Mainstream
Making ‘The Last of Us’ a Better Survival Game
The Last of Us was great. The relationship between Ellie and Joel, the graphics, lighting, atmosphere, combat and even the multiplayer were all amazing. Unfortunately, for a game supposedly based around the gritty reality of survival in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the actual survival aspects were thin on the ground. At the start you had to ration your bullets and use anything you could to get an advantage over your opponents, and that gave the game a brilliant moody tension. But as the game moved on you found yourself with weapon after weapon and enough ammo to be able to take on a small army. The unrealistic weapon upgrade system and personal upgrade system didn’t help much either. The actions of friendly NPC’s when you’re trying to sneak around leaves a lot to be desired too – it often sounded like you had a herd of elephants stomping around behind you, but they would never alert enemies to your position. This is how I would deal with these issues.
The number one biggest issue is the amount of ammo you have. It needs to be significantly reduced. I would have it so that there is very little ammo scattered around the environment. Instead, enemies should all spawn with a set amount of ammo each. If they fire those shots their inventory ammunition goes down, eventually forcing them to come after you with melee weapons. This would encourage stealthy play, as it would be better to kill an enemy and get his four revolver bullets rather than have him fire them at you and use them all up. This system would also mean that the infected would rarely have ammo on them, making it sensible to sneak past them whenever possible. Ammo would still be inside lockers and desks if it made sense, but not in areas that would have been scavenged long ago.
I would also make some serious changes to how weapons and weapon ownership works in the game. It’s not bad that there’s a variety of weapons – what is bad is that you can carry all of them at once inside a back-pack. I would limit the player to two side-arms and two main weapons, and they would all always be visible as being carried on Joel’s person. Perhaps you would only be able to carry one heavy main weapon, like the flamethrower, and one light main weapon, like the bow. This would mean that you would end up swapping weapons out when you ran out of ammo for them, picking up and scavenging enemy weapons as you proceeded. You would still end up using all the weapons, as some sections would end up using all your shotgun ammo, forcing you to switch to the hunting rifle or bow that your enemy just dropped. Ammo would be kept if you swapped out a weapon. Perhaps some kind of weapon degradation system could be used too, so if you go in water or use a weapon loads it slowly becomes less reliable until you have to throw it away or repair it.
The weapon upgrades and repair benches need some attention too. I would do away with the current upgrade system, as using screws and cogs to create a sniper scope is ridiculous. In my version of TLOU, each weapon would have a semi-random set of attachments and upgrades already on it. A bandit’s hunting rifle might have a scope but only be able to fire one shot before reloading, whereas yours might be able to fire two shots but be scopeless. Perhaps you could try to take the scope off of the bandits gun with a chance to break it, and be able to attach it to your weapon at a repair bench. If we still want to have the scrap in the game it could be used just to repair weapons that are damaged rather than create entirely new components.
I would do away with the “collect pills to level up” and instead have things like reduced scope sway and more health happen through a natural system where, for example, successfully shooting enemies levels up an aiming stat (think GTA’s stats system). Equally valid would be a system where Joel is just given upgrades at certain points in the story. I would also take Joel’s health back down to baseline or even lower after he recovers from his wound during the Winter section of the game. On the hardest difficulty Joel should be able to take no more than 2 shots from most weapons before being killed, and one shot should be enough to kill if it hits a vital area. Ellie wouldn’t be able to carry as many weapons as Joel, nor would she have as much health. I would make it so she could only carry one primary weapon and two side-arms, to reflect her smaller size and strength.
It would be great to see enemies flee once you’ve taken out a certain number of them. This could be done by implementing a basic morale system, whereby if their leader – or the guy with the biggest gun – gets killed, enemies are more likely to run away. Blowing people’s heads off and attacking with flamethrowers, molotovs and explosives would also strike fear into their digital hearts, increasing the chance of fleeing. They could sometimes come back with re-enforcements or set up ambushes for you further along in the level. This would be even more incentive to not get spotted and make tense stealth situations even more interesting.
