We bought Claire a new pair of shoes this past weekend. Wifezilla noticed her feet spilling out of the old pair, so she was due. She used to have these cute little baby feet, but now they've erupted into monstrous Frankenfeet, requiring bi-monthly trips to Target.
Somehow, Claire has managed to lose this new pair of shoes. She was wearing them Sunday, out in the front, when the girls were carving a pumpkin on the driveway. And now, poof, gone. She's three, so getting information out of her, like "Where are your shoes" has proved fruitless (Her response is a staccato "I don't know" which always makes me burst out laughing).
I wonder if she could be shod? I could drive her out to a nearby ranch and see if they would slap some horseshoe iron on her. I'd like to see her lose those.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
You Have Failed Me For the Last Time, Sony Online Entertainment.
Cue the force choke.
Last week, there were rumblings that Bioware was working on KoTOR III, a MMO version of their signature spin of the Star Wars universe. Behold the official unofficial announcement by LucasArts and Bioware of an undisclosed joint venture. Could this be a mere sequel in the KoTOR line? Unlikely. If it were, the companies would likely simply reveal the new product. The rumor mill spins that SOE's contract isn't up yet and until it is, LucasArts has to keep any gleeful plans it has with Bioware under wraps.
So surely this is the dawn of a new Star Wars MMO. And I find myself squealing like a 14 year-old girl at a Justin Timberlake concert. No, no. I'm squealing like a stuck pig at Easter dinner. It sounds like this: "Eeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeee," only without any snorting.
Suweeet cherry pie!
Last week, there were rumblings that Bioware was working on KoTOR III, a MMO version of their signature spin of the Star Wars universe. Behold the official unofficial announcement by LucasArts and Bioware of an undisclosed joint venture. Could this be a mere sequel in the KoTOR line? Unlikely. If it were, the companies would likely simply reveal the new product. The rumor mill spins that SOE's contract isn't up yet and until it is, LucasArts has to keep any gleeful plans it has with Bioware under wraps.
So surely this is the dawn of a new Star Wars MMO. And I find myself squealing like a 14 year-old girl at a Justin Timberlake concert. No, no. I'm squealing like a stuck pig at Easter dinner. It sounds like this: "Eeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeee," only without any snorting.
Suweeet cherry pie!
28 Weeks Later
***Spoiler Alert. Don't Read If You Haven't Seen the Movie***
I'm a big fan of the first movie, so I had the typical reservations about its sequel, 28 Weeks Later. But it turned out to be a great movie, even better than the first. The writing and acting were top notch, even if the production values were a bit on the scant side. I especially appreciated the moral ambiguity regarding the husband abandoning his wife. Watching the husband run as the infected drag his wife down was as heart-wrenching as it was understandable. The scene where the two are separated in the room is especially poignant; you can see the husband calculate whether he can stay and save his wife, but then ultimately abandon that hope as he flees to save himself.
My only real complaint with the movie has to do with the origin of the second outbreak. It turns out that the abandoned wife possessed some genetic anomaly that rendered her immune to the virus, even though she actively carried it through her bloodstream. Completely believable, to be sure. My problem is that once the army doctor diagnosed her as immune, but a carrier, would the military really leave her unguarded? It seems unlikely. It was a horrible scene to watch the husband sneak in to see his wife, kiss her, and then become infected. The whole time I was wondering, he didn't encounter a single guard to prevent him from entering the room?
But I quibble. 28 Weeks Later proved a worthy sequel to the original. It left an ending open to a third movie, the expansion of the virus to mainland Europe. The third movie could perhaps involve an outright war between the U.S. Army and millions of infected Europeans. I'm envisioning the use of tactical nuclear weapons to wipe out entire infested cities, creating a new world not unlike that of the Fallout series, or even Hellgate: London. It'd be great to see a third movie get a bigger budget to play with, but I don't think either movie has done particularly well at the box office.
I'm a big fan of the first movie, so I had the typical reservations about its sequel, 28 Weeks Later. But it turned out to be a great movie, even better than the first. The writing and acting were top notch, even if the production values were a bit on the scant side. I especially appreciated the moral ambiguity regarding the husband abandoning his wife. Watching the husband run as the infected drag his wife down was as heart-wrenching as it was understandable. The scene where the two are separated in the room is especially poignant; you can see the husband calculate whether he can stay and save his wife, but then ultimately abandon that hope as he flees to save himself.
My only real complaint with the movie has to do with the origin of the second outbreak. It turns out that the abandoned wife possessed some genetic anomaly that rendered her immune to the virus, even though she actively carried it through her bloodstream. Completely believable, to be sure. My problem is that once the army doctor diagnosed her as immune, but a carrier, would the military really leave her unguarded? It seems unlikely. It was a horrible scene to watch the husband sneak in to see his wife, kiss her, and then become infected. The whole time I was wondering, he didn't encounter a single guard to prevent him from entering the room?
