Day's, week's, oh my!

In the last few weeks I've manly been playing the usual online MMO's but also single player Planet Crafter. A game which captured my interest for sure. Specifically due to it's new DLC. Planet 'Humble'. The new planet/scenario is indeed interesting in nuanced ways(more on more of my other gaming after I waffle about it). 

 

 

The changes may be considered minor, but the mechanic changes do mix things up. Which I've liked. Starting off the new planet, the realization about the lack of basic Cobalt(converts to Oxygen) is a somewhat panic 'omg' moment or two; Till you figure out(very fast) the new material and it's reprocessing to get cobalt. Noting like impending dire need to motivate.

 

The DLC is one I took my time in but at the same time flew through. Exploration, discovery, looting, building. All good, like a streamlined version of the main game planet. At least for 'veteran' Planet Crafter me. Yet I did not take my time to 'really take my time'. Progress is unavoidable once you start, just not done at break neck speed. Rockets by the end were my multiplier to real progress. I was well setup by the time the patch to introduce the Pirate crash site was implemented. End game is full planet  transformation after all so I knew what was coming and what needed to be done. Watching the stats screen as I went, plugging the gaps as it all went on... Heat falling behind would lead to 2 new devices outside and 2 more heat rockets etc etc etc.

 

 

 

 

 

Overall the planet and the 'story' starts off interesting but fades fast; So much so that late game I was questioning if I'd missed a few things. But it's ending falls off a cliff. Talk about a let down. But the game is all about the playing and this DLC is no different. I was glad that I'd not gone slow to build up for a long stay. This DLC for me was always one and done, the more I played it the more it confirmed that decision for me.

 

I played it on standard. I'm all about the enjoyment. Best of luck if a player needs it to be 'harder'. 

 

I didn't make any mammals or work with DNA beyond bee and silk larva and even at that only a few as the rest came from my single habitat and beach combing. A single base that is only a minor scratch compared to even the 3rd base/setup I had on my original planet save. Humble is good to experience and play as it is 'different'. There is 'interesting' in just being there and seeing it; But once done it's done for me.

A minor super-food farm was setup, as was a minor cookie farm.... Extra refined ores went into creating bars and exported via the trade rocket. Used in turn to get the only real item I 'needed'. T2 Storage. Some other minor blue prints were gained, just because(cookies).

 

So, the story in the end left me with more questions than answers and I took to the games discussions; It seems many players also felt the same. So in reading up I wasn't surprised by the ending and "the message". I could see the end coming from a galaxy away.

I was well done with the DLC by about 80% Terraforming. I'd automated everything and done most of everything needed/else, way beyond 'survival'. So I ended up 'waiting' around for the 100% and end message 'mail' to pop.  Like I was spinning in a chair passing time.

 

  

   

 

 

Glad to have gotten the DLC, supported the game devs etc.... But I've no need to return to the Planet, or my base there..... Interesting distraction; So back to faffing about with my main base on the original planet, when I feel the need to actually 'play' the game.

 

Having said that I'm helping my wife on her 'Humble' save as she was amenable to co-op'ing the end of her save.... 

 

 

 

Now for a lot of screenshots of my Humble save! 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope springs eternal for No Mans Sky and me but the game is only getting bigger; And still I can't get into it and the thought of starting from scratch is so off-putting as ever. Another try and another 'not for me' moment with the game. Hope springs eternal...... Maybe next time?

The season that it is the events are all in games, Euro Truck Sim 2 is no exception; Giving me time to also micromanage my trucking empire. With a 5% inkling to do at least one or two trips in American Truck Sim....

 

SCS Software

 

The new main menu screen has added Ghosts this year; As well as on the Trailer sidings. I'm not going 'mad' in doing the event trips needed. Plenty of time to do it(Sunday, 17th of November at 23:59 UTC). 

I've yet to fully get into the Driving Academy. Time will fix that I'm sure. 

Powerwash Sim also has it's 'spooky' map. Nice to see and good to have done.

Star Trek Online has seen a lot of my interest ratcheted down(Planet Crafter was in the way as a time-sink); So no surprise that game-play has been basic with event/dailies as the core on both PC and console. One thing of note has been the Red Alert filler between events on console. It started and hasn't stopped. Due to stop on the 17th of Oct it's still going and I've gotten to both claim the extra Dil each day and 2 of the main 'Red Alert' rewards. Odd but I'll take all the freebies I can get. I've no need to run it for the rep rewards but it's 'nice'. It's also survived 3 downtime's. I'm sure that in the background dev's have been at work to 'correct' it.... Thankfully such things in the past have not been 'revoked' so the longer it goes on the more players will benefit..... The usual Halloween event is it's usual interesting self. Again another long-term event both as in it's nearly over and years being run, year after year, where the player-base are all 80% clueless(what to do, where to do it and how etc). Is there really that high a turnover of players in the game.... Maybe I'm that naive....

 

Eve Online has much the same gameplay as ever for me. The more things change the more they stay the same. Kind of the same as the launcher and it's 'issues', ever ongoing in a self fulfilling error loop. Launch and error, error due to failed launch, round and round we go again.

As for gameplay, it's P.I. Mining, Industry with the usual 'dailies'. PvE when I have more time to commit to it. That said I've been pushing an alt more down the AFK mining route for no other reason than on a side pc I can....

 

 

 

I've been avoiding all Star Citizen news especially anything from the recent CitizenCon.  With luck the proof in the pudding will explain itself sooner rather than later with an actual game. Not holding my breath at all.

That said TheYamiks has done some interesting overview vids on it comparing other top space games etc.

- Star Citizen VS Elite Dangerous VS No Man's Sky VS X4 Foundations (2024/2025) 

&

- BIGGEST Videogame Ever is coming 2026? - Squadron 42

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has had a Nuketown Launch Trailer. Great map from back in the day. Fun. Looking at the trailer brought back a lot of memories. As for the modern iteration of CoD , I've no interest.

 

 

 

 

Red Dead Redemption getting to PC is a good thing and it seems to be running well. Even if it costs more than I'd like. Sale for me.

https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/red-dead-redemption-may-still-look-like-a-14-year-old-game-but-its-absolutely-brilliant-on-handheld-gaming-pcs/

But to play it on Steam-deck is interesting:

 

ETA PRIME

Cities: Skylines, the first game, is getting new DLC! If nothing else that should tell you what to think of the second game!

https://www.eurogamer.net/cities-skylines-1-gets-new-paid-dlc-18-months-after-its-supposedly-final-update

I've waffled about both games on this lil'ol'blog. Why I liked the first and not so much the second.

 

 

 

Sociable Soccer is still plying itself. '25' is going to be 'decent'; But I think I've lost all interest in it.

https://www.sociablesoccer.com/blog/be-more-sociable-this-season

Subnautica 2 is official with trailer and Steam page etc. With luck it will be 'good' as I wasn't into SubZero. So will see how this goes.... Wish-listed.

 

 

 

Steam says that that players are buying a license and not a game..... This saga goes on.....

Jake Baldino

Speaking of which:

https://www.gamesradar.com/games/publishers-are-absolutely-terrified-preserved-video-games-would-be-used-for-recreational-purposes-so-the-us-copyright-office-has-struck-down-a-major-effort-for-game-preservation/

 

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.....