Heh, I loved that taunt from SACRIFICE (a 2001 RTS from Shiny Entertainment). But this Oblivion is of a different kind.

I've managed to order the Collectors Edition of THE ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION from Take2's official store, and managed to have it shipped outside the US (which was supposedly not possible for the Collector's Edition). My online check just revealed that the package reached Mumbai, India today and was shipped from there at 7pm local time. At most, and barring any unforeseen circustances Akatosh forbid, the package should reach me within the next 24 hours. It's already been delayed many hours because of "adverse weather conditions" in the US.

The irony of the whole situation is that after spending $70 for just shipping on a $55 game, and even (probably) recieving it soon, I won't be able to play the game for a few days. I'm SO swamped with work that I need to keep two alarm, one to wake up, and one to tell me when it's time to go to bed. Sigh. I'm moving to Mars. I wonder if I can borrow Calvin's wagon.

Games | My Insignificant Life

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I guess that ring given by Azura really did boost my luck stats! Oblivion will be released tomorrow. And I just got an email from UPS telling me my copy of the Collector's Edition will be delivered on the 25th.

I recommend people interested in the world of game design to read these pages. It's gonna be great! Here's how great it's gonna be: I have put down my lightsaber to pick up the sword. I'm gonna add a gallery on the blog somewhere for the screenshots I will be taking soon!

Games

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It's been a long time since a soundtrack has been this good. Jeremy Soule really captures the essence of fantasy in this masterpiece! Of special note are the tracks "Glory of Cyrodiil" with an addictive flute opening followed by a haunting tune, "Bloodlust" which will be the primary combat sequence music, and the theme for Oblivion "The Reign of the Septims".

"Minstrel's Lament" is the perfect companion music for a scene where you roam the river banks at dusk, or for summer night spent wandering the forests.

"Peace of Akatosh" will probably be the music for the end, when you fulfill your main quest. Akatosh is one of the Gods worshipped by the Imperials. It might also be the music for lost temples or those even the Palace.

Definetely a must-buy for any TES fan. It's fun, energetic, yet non-intrusive - which is, IMHO, perfect for music to listen to while working!

Go listen to some samples at www.directsong.com

5 more days to go for Oblivion.

Games

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I've never been too big of an RPG fan. Whatever interest I do hold for this genre, very much resides for the computer games.

In 2002, my cousin gifted me The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. I told him I didn't do well in RPG, but he insisted I play. And he did me a great favor. Since 2002, I have spent over a thousand (1000) hours in Morrowind. Outside of Morrowind, my only other contact with RPG has been Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (www.swkotor.com) and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords (www.kotor2.com). And these can't really be called RPG - especially when comparing them to Morrowind. Oh, and another one I played (long ago) was Super Mario RPG on the Super Nintendo.

Morrowind gave me something I had never seen in a game - freedom! No "system" that told you to follow things in a particular order. It was truly open-ended. Despite what may seem "faults" or insufficient features now, back then the things in Morrowind were literally unique! I hunted, foraged, stole. Anything to stay alive. I worked for many people - from the lowest to the Emperor. I had slain thieves and guards alike with my blade. I challenged - and killed - the mightiest Orc to earn his blade - "Umbra". I communed with people long dead and talked to the only living Dwemer. I fought the Corprus Disease and actually lived to tell of it. I held the fate of the Dunmer in my hands. I fought werewolves and I even became one. And I fulfilled the Neraverine Prophecy and brought hope back to Morrowind.

But more than all that, I had freedom. To sleep under the stars. To travel through green forests, murky swamps, ice tipped peaks, frozen glaciers, caves with filled molten rock, and even throught the heart of the great volcano - Dagoth Ur.

Now, after 4 years of wandering the same old places, I will finally get a new world to wander in. The heart of the Empire of Tamriel - Cyrodiil - Imperial City. Oblivion (www.theelderscrolls.com) - the fourth installment in the Elder Scrolls series is going to be released in 5 days. And I've just paid tons of money to Bethesda Softworks to deliver the game (overseas) within a week. I almost paid for the 2 day delivery, but the rates reminded me that I need food to live, and I need to live to play the game.

