics allows players to focus on the puzzles. World interaction added an additional level of puzzle solving. Replayability via increasing the difficulty after first playthrough.

Delivery

7.5/10

Unique core mechanics that is also straightforward to understand. Could benefit with introducing more complex puzzles earlier on to alleviate feelings of repetitiveness.

Version tested: PC via Steam

Reviewed by: Jamie Yong

developer interview

Game Title: Platforms:

Developers: Publishers:

Ewoud van der Werf, Nils Slijkerman Extra Nice, PLAYISM(Japan)

Interviewee:

Interviewer:

Ewoud van der Werf

Jamie Yong

Hi Ewoud! Thank you very much for taking the time to have a chat with us! Can you tell our readers a bit about who you are?

Hello Jamie, thank you for interviewing me! My name is Ewoud van der Werf, I’m a 22 year old game developer from the north of The Netherlands.

You released a new game that came out on the 18th of July called SCHiM. What is the game about and what can players expect from it?

SCHiM is a game all about jumping from shadow to shadow. You play as a little shadow creature, called a schim. A schim is the soul and spirit of an object or living being. Everything with a shadow has a schim. You play as the schim of a person, you watch them grow up and get a job, but on one faithful day, you get separated from them. And you have to find your way back! You can expect a relaxing platforming experience with great tunes!

What was the inspiration behind the concept of SCHiM?

Our biggest influence is the childlike imagination of made-up games, like the floor is lava or stepping within the tiles on the sidewalk. Another inspiration is the jumping and swimming through ink mechanic from Splatoon. We often hear that the game reminds people of Ghost Trick, which I haven’t played yet but I would love to check out when I get more time to play games myself.

You mentioned in previous interviews that SCHiM was originally a school project created for an exam. How is the game now in comparison to the original scope? Are there

any aspects or features that are completely different now?

The game has been through many iterations since the exam period, the original idea was to make it more action packed and quick parkour, like in Clustertruck. But that has been adjusted to be more relaxing and forgiving. It also got a lot of additional world and story building, motion captured animations, and loads of interacts on all kinds of different shadows.

I love the abstract world the game is set in. What influenced your decision to build a world with this art style and limited colour scheme?

When I started the project, I decided to make a game using only four colours. The reason being that is because I have a form of colourblindness, and I didn’t want to bother too much with colour combinations. Later this changed from the entire game only having a limited palette, to every level having its own color palette.

Another inspiration for the style is the ligne claire art style pioneered by TinTin and seen in other European comics.

a place that looks exactly the same both in SCHiM and in real life?

Most levels are loosely inspired by existing places in our own area. I am from a small city called Sneek, which I took some inspiration from: there are a few levels that take place there. And I based a few assets on the things you’d see there, like benches, trash cans and bicycle racks. Some like-for-like resembling locations are the “Waterpoort” in Sneek, a cow statue from Leeuwarden which is located on a roundabout and the Trainstation from Leeuwarden.

My colleague Nils Slijkerman, the level designer of SCHiM, took inspiration from his local town. The “West Frisian omringdijk” is also in the game.

Are there any accessibility options available in SCHiM?

We have a few accessibility options in place. The standard settings like button remapping, audio sliders, and multiple (34) languages. But we also have a few specific settings; to disable the splash sounds of the shadows, increasing the outline thickness. And the player can change the current colour palette with a colour picking menu, similar to our schim.art website!

The game as a whole has been designed in a way where it is quite forgiving and only needs a couple of buttons. People with physical disabilities have been kept in mind with this.

In the game options there is something called “Risky Mode”. Could you tell us about what this mode does?

Risky Mode is an extra mode that unlocks when you complete the full game, it adds more difficulty for players who want to replay the game. You have to complete the whole game with a limited amount of moments in the light, when you fail a jump and stay in the light, you will lose one of your 20 lives. When you reach 0, you will need to start over again from the beginning. Additionally there are also 2 settings to turn off - the extra hop and the checkpoints in the game. These 3 options

combined are very challenging, which will be another interesting way to replay the game.

