Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Hello. Today didn't turn out as bad as I thought it would have been. That's probably because I've decided to take a positive attitude to life. Being optimistic alone isn't enough. We have to learn to love everything we do, no matter how dull or horrible it maybe, and only through that kind of mind set can we truely succeed.Hence, as of now, Media and Society is my favourite subject, long school days are awesome, and I love the amount of assignments we currently have assigned to us. There, I am feeling more successful already :D
Anyways, we watched this movie during Journalism lecture today. I personally found it kinda boring, but there were some interesting parts. It's about journalistic integrity and stuff like that.
During Graphic Design Fundamentals lecture, we had a forum session instead. I brought up the issue of how screwed that small tutorial room we have for Med Soc was, but it seemed that the allocation of classrooms was out of our lecturer's hands. It's just our luck. Sorry guys, I tried.
For the most part of both our lectures today, me and Siew Keong were reminiscing our primary school days.
The both of us were AV assistants, and we had tons of screw ups during morning assembly. The National Anthem starting at the wrong verse, the school song looping, us playing the school song by accident when we were actually supposed to play the National Anthem.
Then there was all the trading card games going on, especially after our exams. Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon, WWE and Magic: The Gathering.
Good times.
Siew Keong kept in touch with many of our primary school friends, unlike me, and he happened to have quite a handful of them on Facebook, so we were looking at who was with who, and how many of our friends looked like now.
One majorly surprising relationship. And some of the girls actually look quite pretty now. Damn, I think I'm going to go back for the next class gathering.
We're having our annaul Speakers' Series next Tuesday, which is this event organised by Communications and Media Management. Guest speakers from different media industries are invited to TP to speak to the students.
Everyone is invited, but it is only compulsory for CMM students. And since many of these people will actually be able to help us in the future with intership and stuff, we have to make a solid impression on them.
How? By getting all CMM students to go to school dressed in business attire. I need a long sleeve shirt, pants, shoes and a tie. By next Tuesday. Win. I'm sooo lusting after this tie, it's so damn cool:
I also found out this really cool bit of info today. The year 2 CMM students are currently covering the Asian Youth Games. We, on the other hand, are going to fortunate enough to cover the Youth Olympic Games next year.
Olympic. No matter which country we're at in the future, having the word 'Olympic' on our testimonial is going to have quite an impact on employers, because it's a globally recognised brand.
One last thing, Zero Punctuation is so effin funny:
posted @ 10:54 PM
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Monday, June 29, 2009
We got back most of our grades for our assignments and our term tests. I'm pleased with the results, but I'm not going to become complacent!!Journalism Individual Writing Assignment 1: A
This is the assignment which required me to give all you people that music games survey. Thanks for helping me get my grade :D
Media and Society Term Test: A
Studied 8 hours straight for this.
Essential Graphics Skills Test: A
Didn't expect an A for this, because I actually screwed up in the middle of the test and I went to some other window, and our tutor had to help me get back to my work.
Graphic Design Fundamentals Individual Assignment 1: B <---Effin Killjoy -_-
I actually expected worse for this one, because my final product was almost a copy of the existing CMM logo.
We're getting back Journalism Term Test soon, and I'm praying that I get a B grade minimum. I'm also kinda worried about the CMM journals, since our tutor mentioned today that the average grade for the journals was C.
On a completely random note...
I got a new guitar yesterday!! Sure, it isn't the most expensive or of the highest quality, but I'm sure it was a gift of love hmmmm? XD Anyways, thank you very much, I am so happy right now ^^
Now all I need is a new amp, because my old one has a burnt fuse, and I want to get a tone box too.
Probably next weekends, at Paradiz Centre or something. I'm thinking of getting a mid range amp, and a tone box from Line 6. Not going to be cheap, but it's going to be worth it.
Effing long day tomorrow, 9am-5pm. I have the urge to bite something.
posted @ 10:48 AM
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Friday, June 19, 2009
Hi hi I'm going to Video Games Live in a few hours time and I'm so damn excited :D I really should be getting home now or I'm going to be late. I'll post about it tomorrow, and another epic video game related post is going to come soon after.
Also I've started practicing guitar again after a half year long hiatus. I'm practicing "Know Your Enemy" by Green Day right now. Awesome, easy song that's really fun to play. But the solo is a little tricky though, so I'm working on it now. Anyone interested in jammin to that song, lemme know alright!! :D
Wow, totally random post. I'm not using my own computer to type right now, so I'm keeping it short!! Cya :D
posted @ 2:55 PM
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Friday, June 12, 2009
Hello. Today is the EPIC E3 REVEAL POST!! Be warned though. Everything after this sentence is going to be video game related. Strictly for game junkies only.So. The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2009 has come and past. The biggest news about this year's E3 is probably the fact that it's back to the old E3 that we all know and love.
