Gone Fishing....

1 week, 2 week, 3 week, more....

Gaming, life, life and gaming.... The hobby goes on despite that pesky 'life' stuff getting in the way; Just like life to be all fits and starts. Really has been three weeks since I last waffled here, time flies. 

 

The gaming news never seems to stop with one thing or another. Kind of makes me miss the slower or seemingly slower days of buying a monthly magazine to catch up on 'the news'. Guess it's time to curate my own intake of 'content'..... Ignore a lot and choose what not to watch even if it would 'seem' interesting.

There was an interesting tweet about the Art of Star Trek Online which linked the artist regarding an old article he shared. Worth a look if interested in such. https://www.artstation.com/artwork/2B9x8v

 

 

Speaking of Star Trek Online I'm only ever so slightly aware that there is/was an animated Starfleet Badge character..... The animated series may have found it's legs an be worth a catch up with. Now that I know more via Star Trek Online I'm way more interested in finding out more about the series. The freebies on PC were good to get, as most freebies are. I went and used some of the free Lobi from the event campaign rewards and bought some for a few characters. The combat badgey I'd seen in videos online as being 'hard' to get was not for me.... Opening 4 or 5 of 10 got me 2 of that version. Fun to see in action even if it is 'just for show'.

 

  

 

There was also a Zen sale with an in game store sale. I took advantage of the in game sale to buy on PC extra character slots (4slots) and on Console to buy the lobi sale items once that sale had hit(badgey). It's been a bit of a whirlwind in the sales/new items and extra events regards. I'm sure I got something else on console in a sale but I can't remember.... But I do wish on console I'd gotten the extra account bank slots. Missed out there. But they'll be a sale back round 'soon' enough. The blur between the PC version and console it super blurry for me. Made worse by my console characters pretty closely matched with my PC versions.....

  

LGR is having a time of it given the recent storm and his tweet; Before that he had a video out on the Sims 4 regarding no Sims 5 which was interesting. The article he mentioned was this one:

https://variety.com/2024/gaming/news/the-sims-5-update-multiplayer-creator-content-ea-interview-1236142010/

And his video is here:

LGR  

 

Looks like there will be no end of  DLC from packs to 'expansions'; The Sims 4: Life & Death Expansion Pack just hit. Found the trailer for it more interesting in that they got a band to do a simlish version of their song....

 

 

Planet Crafter, has seen some minor gameplay from me but noting much; That said the DLC/expansion is announced to be coming Oct 9th. Just in time for me to post this and be somewhat timely.

 

 

Miju Games

Seeing the trailer for Red Dead Redemption for PC is a good thing to behold! Now if only my old Xbox 360 saves could be used......

 

IGN

 

 

Pirate Software had an interesting video on Space Marine and PC Gamer's review of it.

Pirate Software

 

Luetin09 had another great video on 40k for those Space Marine II curious about the franchise.

 

Luetin09

  

The retro connect everything monitor with a built in MiSTer hardware is of interest.

Nostalgia Nerd has an introductory video on the hardware. Worth a watch and worth keeping an eye on the hardware.  

Nostalgia Nerd

Accursed Farms had an update on the 'Dead Game' situation. Both from the new law in California and the campaign in the EU.

 

 

Accursed Farms 

Euro Truck Sim 2 is getting driving academy! I'm sure I'll fail, old dog newish tricks etc..... 1.52 Update: Driving Academy (  https://blog.scssoft.com/2024/09/152-update-driving-academy.html )

SCS Software

The other news was from American Truck Sim with trailer showing a swamp with a Jurassic Park jingle. Soooo that's a thing...

 

 

SCS Software

Star Trucker hasn't seen any time from me. With real life and 'just' gaming for fun it's not gotten a look in, yet. But it's nice to see the patches and update notes.

Mechwarrior 5 Clans looks to be very interesting to me. It should be 'better' than the base 5 game. I'm more pro clan at heart so the trailer raised my hopes.

ACG did a goodpreview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Phfsqcm6VMw That trailer had me listening back a lot to the New Dawn remix of the Mech 2 classic tracks(as well as the OG soundtrack).

