Away On Leave

There will prbably be fewer posts the next couple of days as I celebrate Christmas with my family. I'll be at home this year, so if I have anything to report I'll go ahead and post, but I doubt it. If I don't post again, Merry Christmas, Happy Kawanza, Happy Hanuka, Happy Festivus and any and all others.

P.S. Don't forget about the STAR awards on 1/3/06 and the Year in Review on New Years Eve. I'min the middle of finishing both of them for their releases.

P.P.S Halo: The Lost Man is still in development, and won't make a public appearance until May 2006. Sorry.

Marble Blast Ultra

This new Marble "sim" game comes out tomorrow over Xbox Live Aracde for 800 MS points. The title looks cool to me, and I'll probably end up buying the full version once I get a 1600 MS Point card from my brother on Christmas.

New Battlefront 2 DL Content

LucasArts annouced Monday that new DLC has gone out and is planned for BattleFront 2. This week, an update has been released to allow you to play Jedi-Free-For-All on Kayashk. A Premium pack is scheduled for January that includes favorite from the orginal, including Rhen Var and Bespin.

The Game That's Making Me Glad I Got a 360

...is Elder Scrolls 4. I've never played any of the orginals, but man this game looks good. So much action, so many different things to choose from. I'll go out on a limb and say this is the first game that will show off the Xbox 360'real potential for normal games. This is the next-generations alright. I might have to go out and preorder this title.

Nominees for STAR Awards Are In

Here are the nominees for the 2005 StarDrummer STAR awards. The winners will be annouced ina special post on January 3, 2005.

Best Console
Xbox
Xbox 360
PS2
GameCube

New Device
iPod nano
iPod, V5
Moto Razor Phone
PSP

Best Online Game
SC:CT
Perfect Dark Zero
SOCOM 3
Mario Kart DS
Battlefront 2

Best Offline Game
SC:CT
Call of Duty 2 (360)
Battlefront 2
Half Life 2 (XBX)

Best Graphics
--caption award

Best Gameplay
Call of Duty 2
Battlefront 2
Perfect dark Zero
Kameo: Elements of Power
Half-Life 2

Best Controls
--caption award

Best Star Wars Game
SW: Episode III (XBX)
SW: Battlefront 2
SW: Republic Commando

Console Bests
--caption awards

GOTY
Call of Duty 2 (360)
Perfect Dark Zero
SOCOM 3
Half-Life 2 (XBX)
SC:CT

Best Developer
Bungie (Halo Map Pack)
Rare (PDZ, Kameo)
Valve (HL 2)
Nintendo (Mario KartDS, others)

Best Publisher
--caption award

Best DLC
Halo Map Pack
Live Aracde: GeoWars 2
Live Aracde: Outpost Kaloki: X
Live Aracde: Smash TV
SC:CT

Movie of the Year
King Kong
March of the Penguins
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Star Wars: Episode III
Rent

TV Show of the Year
How I Met Your Mother
Two and a Half Men
CSI: Miami
Call for Help
Current

Acting: TV/Movie
--caption award

Awards listed as caption awards are individual awards that are looked at regardless of competition, thus NO nominees are ever made. Basically, all games are considered for this category at the same time.

Several awards are not listed here. The decsion has yet to be made about the list of nominees or the inclusion of the award itself. Please note that this is different than an ward stating that it is a caption award.

Robotron 2084 Out

Robotron 2084 has been released on the Martketplace. I'd say try out the demo, but it is REALLY short (less than a minute in length). If you want another top-down 360 degree shoter to join the ranks of Smash TV, GeoWars, Storm and others, than it's your title. If you, like me, think that 3 is enough, than you should probably hold out.

360 Launch Day: Part 2

It's offical: Best Buy's across the US will be releasing a second wave of Xbox 360's this Sunday, December 18. Here are the ad's and the insider memo to prove it:

(Click on Image for Full Size)

I might drive by my local Best Buy, just to laugh and make fun of those who are waiting for one. And yes, I do think you should camp overnight. Most stores are only getting around 24. Heres the list.

My store (#150) is getting 60 systems. On the 22nd, they had 97. You do the math.

Finished THAW Classic Mode

As you can see by my GamerScore, I finished THAW Classic Mode last night. I am almost to Tony Alva...and about half-way or so through the Story Mode.

Have bearly started PDZ yet...I'll save that for the next two weeks I have off.

Wik: Cool New Aracade Game

For those of you with a 360...go and download the new demo of Wik in the Martketplace. The game is pretty fun, in a werid way. It grows on you, and once it does your be hooked. Be prepared to dish out 800 MS Points pretty soon, you'll want this one.

Also, isn't that te coolest GamerPic thing yet?

What to Get: 2005 Edition

Here's an updated Amazon list for this year as I continue my quest to have the best items under the tree each year.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html/ref=wlem-si-html_viewall/103-3794184-9385453?id=1T33M25ZJ126N

AWOL Becuase of Xbox 360

I know I've been gone for quite some time now...but it's simply becuase I've been putting in all extra time to the 360, as you can see from my GamerScore.

So far, I've fully completed Madden, beat the SP of COD2 and I am about halfway through THAW (only 2 more Classic Goals!). Today I just got PDZ, and I've got mixed first reactions. The graphics are not that great, and the controls feel funky compared to COD2. The gameplay, hwoever, is pretty fun, and reminds me for some reason of Unreal 2. Odd, I know, but the premise is similar. That may, for me, be a good thing, as I actually liked U2.

I've also been playing around with a few Araca titles, and I've purhcased Geometry Wars 2, Smash TV and Outpost Kaloki X so far. I have trial versions of the others (Pool, and the new weird table games). I have to say that the MartketPlace is my favorite new addition to Xbox. The trailers, demos and content has got me hooked. I literaly have spent hours just going back and forth and seeing whats all their.

I've also manged to get a full 360 set-up between 3 Windows machines and a wireless router, all in under 10 minutes. Thank you MS, their is a God. The picture/song transfer thing is way cool, just wish I could play copy-protected mucis from iTunes.

Perfect GamerScore: Madden '06

Yesterday I finally finished 30 years of Franchise mode in Madden for the 360, and got a 1000 GamerScore for the Game (Don't belive me? Click on my GamerCard to the right!). Now on to Call of Duty 2. That game is freakin' hard!

360: First Thoughts

Putting the shortages and some console failures aside, heres my thoughts on Microsoft's new Xbox 360.

It rocks.

There realy is so much to say about it that by saying anything is limiting its pure power. But I'll try anyway.

The Guide is awsome...being able to access it no matter where you are is totally cool. The way it interacts between you, Live and the Internet is amazing. GamerScore is cool too, and provides a realistic back-up for trash-talking online.

The hardware itself is pretty nice. The controlers are sloids and easy to use for the mowst part. The HDD works fine...although it probably isn't being used as much as it should. The Play and Charge Kit (my current only accessory) works great, and really is a must have for all wireless controlers (it provides a warning as to when the battery will die...on screen!)

The graphics and games of course are the meat of the console...but words will not do either justice. You must play it to see what it is. If you didn't stand in line for 21 hours and wern't lucky enough to get one...than head to a kiosk now and set-up permant residence, or fly to Japan or Europe for their luanches (you still have time). There is no excuse not to be playing the 360.

I'm off to go finish Call of Duty 2 to higher my GamerScore! Have to break 1000 this weekend!

Xbox 360 Is Here

The era of next-gen gaming is here, and I am a part of it. After a long 21 hours outside of my local Best Buy...I managed to score the hottest gaming system in history. And yes, it is everything it is cracked out to be. The graphics are just something tobe hold. Currently, I have three 360 games--Call of Duty 2, Madden '06 and Tony Hawk's American Wasteland.

I posted my GamerCard here before, and I will try to get it as a permanate feature of this blog via HTML. Stay tuned for more news and info as I get a second to tear myself away from the 360.

My GamerCard

EDIT: My GamerCard may now be seen on the right hand side.

Less than 24 Hours

Less than 24 hours before the US release of the Xbox 360...and I'm about to embark on a quest to find one. No, I did not pre-order one...and now I will seek one out using stealth, charm and smarts.

My first stop is Wal-Mart, who has about 150 available for sale at 12:01 tonight. I plan to head over there in about an hour and wait in line.

If I am not successful there, I shall head to Best Buy, which opens at 9 AM to get one there. If I run out of luck, Costco and Circuit City are next.

Expect audio updates here on the progress of my journey. It's gonna be a long day...

Unpacking Ritual

The guys over at Joystick have just completed most of their unpacking ritual of the Xbox 360. Definatly worth a look.

LINK

(P.S. Whats isnide the metal box????)

Happy 3rd B-day Xbox Live

Today also marks the 3rd Birthday of Xbox Live. The service was born on this day in 2002. Heres another round on me.

Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Birthday to XBOX LIVE...
Happy Birthday to you...

Happy 4th B-Day Xbox

A Big Happy B-day goes out to Xbox today...it turns 4 years old. It was born on this day in 2001.

Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Birthday to XBOX
Happy Birthday to you...

Train Releases New Single-"Cab"

Train released a new single from their upcoming album today on iTunes. It's Called "Cab" and I like it.

Today seems like Music Tuesday for some reason...with Bowling For Soup, Train, Green Day, Big and Rich and Harry Potter. Next week, it's DVD Tuseday, with Seinfeld (5 AND 6), Polar Express and others coming out. And a little console called Xbox 360 :)

360 Luanch Titles Revieled

The moment you've all been waiting for: the full and complete lineup for the Xbox 360 on launch day (11/22). The following titles will be available on OR BEFORE the Big Day:

Kameo™: Elements of Power™ (Microsoft Game Studios)Go on a journey full of magnificent exploration and innovative morph-into-monster action.

