OPGamers Pilot Episode

Hey gamers a new show will be coming to your YouTube pretty soon. The show is from the folks at OPGamers.com. Recently they launched the pilot episode of their show, which you can check below.

Quick Review: OPGamers pilot episode is on the right track. It has a fun host with gamer Eddie Mady, and a great supporting co-hosts. The show is part clip show, part comedy show. Clip show section highlights some of funniest moments people have uploaded in gaming. Clips like Luigi riding dirty, granny playing GTA and more.

What really will get gamers interested is the OPgamers clip of the week. Here OPgamers will be offering 1000 dollars gift card to GameSpot to the winner. If that is not showing love to their audience and gaming community don't know what is. On the comedy sketch side it was pretty funny. However some of the actors could use a little tweaking when it comes to delivery.  Since comedy is subjective and this show is geared to a certain audience. The jokes can be a hit or miss for outsiders looking in. Other than some tweeks on jokes, the show is very impressive. I can see this really being a major hit on YouTube once the staff finds their footing. OPgamers got our subscription and they should have yours too.

Visit OPgamers.com and subscribe at Youtube.com/OPgamersTV

Lenni Reviews: Veiled Empire by Nathan Garrison

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Sinking your teeth into a rich fantasy world can be like taking medicine or eating a decadent dessert. Veiled Empire by Nathan Garrison is most definitely the latter. You take the first bite and, wow. This world is well crafted, tense, beautiful, and of course filled with magic. 

The number of different races, characters, and places had me bouncing from text to glossary and my inability to remember large numbers of characters was blatantly apparent (why I never could finish Game of Thrones), but the gist of it all is The Empire is at war with rebels who are tired of magic only being for the ruling class and subjugating everyone else. The plot of this sword and sorcery epic (clocks in at 550 pages) is finely woven and smartly executed with battles that call back to Lord of the Rings; vivid and exciting. As it is the case with these types of novels, the ending is satisfying yet open and you want to know more. 

Over all, this book is a wicked ride and I had a lot of fun reading it. If sword and sorcery fantasy epics are your speed,  you will not be disappointed. If there ever is more, I'll be on the lookout for it!

This title will be released on July 7, 2015.

Selfie on A Stick Review

We review Selfie on A Stick Wired. SelfieOnAstick.com is the leading selfie stick provider in the United States & abroad. Recently featured in Vogue.com's Kendall Jenner / Gigi Hadid video for the April 2015 Vogue Issue with renowned photographer Mario Testino, Selfie On A Stick has gained an enormous following as the go-to brand in the selfie stick & imaging market. Other highly successful recent collaborations have been with Nordstroms, QVC, Madame Tussauds, and Old Navy, among others. The new Selfie On A Stick Wired is now available on the company's website, www.SelfieOnAStick.com.

Lenni Reviews: The Clockwork Crown by Beth Cato

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In this steampunk adventure, Octavia Leander and Alonzo Garrett are fleeing a recent assassination attempt and a quest to solve the mystery behind Octavia's every growing healing powers. Hoping to find answers at the Lady's Tree - the source of a healer's power - the two must travel through lands where many are hunting them and brave a coming war as the Tree is a power in a hostile land called the Waste, whose inhabitants are fighting to retain independence from the Empire.

Confused? I was, as well. Clockwork Crown is the second in the Clockwork Dagger Novels series. Although this novel can reasonably stand on it's own, there are many moments where the emotional impact of events would be deeper felt if I had read the first book (The Clockwork Dagger). This is not to say Clockwork Crown is not enjoyable. Octavia is a strong, relatable character who is a joy to read about and her friend and compatriot, Alonzo isn't just a tagalong. He is a heroic and capable partner you want to root for.

The physical steampunk and fantasy elements are well told and fit excellently in the world Cato has created. The technology and magic jostle in the same world with precision. You do get the sense, again, that the majority of the world-building took place in the first book but the pacing of the novel and the nearly non-stop action don't give you much time to get lost. Giant airships, and gremlins, AND magic? Sign me up for another heaping helping of this guilty pleasure please! This book will be released on June 9th, 2015 and I am already primed for more of this world - despite the book having a satisfying ending. I hope Cato decides to create more with this series.

V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Review

Today I will be reviewing the V-MODA Crossfade M-100 over ear noise isolating metal headphones. Plus the boom pro gaming Headset attachment, which basically turns your normal pair of any V-MODA headphones (or any headphones that the attachment can fit on) into a gaming headset. So let's get into it.

When talking about any pair of headphones the most important part is the audio quality. Which is nothing short of amazing when it comes to the V-MODA M-100. The base is super punchy and on the loud side a good bit louder than the midrange and treble, which usually is not what I look for in headphones but V-MODA pulled it off. These headphones are made to complement the music that's popular today, so if you into Hip-Hop, R&B, Rock, Techno, House and especially Dubstep right off the back these are the headphones for you. Basically these headphones are for any music that has a real large emphasis on base and nowadays days that's everything. While not going to far off and ending up like various musicians supported headphones that are just base and nothing else. I feel like even your hardcore audiophile can enjoy these for what they are.

