StealDVD
The MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) is suing RealNetworks, who is then suing them back in return. RealNetworks sells RealDVD, DVD copying software, and who would have guessed that the MPAA would not take kindly to their software. While the MPAA says that it is okay to copy a movie that you own for your own personal backup, it is not okay if you distribute software to do just that. The MPAA thinks it is inconceivable that people who purchase (or pirate) RealDVD are actually using it to make duplicates of movies they have already purchased. While it is probably true that the majority of copies made with the software are actually pirated copies, there is not anyway to prove that point without being extremely invasive with user's personal property. If there is no proof there should be no case against RealDVD, but I guess we will see how it unfolds.
Think you have what it takes in the world of mathematics? - I bet you do not.
Russian space shuttles launch you - I wonder how long it will take for someone to complain about gay marriage in space.
Sonic's image is failing him - As unfortunate as this statement is, it is true. I, along with others, have not been interested in a Sonic game since he went 3D. The Sega Genesis is the only place where you can find the best of Sonic, and it will probably be that way forever.
CoolPix camera sold that contained pictures of Al-Qaeda suspects - Apparently, you can pick up tons of high-security British items on Ebay.
Command and Conquer: Tiberium does not make the EA cut - Neither does some of the staff.
EA pulls in Zack Snyder, the guy who directed 300, to make some video games - Interested to see what comes out of that deal.
It is Christmas time on the Martian planet - But no organic creatures to enjoy it.
Some insight on Sony's ideas for the Playstation 4 - I certainly hope Sony holds out on the PS4 until 2013, I love the PS3. Plus, I have absolutely no intention of purchasing the next Microsoft console system if it comes out in 2010.
Sony imitates Apple - Just like everyone else does.
Facebook is attempting to dominate the world - And they are not doing a poor job of obtaining global status.
September 30th, 2008
Balance is the key to victory
There are a few titles out this week, but it is just the calm before the storm mind you. Silent Hill: Homecoming, Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility, and Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood are a small selection of this week's releases. Make sure to finish all of those games you have been holding off on; there will be plenty to play in the upcoming weeks.
I was mildly irritated with Spore this past weekend. I was under the impression that having more attack power on my vehicles in Civilization Mode would guarantee me as the victor. Unfortunately, that was not the case. After many planes were lost and a discussion was had, it is best to balance out the stats for your vehicles to attain global domination. Who knew.
What is left after the dust settles on the Activison-Blizzard merger - Poor High Moon Studio, Double Fine Productions' Brütal Legend, and Sierra. Is anyone going to bail these guys out?
Nissan shows off their crash-detecting robot - Complete with eye lasers, sort of.
Photomake can turn whatever you draw into a real-life item
Company sells off VPN device without wiping its data first - That sounds like something that should be on the to-do list whenever you think of selling computer hardware.
Norway attempts to force Apple to be not-so-exclusive with their music - But who these days does not have an iPod? That is probably what Apple is thinking.
Sleep makes you more creative - You will not be sleeping when you are dead; you will be dead. Sleep now, and make more money with creative inventions.
Gang Garrison 2 made its début in 1982 - Love the music.
Agency heads meet to discuss the upcoming space activities
Sony wants you to be able to play MMOs on the PSP - Seriously? Enough with the MMO-on-the-go, it is enough that you can check your EVE Online stats with the iPhone, let us not take it further than that. There is a time and a place for being connected, it is at home at your computer.
The new Nintendo DS will include a camera and music player - Why does everything want to be like the iPhone? At least it is estimated to be only about $30 more than the current DS lite.
New Sacred 2 has a demo out - Decent for a Diablo clone.
September 29th, 2008
How to get your girl into gaming
Everything that you need to know about getting your girlfriend to play games with you is here. My article outlining the process of getting your girl to game is now up. Go read it.
September 27th, 2008
taking care
Today's news will be short whilst I take care of an injured patient. Forgive me tomorrow?
Hideo Kojima does not want to have to make another Metal Gear Solid game - I would love to see what he has had sitting on the backburner.
