Age of Empires IV Official Companion Book

The Perfect Companion for playing Age of Empires IV
Age of Empires IV marks the long-awaited continuation of a beloved series―a new era in historical strategy games is finally here. Future Press is proud to present a companion book to accompany this landmark in the genre, created in close collaboration with the teams at Relic Entertainment and World’s Edge studio. We’ve carefully put together a mixture of art, strategic guidance and behind-the-scenes content that is certain to enrich your time with the game. Across 400 pages, the book dives into the game’s civilizations, units, buildings and maps, blending strategy with developer commentary and artwork.

Stats and Strategies
Age of Empires IV offers a rich strategic battleground in which every building, unit and map has its own tactical considerations, all within the unique frameworks of the game’s eight civilizations. Everyone, from RTS beginners to Age of Empires experts, will find the mixture of detailed stats and tactical advice invaluable as they dive into this incredibly deep game.

The Art of Age of Empires IV
Every chapter in the book is peppered with concept art and early renders, giving an insight into the game’s creation and artistic direction, and renowned digital artist Craig Mullins’ gorgeous series of Age of Empires IV and franchise artworks are featured in an extraordinary interview showcase section.

Developer Commentary
The book is infused with developer commentary, resulting from interviews with various members of the development team, all carefully placed to add background and context. Learn how three teams collaborated across art, narrative, audio, game design and balance to create a rich and ambitious RTS game with a unique approach to historical presentation.

The end of an era goodbye to Overwatch

Overwatch has been a game that was constantly changing, from power-ups to nerfs with new heroes and maps.

Finding a group of humans that were compatible was almost impossible but that for me was the most fun.

In 2019 Overwatch 2 was announced and it was all crazy with delays, stories, and administrative chaos at Blizzard.

But after all this, here we are... And even though I've already played the beta, I reserve my opinions on Overwatch 2 for the following publication.

Those of you who follow me know that Bastion is my favourite character and I know very well that not everyone shares this point of view.

After I have played 4213 games, with a used time of 525 hours I reached silver level 56, of those 525 hours, I played 385 as Bastion.

The amount of memories I have is immense, from the most ridiculous deaths to the most impressive feats (these last ones happened little) the hours spent with friends and in lan centre playing, ordering pizzas or ramen, drinking all kinds of energy drinks to give the 100%, great moments...

Season 13 and 14 was the only one in which I decided to go competitive and give it my all, it took a lot of time but I managed to rank silver in the division.

Here are some screenshots of my profile, as proof that I was there.

My favourite quote is:

Never accept the world as it appears to be, dare to see it for what it could be.

One of my favourite maps was Horizon, I find the idea that there is a permanent presence on the Moon for research fascinating.

Even when the taste disappoints me, I loved being able to buy Lucio's cereals

The album of 11 music songs by Lúcio was not bad at all and yes you could download it for free.

I hope to see you all in Overwatch 2

Antarctica by David Day

Is a comprehensive overview of the southernmost continent on Earth. The book details the geography, wildlife, and history of Antarctica in great detail, presenting readers with everything they need to know about this remote and mysterious part of the world.

The day begins by outlining the physical characteristics of Antarctica, describing everything from its extreme climate to its unique geological features. He then goes on to introduce readers to the many different species of animals that inhabit the continent, including penguins, seals, and whales. Alongside this, Day explores the importance of Antarctica in the global ecosystem and its role as a research centre for scientists studying topics such as climate change.

The author also delves into the historical aspect of Antarctica, detailing the many expeditions that have been undertaken to explore the region, including those led by early explorers such as Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton. He also looks at the political history of Antarctica, including its role in the Cold War and the formation of treaties that dictate how the continent can be used today.

Overall, Antarctica provides a comprehensive and informative guide to one of the most fascinating and important parts of the planet. Day’s writing is clear and engaging, making it an enjoyable read for anyone with an interest in geography, nature, or history.

Images of Jupiter by Webb

It is incredible to see the amount of information these images were taken with WEBB's NIRCam.

You can see many details such as the atmosphere and the Auroras, and the different concentrations, depths and heights of the clouds.

Webb NIRCam composite image of Jupiter from three filters – F360M (red), F212N (yellow-green), and F150W2 (cyan) – and alignment due to the planet’s rotation. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Jupiter ERS Team; image processing by Judy Schmidt.

My favourites are the wide field view since you can see the rings, two of the natural satellites and the prize of even seeing galaxies in the background

Webb NIRCam composite image from two filters – F212N (orange) and F335M (cyan) – of Jupiter system, unlabeled (top) and labeled (bottom). Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Jupiter ERS Team; image processing by Ricardo Hueso (UPV/EHU) and Judy Schmidt.

But for me, the most impressive part is that these images were produced by citizen scientist Judy Schmidt from Modesto, California, and considering that the rotation of the planet is about 10 hours, these images are very extraordinary.

An Encyclopedia of Tolkien by

Is a comprehensive reference guide to J.R.R. Tolkien's fictional world of Middle-earth. It was written by David Day and was first published in 1979, and an updated and revised edition was released in 2012. The book features over 500 entries on characters, places, and items from the world of Middle-earth, including a detailed timeline and genealogy of the major characters. 

The book also contains illustrations, maps, and photographs to help readers visualize the world of Middle-earth.

The entries in the book are organized alphabetically, and provide detailed information about each character or place. 

The book also includes an introduction to Tolkien's life and works, and a bibliography of his works.

One of the things that I liked the most are the family trees, the chronological guide of events and the graphic art is very well done.

Overall, "An Encyclopedia of Tolkien" is a valuable reference guide for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's works, and provides a wealth of information about the world of Middle-earth.

Heroes of Tolkien by David Day

Is a comprehensive guide that explores the epic characters in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth universe. The book covers the heroic journey of the major protagonists, including Bilbo Baggins, Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and more.

The book is divided into two sections. The first section provides detailed information about each hero, their strengths, and weaknesses, and their role in the story. The second part of the book offers insights into the world of Middle-earth and its mythology.

"Heroes of Tolkien" offers a detailed analysis of the literary, historical, and mythological influences that shaped the creation of each hero in Tolkien's works. David Day offers fascinating insights into how these heroes represent timeless themes such as courage, self-sacrifice, and loyalty.

Overall, "Heroes of Tolkien" is an essential guide for Tolkien fans who want to deepen their understanding of the beloved characters that populate Middle-earth. The book provides a wealth of information, insights, and analyzes that will engage and enlighten readers of all ages.

Webb High Resolution Images

 We finally have all the pictures and they are amazing. I am speechless... The amount of detail is impressive.

All these images are at full resolution so you can enjoy them

Deep Field SMACS 0723

Carina Nebula

 Southern Ring Nebula

Stephan's Quintet