![]() Also, in 2021 Everest named Atento as a star performer Gartner named the company as a leader in the 2021 Gartner Magic Quadrant. In 2019, Atento was named one of the World's 25 Best Multinational Workplaces and one of the Best Multinationals to Work for in Latin America by Great Place to Work®. Atento's shares trade under the symbol ATTO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Atento's clients are mostly leading multinational corporations in sectors such as telecommunications, banking and financial services, health, retail and public administrations, among others. ![]() Atento has over 400 clients to whom it offers a wide range of CRM BPO services through multiple channels. Since 1999, the company has developed its business model in 13 countries where it employs approximately 140,000 people. Atento is also a leading provider of nearshoring CRM BPO services to companies that carry out their activities in the United States. This is a tendency we can only believe will continue over the coming months and years," concludes Wesley.Ībout Atento Atento is the largest provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing ("CRM BPO") services in Latin America, and among the top five providers globally. "What we are seeing is that in the wake of the pandemic, companies are looking for service providers that can guarantee flexibility, agility and security. Atento advised and guided us throughout that journey", adds Mark. "The nature of the pandemic, and the rate at which we began to see that digitalization and seamless customer experience were becoming a key requirement for the end-customer, made us look at more innovative and effective ways of connecting with consumers. Indeed, although initially starting with customer service over email, the project was quickly expanded in scope to include chat, and by the end of the year it encompassed voice capabilities, as well, offering GameStop's customers a quicker way to receive customer service. "In just a few weeks, we were able to get the project up and running by moving it to Guatemala, where the pandemic was not yet so prevalent", explains Wesley O'Brien, VP of Sales, Atento. ![]() Faced with this unexpected happening, GameStop approached Atento to see if it could help. Our service provider at that time could not find a workaround, meaning that we needed to find an alternative solution rapidly", recounts Mark Qualls, VP US Operations, GameStop. "In April, we were suddenly left without a considerable number of our customer service agents, who were unable to access their place of work due to the pandemic.
0 Comments
![]() ![]() ![]() So I don’t need another Bible on my phone. I use the You Version Bible app by LifeChurchTV which includes numerous translations free of charge. Honestly, I’m not going to sit and read random commentaries. So how can I access all the other content this app supposedly has? There seems to be lots of articles and commentaries in the app, but if they’re not searchable, they’re useless. Then, the Search function is limited to searching for Scripture passages but not articles. When I tap the link, the app opens to the homepage, but not to the article. The browser indicates I can open this app to view it. One titled, “Sacrifice, in the New Testament, 1”. So I go online and find a couple of articles. What? OK, so today I was reading Psalm 5:3 and pondering the idea that king David offered sacrifices each morning and what that means for me. If not, take the two stars and I’m going on to use Bible Gateway app or another instead. Let’s say, within a month since I post this. It’s not the WiFi or cellular network providers’ failure, but the app’s back-end design need to be fixed.įinally, I might reconsider this rating if the mentioned problems are solved within adequate response to review. However, does business have anything to do with Bible Studies? 5) At irregular intervals, the connections on this app’s Internet links breaks down. 4) There’s a few misleading advertisements that I can guess funds the app. 3) The entire app doesn’t synchronize with the time zone where my mobile devices are set to, and messes up with reading plan registration. 2) Also, the reason I’m giving only two stars is mainly because the application has technical bugs loading reading plans and simultaneously having two reading plans stored at the correct timing and date which I read it. Take your favorite Bible version, verse studies,ĭevotional notes, and daily reading plans on the go!