Palworld Servers Cost Over $475 Million to Run for February 2024. Just Don't Call it a Pokémon Game

PC Gamer reported that Palworld server costs were almost $500K in February 2024 as the massively popular game merges elements that are similar to Fortnite, Monster Hunter, and Pokémon and has sold around 12 million copies on Steam.

Palworld video game

Palworld is Wildly Popular and Expensive to Maintain Servers

PC Gamer reported that Palworld has 19 million players, and sold about 12 million copies of the game on Steam at $30 each. According to the math, they have brought in at least $360 million in revenue so far.

PC Gamer also reported that Network engineer Chujo Hiroto was instructed to "never let the server go down" on the game.

He said:

"Following the order to never let the service go down no matter what, we have prepared servers without regard to cost. We will continue to give our all to ensure that all players can enjoy to the fullest! $478,000..." -Chujo Hiroto

He should have followed that up with an "Aye, aye, captain."

PC Gamer pointed out that Palworld will not be selling 12 million games a month, so the money coming in may not be able to continually sustain the high costs of maintaining the Palworld servers. There are also currently no microtransactions in Palworld. That may change down the road when examining how the game will bring in more money to offset the costs.

That may be a problem for another day. For now, let's just enjoy the game while we have it. To host more than four players in one world, it requires a Palworld dedicated server that could host up to 32 players in one single world.

(Source: PC Gamer)

Japanese Entertainment Agencies: Don't Compare Palworld to Pokémon

Dexerto reported that Japanese entertainment agencies are "advising their clients not to mention Pokémon on social media when speaking about the Palworld video game." (Source: Tokyo Sports)

Dexerto also noted that Palworld has "broken the third-party launch record on Xbox game pass." 

Not too shabby.

They report that the game is now at 20 million players a day.

Meanwhile, Pokémon might be getting a little jealous. They said on January 25, 2024 that they are "investigating any unauthorized usage of their Intellectual Property in Palworld."

See the Palworld trailer below.

Squid Game: The Challenge Synopsis, Insider Details, and Episode Release Dates

In Squid Game: The Challenge, 456 real contestants compete in a challenge based on the Netflix series, Squid Game, to try to win the $4.56 million grand prize in a reality competition. One player that was in the series even shares the wild details of how players tried to lubricate their chapped lips with the free condoms provided on the show. Then they eventually were given real lip balm.

Squid Game: The Challenge

Netflix’s new reality show, Squid Game: The Challenge, is a thrilling and brutal adaptation of the hit South Korean series and will likely have a sequel due to its popularity.

Like the original series, The Challenge began with a round of “Red Light, Green Light,” in which every contestant tried to make it across a finish line without being “killed.” Meaning: players wore ink packs that exploded if they failed to complete the mission. The Challenge also includes a round of Dalgona, along with new challenges that force contestants to rely on their intellect and physical abilities for survival.

So far, only the first five episodes of The Challenge have been released. The next batch of episodes will premiere on November 29, followed by a two-part finale on December 6. As the series comes to an end, fans are wondering if Squid Game: The Challenge will return for another round. 

How is Squid Game: The Challenge Different from the Original?

The Challenge makes players play in huge versions of childhood games, similar to Squid Game itself. If you saw the original Squid Game, don’t think that you know all of the game show’s surprises, because it has some hidden tricks. We won’t reveal too much for you, but even in the dorm, contestants deal with a lot of mental pressure. Add small amounts of daily food and shifting alliances, Squid Game: The Challenge has achieved the balance between fun television and emotional drama.

After reducing the competition from 456 contestants to just below 70 hopeful players after the Squid Game: The Challenge’s first five episodes, the latest three-episode release makes another big cut. By the end of Episode Nine, we have a very small number of contestants left. When the finale comes out next week on Thursday, December 6, we’ll finally see a winner.

Squid Game: The Challenge, credit: Netflix

Details on Why Players Rubbed Condoms on Their Chapped Lips

Another unusual thing happened during the filming of Squid Game: The Challenge.

Trey ("Player #301") standing next to his mother in Squid Game: The Challenge, credit: Netflix

"Trey" (Player #301) told Entertainment Weekly that players were desperate to find lip balm, which many commonly refer to as "chapstick." They were so desperate that players used all of the condoms out in the communal area on set. The players allegedly tried to use the lubrication found in the condoms to relieve their chapped lips. It really didn't help them.

