February 3, 2010

Bioshock 2 – Hack and Win a Top Gaming PC

BioShock 2 launches on February 9th, 2010. And to celebrate the fact, 2K Games have teamed up with PC gaming gurus Scan Computers and HMV Gamerbase to offer one lucky contestant the chance to win a top-of-the-line PC.

All you need to do is make like you’re in Rapture, and hack the PC! Just rock up to the HMV Gamerbase at London’s Trocadero Centre, from now until the 14 February 2010, look for the BioShock area, and try your hand.

It won’t be easy though… you’ll need to guess a six-digit code. If you don’t succeed, you can always come back the following day and have another crack.

Hand-built by the performance specialists at Scan Computers (www.scan.co.uk), this puppy is packed to the paws with power-user parts. Feast your eyes on these monstrous specs:


Intel Core i7 870 (Overclocked)

Asus P7P55D motherboard

Corsair Obsidian Chassis

Corsair H50 Cooler

Corsair 550Watt PSU

Corsair 4GB TwinX memory

XFX GTX285 NVIDIA graphics card

500GB Samsung Spinpoint hdd

DVDRW

Windows 7

Internal blue lighting

So what are you waiting for? Get yourself down to HMV Gamerbase at the Trocadero. PC gaming heaven is but a hack away…

February 8, 2010

Get Your Gucci Mane on!

Gucci Mane featuring Usher

Single ‘Spotlight’ released last Friday; new album ‘The State vs. Radric Davis’ follows this Friday February 12th

“Gucci’s on his way to full fledged superstar status” – XXL

#6 – 10 Hottest MCs in the Game – MTV

Widely tipped to be one of the 2010’s breakthrough rappers, Gucci Mane released debut single ‘Spotlight’, featuring the notable vocal talents of Usher, last Friday. The single previews the release of his highly anticipated new album ‘The State vs. Radric Davis’ that follows this Friday February 12th.

Hailing from the mean streets of East Atlanta’s Zone 6, Gucci Mane has endured a troublesome journey to become one of the genre’s hottest new stars. Mane’s rise to the top commenced when his collaboration with Young Jeezy on the club anthem ‘Icy’ became a huge hit. Unfortunately almost a year in prison on an attempted murder charge ensured that he couldn’t fully capitalise on his growing popularity.

Gucci Mane’s return to the scene in 2009 after his third spell in prison (this time for a probation violation stemming from the Young Jeezy incident) saw him become one of 2009’s most prolific artists as he recorded 150 songs for 40 different albums and mix tapes. He featured on Top 20 hits from Mariah Carey, Mario and Trey Songz, and his own track ‘Wasted’ became a #1 urban mainstream radio hit.

‘The State Vs. Radric Davis’ will be his first album to be released through So Icey / Asylum / Warner Bros. Records. Including both ‘Wasted’ and ‘Spotlight’, it features contributions from Keyshia Cole, Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, Keri Hilson and Usher.

Links

www.guccimaneonline.com
www.myspace.com/guccimane

February 8, 2010

Splinter Cell: Conviction Box Art and Screens Revealed

Coming exclusively to Xbox 360 on the 16 April 2010, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction is the highly anticipated sequel in the multimillion-selling Splinter Cell series and one of the most critically acclaimed Xbox franchises of all time.

An investigation into his daughter’s death unwittingly leads former agent Sam Fisher to discover he’s been betrayed by his prior agency, the Third Echelon. Now a renegade, Fisher finds himself in a race against time to thwart a deadly terrorist plot that threatens millions.

Uniting revolutionary gameplay enhancements with a high octane, no-holds-barred storyline, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction arms you to the teeth with all the high tech weaponry and lethal skills of an elite operative and invites you to enter a dangerous world where justice means making your own rules.

Key Features

NEW LEVEL OF ACTION FOR SPLINTER CELL

A full arsenal of cutting-edge innovations allow you to outflank foes with the Last Known Position™ system, tag and eliminate enemies using the Mark and Execute™ feature, and much more.

BLOCKBUSTER EXPERIENCE
A unique storytelling style keeps you on the edge of your seat as you navigate the explosive world of a renegade agent where trust is impossible and justice requires you to go above the law.

A NEW LEVEL OF IMMERSION

A revolutionary new graphic direction delivers an utterly seamless gameplay experience that’ll keep you totally engrossed in the story of Sam Fisher.