 

Timothy Seals

 

Not clan based but Mech 4 Mercs was a great game, it's main menu track really brings the nostalgia.

Hmmmm my Battletech senses are tingling. Could be time to sink some hours into it.

 

 

Assassins Creed Shadows announcement wasn't a surprise.....

 

 

Just Some Guy did a good video on it and player reactions.... 

 

I was surprised that the AC games will be back on Steam, that's a change. A good one in my view.

https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/ubisoft-comes-crawlin-back-to-steam

 

Jake Baldino also had more info/chat on it and Ubisoft in general.

 

 

Starfield got it's DLC; No surprise on the player reactions. TheYamiks had a good video on it. It's no wonder players are worried about the next Scrolls game.

 

 

For my own gameplay I got back into Don't Sink for a little bit. I like it but in playing it I keep wanting to play Sid Meier's Pirates! But fun in the genre verity was needed and this game did that. Good to be back to it.

 

 

 

Two Point Hospital has seen me back into it in a bigger way than the last few years ever has. While I've been enjoying it; I'm finding myself back into the cycle of doing maps while farming currency on other maps while claiming the result in the 'current' working map. So for now the enjoyment is overpowering the 'grind'.

 

 

 

 

 

Star Trek Online has been the usual, not much to mention but to mention all I've been doing on PC and console the last few weeks I'd not have enough time to write it all out.

As usual across both platforms for me(XBOX and PC)events large and small have come and gone. Gameplay is gameplay and for the most part enjoyable(group PUGs, I could complain etc).  

 

 

 

The Badgeies were a surprise and a welcome one. Again it's opened me up to viewing the show for sure.  

 

My New character on console was well leveled, gained his lobi outfits; And I used a spare free T6 token to buy the Equinox Pilot Scout Ship. A ship I've liked since seeing it in Voyager way(waaaaay) back when. So I've been having fun blasting around in it. I'm not sure if now really need this type of character on my PC account. That may change if there's a recruit event of some sort.....

 

 

 

 

Ashterothi has some good Eve Online content; He recently spoke about Eve Frontier. I'm not into it or it's 'thing'.... But his vid on it is worth a watch for information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcWnm7l3sOw

 It's CSM election time again so he's also started the promo drums for a few players but I've not done anything regarding that. Not sure I will. More on my Eve gameplay later in the post.

 

Otherwise gameplay there has been 'more of the same'. Mainly solo PvE content of my own whims. 

Industry(R&D, Invention), Mining, P.I. Missions(look and salvage) with the daily rewards all mixed in.

The current seasonal event is on and it's gank central if your hauling anything remote interesting. With the 90% drop rates for the month it's a time to stockpile and move later. Which I've been doing since the event started. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Given the event etc and some spare time with my need to play the game, I ended up on a character I'd not been on in a good while. An alt with little to write home about but one I could shuffle stuff on and 'make' better. Part of which made the decision to but on a 3 day 'weekend' pack. 

 

 

Good to get back to basics and rejig a character to some form of usability. A character I've mentioned before but not really had much to do with. Initially being a push to PvP it's all come to noting really. 

 

 

 

Getting back to clearing up his items there was a lot of P.I. which I seld for more than a penny so got that all worked out which was a nice bonus. That's the other thing about this character. I'd wanted him to be self sufficient. Noting given to him form any alt never mind a main. Which has worked out and made it a different experience at the least any time I get back to him. That said the 50 plex that came with the pack did go to my main and was not a bonanza for this alt. It's a harsh world! This alt is her to giveth and not taketh.

 

 

I keep floating joining corp's but when going down that road the old meme's are only scratching the surface these days.  The paranoia is super real; Even for the smallest of hi-sec corps. It's off-putting.

Weeks out, Week in....

Another week, I'm like a broken record..... Time flies. So much so I'm late in doing a post I should have done on Sunday night.....Again.... Ebb and flo. Well a hobby about hobbying, I can be consistently inconsistent as I like.....

 

Brief gaming sessions happened the last week or so when I could on some old favorites; Battlefield 1, Planet Crafter, PowerWash Simulator. But no great(shakes) gameplay, just pottering. Noting screenshot worthy. Real life is much the same; Some days disappear in a blink, next thing it's the weekend again and the cycle rinses and repeats.

