Wednesday, September 20, 2006

...And this round goes to Microsoft!

It's amazing how a company that has made so many bad choices in the gaming arena has done a nearly 180 degree flip and started doing pretty much *everything* right... Well at least in regards to the 360.

Microsoft announced at the Tokyo Game show that they will be delivering a free update to all 360's that will allow them to output games at 1080p.  Luckily I'm one of those people that can actually DO something with this... <kisses his new'ish Sony TV> (Yeah... where's the irony there?) but even still that's a great move on MS's part.

I seriously bet you that this update comes out before November 17th, as well.  Since that's the release date for the pitifully poor inventory of PS3's... I'd bet you dollars to donuts...

You'll still need to buy the seperate HD-DVD player when it comes out to be able to play HD-DVD's.  But that makes sense... The drive that's in the 360 is only a standard DVD drive.  There's no way for it to read the HD-DVD format.  The update only allows for the 360 to output games at the higher 1080p resolution.

Hopefully MS will finally come out with an HDMI cable for the 360 as well.  Sure component would still work (what I currently use), but I've got more devices that need component then I do HDMI.  I'd love to free one of those up.

Yeah... oh darn... what a problem to have. =P

--
.ungawa

-Spyke
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Monday, September 11, 2006

Lego Rubberband Gatling Pistol/Gun/Thing

Who cares how accurate it is when you can do this with it:



Gotta love people that have the time to do thier hobbies like that. =)
--
.ungawa

-Spyke
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Saturday, September 09, 2006

OSU Buckeyes vs. UT Longhorns: 23 - 7

Last year UT pulled it out in the last quarter and won the game in our house.  This year we pretty well controlled the game for most of the clock... in *their* house.  It's pretty telling when you have Longhorns leaving their stadium before the game is over... Especially since one of their things is to "Stay Late".

Props to their young quarterback, but bigger props to our mostly young defensive line.  They held their own and made some outstanding plays.  Heck, the fact that James Laurinaitas's old man is Road Warrior Animal is just an awesome bit of trivial for an old wrasslin' fan like me.

It should be an interesting season for both teams.  This is a big loss for Texas, it'll certainly knock them out of 2nd place.  But it's early enough in the season that they can work on re-gaining ground.  For Ohio, it'll be interesting to see how much the rest of their schedule really challenges them until the Michigan game.

Man, it generally doesn't get much better then this.

--
.ungawa

-Spyke
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Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Ohio State: The Buckeye Creed

((Disclaimer: This is a long post. If you start reading it, by law you must finish by clicking on "Read More!".))

Some words of Buckeye wisdom....

THE BUCKEYE CREED

IF YOU ARE A BUCKEYE IT IS MANDATORY TO PRINT THIS AND HANG IT ON OR NEAR YOUR TV...
YOU MAY WANT TO CARRY A COPY WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES...

Important rules to live by...

*It is OK to wear an OSU football jersey even when old....and fat....and bald. Extra points if you've got an OSU baseball cap on backwards.

*Always, and I mean ALWAYS, return any "O...H" with a hearty "I...O." This is true even during funerals, sex, in foreign countries or when witnessing the birth of your child.

*When Notre Dame plays Michigan, it is mandatory to despise both teams. There are no winners.

*You despise the following teams, in order: Michigan, ND, USC, Miami (that's Florida), and Texas

*It is OK to be emotional (and even "tear" up) during the following:

-Script Ohio
-Your child's first Buckeye game
-Carmen Ohio
-During a Tressel speech
-Listening to "What I Want"
-Remembering Woody
-After beating Michigan
-Winning the National Championship
-When NFL Buckeyes state on MNF that they are from "THE" Ohio State University.
-Hearing the phrase, "Rest easy Woody, the new man has arrived."
-Ramp entrance by the Band
-Never listen to Brett Musberger or Keith Jackson on TV. It's okay to watch the game while listening to 1460 on the radio.

*It is not cool to make fun of the Neutron Man. Especially now that he is watching games with Woody.

*Buckeye necklaces must be worn at all times on game day from the time you leave your place of abode until you return.

*Always take off your hat during Carmen Ohio and physically remove the hats of anyone in your vicinity who fails to do so.

*Everyone should rush the field after an OSU home victory over Michigan at least once in their lifetime. (Extra kudos for those of you who rushed the field at IU and tore down THEIR goalposts a few years ago...c'mon you know who you are!).

*Attending Skull Session is mandatory at least once each season.

*ESPN employees must be verbally taunted at every opportunity.

*We must all pray that the next president of OSU has more of a clue than the present one.

*When you die, you must have at least one item of Buckeye memorabilia with you. (Specify which one in your will, that way your spouse won't pick something stupid).

*You are forbidden to fall for the National Media crap sandwich that Joe Pa is still a "good guy." In reality, he is a bitter, senile old man reduced to a cheerleader and referee-baitor.

*Recruiting must be followed as intensely as any game. This is true even if it puts your job/career at risk.

*Attend the Spring Game. It makes it easier to survive the summer.

