February 18, 2023

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The Hidden Ecological Impact of League of Legends’ Jungle Pets

The Jungle Book: Your New Pets and You Confused about the changes to Smite and the new jungle pets? We’ve got you covered! The Changing Jungle Landscape The preseason brings a plethora of changes to the jungle, with bigger and tougher monsters and buffs and nerfs to some classical jungle champions. However, one particular change stands out from the rest – the transformation of jungle items. Wave goodbye to the Emberknife and Hailblade, for they have been replaced by three new starting items that come with their own adorable critter companions. Say hello to the Gustwalker Hatchling, Scorchclaw Pup, and Mosstomper Seedling – your loyal friends on your adventure across the Rift! Summoning Your Companions Let’s start with the basics. To summon these loyal creatures, you’ll need to purchase their respective items for 450 gold and equip the Smite spell. Once equipped, your furry or leafy companion will join you on the map. By your side, they provide a +20% bonus damage against monsters in your half of the map and grant you extra experience from large monsters. But that’s not all! With a jungle pet, you’ll also recover health and mana after slaying large monsters and enjoy bonus mana regeneration in the jungle or river. Furthermore, the pet will actively attack any monster that attacks you, scaling its damage with your level, damage, AP, and health. It even offers health regeneration, which proves particularly useful for camps with multiple monsters like the razorbeaks. Evolution and Growth The pets, whether Gustwalker, Scorchclaw, or Mosstomper, are mechanically identical at first. However, they gradually evolve as you feed them treats obtained from slaying large monsters or passively generated at a rate of one per minute (or once every 90 seconds when the pet is fully evolved). As a delightful bonus, you’ll receive extra gold when you feed your pint-sized buddy after a successful monster kill. At 20 treats, your companion will undergo its first evolution. This evolution elevates your Smite damage from 600 to 900, allowing it to affect champions (although with reduced effectiveness). The second evolution occurs at 40 stacks, where your not-so-Pokemon reaches its final form. This form increases your Smite damage once again, dealing 1200 damage to the target monster and 600 to all nearby creatures. The jungle will also take 30% less damage from epic monsters when at least two of your allied champions are in range. Finally, each pet unlocks a unique bonus at their final form: Gustwalker: Swift as the Wind With a fully evolved Gustwalker by your side, you’ll enjoy a 45% bonus movement speed when you enter a brush. Although this speed boost decays over 2 seconds after leaving the brush, it remains advantageous for surprise ganks or quick escapes. Additionally, killing a large monster grants you a 60% decaying movement speed that can prove invaluable, especially on a map with an ocean soul, where bush patches are plentiful. Mosstomper: The Resilient Guardian Mosstomper offers a shield between 75 and 330 HP (based on your level) after killing a large monster or remaining out of combat for 10 seconds. When shielded, you also benefit from 20% tenacity and slow resist for 3 additional seconds. This mini mountain soul-like effect tailored specifically for you can always come in handy during intense battles. Scorchclaw: Burning Fury A fully evolved Scorchclaw grants you 3 Ember charges every half second, instantly skyrocketing to 100 charges upon killing a large monster. Once you reach 100 charges, you can unleash them all with your next damaging ability on an enemy champion. This inflicts a 30% decaying movement speed slow and a damage over time effect that deals 4% of their maximum HP over four seconds. The effects also extend to any enemies standing near the main target. Essentially, it’s like having a chargeable red buff effect at your disposal. Embracing the Jungle’s Spiciness The upcoming changes in the jungle are bound to create an exciting and dynamic environment. Hopefully, your fellow players will show appreciation for the new animal (or plant) companion accompanying you. Nevertheless, let kindness prevail, and ensure you treat others well as you embrace the jungle’s spiciness! Frequently Asked Questions Q1: Can I switch between different pets during a match? No, once you purchase a pet item, you’ll be committed to that specific companion for the duration of the game. Choose wisely! Q2: Do the pets provide any benefits outside of the jungle? While the pets primarily offer advantages within the jungle, some benefits, such as movement speed bonuses, can also aid you in other areas of the map, including the river and brushes. Q3: Are there any plans to introduce more jungle pets in the future? Riot Games has not revealed any immediate plans for additional jungle pets. However, keep an eye out for future updates and announcements, as surprises are always possible! Q4: Do the pets have different visual appearances as they evolve? Currently, the pet’s appearance remains the same regardless of its level of evolution. However, their abilities and power increase as they receive treats and reach higher stages of evolution. Q5: Can enemies see my pet and its level of evolution? No, the appearance and level of pet evolution remain hidden information to enemy players. Your pet will appear as a delightful companion, ready to lend a helping hand in the jungle. In Conclusion The introduction of the Gustwalker Hatchling, Scorchclaw Pup, and Mosstomper Seedling adds an exciting twist to the jungle experience in League of Legends. With their unique abilities and evolving nature, these loyal companions are poised to become invaluable allies as you traverse the treacherous Rift. Embrace the changes, evolve your pets, and conquer the jungle with your newfound allies!

Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Wild Pokemon & Primal Raids

Niantic Announces Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas Event Niantic, the developer of Pokemon GO, has revealed exciting new events and content for players. One of the highly anticipated events is the Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas. In this article, we will explore the details of this event, which guarantees a Hoenn-inspired adventure like never before. Event Gameplay Get ready for an extraordinary adventure in Las Vegas, inspired by the Hoenn region! Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas promises a unique experience for trainers. During this special event, players with tickets will have the exclusive opportunity to team up with Team GO Rocket for the first time ever. Venture into a one-of-a-kind journey and discover whether Team GO Rocket has truly changed their ways or if it’s all part of an elaborate trap! Shining Surprises Professor Willow has received intriguing new data – Trainers participating in Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas will have an increased chance of encountering Shiny Pokemon originally discovered in the Hoenn region. Prepare to complete your Hoenn Pokédex with these rare and dazzling finds. Additionally, there’s a chance to encounter Shiny Jirachi, a Pokemon that has never appeared in its Shiny form before! A Coded Quest Hidden secret codes throughout Sunset Park will offer Trainers the chance to earn encounters with Legendary Pokemon. Be on the lookout for these codes and unlock the opportunity to face powerful and elusive Legendary Pokemon during your Hoenn adventure. Exclusive Live Experiences The Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas event will feature several exciting live experiences exclusive to ticket-holding Trainers: Legendary Encounters Prepare to encounter Latias or Latios, the Eon Pokemon, during your adventure through the Hoenn region. By taking snapshots of Latias or Latios in the wild, you will earn another encounter with these majestic Legendary Pokemon, further enhancing your experience. Encounters in GO Snapshot Utilize the GO Snapshot feature during the event, as you might be surprised by the appearance of Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, the partner Pokemon from the Hoenn region. Capture these Pokemon in AR snapshots to add a delightful twist to your adventure. Timed Research: GO for a Spin Completing timed research tasks during the event will grant you encounters with Spinda, the Spot Panda Pokemon. Embark on this spinning quest and add this unique Pokemon to your collection. Field Research Trainers with tickets will have an enhanced chance of receiving research tasks to collect Mega Energy and catch Ghost-type Pokemon. Take advantage of this opportunity to boost your progress and explore the world of Pokemon GO even further. Bonuses In addition to the thrilling event experiences, Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas offers several bonuses: Up to six Special Trades can be made within the park, allowing Trainers to engage in rare and valuable exchanges. Trading Pokemon within the park will only cost 50% Stardust, making it more convenient for Trainers to facilitate trades. There is an increased chance of encountering Shiny Pokemon, adding excitement and anticipation to your Hoenn adventure. By spinning Photo Discs at Gyms, you can receive up to nine additional free Raid Passes, granting you more opportunities to join Raid Battles. During the event, Incense will provide a boosted chance of encountering costumed Pokemon and Unown, further enhancing your encounters. Pokemon Storage and Item Bag Capacity Increase To ensure that Trainers are fully prepared for the Hoenn adventure, the maximum capacity of Pokemon Storage and Item Bag will be increased. Trainers can now have up to 6,250 Pokemon in their storage and 5,250 items in their bag. These expansions can be purchased from the in-game shop, enabling you to have ample space for new Pokemon and items. New Music

Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn

Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas Niantic, the company behind Pokemon GO, is constantly introducing new events and content to keep players engaged. One of their latest announcements is the Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas event. In this article, we will explore the details of this exciting event and what players can expect from it. Event Gameplay Get ready for a Hoenn-inspired adventure in the vibrant city of Las Vegas! Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas promises a unique and thrilling experience for Trainers. There’s a twist to this event that will surely raise eyebrows – working with Team GO Rocket! Ticket-holding Trainers will have the opportunity to embark on an exclusive adventure and collaborate with the Team GO Rocket Leaders for the first time ever. The big question is, have they truly changed their ways, or is it all part of a devious trap? Find out by participating in Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas! Shining Surprises Professor Willow is puzzled by new data that suggests Trainers participating in Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas will have an increased chance of encountering Shiny Pokemon originally discovered in the Hoenn region. This means that players can expect some rare and dazzling Pokemon throughout their adventure. Additionally, it has been revealed that a never-before-seen Shiny Jirachi will make a special appearance during the event, providing an extraordinary opportunity for Trainers to add this unique Pokemon to their collection. A Coded Quest Sunset Park will hold a hidden secret during Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas. Trainers will have the thrilling task of finding secret codes scattered throughout the park. Once these codes are discovered, Trainers will have the chance to encounter Legendary Pokemon. It’s a treasure hunt like no other, adding an element of mystery and excitement to the event. Exclusive Live Experiences Legendary encounters Nothing screams adventure more than encountering Legendary Pokemon, and Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas will not disappoint. Trainers will have the opportunity to come face-to-face with the majestic Latias or Latios, the Eon Pokemon. Snap a photo of Latias (Sapphire badge) or Latios (Ruby badge) in the wild, and you’ll earn an extra encounter with the respective Pokemon. This unique chance to witness such powerful and rare Pokemon adds a thrilling element to the event. Encounters in GO Snapshot During the event, Trainers are encouraged to take snapshots through the GO Snapshot feature. This seemingly innocent activity may lead to delightful surprises as Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, the first partner Pokemon of the Hoenn region, may unexpectedly photobomb your pictures. It’s a fascinating way to capture the essence of the Hoenn adventure in a fun and interactive manner. Timed Research: GO for a Spin Trainers who enjoy completing research tasks will have an exciting Timed Research to undertake. By successfully completing the tasks, Trainers will have the chance to encounter Spinda, the Spot Panda Pokemon. This unique and adorable Pokemon adds a touch of charm and challenge to the event. Field Research Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas introduces specific Field Research tasks that reward Trainers with Mega Energy and opportunities to catch Ghost-type Pokemon. Trainers with event tickets will have an increased chance of receiving this research. It’s a fantastic opportunity to expand your Pokemon collection and boost your progress during the event. Bonuses Pokemon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas offers several bonuses to enhance the Trainers’ experiences. These bonuses include:

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LG Put a Microphone in Your Living Room. Its Terms Make You Responsible for Everyone It Hears.

