Player's Perspective Gaming

Today's Suggested Blog Topic is "Is it possible to fall in love with someone's voice?"

And today, I can take people's answers on that. I asked a simple pact of gamers on xbox live, and ZeroOzzy69, has said that it can happen. MasterofMayhem also said that it may seem low, but to some people, its a way of "Love at first sight" but in this case, sound.

Myself, what this blog is really about, Yes. I think it is possible.

That is how I met my first girlfriend. It started out as one of those all too commmon E-relationships, where its the simple "Oh hunny" this and the closer we got, we found out we lived near each other. Sometimes, a simple voice is all it takes to create a frendship, relationship and much more.

Back when the Xbox Live service started, I read a story that was reported by resident reporter Trixie herself on a couple in Canada (I believe...) that had met online and socially played Unreal Tournament regularly for a long while. Then, when they took it to the next level and started to hang out offline, their relationship grew into something more. Later on, they were married and were the first couple to be officially united via the Xbox Live gaming service and are still together today (to my knowledge).

Now, a happy couple. Married, and still happily gaming after, all by a simple voice. They apparently fell in love with each other's voice, whether not that much at first, but certainly over time. Where voice communications are the new text based IM's, you can hear almost anyone now adays by plugging in your headset that came with your xbox. Yet, more and more, the service is being plagued by the smack talkers, immature and underaged people of the internet and society, which are making more and more people forsake thier talking ability and playing their game in silence.

Whether or not someone can consider me a low being for falling in love with a voice of someone I have never met before, I ask this. What if you were lonely enough to just look for a friend. Falling in love doesn't have to be a relationship of love, but that of a loving friendship. There are many relationships that involved a form of love that having nothing to do with the common conception of love, but the simple loving friendship.

So, if you are looking for a simple friend, or are looking for a player 2 in your life, Xbox Live may be answer. I say may, because while the shot is a long one, it certainly is a try. As long as you are spontaneous enough to try, and aren't afraid of being rejection. There is somene for everyone, and it just takes a little bit of time to look, whether the person is in your game right now camping your spawn, topping your kill charts, or on your friends list. If you can hear a voice that you adore, and have an aspiration to top his / her leaderboard of love, you may have the chance, whether its a simple online infatuation or a full blow article of love.

This Review can also be read at http://superthrust.blogspot.com where I attempt to review games all the time. Please, drop by, say hi, and maybe even subscribe. Soon, I will have some Youtube videos for my reviews. Don't worry, not all are as lame as some. WARNING, Most of my reviews May and most likely WILL contain Spoilers. READERS BEWARE!!

Now, where do I begin...Bethesda, the creator of some of the best RPG's to play that don't involve a monthly fee, constant internet subscription or are horribly addic--nevermind, that last one is the worst one to say. Bethesda created the Elder Scroll's series, including the pinnacle of the series, Oblivion, which I am sure, if you are reading this, you have played at least once. And now, their gaming greatness, have done it again.

Fallout 3, will take you deep into the past of a post-apocolyptic world that has to have happend sometime in the late 50's or so (I am only going by the music, talk of Commy's and way things seem in the game). While the game can be classified as a awesome gaming experiance, I cannot help but notice that I am playing a similar game.

Now, this is where I will have people screaming at me, leaving hateful comments, downvoting, death-threats, etc., but please, keep in mind, I have NOT beaten the game, nor even followed the story of either of them. Yes, I am one of the people who treat the game as a simple sandbox to run around and kill anything that moves or farts wrong, steal anything that isn't bolted down to the floor and calculating exactly how much I can carry to the point where i am 1 point from being over encumbered with loot.

Now, Down to the nitty-gritty. Fallout 3 is easy on the eyes, ears and other loved senses. It treats your mind to a plethora of joy in the simple opening video. Once you start the game, you are born. Yes, born into a "Vault" like underground housing system that was created to keep radiation out, and you in. Your father, Qui Gon--I mean, Liam Neeson (Great voice actor, Star Wars, Batman Begins, & Taken) explains to you who you are, and allows you to pick your future self. Once you have decided whether you will have a full out Fu-Man-Chu or a "Tony Stark Stache", your mother passes and the game jumps you a few years / months ahead, where you pick stats and learn some basics. Past that, you have a birthday party, where you are awarded the very easy to use inventory system and meet some of the characters in the game. After a quick introduction by your hellish bullies, potential love interest, and other characters, you are treated to the bread and butter of the game. The combat system.

