A mechanical click. The system thrums to life.Ba-dump. Tick.Strong yet intricate fingertips flex, eliciting a soft whirr of mechanics, before wrapping the surprisingly articulate tips around the edge of the chair. Artificial muscles flex.Ba-dump. Tock.Ebony eyelashes flutter, parting to reveal cobalt irises. The grip tightens, a boyish frame rising from the plush red velveteen of the chair. Ba-dump. Tick.Thoughts, memories, experiences and LIFE course through inner workings, glowing bright and blue. Gears turn and springs flex and release. A mechanical heart beats and thrums in time with the rise and fall of each step.Ba-dump. Tock.The partially coagulated blood gives a soft

Loot boxes are digital containers within video games that provide randomized rewards. Players can either purchase these items with real money or earn them through gameplay. The randomness of the rewards echoes the mechanics found in traditional gambling. This element of chance is important to the appeal of loot boxes. Players invest money with the hope of receiving a desirable reward, similar to gambling scenarios where outcomes are uncertain and determined by chance.The psychological allure of loot boxes is heightened by their unpredictability. Players often equate the experience of opening a loot box to the excitement experienced in gambling activities such

Trembling lips quiver, a line of saliva not-so-subtly escaping the corner of your mouth. You inhale deeply as you fork the meat-log, dopamine coursing through your veins as the tension of the outer skin gives way with a delicate POP!, a small geyser of juices bursting forth from the puncture wounds.Decedent... ♫Juicy…♫♫Moist…♫♫♫Meaty…♫♫♫♫Sizzling…♫♫♫♫♫WIENERS!Any civility you may have had at the beginning of this meal is all but lost, the link vanishing within seconds into your salivating oral crevice. You may have been a bit too eager- a HARUMPH of displeasure as you pull the fork from your mouth, brow furrowed- a few

Gamification techniques have impacted online poker platforms by incorporating game design elements that enhance user engagement and retention. Elements such as player achievements, reward systems, leaderboards, and personalized challenges incentivize continuous play and skill development. Player achievements provide milestones for a sense of accomplishment. Leaderboards and competitions foster a competitive spirit and encourage players to refine their strategies. Personalized poker challenges cater to individual preferences.Integration of poker mechanics into video games is another prevalent trend. Titles like Red Dead Redemption and Far Cry 3 feature poker mini-games. These inclusions highlight poker's cultural importance and its role in enhancing gaming. Additionally, entire

Tired eyes skim the ebony ink pressed into the stark pale page.Another month of treatment. Another unpaid balance. This was not how it was supposed to be. The paper crumbles in your fingers, shoved into a disused pocket covered in lint.However, when an opportunity presents itself…SNAP- the Nitrile gloves sting: A mild reminder of your sins. What you’re doing- you're doing it for HER. Elena won’t ever have to know. Only that her father took care of her when she needed it the most. Less time thinking, more time Cleaning, Kovalsky. A sad smirk crosses your lips as you stand, shouldering

You groan, awakening in a quiet icy cave, the only sound the slow drip of snow melting from the suns direct rays. How did you even end up here? There was… a strange flying….was it a pig you were chasing? No, nooooooo- it couldn’t be. Pigs don’t fly, or have ears THAT big. What WAS real, however, was the VERY large, VERY angry boar who had chased you a good half mile, if not more- ultimately leading to your current situation after an "unfortunate misstep".With a grunt, you pull yourself up. Looking around the cave, glimmering with ice and snow, the hole in the cave ceiling

Darkness.The soft hum of a ships idle system. Your body tingles, pins and needles against your skin- how long has it been since you moved last? Against your better judgment, you will your eyes to open- a hiss escaping your lips as your lids part, the harsh lights burning your sensitive pupils.Inhale- breathe.Your stomach contorts- uneasy. The heavy, putrid smell of rotten meat is mingled with something else. Something almost sickly-sweet, like a thick cherry liqueur. There is an undertone of rotten eggs, and a faint note of garlic. Instinctively you curl your hand into a tight fist, clenching your own

Game Title: Outer WildsDeveloper: Mobius DigitalPublisher: Annapurna InteractiveReview Platform: PC (Steam)Release Date: May 28, 2019Outer Wilds has immediately become one of my favorite games upon completion. In this article, I will explain why I loved this game without really giving the reader any hints about major mechanics, because this is one of those beautifully designed games that you can jump into completely blind and still be able to figure everything out by yourself. However, if you need a little nudge and you're looking for a spoiler-free review of Outer Wilds to get an initial idea about the game, you’ve found it. Keep reading.Wake up...Wake

A sharp crack of thunder pierced the thick, dark veil of clouds, reverberating through the sky as an arc of lightning followed. The lightning illuminated a lone airship, piloted by a fiery-haired dwarf. His gloved fingers tightened on the wheel, the leather squeaking in protest as he struggled to stay on course. In the dim light of the storm, small, black beady eyes peered at him from cages—messenger ravens bristling in protest at their temporary confinement, the supernatural storm permeating the air around them. Another crack of thunder split the sky, sending purple tendrils with white-hot centers crawling through the clouds

The wind whistles past, your armour rattling at the sheer momentum of the descent. Falling…Down… Down… Down… Down… Down… Down… Down…Down… Down… CRACK! A plume of dust and splintered wood, the smell of rot and decay break your fall- if only temporarily- to begin the journey anew. Down… Down…Down...THUD!Your metal casing clatters on the impact- a puff of dust, scattering of stone; the stale stench of death and bleached white bone. Your body aches at the rough departure from above. You’re weak, but far from finished. As you pull yourself up, you hear the nearing clank of steel, the scrape of chalky osseous