EXPLOSIVE XBOX LIVE PLAY
Brand-new addictive multiplayer modes amp up the dramatic intensity like never before.

SCREEN SHOTS

February 7, 2010

Fallout New Vegas – Teaser Trailer

By Neil McCormick

So the Teaser trailer for Fallout New Vegas came out this week. Looks good!

February 4, 2010

Steven Wrights 10 Random Ipod Tracks

Take this picture, add a bigger beard, and you will have me now.

I have been chomping at the bit to do one of these. The excitement is coloured with a drop of nerves though; I’m not ashamed of anything on my Ipod but there is a few hard to explain tracks on it. But what came out was a success. I missed out some really good bands/genres but I did avoid a few embarrassing ones.

Anyway, go have a look yourself.

10.
Song: X
Artist: System Of A Down
Album: Self Titled
Year: 2001

I remember disliking SOAD the first time I heard them as I found them a little intense. But when I heard their first album I fell in love, only then truly appreciating Toxicity. The album boasts a few big hits that but X is not one of them. However it is one of my favourites, with a fast beat and hard-hitting lyrics, it certainly is hard to forget.

09.
Song: Eve At The Mansion
Artist: Katzenjammer Kabarett
Album: Self Titled
Year: 2006

I love this band. A 4 piece death rock cabaret (or multireferential post-punk, baroque krautpop? Take your pick) outfit hailing from Paris. Their music amazes me, eerie yet beautiful, calm yet chaotic, one of my favourite bands to come on randomly when your marching around town in the rain. Oddly enough, this album was often played while playing Gears Of War online. It seems to fit the mood of the game, specifically the grand Mansion level.

08.
Song: Let Go
Artist: Frou Frou
Album: Details
Year: 2002

Arguably the most famous track from the bands short lived career, Let Go has been used in numerous films and TV shows. The one film I remember it from is Garden State, making the band and the film even more special. Frou Frou make the perfect backing music to write or read to, and I don’t mean they are bland, far from it, but they just slide into your sub-conscience leaving you alert enough to work. The perfect song to sit back with a refreshing beverage and some good company.

07.
Song: Aint Nobody Gonna Hang Me In My Home
Artist: The Atomic Bitchwax
Album: The Atomic Bitchwax I
Year: 1999

Chris Kosnik of  Godspeed and Ed Mundell of Monster Magnet formed this ridiculously named group in the mid 90’s. The best way to describe them is guitar porn, and I love it. Not listened to enough of their albums but so far the first two are my favourite, favouring complex solos and a distinct lack of vocals. If you like guitars then you are going to like this.

06.
Song: Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt
Artist: DJ Shadow
Album: Endtroducing
Year: 1996

Is this album in your collection? No? Well go bloody buy it then. I can still remember the first time I listened to this album, going in with a negative mind and coming out amazed; it gave me the taste for alternative hip hop, something different to the rap on radio 1. Endtroducing was the first album made of completely sampled material and laid foundations that alternative hip-hop, trip hop, and whatever-else-hop still use today.  A masterpiece.

05.
Song: Ihabia
Artist: Deftones
Album: Around The Fur
Year: 1997

Did you  know that Deftones have been around for twenty two years? Shocking. I actually nicked this album off of a friend, starting a ten year love affair with Chino and co. This was the first album of theirs that I heard and I must have played it countless times. It’s one of those albums that I struggle to pick a favourite track, preferring to listen to the whole thing. Easily the best album the band have put out and possibly one of the best album covers ever (especially when you were a teenager).

04.
Song: Save Myself
Artist: Willy Mason
Album: If The Ocean Gets Rough
Year: 2007

I have not listened to this album enough but conveniently this the one track that I know (didn’t cheat, honest). I love his lazy style and lyrical content – slightly depressing but filled with hope. His first album has been played to death, maybe it’s time I do the same to this one?

03.
Song: Hysteric
Artist: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Album: It’s Blitz
Year: 2009

This album is another one that I’ve not gave enough time to. I’ve listened to when my girlfriends has been playing it but I haven’t devoted myself to listening to it. Something that I have to do to really get to grips with an album. I do like the song though, but I don’ t think it’s my favourite off the album, that would probably go to Heads Will Roll. I actually saw the YYY’s live in Glasgow a few years back and have been mesmerized by Karen O ever since. Although she is not as amazing as the guitarists hair. It’s perfect.

