Link to Kuju games developer
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Rail Simulator - awesome place for video games
A new video game, "Rail Simulator," due in January, will feature images of the Cajon Pass.
This is awesome. As anyone knows who has been following my juggernaut campaign to become Emperor of the Inland Empire, I am in favor of promoting our region in every way possible.
I want the entire video game industry to take notice: If you like the Cajon Pass, check out some of our other attractions, too.
"Rail Simulator," from Electronic Arts, will allow gamers to simulate the experience of driving new and vintage locomotives through real-life terrain.
The rail route from Barstow that culminates in Cajon Pass on its descent into San Bernardino was chosen for the game because of its scenery and history, said Nick Straw, a spokesman for Electronic Arts.
"It's kind of a historic route," he said. "It's been around for a long time."
The Inland Empire has tons of stuff that is historic and has been around for a long time. We have enough scenery and imagery to keep the video game industry busy forever.
I would like to see that happen.
For example, who else has a valley so ominous, so sinister, so foreboding, we had to call it ... Death.
That's right, Death Valley has a number of famous locations that are perfect for video games. There's Zabriskie Point, which inspired a movie. Surely it could inspire a video game, too.
There's Scotty's Castle, a bizarre palace built out of spare parts by an eccentric prospector. The video game could be called "Castle of Doom."
Death Valley has the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, Badwater Basin, nearly 300 feet below sea level. The game could be called "Sink Hole of Death."
We live in a region of highs as well as lows. Mount San Gorgonio, at 11,502 feet, is the tallest mountain in Southern California. It's the perfect setting for a goosebump-raising video game called "Altitude Sickness," or "High Anxiety."
Or maybe it could be an inspirational video game called "Halfway to Heaven."
Naw, that's crazy. Scary games are way more interesting than inspirational games. It's the scary games that sell. And we are loaded, here in the Inland Empire, with scary locations.
Look at Rialto, with its water emergency caused by perchlorate contamination. Maybe with its royalties from the video game "Tall Glass of Poison," the city could fix the problem once and for all.
And then there's Fontana, which takes the brunt of the Santa Ana winds when they howl at their fiercest. Fontana could provide plenty of exciting imagery for a video game called "Blown to Bits."
And what about Redlands with its public safety building that is a public safety hazard? It leaks. It's falling apart. What an inspiration for a video game called "Forsake All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here."
And then there's Loma Linda with its fascinating protein foods made out of soy beans and wheat gluten. Obviously, there is a video game called "Mystery Meat" that is aching to be made here.
Speaking of mysteries, what's up with Apple Valley, which has no apples? It's the perfect setting for a video game to be called "Forbidden Fruit."
And gamers absolutely will stampede for the new game "Parched and Dry," with scenes from the waterless Santa Ana River, and the waterless Dry Lake in the San Gorgonio Wilderness, and the waterless Dry Falls in Palm Springs.
Finally, there totally should be a video game called "Highway to Hell," inspired by the stretch of the 15 Freeway between Devore and Las Vegas.
Endless arguments over which one of those two towns is "Hell" will provide half the fun.
New Aibo PS3, PSP Compatible?
It looks like Ash may have been right. Stuff magazine is running a rumor item on the possibility of an upcoming Aibo, the robotic dog, working with the Playstation Portable and Playstation 3. The rumor goes that the Sony Aibo PS, as they call it, is being resuscitated by Sony's Playstation division in an attempt to "bolster the PS3's arsenal."
The Aibo PS will appear with its own avatar within Home and react in the real world as he does in the PS3's upcoming interactive environment, according to the article. The rumor article goes on to say that you will be able to download new personalities for the dog from the Playstation Network and that the dog will be fully controllable using a PSP via WiFi. The dog's head camera will send a real world vid feed to the PSP's screen as well. The Dpad will control walking movement and the four main buttons will deal with head movement, which seems odd.
The Stuff folks rate this rumor as having a 53 percent probability. Seems like a cool concept, but I wonder if there's the market for it to hit the real world. Who am I kidding? A remote control dog that can send live video from its head, sign me up for a baker's dozen.
