Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Electoral dissonance

I've been observing the latest round of elections and campaigning across the pond, trying to stay open-minded and aware. It's a bit disturbing to see how polarized the political system has become. Decades ago, people in the same household could have differing political opinions without conflict. Nowadays, it feels like you're either on my side or you're a bad person, with shaming and derogatory responses for those who don't share your exact opinions. If I get any comments on this post, I kind of expect them to be in that vein.

The January 6th storming of the Capitol in 2021 is evidence of this polarization. With such division, it's easier to stir up hatred in the masses, on either side.

On one hand, you have Trump, who is up for re-election. From my perspective, he seems to use every manipulation tactic to set his own agenda. He's faced multiple legal issues over the years, some still unresolved. Despite this, there's a belief that his re-election would be good for the economy, with stock markets and Bitcoin surging whenever the polls swing in his favor.

On the other hand, you have Kamala Harris. She seems smart and level-headed, making good arguments for why Trump shouldn't be in power, which I agree with. However, I don't see what she brings to the table. The last four years under Joe Biden have been pretty flat and ineffectual. While Trump's actions stirred up drama, they were high-profile, and people seem to like that, good or bad. I think the country would be more stable under Harris, with less outlandish or antagonizing actions and speeches, but the markets don't seem to favor her as much. My gut leans towards Harris, mostly because I fear Trump could go full-on fascist totalitarian, but that could be due to the information I have access to. I'm admittedly left-leaning with some right-leaning elements, so maybe I'm a centrist?

Regardless, I don't get a vote. I'm merely observing via the information I can access and hunting for views from both sides. What stands out most to me is that if your political leaning is left or right, the other side labels you as an extremist, far left or far right. Celebrity endorsements seem to agree with this. Elon Musk and Gina Carano recently endorsed Trump. Musk likely because of alignment with his business interests and deregulating policies. Carano's reasons are less clear. I like her and have followed her career and the Disney conflict with interest. Cancel culture targeted her for some edgy social media posts, and Disney fired her to save face. I think it was hyped up to be more extreme than it was. When pushed by a bubble, the natural inclination is to double down and push against the group that did so. It could be that she simply opposes the 'leftist' culture powered by her own bubble.

When I say bubble, I mean the environment we're exposed to. What is filtered to us by social media feeds our confirmation bias, the view of our peers that align and embolden our own. We tend not to see what's outside that bubble, and when we do, we reject it. The Oatmeal did an awesome comic on this confirmation bias you should read. Like, now!

In summary, the right's view of the 'far left' seems to expect the removal of people's freedoms and rights (guns, vaccinations) and excessive government control (Ala V for Vendetta). The left's view of the 'far right' involves the removal of social equality, nationalism, xenophobia, and resistance to progressive changes. From my digging, it seems there's a lot of crossover in the more extreme views, simply bucketed into 'that's their view' because they are so unbased on reality or cruel and inhumane.

The truth is much more subtle. All of this results from cognitive biases set out to protect ourselves from the 'others'. Everyone lies on a spectrum, can have views that align with the left or the right, and probably don't actually align with the extremist views. But news, activists, and social media portray it as such to win votes for the side they align with and because it's clickbaity. It gets people riled up and engaged, keeping them in the headlines, getting attention, and making money. What's the downside, right?

I guess my point is, think about your views, be open, do the research, and be mindful of what is filtering into your bubble. It's uncomfortable to do this work, but that's a good thing. Regardless of who is elected, it's all downhill unless, as a people, everyone can come together and see each other as equals, with views, with flaws, but people just like yourself. Take care all, and get out and vote!

 


Let's plays are back on the menu boys!

 Greetings all!

It's been a spell, but I have finally gotten around to a semi-regular let's play schedule. My new laptop and sound setup mean that I am able to record footage with a good framerate, and with a decent level of audio quality. (Not perfect, but it is a £40 Fifine USB microphone I am using). 

