Figuring Out FEZ Episode 3


Figuring Out FEZ Episode 2


Figuring Out FEZ Episode 1


Backlog Log Blog 8/21/2012


It’s been what...a month and a half since my first entry into the Backlog Log Blog? It seems as though the last two months of summer vacation have flown by in an instant. I feel like the Fourth of July was only last week. Even so, I’ve played/watched a good deal since that time. So much so that I doubt I’ll really remember everything I wanted to say about these topics at the time. If I do, this will probably get to be super duper long. I’ll try to keep it a reasonable length, but we’ll see.

A lot has happened since my last post. I went on vacation, got a little part time job, and of course, played a shit ton of games. As usual, I haven’t really watch any TV (I’d rather just watch the Breaking Bad season on my own time once it’s out), but I was able to catch the two big super hero movies of the summer in The Amazing Spiderman and Dark Knight Rises. Lastly, I managed to finally finish A Game of Thrones, so I’ll be giving a quick rundown of my thoughts on that book down at the end.


Learning How to Program Episode 4



So, I decided to change things up a little bit. I actually went back and rerecorded the first parts of my second and third episode to make the learning process a little bit easier for those who may watch this in the future, that way people aren't spending hours actually learning how to learn this stuff.

I actually made these two videos a few weeks back, but didn't get around to posting them. That being the case, Episode 5 will probably be right around the corner. I'm hoping to finish it before school starts next week, but we'll see.

Thanks to those that are watching. I'm getting at least a couple views on everything, so I'm glad to see at least someone is paying attention, even if they aren't actually using these videos for their purpose.

Learning How to Program Episode 3



So here is the third episode of my learning how to program series. For everyone/anyone who watched the last episode, this one is much shorter. Also, I did realize after listening to the next lectures and doing this next problem set that the Week 2 Monday lecture should have been listened too along with PSet1. I think I'll go back and add a comment to my second episode just to make sure anyone watching knows in the future.

This episode delves deeper into C by actually using it to encrypt text. After completing this problem set there are some important concepts about command line arguments and functions that you should have a firm grasp of. There is definitely not as large of a learning curve for this problem set as there was for the last problem sets, but maybe that was just me. Regardless, the more I learn about this stuff the more excited I get to learn more, so I'm probably going to jump right into the next lectures after I'm done writing this.

In any case, I hope this at least helps one person who wants to get into teaching themselves to program. If you've tried before and failed, or just don't know where to start I hope I can give you a good jumping off point. Also, there are definite times where it feels like you're hitting a wall, and you just kind of want to give up, but if you walk away and come back and then just push past it you will feel and immense amount of satisfaction. If this is you're first time seeing this you can just go to my youtube channel or look at my other blog posts for the first episodes if you want to start off from the beginning.

So again, comment if you have any suggestions, and hopefully I will crank out the next episode a little faster than the 3 weeks it took me to get around to this one.

Backlog Log Blog





This past week has been pretty busy with all the 4th of July nonsense, relatives coming in from out of state, my sisters’ graduation party, and a bunch of other craziness going on. So, I haven’t really had time to play many games in over a week and a half, not that there’s really any games coming out now. In fact, other than Diablo III, this summer has been pretty much barren in terms of games. A great chance to dig back into the pile of games I have always wanted to get around to, but never really found the time to play. So along with the other stuff I’ve started doing this summer, I’m also going to start a sort of “log” (or as I decided to call it the “Backlog Log Blog”, because I’m an idiot who thinks he’s hilariously clever) of all the older games I have finally decided to play.

Whether anyone ever actually reads this or not, it’s at least going to be fun way to motivate me a little more to dig back into those games I’ve had sitting there, begging to be played for years. And it never hurts to document your thoughts and get some extra practice writing. So why don’t I stop explaining what I’m going to do (like always), and just get to it.

Learning How to Program Episode 2




Finally, after two weeks, I have made the second episode of Learning How to Program. From now on I am hoping to be able to make one of these a week, but who knows what's going to happen. All I know is that I've really learned a lot in the past week or so, and I am extremely excited to learn more. Chances are I'll be diving in to the third episode as soon as possible, if all this 4th of July nonsense doesn't keep me away from my beloved computer (which it most definitely will).
My journey into learning this stuff has not been an easy one, which is why I hope these videos can help make the learning process a bit smoother for someone out there. I probably spent like 6 hours over 3 days learning how to make the very first program, and I almost hit a wall at one point. Maybe I'm just an idiot, but I'm still super happy about what I've already learned.
Recording this episode wasn't easy either. I probably changed the format about 4 or 5 times, and even lost 20 minutes of footage at one point. The good news is that I've finally nailed down the format by dividing each episode into multiple parts, and the actual production of these videos will only get easier from here. Anyway, enough of my rambling.
In this episode I dive straight into the language C. I go over some basic things at first, and then try to give some extra advice to any of you out there who just can't seem to wrap their minds around some of the math, syntax, or implementation of concepts in the language. Then, in Part 2, I proceed to show you the actual code I wrote for all three programs. Like I say in the videos multiple times, if you are actually trying to learn this stuff, don't skip ahead. You are only hurting yourself by looking to Part 2 before you are done coding the three programs. As I say in the videos too, leave any questions in the comments (or here) so I can try to help you if you get stuck.
Lastly, thanks to everyone watching these videos and subscribing. :D

