Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Very Sparkly

By

On November 22, 2011

In General Cogitation, Movies

I am probably going to have my man can revoked but I watched the first Twilight movie on Monday. My wife wanted to watch them because of all the hype so I told her that I would watch them with her.

I am somewhat of a fan of vampire lore. I love the True Blood series. So I do have a few expectations when it comes to vampire lore. I think the first movie was alright, not quite as bad as I expected but there are two things that do bother me about the “alternative interpretation” to some of the vampire lore.

I know everyone has already mocked the Twilight movies about vampires sparkling. I’m sure Stephanie Meyer was just romanticizing the vampire lore to tell her love story but nearly every other vampire story will depict a vampire bursting into flames when they come in contact with sunlight. Vampires also do not have a reflection, and the climatic scene in Twilight takes place in a ballet studio and all the vampires have reflections in the mirrors. I think these two are some pretty core vampire lore, much like pointed ears on elves. While I can let the reflection thing slide, I’m having a hard time letting go of the sparkles.

So, while I’m definitely not a fan of sparkling vampires, so far I don’t think its a terrible movie. I told her I would watch the remainder the movies with her so I am interested to see how things transpire. The reviews I have been hearing about the one currently in theaters is that its much darker. Perhaps we will see the true brutality of vampires.

The MMO Times: Let’s Make Everything An MMO!

By

On November 17, 2011

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

Issue 21

Hello gamers! This issue is full of more announcements of things that are, and some that never should be, MMOs in the making. Enjoy.

Ignited Games Vampire MMO

We have come full circle. Last time I found details about a Zombie MMO and now Ignited Games has a closed beta for their Vampire MMO called DarkEden. You can sign up for the beta at the official website which I have also provided.
Massively article
Ignited Games website

A Total Recall MMO in Production (Unfortunately)

There are just some days when you read something like this and all you can do is /facepalm. Why in the world of Azeroth would someone want to make an MMO based on Total Recall?!? Its not like that was the best movie ever made, its just popular because of “tri-boob chick” (WARNING: NSFW!!!). Anyway, I found this post on a website called Gamasutra that Sony Pictures is behind this atrocity.
Gamasutra article

Game of Thrones MMO Announced

I haven’t read this series yet, but its on my ToDo list. I’m not surprised, based on the success of the novels and the TV mini-series, that the possibility of an MMO would emerge. Bigpoint has announced that they are working on making an GoT MMO.
Massively article

Lineage Eternal Announced

NCSoft announced that there will be a third installment of the Lineage universe called Lineage Eternal. It was announced at the Korean equivalent of E3 and the author of the article feels that there will be no doubt Lineage Eternal will be release overseas.I found the announcement at a website called The Sixth Axis but Massively also had a trailer.
The Sixth Axis post
Massively article

STO Will Be F2P 01-17-2012

Finally something to talk about that doesn’t refer to a new MMO. A few months ago I found an announcement that Cryptic would be making Star Trek Online Free-2-Play. I found an article from a website called Ology that gives the date STO will be F2P, January 17, 2012. I think I saw somewhere that Tom’s Hardware also had the announcement.
Ology article

Aion Double XP Weekends

In an attempt to bring players back, every weekend from now until December 6th NCSoft is offering Double XP weekend from gathering, crafting and killing mobs in Aion. Massively has more details and a trailer called the Shugo Event Showcase.
Massively article

4.3 Valor and Conquest Point Changes

WoW Insider has an article about what to expect in regards to acquiring valor points when 4.3 drops. It looks like Firelands will still drop Valor Points, just fewer valor points and Dragon Soul will drop twice that. Check out the article for more details.
WoW Insider post

Happy Thanksgiving!

Since the next MMO Times won’t be until the week following Thanksgiving I want to take a moment and wish everyone a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

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

The Amazing Impact of Novels

By

On November 14, 2011

In General Cogitation

I just finished reading the last book of the Inheritance Cycle (which I highly recommend, seriously, read it!) and I cannot remember the last time, if ever, I felt such heart ache at the end of a series. You can call me whatever you want, a dork, and pansy; but Christopher Paolini created such a connection between the characters and the reader you would swear the inspiration was taken from the relationship between Rider and dragon.

The series ended the way they should have ended and I was still nearly moved to tears. I still find myself (even hours after having finished the book) yearning for a different ending. I keep amusing myself with the thought that maybe if I read the last one hundred pages again the ending will be different. Rarely will a novel make such a profound impact on me.

Despite my longing for the proverbial “fairy tale ending” I think its the sign of a great author to leave me feeling the way I feel. I think Christopher Paolini has an amazing career ahead of him. The Inheritance books are an amazing series, so amazing that I find it difficult to pick up another book until these feelings have passed.

Forever “Eterno Paterno”

By

On November 10, 2011

In General Cogitation

Before I express my opinion of the firing of Joe Paterno, let me make one thing very clear. Jerry Sandusky is a scum bag of the worst kind. What he did is reprehensible! Any kind of sexual abuse where the victim is of any age is reprehensible, but his egregious acts are of a different level. A level that has a special place in hell. He should be castrated and imprisoned with cell mates convicted of similar crimes. I’m sure his pretty face will be quite pleasing to the other sex offenders.