To bring those of you who don't know up to date, E3 went from being the pinnacle of gaming events to the most boring for the last two years. How could that have happened?
Big names in the industry decided that it was a good move to turn E3 into a highly publicized summit for game developers. Obviously, BAD move. Thankfully, they noticed how badly they ****ed up the whole thing, so now E3 is back to its old self.
Of course, trends started at the start of this console generation will not change. Microsoft will dominate the show once again with their now predictable "huge, "you'll never have guessed it" reveal".
Sony will continue their usual practice of drowning us in dull statistics, just to show us how much closer they are to reaching Microsoft and Nintendo.
And as we've all come to expect, Nintendo is going to prove just how revolutionary they are by introducing new motion sensing devices. That are used to control games with totally out dated 480p graphics. Right.
Anyways, the Microsoft press conference was an epic one. Reveals were aplenty, and things once thought to be impossible have actually been made possible. Here are all the XB360 related reveals from E3, in chronological order.
#1: Square Enix releases a trailer for it's latest game in development, Nier. The trailer reveals game play and the art style of the game. It's a big change from SE's usual anime style characters and cartoony graphics, with the presence of realistic environments and excessive blood.
#2: New trailer for Dead Rising 2 released into the Internet. Capcom won't be attending E3 this year, due to swine Flu, but at least they were nice enough to upload the trailer. The footage in the trailer gives off a much more serious vibe compared to the first game.
#3: Borderlands trailer released. Includes game play footage, and shows off the new cell shaded graphics of the game. I wasn't too sure about the decision to give the entire game a graphical overhaul at first, but after seeing it in motion, I must admit that it looks damn good.
#4: Microsoft announces that it's press conference will be extended by 5 minutes for a 'very special' addition. What exactly is it? Read on to find out.
#5: Crytek announces Crysis 2, the sequel to the graphically stunning PC exclusive, Crysis, for PC, PS3 and XB360.
#6: Square Enix releases yet another trailer, for yet another game. Front Mission Evolved, for the PS3 and XB360, is set to revive the series. Judging from the grittier art style of the game, Capcom is really trying to click with the Western audience.
#7: Halo 3: ODST display put up, revealing the main cast of the game.
#8: The Beatles: Rock Band confirms rumours that it will feature harmonizing vocals. For the musically illiterate, that means that there can be more than one singer at a time. One singing lead, two singing backup while playing other instruments. That kinda stuff.
#9: Modern Warfare 2 map packs will be released on Xbox Live first, before appearing every where else. This is because the Xbox 360 version is expected to lead the online portion of the game.
#10: It was announced last year that development of the Xbox 360 version of Final Fantasy XIII would start when the Japanese PS3 version went on sale. Guess they changed their mind. FFXIII was shown off at E3 2009. Running on a Xbox 360.
#11: Epic games, the ones behind the Gears of War and Unreal Tournament series, announced that their next game will be an Xbox Live Arcade game called Shadow Complex. It is described as a mix of Contra and Super Metroid, and it is a 2D game, but with 'slick 3D graphics'.
#12: Square Enix is targeting a Spring 2010 release for the Xbox 360 version of Final Fantasy XIII.
#13: Left 4 Dead 2 announced for Xbox 360 and PC, and it's set to release Nov. 17 this year. It's a completely new setting, featuring 4 new characters, with a new, with a larger weapon cache at their disposal. Too soon for a sequel? I think so too. But are you going to play it anyway? I think so too.
#14: Big announcement. A new Halo game, titled "Halo: Reach", is set for release next year. The game is an Xbox 360 exclusive, and judging from the title, it will be similar to the events that happen in the book 'Halo: Fall of Reach". Halo: Reach multiplayer beta will be obtainable by purchasing the limited edition of Halo 3: ODST.
#15: Halo 3 ODST worldwide release date has been confirmed. Get ready to don Recon armour on 22nd September 2009.
#16: Alan Wake, the highly anticipated XB360 exclusive, was thought to have been cancelled since no one mentioned it for the past one and a half years. However, this year's E3 reconfirmed its existence. It is due for release next year.
#17: The Xbox Live Video Marketplace is going to be relaunched as the Zune Video Marketplace this Fall, coinciding with the release of the Zune HD. This new service allows you to instantly stream and watch full HD 1080p videos.
