tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8042185113412329702011-12-09T14:26:00.107-06:00A collection of my online musings. Read at your own risk.Marcnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2241100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-47862478562791425812010-10-31T21:28:00.000-05:002010-10-31T21:28:21.418-05:00

Getting back into Red Dead, so I wanted to save this for future viewing.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-15336962815384751172010-10-25T20:51:00.010-05:002010-10-25T21:49:42.225-05:00

FFXIV stuff follows. Hey, you were warned... I want some true answers from players, about something. I've been reading some posts online, from players complaining they can't see the actual benefits, from certain stat modifiers. Posts like this one: I don't know about STR, but I can tell you from my tests with a parser that DEX is worthless. I originally had my DEX up to about 70, my parser

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-57905202335836054732010-10-12T12:17:00.001-05:002010-10-22T16:35:02.440-05:00

Haven't wrote anything in forever. Checking to see if this thing still works. Just sat through a discussion, that basically 'informed' me of several 'facts': Barack Obama wasn't born in the United States. He was actually born in Kenya. Upon taking office, one of the first things he did, was suppress government documents that would expose his ruse to the American public. He's generally a shitty

Marcnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-12129923851671334072010-08-16T11:51:00.003-05:002010-10-12T11:57:09.437-05:00

Just discovered that one of my current games, Fallout 3, has some interesting gear in common with my previous gaming fave, FFXI. Oh yeah, OK. You know I MUST HAVE THIS. Apparently all I need to do is go visit an alien Mothership that is hovering some miles above the earth, deal with a few alien invaders, and attempt to liberate some people that were abducted from various time

Marcnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-82641741116932314382010-08-01T11:37:00.000-05:002010-08-01T11:37:38.292-05:00

After watching TV this fine Sunday morning, I've determined I need a Fushigi ball. Immediately. OK, I probably don't need one. But I'm intrigued. I think our cat would like one, so he could watch it go back and forth in the air. It looks both relaxing and worrisome, all at the same time. It seems like a harmless plastic toy, but one of those special plastic toys that could easily sprout a blade

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-14954072479657625192010-07-27T20:29:00.000-05:002010-07-27T20:29:50.476-05:00

I haven't blogged anything in awhile, so I thought I'd slip on the headphones (Silver Mt. Zion: "Sisters! Brothers!...") and jot down a few recent thoughts and happenings. So let's see. Since my last post: I went to Indianapolis for the weekend, to go with my wife as she dropped off her pics for the Indiana State Fair photography contest. Nothing much happening up there, yet (fair itself is a

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-68143953181646031982010-07-22T09:18:00.002-05:002010-07-22T11:44:01.222-05:00

Looks like fun. Might have to give this a download from the PSN store, later tonight. I need some lighthearted humor. And some relaxing hack-and-slash might be fun, for a change. I can't tell how many levels there are in Deathspank, or anything about story length from the website. But the video says there are "tons of side quests" for "piles of awesome loot", or somesuch. I don't see how that

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-35743594863510227972010-07-20T23:59:00.000-05:002010-07-20T23:59:03.053-05:00

For Helghan! Had a long day today. Wanted to finish it off with some Killzone 2 fun. I still have a few propaganda and intel to find in the campaign mode. And I would have liked to have joined a friend online to team up against some bots in the newer map packs. But that was apparently not meant to be. Come on! Shooting some virtual enemies, in new playable maps? How could that not be

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-69441215627237746042010-07-19T23:13:00.004-05:002010-07-19T23:33:48.635-05:00

I'm laying here awake on my iPhone, when I should be sleeping. I have an excruciating day of dry meetings ahead of me tomorrow. I need to be awake at 4AM, so I can meet the carpool group at 5, ready to do a 3+ hour road trip to get there in the first place. But all I can do is lie here wide awake. I knew this would happen. I felt it brewing all day. I hate early morning... anything, basically.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-12894508628011892852010-07-16T15:52:00.006-05:002010-07-16T16:13:22.051-05:00

Spent a fair amount of time last night migrating this blog over from Posterous (which I found cumbersome) back home to Blogger (which is awesome). Accessed and imported many of my ancient posts from days gone by, and I'll spend the rainy days over the next few weeks editing and publishing those back to this main repository of all things Marc/Tarmus. These old posts won't appear as new posts.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-12583433334078597272010-07-16T12:30:00.000-05:002010-07-16T12:30:05.255-05:00

I'm usually not a big fan of the inevitable millions of parody videos, trying to cash in on a particular meme-of-the-month. But I'll admit, I thought this one was funny. The mere fact you know what's coming, makes it even better. Double Rainbow Autotune Original Yosemitebear Double Rainbow

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-73660657867334526452010-07-15T08:13:00.006-05:002010-07-19T12:01:39.927-05:00