SCHiM has a very chill vibe to it, and it feels like players can solve the puzzles and levels at their own pace. I feel like I can hop into the shadow of a car and explore the level. With that in mind, are there any potential easter eggs hidden away for players to find?

We love to see players explore each of the levels, so we made sure there are a few easter eggs, interactable objects and collectables hidden throughout! Reuniting all the schim with their objects is a great way to explore more and find a couple of challenging-to-reach areas.

What was your favourite part or moment during the development of SCHiM?

During development we have made numerous design choices/rules that have made it a lot more challenging for ourselves as well. We don’t use any text apart from the menu and the tutorial elements which made conveying the story quite challenging. We have had multiple angles and takes on the story and the earliest versions just didn’t land with the testers. That moment that we had the version that landed

with the player and it clicking for the players was amazing! Besides that, getting invited to places like Tokyo Game Show and going to Japan for the first time in our lives was a highlight for sure. We have been to some amazing places and met awesome people along the way.

Were there any unique challenges that occurred when developing a game like SCHiM?

A challenge unique to SCHiM is that each object that you place has a shadow. So even if you place objects just for decoration, it becomes a platform that players can jump to. Finding the balance between real organic looking places, fun platforming, good flow and direction, and balancing how many objects there are in the world was super challenging in the beginning. Most games have these elements separated.

Did you have any weird and wacky ideas you wanted to implement into the game but for one reason or another it didn’t make it in?

Loads! Most of these interesting ideas confused testers too much. Some might be interesting to explore in the future but we don’t have any concrete plans for that yet. We have prototyped quite a lot of puzzles but if they would stop the player in their tracks it felt like a disruption to the flow, since most players want to keep jumping!

Another example is the flow of time in a level. Where shadows move with the time passing in the level. It’s in the game for a couple of brief moments but levels where it was part of how to solve it confused players extremely because either they didn’t notice the slow change of the shadow or it went so fast that they felt stressed. With the side effect of becoming disoriented since the level looked different after an amount of time had passed.

How has the experience been from what started out as a school project to now having released a full game? Was the plan always to make and release your own game as soon as you finished school?

Even before my game development study, I

have released a couple of my own smaller games, and I have always been creating things. But it was always a dream to create a big game, on the big consoles, and maybe with an original soundtrack. And I am very happy that I have been able to achieve all of that and learn so much in the process!

I thoroughly enjoyed playing SCHiM, from the playtest up to now. I feel the game, as a whole, is fantastic! Was there any point during development that you thought if you had a bigger team you could have potentially implemented more ideas? Or is the game pretty much what you envision it would be in its entirety?

Along the way we have had many chats about where we might need help eventually. At all of these moments, we tested what it was like if we did it ourselves. If we then liked doing it and it turned out the way we wanted it to be we would keep that task for ourselves. In the end, we just liked doing a lot of the things needed. We are very happy that we had the awesome team of Moonsailor for all the audio and music in the game and additional support for PR by Pirate PR, and Hidden Gems Agency have been super helpful. The game is very much how we want it to be!

What’s the plan now that you have released SCHiM for the world to enjoy?

Relaxing, playing other fantastic indie games we missed out on, I have a new engine to learn, and then we’ll see!

And that’s it! Thank you again for taking the time to have a chat with us! SCHiM is out on pretty much every major platform so make sure to go check it out!

Ewoud van der Werf - LinkedIn

Steam Store - Dead Meat meaningmachine.games

Nils Slijkerman - LinkedIn

Steam Store - SCHiM

Itch.io - SCHiM

Extra Nice (Publisher)

PLAYISM (Publisher - Japan)

developer interview

Game Title: Platforms:

Developers: Publishers:

Angry Demon Studio

Wired Productions, CouchPlay Interactive(Greater China)

Interviewee:

Interviewer:

Angry Demon Studio

Jamie Yong

Hi there! First of all, I would like to thank you for taking the time to have this chat with us! Can you tell our readers a bit about who Angry Demon Studio is?

