It just isn’t fair, not for anyone — gamers or loving parents footing the bill. This holiday, the grand year of 2006, is going to break a lot of bank accounts and leave wallets/purses cashless. Luckily I’m very content with my Xbox 360 and have no desire for the lousy PS3 or innovative Wii coming out next month. It is going to be hot hot hot! I’m willing to bet PS3’s will sell like gold on eBay and Wii will dish out a great way to game in an all new way.

Now, even though I’m content with my system choice this generation I too have a dilemma: which games to get and which to pass? Developers have had adequate time to learn 360’s architect so that they can dish out astounding graphical greatness! My recent game, that my sweetheart love bought me, was Splinter Cell: Double Agent. Talk about a new leaf in one of the most amazing series ever! Then comes next month, November, with its releases that have my attention boosted way up:

• F.E.A.R
• Call of Duty 3
• Gears of War Collector’s Edition
• Tony Hawk’s Project 8
• Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas Collector’s Edition

Just wow really… roughly that is a bill of $320 w/o tax! OUCH! Well cheers everyone, because here is a salute to a great holiday year with games galore of all kinds and forms!

Game on!

Both!

These two titles are going to be very impressive, I believe. I haven’t played either, but it’s been almost a year since launch and everyone should know what happens when adequate time is given to developers — they present astounding results with amazing offerings of digital goodness! Time has elapsed since 360’s release so now developers have a better understanding of the hardware and can produce quality. No, I’m not inferring that games have been junk, but it just gets better with time passing; sort of like a wine’s elegant taste.

I sincerely feel both these games are “must have” titles and no one should pass them up. Rainbow Six: Vegas hopefully brings back some root game-play that keeps everyone addicted to Live for at least a year. For Gears of War, well, it should bring innovation and something fresh with a twist.

Just my insight on these up coming titles.

Hear that? Kool-Aid Man voice: “Ohhh Yeahhhhh!”
That folks is the sound of some great news of an approaching update due for the 360 owners out there. It doesn’t explain much but it does put us on our seat edges to welcome a sleek refreshened User Interface, expanded new features (though not all are clear or explained), and the peace that Microsoft is still pumping new technology into our next-gen consoles.

This might even corporate some of the ideas and suggestions mentioned and posted over here: Wild Chicken’s Blog (360 Dashboard Designer)

MAXCONSOLE - XBOX 360 - EXCLUSIVE: Preview of Upcoming Xbox 360 Dashboard Update, Homebrew Get Ready, PS3 Look Out

This guy a genius! Really… he has studied and formed a thesis that playing violent games at a young age will subsequently develop aggressive behavior in children. This guy needs to win the Noble Peace Prize for absolute astonishing work and study. NOT!

How could someone with such a respectable title as a psychologist have the most blinded ignorance and lack of sight to claim such things without even a glimpse of what the movie and music entertainment industry provide tot he violence! Get real you leeching pricks; only jumping on the buzz of bashing video games is a has-been fad. Do something more productive with yourselves and provide more useful information and data.

This seriously blows my mind as to how so many want to make more regulating laws and procedures for games, yet they don’t ever consider other forms of entertainment and their contributions to the problem at hand. Wait a second I have an idea… maybe we need to stop blaming these entertainment industries and blaming ourselves… I mean we ARE the ones creating the content right?

CNN.com - Advice to Parents: Know Your Video Games - Aug 2, 2006

Well fortunately I’ve laid to rest my FFXI game disc that seemingly had a strong conviction of my time for a short amount while. Though the game is very much enjoyable it just doesn’t offer any true satisfaction of accomplishment… ever. The game is never conquered or beaten, therefore becoming more of a chore, job, and task that I just don’t care to partake in.

Now to fill my FFXI void enters, not like it’s a new joy, Halo 2. This game just makes for some serious fun or down-right hateful games. It unarguably the best Live interface to date with simple methods for getting a full game established. Though this simplistic method is yet so very intricate and filled with an enormous arsenal of custom creation games along with the Bungie managed game types.

I’m just not quite sure what keeps me so hooked though… I mean I was so very lucky to have a loving sweetheart that bought me my Xbox 360 on midnight launch yet I play a what 2-3 year old game in it mainly? Isn’t that absurdly gay?

We had enjoyed completing Kameo and there just hasn’t been any games released for the 360 that we feel we’d enjoy. Soon I hope. Maybe I should just finish up G.R.A.W. or Full Auto, both are great, I just can’t find the drive to stick with them…

Well… not only are these facilities acutely needed, they are much needed here state-side as well! This is a very well known plague that is seemingly and disgustedly overlooked. Luckily the activity is legal unlike drinking and driving or drugs, but nonetheless can wreak havoc on social behavior and mentality.

I do hope to see a future state clinic; I, personally, would probably attend!

Amsterdam Game-Addiction Clinic Opens - News at GameSpot

As simple at it is for the beast called Windows it is a complete opposite for us on the Mac side. Fortunately today this article popped up over on Joystiq. Hope it helps some with their networking woes.

