tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82816112359254509752024-03-13T18:41:04.256-07:00Gaming with The Real Dudz Fryd Gaming news and views from a real gamer.
Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.comBlogger399125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-40047137784802693452020-01-19T11:49:00.001-07:002020-01-19T11:49:40.799-07:00Battlefield 5 - War in the Pacific (Eye of the Storm)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SXCtvJLasj8" width="480"></iframe>Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-66457808375576545112019-12-01T04:52:00.000-07:002019-12-01T04:52:21.971-07:00Back into Battlefield 5 for the holidays!<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ATyKvC1tvJE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-32599007543343506062019-11-03T15:30:00.001-07:002019-11-03T15:31:32.721-07:00Battlefield 5: The "Pacific" stream (War in the Pacific Week 1)<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G9NboRMuCY4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Battlefield 5 goes to the Pacific theater and we finally fight in places we actually<br /><br />
know the names of!Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-49488392805162373672019-10-27T18:32:00.001-07:002019-10-27T18:32:31.815-07:00Best of Battlefield: Speak to the game<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_RgOTyAKDDw" width="480"></iframe>Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-66193527247274727772019-10-27T18:31:00.001-07:002019-10-27T18:31:49.554-07:00Battlefield 5: The "Fred does Sunday" stream (Battlefest Week 4 - Figh...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fw302Qy_G40" width="480"></iframe>Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-18115326391283194832019-09-15T02:42:00.000-07:002019-09-15T02:42:38.765-07:00Yeah, I'm still playing, just not writing much...<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yup, still playing. Battlefield 5 has been the latest binge. Here's the latest and be sure to check out the other Battlefield videos on my YouTube channel!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cheers!</span></span><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U8H1PxX4Oq4" width="560"></iframe>Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-90402840175778745622019-04-13T16:13:00.000-07:002019-04-13T16:13:25.896-07:00Best of Battlefield 1 - March 2019<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's a peek at what's been going on over at my YouTube Gaming channel. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I usually do Battlefield 1 Livestreams on Weekends and during the week you can find daily video releases. The latest batch is Borderlands the Pre-Sequel and Bioshock Infinite both running on Linux Mint!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check it out!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span>Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-72425170348686404792019-03-13T22:31:00.004-07:002019-03-13T22:31:46.007-07:00Battlefield 1 Fun - I am Tank King!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rDw6rTxMwtk/XInmhWs4b7I/AAAAAAAAEMU/CfuTJloOyTMsuukjWYZQ_NVNvE4AbQ7FQCLcBGAs/s1600/BF1-Card2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rDw6rTxMwtk/XInmhWs4b7I/AAAAAAAAEMU/CfuTJloOyTMsuukjWYZQ_NVNvE4AbQ7FQCLcBGAs/s320/BF1-Card2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you're not having fun, why play?</span></span></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DuZPcnLz5TM" width="560"></iframe>Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-82985228250288471032019-02-22T16:35:00.005-07:002019-03-21T20:48:24.067-07:00Linux Gaming - Better than it used to be<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fm1485egLGg/XHCGrdZZBRI/AAAAAAAAEMA/JYhkI-p4MHgI8Wy0vn1IPenvY-ktCrm2QCLcBGAs/s1600/linuxsteam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fm1485egLGg/XHCGrdZZBRI/AAAAAAAAEMA/JYhkI-p4MHgI8Wy0vn1IPenvY-ktCrm2QCLcBGAs/s640/linuxsteam.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Linux Gaming has been something of an oddity.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For years you were pretty much stuck with Tux Racer or cloned versions of games better suited to your phone than a full blown gaming PC.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were a few exceptions like Solider of Fortune back in the early 2000's but getting it running was an exercise in frustration and the video servers ( drivers ) of the time were less than optimal. Yes there was always WINE but considering the hardware of the time running an emulator and a 3D Game on top of it was a less than ideal experience. That and once again you could easily find yourself spending hours under the hood of Linux just trying to get it running. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Believe me, I know from whence I speak...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So for years I kept Linux as the OS best suited to PC's not quite dead but not worth paying Microsoft to update.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the Interim between then and now Linux Distros got more tightened up with far more user friendly offerings in the guise of Linux Mint, PC Linux and of course the ubiquitous Ubuntu that most popular distros are based on.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So Linux was getting better but Windows was still dominant and driving not only sales of software but for gamers, hardware as well. Every iteration of Windows brought with it new demands on the hardware. DirectX became something more than just a gaming API of choice for Windows; it became a requirement if you wanted to have any chance of success on the platform.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Somewhere around the launch of DirectX 11 Gabe Newell (of Valve) got really pissed at Microsoft and decided Linux was the next gaming platform of choice for PC and console players.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He already had the number one gaming sales portal and enough clout to convince major publishers like 2K to port their more popular titles to it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The end result; the SteamBox and with it SteamOS both based on a Linux Kernel and anything else that wasn't Microsoft for that matter ( AKA DirectX)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was the first time we saw a real challenge to the dominance of Microsoft and specifically Windows on the PC gaming platform.