Trey said:

"Do you think I did that? Do I seem like a person that did that? No, hell no. That's so stupid."

Trey even remembered that some people still had chapped lips after rubbing the condoms on their mouths. This was after players tried to use the lotion and the conditioner to relieve their chapped lips.

He noticed that all of the condoms were gone within a day and a half.

He said:

"When people tried it and they kept trying it and it didn't work, and I was like, 'Obviously!'" he adds. "So yeah, that's 100 percent true."

After that he noted that show producers gave players individual tins of lip balm with their numbers on them. Trey wished he had kept his, as it was one of the few items he could have taken home with him.

Trey said:

"I gave my chapstick to someone last minute because I accidentally kept it in my pocket during Glass Bridge," Trey says. "And I was like, 'Can you please give this back to me? It has my number on it.' And they were like, 'I will not see you again if you don't make it over that bridge.' I was like, 'Great. Killer. Awesome encouragement.'"

(Source: Entertainment Weekly)

Are you looking for the episode release schedule for Squid Game: The Challenge?

Episode Release Schedule for Squid Game: The Challenge on Netflix

The following is an episode release schedule in 2023 for Squid Game: The Challenge:

Episode 1: “Red Light, Green Light” — November 22

Episode 2: “The Man with the Umbrella”— November 22

Episode 3: “War”— November 22

Episode 4: “Nowhere to Hide”— November 22

Episode 5: “Trick or Treat”— November 22

Episode 6: “Goodbye”— November 29

Episode 7: “Friend or Foe”— November 29

Episode 8: “One Step Closer”— November 29

Episode 9: “Circle of Trust”— November 29

Episode 10: “One Lucky Day” — December 6

Driver Hits Something. Wisconsin Warden Pulls a Bobcat Out From Being Lodged in the Front Grill of a Car

Wisconsin authorities are called when a car hits a bobcat and it becomes lodged in the grill of a car. A game warden is called to the scene and they carefully pull the bobcat from under the vehicle. The bobcat is returned to mother nature.

a bobcat by Chandler Cruttenden on Unsplash

In Portage County, Wisconsin a Toyota car hits a bobcat and the bobcat becomes lodged inside the grill of the car. Authorities are called to the scene to extract the cat.

WSAW-TV 7 News reported that the driver called the dispatcher stating, "I have a bobcat in my car" on Tuesday, 18 April 2023.

The driver felt the vehicle strike something but didn't know what until getting out of the vehicle. That's when they noticed a bobcat stuck in the front grill of the car.

bobcat stuck in front car grill by Sheriff Mike Lukas

When Portage County Sheriff's Department arrived, they determined that they needed to get a game warden out there to assist with the situation. They called Conservation Warden Bryan Lockman to come and help out.

Portage County Sheriff's Office Posted on Facebook

The Portage County Sheriff's Office posted about the incident on Facebook.

On 19 April 2023, Sheriff Mike Lukas posted:

"Ok this is a first, dispatch gets a caller stating, "I have a bobcat in my car". You can only imagine what everyone was thinking at the time, so when they dispatched over the radio numerous deputies were curious. So, Deputies Selvey, Stanton and Ashbeck responded to the location to investigate. As you can imagine the shock they were in when low and behold there was a bobcat in the vehicle. My deputies are really good at solving problems but this one baffled them so we called in reinforcements with Conservation Warden Bryan Lockman. As you can see on the bodycam footage Warden Lockman was a pro at getting the critter out and in his truck and returned it to the wild.

All in a day’s work at the Portage County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin DNR." (Source: Portage County Sheriff's Office)

With the Conservation warden on site, they came up with a plan and worked to get the bobcat out of the grill of the vehicle, and then released the bobcat "back to the area where it got stuck in the vehicle and released it."

photo by Portage County Sheriff's Office

Thankfully both the cat and the people were not harmed during this cat extraction.

Please share this article with friends and family on social media so others can be informed about this story.

Sources

Poltrock, Heather and Dominique O'Neill. "Portage County deputies rescue trapped bobcat from vehicle on highway." WSAW-TV 7 News. 19 April 2023.

Sheriff Mike Lukas account on Facebook.

Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resource official website.

