The Cloud vs The Real Thing

What is your stance on purchasing from the preverbial cloud? The prospect of obtaining all of your media, whether it be your music, films, gaming or whatever else from an online hub/server, purchased from your e-wallet (to which you have full ownership of). This is rather than the more conventional method of using your real wallet, and purchasing an actual disc and case to put up on your actual shelve.

Is this simply the way the industry is going, is it something we should all adjust to for going forward? Or will we simply not have the choice in the future at some point?

Cloud Gaming - You may have full ownership of your media, but you have no physical object to signify it. Is this such a big deal? Not personally, but I can see people not adopting this with open arms. This also saves space, because your then not cluttered with discs everywhere.. I suppose.

The Real Thing: Maybe im just nostalgic, but I think I would miss not having an owned copy of something, whatever it is. There is, however, no huge benefit on having the physical item, as long as you can fully trust the cloud to keep a track of your purchases.

With E-Books, Itunes, Steam, amongst many others. It may just be the way of the future.. and lets not forget, it is greener afterall.

Rant: Logging Into Guild Wars 2!

I have been trying to login to Guild Wars 2 this afternoon, and it would not let me login. My first assumption was that this was due to the fact that I had not logged in for a month or two and I had forgot my password (although I was certian I had it correct).

I clicked the 'recover my account' button and this led to a webpage that was currently unavailable. From this, I then clicked onto the 'reset my password' button, this link was also not working. From this, I then went directly to the website and went through the reset process, after fully entering the serial code from the box, amongst other details, I successfully reset my password.

I tried to login again and it still tells me my details are invalid, both username and password. I could reset it again but id have to enter in the serial code again.

Not to mention the other various times it has asked me to authorise my location because im logging in on a different device, although I don't turn my router off and I use the same computer. I had to disable this function.

Result. MMOs sometimes may not realise how fickle the genre is and due to the wide competition there is out there, it is very easy to move on. I gave up and began to boot up WoW so I can plow through, up to level twenty, to see if I want to get back into that instead.

Games can have security but some are overly done. It is only a game at the end of the day and I find it easier to login to things that should be more secure (like banking), than I do into this game.

Rant over. Thanks for listening.

Wish Lists..

We all have them, whether it be for the latest album, book or game. Mine is more related to games and includes the following, including many more:

- Sim City (released March 2013). I loved SimCity 4 and its been way too long since. Hopefully this sequel will not disappoint.

- Elder Scrolls Online. If this is in anyway like Oblivion or Skyrim, then it's on to a brilliant concept in an MMO world. I did, however, think the same of SWTOR, and as much as I tried, i couldn't continue to play it. Hopefully, this will not disappoint.

- As previously said and for reasons I don't quite understand.. Euro Truck Simulator 2!

- Anno 2070. I know it's been out for a long time now, but I have never played it and I could plow hours and hours into Anno 1404.

Everybody has wish lists, mine is a good mixture of differing elements. What's in yours?

Euro Truck Simulator 2 - Why Do I Suddenly Feel The Urge To Buy This Game!?

I've randomly come across thIs title whilst browsing through Steam and I'm finding myself compelled enough to buy it. This is surprising in a lot of ways, as these games usually lose their novelty very quickly after releasing how complicated it is after mere minutes of playing. This seems different however, because:

- There seems to be actual progression and actual goals to accomplish. This is a big plus as it makes it interesting and addictive.

- You have a character, in a sense, and your own company. In some ways, this has RPG elements mixed in too.

- Graphics are not too shabby either.

Should I take the plunge and buy it? I think the answer is inevitable..

Moving Between MMOs

MMOs are by far, my favourite genre of game, however with the abundance of different ones out there, how do you choose just one (or two).

I have played various MMOs but have never been able to stick to one in particular. The pure choice itself can be overwhelming and because there are so many, each one fights for our attention and picks at your curiosity with a new mechanic, or interesting new take (although most just work off the same general idea anyway). I have played many MMOs, including the below and many more:

- WoW
- Rift
- Allods Online
- Darkfall
- Secret World
- Guild Wars 1 and 2
- LOTRO
- Star Trek Online
- SWTOR

No one has managed to grab my attention to the fullest, and it will only be a matter of time until I move on to the next big thing. I'm a sucker for a good, or sometimes appalling MMO. Is it just me or does anybody else dart around them?

