Broken Reality http://broken-reality.org Student, Geek, Bastard. Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:09:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 en hourly 1 Portal 2 Hype & Theory http://broken-reality.org/?p=304 http://broken-reality.org/?p=304#comments Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:09:13 +0000 Mr Carrick http://broken-reality.org/?p=304 It’s been an age since i updated my blog, sorry about that but i’ve been busy with Uni. I’ve spent a while writing this theory based on the recent Portal Update which saw the continuation of Valve drip feeding information about Portal 2 to the community. Thought i might as well post it here.

11th March can be the only reveal we’re getting from all of this. It just makes sense, in order to build the hype and get people to keep digging.

Yes, Gabe is getting an award then but Valve as a business are also at the GDC as an exhibitor, so they obviously have something to show. Yes they’re probably going to be showing the L4D2 DLC off again; maybe even this is when they’ll drop information about the Engineer update.

However, the GDC runs 9th through to the 13th of March, the 11th being the start of the actual ‘expo’ part of the event. When better than to drop the bomb of Portal 2 for their 2010 Holiday Release?

Although it saddens me I don’t think we’re gonna see Episode 3 here, there isn’t enough information for that – this has to be and only can be Portal 2.

After all it certainly seems Valve only turn out one major release of their own making in a year. Let’s face it that’s a good thing, they churn out heaps of DLC after-all!

Left 4 Dead 2’s release was Valve in 2009 and since it’s been DLC all the way since then, the core development team must be up to something. ‘Still Alive’ being on a jukebox in L4D2 an easter egg? To me that was Valve telling you what they were developing next and the actual beginning of this information drip teaser.

Based on the giant image montage of the BBS outputs GLaDOS 3.11 is pretty much the last piece of information we get, i.e. the reveal date, with the exception of information from C Johnson, former Aperture Science CEO. So where does he fit in?

GLaDOS was destroyed, she’s Still Alive and was obviously somewhere after the explosion at the main Aperture Facility in a very basic, logic driven program. In order to restore herself properly she must have had to access various systems, one of which being where the AI created from Cave Johnson’s mind and memories was stored.

Cave Johnson was cast months and months ago based on information relating to the casting call and was identified in that as being ‘a side kick and eventually the main antagonist’ due to an increasing level of psychosis. This is bound to be caused by his furthered mental capacity via machinery and computing and not being able to cope with it. After all he was denied his Olympia by the humans who fought to save his mind, that’s obviously your fault in the end!

Now perhaps due to GLaDOS’s weakened state and the removal of her emotional components in the last game (Morality, Curiosity, Emotion, Cake) they are now both the same, the foundation of GLaDOS is in Portal 2 but the various previously manufactured personality traits (from the cores) are all down to Cave’s stored consciousness.

From the casting call script samples, it appears that things will be very much the same, a ‘test subject’ having to complete a series of trials, guided by the AI in control of the facility. ‘CaveDOS’ is obviously doing this now as the basic, core functionality of the programming instructs ‘him’ to do so.

It’ll be the rest of his discovery and pondering of his memories followed by his logic driven realisations that cause him to turn sour as you progress, resulting in him being much like GLaDOS and out to get you.

This is just GLaDOS again. With a new mind.

And that is awesome.

]]> http://broken-reality.org/?feed=rss2&p=304 2010 http://broken-reality.org/?p=302 http://broken-reality.org/?p=302#comments Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:16:58 +0000 Mr Carrick http://broken-reality.org/?p=302 Happy New Year.

That’s it for this year, nothing more to see here.

]]> http://broken-reality.org/?feed=rss2&p=302 Finally Mr Carrick. http://broken-reality.org/?p=291 http://broken-reality.org/?p=291#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:18:49 +0000 Mr Carrick http://broken-reality.org/?p=291 Finally after 5 years of being a Mr, my bank have finally realised i am no longer 15.

A Famous Mr.

As is the norm when i was a wee lad i was always known as Master Carrick on all corrospondance from my bank and pretty much everyone else. At the age of 16 my account was upgraded to a proper persons bank account and i got my hands on the delight of a Debit Card. Hurrah.

I was still Master Carrick.

Over the year i got the use out of my new card and with being young and care free managed to crack it after about 24 months, the Master thing hadn’t bothered me but i guessed the bank would realise when i popped in to order a new card, after a week my new card arrived.