Of course! We’re a passionate team that began as students in Sweden. After finishing our senior year of game development, we decided to create Angry Demon Studio in 2017. Our journey into horror game development started during our third year of college with a project called Unforgiving: A Northern Hymn, which we worked on in our free time after classes. This project eventually evolved into a full game. After founding Angry Demon Studio, we released Unforgiving: A Northern Hymn, in 2017. The success of that game allowed us to grow and develop our second game, Apsulov: End of Gods, which we released in 2019. Now, we’re excitedly working on our third game, Gori: Cuddly Carnage. Our goal is to keep creating high-quality, adrenaline-filled experiences for gamers.

You have a new game coming out on the 29th of August 2024 called Gori: Cuddly Carnage. What is the game about and what can players expect from it?

Oh, it’s going to be a wild ride! Humanity has been wiped out, and it’s up to Gori, along with his wise-cracking sentient hoverboard, F.R.A.N.K, and his morose AI companion, CH1-P, to take down the evil Adorable Army with some seriously lethal combos. Gori: Cuddly Carnage is a hoverboarding skate-and-slash game. It offers fast-paced movement combined with heavy combat and powerful attacks. It might look like a skate game, but it plays like a classic hack and slash.

What was the inspiration behind Gori: Cuddly Carnage?

We drew inspiration from a few different sources. For the hoverboarding, we looked to Airblade. The intense combat was influenced by Lollipop Chainsaw and Devil May Cry 5, while the humor and movement were inspired by Sunset Overdrive. We wanted to blend these elements into something fresh and exciting.

Gori being an orange cat is perfect in my opinion, especially with their chaotic orange cat energy! Is Gori based on one of the dev’s team pet?

Gori’s chaotic orange cat energy is loosely based on my mother’s cat, who also happens to voice the unicorn noises in the game. So there’s a personal touch there!

What influenced the art style in the world of Gori: Cuddly Carnage?

We were influenced by several vibrant and unique games. Our art style takes cues from Borderlands, Lollipop Chainsaw, Jet Set Radio, and Alice: Madness Returns. We aimed to create a visually striking and distinct world that stands out.

With the unique hoverboard movement mechanics as well as the combat mechanics, what factors did you have to consider when designing the different types levels throughout the game?

Our top priority was ensuring that players could maintain a smooth flow during combat and that the hoverboard movement felt precise and satisfying. It was crucial to seamlessly integrate combat with movement to keep the gameplay dynamic and engaging. Thankfully we’ve had a fantastic community to help us with the iterative design of the game since we released our first demo 2020.

One key mechanic you implemented from player feedback was the option for players to either land on the rails themselves with precision movement or land on the rails with a button press. How much has the game changed throughout development regarding the balance between the difficulty of skill-

based mechanics and the game being userfriendly?

Our main goal has always been to ensure players have fun with the game. We didn’t want to set the skill threshold too high. In Gori: Cuddly Carnage, skill enhances the experience, but it’s not mandatory. We’ve balanced the game to be enjoyable for both casual players and those who love mastering mechanics.

Are there any accessibility options available in Gori: Cuddly Carnage?

Yes, there are plenty of accessibility options because it’s something we’re very passionate about. We offer customizable controls, various difficulty levels, subtitles, colorblind modes, and adjustable text sizes to name some of them. These features are essential to make sure as many players as possible can enjoy Gori: Cuddly Carnage and I would love to share my story of why accessibility is important to me personally. But that will be a story for some other day.

Is there an option for players (or parents of players) to switch on a profanity filter as well as switch off/reduce the amount of gore in the game?

Absolutely. There’s an option to turn the blood

into purple toy juice, which adds a playful twist. The profanity filter is on by default but can be unlocked within the game for those who prefer it.

Thanks to Wired Productions we got the chance to get hands-on with the game, and at a cat café no less! I felt like there are opportunities for some super flashy skill/ combo moves. What would you say is your favourite flashy attack in the game?

My absolute favorite is the Slam Wheel. It’s a charged attack that suspends enemies in the air, giving you a moment to appreciate the chaos you’ve just unleashed.

