Fixing The Annoying Parts Of Online Streaming And Gaming
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Being able to access movies, shows, and video games online has opened a new world of opportunities. Having enormous libraries at our fingertips might be something that our older readers (and this writer) know not to take for granted, but even the most advanced experiences are still a long way from perfect. Getting involved in streaming and video games can still cause a whole host of little annoyances. But there are some quick fixes.
Bad Recommendations
The almighty algorithm has led many of us to new favorite shows, but it’s also prone to mistakes. Sometimes these mistakes come from somebody else using your account, such as your nephew getting in and leaving Blippi on for hours. Other times, you might have accidentally left autoplay on as you fell asleep, leading to more and more shows skewing your recommendations.
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The solution to this problem can be found in removing your history entirely. How to do this will depend on the service you use, but as this Netflix-orientated guide by ExpressVPN shows, it’s not especially difficult to do. Removing history doesn’t just fix recommendations either, it can also protect your privacy, and prevent people from knowing just how obsessed you are with that one show you pretend to hate. You know the one.
PC Game Platform Logins
While more competition in the PC storefront place is a great thing, having to juggle logins is most definitely not. Platforms such as Steam, the Epic Games Store, Origin, and the Blizzard Launcher make just accessing the games you own a frustrating game of memory. One of the best solutions on PC today comes in the form of the GOG Galaxy launcher. This program integrates your launchers and friends lists into one system, cutting down the frustration and wasted time implied by many different services.
Paying To Play
Whether looking at gaming or streaming, one of the most annoying factors can be the ongoing cost. Sure, it makes sense to pay for the hard work of others, but we're not always in a place where we can afford to shell out lump sums or ongoing costs for entertainment. Luckily enough, in streaming and video games, many free options can be just as good.
For streaming services, the available options will depend largely on where you live. Thanks to licensing issues, not everything is available everywhere, but big streaming services like Freevee and Peacock are still available in many different countries. Tom's Guide has a great list of these for movie and television junkies, just remember to clean up your recommendations if they start to turn.
In video games, there are a couple of main options we'd recommend. The first is to simply play any of the enormous libraries of free-to-play games on systems like Steam. With titles like Dota 2 and Apex Legends among this pack, you won't be left wanting quality. The other suggestion we'd have is to keep subscribed to the Epic Games Store. This service routinely offers free AAA games for players to claim, so they shouldn't be missed.
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With these three suggestions, you should be able to address at least some of the little annoyances you or your family and friends face with streaming and video game systems. Of course, technology is never-ending whack-a-mole of little things, but each little step forward helps. The little things add up, so take them on one at a time, and you might be surprised at how good it feels when they’re in the rearview.
