Stellaris


Book Description

Hayden Quinn's entire life has been about listening. He is the first to hear the signal, a distress call from the stars that answers the ultimate question once and for all: we are not alone. The Commonwealth of Man is divided by his discovery. Some see it as salvation for their dying world, others insist that answering the call will expose them to advanced alien species and a future of slavery in their thrall. Some are willing to go to extreme lengths to make sure that doesn't happen. The first mission is a catastrophic failure, huge ark ships burning in the skies over Unity Prime. The brightest and best-scientists, warriors, historians-are all lost in the fires. The mission is set back years, and the grim truth is that any new crew Unity can muster will always be second best. But they can't give up. The signal is still strong. Carson Devolo, captain of the colony ship Terella, has a simple mission objective: find the Source. But can he trust his crew? And what discoveries await if they reach their final destination? Infinite Frontiers is a novel based on the Stellaris computer game by Paradox Interactive, written by bestselling author Steven Savile.




Stellaris: People of the Stars


Book Description

NEW STORIES AND ESSAYS FROM TOP AUTHORS AND EXPERT SCIENTISTS. Explorations of how interstellar travel may affect humanity by best-selling authors and scientists. The stars will change us. STELLARIS: PEOPLE OF THE STARS is a collection of original science fiction stories and nonfiction essays speculating about humanity’s far-term expansion into the universe beyond the limits of our solar system—with an emphasis on the changes humans will undergo as a species as we make this happen. Is interstellar travel so far beyond our current imaginings that it will take a fundamental transformation of humanity in order to make it possible? And, if so, will we remain Homo sapiens or become a new and unique species—Homo stellaris (the People of the Stars)? Herein are original science fiction stories by award-winning authors such as Kevin J. Anderson, William Ledbetter, Todd McCaffrey and Sarah A. Hoyt, supplemented by accessible nonfiction essays describing the science behind the fiction from people who should know—Sir Martin Rees (Astronomer Royal of the United Kingdom), Mark Shelhamer (Chief Scientist for the NASA’s Human Research Program), and more. This collection of original stories and essays was inspired by a gathering of scientists, science fiction authors, and futurists at a series of annual meetings held by the Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop. Let their speculations, imaginations and boundless sense of what’s possible take your own journey beyond the edge of the solar system in STELLARIS: PEOPLE OF THE STARS! Stories and Provocative Speculation from Sir Martin Rees Kevin J. Anderson Sarah A. Hoyt Mike Massa William Ledbetter Todd McCaffrey Kacey Ezell and Philip Wohlrab Dan Hoyt Les Johnson Robert E. Hampson Mark Shelhamer Brent Roeder Jim Beall Cathe Smith At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). About Stellaris: People of the Stars: [A] thought-provoking look at a selection of real-world challenges and speculative fiction solutions. . . . Readers will enjoy this collection that is as educational as it is entertaining."—Bookist About Mission to Methone by Les Johnson: "The spirit of Arthur C. Clarke and his contemporaries is alive and well in Johnson’s old-fashioned first-contact novel, set in 2068.... includes plenty of realistic detail and puts fun new spins on familiar alien concepts.... There’s a great deal here for fans of early hard SF."—Publishers Weekly "With equal parts science fiction and international intrigue....an exciting, fast-paced read that you will not want to put down."—Booklist About Rescue Mode by Ben Bova and Les Johnson: "... a suspenseful and compelling narrative of the first human spaceflight to Mars."—Booklist




20 Essential Games to Study


Book Description

The purpose of this book is to look over the past 35 years of games to discuss titles whose design deserves to be studied by anyone with an interest in game design. While there are plenty of books that focus on the technical side of Game Development, there are few that study the nature of game design itself. Featuring a mix of console and PC offerings, I purposely left off some of the easy choices (Mario, Starcraft, Call of Duty, Overwatch) to focus on games that stood out thanks to their designs. Key Features An informative breakdown focusing on the design and gameplay of successful games Written to be useful for students or designers starting out in game development Books focused specifically on design are rare Perfect for students and professionals alike, or can be read for the nostalgia and history




Minimizing Incisions and Maximizing Outcomes in Cataract Surgery


Book Description

Many ophthalmologists are in the transition from the traditional cataract surgery technique to the new minimally incision cataract surgery (MICS) technique. They are in the need of updated information on how to make this transition smoothly. In this book, world-renowned opinion leaders present up-to-date information on the new and fast-developing trends in cataract surgery. It reflects the state of the art of microincisional cataract surgery with the concept of minimizing incision. It offers all necessary information on the new technology as well as on the surgical technique. Further, it demonstrates how to handle difficult cataract cases as well as new intraocular lenses.