At the moment I am working through a Hardcore Minecraft series, if that's your bag, come check it out! 

Episode 1 of my latest attempt here: https://youtu.be/W8F-fsy4yt8



Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Velk Reviews: Baldur's Gate 3

In the latest installment of the Baldur's Gate series, Larian Studios invites players to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of the Dungeons & Dragons universe with Baldur's Gate 3. From the moment you step into this fantastical world, it's evident that Larian has spared no effort in crafting a breathtaking experience that seamlessly blends stunning visuals with immersive atmosphere.

Set against the backdrop of a world teetering on the brink of chaos, Baldur's Gate 3 thrusts players into a gripping tale of magic, monsters, and political intrigue. As you create your custom character, choosing from a diverse array of races, classes, and abilities, you're immediately drawn into a narrative that unfolds with each decision you make.

The game's visuals are nothing short of spectacular, with beautifully rendered environments, detailed character models, and spell effects that dazzle the senses. Whether you're exploring the depths of a dark dungeon or traversing the vibrant landscapes of the world, every corner of Baldur's Gate 3 is filled with rich detail and atmosphere, begging to be explored.

It's not just the visuals that impress; Baldur's Gate 3 delivers a deep and engaging gameplay experience that stays true to its Dungeons & Dragons roots. Combat is tactical and challenging, requiring careful planning and strategic thinking to overcome formidable foes. Meanwhile, the game's robust character creation system allows for a high degree of customization, ensuring that each playthrough feels unique.

At its core, Baldur's Gate 3 is a game about choice and consequence. The decisions you make throughout your journey have far-reaching implications, shaping the world around you and determining the outcome of the story. Whether you choose to forge alliances with powerful factions, uncover the secrets of ancient artifacts, or succumb to the temptations of dark magic, every choice you make leaves its mark on the world of Baldur's Gate.

I have been a fan of the Baldur's Gate series of games, including IceWind Dale since Baldur's Gate 1 was released in 1998. Using the good old Thaco system from Second Edition D&D, the game world was addictive, the game play, clunky in hindsight, was great and I spent many many hours exploring. Baldur's Gate 2 repeated this endeavour, with improved resolution, but a higher level and relatively tougher experience. Nevertheless, great games worth exploring, as is this latest instalment.

Baldur's Gate 3 is a masterful blend of captivating storytelling, deep role-playing mechanics, and strategic combat. With its stunning visuals, immersive atmosphere, and richly detailed world, it's a worthy successor to the legendary Baldur's Gate series. Whether you're a fan of Dungeons & Dragons or simply love epic fantasy adventures, Baldur's Gate 3 offers an unforgettable journey through a world of magic and mystery.
 


Blog update, New Youtube and new Tech.


So, I decided a while back that I was going to start a new YouTube channel to document my outdoor adventures. Hiking, wild camping, generally being outdoors and getting back in touch with nature. 

In a step towards this I have a bit of a rebranding going on. I created a new YouTube channel, though I still need to decide on the final name. I have been planning some excursions and the kind of content I would like to go over, still much a work in progress, but definitely taking you fine internet people on adventures with me, seeing some epic scenery, talking about places, gear, and the benefits of getting outdoors. I also want to cover off things like planning for your adventure and the life situations and logistics that might cause friction in doing so, and hopefully help you develop some processes and strategies to enable yourself to do the same. It has been a long journey for me to get to where I am now.

I have drawn a lot of inspiration from the likes of Haze Outdoors, Wildbeare and Fables and Fells, to name but a few. I have found doing this kind of thing is good for the heart legs and noggin, and in the last year of doing all of this, I have been thoroughly enjoying it. I have taken some epic photos. I have been to places I never conceived of, and met some amazing people along the way. 

After some research (and boy was it a hard choice!) I have bought a GoPro Hero12 to enable better vlogging and video capture of these adventures and the scenery.



