الوسم: custom

  • How to Add Custom Survivor Characters in Quarantine Zone: The Last Check

    How to Add Custom Survivor Characters in Quarantine Zone: The Last Check

    You can now create custom characters in Quarantine Zone: The Last Check and select their symptoms yourself. This new feature is available with the full release of the zombie apocalypse checkpoint simulator, and anyone can participate.

    If you have a Twitch account, you can invite followers to add their own characters or join a live stream to create a survivor with custom symptoms. Here’s how to make your own custom survivor characters:

    1. Create a Twitch account if you don’t already have one.
    2. Launch Quarantine Zone: The Last Check.
    3. Link your Twitch account to your game account from the main menu.
    4. Find your favorite Twitch streamer playing Quarantine Zone.
    5. Look for the QZ icon (a green square logo, sometimes with a +1 badge).
    6. Click the icon and choose three symptoms for your character.
    7. Hit Save and wait. Your character will arrive at the checkpoint the next day, depending on how many characters others are adding.

    You can select any three symptoms, including contraband, to make diagnosis easier or more challenging. Depending on the streamer’s settings, your Twitch username may be displayed with your character, making it easy to recognize when the symptoms are checked.

    This feature is only available during streams in Endless Mode, so players going through the campaign mode won’t have access to custom symptoms.

    You can add a new character once your current one passes through the checkpoint. Adding a new character before yours arrives might change your existing character’s symptoms.

    To enable custom characters on Twitch:

    1. Create and log into Twitch.
    2. Open Quarantine Zone: The Last Check.
    3. Link your Twitch account in the game’s main menu.
    4. Before streaming, go into settings and under Gameplay, find the Twitch section.
    5. Enable Twitch features and decide whether you want followers’ usernames visible; enabling them enhances engagement.

    As followers add their custom characters, they will be visible at the next day’s checkpoint for you to scan and diagnose. You can keep receiving new characters with unique symptoms throughout the game, providing a diverse range of infected, sick, or safe survivors to manage.

    Followed characters may also be kept in a cage as zombie pets during gameplay, periodically fed human remains, for an extra touch of fun and engagement.

  • Creating Custom Venues and Schedules in The Sims 4: Adventure Awaits

    Creating Custom Venues and Schedules in The Sims 4: Adventure Awaits

    There are many great places to send your Sims for adventure in The Sims 4: Adventure Awaits. But if none of those locations suit your taste or if you want a unique place to explore, you can always build your own on any empty lot in Gibbi Point.

    In the Build/Buy menu, you’ll find a wide range of custom venue types to choose from when working on a vacant lot. The destination depends entirely on what kind of venue you want to create. You can set schedules for specific activities, redesign the space to match your vision, and start your adventure.

    ### Build Custom Venues on Empty Lots

    While many empty lots are marked as residential by default, you can change this by entering Build/Buy mode, clicking on the lot, and selecting “Custom Venue” from the Venue Info dropdown menu. You’ll see several presets based on which expansion packs you have installed, but the Custom Venue option gives you the freedom to build almost anything.

    The requirements for your venue will vary depending on the type you’re creating. Be sure to check the dropdown menu to ensure you have all the necessary items to meet the game’s rules for that venue type. You can make camps, competitions, retreats, living communities, and more.

    When building a custom venue, one key step is setting the schedule for the location. You can choose from predefined presets, such as seasonal sleepaway camps or specific competition days, to organize what happens there. These schedules are strictly followed, so plan carefully.