#18: Last.fm, the online based social music community, is set for Xbox 360 consoles later this year. It is integrated to the Xbox 360 dashboard, and it recommends artists and songs to users based to the kind of music stored in the console.
#19: Even bigger announcement. They said it was impossible. Never going to happen. Guess what? It did. It has been exclusive to the Playstation consoles for more than a decade now, but the Metal Gear Solid series is finally setting foot on the XB360 and PC. So far, the title has been revealed, "Metal Gear Solid: Rising", and the main character is said to be uber badass Raiden.
#20: Probably the most pointless addition to the Xbox Live services, but I guess it will help attract new customers. Believe it or not, Facebook and Twitter are soon going to be compatible with Xbox Live. So now, instead of playing games, you can go online to poke someone. Cool.
#21: Another pointless addition, but it could be fun. Have no friends? Friends too lazy to come over to your place to catch a movie? Then invite them to your Xbox Live party and you can all watch any movie provided by Netflix, complete with virtual movie screen, background and couches.
#22: Another big announcement. Microsoft announces Project Natal, a motion sensing camera for the Xbox 360. The camera effectively negates the need of a controller to navigate the dashboard, and certain games for that matter. Functions include face recognition, motion sensing, voice recognition, etc.
#23: Peter Molyneux, the main man behind the Fable series, revealed Milo, and interactive AI that works with Project Natal. Milo resembles a teenage boy, and he is able to hold a conversation with a real person, detect expressions and mood, read text shown to him, etc. Just a few more years before computers start rebelling against us.
#24: If you own a XB360, and use Xbox Live frequently, chances are you would have noticed that several full games from the original Xbox are available for purchase and download. Starting this August, the first batch of XB360 games will receive similar treatment. Mass Effect and Assassin's Creed were some of the examples used.
#25: Halo: Reach reveal trailer gets released to the public.
#27: Alan Wake E3 '09 trailer made available to the public.
#28: Microsoft announces plans for an Avatar Marketplace on Xbox Live, where you can download new articles of clothing for your virtual representative. Microsoft also mentioned "Avatar Awardables", which rewards you with unique pieces of clothing for completing certain in game tasks.
#29: Microsoft releases a trailer for Project Natal. I'm not sure what to think of it. Still, it delivers by showing us what Microsoft's new tech toy is capable of. I'm actually really excited about this motion camera thing right now. I actually get to beat up an old man, and be a ****ing 100 foot tall monster. Sweet.
#30: Halo 3: ODST Collector's Edition revealed. It costs USD $100, and it comes with an attractive looking Halo themed XB360 controller, as well as a "free" invite to the Halo: Reach multiplayer beta. Looks like Bungie is using the Crackdown method again: Pay for the beta invite, and get the other game free.
#31: Left 4 Dead 2's first level and poster revealed. It's called 'The Parish'. I think the tagline is kinda stupid though. 'This time it all goes south'? Was that the best they could do?
#32: Bungie announces the 4 player co-operative Firefight mode for Halo 3: ODST. It's like Gears of War 2's Horde mode, but with vehicles and plasma grenades.
#33: Ubisoft releases a totally badass trailer for Splinter Cell Conviction. Glad to see that Sam Fisher no longer has that stupid emo haircut.
#34: Ubisoft pleases once again by releasing another sexy trailer. This time, it's for Assassin's Creed 2. Damn, Ubisoft really knows how to make trailers.
#35: A new trailer is released for Dante's Inferno. At this point of time, the game looks absolutely stunning [the trailer is crafted from the graphic engine of the game]. Amazing graphics, fast pace game play, and burtal animations. Looks a lot like God of War, actually.
#36: Get ready to use that hidden blade again, because the release date for Assassin's Creed 2 has been confirmed to be 17th November 2009.
#37: The first Crackdown 2 trailer is revealed. Why does every open world game these days have to have a city with a serious infection problem of some sort?
#38: First game play footage of Splinter Cell Conviction is released. The game looks insanely badass. I wasn't too interested in the game before, but I can tell you now that this is definitely going to be one of the Game of the Year nominees, if not a winner.
#39: Modern Warfare 2 game play released. The short video features a single player level. The one with the snow mobiles. In my opinion, MW2 seems even more intense than it's predecessor, with crazy cinematic moments and thrilling, rapid game play.
#40: Halo 3: ODST demo-ed. A short portion of the single player campaign was shown. First thing you'll probably notice when watching it: This isn't the Halo we all know. That isn't necessarily a bad thing though, because I'm really welcoming some form of change in the Halo series.