I may create a new blog page to interact with this channel, and the work I will be putting in, but for the time being, I will be posting here, and hoping to up my rate of posting of all things geeky and nerdy, and getting out and having fun (Look! It's a geeky toy ok, don't look at me like that...)


-V

Monday, May 6, 2024

Velk Reviews! Assassins Creed: Valhalla


I started this game the day it was released for the PS5 back in November 2020. It is weird thinking back that it was that long ago, but there we are!

I have played through the base games and the additional content in Ireland and France, taking me about 180 hours to play through. That is 180 hours of fun filled murderous satisfaction 😁. Let's break it down and discuss some of the key areas.


Gameplay:

The control system took a few hours to get my head around, but once I did it felt pretty natural. Character movement is somewhat different from the AC games of yore, but once I got used to the way Eivor (You!) moves, it felt natural. There are a few combat methods in the game, with sub 'methods' of each. 

Eivor can be set up as an out and out warrior, where they wade into the midst of battle wielding whatever combination of weapons you wish them to wield, one handed, two handed, dual wielding or sword and board. I found dual wielding was particularly fun, especially later in the game dual wielding a two handed weapon in each hand, you can carve your way through the ranks of enemies.

You can take a stealth approach (It IS Assassins Creed after all...) keeping out of sight or above your enemies, creeping about, using cover, and whistling at your enemies to draw them towards your cover and taking them down, sneaking up behind them for a silent takedown, or, death from above! Dropping from outside their line of sight onto them and eliminating them (And as an added bonus, I think with a perk, you can hurl an axe at a nearby enemy that has not noticed you to eliminate them too. Double takedown, heck yeah!)

Finally, you can do some archery. The archery system (especially with the PS5 haptic feedback triggers) is great fun, and there's 3 kinds of bows you can use. Light bow, Hunter bow and Predator bow. 

I thought the light bow sucked and just did not find an area I was happy using it.

The hunter bow was great for mid-ranged picking off of the opponents, lining up headshots for instant takedowns, and making use of the stealth system to maximise the effect.

The predator bow is a sniper rifle. Zoomed in sights, and the ability to use various shots including guiding the arrow in slow motion from first person to navigate around obstacles to try to take down the targets. Great fun!

Combat is interactive, there are ques if you pay attention on what the enemies are doing to react to, and the boss fights offer a good level of challenge but are not crushingly difficult to overcome, especially with practise.


Graphics:

On a high end system, they are gorgeous. The lowest end system I have seen this on is a PS5 in 4k, the details, the terrain, the lighting, all great! I particularly love as you travel around the different counties and areas, the terrain all looks slightly different, and they are in different seasons showing some passage of time, and the plant life that exists there is realistic to the area. I remember a tweet (An X? Whatever) from @MiracleOfSound when he was playing through the Wrath of the Druids expansion that was based in Ireland, that it was like being there, was gorgeous and super immersive! I am from the UK and am well travelled, and many of the areas I have been I would say are very similar to what they are in the game. Again, love it. 


Story:

No spoilers here, but the plot line is great. Starting from Eivors childhood you get an introduction to their past before picking up in Norway to start the game.The wider world events that are happening are relatively historically accurate. If you have ever watched The Last Kingdom, you might recognise some of the locations that are contested. Play the game, meet famous real life vikings and saxons, follow the plot, explore, pillage and raid. It is a sandbox game with a plot weaved through.

If your reading this and you have NOT played it. Go play it. Just, off ya go, go play! :)

-Velk

Monday, August 14, 2023

DayZ hyperfixation

Ah, the digital realm of YouTube – a place I've explored with fervour! For those who are acquainted with me, it's no secret that I harbour a deep fondness for this platform. Flashback to the early-mid 2010s, and you'll find me immersed in the world of recording "let's plays" – a delightful stint that left me yearning for more. The allure of returning to this creative endeavor tugs at me, though crafting a new system for the purpose is a step I must take to continue. I'm thrilled to introduce you to a league of extraordinary YouTube content creators in the realm of DayZ – (If you have not heard of this one it is an open-world survival video game that has been around for the last decade, where players navigate a post-apocalyptic landscape, scavenging for resources, interacting with others, and battling both zombies and fellow survivors. Its immersive environment, realistic survival mechanics, and player-driven interactions create an intense and unpredictable gameplay experience.)

