Anyone who has spent time studying at College will know this all too well – you’re going to spend more time than is healthy for you and your studies, playing silly online games! Now in the past this may have been detrimental to your studies, however, now it could actually pay your way through college. Welcome to grantoo.co/
Ivy League college graduates have set up the initiative, which essentially consists of online tournaments with payouts of up to $20,000 for tuition fees. Or more eloquently put by Grantoo, “a unique social gaming platform that lets you play amazing games and win educational and charitable rewards.” Launched on the 25th March, 2,000 students have already signed up, with around 150 students winning larger sums totalling around $20k.
Grantoo works by getting local colleges and national brands to sponsor games tournaments, giving student winnings of tuition fees, rewards and donations to favourite causes. There are three main games – Wordy-Bird, Grantoo Hold-em and Quiz Night - although Grantoo hold-em is still under development.
The ingenuity of Grantoo shows that you really can game your way through college, and come out with a half decent degree!
Online gaming group Betsoft Gaming have expanded their gambling monopoly to include two brand new 3D slot games. The Exterminator 3D and Under the sea 3D feature state-of-the-art 3D graphics and animations, custom audio and range of other bonus features.
The Exterminator game has five reels and thirty pay lines. Players are rewarded with free spins and multipliers, with a ‘sticky wins’ feature with symbols kept on wheels and greater opportunity for extra wins. Under the sea is similar – 5 reels, 30 lines and whisks players down to the depths of the seabed to reap rewards.
The new releases bring Betsofts curent portfolio of games to 30 3D games and over 100 online casino games. On release of the new games, Head of Betsofts Product Development, Anthony Locke, said “We are always working to raise our own exacting standards. With our aggressive development cycle, we are able to bring more top quality, unique games to our clients than ever before.”
As one of the top gambling-gaming providers, Betsoft are now partnered with many other online casinos including SportingBet, All Stars Casino and Party Casino.
Gaming giant EA has verified reports that BioWar MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic has lost around 400,000 followers since February. The significant drop is a kick in the teeth, although EA Chief Financial Officer Ken Barker stated:
“The substantial portion of the decrease [for The Old Republic] was due to lower numbers of trial players, upping the percentage of paying subscribers.”
“Some of those casual customers have gone through a billing cycle and have decided not to subscribe to the game,” added EA Labels president Frank Gibeau.
The CEO of Electronic Arts, John Riccitiello, has compared the figures to be in line with things such as The Sims and Madden, although it definitely still more important than something like the Tiger Woods PGA Tour.
Ea are still hopeful that The Old Republic will be profitable, and estimate a 500,000 increase in subscribers before December 2012, leading to profits for the 2013 Financial Year.
The latest gossip on Saturday Night Live: Justin Vernons back again. As a Bon Iver member, he let on that he was doing a skit on the most talked about baby – Blue Ivy – who is Beyonce and Jay-Z’s daughter. The skit was about a number of musicians visiting the couple in order to see the child. The role of Bon Iver was to lull the baby to sleep by singing her Holocene which was the nominated song for the Grammy. Still on Saturday Night Live, Jack White was the one announced as a future musical guest once the show returns on air.
We missed the fact that Guns N’ Roses had added three more dates their recent tour. The Electric Factory in Philadelphia, an evening in Miami and the House of Blues in Orlando all featured in the tour.
A new Blur song titled Under the Westway was revealed by Graham Coxon and Damon Albarn at a charity concert in London. The song is supposedly thelatest material from Blur from Fool’s Day which was released in 2010.
With another famous band – Iron Maiden – expected back in North America this summer on tour too, the music scene is looking good. This will form a sequence of amphitheater, festival and arena shows, starting in Charlotte NC on 2nd June and ending in Houston, TX, on 18th August. Tragically Michael Davis, who was the bassist, passed away on Friday as a result of liver failure at the age of 68. We are yet to find out who replaces him.
Posted in Hip Hop & Rock News by .
A sour and peculiar feud is heating up at a company that produces the 71 year old comic strips. The two chief executive officers – co-founder son-in-law and the daughter-in-law – of the other founder have fallen out. These parties have been throwing accusations at each other about the company’s business conduct. The commercial tassels have gotten the tongues wagging through the stand-up comedian world.