    ### Preset Schedule Options for Custom Venues

    | Schedule Name | Schedule Activities | Roles Needed |
    |—————————|——————————————————————————————————-|———————————————-|
    | Fitness Retreat | Sleep at midnight, workout at 7 AM, breakfast at 10 AM, free time at 1 PM, dinner at 6 PM, self-care at 9 PM | 6 retreat guests, 1 leader, 2 trainers |
    | Outdoor Kids Camp | Breakfast at 6 AM, physical skills at 9 AM, water activities at 1 PM, campfire at 5 PM, sleep at 10 PM | 8 campers, 2 counselors, 1 director |
    | Romantic Competition | Sleep at 1 AM, breakfast at 8 AM, outdoor fun at 11 AM, dinner at 5 PM, mingling at 8 PM | 8 singles, 2 hosts |
    | Cooking Competition | Breakfast at 7 AM, cooking at 10 AM, serve at 4 PM, self-care at 8 PM, sleep at 11 PM | 5 amateur chefs, 1 chef, 1 mean chef, 2 staff |
    | Cozy Bed and Breakfast | Breakfast at 7 AM, free time at 10 AM, dinner at 5 PM, free time again at 8 PM, sleep at 11 PM | 6 guests, 1 host, 2 staff |
    | Creativity Retreat | Breakfast at 7 AM, arts and music at 10 AM, dinner at 5 PM, arts and music again at 8 PM, sleep at 11 PM | 2 writers, 4 artists, 2 musicians, 2 staff |
    | Senior Living Community | Breakfast at 5 AM, workout at 8 AM, games at 11 AM, dinner at 4 PM, free time at 7 PM, sleep at 10 PM | 6 seniors, 3 visitors, 2 staff, 1 entertainer |
    | Sim Popularity Contest | Breakfast at 7 AM, free time at 10 AM, outdoor fun at 1 PM, dinner at 5 PM, free time at 8 PM, sleep at 11 PM | 3 sporty, 3 brainy, 3 friendly, 3 rebel, 3 popular |

    You can also modify these schedules to better suit your venue or create your own from scratch. The dropdown menu allows you to choose which roles will be involved at each time and what actions they’ll perform—whether socializing, working on classes, or engaging in activities. Make sure to select the right number of roles for each activity, and you can direct specific Sims to perform particular tasks to keep everything running smoothly.

    ### Customize Activities and Roles

    If you prefer full control, you can build a new schedule for your venue. This way, you decide which roles are involved and what they do during each time block—including social interactions, classes, or other activities. Keep in mind that matching the roles to the number of participants and assigning tasks accordingly will help ensure your custom venue functions effectively.

    ### Roles for Custom Venues

    | Role | Criteria | Activities |
    |————————|——————————————————————————————-|——————————————————–|
    | Amateur Chef | Teen or older; Traits: Foodie | Bake, Cook |
    | Artist | Teen or older; Skills: Painting, Papercrafts, Pottery (Level 2+) | Paint, Papercraft, Do Pottery, View Art |
    | Bartender | Teen or older; Skills: Mixology Level 2+ | Mix Bar Drinks, Tend Bar |
    | Brainy Sim | Young adult or older | Play Video Games, Arts & Music |
    | Camp Counselor | Teen or young adult; Traits: Experienced Camp Counselor | Care for Kids, Mentoring |
    | Camp Director | Young adult or older; Traits: Experienced Camp Director | Mentoring, Caring for Kids |
    | Camper | Child | Enjoy Outdoors, Be Friendly |
    | Chef | Young adult or older; Skills: Baking, Cooking, Gourmet Cooking (Level 2+); Celebrity Level 3-5 | Serve Meals, Mentoring, Eat, Be Friendly |
    | Comedian | Teen or older; Skill: Comedy Level 2+ | Do Comedy |
    | DJ | Young adult or older; Skill: DJ Level 2+ | DJ |
    | Entertainer | Teen or older | Dance, Do Comedy, Sing, Play Music |
    | Fisherman | Teen or older; Skill: Fishing Level 2+ | Fish |
    | Fitness Trainer | Young adult or older; Traits: Experienced Fitness Trainer; Skill: Fitness Level 2+ | Work Out, Mentor Fitness, Clean |
    | Friendly Sim | Young adult or older | Be Friendly |
    | Gamer | Teen or older | Play Table & Video Games |
    | Guest | Teen or older | Listen to Music, Be Friendly, Dance, Eat, Drink Bar Drinks |
    | Host | Young adult or older | Clean, Be Friendly, Garden, Cook, Drink Bar Drinks |
    | Mean Chef | Young adult or older; Skills: Seasoned Camp Director; Celebrity Level 3-5 | Serve Food, Mentoring, Eat, Be Mean |
    | Musician | Teen or older | N/A |
    | Outdoor Collector | Teen or older; Traits: Loves Outdoors | Collect Frogs & Butterflies |
    | Outdoor Enthusiast | Teen or older; Traits: Loves Outdoors | Water Activities, Outdoor Recreation |
    | Park Ranger | Teen or older | N/A |
    | Popular Sim | Young adult or older | N/A |
    | Rebel Sim | Young adult or older | Cause Mischief & Mayhem |
    | Retreat Guest | Teen or older; Traits: Experienced Fitness Retreat Guest | N/A |
    | Retreat Leader | Young adult or older; Traits: Experienced Retreat Leader | Mentoring, Clean, Fix Objects, Be Friendly |
    | Romantic Host | Young adult or older; Traits: Experienced Romantic Host | Be Friendly, Clean, Fix Objects |
    | Senior | Elder | N/A |
    | Singles | Young adult or older; Traits: Seasoned Romantic Single; Relationship: Single | Be Flirty |
    | Sporty Sim | Young adult or older | Play Sports, Work Out |
    | Staff | Teen or older | Keep Clean |
    | Teacher | Young adult or older | Care for Kids, Care for Infants & Toddlers |
    | Visitor | Teen or older | N/A |
    | Writer | Teen or older; Skills: Writing Level 2+ | Write |