Top 10 Christmas Video Games
1. "Super Mario Galaxy" (Wii): This mustachioed plumber has been the icon of gaming since the original Super Mario Bros. came out over a decade ago. The latest game for the Nintendo Wii is absolutely the best "Mario" sequel to come out yet. This game takes full advantage of the Wii Remote, a motion-sensing device for the Nintendo Wii, allowing players to waggle and point at the screen to make Mario do some pretty incredible feats, from piloting a Manta Ray to throwing fireballs. The gameplay is unlike any other game, because the player can now run around entire planets in space and through mind-bending puzzles. (Audience: Anybody who loves great games. Rated E for Everyone. Retail: $49.99)
2. "Rockband" (Xbox 360 and PS3): Rockband is a rhythm game that uses a guitar, drums, bass and a mic to let you play along with the music scrolling by on-screen. And I speak from first-hand experience that this is one of the best party games ever created.
This game is the spiritual sequel to the famed "Guitar Hero" series (it’s even made by the original makers of that game), and it is one of the most hyped games this season.
So finally your teenager’s dreams of starting a rockband can be lived out this Christmas. At least you won’t need the ear plugs. (Audience: Future rockstars; Groupies not included. T for Teen. Retail $169.99 for the bundle; $59.99 for just the game, and compatible with "Guitar Hero" guitars.)
3. "Wii Play" (Wii): This pack of family-friendly mini-games is pretty short, so naturally it comes with another Wii-Remote. And believe me, if "Wii Sports" and "Wii Play" are any testament to the sheer fun your family can have, getting another controller will be a necessity when the extended family comes in for Christmas. (Audience: Absolutely anyone. E for Everyone. Retail $49.99)
4. "Bioshock" (Xbox 360): While this game will definitely appeal to the hardcore gamers in your family, it is one of the most highly intellectual and atmospheric games ever created.
The game itself is based on the political ideas of Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged) and takes place deep underwater in the city of a fallen utopia called Rapture. The levels are beautifully rendered and, because the city is frozen in the year 1958, the architecture is designed in Art Deco, giving the game a profoundly haunting ethos.
This intensely violent, yet artistically beautiful first-person shooter is one title that gamers cannot miss. (Audience: Those not easily frightened. Rated M for Mature. Retail $59.99)
5. "Halo 3" (Xbox 360): The game that rivals the biggest Hollywood blockbuster gross’s ended its epic sci-fi trilogy this fall.
Players take control of Master Chief, protecting Earth from the space alien Covenant, and compete in fierce firefights in a deep single-player campaign or against other "Halo" fans worldwide on Xbox Live.
Many new features have been added to beef up gameplay and multiplayer matches, making this one of the best games of the season. (Audience: The future space-marine of your family. T for Teen. Retail $59.99)
6. "The Orange Box" (Xbox 360, PS3 and PC): The best-valued game this year, or decade for that matter, is simultaneously the most oddly named.
Famed developer Valve has put in this "box" one of the most critically acclaimed games ever made: "Half Life 2," with additional Episodes 1 and 2. On top of that is a new game called "Portal," which is a quirky and genuinely funny puzzler in which players fire portals from a gun, to navigate mind-bending levels.
To top it off, Valve included "Team Fortress 2," an online multiplayer squad shooter that features a new cell-shaded art style.
"The Orange Box" will provide hundreds of hours of gameplay, and a name that will invite questions from extended family on Christmas. (Audience: For shooter fans and tightwads. T for Teen. Retail $59.99)
7. "Phantom Hourglass" (Nintendo DS): The legendary Zelda is back on the DS for a touch screen adventure that will attract both young and old to its cartoony look and rich gameplay. (Audience: Zelda fans, younger DS owners, and outsiders curious about the franchise. E for Everyone. Retail $29.99)
8. "Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction" (PS3): This quirky and sarcastic platformer is not exactly as family-friendly as your typical "Mario" game, but it features spectacular graphics (especially on an HD TV) and solid shooter-gameplay. (Audience: Mature players needing a game to show off on their high-definition TV. M for Mature. Retail $59.99)
9. "Mass Effect" (Xbox 360): One of the most anticipated and ambitious games this year is from the critically acclaimed developer Bioware ("KOTOR," "Jade Empire"). "Mass Effect" is an epic sci-fi action/RPG in which players travel across hyper-realistic planets making moral choices that truly affect how the game plays, and ultimately ends. (Audience: Lovers of science fiction and role-playing games. M for Mature. Retail $59.99)
10. "Brain Age 2" (DS): Perfect for an older crowd who likes puzzles yet are unfamiliar with the world of videogames. "Brain Age 2" is a pick-up-and-play title that utilizes the DS touchscreen, making it easy for first times (or old timers) to play instantly. The mini-games are fun, creative, so buying this is a no-brainer! (Audience: Non-gamers. E for Everyone. Retail $29.99)
Sorce: ABC
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Is this Nintendo Wii worth $15,000?