02.
Song: Drive Slow
Artist: Kanye West
Album: Late Registration
Year: 2005

I have a love/hate affair with Mr. West. As talented as the lad is, he really is a bit of a twat. This tracks is not one of my favourites but I do love the horns. He has done some great songs throughout his first two albums. Don’t know what else to say about this one…skip to the end?

01.
Song: Steamer Trunk
Artist: Alkaline Trio
Album: From Here To Infirmary
Year: 2001

So many tracks of this album make up the soundtrack to my teenage years, but strangely I’ve just got into this band more in the last few months, racking up loads of plays on my Ipod. Firmly rooted in pop punk, yet their songs have some great lyrics conveying real emotions. They deserved more plays back in “the day” than a lot of the other bands got. I’m off to sing the entire album very loud, and very bad. Hope you enjoyed the list.

February 4, 2010

MX Vs ATV Reflex Trailers

Tiger

Bull

February 4, 2010

MICHAEL BUBLÉ’S “SPECIAL DELIVERY” ARRIVES DIGITALLY JUST IN TIME FOR VALENTINE’S DAY!

Reprise Records announced today that beginning February 9th, Michael Bublé fans in the online community will have an opportunity to purchase “Special Delivery” – via digital download – a group of six Bublé recorded songs that are currently unavailable in the marketplace. “Special Delivery” includes Bublé’s interpretations of classics including “These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You),” “Dream A Little Dream,” “I’m Beginning To See The Light,” “Mack the Knife,” “Orange Colored Sky” and “Softly As I Leave You.” These songs are now available for the first time at iTunes and all digital retailers in one digital package – perfect timing for Valentine’s Day. These songs were previously available in limited edition and special packages.

Bublé, who is scheduled to appear on the Ellen Show on Feb. 9th and the Today Show on Feb. 12th is expected to begin his “Crazy Love” Tour on March 10th in Orlando, Florida. The multi- platinum Canadian has just received a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album on his previous release, “Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden”. His current CD “Crazy Love” has remained a staple on the Irish Charts since released last September reaching multi platinum status.

February 3, 2010

Duke Special – Little Revolutions

By Steven Wright


It’s interesting to hear a collection of b-sides, cover songs and live tracks of an artist you have never heard of. You get to hear the artist in question, their influences, and what they are like live – all important in your decision to follow them. Hearing this collection of odds and ends can either make you curious enough to buy their back catalogue, or put you off enough to never listen to them again. With Little Revolutions however, I am happy to say that Duke Special will be added to my album collection.

It is a very hard sound to describe. Inspired by vaudeville and big band performances, his songs meander and change pace throughout; some slow and sombre, others marching along to rhythmic drum beats, some even doing both. He reminds me a little of Devendra Banhart, but Irish of course. The instruments help to convey this strange sound by using accordions, clarinets, trumpets, and even a cheese grater and an egg whisk.

The album itself is quite mismatched but it does work. It opens with a cover of Nina Simone’s ‘Ain’t Got No’,  which is possibly the weirdest opening to an album I have ever heard. He also covers Prince, Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, Soft Cell, Razorlight, Beach Boys and Radiohead – quite an eclectic mix, no? The standout cover is the live version of  ’Tainted Love’ which features Neil Hannon of the Divine Comedy. The two voices work well together and you get a sense of the fun that they had on stage.

His own tracks are the real stand-out, especially ‘Our Love Goes Deeper’, ‘No Cover Up’ and ‘Deep’. The songs are inherently quite cheery, but you can feel the sorrow and emotions throughout. The fact that he sings with a thick Irish accent helps, adding a ton of charm to the sound. I have a thing about Irish/Scottish artists who don’t try to hide their accents, preferring to use them with pride.

The one track I want to heap praise on is ‘I Think I am Losing You’. The first thing to grip me about the song was the lyrics -

Tied to my heart, so I’ll never let you go
I’m working out my loyalties
In the shadow of the volcano
Tied to my heart
Take the needle to the skin
Plunge it in the deepest part
Just stay there where the ink goes in

I love them. His delivery is perfect, slowly stopping at key words, adding emphasis to each statement. Then when the chorus kicks in and the tempo picks up, you start moving, tapping your feet and singing along. It’s a beautiful little song.