Perfect Dark Zero™ (Microsoft Game Studios)Plunge into a world of corporate espionage and conspiracy as perfect agent Joanna Dark.

Project Gotham Racing 3 (Microsoft Game Studios)Life begins at 170 mph with the ultimate roster of the hottest supercars in existence.

Call of Duty 2 (Activision)Experience the cinematic intensity and chaos of epic WWII battles in this Xbox 360 exclusive.

Need for Speed™ Most Wanted (Electronic Arts)Out-race rivals and evade coordinated police pursuits to become the most wanted street racer.

Peter Jackson's King Kong™ (Ubisoft)Battle for survival on Skull Island as Jack Driscoll and even play as the mighty Kong himself.

Madden NFL 06 (Electronic Arts)Get ready for the most incredibly lifelike and best looking football experience ever created.

GUN™ (Activision)Journey through the Wild West in an immersive story of betrayal, greed, and revenge.

Condemned: Criminal Origins™ (SEGA)Pursue serial killers lurking on the periphery of humanity through squalid urban environments.

NBA 2K6 (2K Sports)Create your own player and guide him through all of the facets of an elite NBA career.

Ridge Racer™ 6 (Namco)With more than 130 cars and 30 courses play all-new online modes, plus downloadable content.

Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (Activision)Enjoy unlimited skating and BMX biking in the vast wasteland of Los Angeles with no load times.

QUAKE™ 4 (Activision)Take the battle to the heart of the Strogg home planet as Earth's only hope for victory.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 06 (Electronic Arts)Battle through five classic periods of golf with Tiger Woods and legends like Palmer and Nicklaus.

Amped 3 (2K Sports)Get ready for a fat helping of boarding culture and huge snowboxes loaded with killer gameplay.

FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup™ (Electronic Arts)With 72 teams and 1700 players, it's a soccer lover's dream as you advance to the World Cup.

NHL 2K6 (2K Sports)Hockey is back, so strap on your skates and take your favorite team to the Stanley Cup finals.

NBA Live 06 (Electronic Arts)Feel the emotion and intensity with freestyle superstars and more physical play

Battlefront 2 Review

TeamXbox: 9.0/10
IGN 7.0/10

Opening Thoughts
First, we all know I'm a huge SW fan, and we all know how much I've been looking foward to this game. I have alot of Star Wars experiance, and thus know a lot about every character. I have also played Battlefront 1 and know the way it works. Keep that in mind during the review.

Single Player
Let's get the boring part out of the way. Let it be known that battlefront 2 isn't meant for single player. Sure it has it, but that isn't going to justify a $50 purchase. There are a couple of game types: Galtic Conquest, Rise of the Empire, and Instant Action (no Historical Campaign this time around). Conquest plays out like a board game, where you take turns moving fleets and buying soilders and bonuses. When you run into an enemy, you fight, whereve that may be. Rise of the Empire plays like a mini-game, in that it has specific objectives and things that need to be accomplished within the battle. Instant Action is just the multiplayer game types versus an AI bot.
Score: 4/5

Controls
For some reason, this time the reload is not X, but down on the D Pad. They are totally customizable though, and the game plays perfectly no matter which way they are set to.
Score: 5/5

Sound
Perfect. But it should be, as this is Star Wars. The new songs from ROTS add a nice touch to the others. Sound effects and 5.1 are all there to boot.
Score: 5/5

Graphics
BF 2 isn't the greatest looking game ever, but it works well with what it's got. Some of the planets (Like Felucia) are not too easy to look at, but most of the characters look pretty good. Visually, not much has changed from the first one.
Score: 3.5/5

Gameplay
To put it simply, Battlefront 2 is fun to play- die hard fan or not. The improvemets only add to the game that was alreadly pretty good. The ability to be a Jedi or to fly in space are really great additions. Space battles, by the way, work like a game of Destruction, where you fly into the enemies base and do as much damage as possible. Heroes selection includes Han, Leia, Luke, Chewbacca, The Emperior, Vader, Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Yoda, Mace Window, Boba and Jango Fett, Count Dooku, General Grevious and a few others.

The game works well with what it does. The new maops, which include Tantive IV, Felucia, Death Star, Jabba's Place (sort-of new), Dagobah, Mustafar, Utapa, and others provide great new battles. And the addition of new game modes like Hunt (kill the other species) and CTF (single and double) add even more variety to the game.

The only thing really wrong with BF 2 is that it is too easy, and thus becomes un-fun to play. That's where multiplayer comes in.
Score: 5/5

Multiplayer
BF 2 supports 4-player spiltscreen, 4-person-per-TV System Link and 32 player Live battles (4 players per TV as well). The actual experiance is quite fun, but is lagged with problems. In every type (even spiltscreen) the frame rater suffers as more action is added to the screen. The Live battles are still extra laggy, but are a tad bit better in Dediacted Servers. The new game types, like CTF, add some fun to the Multiplayer, but it's still basic Battlefront.

Don't get me wroung, I have had a great time with freinds on Battlefront 2, but there are sever techinical problems with it that should have been fixed.
Score: 3/5

Overall
Battlefront 2 is a great game, it just has some problems. Perhaps BF 3 will finally fix some of them.
Score: 4/5

Happy B-Day Halo 2!!

A year and 7 million copies latter, we stumble once agin on November 9. Ahh, remember what you were doing at this time last year. I was in the cold, waiting outside EB Games. Now, I'm waiting to wait outside EB Games for the 360 launch.

Bungie also just revield that both Halo and Halo 2 have been upgraded for the 360 to include 720p support and widescreen. They both look pretty nice.

Now, a round for Halo 2, on me...
Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Birthday to Halo 2...
Happy Bithday to you.

Why I Won't Buy Half Life 2

Heres the thing: I have no doubt in my mind that HL2 for the Xbox is going to be amazing. However, three things have happened over the last few months that have really pissed me off, and thus, I will not be purchusing this game next week. Here are my reasons, from least to greatest.

1. Valve suckered up to EA to realse Half Life. Why stoop down to their level!?! WHY!!
2. It's coming out on Xbox 1, when Xbox 360 will be out just a week latter. Hello! Bad marketing decision. I don't have any extra cash to spend this close to such a huge console release.
3. There is no Live. None at all. Not even Live aware. Not even a hint of connectivity. In this stage of gaming, that is, in my book, stupid and unforgivable. The last non-Live game I bought was Mercenaires. I don't want to break my streak.

Plus, I have played it before on PC. For now, I'll stick with Counter Strike on Xbox, one game Valve didn't mess up too much (although you think they'd release a single new DLC as a reward for it's success).

WWWU #2

Heres the update on The Lost Man for this week...

Coding contines, and I'm up to about 1000 lines of Java code so far. I probably will not be making any release this mo nth of anything becuase of this low amount (I thought it would be closer to 1500 by now).

So far, the story is pretty cool. I won't spoil anything, but heres some basics of the plot. Again, it's after New Mombasa and before the Cheif takes off to fight the Covies. You start off knowing nothing, and progrss in knowledge untill your true identity and purpose are revield.

Heres some real news: the Moon is in Halo:TLM. It was rumored to be in Halo 2, and it wasn't, so it seemed perfeclty natural for me to include that level in this game. And yes, it fits with the plot.

Weapon choices no include Plasma Riffle, Rocket Luancher, Sword, Battle Riffle, Fists, Brute Plasmas and a shotgun.

Your code/hint for the week is 1927. Enter it before you start and see what happens.

Tune in next week for some more info, a possible screen shot(s) and more info on when I will release the game.

Head up: You will need a JDK and a Java Program to run any pre-release downloads (anything released before June 11, 2006)

Happy Day Before Star Wars Day '05!!

...and Halloween to!

I'll be sure to post my first thoughts on the DVD and BF2 as soon as I get them and get home, which should be around 4 PM PST (damn school). Expect it to be a very cool day.

Have a fun night, be safe, and p-lay some special Halo-ween games (trick-or-treat is my fav)

Legal Issues My Ass

That's the biggest, lammmest, BS-ist thing I've ever heard. There are no "legal" issues stopping bpeople under 18 from setting up a gamercard!! I know, there aren't! If we could use the forums then, why not now? And why can we everywhere else?

MS you made a horrible, stupid decision. This seriously affectes my wanting of an Xbox 360...you just really DON'T care about who plays your games, do you?

Have fun with the new features and forums...I won't see them untill March (Which, oddly enough, is close to the PS3 launch...)

This Sucks

So, the new forums and MY Xbox are up...and so is another "bug" or idiotic MS idea. Apparently, I'm too young to registar. I have to go now, but I'll be back for sure latter to rant on the stupdidty of this.

Help Bungie "Fight the Flood"

The Bungie Charity auction to benift the victims of hurricane Katrina has started...go cheek it out. Help thousands of people get their lives back while scoring some very cool Halo orginals. Sounds pretty good to me.

LINK
http://nikon.bungie.org/bma/

Weekly Whats What Update #1

I'm going to start a weekly update feature to let you know how progress is going on my Halo RPG Project...here's update the first...

Work on H:TLM (a tentative title, likely to latter be changed) has begun, and I'm alreadly well into Version 1.0.03. The first two versions just didn't work out. They are still playable, and will in fact be included in the final package I release on June 15, 2005, but they are not what I want the game to be.

1.0.02 included a change to the code style basically, and had no outer effect to the user. I switched from using if-else and for loops to switch cases.

1.0.03 included several changes to the end user, including a new weapon system. In all other versions, weapons were added and dropped in the actual code, as in I would have one part for Room 1 with gun, and another for Room 1 without a gun. This just got too complicated when I intoduced other weapons, so I have switched to a code-based entry system that I like alot better.