How to share your Mac’s Internet connection with your Xbox - Joystiq

I recently discovered some great new cataloging software for DVDs and Games, also for Books if you have a huge literature library and to top it all off a CD cataloger also!

I’ve only used the DVD and Gaming applications; but they are extremely easy to use, intuitive, and simple. Having huge collections can be tedious to keep track of, even daunting to consider creating a catalog of; these applications just make it a more enjoyable experience and drive me to expand my collections even further! I’m currently creating my first game catalog and then plan on tweaking the stored info as deep as I can for some very interesting statical information.

If you needed to or ever planned on creating catalogs of your media, in any form, I sincerely suggest these tools from Bruji.com.

Here is some more gaming goodness news directly to you in exclusive form.

I haven’t had a chance to listen to the songs yet but from the description I wonder just how “similar” they are? Surely as unique as the Halo franchise is *cough* it couldn’t have sampled some music elsewhere and gave it their own remix…

Hello again, Cynic here with an interesting (maybe) post about a track from
Halo 2 Volume 1.

Working with all sorts of media and developing DVD’s and what not, I have access to vast libraries of what is called Music Stock. Basically it is somewhat generic music you can pay a 1 time fee for to be allowed to use it
without paying royalties in your desired commercial use of it. So for instance you need a background song for a documentary you are going to sell, instead of taking time to develop a track, you can just buy some you like
and use them without paying anymore.

Well now that you understand that, what i found a year ago was kind of surprising. Being a fan of the Halo series, like anyone else who likes to find more mediums to follow things they like, i got a hold of the Halo 2 soundtrack to listen to on my iTunes. Creating a DVD one day i was searching through catalogs of Music Stock and came across one called “Summit” by a Music Stock company we have the rights to and the similarity to the track “Peril” on volume 1 of the Halo 2 soundtrack was immediate.

The first thing i did was research the copyright dates of both songs, and interestingly enough, the “Summit” track from the Music Stock CD was Copyright in early 2003. The Halo 2 sound track is Copyrighted in late 2004. Coincidence or not? Thats for you to decide. Just like the Tom Petty & Red Hot Chilli Peppers similarities, it could be. I mean there are only so many different songs the world can have right?

My personal opinion? Many people in the industry have access to the music stock and are constantly aware of when new professional music stock tracks are recorded and released. Is it possible that he’s heard this track before?

Yes indeed!! Do i think he plagiarized the song and try and make it his own? I’ll keep it to myself, but what do others think? Voice your opinion, or just enjoy the tracks.

Links follow:
“Peril” Halo 2 Volume 1 Soundtrack (Copyright 2004):
http://www.box.net/public/6ki74yumv0

“Summit” Music Stock CD (Copyright 2003) :
http://www.box.net/public/xpzypi3qsp

There seems to be some demented and poorly entertaining twit on the GameFAQ’s 360 message board; that found joy in setting up some lame game for a joke.

He claims to be posting Microsoft Points for the 360, but my grand detective eye has seen right through his pile of poo, here is the dialog and a PDF of the AIM session with ‘him’:

11:22:47 AM tjkingofsex: Online?
11:22:57 AM amazingmuzmo: who is this?
11:23:17 AM tjkingofsex: a user from GFAQS… could I possibly have a legit code for MS points to get UNO
11:23:24 AM tjkingofsex: please
11:23:40 AM amazingmuzmo: I’m gonna have another contest up soon, you can try again
11:24:02 AM amazingmuzmo: I’ll prolly have atleast three or four more up before I exhuast my supply
11:24:30 AM tjkingofsex: ohh come on…. a freebie would be really cool! please don’t make me savage like rabid wolf.
11:24:53 AM amazingmuzmo: I’m sorry, I have to make it fair so that everyone has a chance to win
11:25:05 AM amazingmuzmo: just check in fequently and you could win
11:25:09 AM tjkingofsex: ok, is it going to be in same post or new topic?
11:25:16 AM amazingmuzmo: saem topic
11:25:20 AM amazingmuzmo: same topic*

Log PDF

Now simple as that may seem if you now browse over to the topic on GameFaqs, you’ll plainly see a post of a user claiming “they won”. Funny thing this claimant is the same AIM screen-name that was in the topic creator’s profile that has now conveniently disappeared. Funny heh? I think not.

This video footage was created to give some of the non-adaptors of the HDTV era a real-eyes view of the candy they are missing. Here is comments from the video producer himself, Cynic821:

Both videos were shot with the AG-HVX200 P2 Camera in 1080p mode. Footage was dumped to Final Cut Pro on a Macbook Pro 2.0ghz and were NOT filtered or any other changes applied. Both videos were then exported out to Quicktime h264 codec at a high bit rate at 1280 x 720p to allow for viewing on any monitor with a resolution of 1280×720/1024 or higher without resizing the image.