I was still Master Carrick.

This card served me well although it still carried the Master title at the age of 18 but sadly this time around i managed to pop the chip out of it, it would seem bank cards don’t last very long under my care, as ontop of that the signature strip had all but disolved. I popped to the bank and ordered a new card, asking the lady who served me to update my details, as being being 18 i was deffinetly a Mr by now, she confirmed the update and told me my card would be with me within 7 days. It was here in 5.

I was still Master Carrick.

I was abit miffed at that one as i had even asked and was told my account details had been amended and yet here i am, being old school and sounding like i should have a man named Alfred wandering around my house bringing me cocktails for all occasions.

Finally last week the new split in my debit card got to the point where the chip was once again threatening to fall out and the signature strip was again unreadable. So off to the bank i popped to order another new card, yes 4 cards in 5 years, not the best of times really. I asked to update my details, again this was confirmed to me. I left.

I got my new card today.

I am no longer Master Carrick.

]]> http://broken-reality.org/?feed=rss2&p=291 Christ. It’s September. http://broken-reality.org/?p=286 http://broken-reality.org/?p=286#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:21:01 +0000 Mr Carrick http://broken-reality.org/?p=286 When did this happen?

I set my blog page as my homepage many moons ago in an attempt to cause activity and instead it just caused me to visit other websites far sooner.

Since last time i’ve turned 21, which was an interesting experience and has thus far been pretty cool. Granted it seems that my hangovers have increased in magnitude by around 137% which is damn annoying. It’s either that or i can now drink far more alcohol in a shorter time. The latter seems possible due to summer based fun times consumption but i hope not.

At the end of July I left a year working in the IT industry behind me, i had been working in the public sector carrying out IT related jobs for the good of the land. I learned a lot, granted not all of it was related to my degree but I’m sure it will all come in handy one day. I had a great year, got to know a bunch of great people, made some great new friends and got to experience the 5 day, 9-5 grind of the real world. That’s the one element i am thankful to leave behind, at least for a little while.

While having a blast at  my Birthday celebrations i picked me up a lady friend who i’ve missed dearly over the last couple of weeks as she’s been off indulging her nerdy core in the US but i get to see her again soon!

During the Summer i have continued to graft my arse off for the good of my employment which i still enjoy rather alot. Which seems to scare people sometimes. I have also squeezed in a fair bit of gaming during this time too, finally elevating myself above the 10,000 gamerscore level and quite rapidly above it’s older cousin. 11,000. This pleases me. However my grafting as many hours i am able to get my grubby mits on, while still actually finding time to play some video games, is soon to come to an end.

This is because it is September. That month in the year which delivers the gloom of the dark, cold nights of Winter and also a return to educational establishments for people everywhere. I am going back to University.

This prospect haunts my very soul.

]]> http://broken-reality.org/?feed=rss2&p=286 Wireless Power As Soon As 2011? http://broken-reality.org/?p=281 http://broken-reality.org/?p=281#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:31:29 +0000 Mr Carrick http://broken-reality.org/?p=281 Almost a year ago i got all excited and giddy over the concept of Wireless Power and how magical and fantastic it would be in the realms of fantasy and science fiction as at the time the idea seemed to be way off in terms of actually, you know, happening.

It would appear atleast that last part was utter bollocks.

Wireless power is much, much closer to actually making it’s way into our homes and i’m really rather excited by that, after the jump we have a Gent from a new company called - funnily enough - WiTricity Corp. telling us all about our futures.

Now i’m sure it’s not just me who thinks this news is awesome.

Shame the BBC News lady was a bit of a snotty cow towards the end.

]]> http://broken-reality.org/?feed=rss2&p=281 Oh, Bugger. http://broken-reality.org/?p=277 http://broken-reality.org/?p=277#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:42:34 +0000 Mr Carrick http://broken-reality.org/?p=277

While watching Dave ja vu - as my Freeview won’t pick up the original - i saw thier advert for the new 8pm line up including The Fast Show. I had to find my favorite clip.

Thanks Unlucky Al!

]]> http://broken-reality.org/?feed=rss2&p=277 Glastonbury ‘09 Here I Come! http://broken-reality.org/?p=269 http://broken-reality.org/?p=269#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:14:07 +0000 Mr Carrick http://broken-reality.org/?p=269 polluteSo it’s that time of year again where i fuck off to the glorious west country (all roight moi luvur?!) to get drunk in a field and enjoy some fantastic musics!