Finally, the friendly NPC AI has to be addressed. The current system, where NPC’s run around like nutters when you’re trying to be stealthy simply does not work. Having Ellie get stuck walking into an infected while trying to pass through a door is ridiculous and completely breaks the immersion the rest of the game so impressively builds up. It also makes it feel much less like you have to protect Ellie and more like she’s your invincible little companion, just there to occasionally call out the location of an enemy, give you a health-kit or reach a ladder for you. I would make it so that enemies could see and attack the NPC’s, but you have a few basic commands you can use to direct your allies – go there, wait here, follow me, stop, hide, cover me. When progressing through a level with Ellie you might leave her behind a short way while you dealt with enemies, then call for her to catch up. You wouldn’t be able to leave her in one spot miles behind you because she could be attacked. This would make the game even more tense than it already is, forcing you to think even more tactically about every encounter. NPC’s wouldn’t necessarily always listen perfectly to what you told them, either. If you are attacked by someone you might find Ellie helping you out even though she’s meant to be a room or two over, as she hears the struggling and came to your rescue.
These are just a few things that I think would be very interesting to see implemented into The Last of Us, adding realism, increasing your feelings of protectiveness towards Ellie and making the late-game much more challenging. Enemy numbers would need to be tweaked and ammo dumps might still need to exist just before big infected attacks, but overall I think my changes are workable and would improve the game. What do you think? Am I completely wrong? would some of my ideas damage the balance of the game or do you think I’m right on the money? Let us know in the comments section below, and let us know of any ideas you have for making this already great game even better.
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) is its premier league. For fans and newcomers alike, understanding the structure and duration of an NBA game is essential to fully appreciate the excitement and strategy involved. So, how long is an NBA basketball game? While the answer might seem straightforward, there are several factors that influence the total time.
The Basics: Game Structure
An NBA game is divided into four quarters, each lasting 12 minutes. This means the actual playing time is 48 minutes. However, the total duration of a game is significantly longer due to various stoppages, breaks, and additional rules.
Duration of Professional Basketball Games
In the NBA, games are divided into four quarters, each lasting 12 minutes, resulting in 48 minutes of actual playing time. However, the total duration of an NBA game is much longer due to various factors:
- Timeouts: Each team is allowed seven timeouts per game, each lasting 75 seconds (with some exceptions for shorter timeouts).
- Fouls and Free Throws: Stoppages for fouls and free throws can add significant time.
- Halftime: A 15-minute break occurs between the second and third quarters.
- Overtime: If the game is tied, 5-minute overtime periods are played until a winner is decided.
On average, an NBA game lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours, though games with frequent stoppages or multiple overtimes can extend closer to 3 hours.
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Halftime and Quarter Breaks
In addition to the playing time and stoppages, there are scheduled breaks during the game:
- Quarter Breaks: After the first and third quarters, there is a brief break of about 130 seconds.
- Halftime: The break between the second and third quarters, known as halftime, lasts 15 minutes. This is when teams regroup, and fans often enjoy entertainment or refreshments.
Length of College Basketball Games
College basketball games, governed by the NCAA, have a slightly different structure. Instead of four 12-minute quarters, college games are divided into two 20-minute halves, totaling 40 minutes of playing time. Despite the shorter playing time, college games often last nearly as long as NBA games due to:
- Media Timeouts: These are mandatory stoppages for TV broadcasts, occurring at the first dead ball after the 16-, 12-, 8-, and 4-minute marks in each half.
- Halftime: A 15-minute break separates the two halves.
- Overtime: Like the NBA, college games use 5-minute overtime periods if the score is tied at the end of regulation.
On average, a college basketball game lasts about 2 hours, though this can vary depending on the pace of play and the number of stoppages.
High School Basketball Game Duration
High school basketball games are shorter than both NBA and college games. They are typically divided into four 8-minute quarters, resulting in 32 minutes of playing time. The total duration of a high school game is influenced by:
- Halftime: A 10-minute break occurs after the second quarter.
- Timeouts: Teams are usually allowed a limited number of timeouts, each lasting 60 seconds.
- Overtime: Overtime periods are typically 4 minutes long.
On average, a high school basketball game lasts about 1.5 hours, making it the shortest of the three levels.
Average Duration of an NBA Game
Taking all these factors into account, the average NBA game lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours. However, this can vary depending on the pace of play, the number of fouls, timeouts, and whether the game goes into overtime. Some games, especially those with frequent stoppages or multiple overtimes, can stretch closer to 3 hours.
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Factors Influencing Game Length
Several factors can affect the duration of a basketball game, regardless of the level of play:
- Timeouts: Strategic timeouts, media timeouts (in college and professional games), and mandatory stoppages can extend the game.
- Fouls and Free Throws: Frequent fouls lead to more stoppages and free throws, adding to the total time.
- Instant Replay Reviews: In the NBA and college games, referees may review certain plays, which can delay the game.