Lawsuit Claims Fortnite was Designed to be Addictive

Fortnite game case

Canadian Parents file Lawsuit against Epic Games

A lawsuit filed in Canada accuses Epic Games of making Fortnite too addictive. The lawsuit - filed by disgruntled parents - complains that players (including their children) had have to seek treatment for their Fortnite addiction. The lawyer, Jean-Philippe Caron, filed the lawsuit in the Quebec Superior Court on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019. The lawsuit goes on to say that Fortnite is so addictive that players have to seek treatment for their addiction, after player for hours without eating or showering. They state that the game's developer's even employed psychologists to make the game addictive.
The Yahoo! article can be read here.

Was the Fortnite video game created to be addictive?

Video games that offer rewards for playing can be addictive because they appeal to the brain's pleasure circuits in the amygdala and the orbitofrontal cortex, and were significantly stronger in men.

This was confirmed by David J Linden, Ph.D. in Psychology Today. 

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) filed Copyright Infringement Lawsuit against Fortnite in 2018

In 2018, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in January 2018 against Epic Games because Fortnite's Battle Royale was "too similar" - this was reported in TheKoreaTimes. Both games use the Unreal Engine 4, but PUBG graphics are intended to be more realistic, while Fortnite graphics are cartoonish in nature.

Bloomberg reported that PUBG dropped its copyright infringement lawsuit against Fortnite.

Fallout 76 Glitches and Gameplay Issues

Fallout 76

The game Fallout 76, by Bethesda Studios has received many criticisms for glitches and bugs. I have the game on PS4 and have encountered some of these gameplay issues, which are detailed below.

3 Gameplay Issues that Make Fallout 76 Less Fun

1. Being Overencumbered: The biggest issue that I have personally dealt with playing Fallout 76 on PS4 is the problem of being 'Overencunbered' - which means in the game that you have collected too many items over your maximum capacity, and it negatively affects your character in the game. It means your character can run, and it drains Action Points (AP) just to walk anywhere. There are three possible solutions to this that is really burdensome to do if you still a low level.

First solution: Drop a bunch of your junk on the ground. This is not a great solution because the whole point of this game is to run around West Virginia and loot and collect junk.

Second solution: Spend time finding armor with pockets for 5 capacity increases. This is challenging to do, however if you make any high level friends, you can increase your carry capacity by +5 for every pocketed armor, or get yourself a power armor. The lowest level power armor (including the armor) is for a level 15. Otherwise, you can start wearing a power chassis immediately. The only problem with wearing a power armor is that you only start with one power core. You would have to continue to collect power cores to use it regularly. As a low level, this is not a viable solution.

Third solution: Get yourself a pocketed armor and take advantage of a glitch that allows you to push the maximum carry capacity into the negative by pressing X repeatedly. This works sometimes, but other times it takes a LONG time to work.

Next, being overencumbered makes way for a glitch called the Respawn Glitch. I have personally dealt with this glitch on numerous occasions. It is quite annoying. If you die while overencumbered, it will often only allow you to respawn at Vault 76. During another gameplay, it wouldn't even give me a respawn point at all, and I had to quit the game and log back in many times before it would respawn me in the game. This was extremely annoying.

2. Cap Limit at Robot Vendors: The cap limit at robot vendors is quite annoying. It is generally starts at 200 caps or less at the start and every time you sell junk back to the vendor, the caps decreases until it hits zero. At that point, you cannot sell anything back to the robot vendors. This goes across all of the factions. Your next NPC to sell to is the wandering vendor named Grahm with his bull.

Solution: Have one giant marketplace that all players on the server can place items for sale. It is way to cumbersome to try and trade or buy and sell with individuals.

3. Lag Experienced Trading with Vendors: Regardless of the Vendor, there is often a considerable amount of lag experienced when buying and selling with NPC vendors.

Solution: Turn all animation and NPC dialogue off during vendor transactions to reduce lag in game.

Fallout 76 Endless Loading Glitch

As I tried to enter the Power Station, I clicked to enter through the door and it went into an endless loading screen. It never loaded and I had to turn my PS4 off in order to end the loading sequence.

Fallout 76 Level Up Glitch

There is another Fallout 76 glitch in the game that allows a player to level up with the right perk card equipped, if the player stands in fire and repeatedly taps a button on the controller. I have seen it done, but have not done it personally.

Fallout 76 Miner Miracles Glitch

I went down south on the map to the Miner HQ and received a message: "WARNING: Miner Miracles cannot be completed until you've reached Level 25." I now receive this warning message every time I enter the game. This is an obvious glitch.


