Author: Samuel Marc

Assassin’s Creed IV: 10 tips to earn money quickly

How can you earn the maximum amount of money in the least amount of time in Assassins’s Creed IV? Just like in real life, money is essential in the game to regularly buy new weapons or improve facilities on your boat. I learned this lesson the hard way during the first hours of the adventure, somewhere off the coast of Cuba…

An icon vaguely representing a cetacean appears on the map. Hovering over the symbol tells me the unthinkable: it’s a white whale! With a gesture, I order my men to launch a canoe in pursuit of the monster. I throw a first harpoon. The blade plants itself in the milky flesh of the beast which, enraged, breaks my craft with a flick of its tail. Game over. Defeated, I take note of the obvious. I need to upgrade my equipment, and to do that, I’m going to need money, lots of money, and very quickly.

A small reversal of fortune gave me the idea of gathering these 10 essential tips that’ll help you earn money quickly in Assassin’s Creed IV.

Carry out contract killings

Contracts are a quick way to earn money in Assassin's Creed IV

Contracts are a quick way to earn money in Assassin’s Creed IV

Contract killings are one of the fastest ways to earn money in Assassin’s Creed IV. After killing your target, you will receive 1,000 reals to which a bonus of 500 reals is added if you manage to complete all the additional objectives.

Pay attention to the secondary objectives

To get maximum synchronization in the main and additional missions, it’s essential to strictly follow the secondary objectives. Available in the game’s pause menu, these obligatory requirements allow you to complete the missions of the game with a 100% synchronization percentage and, at the same time, earn the most money. Don’t hesitate to repeat a botched mission so that you can complete secondary objectives – it’s worth the money (500 additional reals on average).

Look for chests

Hidden throughout the game are chests, which should help you in the event of shortages. Even if the chests don’t yield as much as boarding a vessel (a few hundred reals maximum), the ease with which they can be accessed should satisfy even the most impatient person.

Go on a treasure hunt

The treasure hunt will make you rich

The treasure hunt will make you rich

The hobby of choice for any self-respecting pirate, the treasure hunt, will make you rich if you take the time to explore the world of Assassin’s Creed IV.  Hint: the approximate coordinates of each buried treasure are listed on each map.

Attack couriers

Couriers appear randomly on the streets of three large cities in the game. They are indicated by a yellow icon representing a package on the game map. They generally carry ammunition as well as about a hundred reals, and they’re always good for the taking. Hint: place a marker on the courier icon on the map so that you don’t lose sight of them.

Pick a pocket or two

Pick the pockets of passers-by and your victims. You’ll get between 10 and 20 reals per head, but these petty thefts represent a source of easily accessible and virtually unlimited income.

Play the good Samaritan

United we stand

United we stand

In the city, come to the aid of pirates in distress. In addition to gaining new crew members for free, you’ll collect a substantial reward.

Choose your target

Before you launch an attack on a random boat, use your long sight (R2 on the PS3, LT on the Xbox 360) to identify the exact nature of their cargo. Attack those ships carrying the most rum and sugar and sell your loot for a maximum return on your investment.

Ransom royal convoys

When your ship is sufficiently equipped and you have enough naval battles under your belt, go attack a royal convoy. They are indicated by the letter R on the map, and you could get between 1,000 and 2,000 reals as a reward. But be careful: these convoys are usually escorted by two gun-boats.

Hunt down legendary vessels

Legendary ships lie at the edge of the map.

Legendary ships lie at the edge of the map

Once the Jackdaw is improved and sufficiently armed, you can set sail to conquer the game’s legendary ships. These 5 extra boats in level 75 lurk within the confines of the game’s map. With rewards that can reach 20,000 reals, this loot really is worth the time and effort it’ll take you to unearth it. Hint: to quickly locate the legendary ships, take control of the forts.

These 10 tips should help you accumulate a fortune in no time, perfect for financing improvements to your ship and optimizing weapons for your pirate crew.