ġ) There’s some confusing labeling to the New Revised Standard Version in the collection of available bibles. Jesus Christ and in your Christian walk with the Bible Study Tools app fromī. Now available for free download through the Apple iTunes store. Tap verses to share through social media like Twitter and Facebook or through email and text messages. Join in the community Bible study with notes focusing on specific topics and passages ![]() Be inspired with Bible verses by topic with verses for encouragement, friendship, forgiveness, hope, love, strength, inspiration and more Read Hymns, Classics and timeless sermons Start Bible word studies with Lexicons for the New Testament and Old Testament. Learn about the historical facts surrounding the Bible with Fox’s Book of Martyrs, The Works of Flavius Josephus and more. Explore the meaning of the of the text with dictionaries like Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary, Easton’s Bible Dictionary, King James Dictionary amongst others. Free well know Concordances like Strong’s, Torrey’s, Nave’s & the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Get a deeper understanding of the Bible with free Commentaries from Matthew Henry, Scofield, Jon Wesley, Martin Luther and others. Engage with the Scriptures by accessing the Libraries with each verse with Commentaries, Reference notes, Encyclopedias, and Study Bibles. Bible reading plans for 90 days, yearly or at your own pace. Free Bible reading plans by topic, Book of the Bible, Chronological and more. Start a daily Bible reading plan and track your progress Access and sync your personal account from for use on the Bible app Change to night theme for lowlight conditions Change the app color theme to your liking Translations of the Bible in different languages like Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, Italian and others. Message (MSG), New Living Translation (NLT) and more. (KJV), English Standard Version (ESV), American Standard Version (ASV), the ![]() Including the popular New International Version (NIV), King James Version Easy to use Bible search functions for all available Bible versions Highlight verses and take notes on your favorite Scripture! A great way to challenge your personal Bible study time is withīible reading plans – choose from different daily reading plans to fit your schedule! In addition to your basic Bible search function, the Bible app from also allows for personalization of your Bible study on your device. Download this Bible app to begin using all the amazing Bible study resources at, but in an easy to use mobile version! The Bible app gives you free access to the largest library of study Bible versions including the King James Bible (KJV), New International Version (NIV), The Message (MSG), English Standard Version (ESV) and more, as well as various language translations, commentaries, concordances and more. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() If you're a fan of the Air Jordan 1 blue and love seeing those colorways that represent your favorite team, then you're in luck. Air Jordan 1 High OG Obsidian - White/Obsidian/Metallic Gold.AJ 1 High OG Game Royal - Game Royal/Black/Summit White.Spike Lee x Air Jordan 1 High OG Fort Greene - Midnight Navy/Black/White.AJ1 High OG Dark Marina Blue - Blue/Black/White.Air Jordans 1s were originally released in 1985 and are considered OGs. The name was given to these sneakers after they were first released. OG, or Original, is a term often used to describe the first generation of a sneaker model. Air Jordan 1 Low SE Washed Denim - Washed Blue/White/Blue.Air Jordan 1 Low SE True Blue - White/Black/Cement Gray/Dark Marina Blue.Air Jordan 1 Mid SE Signal Blue - Signal Blue/White/Black.Air Jordan 1 Mid SE South Beach - Turbo Green/Black/Hyper Pink/Orange Peel.Air Jordan 1 Mid SE Sail Light Blue - Sail Light Blue.Toe AJ 1 Mid SE Royal Black Toe - White/Black/Light Solar Flare/Heather/Hyper Royal.Air Jordan 1 Low SE Racer Blue - Racer Blue/Psychic Blue/Black/Multicolor. ![]()
![]() ![]() DRmare Apple Music Converter will convert Apple Music M4P to MP3 at a super-fast 30X speed. Step 3Convert Apple Music to MP3 losslessly When all settings are ready, tap the ' Convert' button to launch the conversion process. But if you have other needs, simply touch the small ' audio' icon to choose the target output format, sample rate, audio channel, and more. Step 2Set output parameters The default output format is MP3 so you don't need to change it. Note: DRmare Apple Music Converter can also convert Audible to MP3. Alternatively, you can drag Apple Music downloads to this software's main interface. Click either one of them to import Apple Music files. You will see there are two ' Add Files' buttons in its main