Looking for cool gifts for movie buffs and television show enthusiasts? Check out this AMAZING holiday gift guide from your favorite guy, Houston Gamer!
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Tuesday, December 17, 2024
🙌🏾 👉🏾 🔥 HOUSTON GAMER 2024 Gift Guide for GAMERS [HD]
Buying for a video gamer? Check out Houston Gamer’s holiday gift guide for gamers!
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Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Kansas City Pioneers on path of success in esports
Graham Bowlin sensed time slowing down around him as he avoided the danger onscreen.
Traveling at hundreds of virtual miles an hour, and with a four-car wide finish, Bowlin used all the training he had garnered since age 14 and hammered hard on the pedal.
The finish line played out in front of him, and with a burst of speed, Bowlin shot forward and managed to earn a spot in the Champ Four of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series held in October at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Bowlin earned third place.
Bowlin, from Houston, is one of about 15 total professionals that played for the Kansas City Pioneers in different esports in 2024. They are believed to be the first esports teams to be officially adopted, and are considered the “fifth” sports team in the eyes of Kansas City.
They even have a Kansas City Pioneers Day, which is July 21.
“I was completely exhausted afterwards,” Boyd said. “It was a close one.”
The Kansas City Pioneers, founded in 2019, is comprised of gaming, esports, media, marketing and serves as a talent recruiter. They saw an incredible increase in attention during COVID.
Bowlin said he proudly wears his “QuikTrip” and “Price Chopper” logos on his racing gear as he strives to compete for the esports community of Kansas City.
The Kansas City Pioneers compete in eNASCAR, Rocket League, Apex Legends and Brawl Stars among others.
They make a positive impact by working with the boys and girls club, helping young minds dream beyond racing and into virtual car design, or racing fashion or any of the numerous esports elements that can be personalized.
Bowlin said he has a “pit crew” of 15 teammates, who constantly strive to make the car faster.
KC Pioneers’ Director of eNASCAR Darius Boyd said that many iRacing drivers have gone on to become successful NASCAR drivers.
“The reason we built this organization in the Midwest is because we realized gaming was underserved in our community”, said co-founder Sam Kulikov. “If we didn’t build the Pioneers here, in Kansas City, then the Midwest would not have the chance to participate fully in the gaming industry."
The esports market worldwide - in which players and teams with major sponsors compete for big dollars in front of a worldwide audience - is projected to reach a revenue of $4.3 billion this year, according to Statista, which also projects that number to grow to $5.9 billion by 2029. The U.S. alone accounts for slightly more than $1 billion itself.
Recognized by the Kansas City Area Development Council as an official Kansas City sports team, Kulikov said, the KC Pioneers are building the city’s reputation in places civic leaders likely never could have imagined.
A recent Rocket League tournament in Dallas, for example, drew fans from Kansas City down to the Lonestar State “to cheer on their own town, their own city,” Kulikov said.
“One of the things that make the Kansas City Pioneers so special is that we are one of the few teams that champion our city in our name. Most teams do not have a direct tie to a city like Kansas City and that allows us to compete in ways that many cannot - in hometown pride.
“We started in 2019, and, to date, we have raised almost $2 million in pre-seed round,” he said. Kulikov. They plan to start their $3 million seed round soon, and it’s “designed to fund our vision to change the way that gamers, creators, and athletes interact with fans, brands and communities.”
“This year, three out of the four of our rosters all qualified for their world championships respectively,” he said.
The KC Pioneers Rocket League roster even beat one of North America’s top teams – Gen G - at the Rocket League World Championship in September.
Kulikov said competitors like Bowlin are hard to find. “Only four drivers qualified out of 40 to go in person, and our driver was one of them,” Kulikov said.
The KC Pioneers are also ranked second in North America in Brawl Stars. That team already qualified for the Nov. 1 world championships in Finland.
Gaming is a new “national past time” with more than 200 million gamers – or 61 percent of the country - getting into the action.
“We’re eliminating roadblocks,” Kulikov said. "It doesn’t matter what your background is, or if you’re athletic. We’re involved in a movement that includes educators, parents and a real sense of community pride.”
National esports Association President Lori Bjorek said the Pioneers will encourage other cities to create their own squads.
“Not many realize that esports are being looked at as an Olympic sport,’ Bjorek said. “Young people are earning university scholarships, and there’s some great educational value in esports and video games.”
Local noted companies like Garmin and Cerner have esports teams that compete in the Corporateesports Association, a group developed to raise money for various charities and to foster at-work team building.
“You may remember the company softball leagues that companies use to have,’ said Florian Helff, CEO of the CEA. “It’s similar to that, and it’s been very effective for several Fortune 100 companies such as Ford for growing camaraderie. We help to dig wells, get video games to children in hospitals, the players get to choose their charity.”
As for the future of the KC Pioneers, they hoped to continue to grow their appeal to Gen Z, the largest esports age group, and capture more trophies.
“The future is here and it’s in gaming,” Kulikov said.
REVIEW: “West Wing” is great political throwback to simpler times
By Willie Jefferson, Jr.
THE HOUSTON GAMER
I’VE BEEN A POLITICAL JUNKY since the late 1970s. I voted in grade school during the 1980 election, and watched “The McLaughlin Group” with my dad into my teens.
By the time I voted in my first presidential election, I was an informed voter. I didn’t hate opposing lawmakers; I simply preferred other choices. Yet, the only political sitcom I could recall was “Soap.” I loved it, but the satire only fueled my desire for a TV show that was somewhat realistic.