Do you have any more advice for earning money in Assassin’s Creed IV?

RELATED ARTICLES:

Call of Duty: Ghosts Review

From the very first minutes of gameplay in Call of Duty: Ghosts, I’ve been catapulted straight into a game that feels exactly like an American blockbuster movie. Although, its not quite a 21st century blockbuster movie.

I’m in space, in what appears to be an American space station. Very soon, everything speeds up. Someone passes me a machine gun. I’m shot from behind and everything explodes in all directions. Woah, I thought.

Despite the initial excitement, I can’t help but recall Moonraker, a film where James Bond is on the trail of a mad scientist that takes him from Venice to Rio before finally being blasted into space to fight people wearing pastel colors and shooting laser guns. It’s an avalanche of scenes, one more fantastic than the other. Entertaining, yes, but also very kitsch, the best of the worst with cardboard props and hanging strings seen from a mile away. Unfortunetly, this is the type of blockbuster that comes to mind when I played Call of Duty: Ghosts.

According to Activision, Call of Duty: Ghosts will be the must-have game for the new generation of consoles. Let’s see if this FPS game has what it takes to live up to its claims.

A bleak scenario

In a context of global economic crisis, several oil-producing South American countries combine to form the Federation, a new superpower that will benefit from its hegemonic position to turn against, as I’m sure you’ve already guessed, the United States. The single player campaign of Call of Duty: Ghosts begins the moment the Federation takes control of an American space station and launches a large-scale orbital attack on the United States.

Call of Duty: Ghosts awkwardly attempts to tug on your heart strings by telling the story of two brothers and their German Shepherd who, almost through no fault of their own, take part in reconquering their native land. No, this year, it will no longer be the single player campaign that will inspire people to buy Call of Duty: Ghosts.

One for thrill seekers… on rails

Call of Duty: Ghosts

The heroes can count on Riley, their German Shepherd.

Like its illustrious predecessors, the single player campaign of Call of Duty: Ghosts takes it cues from blockbuster movies, throwing us straight into the action from the first minutes of play. It explodes in all directions where bullets abound and blood spurts, creating genuine entertainment for thrill seekers. The only problem, is that it’s mounted on its rails.

There’s no time to improvise. The single player campaign leaves very little room for interaction, which is the last thing you want in a video game. The player basically has to follow, more or less quickly, the orders that appear on screen, which have been given by the other characters.

I was surprised to find that level gameplay was a vague system of checkpoints and objectives that weren’t always very clear. Small flaws were compensated for by the linear aspect of the traditional corridor levels that we expect from this series.

But not everything has been thrown into the single player campaign in Call of Duty: Ghosts. Our two brothers in arms will always be able to count on Riley, their dog, in brief phases of gameplay that showcase stealth. Unfortunately, you’re not actually able to control their four legged friend at any point, what surely seems like a missed opportunity.

Multiplayer: (almost) all quiet on the Western Front…

Call of Duty: Ghosts

The new customization system offers nearly 20,000 different possibilities.

Trigger-happy junkies can rest assured, Call of Duty: Ghosts hasn’t changed – or at least has barely changed – its celebrated multiplayer mode! The new features include 14 new maps, the ability to slide along the ground, a new customization system offering nearly 20,000 different possibilities, female avatars, 7 new game modes, and 20 new Killstreaks (bonuses that reward a certain number of enemies killed in succession), including the dogs of war!

As is common in the series, Call of Duty: Ghosts doesn’t really leave room for tactics, and it’s the reflexes, memorization, and attitude of the players that will reap the rewards.

The new Squad Points system allows all players, in theory, to customize their characters and adapt their equipment to their type of game play. Unfortunately, you need to play lots of matches online before you can raise the amount of points required to purchase better weapons and accessories.

The system isn’t particularly easy and could put off less patient players or newcomers to the game. Fortunately, beginners will have Squad mode to become familiar with the mechanics of the multi-player game and the chance to win Squad Points before coming up against hordes of bloodthirsty players.

