September 1, 2020

THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG TUESDAY, SEPT. 1, 2020

SEPT. 1 - SEPT. 8, 2020

FEATURES

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE

OPINION

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Hitbox Review: Uncharted 4 — A grand adventure story trapped in a mediocre video game

Get off the Couch

UA Update: Chancellor Sandeen announces new budget proposal

By Daisy Carter news2@thenorthernlight.org

Right before the semester started, Chancellor Cathy Sandeen and Director of Athletics Greg Myford announced their financial plans going forward. This included cutting the Women’s and Men’s Skiing, Women’s Gymnastics, and Men’s Hockey. “I got together with the athletics director and I just said Greg I am so sorry but it’s time. We really have to do this.”

Chancellor Sadeen said.

Sandeen said that the plans won’t be put into place this year, but will be evaluated and executed for the next fiscal year.

“I need to come up with seven or eight million dollars of reductions for the next fiscal year…” Sandeen said. “So that cut will help account for about a third of what we need to come up with.

The University spends nine million dollars on athletics every year.

“It pains me to be able to have to make it, but that’s where we are. That’s the situation we’re in.” Sandeen said to Alaska Daily News on a podcast episode on 24th August.

Erik Largen has been the head coach for the mens hockey team at UAF for about three years. He said that he was disappointed about the cuts that they had to make.

Not all students who do men’s hockey have scholarships and says that by taking that sport away you could potentially have students who don’t go to the University anymore he said.

By cutting sports, especially hockey and skiing is very unusual, especially in this state. He said that in order for Uni-

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL H. MCCARTHY

Eric Largen has been head coach to the Nannok UAA men’s hockey team since 2017.

versity to keep the ACAA status it would have to add another sport anyway so it isn’t practical for them to remove those sports he said.

“Sports are part of the culture of the University,” Largen said. “Keep fighting until that next board meeting. It’s not over until it’s over.”

Though the decision was difficult, Chancellor Sandeen hopes that the students that are in the Men’s Hockey can still have a good year.

Though the decision is not final, this budget proposal will be reviewed by the Board of Regions on September 10th.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UAA’S PHOTO LIBRARY

The hockey team and other Seawolf athletes train in the Seawolf Sports Complex.

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NEWS

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Gamescom 2020 Opening Night Live highlights

By John Novotny arts@thenorthernlight.org

Gamescom is an annual video game convention typically held in Cologne, Germany.

Due to Covid-19, the event went digital this year. Gamescom 2020 began on Aug. 27 with the Opening Night Live show which featured numerous trailers for new and already announced video games. Gamescom continued until Aug. 30 with daily livestreams featuring even more trailers, gameplay demonstrations from developers and interviews.

I’ve already covered several games announced earlier this summer over two articles, but here are just a few more highlights of the games shown as part of Gamescom’s Opening Night Live.

The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu (downloadable content) Developer: Maxis Release date: Sept. 8 Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One Players will be able to travel to Batuu to acquire new decor and recipes in the new downloadable content for the life simulator game, The Sims 4 according to the Star Wars Journey to Batuu page on ea.com. Sims will also be able to take on challenges and missions to determine whether The Resistance or First Order takes control of the planet. Along the way, players will unlock a starfighter and outfits. In order to construct a

lightsaber, however, players will need to find kyber crystals and hilts, after which they can then spar with other Sims.

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout Season 2 (content update) Developer: Mediatonic Release date: October Platforms: PC and PlayStation 4 Season 2 of the chaotic and vibrant battle royale Fall guys will add new courses and costumes with a medieval theme.

One of the new courses in the sneak peek trailer has a feature where players must work together to move boxes so that they can platform up a wall. Among the new costumes featured in the trailer, one can spot colorful jelly bean Vikings, witches and dragons.

Destiny 2: Beyond Light (expansion) Developer: Bungie Release date: Nov. 10 Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X A trailer was shown for the new stasis subclasses being added in the Beyond Light expansion for the multiplayer firstperson shooter role-playing game Destiny 2. The new subclasses appear to hear the ability to create temporary ice pillars on surfaces to move around on and use for cover in addition to being able to freeze and shat-

SCREENSHOT COURTESY OF BUNGIE.NET

ter enemies. More information about the new subclasses will be revealed every few days on bungie.net starting with the Warlock on Sept. 1.

Twelve Minutes Developer: Luis Antonio Release date: TBA (very likely 2020 according to the about page) Platforms: PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X Twelve Minutes is “an interactive thriller about a man stuck in a time loop” according to the new cast reveal trailer. Voice actors featured include William DaFoe, who narrated the trailer, Daisy Ridley and James McAvoy. The game seems to take place entirely in an apartment from a top-down perspective. The trailer showed multiple potential scenarios such as the main character crying over the

STILL COURTESY OF THE FALL GUYS - SEASON 2 SNEAK PEAK TRAILER

Jelly bean-like characters platform on boxes to climb over a castle wall and reach the finish line in Fall Guys.