Duchess of Terra


Book Description

To preserve humanity's survival and freedom in a hostile galaxy, Annette Bond tied her world to the A!Tol Imperium. With enough time, she can build Earth a place in the galaxy. But as Bond's many enemies gather their forces, the clouds of war threaten not only the recovering Terra but the entire Imperium.




End-Game


Book Description

Video games are a global phenomenon, international in their scope and democratic in their appeal. This is the first volume dedicated to the subject of apocalyptic video games. Its two dozen papers engage the subject comprehensively, from game design to player experience, and from the perspectives of content, theme, sound, ludic textures, and social function. The volume offers scholars, students, and general readers a thorough overview of this unique expression of the apocalyptic imagination in popular culture, and novel insights into an important facet of contemporary digital society.




Annihilation


Book Description

The cosmic epic concludes, and the Marvel Universe will never be the same! Exiled and on the run, Ronan the Accuser faces the deadliest women in the galaxy — including Gamora! As war rages across the universe, Richard Rider, the new Nova Prime, must marshal a united front against Annihilus and his lethal Annihilation Wave! Drax the Destroyer, Peter “Star-Lord” Quill, Moondragon and Phyla-Vell join the fight to guard the galaxy — but what chilling plan does Annihilus have for Galactus? Whose side is Thanos on, and what will happen when he faces down Drax? Can Ronan save the Kree Empire from Annihilus’ forces? And how can Nova’s ragtag team possibly defeat the Annihilation Wave, stop the war and save the galaxy? Collecting ANNIHILATION: RONAN #1-4, ANNIHILATION #1-6, ANNIHILATION: HERALDS OF GALACTUS #1-2 and ANNIHILATION: THE NOVA CORPS FILES.




Annihilation Book Two


Book Description

The epic collection of the cosmic event continues, as the the Annihilation Wave targets Galactus' ex-heralds! Hunted by beings every bit as powerful as himself, the Silver Surfer must find a way to unite the one-time heralds against a common foe. But can even the united cosmic might of those who served Galactus stand against these powerful beings!? Meanwhile, no longer recognized as "Accuser," Ronan himself has been accused, tried and stripped of his rank. Now, he's out to clear his name! And finally, from one of the writers of ABC's smash hit Lost comes a new vision of a venerable villain as Super-Skrull brings his devious cunning to bear on an unstoppable enemy! Super-Skrull bursts into the frontline of the war against the Annihilation Wave, taking the fight to the enemy in his own ruthless way! Collects Silver Surfer #1-4, Super Skrull #1-4 and Ronan #1-4




The Founder Effect


Book Description

AWARD-WINNING AND BEST-SELLING AUTHORS CONTRIBUTE NEW STORIES: All-new fiction from Dragon Award winner and New York Times best-selling author David Weber, Dragon Award nominee D.J. Butler, best seller Jody Lynn Nye, indie best sellers Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey, and more. Also featuring an introduction by multi-award-winning and New York Times best-selling author Larry Correia. It is 2185 CE. Humans now live throughout the Solar System, but their most ambitious adventure is about to begin. The starship Victoria will carry over 10,000 colonists to a new world outside the Solar System. The larger-than-life exploits of those colonists will become legendary. The colonists will build a new civilization, and the actions of a few individuals will become famous—and infamous—forever marking their new colony with the Founder Effect. Contributors: Larry Correia, Mark H. Wandrey, Les Johnson, Christopher L. Smith, David Weber, Daniel M. Hoyt, Brad R. Torgersen, Monalisa Foster, Sarah A. Hoyt, Chris Kennedy, Vivienne Raper, Jody Lynn Nye, Brent M. Roeder, Catherine L. Smith, Philip Wohlrab, D.J. Butler About Stellaris: People of the Stars, co-edited by Robert E. Hampson: [A] thought-provoking look at a selection of real-world challenges and speculative fiction solutions. . . . Readers will enjoy this collection that is as educational as it is entertaining."—Booklist "This was an enjoyable collection of science fiction dealing with colonizing the stars. In the collection were several gems and the overall quality was high."—Tangent




Microincision Vitrectomy Surgery


Book Description

Over the last two decades, tremendous progress has been made in vitrectomy surgery, most importantly the significant reduction of the gauge and implementation of microincision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS). At the same time, the introduction of wide-viewing systems and the utilization of vital dyes to better recognize structures like the vitreous and membranes have taken place. This volume starts with the fundamentals of MIVS, introducing both the mechanics and the physics of the latest generation of vitrectomy devices, followed by a description of the discrete gauge systems (i.e. 23-, 25-, and 27-gauge). Individualized but mandatory settings, techniques, and technology are also discussed in detail. There are also more than ten chapters outlining concrete surgical strategies that give surgeons a thorough overview of the procedures.