Mystery Case Files: Escape From Ravenherst Review

Hi all, here’s a link to my review for Escape From Ravenhearst. NOTE: The review language is NC16. Enjoy.

The Number 3 in 2011

2011 was a wonderful year for gaming with plenty of high profile game releases such as Skyrim. However, did you know ever notice just how many games came with the number 3 last year? There should be more, but here are just 10 for me to share. Let’s have a look:

Battlefield 3

One of the best looking games of the year, requiring an install for the Xbox 360 version to play at its best, leaving the Bad Company spin-off for a proper entry to the series which so happens to be, the number 3. Boasting an impressive level of destructibility in the game environments and lighting that is very realistic, this is one fine shooter that brought the heat to the first-person shooter genre in 2011.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

The best-selling game of all time returns once more with its annual entry. Modern Warfare 3 serves as the finale to the Modern Warfare trilogy with a heart-pounding cinematic campaign and an improved multiplayer experience. As the king of the first-person shooter genre, it brings to 2011 not just another phenomenal entry to the series, but also, a number 3 to 2011.

Dirt 3

The racing scene was also graced with the number 3, from the popular Dirt series. Now at its third entry to the series, Dirt 3 continues to impress graphically and introduces more game modes. Although it boasts realistic driving physics, it is surprising to see some of the modes introduced being party modes. Plus, it introduces the new motorsport, gymkhana.

Gears of War 3

One of the only few prides of the Xbox 360 last year, happens to be yet another finale to a trilogy. Gears of War 3 pushed the capabilities of the box to treat players with a breathtaking experience that is full of action and rich in content. Best of all, it is without a doubt, the best game in the trilogy with greater variety and replay value. A great end at number 3 delta squad!

Just Dance 3

There just has to be a dancing game every year, but that is inevitable as they simply sell very well. With many dancing games out there, there has to be one that hits the third entry. Just Dance hits the spot and it just so happens to be out in 2011. Fun Fact: Did you know that Obama also bought the game?

Killzone 3

This PlayStation 3 exclusive title boasts 3D and Move support. Launching alongside the PlayStation Sharpshooter peripheral, it is the ultimate shooting experience which brings a great shooting start to 2011. It may not be the third Killzone game created, but it ends with the number 3.

Marvel VS Capcom 3

Even the fighting scene has an entry that touches the number 3. After nearly a decade of wait, the popular Marvel VS Capcom fighting series finally received another sequel with its third entry. With enhanced graphics running in high definition at 60 frames per second, this flashy fighter is very friendly to even the most casual of gamers with the first of its kind, Simple Mode.

Resistance 3

The fight against the Chimera continues with this number 3 in the Resistance franchise. It may not be the best-selling first-person shooter of the year, but it is still one of the best offerings for shooter fans out there. With similar technological offerings as Killzone 3 (3D, Move), Resistance 3 has a variety of innovative guns that players can use.

Saints Row The Third

Third? Why not 3? Don’t ask me, but third still means the number 3, right? This little brother of Grand Theft Auto (GTA) has always been pushing the open world genre towards the opposite of GTA. While GTA pushes for realism, Saints Row pushes to simply be an outrages fun game and ultimately, a guilty pleasure to play. If a fictional Japanese game show of mascot killing is of any indication about this third entry, Saints Row The Third is definitely sticking true to its name.

Uncharted 3

One of the prides of the PlayStation brand is back with its third outing. Uncharted 3, which can be played in 3D, sets Nathan Drake on a globe-trotting journey that involves stunning set pieces and a story to remember. With its greatest multiplayer offering ever, the Uncharted series continues to push the graphical boundaries of a home console with its outstanding lighting effects and amazing environments.

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In the new year ahead, there will be number 3s. As many as 2011? Maybe not. However, we can definitely look forward to more great titles releasing this year. Until then, may 2012 be yet another if not a more phenomenal year for gaming.

GET in 2012

I have been a student of Temasek Polytechnic’s Diploma in Games and Entertainment Technology (GET) for nearly 2 years now. It is the course of my choice as I have a strong love for games and passion for creating them. Remember, this is not a place for playing games. This is a place where people learn how a game is being developed. It is not as easy as what most people would think, but that is the beauty of it.

2010 is the year I enrolled for GET and have since been taught multiple coding languages and even 3D modelling. Not everything we learn are exactly enjoyable or even given enough time for exploration. Fortunately, for those enrolling this year, there has been a change to the course structure. I do not know the exact details of the change, but from I have been hearing, it sounds far nicer than what I have gone through. I even felt cheated to have enrolled in 2010, but that is tough luck for me to be old enough at 2010.