    When creating your own schedule, start by setting the general theme or vibe of your venue—like a camp or competition. Then, build your schedule around that theme, making sure to include enough space and resources for activities you plan to include. For example, a food-focused venue needs plenty of kitchen space to support your chefs.

  • Creating Custom Getaways in The Sims 4: Your Adventure Awaits

    Creating Custom Getaways in The Sims 4: Your Adventure Awaits

    The Sims 4: Adventure Awaits uses the existing calendar tools to introduce a new way to manage how Sims behave during vacations. The “Getaway” feature displays a schedule of activities, which Sims follow, allowing you to control when they eat, sleep, and participate in activities.

    You can also send any or all household members on a trip using custom getaways. The best part is that all work and school obligations are paused during the vacation. This makes planning a perfect holiday easy, and our guide helps you organize the ultimate getaway.


    How to Schedule a Getaway

    To plan a trip, click the phone icon at the bottom left of the screen, then select the green “Travel” button with a car symbol. From there, you have several options:

    • Plan a Fitness Retreat: Sends Sims to a ready-made fitness camp called Revive and Thrive.
    • Plan a Getaway: Choose from ready-made templates or create your own custom trip.
    • Plan a Romantic Competition: Compete in “Love Highland,” building romantic connections with other singles, or be sent home.
    • Plan an Outdoor Kids Camp: Send child Sims to camp alone or with a parent acting as counselor.

    The cost for each trip depends on the number of Sims and the lot value. Remember, all Sims are charged equally regardless of roles like counselor or staff.

    To book a getaway for a future day, open the calendar by clicking the icon next to the phone icon. Select the desired day and click “Add Getaway” on the menu. Only the custom getaway option appears here, but you can select pre-made ones by setting locations and schedules during setup. Once configured, confirm by clicking the checkmark to start the trip.


    The Plan A Getaway Interface

    When opening a predefined trip, you’ll often be taken directly to the schedule section, but it’s useful to review each tab’s details.

    Location: Select a site from your world using the list on the left. Use dropdown menus above the lot image to customize the duration (1 to 6 nights), recurrence (weekly or not), and start/end times. Note that start times are only adjustable via the calendar, not the phone.

    Roles: Default schedules assign roles like bartender, chef, or camper to Sims. You can modify roles by clicking on a Sim’s picture, then setting criteria such as age, skills, traits, or relationships. You can also add activities like cooking, cleaning, socializing, or crafting. You may create custom roles by clicking “Create Role,” giving it a name, criteria, activities, and uploading it to your library for reuse.

