cars – Page 4 – Author Carlo Carrasco

51 apprehensions counted during the first two days of the single-ticketing system dry run Muntinlupa City

May 5, 2023May 4, 2023carlocarrasco

In the progressive city of Muntinlupa, the single-ticketing system covering the National Capital Region (NCR) started officially and over fifty apprehensions were made during the first two days of the implementation within the city, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

A total of 51 apprehensions were recorded in the first two days of the implementation of the single-ticketing system for traffic violations in Muntinlupa.

Muntinlupa and six other local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila launched the single-ticketing system on May 2.

According to the Muntinlupa Traffic Management Bureau (MTMB), the 51 traffic violators were apprehended on May 2 and 3. It said the implementation of the system in Muntinlupa was smooth.

On the first day, 39 apprehensions were recorded in Muntinlupa. These include 24 for not wearing helmets, seven for attended illegal parking, two unattended illegal parking and one for obstruction. Five others were apprehended for driving without license, no helmet, and arrogance.

The dry-run of the single-ticketing system will be from May 2 to 7, after which, there will be an evaluation, the MTMB added.

In March, the Muntinlupa City Council passed Ordinance 2023-055 adopting the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023 on the implementation of a single-ticketing system and harmonizing fines and penalties. It was signed by Mayor Ruffy Biazon.

MTMB chief Danidon Nolasco had earlier said a violator has 10 days to pay the traffic violation fine, after which, a surcharge of five percent daily will be imposed. If he fails to settle the fine, an alarm is sent to the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Under the Muntinlupa ordinance, the following traffic rules and regulations and their corresponding penalties and/or fines will apply:

TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS / FINES (1st Offense / 2nd Offense / 3rd Offense and Subsequent Offense

– Disregarding Traffic Sign – P1,000

– Illegal Parking Attended P1,000

– Illegal Parking Unattended – P2,000

– Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (Number Coding Scheme) – P500

– Truck Ban – P3,000

– Light Truck Ban – P2,000

– Reckless Driving – P1,000/ P2,000 /P2,000

– Tricycle Ban – P500

– Obstruction – P1,000

– Dress Code for Motorcycles – P500/ P750 /P1,000

– Overloading – P1,000

– Defective Motor Vehicle Accessories – P1,000

– Unauthorized Modification – P2,000

– Arrogance/Discourteous Conduct – P500

– Loading and Unloading in Prohibited Zones – P1,000

– Illegal Counterflow – P2,000/ P5,000

– Overspeeding – P1,000

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Did you notice any significant changes in the city since the official implementation of the single-ticketing system?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Xbox-Bethesda Developer_Direct Livestream set for January 25, 2023, Starfield to have standalone showcase soon

January 18, 2023January 24, 2023carlocarrasco

For all the gamers and the loyal fans of Xbox and Bethesda reading this, you better get ready for lots of new stuff and announcements regarding upcoming games as the Developer_Direct livestream will take place on January 25, 2023 (at 12pm PT/3pm ET), Team Xbox announced recently. For those who are anticipating Starfield’s release this year, be aware that a standalone showcase of that Xbox-exclusive science fiction role-playing game (sci-fi RPG) from Bethesda will be held soon. Posted below is the precise Xbox YouTube spot for the Developer_Direct livestream.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Xbox.com announcement. Some parts in boldface…

Xbox and Bethesda will present a Developer_Direct on Wednesday, January 25, providing fans with an inside look at some of the games coming to Xbox, PC and Game Pass over the next few months.

Presented by the game creators themselves from studios including Arkane Austin, Mojang Studios, Turn 10 Studios, and ZeniMax Online Studios, the Developer_Direct will focus on big features, extended gameplay showcases, and the latest info for Xbox games launching in the next few months, including The Elder Scrolls Online, Forza Motorsport, Minecraft Legends, and Redfall.

To dedicate the proper amount of time for a deep dive into Bethesda Game Studios’ Starfield, a standalone show is in the works.

Fans should tune in on Xbox channels (Twitch, YouTube) and Bethesda channels (Twitch, YouTube) at 12pm PT/3pm ET, January 25 to see all the latest on:

The Elder Scrolls Online: Studio Director Matt Firor will unveil 2023’s major Chapter update, including the latest regions of Tamriel to become playable in ESO, as well as a major new feature coming in the game’s biggest update this year. The Developer_Direct will be immediately followed by the full, standalone ESO Chapter Reveal Event, hosted by Zenimax Online Studios, which will provide all the in-depth details ESO players will be keen to know.

Forza Motorsport: The team at Turn 10 Studios have been hard at work, bringing fans the next generation of Forza Motorsport, built from the ground up to take advantage of Xbox Series X|S. Forza Motorsport is back, and we can’t wait to share more gameplay and exciting new details.