Put it this way, if I was given a sleeping bag to sleep on, those enrolling this year will be given a proper bed to sleep on. However, this does not mean you can just shake your legs all day while slurping tea as there will still be work for you to. And work, depending on your level of input, may bring about sleepless nights. No pressure, it is just how education goes. As long as you pay attention and practice, you should be fine.

If it is any reason someone should have when considering GET, it has to be that he or she wants to learn to make games. Even if you do not have any experience in game development, the staff in school and the new course structure will help you take baby steps towards being a game developer. I joined without any experience and was able to understand everything that was taught and remember, I enrolled in 2010. So there is absolutely nothing to fear from enrolling for GET.

Interested in GET? Visit this link to find out more about the course. Alternatively, why not visit our campus Open House? Meet the staff for yourself and get a personal feel for the course.

GET Open House 2012

Once again its time for the annual Temasek Polytechnic Open House. It’s only been 1.5 years since I left my Secondary school okay perhaps 2 years? I’m too old to recall! Anyway lets get on with the topic of the day..

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T16–Game & Entertainment Technology

Top 10 reasons to choose Game & Entertainment Technology(GET)?

1: You want to create entertaining applications( games!)

If you have a passion for creating video games/applications then you are at the right place. The video embedded above showcases a number of games created by our very own GET students.

2 :The increasing important role of being a developer

“Developers,developers,developers”, take a look around you. Think about the number of devices around you interact with, iPhone, PSP, Xbox etc all this devices run applications that someone, somewhere have created. Does Angry birds ring a bell? Well with the booming developer industry, its a great time to pick up development skills to secure a place in the job market of the future(GET FTW!).

3: Explain to others why you are always “playing games” instead of “working”

Sure you get to play games in GET, and I’m always amazed by how many friends are impressed by this long standing misconception.WARNING: The only games you play are the ones that you have created! True Story.

4: Have a good reason to eat junk food

Probably fine for the first few days…but soon you will discover that what fuels a proper diet is carbohydrates,protein,fats and minerals! Having a proper diet will increase your level cap,and don’t forget to exercise.

5: So that you can wear anything to school

As long as its not your birthday suit…should be fine.

6: You live near Temasek Polytechnic

Extra sleeping time, definitely a plus.

7: You randomly picked GET

Nuff Said.

8: You like Star Wars

Really?

9: You think its easy

No. You got to earn your keep!

10: You are a video game junkie

WARNING: this is probably the worst reason to join GET, know that GET is about developing games = a lot of hard work involved. Just loving video games is not going to get you very far. But if you love gaming + want to create games, then that’s a boon.

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More updates from ground zero soon

You can tweet me at https://twitter.com/#!/inugeisha !

–
Jasper Phua Kai Wen
Games Entertainment Tech
C260
Temasek Polytechnic

Digital Media & Entertainment Challenge 2011

The Digital Media & Entertainment Challenge 2011 organized by GET and held in TP has just concluded, and we are pleased to announce the winners of the competition as follows:

Champion - Nan Hua High School

1st Runner Up - Whitley Secondary School

2nd Runner Up - Ngee Ann Secondary School

Consolation - Chung Cheng High School

Consolation - School of Science and Technology, Singapore

The competition was designed to allow student participants to exercise their creative talents to develop a 3D game using the Unity 3D game engine. Participants formed teams of 3 members to compete in the competition. There were two rounds in this competition – a Qualifying Round and a Final Round. During the Qualifying Round, the participating group submitted a game level design document. In the Final Round, the teams used the Unity 3D game engine to develop their games.

We are proud to say that the participants were motivated and passionate in game creation, as can be seen in the sweet fruits of their labour. Our heartiest congratulations to all of you participants!

DME Challenge 2011

For more photos, please download them here.

The Digital Media & Entertainment Challenge is part of the National Infocomm Competition 2011 which is co-ordinated by IDA and is open to all secondary schools.

We look forward to seeing you again next year!

WhatsApp and WindowsPhone 7.5 "Mango"

The private beta for WhatsApp has been up in the Windows Marketplace for a few days now. The WP community over at Wpcentral have even got a first look preview video of WhatsApp uploaded on youtube. Do check out the original article here.

 

WhatsApp first look by WPcentral

As you might have already noticed, I am an avid fan of Microsoft products and have been a Windows Phone 7 user since its launch back in late 2010. With Windows Phone 7 approaching its first birthday, Microsoft is going to launch the much anticipated Mango update, aka Windows Phone 7.5 to the masses.