Now, if these names don't ring a bell, it's high time you give them a virtual visit. Trust me, your face is in for a smiley treat! 😄

These luminaries of DayZ have mastered the art of crafting content that's both captivating and grin-inducing. So, if you're seeking a quick escape to a world of virtual adventures, I implore you to venture forth into these digital realms.

As the saying goes, "The journey of a thousand videos begins with a single click." Okay, maybe I slightly adapted that, but you catch my drift! Without further ado, hit that play button and let the magic unfold.

Until next time! 🙋‍♂️

 


New hobby unlocked: Hiking and Wild Camping

My ongoing journey of adulting has led me to some delightful areas that seem to resurrect mnay parts of my childhood. Who would have guessed that the world of hiking and wild camping would capture my heart? It all began with a curious twist of fate when I joined a medieval reenactment group (More on that in a future post!). My quest for knowledge about crafting bows pulled me down the YouTube rabbit hole, unveiling a treasure trove of bushcraft and wild camping videos. Memories of my youthful escapades in the outdoors, hitting the Lochs and rivers , fishing rod in hand, or walking home with friends through woodland pretending to be Rangers from Dungeons and Dragons, or Baldur's Gate.

In this digital wilderness, I chanced upon a band of exceptional YouTube adventurers whose content I feel compelled to share with you:

Yet among this band of intrepid content creators, a particular spark ignited my enthusiasm like no other – WildBeare. Her videos have an uncanny ability to plaster a grin across my face, no matter the circumstances. 😄

So, let's talk about the recent escapades that have infused my summer with the spirit of adventure. Picture this: traversing the Scottish North Coast 500, my trusty campsite a wild patch of heaven; or nestled within Wales' Snowdonia National Park, the very essence of nature's majesty surrounding me; and just this past weekend, finding myself beneath the open skies in the embrace of the Ochill mountain range near Stirling, Scotland.

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. So, without further ado, allow me to share a few snapshots from my summer adventures:














My journey into the realm of adulthood has become an enchanting tapestry woven with threads of nostalgia and newfound passions. Stay tuned for more tales of adventure, as I continue to explore the wonders of the world around us. Until then, remember to embrace your inner adventurer and let your spirit roam free! 🌄🏞️🏕️










Monday, March 27, 2023

Samsung Galaxy S23 upgrade from Samsung Galaxy S10 review

I recently upgraded my phone from the Samsung Galaxy S10 to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, and I must say that the experience has been nothing short of amazing. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has exceeded my expectations, and I am extremely satisfied with my purchase. So much so, I wanted to write a short review on the upgrade.


The Samsung Galaxy S10 was starting to feel a little long in the tooth. The USB post was giving issues, and the battery life was beginning to diminish.  A full charge was not lasting a day, and with heavy use would only last a couple of hours so I decided it was time to upgrade. This blog post will look to introduce the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, provide some basic information on the phone and my thoughts in comparison to the older model, and my level of satisfaction in 4 key areas: Performance, Camera, Battery life and overall satisfaction. A longer review of the phone will be provided in a follow up post.

Spec Comparison

First and foremost, the battery life of this phone is exceptional. I no longer have to worry about my phone dying halfway through the day as the battery life lasts me a full day with heavy usage. I can go on with my day without constantly checking if my phone needs to be charged. The quick charging feature is also highly convenient and ensures that my phone is ready to go in no time. It's an absolute lifesaver when I'm in a hurry and need to charge my phone quickly. I have started the day on 100% charge, and kept it in a bag whilst not using it, pulling it out to take a handful of photos and a short video, briefly checking some messages, and between 9am when I took it off charge and 5pm, I had dropped to 97% charge. With heavy use (my definition: watching You Tube, and jumping between a few apps whilst having conversations with people on chat apps)  it is only dropping about 5% an hour.


