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
Monday, July 8, 2024
You PAID HOW MUCH for your game? Blame microtransactions
A couple packs here, some DLC can make your gaming experience a costly affair
By WILLIE JEFFERSON, JR.
THE HOUSTON GAMER
It starts off so innocently.
You started playing a hidden gem, a diamond in the rough. Before you realize it, you’ve invested 25 hours - or more - into the game experience. You hit the e-store, just for a trinket that can express your personal touch on a character. However, you end up with just a pound or a couple dollars for an in-game item.
Then, there’s a story expansion for just $20. The DLC promises to expand the already epic experience to a new level. Plus, go ahead and snag the free in-game skins.
Look! There’s also a season pass!
Suddenly, you’ve dropped at least $300 on one single video game!
You may laugh and think I’m joking, but I’m being honest.
Microtransactions have forever changed the video game landscape. Before microtransactions were a thing, many video games were sold as standalone experiences. Yet, with Bethesda’s “Oblivion” horse armor DLC, the floodgates were opened for publishers and developers to keep making money on a title post-release.
The Bait:
Video game publishers are in the business to make as much money as possible. They are focused on their bottom line. Money. Manna. Loot.
Before MT, a publisher would be compensated for the initial sale. Afterward, there was no way to earn additional funds after the initial sale.
For consumers, they may have wanted additional content, but there was a cost-efficient way for publishers to do this without additional product runs, distribution and retail packaging.
Enter digital content.
Now, publishers can continue to earn revenue post-release. The customers can keep the experience going for just a few dollars more. The publisher gets to release additional content (or unlock content already instead of the game - link here) and earn revenue. They will increase profit margins by getting sales without disclosing production, physical media and distribution costs eating into the final sales tally.
With a business model like this, publishers can earn so much more by selling the same piece of software repeatedly.
Consumers are enticed for the low prices for new content, but don’t realize they are being hooked.
The Target:
The average consumer is likely unaware to the numerous strategies to get them to part ways with their funds. As stated earlier, most businesses are in business to make money. They are very skilled on ways to make money.
Those weekly deals on multiplayer titles or popular video games with all sorts of content is there to lure the consumer to buy the game. In-game ads, especially in free-to-play video games, bombarded you with many extras. It’s hard to pass on making your game grind easier with just a couple of bucks.
The Tally:
Look at your game collection, physically and digitally. Focus on the games you play the most. My daughter loves all things Sims. Between EA sending me game / DLC codes and our purchases, she’s dumped at least $900 into a now “free” game.
As soon as a new expansion or pack is released, she wants it.
Companies know this.
Rockstar Games will take 10 years to make a new game and reap dividends for years to come.
Yes, video games offer an escape, but, if you’re not careful, the extra content on a cheap - and especially free-to-play game - could cost you much more than you realize.