Loadout is newest game from Edge of Reality, Steiner entrepreneur shares about his favorite game

By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

Four Points video game company Edge of Reality —​ founded by Steiner Ranch resident Mike Panoff and Lakeway resident Rob Cohen —​ recently released their newest creation, Loadout, a free, downloadable, multiplayer shooter game.

Loadout, which combines stylized cartoon-esque art with a literally endless supply of weapon and character customization options, was years in the making.

 Axl in action in the locally created, newly released game Loadout.

Axl in action in the locally created, newly released game Loadout.

The game was released Jan. 31.

“It surpassed our expectations and overwhelmed our servers (temporarily).  We had over 2 million players after just two weeks,” Panoff said.

Steiner Ranch game creator Mike Panoff and his River Place company, Edge of Reality, released on Jan. 31 their newest creation, Loadout.

Steiner Ranch game creator Mike Panoff and his River Place company, Edge of Reality, released on Jan. 31 their newest creation, Loadout.

 

The game started as a prototype for another potential project that never panned out. But the developers at River Place-based Edge of Reality were hooked and continued to build Loadout as an original title. After four years, the game was ready for release.

Panoff proudly characterizes the process as, “a product of the collaboration of ideas from all 50 or so people who worked on it, not just the original prototype team or the leads.”

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Steiner begins transferring control to homeowners, Higher level of participation urged

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Steiner Ranch Master Association homeowners are invited to an informational meeting Wednesday, March 26, at 7 p.m. at the Towne Square Community Center to learn about the association’s transition from a developer- to homeowner-controlled community.

“For a community the size of Steiner Ranch, transition is not a single event, but rather a multi-stage process taking place over a period of time,” stated an email that was sent to Steiner homeowners notifying them of the meeting.

This transition will take place over the next 12 to 18 months. It will require time and effort from both the homeowners and the developer of the community, Taylor Woodrow Communities, Steiner Ranch Ltd.

Scott Selman, executive director of the Steiner Ranch HOA

Scott Selman, executive director of the Steiner Ranch HOA

Scott Selman, executive director of the Steiner Ranch HOA, said transitioning to a homeowner-controlled community is standard procedure and required for every home owner’s association. The Steiner Ranch Residential Owners Association went through the transition in 2001 and consists of 695 homes in the neighborhoods of Hancock Hill, Rocky Ridge, Chaparel, Plateau, Mason North, East Ridge Valley and East Ridge Summit.

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Lake Austin Girl Scouts celebrate World Thinking Day

By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

The Lake Austin Service Unit Girl Scouts of Four Points celebrated World Thinking Day on Feb. 22 at Canyon Ridge Middle School. Troops of all ages came to event to either represent countries from around the world or to tour.

Thirty-one troops in all participated in the event, which is celebrated every Feb. 22 by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides everywhere.

Brownie Troop 1572 represented Hungary with native costumes, chicken paprikash (csirke paprikas) and a native dance.  Top row: Tara Nash, Angelika Judd, Cindy Reynolds, Kerry Smith, Kristen Caldwell and Leader Lorraine Nagar.  Bottom row: Avery, Ellen, Haley, Rachel, Grace, Casey and Lily.  Photo by Denisha Colston

Brownie Troop 1572 represented Hungary with native costumes, chicken paprikash (csirke paprikas) and a native dance.
Top row: Tara Nash, Angelika Judd, Cindy Reynolds, Kerry Smith, Kristen Caldwell and Leader Lorraine Nagar.
Bottom row: Avery, Ellen, Haley, Rachel, Grace, Casey and Lily.
Photo by Denisha Colston

Brownie Troop #1837 represented Switzerland at World Thinking Day. From Left, Ella, Jen Snyman, and Madeline.  Photo by Emily McElmurry

Brownie Troop #1837 represented Switzerland at World Thinking Day. From Left, Ella, Jen Snyman, and Madeline.
Photo by Emily McElmurry

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VHS grad travels to Fiji, New Zealand, Australia for gap year

By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

Danielle “DeeDee” Woche, a 2013 Vandegrift High School graduate, decided to take a gap year to see the world, have adventure and serve others before attending the theatre program at American University in Washington, D.C.

Rather than try to make her own arrangements, Woche chose the semester-long South Pacific Service and Ocean Skills program offered by Rustic Pathways. She chose this route in part because of her passion for the water. The land-locked Austin-ite wistfully explained that, “I love the ocean and the whole idea of being a surf bum.”

What better place to start her semester than in Fiji, where she and her Rustic Pathways brethren inaugurated their adventure by living on the beach. At first, the group of 16 spent their days in a nearby village helping rebuild it after a recent storm. They had lunch daily with the village chief and familiarized themselves with the local culture.

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DeeDee Woche surrounded by local children in the highlands of Fiji.

As is typical for many traveling overseas, Woche and several others in her group got sick their first week in Fiji. No one required anything more than antibiotics, and they all soon recovered their health and strength.

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