Readout of my usage and phone batter life expectancy.

The image above was taken a moment ago, I gave the phone a couple of brief top up charges whilst driving to and from work (where I listened to spotify and tinkered with the Investing 212 app in breaks) but with 48% remaining, it is expected to last another 18 hours. I actually trust this phone to last that long. Longer if I don't make much use of it. Since the last charge I have been watching lots of youtube, browsing  the web and Instagram. If I plug it in now to a decent USB C charger for half an hour, I would be at near capacity and good to go for near two days. It's nuts, I love it. 

Another aspect that I absolutely love about this phone is its camera. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 108-megapixel camera that captures stunning photos with sharp detail and vibrant colors. The zooming capabilities of the camera are also remarkable and allow me to capture distant objects with great clarity. I don't have to carry around a separate camera when I'm traveling or attending events. The camera is more than enough to capture all my precious moments. Below is a couple of quick snaps from re-enactment training I participated in at the weekend (where I used 3% over the course of the bulk of the day)

Taken using 10x optical zoom. That blur is an arrow ricocheting off a helmet, and it still got captured.

Slightly blurry, but full moon shot with image stabilizing at 100x zoom. (Almost as good as my specialised SLR camera, but able to snap on a dog walk)


The overall performance of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is incredibly fast and responsive, allowing me to multitask with ease. I can switch between apps and run them simultaneously without experiencing any lag or delay, including using the split screen function. The phone's design is also very attractive and feels great in my hand. The large screen and slim form factor make it easy to hold and use with one hand - albheit with a slight stretch to reach the opposite edges. The Stylus is also quite simple to use and allows for quick note-taking or making notes over screen-shots.

The phone's security features are also top-notch. The fingerprint sensor is very responsive, and I can unlock my phone quickly and easily. The phone also has facial recognition, thought I tend not to use it but allows for additional customised access.

In conclusion, I am extremely satisfied with my decision to upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Its excellent battery life, exceptional camera, and sleek performance have exceeded my expectations. The phone has everything I need, and more, making it the perfect device for me. I highly recommend this phone to anyone looking for a high-quality smartphone.


Thursday, January 17, 2019

MTG: Kaya, Orzhov Usurper Planeswalker - Thoughts / Analysis

Image result for Kaya, Orzhov Usurper thought

My first Magic the Gathering post!

I have seen this planeswalker getting a lot of hate since it got announced for the upcoming Ravnica Allegiances set, which is out for pre-release this coming weekend. I have looked at the arguments, and whilst not all inaccurate, I wanted to share some of my own thoughts on why this planeswalker is not as bad as everyone is saying.

Her biggest strength: Disruption.

For 3 mana, and a card slot in your deck, what would you normally put? A small to medium sized creature? A combat trick? Damage spell? There are a lot of good options for a 3-drop, many I would myself argue, that in the moment, are much better.

But, with Kaya here is what you get:


Firstly, you get a face that hits the battlefield that is a target the opponent may opt to attack instead of yourself. That buys you some time. Especially once people realise the threat she DOES pose.

Let's look to her abilities. Bare in mind, you can chose when Kaya initially hits the field to make best use of her opening move, but once on, if she is not dealt with, you have options.


+1: Exiles cards from a graveyard, and gives 2 life if one is a creature card.

This ability can be used to limit recursion effects, for example, undergrowth, resurrection, jump-start cards and Phoenix builds to name a few. Want to stop that Eldest Reborn Stage 3 from stealing something big? Exile it. When you exile a creature, it gives a small lifegain, which from what I have seen, can be substantial in this set and in a pinch you can exile a creature you dont need from your own graveyard for the life-gain. Against an opponent, this also charges up the ultimate ability. Bare in mind any card exiled counts, even land.