These are subtle changes that hopefully won’t turn fans away from the genre.

Extinction: the diamond in the rough

Call of Duty: Ghosts

In Extinction, you have to try and repel an alien invasion.

The real surprise of Call of Duty: Ghosts comes in the form of Extinction, a fabulous multiplayer co-op mode that’s fun, refreshing and full of great ideas. In Horde mode revisited, you attempt to repel an alien invasion along with 3 other players. Your main objective is to fight successive waves of enemies and destroy the hives of the invader with limited resources.

There’s also no more mindless shooting found in the single player campaign. In Extinction mode, you’ll need to buy your weapons and ammunition with money earned by completing the game objectives and shooting down aliens; it’s a crucial detail which adds a dimension of both strategy and invigorating survival to the mode.

There’s also the new system of exciting challenges, the terrible environmental traps (gas cylinders, electrified areas, and controlled fires) and the techniques involved in mastering aerobatics. In truth, Extinction is single-handidly good enough to justify purchasing Call of Duty: Ghosts, a real demonstration of the creative potential of Infinity Ward studio.

Visible strings

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Call of Duty: Ghosts doesn’t shown its full potential on the current generation of consoles.

I tested Call of Duty: Ghosts on the Playstation 3 and I have to admit that I wasn’t particularly impressed with the graphics of the game. Between low-resolution textures and frozen facial animations, Call of Duty: Ghosts doesn’t show its full potential on current generation consoles. Fortunately, great particle effects, deformation of the maps, and the animations of Riley come together to improve a package that isn’t particularly showy.

Verdict: spectral pallor

With Call of Duty: Ghosts, Infinity Ward delivers a collection of disjointed experiences with mixed quality. The multiplayer mode, the major asset of the series, has been enhanced with subtle improvements that perfect an already proven game mechanic without taking enough risks to permanently draw attention to them. But if Call of Duty: Ghosts remains, despite everything, a good action game, it’ll be interesting to see how the Activision title will fare against a new generation of first-person shooters like the ambitious Titanfall and Destiny.

Despite a mixed critical reception, Moonraker remains one of the most successful movies in the James Bond franchise. With a billion dollar revenue on its first day of release, it’s likely that Call of Duty: Ghosts will share a similar fate.

Score: 7.5/10

Call of Duty: Ghosts is available on PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

Download Call of Duty: Ghosts for PC

Winamp is dead, but does anyone really care?

Winamp is dead. The famous audio player from Nullsoft won’t be available after December 20, 2013, much to the dismay of people who love skins of questionable taste and psychedelic visualizations.

Personally, it’s been years since I’ve used Winamp, and its disappearance is almost a non-event for me. I’ll tell you how I buried the Nullsoft llama and why you might want to do the same.

Winamp for Mac…too little, too late

I’ve long been a defender of the hopeless Winamp. Early on, the ease of use of this audio player, its versatility and lightweight operation captivated  my pimply teenaged self. It was simple, and it worked smoothly on my entry-level computer, which was an accomplishment in itself!

Winamp classic

On-the-fly playlists were a major draw…

Winamp would also let me edit playlists on the fly via a simple drag and drop, while other plugins and skins gave the possibility to customize it to my liking. Both of those were major points in its favor.

But everything changed when I left my old PC for a Mac in the mid-2000s. Winamp hadn’t made ​​the leap and was only available on Windows. Such betrayal! Annoyed, I had to move over to the great Cog, a minimalist audio player of the same ilk that was available for Mac.

iTunes, the sworn enemy

One thing led to another, and I fell for the iPhone shortly after my move to Mac OS. At the time, these products couldn’t survive very long if they weren’t regularly connected to iTunes, Apple’s famous audio player.

iTunes for Mac 2011

At first, I hated iTunes

At first, I couldn’t bear iTunes. Its complicated menus gave me a headache and its tendency to take control of my music didn’t impress me either. After a few months of forced use, I gradually learned to appreciate its management functions and integration with Mac OS. Probably Stockholm syndrome, right?