Of course i’m talking about Glastonbury and i’m totally excited to get going tomorrow for the giant party experience. Especially since i’m not living in a tent the size of a small postage stamp this year, luxury was my aim for my drunken field sleeping!

The line up looks brilliant too, some bands i’ve want to see (again) for quite a while now! Really looking forward to some of the acts this year.

In particular;

  • Maximo Park
  • Pendulum
  • Art Brut
  • Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip
  • Prodigy
  • Madness
  • Kasabian
  • Bloc Party
  • Metronomy

If i don’t see atleast 90% of those acts i’ll be a little bit not pleased but that is the nature of these things!

I may even have time to pop in on the social commentator Mr Rascal. I believe his famous words once were: “Wassup Darlin?!”

It’s 1:15am and i set off at 9:45. D’oh, off to bed then!

Oh and that’s an actual sign from the Festival last year!

]]> http://broken-reality.org/?feed=rss2&p=269 E3:2009 - Fail Scale. http://broken-reality.org/?p=257 http://broken-reality.org/?p=257#comments Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:04:11 +0000 Mr Carrick http://broken-reality.org/?p=257 e3Ok, so i watched a few more of the larger E3 pressers and have had my brain filled with gaming based goodness - and badness - coming in the next 12-18 months. Here’s how i reacted to the rest of the conferencess i watched in the format of the Fail Scale.

I’ve also added elements from the Microsoft Conference, even re-evaluating some with a little bit more of a mature outlook.

Epic Win

  • Metroid: Other M (Nintendo/Team Ninja) - Team Ninja are pretty good behind the wheel of development, nice to see the gameplay style refreshed.
  • Doesn’t Give a Fuck Translator (Sony) - Such a stella performance, i wonder if he managed to finish his sudoku. I was giggling away to myself as i watched his live scribbling.
  • Final Fantasy VII PSP (Sony) - So many people will lose so much of their lives again. It’s almost tempting to pick up a PSP to re-live this one.
  • Project Natal (Microsoft) - If this works it will really change the face of gaming. If it works. Reaction from the gaming press seem pretty positive and the live tech demos were great viewing too. Seems pretty accurate but i can see it falling short of 1:1 accuracy for some things.
  • Motion Control (Sony) - Although still tied to an element of hardware in the hand this is what Nintendo should have had in terms of accuracy when the Wii launched. Very impressed on seeing this due to the rendering of objects in the hand of the player via the EyeToy and the extra functionality the 1:1 accuracy brings.
  • Metal Gear Solid Rising (Microsoft) - A big win for my current console’s creator, they have their fingers in many pies.
  • Halo ODST (Bungie/Microsoft) - I’m a huge Halo Nerd. I can’t help it. Looks like it will be fantastic.
  • Halo: Reach (Bungie/Microsoft) - See Above.
  • Left 4 Dead 2 (Valve) - The first game was awesome, a real action game that had me on the edge of my seat. More of the same in this case is something i will certainly be buying.
  • The Sabatour (EA) - This game looks awesome. I read a long preview about it not long ago and it got me looking forward it. Will to Fight. Cool. Disguises. Cool. Strip clubs. Awesome.
  • Brutal Legend (EA) - Looks entertaining, funny and seems to be packed with quotable one liners. Hence it gets an Epic Win.
  • Star Wars: Old Republic (EA/BioWare) - A return to KOTOR victory for BioWare, i hope the excellence of the single player games spills directly into the MMO. Certainly looks impressive thus far.
  • ModNation Racing (Sony) - This game looks awesome. This and LittleBigPlanet almost justify owning a PS3.

