Assigned Entry #4: To Blog or not to Blog.

      Over the past month, I have been updating my lovely readers with countless Blog Entries related to video game tech and news. With all that I've talked about on these entries, I feel as if I learned more myself about writing and keeping a blog. I'd never done this before and was a new thing to me in late May. I'd originally thought that blogs were stupid and i'd never use it or like it. But over time I realized that it was fun providing all that knowledge with a little twist of fun to get the message out.

      I learned much about blog writing and how to appeal to a target group of readers as well as introducing a concept to new readers. I tried to include pieces that the every-man could work with and share the info easily. What I thought was interesting was the use of assigned entries. They were often off my topic I had made my blog about but were still fun to do. After peeking at other people's Blogs I thought I could learn a thing or two about being funnier in my blogs but still put out an appropriate amount of information. I really tried not to be biased in my entries but a few were calling me to play one side, so if there's a blog that sounds preachy to one side, it's accidental.

      Lastly, I feel as if what could be added or changed are some of the prompts, while they were fun, some were not applicable to my topic and just sounded weird. Namely, the food blog on a technology blog. The thing I probably took most away from this whole blog running operation has to be catering to a specific audience while maintaining a professional tone. While some of my entries are 1st person, i'd make a note of at least 4 that are 3rd person with a small thought at the end. I kept trying to make my blog more engaging as well by putting in the comment question of the day. I didn't expect to see a lot of responses but it was still fun getting what I got and seeing everyone's reaction, which really appealed to me and made me want to write more. As I close out my entry and more than likely, my blog, I feel rather happy knowing what I had done and accomplished over this limited time. I may start up another blog in the future, whether it be a spiritual successor to this one, or my other background over Culinary Arts before I came to GCC, the future holds the cards, and so far my hand looks good.

Today's comment question of the day: What's your favorite entry on this blog?

Microsoft finally sees the light.

      Not one month after E3 did Microsoft feel the backlash from gamers over the Xbox One's always online connectivity, 24-hour online check-in, and restricted used games practices. At first, it was only the grudgings of gamers, but at E3, Microsoft's main competitor, Sony, attacked the Xbox One's impurities. This threw the bone in Sony's yard and shot their pre-order sales through the roof. Sony quickly estimated that upon release, the Playstation 4 will quickly sell out before they can produce more.

      Earlier today, Microsoft's Don Mattrick came out to the press to say that the Xbox One will be uploading a Day One Patch that will allow the Xbox to live offline as well as not require itself to have a check-up online. Many gamers called for this in the beginning but until today, Microsoft stone-walled them. Finally, after seeing the light from E3 aand Sony, maybe, just maybe we'll see a decent system.



Assigned Entry #3: Mary Shelley's Frankenfood...

      So for this entry our instructor had us first watch the movie Food Inc. If you haven't seen it, Food Inc. is a documentary showing off the horrors of what big business in the ways of food are like. It shows the blight of farmers around the country and how multi-national corporations are ruining food in the US. We were later told to write our response of watching this movie. I find that this new eraa of food is quite disgusting actually.

 

 

 

      After seeing footage after footage of animals living in squalor and misery,  some even knee deep in their own feces, I just couldn't help but cringe. Since then, I feverishly scoured the internet looking at foods I should avoid, foods I should eat, and places to shop for all of it. Since I noticed the closest Whole Foods Market was an adventure's length to Scottsdale, I decided that the best thing I could do was Sprouts as well as attempt to grow my own garden out back.

 



 

 

 

      Since then, I've mulled over why certain companies decide that destroying food, experimenting on it, and creating something to resemble food, is the best option. In reality,  it's quite disgusting. Sometimes, I come to think that these large companies (knowing full well that they're only out there for profit) are glad to be hurting people. There are simple, clean alternatives to such destructive elements such as washing chickens with Ammonia (which in fact, is dangerous). Why, in their minds, would they use something that makes up one of the most dangerous parts of Venus' atmosphere to address a food safety issue? It's absurd!

 

 

In closing, buy local, buy green, buy smart.

 

 

Tonight's comment question: Is there a food you grew up with eating that you never will touch again?

 

 









Time to rest and F5 on E3...

      So today was Day 1 of E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, and there was a ton of new info and video games dumped on my head. It started off with the Microsoft Panel where they showed off more functionality with the Xbox One, but was more focused on the games to be released upon launch. The panel as a whole was interesting if you like games, considering they showed off exclusives for it and new original games, of which they stated they had about 40 games for the first year alone. One such game, entitled "Titanfall" is set in a future conflict between two forces not named yet, but each is armed with mechs you can jump in and out of. One thing Microsoft didn't cover, was the Xbox One itself. Few questions were truly answered other than the release date for the console (November 2013), as well as a hefty price tag of $500. Many gamers still feel excluded from Microsoft after it's convoluted, confusing, and backward stance on game piracy. *More on that in a different entry in the future*

The Xbox One

      As for Sony, they had no televised panel, however, they streamed theirs on Gametrailers.com. They opened with the unveiling of the Playstation 4 and it's aspects. Without disclosing to much, they talked about a possibility in the future for 3 different sets of consoles for the frugal-inclined. The system will launch also in November this year at a price of $400. Added to this, Sony changed their policy around online gaming. The aforementioned policy stated that online play is free, but can sign up for Playstation Plus, a pay service that provides better servers, access to games early, and perks. Now, Sony states that Playstation Plus is a service that must be bought if you wish to play online. Shortly after that, Sony called out Microsoft by happily stating that games belong to the gamers and that the PS4 will not need an internet connection to function.