That's where the cool part is. Each week in every update, I will be giving out a new code for a better use of a weapon. Weapons are not hard to get, but are harded to learn how to use well. I will be handing out a code a week, that will either boast a weapon or give you a special new one. The code will only be included for the week in which the update was included (In other words, next week, I will delete this one).

This week's code is 8841. it will give you better aim with all Human Weapons (Skill Level 2). This will be more clear when the game is released, but for now, write it down and save it for when the game is released. (Also note that these codes may only work with the finhsed version released in early January)

...And We're On

Just to report, Xbox.com and XBL are now up and running. Things have smoothed out since 4 AM when the service first went on. Originally, there were a few hiccups, but all is calm now.

Additionaly, MN just rported that the first Xbox 360 has been seen on Xbox Live. Swing over to his site and cheek out the historic photo.

I like the new layout of Xbox.com...colorful, short and simple, just the way an official site should be. What will be interesting-and what I think we all really waiting for-is how the new forums and My Live sections look.

First Chance to Play the 360

Looks like several retialers have got 360 kiosks up and running. Head on over to Wal-Mart or EB Games and cheek it out. I just wanna know how the controller feels.

LINK

Halo and Halo 2 Will Be Updated for Xbox 360

Yes, you heard it here first...and I must say I'm surprised no body else picked this up as it's pretty big news. Here's a quote from the Bungie WWWU:

"There is a very slight possibility I might play PGR3 or Perfect Dark Zero first. But then, straight onto Halo one. We’re going to have more to tell you about how Halo one and two look on 360, and it’s all good news."

It was currently thought that all games would be stright ports, due to the method MS choose to copy games to the 360. However, this little hint deffinatly says something about the furutre of Halo and Halo 2. Even if it's only better HD support, it's still more than most people were hoping for.

Xbox 360 Online Features Revieled

Today, XZbox.com unveiled the secerts to the upcoming "new" Xbox.com wbesite and Xbox Live.

Xbox Live is being redone to include the famous Gamer Card, the thing that will track your status and stuff across games.

Xbox.com will be changed to include support for this new Gamer Card. In the works is online viewing and editing, and even easy-access HTML so you can drag it as a Sig or to your Blog. (Yes...there will definatly be one here very soon).

The forums are alos being redone. Your forum name will now simply be your gamertag, and it will have easy access to your GamerCard. Sweet.

All in all, it definatly seems worth the 24 hour downtime on 10/24. The only thing that sucks is I think BF 2 comes out around then...hopefully not on the same day. Talk about bad timing.

LINK (Also cheek out MN's Blog for some pics and stuff)

Working on The Lost Man

I've started work on The Lost Man, the current codename/devlopment title of my text-based RPG. It's loosly based on the Halo storyline, but you don't play as the Master. Instead, the game has you as a common Marine solider in battle for Earth.

You start out in the cliche' RPG-way of having no clue who you are (you even have to open your eyes) and than discover what's going on. The Cehif does show up towards the middle of the game, and helps play out some the early battles...but other than that, your on your own.

The real plot of the game involves you searching for the reason behind the Covenant attack on Earth, after the battle of New Mombasa in Halo 2. In your search, you find clues to a hidden relic on Earth...and dsicover your true identity and how it is intrictly linked to the Halo uinverse.

Just so were clear, this is a school-based, non-profit fan-fiction game that is in no endorsed, sponswered or in any way affilated with Bungie, Microsoft, Xbox, or any of the things related to those companies. I belive this dosn't violate any legal issues, as I don't plan on making a penny on this, it's just an AP Computer Science (Java) project.

If I can, I will give the world access to the game by November 22, 2005. I expect to have the final, version 1.03.06, released by January 12, 2006. Don't count on the early version to be completly great or completly finsihed for that matter. But be sure to cheek it out, as so far, after only a week of actual hardcore coding, its coming along pretty nicely.

Also, the program will be open-source based, but I will NOT be able to release the code untill June 11, 2006, after the course is over for school reasons.

Xbox Live Bows Down to the 360

MS just annouced that Xbox.com and the Xbox Live service will be down from 10/24 to 10/25, 2005, in order to prepare for the launch of Xbox 360. Should we expect a new site when it goes Live again? Perhaps not intentially, but very soon. MN hinted doing his Blogcast that a new site is coming very soon, but said he would discuss it next week. So, maybe this will materialize on the 25th...but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Let's all hope for a new forum system....like we've been promised for over a year.

Lets Get the Coutdowns in Order, Please

So many hot things coming out so soon...it's time to get a little organized. Here's my Countdows to the hottests items for the rest of 2005. (For the record, my coutdowns are true style, they don't include today but do include the day of release)

Series of Unfortunate Events Book 12--3 Days

The last book before the last book is finally coming. Can't wait to be more confused about the VFD and life itself. October 18, 2005.

SW: ROTS on DVD and BattleFront II -- 17 Day

Two hot sequals to the best things in the Star Wars Universe? Thats what I call Star wars Day. Novemer 1, 2005.

Xbox 360-38 Days

MS promises the 360 will be awsome...and I belive them. The onyl real question is how long after this do I have to wait?

DVD Day 2005- Seinfeld, War of the Worlds-38 Days

The list of DVDs coming out on November 22 gets longer almost everyday. The Biggies include the Seinfeld Seasons 5 & 6 Collector's Set, with Puffy Shirt, War of the Worlds, The Polar Express, and a few others. Makes the November 22 trip about $80 more expensive.

Thanksgiving 2005--40 Days

This Thanksgiving, theres going to be alot of Xbox playing going on.

UC Applications--46 Days

College applications make me want to scream. Including them in this list of cool things makes them a little less stressful. But I still must scream. AHHHHHH!!!

Christmas 2005--71 Days

This is probably when I'll actually get a 360. Untill than, I will cry myself to sleep every night.

2006--77 Days

Thus begins my last year as a child. Such sweet memeories...

iTunes 6.0-Tunes with Video

I upgraded to the 6.0 version of iTunes yesterday. It supports the new video features for all new iPods, which is cool. No awsome cool or "OMG" cool, but just cool. The service allows you to purchuse and download TV shows (Lost, Desperate Houswives, and some other ABC shows) and a few Pixar short flicks. There are also a very limited amount of video podcasts that are free, and about 2000 music videos that cost $1.99.

I bought the Pixar short "For the Birds" to test it out, and I must say I was impressed. It download in about the samne time as a song does, and it plays pretty well. The resolution holds up well for all modes except full-screen, bu even there it isn't too bad. And, BTW, "For the Birds" is halarois. Unfortunatly, my new nano dosn't support video (of course) so I have no idea about how the iPod video works. But I wouldn't worry to much about the size of the screen. It's probably just big enough to wok with most of the stuff the have out right now. The big news is: wheres the NFL?

Still Alive...For Now

I know its been about a month since my last post...which is wayyy to long. But I've been busy, and now I'm back. Back with a vengence. So, whats been happening in my absence? The world's gone crazy, thats what.

• Sun and Google join together in a third attempt to beat out Microsoft. You just gotta feel sorry for the guys...they've got so much heart.
• Google gives free WiFi to San Franisco...at dial-up speeds.
• Xbox 360 annouces lunch lineup...much to the dissappointment of fans. Can MS do anything right?
• And some other stuff.

Here's whats been happening in my world.

• Took the SAT I yesterday again...and of course it sucked. 4 hours is just too long for any kind test. Even the A.P.'s don't seem that bad.
• My iPod nano came in (by the way, I ordered one). It's pretty cool, and very small. Expect a review to come some time in your life.

Mark Your Calendars

Late-breaking news: The Launch Date of the 360 is here.

(Pulling up sleeve to show tatoo...lol)

November 22, 2005.

This is perhaps the biggest Xbox 360 annoucment yet. Get your HTML hats on...its time to make some counters! Is nano small enough?

Big News Teusday

Two more things...two more BIG things...for today (there was a lot, huh)

First...ESRB MANDATES RATING REVIEW
As part of the continual fallout of the GTA:SA ESRB change, today, the rating board sent out e-mails stating that all games made within the last 12 months (from 9/1/04 on) will have to sumbit to the ESRB a review and/or discloser of any and all hidden content, ment to be played or not, by January 2006 or face punitive penalites. This means that all developers, including Bungie, have some work to do...

Second...NINTENDO REVIELS GAMEBOY MICRO PACKAGING
And it looks like this:
It looks weird, but cool. However, I still can't see me buying this. I don't need another device to play Game Boy Advance titles. Make a better format alreay!

9/11 Remberance Ceramony

Yesterday, my High school held a ceramony, as seen above, to comemorate the tradgedy of September 11, 2001. You can see me if you squint really hard...I'm in the band (front, center) in the Percussion area, first head left of the blue bass drum.That's my dot!

Also, Sunday was a moment of silence in honor of those who died.

ekype?

Today, Ebay annouced that it has purchused the VoIP provider, Skype, for $2.6 billion. Will we now have to bid to talk over the Internet? Of course, we'll have to pay in PayPal...lol

LINK

PS2 Recalled

Thousands of new slim-design PS2s have been recalled, due to an overheating power supply. This, of course, marks the second mass recall for the PS2, and also the second mass recall of a console due to overheating.

LINK

Easy Way to See The Tree's Secerts

Over at OrigenXbox360.com...the tree is holding omse pretty well-hidden secerts. You can easily find out something about them though by viewing the page as "Source" or in HTML.It will tell you what week its in, and the secert or change for the week so at least your know what to look for. What it dosn't say, however, is when Halo 3 is coming out...

Did You Buy a Shirt Yet?