I have half a mind to move to the US. These shipping rates are killing me! (And the nice friends who send me stuff!)

But, back to the point, the gates OBLIVION (ie, hell) will open soon and there will be need for one brave individual who will - get this - NOT BE THE CHOSEN ONE (thank god!), but will instead be given the task of finding and protecting the person who is the chosen one - the one who was prophesized. And it will be up to this person to help the Chosen One fulfill the prophecy and save all of Tamriel. I vote for me. I just hope my 3GHz, 2 GIG RAM, 256MB GeForce 6800 rig can handle this game!

Go check out the site, and do watch the videos in the Download section. I promise you will be enchanted by this game.

Games

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If you're from my generation, you are surely gonna love to see this. The ultimate battle! Mario vs Sonic: Special Edition.

Btw, I'm rooting for Mario.

Games

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This is my vision for the next Star Wars game. I doubt anyone at LucasArts is listening, but what the hell.

Based on either the new Unreal engine or the Doom 3 engine, or perhaps the The Elder Scrolls IV technology, a dark Imperial game called VADER. Looking at the world through rose-colored glasses has a whole new meaning. You see nothing but red. You feel nothing but emptiness and rage.

The game should be more focused on storyline than action, but still have a good balance of both - like Republic Commando! You are often joined by a special squad of stormtroopers from the 501st in a Republic Commando style gameplay - only this time, you do less of the same things they do. You face a handful of missions:

1. THE PURGE: Follow rumors of a Jedi in hiding, find him, and eliminate him. Employ bounty hunters, bargain with crime-bosses in the exceptionally hazardeous (to the opponent) Vader-Style. And finally - face a group of Jedi Knights and Padawans and kill them. But one Jedi-Padawan team escapes, much to your disappointment.
2. MISSION FROM THE EMPEROR: Take control of a planet that has refused to let the Empire rule their planet. Vader is sent to a mid-rim system with Grand Moff Tarkin. Employing supreme manipulation skills, you bend the situation to your will. Then finally you show you hand (and yourself) and capture the local resistance leader - and of course, execute him in public.
3. DARK INTERLUDE: After a few missions, you return to Imperial Center (formerly "Coruscant") and undergo dark training under the Emperor's guidance.
4. WRATH OF THE DARK LORD: On the way to another routine mission of intimidation in the Outer Rim, Vader's shuttle is crippled by pirates who think Vader to be just a stormtrooper in black armor. Taken aboard a salvaged Acclamator class Old Republic Assault Ship (like the one that carried the clones in Episode II) you battle the pirates, take control of the ship while suddenly learning dark powers in your rage that the Emperor never taught you - Force lightning. While not able to fully employ it like the Emperor, it still is a useful Force power.
5. LOOSE ENDS: Your network of spies report sightings of the Jedi and his Padawan that escaped your grasp. Vader takes four stormtroopers to Kli-44 - an almost uninhabited planet near Hutt Space. You battle a small group of resistance fighters who were thinking of starting a galactic rebellion and were harboring Jedi. When you are ready kill all of them, the Jedi and his Padawan appear. The Jedi comes forward to duel the Dark Lord in hopes to kill him, or at least give the others time to evacuate. The horrified Padawan watches the Sith cleave his master in two. As the only Jedi here, and being responsible for the rebels, he escapes with them.
6. INTERLUDE - JEDI HUNTER: An injured Vader returns to Imperial Center to find a Force-user who calls himself a Jensaarai (from "I, Jedi" by Michael A. Stackpole), wanting employ in the Dark Lord's service. As a Jedi Hunter. Vader calls him foolish. He offers to prove himself. Without warning Vader activates his lightsaber. The young Jensaarai uses his own lightsaber to defend himself. Then gives in to his anger and starts fighting Vader in earnest. A small but four-part duel level taking place in Vader's chambers, on the balconies, in the hallways, and on the observation platform of the Imperial Palace. You obviously kill him.
7. DO NOT HESITATE, SHOW NO MERCY: Plagued by a very un-Jedi like thirst for revenge, the young Padawan trains himself for two years and with the help of the rebels he saved, gets himself to the dark lower levels of Nar Shadaa - the smuggler's moon. Vader gets a smell of this and goes to Nar Shadaa. Finding their "enemy" - the percieved only strength of the Emperor - Black Sun Vigos and Hutt crime bosses gives out silent bounties on Vader. Overconfident bounty hunters plague Vader's path. Ultimately you kill them all and find the young Padawan. Vader faces the 14 year old Jedi who has becomed an exceptional duelist, breaks his Jedi training (to stay true to the Light), breaks his will, and then with one swift stroke of his saber - breaks his body.
8. EPILOGUE: On your return, the Emperor tells you of the final steps being taken to complete the Weapon. He orders you join Tarkin aboard the Death Star.