Like I said, the album does work, but would be preferable listening if you are already a fan. It would be best to save your money and buy his extensive back catalogue instead. However the album has done its job and made me want to hear more of this strange little fellow. I think we could just have a long and illustrious friendship ahead of us.

# Audio CD (14 Nov 2009)
# Number of Discs: 1
# Label: Reel To Reel
# ASIN: B002YT8D9

February 2, 2010

Lunia Chronicles PC – Ogplanet

Lunia Chronicles


I had never played a MMO, so when the opportunity came to try Lunia Chronicles, I had to accept it.

Unlike the World of Warcraft games in which you purchase pre paid time, Lunia is free to play, with money being made by players making micro transactions, this can range from buying equipment, or a spare character slot. It is not essential to make a transaction, you can still get everything you might want from the game. In fact I chose not to spend any money on the game and I do not think I suffered from doing so..

As is typical of these types of games, there are four character choices available from the start, however should the choice of being a knight, healer , wizard or thief not appeal, there are other choices available as a relatively inexpensive purchase.

I have long been a fan of manga style drawings, so I was please to see during the loading phases of the game, the art panels. I particularly like how the artist draws the eyes on the characters with the doe like appearance. The eyes are drawn almost to the point of exaggeration. The game has its own theme song, which is catchy to the point of ending up engrained in my memory. It reminded me of theme tunes from 1980 style cartoon series, such as Mysterious Cities of gold.

Like most RPG games, Lunia is centered on a mission system with various sub-quests attached. If I was to have a gripe, there was not enough variety to the missions. It nearly always was a side scrolling fighting game. Whilst it gave a feeling of nostalgia for lost days in the arcade throwing in 20ps to play the likes of Gauntlet and other similar scrolling games, it was as if as fun as it was, something was not quite there, perhaps the addition of a puzzle or two might have gave a feeling of more reward and satisfaction. Choosing a mission was quite straight easy, click on the map, choose the level and then the option was made to either venture alone or with your party.

The combat system initially is based on using combinations of direction keys with certain attack buttons, but when your character is at a higher level, it is able to use special attacks and magic to have more effect. The choice of enemy that you come across is very well balanced, ranging from blobs, to orcs and bears and wolves to name but a few. As your level raises, so to does the enemy. As is standard fair, there are the odd boss battles, taking more skill and planning to succeed. I enjoyed the Indiana Jones inspired avoid the boulders rolling down the hill section of the game. I liked that when a stage was completed, you received a ranking on how you performed ranging from A-F. This could result in a return visit to try and improve performance.

As someone with very limited experience of playing a pc game, I found the experience rather a joy to play. The controls felt intuitive and not daunting, I liked the fact you could quick map spells and attacks to various keys so you could access them quickly.

It would be wrong of me not to mention that I had infrequent server issues, disconnections or not able to connect to servers. It was only the odd time so was not enough to put me off from returning,

I get the impression, I will be revisiting Lunia on a regular basis, it is the perfect game to pop into when wanting to have a quick hit. I think one of the main advantages, is that ranking up happens quite quickly opposed to it feeling like a slog.

February 2, 2010

82nd Academy Awards Nominations

In case you have not seen them, the 82nd Academy Award nominations were published today. I do not know why, but for some reason I have came away feeling empty; the nominations feel quite uninspiring this year.

Anyway, if you feel like leaving your views on them, feel free to leave a comment

The Nominations are as follows:-

Actor in a Leading Role

* Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart”
* George Clooney in “Up in the Air”
* Colin Firth in “A Single Man”
* Morgan Freeman in “Invictus”
* Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker”

Actor in a Supporting Role

* Matt Damon in “Invictus”
* Woody Harrelson in “The Messenger”
* Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station”
* Stanley Tucci in “The Lovely Bones”
* Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”

Actress in a Leading Role

* Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”
* Helen Mirren in “The Last Station”
* Carey Mulligan in “An Education”
* Gabourey Sidibe in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
* Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia”

Actress in a Supporting Role

* Penélope Cruz in “Nine”
* Vera Farmiga in “Up in the Air”
* Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Crazy Heart”
* Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air”
* Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

Animated Feature Film

* “Coraline” Henry Selick
* “Fantastic Mr. Fox” Wes Anderson
* “The Princess and the Frog” John Musker and Ron Clements
* “The Secret of Kells” Tomm Moore
* “Up” Pete Docter