The Playstation 4

      The only thing missing from this years E3 was Nintendo, who early on stated they were working with producers and smaller markets. Nintendo will need to unveil something huge tomorrow if they want to be considered for a higher position this year.

Assigned Entry #2: An Interesting Technological Revolution.

      So for this entry, I was tasked with finding a video, article, or other relevant media that deals with technology and its use in today's society. After scouring Youtube a bit, I believe to have found a good one. It's called "10 Future Technologies That Already Exist", and it's actually more interesting than I thought.

      What's more interesting is that most of these are developed by the military which would normally be what happens all the time, but these inventions most likely won't be part of the mainstream household anytime soon. The fact that these already exist, or plan to exist within about a year is astonishing. This leads me to think that since most are in late testing, what could possibly outdo these later in the decade?

Perhaps Laser Cats?

      Either way we strive to follow, I believe it'll be that much more amazing. Where once we had Writing become the dominant technology, followed by Computing, and now who knows what could be next?

For today's comment question of the day: What's one technology you just can't live without?

It's late, I forgot my entry today...

      Forgive me for starters, I've been away from the computer and the interwebs for most of the day doing work pretty much everywhere in my house. After realizing that I hadn't done a Blog for my wonderful, beautiful people out there, I hurried and set about it. Sadly though, I got sidetracked by the homework I had to do. BUT, with my homework completed, I can now address you all and provide another thought inducing entry.

      After mulling over a long list of potential post, I came across an idea I thought was interesting. Deadmau5 (pronounced Deadmouse), was playing over my Spotify playlist and it triggered the thought about how his music has seeped into Video Games. Which led to the bigger picture of Music in Video Games. When once it had all been a series of beeps and grunts, it had grown into a large, orchestral event. Into the mid 90's, a series that would grow into one of the biggest franchises ever hit the shelves with astounding music. That series is called Final Fantasy. More specific however, would be Final Fantasy 7. When it released, it's music had officially raised the bar on Video Game audio tech. It's theme had been composed by an entire Japanese orchestra and all the music was done in less than 3 months, which is remarkable in game development time. This effectively shaped music for the future, with games releasing with orchestras or at the very least, an audio team meant to synthesize the sounds of an orchestra.

      Nowadays, there are video games released with the full orchestra including composers such as Hans Zimmer, John Williams, and Frank O'Donnell. With the way that gaming music is shaping, it will grow to become one of the most dominate features of a game simply because with a more orchestral, more natural sound, players will be moved and shaped by the mood of the music playing behind the event they are at in their game.

Tonight's Comment Question of the day: Would you see an orchestral performance of video game music if it were available?

The Next Generation and DRM (Digital Restrictions Management).

      To a gamer, the term Digital Restrictions Management seems like a dirty phrase. However, this product has wormed its way into every disc-writable media today. DVD's and Blu-Ray's each are marked with affiliated DRM's to ensure that pirated software isn't sent out. While it, in theory, sounds like a grand idea. That isn't the case at all. DRM's communicate with your media to effectively limit your fair use of your media. They can be used to not play on someone else's media player because the DVD or Blu-Ray is marked as yours.

      As for games however, the DRM issue hits used and pre-owned games. Currently, video games today do not have a DRM associated with them. So places like Gamestop, Gamefly, and other retailers can freely trade games and sell used copies. With the next generation of games and consoles coming out soon, those will change. Sony, early on, said that they will use limited DRM's in their system to curb piracy, but recently has rescinded that comment, claiming that DRM's will hurt the company as well as retailers and gamers everywhere. Microsoft has stated (vaguely) that they will use DRM's for their console as well, and has not backed down from this statement. After an interview with IGN.com, Microsoft's Don Mattrick spoke about the speculation around used games and the Xbox One. Mr. Mattrick said that they "would wait till E3" to remark on the used games problem.

      If the use of DRM's makes its way into video games, the response would be problematic. You wouldn't be allowed to let anyone borrow your game for fear of copyright subjugation laws, you wouldn't ever be able to buy used games. Gamestop and other retailers would lose a huge portion of sales, or rather have to skyrocket the price for games to wipe the DRM off of a title, and online retailers like Gamefly would be put out of business. So far, we've only heard one side of the console DRM debate from Sony, and it seems like it's on a good start. But alas, we'll have to hold off until we see everything from E3.

Today's comment question of the day: Would you be happy if games were more expensive in an effort to stop pirating?