Just made the mistake of trying one of our potted pepper plant fruits, with no nearby water or milk handy. Big mistake. As you can hopefully tell from the picture, it's not very big. But the Bird's-Eye Chili/Thai Pepper is deceptively hot. Hot as HELL actually. The Scoville Scale shows the Thai pepper as being less hot than a Habanero. This, I can personally attest, is a blatant lie. I bit

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-90839381003102884632010-07-13T22:03:00.002-05:002010-07-16T09:09:51.074-05:00

(not a lie) Ever wonder what a $20 sheet cake looks like? Well, you can cross that one off your list. I just had a piece last night. We don't normally eat such sophisticated baked goods, in this house. But this was for a good cause. It was from a food auction, for the local 4-H chapter. They raise needed funds, by auctioning off the winning youth projects to the general fair attendees. And if

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-43526363644976013752010-07-13T17:19:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:44:11.267-05:00

I don't really have a large point to make. So quickly, here's what I'm thinking before I head home.... I'm enjoying my iPhone with iOS 4 running on it, and I still cannot play a podcast, via voice command? WTF? 2010? And why can I "shuffle" my playlists, but not "unshuffle" them by voice? Or am I doing something wrong? Noshuffle? Unshuffle? STOP FUCKING SHUFFLING? What's the magic word?

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-4674453374174153912010-07-12T20:50:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:44:22.736-05:00

via 1119732.net How did I miss this? I'm not that busy/drunk this summer. Or maybe it's not legit? I'm loving the stuff I've already heard. Can't wait for some new stuff to drop. Then again, there's a big leap between getting back together for some live performances, and recording new material. Still, it's encouraging.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-9780742436896188412010-07-11T21:05:00.010-05:002010-07-16T08:44:38.828-05:00

I pure hate this goof on Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures. Zak Baggins, or somesuch? Just a gigantic buffed-out douchelord of a guy, who wears these dark, 1 size too small t-shirts, all the time (so his arms look HUGE in the night-vision, yo). Constantly provoking ghosts and spirits who are no doubt minding their own business in the afterlife, and trying to get himself raped in these supposedly

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-55449682663214502572010-07-06T21:30:00.012-05:002010-07-16T08:44:55.983-05:00

If you're a PC owner, you can now preorder FFXIV. And if you preorder now, here's what you can get:  (PS3: go f*** yourself) FINAL FANTASY XIV release date has been announced! The game will be available for PC on September 30. The limited PC Collector's Edition will offer eight- day early access to the realm of Eorzea. Also included in the limited Collector's Edition: BEHIND-THE-SCENES

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-12597356952710404022010-07-06T12:35:00.005-05:002010-07-16T08:45:09.333-05:00

Look Ma, no hands! Here's a pic of my backyard (sort of), to prove to Hitman that I don't in fact live in "Indiana meth country". My grass is nice and green, and well-kept. My neighbors could use some work, but I digress.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-53664347158343513752010-07-03T22:44:00.003-05:002010-07-16T08:45:34.301-05:00

Nothing like some fried batter and powdered sugar to help usher in our American Independence Day. Followed up with some bombs bursting in air.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-5103512287138861202010-07-02T17:19:00.002-05:002010-07-16T08:45:46.149-05:00

Beautiful day outside here today, so I'm breaking out a great outdoor performance by my boys in Umphrey's McGee. This one is from Bonnaroo, June 11th 2010. Great live version of Mantis, with some Glory in the middle for flavor. You MUST go see these guys live, if they are in your area. Enjoy!

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-8573767038963590832010-07-02T11:17:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:45:51.653-05:00

Read some comments from a friend this morning, about how online arguments have degenerated over the last few years? Coincidentally, I just happened to be looking at this particular message board exchange: (GamesRadar) Red Dead Redemption hailed as the best game of 2010. (SomeGuy) Yeah well my mom died when I was two, and I don't give a shit any more. Yikes. Uncomfortable. I remember

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-18043856191795882412010-06-30T09:47:00.002-05:002010-07-16T08:45:57.911-05:00

via twitter.com FINAL FANTASY XIV FOR PC CONFIRMED FOR 30th SEPTEMBER 2010 RELEASE I AM READY!!! A friend and I were discussing today, the last we heard of the game release was going to be sometime this November. And I assume the PC and PS3 release dates will be simultaneous? Hopefully. I'll need to get my preorder in, tonight. I think I may have to cancel my regular preorder, and pop

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-86368842673606267502010-06-29T22:25:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:46:05.611-05:00

via gamespot.com Announced North American lineup, starting June 29 Downloadable PS3 game: Wipeout HD Two minis: Field Runners, Age of Zombies PSone game: Rally Cross Full game trial: Infamous Three monthly episodes of Qore downloadable magazine European lineup, June 29 - August 3 Introductory full game download: Standard edition of Little Big Planet Downloadable

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-34483312809692365152010-06-27T22:35:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:46:10.600-05:00