“But Cynic!” you say “If they are the same bit rate, why are the file sizes different? Are you an HDTV troll knocking SDTV?!” NO! You dont understand how video compression works do you? Any pixels that dont change on the screen dont need to create a new pixel, thusly making the SDTV file size smaller, It has more pixels that dont change (the black around the video) hence, less data to create for the video file. The SDTV version is at 4:3 on the widescreen TV, so the blackbars are on the side, replicating the smaller size effect you would have on an SDTV.

The black bars on the Top are the 360 forcing the game to letterbox since GRAW doesnt do full screen on SDTV’s.

So back to the videos and now you know why the file sizes are different even though they are almost the exact same length and same codec and dimensions.

Actually, not much more to say, so go ahead and download the videos, available via Xboxdruggies blog:

The remaining of his comments are located over on GameFAQS. Hope everyone enjoys!

SDTV 720
HDTV 720P

Well… needed to do some much cleaning up of dead files not being accessed. If these videos are needed please contact me and I can see about arranging for some sort of hosting.

Yes oh yes, that daunting gang-psuedo game franchise that has caused the government to be on guard over video games is ripping up hype slowly and surely for its’ 2007 OCtober debut!

Here is a tidbit of information just to get the fans hollering for joy…

News: GTA IV: first details emerge - ComputerAndVideoGames.com

It makes me wonder… if Master Chief from the Halo games could possibly be a female! I mean the Metroid series pulled it off; Samus Aran just kicks royal alien ass! Ok.. I know it really doesn’t seem likely being that The ‘Master’ is a female because its’ name is John117/Spartan117, but how do you know it’s not some cover up from some past incidents to conceal their identity? Yea so in the game it sounds as if they have a male voice, but with all that futuristic alien battling you couldn’t sound like a female!!! They are using the convenience of an easy to use Voice Changer.

Ok so maybe this whole theory might be making ole’ mister Chiefy seem like a sissy, but truth be no one knows for solid fact!

Woohoo! Microsoft is flaunting some integrity with this update due out this morning stated by Major Nelson and Joystiq!

A whole slew of new features is set to grip our kick ass media centers with some of the very highly demanding features to finally be addressed. My only concern is the update is being released today… which is being dubbed 666 because of 6.6.06 — coincidence or just silly superstitions? Hopefully the update wont flash some satanic message on screen to be followed up with some sort of melt down of the hardware.

Oh my silly imagination has run wild…

***UPDATED***
Come to realize that a hidden memory maintence is now available -
To perform the function, access ‘Memory’ in the system blade in the 360’s Dashboard, and then highlight the hard drive or memory card. Now press: Y, X, X, LB, RB, X, X

Since Xbox360 users were bestowed with the privilege to play FFXI I’ve been hooked! It’s quite comical also because when actually launching the game there is message that “reminds” everyone to not disregard their personal responsibilities such as family, work, friends, spouses and etc… well hello now, doesn’t that seem to tell you that this game must’ve affected several people by now, in a majorly serious way?

So, I’ve haven’t been playing for about a week. I don’t want to be engrossed into a game that makes me feel out of control of my life. Playing it hardcore for about 4 months was plenty; besides the game doesn’t seem to have an ending. On-top of that they charge another monthly fee above the normal XBL subscription, which I believe should be reduced for being a Microsoft Gold XBL member… yea guess not.

So everyone wish me strength to leave this damn addicting game alone, please!

Heck yea!!! I really do hope when I’m 80 years old I’m kicking it wildly like her still gaming!
Go grandma, GO!

Old Grandma Hardcore

It’s very intriguing how the brain retains such complex memories on broad subjects! I’m marveled at my skills, after putting in a video game I haven’t played in so long, just to instantly remember the complicated map lay-outs, highest desired weapon placements, and other enhancing power-ups. I’m referring to Halo 2; though the game can get to my anger nerves fairly quickly, it’s just an extremely addicting game! Well with Bungie’s Statistics exceeding 500 million games played… I would say that is some addiction. A genuine impressive accomplishment if you ask me.

I pop in Halo 2 and I’m in awe at how well I can snipe. It’s not easy to properly do, yet I can fake, as if I’m a pro on most :)

See for yourself XboxDruggie’s Halo 2 Stats

Is it normal to play video games so excessive that it seems like it it is or controlling your life? Not wanting to deal with the hells, confusion, and blunt insanity of society; just an escape into the virtual fantasy worlds of video games.

I for one have enjoyed gaming for many moons, the diversity and griping involvement is unparalleled to anything yet I’ve experienced. It just wonderfully blows my mind as to how far games have come even more-so on the anticipation of how far they will/can go in the future. The newest generation of home video game consoles are now on full force release… let’s just see how amazing their sophisticated technology will take us in 2 years from now!

Ohh, yes! Yes yes yes!
It was a horrid wait of weeks and countless days so it seemed. On schedule, thank goodness, FFXI has been bestowed to all the fans of it’s wonders. Day 1 release had to be ours! First shock was the new server’s economy… though I have some great buddies that are giving a helping hand :)

Now, on with my adventures!

Is it seriously possible to have withdrawals from a video game? I mean I’m not having cold sweats or doing absurd activities to fill the void but I sure as hell do miss playing it…