Some of the enemies I encountered are just nightmare-fuel. Who is responsible for my sleepless nights when the game is released, and how did they come up with the designs for these enemies?

You can thank Caroline, our concept artist, for those sleepless nights. She’s a genius with a pencil and, like me, she’s half human, half horror game. Her designs are both terrifying and fascinating.

You mentioned on your socials of secret areas in Gori: Cuddly Carnage. How many secret areas can players expect, and is there a way to keep track of them? Or is the number of secret areas themselves a secret and it’s down to the community to discover for themselves?

There are at least eight secret areas in the CH1-P ship. We love teasing hidden items and secrets, so it’s up to the community to discover and keep track of them. Happy hunting!

What was your favourite part or moment during the development of Gori: Cuddly Carnage?

My favourite part was having the freedom to be creative without restrictions. Designing enemies, crafting levels, and developing the story were incredibly satisfying. It was a joy to see our ideas come to life and create something unique.

Were there any unique challenges that occurred when developing a game like Gori: Cuddly Carnage?

Balancing the unique hoverboarding combat mechanic was a significant challenge. Getting the humor right was also tricky at first. Overall, the hardest parts were those where we didn’t have good references from other games or experiences, so we had to innovate and find our own solutions.

Did you have any weird and wacky ideas you wanted to implement into the game but for one reason or another it didn’t make it in?

No, we didn’t have any ideas that we couldn’t implement. This ties into my favorite part about development—having the freedom to be as creative as we wanted and bring our wildest ideas to life.

And that’s it! Thank you again for taking the time to have a chat with us! Gori: Cuddly Carnage will be out on pretty much every major platform on the 29th of August 2024! Make sure to go check it out!

Steam Store - Gori: Cuddly Carnage

Angry Demon Studio

Wired Productions CouchPlay Interactive

hijabi Hoo

Name: Dani aka Hijabi Hoo

From: North East England

Content Type: Cosplayer & Twitch streamer

Strength: Crunching a month’s worth of work into a few days!

Weakness: Also crunching a month’s worth of work into a few days! In all seriousness though, I think my strength is definitely my tenacity in everything I do, while a weakness is probably over/under packing for travel!

Hello Dani! Firstly, a massive thank you for taking the time to have a chat with us! How have you been and what have you been up to recently?

Hey, thank you so much for having me! I’m doing well thank you, been keeping busy with a new job and lots of exciting events and new collaborations!

Tell us a little bit about your content creation life? How long have you been doing it, and what made you want to start?

I started cosplaying back in 2013, and started my page on Facebook in 2014! I didn’t really consider doing content until my Captain America cosplay went viral in 2016, and to be honest I didn’t really consider content as a career until 2022! Since then, I’ve made a small but fulfilling career streaming on Twitch and attending events as a cosplay guest, judge and panellist!

We’ve seen so many amazing cosplays from you, and we love that you incorporate your hijab so seamlessly into your portrayal of the characters. What inspired you to get into cosplaying to begin with?

I originally started cosplaying with encouragement from one of my best friends from school, who used to bring her cosplays in with her to work on during free periods! She took me to my first convention back in 2013, and I fell in love with cosplaying instantly! I’ve been striving to better my skills and broaden my range of characters since then!

From all the cosplays you have done so far, do you have any that you are particularly proud of and why?

Unsurprisingly (to some!), I have to say Roshan from Assassin’s Creed: Mirage is my favourite! She is entirely hand made and through making her I’ve learned so many new skills! The cosplay incorporates multiple fabrics, some of which I’d not used before, to which I had to tailor my usual sewing techniques! I also learned to make my first foam sword, use my airbrush for fabric weathering, and work with both fake and real leather!

I’m also very proud of my Skull Kid as he was the first cosplay I used an airbrush for (to paint Majora’s Mask), Captain America, of course, for the symbolism it represents, and Iron SpiderGwen for being my first real original concept based on a popular character!