Despite being in an ecosystem already saturated with mobile operating systems such as iOS, Android, Symbian and more. Windows Phone 7′s Marketplace currently owns the crown of being the fastest growing app store, even beating the Android Market.

"According to the latest statistics provided by Windows Phone App List, the app store took 312 days to reach the milestone, taking around the same time as Apple’s iTunes App Store and 7 months faster than Google’s Android Market."  Source: ITProPortal

However, although Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 has seen stellar growth in the apps catalogue department. There has always been something missing from it, that missing app…is WhatsApp. Sure, WP7 might already have kik messenger, IM+, and even the built in fb/msn chat for those already on Mango. But non can compare to the popularity of WhatsApp, a cross platform messenger application that has been missing from Windows Phone 7….until now(Almost!)

Unfortunately WhatsApp will require existing Windows Phone devices to be updated to the Mango update/ aka Windows Phone 7. Hopefully WhatsApp will be launched officially when the forthcoming Mango update arrives! Watch out for Windows Phone 7.5 "Mango" coming this fall.

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Original blog post @http://allaboutphotons.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/whatsapp-and-windowsphone-7-5-mango/

Follow me on Twitter@inugeisha

 

Mango for the masses!

–
Jasper Phua Kai Wen
Games Entertainment Tech
C260
Temasek Polytechnic

Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Review

Introduction

The SideWinder X4 is the second keyboard in the Sidewinder line of gaming peripherals by Microsoft. Back in 2008, Microsoft released its first SideWinder branded keyboard the X6, along with its partner the SideWinder mouse. Clad in black , along with red backlighting, detachable number pad ,full media controls and macro keys. The X6 was an exceptional piece of hardware and scored excellent marks in reviews.

Fast forward to 2010, the SideWinder X4 gaming keyboard is the successor to its older brother the X6. The SideWinder X4 is unfortunately, a cut down version of the X6. Gone are the fancy features such as the detachable number pad and cruise control. Instead what you get, is a price cut and a stripped down version of the X6.

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What’s New?

The X4 has "anti ghosting" capabilities that the X6 lacked. "Ghosting" is the problem that some keyboard face when multiple keys are pressed at the same time, the keys simply do not register. This is particularly important for gamers where multiple key such as W+R+C are pressed at the same time(Crawl forward + Reload!) are a common occurrence. The X4 allows you to press up to 26 keys at once and register all keystrokes! Seriously 26 is more than enough, I only have 10 fingers to mash them on, but so far so good as the SideWinder X4 managed to register all kinds of keystroke combinations in Borderlands, even good old WarCraft 3.

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Design and Construction

To be honest, Microsoft nailed it when it comes to the design and construction of the SideWinder X4. The X4 is clad in glossy black finish that feels great to touch. With the backlight turned on, the SideWinder X4 looks absolutely gorgeous in the dark, with the red leds looking absolutely menacing in the dark. The dark side is strong with this one though, at the expense of being a fingerprint magnet.

The keys are well made and comfortable with a pleasant travel and springiness to it, Microsoft has chosen to adopt the standard QWERTY layout for the SideWinder X4. The SideWinder X4 also comes with a kick stand which was missing from the X6.

The SideWinder X4 is no cheap office keyboard. It feels heavy and durable enough to survive a zombie apocalypse, or a Rage Quit? There is also a non detachable wrist rest that runs along the entire length of the X4, and has a textured matt surface.

Some may prefer a removable wrist rest but not me, as most removable wrist rests feel flimsy due to their detachable components.

A common complaint of the SideWinder X4′s design is that the additional Macro keys cause mistypes. I encountered the same problem. Usually the left ctrl is at the edge of the keyboard and our hands tend to use the ctrl key to orientate our key presses but the additional Macro buttons means that the left ctrl is not at the edge of the keyboard. At first there were many mistypes but by the second day I was able to adapt and no longer hit the wrong keys!

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Macro and Intellitype

Installing Microsoft’s Intellitype software is required if you want to utilize the additional functions of the SideWinder X4. Sure the SideWinder X4 functions perfectly fine as a regular keyboard without Intellitype.

You can install Intellitype from the CD provided, or download it directly from the Microsoft’s site. Launching Intellitype you can assign Macros to the Macro keys on the SideWinder X4. The Macro keys can be assigned to keystrokes, commands, or even launching applications.