And so, the damage was done. I took a deep breath, turned the page and bid farewell to Winamp.  Then, Winamp landed on Mac in October 2011. As you can imagine, it came as a bit of a shock.

A revamp for Apple

When Winamp finally arrived on Mac, it was nothing like the lean, agile software I had known with Windows. Like most audio players of the time, Winamp became an iTunes clone, designed more for managing and synchronizing music libraries than listening to audio files. It was the last straw! I had to face the truth – it was the end of an era.

Winamp for Mac

Winamp becomes an iTunes clone

The end of an era

Today, I no longer use audio players at all. Music has changed completely and, most of the time, I listen to my music via streaming services like Spotify or SoundCloud.

Spotify Samsung TV App

These days, it’s all about the streaming

To me, Winamp is a relic of the golden age of illegal downloading that simply hasn’t been able to change with the times. It’s a fossil of a bygone era.

What about you? Do you miss Winamp already, or are you happy to bid the llama farewell?

RELATED ARTICLES:

GTA V: 10 tips to complete missions

GTA V heists are high-tension missions worthy of major Hollywood blockbusters. These extraordinary robberies require extensive preparation and ultra-precise execution to avoid failing dismally. By following these 10 tips, you’ll increase you chances of surviving GTA V heists!

1. Use the approach that suits your style of play

You can choose between attacking with force, or using finesse.

GTA V lets you choose your team’s approach for various heists, either attacking with force or using finesse. Choose the approach that best suits your style of play in order to minimize surprises. If you’re heavy on the trigger, for example, go for frontal attacks; otherwise, choose a stealth approach.

2. Be careful who you hang out with

GTA V lets you choose which teammates will accompany the heroes on each heist. Note that the more experienced teammates will expect you to pay them a larger share of the spoils. Whatever you do, give yourself a fighting chance and don’t skimp on good teammates. A novice can derail a prefectly planned heist, so make sure to replace your less experienced accomplices with professionals to put the odds on your side.

3. Train yourself!

You’ll have the opportunity to increase Franklyn, Trevor, and Michael’s statistics by having them perform auxiliary tasks. Driving through the streets of Los Santos will increase your driving, running, and cycling skills and improve your endurance, while flying lessons will turn your heros into flying aces. Sessions at the shooting gallery will improve each character’s handling of different weapons. As icing on the cake, you can increase your level of discretion by walking regularly in stealth mode and surprising passersby. All these skills will prove crucial in the most complex game missions!

4. Arm yourself!

Make sure your characters are properly equipped…

We can’t say enough about the importance of preparation for the success of heists! Before starting the main missions of the game, make sure that your characters are properly equipped by visiting one of the numerous Ammunation shops. Among the essentials are the bullet-proof vest, the shotgun for close combat, the sniper rifle, and the sub-machine gun, which your characters can use while driving.

5. Learn to fight

The gameplay of GTA shootouts is unique, and you’ll have to master the subtleties to overcome the toughest missions. Assisted power mode, for example, lets you move from one target to another in the middle of a shootout with the flick of the right stick. GTA V fights are among the most demanding of their kind, and this additional assistance could make all the difference in desperate situations.

6. Never lose concentration

Don’t count your chickens before they’ve hatched! GTA V missions are full of twists and turns. In other words, even if your plan seems to be going smoothly, you’ll never be safe from the unexpected, such as an accomplice with all the loot getting caught by the police! Stay alert and keep your cool until the end of the mission.

7. Don’t play the hero

In GTA V heists, your main goal is to come away with the loot, not to grandstand. Use the most effective solutions when things go sour, like headshots or heavy weapons. Better yet, avoid systematically fighting the police and hide when possible. Simply stay out of sight of your pursuers or hide if you nee d to!

8. Master character changes

Alternating between the three main characters in GTA V is the key to success.