TheYamiks had an interesting vid worth a watch on 1 year on since Starfield's release: Starfield : A Year Later

 

Euro Truck Simulator 2 is getting it's 1.51 Update. Really nice to see. Blink and it'll be the Halloween event and then the new winter iteration.... Should be good.

Both Star Trek Online and Eve Online have both been my 'main games' in the last week; Mainly solo in these MMO's....... As ever. Which I guess makes me part of the vast minority in Eve and 'just' normal in STO. Then again I do play it on both PC and Xbox so back to minority....

Star Trek Online Events done, events started and more on the way. There is an element of burnout but the game is forgiving in it's event progress that the fomo is manageable. 

 

 

Maybe it's me and maybe I've had too many back to back events but some of the random players in TFO's induce frustration. Either by being a.f.k. (hanger pets out and nothing else); Or actively clueless by ignorance or to be kind a lack of intelligence. Like killing all the ships they can or/want but don't close portals to progress the TFO despite the constant announcements to "close the portals" from the in TFO NPC announcements... I've waffled on that stuff before. It's just frustrating as it's so wide spread and constant. I'm in awe at some players sometimes.... To see those players get frustrated at the TFO 'comment' at the other TFO members in an unkind way and then leave. It's become more WoW-like in that regard. Even worse to see they have bought a ship with cash. More money than sense as the saying goes. Thanks for paying for the game I play I guess. Too harsh?

Anyway it's all go in STO.... Maybe too much as a constant. Naaaaaaaaah.

 

Not the only thing grinding my gears. Yea with a new character I've seen many many random fleet invites. Fleets have all gone on the make, no community at all. Way worse than I've seen before. If your not already connected to players in a fleet or know friends of friends it's a harsh environment. But some fleets are just so blatant; Talk about being made to work for the work they need.

Progress on PC is as usual checking ships fits and updating characters. Events, rewards, rinse and repeat. Still I'm looking forward to both Halloween and the Winter Wonderland.

Xbox has seen more STO gameplay than PC. But more or less the same kind of gameplay. Character updates, reward ships and fit tweaking etc. Granted there is more tidy up of characters than on PC so it's 'just' time consuming. Add to that, that I've created another character to satiate my 'need' for a thematic Terran/Mirror universe character. Science based with a Mirror universe ship leaning on 'just' using a Nova class ship(but maybe not, time will tell). So it's as good a reason to have a character as any. After a few days I'm halfway leveled with Nimbus done and 90% account bound items claimed. That journey will go on(lobi uniform, Boff's theme etc).

 

 

After saying pretty much that I'm worn on events, it seems the next event will have a reward ship that is well worth the effort.

 

 

Eve Online is another much the same, doing to do and being to be in the game. Same'ol same'ol. 

 

With the 12 month + times 2 MCT purchased for both my accounts. Another year to grind the grist of the Eve existence to see what happens. Weep for me.

It's a very perspective based form of gameplay(this solo/semi-solo lark). Each to their own corner. If I wasn't so interested in the game via online news/reports and commentary I'd be in my own oblivious world for sure. In some ways I am.

 

 

My activities in my world of mains, main alts, alts, and alts of alts goes on. Part of which has been an asset/inventory audit of items, ships and fits... Each character has their tasks but over decades it's all piled up with the skill points to meld a lot into a lot more. Lists two months in the making but not always to the forefront of being made let alone acted on. Part of which was an in game mail to my self on an alt, a mail I'd forgotten about..... Till I recently reread it. Apparently amongst the todo list I told myself to buy a T1 hauler(fit linked) to bring 18 types of modules, ammo and drones(listing the items to go on which ships to update the fits..... Or where to place items (like ammo)), across 8 stations in close enough proximity(relatively). I must have checked what was needed then felt like 'meh' I'll do it another time. Well it's still not done no matter the prep work etc and it's been months. It's the price of not being active on that alt.... It's not in any immediate need or hurry; just my own game-play need to be somewhat 'orderly'(anal?). Still that need may need those items/ships setup sooner rather than later, so I should do it....... At least doing it is getting closer, I have the hauler and the items.... I 'just' need the time to enact 'the plan'.

