Thursday, 31 January 2013

LIMBO.



A while ago I played through Limbo for the first time. I thought it was quite an interesting experience for many reasons and been thinking for it on and off. Now that I have collected most of my thoughts on the game I thought it was time to write a little post about it.

Starting off, I thought the game had really nice visuals that really added to the mood. Small things, like the change in light level and tilt of the camera heightened the mood substantially. Another thing I really liked was the variety of activities and lack of puzzle repetition. Too many games just try and extend play time as long as possible, and it is nice to see games going in the other direction. All this has been said before though and is not what this post will be about. Instead I want to discuss some other things I realized when playing the game.

Limited Interaction
I think the biggest take-away from Limbo is how you do not have to give the player lots of actions in order to make a fresh and interesting experience. The basic actions in Limbo are move, jump, climb and grab. These are then used in a mixture of ways, constantly keeping the experience fresh by putting the variety in the world instead of the controller. This can be seen in other games like Shadow of the Colossus (but then to a lesser degree), and I think it really helps to heighten the player's feel of presence in the game. It only takes the player the first few minutes of the game to familiarize with the controls and the rest of the game can be spent on building up immersion, instead of constantly learning and remembering controls.

It is so often that games become about the mastery of the controls and I think that makes it so much harder to become one with the game's world. The faster the flow of interaction from player to game can become intuitive, the better. We do not want players to think of what buttons to press and sticks to pull. Instead we want players to directly express their wishes from mind to game, unaware of any intermediate hardware.


Puzzles and Limits
As I played Limbo I realized that most (if not all) interactions were directly added to the puzzles you have to solve. I felt that there could have been tons of extra elements to interact with in order to make the player feel more connected to the world.

But then I realized that the design of the game went against this. The puzzles in Limbo depend a lot on experimentation and thinking "out of the box". You have to try out every object in order to find a way to progress. If the game had had superfluous elements, then this would have made the experience so much harder. Players probably would have spent much time interacting with objects that were completely unrelated to the puzzle they were trying to solve, increasing the overall frustration and damaging the flow of progress.

This means that puzzles can be quite a hindrance if you want to make a living world. If the player's goal is to solve puzzles, then that forces you into make sure the rest of the experience supports this. And because of this having puzzles excludes a lot of things that could increase the player presence, emotional connection or just about anything that might work against the puzzle solving.

This is one reason why we will try to completely remove puzzles for our upcoming game (more on that in another post).


Trial and Error
I just have to mention the trial-and-error nature of Limbo as it is something that I havetalked a lot about before and it is quite a prominent feature in the game. First of all, the "repeat and try again" mechanic that is used in almost every puzzles is something that ties into the general design of the game. It is quite clear that it takes the basic design fromAnother World but I link Limbo is a lot less frustrating.

What I found interesting is that the most annoying parts were not the puzzles where you died and had to restart, but where you missed some part of a sequence and had go back and try again. This mainly because the latter meant you had to redo a lot more and the deaths often had a sort of fun, morbid "gotcha!" mentality to them. Also when the world is reset and the game place you at a certain point you get a greater sense of focus on and a hint that you are on the right track. Just failing to do something always give you that nagging feeling that you might not have set up everything in the proper way.

Still, dying or not, for every time I had to repeat a part of the game, it became less about being present in it's virtual world and and more about figuring out an algorithm. I felt a clear change in my state of mind after just one or two attempts at a section. I am probably a biased here, and thus not best of test subjects, so would be interesting to hear what others felt.

A final note on this: Some people have argued that the cruel death mechanic heightened the tension in the game. However, I think the most important part of creating tension in Limbo was that you never know what to expect next. I never felt any increased tension after having failed once or twice, but instead my greatest tension was from anticipation. Coming closer to some strange branches or a weird contraption, my mind conjured up all sort of imagery of what could happen next. I think this sort of build-up is a lot more powerful, than simply adding cheap engagement from the knowledge that you had to restart (which rarely worked on me anyways).


Cut scenes
The last part I want to discuss are the cut-scenes, or more precisely the lack there of. It is still so common in games that you remove control from the players and then pan/zoom/guide the camera to make sure that the player watches some event (e.g. a creature emerging).

Limbo does not do this, and it makes the events that you see so much more compelling. By using the game's space and character movement as a means of pacing, the events are very well directed, but without ever removing control from the player. I especially liked the villagers that you see running about and thought it was a shame that they were not utilized more. I would have really liked for a more coherent narrative to have come out of these encounters.

