avatarAiden (Illumination Gaming)

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Abstract

May</li><li>preparing an application for a coaching certification</li></ul><p id="f352">All of these tasks were stimulated by the productivity urge.</p><p id="d2f7">I was overloading myself. Also, I noted with more than a hint of regret that many of these quests to be productive were putting undue pressure on others to be productive too.</p><p id="cd85">It was time to be <i>less productive</i>.</p><p id="fb98">I set about culling my list.</p><h1 id="47d5">Forgiveness</h1><p id="fbe1">Let’s be real for a second. There’s a pandemic out there. We’re all in quarantine. A lot of people have lost their jobs and even those of us lucky to still be working have all but lost the structure to our days and weeks.</p><p id="dc2f">News cycles are punishing. Everything takes more effort. Energy levels are low. Mood can be low too. It is not a time to overload: it is a time for self-care.</p><p id="4f3b" type="7">That can actually mean doing less. And that is ok.</p><p id="3467">I began cancelling things. I cancelled the webinar on remote working. My friend who was organising it with me immediately said thank you.</p><p id="1f94">I postponed the second work-related webinar. Two work colleagues agreed it was a good idea.</p><p id="09b7">Launching the new Medium Publication is still an ambition, but I am taking my foot off the gas with that. It can happen later in the year. I forgive myself.</p><p id="0812">I am also taking the pressure off myself to write at all. I still get huge enjoyment out of writing for Serious Scrum, but my inspiration is lower, and that is ok: it always ebbed and flowed. I forgive myself for my lower rate of publication.

Illumination is a new project for me. I have no idea how much I will write here and, you know what, I forgive myself for that uncertainty as well.</p><p id="e954">Writing this feels confessional and unusual for me. It is not how I normally write. But it feels good. As I write, I forgive myself for over-sharing.</p><p id="4a1d">I hope others will recognise something in my story and perhaps begin to forgive themselves for doing less too.</p><h1 id="87bd">Distraction</h1><p id="a2be">It’s probably fair to point out: I didn’t cancel <i>everything</i>.</p><p id="e2c4">The meet-up in May was a request from a friend and the topic is one I’ve written ab

Options

out already, so I’m going to continue with that. My friend did ask me this weekend if I was still ok to do it, and I had an opportunity to say no. For once, I didn’t automatically dismiss the idea of saying no. I forgive myself for thinking about saying no.</p><p id="0f00">Also, I continue to be inspired to apply for a coaching certification. This is a long-term ambition of mine, and there is no time-sensitivity to the application process. I choose to take that pressure off myself now, and I also choose to forgive myself for taking my own sweet time with it.</p><p id="d7b2">I allow myself these distractions because they are meaningful to me.</p><p id="53ec">Also, without the overload of other tasks, I can do these at a pace that makes more sense to me.</p><figure id="20f5"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*IiUm2PXzVt6r4zhg"><figcaption><b>Flight Safety Instructions</b></figcaption></figure><h1 id="e2b3">Moving forward, one step at a time</h1><p id="9703">You do not <i>have to</i> be productive.</p><p id="c7d3">You need to care for yourself so that you can care for others. Watch out for the to-do list and that feeling of being a little overwhelmed. It can creep up on you.</p><p id="9383">Forgive yourself for taking on less. It’s ok.</p><p id="2b1a">Forgive yourself for your low energy. It’s ok.</p><p id="4d89">Forgive yourself for your low mood or for those days when you don’t want to do anything at all.</p><p id="5160">It’s ok to not be ok.</p><p id="b459">Flight safety instructions tell us:</p><blockquote id="a104"><p>“If you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask on first, and then assist the other person.” (Source: <a href="https://activerain.com/blogsview/2535480/put-your-own-oxygen-mask-on-first">Active Rain</a>)</p></blockquote><p id="0be5">Self-care means that, rather than feeling pressured to be more productive, you might need to go out for a walk instead.</p><p id="45ff">By taking on less and looking after yourself, you will put your figurative oxygen mask on. This will help you to breathe better.</p><p id="5277">First things first. Breathe.</p><p id="8085">If you can, cancel the things you don’t need to do right away.</p><p id="5e33">It’s ok. You can forgive yourself.</p></article></body>

Gaming

My Top 5 Favorite Racing Games

Here are racing games I still enjoy.

