Remember those times. Where life was simple? Wake up, take a shower, eat breakfast, clean yourself up a bit, get ready for work. Kiss the wife and kids, and off to work you go? Yeah. Me neither. Well as a matter of fact. Those days 'use' to be here. It all started with an idea. A group of individuals using their position to better shape the world in a perfect image. I know, crazy right? A 'perfect world' for many years people fantasize this foolish dream. And now, As i write this down. That perfect dream. Is now gone asunder and turned into a living nightmare.
How Can I describe. To the best of my abilities. What kind of world this is? In order to tell the truth. I must sacrifice myself to the Secret Police. So here and now I will tell you.
Valhalla: The Mother Company. The "Valhalla Corporation" has complete rule over the world, and society at large. They rule with an iron fist. Supposedly these massive buildings also known as "Citadels" they have constructed houses each member: One in North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Middle East, and finally Australia. While the islands that dotted the globe are their military bases some massive than others, some are even said to be underwater bases. As for Antarctica and Greenland. These places are consider a "Prison Camp continent" where all of the enemies of the state will go if they break the laws of Valhalla. The Subsidiaries of "Valhalla" :
Finn-Gall: A group of self egotistic righteous folks. False promise after false promise. They promise the people empty truths and gave us nothing but full of lies and deceit. Any competition they saw. They saw it as a threat to their regime. If one independent politician, becomes a favorite of the people. These people would send the Secret Police and have the person either executed, or raped. Depending upon the gender.
Gall Goidel: A group of self decadent monks and priests. You think the Conclave is a place of meeting and discussion of who is to become the next pope? There is no such thing anymore. Now, it's a place where old foolish men. Come and meet to discuss their nefarious plots against the minority religious groups that dare oppose the Holy Cross. The Pope himself, is a power hungry, corrupted holy man. Who self-indulgence in sleeping with young women, and having them, "fostering" his heirs, and to avoid any thoughts of rebellion, the woman would be crucified in front of the people. As the Pope proclaims every. single. time: "She is the messenger of Satan". And the masses believes him.
Dubh-Gall: The men and women in the "Think Tank". Day in and Day out. They always produce falsehoods. Even though the reality is much different. If the sky is black. They would say, "The skies color is a figment of your imagination. It is always sunny and pleasant". Even though the reality is much different. They produce scientific discoveries. Not to benefit society but to benefit their "Mother Company".
Víkingr: The men and women who serve and protect, fight and die for the mighty countries of the world? Are nothing more now than a brainless droning army. Serving their overlords. The science that was developed in the "Think Tank" had microchips implanted into once human beings are nothing more now, than killing commanded machines. If the Overlords tell them to jump, they will jump, if they tell them to shoot. They will shoot without question.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Sunday, August 23, 2015
*TV Show* Fear the Walking Dead: "Pilot" Review
When it was announced that a Walking Dead "Prequel" of sorts was going to be made. Fans, Just like myself was stoke at the idea. Seeing how civilization fell the walkers (Not zombies lol :p). Just like the pilot episode of the first season of it's titular name "The Walking Dead". It delivers that slow dread of uncertainty at every turn, while slowly bracing impact of the fall of civilization.
Let us get down to the basics first. We are introduced to the main characters, in the pilot episode's first few minutes. Each character in a typical Walking Dead fashion, either has their problems or issues, and/or are just ignorant to the impending doom that will befall civilization. The shows in a Kojima Trolling fashion, we are sort of given an idea as to how the outbreak occurred, But never given a solid answer. And of course, given nodes to other zombie pop-culture references like Night of the Living Dead, Resident Evil, World War Z (both the book and the movie), and I am Legend.
As the show progresses, you can clearly see somewhere down the half way mark of the first episode, you know shit has gone down. And the show handles, how any civilization would, "pfft, that's got to be fake" or "that's got to be some Hollywood shit going down" or "If it's a prank. It's not a funny one". Eventually, we will get to see the horrors, of how just reality will hit them like a ton of bricks. The final moments of this episode clearly defines that. It's just the beginning folks.
All and all. This show is off to a slow start. Which is great, again. Just like the first episode of the first season of the Walking Dead. The show builds up the suspense and tension, Around every corner. Some of the acting is a little bit force in some parts, and if your a long time Walking Dead fan, like myself. The show has some predictable moments, like that moment they gone back to find Calvin's body, "Yup, clearly he is a Walker" or that highway segment, where you know something seriously has gone wrong.