TLDR There is a microphone in the television. According to LG’s own service terms, certain voice-recognition features may capture and analyze the voices of family members, guests, children, and bystanders nearby. LG’s answer to the obvious privacy problem is blunt: obtaining the necessary consent is the owner’s responsibility. The wording reviewed for this article appears in current regional LG service terms. It says customers must notify household members and guests that their voices may be captured and processed in compliance with wiretapping, eavesdropping, and privacy laws. If someone does not consent, LG tells the owner to disable the microphone or voice features. LG then disclaims liability for the owner’s failure to obtain that consent or provide the warning. That is an extraordinary obligation to place on someone who bought a television. LG developed the product. LG included the voice-recognition system. LG operates or enables the AI-based services. But when another person’s voice enters the system, LG’s terms attempt to make the customer responsible for understanding the law and managing everyone else’s consent. LG supplies the listening technology. The owner gets the compliance problem. What LG’s Voice-Recognition Terms Actually Say The most alarming part of LG’s terms is not a vague statement that voice data may be processed. It is the list of people who may be affected. LG says third-party voices and utterances in the vicinity may be recorded and analyzed to provide AI-based services. The examples include: These are not all people who intentionally activated the voice assistant. A guest may not know the television has voice-recognition features. A child may not understand what audio processing means. A contractor, babysitter, cleaner, neighbor, or friend may have no reason to expect that speaking in the room could involve an LG service. LG’s terms then state that it is the user’s “sole responsibility” to obtain all necessary third-party consents and notify household members and guests. The company specifically mentions wiretapping, eavesdropping, and privacy laws. The terms do not give an ordinary customer a realistic system for doing any of this. There is no suggested notice to place on the door. There is no guest-consent screen. There is no household privacy dashboard explaining whose consent is needed in each jurisdiction. LG simply assigns the responsibility to the owner and advises turning off the microphone when someone objects. LG Says It Does Not Record Ambient Conversations It is important not to turn LG’s disturbing legal language into a claim the evidence does not support. LG has said its televisions do not collect, record, or store ambient conversations. The company says voice recognition is optional, user-initiated, and processes voice data only when activated to fulfill a request. It also says customers can use smart TV features without enabling voice recognition. LG’s US support instructions also show that voice recognition can be enabled or adjusted through the television’s AI Service settings. Some models support wake-word and hands-free controls, while available features vary by model and webOS generation. Those facts matter. The terms do not prove that every LG television continuously records every conversation in the room. They do not prove that LG is intentionally violating wiretapping law. They also may not apply identically in every country, since LG publishes different terms and services across regions. But LG’s response does not make the terms harmless. The company’s own agreement still recognizes that third-party voices may be captured during use of voice-recognition features. It still names children, guests, and bystanders. And it still attempts to make the customer responsible for consent, notification, and legal compliance. The concern is narrower than “LG listens to everything.” It is also more defensible: LG created a voice-processing system that may capture people who never bought the television, never opened an LG account, and never accepted LG’s terms. Your Guests Never Agreed to LG’s Terms A customer may click “agree” during television setup. That does not mean everyone entering the customer’s home has also agreed. Consider a normal living room during a football game. Friends are talking over the television. Children are playing nearby. Someone uses a voice command to search for a player or change the volume. Another person’s words are picked up at the same time. Who gave consent? LG’s terms appear to say that answering that question is the owner’s job. The same problem exists in less obvious settings. LG televisions may be found in hotel rooms, rental properties, conference rooms, waiting areas, restaurants, classrooms, offices, and shared homes. The person who agreed to the service terms may not even be present when someone else’s voice is captured. A contract between LG and the device owner cannot automatically create informed consent from every third party near the product. That does not mean voice capture is always illegal. Recording and privacy laws vary by country and state. Some laws focus on whether a person reasonably expected privacy. Others distinguish between recording a conversation and processing a voice command. The details matter. But those details are exactly why LG’s “sole responsibility” language is so unreasonable for an ordinary buyer. The average television owner should not need to research state recording statutes before asking the television to open Netflix. What Does LG Expect Owners to Tell Visitors? Taken literally, LG’s terms create a social ritual that almost no one will follow. A homeowner would need to say something like: Before we watch the game, you should know that this LG television has voice-recognition features. Your voice may be captured and processed when those features are used. Please tell me if you do not consent so I can disable the microphone. That might satisfy the spirit of LG’s warning. It would also be absurd in a normal home. Should parents obtain permission before their children bring friends into the room? Should someone warn a plumber before demonstrating a noise coming from the television? Should a short-term rental owner place an audio-processing disclosure beside the remote? LG’s terms give customers the obligation without giving them a usable process. And when consent is not