Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

The MMO Times: 30 Years of Mario

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On September 16, 2015

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

StormtroopaIssue 131: If you’re like me, you might be feeling a little old when you realize that 1985 was the year the world was introduced to an Italian plumber on 1985-Mariothe proverbial damsel-in-distress quest. Super Mario Brothers turned 30 this week and, for me, that was the game that started it all. It’s unfortunate that we lost Satoru Iwata too soon so that he can see the world celebrate one of the most iconic video games in history. Even Google, of course, got in on the action, as documented by Kotaku (a great way to annoy your co-workers).

This is still an MMO post and MMOs are what we will talk about but homage should be paid where homage is due. There is a new title entering a beta (of sorts) called Otherland that you might be interested in checking out. Destiny’s new trailer is definitely something to checkout (especially if you didn’t watch any NFL this weekend). StarCraft 2: Legacy of the Void also has a new cinematic for your drooling viewing pleasure. Blizzard has dropped some new Overwatch hints and HotS goodies. So take a break from some Mario nostalgia (if you actually have a functioning NES) and check out what’s new in MMOs this week. KCGO.

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Never Forget …

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On September 11, 2015

In General Cogitation

never-forget-nyc-1-550x320Fourteen years ago was the darkest day in US history. 2,977 people lost their lives to a most heinous act of terrorism I’m sure I will ever see in my lifetime. I hope Evie will never have to endure that kind of unquenchable heartache. Since that day in 2001 I have never once complained about the extra precautions that are taken when going through airport security. I would rather be patient and let the TSA do proper checks then ever see an tragedy like that happen again.

“I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.” – God

I remember waking up and not believing what I was hearing or seeing. I remember visiting ground zero a couple years later still feeling completely speechless. I think our continued vigilance was an important lesson learned, but there was something else I wish had persevered from that awful day. Unity. On that day it didn’t matter if you were Republican or Democrat. Liberal or Conservative. Jewish, Christian, Muslim or Atheist. Gay, Straight, Transgender, white or black. We all were wounded, lost, heartbroken and we needed one another to endure.

I wish we would treat each other like that again. It shouldn’t take an act of terrorism to stop the bickering and fighting. Neither side has the right answer but working together has a greater chance of a more suitable answer to our nations problems. We should stop telling the other side they are wrong and learn to accept that we all believe different things and learn how to appreciate those beliefs to a fair and just end. Our fighting is pointless.

Today I will not troll the other side. Today I will remain silent in reverence of those who, unwillingly, paid the ultimate price.

God Bless America.

Tech Talk: Apple Event

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On September 10, 2015

In Apple, Tech Talk, Technology

minion-appleThe Apple uber-fanboys waited with bated breath for September 9th. Everyone knew that Apple would be unveiling their next model of iPhone and I think everyone pretty much knew that the Apple TV was finally getting a long overdue upgrade. I know rumors were floating around about the iPad Pro, but I don’t recall if they were ever concrete enough to know, for certain, that Apple would be unveiling it.

I pseudo-watched the live event; by that I mean I watched the CNET live broadcast. Brian Tong and his crew are very entertaining to watch during these big events, especially when Brian is in full nerdgasm mode, which he was during this event.

The Apple Event talked about the Apple Watch, Apple TV, iPad Pro (with Smart Keyboard), Apple Pencil and, of course, the iPhone 6S/6S Plus. There was quite a bit of information disseminated; some of it good, some of it kind of blah. I talk more about each of these after the break.

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Walk to Mordor: Arrived at Rauros

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On September 10, 2015

In General Cogitation

falls_of_rauros_ii_by_reneaignerI have officially reached Rauros in my Walk to Mordor Nerd Fitness challenge. That means I have walked over 1300 miles so far this year.

Many folks don’t really know what, in Middle Earth, Rauros is. If you do a Google search you will immediately recognize the location, or you can look at the image at the top, which is the Falls of Rauros.

Argonath

The Pillars of Kings

If that still doesn’t ring a bell from the movies, perhaps this image will help. Just prior to the falls, one would pass through the Gates of Argonath (aka The Pillars of Kings). The Falls of Rauros are also the falls that served as Boromir’s burial site.

Rauros is the final milestone in the Walk to Mordor before Mount Doom. I reached that milestone yesterday, which means I have a little over 400 miles left to complete the challenge. As long as I keep my current pace, statistically, I should have no problem completing the challenge by the end of the year.

I have been tracking my progress using my own tool and my Fitbit dashboard.

/cheers

minion_keboard_smI could get so much more accomplished if I only had minions!

The MMO Times: BB-8 Is Awesome!

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On September 9, 2015

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

bb8-tfaIssue 130: Greetings Gamers! BB-8, the new endearing droid from The Force Awakens trailer, captured the Internet’s heart this week as an app-controlled toy was unveiled. It’s a bit pricey ($150) but its so damn cool that it might be worth it. Hopefully there will still be some available around Christmas (*hint-hint*). Be that as it may, let’s get back to talking about games/gaming. We just had a 3-day weekend which means an extra day to game. What did you play for your extra day of indulgence?

The Labor Day weekend made for a pretty meager list of noteworthy headlines. Some upsetting news for those interested in the Pathfinder Online title; WildStar’s Free-2-Play version has some new updates. I even threw something in here about The Witcher 3. I found some news about a couple of titles we haven’t heard from in a while, and there’s more of course. So while your BB-8 is charging, check these out. KCGO.

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Star Wars Expanded Universe Rebooted?

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On September 3, 2015

In Geek Canon, General Cogitation, Star Wars

han-chewie-episode-7I must have missed the part where Disney said the Expanded Universe is now obsolete and they are starting over with a clean slate. I didn’t realize this until yesterday when it was announced that the first post-ROTJ book of the “new expanded universe” will be released September 4th (titled Star Wars: Aftermath). So that means in this “new timeline” there will be no Grand Admiral Thrawn (big bummer!), no “New Jedi Order” (at least not in the same sense), no moon’s killing lovable sidekicks. It’s all going to be … just. Like. Star Trek.

I have mixed feelings, to be honest. The three books Timothy Zahn wrote were amazing (hence the bummer about no Thrawn). I have quite a few other books on the reading list I plan to get to that are part of the “old expanded universe”, including the New Jedi Order series. I guess this explains the rumored death of a character in The Force Awakens (that I previously talked about); and it also explains all the nerd rage that followed the Disney acquisition.

bb-8-droidI tend to keep a pretty open mind when it comes to Star Wars; after all I am in the minority of people that don’t speak of the prequels with seething and disdain. There are so many books in the “old” Expanded Universe I still want to read that I will never be caught up. I guess this is an opportunity for me to try to keep up with the new Expanded Universe. It will be interesting to see how things progress from here. Will authors like James Luceno, Troy Denning, and Timothy Zahn continue to write books in the old “Expanded Universe” or is that world now off limits?

Personally I am going to try to keep the two timelines separate. Obviously I currently favor the existing expanded universe. J. J. Abrams and future authors could change that depending on how well written the new stories will be, so I am going to continue to keep an open mind. Besides, its not like I can force (haha, “force”) Disney to change their mind, even if I change my Facebook profile picture!

/MTFBWY

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