Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

The MMO Times: Heroes Assemble!

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On June 6, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

mmotimesheaderIIIssue 77:Instead of finding a headline about Marvel Heroes, I thought I would remind everyone here, Marvel Heroes went live this week (in case you didn’t know)! I haven’t tried it out yet but I haven’t heard anything bad about it, usually if something is bad the first thing gamers do is whine about it online. In fact I’ve heard that if you enjoy League of Legends that you will really enjoy Marvel Heroes! If anyone out there has an opinion about the game so far, I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts.

You will notice that June 4th was quite a newsworthy day; it was not only the day that Marvel Heroes went live but there were quite a few announcements and some pre-E3 trailers unveiled. There is some RIFT, Aion and World of Warships news, an announcement from Blizzard and Bioware, and more! Check it out!

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Biggs On: Windows Phone Surge

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On June 4, 2013

In Biggs On, Microsoft, Technology

thinkingmanI have to admit, for a product whose death warrant has been signed, Windows Phone is suddenly gaining a surprising amount of market share. In fact *recent headlines suggest that Windows Phone will have 12% of the smartphone market by 2017. Granted I find that prediction a little odd considering Microsoft plans to stop supporting both Windows Phone 7.8 and Windows Phone 8 in 2014.

Far be it for me to give props to Microsoft these days considering most of their products lately have been loathsome, but I applaud this comeback. It’s interesting to see a product gain so much market share in the face of such negative adversity. I may even go so far as to say that Windows Phone almost demonstrates a greater chance of surviving than Windows 8. Although, the improvement shouldn’t fall all on Microsoft, I’m sure Nokia played a large part considering they are the ones that have the most to lose if Windows Phone is a bust.

This does not mean I will be purchasing a Windows Phone any time in the future. I enjoy the comforts of my iPhone too much right now to change platforms, and even if I did I would be more inclined to buy an Android phone before a Windows Phone. Be that as it may, if these predictions hold true, my prediction that Windows Phone is the next Zune failure will be wrong, and I will be the first to admit that. I don’t think Apple and Google should be too concerned; in my opinion 12% isn’t a threatening amount of market share, but its a sizable chunk that warrants some acknowledgement.

/cheers!

[sources: *cnet article]

I Think I’m Addicted

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On June 4, 2013

In General Cogitation

bibs1Hello. My name is Biggs, and I’m addicted to exercising.

A year ago, if you would have told me that I would have participated in two 5K walks within three weeks of each other, I would have laughed in your face. Now, what I find equally as strange, is that I’m researching additional 5K activities.During our recent 5K walk, the Redlegs Run, my wife and I discussed the idea of trying to participate in one walk a month. I think I am becoming addicted to this.

I know they say that when you get into a routine of exercising that it can become addicting, and that is true. On days when I don’t exercise, or if I go a couple days in a row where I don’t exercise, I definitely feel like I haven’t completed my day. I pay even closer attention to what I’m eating and how much I eat because I don’t want to start to reverse what I have already worked so hard to lose. An important lesson to keep in mind when this happens is to not overdue it when you do get a chance to work out again. Sometimes our minds tell us that we need to push ourselves harder to compensate for missed opportunities. The problem with that is its one of the easiest ways to injure yourself; and injury will only make you miss more exercise opportunities.

When your body gets use to a routine, your metabolism increases and thus you begin to burn more even when your body is at rest. As long as you don’t gorge yourself on pizza and ice cream, you are not likely to gain too much weight if you miss a few days. This is clearly one of the healthiest addictions I’ve ever had.

So, Bring On The 5Ks!

The MMO Times: Scrapped!!

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On May 31, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

mmotimesheaderIIIssue 76: No, I’m not scrapping The MMO Times, its just a headline that encapsulates the big story in this issue. Blizzard seems to be going through some rough times. First down another 1million+ WoW subscriptions, then Diablo III auction house issues and now Titan. You can read more about what has happened with Titan (if you haven’t heard yet) later in this issue.

Titan seems to be the only thing folks are talking about because details about the 5.4 patch are coming at a slow trickle. Fear not though gamers, there are plenty of other things happening with our other favorite titles, current and upcoming. Games like SWTOR, Infinite Crisis, and Marvel Heroes. Don’t forget, E3 is right around the corner and there could be all sorts goodies revealed (E3 starts June 11th and will be at the LA Convention Center – anyone going?) which may also explain the lack of significant gaming news.

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Biggs On: Sherlock, Sherlock & Sherlock

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On May 29, 2013

In Biggs On, Movies

BC_JLM_RDJ_SherlocksThough I have never read the books (a fault I intend on rectifying in the very near future), I’m still a fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories and lore. Now that the vampire fad has finally faded, the new media mania seems to be focused on more cerebral entertainment (and about bloody time, too!) There are currently three incarnations of Sherlock Holmes appearing in living rooms which, of course, raises the debate between the purists and the enthusiasts as to which Holmes is better. I’d definitely fall into the latter.

Those that are in the dark, the three incarnations are the BBC mini-series called Sherlock starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes, the CBS show called Elementary starring Johnny Lee Miller as Holmes, and, of course, the movies starring Robert Downey Jr (RDJ). Cumberbatch and Miller portray Holmes in a modern setting, while the movies are more focused on the period in which the books were written.

So which Sherlock is better? It depends on who you ask.

The purists will say, and I definitely respect their point of view, that Cumberbatch is the quintessential Sherlock Holmes even in the context of the modern setting. I would have to say that I agree with them. He does encompass all the characteristics as defined by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and I do enjoy Martin Freeman as John Watson almost as much as I enjoy Jude Law’s portrayal. CBS definitely took a few liberties with their interpretation; such as moving the location from London to New York City and John Watson is actually Joan Watson played by Lucy Liu. I think Miller (and RDJ) still capture the aloof, sardonic, and brilliant behavior of Sherlock Holmes very well!

If you ask me, you can’t really compare the three of them. I think all three are brilliant in their own contexts. Personally I feel that even the liberties CBS took with Elementary are easily surpassed by the excellent writing and acting. I was skeptical of a female Dr. Watson and the casting of Lucy Liu, but after a full season I think she pulled it off extremely well. I’m really looking forward to the next season (and the same can be said for the BBC version).

I really like all three of them equally and separately. I have friends that prefer the BBC version and I think their reasons are perfectly valid but to each their own.

/cheers

(P.S. There are talks emerging of a third Sherlock Holmes film)

Book Review: A Feast for Crows

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On May 27, 2013

In Book Review

A Feast For CrowsA Feast For Crows by George R.R. Martin

My [rating: 4]
Click here to see this review on Goodreads.

Martin took an unexpected approach to most of the chapters in this book. I didn’t think I was going to like it but as I progressed further into the book it started to make more sense. There are also chapters focused on characters that hadn’t been the focus of chapters in previous books. It feels kind of awkward at first because you are so use to specific characters, but its interesting to see events unfolding from a different perspective.

Depending on who you are rooting for, you may be cheering by the end of the book as some characters are finally getting what they deserve for their treachery. There are several cliffhangers left for the reader by the end but the biggest cliffhanger is the final chapter as Martin pulls a little slight-of-hand on us but its important to read that last chapter as it sets up the context for the next book.

View all my reviews

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