August 2006

It's Baaaack!
Submitted Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 12:57:06 PM by Klaitu

This excellent news from TV Guide:

Behold Star Trek's "new" Enterprise.

Star Trek purists, take a deep breath! On Sept. 16, the iconic ‘60s series will return to syndication for the first time since 1990, but with a startling difference: All 79 episodes are being digitally remastered with computer-generated effects not possible when Gene Roddenberry created the show 40 years ago. The news could cause Roddenberry loyalists to have a collective cow, but the longtime Trek staffers in charge of the makeover say they're honoring the late maestro's vision, not changing it.
"We're taking great pains to respect the integrity and style of the original," says Michael Okuda, who spent 18 years as a scenic-art supervisor on Star Trek films and spin-offs. "Our goal is to always ask ourselves: What would Roddenberry have done with today's technology?" Okuda's teammates on the two-year project are his wife, Denise Okuda, with whom he's authored several Trek reference books, and 14-year Trek production vet David Rossi.

The upgraded episodes — to be shown out of order and one per week — will kick off with "Balance of Terror," a big fan favorite "that gives us a chance to really show off the ‘new' Enterprise," says Okuda. "The exterior of the ship now has depth and detail, and it will fly more dynamically." (Click here for a larger version of the image at left.) Painted backdrops will also be brought to life: Once-empty star bases will have CGI people milling about, while static alien landscapes have been given slow-moving clouds and shimmering water. Okuda notes that a view of Earth in the 1966 episode "Miri" has been "replaced with a more accurate image, now that we've gone into deep space and looked back at ourselves."


Trek's opening theme is also getting an overhaul: The music has been re-recorded in stereo, and a new singer has been hired to wail those famous but wordless vocals. And goofs will be corrected: In "The Naked Time," there was no beam coming out of Scotty's phaser when he tried to cut through the bulkhead outside Engineering. Now there is.

The "new" Trek debuts Sept. 16. Check the TVGuide.com listings when the date nears for times and channels.

Star Trek fans, pick up the new TV Guide to see what William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy have to say about the series' 40th anniversary.

Vanguard News
Submitted Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 12:19:14 PM by Klaitu

What's this? An update on a work day? You guys are lucky I just happened to run across this interview with Nick Parkinson (the Vanguard guy). Here's what he had to say:

On the eve of PAX, Carolyn and I had a lunch interview with Nick Parkinson, a community manager for Sigil and SOE’s Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. One of the most eagerly anticipated games in recent memory, Vanguard comes from the brain of legendary EverQuest designer Brad McQuaid.

At PAX, they’re not showing the game. Instead, Parkinson made himself available for interviews.

Currently in Beta 3, Vanguard has finally reached the point where the developers say they’re able to have a cohesive and fun experience. The development goal for this phase is to get all the features promised into the game in at least some form, then polish, complete and tweak them. Beta 4 will then be an open stress test before the game’s ultimate launch this winter.

Vanguard recently made headlines when they and original publisher Microsoft split, landing Sigil back with the stewards of EverQuest. However, this move is purely a business decision. Sigil handles all creative aspects of the game, in-game support and their community. SOE distributes the physical product, does marketing and handles out-of-game technical support.

On the feature side, Parkinson couldn’t stop raving about their sailing system. Players can purchase small “land-huggers” from NPC vendors and sail the seas. Once at sea, sailing involves more than pointing and going. Players will actually need to direct their ships and pay attention to the wind.

“It will be challenging enough to make it fun, but it’s not BoatSim Online,” explained Parkinson.

Larger ships need to be built by the community and since Vanguard has no instantaneous travel, boats could become an important way for players to get from continent to continent, although some form of point-to-point shuttle services, offline travel and other options will be available.

More interesting, Parkinson also alluded to the idea that some areas and islands in between continents may not be charted or be accessible in any way other than player boats. This could provide players with a sense of adventure and discovery as they seek new content that – perhaps – no one has seen. He made clear though that this is just a plan at this stage and not currently in the beta.

