Wampa Sighting! | Star Wars Battlefront Easter Egg

- Video Link -

Turn on, tune in, and go in search of The Wampa! Join Pilchuck of Skookum Valley and very special guest, StarKiller180535, as they uncover one of the greatest mysteries in the mountains of Hoth.

The Wampa is a prime example of the Skookum family of mountain monsters. On Earth this creature is known as the Yeti or the Abominable Snowman.

Over the centuries since it was first reported, this mysterious animal has been seen by many people and has been known by many names. The exclusive video found in the link below provides irrefutable evidence of the existence of this elusive entity.

The Skookum family also includes the large, hairy beings known as the Sasquatch, or as they are called in some places, the Bigfoot. Wherever you find remote and untouched wilderness, you will always find Skookum. It is probably safest not to mention the topic when Chewbacca is around but many galactic anthropologists believe that the Wookie are members of the ancient Skookum family.

Click the above frame to play the video!

In this video, I rather accidentally learned of this awesome Star Wars Battlefront Easter Egg. After dying a rather untimely and seemingly pointless death, I respawned into a surprising locale. My team mate, StarKiller180535, had ventured off to go spelunking and, much to my excitement, when I spawned into the cave with him, I saw a prime specimen of the elusive Wampa munching on some Tauntaun bones right before my eyes!

The cave is found on the "Twilight on Hoth" map and you can only reach the cave when you are playing on the side of the Imperial Empire during the Walker Assault game mode.

In the middle of the video, I peer out from the cave and you can see the initial spawn point for the Imperial forces. This is the first clue to the whereabouts of the Wampa Cavern. Enlarge the image below to get a bearing on the cave's location.

Try to find this cave very early in the match as you have only a limited time to locate and explore this Easter Egg. Once the AT-AT's reach the first set of uplink stations, your time is up and the part of the map which includes the Wampa will suddenly become out-of-bounds. Get there quickly and get there with a partner if you wish to get up close to the Wampa.

In a future video, I will show you how to get to the cave and see the Wampa for yourself. The video will also explain how to go beyond the stalactites so that you can get an up-close, over the shoulder selfie with a true living fossil from a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away!

If you enjoyed this video, please hit the "like" button and feel free to share it with friends!

A special thanks goes out to StarKiller180535 for showing me this awesome extra detail in Star Wars Battlefront's "Twilight on Hoth" map!

Thanks for visiting and keep coming back!

Stay Skookum!
Pilchuck
of Skookum Valley Gaming

► YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/SkookumValleyGamingTube
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkookumGames
► Google+: +SkookumValleyGaming
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How to Play Classic Video Games on New HDMI TVs

- Video Link -

This "how to" blog post and the related video will show you how to play classic video games on newer HDMI TVs. In this video you will see the Atari 2600 Flashback 4 running on a 2015 Samsung UltraHD 4K HDTV using an enKo Products RCA/AV to HDMI Converter. This little gem allows the user to take any "old fashioned" video device which outputs RCA Composite Video and connect it to one of the a newer "HDMI only" Televisions.

RCA Audio and Video Connections

The enKo Products RCA/AV to HDMI Converter will accurately convert the old composite video stream into a high quality modern HDMI signal and will also insert the incoming the RCA audio signal into the outgoing HDMI data stream.

HDMI Port Connection

The device will even convert a "left channel only" mono signal into a full dual channel audio stream. Now you can use your old school video game consoles, VCR's, DVD players, and camcorders with your brand new UltraHD 4K HDMI TV.

Inside the box!

Inside the box is the surprisingly rugged, well designed, and nicely labeled  RCA to HDMI Converter. Along with the device came some nice and unexpected accessories. The converter, itself, is powered via a USB port on the side of the unit. As a welcome convenience, the manufacturers decided to include a sturdy USB cable and a "USB Wall Wart" (mains to USB converter) to provide the required power.

HDMI Into the Television

The kit also include a very high end HDMI cable which I found remarkable. I've become accustomed to "free" HDMI cables which are rather cheaply made but this one far surpassed any expectations I may have had...and I actually did not expect that an HDMI cable was even included! That's a nice bonus!!!

USB Power Connection

Fortunately for me, my television had a spare USB port on the back and I was able to draw power from there and did not need the USB mains power supply. The spare USB port was also conveniently close to my spare HDMI port which made installation quite simple and care-free.

