This is Microsoft in all it's glory

I know its been a while since I made a blog post, but I finally found the perfect subject. I never thought Microsoft could get so stupid, but believe me, this is all real and it happened about ten minutes ago.

If there is one gaming series I have always loved, its been the AOE series - better known as the Age Of Empires Series. Undoubtably, the second generation (Age of Kings, followed by the expansion The Conquerers) is my favourite one and while the third one is excellent, nothing will beat the second.

So, when I discovered about a year back that a new AOE title was soon to be released, I got really excited. I figured, 'why not look at some screenshots of the work-in-progress'?

Sadly however, I couldnt be more disappointed. Firstly, what I saw were cartoon greek hoplites attacking Egyptian spearmen. AOE has ALWAYS been about realism, so why all the cartoon stuff? I was further disappointed when I discovered that Gas Powered Games were creating it. GPG made Dungeon Siege, another of my all time favourite series. Ever since GPG sold off the DS franchise to Obsidian, they really karked it in terms of quality.

But, I persisted, thinking it might be okay. More wrong thinking on my side.

The game itself only comes with two civ's: The Greeks and the Egyptians. In order to get more civ's, the user must PURCHASE the extra civ's (Such as the celts) with REAL LIFE MONEY.

Screw that.

I was not prepared on any level whatsoever to buy a game that gives you barely anything and expects you to pay further money in order play as other civ's. AOE2 was good in that it gave you everything right from the beginning - why hold back?

At about this point, I decided that I wasnt going to buy the game, even though JB-HiFi listed it as a meager $20. About the same as AOE2 is selling for at the moment.

So, low and behold, I'm casually browsing Steam today and I discover AOE Online for free. My initial thoughts? 'Alright, it looks stupid, but its free. I might as well try it'. So, I get to downloading it. The final size is about 2GB, which I was happy with. When its done, it happy loads the launcher and starts the game. The music plays and I think, yea, this could be the AOE series I knew and loved.

Two options appear, "Start" and "Live". Live obviously stood for online play, based on what I had read previously. I press Start and the Games for Windows Live (GWL) screen appears (Oh please no).

It wants me to sign in. Well, luckily, I have a GWL ID so I sign in.

Then it asks for a CD Key.

WHAT THE HELL!!!

This game came FREE on Steam. Why on earth would I need a CD Key? I alt-tab to steam and look around for one - there isnt one.

So, I go online and search it up. As it turns out, about 500 other people also have this problem. Eventually, a forum moderator made a post saying that in order to fix the problem, I had to 'buy' the game off the GWL website. The GWL website lists it as free as well, so I think: 'Sure, okay... minor oversight'. I go to GWL, sign in and browse for the game. Sure enough, its there.

I click purchase on the game, and it says okay, tells me how much will be deducted (Nothing, since its a free game) and a few other pointless details. The next step is Billing Information.

As soon as I press that, I am whisked away to another screen, wanting to verify the purchase. It's apparently sent an email to sirphilp@hotmail.com with the code. Not only do I NOT remember having an account like this, there's nothing in my folder of passwords that tells me that the account ever existed (I have a folder with all my usernames, passwords and backup details in it that goes back about ten years. Don't bother looking, you'll never find it).

So I think, okay, a minor glitch in my folder. I go onto hotmail.com and type in sirphilp@hotmail.com. Hotmail comes back to me and says the email address doesnt exist...

DOESNT... EXIST...

Big oversight here Microsoft...

Thinking its another glitch on my email (Apple would never do this - yes, I said it), I go onto my email and check my recovery accounts page. Sure enough, sirphilp@hotmail.com is there. So I press delete.

The confirmation message says that it will take ONE WHOLE MONTH in order to delete this single line of information.

ONE WHOLE MONTH.

Well screw that. I go back to the recovery accounts page and put in my newer email address - dowdeswell.iv@outlook.com (Just in case you didnt know, this is my new email address). Guess what! It's going to take ONE WHOLE MONTH to get that one line of data added.