The story, of course, needs to be fleshed out a bit. But you get the idea. You get special appearances by EU characters like Xizor, Gurdulla the Hutt, Zuckuss, Bossk, and more. You get to see Tarkin's new slave/aid - a fish-like being named Ackbar. On the second mission, you travel aboard a Star Destroyer under the command of a Captain named Dodonna and give him orders that will place the seeds of rebellion in him.

This would be a best-selling game! A story without hope, without the good guys winning - heck they get slaughtered! Become the scourge of the Jedi, the dark beacon that spreads darkness. Be the Dark Lord!

Games | Star Wars

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Sometimes it seems that 3D Realms was completely forgotten by the gaming world - industry, press, and gamers alike - and for good reason too. Their delays with Duke Nukem Forever make Microsoft seem ahead of schedule with Vista. Well, I still am a big fan of Duke Nukem. I was in very young, too young in-fact (a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...) when I first played Duke Nukem [an M-rated game]. I was completely mesmerised. Heck, I was so in crazy about Nukes and Nukem and the Mighty Foot that I ended up naming the company Nukeation (founded just a year after I discovered Duke Nukem 3D).

Well, I still hope that one day will come when suddenly everything is focused on Duke Nukem 4Ever. When we will get to kick ass (literally), blow Nukes and plasma up alien anal cavities, and well, just plain blow stuff up! My prayers are with 3D Realms.

If you are like me, waiting for 3DR to come back to life, here's something that keep you occupied for a while: http://www.3drealms.com/games.html#freeware - They've just released a bunch of games for free including a game I haven't played since DOS ruled the world - BIO MENACE!

Games

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Too much stress + too much Star Wars + (pre-existing) psychotic behaviour = dangerous.

Why? (Like you need to ask!)

Settling into my new PC ... well, half re-built old PC ... I decided to do something I haven't done since Windows 95 - name my hard drives. Now, can you guess what I named the four partitions?

Boss (C:) - Primary Drive / Windows / Programs / Websites

Scorch (D:) - Work files / graphics / animations / XAML / MSFT stuff

Sev (F:) - Windows Vista / WinFX

Fixer (G:) - Media files / downloads / Channel 9 / DNR / DNRTV / MONDAYS / etc.

And yes, I still play Republic Commando for an hour before going to bed. And yes, I have no personal life at the moment. And yes, I still am crazy about Republic Commando. And yes, of course I've earned the wrath of the unnamed someone who I was supposed to mention being crazy about (instead of a game...well, a beautifully made, exceptionally executed game - which is of Star Wars EU nonetheless!!). And yes, now I need that Katarn armor more than ever.

In the words of Scorch: "Need...bacta...now!"

Games | My Insignificant Life | Purely Idiotic Stuff | Star Wars

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[Spoiler warning!]

Tired to death of countless lines of code, tons of paperwork, and stress, I decided it was time to put on the T-visor helmet again. It was time to become Delta-38 again.

As soon as I selected my personalized command profile "Jango", I was transported back to Geonosis. Black smoke and red dust was everywhere. Clone gunships ferried troopers into the arena. In the distance, I could see Republic walkers challenge the spider droids. The GAR [Grand Army of the Republic] knew no fear. Intestines (or whatever passed for those in bugs) and broken carapaces were scattered on the ground. Green, sticky blood made it slippery. Checking my DC-17 I dropped into the trenches and followed the guidance system in my HUD. The core of the mission was simple. Extremely simple. Kill.

