[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hy are live web cams so fascinating to watch? Is it the voyeur in us, or is it just innocent curiosity? The internet has already made the world a little bit smaller, but with the availability of live feeds from all over the planet, you no longer have to travel the globe to visit far-off places or observe wildlife at a famous zoo or in the rainforest. Just pop some corn, pour your favorite beverage and fire up the laptop. There’s a whole big wide world out there just waiting to be discovered.

1 Penguin Cam

Sea World, San Diego, recognized the instant super-stars they had in residence when they installed a camera in their Penguin Encounter. Streaming live video, you can watch and maybe even get to know the 300 penguins that make their home at Sea World in San Diego. It’s hard not to laugh out loud at some of their antics, especially when they approach the camera and look directly into the lens. If you have the time to watch often or for long, you’ll become adept at distinguishing the five different Antarctic species living at the Encounter.

[button color=”green” link=”http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/frozen-planet/penguin-cam/?fb_ref=fb2&fb_source=home_oneline” target=”_blank”]View Live Cam[/button]

2 Times Square Cam

New York is known as the Big Apple and the City that Never Sleeps. If you’ve ever wondered if the city truly never sleeps but haven’t had the opportunity to visit New York City, you can check out a live streaming feed of the heart of New York at Times Square. Any time of day or night, rain or shine, you can catch a glimpse of the busy New York streets. With several different views from 7th and Broadway to 46th Street and a Tower cam, you just might become addicted to watching New Yorkers in their native habitat.

[button color=”green” link=”http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/” target=”_blank”]View Live Cam[/button]

3 Sea Otter Web Cam

If you aren’t aware that otters are among the cutest sea mammals on earth, check out Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Web Cam. It turns out that they’re fascinating to watch, too. They are fed four times throughout the day and to motivate their most natural instincts, the food is served to them inside toys and other objects. This encourages their natural behavior of pounding clam shells to break them open for the meat inside. Watching them interact with each other and their trainers, it’s easy to become a fan.

[button color=”green” link=”http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/efc/efc_otter/otter_cam.aspx” target=”_blank”]View Live Cam[/button]

4 Ornithos Atlantic Rainforest Webcam

In the Rainforest of Brazil’s tropical Parana State, a webcam has been set up to allow anyone with internet access to view the beautiful wildlife native to the area. If you’ve been fortunate enough to actually visit Brazil, then the Ornithos Atlantic Rainforest Webcam might serve as a fond reminder of your trip. But for those who do their traveling on the World Wide Web, this webcam is a window with a gorgeous view of a place you’ve only heard about. The first time you see a Blue-winged Parrotlet or a Black Jacobin, you’ll be hungry for more. It will probably prompt you to put a non-stop flight to Brazil on your “to-do” list straight away.

[button color=”green” link=”http://www.worldlandtrust.org/webcams/ornithos” target=”_blank”]View Live Cam[/button]

5 Live View of O’Shea’s Bed and Breakfast, Dublin, Ireland

Modestly named O’Shea’s Bed and Breakfast, the inn actually has 5 floors and plays proud host to O’Shea’s Bar, a legend in Dublin, Ireland. Since O’Shea’s is in the heart of the city, close to Grafton Street, placing a webcam on the corner entrance of the hotel gives the viewer plenty of pedestrian action to observe. The O’Shea’s webcam doesn’t stream, but the view is refreshed every 2 seconds, showing a stop-action kind of scene while still giving you an up-to-the-minute look into Dublin.

[button color=”green” link=”http://www.nci.ie/ispy/cam1.yp” target=”_blank”]View Live Cam[/button]

[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ive webcams give us a chance to visit far-off places we might not otherwise go and to see things we might otherwise never see. Admittedly if you haven’t ever taken a peek at a live webcam, you might not see the attraction. While some enthusiastically give in to their probing, inquisitive side, others might need to actually experience webcam viewing before they’re hooked. Be careful, though. There is no one explanation for the phenomenon of the popularity of the webcam, so you may for no reason that you can determine, promptly become hooked on a live-feed that seems uninteresting on the surface. Don’t be surprised if you wake at all hours, desperate to know what the elephants on the Safari Park Pachyderm-Cam are doing.

About the author: Between sellingTime Warner Cablefor cabledeals.org. I get lost watching these awesome web cams. I think my favorite is the penguins. I don’t know why but they are just awesome to watch. i have probably spent 2 hours of company time seeing what those dudes are doing.