Hopefully, this "prequel" can deliver the charm that the Walking Dead is known for.
Score: 8/10
Let us get down to the basics first. We are introduced to the main characters, in the pilot episode's first few minutes. Each character in a typical Walking Dead fashion, either has their problems or issues, and/or are just ignorant to the impending doom that will befall civilization. The shows in a Kojima Trolling fashion, we are sort of given an idea as to how the outbreak occurred, But never given a solid answer. And of course, given nodes to other zombie pop-culture references like Night of the Living Dead, Resident Evil, World War Z (both the book and the movie), and I am Legend.
As the show progresses, you can clearly see somewhere down the half way mark of the first episode, you know shit has gone down. And the show handles, how any civilization would, "pfft, that's got to be fake" or "that's got to be some Hollywood shit going down" or "If it's a prank. It's not a funny one". Eventually, we will get to see the horrors, of how just reality will hit them like a ton of bricks. The final moments of this episode clearly defines that. It's just the beginning folks.
All and all. This show is off to a slow start. Which is great, again. Just like the first episode of the first season of the Walking Dead. The show builds up the suspense and tension, Around every corner. Some of the acting is a little bit force in some parts, and if your a long time Walking Dead fan, like myself. The show has some predictable moments, like that moment they gone back to find Calvin's body, "Yup, clearly he is a Walker" or that highway segment, where you know something seriously has gone wrong.
Hopefully, this "prequel" can deliver the charm that the Walking Dead is known for.
Score: 8/10
Dark Souls: Drangleic -Prologue-
For many years the kingdom of Drangleic. Ruled by the virtuous king. King Vendrick, has watched over the lands for many years. Now, as the kingdom was at it's greatest height. A darkening is coming to the kingdom, from where? None dare say against the kingdom.
"There is no path. Beyond the scope of light beyond the reach of dark. What could possibly await us? And yet we seek it. Insensibly such is our fate". And old hooded man said to himself, looking out of his window of his keep. He was the oldest brother of the king, Aldia. "How did it come to all of this? My brother, blind by love, illusions of peace. Yet so fragile, but now? It's lost". The old man sat upon his desk chair, and began writing his memoirs.
"My brother and I. We were polar opposites. One was more militaristic, while me. I was the scholar. A more humble man, well we both were. We dream of conquest, peace, glory. All the things that a hero can fantasize about. However, such things are suppose to be meet with utter caution. For a single wrong step, it could mean everlasting chaos and lost hope". "Brother!" said the Vendrick, "We have come this far. Not as far as the many other monarchs who ruled these lands before us" the king said as he looked towards the horizon. Aldia scoffed and said, "And yet? What has happened to these kingdoms? They have come and gone. Not by war or famine, or disease. But the ignorance of their fate". Vendrick ignored his brother's rambling, "This land. Will be mine". Vendrick unsheathed his sword and orders his troops forward.
For many months now. The king, waged war against the fossils of these old kingdoms that came before Drangleic. And now? After these many months of endless battle, the kingdom was born. The kingdom of light, the kingdom of man.
"Bah! the so-called "Kingdom of Light, man. Whatever it is, it disgusts me. Brother have you seen the folly of your ways? You. You have destroyed everything the titular stands for". "No. I know what truly caused the downfall of this kingdom. It wasn't human ignorance or a weak king. It was a woman. Heh, our 'beloved queen' Even now, that title should not settle upon her name".
"Sire!" shouted Velstadt, as he ran towards his king while his majesty was ordering the provinces around. "Hm? Yes, what is it solider?" the king said, "A boat. It's approaching the docks". The king stood up in shock. "A boat? No flag or country?" he said, Velstadt shook his head and said, "No. No flag, or coat of arms of the kingdom". Vendrick took able bodied men towards the docks, as the soldiers rushed to prepare themselves. "Where's my brother?" as Vendrick asked his advisers, "He's not here" the king shook his head in disbelief and in anger, "Typical". The boat landed, the troops were ready, After a brief moment of silence, the king began shouting, "Passengers of the boat. This is the Kingdom of Drangleic. What business do you have here?" he shouted, no answer was heard. After a few moments, a door can be heard opening, royal guards appeared. They were, of course. Outnumbered. It was then, a woman appeared, in rags of sort. She unhooded herself and told her, her name to the king. "My name is Nashandra".