Never before have I seen such replay value! I just can't get over how cool this game is. Kicking ass to Mandalorian war chants is the best! Bug-eyed Geonosians, droids, trandoshan slavers, and even General Grievous. Knowing that if you catch one in the gut, your brothers will revive you. Knowing that they have your back (unlike those punks on the game servers). Knowing that when you throw that electromag charge right between the jumble of droids, your Katarn-armor vibroblade will give you the satisfying of slicing and dicing the enemy in a way that is more up close and personal than a lightsaber.

The fear and excitement of walking between countless droids in their deployment racks, just waiting to be activated by a heedless commando. Delta-68 over the comm going "I think I've found the coolant intake valve. Oh wait... it's an exhaust port." The fear of failing when all three of your brothers are down near the feet of a giant spider droid, waiting for a bacta shot. Delta-07 grabbing a droideka (while it was rolling!) and slamming down hot plasma bolts down it's CPU.

The dull numbing ache in the back of your mind when you climb onto the gunship as it takes you out of the Kashyyyk battlezone, leaving your brother in hands of the enemy - dead, or worse. Realizing as if for the first time with incredible pain that the GAR comes first, that duty comes first, as Yoda's words slowly sink in.

Nothing can beat this game. Not the fact that it will probably be a Delta who gets to execute Order-66. Not the fact that even with the fierce loyalty flowing in your blood, it will be you will help snuff the flame of the Jedi Order. Not even the fact that I've spent more than a few hundred hours playing this game over and over 50 or 60 times!

Republic Commando ROCKS!

Games | Star Wars

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Maybe it is all the stress of working overtime, or maybe it's the PDC trauma, but suddenly, Palpatine's Dark Side speeches to Anakin, and Dr. Breen's insistent monologues on the public screens in City 17, are starting to make sense.

If you ever see me with a red lightsaber or babbling stuff about Instinct no longer being needed, please run away - for your own sake.

Funny thing is - according to the rules of the Dark Side, Dr. Breen is actually talking about the Jedi way, not the Sith way. One man's poison...

Games | Philosophy | Purely Idiotic Stuff | Star Wars

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People say RPGs (or Role Playing Games) are like real life. Well, what many people don't get is that life is RPG as well. It's a subtle thing - but the "righteous" character loving RPG'ers might have a better handle on life than the rest.

Life is all about INF (Influence), DEX (Dexterity), REP (Reputation), and of course, Money.

INF is the main modifier in life. Especially business. While I'm not a hardcore RPG fan, I love Morrowind and KOTOR. And I've learned from them.

For example, some months ago, I was new in "town" and did not have much of a REP value. So I helped out this established Lord in the town. I gained INF, and because he told everyone in town about me, my REP went wayyyy up and I got new work.

Don't you sometimes wish that RPGs were even more open ended? Well, try playing RPG in real life - its as freakin' open ended as could be. Just be careful - there are no Quick Loads and Quick Saves here.

Games | My Insignificant Life | Philosophy | Star Wars

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Podcasting pioneer (and a friend of mine) Carl Franklin and his company PWOP Productions (a client of mine) have been popping up in the news everywhere from slashdot to Reuters, because of the work Pwop did for Nintendo.

Now, all I have to do is find out what a podcast is. I am assuming it is something to do with emergency escape vehicles on spaceships and their release mechanisms. I could be wrong tho.

Games | Geek Stuff

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My sister (whom I'm visiting) and I went to Crossword, the largest book store chain in the country. They used to have such wonderful books. A visit to the store was a regular highlight for this farm boy everytime I visit my sister. But lo and behold, these idiots have a stupid collection of music, books, comics, and just about everything they sell! Quality doesn't stick does it? Well, I'm sticking to Amazon.com from now on!

I did end up buying "Battle Surgeons", a collection of 100 works by O Henry, and an assorted collection of Edgar Ellen Poe. I also got a few CDs: soundtrack from That Thing You Do, Sting: Sacred Love, John Williams conducts Star Wars Symphony (special collection from Sony Classical). I did have to stop browsing for a few minutes when I had to go wash my hands when I accidentally touched a Britney Spears disc.