Editor's Note: Bethesda Game Studios has posted patch notes for their upcoming patch on December 4, 2018 and none of the gameplay issues or bugs contained in this post are addressed by their upcoming patch.

Nintendo NX Rumors Not Favorable Among Video Game Enthusiasts

Depiction of Nintendo NX, according to rumors

The Nintendo NX is making headlines in video gaming news, with rumors and speculation around their new mobile console. The problem is, most people view the new Nintendo NX - judging by the rumors and pictures - that it will be essentially the same as the WiiU. The biggest of this news, which many people think negatively about, is that Nintendo is moving back to video game cartridges.

This TechInsider article calls the Nintendo WiiU a "tremendous flop" - which you can see below in the picture detailing video game hardware sales. The WiiU had only sold 10.73 million units through September 2015.

Published Sept. 2015

The Nintendo NX sounds very much like the Failing WiiU

The Nintendo NX is described by Eurogamer sources as a powerful, portable video game console with its own display screen and detachable controllers on both sides. As mentioned above, it will run on cartridges, rather than mini discs. It is supposed to have NVIDIA Tegra graphics, and have a docking station that allows it to be projected into a larger screen. However, it will be marketed as allowing you to take your video games on the go.

Does any of this sound different from the failing the WiiU yet?

WiiU Perception may impact Nintendo NX

One of the biggest problems among video game enthusiasts, is that they perceive that there are not enough big title games on the WiiU. The perception is that Nintendo titles are somewhat limited. Nintendo seems to have taken their own path in the video game industry, and while Xbox and Playstation release similar titles that crossover both consoles, Nintendo does not do this. Nintendo creates their own brand of games, but has trouble convincing serious gamers to buy their console. This perception has hurt Nintendo with recent consoles. However, Nintendo has found much success with releasing the Pokemon Go app on iPhone and smartphones.

Editorial Note: I do not own a WiiU, nor have I played any video games on the WiiU. I have owned and played games on the NES, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, and Gamecube console gaming systems. I have played video games on the Wii, but have not owned one.

Infinite Crisis is the DC Comics MOBA Video Game

DC MOBA Infinite Crisis online video game

Infinite Crisis is an awesome DC Comics Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game!

This is a refreshing version of the popular and growing MOBA video game genre. You can play all of your favorite characters: Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Catwoman, Joker, Harley Quinn, Flash, and many more characters.

I really like play with Aquaman, Superman, and Robin as my favorite three, but I honestly like playing other characters as well.

Play just for Fun, or Competitive Ranked Play

You can play just for fun and learn how to get better. If you want to play even more competitive matches, then ranked play is available for people that wish to have a ranking. This is completely up to you. The larger size of your group when in the queue could translate to a longer wait time, because it will pit you up against another party of that size, plus the remaining characters needed to get a 5v5 match going.

More Players Open Up More Maps in the Queue

In Infinite Crisis, there are several maps available, but due to the low player base (being a relatively new game), only 1 is available in the game queue. The one currently on constant play is Coast City.

The best strategy on Coast City is to constantly be running for the relays, because relays upgrade your robot army to elite fighters to help take down the turrets. The ultimate goal is to destroy the opponents base, and you need to get rid of the turrets on at least 1 side to do this.

Coast City is a fun map, but it would be nice when the player base grows to play the other map, which is Gotham Heights.

Coast City map in Infinite Crisis

There are also special themed events and scenarios that become available for a limited time, such as 2v2 events, and new playable characters are unlocked and become available as the game developers release them.

Level your Hero in Infinite Crisis and Increase the Stats

Like any MOBA video game, your character levels up, and as your character levels, he or she grows in stats, each character with both passive and active abilities. If you die a lot to the other team, this is called "feeding." You don't want to be careless and feed the other team with easy kills. This will give them an unfair advantage early in the game. That is why you want to heal your character by going back to the base as often as needed. You can quickly get back to your base by pressing the "b" key on your keyboard.

For those of you that already play Infinite Crisis, there is a fan page on Facebook that you will want to check out.

If this sounds like a fun video game to play, use my referral link here to join and start playing this free-to-play game.

One great feature about this MOBA game is that the free characters available to play rotate, allowing you to try out other characters before you choose to purchase them with merit you earn by playing the game.

