When presidential advisor Gen. William Sloan Hawksworth is brutally murdered, his corpse marked with mysterious Asian characters, military intelligence operative Col. Phillip Dane is called out of retirement to investigate. Reprint.
Paul charts the appeal of free-to-play games and examines how they challenge dominant game industry norms--
"A no-nonsense treatment of information operations, this handbook makes clear what does and does not fall under information operations, how the military plans and executes such efforts, and what the role of IO ought to be in the "war of ideas." Paul provides detailed accounts of the doctrine and practice of the five core information operations capabilities (psychological operations, military deception, operations security, electronic warfare, and computer network operations) and the three "related" capabilities (public affairs, civil-military operations, and military support to public diplomacy). The discussion of each capability includes historical examples, explanations of tools and forces available, and current challenges faced by that community. An appendix of selected excerpts from military doctrine ties the work firmly to the military theory behind information operations."--book jacket
An unexpected take on how games work, what the stakes are for them, and how game designers can avoid the traps of optimization. The process of optimization in games seems like a good thing—who wouldn’t want to find the most efficient way to play and win? As Christopher Paul argues in Optimizing Play, however, optimization can sometimes risk a tragedy of the commons, where actions that are good for individuals jeopardize the overall state of the game for everyone else. As he explains, players inadvertently limit play as they theorycraft, seeking optimal choices. The process of developing a meta, or the most effective tactic available, structures decision making, causing play to stagnate. A “stale” meta then creates a perception that a game is solved and may lead players to turn away from the game. Drawing on insights from game studies, rhetoric, the history of science, ecology, and game theory literature, Paul explores the problem of optimization in a range of video games, including Overwatch, FIFA/EA Sports FC, NBA 2K, Clash Royale, World of Warcraft, and League of Legends. He also pulls extensively from data analytics in sports, where the problem has progressed further and is even more intractable than it is in video games, given the money sports teams invest to find an edge. Finally, Paul offers concrete and specific suggestions for how games can be developed to avoid the trap set by optimization run amok.
The deadliest weapon is the truth After a life on the front lines, Army Ranger John Holliday is now teaching at West Point Military Academy. But when his uncle passes away, Holliday discovers a medieval sword among his things - sinisterly wrapped in Adolf Hitler's personal battle standard.
In this historically accurate, pulse-pounding suspense thriller, Hitler's Luftwaffe rains terror upon London, as Scotland Yard pursues a lone psychopath who kills with methodical precision--and is privy to the Allies' most closely guarded secrets.
The author, known for their bestselling works, weaves a captivating narrative that blends historical intrigue with adventure. Readers can expect a rich tapestry of characters and themes that delve into the mysteries of the past, exploring the intersections of history, myth, and personal journeys. The story promises to engage and thrill, drawing on the author's expertise in crafting compelling tales that resonate with fans of historical fiction and adventure alike.
After nearly losing his life in Africa, retired Army Ranger and historian John Holliday is ready for some R&R back in the U.S. But when a disheveled Russian called Genrikhovich intercepts him in the airport, Holliday's homecoming will have to wait. Genrikhovich claims to know of a long-lost sword called Aos-the companion to Holliday's own Templar sword. Holliday quickly finds himself on a flight to Turkey, where he begins following a trail that will lead him to the dark heart of Russia-where the ancient Templar Order has secretly wielded power for centuries...
Ex-army ranger turned historian John Holliday is in search for the truth behind the ancient and deadly Templar order. Putting their lives in danger, Holliday and his good friend Eddie once again travel the world on the trail of a deadly Templar plot.
When his friend, archaeologist Rafi Wanounou, discovers the tomb of a French Templar knight that contains a Viking pagan relic, retired Army Ranger John Holliday, intrigued by this discovery, joins Rafi in Africa and together they try to unlock a mysterious past rooted in centuries of Templar secrecy. Original.