Remember to head over and buy the Flood shirt from Bungie. They've nearly collects $120,000 to donate to the Red Cross...that number should be higher by now. We all need to join together to help fellow Americans. Buy a shirt now. Already bought one? Buy another. Theres still people out there that need help. Heck, buy three, even four or five. BUY!!!!!!!! And tell others to as well!!!

http://www.bungiestore.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=322

Cool Logo Makers

Nothing new...but these are old favorites of mine:

Google Page Creator
Favorite Logo of Mine
A Dream of Mine

Yahoo Logo Creator
Favorite Logo of Mine

Now I'm Interested

I never got into the whole Origen thing (The ILB like viral thing for the Xbox 360)...until now. In fact, I had never visted the site until today.

What changed me? This update from TeamXbox. It seems to me that there is lily some kind of connection between it and Halo 3. Not sure how big...but anything that mentions Halo is worth my time. I'll spend today trying to get up-t0-pace with the Origen thing...but untill then, heres some Latin that may be as famous as I Love Bees:

in hoc spatio arbor noster floruit, fecundus pomies Elysii ignoti, qui in loco ludent electi, ab Originis angelis circumdati.

The New iPod: Nano

Today, Apple annouced the birth of the next big thing in MP3 players: the iPod Nano. As you can see from the picture, its pretty much a bigger version of the Shuffle...with a screen. It's flash based...which means it should be dock-free. It's scdueled to be available sometime this week, for $199 +. It holds 500-1000 songs (I belive there is two versions, geussing 500 and 1000). Apple plans on making the Nano replace the iPod Mini.

Apple also annouced the alreadly-known deal involving the iTunes cell phone deal with Mortorla.

Support Bungie in Helping Fight The Flood

Don't listen to the fools over at the TeamXbox forums...Bungie really is trying to help those hurt by the devestating effects of Katrina. While I am far away from its immediate effects, I too am deeply hurt by this great disaster. Buy a shirt...help save lives. And remember, for every ugly, dirty, rotten no-good scum of-the-Earth lotter, there are 1,000 good people just stuck there, and tens of thousands more trying get to them.

LINK TO SAVE AMERICA
(PLEASE BLOG THIS LINK EVERYWHERE. INLCUDE IT IN ALL FORUM SIGS)
http://www.bungie.net/News/Story.aspx?link=8495D2B1-3505-4EF4-A6DE-A99B109A332B

from my psp

this post is coming coming from my psp ... i just updatd now 2 vers. 2.0

From The Del Coranado Hotel

Yes...I am once agai on vaction with my insane family...thistime to an actual tortsist place. I am blogging this fro a $9.99 Internet access thing on my TV in h room (ye..Ipaid fr it, altough I didn't like it. Sorry for the poor spelling and the like...this key boar sucks).

Nothing new to really report (No WWWU from Bungie) except that I won my Fantasy -ball game. Go Carp! Oe more copetegame is al I need to win BIG!!

Second Test of the Year

Today I had (dun-dun-dundah!) the second test of the year, and again, it was in Computer Science. Well, actually, its more like the forth or fifth...but CS is the only class I care enough (I guess, I actually really like gov) to blog about. Today it was on basic code structure. Heres some q's I remeber for you:

T or F: GUI stands for Graphical Interface

What symbal will make Java ignore everything that comes after it? (Highlight below for answers)

Number 1: True
Number Two: Double slash: //

Come on Major: UPDATE

Latter on last night, MN did do a repost to the new information. Was this becuase of the report I had just made? Did I cuase history to happen? I doubt it...but a guy can dream.

Come On, Major

We all know Major Nelson, as a rep for MS, will usually tend to gloss over any article that shows either the 360 in a bad light...or the PS3 in a good one. Thats just the way it is...and thats cool. I understand. Everyone does it...from the NY Times to our faithful and war-loving president.

Today, however, I have no understanding for Major. This goes beyond the normal "Everyone loves the 360" news to the "your just being unfair". Heres how it goes down:

August 31, 2005 8:34 AM PST-
TeamXbox posts this story, about the PS3 chip being less powerful than some other cool PC chip alreadly out.

August 31, 2005 10:53 AM PST-
Major Nelson posts a link to the article. "Team Xbox has this article up that has some interesting details about next gen video cards". He's nice, and not baised. Kudos, MN.

August 31, 2005 4:16 PM PST-
TeamXbox retracts (sorta) the story, saying the PS# is more powerful.

August 31, 2005 7:53 PM PST-
At time of writting, nothing from MN...

Note on that Q's

I tricked you...The answer is really false. Java uses UNIX, and yes, I did that on purpose.

First Test of the Year

Yesterday I had my first test of the school year, in Computer Science. I manged a 27/30, which, when curved was about a 94%. I'm off to a good start.

The test was pretty easy...covering mostly the history of computers and some of the basic elements of code and Java. Sample question: True or False, Java uses ASCII to encode. True.

Expect more updates like this from my school life--it's part of my commitment I made at the 1-year mark to reinvent this blog.

Root Me On!

I made to the second week of the playoffs in my Fantasy B-ball league. Come anr root me on... link to the scoreboard page is below (May have to have a CBS accoutant...sorry).

Right now I am up 18-13. Carp got a win...he's two got losses!

LINK

No More Spam

I've turned on word type for comments. No more spam! You get to type random squiggly letters!

Probably Won't See This On MN's Blog

$5 says you won't see Major Nelson posting link about this Xbox 360 story...probably becuase it realistically describes the situation the video game world Xbox 360 is about to create by launching without a HDD. Heres a quote from Valve (the 2nd best videogame company in the world, right behind Bungie in my book) leader Gabe Newell:

"Look, I spoke to some people at Microsoft, and as I said, I can't point to a single feature in Vista that I care about that solves problems for us at all. And I had the same conversation with the Xbox 360 guys. It's like, Xbox 360 doesn't make my life any better, and in fact, it makes it a lot worse, as you're telling me I can't count on having a hard drive."

Finally, someone important says what we've all been thinking: MS was nucking futs in spilting the Xbox 360 population.

LINK

Coffee: Actually Good For You?

LINK

This just seems too good to be true...but it is just one more excuse to make a trip to Starbucks.

Thats My HS

LINK

Note: I wasn't the student who saw it.

Thoughts on The Week

Ahhh...the first weeks of school. The last first week of school for me. Monday was the first day of my senior year in high school. I wanted/planned to blog during the week...but with homework and band, and then Blogger not working right on Wednesday...I just didn't.

So, anyway...the week went by prettty smootly. First period I have Honors Computer Science (Java) which is cool. So far 've learned some basic system.out.println(" My Name is Chris "); codes, and a cool temperature converter. Second is Trig...nothing more should I have to say. Third is A.P. Gov, which is a cool class but a hell of lot of work. It's basically a full years worth of stuff (a full 400 pagen textbook) crammed into a 9-week course. Then it's band.

Alotta things happened this week in the outside world actually. Google launced an IM client that looks cool, but I havn't had a chance to play around with it yet...The PSP 2.0 update was released which is very cool...and Leo is back on TV with "Call For Help." Perhaps there is a God after all. Now...if the show could just get moved to a time when I'm actually home...oh wait, thats what TiVo is for...thank you!

Who Is This Fool?

Wanna get mad? Cheek out the site below. Who the hell does he think he is? It's people like him that make me want to be a lawyer. Video games don't kill people moron...stupid people kill people...

LINK

iBook Sale Causes Riots

$50 for an iBook? I might stampede for that too.

LINK

Reaction to the Price

Heres some posts from Major Nelson's blog abiut the 360 price point. Ignore the links, please.

starchief Says:
That price range is going to be over my head….. guess I will hve to wait a couple of months to pick one up.



--> Vella Says:
Wait, what the %^&*! The cheap version, which you would have to be a fool to buy, isn’t even fucking metallic?
Yeah, Major? Preorder=&*^ Cancelled.


--> expletive Says:
My initial reaction to this is that splintering the market with “hard drive” and “no hard drive” units is a big mistake. It seems the MS felt it was critical to offer *something* at the supposed magic $299 price point. Didnt the original ps1 sell for $399 when it came out or does my memory not serve me?
How will non-hard drive owners download content and updates to games via live? Wont a portion of the market not having hard drives make developers think twice about offering these types of value add services?
I dunno, this sounds bad all around. They should have figured a way to get a HD in the core unit, even at $349.
John


--> Black Says:
no, you are wrongps1, ps2 and psp was launched @ 299
preorder of x360 cancelled

--> Vanquish Death Says:
Actually PS1 was released at 399…for about 5 months…




--> Marco Says:
dissapointing really ….
this goes against anything which MS has stated before…


--> krypt0nian Says:
Never thought i’d say this but I’m out.
• Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter. With this, gamers can chat with friends and play games via Xbox Live, as well as stream videos and music to Xbox 360 from a Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC, all without the clutter of wires (estimated retail price $99.99 U.S./€79.99 /£59.99*).
Unbelieveable.


--> Kurt Says:
I’m dissapointed to say the least.


--> Garulon Says:
I’m getting a 360, but I [b]rilly[/b] wish the Core System didn’t exist. No HDD as standard is [b]dim[/b].


--> TheRedShadow Says:
My first post here.Very, very disappointingI’ll still be able to pick one up but now it looks like I’ll have to cut back on a few games. I’m curious to see how everything sells when it is released.


--> Hasan Ahmad Says:
So this is what i waited for german convention? im cancelling my pre-order, Good riddance MS



--> Mynameisbt Says:
I really feel mislead now. I was under the impression that wireless controllers and the HD would be standard. I spent so much time prasing the 360 on forums praising the 360 and convincing ps3 fans to get 360, and now i feel slapped in the face.
My interest level in 360 went from a 10 to a 4 now. Definately not getting this at launch and gonna wait and see for the ps3 to make my decision this generation.