Photo credit: Nicholas Gray

Have you ever started a cosplay project that you just ended up scrapping for one reason or another? Or is it very much the case that every detail is pre-planned, from where to source the material to the very last stroke of the paintbrush?

I scrap cosplans (cosplay plans) all the time! Sometimes even a well thought out plan just isn’t enough, and you lose interest in the project, or simply decide you don’t want to be that character anymore! An example would be Bucky Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier from Captain America. I made the whole thing apart from the arm, then decided I didn’t want to do him anymore!

We’ve seen you take part in a few cosplay competitions at events over the past few years. For those who have never taken part in one before and may be interested, what is the experience like, from the application process to stepping out onto a stage in front of a large audience?

There are two different sides to competing: Masquerades, which are for showing off your cosplay and/or performing, and competitions which involve putting together a journal documenting the build process and being

judged by a panel before you go on stage. Masquerades are a good place to start as they’re less intense but still present the opportunity to show off your work and win prizes! The competitive scene is a lot more intense! I particularly enjoy the pre-judging part of it, as I get to show off my work up close to a panel of judges, and talk about the techniques I used!

Performing is exciting but can be nerve-wracking to say the least! I always feel nervous right up until I’m on stage! It’s such a rush to hear the audience applaud and cheer!

What advice would you give to someone who is looking to start making their very first cosplay? Any recommendations on materials to use or crafting technique tutorials?

I always recommend starting by thrifting clothing and practicing on it before tackling making your own garments from scratch. It’s much easier to practice your basic skills that way! And never think that professionals don’t make mistakes! Even now, 11 years on, I still do things wrong and end up redoing them. Also, YouTube is your friend! There are plenty tutorials and advice videos on various techniques including wigs, makeup, even hijabs!

Photo credit: Saima Chowdhury

You have cosplayed many characters from a variety of different backgrounds. There are some people who worry about cosplaying specific characters they love as the characters may be from a different ethnicity to them. What’s your take on this and what do you think is the best way to approach this as a cosplayer?

I truly believe it is important to understand that anyone, of any race/ethnicity, can cosplay any character. As an Arab, I have cosplayed Caucasian, Japanese, Korean characters and more! What’s important is that you don’t try to alter your skin tone to match a character’s. For example, darkening your skin to cosplay a darker skinned character is incredibly offensive.

You were recently a panellist on the Red Bull Gaming Stage at Insomnia 72 talking about Asian and Middle Eastern representation. What challenges in the content creation space do you think need to be addressed?

I think the biggest challenges are around

wanting to be recognised as being equally capable as “Western” content creators, and of course, being female is still a challenge in itself, particularly in the gaming industry. I have seen improvements over the last decade or so, and hope that by speaking out about it, we can continue to create change and shift the narrative in the right direction!

You stream a variety of different games, but your mainstay is Apex Legends. The game has evolved a lot since its initial release. What is it about Apex Legends that keeps it as the core game you actively play?

I genuinely enjoy the game! I play it often, even off stream. It provides me a challenge, to constantly have to practice and better my skills and learn to play different roles to benefit my team! I also enjoy faster paced games, particularly when streaming, as I believe they keep my viewers more entertained, and I can easily talk over them and engage with my audience! Plus, it’s always fun to play with friends!

Photo credit: Probably_Jamie

Photo credit: Tru°Nørth

In no particular order, what would you consider to be your top 3 games as of this moment and why?

I’ve already mentioned Apex so I’ll say my top 3 besides that are Destiny 2, Assassin’s Creed (currently re-playing Mirage!) and The Elder Scrolls Online are my top 3 right now!

I’ve grown up with Assassin’s Creed and it’s a series I go back to often, for it’s exciting stories, stunning visuals and, of course, the chance to wield super cool weapons! ESO is a game I recently got into and I am loving travelling around Tamriel, building my character and getting rich! Destiny 2 is a very special game to me. I leave and go back to it often, but it remains my most played game of all time! I absolutely adore the art and music, and I must say I’m having an incredible time playing through the new expansion, The Final Shape! They brought back Cayde-6!! It’s such an amazing feeling to hear his voice again. I love constantly redesigning my characters (I main a Hunter and Warlock equally) and I quite enjoy Crucible!

