Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

The MMO Times: Not A Stack of Peacebloom

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On September 17, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

mmotimesheaderIIIssue 89: The Siege of Orgrimmar is live on all WoW servers, but that isn’t my excuse for my lapse in posting the Times. Life, as is always my excuse, just got busy again. Hopefully I will be more astute with my MMO news for a little while, especially since BlizzCon is in the not too distant future (in a month and a half I believe). Honestly, based on the time I have spent trying to catch up on my MMO news, I don’t think I have missed too many “WTF” or “ZOMG” headlines. If I do miss a particularly exciting, or troubling, headline please provide the link in the comments; unless it contains spoilers, like the Horde’s new Warchief (and its not a stack of peacebloom). Then please don’t reveal that so people can choose when they find out.

I tried not to go too far back as anything that is too old probably isn’t worth pointing out anymore. I have found some news for The Secret World, Guild Wars 2, MechWarrior Online and more. Anything that has gone live last Tuesday (or prior) (which seems to be a popular day for launching new content) I’m sure everyone knows about so I won’t get into things like WoW’s 5.4 patch, Marvel Heroes, FFXIV, etc.

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Turnabout’s Fair Play, Apple

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On September 1, 2013

In Apple, General Cogitation, Google/Android, Microsoft, Technology

apple_logo-263x300I read an article on CNET recently where the author claims that Apple is in bigger trouble than Microsoft. Granted he was speaking from a mobile perspective and perhaps from that point of view there might be some credence, but overall, I think Microsoft is in a deeper hole. Be that as it may, I do think he has a point (among many other people who have said similar things) that the iPhone is declining in popularity.

The iPhone used to be the hip gadget that everyone wanted, but now that everyone does have one, its not the cool thing to have anymore. This is the reason the author of the article thinks that Apple is in bigger trouble. I’m still really excited to pick up the new iPhone 5S this month and its primarily because I have the 4S and I’m due for a new phone on my contract. Honestly, though, I’m really only getting an iPhone because of the cost savings and comfort level. I’m just more comfortable with the iOS interface and I really don’t want to convert all my music.

Beyond that I don’t really have any brand loyalty. I think the Android phones are great phones as well (I’m not even going to comment on Windows Phone – not worth the text). In fact when people ask me “iPhone or Android”, I tell them that either one are great and they should go to a store that sells both and try it out. You need to pick the phone that you’re more comfortable using (and if that, unfortunately, happens to be a Windows Phone, then so be it).

If the giants are toppling (i.e. Apple and Microsoft) I’m more concerned about how that affects the industry then I am about how it will affect what cell phone I own. It will be a harsh reality for IT folks if Apple and Microsoft fall. Whether you love them or hate them, Apple and Microsoft are industry staples and are necessary to keep our world moving forward, Google can’t do it alone.

Book Review: Catching Fire

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On August 29, 2013

In Book Review

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2)Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

My [rating: 5]
Click here to go to Goodreads.

A-mazing!

I thought GRRM was good at cliffhangers, but the end of this book had me opening the next book immediately even when I was half asleep.

I’ll admit that I kind of guessed at a few things in this book but I’m not going to get into that as I don’t want to include any spoilers. If you have read the first book but on the fence about the second, get off the fence and start reading! You could easily get through the book before the release of the movie. I don’t say that because the book is relatively short. Once you start reading you’re probably not going to put the book down!

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Soapbox: Dropping the Ballmer

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On August 23, 2013

In Microsoft, Soapbox, Technology

Steve BallmerI heard today that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has announced that he will retire sometime within the next 12 months.

Finally some good news for Microsoft!

Ballmer, in my opinion, has been less than stellar (and that’s me being kind). He hasn’t had a clue since the first time he came running and screaming out on the stage. He definitely knew how to wake a crowd up … and then put them all back to sleep. I think once he retires the only direction Microsoft can go is up. He doesn’t have too many accolades to be proud of since becoming CEO.

Windows Phone – FAIL.

Windows Surface – FAIL

Windows 8 – FAIL

XBox One – Almost a FAIL, but there’s still time.

Windows 7, and all the Visual Studio developer tools, are really the only noteworthy products that has come out of Microsoft’s doors in years (aside from the XBox 360, but I’m speaking specifically computers but the 360 is also a really great product!).

I really am pulling for Microsoft that the next guy to step up to the helm not only has a clue on how to market a product but really knows what the users actually want. Microsoft should no longer be trying to dictate to the user, they should be responding more on what they user wants and try to anticipate based on industry trends. I know, I make it sound so easy, so why shouldn’t I just do it. Yea, no thanks! Crazy, not stupid (though Ballmer was a bit of both – maybe a bit heavy on the “crazy”).

/endsoapbox

The MMO Times: Running Late

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On August 21, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

mmotimesheaderIIIssue 88: I started a new client which always means I fall behind with my periodic posts such as the MMO Times. I know there are going to be a few items in this issue that are well over a week late and probably are old news which is why I pretty much rushed the rest of this issue to get caught up.

Gamescom is this week so a lot of the news is coming out from there, as I expected. There are a couple of big reveals and some release dates announced. The next WoW patch, 5.4, will be out September 10th which will bring the current expansion to its epic conclusion (I’m anxious to hear about the next expac at BlizzCon this year). Some more FFXIV news and some details about the LOTRO expansion (which hasn’t been in my list of topics in a while). Check it out folks, Gamescom was pretty good to us this year!’

Also, if you hadn’t heard, Blizzard’s newest title, Hearthstone, has officially entered its closed beta. Make sure you go out to your battle.net account and sign up to try to get an invite. Let me know if any of you have yours and if you have tried it out, I’m interested in your impressions.

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Book Review: The Hunger Games

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On August 16, 2013

In Book Review

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My [rating: 5]
(Click here to read this review on Goodreads.)

I have seen the movie several times prior to reading the book but that didn’t affect how quickly I was drawn into the story. As is pretty typical of all movies based off of books, the book is better. Much better. There are things going on that the movie doesn’t even begin to cover; and that’s not even the biggest difference between the two.

Don’t get me wrong, I still think the movie is great, but I think its great independently of the book. You almost need to separate the two and enjoy them on their own merits.

If you’re on the fence or even remotely thinking about reading the book, I’ll tell you right now – read it! I don’t care if you seen the movie a dozen times, reading the book will give you a completely different perspective.

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