Britain to deploy alien ID cards in November - With a microchip on it and everything.
What exactly does gum-chewing have to do with being disconnected from society?
Blizzard announces Sporecraft - Not really, but having those units would still be rather cool.
Two gamers meet online, one murders the other
The Church delivers unto us the Ten Blogging Commandments - Do not murder people's feelings. "Be content with your own content." Oi.
Bungie's new direction - Post Microsoft.
So, what is going on in Mirror's Edge?
And Microsoft goes in its own direction with the XBox 360
Employees spend 1/4th of their time online dealing with their own business - Myself absolutely included.
September 26th, 2008
internet service prohibitors
Hollywood is pushing for ISPs to be able to disallow the transferring of copyrighted material. What exactly is it they are worried about? Music? Television? Movies? With all of the money entertainment companies are making, I do not understand why they feel that P2P is hampering their profits. Regardless, how would they discern what exactly is copyrighted and what is not? Everything about a file is editable, so this filtering idea should be fairly easy enough for users to work around. ISPs would have to get extremely intimiate with every single file that travels through the system to be able to catch anything.
Moore says mean things about Rare - So he either likes the company a lot, is intimidated, or jealous.
Interview for The Punisher: No Mercy first-person shooter - Yes, there will be trophies.
If Chrome impedes on your personal space then pick up Iron - It is stiffer, but not as shiny.
People steal solar panels off of home roofs and then attempt to sell them - Believed to be an inside industry job.
Jack Thompson's misbehaving gets him cut from the team
MySpace launches its own music service - The company partnered with Amazon for the actual purchasing of the music. How do they expect to be able to compete against Apple's iTunes Store?
Canada's rocks are the oldest on Earth - Now they have something to be proud of?
Nearly 50% of Google's active products and services are still labeled as Beta items - Google owns the Internet, they can redefine stagnant terms if they so desire.
Preserve Native American languages through a digital 3D environment
Enigma cars are the hybrid of the future - And they look weird to boot.
E.cigs give you the nicotine buzz you are looking for in places where smoking is banned
September 25th, 2008
virtual drug dealing
The new Grand Theft Auto title for the DS, Chinatown Wars, is due to include a mini-game based on drug dealing. As the Nintendo DS is thought of to be geared toward children, mobs of people are now becoming overly concerned. How many kids throughout middle and high school had programmable calculators that they exchanged Drug Wars on? Probably just as many as now have parents that can afford to purchase hand held gaming systems for them. Drug Wars was all about dealing drugs, not just a mere side section of a much more involved game; and it could be played inconspicuously in class, unlike a DS during a mathematics lecture. It is just another Grand Theft Auto, and people need to get over its controversial gameplay.
Spore is getting sued for making people's computers malfunction with their crazy DRM
A "Top 13" list for geeks: Error Messages - My favorite error message of all time is in a video I have kept for years of a demonstration of Windows 98, during which it BSODs; the video of which is available in this article.
Capture your favorite Internet radio away from your computer
The Fallout MMO is still taking shape - Bethesda gets to watch over their shoulder though, and they need to raise a ton of funds.
Ultra tiny (and cheap) keyboard - When the laptop keyboard is too big and the Blackberry pad is too small.
Second Life's statistics are continuing to go down
The pop-ups are still getting through - And they are winning.
People take anonymity to the extreme against homosexuals who game - Jerks will be jerks, I suppose, but it does not help them or anyone else.
Newly released video focuses on the Delta Squad of Gears of War 2
Matter is being pulled beyond our observable universe
Is Chrome really going to be that great?
September 24th, 2008
Macrosoft
Microsoft does not even have the firepower (or the will) to make their commercials on a Windows-operated computer. How sad is that? If any company ever needed to put their pride aside and just enjoy their mostly monopolistic hold on the computer software industry, it would be Microsoft. People say plenty of bad things about their products, but a lot of those people still continue to utilize Microsoft's software because of the company's position in the industry. So, the company continues to make money. How do they spend it? On Macs to make commercials to make people like Microsoft more. And the circle of life begins again.