What is your earliest memory of yourself experiencing gaming?

I must have been 4 years old, and my dad had a very old computer (this was back in 1999!) and he bought me a disc game called Fairy Land! It was all about completing challenges and painting and music and I absolutely adored that game!!

Do you have any guilty pleasure games you love playing but your friends and/or community tease you for liking?

Oh, absolutely! I have to say my guilty pleasure game is Tetris Effect! It’s one of those games that I’m just naturally good at, but it’s still challenging to me, and I love that it keeps my brain working! I love Effect in particular as each level has its own aesthetic and soundtrack; the game is truly a work of art! My friends and community call me old for liking it though!

Are there any upcoming games that you are excited to play or potentially cosplay?

I can’t wait for Star Wars: Outlaws, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Fable 4 and the new Life Is Strange!! I’ve recently started working on a Naoe cosplay from Shadows, and I would love to cosplay Kay Vess from Outlaws! I really want to make my own Nix!

Photo credit: Amelia Carvell

Photo credit: Food and Cosplay Photography

Photo

Are there any events, anywhere in the world, you would love to attend as an invited creator?

San Diego Comic Con has been my dream con forever, and I’d love to one day attend Gamescom! A newer event I’d love to be invited to is Comic Con Arabia, as I’d love to meet and connect with more Middle Eastern cosplayers!!

Away from your content creation life, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love taking walks on the beach, in particular around sunset, watching movies (I’m a huge film buff!) and playing DnD and Magic: The Gathering with friends! I’m still fairly new to these but I’ve been really enjoying playing!

What has been your favourite moment being a content creator so far?

Definitely the charity work that I’ve been able to do. I am very lucky to have an incredibly openminded and supportive community who have collectively helped me to raise thousands for various causes throughout the years!

From everything you have learned so far, what advice would you give to the young HijabiHoo that was first starting out cosplaying and creating content?

I would tell her that anything is possible, if you work hard. It may seem impossible, but it isn’t. I would also remind her that the goal isn’t to be rich or famous; it’s to build friendships and a community that you can rely on for support and guidance!

Finally, what are you currently working on that you’d like to or are allowed to share with our readers? (for example: upcoming charity streams, teasing a cosplay project etc.)

I have a couple of cosplays on the way! I’m going to be working on a very special Marvel character called Excalibur that I’ve wanted to do since I started this journey! Stream-wise, I hope to expand my reach soon and begin streaming on other platforms! Besides cosplay and gaming, I’m excited to start doing more fashion shoots and exploring modelling!

And that’s it! Thank you very much again for taking the time to have this interview with us, it’s been an absolute pleasure. We wish you all the best in the future!

If you would like to check out HijabiHoo on any of her socials, you can do so below!

Discord - hijabihoo

Facebook - facebook.com/hijabihoo

Instagram - @hijabihoo

TikTok - HijabiHoo

Threads - @hijabihoo

Twitch - twitch.tv/hijabihoo

Twitter (X) - @HijabiHoo

YouTube - youtube.com/hijabihoo

Photo credit: Martin Siggers Photography

Photo credit: Alexander Rose Photography

Photo credit: Ramzinmotion

justkaalin

Name: Lorna aka JustKaalin

From: Glasgow, Scotland

Content Type: TikTok, Twitch & YouTube Gaming content creator + YouTube TV Show & Movie Reactions on @weebitreacts

Strength: Mighty drinker of unscrupulous amounts of Irn Bru

Weakness: Cats (not allergic, they’re just too cute!)

Hello Kaalin! Thank you very much for taking the time to have a chat with us! First of all, how have you been and what have you been up to recently?

Hey! I’ve been great, and it’s my pleasure. What have I been up to? Well, 2024 has been a year of wonderful changes for me. I recently landed a job in the games industry, which has been a dream of mine for the longest time. I’m now the Influencer Relations Specialist for Player Two PR and Mooncat Games, and it’s been amazing working with creators from the other side.

