Video Games | Madarame's Blog of musings

update

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Madarame-Harunobu

Hello again readers, and to myself as well. It’s Aug 12th and just past 20 years of happiness with my beloved. Twenty years? Wow that just bellows your mind when you think about that. The events you’ve shared there turmoil and joys and with kids as well. The braces, the emotional rollercoaster fits in some cases and the moments where they need you to just hold them and let them know it’s ok or it will hurt less as time passes and they grow. Well me and the Mrs. went to Las Vegas spent our 20th anniversary at The Hilton Grand (Marketing Compound) Hotel and had a great time exploring the Strip/Casino areas.

We checked out the hourly fountain shows in front of the Bellagio and The Mirage which at night are absolutely wonderous with the colored lights and the musical sequence. We also took in The Blue Man Group Show at the Monte Carlo as well as a DVD set and audio CD of the show which was also great, save for some small back pains which seems to have traveled back with us and has decidedly hung around with me for the past 4 days since our return. I finally got one of those “Keep Calm” shirts, although it says “And get Drunk” I still like it, it’s not torchwood or reminds us of the tardis, it is still a “Keep Calm” shirt. Took some photos from the trip

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Meanwhile after the return home.

PC had an issue where the o/s would freeze and lock up and out forcing the system to be softbooted. Well there is a shop that I took it to have the issue confred that it was CPU causing the issue. I got it back with the owner saying it was infected with several viruses and malware and that my thermal paste had been dried up for sometime (Which that I could see maybe happening) funny thing is AVG and Mcfee scanned the system and found nothing save for some info tracking cookies. Malware bytes didn’t detect anything either, so I’m a little hesittant to believe my freezing and lockup of the O/S was due to undetected viruses and/or malware. I can see maybe a CPU overheat whch they said they did apply some gold thermal paste at no charge. next step, I will then hook it up and fire up #Titanfall and see how it stands up now and whether or not I freeze up again.

Soon, I’ll be 47 and I’m still nowhere close to where I’d like the game project to be. so many setbacks still much to do and its mostly programming I think at this point. Still have a unfinished map, got a decent and talented yet untapped artistic resource, just waiting to see what she has in store for us. Bruce is doing well but super busy on his side of the west coast BUT! he will be coming to #SaltlakeComicon and this will be a 1st time meeting 3 of the Team Jade Phoenix will be at one place at the same time!

And we’ll be doing this the entire time! PARTAAAAAAY!

Blah, depressed and sullen

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Madarame-Harunobu

Ok, maybe it’s the weather. I don’t know at this point but as of late I feel like people have been ignoring me or attempting to avoid me on purpose and I’m just sick of it. If someone says to you sure! That sounds like a ton of fun! Count me in as onboard. That would tell me they want to help out and pitch in where they can be the most use of.

Well that’s all great and froddy, but I send an email on what is needed at the moment and I get no replies from anyone, nothing, nadda, zip, zilch. I’d just assume they tell me to fuck off and walk away than keep my hoping someone is actually going to work with me on this project. I don’t want empty promises and assurances; I want results and want some concrete results. I want to be able to write or at least assist in writing with the reviews up on the work being done by said X or Y. So, for the past 3 years we’ve got the following done my not completed.

1. Got the Cityscape that William Macphee did for the MegaTokyo204 Website into UE4 incomplete but within the editor.
2. Thru 2 Friends we have a number of weapons that need coding and maybe texturing.
3. We have at least 2 maybe 3 models to use in the map
4. Vehicles are there just not coded.

What we need is art plain and simple I know my character artist is doing what she needs to take care of for her and the upcoming event she is going to, so no ill will or feelings involved. I’d like to hear from the person however that said they’d love to do the environment art for MegaTokyo to help us map out MegaTokyo and design and assist in fleshing out new areas of the game and expanding out from RPG artwork to Game and Architectural Design concepts again. Person I’m referring to knows who they are I don’t need to call anyone out on this. I just want some results, some tangible I could post up and am like YES! This is awesome this is what I am striving to achieve!

But I think it’s all falling on deaf ears because no one gets back to me, I leave mgs on Facebook, it gets dismissed the only ones that seem to be listening to me and still show interest is Bruce and Dani, they seem to be the two people *truly* interested in this project and want to make it work want to see it through. I know they have their commissions to do, the freelance work and peeps are paying them for it and I know they have to work to keep up a living so I don’t press them for anything due to myself having no shinnies or munnys to commission them myself so I could see the work and I could get some of the new talent out there involved in mapping and coding to help them build up their portfolios. I’m done ranting I think I’ll go to a corner and just be depressed for a while.

