From a REAL craigslist job post. Just sent had to share!
I’ve been told I need RTFM, can you help? Do I need new equipment? How much will it cost?
The annual Video Game Awards aired last night on Spike TV. Among the release of greatly anticipated trailers and newly announced titles, some of the biggest names within the gaming industry competed for the much coveted glory of Game of the Year. So who went home with the grand prize? Who went home with anything? Here’s the breakdown:
Game of the Year: Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar Games)
Best Independent Game: World of Goo (2D Boy)
Studio of the Year: Media Molecule (LittleBigPlanet)
Best Team Sports Game: NHL 09 (EA Canada)
Big Name in the Game Female: Jenny McCarthy (C&C: Red Alert 3)
Big Name in the Game Male: Kiefer Sutherland (CoD: World at War)
Best Performance by a Human Female: Debbie Mae West (MGS4)
Best Performance by a Human Male: Michael Hollick (GTA IV)
Best Multi-Player Game: Left 4 Dead (Valve)
Best Original Score: Metal Gear Solid 4 (Kojima Productions)
Best PC Game: Left 4 Dead (Valve)
Best PS3 Game: LittleBigPlanet (Media Molecule)
Best Wii Game: Boom Blox (EA Casual Studios)
Best Xbox 360 Game: Gears of War 2 (Epic Games)
Best Soundtrack: Rock Band 2 (Harmonix)
Best Action Adventure Game: Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar Games)
Best Driving Game: Burnout Paradise (Criterion)
Best Music Game: Rock Band 2 (Harmonix)
Best Game Based on a Movie or TV Show: LEGO Indiana Jones (Traveller’s Tales)
Best Graphics: Metal Gear Solid 4 (Kojima Productions)
Best Handheld Game: Professor Layton and the Curios Village (Level 5)
Best Individual Sports Game: Shaun White Snowboarding (Ubisoft Montreal)
Best Fighting Game: Soul Calibur IV (Project Soul)
Best RPG: Fallout 3 (Bethesda Game Studios)
Best Shooter: Gears of War 2 (Epic Games)
A quick look at this list and it seems that everything worth playing has come out within the last month or so. And just in time for the holiday season! Gamers best have their wish lists prepared.
While I agree with most of the choices on this list, Grand Theft Auto IV as Game of the Year does not sit well with me. Don’t get me wrong. It was a great game but it just wasn’t worthy of this honor.
To be honest, this entire fanboy fest is not really about the awards for me. Yes, it is fine and dandy that recognition can be given to some truly wondrous achievements in the industry but when all is said and done, what we are left with is a short list of games and a lot of arrogant fans. This entire event gives gamers the ammunition the need to wage their inane message board battles of why what they have is better than anything else and just how hard everything else sucks. I do not care for fanboyism or the brain-dead notion that one company or game series is better than the other. But if you take a second to browse any forum after the announcements of the winners, it comes to no surprise as to how fast the hate speech has begun to spread amongst the interwebs. It just continues to remind if me, if but over and over again, that most of the gaming community cares a lot more about what they can brag about than about the games they are actually playing.
As I said, awards do not interest me. I would much rather focus on these much talked about trailers that premiered last night. So here is what I am currently excited about:
God of War III – Not enough was shown to warrant the overdose of positive feedback but it does looks really well put together. I’m interested in those ornamental gloves that the revenge fueled Kratos is wearing and hoping that this so called ‘end’ that the God of War is talking about is anything but.
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves – The original Uncharted had franchise written all over it and it comes to no surprise that the next installment looks just as gorgeous and retains the same level of humor the fans have come to expect. Nathan Drake looks to be in really dangerous predicament and the tagline does well to set the stage for his latest shenanigans.
Dante’s Inferno – So very little was shown about this title but the any game which takes the Nine Circles of Hell as its primary setting, has my undivided attention. Using Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy as an inspiration tool, Dante’s Inferno could manage to be a great surprise for the gaming community even if the ‘Go to Hell’ line was a tad ill-advised and completely cheese-tastic.
Mafia II – I liked Mafia. Its ending was nothing short of f’ed up and the fast paced shoot-em world of mob life was executed masterfully. Mafia II looks to build on the same mechanics as its predecessor with plenty of betrayal, corruption, and Italians accents thrown in for good measure.
Fight Night Round 4 – Unheard of since the debut of the Xbox 360, Fight Nights makes its long awaited return as players will finally be able to pit the ear biting frenzy of Mike Tyson against the butterfly floating, bee stinging moves of Mohammed Ali. Good times had by all.
Watchmen: The End is Nigh - Games based on movies, based on comic books don’t always equal great success but I’m keeping my mind open with this title. Like all superhero games it looks fantastic in trailer form but time will tell if this adaptation has what it takes to survive in the video game world.
Terminator: Salvation – Joining Watchmen in the movie based category, Salvation is another title that I will keep an eye out for. It doesn’t look like anything that gamers haven’t seen before but if it manages to capture the imagination of the Terminator series then Salvation could be worth the wait.