ONE WHOLE MONTH FOR ONE LINE OF DATA.

In Conclusion

In order to play AOE Online, I must wait one month for my email addresses to link as recovery accounts and then be able to get the code to verify my account as being allowed to purchase, and THEN be able to get the CD-Key to play a game THAT IS FREE.

I would have thought that Microsoft would have loved to make money off the DLC for this game when everyone was able to play it for free. But I'm certain that nobody in their sane state of mind would willingly get a game, only to have to wait a whole month in order to play it. This is Microsft in all its shining glory...

Not worth it Microsoft...

Not worth it at all...

AOE Online - deleted...

The logic of installing XP

So right now I am reinstalling the operating system on my Auntie's computer. Despite the fact that not only did she lose the operating system disk, I also cant access the directory "my computer". Never mind, a challenge is a challenge. The following questions it asked me certainly made me laugh a little inside.

Which drive do you want to install Microsoft Windows XP on?

A: C:\

B: Cancel

"C:\" was my option...

Which partition of C:\ do you want to install Microsoft Windows XP on?

A: C:\ "1 bazzillion bytes used. 0.5 bazzillion bytes free

B: C:\ "7 MB free"

Obviously, I picked the one with a bazzillion bytes of space...

Warning! Setup has detected another operating system already installed on this disk! Installing another operating system runs a high risk of damaging the already installed operating systems/s. Are you sure you want to continue?

A: Yes, continue installing

B: Quit.

Considering how I was INTENDING to overwrite the operating system anyway, I continued with yes.

Would you like to reconfigure the drive to use the NTFS file system? Warning! This will erase everything currently installed on the harddrive!

A: Format the harddrive with NTFS (Quick)

B: Format the harddrive with NTFS

C: Do not format the harddrive.

I picked B. I have the time to go through a good long format.

And that's how the viruses were all destroyed. It feels good to watch them as the card writer overwrites them with nothing, sending them to the depths of oblivion...

A bunch of stuff - Plus some plans

I figured I should probably write something up here again now. After all, its been something like four weeks since I told everyone that I had to go, my enemies must be defeated...

So, there's a bunch of new developments in Life and the Universe...

NOVEMBER SIXTH - 2012

That's right. That's a very important date. Want to know WHY its an important date? BECAUSE I SAID SO YOU TWAT. HALO 4 is realeased on this date, which basically means that I will be disconnected from everything else until I use up every bullet I can from sunrise till sundown over the course of several days. I'm really excited for this and hey, if anyone wants to buy it for me, I'll happily show you a video of me kicking Covenant and Forerunner butt right back to the core of Requeim.

Fire Lord Philip

 

Well... Thats what they call me now on Facebook. Okay, want the story? It's simple. There was a bunch of wood and there was some petrol. I couldnt help myself. I'm actually smiling at the camera in this shot, but the focus makes it too hard to see my face. You have no idea just how much I love this photo...

In other news, I've recently... uhhh... "acquired" the full version of a game called Kerbal Space Program.

In the most basic sense, you design a spacecraft, launch it, controll it, attempt to get into outer space and ultimately, land on the moon. (Or if your really ambitious, try and land on one of the further out planets. Not that easy actually! So far I have no issues with getting into space... There is however... ONE problem. By the time I AM in space... I have no more fuel. But soon that will all change!

 "High Monster", as I have called this wonderful craft above, is basically one giant container of fuel attached to multiple rockets. As the rocket goes into the atmosphere, it breaks off empty fuel containers, thus becoming lighter and faster. The biggest problem that I currently have? Same as the others. I hit space, got no more fuel...

Kerbal Space Program uses what's called "Stages" to get a rocket into space. Generally speaking, every time you advance in a stage (Which you determine), you break off bits of your rocket that you dont need anymore. The idea is that you stagger each layer of fuel usage to the jets, and also use jets in different stages to achieve the maximum effectiveness of liftoff. Coming down is a matter of remembering to use the parachute. (Or if your really skilled, land on the runway...