The highlight of this was that I also found a copy of RESURRECTION OF EVIL - the Doom3 Expansion. Can't wait to get back, and get my hands on the double-barreled shotgun.

I shall be leaving tomorrow (Sunday) and arriving back around midnight.

I leave you with this (very appropriate) quote (for me) printed on free bookmarks they have at the store:

"When I get a little money, I buy books: and if any is left, I buy food and clothes." - Desiderius Erasmus

Games | My Insignificant Life | Star Wars

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This becomes more of a project now wavering between an animated short or a novella with a frickin' cool cover and a few visuals.

In any case, it's supposed to be set in a world somewhere between Neo-Tokyo and Cyrodiil. Let's see where this goes.

For now I leave you with a three cool wallpapers. 3M+ renders.

1280x1024 1024x819	1280x1024 1024x819	1280x1024 1024x819

Art | Games | Geek Stuff | Graphics | My Insignificant Life | Philosophy | Downloads

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Scared of a fast-paced Commando mission being too close to real life (and work) for relaxation, I pulled out Morrowind and reinstalled it. Over 20 hours into the game, this time as an Argonian called Ang-Tii (homage to Timothy Zahn's secret monks), I am on my way to solve the mystery of the Neravarine. I do have a nice bit of cash - the bonus of being a Rogue/Thief.

I am going on a sudden trip for a long weekend. Will have some time on my hand. I installed Morrowind on my Tablet PC so I can play while travelling. This oughta be fun. Never played something so complex while on the road. Thankfully I won't be the one driving.

I can't wait for Oblivion to ship. The voice cast sounds good - Patrick Stewart as Emperor Uriel Septim VII, and Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman) who will possibly play a "guide" role to your character. Check out the HD trailer on the official site. Damn I can't wait to get my hands on this game.

Sigh. Alrights - enough of Tamriel and magic and myth and wonders and bitchin' weapons - gotta get back to work.

Games | My Insignificant Life

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My desktop was lonely so I made a nice little Delta-62 "Scorch" (Republic Commando) wallpaper. It's 1280x1024 - "Center" with Black backdrop works best for both 1280x1024 and 1024x768. Enjoy. Feel free to pass on to friends.

Art | Games | Graphics | Star Wars | Toys

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REPUBLIC COMMANDO

Zero Hour - Clone Wars - Geonosis

I order Four-Oh to point and send him to recon the forward area. Clone Advisor 01's voice pipes into my helmet: "Delta, now that you've destroyed the gun placement, we are making a supply drop near your position. This includes an anti-armor attachment for your DC-17."

Scorch lets out a whoop of joy. "Yes! More explosives! Delta Advisor, you just made my day!"

Time to get inside the Seperatist Core Ship. "Alright, Delta's move out." "Aye, sir." Fixer takes point as Sev follows behind with sniper cover. Scorch keeps looking for the anti-armor drop, and I bring up the rear.

"LOOK OUT! BUGS!" A swarm of Geonosians drop from a hidden cave from the mesa behind us. The deep orange sun blinds my vision as I take aim and punch plasma into the onslaught of bugs.

Scorch lobs a grenade into the midst, sending sticky yellow bug juice everywhere.

"Alright, there may be more of them. Let's move out."

"Look, boss, there's the Core Ship." says Delta Four-Oh, looking at the gigantic spherical ship as big as a small mountain.

"You sure, Forty? Maybe there's another one around the corner." quips Scorch.

"Keep this comm clear. Let's go."

We move out, strangling Geos and electrocuting droids. From the corner of my visor I can see Four Oh happily plunging his Katarn Armor Vibro-blade into a Geo's heart - or whatever they have that passes for it.

"Aaaarggh" Someone screams.

SCORCH! Swarming Geonosians are sticking their pikes into Six-Two's armor. His vitals look bad on my HUD. "Sev, sniper cover! NOW!" "Snipe position, ready, boss." Under Oh-Seven's steady stream of plasma covered metallic bolt cover, I crawl my way over to assist Six-Two. I plung into my backpack for the Bacta-Utility. I plug it into Scorch's implant and pump him with bacta. An electric wake up call, and he slowly gets up.

