Relive the American Revolution or experience it for the first time in Assassin's Creed III Remastered, with enhanced graphics and improved gameplay mechanics. Plus, Assassin's Creed Liberation Remastered and all solo DLC content are included.
KVM Forum is an annual event that presents a rare opportunity for developers and users to meet, discuss the state of Linux virtualization technology, and plan for the challenges ahead. This highly technical conference unites the developers who drive KVM development and the users who depend on KVM as part of their offerings, or to power their data centers and clouds.
Sekiro Guardian Ape Boss Guide: Beating The Brutal Beast
Most of the bosses in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice are weapon-wielding warriors who force you to clash blades to break their guard and take them down. Occasionally, though, you'll face huge beasts as bosses, like the Blazing Bull or the Great Serpent. The Guardian Ape is another such giant belligerent animal, and it merges the two enemy types, wailing away at you with its fists, and following up with a massive sword.
You'll find the Guardian Ape on your road through the poisonous swamps of the Sunken Valley. The boss guards a flower you need to advance Sekiro's story, so you'll have to deal with it sooner or later--although if you can bulk up with Prayer Beads or by finishing off other bosses first, you might want to do so. Amping your attack power against the Guardian Ape is very useful, since you'll have to do a lot of damage to it during the fight.
We've got everything you'll need to know to deal with the Guardian Ape, from its poop-throwing antics to its sword-swinging mayhem. For more Sekiro guides, check out our giant (and growing) knowledge center about the game.
Slash Away To Do Damage
The Guardian Ape isn't a boss you're going to parry away at to knock down his posture. Instead, you need to deal damage to lower its Vitality, which means looking for openings to wail away at it with your sword. A lot of those openings are tough to find, and you won't be able to do much damage. You'll want to balance between being close to the Guardian Ape, so you can get in and do damage, and staying clear of some of its tougher moves. Stay at mid-range, and use the whole arena to get away from moves you can't handle, while staying away from the walls so you don't get hemmed in.
Be Sure To Parry
Just because the Guardian Ape isn't using a blade doesn't mean you can't parry its attacks. In fact, the Guardian Ape is too quick and its arms too long for you to avoid most of its strikes; parrying is the only real way to stay in the fight and to keep close enough to do damage. The best time to attack is after the Ape's big four-move combo--it starts with a swing from each arm, followed by an attack that'll push you pretty far away, and ending with the Ape leaping in from above. Parry all of them, but especially the last two, and you'll open up the Ape for a counterattack. This is one of your best opportunities to deal damage. Another is after the vertical swing the Ape does, in which it follows through to land on its back and flail around like it's throwing a tantrum. Sprint around toward its head and get in a few attacks as it finishes rolling around, then get clear.
Grapple In And Go For The Face
One of the best opportunities for damaging the Guardian Ape comes from using your grappling hook. When the Ape stops to roar, it'll expose the sword in its neck that lets you grab it to swing in. If you have it unlocked, use the Ashina skill that lets you attack after a grapple and you can come in and get two good swings at the boss's face before you even hit the ground. You can also sometimes grapple in when the Ape is walking around the battlefield. You'll need to stay relatively close, though, so you don't miss the grapple opportunities, which are basically free damage.
Stay Away From The Back And Dodge That Poop!
One set of moves will have the Guardian Ape swinging away at you, then coming around into a sitting position with its back to you. That makes a tempting target, but keep your distance, because the Ape has two ways of responding to your presence. The first way is to quickly spin around, pound the ground, and open up with a big swinging attack, all of which you'll need to block or parry to stay alive. The second is to stand up more slowly and rip off a huge fart that drops green gas all over the area, which is poisonous. It's better just to stay away.
The fart move is almost always followed by the Ape's dangerous ranged attack, in which it poops in its hand, leaps into the air, and throws the giant turd in your direction. This is a tough attack because it'll do quite a bit of damage, as well as potentially hit you with poison. If your poison meter is low, the most reliable way to handle the attack is to block it and take the poison hit. But if you're risking poison affliction, try sprinting away and hitting the dodge button just as the turd would hit you to avoid it. Be aware that if you stay too far away from the Ape, you're likely to trigger this attack as well, so it's better to stay relatively close.
Use The Firecrackers
Most enemies are distracted by the Firecrackers prosthetic, and it's very effective against animals like the Guardian Ape. That doesn't mean it's foolproof, but you can often interrupt the Guardian Ape's attacks with Firecrackers, giving you a chance to get in close and knock out a few slashes. Like any boss, be careful not to use the Firecrackers when you're already vulnerable, as they won't always stop an attack animation that's already started. They're great for getting in a few good hits or for getting a little breathing room to heal.