Had some free time this weekend, so I dedicated it to finishing off Red Dead Redemption (main story). Absolutely loved this game. RDR was quite immersive, with graphics that very accurately depicted life in the Old West. This title ended up being much more than the 'Grand Theft Horse' clone I've seen it foolishly described as. Can we maybe talk about this? As good as RDR was, it wasn't

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-51508420996281497852010-06-26T22:43:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:46:17.415-05:00

I don't really understand the concept of "The Rapture". But it still fascinates me, from a logistical standpoint. As I understand it, those that were true believers in God during their life, will at some unknown point in the future, be called instantly up to Heaven. By God. Right in the middle of what they were doing that day, leaving all their earthly possessions behind. Maybe that's not

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-27357223823555331512010-06-25T22:48:00.002-05:002010-07-16T08:46:24.503-05:00

Split Ball. AMIRITE? I sub bowled on a Thursday league last night for a friend of mine (I took a break this summer season), and this is what I was greeted with when I opened my locker. Not sure what happened to it, but hopefully the iPhone pic is good enough to see the GIGANTIC CRACK between the finger holes and the thumb hole. I'm not too upset, since this was not my "good" hook ball,

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-59849358876939629612010-06-25T22:45:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:46:36.930-05:00

I like the new textures showing up, and the lighting effects. Some of the outdoor lighting looks a little better on the alpha than the beta, to me. But I'm glad this is progressing quickly. Let me in the beta already, dammit!

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-14442333787552375292009-09-22T14:27:00.002-05:002010-07-16T08:46:51.481-05:00

Linda McMahon has resigned as chief executive officer of World Wrestling Entertainment to run for the Republican nomination for Christopher Dodd’s U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut.Well, well. San Fran Chronicle? Looks like the mainstream media is finally starting to take Linda McMahon's senate seat run seriously.The more serious issue for Ms. McMahon is that this fake sport, over which WWE has

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-33316737119171413782009-09-17T09:36:00.000-05:002010-07-16T08:46:59.933-05:00

From bethblog.com Today we released an update for the PS3 version of Fallout 3 that addresses a number of issues, includes some optimizations, and adds trophy support for the DLC. The first DLC for PS3, Broken Steel, will be available next Thursday, September 24th. That will be followed by the release of “Operation: Anchorage” and “The Pitt” on October 1st, and “Point Lookout” and “Mothership

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-79792113070858192762009-09-13T01:34:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:47:31.527-05:00

Video from G4TV hands-on. I notice Adam Sessler asks the guest numerous times about the multiplayer, and how it works, and he never got a straight answer. Or rather, he gets the same answer repeatedly, which was: "you can go online and jump in and it serves to enrich the single player experience". OH OK.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-80547373837756031022009-09-12T07:58:00.002-05:002010-07-16T08:47:47.137-05:00

I'm so bored that I just finished watching about 20 minutes of a video called 'Loose Change'. Supposedly a documentary, about the "conspiracy behind what really happened on 9/11". What I don't understand about the theory and its fans, is this: How they can buy into this whole idea, if the makers of the film are still alive? If there was in fact a gigantic government conspiracy to hide the truth

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-30857071806100325802009-09-08T17:53:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:47:55.751-05:00

Hey let's make a game where the players can create their own content, and upload their created levels so that the rest of the world can play them! And we can make a Game Of The Year version, that includes exceptionally well designed levels, that other players made. But we won't let people who bought the game the first time around play those levels. Those are exclusive special levels, for people

Marcnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-53028422940715408562009-09-04T11:22:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:48:03.709-05:00

Last night I hit the level cap in Fallout3 on PS3. I'm only 1 quest away from finishing the main storyline missions. I need to put Fallout on hiatus for a bit, and wait for the downloadable content to drop, so I can get the level cap increase from the Broken Steel addition. As it is, I currently get ZERO XP for doing anything in-game. I'm hearing rumors that the Fallout3 DLC content will hit the

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-79325513294339994442009-09-02T21:13:00.000-05:002010-07-16T08:48:12.985-05:00

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-67785944274223685792009-09-01T16:24:00.000-05:002010-07-16T08:48:36.209-05:00

Had a stressful day today? Time to mellow out, with a music video by a friend, Justin LaGrange. Enjoy! Sink On In from Green Sky Media on Vimeo.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-79737992856033354322009-08-31T16:19:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:48:43.841-05:00

I haven't yet formulated my thoughts. But consider this a placeholder post, for when I get some time to come back, and address the new "cool thing" to do in various Final Fantasy podcasts. That being, accusing the melee classes of being no better than standing around (presumably going "DUHHHHH!") auto-attacking, and maybe hitting a Weapon Skill when your TP is 100 (and if you're not asleep HARHAR

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-14604317647259181492009-08-27T09:25:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:48:51.483-05:00

I had a very hard time getting into it when I first purchased it, but after having the urge to restart Fallout3, I've spent quite a bit of time on the original game. My Lone Wanderer is now level 17, and I'm at a crossroads as to which way to proceed next. I want to get as much out of the original game before the downloadable content drops this September (yay!). I can't decide on a direction to