 I always get a good feeling when I see my spacecraft lift off. Although it becomes quite clear that the game doesnt exactly have the most stunning graphics, the gameplay is quite good, especially with lift off. Seeing all that exhaust hitting the ground as you rise majestically into the air is quite good. Unless of course your designing is quite poor, in which case you come crashing back down to the ground in what can be quite a stunning explosion.

 And then, seeing the planet below while you achieve orbit? Always a good feeling. It's interesting to see here that most of the time, I shut my engines off. The speed at which I have left the planet easily makes up for any chance of a decaying orbit. Infact, in order to correctly get to the moon, I very often have to make adjustments. The game is quite realistic in this respect.

This ship I designed, named Space Born 1, runs fairly smoothly... Well, along the runway. So far no craft I have created is capable of lifting up off the runway, despite having a speed of over 180 meters per second. I think this might be an oversight of the developers. Either that, or I am a sucky pilot...

Overall rating? 8/10

There's a few things about the game that annoy me. You cant exactly fly plane in the atmosphere because the controls are too heavy (Too hard) and you almost always end up crashing back down onto the surface.

Secondly, I have so far found it impossible to make a successful launch on the provided runway. Either it is too short or it's just a severe oversight. Still, the explosions of failure are always spectacular.

BUT, the game is very fun - and a bit addictive. There's that push to design the perfect spacecraft, adjusting bits here and there, trying to make it as easy as possible to get into space. I once saw a video on youtube where someone successfully put a spacestation (Custom content, not included) into orbit around the planet, and THAT was impressive!

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And finally, a simple phrase for a special someone who knows who they are. Perhaps they would like to attempt to decipher this message...

Plans are being made, oh dear one.

Many plans, both small and large.

And the time for enactment is nearly upon you.

So wake up. Wake up and face the task at hand....

MUA HA HA HA HA

The Finder found Skyrim

So in a recent newspost by media network Fox, the creator/host/funder of the show called "The Finder" in which a guy has an obsession to find things (In the most quickest description) has decided to axe the show, due to wanting to boost budget for "Touch". I kinda found Touch to be pretty boring and even the basic plot didnt interest me much.

So on the whole, not too happy.

Then Skyrim came out with patch 1.6 which means you can fight on horseback. So I'm extra happy now. I must go now, my enemies need me.

Mafia: Extreme Outdoor Edition

Most of you know the card game called "Mafia" in which you pit civilians against the Mafia. The game is elevated by the use of the doctor (Also known as Angel for others) and the Sheriff (Also known as Police or Spy or Detective)

Well, this is a conversation that happened at Youthgroup one night after a particularly good game of Mafia:

"I wonder if you could do an outdoor version"
"Sounds possible"

And thus I was given the opportunity to create...

Mafia: Extreme Outdoor Edition

Introduction: 
Built upon the premise of the original card game Mafia, this new version adds in more features that allow it to be used outside and is generally more physically active but just as fun.

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Needed Gear:
One mini-game for every five players (This is to reduce the length of queues as the game is quite fast-paced)
Leaders to manage the mini-games and organise individual points.
PREFERABLY: A minimum of twenty players. It is still possible with less than twenty but it does not work nearly as effectively.
Tables/Chairs, etc.
PREFERABLY: Prior knowledge as to how the cardgame works as it will make it easier to move into this version.
Small slips of Paper to write on.

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Objective: Mafia must kill the Civilians before the Civilians kill the Mafia.

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Players:
One mafia in every five players (Four mafia in a group of twenty - six mafia in a group of thirty)
A Doctor
A Sheriff

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Method of Play:

The game is organised into a Day/Night cycle of five or ten minutes (Add time for an increased number of players). When ten minutes is up, everyone regroups at the main points desk for notices, accusations and deaths.