Learning How To Program Episode 1


So this is my first video of the Learning How To Program series I am embarking on. I don't really have much to say about this first episode other than it's my first episode, so any and all advice is welcome. I'm planning to make the next episode within the few days, as well as start making some other video series so look for them.

To summarize this first episode, I explain how this video series is generally going to go, and I start by exploring the first few lectures and the first assignment of a Harvard course available for free online. I'm not sure where I'm going to go after i finish this course, but I'll get there when I get there. As I say in the video, if nothing else I'm going to be teaching myself something, but hopefully someone out there will benefit from this too. So, I hope you enjoy it :)

Minecraft: The Super Sneaky Time Sink




(Warning: This first section was written like 2 weeks ago because thats how long it’s been since I wrote then recorded the thing I mention at the end :P )

So you’ve probably never heard of this game before, but theres this super addictive game you should play called Minecraft. I know, I know, another small indie game that no one’s ever heard of, but guys trust me, this game is awesome and will absorb your life if you aren’t careful.

With the recent release of Minecraft on XBLA, and the sudden influx of time I have due to summer break, I was suddenly reminded that I might as well spend dozens of hours mindlessly building things in minecraft...for PC of course. This sudden realization has caused me to rehost a server for my cousin and I, and has also caused my girlfriend to discover a game that has miraculously rivaled her Sims 3 infatuation. I’m not trying to complain. I mean, I love being able to catch up on the four or five months of Tested podcasts and the last month of Giantbomb casts, I love finally finding a game to play with my girlfriend that we seem to enjoy equally, and I obviously must love building random farms, orchards, mansions, mines, and castles, but I can’t help but get the strangest feeling that I will never be productive again when my days look something like this:

Reviews at Game Chronicles



Hey everyone :)

Go check out my first two of many reviews to come over at Game Chronicles. Rock of Ages is definitely a game you should play, while Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City...not so much.

Hidden Story of E3 2012 So Far





With all the press conferences coming to an end, and E3 proper beginning with the show floor opening, there will be endless talk, interviews, and impressions from thousands of people across the internet. Talk has already been circulating that this E3 is one of the more disappointing E3s in recent memory, and this is most likely because of the weird transitioning period the industry is in with new consoles right around the corner. Sure, there have been a few exciting announcements, but even as someone who didn’t have access to any of that juicy professional pre E3 press information, I can still say I wasn’t too blown away with much of anything during these press conferences. That’s not to say that there wasn’t anything exciting, though. I’m surprisingly excited for a new Halo game, can’t wait to get my hands on a new SimCity, and I am definitely one of those many people who have been waiting for years for a new Pikmin game, but I can’t really say I had a “Wow” moment at this E3. And with all of this disappointment due to lack of new games because of new hardware on the horizon, I think there is an underlying story that most people aren’t pointing to.

EA Press Conference



Hey guys! Do you like shooting dudes? Do you like sports games? Do you like racing games? Do you like horrible social games? Do you like being asked to play games months after they come out because the company wants, no NEEDS more money from you? Well than do I have a press conference summary for you.

That basically sums up the EA Press Conference this afternoon. It started off with a fairly interesting trailer for Dead Space 3, but apparently they are changing a lot of what that game is, and maybe not for the best. In any case, I'm still pretty excited for it seeing as I loved the last two Dead Space games. It was a pretty good start to the show, but it was basically all down hill from there. Other than some footage of the much awaited new SimCity game, some gameplay of Criterion's Need for Speed: Most Wanted, and the announcement that UFC has now joined forces with EA even though Dana White has had a history of talking mad shit about the company, the EA press conference was basically a blur. Honestly, if it wasn't for me writing down everything as I saw it, I probably wouldn't be able to regurgitate half the stuff I saw. I have found myself looking at this piece of paper saying, "Oh yeah, that happened."

Microsoft Press Conference


The Microsoft Press Conference started off with some interesting footage of the new Halo, and from what I saw, it looks like it could be really good. It basically looks just like more Halo, but I'm going to give 343 Industries the benefit of the doubt and say that I think the story might actually be an interesting new direction for the Halo franchise. After Halo though, it was a while before there was anything really worth mentioning.