Finding Inspiration..

Where do you find your inspiration?

Well you could view it in one of two ways:

- Inspiration can be hard to find as the majority of us now continually work day in and day out, living for the weekend, and even then it depends on our finances.

- Inspiration is easy to find, with the modern comforts like the Internet and television, as well as the fact that inspiration doesn't have to come from going afar, a small walk around your local block may be enough to inspire.

Ultimately, are we becoming less inspired these days and more likely to just to join the heard and lose our originality, especially with the mundane onslaught of daily life and how this can become more of a routine and less of an adventure.

Personally, life is what you make it and it is down to us to inspire ourselves and live it to its best. Life has its moments, but why not make them great moments.

Completing Games..

Ten years ago I would get a game with the full plan to see it through to the very completion. This would be because the game was relatively simple, it would have a single player campaign with no multiplayer option and the campaign would be in depth and interesting throughout.

These days, the majority of games I buy are never fully completed. This could be down to a few factors:

- Games have too much going on (both a good and bad thing). For example, a game may have an apt single player campaign but be primarily based around the multiplayer element. Due to this, you glance at the campaign but primarily focus on the multiplayer (I am guilty of this in some of the COD games).

- Too much choice. Years ago, there would be a few select games that you would want and buy and play them to death before moving onto another game. These days, the vast amount of choice we have is overwhelming and it makes it very easy to get bored of one game and then easily move onto something new when your only half way through a game.

- Sequels/Quality control. Too many sequels means that the same formula is mixed up again and again, sometimes with only subtle changes and improvements. This can make you bored rather quickly.

- Introduction of app games. These games fight for our attention too and keep us from becoming invested in one endeavour. The easy and casual aspect of these games make them an easy distraction.

I remember the days of the early Tomb Raider, Broken Sword, Exhumed, Disruptor, Doom, amongst many others. There is far too much choice now.. which like I say, is nothing to complain about but is a 'bitter sweet' kind of situation.

Games Gone By - The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

An epic plot, challenging gameplay and interesting additions which make it memorable and even more unique. The Legend of Zelda series was one of the many games I played and completed when I was younger and enjoyed every minute.

My favourite was The Ocarina Of Time. This game proves that graphics don't matter, I would gladly play this game again from start to end and enjoy it just as much these days as when I first travelled across the land of Hyrule way back when.

A gamer who hasn't had the pleasure of playing this game, needs to go out and buy an Nintendo 64 or whichever other platform this can now be played on and bask in a game from yester-year!

Jupiter Sized Planet Able To Support Life

Scientists have discovered 42 new planets, one of which is approximately the size of Jupiter and possibly able to support life. It makes you think.

We are living out our life's on this relatively small blue orb, the entire population unaware of so many alien worlds, so unlike our own. Imagine living on an earth that was a thousand times as big. A round the world trip could take you years, not weeks. The diversity of the landscape would vary to many extremes, as would the thousands of varying countries and their cultures. Going from deserts, to forests, to seas and back to deserts again, all within the distance of the visible horizon. Hopefully one day we will be able to see these world for ourselves.. Unfortunately, that one day is likely to be in a few thousand years, if not longer.. If ever.

Terraria, Minecraft and now.. Blockheads

The block games continue as the latest game to release, called Blockheads, hits the app stores. The game is more similar to Terraria as it works off the 2D model and in a lot of ways, is much more casual and forgiving (I guess this is to be expected on a mobile device as this ensures maximum sales).

- You cannot fall to your death. You merely instruct your character where to go. If its possible to get to, your character will get there. If not, he/she will not move.

- Very little nighttime creatures. One of the first things I noticed at the end of the first day. I had built a shelter with doors, stored resources and created light. All in vein as no creatures came out at night to unleash an unholy attack on my little character. Disappointing in a way, but in another way, it makes it possible to explore through the night too.

- As with all casual games these days, the game is free. Free does not mean free though as everything you create, whether it be a weapon, tool or kiln, all requires time. You can pay £1.99 which will double the speed of creating such objects, which is a must, as otherwise it takes forever.

The game runs smoothly and this type of game fits well into the IPads touch screen controls. In some ways, this is a big advantage for this game over Terraria, but others may say that nothing beats the keyboard and mouse, each to their own!

So how does it stack up? Personally, if your looking for an in depth game with lots to do, or if your looking to just basically create something out of nothing, my personal opinion places Mineraft first, Terraria second and Blockheads third.

I wonder what may be next in this genre of block building RPG games and how they will adapt it into different games going forward, only time will tell. For the time being though, will it be Terraria, Minecraft or Blockheads..

The Future Of The British Countryside.

The british countryside, a mixture of winding narrow valleys, interweaved with the occasional farm, forest or village. This is what makes Britain, but how has it changed over the years.

 

 

With the addition of new bypasses, motorways and 'B' roads, is it not only a matter of time until the entirety of Britain is covered in concrete, and the only grass lands we will have will be privately owned land (which has not been bought out from its owners) and the national parks. This is ruining Britain. The once quiet hills are now emcompassed by roaring roads. The quietly running rivers, now eluded by shadowing bridges. Other than the cosmetic effect of these changes, you have also got to bear in mind Climate change, and also, our own health when considering the additional pollution this generates.

 

On the other hand, is this not 'progress'? With the hurry that the world is in these days, don't we need the additional roads? Especially with the steady population increase every year and the fact that the internet has made the world seem a much smaller place to live than ever before, being able to commute in a timely manner has got to be one of the main priorities of the future surely.

 

Who is right? What is the best choice.. practically, morally and financially? Are there any other options? Its a tough matter to call, although I believe there will be more concrete and less greenery in the future, even in spite of the many drawbacks this may have.

Gaming Sequels.

Sequels seems to be the foundation on which the video gaming industry lies on these days. A game wouldn't be a successful game unless it is franchised into a sequel (or 5).

It's a saddening thought as this means that originality and fresh challenges become less and less as the same game is reprocessed with a few small Addons and enhancements here and there. It's understandable however, as of course in these financial times, it's better to play a safe bet that you know works, rather to be experimenting in new areas. Sequels often work however, and this can be shown in:

- Grand Theft Auto (San Andreas is still the best one made to date)
- Burnout (apart from Burnout Paradise, what were they thinking..)
- Final Fantasy (7 still being the best)
- Super Mario (kind of, did they kill such a classic by reinventing it in new games again, and again)
- Silent Hill
- COD..

Amongst many others. I guess this brings me onto the question; are we running out of ideas? Has most of the possibilities within the gaming genres been covered off in some way or another?

Asteroid Belt Around Vega Insinuates Existing Planets In Region

Asteroid Belt Around Vega

The above article confirms that an asteroid belt is existent around Vega, which also suggests that the only reason it is able to keep in its current form, is if planets may exist relatively nearby.

As science and exploration develops over the coming years, we are only going to seem to find more and more planets, and many of these may be heralded in the 'Goldilocks Zone'. Is it only a matter of time until we find out that we are not alone, or will science never become so developed for us to ever find out? Questions we are ofcourse only able to ponder over.

One hundred or even fifty years ago, you would of been mad to think that there was any life beyond our little blue planet. Now however, with all the discoveries and statistics that science has brought us, isn't it now crazy to think there isn't anything else out there? This, in fact, is now highly improbable.

Free To Play vs Subscriptions

We may be at a turning point, not only in the MMO genre, but with gaming overall. Whether it be with the majority of MMOs now turning towards a free to play model, rather than the regular financial support of a subscription, or with the same model being adopted now into the casual gaming market (such as FarmVille and the many other apps out there).

So what is best, is the future bright when it comes to a free to play model? The only game that appears to of avoided this is WoW (yes it may be free to play up until level 20 but that isn't any good for anybody), and it is still going strong.

Surely we still get the same content updates and user support across both platforms, as of course, ultimately the company is still getting their money, whether this be through advertising, in game purchases or subscription fees.

- Guild Wars 2 vs WoW
- LOTRO vs Rift

Personally, nothing will beat the subscription as there just seems to be more effort put in. What I don't agree with however is games which ask for a subscription fee but then still prompt you for in game purchases.. for shame..

Winter May Be Here..

News reports are claiming that the UK is due to be greeted with a snow blizzard this weekend. Winter will finally be here it would seem!

My only concern is if my car will survive the onslaught (ofcourse, if it actually happens).

Should Grand Theft Auto 5 Be Banned?

It appears Grand Theft Auto is in the news again with concern to whether it should be banned. This tends to happen every time a game is due to be released which is a bit too controversial that it fails to slip under the radar.

The very question seems ridiculous, as ofcourse, games are not real and are only virtual representations (whether this be realistic or not). The concern in modern society is that games like this invoke harmful emotion in people who may be easily suspectible (especially in the younger generation). This may be true but surely it is no more true of this game, than it is of a controversial poster, advert or song. Games also are not fully accessible like other forms of media, as they come with age ratings. Age ratings are ignored by parents all the time, but upon any drastic mood change or action from their child, the game is blamed. This screams ignorance.

I'm aware the issue is bigger than what it first seems and so, this must be assessed on a case by case basis as different aspects may be apparent in each.

A controversial subject, but one that shouldn't really have to be debated for too long. There are rules in place to minimise adverse effects to such media, its a shame this topic has to come into mainstream media every so often (such as with Saints Row and Hitman).

App Thoughts: The Akinator

App: The Akinator

Price: Approximately £1.50

Type: Game

 

I recently purchased an app called 'Akinator' from the App Store in a moment of madness during a gathering.

The app did not disappoint and acts a lot like the classic game of 21 questions where you are tasked with guessing who the other person is thinking of. Although the classic game is always best enjoyed live; as part of a group. This app can have you messing around for hours on a solo mission to try and trick the clever genie by conjuring up a person who may not be within his thoughts (or database should that be).

Surprisingly addictive and very straight forward. If your fed up of the regular stream of apps such as farming games, this is a welcome change.

The question is, can you outsmart the Akinator?

Lego Games.. What Do You Think?

Is it just me, or do Lego games simply not stack up?



I've tried my best to get into Lego Star Wars, Lego Indiana Jones, Lego Lord Of The Rings and Lego Batman but, as much as a I try, I just can't find it in me to like them. Reasons being:

- There is a certain tedium with collecting coins and all the other things in order to try and obtain 100% completion, which makes it feel more like a chore than a game.

- The campaign/story is far too short, resulting in the other 80% of the game being tasked with collecting coins and handling dreary side missions.

- Glitches! I've never encountered so many in any other type of game.

This is one of the few types of game my partner does play so I always try to get involved, it's a shame I can't like them. Is it just me?!

Book Thoughts: The Hobbit

The Hobbit is about a happy go lucky (or in this case, very very lucky) Hobbit who stumbles upon unexpected adventure when a wizard by the name of Gandalf knocks on his door.

The book is a must read, especially with the first film that has been recently released, which will be in a series of three that are expected to be premiered over the next few years. I read the book before watching the film and am glad I did. Although lots of people may of suggested not to, as 'the book will ruin the film' and vice versa, I must disagree.

The Hobbit keeps you entertained throughout and is a book you would rather not put down. Personally, it is a book which I could read from start to end in one sitting (if only I had enough time). From its quirky characters and signature landscapes from The Lord of the Rings saga, plus its never ending adventure, it is rightfully an instant classic. It would appear that the film has largely elaborated on the story, from what I remember, the ending to the film is still relatively close to the beginning of the book.

A renewed fan of Tolkien having never read this book before, I'm looking forward to seeing the film trilogy pan out over the coming years.

Have You Ever Bought A Game Twice?

Maybe its just me, but once in a while, you come across a game that you have played before, but perhaps not played in quite a few years. This impulse then causes you to buy the game (now with a much cheaper price ofcourse) to play again. Personally, I can think of many games that come under this category, such as:

Broken Sword

A game I have played so many times, I could probably tell you the story from start to end. The reason this game has been bought more than once, is mainly because I've lost it somewhere over the last few years, and then it was released onto a different format many years after. I originally played Broken Sword on the Playstation One, then on the PC, and then on the perfectly suited Nintendo DS.

SimCity 4

SimCity 4 is a game that fits itself very well into no bracket whatsoever, it is not too complicated to be cumbersome to a casual gamer. Yet not too casual to put off die hard micro management/city building fans. Simcity is a game which is intriguing. Even if you've already played it, the gameplay functionality is different across varying platforms. For instance, this game can now be played (with little differences in each) on the PC, Nintendo DS and Ipad respectively.

 

 

 

 

Too much money than sense? Well the games we tend to buy again are usually extremely cheap as its many years later when we find them again, and its good to re-visit an old past time and relive it all again; in some cases, with graphical improvements too.

Graphics In Games. Are They The Be All And End All?

Here is testament to graphics and that they are not the be all and end all of gaming..

For instance, after playing Cities XL, it is of no comparison to SimCity 4. SimCity 4 is a better game in almost all aspects, other than graphics  and, due to this, I would play it over Cities XL anyday. This brings me onto Minecraft, Terraria and Doom (amongst others) which are much more enjoyable than the majority of HD, all singing, all dancing games of today.. or is it just me?



Graphics are not what makes a game.. Does this change however, dependent on the genre you are playing? For instance, when it comes to racing games and the likes of Forza and Gran Turismo, it seems graphics are a fundamental part of what would be classed as 'successful' in is genre.

Irrespective of graphic prowess, what games simply blew you away without any need for realism?

Ghosts. Do you believe?

Ghosts.. Mysterious beings that linger in the darkness, but what is your stance on such things. Do you believe they exist or are they merely created by an overactive imagination.

The sceptic inside me always pulls me towards the latter. We see ghosts only in dark spaces (the viewing is therefore disoriented, unclear and could be mistaken for something else). There is a certain mystery to the dark that powers our imagination and shapes what we see and noises we hear, can be exaggerated to something more.



Thinking more openly however, ghosts may well exist. They always tend to appear in places that have a history, or a person who may of lived there, who would have a good reason to linger about. Using modern reading devices to also monitor temperature and electro magnetism these days (forgive me if thats wrong), also push this further to become somewhat believable.

How about if ghosts are merely another creature living on Earth which we have yet to understand or find, or could they be the shadows of people from another dimension? (perhaps a little too far, or is it?)

I have seen a ghost myself many years ago but am still not fully convinced on the prospect. I guess public opinion on such a topic is divided, like many other things, but it makes you ponder..

Board Games Gone By..

Christmas may be over, but this doesn't mean the board games now need to be put away for yet another year surely? The below is a list of the board games we should all hopefully have owned/played over the years:

1. Monopoly
The frustration when your going bankrupt and therefore must sell all your houses on Mayfair, for the next player to then land on Mayfair. A fun game all around, makes us all feel like mini business people in some sort of way, if only for a few short minutes.. or several hours.

2. Charades
Not a lot I can say. Guaranteed laughs, or anger, either way, it's good to watch.

3. Mousetrap / Buckaroo / Operation
Those games where the slightest twitch could be the end, tense.

4. Ludo / Snakes and Ladders
To the games where zero skill is actually required, yet we all feel rather smug when we win.

Board games are fantastic and more often than not, are completely forgotten about these days. Well, I guess I can always play Monopoly now as an app..

Children's TV

Being around kids lately, namely the three to four year old bracket means I'm succumb to children's TV.

Now it may just be me but does children's TV these days not compare to that of the 70s and 80s. There is a certain charm to having real to life characters (characters/dolls that actually exist), such as Sooty and Sweep, Button Moon and The Magic Roundabout for instance.

There are far too many programs these days that rely almost solely on computer animation and I think this makes them lose a certain nostalgic quality.

These may just be me being bias due to the generation I grew up in but I'm suremy opinion is shared by many.. ...