During the day, players will quickly move around the different minigames as they please, racking up as many points as they can. The more difficult the challenge, the more points they get. Players can either move in groups or individually, both choices have merits and consequences.

The individual points cost is divided into cheap, normal, expensive and UBER. The Mafia have an extra "Uber" as the final one is basically a instant victory although the price is very hard to get. Costs are reset for each Cycle.

• Killing, saving and identifying

 When the Mafia want to kill someone, the targets name must be written on a piece of paper and handed into the points desk, along with the points cost. A confirmation paper will be given back.

First kill: 500pts

Second Kill: 1500pts

Third Kill: 3000pts

Fourth Kill:  6000pts 

All Civilians die: 16000pts

The mafia do not have to kill in every cycle, but it is advised that they talk to each other about who should be killed. If two first kill requests are handed in, the second is nullified without redemption.

Unlike the cardgame, the doctor is now able to save groups of people rather than individuals for daynight cycles. By paying a fee, a group of people that the doctor has been with is saved from being killed for the rest of the cycle. However, the doctor cannot save themself at all. The doctor must write on a piece of paper who they want to save and hand it into the points desk along with the cost. A confirmation paper will be given back.

Small group save (3): 500pts

Medium Group save (5): 1500pts

Large Group Save (10): 3000pts

Emergency standby (11 - 200): 9000pts

Be warned though, a protected player can still be killed through an accusation.

The Sheriff is able to detect who the mafia is by handing in the required points along with requested names. The points manager will hand a list of names as well as their status back to the Sheriff.

Single detection (1): 500pts

Triple detection (3): 1500pts

Super Detection (6): 3000pts

Spy Network (11 - 200): 9000pts

The Civilians work slightly differently, in that they must all work together (Despite not knowing who each other is) to take down the Mafia. They must all gather points to create an accusation. However the Mafia is also able to contribute to an accusation, making it harder to work out who is civilian or Mafia. Unlike other payments, these payments are made during the end of a cycle when everyone regroups.

First accusation: 3000pts

Second accusation: 7000pts

Third Accusation: 12000pts

Force Card Reveal: 20000pts

The "Force Card Reveal" payment, despite being the most expensive in the game, forces an accused player to reveal their card. This is actually quite risky as it allows the mafia to also learn who the player is, thus making it easier for them to find the doctor and the sheriff.

The mafia can contribute to paying for an accusation, but they themselves cannot accuse someone. Any number of civilians can contribute any amount of payment they want to an accusation.

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Accusations

When a player is accused of being the Mafia, someone else must support the accusation (If the accusation does not go through, then the points are NOT returned). The accused is given a chance to defend themselves after which, everyone votes whether or not to kill the player. If the player is killed then they reveal their card. Otherwise it stays hidden.

Ending the Game

The game ends when either all Mafia are killed or there are not enough civilians left to be able to defeat the mafia (More mafia than civilians)

In the end, there are two victors, the remaining team and the surviving player with the most remaining points.

Strategies

• There is one mafia in every group of five civilians (Four civilians, one mafia). The civilians can afford to lose three civilians to kill a Mafia (Though, strategy is neccecary for clear victories)
• It is not implied anywhere in the rules that a player cannot reveal their card to another player. However keeping your card secret allows you to have some leverage over other players.
• If a players card is revealed (Such as the Force Card Reveal payment), then it is highly advised that the doctor protect them  in the next round and possibly the second.
• The Mafia don't have to stick together - Spreading out with other groups to figure out who is who generally gives them an upper hand. Sometimes skipping a turn to kill a player gives them the points to kill two.
• For the sake of the survival, the civilians are very dependant on keeping the pressure on mafia. If the mafia arent forced to kill people, they can easily hide in the shadows and rack up enough points to kill everyone in one turn.
• The Mafia should strategically work out who is the biggest threat to them. Eliminating the Doctor is more effective than killing the sheriff.

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So, what do you think?