Minecraft Legends: Mojang Studios will showcase an insider’s look into the PvP multiplayer experience in Minecraft Legends – the upcoming action-strategy game from the makers of Minecraft. Developed in partnership with Blackbird Interactive and launching this spring, don’t miss exclusive gameplay footage at the Developer_Direct.

Redfall: The minds behind Dishonored and Prey, Arkane Austin, will showcase several minutes of gameplay from their upcoming FPS. The Developer_Direct will reveal single and multiplayer gameplay, showing more of how you and your friends will take down bloodthirsty Vampires on the picturesque island of Redfall, Massachusetts. Fans can expect to learn more about combat, customization, bosses, the open world, and more.

If there is anything for me to say about the upcoming Developer_Direct, it is not only Team Xbox’s way of responding to the gamers’ constant inquiries or demands for new updates about new games this year, it is also their way of bouncing back to the criticism about their absence from The Games Awards 2022.

More notably, it seems to me that the Developer_Direct online event is Team Xbox’s new way of updating the loyal fans and the fun-seeking gamers about what to expect on the Xbox platform, when will the new games this year will come out, what features to look forward to, what can Xbox Game Pass (XGP) subscribers look forward to and the like. It is also their way of letting executives or representatives from Xbox game studios reach out to the gamers and establish a clear narrative so that confusion and uncontrolled expectations can be minimized just as Team Xbox’s marketing teams will ramp up the pre-release hype of the new games.

To be clear, it is simply too limiting for both Team Xbox and gamers to wait for the annual E3-related conference to happen just so that updates will be made. As such, I am anticipating that there will be more editions of this Developer_Direct online event to follow.

More on the Developer_Direct event of January 25, 2023, I am hoping that the respective release dates for Forza Motorsport (2023) and Redfall will be announced. 2022 saw the lack of big-time Xbox-exclusive games and the delays of Starfield and Redfall were strongly felt. For 2023, this is a big make-or-break year for Team Xbox. This is also the year for them to become more competitive than PlayStation and Nintendo in terms of publicity and setting the narrative. Apart from release dates, I am eager to find out what gameplay features of the announced games for the January 25 event will be revealed.

For those who are paying too much attention to Starfield not being part of the January 25 showcase, please keep in mind that such a high-profile game like that needs to have its very own event (perhaps Developer_Direct session #2) as it has tons of visuals, concepts, features and details that need to be emphasized by Bethesda. As it is an Xbox-exclusive game, there are lots of PlayStation fanboys who hate Xbox out there and they still cannot accept the fact that Starfield will never be released on the PlayStation platform and Microsoft-owned Bethesda is not obligated to release it on competing platforms. As such, anti-Xbox buzz connected with Starfield is being generated by those troublesome people right now and they are spreading lies and falsehoods about the Developer_Direct event. The successful integration of Bethesda into Team Xbox remains very painful for those people because they know that future sequels of The Elder Scrolls, Fallout and other Bethesda game franchises will not be released on their favorite platforms. They can get louder and more troublesome but you should not let them fool you.

Watch out for the Developer_Direct event on January 25, 2023.

In concluding this article, posted below for your enjoyment are Xbox-related videos.

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Xbox Series X and Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition Bundle coming out for your enjoyment!

January 10, 2023January 10, 2023carlocarrasco

If you still have not yet acquired an Xbox Series X console but you already have the means to buy it, then you should seriously consider buying the Xbox Series X and Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition Bundle once it becomes available for $559, Team Xbox announced recently. Having played Forza Horizon 5 a lot on my Xbox Series X since late 2021, I can say that the bundle is great value for you gamers as well as others struggling with inflation.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Xbox.com announcement. Some parts in boldface…

Introducing the Xbox Series X – Forza Horizon 5 Bundle, including an Xbox Series X and wireless controller, and Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition with Hot Wheels Expansion, VIP Pass, Car Pass, Welcome Pack and a second expansion when available. This Xbox Series X bundle will be available worldwide and will start shipping to retailers in the US, Canada and select markets in Asia this week. Bundles will start shipping to Europe, Latin America, and more regions around the world later this month.

*The Xbox Series X bundled with Forza Horizon 5 and additional content offered for $559.*

Xbox Series X: 12 teraflops of raw graphic processing power, DirectX ray tracing, a custom 1TB SSD, and 4K gaming – Xbox Series X is the fastest, most powerful Xbox ever. There are thousands of playable titles from four generations of consoles, and all games look and play best on the Xbox Series X. Load times are virtually eliminated and framerates are increased with a custom-built NVMe SSD, which enables larger, more robust games to operate at their full capacity.