Watch That Head
Once you lop off the Guardian Ape's head, you're actually not done fighting it--you'll face it in a second round as a headless, sword-wielding monster thanks to its status as an Infested. The head is still dangerous, though. If you stay too close to the Guardian Ape, it'll smash its head back against its neck and start screaming. The scream is a visible shimmer around the ape and if you're too close, you'll take damage--and you'll experience Terror. If the Terror bar fills up, it'll kill you, so make sure you get away from the Ape as fast as you can when you see the Perilous symbol appear. The best way is to just sprint directly away; look for the start of the move, which is the Ape starting to bring the head up toward its neck.
The Vertical Slash Gives You An Opening
A few moves are worth parrying to protect yourself or to get an opening, but there's one key attack that you absolutely want to parry every single time you see it. That's the vertical smash strike the boss does with its sword. You'll know it because it's a bit of a dancerly move, with the Guardian Ape raising the sword into the air and sort of wavering back and forth. It's a bit of a delayed attack and takes a try or two to get the timing right, but parrying it is essential. A perfect parry on that move will cause the Guardian Ape to pitch forward and fall, lying on the ground for a few seconds so you can slash away at it. If you don't go for any other attack opportunities, make sure you go for this one. The massive damage you can do will make the fight go pretty quickly.
(Spoilers!) Guardian Ape Redux
Once you've beaten the Guardian Ape, you can continue through the Sunken Valley to the poisonous Ashina Depths, where you'll eventually find a giant cave. Inside is your old pal Guardian Ape, now seemingly forlorn because he has to carry his head around with him everywhere, and yet cannot die. You can fight the ape one last time to get another Memory to increase your attack power.
The fight is broken into two phases. The first proceeds the same as your last fight with the headless version of the Guardian Ape did, and is generally pretty easy--especially if you remember to block the vertical attacks that stagger the boss and let you get in a bunch of free hits.
The second half of the fight is the tough one. Once you land a deathblow on the Guardian Ape, it'll roar and call in its mate, a smaller brown ape that fights with many of the same moves the original, headed version of the Guardian Ape did. You're now fighting two enemies at once, but it's not as bad as it sounds. Target the brown ape, which is much weaker than the Guardian Ape, but try to keep both on your screen as much as you can. Focus on killing the brown ape as fast as possible. You should be able to do it pretty quickly, since the brown ape's Posture doesn't recover as fast as the Guardian Ape's did, and it has much less health. Just do your best to keep the Guardian Ape in your peripheral vision so it doesn't hack you up while your back is turned.
Once the brown ape is down, it's a simple matter to finish off the Guardian Ape and land that final deathblow to sever its immortality.
Posted by: xSicKxBot - 03-28-2019, 04:52 PM - Forum: Windows
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Transforming manufacturing with intelligent business applications
Manufacturing has been a driving force for industrial and societal transformation for centuries. Next week, at Hannover Messe—the world’s leading trade show for industrial technology—decades of industrial technology innovation at Microsoft is intersecting with Industry 4.0. As Industry 4.0 ushers in new technological advances to improve operations, competition and customer demands are keeping pace. Customers expect exceptional products and services, without exception, driving a need for greater innovation.
We are joined at the event by dozens of global manufacturers representing industries from automotive to consumer electronics and construction equipment, all using Microsoft Business Applications as a competitive differentiator; intelligent technologies that help transform the entire connected manufacturing ecosystem.
Optimize manufacturing operations and deliver new services
At Hannover Messe, we are showcasing how we empower manufacturers to connect Internet of Things (IoT) sensors on key business-critical assets to business transactions in Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations. It’s a transformative solution to manage production and stock in real-time and proactively resolve issues, optimize manufacturing operations, maximize the value of assets, and take business performance and customer satisfaction to new heights. Read more about the solution here.
Annata, a leading Microsoft Partner for automotive, heavy equipment, and industrial machinery industries, helped Iceland’s largest vehicle importer and distributor, Brimborg, rapidly expand into the commercial fleet rental market in response to the 2008-11 Icelandic financial crisis. Booth visitors will learn how Annata first unified Brimborg’s business of importing, distributing, selling and servicing cars and construction equipment, with a solution that could cover their entire business with Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations along with the Annata 365 solution.
When the crises hit, Brimborg deployed the extensive Rental module that enabled them to manage this new part of their business. Brimborg is using IoT data flowing from its rental cars with the service scheduling capabilities of the Annata solution to optimize and ensure timely servicing of the fleet. All rental cars are automatically called in for service and inspections, which is highly important for keeping the fleet healthy. Brimborg is continuing to automate and innovate using IoT, Dynamics 365, and the Annata solution to run its business more efficiently, but also to open new business models and opportunities with customers in other areas of its business. Targeting four-minute car deliveries and 30-second customer returns—and planning new innovative business models based on Microsoft and Annata solutions.
