The Game Room: Don't Talk, WATCH!

O.. M... G...

This is officially the very next game I am buying.

Rocktober 16th, I will be playing this!

Read more!

The Warcraft Perspective: Abyssal Maw

For the first time since Blizzcon we are getting a snippet of information about the upcoming World of Warcraft Expansion: Cataclysm.

Over on the Cataclysm site, Blizzard have revealed details about the zone known as the Abyssal Maw.

To make a long story short, this zone is the water elemental domain of the Elemental Plane.

And why are we there? Well apparently the ruler of this domain, Neptulon, is in possession of a powerful weapon that allows the wielder to control the very seas. And naturally we want it.

So if you want to learn more about the Abyssal Maw, head over to the Cataclysm site and check it out.

Read more!

The Game Room: Lucidity Officially Revealed.

The above video showcases a new game by LucasArts, Lucidity.

In this strange little game you find yourself following a little girl named Sophie.

You are tasked with keeping her safe during her adventure.

The gameplay as you can see is similar to Lemmings to a certain degree.

While this is certainly not a grand LucasArts epic such as Monkey Island or Star Wars, but it seems like a neat little game in it's own right and may be a good game to play on that slow rainy day.

Lucidity will be available on XBox Live Arcade later this month, and will also be available on PC with a release date currently unannounced.

[Via Joystiq]

Read more!

The Game Room: Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time gameplay video.

If there us one IP that we can rely on to deliver fun and addictive platforming fun for all ages, it is Ratchet and Clank.

Once again they have lived up to that name.

A Crack in Time looks like a great game, and the temporal nature of the storyline allows for some interesting effects no previously possible.

This game would be great to get for your child, or the child within yourself.

[Via Joystiq]

Read more!

Tech Talk: 100GB on a disc!! What is the world coming to.

Today Sharp confirmed that they have developed a laser that can burn quad-layer blu-ray discs at 8x speed.

That's 100GB of data folks, any movie that requires that kind of space is going to be ridiculous.

Maybe they will bring out trilogies such as the lord of the rings in HD all on one disc.

Only time will tell.

[Via Engadget]

Read more!

Just what is Blizzcon?

Ever find yourself wondering... just what is Blizzcon?

You know it is a convention about blizzard games, you have read the articles by sources such as the new york times, but feel they really cannot grasp the concept themselves.

This fan made documentary is well worth a watch, and even I felt like I learnt something more about Blizzcon.

[Via WoW.com]

Read more!

Lest We Forget.

We the People.

Citizens of the United States of America and Citizens of the World remember the day the earth stood still.

September 11th 2001, in a great tragedy that was mourned over the entire world.

From this day forward we knew we had been violated. We could no longer feel safe in our homes, we could no longer feel safe while we attended work or school.

On this day the American people faced their greatest challenge, and they stoop up and said enough.

Remember the people who died this day.

Remember the actions of the New York Emergency services.

Remember Americans around the world uniting against a common enemy.

Remember the great leaders of the bush administration who provided the opportunity to stand up to terrorism.

Remember the men and women of the armed forces who took the fight to the terrorists in an attempt to protect our freedoms.

On behalf of New Zealand I would like to extend a memorial to the fallen, and in particular would like to remember the only Kiwi to die that fateful day.

Rest in Peace Alan Beaven.

48 years old

Old boy of Westlake Boys High School and Auckland University.

Passenger of United Airlines Flight 93.

One of the passengers that fought the terrorists in the plane and prevented it reaching it's target and taking more lives.

Lest We Forget.

Read more!

Tech Talk: We here in NZ should take a hint from South Africa

Tired of your slow.. slow.. Internet? Did it take you 5 minutes to load this blog?

Well your solution has arrived!

Introducing the grand technology of the homing pigeon.

In a protest against the slow Internet speeds provided in South Africa by Unlimited IT, a group of users ran a 60-mile data race.

4GB of data was sent via 2 methods:

1) The standard transfer via the ADSL line.

2) A 4GB flash drive sent with a homing pigeon.