When love is in the air, luxury is on the cards – who doesn’t want to jet off to a sun-kissed location and be waited on hand and foot after they have married the partner of their dreams? These hotels offer the best of everything – views, service, food  and facilities – if you plan to be wed soon, leave the list up on your computer and see if your fiancee takes the hint!

Hotel Katikies (Greece)

This Greek hotel nestles high on the cliffs on the island of Santorini. If Greece conjured up any images of budget holidays, you can leave them behind. Katikies has a ‘no kids allowed’ policy which means you won’t have to deal with screaming babies or rowdy school children – that has to be worth the price in itself in my book. Jacuzzis, a massage parlour and two infinity swimming pools showsthat relaxation is the main theme here. You can privately dine on your own terrace with views over the Aegean sea, or take part in the local wine tasting from the hotel’s own expert sommeliers.

Vincci Seleccion Estrella del Mar (Spain)

This 5 star beach resort is set amongst tropical gardens on the Costa del Sol and mixes modern with traditional design. The resort’s Nammu spa is one of the hotel’s defining features. When you book a treatment, the whole space is reserved just for you – no one else. How’s that for exclusive? The spa offers all kinds of different relaxing treatments, including ice fountains designed to activate circulation, as well as more traditional massages and saunas. If you are looking for a little more action, there are beaches in the area offering water sports, as well as several golf courses.

The Vine (Portugal)

For foodie newlyweds, The Vine on the Portuguese island of Madeira has a Michelin starred restaurant, run by chef Anthoine Westermann. Vintage champagnes and whiskys are on offer in the bar, which can be enjoyed while looking at the incredible views offered by the 360 degree Sky Bar. The spa uses ‘vine therapy’, with treatments like grape seed pedicures and soaking in grape-enriched baths. The rooms, as you might expect in a 5 star hotel, are beautiful. Each has a theme of one of the four seasons, and offers views over either the mountains or the sea.

Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel (Greece)

A hotel found on another island paradise, Kos, the Aqua Blu offers light and airy rooms with floor to ceiling windows looking out over the Aegean Sea. An adults-only resort, the hotel is big on health and relaxation – an ideal honeymoon location for fitness junkie couples. Spas, steam rooms and a range of massage treatments sit alongside a well-equipped gym. Water sports offer an adrenaline rush to those who want it,  and range of local and in-resort restaurants means the area is great for food. A good nightlife awaits couples in Kos Town, with clubs and bars offering a decent night out for partygoers.

Hotel Cipriani (Venice)

For couples who want more of a romantic city experience, the Cipriani is perfect. The aptly-names Casanova Wellness centre takes care of all your massage needs, while the hotel’s own private boat “Shirley” can give you customised tours of the city. Tennis is available, even offering professional lessons if you struggle to put ball to racket. The hotel also boasts the only swimming pool in central Venice.

Neil writes for Six Star Holidays who offer a range of luxury honeymoon holidays to destinations all round the world.

]]> https://allyouneedislists.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/top-5-outdoor-activities-in-nova-scotia/ Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 http://custom-guid-2d4dd4892ab41713e146cc2a89183e3b Read more]]>

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast and dying to explore some undiscovered terrain this summer, you might want to give Nova Scotia a try. Thanks to its variant and breathtaking scenery—from the massive boulders at Peggy’s Cove to the unique geographical formations of the Bay of Fundy—Nova Scotia is a playing paradise for the outdoor adventurer. Here are the top 5 outdoor activities to do while you vacation in Nova Scotia:

1 Fishing

With 7,400 km of saltwater coastline and thousands of lakes and rivers, it’s literally a fisher’s paradise. For the brave angler, there’s deep-sea fishing at Lunenberg Harbour, and for the quieter family fishing trips, you can toss your lure at a tranquil stream in Kejimkujik National Park. Oh, and FYI: the brook trout the provincial fish.

2 Kayaking

With its spectacular coastline, Nova Scotia is a kayaker’s dream vacation destination. The province offers many great kayaking experiences from the novice to the expert, with or without the help of guides. Many kayak tour companies offer amazing half-day, full day or overnight adventures. Of course, nothing beats paddling solo in remote areas rarely seen by vacationers.

3 Sailing

Sailing is a rich tradition in Nova Scotia embedded within its history. Once you’ve sailed here, the rest of Canada’s waterways just won’t measure up. With hundreds of coastal islands, there’s always a new place to discover, and with dozens of marinas and yacht clubs, there’s plenty of opportunity to find fuel, supplies or even grab a shower.