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So here we are today and Windows is still the dominant gaming platform but the gaming landscape for Linux is not as bleak as those early days. Steam has continued its active support of Linux primarily on Ubuntu with a full version of the Steam client working virtually identically to it's Windows counterpart. Thanks largely to the development of the now failed SteamBox console was birthed a foundation of hope for real Linux gaming.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Which is where my story really begins. I've started a new series on Linux Gaming on the companion YouTube channel to this blog and I've been pleasantly surprised. While Steam is still the primary supporter of Linux gaming there are others like GOG.com but the other elephants in the room ( EA's Origin & Ubisoft's Uplay ) haven't. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's likely Steam will be on it's own for awhile until the PC gamer user base finally gets sick of Windows 10 annoyances and Microsoft in general and starts looking beyond their PS4's. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Linux has a reported 23% market share in the OS market but that is a many feathered beast. Getting EA or Ubisoft to start supporting the platform is going to take one Linux distro to rule them all. As in almost 100% of that 23% share. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So without further ado, let's take a look at my latest dive into Linux Gaming!</span></span><br />
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Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-71144890929165322142019-01-31T09:50:00.001-07:002019-01-31T09:55:50.723-07:00Video Games: Why we play, TryHards & Bill Maher is wrong about us<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WYrD88DiJtA/XFMl-HMoQ8I/AAAAAAAAELY/e-ZvRyK5V1EUBVMAyX5uwFxmk9Bok9F3wCLcBGAs/s1600/gamebaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WYrD88DiJtA/XFMl-HMoQ8I/AAAAAAAAELY/e-ZvRyK5V1EUBVMAyX5uwFxmk9Bok9F3wCLcBGAs/s400/gamebaby.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">Let's chat for a moment....</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">Most of you reading this are just like me, a gamer. A label embraced by our community but scorned
by many in a society that thinks we should be spending all our time worrying
about things that we have little to no control over.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">That we don't and instead choose other pursuits seems to give license to
those so-called "normal" people to dismiss, denigrate and insult what
is just another pastime. Albeit one less
traditional than say running around a field chasing a ball ( like a dog ) Or
dressing up like a tree and running around a forest shooting at things that
don't shoot back.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">Yeah OK, we're the immature ones.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">Well, to be fair some of us are but then I've met some pretty immature
people that never picked up a game controller or spent an all-niter trying to
conquer that last level with a few beers and some like-minded friends. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0AF5bY8tb8/XFMmPns2wlI/AAAAAAAAELg/_ivl2Q61AH8vVzdFCVCFqCh4F2EJlXWjgCKgBGAs/s1600/charliebrownfootball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0AF5bY8tb8/XFMmPns2wlI/AAAAAAAAELg/_ivl2Q61AH8vVzdFCVCFqCh4F2EJlXWjgCKgBGAs/s200/charliebrownfootball.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">BTW, their idea of fun usually involves meat sweats and watching someone else chase after a ball on TV...</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">But I digress.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">That we may enjoy things less tangible often speaks to our station in
society. For many of us the only chance
at a victory comes from something of little value to the world at large. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">It's not a resignation to defeat or a lack of ambition. Instead it's a little taste of victory that
we may not otherwise have. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">Let's face it. There is no sure-fire
roadmap to success in anything anymore and the increasing popularity of
gaming is a direct reflection of that.
You have to win at something once in awhile just to keep your
sanity. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">You have to have something in
your life that at least has a chance of paying off for your investment. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">Games may be one of the last refuges of that even if the payoff is meaningless to
anyone but you.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">Take a look around. You're bound to
know at least a few people with a whole lot of debt that ended up with nothing
to show for it. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">No wonder then that gaming has become so popular.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">As an aside...</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O8p1rr2-TwM/XFMm1ET8y5I/AAAAAAAAELo/hWqWn9jcwUMtQ1X3k_5BVFr10eYaGKbWQCLcBGAs/s1600/billmaherpointy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O8p1rr2-TwM/XFMm1ET8y5I/AAAAAAAAELo/hWqWn9jcwUMtQ1X3k_5BVFr10eYaGKbWQCLcBGAs/s320/billmaherpointy.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">No Bill Maher, on this you have no foundation for an opinion and are flat
out wrong with the barbs you've leveled at an entire community. You're way too old and have enjoyed way too
much privilege and success to understand why some people turn to things like
games and comic books.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">That said...</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">The real world is always hungry for an opportunity to turn a profit. Especially for those looking for an escape
from it. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">That's why vacations to places
far from the everyday grind are so expensive.