A Fallen enemy is frozen by a stasis effect in Destiny 2: Beyond Light.

body of a woman who appears to have bled out and another where the couple is dancing.

Teardown Developer: Tuxedo Labs Release date: TBD (early access release potentially this year) Platforms: PC Teardown is a first-person destruction and heist game with a voxel art style. Players must create a path through the level in order to perform a heist. Everything in the environment is fully destructible according to the Teardown website. After using explosives, vehicles or building structures to create a path through buildings, players will then run through the level to collect targets. Should they trip an alarm, they must escape before security shows up.

Lemnis Gate Developer: Ratloop Games Canada Release date: TBA (coming soon) Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One Lemnis Gate is a competitive turn-based strategy first-person shooter. Not much was revealed about how the game is played in the trailer, but the description on the Lemnis Gate website explains a little bit: “Tactical cunning is key to victory in a game where skillful shooting meets turn-based strategy over five time-bending rounds. Take turns changing the future as multiple timelines converge. Set ambushes, fix past mistakes, and bait opponents into committing their own in an ever-shifting match of temporal tampering.”

SCREENSHOT COURTESY OF TWELVEMINUTESTHEGAME.COM

The main characters share a dance in the game Twelve Minutes.

SCREENSHOT COURTESY OF THE SIMS 4: JOURNEY TO BATUU STEAM PAGE

The Sims 4 players will find many familiar sights from the Star Wars movies on Batuu.

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SCREENSHOT COURTESY OF LEMNISGATETHEGAME.COM

Lemnis Gate has a science-fiction aesthetic with plenty of lasers.

SCREENSHOT COURTESY OF TEARDOWNTHEGAME.COM

Teardown will have a sandbox mode to mess around with the vehicles and destruction physics..

FEATURES Get off the couch

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By Christina Swayney features1@thenorthernlight.org

The new semester brings with it homework and many responsibilities for students during an uncertain time. It can be helpful to participate in events and activities during the semester to decompress and relax. There are some good options on and off campus this fall.

On Campus Avatar: The Last Airbender Trivia What: Test your knowledge about this fantasy film with this fun trivia challenge. This event is part of UAA Weeks of Welcome.

When: Sept. 1, 7-8 p.m.

Where: Online (go to UAA Student Commuter Programs and Activities for upcoming details.)

Cost: Free UAA Love Poem Competition What: Students can showcase their poetry skills in this poetry contest judged by a Spoken Word artist. Poems should have a love theme and can be happy, sad, deep or any emotions the students’ inner poet wants to express. This event is part of UAA Weeks of Welcome.

Where: The event day details are to be announced submissions can be turned in from Sept. 1-25 at 5 p.m.

When: The date of the event is to be announced. Visit UAA Student Commuter Programs for upcoming details.

Cost: Free Visioning for your Future: Exploring Majors and Careers What: First Year Advising and Career Services will assist students in deciding on a degree and career path at the Com-

pass Workshop.

When: Sept. 23, 1-2 p.m.

Where: Online via Zoom. Please complete the sign-up sheet to participate and have a UAA I.D. number handy for the form.

Cost: Free Around Town: Blueberry Picking What: Now is the time to pick blueberries around Alaska. This activity allows social distancing while being outdoors.

Spots known for picking berries are Girdwood, Arctic Valley and Hatcher Pass.

Bring a bucket, appropriate attire for the weather and some patience to gather all of those blues.

When: August is prime blueberry picking season in Alaska and berries begin to disappear by early September.

Where: A full list of berry picking spots can be found at Alaska Public Media.

Some places such as Hatcher Pass, have free parking while others like Arctic Valley charge for parking. Check the location’s website for more information.

Cost: Usually up to $5 for parking, which will have a pay box at most parking areas that require a fee to park but berry picking itself is free Northern Lights Viewing What: The Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon that has many looking to the sky to see the natural light show. ‘The lights,’ as Alaska residents refer to them, have already been spotted in Northern Alaska, such as Fairbanks and the Yukon in mid-August. As long as the KP forecast has moderate activity, it is dark out-

GRAPHIC BY MICHAELINE COLLINS

side and weather conditions are moderately clear, there is always a chance that one will see this spectacular display.

When: The Northern Lights can be seen from late August to late April. There is no set time as they are revealed spontaneously and may appear as long as the skies are dark enough. Check the Aurora Forecast at the University of Fairbanks Geophysical website.