- Overtime: Tied games that go into overtime can significantly extend the duration.
- Pace of Play: A fast-paced game with fewer stoppages will be shorter than a slower, more deliberate game.
- Injuries or Delays: Unforeseen events, such as player injuries or technical issues, can also add time.
Why Does This Matter?
Understanding the length of an NBA game helps fans plan their viewing experience. Whether you’re attending a game in person or watching from home, knowing the approximate duration allows you to set aside enough time to enjoy the full experience. Additionally, the strategic use of timeouts, fouls, and breaks adds layers of complexity to the game, making it as much a mental battle as a physical one.
Conclusion
While the actual playing time of an NBA game is 48 minutes, the total duration typically ranges from 2 to 2.5 hours due to stoppages, breaks, and potential overtime. This extended time frame allows for the strategic depth and entertainment that make NBA basketball so captivating. So, the next time you settle in to watch a game, you’ll know exactly what to expect in terms of time commitment—and you’ll appreciate the nuances that make every minute count.
Usenet newsgroups may seem old-fashioned to many. In reality, they are the perfect place for players who love the classics but are always open to new games and strategies. These internet communities are also ideal for those searching for gaming material, solutions to issues, or a conversation related to their favorite video games. Whether you are an experienced player or entering this domain for the first time, Usenet holds a ton of resources that could change how you interact with the gaming world.
Understanding Usenet Newsgroups
Usenet newsgroups, which include gaming groups, are like message boards. People can post messages and articles in different categories. Each group is a special place for certain topics – this makes it simple to find the subjects you want to read about most. The unique characteristic of Usenet lies in its decentralized structure. This permits a much more open interchange of details and information than what is seen on regular social media platforms or forums.
Initially, Usenet was utilized only for academic and professional exchanges. However, it soon turned into a prevalent method for communicating among hobbyists and gaming groups. Presently, even though Usenet has been surpassed by newer platforms in terms of popularity, it continues to be an important tool for knowledgeable users who value its special mix of staying anonymous with fast communication. Knowledgeable users also love access to vast archives containing historical information and software applications that are no longer available elsewhere on the Internet.
Top Usenet Newsgroups for Mobile Games
comp.mobile.games
This is a fresh group dedicated to discussions about mobile games and related technology matters within the industry. Here, you can find conversations about the coding aspects of creating games for mobile devices, like new updates in platforms or fresh game engines being used for development purposes.
rec.games.mobile
The perfect place for people who play games on their mobile devices as a hobby. Here, users talk about strategies, tricks and discuss game evaluations. This group is also suitable for those who are not serious gamers but like to connect with others and discuss playing strategies.
alt.games.mobile
In this newsgroup, users often discuss gaming fixes and give each other suggestions. It is also the go-to place for gamers and die-hard fans that wish to find each and every detail of the game they love to play.
Best Newsgroups for Video Game Discussions
Newsgroups such as alt.games.video and rec.games.video.arcade have lively communities where gamers often engage in exchanges and conversations. These forums are not only for resolving gaming issues or writing reviews; they are centers of enthusiastic discussion regarding gaming culture, strategy, and creation process. Be it the latest RPGs, energetic shooters or old-school arcade games – there is always a thread bustling with discussion.
In these threads, not only will you encounter a variety of views from across the globe, but you may also land on gaming tricks and shortcuts that are lesser known. For those who are new, remember that every group has its own tone and rules. Lurking for a while should help you understand community norms and ensure your contributions are accepted.
Specialized Gaming Newsgroups
Specialized newsgroups are designed for particular gaming communities. They provide a discussion environment that is more centered and focused. These groups are ideal for users who really love a particular game and want to explore it in great depth.
The benefit of these specific groups is their collection of very particular details. Gamers who are part of such a group often exchange unique things like custom mods or skins, and offer advice on how to make gameplay more efficient and fun.
Tips for Using Usenet Newsgroups for Gaming
To enter Usenet, you will first need to pick a provider that is well-known for security, high retention rates and fast speed. To make the right pick, it is a good idea to get the rankings for the best Usenet providers. Next, get advanced newsreader software, as this will allow you to browse through newsgroups easily and manage your activities effectively.
Focus on newsgroups related to gaming and participate in discussions matching your interests to find gaming buddies. Also, make sure that you follow the netiquette of each group while doing so. Utilize newsreader software functions like filters and automation to keep things simple.