This is where I fell in love with the game. Now, when Oblivion was first announced, the combat system, graphics, and feel of the game was enough to make any non-RPG player to at least check out the game and to this day, they still play it because, by god, it is addicting. This combat system, takes Oblivion's and throws it out the window, but not before Drop Kicking it.

The "VATS" system, add's a shooter's dream to the game. While the "bullet time" feel to it seems a little redundant, the fact that you can pick which part of the enemy that you want to defile, makes me love it much more. While you are simply hunting a pesky roach at the beginning, it allows you to choose to shoot it in the back, head, each of its legs, butt, left antenna or wallet pocket...ok, so im joking about the last 2, but its etensive.

After learning the combat system, you will be thrusted later into the future, where you must take a test deciding your Profession, or as a term we are all comfortable with, "Class" by taking a funny test in game known as the "G.O.A.T."...I never cared enough to know what that meant. After your class is chosen, the fun begins...you find your daddy has ran out of the vault and for some odd reason, his best friend was murdered and now you are being hunted. While running out, you gain some weapons, basic armor, and have a chance to get back at your bullies, affecting your Karma (I'll get to that later...).

Once you are done with the beginning, you have completed your "Oblivion entry dungeon" level, and are now free to roam the open world...

Here is where I began making my judgements and allegations. Bethesda got a little bit lazy. If you remember playing the very beginning of Oblivion, as soon as you came out of the dungeon, you came out of the side of a mountain, and were treated to a lush plethora of grass blowing, trees swaying, and some deer prancing by, with land as FAR as the eye can see...or at least your Far Plane clip (PC users). Fallout 3, is very very similar. Land. Lots of it. Almost if you took a simple spot, and copy & pasted it over and over again, adding a few baddies every few feet, copying that of Oblivion. Imagine Cyrodil after being hit with a few Nukes. Welcome to post War DC.

Which leads me to my next two things. The baddies, horribly over powered at first. When I first "Escaped", I was greeted with a welcoming party of VERY angry bandits, who told me I "was not going to make it out alive" and immediatly started firing at me off screen...from a long ways away...and hit me with every shot... As i turned around, I was smacked with a flamethrower, set ablaze, and respawned after watching a slow-motion ass whooping of my character. When I finally came back, again, i was greeted with the gun-toting bafoons of the future-past, and killed. After 5 times, I started to run and sucked down every restorative item I had on me until I ran inside a house occupied by a former lady of the night.

This is when I engaged in coversation and noticed the new Karma system. Upon further investigation, I found out that all your actions in the game affected your charisma and how people saw you, and your story's outcome. This quickly changed when I stole everything this woman had, and shot her several times. Wielding a new weapon, more liqour than i knew what to do with, and a bunch of health items and drugs, I ran outside and quickly dispatched my pursuers. After it all, I noticed I had quite a bit of lower Karma. Karma system Bad. So, i decided to make it worse.

While the game is great on the eyes in this apocolyptic world, I wouldn't like to take a trip here any time soon. Now, i say that when the world ends, it will be a Nuclear war (like this game) or a Zombie Apocolypse (please see L4D review). The controls just flow into the game inside and out, with ease, while the audio is amazing down to the effects.

But the fun factor falls where some of the bad guys are simply too strong for your low level character until you beat them all. I was strolling down the street, seeking out a story point, when suddenly the combat music came on. I was immediatly in the middle of a firefight between some bandits and "Super-Mutants" who look like some serious steroids abusers. After they riddled my body with as many bullets as they could, they turned to each other while i was hiding.

Feeling inexperianced, I shut down the game for a little while. When I came back, I realized that I was not going to win this fight till later. I ran around seeking anything I could fight and kill in the game, to get stronger. After awhile, I had killed almost everything in the game...minus Liberty Prime. Then, once you have killed the baddies of the world, most do not respawn (at least they didn't for me), Leaving replay / rekill value at a very minimum for me, until the DLC comes out.