Salt Lake City #FanX!

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Madarame-Harunobu

Hello Readers,

I’m back from #FanX and it was for the most part really cool as an event. I worked about 2/3^rd of it at my group’s Booth site #ErtGB . I did however get to do the following things which may be a small and hollow victory but I guess I will have to take it. But here are the following things I did get a chance to do while there.

Spend time with my wife admiring the vendors and celebrities that were there.
Get Michael Stackpole’s Autograph in my copy of Wolf and Rain. One of my Fave Shadowrun Novels and a photo as well with him too boot!
My Wife and I love The Crow, we have a print by James O’Barr entitled “Absolution” which he signed back in 1994 on the eve of our Wedding, 20 years later 2 states away at #FanX who is there at #fanX none other than the man himself and at his first Utah Convention! What surprised us was he remembered us, and was more than happy to sign the print again with a 20 year signature and I got another great photo with James O’Barr himself.
I did also procure a copy of #MagneticByNature for steam by one the local game studios at the University of Utah #Tripleslashstudios those guys just rock and we’re hoping to have them on the podcast again soon or at least before #Saltlakecitycomicon 😉 .

What I didn’t get to do while I was at #FanX because of certain obligations it seemed and also missed events.

Seeing and talking with Karen Gillian and attending her Panel
I never did get the chance to find the cHair booth for Infinity Blade that Epic had there.
I didn’t get Patrick Stewart’s Autograph at the end of Saturday night due to working with my group’s booth I MISSED PATRICK STEWART –CAPTIAN “FUCKING” PICARD- PROF. XAIVER FOR FUCK SAKES …….*Deep breath* because I was 3 mins late out the gate.
Didn’t get my pic with the Bridge from the NCC1207D (The Enterprise from TNG)
Didn’t get a chance to meet up with #JulieBenz The Mayor on #Syfys #Defiance
Purchase the sonic screwdriver from the inter dimensional Time War.
Didn’t get the Zombie/Ghostbuster Vinyl Window Decals for my vehicle’s back window either.

I did get a number of great shots of some of the coolest cosplayers there. Speaking of Cosplay, the cosplay contest was very cool and our own “Utah Loki of Asgard” Aaron was there as one of the judges (You locals will know of who I speak for the #AnimeSaltLake and #AnimeBanzai Peeps crowd). I loved the Suckerpunch Samurai crew that was there I even got to take two pics afterwards of them. They say they will be going to #AnimeBanzai as well this year, especially with it being the 10 Year Anniversary of #AnimeBanzai.

Here are some of the photos that were taken from the booth of the cosplayers I was able to capture with my phone. Including #Ert ‘s new mascot Slimer.

48 Hrs till #FanX

Posted on April 15, 2014 by Madarame-Harunobu

Hello, just peeking in and letting you know yea I’m still alive (too bad for some of you out there,) and working. Just an update on my daughter, who is recovering quite well after the surgery, she doesn’t seem to mind the soft foods regiment that she’s been placed on. She still gets a dull ache from time to time but otherwise fit as a fiddle. Her and her sister both had High School orientation last night and had a great time at that. They seem interested in the intro to technology, with the architecture class as well.

I did just get my Unreal 4 Subscription for Beta testing Rocket aka Unreal 4 Beta Engine. Me and Bruce and hopefully Sean will be getting into this full swing here coming up summer wise and will finally have some video and progressive videos out there for the project. I found a spiffy KVM switch for $ 2.00 from Belkin and it works great only drawback is the USB to PS2 adapter doesn’t want to play nice keyboard wise, so I am stick on an old P.O.S HP Keyboard. I now have a Linux Box and a Windows 7 Box running in conjunction with each other off a dual monitor setup.

We are just 2 days away from #FanX , Bruce is driving out for this event and so is the family it seems as well. I’m hoping to get an Autograph or photo op with Karen Gillian or Julie Benz, since they are two of my favorite actresses as of current. I will also be heading up to the Salt Palace to help setup the booth and green screen Wednesday night if the team needs me. No word yet on whether my cohort in gaming and podcast joining us at #FanX . I’m hopeful because it will be a chance to meet face to face for a change at an event as a team.