Escape costs and if there's a buck to be made you can be sure there's
someone to squeeze the golden goose till she bleeds. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">Video games are no different and as they've become more complex their
allure has only gotten stronger. Especially to those who can't afford those 2 weeks in the Bahamas every
year. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">So you pay for your sanity one way or another. It's just cheaper to do it with a video
game. Or at least it was. Where there's a market there's someone
willing to milk it. We see it in things
like paid DLC, Loot crates, and shoddy triple-A titles with ridiculous
pre-order prices. But that's another
topic.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">The real world can intrude in other ways. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">Political and racist statements in online game chats, social Justice agendas baked into games where there should be none (Yes I mean Battlefield 5) and pay walls to block players that chose not to pay for the
"season pass."</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">I have to admit that all is not purity and light in our community. Gaming can bring out the worst in certain people. You're largely anonymous in an online game
which to some is a license to nurture their inner racist, sociopath or bully.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MwYMz05J3OQ/UIoDmpBQ8kI/AAAAAAAAA9o/nT9s9RHA9b0nAJf9SK-C_VZDX8b_XbE9QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/badgamer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="173" data-original-width="291" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MwYMz05J3OQ/UIoDmpBQ8kI/AAAAAAAAA9o/nT9s9RHA9b0nAJf9SK-C_VZDX8b_XbE9QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/badgamer.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">The latest example of the behavior I've witnessed is a new term that's been
popping up in chat windows. The word is,
"TryHard." It's meant to be
derogatory and usually leveled at newer players of a game who may not be as
skilled as other players but won't give up. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">You just can't seem to win with some people among whom are those leveling
the barb at you. On one hand you're told
to "get good" but when you try you're a "try hard."</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">So what do you want? New players to
just stand there and be practice dummies?
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">I'm sick of the labels. Everyone's
been a "noob" once. So
what? Seems there's no shortage of
labels to throw around at people that somehow get in the way of those
"Veterans" out there.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">It's a game kids, a freaking game!
People play it to have fun and hopefully learn how to get along in
friendly competition. Whatever life
isn't offering up to you is not going to be fully satisfied by mastering a
video game so chill the hell out!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">It's like alcohol. It's only meant
for a short-term reprieve not a long-term solution to your problems. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">It's gone too far when you feel the need to attack someone who is just
trying to be a better player. Especially
when you attack them for doing the very thing you encouraged them to do with
all of the "Get Good" you've leveled.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">We're not even talking about the cheats who ruin the experience for
everyone due to their overheated sociopathic tendencies either. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">My position is simple. The world is
crappy enough. We don't need your ego
trip reminding us of it here. If you
want to be lord of the game go rent your own server. Otherwise, play nice.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">To that end I'm leading a small and admittedly inconsequential effort to
take back the words TRY HARD. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">We should
all be "TryHards" and do the best we can all the time enjoying the
reprieve that gaming provides. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">Oh, and leave the ego at the door.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN">So instead of being an ass why not help someone be better. Why not TRY HARD to make it a better
experience for everyone. You may even
find someone that makes your experience better.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-26705595680718107382019-01-14T03:13:00.003-07:002019-01-14T03:51:03.297-07:00Benchmarking a Game Stream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you're a gamer at some point you're probably going to want to take a stab at streaming. After all, you've spent a lot of time perfecting your "skills" and the world should know about it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So you may dabble with plug and play options like Steam's Broadcasting or step up to an application like Xsplit but when you get serious and would rather not pay the exorbitant subscription fees you'll eventually come upon OBS.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's where the fun starts. Well, if you have a decent Internet connection that is. If you've got at least a 10Mbit upstream you can probably get by with OBS's default settings. If not, well then you'll have to learn the fine art of compromise.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I find myself in just such a predicament with relatively anemic speeds from my Centurylink DSL connection of 40MB down and 2MBits Upstream speeds.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the context of streaming your game to services like Twitch or YouTube Gaming there are a number of factors to consider. The first being how much your system is being taxed by the game you play. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You'll have to either build a separate machine with a capture card set up for the purpose or get an external capture appliance like those offered by ElGato.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These days, however, most people have CPU cores to spare and copious amounts of graphics power. So let's assume you've got at least 4 cores and an enthusiast grade GPU at your disposal.