"Thanks, Boss. Six-Two, ready for action."

"Alright, let's move in."

"Oh-Seven: ammo spent."

"Four-Oh covering vector."

We hike through the broken mesas and wreckages of fighter craft - Geonosian and Republic. I see a dead trooper, half burried under a laser cannon mount. What a waste of good genes. Not too far, we see the supply drop being released. But a Clone Commando's life isn't that easy.

Delta-40 opens comm: "Boss, we have SBDs converging on our waypoint." Super Battle Droids. Just what we need with almost no ammo.

"Delta, take sniper position there." "Aye, sir."

"Four Oh, see if that turret is operational." I say pointing to a half broken turret placed by the now dead clone troopers. "Roger."

"Scorch, cover me - I'm going in for the supplies." "You got it, Delta Lead."

With plenty of cover fire - though it would not remain for long - I sprint for the supply drop. Scorch throws in an Electro-static grenade, temporarily inhibiting the large battle droids, but sucking some juice from my personal shields as well. I jump for the attachment. There. I made it. I slap on the anti-armor attachment on the DC-17 and fire off the first roung, taking out all three of the Super Battle Droids.

"WOOOHOO" "Quite. Delta Advisor, we are at the entrance to the Core Ship with moderate resistance, but the entrance is shielded."

Seven yells from his sniping position way behind, "Stupid droids! Let us through!"

"Delta Squad," the Advisor joins in, "make your way West. I'm updating the Objective Tracker. You will be able to go through the aft loading bay. Once you reach the entrance to the loading bay, I'll give you further instructions. Delta Advisor out."

"Boss, we need to demo this rockslide to get through... and I'm not just saying that coz I love to blow things up."

Scorch's pod brother, Seven, replies, "Yes you are."

"Alright, Delta, give me an explosive solution."

Scorch plants a demolition charge as Sev finds a new position to snipe from. Fixer covers Scorch's back, as I ready the AntiArmor for the next onslaught of droids.

"Demo is ready when you are, Three-Eight."

"Stand back, Deltas." BOOM! The rocks turn into dust as a barrage of laser fire cuts through the cloud of smoke and dust.

"SBDs!"

"Delta, sniper - there. You, cover him. Four-Oh, sniper position - there." I cover them with the anti-armor rounds as they take position. A Super Battle Droid takes the chance of grabbing Fixer when my anti-armor rounds are depleted.

Oh for crying out loud - I can't let his crush my brother. I let go of my weapon, stick out the vibroblade from under my gauntlet sheath and ram it into the droid's posterior shell, ripping wires, circuits and - at last - hydraulic command units! The droid goes down as Four-Oh looks for a bacta dispenser. Command had made a drop of hundreds of them across the battle fields on Geonosis as the battle began.

Suddenly, Seven yells "Look out!"

Scorch: "What is that thing?"

Clone Advisor joins the comm: "Delta Squad, pay attention. This is a dwarf spider droid. One of the nastiest anti-infantry units the Trade Federation has. It's armor is rated for starship hulls. The only weak spot is the red control orb on it's abdomen. If you can destroy it you can disable the droid."

Scorch: "So, hit the big red ball on the spider. Right."

But the Spider Droid, as large as a drop ship, hunkers on towards us - and fires. A large plasma round takes both Seven and Fixer down. And then it "sits", closing down the gap between it's hull that exposes the control orb with it's frontal leg plates.

Damn.

"Scorch, take up anti-armor position there. It's up to you and me now..." and I run towards the Spider Droid, DC-17 all charged up... Kote!

Games | My Insignificant Life | Star Wars

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It's been a while since I blogged. So here's a roundup of the main events that probably 2 and a half people care about!

DigitalExile.net is live!

My long planned personal site (after the demise of after-images.net) is now finally live. www.digitalexile.net

There are lots of new photographs available (for licensing, too), and my art collection and written works will be added soon. There's also a download section with small apps, wallpapers, and some random stuff available for download. Or will be soon.