#41: Crackdown 2 has 4 player co-operative mode, twice the amount of players as its predecessor. Also, it has 16 player online multiplayer.
#42: Assassin's Creed 2 is demo-ed live. Looks ****ing amazing. Graphics some of the best seen this generation, fighting looks awesome, Ezio moves with much more fluidity than his ancestor Altair, and new game play elements are shown off. Flying over Venice? OMG I need this now.
#43: DJ Hero's developers explain how the game works, and they proceed to demo it. It is also revealed that the game can be played with guitar and the turntable. I'm praying that DJ parts get added into upcoming Guitar Hero 5, then they'll be able to add more nu metal songs. Slipknot!!
#44: This year, the booth babes at E3 were way too covered with clothing. Here's the reason why: they aren't allowed to be skimply dressed anymore, since kids attend E3 too. What the ****. At least they are still allowed to have big boobs.
#45: The seemingly meaningless text on the Halo 3 ODST controllers are actually some what linked to solving the mystery of New Mombasa, which is something fans have been trying to do for a while now. I, for one, have no idea what the hell those numbers are about.
#46: Microsoft has had Performance Designed Products, a small console peripheral designing company, working on a motion sensing controller for the XB360 way before the Wii was even released. It was revealed for the first time today. I'm just wondering, what's the point of this now that Natal is on the way?
#47: Rumours that Commander Shepherd, the main character of the Mass Effect series, is dead has been put to rest today. Shepherd is in fact alive, but is about to be sent out on a suicide mission with a team consisting of the most skilled and dangerous individuals in the galaxy.
#48: Bungie lets us all know that Halo: Reach is going to be a First Person Shooter. You know, just in case we didn't already guess it.
#49: A small group of protestors staged a protest outide the Los Angeles Convention Centre, which is where E3 is being held. The protest, which lasted several hours, was targeted at Electronic Art's Dante's Inferno, because the setting of the game is Hell. Signs that the protesters used had messeges like "Hell is not a game" and "EA=Electronic Atheists" Awesome.
#50: EA later admits that the protest was staged as a publicity stunt. Damn, there's got to be a better way than that to promote your game.
posted @ 11:43 PM
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Thursday, June 11, 2009
Hello, hello. Just a short post today, to inject some much needed life to my blog.I was at Caldecott Hill yesterday, because my uncle and auntie had an interview on Primetime Morning. I actually got to stand and watch as they filmed it. How many 17 year olds get a chance to say that :P
After that I went to Plaza Singapura to meet up with my project group to "do project". Ended up doing project for 2 hours, then we went to Paradiz Centre to play pool.
On a completely random note, my cousin Velan is super lucky. He won the grand prize of the Okto Monsters vs Aliens contest. What's the prize? See for yourself:
With those out of the way, I can talk about today. I went to the PC Show with Yan Ming and Say Yin today. They were looking for laptops, and I just tagged along because I didn't want to stay at home.
The PC Show was everything I expected, and something I did not. It was crowded, stuffy, and noisy. Kinda predicted that. But what surprised me was that there were actually really good deals.
Since I already have a laptop, I wasn't paying much attention to the prices of the various models, but I did notice the discounts placed on other products. Cannon 500D, the DSLR camera that I am planning to get, is selling for about $100 cheaper than its usual price.
Computer accessories were also heavily discounted. There was a box containing 50 DVDs going for $19, a 8GB USB drive going for the same price, and a 22 inch monitor screen going for $350. If you can believe it, I even saw a USB mouse that cost only $6.50.
However, the items with the best deals had to be the video games. The Xbox 360 wired and wireless controllers cost $39 and$59 respectively, $20 off their usual price. Many games had their prices slashed down to almost 50%.
These offers didn't only affect the older games. New games, like Prototype and Red Faction: Guerrilla, were also much cheaper. Prototype was released just this week, and it is being sold at Comics Connection for $90. However, it's $72 at the PC Show. It's these kinda epic discounts that I'm talking about.
Yeah, I know I sound like I'm being paid to promote the PC Show. I honestly wish I was. I just found the PC Show a really good place to go bargain hunting, especially if you are a gamer, and since I am such a kind person, I'm letting all of you in on that secret.
Also, as you probably would have already guessed, I bought Prototype and Red Faction: Guerrilla :D
I also saw the G.I Joe trailer at the PC Show, and I have deduced that it is ****ing awesome, especially the last 10 seconds or so, and you have to watch it for yourself:
Actually, the whole point of this post was to let everyone know that the annual epic E3 round up post will be up tomorrow. Also, my blog isn't dead :D
posted @ 11:02 PM
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