The College Football Playoff Championship: Oregon vs. Ohio State

Oregon vs. Ohio State: The Championship Game is Set

On January 12, 2015, Oregon and Ohio State face off in the first College Football Playoff Championship since being created.  Oregon has never won a National Championship, nor has ever beaten Ohio State.  Can Oregon end their first College Football Playoff with a National title?

Marcus Mariota (Oregon QB) won the Heisman and had 40 touchdowns in the 2014 college football season

Oregon vs. Ohio State: A Test of Two Quarterbacks

Ohio State has made it to the National Championship game with their third quarterback, Cardale Jones, after the other two were been injured during the regular College Football season.  Oregon is coming to the game with the Heisman winner, Marcus Mariota.  Marcus Mariota is considered more experienced by far, but Cardale Jones is considered the new rising star, rising to success from third-string obscurity.

Cardale Jones (Ohio State QB) has a 159 passer rating

High-Powered Offenses Win Games: Oregon vs. Ohio State

Oregon averages 47.2 points per game, while Ohio State averages 45 points per game.  This is a pretty impressive statistic.

Oregon vs. Ohio State both have high powered offenses

The Biggest Statistic of Oregon vs. Ohio State

Probably the biggest statistic that everyone is pointing out is that Ohio State is 8-0 vs. Oregon in all-time games.  Oregon has not yet beaten Ohio State in a College Football game.

Ohio State is 8-0 in all time games against Oregon

Both Oregon and Ohio State Beat Very Good College Football Teams in Playoff

Oregon beat Florida State on January 1, 2015 in the Rose Bowl.  Florida State was the defending National Champions from last year's College Football season.  FSU wanted to go to the National Championship game again, but Oregon ripped away any hope of this happening in post-season play.

Ohio State beat #1 ranked Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2015. Alabama has won the National Championship three times since 2009, making them no stranger to the National Championship game.

Urban Meyer won a National Championship in 2006 and 2008 with the Florida Gators, and is going for his third National Championship title with Ohio State.

The Winner of the Oregon vs. Ohio State National Championship was Ohio State on January 12, 2015. Ohio State 42, Oregon 20.

Joakim Noah Doppleganger Superfan Shows up at NBA Basketball Game

Joakim Noah and doppleganger side-by-side

Joakim Noah's Doppleganger at NBA Basketball Game on 04/10/14

Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls not only has fans, but his doppleganger superfan also showed up to his NBA basketball game on 04/09/14. The eerie resemblance to Joakim Noah is hard to miss.

The doppleganger's wide eyes are very spot on with the real Joakim Noah's laser-focused persona, making him that much more accurate of the real deal. SBNation.com says he has a "deranged fixation" on the NBA basketball game floor.

Does Doppleganger Superfan have a Joakim Noah Tattoo?

The doppleganger superfan obviously has a slightly lighter skin tone, and a tattoo on his chest, seen underneath the Chicago Bulls jersey. It could be the head of an elephant, but it is hard to make out what it is a tattoo of. If it is a tattoo of Joakim Noah, then there might be some concern about his mental state, although it would reinforce the fact that he is the #1 doppleganger superfan that exists somewhere in Chicago.

On Wednesday Night April 9, 2014 Joakim Noah Made Franchise History

On Wednesday April 9, 2014 Joakim Noah made a new franchise record with the most assists in a NBA basketball season by a center.

Wednesday night was Noah's fourth triple-double this season, and his seventh in his career. He has 15 points, 10 assists, and 13 rebounds against the Timberwolves. Joakim Noah is now tied with Lance Stephenson (Indiana Pacers) in the whole league for triple-doubles.

The Chicago Bulls Beat the Timberwolves, Tied for Third in the Eastern Conference

The Chicago Bulls beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 102 - 87. The Chicago Bulls are currently tied with the Toronto Raptors for third place in the Eastern Conference.

The Chicago Tribune asks its readers: "Is Joakim Noah the NBA defensive player of the year?"

Auburn Tigers Barely Beats Georgia Bulldogs 43 - 38

Auburn Quarterback Nick Marshall about to throw to Ricardo Louis in win over Georgia

On Saturday Nov. 16, 2013 Auburn played Georgia in an SEC conference regular season game. Auburn barely wins. Georgia ended the game very close in score, but the scoreboard does not tell the whole story of how Auburn beat Georgia.