Anxiety inside Archie Comic Publication Inc is high (an industry of less than 25 staff, based in Mamaroneck, at the heart of New York City). The wrangle erupted when the company management sued Ms Silberkleit (wife to the late Michael Silberkleit) Jonathan Goldwaters half-brother to deceased co founder Richard Goldwater.
Each of the companies CEO’s control 50% shares of the company. The court is currently contemplating putting the company under receivership to protect the company’s assets. If the wrangles continue, the company will have great problems if they do not sort out their issues, fast. Reports from some of the media houses suggest that the wrangles have affected the financial position of the company. The reports have not been confirmed whether they are true, but with the refusal to release it last year sales reports, the report might hold some truth.
The main concern of many fans is the company’s reputation. Instead of concentrating on producing movies and finalizing other deals, the company is busy misusing its resources in hiring lawyers to represent each member interest. Ms Silberkleit is accused of sexually harassing employees, using abusive language, bad business strategies and intimidation, among other allegations. It’s not known when these wrangles will end, but looking at the current happening it’s not in the near future.
Posted in Digital & Tech News by .
When municipalities and city planners design a town, there are areas that are normally left for parks. Parks are a place for one to relax and chill, and a great place to engage in recreational activities.
Those who are not in the mood for company and need an escape, can sit in a park and have peace of mind from quiet places within the park. This is what initially in the thoughts of the city engineers and other park designers, anyway. The same concern is no more with the parks being converted into business centered with noise that would make one partially blind. This is the magnitude of abuse that the park has undergone. This is the reason as to why sanity should be restored to parks and let them serve the purposes they were created to.
Music concerts are some of the most notorious business ventures that are misusing the parks, well that and young drunk youth causing havoc! Almost every month word goes around that a certain park will be holding mega concerts with the big shots electrifying the audience in attendance. Save for the minor but noisy concerts that go on a daily basis. There are businesses that can be said to be to provide convenience for those who visit the park.
There are however some businesses which are likely to make parks less favorable places to visit when one wishes to have relaxed moments. This goes on with full knowledge of town and city councils, who are, in fact the licensing machinery for the very people who violate this. The fact that the music concerts brings big revenues to the councils, they would rather allow the aggression of this principle function than to miss out on the revenues they collect. It is true that one is at liberty to hold functions such as this in parks at will. Factors such as the resultant noise level should be addressed. The fact that Parks are meant to be for pleasure not business cannot be ignored.
Posted in News by .
WWE is one of the most popular forms of entertainment. This can be seen on comments being exchanged on facebook by fans of this game. Even participants in this game are also exchanging comments via social networks. Some of these comments are used to by these participants to complement their colleagues for their outstanding performance. Others are used by fans of various players to express their satisfaction by different matches that take place in the field.
Among the most active stars who are very active in using social network in complementing their partners are Taker, Ron Simmons, HH and JBL. However, sometimes they give contradicting statements regarding various matches screened. For instance, JBL wrote on Twitter expressing his happiness regarding the joy he get with the going of Ron Simmons who he refer to as his friend to the Fame house this year. He says that no words can completely express how he feel about it. He goes on to say that this former tag team champion deserve this.
JBL is also another star who made a comment about it. He give a congratulatory comment on facebook. When asked to comment about the person he think would be better in inducting him to the fame house, JBL say he would consider it a lifetime honor if he is chosen. He also confirmed that he is not aware of who would be inducting Simmons but he agree that whoever it will be, it is a great man.
JBL also confirm that Ron is one of his best friends. He is also proud of him for being his former tag championship partner. Triple H and Undertaker uses the Simons induction song in the Wrestle mania 28. This is to ensure that memory remain.
Posted in News by .
The Spoon River College Foundation held its 8th Annual Celebrity Waiter Dinner. The dinner was most successful since it brought in more than $22,000 when it was held on Saturday. Emily Gillett, who is the Coordinator of the SRC Foundation, said that the goal for the event of this year was $20,000, making the dinner a smashing success by raising $2,000 more than anticipated.