interface. Then double-click to launch DRmare Apple Music Converter from your desktop. Step 1Add Apple Music files Remember to download Apple Music songs in advance. Then you can refer to the detailed instruction below to learn how to download music from Apple Music to MP3. Please download & install the DRmare Apple Music Converter on your computer. How to Convert Apple Music to MP3 via DRmare Apple Music Converter □ Best for: Convert Apple Music files to multiple common formats losslessly at a fast speed. With this stunning tool, you can listen to Apple Music on any device and player, even if you are not a subscriber. It will also maintain the original ID3 tags including the artist, album art, and so on. It supports both protected and unprotected Apple Music files. It can losslessly convert Apple Music files to MP3, AAC, M4A, M4B, WAV, and FLAC with a 30X fast speed. How to Convert Apple Music to MP3 via Best SoftwareĭRmare Audio Converter is the best Apple Music converter. Convert Apple Music to MP3 via Best Software Whether you want to convert protected or unprotected Apple Music files, you can find a way. If you want to enjoy Apple Music freely without limitation, you'd better convert Apple Music to MP3 or other common formats. That's why Apple Music files can only be played through the app. These formats are not compatible with common music players or devices. Besides AAC, Apple Music songs are also encoded in M4P or ALAC format. This is a fan-run community and is in no way authorized, sponsored, or endorsed by Apple.Like other streaming music services, Apple Music songs are protected by a special audio format, MPEG-4 AAC (Advanced Audio Coding). Related Communities r/AppleBookStore r/iPhoneography r/AMPlaylists r/Apple r/iOS r/iPhone r/iPad r/iOSBeta Disclaimer To view the spoiler, simply hover your cursor over the text. Comment SpoilersĪdd the scope of the spoiler in the brackets. Please read and follow our Rules when posting. No NSFW content (some leeway may be given for album art or for other circumstances outside of the user's control). Constructive feedback is welcome aggressive complaining is not.ħ. Posts and comments that are needlessly negative or hostile toward Apple Music may be removed. No needlessly negative or hostile posts No aggressive complaining. No self-promotion and advertisements No posts/comments that are advertisements or self-promoting.Ħ. Have integrity No posts/comments about piracy, account sharing, VPN use, etc.ĥ. No low-quality content Low quality content will be removed without warning.Ĥ. No rude, offensive, or hateful posts/comments.ģ. If you would like to share a playlist, do so over at r/AppleMusicPlaylistsĢ. ![]() They will be removed and you may be banned. Do not post any links to playlists Do not post any links to playlists. R/AppleMusic is a subreddit for discussion of Apple's music streaming service, Apple Music. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() How It Works: 1) Make your reservation for ‘Dancing Waves’. It’s a simple process, just make your selections and the items will be delivered to your vacation home to enjoy during your stay. When you reserve this home directly through Sea Star Realty, you get $250 worth of free beach gear rentals of your choice. There is an awesome bonus when you reserve ‘Dancing Waves’! Every reservation for this home up to 14 nights is eligible for $250 worth of free equipment rentals when you make a 2023 reservation with Sea Star Realty! That's right, only with Sea Star Realty will you get FREE rental equipment to enhance your vacation! So, there's no need to worry about packing your beach gear or buying some while on vacation. Parking for five vehicles allows plenty of room to bring everyone along. Take in the sweet summer breeze and unsurpassed ocean views from the furnished decks. Well equipped kitchen with tile floors, stainless steel appliances, all large and small appliances, dinnerware, cookware, glassware, and utensils to prepare and serve meals. Enjoy flat screen TV’s throughout and Wi-Fi for your convenience. Welcome to Dancing Waves, located just 0.6 miles south of the Garden City Pier! This 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath professionally decorated 2400+ SF direct oceanfront home has everything you need for the perfect beach getaway. *ADDITIONAL 40% OFF STAYS NOW THROUGH July 28th and 20% OFF JULY 29th - SEPT 8th*Ĥ on 2nd Level - 1 King, 1 King & 1 Twin Sofa Bed, 1 Queen, 1 Bunk Bed (Twin/Full) To top it off, I emailed the hotel to express my concerns and never received a response.FREE Luxury Linen Package with All Rentals! 