--> swoosh bnd Says:
Agreed, I was looking forward to a wireless controller, silver level of xbox live, Hard drive, and a headset (headset was not officially announced) right out of the box for every xbox 360 console. I guess they could’ve done that but they would’ve raised the price to $399.99 and then we still would’ve been dissappointed.




--> Cold Shot Says:
Not sure why some of you seem upset. These are the price points and configurations (with drive / no drive) rumored for MANY months, and they seem quite reasonable. Four years ago, $299 was the price for the original Xbox. This is certainly more bang for the same bucks. I am looking forward to grabbing the premium addition and some extra controllers day 1. Thanks for the detailed post Major.


--> Boogieman Says:
Very, very poor decision.



--> Draft Says:
no HDD standard = super weak.
What is the freaking point of making Live’s silver service free if you have to buy the premium box to use it?! And with the HDD being an addon, it’s usefulness extends to storing MP3s and some bullcrap Velocity Girl made.
I was on the fence about X360, and this announcement has firmly pushed me onto the “wait for a price drop and/or halo 3″ side.



--> BlindMaphisto Says:
I can’t believe microsoft is stupid enough to fracture the hard drive base.



--> BraveQuail Says:
I’m still going to buy a xbox360 but i think microsoft let us down by creating two versions of the console. I think they should have upped the price by $50 and have the 20gb harddrive included. I still think it will sell well cuz $300 for a next gen consol is a decent price i mean the PSP cost $250 when it first came out.


--> Eliot Says:
There is now way i can afford 400 bucks, so i’ll by the 300 dollar version, and pick up the hard drive for christmasThats is a tad bit of a dissapointment though.


--> Hasan Ahmad Says:
Only an idiot will buy the 299 Console because
1) You cannot play Backward Compatible Games2) You cannot play it on an HD-TV3) You cannot download any Xbox Live Content4) You cannot use Xbox Live because it needs HD5) You cannot save games unless you buy a seperate memory card (PS2)6) You are basically F’d up
Maybe God punished J Allard on the mountain for lying to us.


--> Vella Says:
Agreed. My Xbox does more than the core 360. This is ridiculous. I’m going to have to wait until the price drops on the premium version.


--> Vanquish Death says:
Hasan?
Umm
1) Microsoft has stated on MANY accounts that you will NOT have to recompile your games on the Xbox 360.
2) Actually you still can play it on an HDTV…
3) True.
4) No, Xbox Live does NOT need an HDD to play.
5) True, but this has been going on for almost a decade…
6) Your opinion based on false information.
Don’t get me wrong, I am still kind of upset that I will be spending $400 on a system in November instead of $300. But what the Hell? Better then the $500> price tag on the PS3.




--> thies Says:
400eur for a usable setup? Too expensive, not buying. What’s that messed up stuff with the harddrive only being on the expensive model anyway?



--> starchief Says:
I will have to stop my pre-order and wait a couple of months or a year for a price drop.

--> swoosh bnd Says:

Yeah, microsoft was in a very strong running for preorders as of yesterday and being able to easily beat sony. Now the preorders will be readily available and they aren’t in as much contention until you hear sony’s price.




--> FlaminMarz (Keith) Says:
I am pretty disappointed as well. Some of the accessories are OVER PRICED like the faceplates for $19 ??? and the tiny wireless adapter for $100? I couldnt even believe it. What makes it worse is that the core system doesnt come with the harddrive, then gamers and going to be thinking…..how will I download games?…..then gamers will also see that the harddrive sold separately will cost them $100, so might as well buy the full 360 package for $399.
And I thought that ALL controllers would be wireless…….didnt they say that the next generation will be wireless? And now they’re putting a WIRED controller in the core system package WHICH ONLY COSTS $10 LESS THAN A WIRELESS CONTROLLER.
Especially for the faceplates for $20? Its crazy, I thought they would be around $10. Im in Canada, so these prices are a lot higher.

Xbox 360 Pricing

Here it is, the moment from Germany we've been waiting for:

Microsoft Announces Xbox 360 Price for Europe and North America: Starts at $299.99 U.S./€299.99/£209.99Feature-packed system brings high-definition gaming to the masses this holiday season.
LEIPZIG, Germany — Aug. 17, 2005 — Ending weeks of speculation about which upcoming video game platform will give gamers the most bang for their buck, today at the German Games Convention, Microsoft Corp. revealed that consumers can get their hands on Xbox 360™ — the most powerful and feature-packed next-generation video game and entertainment system — for as little as $299.99 U.S./€299.99/£209.99 starting this holiday season. For gamers who want to experience the ultimate digital entertainment thrill ride, Microsoft also announced a model with hundreds of dollars worth of accessories for $399.99 U.S./€399.99/£279.99, giving consumers the definitive entertainment experience at an unbelievable value right out of the box.
The Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Core System — along with an impressive lineup of high-definition game titles from the world’s best publishers and developers — will make their debut in North America, Europe and Japan in time for this Christmas holiday, several months ahead of the competition. Although details for the Japan launch will be addressed at the Tokyo Game Show in September, the unprecedented three-region launch signifies an industry first.
The Xbox 360 platform will deliver the most powerful console, the best games, the next generation of the Xbox Live® service, and amazing digital entertainment experiences never seen in console entertainment.“The sheer entertainment value of Xbox 360 cannot be overstated,” said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer for Microsoft. “While the system has the muscle to power awe-inspiring graphics, audio and online play, it’s also got the intelligence to serve as a one-of-a-kind entertainment device that plays CDs, DVDs, MP3s and digital content from an array of devices, including portable music players and digital cameras.”
With its built-in Ethernet port and free Silver level of service right out of the box, Xbox 360 also connects players to Xbox Live, the premier global online console games and entertainment network. With Xbox Live, gamers can chat with friends online, build and share gamer profiles, send and receive text and voice messages, and access Xbox Live Marketplace for new content such as game demos, trailers and casual games from Xbox Live Arcade. Subscribers to the Gold level of service will also enjoy access to online multiplayer gaming in their favorite games, as well as great promotional programs such as worldwide tournaments, the chance to play online with their favorite celebrities, and opportunities to win big prizes.

For gamers who want the ultimate experience (and the best value) right out of the box, Microsoft will offer the $399.99 U.S./€399.99/£279.99 Xbox 360 console. This premium edition — distinguished by signature metallic detailing on the console itself — comes fully loaded for the ultimate gaming experience, with components and accessories that would cost more than $200 if sold separately:
• Xbox 360 console. Sexy styling that packs a punch — three powerful core processors are poised to pump out 720p/1080i output, 16×9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound and DVD playback right out of the box.
• Xbox 360 Hard Drive (20 GB). 20 GB and detachable, the hard drive allows gamers to store their games, music, downloaded trailers, levels, demos and community-created content from Xbox Live Marketplace.
• Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. Hassle-free high-performance precision wireless gaming features the Xbox® Guide Button for quick access to digital movies, music and games libraries as well as a range and battery life of up to 30 feet and 30 hours of life on two AA batteries.• Xbox 360 Faceplate. The removable Faceplate comes in stylish “chill” (white) and can be swapped out with custom Faceplates to reflect gamers’ personalities or decor.
• Xbox 360 Headset. This lets gamers strategize with teammates or trash-talk opponents while playing games on Xbox Live.
• Xbox 360 Component HD-AV Cable. This connects gamers to the world of Xbox 360 games and graphics through high-definition and standard-definition connections.
• Xbox Live Silver membership. With this, gamers can chat with friends online, send and receive voice and text messages, and access new content from Xbox Live Marketplace demos such as trailers and casual games from Xbox Live Arcade.
• A bonus Media Remote. Included for a limited time, the integrated control center for the entire digital experience lets consumers play DVDs, movies and music, as well as access their Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC’s controls with a single remote.

At $299.99 U.S./€299.99/£209.99, the Xbox 360 Core System comes standard with what consumers need to jump right into next-generation games and media, and is fully expandable to the complete Xbox 360 experience:
• Xbox 360 console. As with the premium edition, three powerful core processors pump out 720p/1080i output, 16×9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound and DVD playback right out of the box.
• Xbox 360 Controller. This wired controller features an extended nine-foot cable and a comfortable, enhanced ergonomic design.
• Xbox 360 Faceplate. Like no other console before, the Xbox 360 console allows customization and a removable Faceplate that comes in stylish “chill” (white), which can be swapped out with other custom Faceplates to reflect gamers’ personalities or decor.
• Xbox 360 Standard AV Cable. This connects gamers to the world of Xbox 360, delivering great next-generation graphics and games using standard-definition connections.