Anyways, back to work for me more hours needing to be generated.

Day after Christmas

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Madarame-Harunobu

Well, Happy Day after Christmas everyone.

So the wrapping paper stuffed in the recycle bin, leftovers from last night from lunch, wreaths wilting outside on the door with snow melting quickly down the road. I seriously need to get off my duff, and steam da carpet like I said I would for my wife, get the office straightened out and looking good again. Returns to the store while I was away and replacements made. A Daughter who knows her way around a console hard at work getting it ready for her and her sisters to do battle on.

A Car frozen this morning outside as well as inside, needing a good defrosting for like 10 minutes almost cost me my clock-in time. Still wanting to build that droid I wanted. Now though I think I will lean towards a Raspberry Pi and use python to code what I can and see if I can get a hand thru a friend or two that knows python as well. Especially since there are modules I can buy for what I need for the droid. Example is a 5 MP Camera Module built especially for R-Pi as a plugin module, same goes for the Wi-Fi module as well. Still need 2 to 3 more servo motors just to be safe.

The 12th Doctor is gone and we now have a 13th in his stead and does not remember how to operator his own TARDIS? Bollocks I say! And everyone is freaking out on how the Christmas special went, well Frak off! If you didn’t like it no one forced your eyes to watch it all either! I found the story line to be acceptable if not a bit quaint on how the doctor gets to age, how he passes on from this generation to the next regeneration btw, how do you drive this thing?  For those that are big #Starwars fans, Pete Mayhew AKA Chewbacca will be at SLC EVE for the New Year’s Eve Cosplay Party/Contest! Check it out on Facebook and see for yourselves.

Fictional Character for Defiance RPG.

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Madarame-Harunobu

Classification: ArkHunter/Engineer

Name: Stephen B. Lundberg

DOB: 8/19/2010

Age: 22

Hair: Blonde

Eyes: Grey

Height: 6’1

Weight: 197 lbs.

Physical defining features: One minor scar left of the skull. Damaged tissue stretches from the lower temporal region to just inside of the Zygomatic section of the Skull.

Biographical Archive:

Stephen Baker Lundberg, son of Scott and Shannon Lundberg born on Thursday August 19^th 2010 eastern side of what was at the time still the United States of America. Grown and educated in the Tennessee educational system till the age 15, where he had shown remarkable aptitude in mechanical engineering. He was enrolled into Clemson University‘s Engineering program. Grades excellent, attitude was stoic and studious. Events of his studies were somewhat surprising and remarkable when he had accidently received designs for some new generators that were meant for Prof. Lou Hollister in the psychics and engineering department of Clemson University. Prof. Hollister was to be working with the dept. of homeland security and the global protectorate division of the United Nations.

But upon discovery of what Stephen Lundberg had achieved, he had Mr. Lundberg and the generators transferred to Area 17 Hanger 21 on the Utah Salt Flats by the Dugway Proving grounds. Where project Ananke was still in production/development. The generators were of Castithan design and technology but with some minor re-design cold fusion technology was easily incorporated into the design for a power source for the generators which were then in turn installed and used to power fusion pulse cannons to be used in the pale wars. Once Stephen realized what the generators were being used for, he decided to leave the company of professor Hollister and the military and fade into the wilderness.

After quite an extensive search by the military and UN Special Forces had given up their search for Stephen Lundberg, the military then launched their attack against the Votan and for a 4 year span Stephen B. Lundberg has disappeared. till now……………………………….

End of this week wrap up.

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Madarame-Harunobu

So what was this week like? A bit much like the past few weeks, money money money pouring like a river over the falls. One the cars needs some major rear axle work due to one the brake seals being worn and saturating the back driver’s brake pads (That’s going to be $ just due to the labor on disassembling the rear axle to do get the repair done.

There is also an oil leak somewhere on the front and the filter needs to be changed out, and the gas pedal sticks when you lean on it from time to time. I’d assume to sell it but the skeptic needs find out how much out of pocket it would take to get it repaired since it was supposed to go to our Eldest daughter for her 1^st vehicle, and if it would cost the same as a used car or slightly less? I might bite the bullet and get it repaired. Other choice is sell it back to them (My mother in law bought it from them a number of years back) and squirrel away the money towards a better vehicle.