*When in church, it is not sacrilegious to count being a Buckeye as one of your blessings.

*Try to never boo a former or current Buckeye football player.

*Admit that secretly, you wished you played tuba and could dot the " i "
You'd even be willing to put on a few dozen pounds to look the part.

*It is important to consider the "good old days" ARE NOW. Enjoy them even when OSU doesn't win the NC.

*Scarlet and Gray always works. Maize and Blue is always gay. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

*It is never OK to talk to a stranger at the urinal next to you unless he is dressed in OSU garb. That said, the topic should be limited to Buckeye football.

*There are no bad seats in Ohio Stadium.

*If you attend a game at Wisconsin, you must never engage in "Jump Around" at the end of the third quarter no matter how tempting. Also, never, and I mean never, take your kids to a Wisconsin game unless you want to explain why everyone there are drunken jerks.

*If your wife asks you what was the greatest night of your life, admit the truth that it was January 3, 2003.

*Plant a Buckeye tree in your yard.

*Hang a Buckeye flag on game day. If any of your neighbors counter with a Michigan flag, it is your solemn duty to tear it down and deface it anyway you see fit.

*It is "ok" to not get the drum major thing; it is "not ok" to fail to cheer when the plume touches the field.

*In honor of Woody, the principle of "playing forward" should be practiced at all times by all Buckeyes.

And the NUMBER 1 RULE:

**Never agree to get married on a Saturday Ohio State is scheduled to play football. There are typically 40 other freakin' weekends to choose from...sack up and make her/him choose one of those!

Oh and...

*Never attend a wedding during an Ohio State football game unless you carry a TV......and watch it even during the ceremony.

GO BUCKS!!!
.ungawa

-Spyke
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Star Wars: 122 changes to A New Hope

Looks like they have the ANH section set up ala yesterday's post with the 151 changes to Empire.

122 SW: A New Hope Differences

Same deal as yesterday.  They show the differences between the original 1977 theatrical version and the 2004 DVD version.  As before they also show any additions to the movie as well.

Oh... and number 40 is *the* one.  Blech.

--
.ungawa

-Spyke
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Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Star Wars: 151 changes to Empire

On starwars.com they recently put up a section showing screen caps of the 151 differences between the 1980 theactrical release of The Empire Strikes Back and the 2004 DVD edition.

151 SW: Empire Strikes Back Differences

Sure, a lot of it is just "cleanup" and color fixing/balancing, etc.  But there are some pretty radical changes in it.  ESB actually had some of the least offensive changes out of the three movies.  Heck I think its the only one out of the three that pretty much ended up as an upgrade after the "special edition".  If nothing else Cloud City looks a heck of a lot better now.  Especially without all of the long white, blank, corridors.

Oh, also to note.  If you see two 2004 images on top of each other, that means that they are showing a scene that was added to the 2004 version.  For example, if you look at change number 8 from the link above you'll see two shots of the updated Wompa that was added into the 2004 version.

And yes... for whatever reason nearly *everything* is more blue... or well I should say.  Less grey.

Of course what's really cool is the little bit at the bottom.  They are telling you exactly what the differences are.  That does the geek in me proud.  Just what I need... more useless Star Wars trivia to absorb. =)

--
.ungawa

-Spyke
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Monday, September 04, 2006

Wii: Liepzig Video Review

Saw this over at IGN.  Not generally a fan of their "IGN Weekly" stuff, but this one is WAY cool.

IGN Weekly 23

It's probably the best look at the control of the Wii that I've seen yet.  The video's about 25 minutes long, so the guy has plenty of time to play through a few of the games that they were showing.  That makes it REALLY cool is that he has two cameras set up.  So you can see his hands with the Wiimote as well as the screen.  It really does a good job of showing off how the Wiimote works (or doesn't work) in the various games.

I'm still waiting till I get my hands on a Wii before I make my final decision... but I'm leaning towards getting one now.  But not leaning enough to worry about getting one as soon as they come out.  I'll wait till they get whatever kinks are worked out first.  =)

--
.ungawa

-Spyke
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Friday, September 01, 2006

Dark Messiah of Might & Magic: Will be available on Steam

Ubisoft announced yesterday that they will be releasing the new M&M game on Steam at the same time that they release it in the stores.

More information, and the press release, at the Joystiq link below:

http://tinyurl.com/g2fqw

I've been a big fan of Steam even back when other people were having a ton of issues with it during the launch of HL2, etc. Just like XBLA (Xbox Live Arcade) on the 360, I think it's a great tool/way for independent developers to get their games out there. Look at Darwinia... Great game that won a TON of awards. I honestly think that it wouldn't have been anywhere near as popular if it wasn't as readily available on Steam like it was.

Seeing a big publisher like Ubisoft use Steam for one of their big, hopefully, AAA titles is a huge feather in the cap of Valve.

Either which way I hope digital distribution continues to gain more and more speed and services like XBLA and Steam get more and more popular with many more good games.
--
.ungawa

-Spyke
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