"There is no path. Beyond the scope of light beyond the reach of dark. What could possibly await us? And yet we seek it. Insensibly such is our fate". And old hooded man said to himself, looking out of his window of his keep. He was the oldest brother of the king, Aldia. "How did it come to all of this? My brother, blind by love, illusions of peace. Yet so fragile, but now? It's lost". The old man sat upon his desk chair, and began writing his memoirs.
"My brother and I. We were polar opposites. One was more militaristic, while me. I was the scholar. A more humble man, well we both were. We dream of conquest, peace, glory. All the things that a hero can fantasize about. However, such things are suppose to be meet with utter caution. For a single wrong step, it could mean everlasting chaos and lost hope". "Brother!" said the Vendrick, "We have come this far. Not as far as the many other monarchs who ruled these lands before us" the king said as he looked towards the horizon. Aldia scoffed and said, "And yet? What has happened to these kingdoms? They have come and gone. Not by war or famine, or disease. But the ignorance of their fate". Vendrick ignored his brother's rambling, "This land. Will be mine". Vendrick unsheathed his sword and orders his troops forward.
For many months now. The king, waged war against the fossils of these old kingdoms that came before Drangleic. And now? After these many months of endless battle, the kingdom was born. The kingdom of light, the kingdom of man.
"Bah! the so-called "Kingdom of Light, man. Whatever it is, it disgusts me. Brother have you seen the folly of your ways? You. You have destroyed everything the titular stands for". "No. I know what truly caused the downfall of this kingdom. It wasn't human ignorance or a weak king. It was a woman. Heh, our 'beloved queen' Even now, that title should not settle upon her name".
"Sire!" shouted Velstadt, as he ran towards his king while his majesty was ordering the provinces around. "Hm? Yes, what is it solider?" the king said, "A boat. It's approaching the docks". The king stood up in shock. "A boat? No flag or country?" he said, Velstadt shook his head and said, "No. No flag, or coat of arms of the kingdom". Vendrick took able bodied men towards the docks, as the soldiers rushed to prepare themselves. "Where's my brother?" as Vendrick asked his advisers, "He's not here" the king shook his head in disbelief and in anger, "Typical". The boat landed, the troops were ready, After a brief moment of silence, the king began shouting, "Passengers of the boat. This is the Kingdom of Drangleic. What business do you have here?" he shouted, no answer was heard. After a few moments, a door can be heard opening, royal guards appeared. They were, of course. Outnumbered. It was then, a woman appeared, in rags of sort. She unhooded herself and told her, her name to the king. "My name is Nashandra".
Friday, August 14, 2015
*Mobile App* Official Review of Fallout Shelter
 |
| Vaults. Vaults never changes. Unless you can fork over the money! And also they never change |
In my previous version of Fallout Shelter. I was rather a bit harsh of Bethesda Game Studios for this app. However, After carefully playing this app from top to bottom. My original review still stands however, if you want the "lighter" edition of the review you have come to the right topic.
Be warn! If you are a die-hard Bethesda Game Studio fan that worships the ground the developer studio walks on. Please do not read this review. It will rather be harsh towards BSG (Bethesda Game Studio).
When Bethesda Game Studio revealed not just Fallout 4 at their first E3 press conference but also a cute little mobile app as well. Called, "Fallout Shelter" in this app you are your own Overseer of your own vault. You keep your residents happy but also maintain the vault, expand it, and send out vault dwellers to find supplies,etc. In the wasteland.
What we were promise was true. However, in the past recent weeks since it's first release (Apple version) now combining it with the Android release. This app is sadly just another generic standard mobile game, but this time it has the all the hallmarks of how Bethesda Game Studio can notoriously be towards their stuff in the bugs and glitches department. Not only that but with the micro-transaction system that basically can help your vault in a nut-shell from the first time you play it. You won't have to worry about your Vault being in too much trouble.
So what is the wrong with this App. Well....
1) Bugs & Glitches...