Darth Vader Limited Edition Wii System
Originally designed and built to promote the release of LucasArts "Unleash the Force" game, on the Wii in Spring 2008. Only 4 of these were produced. I have 2, and will be selling this one to one lucky buyer before Christmas.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a piece of history.
- This system is new, and includes:
- 1 Vader Edition, Star Wars Wii Console
- Wii Console Stand
- 2 Black Wii Remotes
- Wii Remote Jacket
- 2 Black Nunchuk
- 1 Black Sensor Bar
- Wii AC Adapter
- Wii AV Cable
- Wii Play Disc - 9 Games (Find Mii, Table Tennis, Pose Mii, Laser Hockey, Billiards, Fishing, Charge, Tanks, Shooting Range)
- Wii Sports Disc - 5 Games (Tennis, Baseball, Golf, Bowling and Boxing)
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- Super Mario Galaxy
Free Shipping to all destinations!
Overnight shipping w/insurance included.
See the eBay page here...
Vampires The Masquerade v4.4 patch download
Get it here...
This is an unofficial patch for Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines by Troika Games. It's a cumulative patch containing all the previous patches and is intended for english retail or Direct2Drive versions!
Applying this patch to a version in another language will work also, but all texts in the game previously appearing in that language will be replaced by the english versions with the exception of the menus.
To install the patch extract this archive into the game folder using options that keep the directory structure intact and overwrite every file of the same name. Removing it is only possible by reinstallion.
This patch fixes many bugs, restores unused content and mods some of the game to improve the consistency of the presented world. It ought to be installed right on top of the Troika Games official patch 1.2.
More basic changes are listed first in the version history, then bug fixes and more. It is recommended to start a new game after patching to avoid odd behaviour. Patching also resets all options to default.
Both editors used for the creation of this patch are included in the vdata directory. Many thanks go to Turvy for VPKTool and RobinHood70 for BSPEdit. Everything else can be done using a normal text editor.
Tips and Tricks:
When using the console, be sure to activate it from the menu only.
To reinstall clean up registry and remove vtmb.ini from /windows.
On start crashings force refresh rate override or use -dxlevel 80.
If you experience stutter on dual core systems turn one core off.
Don't save or leave maps with disciplines active to avoid crashes.
At high Obfuscate levels use attack to stealth kill without fail.
When controls are sticky start the game in Win98 compability mode.
Have four empty inventory slots when taking Imalia's Tawni quest.
If you can't read papers re-bind "use" away from the mousebuttons.
To avoid crashes don't play sounds with the Windows Media Player.
If a container auto-closes right-click the objects to choose them.
Enemy death may open doors and give items, which Trance does not.
Some feed victims stay in Trance so don't bite quest-related ones.
Occasionally Beckett stays in wolf form when meeting him, reload.
Game may crash in cutscenes if you are Obfuscated, so turn it off.
If you experience random attacking bind attack away from "enter".
Rarely your appartment may get full of strange stuff, just reload.
If a cutscene freezes try reload or type frenzyplayer in console.
When getting problems with a history during the tutorial, skip it.
Stuff not fixed:
"Skip intro" and special fonts only work at resolutions > 800x600.
Be aware that on dialogue your character will holster his weapon.
There are invisible blocks at the Theatre, the Museum and Fu Labs.
Gary's posters appear in all havens, Mitnick's emails dissappear.
Dead enemies drop only one weapon, some exit map icons are absent.
"Skip intro" appears after a saved game but does not always work.
Occasionally mailboxes do not receive rewards or objects drop out.
