Tokahaki Point, Kapiti Island and Tāhunanui Beach, Nelson are the focus of a new game designed to tackle the problem of litter on Kiwi beaches and encourage players to become Citizen Scientists to combat the issue in real life.

Called Pick Up Quick!, the game has been launched by Sustainable Coastlines as part of its Litter Intelligence project.

Created with and available to play in DREAMS for PlayStation 4, the game taps into the gaming for good trend and is one of the first partnerships of its kind with UK-based developer Media Molecule.

With two levels created to look just like the real-life coastlines featured, the aim of the game is to hunt for discarded litter, collecting as much as possible within 45 seconds.

Data from real litter clean ups at the selected coastlines is used to inform each level of the game so players can compare the rubbish they collect with what was collected in real life.

Leading the creation of Pick Up Quick! has been Stacey Bartlett, a 25-year-old school administrator from North Canterbury, with further expertise provided by Media Molecule.

“I’ve always loved creating things, be it drawing, animation or crochet, and I’d been experimenting with DREAMS for a while when Media Molecule approached me,” says Stacey.

“I’ve been playing PlayStation since I was eight so was excited to be asked, if a little nervous, but I worked closely with the Sustainable Coastlines team to try and make the coastlines as realistic as possible.”

Stacey, who also goes by the username Ividusk, hopes Kiwis will relate to what they see in the game and look at ways to reduce their impact on the environment.

“I want people who have visited Tāhunanui Beach in Nelson to play the game, recognise the beach and understand the scale of the problem and then take action to stop the litter getting there in the first place,” she added.

Aimed at young Kiwi gamers, Pick Up Quick! is part of the growing ‘gaming for good’ trend, which sees creators use their skills for the benefit of community or charity groups.

Co-founder of Sustainable Coastlines and the Litter Intelligence programme, Camden Howitt, says litter is a major threat to Aotearoa and through education and grass roots action, we can tackle the issue at scale.

“Across the country we’ve been mobilising Kiwis to become Citizen Scientists to collect the rubbish on our beaches and publish the data,” says Camden.

“Pick Up Quick! brings that experience to a much wider audience, educating and inspiring them to take action on litter and become Citizen Scientists in real life.”

The Litter Intelligence programme has so far seen almost 350 surveys completed across the country by approximately 4,000 Citizen Scientists, but more are needed, particularly in remote parts of New Zealand.

“The level of detail in the game is seriously impressive and it’s a clever use of our data. If everyone who plays the game starts thinking a little harder about their impact on the environment and the changes they can make, then we’re another step closer to solving our litter problem,” added Camden.

DREAMS is the creation of award-winning studio Media Molecule, whose experts provided Stacey with tips and advice during the creation of Pick Up Quick!

“What Stacey has achieved is incredible, she’s a talented creator,” says Siobhan Reddy, studio director at Media Molecule.

“We’ve seen some pretty wonderful creations within DREAMS and this is right up there, the community aspect of gameplay that encourages education and understanding is really impressive.”

“We’ve featured it on the global DREAMS homepage, it shows what’s possible so we’re hoping it encourages people to get creative as well as think about their environmental impact – wherever they are.”

Pick Up Quick! is available to play for free in DREAMS only on PlayStation 4.

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The post Pick Up Quick Game Cleans Costlines appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

NOW CLOSED – Call of Duty is once again crowned top game

According to new data insights from New Zealand’s fully impartial price and product comparison site, PriceSpy, Kiwis have once again backed Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (PS4), despite the game first launching back in October 2019.

Liisa Matinvesi-Bassett, New Zealand country manager for PriceSpy, says:  “It’s great to see Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (PS4) being crowned as the most popular game for February 2020.

“The last time this game claimed the top spot on our popularity rankings was back in November 2019, one month after it first released.”

The PriceSpy data also found two new game releases secured top game positions in the popularity rankings.

Liisa adds: “As well as clicking on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (PS4), Dreams for PlayStation 4 placed second overall and Animal Crossing: New Horizons for Switch, placed third.”

Prices correct as of 19 March 2020

Liisa concludes:  “As with all new game releases, we strongly suggest gamers play the waiting game before they commit and make a purchase – as our historical pricing insights suggest many games will drop in price considerably three months after they are first released.

“Using a website or app like PriceSpy can help shoppers keep a close eye on the price of games every day to help save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in the long run.  Gamers should also bookmark our gaming daily deals page, for all the latest offers. ”

PriceSpy has teamed up with us here at STG to Giveaway two of the top two games for February 2020.

To stand a chance of winning, enter our giveaway by answering this question:

Dreams is exclusive to PS4 and made by the same development company that made the ‘Little Big Planet’ series of games. Who are they?

A: Media Molecule

B: Naughty Dog

C: Santa Monica Studios

You can give us your Answer by placing a Comment below, hitting us up on Facebook, Tweet to us, or Email Us.

* Winner(s) will be randomly selected from those that Comment below / Facebook Comment / Email in accordance to the above Question. Winner(s) will receive a physical copy of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare on PlayStation 4 and Dreams on PlayStation 4. Dreams is rated PG in New Zealand, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is rated R18+ in New Zealand. You must be over the age of 18 years in order to enter this promotion – STG may request age verification. Competition ends on the 12th of April 2020.