Overall, the event was a well done, even if it did have Jack Black hosting as a not so coincidental means to shamelessly plug his own game. The trailers were alright but again, the secrecy and the anticipation of the footage was a bit overdone. In the end, we are only offered a brief glimpse into what may or may not be a stellar gaming experience. I would have liked to have seen more developers using this mainstream event to promote some of their upcoming software but with E3 looming its electronic head in the not so distant future, something tells me that the glimpse we have seen is a mere drop in the bucket compared to the amount of high profile titles to be announced earlier next year.
If you follow me on twitter (or at least look at the main page), you would know that I just changed host from a server that I am allowed to use at work to byethost.com. Free Hosting and updated Mysql, I couldnt ask for more.
I attempted this yesterday with 000webhost.com as my host but ran into issues of the server being slow and was unable to update wordpress.
Anyway, as you can see there is also a “redesign”. I use that losely because its more like walking into a new apartment and the walls are still white. Just wanted to ditch the fugly design from the old site (i know!), so while I find (or make) something nicer, you will be looking at the plain chick with little to no make up.
Its not that she is unattractive, its that you have to get to know her to appreciate her beauty (and yes I do put out…I mean she).
As far as new neighbors, I am in the process of getting a new author to write crap here. I do aim for quality, not quantity, but If I can get 99 authors (and 99 readers) I MIGHT JUST DO IT!
So enjoy the changes, hope you like your stay!
PS twitter is now set to be updated as I update the blog!
Been playing a lot of Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe lately. And even though fans may bitch about the neutered violence, I’ve come to painfully remind you all that it is nowhere near as bad as it seems…
First and foremost I would like to take the time to note that this post is not to make light the impeding Zombie Apocalypse. Z-Day is imminent, people. Stop living in a fantasy world.
After reading KC’s perfectly timed blog about zombies of a virtual nature and how to go about playing a demo of the much jazzed about Resident Evil 5, I decided it adequate to report my experience with Zombie Survival and how knowledge of this often scoffed at skill helped me procure a position with Kaplan, Inc.
Kaplan’s interview process isn’t like conventional proceedings. Instead of one-on-one time with a talking head, candidates are asked to ‘audition’ for the company. During the audition process which includes fillings out of the mandatory paperwork and completing a 20 minute exam which measures just how little you remember from your earlier years in the education system, you are asked to teach a short ‘How-To’ lesson to your audience of fellow interviewees and selected staff. This information came as no surprise as the invitation to attend this screening process of sorts detailed the aforementioned performance. But what I didn’t know was that the ‘How-To’ I was asked to prepare, did not need to fall underneath the umbrella of academia alone. I could teach any subject as long I was clear in my delivery and was actually able to convey the topic at hand.
I started the day by selecting my best business casual attire. After appropriately grooming myself and making sure I had looked my absolute best, I slipped into my outfit and headed to the office located at One Liberty Plaza with only one thing in mind: professionalism.
Being first to arrive only let the staff know of my great interest in the job I was applying for. Teaching students the ins and out of standardized testing is a tricky subject and now many have the will to endure such a tiring and often overwhelming endeavor.
Shortly after waiting for a few stragglers as I glanced at a copy of the New York Times I had tucked underneath my arm and sipping away at a drink of Starbucks origins, I was told to follow a staff member into a small presentation room. Surveying the people around me, noticing the props they had brought for the lessons they had prepared, a colorful sea of oak tag paper with massive lettering and simplicity in mind, I appeared to be the most formally dressed of the bunch. It went well with the topic I had chosen for my audition and after a few introductory words of what to expect out of the program and the training process to follow if selected, I eagerly volunteered to be the first to perform in front of the eager and anxious crowd.
I began the audition with silence as I reached into my bag and removed a severed hand and foot.
“As I sat last night thinking about what to discuss with you all today, the thoughts turning in my head with no end, I came to realize that if the Zombie Apocalypse were to happen right now, I would not be prepared.”
And after listening to the giggles of the staff members and the barely audible applause from my audience, I went into detail on several key factors on: How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse. I described prime locations for long-term shelter such as Wal-Mart or Costco. I gave tips on zombie behavior such as their inability to swim or reach high places. I talked about leadership qualities and how people tend to follow those who seem to know what they are doing. The more who follow, the quicker barricades are erected and sustained. This wealth of information culminated to one final moment of self reflection. And as I waved the bloody stomp of a plastic foot in front of my audience I asked them bluntly: ‘Do you have what it takes to ensure the safety of your group? Are you willing to kill a family member or a loved one if they are bitten by the shambling forces of the undead? ‘
Applause followed and several days later I received an email confirming my schedule for training. I arrived at the sessions to find that some of the people who had prepared a more educational lesson had not made to the final cut. Even now as I prepare my lesson plan for the days ahead, I will always remember that one perfect moment where Zombie Survival helped me get a job. It helps to be a dancing bear.
Yea yea, bad title.
But if you have an Xbox and want to know how to get the demo before it comes state side you came to the right place.
You require a CD/DVD Burner and a basic use of torrents.
Click Here to get the torrent file.
Burn the Iso, play the Demo
Just note that you need to go to the Demo Tab on the XBL interface to play it.
Enjoy!
Thanks to digiex.net Forums
Went to the Knitting Factory Show with Mr Lai. Was a BLASTY.
I have to admit the opening bands were nuts esp Lost Locker Combo
As many of you problably know, Mc Chris has a thing for Zombies. Well deserved in my opinion, especially after playing Left 4 Dead like crazy. Its just to fun to rape in that game. Makes you feel all warm and tingly when you manage to drag a survivor out of a window or off a roof and kill them. COMEDY. Anyway, here is a video of Chris ranting about zombies. FUNNY!!!!!!
CLASSIC!
Went out with Lou and D, happy B-day and attempted to make it to a Schaffer the Darklord show. Schaffer said 9 we were there at 8, club said 10. So we ended up watching Nerdcore Rising in the cold before we went to Time Square and chilled in the Charmin spot, which rocks!
Anyways, here is the meat and potatoes of this one….
“A new METAL GEAR?!” (exclamation sound)
I can’t wait!!!!!
So I went to see MC Lars a few weeks ago and damn did I get more than I expected. I knew Lars, was touring with YTcracker and MC Frontalot. I did not expect the rest of nerdcore northeast to be there. Shael Riley, Schaffer the Darklord, and a band from jersey who sang about hitting people with frying pans (they were good too).
Steve, Yeli and Mike came out to this one, thanks for coming and I’m glad you guys had a blasty.
FYI first time I got to see Frontalot’s other stuff since song fight. It was damn good. Got to see STD (schaffer the darklord) who was funny as hell and Shael Reily, the most soulful man in Nerdcore.
Thursay was a Schaffer the Darklord show with Shael Rielly, Cudzo and the faggettes, and Congregation for real time (I think). To the person(s) who neglected to come to the Schaffer the Darklord show: you suck. I don’t wanna name names, @Ndy, You missed a kick ass show that had a crap load of souvlaki lovers, I mean greeks from Astoria. You would have fit in fine, besides we dodged Twilight that night (saw it Saturday, was good).
I can honestly say I haven’t had this much fun since the days of CBGBs. The crowd is cool, the talent is well talented and will gladly accept most forms of alcholic beverages, and its just a kick ass time in general.
Next show is MC Chris @ Knitting factory this Wens @ 7. Hmmm gotta ask the boss if I can bounce early.
Anyways, to Shael and Josh happy birthday, hop all was good. To my computer, time warner is the one dropping packets not me, to Time Warner fix my cable, my shit has been dropping packets since 4, I wanna play left 4 dead!
Written from my g1
You can’t wash that off……
I know it has been a a while since I posted and want to bring everyone to speed.
So class, pay attention because what I mention might might be on next weeks quiz.
Gotta stop that…..
Fuck your dog pants, i got my Android. It may not be able to hug a llama but I sure as hell wanna see your dog google a picture of a dog hugging a llama.
Phone is tight. Fast response to touch screen, not sluggish at all, and keyboard is actually comfortable. The “chin” is pretty comfy and the trackball is spot on. 3g is sweet as I was getting 300 – 500 k downloading files and voice quality issues are non existent. The compass mode is very sweet and it has gps, (more on that later).
Now the bad. You cant close an app. Well i guess its not that bad, but if an app you installed from the market place is crashing, you cant close it unless the OS asks you if you want to wait or force close. The good side is that the OS actually does a decent job of managing the programs, as it takes apps that are not in use and runs them as a low priority in the background, making them a quick start.
Gps, on a phone at this price is amazing but couldn’t you have installed the non 99 cent store version?
Midtown full 3g service, and i have to restart twice to get service? The hell!
Camera can use some tweaking.
Not a deal breaker for me but the 2.5 mm jack. I heard one too many people complaining about this. ITS A PHONE, NOT AN I PHONE. SHUT IT. Anyway i have a had a few issues with the camera app having problems and not being able to use the pic app. Fixed after a restart. Another is exchange, how do you release a “smartphone” while being that stupid. Bake the app while its in dev and get it working before you drop the phone. I feel gimped without it. Speaking of email, the included secondary app for emails other than gmail sucks. Doesn’t pop mail correctly, i don’t get alerts after its opened and just feels unfinished.
The browser feels smooth and quick but i feel its missing something and the marketplace feels hit or miss as of late.
The marketplace offers a variety of apps, the question is how useful. Ok i do have a strobe light app for my own amusement, but who the hell wrote an app that lets u pet a hobo that sounds like a tribble? I was looking forward till this past Monday and couldn’t wait to see what was up. “Ok a flashlight” i thought, this could be useful. Then an hour later, o another flashlight, then another. Its the good and bad side of open source. You have alot of ideas and they dont collabe until after they are done, by that time each developer only wants to tweak their own app instead if rewriting together and you have crap 1.0.2 instead of decent 2.0
That is the nature of open source though.
Overall, in my opinion i can say that i am happy with my phone. I cant compare it to an iphone because to me, the iphone has major advantages.
1. It is now on its second hardware revision
2. It has had numerous firmware upgrades since its original release
3. Its more than a month old.
Don’t worry, as i love or hate my phone more, you will know. I’m writing this from my phone right now.
Peas.
Ps where is spellcheck!
