Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

The MMO Times: A Bloody Fortnight!

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On October 13, 2015

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

x-wing.0Issue #134: I intentionally went an extra week between issues. The gaming news has been a little slow and mired by all the political nonsense and cool tech releases of the IRL news. I didn’t want to scrounge for moot headlines just to post something weekly so hopefully I haven’t failed you by waiting just a little longer to bring you interesting news. Blizzard has been especially quiet lately, which means they are trying to hold out until BlizzCon (although I stewie_madwouldn’t be surprised if they let a few tidbits “slip” out).

Meanwhile the Star Wars Battlefront beta has begun for PS4, XBox One and PC. I have been hearing some pretty good feedback about the game (despite what “certain trolls” think *cough*Tommy*cough*). I have it installed on my PC at the moment but I haven’t had an opportunity to log in yet. I’ve heard it’s essentially Star Wars Counterstrike but that’s how it was advertised. If you  have been trying it out I would like to know your thoughts (even if they happen to align with Tommy’s 😉 ) I also read that over nine million people have played the beta setting an EA record!

Speaking of Battlefront, there are a couple of new details about that game in the headlines below; and news about crafting in Star Wars The Old Republic. I had to post something regarding Rocket League because its new car pack is pretty cool (in a 1980’s-cult-classic kind of way). Blizzard has released the schedule for BlizzCon and there is something, finally, about the Overwatch beta, although it’s probably not as much as you hoped. Oh and MOAR PEPE!! KCGO

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Home Team Hype Is Infectious

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On October 13, 2015

In General Cogitation

Paul-footballlgo_mlb_chicago_cubsI am, and always will be, a Cubs fan, Bears fan and Dolphins fan despite living in Cincinnati. When a Cincinnati team has a great year (or is currently undefeated in the NFL) the air around the city is electric. It’s hard not to be swallowed up by the excitement and hype centered around a winning team. You can see the elation in the faces of the locals and the news anchors. The Cincinnati Reds are in the same division as the Cubs so its far more difficult to be excited for the Reds when they are doing well (for obvious reasons); however, being such a big football fan, I find that I often get caught up in the hype of the Bengals 5-0 start to their season.

I don’t mind watching the Bengals doing well, especially when the Dolphins and Bears are off to a fairly rough start. I’m sure the love a city shows for its football team would be just as contagious if I were in any other city (except Boston, nothing could make me root for the Deflatriots; NOTHING!) I’m not saying that I will become a die hard Bengals fan. I don’t even know if I will become a mediocre Bengals fan. Be that as it may, I don’t feel guilty that I’m happy they are winning when I never would have given them a second glance prior to living in Cincinnati.Bengals_helmet

I think it should be acceptable by all the die-hard and local fans to allow someone of different allegiances so suddenly become a fan of their team. It shouldn’t be any different than someone who becomes a fan of a college team because they attended/graduated from said school. Don’t get me wrong, nobody has accused me of being a “fair weather fan” nor have I given up one iota of allegiance to the Bears or Dolphins. In fact I’m trying to compliment the enthusiasm of the Cincinnati Bengals fans and how their love and excitement for their team has become quite endearing even before their 5-0 start.

Either way its going to be another exciting NFL season and the Bengals and Bengals fans are going to make living in Cincinnati a lot of fun too!

/cheers

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

Why Cubs Will Win

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On October 9, 2015

In General Cogitation

There is a pretty entertaining article on FoxSports today about why the Cubs will win the World Series. It isn’t because of Robert Zemekis, or the fact that it’s the year of the goat or any of that other superstitious nonsense, he gives actual, statistical reasons and its a good article. The last slide is probably the best and where I stole lovingly borrowed the picture below (with caption).

#LetsGoCubs #FlyTheW

Because curses are stupid and don't exist

Because curses are stupid and don’t exist

Empire (In Her Name: Redemption)

Book Review: Blood and Masks

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On October 8, 2015

In Book Review, Fantasy

Blood and Masks (Neva Cora, #1)Blood and Masks by Alex Ziebart
My rating: [rating=4]
(Click here to see this review on Goodreads.)

If you’re a gamer, specifically MMOs like World of Warcraft, then you will enjoy this book. If you happen to read Blizzard Watch frequently then you should know this author. Alex Ziebart is the Editor-in-Chief and owner of the Blizzard Watch blog site. This book was his debut novel as a fantasy author.

I’d say, for a newbie author, his first book was well done. I haven’t read a lot of fantasy novels but the world he created in Blood and Masks seemed pretty unique to me. That’s not to say he didn’t borrow from the vast world of fantasy races, but he doesn’t violate any canon rules (i.e. elves). He does create his own class of fantasy race called “minari”, which does have some “demon hunter” influence but still remains unique. The minari world Ziebart creates is intriguing and I hope to learn more about their kind in future novels.

I hope this novel brings Alex success and motivation to continue writing fantasy. I think, with Blood and Masks, he is off to a great start.

Recommended for any fantasy reader.

View all my reviews

Missing Harry, Ernie, Ron and Grandpa

By

On October 6, 2015

In General Cogitation

me_gpav_wrigley-sm

Me and Grandpa Vleaminck. Wrigley Field. circa 1982

In 2003 the Cubs finished 88-74 and it was the last time I remember being excited about post-season baseball. This year they finish at a more impressive 97-64, but I’m trying not to let myself get too excited. Who knows what calamity will befall the Cubs this post-season to knock them out of the playoffs, but I’m going to remain positive. I don’t really believe in curses because to err is human. The impressive statistics from the season, I hope, will continue over the next couple of weeks and the mistakes and errors will not cost the Cubs another shot at redemption.

Regardless of the outcome of the post-season, I’m proud of the team this year. Their season has me thinking about four people: Harry Carey, Ernie Banks, Ron Santo and Grandpa Vleaminck.

My grandpa introduced me to Cubs baseball when I was just two years old. Harry made me love the Cubs during the 80s and 90s. It would be statistically improbable that either of them could have lived to see this team (both would be over 100 years old this year). Harry would have had to come up with a new catch phrase because “Holy Cow” would have been too trite for the spectacular season this year. “Elated” would have been too trite to describe how my grandpa would be feeling right now.

ErnieBanksCartoon_iru49ivi_rfrqjfgjErnie and Ron definitely left before their time and there is a definite sorrow in the air knowing that they could have lived to see this team (especially Ernie who only just passed away this year). As Cubs fans we know that they are all looking down, drinking some “ice cold Bud Light” and watching their favorite team play October baseball.

The first of the Cubs post-season games will be Wednesday night at 8pm (EST) against Pittsburgh.

#LetsGoCubs

The MMO Times: Prepare for Kylo Ren

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On October 2, 2015

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

Star-Wars-The-Force-Awakens-Kylo-RenIssue 133: Welcome to the start of the fourth quarter of the year. Just think, in 3 months time it will be 2016 (and we will all be regaling about The Force Awakens and how awesome Kylo Ren is). First, before we are fully immersed in the extraordinary Star Wars universe, we must first have BlizzCon. Unfortunately that also is still a few weeks away, but the road to BlizzCon has begun. Don’t forget to get your tickets and pick up your goodie bag!

The road to BlizzCon, however, is not yet paved with headlines. In fact this posting is later than normal as there wasn’t a lot showing up in my feeds that really warranted a spotlight. Neverwinter does make the list again because R. A. Salvatore (one of my favorite fantasy authors) is apparently involved with the development of this game. WildStar’s F2P patch finally launches. Blizzard makes paid character services a little less cumbersome. So there are a few goodies in here. KCGO.

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