Forza Horizon 5 runs at 4K and 60 frames per second on Xbox Series X in performance mode and provides the most technologically advanced Forza Horizon experience yet. You’ll get to explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico in the world’s greatest cars with 12 teraflops of raw graphic processing power, DirectX ray tracing, a custom SSD, and 4K gaming. The power of the Xbox Series X console delivers incredible realism and immersion with a world rendered in higher detail and with extreme draw distances.

Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition includes Forza Horizon 5 plus the Premium Edition add-ons -Forza Horizon 5: The latest entry in the open world racing series showcases powerful, all-new graphical features. Experience sweeping vistas and scan the distance to see the adventure that lies ahead. Encounter the smallest of details throughout the world, which is rendered with striking realism, down to the smallest details like the light that glows through each needle on a Cholla cactus. Our Mexican HDR sky captures illuminate the world to the point that you will feel as if you are right there. And thanks to Xbox Series X|S, ray tracing is utilized in ForzaVista to make the cars look even more true to real life.

Hot Wheels Expansion: Race 10 amazing new cars on the fastest, most extreme tracks ever devised. You can even design, build, and share your own Hot Wheels adventure! What’s not to love about that? You can blast off to the visually stunning, exhilarating Horizon Hot Wheels Park in the clouds above Mexico today.

VIP Pass: The VIP Pass features 3 exclusive Forza Edition cars, Crown Flair, Vanity Items, Emote and Car Horn, Player House, Double Credit race rewards, weekly bonus Super Wheelspins, and more to give your game a boost and make you stand out at the Horizon Festival.

Car Pass: Expand your garage with 42 new cars, including 8 Formula Drift Cars to get you started in style. Plus, you’ll receive a one-time grant of each car to your in-game garage.

Welcome Pack: 5 special pre-tuned cars, a Player House, a one-time grant to own any car from the game’s Autoshow, and 3 one-time grants for any Common or Rare clothing item.

Second Expansion: The next Forza Horizon 5 expansion will be included when it launches.

Wow! That’s a ton of gaming value for those who will buy the Xbox Series X bundled with the blockbuster game! Indeed, Team Xbox is offering big value for $559 to those who want the premium, fun console gaming experience. I myself am still having fun replaying Forza Horizon 5.

Personally, I see this premium bundle announcement as a form of warm-up on the part of Team Xbox to deliver not just more game-related features and Xbox Game Pass (XGP) content but also the big-budget Xbox-exclusive games that are expected to be released this year such as Starfield (note: first half of 2023), Forza Motorsport (2023), Redfall (note: potentially May 2023) and others. 2022 is over and ended without big budget exclusive games and this is the year that Team Xbox should deliver the great stuff that cannot be found on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles. If you want tremendous gaming value and content at a small price per month, I encourage you to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass (XGP).

Watch out for the Xbox Series X – Forza Horizon 5 premium bundle online and at the local retailers.

In concluding this article, posted below for your enjoyment are Xbox-related videos.

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 6

December 26, 2022December 21, 2022carlocarrasco

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you watch the following videos below…

#1 Worship music videos of Shifting – New Life Music is an anointed music team of New Life Philippines. Through my Christian Music Appreciation (CMA) series, I already reviewed their original worship songs Now I’m Alive, God of the Breakthrough, Touch From Heaven and The Coming King, and each of those songs have music videos on YouTube. There is another original worship song by New Life Music titled Shifting (composed by Nash Soliven, Camille Cuna, Daniel Grospe, Daryl Pinon, MJ Malubay) and there are these YouTube videos of it for your viewing and enlightenment.

#2 Christmas in Israel – Yes, it is true. The Christmas season is also present in Israel, the land that God designated for the Jewish people (refer to Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 35:10-12 in the Holy Bible). Posted below are recent videos about what the Christmas season in Haifa, Jerusalem and Nazareth look like, complete with exploration of varied places and scenes of people enjoying the season. No matter what your faith or culture is, Christmas is truly all about our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Rejoice with Lord Jesus every Christmas.

#3 The common links between Atari and Chuck E. Cheese

In my life, I never ever got to visit any branch of Chuck E. Cheese which is best known for serving meals to customers as well as providing in-door entertainment with arcade games, stage shows and more. As a kid, I got to play lots of video games in the comfort of our home with the Atari 2600 video game console. As a young adult, I learned that Chuck E. Cheese and Atari were historically linked with each other. If you are wondering how or why were they connected, you should watch the two videos below. Watch and pay close attention to the details.

#4 A look back at The Fly (1986)

In the history of cinema, The Fly movie franchise spawned a total of five films from 1958 to 1989. The most notable and most popular of those movies was the 1986 cinematic remake simply titled The Fly (directed by David Cronenberg and starring Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis). That being said, it is not surprising at all that YouTube has lots of retro movie reviews, movie trivia videos and movie reaction videos about it. Posted below are a mix of The Fly (1986) reaction videos, an explanatory retrospective video, a retro movie review and a trivia video.