Not to mention, the fact that you have a level cap brings me down as well. I do not have the DLC nor will i be buying any part of Alaska (no offense) but I have had enough of it. But, I would have rather been happier to just kill anything that movies to raise my level to infinity rather than pay for an update. Although, I see their point they are subtlely tying to make. They would rather not want the player to out level all of the new content and FLY through it without dying once (I.E., Wrath of the Lich King's Level restriction / gear).

After all is said and done involving this game, I would rather play it for a bit when I have exausted all of my library of games, ran out of a XBL gold membership, and are playing something simply passing the time for a class, waiting for laundry or cooking. I recommend this game TO EVERYONE, whether you are a RPG player or not. Everyone will love this game, if not forever, then for a moment. This game is definitly a fun, time passing game, that is graphically gorgeous and sounds great in surround sound. Just keep in mind, there is a limit to your enjoyment, level and how much some people can take by going back over and over in the game.

Now if you will excuse me, I will be getting back to watching my friend annihilate the hordes of hogs in Kung Fu Panda, since she loves it, while i contemplate on more 1 liners from CSI: Miami, and sip my Monster Assault.

Just another installment of the Epic Gaming News. Not much here to report on, but if i think of anything more, ill add it in Break Installments.

Anyways, my weekend went good. For once. I went to spend it with a very special friend to me and as we hung out for the weekend, we had dinner, and walked around the mall and stores of Kalamazoo. I was approached by a reader who recognized me and it made me happier, knowing that I am not typing this all for my health, and worse condition of carpel tunnel...or however you spell it.

Full Story Here


With that link, you can see the latest in the ongoing trial for violations of Blizzard's DMCA and EULA licensing that some of you may click accept to, every time you install a patch, new game, or access the forums. This, however, also leads a scary assault on the limit and the extent of the DMCA that was signed and brought into the world in 1998. If used correctly, the information in this case can be used to stop the advance of many software companies or developers, who may attempt to bring something into a market, only to be shot down so a larger developer may maintain superiority, and basically, "Cutting out the Little guy".

The recent events in this case, justify that "Glider", a program developed by MDY Industries LLC, is classified as a Circumvention device, allowing players to bypass "The Warden's" detection capabilities and allowing players to access all of Blizzards "Non-Literal" content at once, allowing the reproduction of content to potential non-subscribers / non-license owners, and allowing the players who access the game unrestricted benefits that give some players the upper hand making it easier to kill others, farm faster and longer, and frankly, making the game a harder "world" to enjoy themselves in.

For those that do not know what glider is, Its is a program that allows you to not be at your computer, while the program plays your chracter for you. You can be outside, at work, asleep, school or wherever else you would like, while your character continues to level, grind and farm up those very costly materials that sell for big tickets on the Auction house. While some players see this as a non-issue, others who are legitimate can surely attest to the damages that programs like these are causing. As many players have seen in the ever changing economy in World of Warcraft, it is hard for one person to make any gold, when another is over-flooding the auction house with their own over farmed, illegitimately obtained materials. It is also known that most gold farmers / sellers use these types of programs to make their sales and transactions.

Where this is proving that Glider is in fact illegal and bad for the legitimate players of the game, this is also opening up many windows for all companies to lay an excuse that many other programs, which do not access the game or software in question, my also be in violation of the DMCA or personal copyright infringement acts. The result for a guilty charge for violation of Blizzard's DMCA or EULA; up to $150,000 in fines, termination of your license for the software (Ban Hammer) and Second or First degree Copyright Infringement.

As noted, this ruling is similar to the Garage Door Opener & Printer trials that were filed awhile ago, and how other companies attempted to shoot down their competition by claiming similarities with the product, and claiming Copyright Infringement. Also noted, the ruling may include all forms of content reproduction, including screen capture or reproduction of "Non-literal" content for the non-licensees, and possible other violations, with candidacy for fines, is the Naming Violation clause, that has apparently been recently updated.

In summary, I don't really know about you readers, but if i plan on making a PvP video, or any type of content video, i would not like to be banned for it, because of a violation of the EULA or something. This is all very troubling not only for WoW players, but all gamers alike, as it could open a very large window to what is considered DMCA violation, even by simply accessing content.

Gaming. A part of us that might have been developed early in our life by visiting the local arcade and saving the world from a breakout at Area 51, or perhaps your a bit more experienced and traversed the Asteroids career. Well, i have some news for you. Those good old days might be brought back by a man with a dream to offer a gaming experience, enjoyable by all. Most people's idea is just to make money. His, is the simple goal of making other happy and getting them into Gaming.