Besides that, I’ve shifted away from live content to focus more on YouTube VODs and TikTok. It’s been a bit of a process, and I’m still finding my feet, so things are a little sporadic at the moment. But that’s okay—every creator goes through a switch-up or two, or three, haha!

Tell us a little bit about your content creation life? How long have you been doing it, and what made you want to start?

I’ve been creating content since April 2018, though I’d wanted to break into the creator space for a long time before that. I just never quite had the guts to start. At 32 (now 38), I felt like maybe my time had come and gone.

Thankfully, I’ve always been surrounded by wonderful friends who cheer me on. I basically got started when a friend said, “Why aren’t you making gaming content? You’d be so good at it!” Of course, I had a million excuses: my age, the timing, my technical skills, and not knowing where to start. But my friend cut through all that, told me to basically shut up, and offered to help. And they did.

Alongside your gaming content on Twitch, TikTok, and YouTube, you also create reaction content for TV shows and movies. How do you find the time to pump out the content consistently? Do you have a strict content schedule you stick to?

I don’t have a super strict schedule but I do have a goal of making at least one piece of content every single day. I find that works best for me with as little pressure as possible. This means that on a lower energy day I can focus on the content that doesn’t take up as much time and on my productive days I can work through the bigger projects.

As soon as I get too specific for some reason I tend to miss my deadlines and that makes me feel guilty and I kinda get stuck. So being real about what I can achieve and having something in place that keeps my focussed works best for me.

Do you remember the moment you made Twitch Partner? What were you doing and how did it feel?

When I submitted my partner application on January 26th, 2022, it took a whole month before I heard back. I remember checking my emails multiple times a day, even though I was convinced I’d be turned down the first time. The waiting was a whirlwind—I was desperate to know if I’d made it or not.

Just as I was beginning to think I’d never hear back and might need to re-apply, the email came in—I was accepted on my first try. I cried so much; it’s definitely one of those standout moments I will remember for the rest of my life. I never really did a partner push, but the excitement that builds as you get closer is such an adrenaline rush. It was such a humbling experience too. Knowing that so many people from all over the world came to watch, share, and connect with me over a shared love of games is incredibly special. My community are an outstanding bunch, and I feel thankful for them every day.

Moving on to more personal questions. Scottish folks are known for their colourful language. What would you say is your favourite Scottish insult and why?

My favourite insult definitely cannot be shared publicly. It’s a well known Scottish curse word but it’s used both as an insult and in an endearing way to really emphasise how much you like someone. On the more fun side I love just how many words we have to call someone silly: bampot, numpty, roaster, rocket and eejit. That’s just a few but there are loads more haha.

You have two super cute cats: Neeko and Kumo. Are they named after anything specific and how long have you had them?

I’ve had my two cats for a few years now (since April 2020 and January 2021), and they are my babies! I’m pretty sure my whole personality revolves around being a crazy cat lady, and I’m totally okay with that. My cats (and my daughter) are my everything.

Neeko is named after the League of Legends

champion—a name my daughter and I both felt suited her perfectly, she is the wild attention seeker of them both. She has no fear and acts more like a dog. She even greets everyone who comes to the door, which is funny because she is so big most of the delivery drivers think she is a dog. It’s always funny to see their reaction when they realise she is a cat.

Kumo joined our family about nine months after Neeko. We weren’t planning on getting another cat, but here we are, ha! My friend MaizyMarzipan actually named him. I wanted something that matched Neeko’s name, and she suggested Kumo, which means “cloud” in Japanese. It fits him so well—he came to us with a cloudy eye, and I love the Final Fantasy franchise, so it was an easy choice.

He is massive… HUGE! and the sweetest, most gentle and soft cat I’ve ever met in my life. He was so shy when we first got him and is a lot more confident now but he hasn’t lost his gentleness. Unlike Neeko, he hides when the door goes and prefers to spend his time always right at my feet.