But I quibble. 28 Weeks Later proved a worthy sequel to the original. It left an ending open to a third movie, the expansion of the virus to mainland Europe. The third movie could perhaps involve an outright war between the U.S. Army and millions of infected Europeans. I'm envisioning the use of tactical nuclear weapons to wipe out entire infested cities, creating a new world not unlike that of the Fallout series, or even Hellgate: London. It'd be great to see a third movie get a bigger budget to play with, but I don't think either movie has done particularly well at the box office.
DX10
I don't have a cutting edge system but any stretch of the imagination. I run an AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200 with 2 gigs of RAM and a Nvidia GeForce 8600 GTS on Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit version. My last two card have been ATIs, but I couldn't find a cost-effective card produced by them that included DX10 compatibility; the 8600 was an affordable way to get into the DX10 door.
I've played a couple of games that have made use of DX10, Book 11 of LoTRO and Hellgate: London. Both instances have been underwhelming experiences, with a tantalizing hint of the greatness that is to come for computer graphics. Hellgate: London I played in beta. The DX10 version of the game made my hard drive churn like my first car, a '76 Honda civic, which translated into about 10 fps, a great slide-show presentation, but not so good for an action rpg. Playing around with some of the video options helped considerably. Turning off the DX10 shadows and sliding down the drawing of distant objects brought the frame-rate up to a playable 20 fps, but still not ideal. Switching back to DX9, I got a smooth and consistent 60 fps, but a noticeable reduction in eye-candy. I will say that after seeing the rendered DX10 textures, it was extremely painful to go back to playing in DX9 mode.
Now, what's interesting is that the Hellgate boards were full of people with 8800s reporting the same frame-rate I had with my 8600. That's encouraging news because it could mean that current drivers are not even close to their full optimized DX10 potential. On the other hand, there were plenty of people of the opinion that the current 8 series are all underpowered for DX10 and only future cards will be able to run it properly.
I'm not so sure I agree with that. I'm sure future cards will blow the socks off DX10 applications. But the current 8 family series can likely run them well if they're using better drivers. Take Book 11 of LoTRO, released last week and included a beta version of DX10. I tried it out and just like HG:L, experienced crippling frame-rates, hovering around 10 fps. But unlike HG:L, throttling back the options to the lowest level granted absolutely no corresponding increase in frame-rate. The frame-rate remained at 10 fps from the highest level settings to the very lowest. This would indicate that today's drivers are not even close to being optimized for DX10. While I didn't see a dramatic difference in textures in LoTRO, I did note more complex shadow renderings; the visual difference wasn't as great as it was for HG:L.
I guess it's also worth noting that both of these games are running a beta version of DX10 and that there's some optimization that can occur in their very own game code that could dramatically improve DX10 performance. Developers of both hardware and software have had to scramble to get DX10 implemented because Microsoft only just released the tool-set this past spring. But given a bit more time, I see these developers catching up with the curve and giving us some really spectacular images to go along with our gaming experience.
I've played a couple of games that have made use of DX10, Book 11 of LoTRO and Hellgate: London. Both instances have been underwhelming experiences, with a tantalizing hint of the greatness that is to come for computer graphics. Hellgate: London I played in beta. The DX10 version of the game made my hard drive churn like my first car, a '76 Honda civic, which translated into about 10 fps, a great slide-show presentation, but not so good for an action rpg. Playing around with some of the video options helped considerably. Turning off the DX10 shadows and sliding down the drawing of distant objects brought the frame-rate up to a playable 20 fps, but still not ideal. Switching back to DX9, I got a smooth and consistent 60 fps, but a noticeable reduction in eye-candy. I will say that after seeing the rendered DX10 textures, it was extremely painful to go back to playing in DX9 mode.
Now, what's interesting is that the Hellgate boards were full of people with 8800s reporting the same frame-rate I had with my 8600. That's encouraging news because it could mean that current drivers are not even close to their full optimized DX10 potential. On the other hand, there were plenty of people of the opinion that the current 8 series are all underpowered for DX10 and only future cards will be able to run it properly.
I'm not so sure I agree with that. I'm sure future cards will blow the socks off DX10 applications. But the current 8 family series can likely run them well if they're using better drivers. Take Book 11 of LoTRO, released last week and included a beta version of DX10. I tried it out and just like HG:L, experienced crippling frame-rates, hovering around 10 fps. But unlike HG:L, throttling back the options to the lowest level granted absolutely no corresponding increase in frame-rate. The frame-rate remained at 10 fps from the highest level settings to the very lowest. This would indicate that today's drivers are not even close to being optimized for DX10. While I didn't see a dramatic difference in textures in LoTRO, I did note more complex shadow renderings; the visual difference wasn't as great as it was for HG:L.