    Rules: Many rules are for elimination competitions but can also introduce positive or negative effects (buffs/debuffs) to add variety. Up to five of the 14 total rules can be selected, divided into:

    • Neutral or Positive Buffs: e.g., Activity Shuffle, Love Is In The Air, Grindset Mindset.
    • Chaotic or Negative Buffs: e.g., Hardcore Mode, House of Grudges.
    • Elimination Rules: Only one at a time, such as Lowest Skill Level or Lowest Progress. These determine how Sims are eliminated, either by overall skill, recent progress, or specific criteria like player choice or relationship status.

    Choosing Locations

    The location tab displays a list of lots. Use the dropdown menu to filter by lot type or switch worlds by clicking the world name at the top. Select a lot by clicking it for a detailed view with options to set duration and times. Remember, start times are only adjustable via the calendar.


    Setting Roles

    Click on a Sim’s picture within a role to customize their criteria and activities. You can specify requirements like age, skills, or traits and decide if the activity is mandatory. Example: “Staff” may only require being a teen or older and performing cleaning tasks, but you can add roles like “Chef” with specific skill and fame levels, or “Outdoor Enthusiast” engaging in water sports and outdoor adventures.

    To add a new role, click the plus icon next to “Create Role,” define the role’s parameters, and upload it to your library for future use.


    Defining Schedules

    A schedule lists activities with time slots—up to seven per day—each with a start time, main activity, and participating roles. The schedule helps keep Sims on track, prioritizing main activities and roles. You can create custom schedules or choose from pre-made ones that correspond to specific getaway types. Pre-made options include the “Fitness Retreat” or “Romantic Competition,” each with dedicated locations and preset schedules.

    The schedule tabs allow you to see the location details, set activities, and assign roles in each time period. Activities are added with the plus button, and roles are assigned by clicking “Add Role.”


    Setting Rules

    You can apply up to five rules from a total of 14, divided into buffs and elimination criteria. Buffs like “Renaissance Studio” or “Love Is In The Air” influence how Sims feel during the trip, while chaos rules like “Hardcore Mode” add difficulty. Elimination rules define how Sims are removed from the trip based on skills, relationships, or performance.

    Some rules measure specific skills like creativity, cooking, or fitness, with progress accumulating across related skills. Only one elimination rule can be active at a time, with options for favoritism-based, popularity-based, or romantic elimination.


    Starting the Getaway

    Once all settings are in place, press the checkmark icon on the rule tab to begin the trip. During the getaway, a schedule will appear at the top left—click it to hide if desired. When the trip ends, a prompt asks whether to continue or return home. You can cancel anytime by clicking the schedule icon at the top.

  • Google Lets You Share Custom Gemini AI Bots For Free

    Google Lets You Share Custom Gemini AI Bots For Free

    Today, Google announced the integration of Gemini into the Chrome browser, highlighting features like tab awareness and a sidebar assistant capable of taking actions on users’ behalf. However, a less obvious but equally exciting development was the ability to share customized versions of the Gemini chatbot with others.

    The Bigger Picture

    Imagine designing an AI assistant tailored specifically for a task you frequently perform. For example, I’ve built a personalized Gemini bot called Email Helper. It streamlines my email responses—simply copy an email’s content, type “Yes” or “No,” and it generates a polite reply based on my input.

    I’ve also crafted other specialized chatbots, which I refer to as Gems. One searches peer-reviewed articles on a given topic, and another scans my weekly food log to create a grocery list for meal prep.

    Creating Custom Gems Made Easy

    What’s even better is that creating these Gems requires no coding skills. All you need to do is describe the task you want the AI to handle, assign a name, and you’re all set. Despite this, many users remain unaware of this feature or find the process cumbersome.

    Why Does This Matter?

    The ability to share these customized Gems represents a significant step forward. Sharing a Gem is as simple as sharing a file in Google Drive. You control who can view or edit your creation, facilitating collaboration among educators, team members, or anyone interested. Even free users can create and share Gems, making this feature accessible to everyone.