I have to say that I was actually stunned at the image quality. Yes, the old MOS Technology 6507 CPU uses 8-bit technology and, therefore, outputs rather blocky graphics by today's standards; but those old games look amazing today! The enKo converter maximizes the signal and brings out the full color depth and sonic potential that had always existed but had been nearly hidden away within those early and very classic video games.

When I saw the clarity of the image on

Atari Space Invaders on a 4K TV!

my bright new 4K TV and heard those classic Atari 2600 sounds coming out of my soundbar and subwoofer, I experienced a moment of childish giddiness that I haven't felt in quite a while. It was like I suddenly found myself with the gaming setup that I'd always wanted when I was a kid. For a brief and warm moment, it transported me back to a simpler time and somehow now it makes my home feel a little more comfortable. Achievement unlocked!

Check out the video linked below to get a closer look at the setup and see exactly what is inside the box. I hope this "how to" blog and the associated video will be of some help to anyone who might be looking for a way to go retro-modern and keep those classic games alive!

Please hit the like button, share this video with friends, leave comments below, and remember to Subscribe to the Skookum Valley Gaming YouTube Channel for more!

Thanks for visiting and Keep Coming Back!
Stay Skookum!
Pilchuck
of Skookum Valley Gaming

► YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/SkookumValleyGamingTube
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkookumGames
► Google+: +SkookumValleyGaming
► Blogger: http://www.SkookumValleyGaming.com

Links...
The enKo Products RCA to HDMI Converter Webpage
The enKo Products RCA to HDMI Converter on Google

Twitter - https://twitter.com/SkookumGames
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUoUJvIpt3Y7YyaerwkwW_A

Tom Clancy's The Division™ Beta | First Look Review

(see video link below)

Here is a first peak at the highly anticipated Tom Clancy's The Division™ which is set to be released on March 8, 2016.

It is reported that some 6.4 million people played the beta. That's an incredible turnout and it shows how much excitement there is surrounding the arrival of this game.

When first announced, The Division™ generated a lot of buzz with claims that it was a true "next-gen" masterpiece. While I enjoyed playing it, I did not get the feeling that I was playing something that was quite so noteworthy. The graphics are very well done and the gameplay is quite smooth but it seems that I just didn't encounter those elements which were supposed to make this release the darling of next-generation gaming.

Perhaps I have been spoiled by recent games which have implemented the kind of stunning visuals seen in offerings such as Star Wars™ Battlefront™ which, at times, seem to immerse the player in a photograph or high definition movie. Even the aging Battlefield 4, in my humble opinion, offers a much more engaging and immersive experience than was offered by The Division's beta demonstration.

Take a first look at The Division™ by clicking on the frame above.

To be fair, it is important to remember that the beta is not the final version of the game. There may be elements that I have not yet seen or experienced. Other reviewers speak of the game being vastly more satisfying when played with friends. I stuck with the single-player mission and did not venture into the Dark Zone where, quite possibly, everyone was having all of the fun.

Although I very much enjoyed the beta and will likely get a kick out of the game when it is officially released, I was not enthralled enough to pre-order the game. There are so many great games to play and so very little time to play them. This one can wait until the full game is released and there's a chance to see some reviews and gameplay videos produced by other gamers.

In full disclosure, many people who are excited about this game also continue to rave about Destiny™. While that game, too, looked visually stunning and had smooth gameplay and wonderful mechanics, it always felt like I was playing a game that wasn't quite done yet. It seemed like something was missing and the story, itself, just kind of disappeared after only a few levels. I was never quite sure what to make of that game either.

Enjoy a round of Destiny™ by clicking on the frame above.

If The Division™ proves to be a lot like a version of Destiny™ set in the "almost real" world then I can see why playing with others might greatly enhance the game. The most fun I had playing Destiny™ was when playing with a friend. When venturing alone, I usually ended up deciding that my limited time for gaming was best spent playing something else.

I hope that this review will prove useful to people interested in knowing more about Tom Clancy's The Division™. I also hope that my comments do not upset anyone or otherwise rain on any parades. My opinions are just opinions and should never be confused with facts. I could be completely wrong and this may be the best game I'll play this year. Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

Here's to another great year!

If you enjoyed these videos, please hit the "like" button and remember to subscribe to receive updates whenever new content becomes available.

Thanks for visiting and keep coming back!

Stay Skookum!
Pilchuck
of Skookum Valley Gaming

► YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/SkookumValleyGamingTube
► Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkookumGames
► Google+: +SkookumValleyGaming
► Blogger: http://www.SkookumValleyGaming.com