The concept of slow travel grinds the nerves of many, but with this decision made, Parkinson says they will emphasize vehicles. He suggested that pretty much every character should have a horse by level 10 and that he has gotten them around level 6. These are the basic creatures, so gamers can look forward to bigger and better horses, as well as other vehicles as they progress.

Vanguard will forever be compared to EverQuest and EverQuest II. The roots of the team make comparisons inevitable. Parkinson admits, it is a spiritual successor, but he wants to avoid the perception that the game is simply EverQuest III. Sigil has carefully crafted a new universe and over the years the team has learned many new things. They believe Vanguard deserves to be judged on its own merits. With open beta coming soon, they’ll soon have a chance to jump out from behind the shadow of their resumes and let players make up their own mind.

The All-In-One Update
Submitted Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 2:16:35 PM by Klaitu

Instead of creating tons of minor posts, I figure that this time I'll do one big post on multiple topics. Haven't done a post like that for some time, so here we go!

1. My New Honey!

Long time readers may recall my dealings with Branwen, where once upon a time she and I had something together. She broke up with me long ago, but I had hoped the situation could be remedied. As it turns out, I was the only one hoping that, and there was a parting of the ways.

Fortunately for me, this turned out to be a good thing, even though it didn't seem so at the time.. for you see, I have met someone new, someone special, someone amazing!

Her name is Destiny, and I met her at Hertz. I don't really know what to say about her other than I have an amazing time with her whenever we're together. That, and she's the main reason I haven't been updating here on Special K as often as I can.

She's quite a bit more girly than I'm used to.. makeup, fingernail polish, jewelry.. she likes pink. I don't know what to make of all that just yet, but it's certainly refreshing.

If you guys want to see her, check out her myspace:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=80631508

She and Carson are locked into what I can only refer to as "The Nugget War". They fight for my affections like junkyard dogs..

hmm, junkyard dogs.. that would be an awesome fighting game!

2. My Cell Phone

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have joined the 21st century and have ordered my very first CELLULAR PHONE! Fascinating, isn't it? Of course, not a lot has changed.. I still don't have anyone to call, but it occurs to me that since I am at work or asleep for the vast majority of my day, it would be nice to have my own little electronic message-takin box. You know, just in case something important happens outside those 4 hours a day I have to myself.

3. My Credit Card

Holy Crap, It's a credit card! An amazon.com credit card to be precise about it. This baby's got a $500 limit, which works great as a budgeting tool, and also helps to establish credit! It also comes with an automatic LDW program on rental cars, and I earn amazon.com points whenever I use my credit card. pretty keen deal all the way around!

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Submitted Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 5:23:15 PM by Klaitu

What's this? A Game Boy Advance Review?

That's right. Final Fantasy Tactics for the PS1 ruled, so I had to give the Advance version a shot, and it's pretty much the same business. Not quite as fancy as its big brother, but still packing plenty of strategy and fun. If you're looking to see what the creators of Final Fantasy 12 did before they made it big, check this one out.

Combine one part chess, one part Final Fantasy, and one part quick, portable gameplay. Shake vigorously. What do you get? This game. It's an excellent blend of form and function that continues to be entertaining well into the later stages of the game.

You basically set your battle party like chess pieces, each party member has their own moves and skills, and then you stomp the other guy. No Sweat!

If you're into usin your brain more than your thumb, check it out!

Overall Score: 9 of 10.

Chrono Cross
Submitted Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 5:18:27 PM by Klaitu

The sequel to Chrono Trigger, this baby came out about halfway through the PS 1 era. Playing it, it really reflects Square's penchant for throwing in FMV's just about everywhere possible in their games. That's not neccessarily a bad thing, however.

The first thing that strikes me about Chrono Cross is the graphics. They're not so good. It's not that they're bad, but they're PS1 era, and if you're playing on a modern TV, beware. This is the era of primitive 3d. If you take that into account, there are a lot of great ideas here. The start screen for instance is a 3d generated underwater screen. Great idea, if only it werent so blurry.