4 Surfing

Nova Scotia is quickly gaining international recognition as a go-to surfing destination. With an awesome topography that gives up everything the ocean needs to form sweet breaks or twelve-foot barrels, this is the place to bring your board.

5 Whale Watching

This unique experience should be at the top of your list when you visit the province. Whale watching tours can be found throughout Nova Scotia, from the world famous Cabot Trail, to the Bay of Fundy, and all the way to Metro Halifax. This is an awe-inspiring moment that can’t be missed.

About the author: Brianne Hogan is an avid traveler and freelance writer. Her work’s been featured in numerous publications, including blogTO and Post City Magazine. Brianne is the blog and article writer for Online Cottage Rental.

• kayaking image by Se7enUK
• surfing image by kentmurray

]]> https://allyouneedislists.com/lifestyle/relationships-lifestyle/5-tips-to-making-your-online-dating-profile/ Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 http://custom-guid-2ac16469a84784cd5da28b2fe82b2328 Read more]]>

In the U.S., forty million singles have created a profile with an online dating site. This is good for you, if you’re sitting at the computer trying to condense your personal life and relationship goals into a few paragraphs. By learning from the mistakes of others and avoiding these five pitfalls, your ‘advertisement’ will be both attractive and effective.

1Choose the dating site that’s right for you

Dating sites specialize too. Sites have been created to suit sexual preferences, body types, religions, current status, occupations, and hobbies. If you are big and beautiful, choose a site that specializes to meet someone who thinks you’re the shiznit!

2Pick a good username

Your user name says a lot about you, so try to think of a good one. Pick a name that promotes a hobby or work, without giving your identity away. While names like big_slut21 and big_stud13 are tempting, they will only lure the creepy, stalker-type people looking for one thing. Use some creativity, and choose a good name that you wouldn’t mind using in front of your Mother.

3Pick a good photo of yourself

It is NOT the 1980’s anymore… Seriously. Readers can tell when you’re using an old photo. We loved the 80’s too, but we won’t contact you if we don’t know what you look like. If you don’t show us, we will imagine your profile picture with thirty years added on.

A good head shot is a must for your online profile. You can add a second photo to woo us with your rockin’ hot body. The eyes are the ‘windows to your soul’, and we want to know you aren’t an axe murderer.

Pick a good and recent profile picture (picture by PayBlake)

Select the secondary photo, the body shot, paying attention to detail. Complete strangers will be looking at this photo, so you should choose one that is non-menacing. You’re proud of the deer you bagged last year, but a dead ‘Bambi’ and you wielding a gun is not a good idea. In addition, we don’t need to see the inside of your bathroom either!

4Answer all the questions HONESTLY

Including your current relationship status. You are setting yourself up for epic failure before you even start when you falsely report your age/height/weight and current relationship status. How are you going to date someone if you can’t actually meet in person someday? You owe it to yourself and others to admit when you are married, living with someone, or have a stalker. A benefit of online dating is that it is simple it is to connect with others ‘just like you’. If you are afraid to tell us who you are, how are you going to connect with someone online? Embrace who you are, and expect someone to notice your honesty.

5Write a really great headline

Write a good headline, because, after your photo, it’s the first thing they’ll read. Dating sites often set aside a short headline for your introduction, typically about a hundred characters or so. This helps us decide whether we want to know more about you. Equally as important as your screen name, be daring and creative and let us know what you want.
Creating your profile isn’t that difficult anymore. Most sites have helpful tips in the margins of their web pages to assist with. When writing about yourself, be positive, putting your best foot forward.

Parenting is a big responsibility. In today’s world, children are normally exposed to many distractions and dangers. As parents are generally busy with work, it might be justified to say that parenting has become quite a tough duty. Parents lack the luxury of time to watch and monitor their children continuously. But, with the use of apps that help with parenting tasks, parents should be able to track and take proper care of their kids, and experience all the joys of parenthood by spending quality time with them.

Given below are 5 parenting apps that support parents in their endeavour to do the best for their kids –

1 iReward Chart

It is never easy to discipline children, but the iReward app which is available for iPhones, Android mobiles, and Windows phones has simplified the tasks of defining, tracking and awarding good behaviour. Parents set down good conduct criteria, and award stars to their kids, depending on how they fare in a given time period. With such an application to support their efforts, parents can easily make rules and remember them This way kids can stay motivated to follow the rules, impress their parents and get starred.