    This sharing functionality opens doors for educators to distribute tailored Gems to students without needing personal accounts. Managers and colleagues can work together to refine and improve these bots. The most exciting part? This capability broadens Gemini’s reach, encouraging more users to develop and share their personalized AI tools for various tasks.

    In summary, these browser-based AI chatbots mark a major shift in how we manage work online. When combined with a persistent AI assistant sidebar, they are transforming the web browsing experience for many users, making digital tasks more efficient and collaborative.

  • Will I Wear Sub-$200, AI-Designed 3D-Printed Shoes

    Will I Wear Sub-$200, AI-Designed 3D-Printed Shoes

    Purchasing shoes often involves making compromises—one foot slightly smaller than the other, or settling for off-the-shelf options that never quite fit right.

    While custom-made shoes have been around for centuries, they typically come with a hefty price tag. I’ve previously paid $500 for custom orthotics—before even buying the shoes. That’s a significant investment for footwear that still might not fit perfectly.

    Why not leverage 3D printing and AI to solve this problem? That’s exactly what Syntilay aims to do, and I recently had the chance to experience their process firsthand.

    ### A New Type of Footwear?

    Syntilay combines advanced foot scanning technology, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing to craft shoes tailored specifically for each person’s feet—at prices under $200.

    Their initial offerings include a stylish slide sandal and sneaker, designed more for everyday wear than intense athletic activity. Both models feel surprisingly comfortable thanks to a soft, flexible plastic blend of nylon and TPU. Their designs, generated with the help of AI and influenced by a creative director, sport a modern, edgy aesthetic inspired by futuristic themes.

    ### How the Process Works

    Ben Weiss, Syntilay’s CEO, explained that their scanning technology gathers 5,000 data points and 12 key measurements—everything from forefoot width and arch height to instep girth. This comprehensive data guides the 3D printing, creating shoes that truly understand the unique shape of your feet.

    Most customers will use a smartphone app to biometrically scan their feet via a link sent after purchasing. I had the opportunity to test the full experience at a new Syntilay store in Times Square, New York.

    The process is quick and user-friendly: roll up your pants, step onto the Volumental scanner, and answer a few simple questions on a touchscreen. Within minutes, the custom measurements are recorded, and the shoes are ordered. Turnaround time for production is about four to six weeks, so I’ll have to wait a bit to see how they perform in everyday use.

    This is currently the only location offering the complete scanning service, but the company plans to expand to a dozen locations across North America and Asia by 2026.

    ### Past and Future

    Syntilay isn’t new to custom footwear—earlier this year, they launched a program that creates shoes from smartphone photos and measurements. That initiative has been well-received, with only one pair returned so far, and a quick turnaround for replacements.

    The advent of AI-designed shoes means style will be as important as fit. The designs are not only tailored for comfort but also crafted to appeal visually, with sleek patterns inspired by spacecraft and yacht design elements.

    ### The Shoes

    The Xplorer slide, for example, combines a sense of luxury and futurism, drawing visual inspiration from yacht decks and high-tech spacecraft art. Meanwhile, the Luminez sneaker resulted from over 100 iterations of AI-driven design, culminating in what Weiss describes as their most optimized look and fit yet.

    I’m excited to see how these shoes perform once they arrive—once I get them, I’ll share my impressions. The shoes are produced in about four to six weeks, and at the moment, the full scanning experience is available only at select locations. However, expansion plans suggest you might be able to get fully customized shoes far closer to home soon.

    ### Final Thoughts

    For those who’ve ever wished their shoes could be made just for them, Syntilay’s approach makes that a real possibility—while keeping the price accessible. It’s a promising step toward footwear that marries perfect fit, innovative design, and affordability.

  • Completing Custom Scenarios in RimWorld: A Guide to Solving Challenges

    Completing Custom Scenarios in RimWorld: A Guide to Solving Challenges

    Before diving into your adventure in Rimworld, it’s essential to grasp the key element that shapes your gameplay: the Scenario System. This system is not just about setting difficulty; it influences everything, from the colonists you start with to the specific traits of your chosen environment.

