By Cyrris , 2nd December 1:54 pm
The latest controversy over on GameSpot is simply the most recent example of why I no longer visit large all-encompassing game media sites. Back in the day I was a frequent visitor of GameSpy and GameSpot - so much so that I’d often end up typing “gamespoy.com” in to my address bar in a subconcious attempt to go to both at the same time.
I’ve thought about writing this piece for a long time, because I have a lot to say about the current state of the gaming sites I used to love. I didn’t, however, want to drag this site down in to an out-and-out bitch fest. Given the latest happenings on GameSpot, however, I can’t help but let everyone know what happens to a gaming site when the establishment goes from being passionate to being corporate.
» Read all of “Gaming Media: The Suits March On“…
By Cyrris , 28th October 1:30 pm
I have been playing a lot of Team Fortress 2 lately, and it’s been fun. Despite being based on the same engine as Half-Life 2 and CS:Source (which my PC runs flawlessly), TF2 has been pushing my computer over the edge, with low framerates during the more intense firefights. On top of this, the performance of the Unreal Tournament 3 demo and the Crysis singleplayer demo has made it all rather obvious: my PC can’t hack it anymore.
On the one hand, I am loathe to spend so much on what will now only be used on a handful of games - unlike before, I now tend to just stick to a few treasured series. It will also be less of an upgrade and more of a… complete replacement. Most of the technologies inside my current box (AMD Socket 939, DDR memory, AGP graphics) are all well and truly out of date, and aren’t going to catch up to the demands of modern games with a simple component upgrade here and there. I’ve never had to buy a whole new box up straight before.
» Read all of “It’s Getting to That Time Again“…
By Cyrris , 6th October 5:26 pm
Today I bit the bullet and went out to buy a new mouse. My Logitech MX500 has served me well over the last 4 years or so, but it was in a terrible state of disrepair. I wasn’t too concerned about the paint chipping off the logo, but having one of the slick pads constantly dislodging itself underneath was starting to drive me nuts. On top of that, I had to open the mouse up to stuff some paper under the left mouse button to make it contact with the clicker more solidly, as it had started to miss clicks. Then the scroll wheel started to feel wierd.
So, my goal for a new mouse was basically to find something as close to the MX500 as possible. The shape and weight of it were perfect for me, and I am not one to like changes to my computing habits, so similarity was a must. Thankfully, Logitech provides exactly that in the latest revision of it’s G5 mouse. As you can see, it’s the same shape and features mostly the same buttons as it’s predecessor:
On top of being very similar to an already excellent mouse, the G5 has some bonuses. Changable weights (which of course I used to get the exact same weight as the MX500), side-tilts on the scroll wheel, a fabric cord, much better grip texture, and the laser engine features a 3-tier DPI precision selector. The pads on the bottom are also much larger, less prone to coming off, and much, much slicker. Given how much I use it, the $AU 66 seems like a worthwhile investment, even if most of its extra features are completely superfluous.
By Cyrris , 1st October 8:59 pm
No, we haven’t been taken over by an army of Barbie dolls. Rather, the change you see on Aelon today is for a cause. While pink isn’t exactly my favourite colour, the cause is a worthy one. Pink for October is the brainchild of Matthew Oliphant, a member of the 9rules Network of which this site is also a part. It is essentially the online version of the pink ribbon, raising awareness of breast cancer, and this year looks to be the biggest one yet.
Given that this type of cancer has affected not only some of my close friends but also my own immediate family, this wasn’t something I felt I could pass up. As well as going pink, I’ll be donating the entirety of Aelon’s advertising income for October. For the purpose of transparency, Text Link Ads Inc. tells me that’s $75.38 US which I would otherwise have used to buy a video game or some other such nonsense.
So if you do run a website of your own, go and read up on going pink.
By Cyrris , 23rd September 12:16 am
Every gamer has a favourite game vehicle which they just wish they could own in real life. Yes, of course there are those playing Need for Speed and Gran Turismo who salivate over the rather mundane and down-to-earth vehicles featured there, but I’m talking about more interesting modes of transport.
I mean, yes, an Aston Martin DBS is my current dream car, but far beyond that would be a Mammoth Tank. Then again, I’ve always fancied having my own Super Star Destroyer. It cuts me up inside every time I see it go down in Return of the Jedi, or Empire at War for that matter. One of those Mantas from Unreal Tournament 2004 would sure as hell solve all my traffic problems every morning.
» Read all of “Magnificent Men and Their Flying Machines“…
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