3) Bathroom was super small and a uncomfortable I'm not going to say it was dirty, but it looked that way. Turn it off or turn is down and it's ice skating. You have to the air conditioner cranked up high to try to keep the floor dry. 2) The floor is warped and warping The put in a faux wood floor, getting away from carpet, as many hotels are doing. I've never seen such poor customer service. When I told the front desk about all that transpired, all they said was "I'm sorry". I couldn't even find an emergency number. I tried to call the front desk but there was no answer. The maintenance man explained in the morning that it was a problem with "air in the line". It was loud enough to keep me awake all night. Unfortunately, I have several issues 1) There's a knocking sound inside the wall that continued throughout the night, every 1-2 minutes. This place is awful and it is nothing like the pictures shown. Had a big hole in the bath tub and they had tried to patch it. PLEASE don't take your kids to this hotel !!!!! NEVER EVER AGAIN WILL WE STAY HERE. Prostitute staying about us fussing with her customer, drug deals going on in parking lot. People walking around the hotel was very scary. Every time you ask them about something it was like it was our fault. Had to have them recoded and they acted like we had done something wrong. After checking in we went to go get something to eat and when we came back our key wouldn't work in door. The kid at the checkout didn't act like he knew what he was doing. People live there and it is very trashy outside. The vent in bathroom started leaking water down on the floor. Only one lamp worked, only had 2 towels 2 wash clothes. The toilet didn't flush, was told all rooms had internet, NO INTERNET. Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection All-Inclusive Resortĭo not stay at Ocean Waves Hotel.Hotels near Southeastern Community College.Hotels near ITT Technical Institute - Myrtle Beach Campus. ![]() Hotels near Strand College of Hair Design.Hotels near Golf Academy of America Myrtle Beach.Hotels near Coastal Carolina University.Hotels near Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway, SC.Hotels near Cathedral Bible College MB CAMPUS.Hotels near Jack's Surf Lessons and Board Rentals.Hotels near Coast to Coast Antiques Gallery.Hotels near Downwind Surf & Paddleboard Company.Myrtle Beach Hotels with Laundry Facilities.Hotels with Lazy Rivers in Myrtle Beach.Hilton Grand Vacations Hotels in Myrtle Beach.Hampton by Hilton Hotels in Myrtle Beach.Ascend Collection Hotels in Myrtle Beach.Best Western Plus Hotels in Myrtle Beach. ![]() ![]() ![]() The fun Home Designer (including a Free House) and Character Creator tools are included in the free game download. THE HOME DESIGNER & CHARACTER CREATOR TOOLS Check out the hair salon, shopping mall, food court, and your first apartment! It’s a great place to unlock secrets, decorate, create and play your own stories! Start discovering your mini world by visiting Bop City, a vibrant city area with many different locations all ready for you to discover. ![]() The basic yet extensive version of Toca Life World is free to download. Over the years, we’ve celebrated Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, the winter holidays and more with awesome gift events! And don’t worry if you’re new to the game, you haven't missed out! We have annual Gift Bonanzas when we re-release selections of previous years’ gifts so you can build your new world!ġ1 LOCATIONS & 40+ CHARACTERS INCLUDED IN THE FREE GAME DOWNLOAD Besides Fridays, there are also other gift events to look out for. Or, you can get cozy and have a quiet moment relaxing in your mini world! How you play is up to you: you're in charge of building your own world, creating your own characters and homes and telling your own stories!Įvery Friday, players can claim brand new gifts at the Post Office, completely free of charge. Toca Life World is the perfect game for anyone looking to explore, express themselves and let their creativity shine.