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So you set up OBS, figure out how to get your game to show up in it and you're off to the races. That is, once you figure out how to set up your connection to your favorite game streaming site. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Excited, you start your first streaming session and when you check the results ( on another PC or your phone ) it's a pure horror show.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Frame rates in the low teens, more dropped frames than a picture hanger with greased hands and constant buffering.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unwatchable, Thumbs down, Internet Stardom denied!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because unless you've got Gigabit speeds from your ISP you have to consider a few factors before you premiere your first stream.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V4vGZgvOkxs/UyJ69MsN4NI/AAAAAAAAB9I/111Cm2YNQ7koLxnXnpDUeFer4x6iTr3jQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/2013-07-26_00002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V4vGZgvOkxs/UyJ69MsN4NI/AAAAAAAAB9I/111Cm2YNQ7koLxnXnpDUeFer4x6iTr3jQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/2013-07-26_00002.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Factors like how much CPU your game uses, what encoder you'll use for the stream, the resolution you'll stream at and of course what bitrate you can get away with.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the videos below you'll see some benchmark testing sessions I streamed to YouTube Gaming with the the racing game, Grid Autosport. I chose this game because it can be very graphically and CPU intensive and pushes enough data across the Internet connection to provide a good baseline test.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I started with a 720P (1280 x 720) resolution with the game set to Ultra detail because my Internet connection can't adequately support a higher resolution without dropping frames even though the PC can more than handle it. I played around with different settings in OBS until I found a nice compromise between picture quality and performance </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One thing to note, No matter what the resolution your most critical factor is bit rate. If your bit rate is set too high for the Internet connection you'll get a lot of dropped frames. Too low and your stream will be like looking through a dirty window.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_F5NE469dg/XDxeyX8RMeI/AAAAAAAAEKc/bDQ7i2YRm8E-Abfvzl-r21on9x_UfCjBwCLcBGAs/s1600/bf1-cambria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_F5NE469dg/XDxeyX8RMeI/AAAAAAAAEKc/bDQ7i2YRm8E-Abfvzl-r21on9x_UfCjBwCLcBGAs/s320/bf1-cambria.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another factor that can have a big influence is the kind of game you play. If there's a lot of action and movement in your game (such as an FPS) it will require more bandwidth to stream smoothly to your viewers. If you're playing a multiplayer game like Battlefield 1 you'll have to balance the upstream bandwidth between your game and your stream. In my case I have to cut my bandwidth in half with OBS or else I get ridiculously high latency in the game itself. So high in fact that the game becomes unplayable with rubber-banding and server timeouts.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">U</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nless you've got bandwidth to spare, you're going to have to learn to compromise if you want to have a decent looking stream. It's a process but you'll learn all about the intricacies of resource balancing when all is said and done.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first video shows a bit rate too high for the Internet connection.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The second a middle ground between speed and visual quality.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last is the best option with visual quality and performance using the NVENC encoder yielding virtually no frame drops (stuttering video) and a good picture. </span></span><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bIzPWEfJT0A" width="560"></iframe>Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-3077308775650024542019-01-05T11:54:00.003-07:002019-01-05T12:21:05.055-07:00Flat out WRONG!<br />
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I get so tired of veiled apologists for the game industry like the clickbait video above. While I can agree with many of the statements made in it, after watching it I had to say something to correct the blatant ignorance and apologist sentiments it contained. So fast forward and my comment ended up being a 4 paragraphs long so probably better I put it here...<br />
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Game ON!<br />
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<span style="color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: #121212; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "roboto" , "noto" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; word-spacing: 0px;">$60 price tags have not been around for 30 years, at least not on PC. Console was always more expensive. It's only in the last 10 years that publishers got the bright idea to make more money by raising the price of PC versions of game for no reason other than they could. As for development costs, that's a bunch of BS. Newer game engines have made development easier not harder. I guarantee it took a lot more effort to build Battlefield 1942 with a lot more hand coding than it did for Battlefield 5. That's why the release cycle can be so short. No developer/publisher is going to invest in a game engine that RAISES development costs.
As for the economy argument. Wages have stagnated over the past 30 years and not kept up with inflation. So saying we should probably be paying more is outright wrong. The only place that extra money is going is the corporate suite bonuses and shareholder dividends NOT the people that do the actual work! For one thing back in the day, so to speak, you could spend $40 on a good PC game and get ALL the content including any DLC for that price. It's just that publishers have figured out that they can make money just like car chop shops. More money in the individual pieces ( DLC, loot boxes) than the whole car ( game) but you still pay full price and get half the content unless you pay more. It's greed not development costs that are driving the industry to ruin.