Auburn was ahead most of the game, ahead of the Georgia Bulldogs 37 - 17 at one point in the game.
Somehow, Auburn managed to blow a 20 point lead. In the final minutes of the game, the Georgia Bulldogs were up 38 - 37 over Auburn. Auburn then makes a "miracle" play to beat Georgia.

Auburn Miracle Play Wins the Game

With :25 sec remaining in the game, Wide receiver Ricardo Louis makes a 73 yard touchdown after a catch from Quarterback Nick Marshall. Marshall took five steps back before launching the football downfield to Louis.

Auburn defensive end Dee Ford said, "When he caught it, I fell on my back. I fainted for a second."

Auburn receiver Sammie Coates said, "I didn't know what to think. I saw the ball in the air, and I said, 'I hope somebody comes down with it.'"

Quarterback Nick Marshall said, "It was just an exciting moment to be a part of."

Wide receiver Ricardo Louis said, "I kind of expected to make a play, but not like that."

Coach Gus Malzahn was not worried. He had confidence in his quarterback after seeing Nick Marshall have successfully game-winning touchdown drives to win the game against both Mississippi State and Texas A&M earlier in the season.

Malzahn said, "Believe it or not, I felt good. I had a decent idea how'd they play in their two-minute defense, and we've got a great field goal kicker so we're pretty calm right there."

Auburn barely wins against Georgia, but it was nothing short of the quarterback Nick Marshall staying calm under pressure.

Can Auburn Beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl?

This has been a surprisingly good SEC football season for the Auburn Tigers, and everyone is wondering how Auburn will beat an undefeated Alabama Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl on November 30, 2013.

Did You Know?

In the 2013 SEC football season, Auburn has won five games by a touchdown or less.

RAD Soldiers Strategy Game Review for iPhone and Google Chrome

RAD Soldiers by WarChest

RAD Soldiers is a free-to-play turn-based Strategy game for both iPhone and Google Chrome.

RAD Soldiers Video Game Review

Each squad of weapon carrying fighters has a Captain, who has the power to call in air-strikes and radio down medical supplies or an item called "Less Harma Pharma" which reduces the damage taken by a soldier.

This game is perfect for the video gamer that likes strategy, and has both campaign modes and an online multiplayer mode.

Each soldier has a unique special ability that can be performed, which makes this strategy game interesting.

RAD Soldiers for iPhone

RAD Soldiers for iPhone is obviously on a smaller scale. The loading time on an iPhone 4 takes a few minutes, and if you are toggling between online multiplayer matches, the loading time can become annoying.

The other annoying thing about RAD Soldiers on iPhone is that it is easy to mispoke the screen, or for your finger poke to not register and then the move is not accepted. After having this happen a lot, it can get frustrating.

If you don't mind the load time and the mis-pokes, then play RAD on your iPhone.

RAD Soldiers for Google Chrome

RAD Soldiers for Google Chrome can be downloaded from the Google Chrome store. If you are playing in several multiplayer matches at once, it loads much quicker on Google Chrome.

There are no loading time issues (other than on boot up) for RAD on Google Chrome. It is much easier to play with a mouse than poking spaces on an iPhone screen.

Tips for Getting RAD bucks

RAD bucks are the in-game currency. There are many ways to earn RAD bucks. 

Here are some tips:

1. Add a friend from an online multiplayer match. This will get you one bonus RAD buck.
2. Win an online multiplayer match. This will get you one courtesy RAD buck.
3. Level up. Each time you level up, you get a RAD buck
4. Beat a campaign mode stage. This will get you one RAD buck.

Locked Air Drops

When playing in Campaign mode on Google Chrome, you may notice some locked crates falling from the sky. RAD gives you three keys for free. There are bonus items you would otherwise have to buy given in the locked crates. After you use up your three free keys, then you have to pay to buy more.

Expansion Maps

Expansion maps are offered in RAD in exchange for either RAD bucks or for payment in real currency. The downside to the free-to-play part is that the cheapest expansion map costs 45 RAD bucks. This means if you are saving RAD bucks, you better save them for an expansion map, since you can purchase recruits with coins, and coins can be won in online multiplayer.

Just by observation, I would like to see more cities and campaigns available to unlock, and some for only 20 something RAD bucks.