Warhammer Online takes gold farming seriously - What is the big deal? The game economy is not real to begin with. People need to make money somehow.
Bethesda video for weapons in Fallout 3 - And IGN's thoughts on the upcoming title.
Opportunity knocks on Mars - There should be some pretty rocks along the way on its new journey.
Microsoft was "ensembling" a Halo MMO - Shucks, too bad that great idea was canned.
Google goes mobile - Androids will take over the world.
A social networking site that gamers could get into
Homeland Security pre-crime detection software takes a step in a promising direction - Mind over matter; criminals will have to step it up a notch.
Imagine Google as Pac-Man, and Yahoo is one of those little candy dots
Creative Suite 4 is coming in October - How long will it take pirates to get it online?
Track and field competitions go small, real small
September 23rd, 2008
Nintendo week
The Lego Batman game is finally out this week on nearly every system; it even has its own Playstation 2 bundle. Let us see how it compares to Indiana Jones and Star Wars, shall we? I wonder when Lego Harry Potter will be out, as I presume that should be the next one, right? Sid Meier's Civilization 4 expansion, Colonization, is also out this week along with numerous Wii games including Samba de Amigo and SimCity Creator. For the DS gamers there is a handful of new titles as well: Disgaea DS, Hi! Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Challenge, Kirby Super Star Ultra, and My Japanese Coach. Go get some gaming done.
I was under the impression that Lord British was to be on The Colbert Report last week, and it turned out that instead he was on the phone for a mere two minutes. How absolutely disappointing is that? At least Heroes begins tonight.
It is time to figure out exactly what is coming out this fall and make out a Christmas list - There are definitely a number of great titles due out within the next few months: Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, Fallout 3, Mirror's Edge, Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir, Wrath of the Lich King, Little Big Planet, Mega Man 9, Wipeout HD, Rune Factory 2, Ninjatown, Neopets: Puzzle Adventure, Dead Space, Fable 2, Gears of War 2, Left 4 Dead, Guitar Hero World Tour, Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World, and Animal Crossing: City Folk. Woah, time for some serious gaming.
The avatar creation process for the XBox 360, in one little video - Does not remind me of Miis at all...
Publishers are worried that continuing to not use DRM will cause them to lose more in profits - Games will always be pirated, people are always going to try to get something for nothing. So, what is the point of making the customers that chose to buy the game mad?
Rocks can heal if placed standing in a circular formation
Senate approves funding for military pew-pew-ing - Set phasers to stun.
Pump up your iPhone's speaker, wirelessly
Gamers no longer need a browser open to play Bejeweled while in the World of Warcraft - Yes it can get boring waiting around while raiding, but is it really so bad that PopCap needs to make an add-on for a game that people can play while in a game?
September 22nd, 2008
Hit-n-Run
I am afraid there will be no article this weekend. The past week has been filled with vehicle issues; yesterday in its entirety was dedicated to purchasing a new car. All of which happened as the result of a hit and run accident.
I have been attempting to transfer the site from Dreamweaver to Joomla!, but there are some parts that are not working out as I would like them to.
Blizzcon will be here in just over 2 weeks, so I am sure that you will forgive me for passing up on this weekend by then.
September 21st, 2008
shiver me timbers
Ahoy me mateys! Today b'n talk like a pirate day 'n all, I thought it be best ter use appropriat speak. Much eas'r to do aft'r goin' through a bottle o' grog ar two though, yar. Hope'n yer day was filled with plunder'n pillag'n, and er evenin' sail to be spent with a hot wench. Ar!
Where better to celebrate be'n a pirate than on the Burnin' Sea?
Writer is worry'n 'bout KOTORO's light 'n dark side aspects - Consequences should be'n harsh for play'rs look'n to be bad. In Ultima Online though, a play'r look'n to kill more 'an three others would have ta keep a close eye'n the guards, unless'n they are look'n ta be lost to Davey Jones' Locker.
Land lubbers are look'n ta steal a young mate's domain - Just fer be'n related to a future Olympic location.