Despite being mainly a game about solving puzzles, I think Limbo gives a lot of hints on atmosphere and narrative in games, both by things that it does good and things that it fails at. I also wish that we could see games with this kind of polish and interesting art direction, that had main focused on creating immersion, atmosphere and a compelling narrative. As seen when investigating games like Limbo, all the tools for creating truly expressive experiences already exists, it is just a matter of putting them to go use!


VirtualDJ Pro.v7.0


Atomix Virtual DJ is the MP3 mixing software that targets every DJ from bedroom DJs to professional superstars such as Carl Cox, and is used everyday by millions of DJs, and in many big clubs. It features a breakthrough BeatLock engine that will keep your songs in tune and let you work your mixes incredibly faster than any other DJ. The automatic seamless loop engine and the new synchronized sampler will let you perform astounding remixes on the fly. VirtualDJ is compatible with timecoded vinyls that let you scratch your MP3s directly on a real turntable, and with many other DJ equipment. 

VirtualDJ will also let you mix and scratch music videos right from your turntables. You can use several interfaces to suit both beginners and professionals, record your mixes and burn them on CD, rip DVD, rip vinyl, create your own Internet radio, automatically mix playlists, use VST effects, display karaoke, and play DRMed file like Yahoo! 

Features: 
• Twin independent zero-latency players with: 
• Standard controls (play, pause, stop, cue) 
• Volume control 
• Pitch control (from -34 to +34%) 
• 3 band equalizers with Kill + gain 
• One-click beat matching and synchronisation (new FAME algorithm) 
• BeatLock engine: your songs will always stay in time, and you can work your mixes incredibly faster than any other DJ could 
• Automatic beat-matched crossfading 
• On-the-fly automatic BPM calculation 
• Automatic pitch matching 
• Automatic level matching 
• Automatic beat matching 
• Dynamic beat visualizer for easy "drag'n'drop" beat-matching 
• Real scratch simulation 
• Virtual scratch: Scratch your mp3 with your bare hand 
• Automatic beat-aware LOOP function 
• Synchronised sampler with 12 instant slots 
• Master Tempo pitch algorithm 
• Automatic first beat and last beat detection 
• Automatic 4/4 phase detection 
• OSC network synchronisation 
• Infinite number of beatlocked desks (local multi-instance or network) 
• Infinite number of cue points saved per songs 
• Beat-aware effect plugins (included: beatgrid, flippin, vocal remover, filter, flanger, backspin, brake, etc...) 
• VST effects compatibility 
• Video mix with TV output (mix songs and/or video clips !) 
• Full karaoke support 
• Proprietary of FreeFrame video effects 
• Inifite number of video effect simultaneously 
• DJ-adapted video transition plugins 
• Song database engine with easy-to-use search feature 
• CoverFlow or text-only song browsing 
• Compatible with iTunes playlists 
• ID3 compatibility 
• Automatic "filter" folders 
• Automatic Hot-Swap of external harddrives 
• Ready-to-burn file recording to burn your own mixed CDs 
• Broadcast on the Internet 
• CD to MP3 encoder 
• Optional 3D sound card, 2 sound cards or Y-splitter for real-time monitoring or external mixtable use 
• ASIO soundcard compatibility 
• Fully customisable (skin engine and shortcut macro enngine) 
• External MIDI keyboard compatibility for shortcuts 
• Compatibility with most external controllers (DMC2, DAC3, iCDX, TotalControl, BCD2000, DJConsole, etc...) 
• Optional automatic mixing: Virtual DJ recognizes the style of the music (techno, hip hop, lounge) and adapt its mix in consequence 

VirtualDJ will also let you mix and scratch music videos right from your turntables. You can use several interfaces to suit both beginners and professionals, record your mixes and burn them on CD, rip DVD, rip vinyl, create your own Internet radio, automatically mix playlists, use VST effects, display karaoke, and play




Wednesday, 30 January 2013

Desktop Clock


    Desktop Clock - analog clock with RSS Reader, Time
    Voice Preview, Daily Planner and timer to shutdown the
    system. The main features include Time Voice Preview
    (male or female), Daily Planner, Shutdown Pc or Log
    OFF from Windows at a pre-defined time, Countdown to
    the Future Date, Changeable clock hands and frame, Pc
    Work Time since system start-up, 50 RSS feeds Reader
    with Timer ( excellent for reading news ) and much
    more.