The Xbox 360 console also comes ready for customization. With an array of Xbox 360 accessories, gamers can trick out their systems to suit their individual tastes and personalize their experiences. In addition to an ever-growing selection of eye-catching Faceplates ($19.99 U.S./€19.99/£14.99), Xbox 360 Controller (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S./€34.99/£24.99*) and Component HD AV Cable (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S./€29.99/£19.99*), the lineup includes a wealth of accessories that brings next-generation gaming entertainment to its optimum:
• Xbox 360 Hard Drive (20 GB). 20 GB and detachable, the hard drive allows gamers to store their games, music, downloaded trailers, levels, demos and community-created content from Xbox Live Marketplace and more (estimated retail price $99.99 U.S./€99.99/£69.99*).
• Xbox 360 Memory Unit (64 MB). Easily portable, this lets gamers save games, in-game achievements and unique gamer profiles for quick and easy access on the go (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S./€34.99/£22.99*).
• Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. The same hassle-free high-performance precision wireless gaming that comes with the premium edition features the Xbox Guide Button for quick access to digital movies, music and games libraries as well as a range and battery life of up to 30 feet and 30 hours of life on two AA batteries (estimated retail price $49.99 U.S./€44.99/£32.99*).
• Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit. This allows plug and play for high-performance, precision wireless gaming with the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. Gamers will be given ample warning when the end of battery life is nearing so they can connect the Play & Charge cable for uninterrupted play (estimated retail price $19.99 U.S./€19.99/£14.99*).
• Xbox 360 rechargeable battery pack. This provides up to 25 hours of gameplay for wireless gaming fun (estimated retail price $11.99 U.S./€14.99/£9.99*).
• Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter. With this, gamers can chat with friends and play games via Xbox Live, as well as stream videos and music to Xbox 360 from a Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC, all without the clutter of wires (estimated retail price $99.99 U.S./€79.99 /£59.99*).
• Xbox 360 Headset. This heightens the Xbox Live experience by letting gamers strategize with teammates or trash-talk opponents while playing games (estimated retail price $19.99 U.S./€19.99/£14.99*).
• Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote. Sold as an accessory, this integrated control center for the entire digital experience lets consumers play DVDs, movies and music, as well as control a TV and their Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC controls with a single controller (estimated retail price $29.99 U.S./€29.99/£19.99*).
• Xbox 360 S-Video AV Cable (U.S. only) Xbox 360 SCART AV Cable (Europe only). This versatile cable works for both high-definition and standard-definition TVs that use S-Video or composite video inputs. It provides optimal audio and video signal transfer (estimated retail price $29.99 U.S./€24.99/£17.99*).
• Xbox 360 VGA HD AV Cable. Gamers can experience high-definition gaming on flat-panel TV or VGA monitors. This cable provides optimal audio and video signal transfer (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S./€29.99/£19.99*).

“With both the Xbox 360 and the Xbox 360 Core System, we’re offering consumers real choice and real value,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of worldwide marketing and publishing for the Home Entertainment Division at Microsoft. “We’re bringing true next-generation experiences into gamers’ living rooms this Christmas holiday.”

*subject to change

Game Boy Micro Set For September

Just saw this pop up over at IGN.com...looks like the Game Boy Micro will be ready for a September 17, 2005 release. Now...can I find out what the thing is?

IMAGE CREDIT: WWW.IGN.COM

Stay Here For Complete Civerage From Germany

Tomorrow, at around 6:30 AM PST, major annoucments will be coming for the world of Xbox from Liepeig, Germany in their version of E3. Continual Randomness will be your place for up-to-the-minute coverage...starting at 6 AM. I will personally be searching the web for any and all updates on not one...but two computers. Stay here for any news from Xbox, GameCube, PlaySation, PSP, GBA, DS, and PC.

Xbox 360 Box?

Cheek out this image, taken from the official Xbox web site. Is that the official box for the 360? Looks like it!

I'm Getting Worse...

Red Vs. Blue Season 4

Rooster Teeth confimed that the fourth season of Red V. Blue, the popular Halo mini-series, will continue on August 29, 2005. Cheek it out at redvsblue.com

Zelda's Late and the DS is Cheaper

Nintendo annouced two potentialn shockers to the world today. First, the much-anticipated Zelda: Twilight Princess has been delayed into April 2006. They cited the fact that "the game wasn't ready yet" as the reason for the delay.

Also, Nintendo annouced that starting next week, the DS will now be $129 in the US. Nintendo is obviously trying to make the most out of the anticipated Nintendogs that also goes on sale next week.

Who I Need To Win

It's Week 20 in my Fantasy BBall league this week. It all comes down to this. $400 is on the line...and a trip to the playoffs. Heres what pitchers I need to win this week:

Carptender (Preferably a CG SO)
Oswalt
And another win by Herdandez (won tonight)
Plus a couple of saves by Codero of the Nats

Go Third Echelon!

NBA 2K6: Powered By Desail

2K just annouced that Shaq, center for the Maimi Heat, will the the cover man for NBA 2K6. Does that mean that Shaq will now be totally unstoppable? Will he come with a special genie power-up? Kazaam!

PSP 2.0 Arrives Next Week

After some pushbacks and vague annoucments, SCEA has made it "official", at least for now, that the 2.0 update for the PSP, the one with the browser update, will launch next week, August 15- 21, at some point. Until then, Wipeout Pure will have to do the trick.

TiVo Jumps on the Online Bandwagon

Looks like TiVo is working on getting connected to the Internet to directly download shows oonto its HD. Media Center PC owners may be syaing "So what?" but heres the catch: get the shows before they air. It's probably just a gimick...but still, catching an early "CSI" would be something that perks my attention.

LINK to Story

Mostly Good...But Not 100%

From soem weird rating thing that uses "vaules" of words...click on pic for info. MN blog got 17% evil, TriXie's got 99% good.

Cheek This Screen Out

From Quake 4 on the 360. Looks like its real-time...and it looks good. Nothing "Oh My God!!" but still pretty nice looking. This game is looking pretty sweet!

IMAGE CREDIT: TEAMXBOX.COM

Current TV?

Last night I just found Current, the new Al Gore TV channel thing. I watched it probably for about 2 hours or so...and its pretty good. Different, but good.

Current dosn't have shows...it has pods. Little seven minute video things, mostly made by amatures. In between are some cool Google stats )Popular searches with "symtoms') and one commerical at a time. The channel also has old news footage from historical days, but I only saw one on the LA Riots...not to sure what else is included.

It seems like a cool channel that can keep you really hooked...but two drawbacks: No Tivo (Its listed as just one 6 hour long block) and it could get old fast

Blogger Down

Just an update for those who, for some reason might care, Blogger will be down at 6 PST Wednesday, August 10, 2005 (thats tomorrow). My blog my not be accessable at this time.

G-Phoria 2005 Winners

Skip the boring speeches, the lame bands and the overall G4 crappyness and just read the winners below. No, I'm not physcic, nor was any hacking needed...TeamXbox posted the list last month. Here 'ya go:

Alt Sports Award Fueled by Mountain Dew
NBA Street V3

Best Adaptation
LEGO Star Wars The Video Game

Best Action Game
God of War

Best Boss
Halo 2 - Scarab Battle

Best Cinematic
God of War

Best Graphics
Half-Life 2

Best Handheld Game
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Best Innovation
Katamari Damacy

Best Licensed Soundtrack
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Best Multiplayer Game
Halo 2

Best Original Game
God of War

Best Original Soundtrack
Halo 2

Best Racing Game
Burnout 3: Takedown

Best RPG Star Wars
Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords

Best Shooter
Halo 2

Best Sound Design
Halo 2

Best Traditional Sports Game
Madden NFL 2005

Best Voice Performance - Female
Half-Life 2 - Merle Dandridge

Best Voice Performance - Male
Halo 2 - David Cross

EB Gamers Choice Award
World of Warcraft

Favorite Character
God of War - Kratos

Game of the Year
Halo 2

Legend Award Presented by Jeep
Ralph Baer

So, Halo2 ends up with 7 awards...pretty good. Perhaps the biggest surprise was KOTOR 2's win...but then again, there really wern't a whole lot of good, popular RPGs this year...save maybe Fable. Expect G-Phoria 2006 to be crowded with all Xbox 360 games... I can hardly wait.

Happy B-Day Blog!

It's offical: this blog is exactly one year old. It was this day last year when I registared for a Blogger accountant and posted my very first entry into "Continual Randomness". Since then, the blog has changed over the months, gone days without updates, and then dozens of updates in one day.

At the start, the blog was desgined for my Black Arrow days. Then it morphed into antipatication for "Star Wars Day 2004", then into a singing coutdown for Halo 2. Since November 9, it served as mostly a Halo 2 fan page...before morphing into just an all-around everything blog that it is now.

What does the future hold for Continual Randomness? I geuss whatever my future holds. Hopefully, this year maybe I'll get serious about blogging, desgin some HTML and maybe even do a PodCast with the blog. Expect more updates about better stuff, and lots more pictures and links of "random" things. This year, I'm heading right to the roots of the blog..."Continual" meaning a lot more posts, and "Randomness" meaning stuff about everything. Some of next years, which starts right now, highlights include:

• My Senoir Year at YHS, including college stuff and graduation.
• The Launch of Xbox 360, PS3, and the Nintendo Revolution.
• The (maybe) release of Bungie's next game.
• Windows Vista and its new wave of crappyness.
• More globe trotting
• Harry Potter #7 build up
• Star Wars Day 05, release of ROTS DVD and BF 2
• More Xbox Live attachments
• And more...

Thats just a list of someof the stuff I know will happen in the rest of 05 and 06. I'm sure there will be plenty of more stuff to talk about...and maybe I few surprises I know about but can't yet say.

Also, I may try to either regroup or start a new blog for this year, as the links on the side are getting kinda long.

Maybe latter I'll set up a special B-day Poll...cheek back here latter and vote.

Lastly, thanks readers. Without you, no one would read. Heres to another year just as good as this one.

StarDrummer

Interesting Star Wars Theory

Found this theory to be just too good to pass up. Read it here, over at the offical Star Wars Blogs.

I think it may be reading into things a bit much...but there is some reason why Anakin was just born all of a sudden. The more that I think about it...the more likely it seems. The only real question is: why Tatooine? Why Shimi? Out of all of the people in the universe, why a slave on some outer rim dust ball?

Star Wars Day: Part Two

In 2004, it was September 21. In 2005, the new date is November 1, 2005.

Today, Lucas officals annouced that on November 1, now known as "Star Wars Day", Episode III and Battlefront II will be available to purchuse.