The Sims 3, fer gamers who need real life simulat'n
Europe'ns want ta do drill'n in out'r space
Of course'n Cap'n Jacobs wants ya to play Warhammer Online, he was the damned lead design'r
Apple plunders patents without a sec'n thought
Mega Man 9 arriv'n Septembr 25
Internet social network'n to the extreme - Sounds ta me like all ya need be the FriendFeed, if it really be that import'nt ta check in on yer mate's Twitter ev'ry two seconds.
Weird ol' clock gets special spot in sum sort o' book place in Cambridge - Avast! Look at that there gold me hearties!
Time ta play GBA title Kingdom Hearts: Chan of Memories on yer Playstation 2
September 19th, 2008
tomorrow's technology today
The future is coming, and Bethesda wants to make sure you are prepared. They just launched a new Fallout 3 website today, and it is choc-full of gameplay and quirky retro videos explaining various game systems. Make sure to take your G.O.A.T. to figure out what you are going to do with the rest of your life; I am destined to be a Clinical Test Subject! Go see what you can see.
Yours truly got a mention on Shacknews today. Yes, I entered the contest, and I am getting a sweet Napoleon poster out of it. Crono owns.
The only, albeit somewhat, amusing aspect of the "new" Microsoft commercials is now gone - Is anyone going to miss them?
Article title should read "Everquest 2 players may be more physically fit than average Americans" - I like how the surveyors offered loot to get people to participate, but I do not appreciate their generalization of "Online Gamers."
Bombing little islands leads to controlling evolution over millions of years
If Second Life is not enough, bring some 3D avatar action to your online browsing - It is all about social networking and advertising. Great.
Even with the new law in California people still drive whilst holding a mobile; how do they expect to get people to stop texting? - "Hi gurl im drivn bt i can txt u i dont ned my hand 2 driv".
Universal Music admits to appreciating digital downloads of music - They cry and whine until they are making millions of dollars. Everything will be okay; they just need to move with the times.
Verizon's services are sub par beyond general customer service
Governor Palin's personal emails exposed
Age of Conan gets patched for PvP
September 18th, 2008
billions of boom boom dollars
To assist in understanding all that has happened in the financial market over the past year, Wilshire Associates have created an interactive diagram to display various involved companies and their respective losses, gains, and going-ons. The important stuff that went on last year is now all nicely condensed for easy viewing; even for us gamers who are probably otherwise unaware or uninterested, and for those looking for a summary to catch-up with. Curious as to how all of that lost money just goes, "poof!"
NetDevil interview regarding upcoming Lego MMO - Nearly 150 employees currently developing the game, that is a rather large group of people working on a single game.
BioWare presents gamers with some walk through information on Dragon Age - Fight against the Blight, an Arch-Demon, and Horde. Sounds like every other fantasy RPG, and it looks gorgeous.
For the Warhammer Online players who would like to relax whilst gaming at their computer - Why could it not have been a Playstation controller instead? Those are so much more comfortable to hold.
God of War designer is in trouble - "Hey, this game is eerily similar to my screenplay about Greek mythology. After all, who else ever writes about that old stuff anymore..."
(Hopefully) awesome Nintendo announcement planned for October 2nd - More Zelda? Mario? The new Metroid series since Prime is over?
Police want to be able to better spy on drivers monitor criminal activity - That was their plan all along with setting up the "red light runner" cameras everywhere.
Drumsticks that illuminate upon impact - You can pretend to imitate the light-up drums from the Olympics opening ceremony. Kind of.
How does $100,000 sound for a World of Warcraft study? - Crazy, yes. Who cares about the "disparity" between Chinese and other players of this virtual world? It sounds to me like someone is taking the gold farmer jokes way too far.
What MacBook Air is complete without its external MiniMe storage unit?