Note: Beware the opponent using the same card as you will be powering up their ultimate.
Additional Note: The text says exile up to two - you can +1 and do nothing if you were daft enough to play this card with no targets...


-1: Exiles a nonland permanent with mana cost 1 or less.

Effective removal of some of the small number of 1 drops, mana ramp like Lanowar Elves and other early drops that may pose a threat when they power up, Healers Hawk, Thoughtbound Phantasm, etc...  This could be extra juicy in commander with some of the common artifacts. Tata Sol Ring.

This ability of course which powers up the -5 ability, but more importantly, allows you to remove tokens. There are some hard to remove tokens (evasion, or high x/x). How annoyed would you be if your 5/5 biogenic ooze token was removed with a simple -1 down tick, or worse, your Quasiduplicated or Helm of the Host token of that big creature that was going to win you the game. Dead to the -1 of an unthreatening looking planeswalker. Even just the threat of this happening is going to have your opponent hold back on using those spells if they have them until this Planeswalker is dealt with. Often fringe cases I admit, but between all the options, this covers most decks, and at the very least, whilst it will not often win you the game, the lifegain buys you time. I would consider maindecking this card, and definitely having one side decked if I own it.

-5: Deal X damage to opponent equal to the number of exiled cards they have, and gain X life. 


This includes exiled cards from other abilities, so synergises well. The opponent could exile thier own cards (e.g. using a jump-start ability), and there are a number of other cards that exile creatures. Rakdos have the -2/-2 board clear that exiles creatures that die this round, though I cannot remember it's name, I will edit it in later if I have time. That gives great potential to power up this ability.

Useable within 2 turns of Kaya hitting the battlefield, often for a minimum of 4, especially later in the game.  If Kaya stays on the field after being activated, the exiled cards remain so next time she uses this ability it is going to be even more powerful. It is unlikely Kaya will remain on the battlefield for this long because obviously, this ultimate becomes a bigger and bigger threat, but that means the opponent is spending more resources in removing that threat, that would have been used on other creatures or your face.

Another benefit of this ultimate going off is triggering Spectacle if you splashed into Mardu for some Rakdos Spectacle cards.



In summary (TLDR):
  • Game Disruption!
  • Lifegain to stall aggressive decks. (This is not even considering lifegain synergies from the likes of Ajani's Pridemate or Dawn Of Hope)
  • Good for controlling graveyard abilities. (jump-start, undergrowth, phoenexis, resurrection)
  • Face damage and synergy triggers.(Spectacle)
  • An alternative face for the opponent to hit, prolonging your own life-pool.
3 mana for 1 card, for access to these ongoing benefits and potential game disruption, and at the very least, netting you 2 health or removing an evasive / threatening token (or cheap 1-drop creature / artifac / enchant) that is causing grief before attracting your opponents attention for removal

All in all, 3 mana to put a target down that draws some fire and your not too bothered if its killed, but if ignored, can mess about with opponents grave yards, generate small increments of healing, remove tokens or 1 mana permanentsnd if left ignored can generate her ultimate and hit face for some damage and healing, that in certain builds, could be quite hard. For 3 mana, whilst it isn't going to blow up and do lots of damage, (cmon, its 3 mana!) I think the level of disruption this brings is pretty sweet. Some decks just cannot ignore her, and those that do, may just regret it when your life keeps creeping back up and the ultimate is set up.

I forsee this card getting more and more play as people figure out what decks and synergies this works with, I am already excited to experiment, if nothing else, to try to prove the naysayers wrong ;)

-V

Thursday, March 9, 2017

An age!

Wow, it has been an age since I last posted.

Life has been entertaining, I will give it that. I have not recorded a lets play in over a year, I have not written a blog entry in over 3... but I am hard at work as a Business Intelligence Developer / Analyst (Google it...) at a great University, and enjoying many aspects of the geeky lifestyle. I will hopefully get back into posting about them in the near future!