This all started with my long trip. Over the past weekend, I have been on a little self vacation into Mt. Pleasant, visiting a great friend whose lonely in college by herself. While on the trip, I was sure to bring along my counterpart Superboost (Logan).

While looking for an all you can eat KFC buffet, we came across a store located at 710 North Mission Street named "GameGo".

Now, the gamers that we are, were completely compelled to stop and have a look, and aside from our curiosity, we were also looking for a place that sold Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars. So, we got through the hellish traffic that was Friday's rush hour, and walked inside...

What we seen, was a complete oasis for gamers.

A plethora of sounds, lights, symphony's and little warm feelings inside came about use upon entering this gaming sanctuary.

Picture a business...a large, widened room, filled to the brim with computers, Xbox's, Xbox 360's, PlayStation 2's and 3's, Wii's GIANT screen plasma TV's, and Projectors displaying Mario Kart on the wall, at a giant 12 foot (give or take) size. Well, that's what i seen. Now, imagine it all at your reach, and for a GREAT price.

All it takes to play till your hearts content is a trip to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, a valid Driver's License, and a small amount of money in your pocket depending on how much you want to game while your up here. The prices happen to be $5 for people who are not members, $4 for members.

Whats that? You'd like to become a member for an awesome place like this? Well, all it takes is $60 in your wallet, which will get you the discounted price for all year round. Well, I'm sure your thinking that maybe since you paid the $60, you should get these times for free? Well, instead, GameGo hosts some good competitions. All you do now, instead of coming into here and depositing money on a admission, this Year-Long membership, will grant you FREE admission into these events.

While they have 14 computers available for gaming on, which has just about any game you would like to play, they are expanding even MORE. Ian, the store owner and Entrepreneur, says he will soon be expanding quite a bit and is even aiming for the licenses and such to have his own sandwich / cafe' inside the lounge.

At the moment, he simply has a few machines that dispense all the Monster, Coca-Cola, Jolt, Bawls, and Red Bull that can quench the thirst of an army, he also has some healthy stuff like Life Water or for the tasteful of the tasteless, good old fashioned water. He also sells a variety of snacks as well, including some little Snickers bars, Twix, and small bags of chips, making this truly a gaming experience.

So, your not really into computer gaming? Well, there are 3 Xbox 360's, 3 PlayStation 3's, 3 Wii's, an Xbox Original & a PlayStation 2.

As i mentioned, the biggest LCD is a 74'' 1080p screen for your gaming pleasure, to fully maximize the experience from the Xbox 360 console and the PlayStation 3 & Wii. While the big screen may be used at the moment, there are also 42'' LCD's along the wide wall which house PlayStation 3's and Xbox 360's for a little 1v1 or 2v2, or just an all out fun match, or Solo play, ready for battle and enjoyment.

Maybe your into a little new age. Maybe, you like to use your hands? Maybe, 74', just isn't big enough for you. Well, it just so happens, that the Wii's here happen to be hooked up to some digital projectors with utilize surround sound and house Wii's. The size you ask? Well, how does a 106' of High-Def game play sound to you? Made me ecstatic when I heard it.

Now, back to the gaming computers. These computers, all custom built by the owner, Have the max vista rating possible for most computers today. Liquid cooled, Quad-Core processors, DDR3 ram, 9700 Graphics cards, and all gaming hardware that could tickle your fancy. Were talking Logitech G15's and G5 mice for your gaming pleasure.

So, maybe your all thinking, "Man, how do i get a computer like this?". Well, it just so happens, that he runs a small part store inside the shop! If there is something that he does not have in the store, he will find it specially for you online and build it. All you need is the will, the money and the idea. Any type of gaming machine that you can think of, he can bring to a physical being with a little help from your mind.

If this article and informational has tweaked your interest, you might be interested to check out their website at www.gamegocomputers.com and plan a little expedition for your crew soon. This place, is definitely something to look at, as there aren't too many places left around that can offer this type of gaming stimulation. Perhaps you would like to host a little gaming event that you would like to personally set up, well, drop them a line at 1-989-779-0482, or an email at gamegocomputers@msn.com.

Happy Gaming,

Superthrust