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-21812730060010340522009-08-20T14:03:00.002-05:002010-07-16T08:49:01.776-05:00

In a discussion elsewhere that will likely get shit on, I'm trying to argue that the UFC screwed up the lineage of the UFC World Heavyweight title, long before Frank Mir and Brock Lesnar had to sort their differences at the monumental UFC 100 card. Lots of backstory, but this is the general gist of things."I'm still curious, though, from the perspective of the UFC's record books - is Frank Mir a

Marcnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-61049672563056937252009-08-19T09:38:00.002-05:002010-07-16T08:49:20.035-05:00

Shaky cam video, but some awesome in-game footage of the upcoming FFXIV. Look at the animations and the depth of field. I CAN SEE FOR MILES, AND MILES, AND MILES.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-35323792171068176262009-08-13T10:19:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:49:28.749-05:00

A friend told me that he recently received an email invite, to sign up for the MAG beta. It got me to thinking about this game, so here I am.I think this game has received a lot of hype, mostly for the theoretical 256 simultaneous player battle experience. but I wonder how well that will work, in actual practice. Most shooters I have played in the past, despite having combat communications modes

Marcnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-50343605167401538722009-08-11T17:55:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:49:40.323-05:00

I'm a bit embarrassed to be excited about a Rob Zombie-type FPS. The very concept just screams "shit game" to my logical brain. But after seeing this trailer, I'm a bit intrigued. The art style looks quirky, and I'm interested to see how 2K Games integrates the co-op and RPG elements to the FPS genre. Official Borderlands site.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-68595822757080353072009-08-05T09:32:00.000-05:002010-07-16T08:49:40.323-05:00

From Eorzeapedia: Thanks to some vigilant forum members, we have new information about FFXIV from Japan. Images were leaked late yesterday evening from a 9 page Japanese magazine article believed to be released this week. Chances are high this is coming from Weekly Famitsu. Weekly Famitsu often uses furigana, small characters above kanji to provide the correct reading, which you can see in the

Marcnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-47780207818918569882009-08-01T11:45:00.000-05:002010-07-16T08:49:50.402-05:00

I picture this as EXACTLY how it went.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-89832321318607383322009-07-31T16:26:00.001-05:002010-07-16T09:11:39.035-05:00

An old Half Life 2 machinima music video. But still a classic. Song is "So Cold", by Breaking Benjamin. I'm Still Seeing Breen

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-56293195780466364612009-07-29T09:04:00.000-05:002010-07-16T08:50:34.629-05:00

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-77678385735105717492009-07-26T12:23:00.002-05:002010-07-16T08:50:49.923-05:00

I love this commercial for Windows laptops. Some slapass couple shopping for a new laptop, they clearly have no idea what they're doing. Their criteria for shopping that day (aside from being paid by Microsoft) seem to be:Gimme the biggest fucking laptop you got.It has to look pretty on the outside.Oh we only have $700. Did we mention that?I also like the part where the baby, who supposedly loves

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-43442169474455516312009-07-25T00:48:00.002-05:002010-07-16T08:51:07.688-05:00

Marcnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-53286238627597825002009-07-22T21:24:00.000-05:002010-07-16T08:51:16.517-05:00

FYI: Just got this ominous malware detection warning in Google Chrome, while visiting a page on IGN.com:

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-61678048206623476452009-07-20T08:40:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:42:23.188-05:00

I won't be in the office, or anywhere but bed or a hospital today. I now have SEVERE pain in my lower left abdomen, right at my waistline. Hurts to touch, or cough, or even move. Started on Thursday or Friday, getting worse every day since. They want me to get a colonoscopy done, but I don't know yet when that is scheduled for. I'll post an update when I know something more later today. I'm not

Marcnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-8495266916894643442009-07-14T15:15:00.007-05:002010-07-16T08:56:09.860-05:00

I've started using Google Chrome at home (rhymes!), and here's a few impressions that immediately come to mind, as a longtime Firefox user/tester: Things I like about Chrome: Clean, simple interface. It seems way faster than FF, to me. Low memory footprint. Home page displays thumbnails of most frequent sites. Ability to quickly start a session 'Incognito', for... private web browsing. :)

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-83999094052086663042009-07-12T00:27:00.003-05:002010-07-16T08:56:18.944-05:00

Just finished watching the fantastic UFC 100 PPV, and I can't say much that probably won't be said better by others. But it was so much fun watching Brock Lesnar completely HUMBLE the eeeevil Frank Mir. Just smothered him on the ground like a bear, and G&P him to death. Man, the crowd sure loves to hate Brock. And Brock and Dana White are obviously taking this hatred all the way to the bank, with

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-20290755470633094932009-07-11T14:56:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:56:56.599-05:00