Overall Rating for RAD Soldiers

Overall, I give RAD a thumbs up for being an awesome free-to-play strategy video game for both iPhone and Google Chrome. What is even more awesome is that you can log in from either and your account is automatically synced. You can pick up from your iPhone if you want to play on the go.

As long as there is more unlockable content to work towards, then this video game will keep your attention.

Z.Love's Stamp of Approval

iPhone App Review: Indestructible by Glu Games

Indestructible iPhone App

Indestructible by Glu Games is a car combat iPhone game with both a single player campaign, and multiplayer features.

To play multiplayer, you must either be connected to Wi-Fi or have a network connection that is fast enough for your iPhone.

Indestructible Single Player Campaign

I have played the Single Player Campaign for Indestructible. It is a lot of fun. It is fairly easy to take on the horde, which are many weak vehicles at once. You must face computer opponents, and there are quite a few. The single player campaign starts to get hard at the point where it says that computer players are now using Tier 2 weapons. At that point, you start to really get challenged. I got to the point where I face Dozer, the bulldozer. I defeated him 1 time, and I needed to defeat him 3 times to win.

At this point, I realized that I needed a Tier 2 weapon, or a better car.

So I started playing the Multiplayer regularly to save up for a Tier 2 weapon for the default vehicle.

Indestructible Multiplayer Mode

The Multiplayer Mode for Indestructible is fun to play. Each time you play, you get both silver points and influence points. Silver allows you to save up for things like weapons and cars. Influence points allow you to move up to the next level. The next level after the default is silver, and then gold level for influence. Your Influence level simply shares if you have been playing for a while.

I managed to save up 16,000 silver and bought a Tier 2 kinetic weapon. It slightly knocks back an enemy car. I played multiplayer with this new weapon and determined that I just wasted 16,000 silver because now I have to start from the beginning to save up all over again.

Indestructible iPhone car combat game

There are four types of Multiplayer modes you can play: Team Deathmatch, Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and Capture the Charge.

Does This Game Keep my Attention?

The problem with Indestructible by Glu Games is that you have to save up so much silver to buy vehicles and weapons. The next car is 7,500 silver, and then there is a cadillac, and then the next two vehicles cost 25,000 silver. Once you spend your silver, then you have to start back from the beginning.

After every match it shows how much you earned. There is a small place on the screen that says "Permanently Double your XP and Silver." If you click on it, it asks if you want to pay a one time fee of $2.99 to permanently double your XP and Silver. I chose not to.

Indestructible by Glu Games is fun to play, but there is too big of a hurdle to get items and cars if you are unwilling to pay money to get gold.

I will not pay for gold, therefore my time is over for playing this game. 

While it has a fun factor to it, I am not willing to pay out any money to play this iPhone car combat game. 

If you are like me, don't waste your time playing this game just to come to the same conclusion.

The iTunes Preview Page for this game can be viewed here.

Injustice: Gods Among Us is an Awesome iOS Phone Game!

Injustice: Gods Among Us game cover

Last night, I downloaded Injustice: Gods Among Us. It is a free iOS app available in the Apple iStore, from Warner Bros. I started playing, and couldn’t stop. It is a lot of fun, and it reminds me of Mortal Kombat, except without the blood and gore.

This game features your favorite DC superheroes, and offers many ways to customize characters with different outfits and boost the character's health, and super-powers with in-game currency upgrades.

You start out with Cyborg, the Flash, and Deathstroke. You have a team of 3, and can trade out your heroes when one is getting weak.

After playing for about an hour, I received Nightwing and then Catwoman. If you sign up with the WB for free, you receive the New 52 Green Lantern. Other characters include: Lex Luthor, Wonder Woman, Superman, Solomon Grundy, Sinestro, Bane, Green Arrow, Harley Quinn, Batman, the Joker, and more.

The various superheroes are controlled by tapping the screen on the bad guy for multiple hits. Then, you can do a Knockout move at the end of the sequential hits by a swipe in a particular direction, which you are told on the touchscreen. If you do a swipe left or right on the screen, you do a power attack, which is somewhat slower than your tapping attacks. If you touch two fingers to the touchscreen, your superhero blocks.

Your attacks on the other character build up, and you eventually get a power move, indicated by a full bar on the bottom of the screen. Touch the bar to do the move. It may require you to tap very fast on a spot of the screen, or a repetitive swipe on the screen in a particular direction.