    While you can certainly start with a default scenario (after all, classics are classic for a reason!), customizing your scenario can greatly enhance your experience and the story that unfolds.

    What Is the Scenario System?

    At its essence, the Scenario System serves as RimWorld’s dynamic setup tool, providing a foundation for each game you play. When you select ‘New Colony’, this is the first crucial choice you make, with numerous modifications available that extend beyond just the initial setup.

    Scenarios establish the starting conditions, presenting you with immediate challenges and opportunities that will significantly shape your colony’s beginning and potentially its future.

    Each scenario comes with detailed descriptions, outlining basic setups that include a specific number of colonists, a tailored selection of resources and items, and certain variables that will appear in your starting map, no matter where you choose to settle.

    Core Components of Scenarios

    Every scenario, whether standard or personalized, consists of several key components that interact to set your starting point.

    Colonists

    The scenario has a direct impact on your initial pawns, which includes:

    • Number of Colonists: This can range from a single individual to a small group, determining your initial workforce and vulnerability.
    • Skills & Traits: Some scenarios may preset skills (e.g., the ‘Tribal’ scenario often features lower technical skills but stronger social and animal handling abilities) and specific traits that can enhance or challenge gameplay.
    • Relationships: Certain pawns might start with existing relationships (like lovers, rivals, or family), influencing social interactions right away.
    • Health Conditions: Some scenarios can introduce colonists with pre-existing injuries, illnesses, or addictions, creating immediate management challenges.

    Note: The Scenario System does not select specific colonists for you. You’ll still need to choose from the colonist selection screen after picking your scenario.

    Starting Items

    What you begin with can significantly affect your early game. Scenarios determine:

    • Weapons & Apparel: From high-tech firearms to minimal clothing, your initial gear impacts your defense and protection from the environment.
    • Food & Resources: The quantity of materials like food, wood, steel, or components available influences how quickly you can establish shelter, research technologies, and fend off hunger. This can include food assignments for colonists or starting near certain animals.

    Narrative Elements

    Certain scenarios come with unique narratives or events:

    • Pre-Scripted Events: For example, the ‘Crashlanded’ scenario starts you in the wreckage of your ship, prompting you to salvage whatever you can.
    • Ongoing Conditions: In scenarios like ‘Lost Tribe’, you start as a primitive group, limiting technology access until you research it, leading to a slower but more organic game progression.
    • Immediate Threats: Some custom scenarios can introduce specific events that trigger shortly after landing, such as eclipses, sudden illnesses, or a resource pod crash.

    How to Obtain New Scenarios

    There are three main types of scenarios you can explore:

    1. Default scenarios included with the game: These are balanced for enjoyable gameplay or structured to provide a challenge. With DLC content, they can also introduce you to new mechanics, like Odyssey’s ‘The Gravship’ scenario.

    2. Custom scenarios you create yourself: By clicking the Scenario Editor button on the scenario screen, you can tweak variables to create your own unique setup. Once satisfied, you can save and reuse your custom scenario.

    3. Downloaded scenarios: You can find additional options online, such as in the Steam Workshop. These are user-created scenarios that can add variety to your gameplay.

    Dive into Rimworld with your chosen scenario to kick-start your adventure and shape your story!

  • Top Custom Spellcrafting Effects in Oblivion Remastered: Completing Solving

    Top Custom Spellcrafting Effects in Oblivion Remastered: Completing Solving

    Creating custom spells is your key to mastering magic in Oblivion Remastered. It’s a concept that many Elder Scrolls fans missed when Skyrim eliminated it, and these personalized spells can be incredibly powerful. However, they can also consume time and resources if not used wisely, so it’s important to think strategically.

    We’ve handpicked some of the best custom spells for Oblivion Remastered that will give you a distinct advantage over your opponents or simply make your adventures more enjoyable. These spells represent the pinnacle of sorcery, and they’re within your reach.

    Top Custom Spells


    When it comes to spellcrafting in Oblivion, your focus should be on discovering the best effects to implement. This system allows for complete customization, so the emphasis is purely on those effects.

