Wednesday, October 7, 2009

You've been tagged?

Stumbled upon a curious thing today... Microsoft Tag; Microsoft's entry into the barcode world.

Doesn't sound too exciting when you put it like that, but it is quite an interesting idea. Basically, with everyone seeming to have a smart phone these days (or the very least a phone capable of browsing the Internet) there seems to be a lot of interest in making it easier for people to enter your web address (hence the rather exponential number of short URLs floating about atm). Microsoft's Tag basically allows you to take a photo of the rather colourful 'barcode' and the Tag app will translate it into a web url or email address etc...

They certainly are the first to try this approach, but their barcodes are easily created, colourful and customisable!

I've included one below for this website using the standard Microsoft format (triangles) but the easiest thing is to try for yourself... for the main website visit http://www.microsoft.com/tag/ and to get the application for your phone, go to http://gettag.mobi

Monday, September 21, 2009

Just don't!

Quick post today... Twin Sector... DON'T BUY IT (or else).

At the risk of devoting more time on this post than I could tolerate of the game:

- Cliche-ridden story
- Shocking animation
- Painful, grinding voice-acting
- Laughable gameplay

If this had been released 10 years ago... it still would have been crap!

Saturday, September 5, 2009

End of Summer Smackdown

Thanks to everyone who came along today... it was a great event.

I'd particularly like to thank DM (for hosting), Wod (for being Wod) and Grizzly for providing the first real possible replacement for "What's the reload key" in the last decade... that's right, "Hit 'F' to shoot out of the helicopter". Nothing like the sound of disbelief and panic to drown out the noise of your character plummeting towards the ground and the obvious consequences.

As usual, the statistics for our Counter-Strike Source matches can be found at http://stats.lanfix.net

It's good to be the king (again) :-P

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited

For those that still play MMO's, Turbine have just announced that Dungeons & Dragons Online will become Free To Play.

The newly titled Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited is currently in beta in North America only at present and Codemasters have not yet confirmed if they will be going down the same route.

All details can be found here - http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=184786

DDO Unlimited introduces a new Free To Play option to the game! Players can download DDO for free and enjoy many free adventures. The new DDO Store allows players to purchase even more adventures, special items, and account services! The best part is - as existing subscribers, you're automatically enrolled in our VIP program for DDO Unlimited and will enjoy all the benefits that come with being VIPs! You'll continue to get unlimited access to all of the game's content, plus get some extra perks as our thank you just for being a VIP!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Nuke it from space... it's the only way to be sure!

Cool new trailer for the latest AvP game. I've loved the previous ones and this is looking amazing!

Take a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an0gLnboLjE

More information can be found on Sega's blog here http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2009/05/20/new-aliens-vs-predator-details-and-images/

Looking forward to many hours of sneaking around as an alien, fragging Hollywod over... and over... and over... and over again! :-P

Friday, June 5, 2009

In other news...

LOL... looks like myself and DJRedline had similar ideas (and timing) so you get two posts on E3 for the price of one... bargain!


Anyway... so this week E3 (The Electronic Entertainment Expo) has been stealing the gaming headlines. After two years out in the cold (having become a no-frills business meeting) it's back to it's former self with all the glitz, stunts and booth babes you'd expect from one of the gaming calendar's main events. As usual the announcement were a mixed tale of sequels and surprises. Anything there of note? Maybe... I've picked out a few bits that caught my eye:

- Bioshock 2 : After such an amazing first game, it was hard to imagine that they'd be able to better it. It's looking good so far... and now it includes multiplayer.
- Mass Effect 2 : I still haven't managed to finish the first one (something always gets in the way) but the sequel promises a darker and more sinister plot line and even better cinematics.
- Castlevania: Lord of Shadows : Another attempt to drag the Castlevania into the third dimension. I loved Castlevania on my old Game Boy and, personally, I don't think they've managed to make a sequel that even equals the original... perhaps this will.
- Left 4 Dead 2 : Even more zombie-killing fun... now with chainsaws and frying pans! An announcement no-one was really expecting (HL2 Episode 3 or Portal 2 anyone?) but a welcome sight all the same. More locations, different bosses and survivors and some real up-close and personal combat.
- Assassin's Creed II : Bigger, better, faster, longer? I've got to be honest, I don't normally expect much from Ubisoft. This, however, looks amazing. The original Assassin's Creed was good, but from what I've seen of the sequel so far, this is going to blow you away. All sorts of new moves and looking even more amazing... I can't wait!
- Modern Warfare II : The sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare appears to be shaping up nicely. It's also looking like the story line may be a little more gritty and unforgiving...
- Uncharted 2 : Among Thieves : Not owning a PS3, I've not played the original... but the sequel is looking amazing. A reason to buy a PS3 perhaps?
- Crackdown II : The ultimate bad-ass super cop sim IS getting a sequel. No real details as yet
- Red Steel 2 : The original wasn't bad. Hopefully the sequel will be a more refined experience.
- Forza 3 : Just watch this trailer... http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-forza/50004
- Lego Indiana Jones 2 : Will apparently include the ability to build your own levels in Lego!
- Agent : by Rockstar... little is know so far but they are obviously quite keen to hype it up.
- Modnation Racers : Build-your-own racing fun
- APB : I've been following this for a while. Essentially a Cops and Robbers MMOG and it looks to be shaping up nicely.
- DC Universe Online : There is certainly more polish on this since I played it last year (thanks Jens) and they've been showing off the 'cases' (AKA quests) available. Likely to reach beta in the Autumn (hopefully).
- The Agency : Sony's Spy MMO seems to be moving along nicely. Looking forward to beta testing this too.
- Alan Wake : At long last it looks like this may actually surface. Whether it'll be any good is a different matter entirely.
- The Vitality Sensor for the Wii : Yup... your Wii will now be able to, um, check your pulse (I'm sure they'll find a use for it).
- The Sony Wand : A glowing orb on a black shaft (that looks nothing like a dildo, according to GameSpot) that the Playstation Eye can 'see'. Seems a little bit of a step back from the Wii controller but time will tell.
- Project Natal : Microsoft's "surprise" announcement of a new controller for the Xbox 360 that uses a camera (with full body motion capture and facial recognition) and voice recognition to let you interact with the system. If it works, it has the potential to be amazing...
- PSP Go : A new PSP that looks a little like a cross between a Nintendo DS and a Samsung Mondi (or any other mobile phone with a slide-out keyboard). They've now ditched the UMD drive so it'll be interesting to see how PSP Go owners are going to be able to get the older games.

E3

Well i have completed 'Broken Steel' for Fallout 3 and was quite pleased with the content and the new weapons and armour i now have in my inventory.
I haven't downloaded the 1st two DLC's that were available as it was the ability to continue the game past the main quest that Broken Steel gave that promptly made me download this.

For those that have followed E3 this week may have seen the big annoucement from Microsoft with 'Project Natal' If this concept works then Nintendo's annoucement regarding the new motion sensor changes to the Wii controller look very dull (imo)
Now 'Project Natal' provides a full 3d depth of vision with Voice and facial recognition so no controller required.

Other annoucements -
Fallout 3 'Point Lookout' the 4th DLC
Metal Gear Solid Rising will be coming to X360
Crackdown 2 - I loved the 1st game and this one hints at an infected city
Modern Warfare 2 - OMG i almost got aroused at this :) and for me will be a definate purchase on the 10 November.
Beatles Rock Band which claims to contain the complete back catalogue (now do i wait for this or shall i just pick up the amazing GH Metallica ????)
Facebook and Twitter coming to X360 dashboards
SKY TV coming to X360 including premiership games streamed live
All HD videos have been changed to full 1080p and are now instantly streamed instead of having to download previously.