Alreadly fans are debating whether Battlefront II will be playable on the Xbox 360. I belive that it, as well as any other November releases, will have to be, with the new console releasing so soon.

Battlefront II promises new battle places, playable Jedi and space combat. No word yet on if you will actually get to play the game without lag cutting you off.

24-Hour Party!

To celebrate the 1 Year mark of the blog, I have decided to stay on XBL for a full 24 hours!

On August 6, I will begin a 24 hour marathon, starting at about 12 PM PST. I will be on XBL for a full 24 hours, ending thus at about 12 PM PST on August 7, 2005. I will be keeping track of some game stats and stuff and will post full details here on August 8, the official one year mark of this blog.

I did want to do the STARD Tourny...but I have never recived any entries. The tourny is offically called off.

Send a F/R to StarDrummer to join in on the fun!

GTA:SA Yanked From Shelves

Following the ESRB reversal eailer in the week, Best Buy, GameStop and Circuit City have taken Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas from their shelves. I expect Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart, and others to do the same, if they havn't already.

The game is currently now rated AO, because of the "Hot Coffee" mod. Rockstar has annouced that it is currently devloping a new version of the game without access to the mod, which will be rated M. However, untill the new version is released all retailers have to slap a new AO sticker on it, thus forcing many main stream retailers to stop selling it.

Windows: "Hasta la Vista?"

Yes, yes, its true. Microsoft has offically annouced the real name of Longhorn as "Windows Vista". Apparently numbers and acronymes just arn't cool enough for M$ anymore.

No, No, No...I'm Not Dead

Don't fear the worst...I have not yet kicked the bucket, nor has this blog. I'll admit I have been a bit more "busy" than I would have thought I would be over this summer though.

The masness of hotel-staying, Disneyland-going whole week adventures is over. Well, almost. Apart from a brief trip to the beach next week, I'll be be home, and blogging.

Alot has happened since my last post on July 6, 2005. Lets see...more broker reports about Xbox 360 failing to win the console wars...an auto-update for Halo 2...MN' Blogging in the sky...Space Moutain reopens...Harry Potter #6 releases...Bush nominates a new Supreme Court Justice...I saw War of the Worlds...I got a Driver's License...

That's about it. Now that were both on the same page...let us begin.

I'm Back

Yes, thats me at the left. And yes, I just got back from Disneyland. Sorry about the PSP reveiw not ever being published, but, hey, I forgot to bring my laptop. Give me a break. For all future trips, the Paradise Pier hotel does offer free WiFi for its guests...

Another "Play of Telephone"

It's that time again, when I trick Google's translator service into actually being useful.

Here's the starting English text:
It's been a few months since I gave this Google Translate a try, so I guess it is time to play Telephone again! Last time, this web site really managed to throw a monkey wrench at a pretty good post. This time, let's hope that the monkeys will be too busy eating bananas at the local zoo to bother with out lovely blog. So, what should I say? Hello world. Yes, that should work nicely. Hello world. All hail the Google Gods!

And into Spanish:
¡Se es algunos meses puesto que di este Google traduzco un intento, así que conjeturo que es hora de jugar el teléfono otra vez! Vez última, este Web site realmente manejó lanzar una llave inglesa en un poste bastante bueno. Esta vez, vamos esperar que los monos sean plátanos demasiado ocupados el comer en el parque zoológico local a incomodar con fuera del blog encantador. ¿Así pues, qué debo decir? Hola mundo. Sí, eso debe trabajar agradable. Hola mundo. ¡Todos granizaron los dioses de Google!

Back to English
It is some months since I gave east Google I translate an attempt, so I conjecture that it is hour to play the telephone again! Last time, this Web site really handled to send a monkey wrench in a quite good post. This time, we go to hope that the monkeys are bananas too much occupied eating in the local zoological park to incomodar with outside blog charming. Therefore, what I must say? Hello world. Yes, that must work pleasant. Hello world. All hailed the Gods of Google!

That "English" to French
C'est quelques mois puisque j'ai donné Google est que je traduis une tentative, ainsi je conjecture qu'il est heure pour jouer le téléphone encore! La fois passée, ce site Web vraiment manipulé pour envoyer une clé de singe dans un poteau tout à fait bon. Cette fois, nous allons espérer que les singes sont manger occupé de bananes trop en parc zoologique local à incomodar avec le blog extérieur charmant. Est-ce que par conséquent, que je dois dire? Bonjour monde. Oui, cela doit fonctionner plaisant. Bonjour monde. Tous ont grêlé les dieux de Google!

That French to German
Es sind einige Monate, da ich Google gegeben habe bin, daß ich einen Versuch so übersetze ich vermute, daß er Stunde ist, um das Telephon noch zu spielen! Das vergangene Mal, dieser Standort Web, der wirklich gehandhabt wurde, um einen Affenschlüssel in einem ganz guten Mast zu senden. Dieses Mal werden wir hoffen, daß die Affen zu essen mit Bananen zu in lokalem zoologischem incomodarpark mit dem blog reizende Außenseite befaßt werden. Ist es, das folglich, daß ich sagen muß? Weltguten Tag. Ja, das muß funktionieren gefällig. Weltguten Tag. Alle haben gehagelt die Götter von Google!

That German back to "English"
There is some months, since I gave Google am that I translate an attempt in such a way I assume that it is hour, in order to still play the telephone! The past mark, this location Web, which was handled real, in order to send an ape key in a completely good mast. This mark we will hope that the apes are concerned to eat with bananas too in local zoo-logical incomodarpark with blog attractive exterior. Is it, therefore that I must say? World-good day. Yes, that must function obligingly/pleasingly. World-good day. All hailed the Gods of Google!

PSP Blowout Tomorrow

I know, I said it was comin last week, but I goofed. Sorry. Tomorrow, the complete PSP review, as well as smaller reviews of Wipeout Pure, Twisted Metal and Lumines will be posted. I promise. I also promise to stop posting a pic with every post. That one may not hold up as well.

NBA 2K6 '360 Screens

It looks so real, I feel like I can touch it! Now, imagine what NFL 2K6 would have looked like. If only...if only...

(Image from TeamXbox)

Vote Halo 2!

Gphoria, the "award show for Gamers" is currently taking online votes for all categories. You have to registar, but it only takes a few minutes. Be sure to head over and vote for what should be game of the year, Halo 2.

LINK

Also, what do you think of Blogger's new picture uploader? Before, if I wanted to inlclude a pic, I had to use Hello, Google's image transfer thing. Hello works really well, and I loved using it, but when I got a new laptop, I never redownloaded the files.

Wipeout Pure: Gamma Pack 2

Why can't they update their damn site? My PSP can't hold a WiFi connection to save its dead pixeled life. I'm still trying to get that pack...and it would be alot easier if they would just pop up their online download NOW!!

Still Gone...No PSP

I can't publish the PSP review today, as planned, because my WiFi hotspot is iffy at best. The file, which ois on a little USB drive, aka as my PSP, is just too big to upload right now. Plus, I'm a little busy to fuss with it just now.

Hopefully things will be back to normal tomorrow, June 22. I (should) have the file available by midnight tomorrow. I can't promise it any sooner.

PSP News: Gamma Pack 2

Looks like a new wave of content is ready for download for the hit game Wipeout: Pure on the PSP.

Tomorrow, Gamma Pack 2 will be released, which is supposed to inlucde two new maps, one enitilted "Ubermall", as well as at least one new skin and ship.

The content is free, and will be avialble via direct download on your PSP using a WiFi hotspot, or, by using a PC to download via normal Internet and then by transfering to a PSP with a USB cable.

No BBall...No Hotel

Ah, the joys having no control over you life. Like I posted yesterday, I was supposed to head out to a Padre/Dodger game today. I was also supposed to stay in a hotel in nearby Temecula, CA to aviod the whole midnight drive home thing. Unfortunatly, it turned sour on both accouants.

First, the hotel was easily the worst I have ever stayed in. The price was $169 for a "suite" that consited of basically a bed, s few extra feet of floor space, and two foldable chair beds. Heres where things start to turn to the worst. My first step is to turn on the A/C, which, not surprising, consists of a swamp cooler. The smell was unbearable. After about an hour I realized there was no why I could sleep here. The dead bugs under the chair, a wasp nest, and no free WiFi (even worse, they wanted to charge me) made the desicion all the easier.

I a not a particuly picky person who has to have things just so...but, I do need basic nesscites, and for $169, I expect to get a nice room. The management explained the hotel state as "rustic" and "an antique". The excuss dosn't cut it for me. Luckily, the refunded me $110 and I went to go stay at a nearby Hampton. Much better hotel, with free WiFi (How I am currently blogging this)

To top it off, once I was there, my "party" realized that the tickets were not for today. Haha! Great. So, I am stuck in Temecula, a now at least in a livable hotel room, that charges for eveything. I geuss I just never notcied the hotel charges. $7 for an hour of GameCube (Not even Xbox mind you. An hour of Double Dash or Animal Crossing is not worth $7. I could buy the game for that price.)$12.99 for Internet access, and about $4 to watch anything on TV, which, by the way, now has a Tivo-esque service that allows you to sorta rewind and record. I didn't pay for it, so I can't be sure...but in theory it sounded like a good idea. The TV also had in theater somehwere movies, like Fever Pitch and Geuss Who, but I wasn't impressed with the picture quality.

Ahhhh...what a day.

SAT Results Tomorrow

I'm a tad bit worried about what I'll get. That test was so hard...I'm hoping for a 1900-2000...I know its alot, but hey, with a 4.0 GPA I should score that high, shouldn't I?

What will be interesting is to see what my essay score is...just to see how big a deal length is. I wrote the absolute maxium allowed...so, according to several LA Times Ed/Op writters...I should be OK.