#5 Videos and info about the upcoming Xbox-exclusive video game Forza Motorsport (2023)

The Xbox-exclusive simulation racing game Forza Motorsport (2023) is easily one my most anticipated video games of twenty twenty-three. I really am very eager to play the upcoming game (developed by Turn 10) on my Xbox Series X console and the last FM game I played was Forza Motorsport 6 on my Xbox One. Ever since the June 2022 Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, Team Xbox and Turn 10 only released a few videos of gameplay footage about Forza Motorsport (2023) and they have yet to release new pre-release videos or trailers about it. A lot has already been promised as to what the upcoming game will have (examples: overhauled physics, fully dynamic time of day system, track temperature changes, advanced car damage, tire and fuel management, multiple tire compounds, and real-time ray tracing). While a 2023 release has been confirmed, Team Xbox has yet to announce a final release date. Regardless, Forza Motorsport (2023) is the racing game to watch out for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Windows PC plus Xbox Game Pass (XGP). XGP subscribers will only have to download the game on launch day and play it without paying anything extra. If you are an Xbox gamer who has not yet subscribed, I encourage you to do it.

#6 Worship music video of All

Here is another worship song from Planetshakers that you must listen to, especially when you want to reach out to our Lord…the song is titled All (part of Planetshakers’ 2020 worship songs album Glory Pt. 2). I previously reviewed and analyzed the song in my Christian Music Appreciation (CMA) article back in April 2020 and I can say that All was written to lead people to Lord Jesus, God the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit by powerful faith. Posted below is the official music video of All for your viewing and your faith in Him. By the way, Planetshakers will have its faith conferences in Australia this coming January and you can learn how to join them by clicking here.

#7 Filipino stores in Israel

If you are a fellow Filipino who is already in Israel and also struggling to find Filipino-made products as well as other goods imported from Asia. You should watch the videos below. Pay close attention to the details.

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2022-2023 Alabang Hills Village vehicular stickers for non-resident motorists now available

July 2, 2022July 2, 2022carlocarrasco

The anticipated new Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) vehicular stickers for non-resident motorists marked with the years 2022-2023 are now available and applications can be done via the association’s official website. That being said, applicants must be able to download and print the AHVA’s official application form, fill it up and sign it, and prepare themselves to submit it to the association. This means you must have a reliable Internet connection, printer with sufficient ink, paper and a scanner. You must also have the official receipt (OR) and certificate of registration (CR) of your vehicle(s) prepared as well. Also, you must be ready to secure an endorsement from your homeowner’s association (HOA) which the AHVA requires. Refer to the Endorsement part on page 1 of the application form.

To begin with, click https://alabanghillsvillage.com/sticker/. Once the page loads, click the Non-resident/pass-thru option which will lead you into another page. On the new page, you will see Step 2, Step 3 and Step 4.

Step 2 is where you can click to download the newest AHVA vehicular sticker application form. As mentioned above, you must be ready with your Internet connection and a printer to be able to print the application form (visualized below) fill in the key details and sign before you submit it to the AHVA.

Revised-2022-Vehicle-Sticker-Form Download

Step 3 shows the rates of the new vehicular stickers. For BF Homes residents, the rate is P1,500 per car for the first two cars, then P2,500 per car for the 3^rd car and more cars. The rates are under the reciprocity arrangement between BF Homes and AHVA. For private cars, the rate is P2,000 per car for 1 year, and P3,600 per car for 2 years. The method of payment is cash which will be done on the applicant’s booking day

Step 4 is where the applicant will book his/her appointment with AHVA online. Applicants will be able to select the dates and choose from one of several time periods of the chosen date (examples: 8:15 AM, 8:30 AM, 8:45 AM, 9AM and so on). In the event your appointment will need to be cancelled for reasons beyond the AHVA’s control (bad weather, natural calamities, late holiday advisories, etc.), they will call you to reschedule your appointment.

After that, applicants will be required to specify how many vehicles they have for sticker issuance. The email address, the first name, the last name and contact number are also required in order to proceed to the next page.

While online application via the AHVA’s official website is heavily emphasized, applicants for the non-resident AHVA stickers are still welcome to drop by their office (office schedule below) to get forms, sign, submit required documents and pay on-site. Appointments will be strictly implemented.

Non-resident motorists who have the old 2021-2022 AHVA stickers are advised that the said stickers will expire on August 31, 2022.