Like it's predecessor, Chrono Cross has great music, similar gameplay, and a nifty story. This one is less about time travel and more about alternate reality.. (what happens with Time (chrono) Crosses another timeline (Cross))

Another one on Greatest hits, so go grab a copy, it's cheap!

Overall Score: 9 of 10

Chrono Trigger
Submitted Sunday, August 13, 2006 - 5:13:02 PM by Klaitu

Since I've got my new job, i can finally go back and pick up those gems that I wish I could have bought years ago. Chrono Trigger is one of them.

If you're wondering, Chrono Trigger comes packaged in the Final Fantasy Chronicles set.. that is, if you want to play it on the PS, PS2, or PS3. There's also a super nintendo version, if you have your old SNES lying around.

Chrono Trigger is quite unique for the era. Battles are not random, you can see the enemies on screen and avoid them most of the time. you can pick and choose when to enter a battle. The screen doesn't flip over into a battle screen, you duke it out right there on the world map. The entire concept is most refreshing.

Also worthy of note here is the music, which is quite good for SNES era.

The real draw here, though, is the plot. It's one of the few RPG's to focus solely on Time Travel. Forward, Backwards, it's all good. See the effects of what you did in the past influence what happens in the future! I won't spoil it for you, but it's a real treat.

If you get the chance, pick it up. Final Fantasy Chronicles is part of the Greatest Hits collection, which means they still make the game.

Overall Score: 9 of 10

Lumines PSP
Submitted Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 2:10:45 PM by Klaitu

So, it came in the mail, my very first PSP game! I thought I'd start with something light and fluffy. Something truly portable. Something like Tetris was to the original Game Boy.

That game would be Lumines.

Much like Tetris or Sega's better alternative, Columns, Lumines is a puzzle matching game where blocks fall outta the sky. In this one, you try to form squares of the same color, and there are 2 colors in play. Sounds easy.. but it isn't.

The more you progress, you are rewarded with different skins, that is, different levels with different music and backgrounds.

For a puzzle game, it's pretty boss. It's definately still a puzzle game though, so don't expect much.

Overall Score: 6 of 10.

Free Trial Roundup
Submitted Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 2:01:24 PM by Klaitu

Let it not be said that I hath not a soft heart for those mmo's that go by the wayside. You know, the mmo's that are less good, and more crappy. Nay, instead let it be said that should such mmo have a free trial, and I find myself bored, then I might playeth them henceforth and foretowith.

And thus mine adventures into the land of Everquest 2 proceeded.

Everquest 2: Why not?

It's got a free trial. I got some time. It's got a free download.. why not give it a go, right?

The very first thing I noticed about EQ2 was the graphics. They're bad. horribly bad. Hair looks like play doh. Skin looks like rubber. Animations, however, are pretty good.

Character customization is weak. Pick Race. Pick Hair color. Pick Skin Color. That's about it.

The game is definately playable if you can overlook the graphics. It's got your basic smattering of warrior/rogue/mage classes so that you can fulfill and integral role in a party and do nothing by yourself, just like all the other mmo's.

There's nothing that stands out here. If you're looking for a better MMO, play World of Warcraft.

Overall Score: 4 of 10

Dungeons and Dragons Online

Another game with a free trial. This one has better graphics than EQ2, but the animations are completely atrocious. This one seems to duplicate Star Wars Galaxies's gameplay, where you have to click on the bad guys about a million times, and then they go away. Much like Diablo.

Character customization is pretty lame here too, although you can have face scars, so that's neat. It's your standard pick race, pick skin color, pick hair color routine that's been around since Ultima Online.

D&D's unique feature is a fake GM. He reads you room descriptions as you blatantly run through the room before he can finish lethargically describing what's going on. It adds a nice touch to the game, but an MMO is not the place for this.

Much as with Everquest 2.. don't play this game, World of Warcraft is better.

Overall Score: 3 of 10.