Download the PriceSpy app here.

www.pricespy.co.nz

The post Enter to Win Games of the Month w. Pricespy! appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Media Molecule are set to expand your imagination all over again.

The studio that bought us the Little Big Planet series have released Dreams exclusive to PlayStation 4.

And Dreams is exactly what it’s all about – placing your creativity and imagination in to over drive.

Dreams is a game builder title. Via an endless of built-in and player created set of models, paths, narratives, environments and renders gamers can make their own action, platformer, adventure and way more title to play through and share.

Dreams is bigger than big. It is a truly endless digital realm of creativity from PlayStation gamers around the world.

Via in-game menu’s you’ll find virtual libraries of 3D models, varying landscapes with diverse terrain that you can also manipulate to your liking, character renders, items and so on to the point that it is a bit overwhelming at first.

While making your own game and flexing your imagination is something that can take up all of your time if you let it, there’s something satisfyingly rewarding when you complete, play and share, seeing other PS4 Dream gamers around the world playing YOUR game.

Some players have really taken to Dreams and created works of digital art that you are free to use.

To get yourself sorted to begin with I do recommend using existing models, items and environments before you tackle your own in-game objects.

Media Molecule have included a base adventure game, a platformer, which is fun enough but this is not the real intention of Dreams, the in-built platformer can be seen more as an inspiration of what you are able to build (aswell as other PS4 players game’s).

The creators have totally outdone themselves with Dreams and as I was playing, testing, building and playing some more I couldn’t help thinking how they could ever top this one.

There is so much creative content across the Dreams community that there’s no way I can fit even one zillionth of it in to this review.

Dreams is a one stop game for the players, the creators, the PS4 community and most definitely one for you, no matter what genre you normally play.

If you can dream it, you can now build and play it.

The post Dreams (PlayStation 4) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Sony PlayStation have just concluded their E3 2015 PlayStation press conference where they showcased how PlayStation 4 is redefining what we play, how we play, and who it is that’s playing games today.

PlayStation stated that they believe that gamers come first; that developers are the heart and soul of the industry; that innovation, intelligence, and emotion are central to games… which themselves are driving the cultural zeitgeist.

All of the games unveiled today speak to an historic evolution of gaming, one that’s inspiring the entire community of gamers, developers, creators, and engineers. Gaming today offers unprecedented action and interactivity but it also means beautiful stories and emotional narratives.

One game in particular more fitting of this new era is The Last Guardian, whose beauty and rich narrative was evident in just a few minutes of gameplay footage. PlayStation fans have been waiting a long time for The Last Guardian, and PlayStation were proud to introduce the title, coming to PS4 in 2016.

The conference kicked off with one story-driven experience and closed the show with one of the most storied franchises on PlayStation, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. A live demo with an epic car chase showcased Naughty Dog’s uncanny ability to deliver action-packed scenes that rival any summer blockbuster.

In between The Last Guardian and Uncharted, they showed why PlayStation’s investment in their own development studios reflects their unwavering commitment to gamers.

The ingenious minds at Media Molecule unveiled Dreams, a space where you can go to explore and play the dreams of others and create and share your own. This open-ended adventure, where players surf an ever-evolving collage of games, film, animation, music, and whatever we all imagine, is a continuation of the studio’s work in creative gaming.

Guerilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn, the studio’s first foray outside of the shooter genre, delivers an action RPG that invites players to embark on a journey in a lush, post-apocalyptic open world. The team at Guerilla has also been keeping busy with RIGS Mechanized Combat League, a showpiece launch title for Project Morpheus virtual reality on PS4.

This futuristic arena shooter is one of nearly 20 titles and experiences for Project Morpheus that E3 attendees, including us here at shanethegamer.com can check out this week.

PS4 also spoke of the decades-long partnerships with the industry’s best developers and publishers. One of those was unveiled today; Destiny: The Taken King, which will offer exclusive content on PlayStation including a co-op Strike, new multiplayer map, and new gear.

They are also working with Activision to make PlayStation the new home of Call of Duty. For the first time ever on the E3 stage, they debuted Call of Duty: Black Ops III, the deepest and most engaging installment in one of the world’s biggest franchises. Starting with Black Ops III, PlayStation gamers will be the first to play all map packs, and for PS4 owners to be the first to play the upcoming multiplayer beta.

Looking out at the broader entertainment landscape this year, there’s nothing else bigger than Star Wars. PlayStation also announced that they will be the definitive console destination for STAR WARS fans. From the STAR WARS Play Set starter pack for Disney Infinity 3.0 and exclusive Boba Fett figure, to the iconic battles in EA’s STAR WARS: Battlefront, they know that STAR WARS holds a special place in the hearts of PlayStation fans.

PlayStation also proudly stated that they have been listening to their fans. On the E3 stage they celebrated the Kickstarter to fund Shenmue III on PS4 and PC and to announce FINAL FANTASY VII Remake (final name pending) is coming first to PS4.

And as of tonight every PlayStation 4 / 3 owner be able to access the PS4 media player app to enjoy personal videos, music (also playable as BGM), and photos (with support for home server sharing).

From the rich experiences on PlayStation Network to the boundless creativity in PS4 games to virtual reality with Project Morpheus, we as PlayStation gamers are seeing a level of innovation unlike anything before in the 20 years.

The post That’s a Wrap: PlayStation’s E3 2015 Press Conference appeared first on Shane the Gamer.