I figured i start this one off with a bang. In this app there are a few noticeable bugs whether or not it's because of the Vault Dwellers skills or just the player, or just the app itself is left to be determined:
For instance, supplies run dry way too quickly or sometimes they make skip a beat, say it usually counts down from 10 to 0 right? in most cases it will go from 10 to 7 to 5 to 0 instantly with little to no warning. Prompting you to expand much more quickly than anticipated. Another bug is how extremely OP the raiders are, no matter if you have legendary vault dwellers (the many famous faces from the Fallout Universe, except for ghouls and super mutants). It will take almost forever, to defeat them causing your vault to sadly die out quickly than anticipated. Same goes for rad-roaches. If they attack your vault your Vault Dwellers health goes down as fast as Road-Runner from the Looney Tunes. So what's the solution...well nothing, sadly. Just pray that your vault dwellers are on Chuck Norris and Rambo levels.
Also most people are reporting serious issues with rooms that either produce, and give nothing. Or Vault Dwellers tend to go missing, even if you recalled them back to the vault and the timer is set to 0. Also what is a scary thing is that people bought the luncboxes and they either received them, or it won't activate.
And lastly crashes after a certain amount, and among the regular Bethesda Game Studio issues.
2) Missing features?
This is a tricky situation. But it looks like this app, is missing some things like for instance, say i want to figure out my chances in "Rush" mode. So where is the percentage?! Granted it's almost like a coin toss. However, even if the number reads 20% or even 15% heck the lowest number possible. It will still fail, prompting a disaster. Oh look there is a fire in your cafeteria. Another missing feature is the invaders health. I want to figure out how much health these people have left. Apparently they are in god mode, and it feels like someone is on the other side watching you playing and at some point that person is like: "Okay turn god mode off for this person" and they instantly died. Oh look half of your vault dwellers are dead. Should've bought those lunch boxes. Oh yeah and there is no ghoul companions, or there is no ghoulish Vault Dwellers just so you know. And no, no Super Mutant companions in the Vault.
3) Micro-transaction,
Standard Mobile gaming stuff. This time Bethesda is offering you lunchboxes. You can buy at least forty of them for $20 since they are 50% off (for now) basically these lunchboxes will offer you random things ranging from loot to supplies or maybe just a tiny chance of you having a legendary vault dweller. Plus the game offers Mister Handy. Which will automatically collect resources in the vault, and only caps in the wasteland. Not supplies or anything else, and plus they can only be in one room at a time. So choose wisely, and oh cry as you have to pay out of your wallet in order to obtain such a useful item.
4) Mishandling Fallout Features.
In this game stats are important. Like a standard Fallout game. Mostly your SPECIAL stats. Strength, Perception, Endurance, Intelligence, Agility, Luck. Each one has a purpose, however going back to number two. These features are practically confusing. For example, say a vault dweller has high strength right? What if the person doesn't want to maintain the power generator room, or any related Strength room? It makes it hard to figure out what the Vault Dwellers really want. They tell you by either commenting or showing these little red small heads as they flash above their head on the screen telling you that they hate the job. Can you force them to work? Yeah but the production value will go down which is understandably right. But happiness is a huge factor in how much supplies and such you can obtain. If your people aren't happy they will leave the vault or die of starvation, or die from a bullet wound or a rad-roach or now a Deathclaw since they update it.
The vast majority of these vault rooms are either focused mainly on Perception, Agility, and Strength. Sadly you will either get none of those, and risk longer production value, or you will get those people with those skills, and thus making life easier for you in the vault. Until they die, risking you to having to pay to resurrect them, and no there is no "cycle of rebirth" ordeal, they will stay dead, thus affecting the morale, until you remove their body or resurrect them.
Yes I understand that this is like the "Rush" feature where it's a 50-50 toss up on Vault Dwellers coming along, or maybe the ability to instantly completely a production. But that is no excuse, i don't want to have to waste money on lunchboxes, or caps in game just to get particular rooms and upgrade them, etc.
Have maybe like 5 vault dwellers, each randomize with items and skills. And I can select either all of them, or none of them, or maybe a few. If "choice" is a factor in this simulated game app. THEN GIVE US THIS CHOICE!
5) Boring
This is pretty straight forward. You build your vault, and watch it thrive, live and die in the harsh wasteland. What about trading with other vaults you created or maybe settlements? Nope. How about helping NCR or Brotherhood of Steel? Um let me check that...Nope. Oh, okay. What about the Enclave? NOPE!