Female and male Gangrel show different stances in the background.
During some cutscenes your character will look and move strangely.
Bodies may dissappear and dead people may re-appear in cutscenes.
Prof. Johansen's christian name is stated to be Ingvar and Anders.
Vandal will not give his freebie if you already got a blue blood.
Same objects in containers and inventory will not show up in both.
Draining rats sometimes triggers melee mode after it is finished.
Game may hang on "wait" cutscene, walk on left side or use sewers.
At Confession third person view zooms in when being on the cross.
Testing out too many histories during selection is prone to crash.
Blood Shield stays on until exhausted or removed, this is no bug.
The news will not always fit as will the inside of some buildings.
4.4:
Made basic patch install as default and removed overlooked changes.
+Removed crossbow from Sin Bin and fixed Yukie double swords issue.
Included memory and widescreen resolution tools, thanks to Wabbite.
Many Malkavian lines added for blood dools, thanks to RobinHood70.
+Removed humanity for Dementating McFly and tutorial .38 on default.
Swapped Lily cutscene Phil with scrubs and adjusted Vandal's line.
Made it possible to specify which clothes Heather should wear next.
Restored SM haven for traitorous Tremere and fixed sewer shortcut.
Re-did Ginger Swan knowledge fix and warehouse re-entering stopper.
Corrected boss flags for Mercurio, Chastity and Tzimisce Creation.
Fixed Venus' reaction for persuading Boris and Asylum email issues.
Restored newscaster and Cal lines and fixed minor dialogue errors.
Repaired Imalia's quest failure message and new Vandal alternative.
Fixed possible random crashes on exiting Grout's Mansion and Dane.
Corrected hostess not getting elevator and phoning without a phone.
Added inspection to text at Society and a few more missing sounds.
Nintendo Wii to get Ninja Game - but it's no killer
'My focus was less on the killing aspect of martial arts as on the path of skill,' says 'Ninja Reflex' developer David Luntz.
More than a year ago, game-development veteran David Luntz saw the Nintendo Wii, and he saw one of his dreams finally coming true.
He saw, at last, how he could make a game about being a ninja that was different from all the other ninja games out there. After all, the world already has "Ninja Gaiden," "Shinobi," "Tenchu," sequels to those games and plenty more. But his ninja game — the newly announced "Ninja Reflex" — would be different.
"Those games are, although awesome games, I felt that that road of 'Let's go around and kill people' had been fairly well explored," Luntz told MTV News in an interview last week. "My focus was less on the killing aspect of martial arts as on the path of skill."
Luntz wanted a game that emphasized the ninja traits of moving with undetectable speed, a test of reflexes beyond any first-person shooter, racing game or anything else that requires a gamer's finely honed ability to twitch. The Wii's motion control could do this, he thought, and time players down to the milliseconds.
More here...
Downloadable Guitar Hero 3, songs coming to Nintendo Wii
RedOctane is on downloadable songs for Guitar Hero III, on the Nintendo Wii.
RedOctane says it's working to release downloadable songs for Guitar Hero III on Wii -- what would be a first for the console that lacks large storage capacity.
"Downloadable content for the Wii is something we are working very hard on getting in place for the new year," RedOctane officials told Nintencast in an email. "There is no definite timetable in place but we are hoping it will be soon."
Both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Guitar Hero III already support downloadable tracks at an additional cost.
Before its release, Activision openly hoped for the same on Wii, though they have since stated that Nintendo has yet to provide the necessary infrastructure (not to mention storage capacity) to do so.
Regarding the mono-only audio issue currently plaguing the Wii version of Guitar Hero 3, Activision has yet to issue an update to our ongoing requests for comment.
Activision Will Replace Guitar Hero Wii Discs In 2008 after sound problem
Activision will mail replacement Guitar Hero III discs to owners of the Wii version who complained about the game's audio problems, the company said today.
The Wii version of the popular music game, which advertises Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound capabilities, only outputs monaural sound.
"We are currently working with Nintendo and are planning to issue an improved audio experience in future versions of the game. We expect to have re-mastered discs available by early 2008 and we will be offering consumers replacement discs at no cost once they become available," an Activision spokesman said.
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