Win

  • Mario Galaxy 2 (Nintendo) - Would have prefered a traditional world/setting
  • New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo) - Good Game, Good Fun.
  • The Conduit (Sega) - Looks pretty good for a Wii action game, well done Sega on managing some new IP
  • Avatar (Ubisoft) - Looks pretty, sounds nuts.
  • Assassin’s Creed II (Ubisoft) - I got bored of the first one, perhaps didn’t give it enough of a chance. New elements in the sequel combined with a much more rich setting gain this a Win.
  • Information Security (Sony) - Light hearted about recent Sony leaks, i appreciate this.
  • Uncharted II (Sony/Naughty Dog) - The first game looked pretty cool, this one does aswell although in the live demo Drake seemed to take approximately a quarter of a million bullets. This has jumped into Win due to the delivery of this line: “Do you have a plan to go with that grenade?!” Shame about the Gears of War cover system.
  • PSP Go (Sony) - Those who know me, may be suprised by this grading. I’m not sure how this will sell but it’s an attractive bit of kit, plus i have to pass kudos for pushing digital distribution in such an aggressive manner. Just hope Retail has a part to play outside of hardware sales. Nice to see Sony trying to revive the PSP too.
  • Agent (Sony/Rockstar) - Sounds pretty good, too little info currently.
  • Xbox Dashboard Update (Microsoft) - Sky TV, Last.fm, Zune Video and On-Demand Gaming, thank you very much. Not sure how much i’ll use them but a great update regardless.
  • Alan Wake (Microsoft) - This looks crap-your-pants-and-not-sleep-while-sober scary. Nice to actually see the game. Well done, you’re not Duke Nukem Forever.
  • Crackdown (Microsoft/?) - The first Crackdown was brilliant, such a refreshing way to play an action game and linking in some suprisingly ‘platform’ feelings. I hope the second hasn’t been wrecked with it’s apparant grittier look and inclusion of monsters. Shame it’s changed hands development wise too.
  • Madden (EA Sports) - Never played one. Never intend to. Only reason this gets a Win is due to the hilarious video showed during the segment.

Meh

  • Wii Motion Plus (Nintendo) - Announced last year, should have been at this level at launch.
  • Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo)
  • Shaun White Snowboarding (Nintendo/Ubi) - No one cares.
  • Red Steel 2 (Nintendo/Ubisoft) - Like its requirement, the original should have performed in this manner.
  • Splinter Cell: Conviction (Ubisoft) - Lack of love for Tom Clany aside, some of the story telling elements and environmental vehicles for narration look really cool in this. If this was a new espionage IP it would be up a level.
  • PlayStation 2 (Sony) - It continues to exist, i long for it to move on with the Xbox Original. Although there are still an impressive 100 new titles due this year, however i’m sure we’ve not seen that many in the last two.
  • MAG (Sony) - ‘Massive Action Game’ although technically impressive, in the imperfect world of real internet connections, this will be quickly renamed LAG. It was very, very modern though and sadly by that i mean equiped with a wide colour palette of brown and well, grey. Just brown and grey.
  • Gran Turismo PSP (Sony) - Looks really good for a PSP game. Far too long in development though.
  • MGS PSP (Sony) - I’m not a fan of the series, sorry.
  • Beatles Rockband (Harmonix) - Not a music game fan. Not a Beatles fan. I did enjoy the slight cock up in the live performance. Intro video was schweet.
  • Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward) - Meh? Never a huge fan.
  • Dragon Age (EA) - I forget what this was.
  • Mass Effect 2 (EA/BioWare) - The first one bored me. It was certainly no KOTOR.
  • MMA & Fight Night (EA Sports) - Fighting games. Meh.
  • Grand Slam Tennis (EA Sports)

Fail

  • Resident Evil (Nintendo/Capcom) - Not a Resi fan, so this gets a Fail, would have been Epic Fail but looks to be a new story atleast.
  • Dead Space Wii (Nintendo/EA) - Meh. I am not a fan of WiiMakes.
  • Rabbids Go Home (Ubisoft) - Can we please have a Rayman Platformer? Please?!
  • Your Shape (Ubisoft) - Another Wii Fit clone but with Not-Project-Natal.
  • TMNT (Ubisoft) - I fail to recall why this is in this category.
  • Gran Turismo 5 (Sony) - Looks nice but the competition have taken this market from you i feel.
  • Forza Motorsport 3 (Microsoft) - I think with the power of Xbox Live behind it, this will be a better gaming experience than GT5. I just don’t like racing simulators, they feel like i’m racing treacle.