Tuesday, 29 January 2013

Alien Skin Image Doctor

This is the first set of image correction filters from the creators of several highly popular effects plug-ins. As with all Alien Skin products, it is well-documented and easy to use. I found the Spot Lifter the most valuable of the filters. It removed blemishes such as skin imperfections, stains, and shadows with incredible ease and astounding quality. Smart Fill did a good job of removing large objects, but must be used in several steps if the background contains varied textures. JPEG Repair worked fairly well to improve images severely damaged by overcompression, but it can't bring back what's already lost and may further reduce fine detail. Scratch Remover was much too slow and finicky to be more useful than cloning or other methods.Description

  • Four image retouching filters for Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Fireworks, and other image editors.
  • Smart Fill: Removes large objects from complex backgrounds by filling the area with pattern.
  • Scratch Remover: Removes long, narrow defects such as scratches, tears, creases, and wrinkles.
  • Spot Lifter: Removes spots and blemishes, seamlessly blending them in with the surrounding area.
  • JPEG Repair: Diminishes artifacts from over-compressed JPEG. Repairs selections or entire images.
  • Offers selection-based repair, unlimited undo/redo, and Photoshop-style keyboard shortcuts.
  • UI features large previews, before/after toggle, convenient filter switching, and on-screen tips.
  • Includes printed User Manual with tutorials and tips. Also provided in PDF and HTML format.
  • Compatible with Macintosh System 9.0 or later; OS X 10.1 or later and Windows 98/ME/2000/XP.

Guide Review - Alien Skin Image Doctor


Monday, 28 January 2013

Mp3 To Ringtone Gold



Information



MP3 To Ringtone Gold is an ringtone converter. It can be used to convert the popular compressed audio formats (.mp3) to ringtone format(.mmf, .amr, .mp3,.wav, .mid) and send them to your cell phone. It can be used to rip multiple audio CDs at once.

Now you can use your preferate song as a ringtone.

MP3 To Ringtone Gold can also be used as an mp3 resizer for your mp3 mobile phone.You can save any part of your favorite mp3s to ringtone format.

64MB mp3 mobile phone can support more than 60 songs. Simply drag and drop the songs you want onto the main screen


Here are some key features of "MP3 To Ringtone Gold":

· Convert mp3 to mmf
· Convert mp3 to amr
· Converrt mp3 to wav
· Convert mp3 to qcp
· Convert CD to mmf
· Convert CD to amr
· Convert CD to mp3/wav
· Send ringtones

@@@ How To Install @@@

It's A Activated Program
So Just Install & Done!!!


Sunday, 27 January 2013

Folder Lock Full crack.

Folder Lock PRO can password protect a folder file or any documents, videos, images that you need to lock. Simply drag-n-drop the data to be hidden to the main security window. Directories and files will be hidden immediately and secured with a password. Folder Lock free is freeware software. Download it and find out how to hide a folder the easy way. Prevent access to a directory or file on Windows 7, Vista & XP.
Folder Lock PRO offers a very simple and straight-forward attractive user interface. It allows the user to password protect files and folders easily with out any knowledge of the windows file system. Folder Lock Free is 100% freeware and the user need not pay for it ever.
Folder Lock PRO is intended for almost any computer user from the novice to an expert. Any user that needs to keep their data hidden and confidential.







Saturday, 26 January 2013

RealPlayer full

RealPlayer used to be an essential application for streaming media content from the web, but you can live without it today. It is still a fully featured media player however, with library, sharing, converting and downloading features.
It is indeed bloated and often intrusive but RealPlayer has a lot of functionality - it can do a hell of a lot from streaming radio and video to burning CD's but it's often slow and cumbersome. In this latest release of RealPlayer, there is an included conversion program with a bunch of different devices it can re-encode video for. This is really handy if you want to take some videos on your portable device. Conversions in RealPlayer take a while, so be patient.
The most recent incarnation RealPlayer SP has done much to solve stability and streaming problems and also includes ways to share videos on mobile devices as well as download videos that are absent from RealPlayer. There's also a handy integrated RealPlayer Downloader for downloading RealPlayer clips for viewing later or sharing with friends.
In saying this, RealPlayer isn't bad at all. It's comparable to Windows Media Player as they both have some impressive ways of organizing your music and for me the best feature is the CD burner which is one of the easiest burners I've ever 
used.

