The Next Level... a Game I Had to Play!


Book Description

'The Next Level' is an autobiography about my life journey. When people look at me and my life from the outside, they say man, "VT has it all"; this guy actually lived the American dream. When people look at me, they see me smiling almost all the time, always with a positive attitude, always with a "glass half full" outlook on everything. But what people don't see is the bad dreams I still have to this day due to events that occurred while I was growing up. No one will ever understand the pain and regret I have inside due to my past...things that will haunt me until the day I die! Yeah, that ole cliche is so true: "The grass is not always greener on the other side." You will read about a young man that went up against some insurmountable odds to save his family and in the process, achieve a childhood dream. If I had to choose a few words to describe my story, they would have to be... sadness, embarrassment, heartbreaking, guilt, regret, anger, fear, determination, triumph and relief. This project was one of the most difficult things I have ever done because it forced me to remember things I had buried in my mind (and heart) for over 30 years. There are some events in this book that my own siblings are not aware of. I truly hope that my book connects with each and every one of you in an inspiring way. Looking back now, I can truly say that I lived an amazing life; it's the kind of life story that needs to be shared! If my story can help one person, then writing 'The Next Level' was worth it!




Space Time Play


Book Description

Computer and video games are leaving the PC and conquering the arena of everyday life in the form of mobile applications—the result is new types of cities and architecture. How do these games alter our perception of real and virtual space? What can the designers of physical and digital worlds learn from one another?




Playing at the Next Level


Book Description

Today a multinational video game developer, Sega was the first to break Nintendo's grip on the gaming industry, expanding from primarily an arcade game company to become the dominant game console manufacturer in North America. A major part of that success came from the hard work and innovation of its subsidiary, Sega of America, who in a little more than a decade wrested the majority market share from Nintendo and revolutionized how games were made. Drawing on interviews with nearly 100 Sega alumni, this book traces the development of the company, revealing previously undocumented areas of game-making history, including Sega's relationship with Tonka, the creation of its internal studios, and major breakthroughs like the Sega Channel and HEAT Network. More than 40 of the company's most influential games are explored in detail.




Poker the Next Level


Book Description

Texas Hold'em mathematician Bruce Winter illustrates the kind of application and stretch of math principles that can take your game to The Next Level. He read and dissected every relevant viewpoint expressed in the best-of-the-best poker books. Not in total agreement with much of what was being written, he then used his mathematical skills to question some of the things the writers were saying. He re-assessed many long-held and accepted theories, beliefs and opinions and developed Texas Hold'em formulas that took his game to ... The Next Level. 55 Things you need to know about Tournament Poker is a quick reference guide designed to increase knowledge for intermediate players through short factual components.




The Playmaker's Advantage


Book Description

Discover the next frontier in sports training—improving your mental game, no matter your age or experience—and how to become the Playmaker, both in your professional and personal life. Coaches search for it. Parents dream of it. Fans love it. Athletes want it. The playmaker on any sports team possesses it: an elusive, intangible quality combining anticipation, perception, and decision-making skills. This quality raises their game above the competition and allows them to pass when no one else can, anticipate the movement of opponents, avoid costly mental mistakes, and ultimately, hold the team together. Now, for the first time, cognitive science research is revealing the secrets of the playmaker’s keen sense of awareness. Just as tests of speed, strength, and agility have provided a baseline of physiological biomarkers, coaches can now capture cognitive metrics including attention, pattern recognition, anticipation, and the ability to take quick, decisive action during the chaos of competition. The Playmaker’s Advantage is a groundbreaking book that will educate athletes of all ages about this essential creative capability in an accessible, easy to understand method.




Hacking the CAGED System


Book Description

The Hacking the CAGED System series was inspired by my own,and other guitarist’s frustrations with the infamous CAGED System for learning guitar. It all started back in Music College in the early 2000s, at the ACM in Guildford (UK) to be precise, where we were handed, by none other than Guthrie Govan, an inch-thick binder containing all manner of shapes and patterns for the CAGED system, including chords and arpeggios. I duly slaved over the book while burning the midnight oil for an entire semester and while my technique improved no end, I just couldn’t turn those patterns into music,or connect them to what I was learning in music theory class.Fast forward to 2016, and with the benefit of hindsight from more than 20 years of playing, I’ve been able to look at the CAGED system from a different perspective, and one that will hopefully make it a useful system for anyone wishing to learn it. The CAGED system has many flaws, but these can be hacked and rectified to turn it into a powerful system for understanding how the guitar fretboard works, leading to a versatile, and above all, functional knowledge of chords, arpeggios, scales and modes, and key signatures. What’s in Book 1? Book 1 teaches you the basic major scale forms, shows you where to find the basic diatonic chords as well as seventh chords.We then venture into intervals which are the key to making your solos sound like you know what you’re doing. Next we bring out the arpeggios,and finally the modes. Everything is tied together using key signatures as a framework to build up a practical knowledge of chords, scales,arpeggios and modes on the guitar.




Next-Level Gaming


Book Description

Explore the Future of Gaming Step into a world where artificial intelligence revolutionizes the gaming industry, creating more immersive and personalized experiences for every player. Next-Level Gaming: AI Innovations unveils the groundbreaking journey of AI in video games, right from its humble beginnings to its sophisticated modern applications. Discover how this transformative technology is reshaping the landscape of entertainment and captivating gamers worldwide. This comprehensive guide is a treasure trove for developers, enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of AI and gaming. Dive into the rich history of AI's role in gaming, from early milestones to the masterminds driving innovation. Equip yourself with fundamental concepts, essential programming languages, and the algorithms that form the backbone of today's advanced gaming experiences. Marvel at how AI generates adaptive difficulty levels, creating personalized journeys that keep players on the edge of their seats. Imagine AI-driven NPCs that adapt and evolve based on your actions, or procedurally generated worlds that offer infinite exploration possibilities. Learn from compelling case studies of AI's triumph in popular games and understand how machine learning and neural networks are integral to modern game development. Peek into the future of real-time strategy and simulation games, where AI balances competitive play and enables unparalleled immersion in virtual realities. Uncover the ethical dilemmas inherent in AI gaming, such as privacy concerns, bias, and the pursuit of fairness. Finally, grasp how AI influences the business of gaming–monetization, marketing, and distribution–equipping you with insights to stay ahead in this dynamic field. With hands-on tutorials and recommended tools, you'll be ready to start your journey into AI game development. Next-Level Gaming: AI Innovations promises an enlightening adventure, merging cutting-edge technology with the artistry of game design. Don't miss your chance to explore the next frontier of gaming.




A Glutton for Punishment


Book Description

Volunteers are unpaid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless ANONYMOUS Volunteers dont necessarily have the time, they just have the heart. SOURCE UNKNOWN




Next Level


Book Description

No matter how painful your past experiences have been, you don't have to operate forever from a disadvantaged position. You are "fearfully, wonderfully made," and destined in Christ to soar higher than you can imagine, but you must be strategic in your efforts to take hold of all that God has promised you.




Fuel


Book Description

'He's one of the best players I've ever played with. As a forward, I'd say he's the best.' Johnny Sexton Seán O'Brien does not come from a traditional rugby background. He grew up on a farm in Tullow, far from the rugby hotbeds of Limerick and Cork or the fee-paying schools of Dublin. But as he made his way up through the ranks, it soon became clear that he was a very special player and a very special personality. Now, Seán O'Brien tells the remarkable and unlikely story of his rise to the highest levels of world rugby, and of a decade of success with Leinster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions.




Recent Books