Photo by Max Titov on Unsplash

I have been gaming ever since I was a child, and ever since then, one of my favorite gaming genres has been racing games.

I first got into racing games when my father bought me Need for Speed: Most Wanted when I was very young, and it left a strong impression on me.

In this post, I will be introducing my top five favorite racing games that I still actively play.

1 — Need for Speed

Need for Speed is a long-running video game franchise that has been popular among gamers for more than two decades. The game series is known for its fast-paced racing gameplay, customization options, and diverse car lineup.

The series has seen many iterations, each with its unique storyline and features. The gameplay typically involves competing in street races, evading the police, and completing challenges to progress through the game. As players advance, they can unlock new vehicles, upgrade their cars, and customize their appearance with various modifications.

The Need for Speed franchise has also been known for its advanced graphics and sound design, which immerse players in the game’s world. The latest releases of the game offer high-quality 3D graphics and realistic sound effects, enhancing the gameplay experience.

In addition to its single-player campaign, the game also offers online multiplayer modes where players can compete against each other and show off their customized vehicles. The online community of the game is robust, with players from around the world participating in various races and events.

The Need for Speed franchise has been popular among gamers for its thrilling gameplay, stunning graphics, and customization options. With its latest releases, the game has continued to evolve, offering new features and improvements that keep players engaged and entertained for hours.

I’ve found that Need for Speed is a game that can be played on a racing wheel but is more suited for a controller.

2 — Forza Horizon/Motorsport

Forza is a popular racing game franchise that has been around for over a decade. Developed by Turn 10 Studios, the game series is known for its highly realistic driving physics, stunning graphics, and wide selection of cars from various manufacturers.

The Forza franchise offers different games for different platforms, including Forza Motorsport for Xbox and Forza Horizon for both Xbox and PC. Forza Motorsport is a simulation-style racing game that emphasizes precise car control and tuning, while Forza Horizon is an open-world racing game that offers a more relaxed and fun experience.

The game offers various game modes, including single-player campaigns, multiplayer, and free roam. In the single-player campaign, players progress through a series of races and events, earning rewards and unlocking new cars and tracks. Multiplayer mode allows players to compete against each other online or locally, and free roam mode lets players explore the game’s world and take part in various challenges.

Forza also offers a vast array of customization options for cars, including performance upgrades, visual modifications, and paint jobs. Additionally, the game offers a robust community with dedicated players who create and share their custom designs, liveries, and tuning setups.

Overall, the Forza franchise offers a highly immersive and engaging racing game experience with stunning graphics, realistic physics, and an extensive selection of cars and customization options. The game’s community and frequent updates also ensure that it remains fresh and exciting for its players.

Although Forza games generally have realistic driving mechanics, I’ve found that it’s still a lot easier to play with a controller instead of a racing wheel. But the game can still adequately be played with a wheel.

3 — Assetto Corsa

Assetto Corsa is a racing simulation game developed by Kunos Simulazioni. The game has gained a reputation as one of the most realistic and challenging racing games available, featuring accurate physics and a variety of high-performance cars.

The game offers an extensive selection of cars from various manufacturers, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren. It also features a wide range of tracks, both real and fictional, that allow players to experience various driving conditions and terrain.

Assetto Corsa’s physics engine accurately simulates real-world driving, including tire wear, aerodynamics, and suspension tuning. The game’s handling model requires precise inputs and is unforgiving of mistakes, making it a challenging but rewarding experience for players who enjoy a more realistic racing game.

The game offers several modes: single-player campaigns, online multiplayer, and time trial challenges. It also allows players to customize their vehicles, from performance upgrades to visual modifications, and features a robust community of modders who create and share their custom designs.

The game’s graphics and sound design are also top-notch, offering a highly immersive racing experience. The game’s attention to detail and accurate representation of real-world cars and tracks make it a must-play for racing enthusiasts who want a realistic and challenging game.

Overall, Assetto Corsa is a highly regarded racing game known for its realistic physics, extensive car selection, and challenging gameplay. The game is popular among racing enthusiasts and is a must-play for those who want a true-to-life racing simulation experience.