Even with falling stock prices EA and Bethesda make money hand over fist regardless of how bad the games they release are. Shareholders be damned, they don't care about games just money. Pleasing them is a fool's errand but there's lots of fools out there. You can't treat a game company like a car company. One is selling interactive art the other a simple commodity. Games aren't commodities unless you let the shareholders take over. It's all about the quick buck now. Get the $$$ within the first quarter of release and then hope for the gravy of DLC revenue which pretty much dries up after a year so then they basically give it away.
It's why they can have 50% off sales within 6 months of release. Happened with BF5 and BF1. A year after release BF1 premium ( everything) was offered for $20! BF4 paid DLC was given away just before the launch of BF1 and access to the former Premium only dev content as well.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: yellow;">No, the industry is failing under its own weight. Pre-orders ( their favorite con) are consistently down and that's an indication of fatigue of gamers both casual and hardcore. The wool is being pulled off people's eyes and that's a good thing. The industry needs a solid blow to the groin to set things right and it's coming.</span></div>
Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-16710595651563879522018-12-21T00:31:00.002-07:002018-12-21T00:31:17.165-07:00The 2018 Steam Winter Sale has started!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yup, it's here again, The Steam Winter sale....</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Time to stock up on all those games that you ignored during the Summer and Autumn sales.....and the flash sales....and pretty much every other sale.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At least complete a few game queues and get the free trading cards so you can finally get a badge on your profile!</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can vote on your favorite game in half a dozen different categories and be sure that it will likely go on sale during the event.</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So go get yours....or not....I don't care...</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">:p</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sale goes till January 3rd which means it's OVER January 3rd. Seems Valve has issues with making end dates inclusive...</span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i>Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-18387395284962997542018-12-06T22:55:00.000-07:002018-12-06T22:55:15.772-07:00STEAM FREE BEEEE! Company of Heroes 2 and CS:GO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not much else to say. Company of Heroes 2 is free for the taking on Steam till December 10th. CS:GO currently free till....who knows.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Holidays!</span></span></div>
<br />Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-83099895343972599062018-11-19T14:36:00.002-07:002018-11-19T14:36:28.366-07:00Playing "Catch Up"<br />
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Some major stuff has been going on in my life lately and that took me away from doing anything game related for the past 2 weeks.<br />
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Before that, I was spending a lot of time with Battlefield 1 and of all things Poker Night 2. To see what I've been up to just visit my YouTube Channel ( link is at the top of the left column )<br />
<br />
So when I got back into it I started feeling nostalgic. I tried out Fortnite and my opinion of Battle Royale games hasn't changed. Hint: It' wasn't good to start with. Battle Royale glorifies the worst cutthroat, petty stat whoring attributes of multiplayer gaming.<br />
<br />
So don't expect too many videos on that kind of stuff. Even if YouTube Gaming is in love with the trend right now.<br />
<br />
So like I said, I've gone nostalgic and to that end started playing Battlefield 3 again and surprisingly there's lots of active servers and players out there and it's still fun. Not bad for a 7 year old game.<br />
<br />
To that end I've dropped a few vids for your enjoyment. I won't bother with the Fortnite live stream I did last weekend. That was a disaster in every conceivable way...lol<br />
<br />
Game on!<br />
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Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-50915153367433857052018-09-13T19:58:00.001-07:002018-09-13T20:11:40.235-07:00Battlefield 5 - Of SJW Agendas and Revisionist History<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It seems there's no shortage of drama triggers these days.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gaming isn't immune to this and what starts out as a minor
inconvenience can quickly blossom into a full blown meltdown.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MwYMz05J3OQ/UIoDmpBQ8kI/AAAAAAAAA9o/nT9s9RHA9b0nAJf9SK-C_VZDX8b_XbE9QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/badgamer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="173" data-original-width="291" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MwYMz05J3OQ/UIoDmpBQ8kI/AAAAAAAAA9o/nT9s9RHA9b0nAJf9SK-C_VZDX8b_XbE9QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/badgamer.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thing is, most of the ranting and raving is little more than
hollow click-bait. Faux outrage followed
up by faux activism.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So it is with Battlefield 5.
A game that I've spent a few hours with albeit in BETA form.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The initial "outrage" against the game was sparked
by a less than informative trailer whereby the protagonist just so happened to
be female. To some this was too far a
stretch for artistic license. Most of
what we know about World War 2 these days comes from movies like <i>Dunkirk</i> and <i>Saving Private Ryan</i>. Films
that maintain a firm hold on historical accuracy and traditional roles even if
offensive to a modern audience.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Movies that are fictionalized representations of historical
events. Movies that have colored our
expectations of anything regarding that war.