2 Baby Monitor and Alarm

This is perhaps one of the most useful Smartphone apps around. iPhones and Android phones with this app installed can become remote baby monitors and send alert signals to another phone when a sleeping baby awakens. This allows mom and dad to work elsewhere in the home without having to sneak in every now and then to check on the baby’s sleep status. This application can be useful in the nights too, especially when the baby sleeps by itself in the nursery. Anytime the toddler wakes up or cries, a signal arrives on the parent’s phone, and they can rush to comfort the baby.

3 WebMD

One of the most important parenting tasks is to attend to children when they are sick. What if a child is suddenly ill – with a stomach ache or high fever? Every time such a thing happens, it may not be feasible or meaningful to rush to a doctor in person. The WebMD app is the handy doctor and has health info for the entire family. There is a symptom checker along with a guide for medication and treatment that is needed. This free application can be downloaded for iPhones, Android and Windows Phone7.

4 Kids Alarm Clock – Talking Clock

This app converts an iPhone into a talking alarm clock. The talking clock, which tells the time in a human voice, has animated graphics that appeal to small kids. The alarm time and sound can be set by the parents, and the snooze time and vibration effects can also be fixed.

5 Dinner Spinner

Dinner Spinner is a recipe app, which can be downloaded on to Android phones or iPhones. It is simple for parents to sit with their children, and pull out yummy recipes for dinner that can be relished by the entire family especially children. Parents can search for recipes by food type, available ingredients at home, and so on, making it a very interesting and involving family exercise.

About the author: Sharon Stouffer , an avtive blogger has written articles on Moblie Applications for various websites. Visit her website to follow her updates and reviews on various Cell Phone Spy softwares

If you’re the adventurous type who loves the great outdoors, then chances are a trip to the Canadian Rockies this summer is the perfect destination for you. The mountain range, which stretches from the interior plains of Alberta (including Jasper and Banff) to northern British Columbia, offers many activities for outdoor enthusiasts but here are the top five:

1 Heli Hiking

Truly the best way to see the Rockies is from above, and a scenic helicopter ride offers you a beautiful view like no other. After the short flight, you’re dropped off at a breathtaking place where the hike of your lifetime is waiting.

2 Cave Tours

The Rockies are host to many twisty, subterranean pathways etched over hundreds of thousands of years by the force water. Expect to delve into one of the most unique experiences you’ll ever have when you take one of these tours.

3 ATV Tours

Touring the wilderness via an All-Terrain Vehicle is an exciting way to explore the Rockies, offering a different perspective of the landscape. Some tours include seeing the remains of an early 1900s silver mine on top of an 8,000 foot mountain or exploring the oldest mountains in the range.

4 Zip Line

Get ready for an incredible rush when you take the zip line down mountain sides and across rivers at more than 50 km per hour.

5 Whitewater Rafting

The Canadian Rockies offer some of the most awesome whitewater rafting experiences in North America. There’s nothing like the thrill of travelling down rushing water to get your heart pumping.

About the author: Brianne Hogan is an avid traveler and freelance writer. Her work’s been featured in numerous publications, including blogTO and Post City Magazine. Brianne is the blog and article writer for Online Cottage Rental.

Sailing is one of the most popular pastimes in the world, and affords its practitioners the opportunity to enjoy some of the most stunning sights that the world has to offer. As opposed to those who traverse waters in motor yachts or engine driven boats, traditional sailing provides a more tranquil experience and a complete change of pace from any other kind of water based activity. With this in mind lets take a look at the most significant sailing locations in the world, and exactly why they are amongst the popular resorts for people from all across the globe.

1 The French Polynesia and Society Islands

This region is renowned amongst sailors, and provides some of the most tranquil and fascinating waters in the world. It’s pale white beaches and swaying palm trees adorn a series of stunning bays, and these are well situated to allow you to sail close to the shore and take in some the wonderful surrounding sites. There are also 2 deep water harbours around the Society Islands and the main port of Raiatea, which provide a slightly sterner challenge for more experienced and worldly wise sailors.

2 The Balearic Islands in Spain

Located not far from the splendid East Coast resort of Valencia, the Balearic Islands remains one the most popular sailing destinations in central Europe. Blessed with clear blue waters that stretch and wind beneath a gloriously sun kissed climate, the islands deliver sights of some of Spain’s most picturesque cities. The renowned sailing competition the America’s Cup also takes in its challenging waters, which happen to provide an excellent test of a sailors credentials. As a venue for the recreational sailor, it is second to none in European waters.

3 The Ionian Coast in Turkey

If you have a penchant for adventure when you sail, then Turkey’s glorious Ionian Coast is a must see destination. With a swathe of hidden coves and secreted bays, it provides mystique and wonder for all who traverse its waters. Similarly, its coast is home to numerous ancient ruins and historical villages, which provide a picturesque and culturally significant insight into Turkey’s heritage. It is also one of the most tranquil sailing destinations you can imagine, despite its popularity amongst eastern European sailors.

4 The Western Isles in the United Kingdom

As an island, the UK is often overlooked as a sailing destination for enthusiasts, although the South Coast of England is widely popular with British sailors. However the Western Isles, which adorn the coastline of Scotland, are infinitely more beautiful and provide more clear and tranquil waters for sailors. It also boasts a mild climate throughout the summer, which negates the need for thermal clothing and wearing layers. Most importantly it is one of the most unique sailing locations in Europe, and well worth travelling to if you are an enthusiast.

5 Borneo in Malaysia

As an experienced sailor, no resume of activity is complete without a trip to Borneo. As the host of the largest annual sailing event in the Asia, it provides ample opportunity for you to charter a yacht and even compete in some of the most challenging and stunningly clear waters of any location. Taking in waters from Labuan to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, its course takes you on a journey of some of Asia’s most stunning resorts, and delivers arguably the most fulfilling sailing experience imaginable.

About the author: Written by Rob, event organiser for Chillisauce, specialising in Stag Weekends and Activity Weekends

Edinburgh is a much-trumpeted city of beauty and grandeur with its majestic castle on the rock, its contrasting architectural styles of the Old and New town and its spectacular range of museums, monuments and never ending character around every corner.

But what lies beneath?

This ancient town has several layers of culture below the surface that most normal guidebooks fail to highlight. So if you are thinking about coming to visit Edinburgh, here are a few alternative sights to consider seeing…

Music:

• 1. Underground Rock – Edinburgh has a diverse and thriving underground music scene. There is old school rock and roll, modern jazz, punk rock, heavy metal, doom metal, thrash, hardcore and just about everything else. Just head down to the Cowgate area and to bars like Bannermans, Banshee Labyrinth, Sneaky Pete’s, Bongo Club and the Wee Red Bar any night of the week and you won’t be disappointed.

• 2. Folk Music – All kinds of folk music can be heard drifting out of many bars in Edinburgh. A particularly popular one is Sandy Bells near Greyfriar’s Kirk where professional and amateur musician play Scottish and Irish music until closing time.

Outdoors:

• 3. Forth Ferry – On the very northern edge of the city where it meets the Firth of Forth between the great bridges, you will find a tour boat that will take you out onto the waves, under the huge bridges and out to tiny islands.

• 4. Portobello Beach – A short bus journey east of the city will take you to the long golden beaches at Portobello. On hot days they are strewn with locals and the promenade offers a delightful stroll along the waters edge.

Eating

• 5. Snax – Found behind the east end of Princess Street is one of the best culinary delights in Edinburgh. It has no Michelin stars but is incredibly popular, cheap and serves up amazing breakfasts and other café fair. Get it to take away then go eat it in the gardens.

• 6. Queens Arms – A lovely pub with wonderful food that has won awards is located on the Queen Street side of Frederick Street. Great décor, live sport and a fun atmosphere.

With this inside information, you will see some of the gems Edinburgh has to offer that most tourists won’t know about. So don’t go to the all the same places the other million tourists will be going, take a step towards the less well known and enjoy something special.

About the author: Olive Grant runs serviced apartments in Edinburgh. She feels self-catering Edinburgh accommodation is a great choice for visiting tourists on a budget.

]]> https://allyouneedislists.com/gaming/general-gaming/5-of-game-designs-strangest-obsessions/ Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 http://custom-guid-e5ba80ba3140a4f48f63fe7ea0dfe933 Read more]]>

In film, reoccurring elements often constitute a genre. Consider the importance of the venetian blind to the film noir genre or the sixshooter to the western. In games, items and locations are far more likely to be a lazy convention that the designers have fallen back on whilst pursuing tight deadlines. Such repetition can be helpful in any form of entertainment: it can be a shorthand for what we should expect from an environment. But you’ve got to wonder why we see the following again and again:

5. Sewers

Video Games allow us to travel to absolutely anywhere in time, space or the planes of imagination. If it can be constructed out of polygons, pixels or voxels, it can be rendered in a way that inspires awe, or fear or any one of a range of emotions. It’s a diverse palette of possibilities, so what does almost every game have? A sewer level.

I get the fascination with the unknown, really. If you tell a kid there’s a secret subterranean world of rivers, water run-off and household sludge beneath their feet, they’ll probably be pretty excited about it, regardless of hygienic it is. I can also see the usefulness of the sewer level from a design perspective: the street-level world is one of endless possibilities where you have to keep finding excuses for blocking the player into your little rat run. A sewer is a player-sized tube with occasional junctions. But that doesn’t mean that every single game needs one.

The sewer level is a feature in some of the finest games ever created. Well, I say a feature, but it’s generally not printed on the back of the box. And it’s typically a low point: as lazy as the box and barrel, as unrewarding to play as the most linear fight through a corridor, as drab and brown as… well, a sewer.

4. Elevators

Anything interesting ever happen to you in an elevator? My neither. Unless we’re counting games of course. Ever since Taito’s Elevator Action (no, not that kind of ‘action’), these people carrying cupboards have been the scenes of firefights and full-blown brawls. In games shooting for realism, expect that calm world of the elevator to be undone by a sudden attack from above and a plunging fall to near death. Alien architects are of course in league with game designers, and they’re rather good at creating gigantic open plan elevators with plenty of stop offs for yet another wave of soldiers. Just taking the stairs is (sadly) seldom an option.

3. Bathrooms

Games in the late nineties rushed towards the bathroom for several trivial reasons. Firstly, because they’d recently invented the ‘use’ button and flushable toilets were viewed as a sort of quantum leap in interactivity. Then because reflections briefly became the go-to effect for showing off your new engine, the bathroom was an obvious place that occurred to most designers.

But with these technical reasons in the distant past, why do we still get bathrooms popping up in many games? Because it remains a shorthand for ‘realism’. Virtually every building you’ve ever been in contains a bathroom, so it stands to reason that every building in a game must have a bathroom somewhere. There is no functional reason for putting a bathroom in the game (and we can do without a game that requires you to manage your player character’s bodily functions), and they’re not exactly a fruitful location for shoot-outs or other typical gaming action. You’ll find them hanging on in horror games, because bathrooms are a space in which you’re supposed to be safe. After all, there’s an idiom for it (caught with your pants down).

2. Air Vents

Imagine if there was a way of getting from room to room without having to use one of those horrid, pretentious doors with their awkward human proportions and convenient handles… Thanks to gaming, there is! Ladies and gentlemen: I give you, the air vent! Get down on all fours and crawl like your favourite childhood pet from room to room. Because those four rockets, 10 satchel packs and 15 grenades simply can’t destroy a door (it’s painted red! The most unopenable of all colours!).

Perhaps the air vent obsession is just another foray into the ‘wouldn’t it be cool if we could go here…’ school of thought that gave us the sewer level. Perhaps it’s just another manifestation of the fact that all games with action and exploration are a slightly different spin on Alien and Aliens. Or perhaps games designers just really like making players jump around like they’re in a dog agility trial.

1. Crates and Barrels

In 3D object and level design packages, two of the most primitive objects you can create are the cube and the cylinder. Slap some textures on them for a quick an easy win: crates and barrels. From there, you can let your imagination run wild. Well, walk wild. Or perhaps just crawl forward towards a pad of paper. Ok then, there’s no need to get up, I’ll just write it down for you. Why stop at a single crate, when you can build a whole warehouse of them? And what to barrels typically contain? That’s right! Explosions!

From Doom to Deus Ex: Human Revolution action games have seemingly been about the smashing of crates and the exploding of barrels. How many crates and barrels did you see today? Thought so. Well before penning the incredible script to Portal 2, Erik Walpow and Chet Faliszek came up with the crate review system, a new way of working out how good a game is by how long it takes for you to see a crate or barrel in the environment. In the majority of games featured, both were less than ten seconds away…

About the author: Steph Wood is a blogger working on projects for Splash Bathrooms, a UK-based fixtures and fittings company with everything from illuminated bathroom mirrors to bathroom suites.

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