Assetto Corsa is 100% designed for a racing wheel since a normal player would not be able to make the precise adjustments required to properly play. You do have the option to play with a controller but I do not recommend it.

4 — Dirt

Dirt is a racing game franchise known for its off-road racing and rally events. Developed by Codemasters, the game series has been popular among gamers for over a decade and offers a unique racing experience that blends speed and skill with rough terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.

The Dirt series features many vehicles, including rally cars, buggies, trucks, and more. The game’s physics engine provides a realistic simulation of off-road driving, with players having to manage their speed, weight transfer, and vehicle setup to navigate the game’s various tracks and terrain types.

The game offers a variety of game modes, including single-player campaigns, online multiplayer, and time trial challenges. The career mode is a major feature of the game, allowing players to progress through different racing disciplines and earn rewards for their performance.

Dirt also features an extensive customization system that allows players to modify their vehicles, from performance upgrades to visual modifications. Additionally, the game has a strong community of modders who create and share their custom designs.

Dirt's graphics and sound design are also impressive, offering highly detailed vehicle models, realistic environmental effects, and dynamic weather systems that can change during races.

Overall, Dirt is a racing game franchise that offers a unique off-road racing experience that is both challenging and fun. The game’s realistic physics, wide range of vehicles, and extensive customization options make it a must-play for racing enthusiasts who want a different kind of racing game.

Dirt is a game that can be played on either controller or a rating wheel, but it does feel a lot better playing on a racing wheel.

5 — Project Cars

Project Cars is a racing simulation game developed by Slightly Mad Studios. The game has gained a reputation for its attention to detail and realistic driving physics, offering a highly immersive and challenging racing experience.

The game features a wide selection of cars, from classic roadsters to modern supercars, and allows players to customize their vehicles with performance upgrades and visual modifications. The game’s tracks range from famous circuits like Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone to lesser-known courses like the Azure Circuit in Monaco and the fictional California Highway.

Project Cars features a career mode that allows players to progress through various racing disciplines and earn rewards for their performance. The game also offers various game modes, including single-player campaigns, online multiplayer, and time trial challenges.

The game’s physics engine provides a realistic simulation of real-world driving, with advanced tire physics, aerodynamics, and suspension tuning. The game’s handling model requires precise inputs and is unforgiving of mistakes, making it a challenging but rewarding experience for players who enjoy a more realistic racing game.

The game’s graphics and sound design are also top-notch, offering a highly immersive racing experience. The game’s weather system and day/night cycles provide additional challenges for players navigating changing weather conditions and lighting.

Overall, Project Cars is a highly regarded racing game known for its attention to detail, realistic physics, and challenging gameplay. The game is popular among racing enthusiasts and is a must-play for those who want a true-to-life racing simulation experience.

The overall experience of Project Cars is enhanced when playing with a racing wheel. It can be played with a controller, but I’ve found that it’s a lot less enjoyable.

Final Words

I am a racing game enthusiast and have listed my top five favorite racing games, which I still actively play.

The list of games includes Need for Speed, Forza, Assetto Corsa, Dirt, and Project Cars.

I provided a brief overview of each game, highlighting its strengths and unique features.

Overall, I provide a personalized list of recommendations for racing game enthusiasts and serve as a guide to the best games to try out for anyone looking for an immersive and thrilling gaming experience.

How about you? If you are into racing games please leave a comment.

If you enjoy my posts and would like to stay updated on the latest gaming-related news, technology advancements, design trends, and social media insights, I invite you to follow my profile.

I will continue to share my thoughts and insights on a wide range of topics in the world of entertainment and technology.

With that being said, thank you for reading my post, and have a good one.

About Me

I write articles in my field covering gaming, film-making, social media, and design. I am also a YouTuber. Thank you for subscribing to my account to get notifications when I post on Medium. I also created a new website to share my content for free and promote stories of writers contributing to my publications on Medium. Let’s connect on Twitter and LinkedIn.

I own two publications on Medium. One for video gamers and another for YouTubers and Podcasters. I also support Illumination Integrated Publications as a volunteer editor and participate in collaborative activities in the Slack Workspace. Writer applications for my publications can be sent via this weblink. Please add your Medium ID.

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