Conclusion
Usenet, at first sight, can appear as a choice for oldies or people that have not yet acclimated to social media platforms and forums. However, its distinct characteristics make it very useful for all kinds of gamers. If you are searching for uncommon information, looking for detailed conversations or wish to join a community that matches with your specific interests; Usenet is surely the place for you. Jump in to see how Usenet can add another element of fun to your gaming experiences!
Child development is a complex journey marked by critical milestones where each stride forward builds upon the foundation of the previous one. Acknowledging children’s individual needs, pediatric therapy services tailor strategies to foster physical, emotional, and cognitive growth. To support this transformative process, environments that prompt curiosity and engagement, coupled with advanced educational tools, play an instrumental role in shaping young minds. These resources, carefully selected and applied, can significantly amplify a child’s developmental trajectory. Keep reading to learn about the effective ways these tools and techniques can aid in advancing childhood milestones.
Pediatric Therapy Services: Enhancing Developmental Milestones
Pediatric therapy services support children as they reach and surpass developmental milestones. These services, often provided by skilled therapists, address various growth challenges, ensuring each child has the best possible start in life. From speech and occupational therapy to physical and behavioral interventions, these professionals tailor their approach to meet the unique needs of every young patient.
Therapists work relentlessly to motivate children, fostering an environment where milestones are not merely achieved but celebrated. Through personalized, one-on-one sessions, children gain the confidence and skills necessary to navigate their developmental journeys more easily. The trust between therapist and child is a solid foundation for consistent progress and paves the path for lifelong learning and adaptation.
Resource provision is a key component of pediatric therapy, equipping parents with the tools to continue therapy practices at home. Effective communication between therapists and families ensures a cohesive strategy that envelops the child’s daily routine, enhancing the therapy’s impact. It also allows parents to identify subtle progress, reinforcing their pivotal role in the child’s developmental success.
If you’re looking for pediatric therapy in your area, a simple Google search like “pediatric therapy Arizona” will help you find local providers and services tailored to your child’s needs, ensuring they receive the specialized care necessary for their development.
Optimizing Play Spaces: Creating Environments for Learning and Exploration
Optimized play spaces are vital platforms where children engage with their world, build skills, and unleash their creativity. Designers of such areas pay astute attention to elements that promote safe exploration and intellectual stimulation. A thoughtfully arranged play environment serves as a place of entertainment and a crucible for burgeoning development.
Professionals incorporate a variety of tactile and visual stimuli within play areas to cater to diverse developmental needs and interests. Stimulating sensory experiences is central to cognitive and motor skill refinement among younger populations. The intentional selection of colors, textures, and interactive features sparks curiosity and encourages physical activity, which is fundamental to healthy growth.
Accessibility remains paramount in creating play spaces, ensuring they cater to children across all abilities. Including adaptive resources within these environments demonstrates a commitment to inclusive development, allowing every child to participate and benefit from the joy and learning play offers. Such inclusiveness fosters a sense of community and belonging, which is essential for emotional and social development.
Affording children autonomy in their play advances self-directed learning and problem-solving capabilities. When children feel empowered to make choices within their play, they better understand their preferences and abilities, setting the stage for confidence and self-awareness — qualities that are instrumental as children grow and transition through life’s stages.
Additionally, incorporating elements like fake plants or outdoor plants from retailers like Nearly Natural outdoor plants into play spaces can enhance children’s sensory and aesthetic experience.
Interactive Learning Tools: Technology and Resources for Cognitive Development
Interactive learning tools harness technology’s power to solidify children’s cognitive development. These digital resources provide an array of engaging, educational content that aligns with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Software and applications designed for children’s learning capitalize on the allure of multimedia to capture young minds. Effective education solutions provide children with stimulating challenges that are age-appropriate and aligned with developmental targets.
The discerning use of educational technology in classrooms and homes can reinforce concepts and skills taught through traditional methods. It creates a harmonious blend of instruction and interactive play, thereby cementing a child’s understanding and retention of information.
Providers of such educational platforms are ever vigilant, updating content to reflect new educational strategies and the latest academic research. Thus, children equipped with these technological tools remain at the vanguard of current learning methodologies, all while engrossed in fun and dynamic ways.
Overall, caregivers and educators can provide comprehensive support for children’s developmental journeys by integrating pediatric therapy services, optimized play spaces, and interactive learning tools. These resources nurture their physical, emotional, and cognitive growth and cultivate a lifelong love for learning and exploration.
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