Where: Alaska.org has a great list of places to view The Northern Lights in and around Anchorage, such as Point Woronzof, the Glen Alps Overlook and the Anchorage Downtown Viewpoint.

Cost: Free Hiking What: There are many great places to hike or have a leisurely walk in and

around Anchorage. Trails can be easy like The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail to intermediate like The Flattop Trail and Crow Pass. Hikers going on more difficult treks should always notify someone before they go on their hike where they will be, in case they get lost so someone knows where to find them. Hiking safety is also recommended and hikers should be bear aware at all times.

When: Hiking in Alaska is popular in all seasons but may be more convenient for some before the weather turns chillier as winter approaches.

Where: Some popular trails in and around Anchorage are Flattop, Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Crow Pass and Rendezvous Peak. There are more options at Visit Anchorage.

Cost: Free

FEATURES

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Students can stay healthy during the new semester online

By Christina Swayney features1@thenorthernlight.org

A new semester is an exciting but stressful time, with all of the changes that have occurred in daily life because of COVID-19. Now is the time more than ever to take care of physical and mental health so that the fall semester can be navigated with success.

Most classes at UAA are online this semester. Many Alaskans also work from home and in-person socializing is limited.

People are home more often and can get bored, leading to more than usual social media engagement. Though contacting friends and family through Facebook and Instagram can be very helpful, an excess in social media can lead to stress, anxiety and even depression.

The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry published a study in 2019 of the negative effects of too much screen time, with social media specifically. The study took place over four years and was done on groups of people under 30. It found that the effects over time of too much screen time altered brain function in a negative way that led to more stress and anxiety.

One does not have to unplug coldturkey but PC Mag suggests that weaning from social media just a little bit will help. Tips like changing notification settings so that one is not constantly aware if they have a ‘like’ or reply from a thread can ease the urgency to pick up the smartphone. There are also features on phones that allow users to see how much screen usage and how they use it. iPhones have a screen time usage widget that shows how many hours are used on the phone using specific apps and if usage has gone up or down weekly.

Getting some fresh air and sunshine can be good for the body and mind as well.

Another study by Scientific Reports in England and published in 2019, suggests that 120 minutes in nature every week or about 17 minutes a day, can significantly improve the overall well being of individuals. Alaska has plenty of green space

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTINA SWAYNEY

Walking, jogging and running are great ways to stay healthy or improve health and also get outside. UAA students have fun and boost health at the 2019 Spirit Run.

to enjoy.

There are many ways to enjoy the outdoors such as hiking, biking on the Tony Knowles Coastal trail, kayaking and seasonal activities, such as berry picking in August and snow-shoeing in colder months.

Winter is coming and it may also be a good idea to make sure that busy students get daily essential nutrients, especially vitamin D since human deficiency can occur in the sunlight lacking days of Alaskan winter. Taking supplements and eating nutritious food will be a boost at any time of year. Water is also essential and it can be easy to forgo enough daily intake because coffee, tea and soda are more convenient.

If one is simply not thirsty, it may be a good idea to break a sweat occasionally.

Exercise is also a good way to stay fit not just physically but mentally as well. A study published by The National Institute of Biotechnology, or NCBI, suggests that there are numerous positives with exercise.

“The evidence [in the study] also suggests that physical activity and exercise might provide a beneficial adjunct for alcoholism and substance abuse programs; improve self-image, social skills and cognitive functioning; reduce the symptoms of anxiety; and alter aspects of coronary-prone (Type A) behavior and physiological response to stressors,” according to NCBI. Now is a great time to get outdoors and jog, play sports or take a hike. Yoga can be therapeutic outside and can be done in

the backyard or a park. The combination of sunlight and physical movement can be very uplifting. When that is not possible due to weather, there are options for workouts online and options to bring the benefits of sunlight indoors.

There are many free workouts on YouTube and many workout apps have generous free trials. CNet has a list of workout channels on YouTube with many free options. From yoga, HIIT to dance cardio, there is something for everyone.

Lack of sunlight can be supplemented by Happy Lights or lightboxes. Making sure that one gets outside when the sun is out in winter may help as well.

For student, mental and physical health resources contact the UAA Student Health and Counseling Center.

OPINION

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Hitbox Review: Uncharted 4 — A grand adventure story trapped in a mediocre video game

By John Novotny arts@thenorthernlight.org

GRAPHIC BY MICHAELINE COLLINS SCREENSHOT COURTESY OF UNCHARTEDTHEGAME.COM

Uncharted 4 is an excellent example of cinematic storytelling in games. While Telltale’s choose your own adventure-style games arguably have more in common with movies, Naughty Dog has proven that they can make a movie within the framework of a game.

