BlackDots
Name: BlackDots
Joined On: Sep 06, 2005
Maintag: Black Dots
Age: 31
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Location: Wilmington, DE
Currently: Offline
Last seen: 11/6/09
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01/24/08
It Was Bound to Happen
Well, Canon released a new version of the digital Rebel, called the XSi:
Which means that my XTi, which you see me holding at the picture to the upper left, is now the "older" model. I knew this would happen, and I promised myself I would be OK with it. I usually feel antsy when a new version of something comes out because I start to feel that the iteration I own is horribly outdated and somehow no longer useful. It's a wonder I ever bought an iPod, considering a new model comes out every afternoon. Obviously, the whole concept is ridiculous. My camera is great and I really like it; money well spent. What bugs me is that the technology that has trickled down from the higher product tier, in this case the 40D, has resulted in a camera that is a much larger improvement over the XTi than the XTi was over the XT (do I sound crazy yet? Just wait).
Here are some of the features that I'd like to have on current camera that the XSi features:
- 12MP sensor
- Spot meter
- 3.5 frames per second burst mode
- Face detection and auto lighting optimizer
The XSi also comes with a kit lens that has image stabilization. The kit lens sucks, but IS is handy and usually results in a $250 or more premium over a lens with similar optics, so it's a nice improvement.
Anyway, it's a good camera. It has stuff that mine doesn't, but I think I can deal. I'm more focused on getting better lenses and a real flash now anyway. When I do buy a new body, it will most likely be in the 40D's tier...I hope.
Posted by BlackDots @ 11:11 pm EDT | Permalink | 2 Comments
01/24/08
Turning Point: Fall of Liberty Demo
So, did any one else download this and stop playing after five minutes because the game felt like some sort of self-administered punishment.? Any one? Any one? Bueller?
What a disappointment. The premise is cool, but the game looks bad, the enemies are stupid, the models are ugly, and the controls are clunky. The sensitivity has two settings: too fast and too slow. Maybe they'll polish this off before release, but in terms of piquing my interest in this game, the demo is an absolute failure.
What a disappointment. The premise is cool, but the game looks bad, the enemies are stupid, the models are ugly, and the controls are clunky. The sensitivity has two settings: too fast and too slow. Maybe they'll polish this off before release, but in terms of piquing my interest in this game, the demo is an absolute failure.
Posted by BlackDots @ 12:29 am EDT | Permalink | 3 Comments
01/22/08
This Borders on Indulgent...
...but I couldn't resist.Posted by BlackDots @ 12:08 am EDT | Permalink | 1 Comments
01/20/08
Frontlines: Fuel of War Demo
My brother-in-law tipped me off to the Frontlines demo on Live. I checked the website, and liked the premise, so I downloaded it this morning and gave it a whirl.
It's...OK. First off, I think it looks good. The Unreal 3 engine is a pretty thing, and I think this demo shows us what we can expect in terms of visuals. I also liked the idea of being able to control combat drones. That should add some interesting gameplay elements, especially in multiplayer.
Unfortunately, there are a couple of problems. Before getting into it, let me say I understand this is a demo and the final product is still a month out. Anyway, the AI is stupid. Like, stupid stupid. They don't move much, they don't track you very well as you move around them, and they don't seem to work together. Second, the weapon selection system sucks. It's similar to what was in BF2:MC. The system in the original Xbox version of BF2:MC was OK, but for some reason, the 360 version of the game had a slightly tweaked version of the selection system that drove me nuts. Frontlines' system, unfortunately, is like the 360 version of BF2:MC. Also, the characters are annoying. The jacked-up "let's kick some ass" dimwit character might work in Gears of War, but that's because everything in that game is over the top (e.g. chainsaw bayonet). It might sound boring, but given that the story is meant to be plausible (and I think the cinematic at the beginning of the demo does a great job of setting things up), and we are dealing with the end of the world as we know it, I'd imagine the tone of the game would be a bit more somber and fatalistic. Then again, what the hell do I know?
I'm sorry there was no multiplayer available in the demo. The Battlefield-style play sounds interesting, if they can pull it off. As I've stated before, I love that gametype and I hope it can be faithfully brought to the console at some point. I guess we'll have to wait until next month to see how this all comes together.
It's...OK. First off, I think it looks good. The Unreal 3 engine is a pretty thing, and I think this demo shows us what we can expect in terms of visuals. I also liked the idea of being able to control combat drones. That should add some interesting gameplay elements, especially in multiplayer.
Unfortunately, there are a couple of problems. Before getting into it, let me say I understand this is a demo and the final product is still a month out. Anyway, the AI is stupid. Like, stupid stupid. They don't move much, they don't track you very well as you move around them, and they don't seem to work together. Second, the weapon selection system sucks. It's similar to what was in BF2:MC. The system in the original Xbox version of BF2:MC was OK, but for some reason, the 360 version of the game had a slightly tweaked version of the selection system that drove me nuts. Frontlines' system, unfortunately, is like the 360 version of BF2:MC. Also, the characters are annoying. The jacked-up "let's kick some ass" dimwit character might work in Gears of War, but that's because everything in that game is over the top (e.g. chainsaw bayonet). It might sound boring, but given that the story is meant to be plausible (and I think the cinematic at the beginning of the demo does a great job of setting things up), and we are dealing with the end of the world as we know it, I'd imagine the tone of the game would be a bit more somber and fatalistic. Then again, what the hell do I know?
I'm sorry there was no multiplayer available in the demo. The Battlefield-style play sounds interesting, if they can pull it off. As I've stated before, I love that gametype and I hope it can be faithfully brought to the console at some point. I guess we'll have to wait until next month to see how this all comes together.
Posted by BlackDots @ 9:26 pm EDT | Permalink | 0 Comments
01/20/08
Clinton, Obama Win Nevada
Wha?"A source with knowledge of the Nevada Democratic Party's projections told The Nation that under the arcane weighting system, Obama would win 13 national convention delegates and Clinton would win 12 delegates. The state party has not released an official count yet.
Barack Obama released an official statement celebrating a delegate victory. 'We came from over twenty-five points behind to win more national convention delegates than Hillary Clinton because we performed well all across the state, including rural areas where Democrats have traditionally struggled,' he said."
The Electoral College seems pretty simple by comparison.
Posted by BlackDots @ 3:29 am EDT | Permalink | 1 Comments
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