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historical claim. Expectations are
unspoken demands. Run counter to them
and don't be surprised to come out with a few bruises.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nobody really knows if there were any women in
"official" combat roles in World War 2. As far back as World War 1 there were women
that posed as men to serve in the military. </span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It seems unlikely, however, given that it's a fairly <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: yellow;"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2013/01/25/map-which-countries-allow-women-in-front-line-combat-roles/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.23e2a0c17ad4" target="_blank">recent and limited development</a></span></span> to have
women in such roles and if so that there were many. That's not to demean or minimize women in
military service it's just simple history.
We often forget that gender roles have only recently become more
fluid. As such it's an untenable
position to portray such fluidity from a society 2 generations past.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DhoKXdVoN4A/W5si2r2fsnI/AAAAAAAAEDY/ZQ_RXPAx1EIPBgrFcZ55N50yQUOnZpqwwCLcBGAs/s1600/BF5Beta2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DhoKXdVoN4A/W5si2r2fsnI/AAAAAAAAEDY/ZQ_RXPAx1EIPBgrFcZ55N50yQUOnZpqwwCLcBGAs/s320/BF5Beta2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But Battlefield 5 is not about history, it's about a video
game in a historical context. As such
there is an expectation that traditional roles of the time should prevail in the
depiction of World War 2.</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But it seems that there's a strong desire in these times of
"Fake News" and "Social Justice" to rewrite history
according to whatever agenda is being pushed. </span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That women served in World War 2 is not in question. What is goes directly to the motivation of an
company like EA. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a purely fictional entertainment product, gender should
have no relevance. You can be a badass
regardless of what box was ticked on the character's birth certificate ( or
pod, test tube, whatever.) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But in EA's case, it seems they've yielded to a social
justice agenda that seeks to quietly rewrite history for its own ends using
popular media.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a problem two-fold.
First, it ignores the societal norms, good or bad of the time
period. As such the very foundation of
gender equality is eroded by denying that a problem existed. Second, it clouds historical fact. Considering that many glean their historical
knowledge from popular media historical accuracy is often sacrificed for
entertainment. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_TOzH2GuVw/W5sjMZcehuI/AAAAAAAAEDg/Xubjo5LTRKUwaq0ysmdDII4_O2FgwTOTACLcBGAs/s1600/rambo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="480" height="203" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_TOzH2GuVw/W5sjMZcehuI/AAAAAAAAEDg/Xubjo5LTRKUwaq0ysmdDII4_O2FgwTOTACLcBGAs/s320/rambo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If all you knew about the Vietnam War came from <i>Rambo</i> Movies you would have a very
limited and skewed understanding of the conflict. In the times we live at this moment we are
constantly in danger of fiction being given the same weight of fact and that's
dangerous.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've long said that video games are the rival if not the
superior medium to motion pictures. Many
of which have become cinema franchises in and of themselves. Not to mention comic book characters from the
likes of Marvel and DC that find their fortunes with them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do we accept Captain America as a historical figure?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course not. He's nothing more than a larger than life
fictionalized character and propaganda device created in the early days of
World War 2 as a kind of flag waving Superman competitor.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the real issue with Battlefield 5. To overtly admit to a social justice agenda
even if it distorts history can have serious repercussions. Given an intellectually lazy consumer with
accompanying short attention span we could conceivably find the next generation
ignorant and disinterested in actual history or anything for that matter that
doesn't fit somebody's populist agenda.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A society based on shiny objects and dull minds.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hey, it's just a video game, who cares right? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You should whether you're Alt-Right or SJW, to deny REAL
history and push a political agenda to rewrite it via popular media is to deny
the foundations of your own cause.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's the problem here.