![]() There are some extras beyond the (fairly meaty) single-player game, including the ability to face off with your mates in arena battles or against them in free-for-alls, and you can battle locally using AR cards. And to emphasise the game's off-kilter feeling, you often encounter health-restoring food items such as hamburgers and doughnuts. The Pit-Palutena dialogue sometimes descends into cheesiness, but occasionally makes you chuckle. And the enemies you fight are generally extremely freaky-looking, often along the lines of floating eyeballs or even what appear to be the nose and eyes of Mr Potato Head.Īdd that to periods of eye-poppingly garish art-direction, some intricate level design (often, you have to dodge around when flying at speed) and a constant, pun-laden and thoroughly surreal dialogue with Palutena that takes place constantly, and the overall effect is trippy at the very least and often positively psychedelic. ![]() Each chapter ends with a boss, most of which require a tactical approach: happily, Palutena points out what you have to do. It's just as well that you're never knowingly under-armed, as you have to overcome some pretty fearsome enemies (especially when on the ground). You can choose between ranged, all-round or melee-based weaponry (although the latter deliver ranged attacks when charged up), and even combine weapons to your own specification. Since Pit is in charge of Palutena's army (although he takes on Medusa and her minions single-handed), he has access to some outrageous weaponry that becomes available in the form of collectables dotted around the game's levels. Even the platform elements seem refreshingly unconventional – in Pandora's labyrinth, for example, you have to reveal hidden paths by shooting in front of you. As you progress, you find platform elements creeping in – jump-pads let Pit reach higher levels, for example, as do grind-rails. There are also land-based sequences, in which the control system remains more or less the same, except the circle pad lets Pit strafe, and dodge if you whack it quickly in any given direction, while swiping the screen to the left or right changes Pit's view 90 degrees in that direction. ![]() If you're left-handed, Kid Icarus: Uprising may well prove unplayable, although it does support Nintendo's Circle Pad Pro add-on. This control system sounds cumbersome, but it works beautifully – with one massive caveat. To fire, you use the left trigger you can fire continuously or wait for attacks to charge up, and there are special attacks to be found that can be launched by touching prescribed areas of the touchscreen. While Palutena controls the direction in which he flies, you can move him around the screen using the circle pad and aim attacks using the stylus – your right forefinger isn't a viable alternative as it covers too much of the screen. ![]() ![]() Android - Android Version 5.iPad and iPod Touch Running iOS 13.5 and higher.Convert your hose faucet into smart watering that can be controlled via Wi-Fi from anywhere in the world. Inlet / Outlet Connections: Standard ¾-inch Hose INTRODUCING THE B-HYVE HOSE FAUCET TIMER.EASY TO INSTALL AND USE: Setup is very straightforward and simple just download the B-hyve app and create an account, then install your timer at your hose faucet, then program your timer in minutes.KNOW THE FLOW: The built-in flow meter allows you to track water usage, and can be measured by gallons or by time ideal for all kinds of applications, including watering plants, gardening, washing your car, filling your pool, and greenhouse/hydroponics.CERTIFIED TO SAVE WATER: B-hyve is certified for the rigorous Water-Sense testing protocols, ensuring it will save you water.SMART WATERING: Weather sense technology provides watering based on site conditions such as slope, soil type, sun/shade, historical et and live weather feeds it automatically adjusts your controller to deliver the right amount of water to your plants The B-hyve Smart Hose Watering Timer is IP60 Certified and can withstand extreme weather making it perfect to live outdoors in your yard or garden all summer long.COMPLETE CONTROL: The B-hyve app is fully functional for android, iOS or web devices and gives you control wherever you need it, from anywhere in the world, program the timer using the app, or let the weather-based software create it for you The Orbit B-Hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer converts any of your outdoor tap into an app controlled water source giving you complete control over your watering.Requires 2-AA Alkaline Batteries (Not Included) Features and Benefits You only need one Wi-Fi hub (Part 21006), but add as many faucet timers as you want. The timer collects online weather data to optimize water usage. As an EPA WaterSense 2021 Partner of the Year, we know how important it is to save water.