On a side note the ship fit changes are all mainly mining related; So either need modules removed or added depending on the buff or nerf those had received(slot gained, lost or redo of the fit). Of those both Ore and Ice fits needed to be 'altered' to bring them up to speed in a current climate. Ice fits more expensive than Ore, but no surprise there(drones). Last but not least the mail told myself the route to take and order of stations bringing that new but now somewhat used(dusty is a kind of used) hauler back to the start and leave it there. At least it's a plan..... Yep it's a plan.....

Still gaming....

Gaming, it's a luxury, given real world considerations big and small, personal and not. Perspective.

Still gaming regardless of considerations and better options. Too deep?

 

 

Both myself and my wife are not back into WoW. We hear good things online but have no need or drive for it's gameplay. A friend who bought the expansion with a 3 month game-time deal, has over the last week gotten into the expansion to finish off the last month of his time and 'gain' value from it. 

The expansion he says is more like WoW back in the day but he can't see himself playing beyond the month he's already paid for.

Worth a look, just because: vlogbrothers  - How The Internet Is Rigged

 

 

 

@accursedfarms seems to be making progress!

https://x.com/accursedfarms/status/1833620848613154855

 

 

 

Tetris Forever got an Official Announce Trailer; A trailer that brings back good memories old and new, The more modern in the form of the Tetris movie and the game Tetris Effect Connected. Great game!

 

 

 

Maj0r Lee did a video worth sharing Shadow Of The Erdtree Re-Restored My Faith In Gaming - A Review

 

 

 

During the week I saw EVE Vanguard had a Steam page. Guess CCP is still console averse, it's doomed so; I hope it doesn't take Eve Online with it. Too pessimistic? Well CCP made me that way. #Mysterycode. I may have mentioned that on this blog 'a bit'...

 

 

 

Nice to see Astroneer getting an update in an expansion Glitchwalkers. A game I bought, a game that should be all the things I need to play in such a game; But still a game I can not get into at all. Which I still find a pity, but can't do anything about. 

 

American Truck Simulator is getting it's 1.51 Update. Which is really great to see. I'm still to far into ETS 2 to splash cash on ,ore than the base ATS I have, but it's nice to keep informed.

 

SCS Software

 

 

 

Star Trucker is now in my inventory. I'm still a slight bit hesitant to get into it right away. From all I've seen online it still has too harsh a use rate on in game consumables. With luck that will be balanced out in the forthcoming patch/balance pass. https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2380050/view/4615714711211566788

For that reason I've not gotten into the game properly. Which is no bad thing as I've a lot of games to use and abuse.

 

No Man's Sky's Aquarius update, is yet another game changer. Talk about going strength to strength. A game putting a lot of other games to shame that have bigger goals. NMS has really proven long-term commitment. Major kudos for not charging for any of it as well. Almost a game too big for me to get back into. So much has changed. So much added that I've no interest in. Not that I've to interact with it but that I've so many other games I've yet to play.... Maybe some day I'll restart from scratch and 'just' play it as if a new game...... Still pondering that years later....

 

I can't be the only one to think that NMS is really trolling and/or taking the pish out of other sci-fi games (Starfield, Star Citizen)... Am I? I mean fishing.... Hilarious.

PowerWash Simulator has an Official Shrek themed DLC coming. Which looks interesting.

I've even got some interest in the other DLC Alice's Adventured pack as well.... Seems the Back to the Future pack(below) has sparked(splashed) more of my interest....

 

SPACE MARINE 2 seems to be doing well in reviews. I've got the game on my wishlist but I think I'll be waiting for a sale next summer before I get it. Luetin09 had a good video on the main character Titus. Really worth watching(if your into lore).

Via Gamepass I took a quick look on PC at Dungeons 4. Another game I like but can't help but play it and think more of the original game. Nostalgia I guess with rose tinted glasses. Another on my wish list on Steam but for another time and another sale(even playing it a little with Gamepass).

 

For me gamepass games I play are more for the 'there and then' playing so not going to buy; Those on my Steam wishlist are as the saying goes 'keepers'. Each to their own perspectives and long-term 'value'.