Make the leap to intelligent, connected field service
Attendees at Hannover Messe are getting a glimpse into the future of field service for manufacturers, powered by Microsoft IoT Central, Dynamics 365 for Field Service, and Dynamics 365 Mixed Reality for HoloLens and mobile devices.
Dynamics 365 Connected Field Service transforms field service organizations with solutions to detect and resolve issues remotely before the customer knows of an issue, and drive efficiency and cut costs in the business cost center. The solution leverages connected devices and machine learning capabilities to combine remote monitoring, digital services, and predictive maintenance.
As recently announced, Dynamics 365Remote Assist for mobile devices brings the HoloLens experience to mobile devices, allowing floor operators and field technicians to collaborate with remote experts and troubleshoot issues in context, without leaving the job site. Dynamics 365 Guides is a new mixed reality tool that allows employees to learn by doing, with interactive, step-by-step guidance presented on heads-up, hands-free displays in real work situations.
Toyota’s North America Production Engineering team uses Dynamics 365 Layout and Dynamics 365 Remote Assist on Microsoft HoloLens in their North America manufacturing centers. Dynamics 365 Layout can improve business processes in valuable ways, such as the layout of digital twins of equipment on the manufacturing floor for safety and process verification, and creating innovative AR training practices through the use of holographic equipment instead of physical equipment in space. Dynamics 365 Remote Assist is in the early phases of being used to improve safety and reduce costs through the use of remote experts for equipment verification and incident response.
At Hannover Messe, Microsoft Partner Hitachi Solutions will showcase how they are helping global organizations create outcome-driven, connected field services with IoT and mixed reality to support maintenance work by field workers to increase uptime and service continuity.
Empower Your Changing Workforce
Start a conversation about Industry 4.0, and inevitably the topic lands on the workforce problem.
As a generation of highly-skilled, specialized workers eye retirement, manufacturers are in a bind to recruit young engineers and operators with the right skillset while adjusting to a new workforce, challenging traditional work culture.
Dynamics 365 for Talent helps HR teams at manufacturing organizations to solve the skills gap, offering intelligent tools to find, attract, and onboard skilled candidates. By automating many manual, time-consuming HR processes, Dynamics 365 for Talent lets HR professionals spend less time on the mundane, and more time on strategic initiatives that grow the business.
New this month, Dynamics 365 Guides allows employees to learn by doing with step-by-step instructions that guide employees to the tools and parts they need and how to use them in real work situations. Guides represents a new way to improve workflow efficiency. Now employees can learn while staying hands-on with their work. With the accompanying PC app, it’s possible for managers and frontline workers to create interactive training content by attaching photos, videos, and 3D models to information cards that stay with them while they work. When employees use Guides, information is collected to help managers understand how they’re doing and where they need help, further allowing people to improve the process.
Check out the video below to learn how PACCAR is exploring Guides and HoloLens to improve productivity and employee onboarding.
Get the full story at Hannover Messe
These solutions and customer stories are just a peek at how Microsoft Business Applications are helping transform manufacturing. If you are attending Hannover Messe, visit our booth to experience Dynamics 365 and Mixed Reality solutions firsthand, as well as chat with customers and partners.
Find more information about our location and sessions in this schedule, and be sure to check out the resources below.
Posted by: xSicKxBot - 03-28-2019, 10:50 AM - Forum: Lounge
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Streets of Rage 4 Gets Flashy New Gameplay Trailer
Six months ago, developers Guard Crush Games (Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap) and Lizardcube (Streets of Fury) announced the latest instalment in Sega's classic arcade beat-em-up series, Streets of Rage 4. Information about the title has been scarce since the reveal trailer, however.Though no release date has been confirmed as of yet, the developers have released a new trailer showing off some intense, visually stunning gameplay.
The trailer, which you can watch below, features some very 80s style drums and synth patterns, accompanied by hand-drawn visuals as Axel Stone and Blaze Fielding walk up and down city streets beating up whoever's in their way. The game looks smooth and distinct, with richly saturated colors and smooth animations. Throughout the trailer, both Axel and Blaze juggle opponents in the air and to each other like tennis players, showcasing just how cooperative SOR4 will be. It's short, lasting only 40-seconds long, but it's a tantalizing look at the game.
Our own Alessandro Fillari came away impressed during his hands-on time with the game back at PAX West 2018. In his write-up, he said that "the game reflects its predecessors' history and legacy." He went on to state that the gameplay feels familiar, with the developers citing Streets of Rage II and Streets of Rage 3 as being starting points.