Not conservatism, misogyny or any of the other convenient barbs thrown.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Think first.</span></span></div>
Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-81661648943148134752018-08-26T13:42:00.002-07:002018-08-26T13:42:37.145-07:00Finally....Beat....This....Stupid....Game!!!! (Borderlands The Pre-Sequel)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6n30AwCd90c/W4MPeVJvUpI/AAAAAAAAEC0/Ht1eDoGHj4Q8RbyoB3LFo0FskYVZbK8-ACLcBGAs/s1600/blpsqlEND.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6n30AwCd90c/W4MPeVJvUpI/AAAAAAAAEC0/Ht1eDoGHj4Q8RbyoB3LFo0FskYVZbK8-ACLcBGAs/s640/blpsqlEND.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Some things take time, some things take effort and some things...</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Are just an endless beating of one's head against the wall!</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But now, it is done and the battles all but won save...this one.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I present without further ado Borderlands The Pre-Sequel's EndGame.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">(Completion of The "Beginning of the End" mission)</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I've included the credit rolls and the special surprise cutscene at the end.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Enjoy!</span></b></span><br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="515" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rCBcOLll9-o" width="760"></iframe>
</div>
Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-17053294315429640212018-02-04T17:56:00.002-07:002018-02-10T16:46:54.249-07:00Path of Exile: Ego and Insantiy, the hell with it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5u_pNI5Fpm4/WneoIJEiktI/AAAAAAAAD-s/a2dcoxx-v3wBjB6nNNw_GX-uHpy0t78gwCLcBGAs/s1600/POE-Engamepenalty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5u_pNI5Fpm4/WneoIJEiktI/AAAAAAAAD-s/a2dcoxx-v3wBjB6nNNw_GX-uHpy0t78gwCLcBGAs/s400/POE-Engamepenalty.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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There Comes a time when you just have to call it quits. A time when you realize that you probably should have hung it up long ago but you just kept going.</div>
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So it is with Path of Exile. Recently I completed the game with my most popular ( according to YouTube ) character and got a nasty surprise. A huge penalty for doing nothing but WINNING THE GAME!</div>
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I posted a video warning other players and shared it on Steam. Not long after I got a rash of nastiness and character assassination that bordered on the insane.</div>
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Imagine getting that dream job that you worked so hard for and on your first day you find that your pay has been cut by 60%.</div>
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How would that make yo feel? Cheated, misled, angry?</div>
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Life can be that way, that's why we play games. It's not real but at least we can work toward something and feel good about ourselves for doing it. We expect to be able to win eventually. For some it's the only reward a sad existence can offer. That existence is made even sadder when you accept a kind of Stockholm syndrome that abuses some players. So much so that they will defend bad decisions, bad gameplay and punitive design.</div>
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The afflicted came out and vocalized their affliction as they have for years. I finally had enough of it and responded with a video made just for them.</div>
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If the only voices heard are that of the insane then don't expect the resulting game to be any better.</div>
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pnmwxBYNKDg" width="560"></iframe></div>
Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-4287520050722899082017-12-20T19:06:00.000-07:002017-12-20T19:19:58.053-07:00Steam Winter Sale 2017 Start Date!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Q2TReEQk9A/VnwnvyZ17EI/AAAAAAAADM8/tGkEsbEHoEQv36JR7uPi2S5vnLeV_ERdACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/steamwintersale2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1321" height="529" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Q2TReEQk9A/VnwnvyZ17EI/AAAAAAAADM8/tGkEsbEHoEQv36JR7uPi2S5vnLeV_ERdACPcBGAYYCw/s640/steamwintersale2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>According to</b> <span style="color: yellow;"><a href="http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/when-next-steam-sale-time-date-summer-christmas-deals-2936875" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Trusted Reviews</span></a></span> </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Steam Winter Sale 2017 Starts at 6PM GMT December 21'st and ends January 4th!</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Check out the deals when they happen!</span></span></b></div>
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<br />Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-41792152441438075542017-12-11T05:39:00.001-07:002017-12-11T05:39:23.651-07:00Path of Exile: Path of the Gods ( so far )<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VLbj4gvsTNo/Wi56tlyD9zI/AAAAAAAAD6o/Uki0hfZxAx0xzZBeCnEpaGEyb2fFdulJgCLcBGAs/s1600/POE-Dominus-Die.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">L</a></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1280" height="475" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VLbj4gvsTNo/Wi56tlyD9zI/AAAAAAAAD6o/Uki0hfZxAx0xzZBeCnEpaGEyb2fFdulJgCLcBGAs/s640/POE-Dominus-Die.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
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Like any RPG, Path of Exile has its share of deities and demigods. Some more challenging than others but none that you'd be wise to turn your back on.</div>
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Since the expansion that brought the game to 10 acts and 2 parts Grinding Gear has upped the ante by making even the most pedestrian hordes more challenging if by nothing else sheer numbers. As you progress in the main game the action can get frantic and make you wish for those "pediestrian" boss battles like Piety and Dominus back in Part 1.</div>
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But that's not much fun is it? Where's the catalyst for improvement in that? No, Path of Exile makes you go big or go home. But sometimes, just sometimes, it can be a little lopsided as you'll see in the playlist below.</div>