    Our guide will concentrate on these effects rather than creating fantastical names for spells (feel free to name your spells whatever you like!). Here are the most effective effects to target once you unlock this system.

    Effect Name

    Description

    Open Very Hard Lock

    Skip the lockpicking mini-game entirely and never worry about buying lockpicks again.

    Chameleon

    Become invisible for a specified period. Often used alongside Open Very Hard Lock for seamless breaking and entering.

    Absorb Health

    If you boost the parameters high enough, this effect allows you to sustain yourself in combat while dealing significant damage to enemies.

    Shield

    Activate this spell to dramatically increase your armor value, allowing certain characters to skip wearing Heavy or Light Armor, making it ideal for mages.

    Drain Intelligence

    This effect boosts your Intelligence while decreasing that of your enemy, proving valuable for mages and frustrating for powerful magic foes.

    Drain Magicka

    This effect is especially useful for mages, enabling you to recapture Magicka from enemies and allowing for more frequent spellcasting.

    Drain Strength

    Utilize this against melee bosses to significantly reduce their damage output.

    Burden

    This spell can weigh down not just you, but also your enemies, immobilizing them.

    Weakness to (Element)

    Target enemies with elemental weaknesses to enhance your spell or weapon damage, especially effective if you have powerful spells ready.

    Fortify Sneak

    Essential for thieves but also helpful for other character types. Improved Sneak makes stealth missions much easier, even if you wear Heavy Armor.

    Fortify Speechcraft

    If your Speechcraft isn’t the highest, this effect boosts an NPC’s disposition beyond your current max capability.

    Fortify Mercantile

    Cast this before entering shops to improve your haggling, ultimately saving you a lot of gold throughout the game.

    Water Walking

    This spell is invaluable for exploration, even allowing you to walk on lava, making traversing Oblivion Gates safer and more efficient.

  • Crafting Unique Battles in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero

    Crafting Unique Battles in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero

    Quick Links

    Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero allows players to design their own thrilling battles with its Custom Battle feature. You can choose your favorite characters and create unique matchups, customizing the rules and settings to enhance your gameplay experience.

    In this guide, we will explain how to set up and excel in Custom Battles, detailing adjustments to battle parameters and effective team strategies. Additionally, we’ll provide an example of a Custom Battle that you can replicate.

    How To Get Started

    When you first enter Custom Battle Mode, you will encounter a tutorial that provides an overview, but it may not cover all the specifics needed for more complex scenarios. While the game suggests starting with Simple Edit mode, which can feel limiting, we’ll focus on the more versatile Normal Edit Mode.

    The Simple Edit mode offers a helpful tutorial for its basic features, so we won’t delve into that here.

    To begin, access the Custom Battle Mode, select Create New, and choose Normal Edit. The game will automatically present a predefined matchup between Goku and Frieza on Namek, but we’ll modify it according to our preferences.

    For our example, we’ll create a scenario where:

    • Goku and Vegeta fuse during the Tournament of Power.
    • They effortlessly defeat Jiren in the process. (You can adjust the challenge level to your liking.)

    Characters

    You can select participants for the battle from the character roster. Although it’s quick to choose characters from the side menu, it’s more advantageous to hit the Character Details button at the bottom of the screen for deeper customization options.

    Here, you can modify aspects of each character, including their outfits and available techniques.

    For our example, we’ve chosen:

    • Player’s Team: Goku and Vegeta, with Vegeta equipped with numerous power-up items for a robust fusion.
    • CPU Team: Jiren, set on default settings since the enhancements we’ve given to Vegeta will make the battle manageable.

    Battle Environment

    In the Battle Environment settings, you can select the stage, music, and the overall rules of the encounter. We’ll choose the Tournament of Power Arena and set the music to the anime’s opening theme for a fun twist.

    It’s essential to check the Rule Settings tab, where you can enable or disable elements like transformations or team switching. For this combat, we will deactivate flying for everyone, and if you want only one character grounded, assign them a special item during character customization. As we’re using the Tournament of Power Arena, we’ll also set the rules for Out-of-Bounds.