Art Direction

* “Avatar” Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg; Set Decoration: Kim Sinclair
* “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Art Direction: Dave Warren and Anastasia Masaro; Set Decoration: Caroline Smith
* “Nine” Art Direction: John Myhre; Set Decoration: Gordon Sim
* “Sherlock Holmes” Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
* “The Young Victoria” Art Direction: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Maggie Gray

Cinematography

* “Avatar” Mauro Fiore
* “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” Bruno Delbonnel
* “The Hurt Locker” Barry Ackroyd
* “Inglourious Basterds” Robert Richardson
* “The White Ribbon” Christian Berger

Costume Design

* “Bright Star” Janet Patterson
* “Coco before Chanel” Catherine Leterrier
* “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” Monique Prudhomme
* “Nine” Colleen Atwood
* “The Young Victoria” Sandy Powell

Directing

* “Avatar” James Cameron
* “The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow
* “Inglourious Basterds” Quentin Tarantino
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels
* “Up in the Air” Jason Reitman

Documentary (Feature)

* “Burma VJ” Anders Østergaard and Lise Lense-Møller
* “The Cove” Nominees to be determined
* “Food, Inc.” Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
* “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers” Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
* “Which Way Home” Rebecca Cammisa

Documentary (Short Subject)

* “China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province” Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill
* “The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner” Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher
* “The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant” Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
* “Music by Prudence” Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett
* “Rabbit à la Berlin” Bartek Konopka and Anna Wydra

Film Editing

* “Avatar” Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
* “District 9” Julian Clarke
* “The Hurt Locker” Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
* “Inglourious Basterds” Sally Menke
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Joe Klotz

Foreign Language Film

* “Ajami” Israel
* “El Secreto de Sus Ojos” Argentina
* “The Milk of Sorrow” Peru
* “Un Prophète” France
* “The White Ribbon” Germany

Makeup

* “Il Divo” Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano
* “Star Trek” Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow
* “The Young Victoria” Jon Henry Gordon and Jenny Shircore

Music (Original Score)

* “Avatar” James Horner
* “Fantastic Mr. Fox” Alexandre Desplat
* “The Hurt Locker” Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
* “Sherlock Holmes” Hans Zimmer
* “Up” Michael Giacchino

Music (Original Song)

* “Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
* “Down in New Orleans” from “The Princess and the Frog” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
* “Loin de Paname” from “Paris 36” Music by Reinhardt Wagner Lyric by Frank Thomas
* “Take It All” from “Nine” Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston
* “The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)” from “Crazy Heart” Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Best Picture

* “Avatar” James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
* “The Blind Side” Nominees to be determined
* “District 9” Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers
* “An Education” Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers
* “The Hurt Locker” Nominees to be determined
* “Inglourious Basterds” Lawrence Bender, Producer
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, Producers
* “A Serious Man” Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Producers
* “Up” Jonas Rivera, Producer
* “Up in the Air” Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, Producers

Short Film (Animated)

* “French Roast” Fabrice O. Joubert
* “Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty” Nicky Phelan and Darragh O’Connell
* “The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)” Javier Recio Gracia
* “Logorama” Nicolas Schmerkin
* “A Matter of Loaf and Death” Nick Park

Short Film (Live Action)

* “The Door” Juanita Wilson and James Flynn
* “Instead of Abracadabra” Patrik Eklund and Mathias Fjellström
* “Kavi” Gregg Helvey
* “Miracle Fish” Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey
* “The New Tenants” Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson

Sound Editing

* “Avatar” Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
* “The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson
* “Inglourious Basterds” Wylie Stateman
* “Star Trek” Mark Stoeckinger and Alan Rankin
* “Up” Michael Silvers and Tom Myers

Sound Mixing

* “Avatar” Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson
* “The Hurt Locker” Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett
* “Inglourious Basterds” Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti and Mark Ulano
* “Star Trek” Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson and Peter J. Devlin
* “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers and Geoffrey Patterson

Visual Effects

* “Avatar” Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones
* “District 9” Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros and Matt Aitken
* “Star Trek” Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh and Burt Dalton

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

* “District 9” Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
* “An Education” Screenplay by Nick Hornby
* “In the Loop” Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
* “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher
* “Up in the Air” Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

Writing (Original Screenplay)

* “The Hurt Locker” Written by Mark Boal
* “Inglourious Basterds” Written by Quentin Tarantino
* “The Messenger” Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
* “A Serious Man” Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
* “Up” Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter, Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy