Today's Notes 7/3/21: Kratos and The Boy Have To Climb Another Mountain

Good afternoon everybody,

Last night's stream saw the focus returned to God of War, as we covered a lot of ground, covering three major areas, The Light of Alfheim, Inside The Mountain and A New Destination. We learned the Witch of the Woods is Freya, the Stranger is Baulder... and got several upgrades and new abilities. We also covered two side quests as well to help boost things along.... all of this is why the stream went well over six hours! That said the 'boy' is certainly annoying, but there are a few positive to his annoyance, mainly the number of times we can assume Kratos wants to smack him! Now the big 'early story twitst' that there is a taller mountain for Kratos to climb certainly was cool... but the more I think about it... isn't it just a reuse of textures and areas from the prior areas of the game? I have noticed a heavy use of repeated graphical assets throughout God of War, and so I'm wondering with another tall as mountain to climb if it's interior is gonna be almost the same with how it looks.

Anyway with everything that was done last night we did get a couple of trophies based on story progression.

1. Feels Like Home: Allow the Light Elves to return home
2. Dragon Slayer: Defeat the Dragon of the Mountain

That Dragon Slayer one for defeating the dragon on the mountain certainly felt epic because of how that battle ended, made, which certainly made for a nice change of pace from facing enemies not that much bigger than Kratos.Of course we do have links to some of my favorite moments from last night, which I'll list next.

Twitch Clip: Insane in the membrane

Twitch Clip: Got you you little jerk!!

Twitch Clip: Kratos The Adventurer

Twitch Clip: Groovy...

Twitch Clip: I think it's dead!

Got in some Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown off stream yesterday winning 8 out 9 ranked matches played. At the moment out of 46 ranked matches I have 35 wins, 11 losses. Not bad for a guy who only pops into it every so often. 

Of course now I do have a question... why is the PlayStation 4's Dual Shock controller has such a terrible ability to hold a charge? A fully charged Xbox One or Xbox Series controller can last 20 hours, but a PS4 controller can barely go past the six hour mark? Come on man! A PS3 Controller can handle that workload!

We added three games to the collection yesterday, Bio Freaks for the PlayStation 1, Tekken 5 & Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore for the PlayStation 2. Bio Freaks is probably best known these days for the Boss Rage done by Maxamillion Dood a few years ago, but I have to admit, the main reason it was on my list of games to get was to see if it's true that its worse than The Simpsons: Wrestling. So I'm thinking maybe doing a stream where I play both games to see which one is worse. With the addition of Tekken 5, I now have all 5 of the main games in the series and with DOA2: Hardcore, it's more along the lines of finding the Dead or Alive Games that I could possibly play, DOA3 may be a tough one to find because I believe that was a Xbox 360 only release.

Also picked up six books... Mass Effect: Revelation, Mass Effect: Ascension, Mass Effect: Deception, Mass Effect Andromeda: Annihilation, Mass Effect Andromeda: Nexus Uprising & Mass Effect Andromeda: Initiation. I am missing one book in the Mass Effect series but I'll probably add it tomorrow. looking forward to reading these.

Today's Fitness Boxing 2 daily workout went 28 minutes with an estimated calorie burn of 466 kcal, and with today's session we wrapped up the last achievement for Laura and started work on the achievements for the next trainer Evan. Here's what we did today.

1. Laura's Best Friend: Reach a trusting partnership with Luara
2. Evan's Stylist: Change Evan's Outfit
3. Evan's Fashion Designer: Put a matching outfit together for Evan
4. Evan's Fashion Saboteur: Mismatch an outfit for Evan
5. Evan's New Student: Exercise with Evan as your instructor
6. Evan's Best Student: Receive a three-star rating from Evan
   

Since we had the New Student and Best Student achievements, that means we did do a little extra, namely we started progress on Evan's Buddy, we're 1 out of 10 for performing 10 free exercises with Evan. With tomorrow's workout we'll start on the Evan's Trainee achievement. Over all at this point were at 94% completion for the King Fit Fighter achievement which is to earn all the in-game achievements.

For tonight's stream we will be continuing DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power, picking up with the start of chapter seven, looking forward to see how the plot develops considering everything is pointing to a show down with Lex Luthor for the game's climax.

Space, Pokemon and Weird Decisions By Logitech!

Good morning everybody,

Last night's stream, we lead off with Star Trek Online and tackled the endeavor quests, which actually saw a big focus on the Lukari task force operations, having to complete three of them on Advance difficulty or higher... which meant we had to be stuck in a queue waiting (and hoping) others were doing them to. We had some luck, and got some good teams of wanting to get through them as quickly as possible. Now here are the links to some clips from STO portion of last night:

Twitch Clip: Up And Atom... Up And AT THEM!

Twitch Clip: Pull them off me!

Twitch Clip: We're gonna break out the Boom stick!

Twitch Clip: That was a mistake.... WHOOPS!

For the second half of the stream, our attention turned to New Pokemon Snap, continuing the journey of going around and snapping photos of Pokemon and hoping to get diamond stars on all of them. Near as I can tell, the story gradually moves forward with each level one gets on a particular 'course', and the higher the level you have on a course, the more variety of Pokemon you see and the more things they will possibly do! I've made up my mind that when we finished DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power, New Pokemon Snap will move to Saturday nights, but we're probably a few weeks away from that. The best part about New Pokemon Snap is the dark humor I can have with it when I say 'time to shoot some Pokemon'....  And of course here are some clips from the Pokemon portion of the stream.

Twitch Clip: Holy Crapola!

Twitch Clip: We're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat

Twitch Clip: We Popped Him!

Twitch Clip: Getting a good shot of a Florges

Now as I've been busy upgrading things over the course of the past year, there is one things that I feel could use an improvement and that's the camera I use. I use both a Logitech C920 and a Nexigo 1080P game. The C920 is the secondary camera because I had issues with it where at times it would not capture video at all, so we added the Nexigo, because it was the closest thing on the market I could get last year because the Logitech Streamcam was sold out everywhere. So I finally got my hands on one, and boy did this fly under the radar... it uses a USB-C connection, which is the small port slot often seen on laptops and more micro-built PCs (like an off the shelf HP or Dell).... so it raises a question of, what was Logitech thinking? They put out the best webcam possibly just before the pandemic hit last year, and it uses a connection type that is not universal and needs a USB-C to USB-A 3.0 adapter to connect to MOST PCs. Anyway the big reason I want to replace the Nexigo game is that it has no zoom in or out function, which would be really helpful when setting scenes in OBS, instead I have to use a crop filter to get things to where I have them, but it ends up so zoomed in on my face it makes things a little awkward and less than ideal since I use a green screen. If the C920 didn't have issues I would just swap the two, but it is what it is. With luck we'll have the Streamcam up and running by Monday.

Today's Fitness Boxing 2 daily workout went 31 minutes with an estimated calorie burn of 557 kcal. We took out the stretching for today's session. Did have a handful of ugly misses mostly due to the left joy con having the de-sync issues. Probably will have to look up how to 'calibrate' the joy cons again. Anyway we're up to 98 out of 100 for the Laura's Best Friend achievement, which means we'll have it unlocked with tomorrow's session before we move on to the next trainer. On a side note, I'm glad to see that there is a DLC music pack for Fitness Boxing 2, granted it's original music and not licensed tracks, but adding more variety to what the came uses as background music for each exercise is a good thing.

We've added it four items to the gaming collection, first for the PlayStation we now have Star Wars: Master of Teras Kasi, Tekken and Tekken 2 . Of the three I have played Star Wars: MOTK before, because my younger brother had it. I'm surprised that wasn't among the PS1 games I knew were his that I found several months ago because I know he wasn't into trading in the games he had. I've never played the original Tekken or Tekken 2 before, so adding them made sense since thanks to Kazuya being added to Smash has made it easy to track the older games down. Lastly for the Nintendo Switch, we've added Arcade Spirits which is a visual novel game that according to reviews I've read, is a little more in-depth that it seems. On a side note: I need replacement cases for Tekken and Tekken 2 as they came without their jewel cases or manuals. Knowing the folks at https://customgamecase.com/  it'll probably be two weeks before they arrive.

Also picked up a couple of books: Overwatch Deadlock Rebels which is the tie-in novel focused on Ashe and Jesse's past. Should be a good read from what I've skimmed through so far. Also picked up RWBY The Official Manga Volume 3, and it's been a joy to see how the series has been adapted to a different medium... even if the art style at times leaves a little to be desired.

Tonight's stream will focus on God of War for the PlayStation 4, as we pick up the start of our quest to go for the The Light of Alfheim. Of course I'll be doing as much random exploring as possible to find collectables, loot and enemies to fight. We'll get the stream started in the early evening!

And on that note we'll see you later over on twitch.tv/fredcasden!

APBA Baseball 1909 Game 19: Tigers 3 Browns 0

 

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
DETROIT Tigers	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	3	7	0
ST. LOUIS Browns	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	1

DETROIT FT AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG D. BUSH, ss 5 0 1 0 0 2 3 .203 G. MORIARTY, 3b 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 .200 T. COBB, cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .338 S. CRAWFORD, rf 3 1 2 1 1 0 0 .377 M. McINTYRE, lf 4 1 1 0 0 0 2 .103 B. SCHMIDT, c 4 0 1 1 0 3 2 .220 C. O'LEARY, 2b 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .059 D. GAINER, 1b 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 .250 E. WILLETT, p 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 .000 Totals 33 3 7 2 3 7 Batting: 2B: S. CRAWFORD (5) RBI: S. CRAWFORD (14), B. SCHMIDT (3) S: E. WILLETT Team LOB: 7 BaseRunning: SB: D. BUSH (4), S. CRAWFORD (7)

ST. LOUIS FT AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG R. HARTZELL, cf 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 .290 D. HOFFMAN, rf 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .288 G. STONE, lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .173 C. ROSSMAN, 1b 3 0 0 0 1 1 2 .224 B. WALLACE, ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .274 H. FERRIS, 3b-2b 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .129 J. WILLIAMS, 2b 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .157 W. DEVOY, ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .111 J. McALEESE, 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .412 W. SMITH, c 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .107 B. SHOTTON, ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500 J. STEPHENS, c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .300 B. PELTY, p 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .143 H. HOWELL, p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 A. GRIGGS, ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .280 E. KUSEL, p 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 31 0 5 0 1 1 Batting: Team LOB: 5 BaseRunning: CS: H. FERRIS (2) Fielding: E: W. SMITH (8)

Pitching

DETROIT (GAME 19)	T	FT	G SC	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	BF	IR	ERA
E. WILLETT, W, 3- 1	R		77	9.0	5	0	0	1	1	32	0	1.80
Totals				9.0	5	0	0	1	1	32	0

ST. LOUIS (GAME 18)	T	FT	G SC	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	BF	IR	ERA
B. PELTY, L, 1- 1	R		54	5.2	3	3	3	3	6	23	0	2.82
H. HOWELL	R			.1	1	0	0	0	0	2	1	.00
E. KUSEL	R			3.0	3	0	0	0	1	12	0	6.00
Totals				9.0	7	3	3	3	7	37	1

WP: B. PELTY

GAME DATA

Day Game played on Thursday, May 6, 1909

Regulation Game, Time: 4:20m

BBW Update #28

PbP Update #9

APBA Baseball 1909 Game 18: Tigers 6 Browns 1

 

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
DETROIT Tigers	0	0	0	3	0	0	1	2	0	6	11	0
ST. LOUIS Browns	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	6	0

DETROIT FT AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG D. JONES, lf-cf I 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 .200 D. BUSH, ss 5 1 1 0 0 1 1 .203 T. COBB, cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .359 C. O'LEARY, pr-lf I 3 2 1 0 0 2 1 .077 S. CRAWFORD, rf 3 1 0 0 1 0 2 .364 O. STANAGE, c 4 1 2 3 0 1 0 .185 J. DELAHANTY, 2b 4 1 3 2 0 0 0 .286 T. JONES, 3b 2 0 1 1 1 1 0 .298 D. GAINER, 1b 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .125 E. KILLIAN, p 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .167 Totals 35 6 11 6 2 6 Batting: 2B: C. O'LEARY (1), O. STANAGE (1), T. JONES (1) RBI: O. STANAGE 3(6), J. DELAHANTY 2(8), T. JONES (10) SF: T. JONES HBP: T. COBB (1) Team LOB: 6 BaseRunning: SB: D. JONES (2) Fielding: DP: 1 INJURIES : T. COBB (0 days)

ST. LOUIS FT AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG R. HARTZELL, cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .277 J. McALEESE, rf 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .412 A. GRIGGS, 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .292 B. WALLACE, ss 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 .276 H. FERRIS, 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .119 A. SCHWEITZER, lf 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .231 J. WILLIAMS, 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .163 L. CRIGER, c 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 G. STONE, ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .167 J. STEPHENS, c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .300 B. BAILEY, p 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .077 B. DINNEEN, p 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1.000 Totals 30 1 6 1 0 3 Batting: 2B: J. McALEESE (1) RBI: B. WALLACE (5) GIDP: B. WALLACE (3) Team LOB: 2 Fielding: PB: L. CRIGER (1)

Pitching

DETROIT (GAME 18)	T	FT	G SC	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	BF	IR	ERA
E. KILLIAN, W, 2- 1	L		74	9.0	6	1	1	0	3	30	0	1.32
Totals				9.0	6	1	1	0	3	30	0

ST. LOUIS (GAME 17)	T	FT	G SC	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	BF	IR	ERA
B. BAILEY, L, 0- 3	L		49	6.2	7	4	4	0	5	27	0	2.81
B. DINNEEN	R			2.1	4	2	2	2	1	12	2	6.75
Totals				9.0	11	6	6	2	6	39	2

IBB: B. DINNEEN

HB: B. BAILEY

WP: B. BAILEY

GAME DATA

Day Game played on Wednesday, May 5, 1909

Regulation Game, Time: 5:07m

BBW Update #28

PbP Update #9

APBA Baseball 1909 Game 17: Tigers 4 Browns 0

 

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
DETROIT Tigers	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	4	10	3
ST. LOUIS Browns	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	2

DETROIT FT AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG D. BUSH, ss 3 1 0 0 1 2 0 .203 G. MORIARTY, 3b 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 .210 T. COBB, cf 3 0 2 1 0 0 1 .365 S. CRAWFORD, rf 4 1 2 0 0 1 1 .381 M. McINTYRE, lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .093 J. DELAHANTY, 2b 4 1 1 0 0 1 0 .250 T. JONES, 1b 4 1 2 2 0 0 0 .291 B. SCHMIDT, c 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .216 E. SUMMERS, p 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .167 Totals 33 4 10 3 1 6 Batting: RBI: T. COBB (5), T. JONES 2(9) SF: T. COBB Team LOB: 4 BaseRunning: SB: S. CRAWFORD (6), J. DELAHANTY (4), B. SCHMIDT (1) CS: T. COBB 2(5) Fielding: E: D. BUSH 2(6), E. SUMMERS (1) DP: 2

ST. LOUIS FT AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG R. HARTZELL, cf 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .279 D. HOFFMAN, rf 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .313 G. STONE, lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .170 C. ROSSMAN, 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .239 B. WALLACE, ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .273 H. FERRIS, 3b 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .125 J. WILLIAMS, 2b 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .174 W. SMITH, c 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .115 A. GRIGGS, ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .350 J. STEPHENS, c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .300 D. CRISS, p I 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 H. HOWELL, p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 B. SHOTTON, ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .571 E. KUSEL, p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 31 0 4 0 1 2 Batting: GIDP: R. HARTZELL (1) Team LOB: 5 Fielding: E: D. HOFFMAN (1), W. SMITH (7) DP: 1

Pitching

DETROIT (GAME 17)	T	FT	G SC	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	BF	IR	ERA
E. SUMMERS, W, 4- 0	R		80	9.0	4	0	0	1	2	32	0	.77
Totals				9.0	4	0	0	1	2	32	0

ST. LOUIS (GAME 16)	T	FT	G SC	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	BF	IR	ERA
D. CRISS, L, 0- 1	R	I	56	5.2	6	2	1	1	6	22	0	1.59
H. HOWELL	R			2.1	0	0	0	0	0	7	1	.00
E. KUSEL	R			1.0	4	2	2	0	0	6	0	8.00
Totals				9.0	10	4	3	1	6	35	1

GAME DATA

Day Game played on Tuesday, May 4, 1909

Regulation Game, Time: 3:59m

BBW Update #28

PbP Update #9