Away from your content creation life, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Travelling, travelling and more travelling. I absolutely love exploring other countries, mostly to try new foods. There’s something magical about tasting a dish in its place of origin.

What is your earliest memory of gaming?

I’m not quite sure what age I was but I was very young (probably around 6 years old) and my dad gave my brother and I a Commodore 64. Now I may be showing my age quite a bit right now but that’s okay. My first game was Paperboy and we were so blown away with the whole concept of being able to play on what we called a little TV haha.

In no particular order, what would you consider to be your top 3 games as of this moment and why?

Oh top three games are always difficult because there are so many that I’ve fallen in love with

over the years but in no particular order my current top three games are:

Elden Ring: My first souls game and what an experience. It was gorgeous, difficult and the lore had me gripped. Never have I ever felt so accomplished and POWERFUL playing a game, I even ended up accidently doing a challenge run my first playthrough because I didn’t know summons were a thing.

Bioshock Trilogy: I love every game in the series. It’s dark, well written and the twist! Oh my days, it was brilliant. I’ve played the games a few times now and it never gets old. My favourite part of the game though is getting to run around with a wrench bopping everything I can.

The Last of Us Part 1 & 2: First game that I’ve played that still stays with me, it was so incredibly emotional and the story, wow. Just wow. It was an emotional rollercoaster… crying one minute and then being jump-scared the next. I loved the deep story lines alongside challenging gameplay and felt that The Last of Us balanced this so perfectly.

You have played a wide variety of different games, what would you say is your favourite easter egg in a game?

My favourite game for Easter eggs is Days Gone. It has quite a few, but I love the nod to The Last of Us with a room similar to the trailer for part two, complete with a similar bedroom and guitar on the floor. While it’s not an Easter egg, I absolutely loved Death Stranding’s collaboration with the BB tank.

I enjoyed playing through Days Gone and I’m so sad there isn’t going to be any more from the franchise.

Do you have any guilty pleasure games you love playing but your friends and/or community tease you for liking?

Well, no one knows this except my daughter, who teases me for it, so this will be the first time I’m sharing it out loud...

Dress to Impress on Roblox! I even splurged £10 for a lifetime VIP pass. I play it with a few close friends, and while the gameplay itself might not be anything special and certainly not something I’d usually be into, there’s just something incredibly fun about it when we play

together. The banter with my pals is totally worth it!

Are there any upcoming games that you are excited to play, and you think people should be aware of?

Oh there are so many games I can’t wait to play. Little Nightmares III, South of Midnight, Deer and Boy, Fable, Neva plus all the indie horror games coming out from Blumhouse Games.

Are there any events, anywhere in the world, you would love to attend as an invited creator?

I would absolutely love to attend Gamescom or one of the PAX events—they look incredible! The sheer scale and energy of these conventions are something I’ve always wanted to experience. I love industry events trying out new games, talking to developers and connecting with other creators.

What has been your favourite moment being a content creator so far?

Some of my favourite moments have been on my longer streams and getting my daughter involved. It’s extremely special to be able to share those little moments with both my daughter and my community.

From everything you have learned so far, what advice would you give to the young Kaalin that was first starting out creating content?

I don’t know if I would have been considered young even then haha! However, I think the thing I wish I is to just get started, don’t put it off and have as much fun as possible along the way.

Finally, what are you currently working on that you’d like to or are allowed to share with our readers? (for example: upcoming charity streams, teasing a cosplay project etc.)

I’m currently figuring out the direction for my gaming channel on YouTube. It’s been a bit of trial and error, but I’ve finally decided to focus on Indie Game demos and previews. I’m super excited to see where this takes me! I have a big love for indie games, and having a platform to showcase the ones I’m playing has reignited the same excitement I felt when I was just starting out.

And that’s it! Thank you very much again for taking the time to have this interview with us, it’s been an absolute pleasure. We wish you all the best in the future!

If you would like to check out JustKaalin on any of her socials, you can do so below!

Instagram -@justkaalin

TikTok - @justkaalin

Twitch - @justkaalin

Twitter (X) - @justkaalin

YouTube - @justkaalin