For further inquiries, visit https://alabanghillsvillage.com/ or call them at 88508254. You can visit their office at 1 Don Jesus Boulevard inside Alabang Hills Village from Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM. Always remember to follow their rules and speed limits whenever you are in the village.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

Forza Motorsport (2023) coming to Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows PC and Xbox Game Pass (XGP)

June 16, 2022June 16, 2022carlocarrasco

This year’s edition of the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase has passed and I can say it was a truly loaded showcase of games – both exclusives and multiplatform ones – that will be released over the next 12 months. Among the highlights of the June 12 event were the showcases of Bethesda’s epic RPG Starfield and Turn 10’s new Forza Motorsport game plus the Xbox project involving Hideo Kojima and his company and the Persona game series coming to Xbox platforms!

*Official gameplay image of Forza Motorsport (2023) from Team Xbox and Turn 10.*

In my pre-event article, I anticipated the official revealing of the next edition of the acclaimed Forza Motorsport game franchise handled by Turn 10. Indeed, the new game was showcased at the event with Turn 10 executives who led the presentation (with a demo) and a separate trailer of it was released along with a Spring 2023 release period for the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Windows PC plus Xbox Game Pass (XGP) As the new game is a reboot and it shares the same name as the very first game released way back in 2005 on the original Xbox, I personally refer to it as Forza Motorsport (2023) to avoid confusion.

To learn more about Forza Motorsport (2023) and its features, watch the two videos from the showcase below…

Team Xbox and Turn 10 went the extra mile by publishing key details and features as to why Forza Motorsport (2023) is the most technically advanced racing game ever made. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Xbox.com article. Some parts in boldface…

Forza Motorsport has been built from the ground up to showcase the Xbox Series X|S consoles. The accuracy of our overhauled physics, the beauty of our cars and tracks, our new dynamic time of day, advanced car damage, and real time ray tracing on track lead to a generational leap in immersion. The all-new Forza Motorsport is the most technically advanced racing game ever made.

Fundamental to Forza Motorsport is our fully dynamic time of day system, which brings tracks to life in stunning detail and like weather, it will be available on every track. Changes in time of day alter ambient temperatures, which, in turn, impacts the track surface temperatures. These track temperature changes will affect the grip of your car, as does rubbering in and weather. These new simulation details add further depth, drama, and dynamics to the racing experience.

*A small example of ray tracing implemented in Forza Motorsport (2023).*

We’ve completely overhauled the core driving experience to take advantage of the power of the Xbox Series consoles. This includes a 48 times improvement in the fidelity of our physics simulation. Based on your feedback, we’ve introduced new features like tire and fuel management, multiple tire compounds, and new in-depth car building to create the ultimate racing playset. This is all brought to life at the trackside pits, where advanced materials and shaders paired with ray tracing bring out incredible detail in the gold heat wrap, anodized aluminum, and carbon fiber. Ray tracing especially shines on engine bays with their complex self-reflection.

*Much more detailed car damage plus interaction with the external elements such as in-game dirt, water droplets, movement and more.*

In Forza Motorsport, car damage is reproduced down to the individual scratches on the bodywork. There are all-new simulation details in the directionality of damage, how the paint peels away at exposed and raised edges, in the wheel abrasions, and in the dirt build-up. Car damage is a racing reality and has been authentically captured in the new Forza Motorsport.

There is no doubt about it. Team Xbox and Turn 10 are not only making the grand return of the Forza Motorsport game franchise (note: last game was released in 2017) with Forza Motorsport (2023), they are aiming high on delivering the most ambitious and most engaging racing experience. Very clearly, Turn 10 had been working hard to improve the simulation racing experience for those who will play their next game on Xbox Series consoles or on PC, and they are doing it with both long-time Forza Motorsport fans and casual gamers in mind. With the heavy revamping and reforming done on game design, Turn 10 really went all-out and went way beyond just raising the polygons and raising the resolution to earn the next-generation label.

The implementation ray tracing (defined as a rendering method that simulates light reflections, refractions and shadows. It follows a light path from a specific source and computes each pixel in the image to simulate the effect of the light.) looks great but I still wonder if Turn 10 will still be able to make Forza Motorsport (2023) gameplay run in full native 4K resolution (3840×2160) while maintaining a consistent 60 frames-per-second rate with ray tracing turn on at the same time on Xbox Series X (note: I own the console). Ray tracing is indeed a very taxing visual effect and it has been limited only to Forzavista mode in the acclaimed Forza Horizon 5. If Turn 10 can ensure gameplay with ray tracing, 4K resolution and 60FPS altogether in Forza Motorsport (2023) without any technical compromises, I would really love that!