Epic Fail

  • DSi Facebook Photo Uploads (Nintendo) - It’s a POINT THREE megapixel camera, good enough for the platform, pathetic outside of that realm.
  • Vitality Sensor (Nintendo) - Seems to be something that is going to be aggressivly shoe-horned into the system, little point to it and very little explaination at where this product might - if it does at all - go.
  • U Play (Ubisoft) - Damn it Ubisoft. We don’t need another community platform, the console divide is enough, we need to unite the gaming populace nevermind start implementing per-publisher ‘dashboards’.
  • Imagine Series (Ubisoft) - Please, leave this stuff for the show floor and low key annoucements. Yes it’s making you a considerable amount of money but the geeks want action. Not Hamsters, Hair and Fashion. Fashionable Permed Hamsters. There you go, a new game from Ubisoft this Holiday Season.
  • Being Late (Sony) - tut tut Sony, 10 minutes late!
  • Metal Gear Solid Rising (Sony) - This Fails for Sony as much as it Wins for Microsoft.
  • Need For Speed (EA) - Not a racing ’sim’ but not exactly the best racer in the world. Plus we really don’t need three versions, especially when the studio didn’t manage to get the PS3/X360 version last year to even work at release.

So many games, so much news and this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes E3 2009. I’ve been swamped with news and have taken most of it in. One thing i can certainly say about the coming gaming year:

I’m really looking forward to it.

]]> http://broken-reality.org/?feed=rss2&p=257 E3:2009 - Microsoft Press Conference. http://broken-reality.org/?p=245 http://broken-reality.org/?p=245#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:17:12 +0000 Mr Carrick http://broken-reality.org/?p=245 Rather than do a write up, i tweeted my initial reactions to the M$ Conference this year. It makes no sense but i don’t care. You can find my ramblings at http://twitter.com/MrCarrick as ususal.

However i did quite enjoy some of the mentions. I loved the original Crackdown and so a return to this franchise is much welcomed but i will have to see how much love i will send their way when more is revealed. The game now looks a lot less cell shaded, more gritty and well has zombies and monsters in it.

Like everything else.

Speaking of Zombies a return to another much loved game and the IP of the year for me from 2008 - Left 4 Dead.

The second installment sees 4 new survivors, 5 new campaigns, new special zombies along with alterations to the ones we know and love (to kill); such as Wandering Witches. It seems not all emos hide from the sun as the Witch likes to wander about when it’s day light rather than sit and cut herself.

There’re two doses of Halo loving for me in the next 18 months with both Halo ODST AND Halo Reach a previously hidden project buried deep in the earth’s crust whom no one could gaze upon untill today.

Both look awesome.

Now what else… let’s head toward the (and i will say personal oppinion, i appreciate some people like these games*) fail scale.

LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4. Fail.

Forza 3. Treacle Fail.

Cliffy B. Life Fail.

Tom Clancy Presents: Tom Clancy’s: Tom Clancy’s: Splinter Cell: Conviction by Tom Clancy, Presented by Tom Clancy. Tom Clancy Fail.

Metal Gear Solid. Sony Fail.

Natal Man Borking his Avatar. Windows 98 BSOD Fail.

And for the Win…

Natal (if it works). Win.

Metal Gear Solid. Xbox Win.

Sky, Last.fm & Zune. Win.

Arkham Asylum. Sexy Lady Win.

Beatles Cock Up. Fail Win.

Alan Wakes Existance. Not Duke Nukem Win.

Appart from those slanted views toward the 360 conference, there was something called Modern Warfare 2 as well. Who knew Infinity Ward made games eh?

Oh, Chuck Norris can do all of the push ups, in answer to your question Microsoft.

*Except Splinter Cell. That IS Fail.

EDIT: Just found this. Nice.

]]> http://broken-reality.org/?feed=rss2&p=245 Ooo Fusion. http://broken-reality.org/?p=230 http://broken-reality.org/?p=230#comments Mon, 25 May 2009 06:39:54 +0000 Mr Carrick http://broken-reality.org/?p=230 Safe Hot Fiery Death - Coming to a Power Plant Near You?

Ooo Pretty Death

The very clever people of the word are at it again, hoping to answer more questions such as can we use fusion as clean energy, what’s the real deal with stars themselves and again for planetary systems; least* importantly of course it’s to have a whopping great nuclear deterrent on America’s door step.

To me it sounds very interesting, as I always enjoy a bit of big science.

Now to wait for people to start screaming the end of the world by us being sucked into a homemade black hole, splitting the planet in two or baking ourselves to mush.

Read what I’m on about, here.

Just a short one today as I’m ill and in pain.

*Most, obviously - we know your game, America.
]]> http://broken-reality.org/?feed=rss2&p=230