So what about Joe? First of all I am not a Penn State fan by any means. As a Purdue grad, I loathed playing Penn State because they were always tough to beat. The reason they were tough to beat was Joe Paterno. Despite the fact that I wasn’t a fan, I respect Joe Paterno for what he has done for the university and for his acolytes as a college football head coach. His accomplishments will be insurmountable.

Nine years ago Paterno learned about Sandusky’s crimes and reported him to the university authorities. Many would agree that he should have done more, perhaps even fire Sandusky on the spot. Nobody, except Joe, knows why he didn’t do more. Perhaps he was so offended and revolted by the crime that he wanted nothing more to do with Jerry Sandusky.

Yesterday Joe Paterno announced that he would resign in light of the scandal, stating that he wish he had done more. A respectable exit, for a respectable man. Before his signature had time to dry the board of trustees had an emergency meeting and fired Joe Paterno under the guise of sparing the universities’ reputation further damage.

This is how they treat a legend?!? In my opinion their actions have tarnished the reputation of the school more than what Paterno allegedly should have done nine years ago! Again, nobody knows the real reason the board fired Paterno but my guess is they just needed to flex their muscles for everyone. They wanted to illustrate that they are doing something to calm the swell of controversy.

Pfft!!! Tell that to the 2,000+ students that rioted in retaliation for the board’s decision!

Obviously the board was just looking for a scapegoat. So why does Joe Paterno have to be the one to bend over and take it up the ass? (Too soon?)

In my eyes Joe Paterno’s impeccable reputation remains in tack. I don’t think legendary status should be tarnished because some staff member couldn’t keep it in his pants!

The MMO Times: Issue 20!

By

On November 8, 2011

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

Issue 20

Wow! I have made it to my 20th issue of MMO Times. Thank you all for reading. I’m excited that so many of you enjoy reading these posts. So here are the topics for the 20th issue; there are quite a few topics this time so I hope you enjoy!

More 4.3 Changes

The latest build on the PTR for the 4.3 patch has some interesting changes. They made some more changes to the World Map and the mini-map by adding additional tracking filters. They also made some more minor adjustments to the druid hurricane animation and I gotta tell ya, I like it. There is a video. Check out the post on MMO-Champion.
MMO-Champion post

Details on SWTOR PvP Warzones

GameSpy has some details about the PvP aspect of SWTOR. The comments are pretty harsh about Huttball. I think Huttball sounds pretty cool, and its a new type of PvP. Obviously most of the comments come from hardcore RP players. There is a video that explains how Huttball works. Take a look and see what you think.
GameSpy article

MechWarrior Online MMO

Yes, MechWarrior fans, Piranha Games has announced that there will be a MechWarrior MMO. They haven’t given too many details other than there is a tentative 2012 release. MMO Crunch has the article.
MMO Crunch article

Lineage II Going F2P

Another known name in MMOs will be going Free-2-Play. MMO Crunch, again, has the details on NCSoft’s announcement of Lineage II going Free-2-Play. It’s interesting to see the paradigm switching among the bigger names in the MMO industry. I still wouldn’t look for Blizzard changing their mind, they are holding their ground.
MMO Crunch article

A Zombie MMO!

I’m not joking, there is going to be a Zombie MMO. I am going to give you guys a minute to calm down from the excitement. GameDev has the details, it sounds like they are behind the development of the game.
GameDev post

Lego Universe Shutting Down

As a Lego fan growing up (and still a fan as an adult) it sucks to see this game going away. I was in the beta for it last summer and I found it only OK. So from a gamer perspective, I’m not surprised it didn’t survive. Massively has the article including the official press release.
Massively article

Aion 3.0 Trailer

Last issue I talked about the upcoming Aion 3.0 patch that included player housing and mounts. Massively has another post with a trailer for Aion 3.0 which includes not only how you can customize the player house but various mount options. It also includes scenes from the new zones, bosses and instances. Check it out at Massively.
Massively post

SWTOR Pre-Order Early Access Is …

So its the time all of us who have pre-ordered have been waiting for, how early will our “early access” to SWTOR be? This past weekend Bioware announced that, depending on when you redeemed your pre-order, your early access will be up to five days. I think that’s pretty significant; I mean you could be max level before the game officially launches. The article I decided to post from GameSpy also has an Imperial Agent character progression video. Enjoy.
GameSpy post

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

Occupy A Cubicle!!!

By

On November 3, 2011

In General Cogitation

Here I go again, about to get political. I try not to on this blog, but sometimes I just get so tired of the idiocy that continues to get media attention.

As you can probably guess from the title I’m talking about the Occupy Wall Street morons that are spreading their stupidity to every major city across the country and the globe. I wish I had that kind of time to squander but I have to pay my bills (i.e. I have to make an actual contribution to society)! Ah, but they are there “to represent the 99%” The 99% of what? The way I see it, you are only representing the 99% of the stupidity and freeloaders in this country.

Get A Job!!! If these people spent half the effort getting a job as they are spending on these protests they could all “occupy” a cubicle by now, earning the money they feel they deserve! I have no idea what they have done to earn that money, I guess loitering in the streets and public areas is suppose to warrant a paycheck? There are enough homeless and bums loitering in the streets (and at least they have a reason).

I think its time to end this insanity because America isn’t taking you seriously anymore. Your protests are now the source for mockery and punch lines.

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