*Forza Motorsport (2023) is a true next-generation game coming out next year only on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows PC and Xbox Game Pass (XGP).*

More on the game, I am looking forward to its revamped cay physics, the improved car damage, the dynamic time of day system, improved dynamic weather, and Turn 10’s next-generation approach on the crafting of the race tracks and experience how all of those will impact the gameplay experience on my end. That being said, Forza Motorsport (2023) is the one simulation racing game to watch out for next year exclusively on the Xbox ecosystem.

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Have your driver’s license renewed at the LTO satellite branch inside SM Southmall

April 6, 2022April 4, 2022carlocarrasco

If you happen to be within Las Piñas City and you need to have your driver’s license renewed, you should check out the satellite branch of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) which opened inside SM Southmall recently, as featured in the Manila Bulletin. The said satellite branch was designed to be a one-stop processing center for those who need renewed licenses and there is even a clinic (recognized by the LTO) located just beside the place. Aside from license renewals, people can also apply for student permits there.

To put things in perspective, posted below are selected excerpts from the Manila Bulletin article. Some parts in boldface…

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) officially launched their satellite branch at SM Southmall’s Government Services Express (GSE) on March 24 to make drivers’ license renewals easier and more accessible to Southies.

Southies can now renew their licenses and apply for student permits in the mall, all while shopping and doing other errands. They just need to bring their medical certificates and existing licenses (for renewal).

Conveniently, Megacare, an LTO-approved clinic, is also located beside their satellite branch for a complete, one-stop shop experience.

LTO at SM Southmall is open from 8:00AM to 5:00PM excluding holidays and work suspensions declared by the government. The Driver’s License Renewal Center (DLRC) is located at the Government Services Express at the Lower Ground Level.

Everything is made more convenient for SM Southmall’s shoppers. Aside from LTO, Southies can make a day of their errands at the mall because GSE has other government service counters available like SSS, PHLPost, and GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosk.

Moreover, SM Business Centers offer PSA applications for birth, marriage, cenomar, and death certificates.

SM Bills Payment counters located in The SM Store and SM Supermarket accept payments for contributions and/or loans for SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation, and more.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Have you seen the LTO satellite branch inside SM Southmall already? If you did, what do you think about its facility? Does the place look clean and comfortable? Were there many people there?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

Forza Horizon 5 is a super-charged, fun-filled game that must be played!

December 3, 2021December 3, 2021carlocarrasco

Ever since I started subscribing to Xbox Game Pass (XGP), I’ve been playing the universally acclaimed Forza Horizon 5 a lot on my Xbox Series X and as of this writing, it is my most played game. Why? Because each time I play it, Forza Horizon 5 keeps on offering me a lot of opportunities to have fun from joining races, touring the fictionalized Mexico setting to taking part in very interesting, tourism-inspired missions/quests.

What I can confirm to you all is that this Xbox-exclusive open-world racing game made by Playground Games consistently delivered a lot of enjoyable stuff for me to discover and experience while also respecting my freedom of choice as to where can I go, what races should I compete in, what places can be discovered and a whole lot more! Very clearly the developers made the game with entertainment in mind and given the exceptional game design concept of the Forza Horizon series as a whole, they delivered a very unique car-oriented video game that keeps on moving into uncharted territories that most other racing games have not achieved.

Forza Horizon 5 is not your typical racing game. It has a fictionalized Mexico as the massive in-game world that is waiting for players to discover complete with the distinct environmental features, architectures, and ancient structures that reflect the nation’s rich culture.

There are also a whole of races or competitions for you to choose from. If you love racing at high speed on roads, there’s a lot of them. You love off-road racing and are willing to test your ability to drive over mud, sand, dirt or over some vegetation? Lots of those races are available! If you are looking for unusual challengers to compete with, there are special races in which you get to test your skill and might against a speeding train or an airplane or jet skiers! Not only that, there are also these very enduring special races that are over 30 miles long and I personally love the endurance test while performing my best against all the competitors which make the crossing the finish line a very satisfying experience!

Like its predecessors, Forza Horizon 5 is also rich with customization of your cars and even your in-game avatar (who has a voice and lots of lines to speak with). The cars you have can be customized at a Horizon outpost or in your in-game home, and you will have options with regards to vehicular paint, designs and car parts. Not only that, you can also upgrade the car parts and make your car more powerful and move to a higher rating.

*The in-game sky and clouds have that photo-realistic touch.*

When it comes to customizing your avatar, you can choose from several pre-designed human models and then adjust the hair style, hair color, prosthetics (note: if you really want this), physical expressions and most notable of all, you will have lots of options on your avatar’s shoes and clothes (shirts, jackets, trousers, skirts and dresses plus hats and eyewear to name some).

Going back into the Forza Horizon 5’s digital Mexico, there will also be some nicely designed places that you can purchase as your avatar’s home and each one is strategically located in different areas that reflect the local look and culture. As of this writing, I already purchased 6 homes, including two each with a 7-figure price tag.