What a roller coaster ride this whole Green Lantern thing has taken us on. In less than 48 hours we went from hearing they were actually considering Justin Timberlake for the role of Hal Jordan, to finding out it was a three way tie of Timberlake, Ryan Reynolds and Bradley Cooper. And now less than a day later, we hear the official announcement that it has been offered to Ryan Reynolds. OK. Hal

Marcnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-27897489045384779472009-07-10T22:00:00.004-05:002010-07-16T08:57:04.217-05:00

Lately I've been hard pressed to find enough time to sit down to long gaming stints on the console. So I've been exploring the smaller downloadable games, and some things for my iPhone. Just found a great one, thanks to my buddy bpapa (via Twitter). Zen Bound is very hard to quantify as a "game". It's just you, a uniquely designed 3-dimensional fully-rotational object, and a fixed length of rope

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-17618859917039871942009-07-09T10:40:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:57:13.680-05:00

From Massively: Square-Enix cracks down on gardeners, sends out bans If you've got a green thumb, you probably now have a sore thumb thanks to the Square-Enix banhammer. Gardeners across Final Fantasy XI have been complaining on fan forums that they've recently lost their accounts, only now tying the cause of their bans to their gardening activities. Community site Pet Food Alpha has reported

Marcnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-9917049098564860092009-07-08T19:46:00.010-05:002010-07-16T08:57:43.603-05:00

Just finished watching the pilot episode of Warehouse 13, on (the newly-renamed) SyFy. I think it's a little lighthearted and forced for my tastes. But my wife likes it, so it's going into regular rotation at our house. I do like the use of the retro-futuristic objects, most notably the communicator box and the lightning gun. Hopefully the show doesn't turn into "Gadget of the Week", but it's

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-80302684365762601962009-07-07T10:01:00.000-05:002010-07-16T08:59:44.806-05:00

Guy decides to act like a complete douche and break customs and rules of the online community on City of Heroes. Is SHOCKED to learn this behavior MAY result in retaliation from other players, when playing a MMO game. At the time of his clash with Syphris, Myers was just three months into an in-depth behavioral study of the "City of Heroes/Villains"" online community. Already, someone had

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-90375391191676411202009-07-06T23:59:00.004-05:002010-07-16T09:00:02.879-05:00

Just saw this via Twitter.Data Collection Period6/1/2009 - 6/30/2009Banned Accounts16,230Frozen GilApprox. 2.1 billionI'm glad they've been cracking down on this. But HOLY COW! How does it get this bad in the first place? Sixteen Thousand banned accounts in a single month? How many RMT are there in that game, these days?http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/rule/specialtask.html

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-59780046380177707362009-07-06T15:56:00.000-05:002010-07-16T09:00:02.880-05:00

I've recent become addicted to a little puzzle game called KenKen, playing it on my iPhone pretty much whenever I have some time to spare. I'm a bit of a puzzle fanatic, so this is a good diversion for me. It plays like sudoku, in as much as you have to get a certain number of digits in each column in a specific order. But it has math components for each 'cage', that further constrain the

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-10285629032991330162009-07-05T00:24:00.002-05:002010-07-16T09:00:55.273-05:00

I see that the Eorzephoria podcast crew has posted Episode 4. w00t!Brinz and Abbaddon are joined this week by Wulfies, long time Everquest player and now Final Fantasy XI guru to talk more about Final Fantasy XIV and RMT.RMT! One of my favorite topics! I was well known for being a thorn in the side of several notorious gilsellers on Carbuncle server, back in THE DAY. The FFXI world economy is a

Marcnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-34278613577682436592009-07-03T11:57:00.002-05:002010-07-16T09:00:55.274-05:00

Here's some interesting exceprts from the Tanaka and Komoto Interview article at ZAM. Comments to follow. Credit goes to Goran for tipping me off to this story.When the interviewer asks if series mainstays like Warrior or Paladin will appear, the developers simply hint that nothing will be exactly the same as we know it. No more grinding XP for levels - they have something new in store...They

Marcnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-88702544229597877002009-07-02T15:35:00.001-05:002010-07-16T08:42:23.196-05:00

I feel a few rants coming on (I can feel them in my BONES!), and it was the beginning of a long holiday weekend, so I decided to brighten things up around my blog. Hopefully my page doesn't look like a complete train wreck on your browsers. I still need to fix a few things, and add some links to my sidebar. If I should have you linked but don't, twitter me your URL, or comment or whatever. But

Marcnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-43003324098268822892009-07-01T11:07:00.006-05:002010-07-16T09:00:55.274-05:00

Hey! What's ZELDA discussion doing in my Final Fantasy Blog?Well, I've decied I'll use this blog to discuss... whatever the Hell comes across my mind. :) Probably gaming. Mostly gaming, anyway. And I'll go into full tilt boogie FFXIV mode as soon as that game drops, I'm certain. But until then, I have to decide on something to kill my free time. And FFIV:TAY is simply not doing it for me.It's not

Marcnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-64080499420730883702009-06-29T10:06:00.003-05:002010-07-16T09:00:55.275-05:00

I'm still needing some sort of Final Fantasy fix, to hold me over until we hear some new info on FFXIV (hopefully soon). So last night, I decided to break out the Wii, and hit up the store. Downloaded and played around some with Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, for WiiWare. The game looks good on my HDTV, and it's been a nice little bit of retro fun for me.The first 3 episodes (Cecil's story),

Marcnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-89413162786643194062009-06-28T18:10:00.000-05:002010-07-16T09:00:55.275-05:00

ZAM has an article up that recaps info from a recent issue of Connect!On magazine (JPN). Includes Q&A responses from Final Fantasy XIV producer Hiromichi Tanaka and director Nobuaki Koumoto. Several topics discussed, and I'll give my thoughts on anything I already didn't know, that I learned from this article. More confirmation that the entire game world itself will be called Haiderin.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-17003259103345333262009-06-27T19:34:00.002-05:002010-07-16T09:00:55.276-05:00

Anyone out there have any idea what this Square Enix countdown page is referring to?

Marcnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-51647231157680835322009-06-25T09:43:00.002-05:002010-07-16T09:00:55.276-05:00

Reading an article over at ffxivrealm.com, I saw the following comment:Julio wrote:Now that I think about it, what if they introduce a concept like democracy in the nations? What if some people in the game would earn the right to lead the nation to fight against other nations in a constant desire to get as much land as possible?This is VERY interesting, to me.While I wouldn't want the entire game

Marcnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-22263692782352598992009-06-24T10:46:00.003-05:002010-07-16T09:00:55.277-05:00

delmontyb Just published episode 3 of Eorzea times the Final Fantasy XIV podcast at ComicEarth.com, enjoy! :)New show already? Yay! It's up now. Go check it out:http://tinyurl.com/m53bgh | ComicEarth.comWill listen to this tonight when I get home. Thoughts later.I'd like to do something like these guys are doing.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-8471013727283514442009-06-23T10:54:00.006-05:002010-07-16T09:00:55.277-05:00

I'm transplanting dpfeif's comments from an earlier post, since I think they warrant seperate discussion. He brings up several good points I haven't seen anyone talk about much: what will the average PS3 owner need to do, to satisfy hardware requirements of the potentially huge install for FFXIV data files?dpfeif said...Considering the HDD space requirements for a MMO, and the size of the 1st few

Marcnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-3303157291079023932009-06-22T16:12:00.002-05:002010-07-16T09:00:55.278-05:00

This is the first podcast I've seen dedicated to FFXIV discussion. Good stuff! One can never have too much audio, I say.Welcome to the world of Final Fantasy XIV. Eorzea Times is the podcast that is dedicated to Final Fantasy XIV and we will talk about all kinds of ideas regarding the system and how Final Fantasy XIV has the ability to be the greatest MMO of this generation. Link | iTunes

Marcnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-69937185304149785152009-06-22T08:42:00.001-05:002010-07-16T09:00:55.279-05:00

From Massively:The biggest piece of information regarding this rumor is its source -- discovered by newly built fansite Eorzeapedia -- of several Square Enix Europe job listings for new game testers and game masters. The listing is very clear that any applicants are required to have "good knowledge" of Final Fantsy XI, which ostensibly already has these jobs filled. If new people are being hired,

Marcnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-9424808189107908772009-06-19T11:45:00.006-05:002010-07-16T09:00:55.279-05:00

Here's a nice ZAM summary of a recent Famitsu article, containing reactions to the announcement of Final Fantasy XIV at E3. Several quotes in the article, including:It was certainly the most shocking presentation of this year's E3. I can't believe they've been developing it this whole time! (Male, 38, self-employed)Couldn't agree more.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-34291120661707823982009-06-18T22:40:00.002-05:002010-07-16T09:00:55.280-05:00

I know I should not be shocked at this. But I am.I know it's WAY early for this game to be getting a buttload of coverage. Right. But being a reputable gaming site, I can't imagine why there would be NO coverage of FFXIV listed in the G4TV search results. It couldn't possibly have anything to do with FFXIV not being formally announced (yet?) as being released for Xbox360. Could it?

Marcnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-44123186174376242942009-06-18T11:19:00.004-05:002010-07-16T09:01:10.960-05:00

From an old (2005) E3 tech demo from Square-Enix. Is this possibly what the new FFXIV will look like? I can't tell for certain. But whatever it is, it looks interesting.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-38711622446696885752009-06-17T20:13:00.005-05:002010-07-16T08:42:23.204-05:00

With the announcement of the newest installment of the Final Fantasy Online universe Final Fantasy XIV, I decided I would set aside some online space. Somewhere to reflect on things past, remark on future developments, and hopefully reconnect with former fellow adventures (as well as meet new friends).So as I come across any news relating to FFXIV, I'll maybe post it here, along with some

Tarmusnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-81430479986426218822008-11-05T11:17:00.001-06:002010-07-16T15:24:58.519-05:00

Funny thing is, this is a fairly accurate portrayal as to what went down, in the last few weeks going into the election.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-87154890864519363682008-10-31T10:52:00.001-05:002010-07-18T22:41:35.079-05:00

That's dilemma this week. See, I have some extra money to spend (actually it's not 'extra' money, but a reimbursement check for travel expenses), and I don't know which game I should opt for. Both are FPS, but BioShock got all the good reviews, and has trophy support out of the box. Fallout 3 fails in that regard, but seems to have the more expansive game world (think Oblivion With Guns), and

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-4785748927037595982008-10-17T13:29:00.001-05:002010-07-18T22:46:22.720-05:00

"During the review process prior to the release of LittleBigPlanet, it has been brought to our attention that one of the background music tracks licensed from a record label for use in the game contains two expressions that can be found in the Qur'an," admitted the company in a statement. "We have taken immediate action to rectify this and we sincerely apologise for any offence that this may

Marcnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-18722350615257723792008-10-17T08:27:00.002-05:002010-07-18T22:47:52.749-05:00

{Via a friend.} So do they have it, or don't they? Resistance 2 Beta Codes Now at Gamestop Several gamers now currently reporting that if you head over to your local Gamestop you will in fact be able to get a beta code for the Resistance 2 beta. GameStop Unaware Of Resistance 2 Pre-Order Beta Codes? After visiting several GameStops in the area and placing calls to a half-dozen others, we have

Marcnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-66324050883393944382008-10-15T10:49:00.001-05:002010-07-18T22:48:37.528-05:00

http://www.glassbooth.org Barack Obama shares a 81% similarity with your beliefs

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-66899968680530511512008-10-01T14:07:00.001-05:002010-07-18T22:49:22.067-05:00

As reported on LordsOfPain.net Oct. 1, HBO is teaming up with Norman Lear to produce a new wrestling drama. The show will be written by former WCW Vice President of Marketing Aaron Blitzstein and will be based around a family running a wrestling business in the 1970’s. It's apparently going to be called "Everybody Hurts". Quotage: "Pro wrestling is a pretty fair reflection of good and evil in

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-64727806722879241192008-09-29T23:04:00.001-05:002010-07-18T22:50:09.811-05:00

I've been looking forward to this for some time. Right before bed, I managed to snag a code for the LittleBigPlanet beta!! I'm dl'ing it now on PSN, right before bed (4%). Hopefully my power won't go out in the middle of the download.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-13048127915603420662008-09-24T15:44:00.001-05:002010-07-19T09:59:00.829-05:00

LOL. Now John McCain wants a time out, from the scheduled debate this Friday. Political Radar: McCain: Scrap Friday Debate for Bailout; Obama Camp: 'The Debate is On': McCain said he called on the Commission on Presidential Debates to postpone the debate scheduled for Friday in Mississippi, to ensure quick congressional action. The campaign is also suspending its advertising, pending an

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-8630795125567432912008-09-23T22:58:00.002-05:002010-07-19T09:59:37.996-05:00

Since the Halloween season is just around the corner, I thought a scary-type game would be a good choice to hold me over until the fall 2008 games hit the market. With that said, I decided to preorder Silent Hill: Homecoming. And.... I think I'm a little bit scared, already.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-18827992867872629032008-09-22T16:51:00.001-05:002010-07-19T09:59:57.326-05:00

So why am I still pissed that I can't see one for sale anywhere, around here? Maybe I could talk a friend into smuggling one home from Canada, for me?

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-56679016665471264342008-09-18T08:54:00.001-05:002010-07-19T10:00:15.210-05:00

Yeah, I'm still here. It's just been a hectic time, lately. In the last couple weeks, I've been: To Vancouver To Alaska Back Home Back to Work To Chicago To Toronto Rerouted to NYC Back Home for 1 night Called out to work for storm damage Short stops in Kentucky Back to Work Had an earache Had a migraine Slept for 14 hours straight Back to work. So I'm just now getting back into the swing of

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-47733984661773992562008-09-02T15:49:00.001-05:002010-07-19T10:00:39.718-05:00

You have been selected to help beta test the next phase of PlayStation®Home's evolution. As a Beta Tester, you will be expected to help shape the PLAYSTATION®Home experience by providing feedback and submitting to us any issues you may find. We appreciate your help in making the PLAYSTATION®Home experience the best it can be! So I guess I'm in the HOME closed beta. I'll see what all the fuss is

Marcnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-58904639733257540182008-08-29T12:52:00.001-05:002010-07-19T10:01:49.959-05:00

What is it exactly that the VP does, every day? Oh, boy. What a winner this ticket is, huh? *rolls eyes* At least we'll have the enjoyment of Joe Biden making a complete fool out of Palin in the veep debates. Biden should just ask her if she plans to talk some sense into her running mate McCain, who is so against drilling in ANWR, which Palin favors? Or at least she favored it a few days or

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-5764934102829727992008-08-28T23:22:00.001-05:002010-07-19T10:02:10.970-05:00

Yeah, I pretty much think I want this. Don't I?