YouTube takes action against weapon-infested videos
September 17th, 2008
kids with games
Teens play video games; is that supposed to be surprising? Maybe the fact that, according to a recent survey, the most-played games are in the realm of sports, music, and puzzles rather than the more violent genres sounds unusual. One of the least played genres was MMO, which can not be true with the number of emotionally-immature teens running rampant through the virtual worlds that I frequent. According to the study report, it was performed as a random nation dial-up which I believe could easily have skewed results. Parents who answered the phone would have to give consent for their child to then get on the phone with this random surveyor who is asking questions about video games. How many parents would think that it is a bad idea to allow their child to speak with a stranger, not trust the caller, or outright disapprove of the survey's content? The pool of responders was more than likely full of families that are more accepting of video gaming, including parents that probably monitor what their children play; possibly narrowing the crowd to a smaller niche of mature teenagers. Overall, this little bit of good news is better than bad.
Blizzard tells fans to calm the hell down - Why can gamers not be excited to play something new? I know I am.
World of Warcraft holds the key to the destruction of the White House - Because terrorists want to pay $15 a month to plot against the United States and their capitalistic ideals?
How to make gameplay harder on gamers
Red Alert 3 trailers are calling out for you
Nintendo makes so much more money than you do
Get the scientific low down on the presidential candidates - At least they can both agree on Bush's lack of support, and stem cell research.
Habitable Mars mission to be launched in 2013 - Codename Virgle.
Richard Garriott and Steven Colbert are going to be on television together
September 16th, 2008
MMOs Ahoy
Influxes of PC games are on their way this week; including Crysis Warhead, The Settlers: Rise of an Empire, Warhammer Online, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky. If computing is not your style then maybe Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will tickle your fancy; although, it does appear to have not for many other gamers.
The launch date of World of Warcraft's newest expansion, Wrath of the Lich King, was finally announced. Save the date: November 13th, 2008. I wonder how many times that will change between now and then. There are some juicy extras planned for the collector's edition, of course. Players opting to shell out a few extra bucks can look forward to a soundtrack CD, mouse pad mapping out Northrend, and a companion baby frost wyrm.
Save electricity, build data centers off shore - Now who says taxes are one of the guarantees in life?
Former Retro Studios employees become prototype developers - Maybe that means we will see more good games come out of Electronic Arts.
Too much grind, not enough depth - While I agree with this poster that World of Warcraft's plot is prominent through the early stages of the game and not so much the middle, I have to say that a great deal of end game material is deeply engrained within story. It is the reasoning behind killing bosses repetitively, not just the gear; although there are players who think otherwise.
Aliens are among us! - The Hubble telescope found an object in space it has never seen before.
Best Buy purchases Napster - Despite the fact that it has been losing money.
People who socialize online have the same problems as people offline - But the diagnosis is still complicated.
A little insight on the highly anticipated Fable 2
Leaning tower of glass planned for New York City - Better invest in some nice curtains if you get stuck on the lower level.
Even more Lego Batman - Had enough yet? Me either.
September 15th, 2008
Anticipation of the lich king
Are you ready for Wrath of the Lich King to come out? With all of the new achievements available, probably not. Luckily, I have a guide to help you get prepared. Go read it.
September 13th, 2008
exterminate!
Absolutely brilliant the things that kids come up with these days. Here we have a 6 and a half minute long Doctor Who You Tube video featuring children acting as The Doctor, Captain Jack, and Daleks. I must say, this is quite an amazing video, with special effects to boot! Who would have thought that something like this could come from the mind of a 6 year old?
Wipeout title goes high definition - A wonderfully suited racer to go HD if I do say myself. Article includes gameplay video and short interview.
Gates and Seinfeld connect with a "real family" in the newest Microsoft commercial - Do they believe the general public is going to get anything out of this "commercial mini series"?
Polar bears can get political too - And they can carry dynamite, apparently.
Students from Parsons, a design school, plan for 2 days of LittleBigPlanet fun
Sony Reader officially goes up against the Amazon Kindle
Activision absorbs another company - This time to make music-related content and games.
Massively takes you through a tour of Ryzom, a unique French-developed MMO
Big Fish is looking to enter the bigger pond
E-peen wars in real life are more dangerous than online - But just as unimportant.