Alternating between the three main characters in GTA V is the key to success for most heists. Franklyn, Trevor and Michael each have special abilities, and you’ll have to switch from one to another very regularly to carry out special tasks. Fortunately, a system of flashes of color will give you critical information about the status of each character. When a character has to be selected, the picture flashes white. A red flashing light indicates that the character is damaged and needs you to help him. Finally, a translucent portrait indicates that the character is not available.

9. Remember each character’s special skills

In the heat of battle, it’s easy to forget the special skills of each character. These benefits, however, can often make the difference between a mission accomplished with finesse and a dismal failure. For the record, Franklyn will slow down when he’s weaving a car through traffic to evade the police. Trevor becomes almost invincible for a short period of time and can do some pretty serious damage, very useful when you find yourself surrounded. Finally, Michael will slow down time during shootouts to aim better and carefully align his targets.

10. And if that doesn’t work, cheat!

If you’re a true gangster and would rather die than follow the rules, GTA V understands you! In it’s infinite kindness, the game gives you the ability to use cheat codes to unlock weapons, vehicles and other bonuses! To activate a secret code, simply enter the keystrokes in the order shown, without pausing the game. Warning: Once entered, these codes automatically disable trophies and achievements.

Original article written by Samuel Marc published on Softonic FR.

MORE GTA V…

Grand Theft Auto Online: 5 tips to level up quickly

[Update] Patch 1.03, as released on 10/09/13, prevents you from replaying missions once you’ve completed them.

How can you earn the maximum number of Reputation Points in the shortest time in Grand Theft Auto Online? These five tips help you to quickly climb the ranks of the underworld to become the most wanted gangster in Los Santos.

For those who have missed an episode, in Grand Theft Auto Online, Reputation Points (RP) are required to unlock some of the most valued items (clothing, vehicles, weapons, etc.) in the game. Worse, you have to wait until level 5 before you can buy an apartment, while some missions and related activities can’t be accessed until you reach a certain level.

Shop alone

gta online

Paradoxical as it may seem, one of the best ways to level up quickly in Grand Theft Auto Online is to play multiplayer solo! Specifically,  there are some races you’ll have to focus your efforts on to accumulate the maximum RP in the shortest time.

Go to the Grand Theft Auto Online menu and select a race to host. Close the race to other participants, setting the Matchmaking option to Closed. You’re now the only driver, an ideal way to ensure you finish in first place and earn the RP awarded to the winner.

Steal cars

gta online

Stealing cars will allow you to easily accumulate Reputation Points. And if you attract the attention of the police force, it’s even better! Escaping your pursuers will also earn RP and you’ll progress faster. Note that you can also attack innocent bystanders to achieve the same goals.

Fulfill contracts

gta online

The easiest way to quickly level up in Grand Theft Auto Online is still to fulfill contracts – the famous Jobs – that will be given to you by various characters in the game. Fulfill these missions to earn RP and GTA$, the currency used for Grand Theft Auto Online transactions.

Join a crew

gta online

Grand Theft Auto Online encourages teamwork and rewards you with a bonus of 20% extra Reputation Points for missions including a Crew. Note that if you prefer small groups, simply filling out a contract with a teammate will reward you 10% additional RP.

You now know how to optimize your gaming experience to earn maximum RP and level up quickly in Grand Theft Auto Online. Soon, the slickest clothes, vehicles, weapons, and the most luxurious apartments in Los Santos will be yours!

What are your tips to level up quickly in Grand Theft Auto Online?

Original article by Samuel Marc on Softonic FR

13 apps to survive the Apocalypse

Rise of the machines, Nibiru cataclysm, magnetic field reversal, intergalactic alignment, global shortage of Nutella … What if it was all true? Imagine it’s December 21st and the end of the world is actually happening. What would you do? Where could you hide? Which way to turn?

Fortunately, We’ve thought of everything and have the solution to all your apocalyptic problems. Our OnSoftware specialists have studied the issue and found 13 essential applications to help you survive the worst disasters.

Continue reading “13 apps to survive the Apocalypse”