*One of my six homes as of this writing.*

*My newest home that cost 2,000,000 in in-game currency.*

*If you really want to earn more in-game money, you’ve got win and level-up a lot!*

As of my last Forza Horizon 5 session, my car collection is still less than a hundred and already I sent out about ten cars as gifts (note: the barns) for a variety of gamers who play the game. As I was focused on raising money to buy all the homes in the game, my purchasing of new cars has been slow and this only motivates me to keep on joining races, raise as much money from each race and also relying on random winnings from the spin-a-prize sequences. I checked the in-game car shop and I am very impressed with the wide selection of hundreds of cars offered by many vehicular manufacturers from around the world. I like the Porsche cars that made it into the game!

When it comes to gameplay variety, gamers will not only have lots of races to join in, there are also these varied, driving-oriented quests that each have their own story concept and characters who will interact with your avatar. These quests include helping out in stunt car sequences for a movie production, helping a scientist with finding date in key locations, etc. Not only that, there are also these barns to find that each have the remains of an old vehicle that could be restored to working condition. And then there are these timed, limited events/activities you can join in.

*A great view of only a portion of the game’s fictionalized Mexico.*

*A short clip from one of the special activities I took part in.*

*This Porsche is fast and highly responsive in terms of control! It’s worth spending money on!*

I’ve played Forza Horizon 5 for a little over 15 hours now and I can only speculate that there are still a lot more to discover within the game by default. Combine all of those with the seasonal or special events/activities, there is always something new to do and discover in the game!

With Halo Infinite launching in a few more days, I’ve got to play more of Forza Horizon 5 because if the sci-fi shooter is as great and as immersive as what the YouTubers (who had access to 10 hours of the single player campaign) then that would most likely be my regular game to play on Xbox Series X.

As I have yet to complete Forza Horizon 5 as of now, this piece I am writing is NOT a game review but rather my opinion piece based on what I experienced with the game so far. What I can declare is this: if you love cars, exploring, adventuring, good music and if you want the best enjoyment available on Xbox Series X right now, then Forza Horizon 5 is a must-have and must-play game! Forza Horizon 5 is truly a very great game loaded with lots of fun stuff to keep any gamer busy and happy!

*I love playing Forza Horizon 5 on my Xbox Series X!*

In closing this piece, posted below are Xbox-related videos for your viewing pleasure.

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Xbox-exclusive Forza Horizon 5 gathers lots of rave reviews!

November 8, 2021November 8, 2021carlocarrasco

The high excitement for gaming on Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Xbox Game Pass and Windows PC is real right now as Forza Horizon 5 gained lots of rave reviews from video game critics and YouTubers! As of this writing, the Playground Games-developed Xbox-exclusive game is averaging a score of 91 (out of 100) out of 81 published reviews according to Metacritic!

If you are wondering how does Forza Horizon 5 looks like and what the reviewers said, we can start by taking a look at each of the following video reviews below…

And now, let’s take at some text-based reviews of the game with key quotes highlighted. I highly recommend you read each of their respective reviews for the best possible insight and immersion.

Windows Central Gaming: Forza Horizon 5 is grand and beautiful. It also launches on more platforms simultaneously than any previous Forza game, giving people more ways to experience everything this game across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming through Xbox Game Pass. Absolutely a game of the year contender for 2021, Forza Horizon 5 is the quintessential choice among the best racing games.

TheGamer: Collectively, Forza Horizon 5 does everything right, and in doing so makes Playground Games’ latest entry into the Forza franchise an absolute must-play for any racing enthusiast or casual racing fan.

Game Revolution: Forza Horizon 5 is the best Forza yet and, not only that, but it also makes a strong case for being the best racing game period. A joyous combo of arcade racing and simulation-level depth, all wrapped up in a beautiful bow thanks to its diverse, expansive Mexico setting, this is an unmissable iteration in what is arguably gaming’s most consistently fantastic series.

Press Start Australia: I’ve played a few open-world racers in my time, but I’m not sure I’ve ever come across one so feature-rich. It really is comprehensive, nailing the scope of its world while filling the world with meaningful things to do, offering a suite of multiplayer and co-op possibilities, and free-roam of a boiled-down vision of Mexico that’s begging to be explored.

Now that the game critics and YouTubers have spoken, it is clear that Forza Horizon 5 is a great game just waiting to be played by gamers worldwide and the 3-year wait for it is worth it. Playground Games worked hard to make the Xbox-exclusive racing game and it looks very polished and almost flawless. Forza Horizon 5 is set for a general release worldwide on November 9, 2021. If the rave reviews it gathered have convinced you already, you can acquire a copy (digital or physical) online here, here, here or here to name a few.