However, all that narrative prestige also comes with a few gameplay pitfalls.

Developer: Naughty Dog Release date: May 10, 2016 Platforms: PlayStation 4 Price: $19.99 This is the first in a mini-series of Hitbox reviews and impressions covering the best games of the PlayStation 4. Look forward to my thoughts on a few PlayStation 4 exclusive games in the coming weeks before we enter a new console generation with the nearing release of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Uncharted games follow a simple formula of watching cutscenes, solving puzzles, climbing and

shooting bad guys. It’s simple and mostly effective.

Uncharted 4 continues the story of Nathan Drake, a treasure hunter who really likes Sir Francis Drake, a 16th century English pirate and his motto “Sic Parvis Magna,” which means “greatness from small beginnings.”

The adventure in this installment of Uncharted is a search for the ultimate pirate treasure of Captain Henry Avery after Nathan’s brother Sam, who was thought to be dead, showed up after 15 years. Along with the aged black market merchant, Victor Sullivan, the brothers set off to find the treasure and pay off a ruthless cartel boss who became fascinated with the tales of treasure Sam would tell him while the two shared a prison cell and helped break Sam out.

Along the journey, the group are hounded by rich-kid-with-ego-issues Rafe Adler and Nadine Ross, who lead the mercenary group Shoreline.

Adler is perfectly fine as

an antagonist, but it’s Ross who really shines. She’s very capable in a fight and doesn’t take nonsense from anyone, including Nathan and his witty quips.

Where the story really shines though, is when Nathan and Elena Fisher, a journalist who has accompanied Nathan during several of his adventures, are on screen together.

It seems that between Uncharted 3 and 4 the two decided to get married and try to live a normal life free from illegal treasure hunts. Elena probably has the least screen time out of all the main cast, which is a shame because I was enthralled watching the couple’s relationship dynamic throughout the game.

I’m not kidding when I say that the best moment of Uncharted 4 was watching them argue over who has to do the dishes and then settling it by seeing who could get the highest score in Crash Bandicoot (an old Naughty Dog game from 1996 for the original PlayStation). The player even

SCREENSHOT COURTESY OF UNCHARTEDTHEGAME.COM

The incredibly realistic facial animations of characters like Elena help sell that these could be real people.

The most enjoyable parts of the traversal sections involve swinging around with the grapple hook.

gets to play the game in the game.

What makes Uncharted 4 cinematic besides how amazing the characters and levels look, are the little details. For example, Nathan will hold his hand out and brush it along walls when running past, clothes will get dirty if a character falls down a steep muddy hill and there is minimal User Interface cluttering the screen during gameplay. There is no health bar looming over the character, just an ammo count tucked away in the corner of the screen when gunfights break out.

Combat is a significant chunk of the Uncharted experience, but it’s changed surprisingly little since the first game.

Nathan can still take cover and blind fire over it. He can also engage in fisticuffs should Shoreline goons get too close.

Thanks to the addition of a grappling hook, he can now also swing around and has the option to get a little more aggressive with a very impactful swinging

punch.

That may be the intended outcome of the grappling hook for combat, but that wasn’t my experience actually playing.

I mostly tried to stick to a safe, far away piece of cover. It was only when enemies would throw grenades or destroy my cover that I had to move to a different location. Even playing on the normal difficulty mode, I never felt safe going for those sick swinging punches or moving from cover to cover after the half-way point in the game.

At a certain point.

Uncharted 4 just kicks up the difficulty by throwing way more enemies at the player, with more powerful weapons like grenade launchers and sniper rifles. Combined with the increased firepower, it felt like every five seconds, there was a new grenade to dodge. It was after this increase in difficulty that I really started to sour on the gunfights. Partially because I started to see the same guns over and over,

there just wasn’t enough variety in how they felt to shoot.

Outside of the story mode, there’s a competitive multiplayer mode and a cooperative wavebased survival mode.

I didn’t play any of the other modes myself, but from the gameplay I have watched, they seem fairly standard. Although there does seem to be some supernatural artifactbased power-ups in the survival mode, which look pretty cool.

What kept me going through the 15 hours it took me to complete the story was the fantastic cutscenes. Even having seen all of them all on YouTube previously, I was still engaged consistently.

The quality of the animations, believable writing and talented voice acting are what propel Uncharted 4 to the top of my best stories in video games list.

Even if the plot is fairly predictable, Uncharted 4 is a monumental achievement, or should I say trophy?

SCREENSHOT COURTESY OF IGDB.COM

Uncharted 4 comes alive when the player is set loose in a large explorable area with a Jeep and a lovable cast of characters.

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