Ĭonnect via smartphone for maximum watering control over each zone of your lawn or garden. Waters in seconds making it ideal not just for gardens, but also for hydroponics and greenhouse applications too.The B-hyve® Smart Hose Watering Timer with Wi-Fi hub will save you water, money, and time. Download the free Android or iOS B-hyve App to program your timer. No more soggy lawns because you forgot to turn the water off. The Orbit 21004 B-hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer connects to your phone via Wi-Fi, allowing you to create highly customized watering schedules for your garden. No more dead plants because you forgot to water them. Obviously, if the refresh rate was every 1 minute, ST would see a watering event in <1min. The B-hyve Bluetooth Hose Faucet Timer gives you complete control over hose faucet watering from your Bluetooth device. It can even be set to water by volume, not just by time. If one waters a zone for 30 minutes, and has the refresh rate set to 5 minutes, for example, the longest lag for ST to record a watering event would be <5minutes depending on when Orbit started watering. Our built-in flow meter lets you know how much water youre using, and how much you need to water your plants, wash your car, or fill your pool. With B-hyve you no longer need to guess on how much water youre using. Plus, B-hyve delivers the exact amount of water your plants need, based on slope, soil type, sun exposure and more: giving you the beautiful yard you want, while saving water, time, and money. Dont have your phone with you? Manual watering available at the press of a button.ī-hyve helps you water smart by using WeatherSense technology so it wont water in the rain. Make changes to your programming from anywhere. The B-hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer converts any of your outdoor faucets into an app controlled water source giving you complete control over your watering right from your smart device! Program your timer with our free Android or iOS B-hyve App, or use your computer with a Wi-Fi connection. Orbit B-Hyve Smart Watering Tap Timer Control with/without WIFI Hub ![]() Ebara EVMS 304ss Vertical Multistage Pumps ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ?32 Ford with a late-model 5.0? Or a 2003 Cobra stuffed full of aftermarket parts? No matter what your Ford flavor, there?s a place for you in the car show and a shot at the grand prize. In addition to all of the action that will take place on the quarter-mile, the NMRA also has the awesome UPR Products All-Ford Car Show, which features over fifty different awards that are presented each day of the show. The Aerospace Components Winners Circle experience is second to none in the drag racing world, where every winner actually owns the winners circle for a period of time. The NMRA has partnered with Aerospace Components to present the Aerospace Components Winner?s Circle ? making the accomplishment of winning even more of a celebration. Winning any NMRA class isn?t easy and when a racer is fortunate enough to do so, it needs to be celebrated in style. How to Race True Street Click Here! True Street Rules Click Here! How to Race True Street Video Click Here! Next hit the track for 3 back-to-back passes and then watch as NMRA presents cash and awards to the overall fastest, runner-up and to each racer with the closest average to 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 seconds! Join other True Street racers, with passengers on a 30-mile NMRA-escorted cruise to prove the street worthiness of all cars in competition. True Street is the perfect class for any beginner because reaction time doesn't matter. Have a Quick Mustang? Want To Prove It on the Track? Every NMRA events features the wild Street Outlaws, Renegades, Coyote Modifieds, and special insane race classes. If you?re a fan of the Street Outlaws TV show then you won?t want to miss the insane, horsepower-infused Street Outlaws of NMRA Ford drag racing! Watch as these incredible turbocharged, supercharged, and nitrous packed Mustangs go wheels-up and heads-up for big money and national bragging rights. Over 30 race classes filled with all kinds of awesome Detroit iron, walkin' and talkin' down the track - this event is an absolute must! It's called the Super Bowl of Street legal Drag Racing for a reason, and the racing action reflects that title. Over the last several years, the Route 66 surface has been home to many record-setting passes. By combining all of the classes across both racing sanctions, selecting an outstanding venue like Route 66 Raceway that is centrally located to much of the country, and bringing the baddest street-legal style cars in the country together in one place, NMRA & NMCA set the stage for a ground-breaking, record-setting event.