    While we’ll turn off the CPU transformation feature, allowing Jiren to remain in his base form during the match, you have the option to trigger his transformation later through effects.

    Effect Settings

    This section allows you to create dynamic elements during the fight. One notable action we want to initiate is the fusion of Goku and Vegeta at the battle’s start. We’ll configure this by setting a No Condition trigger, which will automatically initiate the fusion.

    You can also designate various effects depending on the circumstances, such as remaining health or moves used. In our case, we’ll select Force Fusion, transforming Goku into Gogeta as soon as the battle begins.

    Next, we’ll add a separate condition for Jiren, triggering his transformation when his health is significantly low, followed by a health regeneration effect to maintain an exciting flow during the battle.

    Scene Settings

    In this area, you can manage the scenes for both the opening and closing of the battle. You can also inject mid-fight scenes through the Effect Settings menu.

    Let’s create an introductory scene by selecting an appropriate cut, which will involve crafting individual narrative elements. Initially, we’ll opt for a 2D cut due to the ease of use, although it lacks the interactivity found in 3D cuts.

    We can further personalize the scene with dialogue options, though this may require navigating a vast database of pre-written text. Filters can simplify this process, letting you find specific lines quicker.

    After selecting a thumbnail image for your scene, you can finalize it and add any necessary scenes for the battle end. For the closing segment, we’ll incorporate dynamic 3D elements for a more thrilling experience.

    How To Finish The Custom Battle

    You’ll need a title screen that includes a thumbnail image and descriptive text. The text, like before, can be filtered, but the thumbnail doesn’t have to relate directly to any of the scenes created.

    Once the thumbnail and title are finalized, set tags that best describe the battle, making it easy for players to locate. We’ll use tags like Easy and Tournament of Power for clarity.

    Once satisfied with your setup, you must play and win your battle before uploading it. A green joystick icon indicates that it’s ready for submission.

    You can edit or remove the battle via a submenu, and once everything aligns with your vision, post it. Your battle will then be accessible in the World Library under My Page, displaying its ID beneath your username.

    If you wish to check how our example battle looks in-game, it’s assigned ID 2-632-619-740.

  • Design Custom Spotify Playlist Cover Art In The App

    Design Custom Spotify Playlist Cover Art In The App

    Bringing a personal touch to your Spotify playlists just got easier with the introduction of an in-app cover art creation tool. Starting today, this beta feature is available in English across 65 markets, enabling users to choose backgrounds, add unique text styles, and incorporate stickers to craft their own cover art. This tool is accessible to both free and Premium Spotify users.

    To utilize this new functionality, simply navigate to a playlist you’ve created, tap on the context menu (the three dots…), and select “Create Cover Art.” From there, you can opt to upload a new image or begin creating from scratch.

    Upon selecting the option to create cover art, you’ll access an editor where your playlist’s name will overlay a randomly selected default background. This background could be a solid color, a gradient, or even a rainbow effect.

    There’s no obligation to retain the original playlist name. You have the freedom to modify text, experiment with sizes and colors, and apply various effects. Although the selection of stickers isn’t extensive, you can add as many as desired, resizing them to add flair. Once you’re pleased with your creation and save it, the new cover art will automatically update on your playlist, making it ready for sharing across various platforms.

    Your artistic expression is primarily limited by Spotify’s existing Platform Rules. As the company notes:

    “Spotify actively monitors cover art for content violations, and users have the option to report playlists that possibly breach Spotify’s Platform Rules. You can also upload your own images for your playlist cover art, but ensure you have the rights to any images utilized and adhere to Spotify’s guidelines.”

    If Spotify removes your cover art due to rule violations, there’s limited recourse to restore it, except for residents in the EU, who are allowed to appeal content moderation decisions.

    Will users eagerly customize their playlists? Given their immense popularity, it seems likely. More than 8 billion playlists have been created on the platform to date.

    If you’re looking to set up a playlist but need assistance in curating it, Spotify has recently introduced an AI playlist creation tool and has partnered with Instagram to simplify the process of saving songs that users discover on the popular social platform.