This is the biggest reason why Fallout Shelter is just another app and nothing special. Yes, I understand this app just barely released a month ago and this week on the Android, but you would think that after all this time. You would think that Bethesda Game Studios will have these cool features? If they intend to "support" this app. Then make the fixes, and have the feedback. Do not handle this like a generic mobile app game.
I want to see caravans coming to the Vault. Or NCR, Brotherhood of Steel Ambassadors, maybe Ceaser's Legion, or the Enclave. Have us participate in these events that take place in the Fallout Universe maybe for a trade agreement or maybe a lunchbox? Stuff like this! So hopefully, we will see this down the line. If the app makes it that far.
6) Not compatible with certain devices.
When it was announced that Fallout Shelter was coming to Apple devices and Android devices. You would think that they would make it available on ALL devices under these two names. Sadly that is not the case if you have an IOS 7 or an HTC One X. Then by all means have fun, if you have anything barbaric (Ipod, HTC One mini) good luck. It isn't compatible.
I hope BSG will fix this issue soon, because if they don't. They will lose half of their market as quickly as they downloaded the app.
There aren't really any positives. Only the typical: "the visuals are nice" and "it's Fallout". Diehard fans will love this app or hate it. Depending upon your views on Bethesda Game Studios, sadly if you don't have the patience for these sort of games. Then move on, this app isn't for you.
In the end. This app deserves the praise. Sadly it's the little bits that will blend this app among the other apps and it will, in the end be completely forgotten by the general mobile gamer.
Score: 6/10 <-----Original score still stands.
Be warn! If you are a die-hard Bethesda Game Studio fan that worships the ground the developer studio walks on. Please do not read this review. It will rather be harsh towards BSG (Bethesda Game Studio).
When Bethesda Game Studio revealed not just Fallout 4 at their first E3 press conference but also a cute little mobile app as well. Called, "Fallout Shelter" in this app you are your own Overseer of your own vault. You keep your residents happy but also maintain the vault, expand it, and send out vault dwellers to find supplies,etc. In the wasteland.
What we were promise was true. However, in the past recent weeks since it's first release (Apple version) now combining it with the Android release. This app is sadly just another generic standard mobile game, but this time it has the all the hallmarks of how Bethesda Game Studio can notoriously be towards their stuff in the bugs and glitches department. Not only that but with the micro-transaction system that basically can help your vault in a nut-shell from the first time you play it. You won't have to worry about your Vault being in too much trouble.
So what is the wrong with this App. Well....
1) Bugs & Glitches...
I figured i start this one off with a bang. In this app there are a few noticeable bugs whether or not it's because of the Vault Dwellers skills or just the player, or just the app itself is left to be determined:
For instance, supplies run dry way too quickly or sometimes they make skip a beat, say it usually counts down from 10 to 0 right? in most cases it will go from 10 to 7 to 5 to 0 instantly with little to no warning. Prompting you to expand much more quickly than anticipated. Another bug is how extremely OP the raiders are, no matter if you have legendary vault dwellers (the many famous faces from the Fallout Universe, except for ghouls and super mutants). It will take almost forever, to defeat them causing your vault to sadly die out quickly than anticipated. Same goes for rad-roaches. If they attack your vault your Vault Dwellers health goes down as fast as Road-Runner from the Looney Tunes. So what's the solution...well nothing, sadly. Just pray that your vault dwellers are on Chuck Norris and Rambo levels.
Also most people are reporting serious issues with rooms that either produce, and give nothing. Or Vault Dwellers tend to go missing, even if you recalled them back to the vault and the timer is set to 0. Also what is a scary thing is that people bought the luncboxes and they either received them, or it won't activate.
And lastly crashes after a certain amount, and among the regular Bethesda Game Studio issues.
2) Missing features?
This is a tricky situation. But it looks like this app, is missing some things like for instance, say i want to figure out my chances in "Rush" mode. So where is the percentage?! Granted it's almost like a coin toss. However, even if the number reads 20% or even 15% heck the lowest number possible. It will still fail, prompting a disaster. Oh look there is a fire in your cafeteria. Another missing feature is the invaders health. I want to figure out how much health these people have left. Apparently they are in god mode, and it feels like someone is on the other side watching you playing and at some point that person is like: "Okay turn god mode off for this person" and they instantly died. Oh look half of your vault dwellers are dead. Should've bought those lunch boxes. Oh yeah and there is no ghoul companions, or there is no ghoulish Vault Dwellers just so you know. And no, no Super Mutant companions in the Vault.
