Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

SWTOR: Geeking Out!!

By

On June 8, 2011

In MMORPG, SWTOR

I gotta tell ya, I’m so stoked about the gameplay of Star Wars The Old Republic that I can hardly contain myself. The new UI, the combat, the story, the music, I just can’t get enough of this game!

I have now played a Jedi Knight and a Sith Warrior to level 11/12 and they have made it very difficult to choose which side. I love the Jedi, their ethics, their values and morals, the whole mantra around what it means to be a Jedi; but there is something thrilling and fun about being bad. I think I will go over my Sith Warrior experience in a separate post so stay tuned for that.

They have really changed the way professions work in this game (assuming they keep the mechanic at launch). It really reduces/removes the constant grinding of gathering and crafting, gathering and crafting, gathering and crafting … you get the picture. As you acquire companions along the way they become more then just some extra DPS or tank, you can put them to work! Do you want to complete a really interesting questline or go run the new instance instead of leveling your professions? Then send your companions out to do it for you. When you get back you have some extra profession skill points, maybe some dark/light side points, a new piece of gear and/or even some cash. They will even work when you are offline. Its virtual slave labor!

The combat is amazing. I mean, who has always wanted to be in a lightsaber duel?!? I know I have; that’s why I have six different Force FX Lightsabers! The lightsaber combat in this game really gets the geek inside aroused. Then there is Force Charge/Leap which is so much fun you wish it didn’t have a cooldown!

The quests really add to the Star Wars experience. They do have the occasional “Free XP” quests but most of the quests are rich with lore and can really get you engaged into the story.

I think I have rambled on enough but there will be more to come.

The MMO Times Returns with E3!

By

On June 6, 2011

In MMO Times

Issue 15

Holy Cow! I have really dropped the ball, haven’t I. I apologize to all of you that enjoyed reading my MMO Times posts and e-mails; I do hope you all stuck around especially those on the mailing list. I became extremely busy and therefore couldn’t keep up sending the e-mail and reading the various blogs and news sites. Well, I’m back to give it another shot so read on gamers, I hope you enjoy the following articles!

SWTOR Game Trailer
So we should resume The MMO Times out right with some news from E3. Bioware teased the gamers and the eager Star Wars fans with the news game trailer. I tell ya, my heart rate increased and my palms started to sweat watching this video. The link below will take you to the video at the SWTOR website.
Video Link(s): SWTOR Website

E3 Announcements
The Old Republic trailer was probably the biggest announcement to come from E3 thus far (though still no mention of a release date, sadly) but there were other important titles mentioned. Halo 4 (yes, another Halo game), Battlefield 3 Release Date, Mass Effect 3 Release Date, Farcry 3, etc.
Links: E3 Annoucements

64-Bit Client
This article from MMO-Champion has other things on it but I was mostly interested in the potential 64-Bit client. I don’t know whether I should be excited about this or be worried. If 64-Bit software is built properly it can have huge performance benefits, however if its built poorly it will be an utter nightmare.
Article Link(s): MMO-Champion

Beta News

Gods & Heroes Open Beta
Heatwave Interactive’s Gods & Heroes started their open beta today. You can also pre-order the game and get started a week ahead of launch. Apparently pre-ordering can also get you some headphones. I haven’t signed up for a beta on this game because I’m too busy with other games but if you try it out let me know what you think.
Links: Massively,  Gods & Heroes Website

Shameless Plug
I received a re-invite to test The Old Republic again so I have begun blogging about it, if you haven’t seen it yet I have provided the link here. Yes, I know, I am plugging my own stuff but hey, I write these articles and emails so I’m allowed some shameless plugging.
Post Link: Back In The Beta

Old News

Aion 2.5 Patch Empyrean Calling
On May 25th NC Soft released the 2.5 patch (called Empyrean Calling) which introduces new high level instances, the mentor program and new skills and PVP gear.
Article Links: Massively

New WoW Pet Store Mount
Blizzard knows that if they want to make another couple million bucks in a short period of time then they just have to release a new mount in the pet store. On June 1st Warcraft players will be able to purchase the Winged Guardian for $25 from the Blizzard pet store. I gotta admit it looks pretty awesome!
Article Link(s): WoW Insider

I also provide The MMO Times in an e-mail. If you are interested in receiving the e-mail version please subscribe

SWTOR: Back in the Beta Again

By

On June 5, 2011

In Gaming, MMORPG, SWTOR

My lament over the ending of my SWTOR beta testing was short lived, this past week I received a re-invite to test it again! My excitement was beyond words.

This round of testing I have decided to try different classes instead of returning to the Jedi Knight. I have begun a Sith Warrior; I felt it was time to see what it was like on the other side.

This time I have also decided to try a class other then the Force sensitive classes. I’m still concerned that there will be an overabundance of Jedi or Sith and not enough of the other classes. Therefore I have also started a Rebel Trooper class.

