BlackDots
Name: BlackDots
Joined On: Sep 06, 2005
Maintag: Black Dots
Age: 30
Occupation: Property Manager
Location: Irvine, CA
Currently: Offline
Last seen: 1/25/08
101 Member Points
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01/22/08
This Borders on Indulgent...
...but I couldn't resist.Posted by BlackDots @ 12:08 am EDT | Permalink | 1 Comments
01/20/08
Frontlines: Fuel of War Demo
My brother-in-law tipped me off to the Frontlines demo on Live. I checked the website, and liked the premise, so I downloaded it this morning and gave it a whirl.
It's...OK. First off, I think it looks good. The Unreal 3 engine is a pretty thing, and I think this demo shows us what we can expect in terms of visuals. I also liked the idea of being able to control combat drones. That should add some interesting gameplay elements, especially in multiplayer.
Unfortunately, there are a couple of problems. Before getting into it, let me say I understand this is a demo and the final product is still a month out. Anyway, the AI is stupid. Like, stupid stupid. They don't move much, they don't track you very well as you move around them, and they don't seem to work together. Second, the weapon selection system sucks. It's similar to what was in BF2:MC. The system in the original Xbox version of BF2:MC was OK, but for some reason, the 360 version of the game had a slightly tweaked version of the selection system that drove me nuts. Frontlines' system, unfortunately, is like the 360 version of BF2:MC. Also, the characters are annoying. The jacked-up "let's kick some ass" dimwit character might work in Gears of War, but that's because everything in that game is over the top (e.g. chainsaw bayonet). It might sound boring, but given that the story is meant to be plausible (and I think the cinematic at the beginning of the demo does a great job of setting things up), and we are dealing with the end of the world as we know it, I'd imagine the tone of the game would be a bit more somber and fatalistic. Then again, what the hell do I know?
I'm sorry there was no multiplayer available in the demo. The Battlefield-style play sounds interesting, if they can pull it off. As I've stated before, I love that gametype and I hope it can be faithfully brought to the console at some point. I guess we'll have to wait until next month to see how this all comes together.
It's...OK. First off, I think it looks good. The Unreal 3 engine is a pretty thing, and I think this demo shows us what we can expect in terms of visuals. I also liked the idea of being able to control combat drones. That should add some interesting gameplay elements, especially in multiplayer.
Unfortunately, there are a couple of problems. Before getting into it, let me say I understand this is a demo and the final product is still a month out. Anyway, the AI is stupid. Like, stupid stupid. They don't move much, they don't track you very well as you move around them, and they don't seem to work together. Second, the weapon selection system sucks. It's similar to what was in BF2:MC. The system in the original Xbox version of BF2:MC was OK, but for some reason, the 360 version of the game had a slightly tweaked version of the selection system that drove me nuts. Frontlines' system, unfortunately, is like the 360 version of BF2:MC. Also, the characters are annoying. The jacked-up "let's kick some ass" dimwit character might work in Gears of War, but that's because everything in that game is over the top (e.g. chainsaw bayonet). It might sound boring, but given that the story is meant to be plausible (and I think the cinematic at the beginning of the demo does a great job of setting things up), and we are dealing with the end of the world as we know it, I'd imagine the tone of the game would be a bit more somber and fatalistic. Then again, what the hell do I know?
I'm sorry there was no multiplayer available in the demo. The Battlefield-style play sounds interesting, if they can pull it off. As I've stated before, I love that gametype and I hope it can be faithfully brought to the console at some point. I guess we'll have to wait until next month to see how this all comes together.
Posted by BlackDots @ 9:26 pm EDT | Permalink | 0 Comments
01/20/08
Clinton, Obama Win Nevada
Wha?"A source with knowledge of the Nevada Democratic Party's projections told The Nation that under the arcane weighting system, Obama would win 13 national convention delegates and Clinton would win 12 delegates. The state party has not released an official count yet.
Barack Obama released an official statement celebrating a delegate victory. 'We came from over twenty-five points behind to win more national convention delegates than Hillary Clinton because we performed well all across the state, including rural areas where Democrats have traditionally struggled,' he said."
The Electoral College seems pretty simple by comparison.
Posted by BlackDots @ 3:29 am EDT | Permalink | 1 Comments
01/17/08
Meet Scrotie (NSFW-ish)
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to introduce to you...Scrotie, the official mascot of the Rhode Island School of Design ice hockey team, The Nads.
"And what does Scrotie get them to cheer? 'Go Nads!'"
Posted by BlackDots @ 11:12 pm EDT | Permalink | 5 Comments
01/17/08
Book Battle
I like reading. A lot. Every once in a while, though, my reading habits get totally derailed and I find myself struggling to make it through a 200 page book about stars...with pictures. We have a great library near me in Newport Beach. Actually, it's too good. Every time I go there, I end up walking out with six books. I usually only end up reading one or two of them, and then pay late fees on the rest. It used to be worse, though. I used to go to Barnes and Noble and leave with six books. I'll take the late fees instead.
A few weeks ago, I was reading Penny Arcade and Tycho mentioned a book called Altered Carbon. It is a futuristic sci-fi/detective story set in a time when everyone has a neural implant that records the memories of their lives. When the body dies, the information in the implant can be transferred to an implant in a new body. So, if you can afford it, you can essentially live forever. After reading the synopsis, I thought the concept introduced some interesting ethical aspects, so I picked it up.
Well, it wasn't what I expected. It was more of a hardboiled detective novel full of the usual cliches. I could see why a fan of the genre could like it, but I didn't take to it. The novelty of the neural implant wore out after about a 100 pages, and my attention started to drift to other things, namely COD4 multiplayer. Again, I found myself stuck with a book I didn't want to finish. I hate it. I know this is silly, but it makes me feel like I let the book down or something.
Anyway, I've decided to reboot my book list and start fresh. Right now, I'm reading The Genius of America. I also have a few books about Darwin, and The Origin of Species. Hopefully, one of them will stick.
A few weeks ago, I was reading Penny Arcade and Tycho mentioned a book called Altered Carbon. It is a futuristic sci-fi/detective story set in a time when everyone has a neural implant that records the memories of their lives. When the body dies, the information in the implant can be transferred to an implant in a new body. So, if you can afford it, you can essentially live forever. After reading the synopsis, I thought the concept introduced some interesting ethical aspects, so I picked it up.
Well, it wasn't what I expected. It was more of a hardboiled detective novel full of the usual cliches. I could see why a fan of the genre could like it, but I didn't take to it. The novelty of the neural implant wore out after about a 100 pages, and my attention started to drift to other things, namely COD4 multiplayer. Again, I found myself stuck with a book I didn't want to finish. I hate it. I know this is silly, but it makes me feel like I let the book down or something.
Anyway, I've decided to reboot my book list and start fresh. Right now, I'm reading The Genius of America. I also have a few books about Darwin, and The Origin of Species. Hopefully, one of them will stick.
Posted by BlackDots @ 12:21 am EDT | Permalink | 2 Comments
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Halo 3
Half-Life 2: Episode Two
Panzer Tactics DS
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
The Orange Box
[Full List]