Wife’s mother’s day present hasn’t shown up yet, there is less than 72 hours left and it still isn’t here. I’m hopeful though I won’t give up hope. I’m going to finish off a few things around the house for mother’s day as well and getting the office a bit more squared away than it is currently. Plus have to get two more rooms moved between now and the end of the month, and maybe repaint a bathroom or two. (Pending on paint left over.)

Podcast side, not much to say save that I did get 3 of 4 encoded and uploaded to the podcast’s YT channel. Compiled an mp3/Video from our interview with LB Bryant and Amanda Rush, from http://ani.me, after listening to the podcast Max did a cool job of it and I love getting the new info from LB and Amanda for the upcoming summer season. Google Hangout was a mess Thursday night it seems, it took us 4x tries and even then after the 4^th when it said it was finally recording and we had 2 of the 3 members from Triple Slash Studios from The U of U Gaming Education Dept. and discussed their release afterwards THE DAMN THING DIDN’T RECORD ANY OF IT! FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! Over an hour of their time and ours WASTED because Google Hangout had some type of glitch on the server back end. We’ll just attempt to rerecord this coming week,

Our Eldest Daughter is going under the knife as well. A Bunion has surfaced on her left foot and is 15 rather than the norm 7 as far as length goes on bunions so we’re going to readjust our family vacation this year since she’ll have to wear a boot for at least a two month period for recovery time.

My mother has found the internet and discovered eBay so she’s becoming quite fluent in the ways of the business end of that company with how she can stop an nifty item or two at an auction and know roughly how much of a turn around It can return profit wise. She’s also delved deeply into the genealogy field as well, tracking down our connections the Cromwell’s and Hinton’s of The British Isles, as well as scanning in some of the family photos this week too. (Thanks mom, I mean it.) That brought a few tears to my eyes because I thought I lost some of them and I couldn’t recall them without thinking and concentrating too much.

Also, to some of you out there that I have lost touch with due to one thing or another? I’m sorry, and this by no means is a crutch to lean on at all. My add/adhd seemed to have got loose, I have been lashing out a few people I lost a friend in my anger and I want to say to her I’m sorry. I should have tried to have been more patient and even understanding, I however don’t like having things kept from me either. But I should have also been wary of you felt about your situation at the time as well. To the others, yup I can be a truly bonfied asshole, but I wasn’t the only one at fault, but I do accept my role in what transpired in our interactions. Please know I’m sorry, and that I hope you’ll move on without thinking of me too badly or with much disdain. It’s Friday, and I need to finish my workload, so that’s it for now. I might post up after we do the next Podcast recording. OH and to Brent Lengel, HAPPY BIRTHDAY again you 30 Year old Sod! Love ya (In that comrade manly way of ways) stay strong always!

Weekend Madness! @o; I’m not crazy!

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Madarame-Harunobu

Morning, It is for me anyway. Well I have to say I feel a little better this morning now that we have one the rooms finished over the weekend. I swear I thought I would never get that carpet in the old office clean again from al the dirt everyone tracked in to be on the computer. It took me 5 passes and 2 bottles of carpet cleaner and 3 mixtures of 1 cup Oxi-clean 1 cup Vinegar and 1 cup of Freebeeze and boiling pot of water to get that carpet clean. I was also glad to be able to disassemble and move one the beds upstairs and put it back together by the time lights out were called for the kids.

There just wasn’t enough time to podcast either this weekend, which was disappointing because I wanted to go over some of the CG Rendered Movies that have been out from Japan as of late and to go over EVA 3.0 the Movie. I also wanted to touch base with the crew on Genshiken Nidaime and discuss the possible Release date for the upcoming anime series this summer (2nd Quarter) for the anime schedule. Is there anyone out there reading this, actually reading Genshiken Nidaime as well and enjoying it enough to engage on a discussion on it? Ping me if you would.

I’m going to be watching RiderBackers from start to finish this week also for the podcast discussion. I’ve seen the 1st 4 episodes and loved it, but had to return the DVD set to the library and it was on backorder as well so I couldn’t just renew it. BUT a mutual fan that had to move out and get rid of some of their collection gave me the boxed set, so I can now finish it with much gusto and glee.

On the sad side of news, the 3 in one has become 2 in one. Seems the sensor on the HP Wi-Fi Printer is gone since I cannot get rid of the stupid paper jam error on it. But the upside of it is that we could still buy a new one with an extended warranty for ½ of what the latest all in one HP as to offer. But I feel a need to research more before just jumping in and getting a new one sent. Ink and paper cost, how well does it run, what are the other reviews like on it? I’ll update that when I’ve made a decision on that.