When talking about the Crossfade M-100 you have to talk about the design and tech that went into making these. They are pushing 50mm drivers which are the biggest drivers I have personally used and built like a tank. All the housing, the band and hinges are made of metal which is something you can't say about every pair of headphones. I think it's safe to say that these are really well-built pair of headphones. Despite being large they're very compact and fold up very easily when trying to put away. Although these headphones are on the heavier side they sit on your head quite nicely and the cushioning for the ear pads are the right mixture of soft but firm. On the design side I only have two minor complaints. First is that these headphones do you sit quite snug on your head maybe a bit too snug which I only really noticed while wearing for extended periods of time. The other thing is because these headphones are made of metal I noticed some of the screws and edges are kind of sharp, but as far as complaints go that's it. The last notable thing design wise on these headphones is the removable wire which you can also plug into either left or right ear, which brings us to the next topic accessories.

The V-MODA comes with a fair amount of accessories which include, a quarter inch adapter, a hard shell carrying case, a 1-button speak easy Mic cable and a shareplay cable. It allows you to let somebody else listen to your music with you. However the cool thing about these wires is that they are a woven Kevlar reinforced cable. That basically means they are super durable and built to last. The same goes for the boom pro gaming accessory which is sold separately that turns any normal headphones with removable wires into a gaming headset. (so yes that's beats and any other headphones of the sort) With a great quality mic, mute switch and volume adjuster if you are a gamer and you want to turn your expensive headphones into a headset I highly suggest you pick the V-mods Boom Pro gaming. That is all the accessories that I have with my V-MODA Crossfade M-100. 

Another thing you can avoid while talking about these headphones is the price. Priced at $300 they are pricey, yet still get a better bang for your buck compared to various other similarly priced headphones.

The V-MODA Crossfade M-100 are a sleek really well-built great sounding pair of headphones that if you have $300 to spend on a pair of headphones I highly suggest you take a look at these you won't regret it!

Altantic City Boardwalk Con Review

Altantic City Boardwalk Con took place on May 14 to May 17th at Altantic City Convention Center.  Overall the con had a good turn out for its first year, but did suffered a little bit from the common first con blues. 

Location: As stated above the con took place at the Altantic City Convention Center. This is actually a very nice spacious setting to hold the con. With three floors available a lot of halls like Hall D, B etc. I can see the con expanding to more floors and the entire convention center in the future. There is plenty of breathing room on the main floor, which I consider important for any con. Everything was separated greatly.

The autographed section was kept far from the vendors, panel sections. Artist alley and indie artist were all gracious to chat about their work. Vendors and booth were also setup nicely. I love how they had all featured cosplayers in one section. Miracole and Chris Burns were on hand as Rogue and Hawkeye (will catch you guys next time, sorry I missed ya.) Having all the featured cosplayers in one area made it convenient. It gets tiresome going booth to booth looking for your favorite cosplayers. Having them in one section was great and hope to see other cons follow suit.

The location is right in the heart of Atlantic City as well. After the con we had a great time to go sightseeing. The team visit various casinos such as Caesars Palace, Taj Mahal and more. We even enjoy a calm stroll on the boardwalk.

Hail Justin!

Guests: The con had a good billed such as The Flash cast, Stan Lee. Unfortunately first con blues struck and the stars had to cancel. However that didn't really hurt the con much. Stars like William Shatner, Adam West were still on deck. As any con it gets better with age and I see this being the con the be for our friends in New Jersey.

Showroom Floor: The showroom floor had a lot of cool things to see. Three things I found fantastic was the Batmobile display which was amazing. The Batmobile from major Batman live action adaptations were on hand. Adam West Batmobile, Batman Forever, The Tumbler and The Batpod. I truly wanted to drive the Batpod. More cars were on display as well as the Ecto 1 from Ghostbusters, signed by the GB Cast themselves.

Finally the suit display in the middle of the convention was great. I went full geek when I saw the Space Ghost suit on display. As a kid who stayed up late watching the original Space Ghost on Cartoon Network. I can appreciate the suit on display.

Final Words: Altantic City Boardwalk Con was pretty good for its first yea. Like any con it has some kinks to workout. Overall the staff had a blast, which you can see in our outtakes with 8Bit drum below. ACBC is off to great start, once it finds its niche it will be the definitive con in Jersey.

Review: Soapsox

image credit: Soapsox
 

Today we here at O&G got a chance to check out a get new toy. The soapsox (wash cloth) is a innovative new toy for kids to enjoy bath time. Here is a little history on the toy and the company.