įor NMRA Class Descriptions CLICK HERE! NMRA Takes On NMCA in the Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing The 12th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street legal Drag Racing is one of the crown jewels in street car racing. Track Promoters Get FREE Promotion with RacingIn.One month after the swing event on the points tour, the NMRA rolls into Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois, over the weekend of July 26 - 29, 2018. Rivalry Renewed: Lanigan & Richards Set To Face Off In 2015 As Richards Returns To Full-Time World of Outlaws Competition SRW Winternationals Weekend now a Qualifying race for ALL Classes!īay Area Modifieds bringing IMCA Racing back to Emerald Coast ![]() What a year as we transition onto dirt racing! () MORE Dirt Racing Stories MORE Stock Car Stories MORE Drag Racing Stories MORE Open Wheel Stories MORE Motorcycle Stories MORE Random Racing Stories Dirt Racing Stories Stock Car Stories Drag Racing Stories Open Wheel Stories Motorcycle Stories Random Racing StoriesīRINKMANN RECORDS BEST BMARA FINISH OF SEASONīy KyleBrinkmannRacing in KyleBrinkmanRacing, a racer from Elkhorn, WI () FEATURED RACING RECAP: Memorial Day Weekend 2018 () 6/9/18 Weekly Points Race Presented by Hirsch Feed and Farm Supply Results () Results from the 6/16 Community Night for Alton, Thayer, and Koshkonong () RacingIn Offers Guaranteed Promotion For Local Race Tracks () Facebook For Race Tracks? Yes, it DOES WORK! () Charlotte Motor Speedway Welcomes Hurricane Florence Evacuees to Rock City Campground () NASCAR Offers to Purchase International Speedway Corporation (ISC) () Macau Grand Prix Includes Scary Crash for Sophia Floersch Local Headlines Classic Car Lovers Unite & Compete with New App! ![]() ![]() ![]() HALO 2 is the first bit of HALO we've had since 2001. It was "the" highly anticipated game - more so than GTA San Andreas, which has had its predecessors close behind (2001, 2002, 2004). HALO 2 has disappointed many videogamers. The sequel's achievement is to give a second helping of the most accomplished title on the Xbox, with just enough tweaks and polishes to make this experience as fresh and enjoyable as the original. Halo 2 isn't revolutionary by any means, but as the follow-up to such a sublime experience as Halo, it really didn't need to be. New foes, vehicles and weapons have likewise been added to the roster. Gameplay changes include the ability to wield two weapons simultaneously a welcome addition that rules out the need to retreat and reload, markedly changing the strategies you'll employ in the many ranging firefights. The graphics, while not leagues ahead, have certainly been given a boost this time around, and the fiendishly addictive multiplayer mode now comes with added bells and whistles in addition to being Xbox Live enabled. The continuing narrative doesn't abandon the Master Chief, though, and you'll alternate from one side to the other as the story progresses, until the two come together in a final, satisfying synthesis. Equipping you with the Elite's deadly force blade and Predator-like cloaking field, the Covenant perspective provides an interesting counterpoint to the human levels though remembering that the aliens are now your friends and shouldn't be gutted on sight takes some getting used to. ![]() Apart from coming as something of a surprise, playing as The Arbiter is a subtly different experience. After wading through the first few levels as the Master Chief, the viewpoint switches to that of The Arbiter, a disgraced Covenant Elite. Which brings us to the most significant change in Halo 2. Far more polished than the original story, Halo 2's plot line drives the action well and, thanks to the judicious use of cut-scenes, gives a deeper insight into the Covenant, evolving them beyond faceless cannon fodder and probing the reasons for their galactic jingoistic instincts. Reprising your role as the bio-engineered supersoldier, you begin by repelling boarders on a planetary defence frigate but soon find yourself on terra firma, skirmishing with invaders amid the ruined cities then pursuing a key Covenant figure back to their neck of the galaxy. Picking up very soon after the events in its predecessor, the game begins with humanity's worst case scenario: religious fanatic alien alliance The Covenant invades Earth. Halo 2, then, is a sequel with no small amount of hype to live up to. This now-legendary first-person shooter even converted people who wouldn't normally look at a gamepad, winning them over with accessible gameplay, an involving story and the xenocidal charms of its protagonist, the enigmatic Master Chief. Every new console launches with at least one killer title, but in Halo Microsoft had found one that would not only ensure the future of its fledgling machine, but raise the bar for games on every platform. ![]() |