My late review of Skyrim

While pretty much everyone else on the planet who writes reviews has already written one, I felt like writing my own personal review of Bethesda's game: "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim". Just as a warning, this review CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!

Introduction - Before the game...

My first introduction to Skyrim was on a Notch's blog (Founder of Mojang, he made Minecraft, etc) and how Bethesda was suing them for copyright infringements as the name of Notch's next game was called Scrolls. Naturally, I supported Notch, as since Bethesda's game was called "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" and most people were, at the time, nicknaming the game "skyrim". How you can confuse "Scrolls" and "Skyrim" is beyond me.

Although, after seeing the post-production screenshots, I figured that it couldnt be that bad of a game. My brother, Ben, got it for christmas and here's where things really annoyed me.

Installation

Skyrim on PC runs through Steam, just so you know, and as such that means that my brother and I supposedly could only run one copy on his computer, well, being the technical genius that I am, I found a way around that that I probably cant post here for legal reasons. Never the less, it really annoys me when a company is so strict on product distribution that you cant have multiple copies at home on your computers to share with siblings. Oh well, their doing the best that they can.


The game itself

Originally, I was skeptical about playing Skyrim due to a number of forseen problems, but I'll address those later. I'll start with the merits of the game.

Game positives

The detail that Skyrim offers its players is incredibly amazing. The game contains practically no linear path to the story whatsoever and players are free to go off and do whatever the heck they want whenever they want (Excluding a few certain things). The free playability comes after you finish the tutorial, which includes escaping from a freaking huge dragon called Alduin who apparently wants to eat the world... Yea... He must be really hungry.

Lower end PC's may have a few difficulties running the game engine, however there is a considerable amount of customization available so that you can optimize it. I was quite impressed with the chat system. While you are free to choose a player name, the characters will never refer you to this name and most, instead will give you the name of "Dragonborn", a title apparently meaning that you have the body of a Human/Argonian/Elf/Orc/whatever but the soul of a dragon. Sounds pretty cool to me!
The game also has a very well created chat system for interacting with NPC's. Typically your given a list of questions and responses to what a NPC talks about, however saying certain messages can often change how another character thinks about you. Your conversations with others actually get to the point where you can change the outcome of war.

Skyrim also features over two hundred different locations to discover which are revealed on your map. This means that players will pretty much always have a new place to discover and kill enemies inside it.

Game Negatives

While admittedly, the game does give players a large amount of places to discover, a major issue eventually arose with me was that it eventually became too easy to win battles. The game does level enemies in new locations to your average level, but the problem that I always ran into was that they were not tough enough after a while and that it eventually got to the point where killing dragons involved about four-five slashes from my sword and bang, easy kill. The end result is a character who could probably destroy the world better than the main antagonist, Alduin.

Bugs Bugs Bugs. Skyrim is FULL of them. While any and all games across the expanse of Earth do contain bugs, Skyrim might as well take the award for the game with the most bugs that has been sold worldwide. Most bugs are hard to avoid and some of them even go as far as making it impossible to continue the main campaign, which by the way is really annoying. Often fixing the bug requires the player to reload from the most recent savegame, but in some cases it requires the player to acess the game console, a feature only available on PC, leaving Xbox and PS3 players stuck in problematic spot. If your curious as to just how many bugs there are in the game, take a look at The Elder Scrolls Wikia. Roughly every page related to Skyrim has a special section on bugs related to a character, a quest or even just items.

Overall Result

Skyrim is a good game and gives the player hours upon hours of playing ability. If you get bored of fighting, switch to smithing or enchanting or alchemy or... you get the picture. The big downside is that eventually it gets way too easy and bugs can often prevent the finishing of quests or even the game. My final result is 7/10. I'd be happy to give it an 8 or 9 if they'd fix so many of the bugs.

Exam Results

NCEA Exam Results are out.
Your probably curious as to what my marks are.

I'm not curious at all... and have chosen to ignore them and instead pursue a path of maintaining the knowledge of not knowing. That is all.

Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!