Fillari also explained the new modified super move system, which, like SOR2, will "deplete some of your health." However, to keep the game in line with its contemporaries, SOR4 will allow you to recover the depleted health with regular attacks, something he likens to Bloodborne's health regen system.
Along with gameplay and mechanics, Fillari also touched on the new visual art style, calling it "a much more dynamic look compared to its predecessor's vivid, yet still static cityscape." Instead of the 2D sprite work found in the original titles, SOR4 features hand-drawn visuals similar to Lizardcube's 2017 title, Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap--a remake of the 1989 game Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap. In addition to gameplay changes and a revamp in art aesthetics, SOR4 will have "its own unique score and effects to help make it stand out from the original game." Unfortunately, the developers are hush-hush about the rest of the game, including whether the series' original composer, Yuzo Koshiro, will return to score SOR4.
Street of Rage 4 is currently in development. A definitive release date is unknown and there's no word on what platforms it'll appear on.
Target Australia Seems To Think Red Dead Redemption 2 Is Coming To Switch
Listen, we all want Red Dead Redemption 2 to come to Switch. That’s a given. It’s one of the year’s biggest games and has gotten rave reviews all over the world, so we’d be silly to even suggest we’re not jealous of our PS4, Xbox One and PC-owning chums who all have the chance to explore the Wild West and do some rootin’ and tootin’ in the comfort of their living rooms.
However, we’re also realists, and we know that getting such a massive and technically demanding action adventure onto a portable console would be a near-impossible task; we’re not saying it couldn’t happen ever, but the sacrifices required would surely impact the experience to a dramatic degree.
Someone should probably tell Target Australia that, as the company has listed Rockstar’s cowboy epic for release on – you guessed it – Nintendo Switch.On page 12 of its latest catalogue, Target lists Red Dead 2 as being available on PS4, Xbox One and Switch.
You can see the page below, and we’ve used our Blade Runner-level tech to zoom in and give more detail.
Now, before we go calling Target silly billies, it’s quite possible that this is just a simple mistake, and the Switch banner graphic was added to the box art purely by accident. NBA 2K19 – which is shown above Red Dead 2 – is not listed as being available on Switch when we know that it is, so perhaps the designer who put this catalogue together got the two games mixed up? Whatever the reason, we imagine that the company is currently getting inundated by requests for the game on Switch, so whoever proofed this particular section of the catalogue might get a stern telling-off.
(Either that or it’s a cunning ploy to get as many eyes as possible on Target’s wares. If so, we fell for it.)
A new installment of the ever-popular series is here. The classic FINAL FANTASY FABLES: Chocobo?s Dungeon is back with an enhanced gameplay system - to be enjoyed by both first-timers and fans of the series!. Explore the challenges of the never-ending dungeons ("Insatiable Hunger"), befriend monsters with the new buddy system. You adhere to one simple rule, ? every time you enter, the world around you changes shape, but it only moves whenever Chocobo moves.
As a judge of the Revolutionary Tribunal, preside over complicated cases of ordinary citizens, dangerous criminals, and enemies of the revolution in revolutionary Paris. Make judgments, plot political intrigue, and try to not lose your own head.
GWENT The Witcher Card Game is coming to iOS later this year
By Joe Robinson27 Mar 2019
Hey, I hear you like card games. How about another card game to go with your card game? It’s a strange one – at times the app market can feel a bit crowded when it comes to card games, especially multiplayer focused CCG/TCG games, and at the same time… not.
What I mean by that is, while plenty have tried to take Hearthstone’s crown (like many PC devs came for World of Warcraft’s before it), none have really succeeded, although ‘success’ is a relative term. Plenty have carved out a decent niche for themselves within the space, which is more than what you can say for many MMOs, so clearly there’s enough diversity and strong IPs to cater to people’s tastes.
Enter GWENT – card-game spin-off from a mini-game of the same name found within The Witcher 3. There’s probably a really interesting article to be done on mini-games – I spent just as much time playing Final Fantasy 8’s card mini-game, as well as Final Fantasy 10’s Blitzball, as I spent playing their respective ‘main’ games.
GWENT then has a lot going for it, although its interesting that despite releasing in October last year on PC (Console version landed in December), there’s not been a lot of conversation around it. How well it’s doing compared to its contemporaries on the market is anyone’s guess, although doing a cursory google search reveals causes for concern.
Still, it must be doing well enough for CDProjecktRED to want to follow through with their pans to bring the game to mobile. We thought we’d have heard about this sooner, but then if it isn’t doing that well, you can hardly blame them from being reluctant to look at new platforms.
At the moment, all we know that it’s coming to iOS this year, although they specifically only reference smartphones, which is a bit odd. Details regarding an Android version are to be announced “at a later date”.