Entered NBC’s award-winning drama, “The West Wing.” The TV series, which aired in 1999 until 2006, follows the working - and often personal - relationship between the commander in chief - the president, played by Martin Sheen and Jimmy Smits - and his public affairs staff, including his chief of staff.
Warner Brothers recently released, “The West Wing: The Complete Series” October 1st for $139.99 for the Blu Ray edition (DVD version was released in 2006). It contains all seven seasons, including two special episodes (one is a Sept. 11th flavored show that feels like an infomercial about diverse instead of a regular episode and a documentary episode).
The series gave viewers a small glimpse into how the White House handles critical events, political squabbles and even assassination attempts. It seamlessly transitions between characters - from the Oval Office, to the chief of staff, then to the press secretary and then to the mess hall, then back to the Oval. The series kept all the gears and cogs keep humming.
Presentation is much better than the original broadcast resolution (likely 480i).
The series settings include the White House, campaign stops, government buildings. Several settings are outside and bright, but the interior lighting varies between decent and barely passable and muddy.
My review copy is Blu Ray (DVD boxset was released in 2006) and presented on 28 Blu Ray discs. The outer slipcover is made of thick cardboard. The cases have a storage system that is unreliable. Upon initial opening, a few discs slid out of the case. The small amount of glue does not secure the discs.
Also inside the seasons 1-4 case is a guide to the boxset’s contents.
Synopsis: “The West Wing” is a phenomenon political drama that is a perfect throwback to simpler times, in light of today’s unconventional world of politics.
The verdict? 9.5 (out of 10)
The series still shines in this 25th anniversary boxes. The only chinks in this otherwise amazing TV series is the disc storage system. If you can look past this, you’ll have a gem.
WJ
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Be the next Paul Mitchell in “Hairdresser Simulator”
Hairdresser Simulator
Price: $19.99 (US)
Available: NOW
Available on: Xbox Series, PlayStation 5
By LASENDRA JEFFERSON,
THE HOUSTON GAMER
“Hairdresser Simulator,” developed by Frozen Way, is a life simulator that lets players serve customers at virtual hair salons. Gamers will need to pass hair lessons, use profits to buy a salon, upgrade equipment and hire staff.
Gameplay: Gamers start “Hairdresser Simulator” as a student at Geordie’s hair salon. Afterward, gamers are able to buy their own hair salon.
Players use the right trigger to access the tool menu. Gamers hold the RT button to select the tools needed.
For example, to straighten a customer’s hair, players will need to use the right thumb stick and follow the instructions.
Players’ first hair salon: When gamers arrive at their virtual hair salon, players can expect to clean and spend funds buying furniture and equipment. Then, players can go into the in-game menu to schedule clients, buy equipment and purchase property.
After players clean their salon, gamers will learn how to cut client’s hair. There are many lessons players need to complete to be hair professionals, even the next Paul Mitchell!
Sound: The upbeat music in “Hairdresser Simulator,” unfortunately, fails to match the game’s tone. Hair salons are often trendy; the music here is anything but.
Voice acting is good. Scissors and clippers sound very good.
Sandbox: The game mode, SandBox, lets players create and customize their own character. Gamers can experiment on their characters with unlocked hair tools, before trying styles in their salons.
Graphics: The graphics are good. The hair animations look realistic. The customers look very good, as well as their movements.
Overall, “Hairdresser Simulator” is an entertaining game that can bring out gamers’ creative side. If gamers want to play with hair styling or be a virtual hairdresser in their own salon, “Hairdresser Simulator” fits that bill.
VERDICT: 8 (out of 10)
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Whataburger-flavored action coming to “Fortnite”
“Forza Horizon 4,” content delisted?! Plus, Sega Ages DEALS on Nintendo’s eshop
FROM WIRE REPORTS
Whataburger plans tournament, branded content in “Fortnite.”
SAN ANTONIO — The loser has to buy Whataburger, right? It sounds like the stakes are high as Whataburger unveiled its brand-new Whataburger-themed Fortnite “Bedwars” map. The new map launched today at 11 A.M. EDT/10 A.M. CDT, going live alongside the announcement of “Breakfast in Bedwars,” Whataburger’s first-ever Fortnite Tournament.
The all-new custom map combines Fortnite’s building and combat mechanics with the popular creative mode “Bedwars,” while offering players an action-packed, Whataburger-fueled experience.
Playing Code
use island code 6619-8313-5969
“Forza Horizon 4”, DLC motors toward delisting
Microsoft’s open-world racing simulation, “Forza Horizon 4”, world expansion acts and associated content will be delisted off the Microsoft Store, as well as Valve’s Steam storefront, according to sources.
First noted by the Web site, press-start.com, Playground Games is planning to put their game, “Forza Horizon 4,” will be removed from digital platforms in December. Plus, there are changes coming to the game’s Festival playlists.
Read more HERE: https://forza.net/news/forza-horizon-4-delisting
Sega classics for under $3
If you are a child of the ‘80s, and pumped arcade cabinets full of quarters, or hooked on retro gaming, check out the bargains n Nintendo’s Store.
The notable standouts, including “Outrun,” “G-LOC,” and “Sonic the Hedgehog,” can be snagged for $2.39. The games include updated features, faster frame rates and numerous customizations.
Here’s the link: https://www.nintendo.com/us/search/#q=sega+aces&p=1&cat=gme&sort=df
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