Very clearly, the age of “Xbox has no games” is over and Forza Horizon 5 is just one of many upcoming Xbox-exclusive games realized. Given the open-world racer’s massive critical success, it is clear that Team Xbox has indeed reached a turning point heading towards a new age of super fun and high quality Xbox-exclusive games. Neither Sony nor Nintendo has anything to compete with Forza Horizon 5 with regards to the open-world racing genre. Now is only the beginning of a new age of high excitement for Xbox fans (reminder: Xbox 20th anniversary celebration will take place on November 15, 2021) and anyone who loves games on Xbox platforms and Windows PC! I believe Forza Horizon 5 will impress even the most rabid Xbox-haters when they play it enough. I would not be shocked if Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi is playing Forza Horizon 5 in secret somewhere, to learn from it so he can complete his work on Gran Turismo 7.

In closing this piece, posted below are Xbox and Forza Horizon 5-related videos for your viewing pleasure.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

A Look Back at Top Gear (SNES)

August 31, 2021August 28, 2021carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from playing Top Gear and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Remember back in the early 1990s how impressive the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES or Super NES) was when it comes to fulfilling your early expectations of the enhanced gaming experience aided by new technology?

Super Mario World was astounding the first time I got to play it on our Super NES. The same experience too I had with The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

And then there was our first Super NES racing game titled Top Gear (not to be confused with the popular motoring media franchise) developed by Gremlin Graphics and published by Kemco.

Concept and Game Design

Top Gear is a car-focused racing game that had over thirty tracks and creatively emphasized the global locations in it. The very meat of the game is its global tournament in which you need to finish at least in 5^th place in order to qualify to join the next race.

Creatively, each race has courses that vary in distance, the sharpness of turns (as far as 2D graphics allowed), number of laps and, strangely enough, have certain obstacles that can distract or even surprise such as stones, iron plates and even trees.

*Before choosing a car, you must pay attention to the maximum speed, acceleration, tire grip and fuel consumption.*

On the player’s side, there are cars offered and they vary in terms of maximum speed, acceleration, tire grip and fuel consumption. Cars also have nitro which come in limited amounts and can be used to give you a boost

For its visual presentation, Top Gear is strictly a split-screen game even during times you play only single-player. In my experience, split-screen is more lively to watch when playing against a fellow human player.

Quality

I can say clearly that Top Gear was highly enjoyable to play, and it was more fun 2-player sessions. On the very gameplay itself, I enjoyed the high-speed challenges that include overtaking other cars on the road while trying to climb up the rankings enroute to the finish line. Speaking of challenges, the aspect of managing your fuel supply while dealing with speeding and overtaking others is memorable and there were times when my car ran out of gas and stopped because I was not able to make a pit stop during the race.

The pit stop itself can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on situations. If you are low on fuel and you still have a long way to go, you need to refuel at the pit stop. However, the more time you spend on the pit stop, the more your opponents traveled catching up with you or increasing their lead over you. There were also memorable times when I had sufficient fuel and my opponent had to refuel at the pit stop. While opponent was refueling, I just kept driving and used the nitro to increase my speed and keep on moving forward.

*Split-screen all the time, even when you play single.*

Going back to the fuel management aspect, there were times when my car ran out of gas and stopped. Suddenly, an AI-controlled car from behind hit my car and gave me some forward movement. There were a few, unexpected times that my gas-empty car got pushed enough to cross the finish line.

Visually, race courses are limited in the sense that the game only shows split-screen views. You always have a road to travel on which can suddenly turn left or right depending on the race course. What adds visual variety are the surroundings specifically the elements on the sides of the road (examples: the desert environment Las Vegas, the snow of Sweden, the rain forest trees of Brazil) and background art (example: the metropolitan view of Tokyo). Sprite scaling is limited but that is understandable given the limits of the Super NES. Even so, the feeling and look of 3D is sufficient.

While the sound effects of cars bumping, tires screeching and engines are satisfying, what really stood out is the soundtrack which, for the most part, is energetic and even encouraging enough to keep me and my friends playing. Barry Leitch produced the music and due to the lack of time provided to him, he had to literally recycle and arrange his other musical works from Lotus games.

Conclusion

*One car still racing on the road with low fuel, the other car is in the pit stop refueling.*

Top Gear was truly a well-made game and it succeeded not only in delivering a true console generation upgrade over our NES for console racing but also created lots of bouts of fun for me and my friends. In my experience, this Kemco-published game was the first true gem of multiplayer on the Super NES. Even by today’s standards, Top Gear remains unique and still is very enjoyable for anyone who loves 16-bit, 2-dimensional console racing.

Overall, Top Gear is highly recommended!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

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