The Gaming Grid

I just read an article today that says the CPU has pretty much hit a brick wall in terms of physicality. What the hell does that mean? CPUs really can’t offer more than they do right now except for speed and at a cost of power consumption. Enter the GPU. Everything under the sun can run through the GPU now. It really has no limits to its functions. Hell, the things are being used as physics processors for games and rendering. Ever think that would happen? Oh, there’s more…

Apparently, Microsoft has been doing some major R&D into using old computers to create “Personal Assistants”. Again, what the hell does THAT mean? Well, MS wants to create a somewhat watered down AI program that can sense things. It can help you schedule things and offer help on others and even book airline tickets. Okay, how scary is it that MS wants to do something as innovative as this? Well, until it becomes used and shows major usefulness in many areas, I’m not really gonna worry about it. If Cyberdyne happens to be created within the next 20 years, then we can sh!t our pants.

I never would have thought the CPU would have limitations. I know companies have some major ordeal making things smaller for whatever reason, but the more things you cram into a small space, the more its going to expand that space whether you like it or not. Oh well if a CPU has to be bigger than an inch and a half if it helps with making it more effective at what it does or needs to do. I honestly wouldn’t have an issue having 2 separate units doing separate things. If I could have my CPU going 8 GHz because other things can be done on another processor on the board at 1 GHz, then so be it!

In the future, the GPU will become more effective and almost more needed if things are progressing the way Microsoft thinks and is showing it can. We’ve only barely touched the tech pool with what things can do. I think it has to do with the fact that engineers and programmers have “tunnel-vision” and see only one component being the answer despite the multiple abilities of everything else. It’s actually a great thing to see unused processor power being used for something other than nothing. Too bad it didn’t happen sooner.

Nominated Games
* A Kingdom for Keflings
* Portal
* Braid
* Castle Crashers
* Bionic Commando Rearmed
* Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2
* Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
* N+
* Penny Arcade Episode 1
* Schizoid
* Age of Booty
* Boogie Bunnies
* Roogoo
* Meteos Wars
* Soul Calibur
* Mega Man 9
* Rez HD
* Fable II Pub Games
* Duke Nukem 3D
* Galaga Legions
I have been really enjoying whats been on the XBLA so far. So does Microsoft. Hit up their site and let them know what you think. Yes we can. On this list I have played a few, I really loved that they have Duke Nukem 3D. Mega Man 9 made you feel like a kid again playing on the NES. That goes to show you that graphics don’t count for everything. Castle Crashers is a fun golden axe style side scroller with a new look. For a few extra Microsoft points you and a group of buddies can have fun. Taking you back to the days of old, where trash talk wasn’t a string of four letter words.

So check it out. Vote!
Awards 2008

Unfortunately I do not own a Nintendo DS, but I love the Fire Emblem series. Not many people know of them, since not many have been released outside Japan. But with the release of Smash Brothers, you could find a fan sub of the games. Even with really bad Engrish you could get a general idea of what is going on. The last one I owned was the first one to come out for the Game boy advanced.

I owned the SP and loved it. Now I love tactical turn based squad games. The story was decent and the game play was really well done. One thing I love about these style games, is that the art work is usually better than most other games. They don’t have to put to much time into 3D rendering, so they can put that time into other things.

One of the cool things that I see with this, is the duel screen which is awesome, but also the multiplayer. I think having a quick reference on your second screen can save time, and help you from making those silly mistakes. The multiplayer may be great, depending on what kind of units you can field. Now not owning one I’ll have to steal someones to play this, But what I would think would make a great multiplayer experience, is that you can unlock characters through the single player to start with. Fighting either co-op or vs. you can level them your own way. Unlocking additional character through multiplayer gaming. This would allow for great variety and game play.

The Nintendo site says that you pick character you have raised from battles, but not sure if these are the guys you start off with or what. If you like Turn based Tactics, I would pick this up for the DS. If you do I’m Jealous.

In my very last post, I stated that I wanted more. Well looks like I got my wish. They just released a deleted scene. This is an extra level but didn’t make the cut. But the big question on my mind is a single level worth 100 XBL points. I’m sure Ill wind up getting this anyways, but it still feels like I’m being ripped off. I think if they had a little more for this DLC I would have no problem.

The pinnacle of alien evolution, Maw is a cowardly fat blob concerned mostly with snacking and lounging. He can, however, absorb the traits of anything he eats, is virtually indestructible, and can grow to unlimited size. If he wasn’t a danger to all life in the universe, he’d make the perfect pet. In this action/adventure game, he’s the best friend of our hero Frank, and only by working together can Maw eat their way to freedom. The Maw was honored with the Audience Choice Award in the 2008 PAX-10 showcase of independent games.

Lets take a short trip down memory lane with me. This was a time when the arcade was awesome… and that’s about it. The original games, Sucked ass. Lets face it, no one really watched cut scenes. You just skipped right on passed that. Why? Cause the story, Dialogue, and graphics blew. All you wanted to do was watch green blood come out of zombies. I think between all the arcade renditions the only thing that changed was the gun.

Sometimes you had a pistol, sometimes you had a Shotgun. But, do you remember the keyboard. I think the best part of this series was Typing of the dead. Or how about pinball of the dead, at least they were funny.
Now for the Wii, comes House of the dead: Overkill. This latest in the dull line of HotD, has the same graphics, but with one kick. Now they are putting a Grainy film overlay to the whole thing. Is this so we dont know how bad the game looks? I know left 4 dead came out, and it had a cool film overlay. But L4D is fun, and it looks good.

Left 4 Dead can and will catch you off guard and scare you, The only thing House of the dead did for me, was put my arm to sleep while I held the gun. After the second or third level, you would see people holding their gun arm with the other. Now I’m not saying HotD isn’t fun. It just I like rail shooters in the arcade, and it was all that we really had at the time.

Hopefully they wont try to make another move out of the series.

Hey, at least the Trailer is funny. I will see what it like when it comes out, but I’m not holding my breath.