Features

J’s WASD Gaming Highlights
Features

J’s WASD Gaming Highlights

Last month I was lucky enough to attend London's WASD gaming event with fellow Thumb Culture writer Si at Tobacco Dock, where a whole host of indie devs, and a few larger houses, put their games on display to the public. I do love visiting this venue and have fond memories of when it hosted a bustling but since defunct annual EGX Rezzed. Although I went on a Friday it was certainly a lot quieter than previous times however this could be down to it being a school term as well as some people not wanting to understandably be in places where there can be large crowds. There is certainly something here for everybody, from playable computer games and demos to a whole room dedicated to tabletop puzzles and board games. It certainly made for a good day out! Myself and Si managed to get aroun...
Bunnies In Video Games Old And New
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Bunnies In Video Games Old And New

It's April so it's that time of year when we go on Easter Egg Hunts and consume a ridiculous amount of chocolate. It's Easter so we can get away with it, right? Well going on a real hunt may be one thing but finding cute little bunnies in video games is another thing. So our Bunnies In Video Games Old and New will take you through the past and present to find some secret rabbits and even some playable ones. If you liked giving this a read then why not check out my latest review here. You can also catch up with what the rest of the Thumb Culture team is up to on our social media. So all that's left to say is Happy Easter and let's see some bunnies. Starfox - Peppy Hare Let's start with a pretty famous one when it comes to bunnies in games. For a lot of retro gamers, the first thing the...
10 Anticipated Video Games Of 2022
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10 Anticipated Video Games Of 2022

Last year was an exciting year in the world of gaming and this year we have already seen some amazing games like Elden Ring and Horizon Forbidden West. But now we intend to take a look at what the rest of the year has to offer as we take a look at 10 anticipated video games of 2022. 10. God of War Ragnarok There have been few PlayStation exclusive titles have that stood the test of time but the God of War series is just as popular now as it was 15 years ago. The wait for the sequel to God of War that was released back in 2018 seems like it has taken forever but gamers won't have to wait much longer. God of War was released back in 2018 and was a huge hit with not just PlayStation gamers but PC gamers as well with it getting a PC port early this year. Loosely based on Norse myth...
Hush: Crane – An Interview with Co-Founder Jack Attridge
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Hush: Crane – An Interview with Co-Founder Jack Attridge

Breaking down the boundaries of interaction, for me that is where gaming gets interesting. Something a little different from button mashing or learning sequences of moves. Hush: Crane by developers Flavourworks, gives gamers a glimpse of how immersion can reach a new level. Using amazing-looking FMV and an engine known as "TouchVideo", your touch-screen gestures transition to real-world movements and actions. Each decision affects the story and sends you down a unique path. A taster of what is coming can be found for free on the Samsung Galaxy store, just look up "Hush: Crane" or click here. Having played the available episode multiple times, I was amazed at how many different outcomes there were in just the short time I had to play. Running just like you are in a movie, you can pan and...
Best of the Fest – Steam Next Fest Feb 2022
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Best of the Fest – Steam Next Fest Feb 2022

The calendar of an indie gamer can be quite a robust one. Every month will have a plethora of news updates or upcoming releases to look forward to. But you can be sure that one event will be highlighted in thick bold colours and with many exclamation marks: STEAM NEXT FEST. A thrice-yearly celebration of indie talent spanning 7 days, Steam Next Fest hosts hundreds upon hundreds of game demos from both new and established devs and a wide variety of genres. Players also have opportunities to join dev streams and Q&A sessions and learn more about the wealth of games on display. And it’s not just for indie lovers. AAA fans will easily find plenty to enjoy and if you’re looking for a place to start with indie gaming, then you’ll find no better starting point than right here. Spring 2022 ...
Xbox Game Pass Picks For February 2022
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Xbox Game Pass Picks For February 2022

Welcome to February's look at Xbox Game Pass! Join me for a look at some of the amazing titles coming to Game pass subscribers during the month of love. If you enjoyed any of the games in January's Xbox Game Pass Picks, let me know in the comments which one was your favourite! As always, team Xbox is bringing a whole bunch of games to Game Pass. If you're a subscriber I'd love to hear your thoughts on the different games available each month. Let me know in the comments below, or as always, you can catch up with us over on social media too. February 2022 On Game Pass There's a realm of adventure and imagination to explore this month on Game Pass. Subscribers are being treated to plenty of awesome storytelling as well as action titles. In addition to the main catalogue, Golds and Ultim...
ARGB Lighting For Everyone
Features, Hardware & Tech

ARGB Lighting For Everyone

Recently I discovered an issue that I was a little naive about after having some new peripherals with ARGB lighting to try out. My motherboard, an ASUS TUF B450m, only had an RGB header. Naturally, my heart sunk. How could I get around this? After all, blasting 12v into 5v LED's is a big no-no. The internet was very vague when it came to resolving the issue and there were not many articles about it. After speaking to the hive mind that is found within the Thumb Culture Discord channel, Welsh Stu came up with a potential idea... ARGB Lighting in an RGB World! The solution is actually not that difficult and relies on two components. What Do You Need? Firstly you need to purchase the Corsair iCUE Lighting Node Pro Lighting Controller. This tiny matchbox device is the portal to powering...
Video Game Sequels That We Need
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Video Game Sequels That We Need

For many decades the video game industry has been able to pop out some amazing sequels. Mass Effect 2, Fallout 3, Street Fighter 2 just to name a few. But what about a game that doesn't have a sequel. There are many games out there that have captivated a player and even left an opening for a sequel. Only for us to not get one. Maybe the developers ran out of money, went into liquidation, or were even bought out by a rival company only for them to scrap the idea of a sequel to a hit game. We never really know what goes on behind the scenes, but one thing we do know is that as gamers, we demand a sequel for some fantastic games out there. So here is a list of just a few of them. If you enjoyed this little article and managed to make it to the end then why not check out my latest video ...
Pixel Art Powerhouses Coming in 2022
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Pixel Art Powerhouses Coming in 2022

In what seems like a heartbeat, 2022 is now in full swing and already filled with ample gaming promise. Titles like Horizon: Forbidden West and Elden Ring already have gamers aboard the ray-traced and perfectly rendered hype train, eagerly waiting to see what modern marvels are in store this new year. But down the quirky and colourful virtual tracks of indie gaming, there’s a different hype train rolling by. No less intricate in its design, but with a more ‘92 than ‘22 kind of flair. The pixel art hype train! Pixel art indie games have seen a tremendous surge in popularity in recent years. And if this year’s release schedule is anything to go by, they show zero signs of slowing down yet. And we at Thumb Culture are all kinds of here for it and ready to jump aboard! Here are just a f...
Xbox Game Pass Picks For January 2022
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Xbox Game Pass Picks For January 2022

It's undeniable the awesome value that Xbox Game Pass offers, and right now Xbox players are truly spoilt for choice. This year I'm going to be taking a look at the amazing titles on offer throughout 2022 and sharing some of my top picks on Game Pass each month.  If you're a Game Pass subscriber I'd love to hear your thoughts on the different games available each month. Let me know in the comments below, or as always, you can catch up with us over on social media too.  It's also worth noting that family-friendly gaming has had a massive boost on Game Pass. While not technically in the new for January category, there've been some great titles added over the festive period. Transformers: Battlegrounds, Paw Patrol Mighty Pups: Save Adventure Bay, Ben 10: Power Trip, and Race With Ryan a...