My Blog rates #1 in searches

A pleasent surprise - I saw a referer tag in my server log for this blog (hey, that rhymes!) - for someone searching for "Pandhi" (my last name, you dumbass!). I decided to follow that search link on Yahoo and voila - the #1 (and many subsequent links) are for this very blog as well as my corporate site www.nukeation.com! The same is on Google. But there, my corporate site is first, and the blog after that. Needless to say I like Yahoo! better than Google. The blog is at #1 even if you search for Dr. JJ Rawal

Republic Commando still the best!

I play an hour of Republic Commando every night before I go to bed with Gratu'acuun ringing in my ears. This is better than Half-Life (1 or 2) and Doom combined. They're great games, but this just ROCKS MY WORLD!

Radio Acting Debut

A few weeks ago, I made my recording debut as the "Human Resources Executive of IBM" on the comedy online radio show MONDAYS (Episode 25) - download it! No, no. No autographs. You get a free autograph when you sign up for the Dax Pandhi Official Fanclub.

A GIG goes a long way

I finally added a gig of RAM to my 1GB system. Needless to say it works better. Though it generates more heat, I love the tradeoff.

Jungle Coast, Costa Rica

I'm helping out with the branding and e-solutions for a dear, dear friend Cynthia Najim's new real estate business. This is one of those fun projects I rarely get anymore (if you're a client of mine, no I didn't mean it like that - your projects are just important - this is just different coz there's unreal amounts of creative energy tingling it up). If you're looking for nice, affordable, and beautiful villas, cottages, or even farms - these are the people to call. Will post their website URL as soon as I finish it.

Am planning on going to Costa Rica next year, maybe.

.NET | Art | Avalon | Games | Geek Stuff | Graphics | My Insignificant Life | Philosophy | Photography | Toys

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Wiping the blood and grime off my helmet, I look towards the bridge. Kachirho's lights shine in the distance. As the smoke clears, and the deafening explosions stop, I can see the blurred forms of my brothers holding off the enemy, giving me cover fire so I can help our fallen brother. I hear Four-Oh's heavy breathing and soft groans under me. I realize I am standing on top of Delta-40, his white and green armor dented and splattered with blood - not his own. I get him up and send him to heal up at the near by bacta dispenser.

Delta-07 - Sev - snipes the onslaught of SBD's - their grey headless bodies seemingly immune to the plasma shots. Scorch - Delta-62, makes a joke, easing the pain as always. Advisor's voice echoes in my helmet - "Delta 38, we need to destroy that bridge now!"

The battle for the Wookies' freedom rests upon us - four lone commandos against an endless supply of Battle Droids, Super Battle Droids, and Trandoshan slavers. I remember a trooper's remarks - "Look! Commandos! If they're as good as I hear they are, they can win the war all by themselves." I hope that's true.

With Four-Oh - Fixer - at 100%, I move to take Six-Two's position. "Scorch, I need some radical restructuring." I can feel his eyes light up even behind his plasteel faceplate. "Roger that, Boss."

I lob a EM grenade hoping to slow down the SBDs. Damn. They're too tough. "Four-Oh, man that turret." Maybe he can take out a few more of them with some heavy fire power. "Turret. Got it, Delta Lead."

Delta-62 fixes a large explosive to the ammo crates lying on the bridge the Seperatists require for their occupation of Kashyyyk. "Boss, we better get off this bridge before we blow it up." But we're surrounded. There is no time to waste. The only way out is to destroy the Droid dispensers.

I relenquish my cover and order some cover fire. Dodging the twig-legged droids, knocking some out with my vibro-blade, I move in. I hear Sev taking some shrapnel. I set up an explosive on the dispenser, and start to set the timer. The large bay door opens. A spider droid. Fifteen tons of pure armor and firepower.

The bridge and dispensers primed for an explosive finish, we prepare for what we've been trained to do: die for the Republic.

"We'll make 'em remember the day they tried to blow up Delta Squad."