I guess it's also worth noting that both of these games are running a beta version of DX10 and that there's some optimization that can occur in their very own game code that could dramatically improve DX10 performance. Developers of both hardware and software have had to scramble to get DX10 implemented because Microsoft only just released the tool-set this past spring. But given a bit more time, I see these developers catching up with the curve and giving us some really spectacular images to go along with our gaming experience.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Suweet Cherry Pie!
I like to poke my family members. Metaphorically speaking, not literally. Though I am known to chase my kids around the house with a spent wrapping paper roll. But technically, I'm not poking them. That's more whacking or striking.
Lately, my stick of choice has been truly inspired. I've been singing the chorus line from the song "Cherry Pie" by Warrant.
Over. And over. And over. And over. Again. I sing it so often, my cute little three old daughter Claire claps her hands to her ears and wails for me to stop. Hallie also tried covering her ears, but she gave up on that long ago and now simply runs away as far as she can. Wifezilla, so patient, ignores me and goes about her business as if nothing odd is emanating from my vocal chords. Nerves of steel, that woman.
I have no idea why I'm singing this. I don't even like Warrant (though I do remember appreciating the music video for this song). I guess I'm remembering it from my college days and feel inspired to belt out the signature tag line from the song, "Suweet Cherry Piiiieeeee!" The thing is, I'm annoying even myself. And yet, I continue to "sing."
I imagine this too shall pass and I'll move on to something different, but equally annoying. My concern is that I listened to a lot of hair bands in the 80s and 90s, which means there's a whole mess of bad lyrics and melodies swirling around in my coconut of a head. I even went to a Ratt concert!
"Out on the street, that's where we'll meet.
You make the night, I always cross the line."
Woot! A new chorus line to torture my family with.
Lately, my stick of choice has been truly inspired. I've been singing the chorus line from the song "Cherry Pie" by Warrant.
Over. And over. And over. And over. Again. I sing it so often, my cute little three old daughter Claire claps her hands to her ears and wails for me to stop. Hallie also tried covering her ears, but she gave up on that long ago and now simply runs away as far as she can. Wifezilla, so patient, ignores me and goes about her business as if nothing odd is emanating from my vocal chords. Nerves of steel, that woman.
I have no idea why I'm singing this. I don't even like Warrant (though I do remember appreciating the music video for this song). I guess I'm remembering it from my college days and feel inspired to belt out the signature tag line from the song, "Suweet Cherry Piiiieeeee!" The thing is, I'm annoying even myself. And yet, I continue to "sing."
I imagine this too shall pass and I'll move on to something different, but equally annoying. My concern is that I listened to a lot of hair bands in the 80s and 90s, which means there's a whole mess of bad lyrics and melodies swirling around in my coconut of a head. I even went to a Ratt concert!
"Out on the street, that's where we'll meet.
You make the night, I always cross the line."
Woot! A new chorus line to torture my family with.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Dagons and Dagons
When my daughter was but a wee little thing, she would say "dagons and dagons" instead of "dungeons and dragons." So cute. I have no idea where she even picked up the phrase since I've never played the game in my life.
But I know plenty of dorks who do. I'm familiar with the two basic kinds of D&D dork: the relatively harmless, pasty-faced, Mountain Dew-swilling variety and the more volatile and dangerous min/maxers. The latter would just as soon kill you as play a gimped character. Both varieties look like the zombies in 28 Days Later, only catastrophically slower. When they shamble down vacant streets, you'll hear them groan "Cheeetoooees" rather than the industry standard "brains." The most pathetic of the lot moan for Funyons.
Lately, I've heard rumblings that D&D 4.0 is in the works and that the developers are implementing changes that mirror today's most popular MMOs. I can imagine both varieties of dork balking at the very notion of these proposed changes. How long before these nerd masses take to the streets in vehement protest?
I think these changes are good. D&D suffers from game-ending class balances issues, especially at higher levels. The swirling rumors report that the developers are redesigning the classes to more closely resemble the class roles in MMOs: tank, healer, dps, cc, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if they're also developing some sort of threat system so that your tank must fight for aggro control against healing and dps compatriots. The possibilities are intriguing and I hope the rumors pan out into a complete overhaul of the game.
While they're fixing class roles and balance, they need to also fix death in Dagons & Dagons. To reiterate, I've never played D&D. But if I had, I might have tried to convince my fellow pasty-faced specimans to change the death penalty in our campaign. And the dorks may have politely listened to me while stuffing Cheetoes into their maws. But they probably voted me down.