I’ve had to yet again try to get someone with some brains as well as the talent to deal with a 3d Project I have been involved with for quite a while and I think David will the guy to do it. Why? Because for the time I have known him online, he hasn’t ignored his responsibilities, he goes full out on completion of an item or project work when asked and accepted. He’s a team player, and he listens and gives feedback and follow ups. So I can say I am looking forward to his updates on the project. Well that is it for me for time being. Next report my twins will be 14 and I’ll feel older for some time. Anyways, catch the podcast soon peeps, Max, Bruce, David and myself will be on next Sunday to discuss things of a Fanperson nature.

ASL review and the usual musings

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Madarame-Harunobu

ASL (Anime Salt Lake) was fun, I felt I was back in my element again and didn’t feel like awkward or anything. I was supposed to meet with Chris Rager and that just didn’t happen for one reason or another we missed each other during the 48 hrs. Of fun going on. I did happen to catch Chris Ekstrom’s panels “Live Action Anime” and “50 years of Doctor Who 1.5” got the L.A.A on video, waiting for Chris to get back with me on the person who got the Doctor Who Panel on video.

While I was there I met up with a young woman named Christina who came out from California just test the waters out for her mini store of anime and manga art and wares. However this young Miss didn’t have any minions to assist her with set up of her table so I volunteered and help her setup her table faster than the other vendors and I then left her to her table and checked in to help her out with some breaks and such. I did get a Persona 4 Mini Scroll Poster which I gave to my eldest daughter due to the fact she is a HUGE fan of the game/animation. I even helped Christina break down and load her rental up at the closing of the dealer room.

I also got to meet up with Danielle w/o realizing it was her and her bf, cosplaying as Holo and Wolf. Had I know it was her, I would have seen about sitting down and doing a bit of Q and A for the podcast I assist and help run. I will more or less edit this post and slip in the ASL Cosplay Shots I was able to get from various Regulars I know through mutual circles. OH and ERT were there as well as SETI Their Colorado franchise and for those that don’t know what ERT is? ERT is the Utah Ghost Busters Fan Group, with several Ecto Vehicles and Proton Packs, if there is a ghost to bust? They are your answer. They do a lot of volunteer work in the Utah community, helping out at events and shows and conventions. So if you’re a Ghost Buster Fan? You want to join an awesome group of people? ERT is one the better groups to join up with in my personal opinion. Has far as meeting up with The Hello Sweetie Podcast and Charity Mack? I was unable to connect due to one issue or another. I am hoping to have a Podcast get together at some point because they are fun and they also are involved in the local community at events and get together and conventions ASL being one to mention.

Depression has come back again and I’m doing what I can to fight it off again. A friend and on again off again team member of the development team Dave gave me X-Com Enemy unknown and BioShock for later/early Christmas/birthday/Kwanza/Anniversary/ and that helped a bit. It really did, I’m enjoying the X-Com, I’ve never played it myself, but realizing it is built on the Unreal Engine and playing a few missions, I’ve got drawn into it. The game mechanics are quite well done, and the way the mission play outs were well thought out as well. I’ll get over this eventually, but if you see me and I look well rather ragged and long in the tooth? It’s not you, it’s me. Well my lunch is over and I have to get back to work as well. As soon as I get home I am hoping to start moving things from upstairs to downstairs and setting up the office down there. I think it will help the Podcast out as well when we do video casting and peeps don’t have to see the inside of a defunked closet rather a nice bookshelf instead. Anyways, I’m rambling like many accuse me of doing, so this is me, comment if you like and I will respond as best as I can.

Updated News on Defiance the MMO Debuted at Comicon 2012

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Madarame-Harunobu

I am talking about none other than Defiance ! That is correct you heard it here! Defiance has opned up Beta recruitment for Arc Hunters I’ve already registered myself, but don’t let my excitement be the only lure to this most fantastic looking MMO. See for yourself here is a look at the gameplay itself. I think I can let it do the talking for itself!

So, am I right? DAMN RIGHT I’M RIGHT! The Co-Op gameplay s looking pretty sweet and that fact that the TV Series Syfy has coming out in April is an added bonus because elements during the series also take place in the game universe as well. I am looking so forward to playing this Beta MMO. It’s showing lots of promise and I’m sure it will not disappoint. Take a look at some of the Screenshots as well as a map I found in regard to the game.