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<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jf93UymRGEI?list=PLjXuWC8l4VK2mJMCs1WUAP3iKd7im8Bse" width="660"></iframe>
</div>
Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-63768399236761714842017-12-06T19:35:00.001-07:002017-12-06T19:35:13.201-07:00Happy Holidays<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: red;"><span style="color: white;">Happy Holidays!</span></span></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: red;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NyKlM7gUaeQ" width="560"></iframe></div>
Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-89437293249648759072017-11-04T05:41:00.001-07:002017-11-04T05:41:16.930-07:00A busy October<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PbYHZFjLU10/Wf20nT_F2fI/AAAAAAAAD4o/hikFhgozviM2xQQWk96kj-2GeAArGdjnACLcBGAs/s1600/vlcsnap-2017-11-04-05h37m03s301.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PbYHZFjLU10/Wf20nT_F2fI/AAAAAAAAD4o/hikFhgozviM2xQQWk96kj-2GeAArGdjnACLcBGAs/s640/vlcsnap-2017-11-04-05h37m03s301.png" width="640" /> </a></div>
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Path of Exile Act 2 has been keeping me busy lately. See some highlights below...</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLjXuWC8l4VK2mJMCs1WUAP3iKd7im8Bse" width="560"></iframe></div>
Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-83847910148553392542017-09-25T17:42:00.004-07:002017-09-25T21:40:32.155-07:00Gaming Rig Upgrades<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAM8ov3FE1k/WcmeLOZEW4I/AAAAAAAAD3k/kGixBjcXTpcEuoQuaP6rq420vsoBVFpkgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170920_231418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAM8ov3FE1k/WcmeLOZEW4I/AAAAAAAAD3k/kGixBjcXTpcEuoQuaP6rq420vsoBVFpkgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170920_231418.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Change is necessary. Without it nothing good happens. But you have to have a good reason and a plan and that's what I present here.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've been using an Intel X58 Based Core I7 940 for gaming duties for a good 7 years now. It's one of a few rigs I currently have and it lives happily at my buddy's house awaiting it's weekly visit from me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the years it's changed a bit but most of the core parts ( pardon the pun) have remained the same with the Board, CPU and memory remaining unchanged. It has gone through a series of video cards, however. Beginning with a 1000Watt Power supply ( because they needed it!) I started out with a pair of Nvidia GTX 285's. Great cards but total system draw was on the order of 800 watts! That and the extra 20F of heat they pumped into the room annoyed my buddy when he got the power bill. So I looked for something a bit more efficient. I switched to what was then a top of the heap (as in kicking Nvidia's rear at the time) Radeon 6970 2GB. That card served me well for close to 3 years and now resides in my home game rig where it still does admirable duty as a backup gaming rig.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of years ago my buddy suprised me with a gift. An Nvidia GTX 970! The 6970 was starting to have trouble with newer games and with the added strain of my new penchant for live game streams was just not up to the task.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That was it. I had no plans to do anything further until a completely new build. But something struck me with the GTX 970. The fact that a 7 year old rig based on an 8 year old platform was still viable for gaming with nothing more than the change of a video card.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With some admittedly casual research I'd found that the X58 platform had a wider appeal than just me. People were actively seeking them out and using them for everything from bitcoin mining to gaming rigs. I also found a subculture that sought to push the platform further. The Xeon crowd.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now everybody pretty much knows that with every new Intel consumer processor family comes a new Xeon derivative. Or maybe it's the other way around. Regardless, I knew that there was an equivalent Xeon for the Nehalem/Bloomfield processors and I found it in the X56xx series. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A bit more research found that others had already blazed a trail with the Xeon X56xx processors and since many servers were coming off lease they could be had from recyclers for dirt cheap prices. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This story is long enough as it is. Suffice it to say that I took the plunge and so far have enjoyed the fruits of my labor. The videos below document the journey. Check them out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">....or live in ignorance.... :-)</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xa1l330fh48" width="560"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/klvDD_3pVPU" width="560"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zaw95-bto0U" width="560"></iframe></div>
Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-40807636252023125392017-09-16T14:27:00.000-07:002017-09-25T21:35:13.721-07:00Gamer Rock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5DQyPCmxCbc/WcnY9jhwHRI/AAAAAAAAD34/gaNMqW-lLvgTj3WvWgwrwGMVgCQXdwV7ACLcBGAs/s1600/nfs%2Bunderground-gtar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="450" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5DQyPCmxCbc/WcnY9jhwHRI/AAAAAAAAD34/gaNMqW-lLvgTj3WvWgwrwGMVgCQXdwV7ACLcBGAs/s200/nfs%2Bunderground-gtar.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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A curated selection of tunes assembled into a playlist. All these songs were found within the games themselves.<br />
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See if they bring back any memories for you.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLjXuWC8l4VK3-2eLXpbL07VR5DumGBf-u" width="560"></iframe></div>
Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8281611235925450975.post-46956700259516767862017-09-12T02:41:00.000-07:002017-09-12T02:41:40.831-07:00Path of Exile: Punishing you for no reason<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1qc4t6edmt0" width="560"></iframe></div>
Digital Dynamichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056179466571447531noreply@blogger.com0