Coming This Week

Ahhh, nothing to actually post right now...but I have a couple of big stories I'm going to be posting throughtout the week. Here's whats coming down the runway this week:

Monday: Padre/Dodger Game, Possible Live Audio

Tuesday: The PSP Review (4 Pages Long!)

Wednesday: PSP Games Review (Wipeout, Twisted Metal, and Lumines)

Thursday: Nintendo's Future (Long....article)

Free Stuff For Going to ROTS?

This weekend, get free stuff for going to see ROTS? Count me in!

It looks like everyone that goes to see Revenge of the Sith this weekend will get a cool, "Who's Your Daddy" poster just for buying a ticket. Sounds good to me. I might not be able to head out to a theather this weekend, as I have to travel tomorrow for Father's Day and it's alreadly late today, but I'll probably look around in ebay for a poster after-the-fact.

Another promotion that dosn't end this weekend is this See It Again Pinball one. Looks like everytime you head out to see ROTS, save the ticket, send it in, and you could win a pretty cool pinball machine valued at over $2000 (That seems like alot to me...are all pinball machines this expensive?)

Looks like Lucas is trying to get ROTS back at the #1 spot in the box office. In recent weeks, it has slipt to number 3 and below, suffering from hits like "Mr. and Mrs." and "Cinderalla Man". Altough I can't frankly see why anyone would want to go see any of those movies. Expect ROTS to fall out of the top five once "War of the Worlds" hits on the 29th...just too many movies out for a May release to stay on top.

That's Me!

I just made the news!

Well, my town anyway.

For starters, I live in a pretty small urban little town, by the name of Yucaipa. That little town was rocked by a 4.9 earthquake that put it on ABC, NBC, FOX and CNN for more than three hours!

As we speak, helicopters are flying over my house capturing the scene. Nothing of my stuff was damaged or even fell down, but I did feel the rather long quake.

I took some pictures of the news cast and of the helicopter scene that I'll upload latter. But, for now heres a Reutors news story! Reutors!

LINK

EB Games Rip Off

Cheek this out...I suppose this is simply a time mess up, but, still, I would be pissed if I paid the full $50 if the game was a Platnium Hit.

LINK

I was shocked to see it as a PH, though. Pretty good value, definatly worth the pick-up. In fact, it's also worth noting that alot of SW games are getting marked down right now...I just got Galexies, a complete collection of all three games for less than 30 bucks.

No HD "Revolution"

Nintendo annouced last week that its next-gen console, the Revolution, will not support HD games because it "costs too much." Okay, that wasn't a real quote. But cost is the reason why HD wont be supported.

IGN now wants everyone to email Nintendo to say, hey, WTF, I want HD. While your at it, I suggest asking them at least one of the following bonus questions:

• Does Nintendo give out free drugs to its employies? If not, how do you guys say the crazy things you do?
• What is Nintendo On? Are you guys simply trying to get rid of old Virtual Boy helmets?
• How do you manage to pay the electric bill?

Go ahead, ask 'em. Heres their email addy nintendo@noa.nintendo.com

Music Wars: M$ to Fight iTunes

Today, the cheif officer of the Xbox/360 project, Robbie Bach, was promoted to work with the MS Music service to "make it compete with iTunes". To do that, Robbie will have to change his job from making a cool thing not so cool, to making a sucky thing cool.

Xbox was already a cool product, and I doubt Rob had any problems trying to get people to see the black box as cool. But, what a change it will be in trying to get the MS music service cool enough to compete with Apple's iTunes.

Halo Movie: What $10 Million SHOULD Buy

All over the web, sites are already making their wishes known for the Halo Movie. Cheek out IGNs here, the best all-around list, and mine below.

Story
The story overall just needs to make sense. It needs to both fit in with the games, but yet be its own as well. I don't want to see it as simply a reiteration of the games, yet, it should not go too far from the orginal source. The best bet for te story would rest on a connection between 2 and 3, but, in the posistion Master Cheif was left in, it might not be for the best. I want to fight that Earth battle, god damn it!

Overall best bet: side story of Halo 2/ gap for 3

Cast
The best bet for a cast would be to have a literal no-name be the Master. No one should realy see his face, just hear a voice. For that, I would love to see the voice-over actor in the game do the same voice for the movie. (Think Vader voice-overs). As far as Cortona and Johnson goes, Cortona is a hands down perfect role for Jenifer Garner (Alias). She has proven to both smart and kinda sexy, in that geek-love way. We all know who has to be Johnson, it's essential that Samual L. Jackson is the hands-down only thought for the Serg.

Type
I personal will only see this movie if it is live-action. I still don't think animated movies "qualify" as real movies. Just my opinion, but, I don't like them.

Rating
Must be R. No question about it, an M rated game must transfer as an R-rated movie. Partly for the cool action, and partly to keep the boger-eating 11-year olds out.

More People Hate the Cell, Sony Burns Again

Ah, the harsh world that is the tech industry. Today, comments flew from both sides of the fence in the early rounds of the sure-to-be-firece PS3 V. 360 battle.

On the Sony side, the Kutaragi Sony-smack talker once again laid down some smack on the 360, calling its backwards compatability "flawed":

"As for Xbox, when the new generation comes out this November, the current Xbox will become the old generation. So when that happens, the Xbox will be killing itself. The only way to avoid that is to support 100% [backward] compatibility from the first day. But Microsoft won’t be able to commit to that, it is technically complicated. "

Not committing? This coming from a company that hasn't even finalized hard tech specs for their console?

He then went on to diss some pixel shadder thing in the 360, which is too complicated for me to understand:
"As for ATI’s architecture, the vertex and pixel shader are unified and that looks good at first glance but I think it will have some difficulties. For example, where will the results of vertex processing be placed and how will it be sent [back] for pixel processing? If at one point it gets congested, everything is going to slow down. Reality is different from what is drawn in a picture. If we're taking a realistic look at performance, I think nVIDIA's approach is superior."

Which leads me to my next argument, on the other side of the fence. Today, sources (NY Times) reveled that Steve Jobs was not impressed by "The cell", the driving power behind Sony's next-gen everything. It seemed reasonable to belive back at GDC that a Sony/Apple marriage was coming, but now, it looks like Apple ran away from the alter. Add to Apple to the growing list of people not impressed by the "Cell".

STARD Tourny Details

While I still need, well, EVERYONE, to join the tourny, I have set in stone some of the basic tenets, in the hope that someone will read and want to participate.

Tourny open to all Xbox Live members, with the following games:

• Halo 2
• MechAssult 2
• Whacked!
• NBA 2K5
• Call of Duty: FH

To consit of four daily rounds, and one final showdown.

Monday, August 15, 2005 Round 1

Game: Halo 2 Type: 8-Player FFA Deathmatch. Bottom Three eliminated

Play will end once 50 players are left.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005 Round 2

Game: Whacked! Type: 4 Player FFA Deathmatch Bottom Two eliminated

Play will end once 16 players remain

Wednesday, August 17, 2005 Round Three

Game: NBA 2K5 Type: One V. One, West Coast V. East Coast Loser eliminated

Play will end once 4 Players remain

Thursday, August 18, 2005 Round Four

Game: Call of Duty Type: One on One deathmath, Best out of seven Overal loser eliminated

Play will end once 2 players remain

Friday, August 19, 2005 Final

Game: Random (Out of above 5) Type: Deathmatch 1V1, best out of seven Overall loser elminated

email me at stardrummer@gmail.com to enter (Free!!)

Winner to Recieve choice of PSP or Xbox 360*

*as long as 100 entrants are recieved.

I Guess There Is No Free Lunch

I just found this interesting quote from some Japanese Nintendo dude:

"There's rumors floating on the Internet that the Virtual Console will be available for play for free, but we have no plans to distribute [the games] without charge.

There goes the only reason why I was excited about the Revolution...oh well, back to the real console show off...

Last Day of School

So, today was the final, last day of school for the year. Ah, the free time I now have! With all this free time, I will once again head back over to Halo 2 and try to improve my puny level 11.

(Play Green Day muisc)
What a year.

2nd to Last Day of School

Think back to August...ahhhh...what closer this brings.

So, today was the second to last day of my junior year. We got yearbooks on Friday and today was finals for History and English, although, since those were AP classes, the finals were not, should I say, hard.

The summer is so close I can taste it. Sure, with it comes my driving test, band camp and college work...but ahhh the nice late mornings will feel nice indeed.

Burn!

Ken Kutaragi just dissed the 360. In a major way.

While most MS employes with direct people contact, namly Major, have been polite when discussing the next-gen consoles differences, Ken, the PS3 father, was bold, crass and just plane wrong. Here's his main quote:

"the messages of the Xbox 360 and PS3 differ clearly. Xbox 360 emphasized it is a game machine which is complete as a platform. PS3 emphasized the possibility of technology."

I love when people make fun of Xbox because it is a game machine. The hard facts are that the onyl reason I'm going to spend $300+ on a console IS TO PLAY GAMES. Sure, DVD is nice. Sure so is music. But I already have a Sony Player and an iPod. Frankly, what I don't have and thus the reason of my purchuse, is the gaming machine itself. When I buy a 360, it will be without a doubt because of the gaming possibilites.

Don't get me wrong, I love that the consoles will be able to do more than just game. But, in my book, all of those features will never change the core of why I buy a gaming console.

And, if you want to talk about the future of technology, Ken, lets look at your console. In todays world, your console seems like one of those old superccomputers. Sure it will have raw power, but in reality it will mean nothing. It will take 3.5 years for the PS3 to start really using its hardware. Mark my words: the launch titles for 360 will look much better than the PS3.

And remeber, X360 is the only console with Halo. 'nough said.