SoapSox® began when our founder and CEO Ray Phillips worked as a Program Director at a residential treatment facility with children who have experienced trauma. Ray found that one of the most difficult times of the day was bath time. Children would argue, cry, and even attempt to hide to avoid taking a bath. After repeated struggles with one child who could not part with his favorite stuffed animal to bathe, Ray came up with the idea of modifying it to hold soap – the child was presented with the then modified stuffed animal and agreed to bathe. Ray continued to use this strategy over the years with children until learning that no product like it existed on the market.

Through his network of friends, Phillips met Alvin Uy, who heads a creative agency that develops products for brands including Disney, Hasbro, and Mattel. Uy came on board to help develop SoapSox® as the co-founder and vice president. After nearly two years of development, SoapSox® was introduced to the world in 2013 after a successful KickStarter campaign. SoapSox® was then born!

You may remember us from our appearance on Shark Tank...Or you may remember us simply by our full line of adorable children's bath scrubs. And today we show you just how simple it is to use a SoapSox. SoapSox is the next generation of washcloths for kids!

REVIEW

My daughter absolutely loved this toy! From the moment I gave it to her she hugged Emma the Duck and wanted to play with it immediately. The toy is a fun way to get children to bathe especially my little one who love to just get in and out.  Each character is uniquely designed with a child in mind. Having an actual foam toy in the tub that in the shape of an animal makes the experience more realistic and interactive. They are really handy because all you have to do is feed the soapsox regular or liquid soap and just have fun washing! My only criticism of toy is that I'm not sure if the materiel will last through multiple laundry washes, but I will see in time how it holds up. Overall this is a great product and perfect for kids and I would definitely recommend this to parents.

The Mantle #1 (Comic Review)

THE MANTLE follows Robbie—just your average, run-of-the-mill guy—as he drunkenly stumbles out of a punk show one evening. On his way home he’s hit with lightning and wakes to find that he’s been chosen as the new host for The Mantle, a power set of unimaginable scope. Despite his lack of interest, he’s forced into action. The Plague, a being who has spent 50 years killing every previous host of The Mantle, is already coming for him.

The Mantle written by ED Brisson and artwork by Brian Level, is a fun ride that immerses you into the world from the first page. The protagonist Robbie is not one you would qualify as a hero. In fact he is the least likely to be a hero. When we first meet Robbie he's at a party with his girlfriend Jen. The party is horrible so he takes mushroom to spice it up. Robbie doesn't seem to be motivated in anything. No real goals, dreams or aspirations. When he chosen by The Mantle, he changed a little but he acts like a child in a candy store.

The real interesting characters for me was the supporting cast. Robbie's girlfriend Jen, and the group of people who explain The Mantle to Robbie. The group all have powers, Necra can communicate with the dead, Kabrah has amazing strength and Shadow can teleport into any place given if he's in a dark area. Unfortunately the first issue doesn't explore the back story of each character, which was a bummer since I found myself more drawn to them than Robbie. The antagonist The Plague is also an interesting character. He reminded of Nemesis from Resident Evil 3 that has a one track mind. His goal is to destroy The Mantle. It's not fully explain why but the little seeds planted allude to a bigger story arc has my interest. 

Overall The Mantle is a good start to a whole new superhero story. The artwork os great, the characters are interesting. The twist ending shows its not about the person who has the power. 

Final Grade: B+/8.5

Lenni Reviews: Desert Rising by Kelly Grant

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This novel introduces twins Sulis and Kadar on their way to the city of Illian from their desert home. Once there, Kadar begins apprenticing as a merchant and his sister Sulis joins the local temple to gods her people don't worship and with people who are prejudiced against those who come from the desert. Spurred on by the legacy of her now deceased mother, Sulis is bonded to a feli; giant sacred cats who help them communicate with their gods, and begins to unravel a conspiracy and oncoming war between the four gods of the temple. The novel also follows Kadar, poised on the brink of revolution with the Forsaken class in the city who are tired of being treated like chattel.

This novel is a marvelous piece of sprawling fantasy. Kelly Grant has solid world building skills and each character is unique and fleshed out in creative ways. Sulis is a great character and an excellent example of a strong female character in a fantasy setting. When she arrives at the temple and she's the outcast, she makes no attempt to hide who she is and what she knows. Her brother, Kadar, and the conflict he gets embroiled in, is thankfully as interesting as Sulis' so when you're switched between them, you stay interested in both stories. As the novel goes on, they do intersect in creative ways.

Unfortunately, the novel ends on a cliffhanger. I was flying through this book and while I enjoyed it, I felt I didn't get the pay off I wanted from all the build up in the book. I get that this is to get you to buy the second one but since this book isn't due out in paperback until May 26th, 2015, I have the feeling it's going to be a year before I get to see what happens next! Not fair, darnit...

Kelly Grant has a great world going here and I'm anxious to see where it goes. If you like magic, warring gods, and giant cats, you will enjoy this book.