Macros are very useful especially in games, personally I Macro-ed the keys I and M to so that I could open my inventory or check maps in Borderlands. The macro keys are within easy reach of my left hand, and translates to a better gaming experience. You can also switch between 3 banks of Macros on the fly by using the bank switch located on the top left of the SideWinder X4.

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The Verdict: 9/10

With a build quality, beautiful design at an affordable price. The SideWinder X4 definitely holds its own against pricier keyboards. Extra features such as anti ghosting and dedicated Macro Keys makes the SideWinder 4 an all round excellent offering.

Original blog post @http://allaboutphotons.wordpress.com/

Follow me on Twitter@inugeisha

–
Jasper Phua Kai Wen
Games Entertainment Tech
C260
Temasek Polytechnic

Major Project

Well, later on in the morning will be the start of my Major Project… I think I have it good, in terms of my team members, project supervisor and game ideas. As my supervisor said, MP is the thing that will test what I’ve learnt in the past 2.25 years in TP GET. Hopefully, not only will I survive it, but I do dream of my game being a commercial success as well as being able to compete in the Independent Games Festival, which is part of the Games Developer Conference. It is a big dream, but why dream small when you can dream big?

ZX

TF2 FF

Well, Team Fortress 2 is now free forever… I just downloaded it and unfortunately, I didn’t see any servers that were below 200 ping, which was quite sad. It is fun, there’s no doubt about it, and it’s now free, so why not download it and have some fun? HAHA

ZX

E3 2011 Press Conferences Thoughts

Hey guys

It’s a very long time since I posted here and what’s more exciting to post than this year’s E3 press conferences?

To start off, I watched five press conferences: Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, EA and Ubisoft, with each of the press conferences showcasing awesome games and technology. I will just touch on the important bits and maybe some other bits that aren’t as important.

1. Microsoft

Games include Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Halo Anniversary, Halo 4, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, Dance Central 2, Mass Effect 3, Gears of War 3, etc, etc.

Xbox 360 Dashboard being fully Kinect-able (aka use your hands to navigate the Dashboard), Improved Kinect with voice recognition, Youtube in Xbox Live, etc, etc.

Thoughts: Awed at what Microsoft has to offer and not just the games, but also the fact that you can watch Youtube videos in your Xbox 360. Kincet Fun Labs is probably the way to go in improving Kinect as a platform to develop games for. Quite excited for Halo 4 (since I’m a Halo fan)

2. Sony

Games: Resistance 3, Street Fighter X Tekken, Uncharted 3, Starhawk, Battlefield 3, etc, etc.

Technology: Improved Move, PS Vita, 3D, 3D and loads of 3D

Thoughts: Well…. not much to talk about except for Move, PS Vita and 3D, which Sony emphasised on ALOT… I’m really surprised that Sony didn’t really touch on its really good franchises, like Final Fantasy and Metal Gear Solid and just plain focus on 3D and Move. 3D isn’t that exciting, though the same couldn’t be said for PS Vita, which I think is the right step that Sony is taking for its handheld device. That said, I felt that Sony’s press conference wasn’t as exciting as Microsoft’s. You can say that I’m biased against Sony, but you can just watch the press conference yourself.

3. Nintendo

Games: Zelda, Mario Karts, Luigi’s Mansion 2, etc, etc.

Technology: 3DS, 3DS, 3DS and Wii U

Thoughts: I thought that the press conference was soooo going to be 3DS all over until Wii U came. It is really another innovative idea from Nintendo that I really appreciate right after the Wii for its motion sensor. Well, a controller with a screen is better than a controller without one and isn’t it awesome if you can just play on while someone else watches something else? More new and innovative game ideas for Nintendo. Nintendo’s press conference was getting a bit boring with all of the 3DS stuff until Wii U came.

4. EA

Well, Battlefield 3. Mass Effect 3. Need For Speed: The Run. FIFA 12 (and nope, it’s not a recycled FIFA 11). The Sims Social (Think Sims on Facebook). What else can be said? Oh, yeah, Battlefield 3: 25 10 11

5. Ubisoft

Not much for Ubisoft… The only thing I took noticed was Assassin Creed Revelation, which looked awesome, and Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, which also looked awesome. There was also Far Cry 3 (Did I ever tell you the definition of insanity?)

I didn’t touch much on the developers’ press conference since I’m too damm lazy, but at least there’s the Big 3. IMHO, Microsoft’s press conference really beat the other press conferences hands down. Not to say that the others are bad, but it’s just that Microsoft’s is too good… Yeah, anyway, I can’t wait for the games to be released and to get my own Xbox 360…

ZX