My impressions so far is that they have made some huge adjustments. The entire UI has been redesigned and re-skinned and it looks much more fresh and modern. It definitely has a better Star Wars look to it. They have also changed some of the classes, rebalanced and retooled. Initially some of the classes seem a little overpowered but that could be because its still the beta.

They have made no indication yet as to when they will officially release the game nor have they alluded to any kind of public beta. There are still a few bugs and it seems there is still some lag and framerate issues especially during peak hours.

Stay tuned as I continue to provide my impressions of The Old Republic.

Biggs On: Coupons

By

On June 5, 2011

In Biggs On

It has been a goal recently to try to improve my fiscal skills (i.e. historically I haven’t been very good with money). To that end I have learned the value of cutting coupons, and not just using them but using them at the right times.

So you might be wondering what the “right time” is, one might assume I mean anytime I would go shopping seems like the appropriate time. Not really. Each week I also review the ads. Stores will honor a coupon even when the product is on sale. If you wait until what you want is on sale and use the coupon at the same time, you will save a lot more money. Some stores will even double the value of your coupon, so you could literally pay nothing for the product.

In just the few weeks that I have been clipping coupons I have literally saved well over $100. In fact, the first day that I went shopping with coupons I saved over $50!

Furthermore, I’m not sacrificing any preferred brands nor am I just buying something because I have a coupon and its on sale. There is a misnomer, I think, that people who cut coupons will only buy comparable items and not necessarily what they would normally purchase. This simply isn’t true. I have continued to buy the brands and products I have been using for years but at a greatly reduced cost because I have been cutting and saving coupons for when they go on sale.

So just 20-30 minutes a week and a little patience and you can continue to buy the items that you have always been using, at a reduced price, and it will literally save you thousands. I urge you to try it for a couple of months. There is no better addiction then being addicted to saving money.

Movie Review: Thor

By

On May 30, 2011

In Movies, Reviews

[rating: 3]

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Sir Anthony Hopkins

Synopsis: Thor , the Norse god of thunder, is headstrong and powerful, but he is also arrogant and a war monger. After leading an assault against his father’s wishes and causing a rift in a truce, Thor is cast out of Azgard. While in exile, Odin falls ill and Loki becomes king of Azgard but his jealously of Thor threatens Azgard and the 9 realms.

Biggs’ Review: In my opinion you can’t be too harsh on movies that are based off of a popular comic. The harshest reviews will come from the fans of the comic books so its crucial that the movie follow the expected storyline as accurately as possible. This not only applies to the plot but casting as well.

Initially I felt like the casting seemed appropriate but as I got into the movie I felt like even Sir Anthony Hopkins seemed to lack his usual flair. I think Chris Hemsworth failed to make any emotional connection with the audience. I felt like I was spending most of the movie trying to root for him instead of rooting for him throughout the film.

I feel like the one actor that played their role well was Natalie Portman. I honestly really enjoyed her in this movie. She played the nerdy, brilliant physicist very well. She has come a long way from the frightened little girl living in the apartment next to a professional killer.

Ok, so its not the best of the Avenger’s movies so far, but its not the worst. If you are any fan of comic books and you are at all excited about the Avenger’s movie, I would make sure you watch this film even if its just once.

I hope you enjoy the show.
Cheers!

Biggs On: OBL

By

On May 4, 2011

In Biggs On, General Cogitation

Sunday night Obama interrupted regular television broadcast to announce to the nation that during a Navy Seal raid Osama Bin Laden was killed.Its an announcement the country has been waiting to hear for 10 years. There was rejoicing everywhere, it was the talk amongst friends and strangers the world over. So what does Bin Laden’s death mean to me.

I knew that there would be skeptics. “Pictures or it didn’t happen” seems to be a common phrase among just as many Americans as those celebrating his demise. Despite the White House’s persistence to claim he is actually dead many still question whether its true. Obama has already announced that no footage will be made available to the public. Osama has been buried at sea, in accordance with proper Muslim burial rituals, which apparently includes that the body must be laid to rest within 24 hours of having deceased.

I think no matter what the White House says to quell the skeptics, there will always be hundreds or thousands that will never believe it to be true. Personally the part that bothers me more isn’t the rising conspiracy about Bin Laden’s death but the fact that Obama is taking credit for it. Yes, he would have approved the raid on the Pakistan palace but the search for Bin Laden has been ongoing for 10 years. Obama has only been in power for three years. Its a political agenda for re-election because he knows he hasn’t “changed” a damn thing since he took office.

So here is what I am going to take away from this event. I believe, regardless of what the conspiracy theorists say, that justice has been served to a vicious tyrant. I also refuse to acknowledge that this is a victory of the current administration, they simply rode the coattails of the previous administration’s efforts.

Cheers!

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