FlashGet 3.7.1



FlashGet 3.7.1.   Latest Version
Want faster downloads and easier management of downloaded files?
Then you need FlashGet.
If you've ever waited forever for your files to download from a slow connection, or been cut off mid-way through a download - or just can't keep track of your ever-growing downloads - FlashGet is for you. FlashGet can split downloaded files into sections, downloading each section simultaneously, for an increase in downloading speed from 100% to 500%. This, coupled with FlashGet's powerful and easy-to-use management features, helps you take control of your downloads like never before.





FlashGet offers these features:

Optimizes use of system resources so it doesn't slow down your system.
Calls anti-virus automatically to scan downloaded files.
100% free, with no ad-ware, spyware, or malware.
Increases download speed and stability.
Supports HTTP, FTP, Bittorrent, eMule and other protocols.
Powerful files management feature.


Friday, 25 January 2013

OrbitDownloaderSetup4115

Orbit Downloader, leader of download manager revolution, is devoted to new generation web (web2.0) downloading, such as video/music/streaming media from Myspace, YouTube, Imeem, Pandora, Rapidshare, support RTMP. And to make general downloading easier and faster.

 

Main Features :
  • Tag make you manage your download files easily
  • Download social music, social video and streaming media
  • Extreme download acceleration.
  • Super Light: micro-sized and resource-friendly
  • Support RapidShare download.
  • Support IE, Firefox, Maxthon, Opera.
  • Support Metalink download.
  • Support HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, MMS, RTSP and RTMP protocols.
  • Support Proxy server configuration.
  • Support download pasue and resume.
  • General download management.


advanced system care 6.0.8.170



Advanced SystemCare Edition The World’s Top System Utility for Superior PC Health. Advanced SystemCare provides an always-on, automated, all-in-one PC Healthcare Service with anti-spyware, privacy protection, performance tune-ups, and system cleaning capabilities. 




Free registry repair and cleaner - Advanced SystemCare Free 6. What does it help? Slow down, freeze, crash and security threats are over. Advanced SystemCare Free is a comprehensive PC care utility that takes an one-click approach to help protect, repair and optimize your computer. Scanning and finding what other utilities miss, it can keep your PC error-free and smooth than ever. This fantastic program is available free of charge. Why Advanced SystemCare Free? New PC Performance - Do you remember the feeling of a brand new PC when you first bought it? Why not try Advanced SystemCare Free, a free PC tune-up utility that focuses on the performance of your PC. Computer Crashes without Reason - Have you ever encountered your PC crashes and you even did not know why. After months or years of using your PC, there might be plenty of changes, which added burdens to your PC but never get cleaned. What Advanced SystemCare Free does is to clean the stuffs that are left over and clean craps to make your PC neat and clean. Registry Repairing and Cleaning - As an elementary part to a PC, if it does not working well, then your computer will be in big trouble. What does Advanced SystemCare Free do? It cleans the records which is unnecessary to your PC but makes the PC running slow and produces troubles. It also repair parts that are missing and make the PC complete. What's new in Advanced SystemCare 6? + Brand New User Interface + New Surfing Protection Technology + New Performance Monitoring Technology + New Generation Technology + New Internet Boost Technology + Enhanced Registry Fix Technology + Improved Active Optimize Function + Improved Turbo Boost Function + Improved Toolbox + More Discovered by you

Monday, 21 January 2013

Recuva



Accidentally deleting important files? Lost something important when your computer crashed? No problem! Recuva is recovering deleted files from your Windows computer, Recycle Bin, digital camera cards, or MP3 player

Data Recovery Recuva is a free file recovery program. Recuva Data Recovery can recover lost or deleted files from local drives and external drives. And with the integrated guidelines, the user will be guided to the overall recovery process with ease. 

The program interface is clean and simple, using the wizard or advanced mode users will find it easy to find deleted files even if deleted permanently from recycle bin. 

If using a modern processor speed of the search program in normal mode is amazing. There is also the option of taking a deep scan scan hard closer, slower and more used in most cases to recover data even from formatted drives. It even has the ability to recover damaged files, this is a deleted file is not lost due to crashes or other types of damage. 



File Size: 2:44 MB (freeware) -Operating system: Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7 



Paladin Multi Search

Paladin Multi-Search 1.0 © N2R Solutions This file contains information to help you troubleshoot issues with Paladin Multi-Sea...