Cyborg and Nightwing’s power moves require tapping. Catwoman’s power move requires swiping up or down, the Flash’s move requires a swiping, and Deathstroke’s requires a swiping motion.

After each battle, the experience points are added to the characters in play, leveling up your superheroes. At a certain point, extra abilities are added to the character. For example, Catwoman gets razor sharp claws that induce bleeding in her attack.

Overall, I found Injustice: God’s Among Us to be pretty awesome for iOS. The loading screens show close up of the superheroes outfits with ripped muscles. If you are a fan of superheroes and particularly of DC comics, this app is a must download. Awesome game and awesome app by DC and Warner Bros.

Watch the video below.

No.1 Ranked Alabama Loses to No. 15 Texas A&M

Texas A&M football players celebrating a touchdown in Alabama endzone

The unthinkable happened to the Alabama Crimson Tide on 11/10/12. They lost a football game. All Alabama fans are in a panic, because until now, we had our eyes set on a National Championship.

Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M quarterback is looking like a hero as he threw 2 touchdowns against the behemoth, Alabama. But who said the football giant couldn't be slayed? David slayed Goliath with only a sling and a rock.

Most importantly, this was probably Alabama's last competitive team of the season with the Texas A&M Aggies. The only games remaining after this one was with Western Carolina and then Auburn. Auburn has the worst record in years, and are having trouble beating their own practice team. I'm sure this loss to Texas A&M gives Auburn some hope, considering that Gene Chizik's job is on the line.

After this game, the Alabama Crimson Tide are now (9-1), but don't count them out.

You must remember that last year, Alabama lost 1 game to the LSU Tigers, skipped the SEC Conference game completely, played LSU again, and won the National Championship.

Can Alabama pull off something like that again?

We will see.

One thing is for certain. Oregon will most likely become the new number 1 team, as Notre Dame and Kansas State join the Ducks as the only undefeated teams left.

This is no doubt a sad day for Alabama fans as they lose their first game in a long stretch of W's.

SEC fans everywhere are now scratching their heads wondering why we even invited Texas A&M into our conference. I know A.J. McCarron is probably crying about the loss (see pics) in the locker room. He has a right to cry if he wants to.

There's always next year for Nick Saban, because this one is starting to look like a loss.

Alabama Barely Beats LSU 21 - 17 in Final Two Minutes

Emotional Alabama Quarterback A.J. McCarron crying at LSU game

The #1 ranked college football team in the nation - the Alabama Crimson Tide - almost lost to #5 ranked LSU on Saturday night (11/03/12) in Death Valley. The game literally came down to the last 2 minutes. And anyone that has played football knows that football teams practice 2 minute drills ruthlessly for moments like this.

The score was LSU 17, AL 14, and the clock was under 2 minutes to play. Alabama's A.J. McCarron knew that this game was riding on his shoulders. Play after play, he remained cool as he threw the ball for 1st downs, eeking away the yards until Alabama was able to score their final touchdown. One misstep, and the game would have been in the hands of the LSU Tigers.

Many Alabama fans were nervously watching as their #1 team risked the chance of losing everything they worked so hard for this season. One fan even posted on Facebook, "No matter the outcome of the AL-LSU game, I hope one of these teams goes to the National Championship game." And now it most certainly looks like Alabama will retain the #1 spot in the rankings.

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This has been the closest game by far for the Alabama Crimson Tide in their regular season play.

A.J. McCarron could be seen in the final seconds on the bench crying, and that is understandable. This was a huge moment for Alabama football. He knew that he could've lost it all here at LSU, but yet remained victorious. After this game, there is no doubt that someone on Alabama's team will win the Heisman this year. There is no doubt about it, and right now it looks like A.J. McCarron has pretty good chances at winning the Heisman trophy.

Final score: Alabama 21 LSU 17

More Pictures of A.J. McCarron crying:

A.J. McCarron crying, embracing fellow Alabama teammate

A.J. McCarron gets a comforting hair fluff from Norwood; odd?

One final cry for A.J. McCarron before sealing the victory

After the game, A.J. McCarron gave plenty of praise to his teammates and coaches for all of the hard work that made a game like this possible. LSU was a big contender, and was the closest game for Alabama this football season.

2013 College Football AL beats LSU

On November 9, 2013, AL beats LSU 38 - 17.

2014 College Football AL beats LSU

In 2014, Alabama beats LSU 20 - 13 in overtime.