The pigeon arrived at it's destination in just over an hour and by the time the data was transferred to the PC the time was closer to 2 hours.

How was the ADSL doing after 2 hours?

Just reached 4%.

As you can see some countries out there (NZ Anybody) have some shocking Internet speeds, usually caused by a certain company using unscrupulous business practices in an attempt to maintain a monopoly.

As for me, the thought of kidnapping one of the pigeons in Albert Park has got a lot more tempting.

[Via Engadget]

Read more!

Tech Talk: PS3 Face Recognition Technology.

While we have all been hiding behind our monitors watching out for even the slightest details on up and coming smash hits such as Assassins Creed 2. Sony have been busy at work expanding the capabilities of the much loved PS3 console even further.

The face recognition software shown in the above video has a lot of potential to produce some pretty amusing games. And also could be quite insulting if it incorrectly identifies your gender.

And what demo would be complete without attaching duck bills to peoples faces.

Who knows what Sony will come up with next.

[Via Joystiq]

Read more!

The Game Room: Assassins Creed 2 Gameplay Video

Ubisoft have released a new video showing some of the elements of gameplay in Assassins Creed 2.
Of the features I can really pick out, the use of poison to influence peoples actions is one of my favourites.

I really like the look of this game, gonna have to upgrade my pc for the occasion.

[Via Joystiq]

Read more!

The Game Room: Assassins Creed 2 Impressions.

I would like to point out a great article over on Joystiq about their impressions of the Assassins Creed 2 demo shown at PAX'09.

The above video is not of the demo, but I think it is still pretty cool.

So hurry on over and check the article out.

Read more!

Multiplayer Madness: Coruscant Revealed, Nobody Shocked.

Yes Yes, at PAX'09 it was revealed that the planet of Coruscant will feature in SWTOR.

Everyone expected it so find your way to hyperspace coordinates 0, 0, 0 and see the greatest civilisation in the galaxy.

See the video above to check out some shaky cam footage acquired by TOR fansite Darth Hater.

[Via Joystiq]

Read more!

The Game Room: Assassins Creed 2 advertisement.

Check this awesome video out of the Lads over a Joystiq checking out a new Assassins Creed 2 ad.

I think it is a nice little bit of hype inducing fun.

[Via Joystiq]

Read more!

Tech Talk: Update on the Word Saga

Microsoft word is once again free to be sold in the USA... for now.

The ruling of the texas judge has been put on hold pending appeal.

Any overzealous micro-fans out there can still throw down your hard earned cash in many fine retailers across the country.

Read more!

Living the Life: An update on the epic that is my life.

So, my life. It has been crazy, it has been busy.

As of writing I am on Uni break, have 2 weeks off. It's great.

My results thus far have been pleasing, but alot of hard work is ahead of me if I want to get the same this semester.

Overall life is looking pretty good right now.

Next Wednesday I have an interview for an internship at Kiwiplan Ltd. If I get this I get full time paid employment over the summer break, and an extra $4,500 to help me in my final year of bachelors study.

Also today I was contacted by MOTAT, a part time position has opened up in the museum and they are considering me for it.

My plans still remain the same, In 2011 I will be undertaking an honours degree, and in 2012 I will be doing my masters if all goes well.

Signing off.... for now.

Read more!

The Warcraft Perspective: The Cataclysm is coming.

Bravely we fight on the continent of Northrend, we stand on Arthas' doorstep demanding retribution.

Too sure we were that our homes were safe.

While we fought the legions of undead he grew in power, and now he is unleashing his Cataclysm.

Neltharion, the earth warder has returned, woe be to you all.

Ok, I know this post is a bit late. But university life can be increadibly busy.

This new expansion coming for World of Warcraft looks revolutionary.

I personally am looking forward to playing a Worgen. Seriously, werewolves ftw!!

Also coming are Goblins for the Horde, many new class/race combinations and a personal favorite. The old world is changed forever!!

Looking forward to seeing this expansion in 2010.

More informations available here.

Read more!