  

 

Death Stranding has seen me return to it in the last week or so. Just a quick return to check on structures, collect likes and do a job or two for old times sake. 

 

 

 

Good to be back but it made me curious for the Xbox PC Ultimate version of the game. The version I first played; But as the game has been removed from gamepass there was no further checking I could do. Really glad to have bought the Director edition on Steam. Even more glad to have been in that mood to redo it all again at the time. Still if it ever comes back to gamepass for pc then I'll check it out there for old times sake. See how my old save is faring....

 

 

PowerWash Simulator has seen me complete the Back to the Future DLC/pack. Really enjoyable to see some of the later films locations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planet Crafter has seen a lot of gameplay. More Solo than co-op as a new patch was released.

 

Co-Op saw some more of the early to mid game gameplay as the process goes on. Lots of progress and fun had in it's doing.

Solo saw a lot more time as that patch brought some nice new additions and changes; As well as the announcement of the upcoming DLC. Another for the wish-list.

New content is new content and so the Rover update and the new areas were interesting. Even if I'm more pro Jetpack than rover.

Miju Games

That said the rover is a pack mule. It's also carry-able in a players inventory(immersion) so that you can fill it with loot and then drive it home. At least that was my take on it's use. That said back in the day I used to just carry around the mats for a transporter; Use that  and move all I needed to base then dismantle it. Swings and roundabouts. It's new and I've got 1 at each of my bases with a third (free of a garage) to 'mess' with in random locations. Till I'm tired of messing with it and park it somewhere....... 

Brace for screenshots!

 

 

With all the new 'discovered', built, checked, DNA'd, sorted and filed away; I went back to diving into portals.

 

 

 

 

Eve Online has seen the usual gameplay. Skills, R&D, Industry, Planetary Interactions, Dailies of both my own making and for rewards from the game. I'm still only doing coincidental tasks(like building a shuttle as the industry task if I'm in between my own needs. Which is a lot as I've now for more than shuttles per character than ever before. Co-Op industry with my far side of the world real world friend goes on and I'm sure I'll get ships..... SoonTM.

Otherwise it's all about doing what I want when I want for as long as I can.

 

After only mentioning the year long subscription with 2 times MCT and in my inbox I get a promo mail for such a thing.... Nice to see the clockwork, working.... I am indeed a sucker and will indeed be purchasing it.....Twice..... Sucker indeed. 

I saw a video worth sharing from Pirate Software. Interesting.

 

 

 

Star Trek Online is once again the ongoing MMO, again more on Xbox than on PC. So much so that I've difficulty transitioning the UI from Xbox to PC; Where's the rep tab again... etc.... Found it. 

So many alts, so much choice(Ships/Gear), real first world problems on PC. At least on Xbox it's half the number of characters with more streamlined focus on items.

 

PC has a Phoenix Prize Pack Event ongoing so I made use of that to gain some bits otherwise it's all been about the event(s).

 

I'm still waiting for the Store sale so that I can get a sale price on the slots and services. Get to make the most of my free Zen(am looking for more character slots).

 

As for news regarding it's 'managment change' there was a short but sweet announcement. Word has been needed and while not a long post it's one with hope and certainty(certain as can be) for the future.

https://www.playstartrekonline.com/de/news/article/11571272

 

The Xbox version saw me complete the campaign and gain the 3 rewards.

 

 

Using the premium ship for a D7 Carrier for my KDF main 

&

A Kara warbird for my Delta Reman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Otherwise my newest character has been seeing use, wandering the universe. I'm still of two minds on the ship to use with her. The Disco ship is thematic but the Mirror Lexington she has is the 'better' ship/fit.

 

 

 

 Playing with a controller, the ui makes the game 'easy to use', not so much easy to play but easy to use... It's handy to just pick up and play...... Couch..... Bed..... Next thing you know 2 hours has passed.

 

 

 

The previous event gave the console which does actually find use on the Cnidarian Defender. Almost every bit matters, but this seems to work.....

 

 

 

The anniversary day was just a quick visit with one character to get the achievement visiting the ship museum.