First robots climb walls, now RC cars
September 12th, 2008
Massive Multi-Platforming
Sony discussed their trials and tribulations with creating an MMO title for release on both PC and Playstation 3 today. Matt Wilson spoke of three current problematic issues: exploitability through the PC, balance between console and PC controls, and being able to properly and frequently update the game. It sounds like a lot more trouble than it would be worth; I do not entirely understand why they are bothering to offer it on both. It does show that they are not worried about this console MMO becoming obsolete by a next generation of consoles. I suppose they are the makes of the someday-upcoming successor to the Playstation 3 though. Regardless, shooters belong on PCs, end of story.
AntiSpore site, surprisingly, turns out to be a hoax - Who could honestly hate Spore anyway?
Double your pleasure with a Gears of War 2 trailer
World of Warcraft players in uproar about Blizzard's decision to allow PvE to PvP transfers - That means players who created their characters on a server where the Alliance and Horde give each other flowers instead of headaches will be allowed to move over to another server not based on Care Bear land.
Microsoft's new job posting is just as mysterious as Blizzards' "Top Secret" game - No, I am not referring to the Val Kilmer film.
Verizon employee uses customer's phone lines to do a lot of dirty talking - A perk when working for the phone company.
Despite the studio closure yesterday, Age of Empires may not be entirely lost
Shin Megami Tensei MMO to cross over the Pacific Ocean
Not enough time to read the paper in the morning? - Maybe if it is burned into your breakfast you will.
Fancy USB stick doubles as a bottle opener - Since many people carry around USB sticks these days, this one will come in extra handy for all those parties you go to.
Fashion meets technology for the ladies - For all of the possible celebrities that may purchase that laptop, how many would actually use it for something other than looks?
Be prepared to play Star Ocean 4 and Last Remnant if you go to the Tokyo Game Show - Shucks.
September 11th, 2008
Google causes problems sometimes
Google has started going through newspaper archives, and it turns out that the bot dug up an old report on United Airlines. Turns out that article was on the near bankruptcy of the airline, and because it was dateless the bot posted it as today's news. Let us just say there was a small financial loss involved, only 300 million dollars. Pocket change, really. On the good side of Google, they are assisting another space satellite project. Unlike the previously launched one that focuses on taking images of the Earth, these 15 satellites will be used to bring Internet to people living in Africa. Planned to be operational by 2010, it is nice to know that Google is looking to do some real good with their technological empire.
SackBoy-focused LittleBigPlanet trailer - Do not forget about SackGirls.
It would take a Genius to find music that you would like to listen to - Luckily iTunes version 8 comes with one, and several other new features.
An iPhone App must for EVE Online players - Now you do not have to worry about checking your skill training every 5 minutes, you can actually go outside.
Google to enter the gaming industry?
There will always be more World of Warcraft
Japanese video game developers are worried they will be left in the dust
Microsoft is looking into making some new mice - The first is the fold-it-up-n-go "stylish" Arc...
The other is a little more revolutionary - Rather than employing the use of a traditional laser, Microsoft is implementing a BlueTrack technology that will allow people to use the mouse on any surface. It is planned to hit stores in October for around $100.
Microsoft closes down the Age of Empires developer studio
Real, non-living life forms created - Almost.
September 10th, 2008
final protégé
Square-Enix has decided to implement the mentor mechanic of City of Heroes into Final Fantasy XI. Essentially, that means higher-level players can temporarily lower their level and abilities to that of their friend's in order to play alongside them. In addition to the new functionality, the developer has decided to add increased amounts of granted experience, monster level adjustments, and the frequency of certain special attacks used against players was reduced. Just as EVE Online did not too long ago, Final Fantasy XI is looking to make it easier for players to level up. With the launch of Warhammer Online closing in, are other MMO companies looking to try to pull players away from World of Warcraft as well?
Boy defends girl, grows up to play MMos and tank - No mention of World of Warcraft in an article relating to MMOs, for once.
Water bear invertebrates are able to survive the vacuum of space - Does being tiny help?