Never before have I seen such a perfect fusion of action, military tactics, breathtaking graphics, superb AI, and war chants that makes you want to die for your cause. STAR WARS: REPUBLIC COMMANDO is one of the BEST GAMES ever! It certainly knocked DOOM3 from first place on my list. Instead of the "lofty perspective of the Jedi", this games takes you into the trenches as you command 3 elite Clone Commandos - DELTA SQUAD - in 3 dangerous missions - Clone Wars: Zero Hour on Geonosis, repelling an invasion on the Republic Assault Ship PROSECUTOR in space, and a special mission on Kashyyyk that would end the Clone Wars. And while you play, whenever the going gets tough, the music keeps your spirits high. This is THE best game to come out from LucasArts (yes, they made this in-house - no outsourcing) EVER!

Baritone voices sing old Mandalorian war songs: (all songs are available for download at the site. I recommend VODE AN, RAGE OF THE SHADOW WARRIORS, and GRAT'UA CUUN, as well as the ambient tunes THE JUNGLE FLOOR, COMM INTERFERENCE, and KACHIRHO BY NIGHTVISION)

Kandosii sa ka'rta, Vode an.

(One indomitable heart, Brothers all.)

Coruscanta a'den mhi, Vode an.

(We, the wrath of Coruscant, Brothers all.)

Bal kote, darasuum kote, Jorso'ran kando a tome.

(And glory, eternal glory, We shall bear its weight together.)

Sa kyr'am Nau tracyn kad, Vode An.

(Forged like the saber in the fires of death, Brothers all.)

This music can literally set your blood on fire as you play the game and immerses you into the world of the Commando. It's the BEST soundtrack a game ever had. PERIOD!

You fight hand-to-hand as well as with your DC-17 modified blaster. Every close hit is rewarded with a generous splatter of sickly yellow geonosian blood on your face, which your helmet visor wipes with a laser wiper.

 Delta-38 "Boss" - Delta Leader

 Delta-07 "Sev" - Sniper / Weapons

 Delta-62 "Scorch" - Demolitions

 Delta-40 "Fixer" - Slicer (Hacker) / Tech

You issue commands to your 3 brothers - Delta 07, Delta 40, and Delta 62. Each has a distinct personality and voice (just coz you're clones don't mean you can't have a different accent - which are picked up from their respective instructors). You have the voice of Jango Fett - which was marvelously voiced by Temeura Morrison himself.

The missions are fast paced, dangerous, and set in breathtaking environments. And when you set NIGHT VISION on, it feels more real than a movie. The visuals look as if it is REAL. Just plain real. Mind boggling.

The game is based on the Unreal II engine (modified, of course). It shames the graphics of Unreal II. Then again, Unreal II was shameful in many ways. But the engine is, in fact, quite cool. Republic Commando shows its power very nicely.

The whole game often doesn't feel like a Star Wars game. The credits music is high-pitched rock music. The soundtrack is Mandalorian war chants. And the only time you see a lightsaber is when you see a deadbody of a Clone trooper who tried to use it. That's when your character says "An elegant weapon for a more civilized time. Well, guess what ... times have changed!"

I wish they would've added a mission from Episode III, where they escort Obi-Wan to Utapal. 3 missions seem a bit "small" once you've played it 6 times in 4 days. But it still rocks. Especially the one-liners. "Baby wookies? Nah, too cute." or "Boss, we gotta place a charge here, and I'm not saying this 'cause I like to blow stuff up."

The end is cool too. Very military-movie like. And you get a special appearance by General Greivous and Master Yoda. George Lucas took interest in the game too. It was his idea to give colored, personalized armor to each Commando - something he was thinking of doing in Episode III.

I recommend you go see the trailer on www.swcommando.com and then listen to the music and download the demo, and then order the game!!

It runs FANTASTIC on a GeForce FX / 128MB. Though a gig of RAM didn't hurt. :) And don't be afraid of this game if you're not so good with games like Rainbow-Six and all - this is more suitable for the Doom 3 and Half-Life 2 players. Just go download the damn, demo! NOW, soldier!

Delta Squad, move out!

KACHIRHO BY NIGHTVISION

There is also a book based on this game by Karen Traviss, called STAR WARS: Republic Commando - HARD CONTACT. Cool book. Worth reading.

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