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-92186430258058610292008-08-27T21:56:00.001-05:002010-07-19T10:04:23.899-05:00

After a 10-hour plane trip that was the worst flight I've ever had, we're back on the ground in Indiana. But before we left, we stopped at a wildlife reserve, and I got a decent pic of a moose, up close. Glad to be home, not so glad to be back to work tomorrow. But this weekend is a long weekend, so it's all good.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-17001076302778004952008-08-22T23:51:00.001-05:002010-07-19T10:05:39.060-05:00

On Denver Glacier, near Skagway. Our dog sled team right before we set out for the morning. The two dogs on the right ran the Iditarod.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-55719903198750833402008-08-20T17:46:00.002-05:002010-07-19T10:07:15.099-05:00

Quick shot from my phone in the fishing town of Ketchikan Alaska. Lots of little shops and bars along the bay. Saw a bunch of salmon swimming upstream in a creek that runs through the middle of this small town. Almost got beheaded by a piece of storefront awning that was ripped loose by a Coca-Cola truck. Nearly left my backpack in a jewelery store bathroom. Took a team ride to the top of a

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-64001471186154439922008-08-18T20:12:00.001-05:002010-07-19T10:07:57.751-05:00

We're on our way to Alaska, having made it onto the ship (along with our luggage, yay!). Our email and internet access is apparently going to be touch-and-go, so I'll update again when we get closer to land. Having a great time, hope the weather back in Indiana is nice, like it has been here.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-20626616775922486792008-08-18T12:39:00.002-05:002010-07-19T10:10:11.122-05:00

Totem poles in Stanley Park. Brief observations about our stay in Vancouver: - The city itself us beautiful, lots of trees and shrubs everywhere. - The people are polite. But the service is slow everywhere we went. - For some reason, everywhere we went they played 80's pop music. Restaurants, bars, shops, everywhere. - Lots of homeless people. - Things are very expensive here. We

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-45070397132522641972008-08-16T20:04:00.001-05:002010-07-19T10:12:25.775-05:00

Chillin' in Stanley Park Oh, by the way: we made it safely to Canada! Vancouver, to be exact. To be even more specific, that's me, sitting under a shade tree, in Stanley Park. This pic is kind of boring, but I'm jetlagged so whatever. I'll try to post at least one pic each day, all the way from here to Anchorage. Or at least as long as the free wireless Internet on my iPhone holds out.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-17625113398912384332008-08-07T14:48:00.001-05:002010-07-19T10:13:33.554-05:00

Sort of. Later today, the PLAYSTATION Store will be updated with a PlayStation Home theme. By downloading the theme, users are submitting an application to join the PlayStation Home Beta test community. We will be using a variety of criteria including activity on the PLAYSTATION Network to determine eligibility for the Beta community. Existing beta testers have automatically qualified to be part

Marcnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-12851031104008051542008-08-04T13:28:00.001-05:002010-07-19T10:13:56.402-05:00

I have a friend that has ground hornets on his property. I hope they're not as big as these.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-63848116811101795232008-07-30T11:36:00.001-05:002010-07-19T10:18:12.223-05:00

So after I decide to use eReader on my iPhone, I buy a few e-books from Fictionwise. Not a lot of money, but I have quite the reading list, so it adds up. Then this past week, I realized that Stanza is out for the iPhone, which is free, and connects to Project Gutenberg, so there's like a ton of free lit on there. No fees, nothing. Anyway, if you have an iPhone, I'd give Stanza a look. It's not

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-73890845329017039532008-07-26T12:04:00.001-05:002010-07-19T10:19:30.158-05:00

Been looking for something new to play for a while. And I think I've settled on Unreal Tournament III. It looks fantastic on HD, and it has a decent campaign mode, bot battle modes, CTF, DM, all the basic modes, and multiplayer. I'm in the middle of the campaign mode, and there admittedly isn't much of a story, just a lot of "go kill this, take this base", etc. But it has it's charm, in it's

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-63622735994518896832008-07-25T08:17:00.001-05:002010-07-19T10:20:08.159-05:00

This game has been broken since day one, as far as I'm concerned. But it sounds like Konami is releasing patches for Metal Gear Online, as well as updates. But no matter what they do, Konami can't seem to do 'online' right. From Giant Bomb: In case you're waiting for the Metal Gear Online beta to begin (it's supposed to start sometime tomorrow), you might want to connect up and start downloading

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-804218511341232970.post-82547651701671298592008-07-18T22:21:00.001-05:002010-07-19T10:20:35.687-05:00

Until they take it down, here it is: I wouldn't mind seeing this.

Marcnoreply@blogger.com0