Parents get their own social networking site to deal with their kids - All of the teenagers let go a sigh of relief as maybe their parents will now get off Facebook.
The state of the currently waged war of the browsers
New top-down, side-scrolling shooter for the Playstation Network - Includes all of the glorious and destructive action expected from a shooter.
Fallout 3 gets cut from Australia's shelves - Took them long enough to come to a decision, even when everyone already knew what they were going to say.
Sony to release PSP games on the Playstation Store - Hope to see more titles in the near future. Glad I never bought a PSP now.
Too many new iPods - How are you supposed to choose? Maybe you should just buy them all, make Steve Jobs happy.
More support in favor of MMOs comes from a scientific point of view - And includes a rather impressive image of The Doctor.
September 9th, 2008
Sunday spore
Spore came out yesterday, so if you have yet to get your copy make sure to check out your local gaming store for a piece of the evolutionary action. I have been enjoying my copy, so it should come as no surprise as to why today's news does appear to be rather short. It was somewhat amusing that Spore was released on a Sunday in America considering the game's subject matter. Fortunately, you will not have much else taking up your play time this week as far as new releases go; unless you are the NHL sports game type.
8 minute video by a former GameStop employee explains exactly why you do not shop at Game Stop - For used games in particular, but I have always been rather disappointed by their services.
A legitimate DVD copying solution - I can only see this being useful for traveling, but surely people will find a way to use it for pirating.
A comfier laptop case doubles as a pillow - An item for every college student.
Study Nintendo's entire history - There will be a quiz later.
Check the texts, it might have been a murder
Who actually enjoys paying extra for video games on the current generation consoles? - Oh right, publishers.
To understand the Big Bang, scientists plan on shooting particle beams at each other - When the world gets sucked into a black hole tomorrow you will know why, but it will not matter by then.
A new file format for people who want more than just music in their MP3s
September 8th, 2008
Nervous Brickdown
I have posted a narrative of my experience with Nervous Brickdown. Go read it.
September 6th, 2008
this is ridiculous
An interesting article was posted today regarding socializing on the Internet, particularly Facebook and Twitter. Deeper into the article, the writer brings up thoughts on people spreading themselves emotionally thin, which is a very interesting point that people do not take into consideration. All of these MySpace, Facebook, and other various Internet social network users gather up multitudes of friends almost like it is a competition, but how many of those "relationships" are actually real? Sure, they may know what many others are doing, who they are dating, where they are going this weekend, but that is not honest insight into who a person truly is; the connection is not an authentic intimate relationship. While the Internet may have presented humans with a relatively new way to communicate with and meet others, face-to-face contact was been and always will be the true medium through which relationships bud and bloom.
Take-Two, the Grand Theft Auto creators, are cuddling up with Nintendo
Tecmo break's Square Enix's heart - But they just go looking for more trouble.
Happy birthday to one of the most, should I say, powerful companies in the world - They grow up so fast.
Cryptic Studios was at Dragon Con - Check out all the information on Champions Online.
What could be better than 4 cores? 6 cores, duh!
Enjoy some of Chrome's options but love Firefox too much to leave it? - Everything Chrome can do, Firefox can do just as well. Yes, that even means the notorious "Porn Mode" browsing. But, I am sure you knew of that one already.
Do not understand the new Microsoft ad campaign? - This should help ease your pain. And for those of you who have yet to see it, hop on over to YouTube.
A little taste of Public Quests - Warhammer Online and Aion: The Tower of Eternity style.
September 5th, 2008
better than eye lasers
Blizzard fanboys rejoice, we have new screen shots for both Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2. The last Diablo 3 shot is the best of the bunch, all of that detail is amazing. And what is that green destructive goo jumping from monster to monster? The Starcraft 2 screens do not disappoint either; Protoss lasers are everywhere! They just tear through the Zerg. Simply amazing; those "fans" that have been complaining about Blizzards art direction have no idea what they are talking about.
What happens to a massively multiplayer game when it becomes based on soloing? - Unfortunately this article rings true for the most part. A lot of World of Warcraft is based solely on solo play. This can be fun for people who are shy or do not play well with others, but then it nearly entirely defeats the purpose of the game being an MMO. Has everyone forgotten what MMO stands for?