Microsoft had an EA guy come out and talk about kinect support for sports games, which I'm guessing literally no one cares about, a trailer for the new Gears of War that doesn't get me too excited, some Tomb Raider gameplay which looks interesting, but is not something I'm getting too excited about, a trailer and gameplay for Resident Evil 6 that actually looked pretty good, and finally, an interesting, yet almost completely uninformative trailer for TwistedPixel's next game called LocoCycle. All this stuff wasn't too bad, but I guess it wasn't anything I was getting too excited to see. I would have liked to see some more than just a trailer for the Gears of War game, as well as LocoCycle (I'm not 100% sure if that "C" is capitalized or not...oh well, screw it), so there's really nothing all that new to say about most of those games.

My View on ME3 Ending (Archived)

So I know this is months old, but I just wanted to share my thoughts on the Mass Effect 3 ending, and also archive my thoughts on the game so maybe I could come back to them later. This was orginally posted as a topic on the forums on Giantbomb. Anyway, enjoy :)




Is Piracy Actually a Good Thing?


With the rise and fall of SOPA and PIPA earlier this year, piracy has become an even bigger issue than it was over a decade ago with the creation of Napster. Over the past 13 years companies have tried any number of ways to fight the free sharing of content over the internet, and whether it be some form of DRM, or trying to get legislation passed, it’s been a struggle for them to find an adequate solution to the problem. As many people that play video games know, DRM can do more harm to legitimate customers than it does to piracy, and finding a reliable, friendly way to make sure a game, music, movie, or program doesn’t get pirated is an almost impossible task. The internet will find a way. It always does, and it seems as if there may be nothing to stop people from stealing content because there will always be people who try to circumvent copyright protection. With this in mind we need to ask ourselves if there’s really any way to stop piracy, and maybe, if it even should be stopped.

Greatest Games: The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time



Yes, in the second installment of Greatest Games I am going to talk about what is widely regarded as the best game of all time, and is almost always one of the first games mentioned when the topic of “favorite” or “best” games comes up, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Right up there tied for first with games like Super Mario Bros. 3 as my favorite games of all time, Ocarina of Time is one of those games I can say has had an enormous impact on my life and my love of games. I can definitely say that if it wasn’t for games like this, I wouldn’t have the love of video games that I currently do.

Trials Evolution Review



For those of you who played Trials HD, you will basically know what you are getting into in this sequel, but that’s not to say the game hasn’t changed at all. Trials Evolution features the same challenging, and often times frustrating, dirt bike obstacle course gameplay as the previous game, with added multiplayer and a larger variety in the locations and layouts of tracks to make for a more complete experience. Trials Evolution will keep you replaying tracks over and over to either just complete them, get a better ranking medal, or simply show up your friends by posting a better time than they did.

New Super Mario Bros. 2 Announced




Nintendo just announced that New Super Mario Bros. 2 is coming to the 3DS this August. As the follow up to New Super Mario Bros. on the DS, and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, this game will also be an old school side scrolling platformer just like its predecessors.

The announcement was made by Nintendo president Satoru Iwata during the Nintendo Direct conference in Japan. Some screen shots were released with the announcement, and it doesn't seem like there will be anything out of the ordinary to this game, at least nothing that we know of yet, but I'll let you decide for yourself.


Halo 4 On Conan O'Brien, TONIGHT!



It’s official, Halo 4 is set to release on November 6th. Rumors started popping up yesterday about the release date of Halo 4 based on tweets by Senior Producer at 343 Industries Allison Stroll, and Microsoft’s Major Nelson. It was said that there would be a more official statement made this morning, and here we have it:

“We are beginning a new saga with Halo 4 and embarking on a journey that will encompass the next decade of Halo games and experiences," said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Studios. "Millions of fans worldwide have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to step back into the boots of Master Chief, and, with Halo 4 leading the charge, we're confident 2012 will be the most successful year in Xbox history."


Microsoft hasn’t been shy about presenting its Xbox products on late night television, and with Halo 4 they will be at it again. Members of 343 Industries will be on Late Night with Conan O’Brien tonight at 11pm on TBS, but it’s unknown exactly what they will be showing.

Oddly enough, the release date is actually the same day as election day here in the US. Could this mean there might be a few people reluctant to vote in favor of playing the next big installment in the Halo franchise?

New Mario, New Luigi, New Pikmin



In a recent interview with the spanish newspaper El Mundo, the creative legend behind many of Nintendo’s great franchises Shigeru Miyamoto let some things slip about new games coming for both the Wii U and the 3DS (link). Miyamoto said to El Mundo:

 "I'm working on several projects but I think that I cannot talk about them all [laughs]. Some are small but important projects for Wii U. Also on a new Pikmin, which will take advantage of the new HD screen resolution, and on Luigi's Mansion for 3DS."

I don’t know about you, but I am be EXTREMELY excited for the next long awaited entry into the Pikmin franchise, but the Pikmin and Luigi’s Mansion slip is taking a backseat to a new mario game for the Wii U that Miyamoto said would be shown at E3 this year. What lends even more credence to his statements is that Nintendo officially responded to Eurogamer by saying:

"In a recent interview, Mr. Miyamoto confirmed that a new Super Mario Bros. game for the Wii U system will be shown at this year's E3 Expo," a Nintendo spokesperson said. "We'll have more to announce about our plans for the E3 Expo at a later date."

It isn’t really unexpected that a new Super Mario Bros. game would eventually be coming out for the Wii U, but with the recent aquisition of SuperMario4.com by Nintendo, could this next game be the ever awaited sequel to Super Mario Bros. 3? In any case, we should all know fairly soon considering E3 is just around the corner.

Greatest Games: Journey



I am sitting down to write this only moments after finishing Journey for the second time, and although it may be too early after the experience to tell, I can honestly say that this is one of my favorite games I have ever played. I may go as far as saying that this game is the best game ever made. If not the best game, I can say it is the most unique experience I have ever had while playing a video game. Keep in mind though, I have yet to play That Game Company’s previous game Flower.

Notch's New Game is in Space



Notch has finally announced what he will be working on next. The game is currently called 0x10c, which, as you may be thinking, is a pretty weird name for a game. There has not been any word from Notch on how to pronounce it, but the correct way to say it could be “zero times ten to the power of c”. Maybe some back story from Notch himself will help here.

“ In a parallel universe where the space race never ended, space travel was gaining popularity amongst corporations and rich individuals.

In 1988, a brand new deep sleep cell was released, compatible with all popular 16 bit computers. Unfortunately, it used big endian, whereas the DCPU-16 specifications called for little endian. This led to a severe bug in the included drivers, causing a requested sleep of 0x0000 0000 0000 0001 years to last for 0x0001 0000 0000 0000 years.

It's now the year 281 474 976 712 644 AD, and the first lost people are starting to wake up to a universe on the brink of extinction, with all remote galaxies forever lost to red shift, star formation long since ended, and massive black holes dominating the galaxy.”


The game is going to be “hard science fiction”, which is explained further here http://0x10c.com/doc/hardscifi.txt, and it is going to contain a fully functioning 16-bit cpu computer which already has full specifications on the site here http://0x10c.com/doc/dcpu-16.txt. Apparently there will also be a lot of engineering, space battles against AI, mining, trading, looting, seamless landing on ships, and an advanced economy system.

I know, this already sounds pretty crazy right? And who knows what the creator of minecraft will come up with from here. At the very least name can be explained by translating 0x10c from hexadecimal to 16^12 which equals 281 474 976 710 656. So basically, that means the event that caused the sleep occurred in 281 474 976 712 644 - 281 474 976 710 656 = 1988. Even so, if you want to find out more for yourself just visit http://0x10c.com/

MLB 2K12 Review




Reviews of sports games often times talk about the game modes and features that allow you to get more out of the simple sport that you are playing, and although I will touch on these things in my reviews of sports games, I think it is much more valuable to evaluate the gameplay and how it compares or reflects the real sport and also how it is as a fun and competitive game.

Tested.com Working with Guys from Myth Busters, Plus Giant Bomb Working with Gamespot




Within the last hour it has been announced that Whiskey Media will be split up and sold to two different companies. Along with GiantBomb now working with Gamespot, the company that most of it's editors came from previously, Tested, most famous for their 24-hour podcast with co-host Garry Whitta for the charity Childs Play last October, will team up with the Myth Buster guys Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage. Who knows how this will turn out, but that this could be an extremely interesting and entertaining direction for Giantbomb and Tested to take.

So what exactly does this mean for the Whiskey sites some of us of come to love? Well, to me it sounds like they finally have the business and financial backing to help them continue the random insanity we have come to expect, and maybe even take it to the next level.

I know even as I am writing this there are most likely people around the internet crying "THIS IS HORRIBLE", but I say we should just wait to see how things play out. As the GiantBomb crew explained on a live stream just a couple of hours ago, this will not mean the end of how they do business, but instead give them the resources and manpower to further what they are currently doing and I truly do not believe that these guys would have agreed to a buyout unless they could have kept doing what they want to and also built upon it.

I have thought, and openly said for a while, that the only thing truly holding the guys at Whiskey Media back is that they do not have the resources to concentrate on doing everything they want to, and now that they have a good business backing there can only be good things in store for our friends at Whiskey Media and those of us who constantly enjoy their content.