Dying in D&D is a huge ordeal, a real kick in the junk. Resurrection is a high level cleric spell that costs thousands and thousands of gold pieces according to the game's bible. If you're a first level (or even sixth, for that matter) character and you die, you're done. You can't afford to be resurrected and no one in your party is high enough to cast it for free. You either reroll and rewrite a new character on the spot or you watch everyone else play. Since most dungeon mistresses won't stop the entire game just to get your new character integrated, you will almost always sit on the bench and spectate. It's a stupid game design and so easily amended.
So, as long as they're copying MMOs, they may as well adopt WoW's philosophy on death: a minute or two of inconvenience, a mild hit on your pocket book, both the equivalent of a swat on the fanny. In WoW, you're back to playing within minutes of dying. D&D should do the same: resurrection in the nearest temple (which could be miles and miles away) and a monetary fine of some kind, say 20% of your most valuable item. And if you can't pay, then you owe it, but you still come back. It's all about playing after all, isn't it?
To summarize, the pen-and-paper classic may be getting a revamp of MMO features and I've never played Dagons and Dagons. If you want, think of me as the OJ Simpson of pen-and-paper role-playing games: I deny playing the game, but write and talk like I've played it since I was nine.
Screenshots or it didn't happen.
But I know plenty of dorks who do. I'm familiar with the two basic kinds of D&D dork: the relatively harmless, pasty-faced, Mountain Dew-swilling variety and the more volatile and dangerous min/maxers. The latter would just as soon kill you as play a gimped character. Both varieties look like the zombies in 28 Days Later, only catastrophically slower. When they shamble down vacant streets, you'll hear them groan "Cheeetoooees" rather than the industry standard "brains." The most pathetic of the lot moan for Funyons.
Lately, I've heard rumblings that D&D 4.0 is in the works and that the developers are implementing changes that mirror today's most popular MMOs. I can imagine both varieties of dork balking at the very notion of these proposed changes. How long before these nerd masses take to the streets in vehement protest?
I think these changes are good. D&D suffers from game-ending class balances issues, especially at higher levels. The swirling rumors report that the developers are redesigning the classes to more closely resemble the class roles in MMOs: tank, healer, dps, cc, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if they're also developing some sort of threat system so that your tank must fight for aggro control against healing and dps compatriots. The possibilities are intriguing and I hope the rumors pan out into a complete overhaul of the game.
While they're fixing class roles and balance, they need to also fix death in Dagons & Dagons. To reiterate, I've never played D&D. But if I had, I might have tried to convince my fellow pasty-faced specimans to change the death penalty in our campaign. And the dorks may have politely listened to me while stuffing Cheetoes into their maws. But they probably voted me down.
Dying in D&D is a huge ordeal, a real kick in the junk. Resurrection is a high level cleric spell that costs thousands and thousands of gold pieces according to the game's bible. If you're a first level (or even sixth, for that matter) character and you die, you're done. You can't afford to be resurrected and no one in your party is high enough to cast it for free. You either reroll and rewrite a new character on the spot or you watch everyone else play. Since most dungeon mistresses won't stop the entire game just to get your new character integrated, you will almost always sit on the bench and spectate. It's a stupid game design and so easily amended.
So, as long as they're copying MMOs, they may as well adopt WoW's philosophy on death: a minute or two of inconvenience, a mild hit on your pocket book, both the equivalent of a swat on the fanny. In WoW, you're back to playing within minutes of dying. D&D should do the same: resurrection in the nearest temple (which could be miles and miles away) and a monetary fine of some kind, say 20% of your most valuable item. And if you can't pay, then you owe it, but you still come back. It's all about playing after all, isn't it?
To summarize, the pen-and-paper classic may be getting a revamp of MMO features and I've never played Dagons and Dagons. If you want, think of me as the OJ Simpson of pen-and-paper role-playing games: I deny playing the game, but write and talk like I've played it since I was nine.
Screenshots or it didn't happen.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Shackin' Up
Well, I beat the land rush and scored a sweet pad. It's your standard house, no frills. But it's got a nice location. Turns out Turbine creates instanced housing, organized by named neighborhoods. So, the same instance will be replicated as housing sells out in each neighborhood. My house is in Ramsward. It cost a gold to purchase, 50 silver a week to maintain.
The second shot is from my doorstep. Ah, so peaceful. Hits the spot after a long day of killing orcs and kicking hobbits.
The last shot is from the inside. It's a shack, so it only has two rooms. I've already applied a green painted wall and stone flooring. The blue shimmering represents areas I can still furnish. Some are furniture slots, others are for rugs, and still others are for paintings. I like this because it takes away from the clutter issue I wrote about earlier. You can't just buy a table and plop it wherever you want.
All basic furniture can be purchased by a vendor in the instanced neighborhood, for very reasonable prices. I know player crafters can make the good stuff, which should fuel some good industry on the auction house. I've already unlocked the chest storage unit, and I know there's a hearth option too, I just haven't found it yet.
All in all, a big thumbs up from me on housing in LoTRO. You done good, Turbine.
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