Behind the quest lines of Fallout 3 with Emil Pagliarulo, a Bethesda designer
NASA device assists in finding cancerous tissues - Interesting combination.
The Federal Communications Commission makes Comcast QQ - As long as connection limitations only affect pirates I will support it. Not that my provider offers decent service to begin with.
Trauma Center taken to a whole new level - Where you actually learn something. Go Gators!
Yes, there is a Resident Evil movie film coming out this year - First I have heard about it, though Capcom has been keeping it on the downlow. Is it going to be that bad they need to hide it?
Lose stuff often? Pick up a new pair of spectacles
What might the yet-again-updated Nintendo DS look like?
Amazon's video on demand offers yet another alternative to walking down the street to Blockbuster
September 4th, 2008
Reach level 100
Blizzard has decided to implement achievements to Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2 alongside World of Warcraft. I understand why so many games and systems are adding them, but they really are not that exciting. It is just another way to extend the life of a game by making players repeat actions, and brew lackluster competition between players. "I have 100 more points than you do because I have wasted my time catching 700 of the rarest, tiniest butterflies found in the game world." Congratulations, you have no life nor skill.
More importantly, the article also describes features for the new and improved Battle.net, which if you have forgotten already is Blizzard's way of getting gamers together online to play Diablo and Starcraft titles. I like how the first item on the list is "excellent ping", but I am unsure as to how that relates to World of Warcraft...
Nicholas on Valleywag read some Terms of Services for us so we do not have to
The ESA is thinking about letting games in on the what-was-once-cool E3
Multiverse drops Firefly MMO to bring gamers a Buffy the Vampire Slayer one instead - Thanks, but no thanks Multiverse. Go make something else.
Screenshots for Rockband's rival Wii title - This game will not boo you off stage.
LittleBigPlanet is going to look for some beta testers - Dress up nice, maybe they will pick you.
Picasa recognizes your friends better than you do
They are tiny and expensive but they have no moving parts
Grand Theft Auto saves lives - Bet those parents are happy they gave an M-rated game to their 11-year-old.
Electronic door locks to be remotely controllable - Might make breaking into your house a whole lot easier.
September 3rd, 2008
keys are for cowards
Mercenaries 2 is out this week; not really sure how I feel about people saying that its television commercial was one of the best ever made. We also have Infinite Undiscovery, a good-looking Square Enix RPG, and Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise, a sequel to the cuddly paper animal raising title.
A video has been released of a World of Warcraft player "getting 60 levels in under 20 minutes." This is done through the use of Blizzard's new Recruit a Friend program that offers the original player one level for every two gained on the friend's account. Because of this, the title is quite misleading. Yes, the paladin character is granted 60 levels in under 20 minutes, but to level the 2 characters to 60 in order to grant 60 levels takes much longer than that.
Google has taken over the Internet, and now they can help you surf it - The beta version came out today, give it a whirl.
The XBox 360 achievements for Fallout 3 have been released - How many times will you play through to get the lowest and highest karma statuses?
Has Blizzard put its hand into too many people's wallets? - Could they be... too successful?
A British music player that will move for you
Nokia looks to dethrone Apple's iPod as the go-to source for music
EVE Online avatars use "uppers" to stay focused - The ship integration aspect of the game is fairly cool I have to admit.
The Japanese are giving a whole new meaning to physical interaction with games
Worldwide popular free-to-play MMO opens its closed beta doors to North Americans - Winged elves and the "Untamed" races are awaiting you.
Science discovers a gene that can reflect a man's likliness to commit
Sony's booth, for those of us who were not at PAX
Google gets its name on the side of a big ol' satellite - Time for Google Earth to get a big boost in resolution.
September 2nd, 2008
Post labor day
Happy end of a holi-day. Hope lots of gaming was had. Sucks to be you if you did not have the day off. Time to get back to the grind; and I am not referring to reputation.
September 1st, 2008