3) Micro-transaction,
Standard Mobile gaming stuff. This time Bethesda is offering you lunchboxes. You can buy at least forty of them for $20 since they are 50% off (for now) basically these lunchboxes will offer you random things ranging from loot to supplies or maybe just a tiny chance of you having a legendary vault dweller. Plus the game offers Mister Handy. Which will automatically collect resources in the vault, and only caps in the wasteland. Not supplies or anything else, and plus they can only be in one room at a time. So choose wisely, and oh cry as you have to pay out of your wallet in order to obtain such a useful item.
4) Mishandling Fallout Features.
In this game stats are important. Like a standard Fallout game. Mostly your SPECIAL stats. Strength, Perception, Endurance, Intelligence, Agility, Luck. Each one has a purpose, however going back to number two. These features are practically confusing. For example, say a vault dweller has high strength right? What if the person doesn't want to maintain the power generator room, or any related Strength room? It makes it hard to figure out what the Vault Dwellers really want. They tell you by either commenting or showing these little red small heads as they flash above their head on the screen telling you that they hate the job. Can you force them to work? Yeah but the production value will go down which is understandably right. But happiness is a huge factor in how much supplies and such you can obtain. If your people aren't happy they will leave the vault or die of starvation, or die from a bullet wound or a rad-roach or now a Deathclaw since they update it.
The vast majority of these vault rooms are either focused mainly on Perception, Agility, and Strength. Sadly you will either get none of those, and risk longer production value, or you will get those people with those skills, and thus making life easier for you in the vault. Until they die, risking you to having to pay to resurrect them, and no there is no "cycle of rebirth" ordeal, they will stay dead, thus affecting the morale, until you remove their body or resurrect them.
Yes I understand that this is like the "Rush" feature where it's a 50-50 toss up on Vault Dwellers coming along, or maybe the ability to instantly completely a production. But that is no excuse, i don't want to have to waste money on lunchboxes, or caps in game just to get particular rooms and upgrade them, etc.
Have maybe like 5 vault dwellers, each randomize with items and skills. And I can select either all of them, or none of them, or maybe a few. If "choice" is a factor in this simulated game app. THEN GIVE US THIS CHOICE!
5) Boring
This is pretty straight forward. You build your vault, and watch it thrive, live and die in the harsh wasteland. What about trading with other vaults you created or maybe settlements? Nope. How about helping NCR or Brotherhood of Steel? Um let me check that...Nope. Oh, okay. What about the Enclave? NOPE!
This is the biggest reason why Fallout Shelter is just another app and nothing special. Yes, I understand this app just barely released a month ago and this week on the Android, but you would think that after all this time. You would think that Bethesda Game Studios will have these cool features? If they intend to "support" this app. Then make the fixes, and have the feedback. Do not handle this like a generic mobile app game.
I want to see caravans coming to the Vault. Or NCR, Brotherhood of Steel Ambassadors, maybe Ceaser's Legion, or the Enclave. Have us participate in these events that take place in the Fallout Universe maybe for a trade agreement or maybe a lunchbox? Stuff like this! So hopefully, we will see this down the line. If the app makes it that far.
6) Not compatible with certain devices.
When it was announced that Fallout Shelter was coming to Apple devices and Android devices. You would think that they would make it available on ALL devices under these two names. Sadly that is not the case if you have an IOS 7 or an HTC One X. Then by all means have fun, if you have anything barbaric (Ipod, HTC One mini) good luck. It isn't compatible.
I hope BSG will fix this issue soon, because if they don't. They will lose half of their market as quickly as they downloaded the app.
There aren't really any positives. Only the typical: "the visuals are nice" and "it's Fallout". Diehard fans will love this app or hate it. Depending upon your views on Bethesda Game Studios, sadly if you don't have the patience for these sort of games. Then move on, this app isn't for you.
In the end. This app deserves the praise. Sadly it's the little bits that will blend this app among the other apps and it will, in the end be completely forgotten by the general mobile gamer.
Score: 6/10 <-----Original score still stands.
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