Getting to know you…Getting to know all about you

iOS 12’s new features are perfect for self-analysis. The built-in Screen time feature is just the sort of transparency an users now need.  A pure non-technical approach to analytics give you granular control over your downtime, App time limits and content restricts.

My screen time is 77% down from last week and it’s very fitting as I was using social networking frequently with a Loved one.

Here’s some interest stats about me from ScreenTime

I picked up my phone 30 times a day
Once every 35 minutes after 14:00
I get around 13 notification a day

The most obvious use of this new resource is parent control, although I deliberately changed by device usage behaviour based on these stats.

Many of us won’t want to know these statistics.  The truth about our device dependency is confirmed and proved.

Ignorance is not always bliss.

Duties and Achievements

After 434 in-game days, I’ve finished the last story mode chapter of FallOut 4.  It’s been a nice long read and a pleasant range of endings.  As a completist, I’m drawn to the final few trophy hunts one of which is aptly named  “They’re not Dolls”.

So far my bobblehead collection contains  
Charisma
Energy weapons
Medicine
Melee
Perception
Repair
Speech
Explosive
Small Guns
Intelligence
Luck

Searching for

Sneak
Science
Big guns
Barter
Endurance
Lock Picking
Strength
Unarmed
Agility
Tom Clancy’s The Division – Pulling us back to NY

This is gaming

Walk on by

I’ve always seen following walkthroughs as a second-hand experience but in the right circumstance, especially tough linear games, it can be the key to sanity.  I have limited time to solve some puzzles and frustration can grow rapidly.

It’s been 2 years I explored the Alien Isolation environment, it’s a brilliant and artistic re-creation of the early years of Ripley but really difficult as the chilling music and sound effects of the Alien hunting you distract your from objectives.  Unlike other Alien titles, you have no big guns so you are forced to use stealth which adds up to a scary game of cat and mouse.

Alien: Isolation – last played January 2016

So let’s cheat, whoops sorry, I mean look up a walkthrough.

Some sites are dedicated to creating the best walkthrough as soon as the game is released and YouTube is filled with Pros, fanatics, commentators and streamers.  Some authors have taken to documenting and selling complete illustrated walkthroughs which must be tough considering all the free stuff out there.

Alien: Isolation – Beautiful Artwork

Walk in the Park

Game release timing is always critical.  I’m very picky with when I buy a title as the marketing hype from AAA studios is often a punch in the face.  Indie titles are a bit more honest but often lack the wow factor.  Funny thing is that I’m really enjoying indie title HellBlade.

I sidestepped the travesty of No Man’s Sky but still curious and would probably buy the full game for $20 or so but definitely not for the current $60.  I added two low commitment titles that were not on my buy list but pleasantly interesting with a tempting price drop to $5 from $20, Firewatch and Inside.

Brilliant RabbitHole game – INSIDE

Mafia III (released July 2016) is also down to $16 from $40 but the timing is not right and the drop indicates a possible freebie later this year for PS4 Plus members as they try to boost sales.

 

Brilliant Walk in the Park – Firewatch

Crypto Fool

My Omnia Cloud mining has yielded disappointing results so far but this is not surprising considering the massive drop in values.

After an initial investment of 500 USD
Current mining Earnings 0.72 USD per day
Means it will take a whopping 694 Days to break even,
...that's just under 2 years.

It seems Omnia makes more money from the Multi-Level Marketing aspect than the actual mining at the moment.  The Pay-out procedure is very rigid, ridiculously slow and non-transparent only allowing me to withdrawal my cryptocurrency once (1) a week on Thursdays.

With this scenario, it’s easy to see why Newbie Crypto investors would be sceptical but it all depends on your reasons for getting into Crypto.  For me, the opportunity to remain unseen by central banking is attractive.  Also,  sidestepping the technical hassle and cost of setting up mining servers is excellent.

Today’s Lesson: Define your Crypto goals whether it’s short-term profit to be transferred back to Central banks or leveraging the ability to buy or sell using Cryptocurrencies.

After all, Money is just one big Game anyway

Where’s my Hash Power? – Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

For every action there is a reaction

Upcoming AAA gaming hit

If there was one, I missed the Beta testing rounds for the upcoming thriller Detroit: Becoming Human.  Sony pushed out a short demo of the title and I was sold straight away.  I didn’t even bother to explore the demo much but the gaming idea is simple; all your actions are consequential and lead to different storylines and conclusions.

The illusion of free choice is cleverly crafted for the gamer as you ponder what to do.

I’ve nearly reached the FarCry5 Platinum trophy so while Europe tackles new Data laws (GDPR) I will have to Become Human with Detroit robots.

Detroit: Become Human – Beautiful graphics and intense story

GDPR and Detroit Release date 25-May 2018