This is not the first time that the foundation has exceeded the expected amount. The best thing about it, is that every year the foundation has to exceed what was collected in the previous years. This is not only done by the donations made but also by the ticket sales, the tips and also the creativity of the waiters, making this a pretty amazing event.
During the event, individuals such as Sheriff Rick VanBrooker who is McDonough County Sheriff, Mike Inman the Mayor of Macomb, Kenny Boyd who is the District Hospital President and the CEO served as waiters at their tables. They did what it takes in order to earn tips which were included in the efforts of the Macomb’s SRC Foundation. All the money that was raised will be used in Macomb for programs, scholarships and other suitable projects.
More money is still expected over the next couple of weeks. This was confirmed by Gillet. This, as a result has put this year’s Celebrity Waiter Dinner at the top most level in terms of raising of funds. The success of the event has been able to see this kind of success because of the commitment that is put in by the waiters, the volunteers, the committee members and also the donors. This cannot be done by a single individual and therefore all those who made it a success deserve all the credit, say Gillett.
Posted in News by .
Music is a part of life and it has influenced a lot of things in the world. Many music labels have been formed to help artist succeed in their endeavors and those with capabilities and talents have or are enjoying their hassles. 2012 is a great year for the music industry as there are many events to be hosted before the year is out. Manhattan live music landmark S.O.B.’s. is to celebrate their 30th anniversary with Celebration concert at SXSW. Manhattan live music landmark S.O. B [Sounds of Brazil] will celebrate its 30th year of endurance in the music industry. The celebration will be held this march in Austin, Texas during the South by Southwest music festival.
In light of this, it is confirmed that S.O.B.’s has come together with AllHipHop.com, International Creative Management [ICM], Noizy Cricket and OGPR Marketing & Public Relations and have decided to present a good number of rappers who will keep the event blazing with musical activities and to celebrate the S.OB.’s 30 years in the music industry. The high profile rappers or musicians include 2 Chainz, Hip-hop outfit Slaughterhouse will headline the event, while Machine Gun Kelly will be present to celebrate S.O.B.’s achievements in the industry.
Other expected artist to commemorate this event will include Nikki Jean, Maya Azucena, Airplane Boys, Hoodie Allen and Elle Varner amongst many others. Larry Gold the owner of S.O.B’s said that it will be a great honor to celebrate 30 decades in the industry and they will be ready to showcase the best of the urban music at the festival.
The main goal of the concert is not only to celebrate the achievements of this organization but also to restore the many classic concerts that have been held at S.O.B.’s since it was established. And so, this will definitely be a night to remember. Additionally, rapper Anthm will be the man behind the mic and warm up the crowd, Low Key will host the evening while 2DopeBoy’z Dj Meka will be on the decks providing the best music. The event will take place at the Malaia World Lounge and attendance will be free for all. Hence, this is a great day to celebrate your evening as you show your appreciations.
Posted in Uncategorized by .
The list of the reasons why 2012 has been marked as a year of great music experiences continues to stretch even longer and now with the launching of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2012, there is much for music lovers to celebrate. Various events promoters have lined up a series of music events across the world that in deed will deliver the best, unique and distinct experience of music. This prestigious musical fete that is organized to award and celebrate the achievements and contributions made by Ghanian musicians in the music industry was launched in Accra, Ghana, on Saturday by the deputy Minister For Tourism, James Agyenim Boateng.
The event that was marked with glamor and live performances, was conducted at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Accra. It attracted some of Ghana’s to notch musicians, ministers, diplomats, journalists and a good fraction of the general public and music lovers. The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2012 which is slated for April 4th will be going down at the Accra International Conference Center. It is aimed at rewarding various artistes in different categories and genres of music for their hard work, dedication and contribution to the music arena.
Apart from just the attraction of Ghana’s top musicians, the event will also feature the country’s top stakeholders in the music and Copyright sectors and a number of music enthusiasts. However, the nominations top the event that is so much awaited were announced by the end of February. The announcement shall be made at a short ceremony that will broadcast live on GH One Entertainment TV. Voting will be accessed by the public from various platforms including SMS texts and Internet that will begin from March 1.
Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2012will see each winner walk away with GH Cedi 2,000 and GH Cedi 10,000 for the winner of the Artiste Of the Year.
Posted in Hip Hop & Rock News by .