PixelCast 6: Pixel-Haaaaair

We have a new chair this episode, with Michael joining the show for the first time. We talk about games we've been playing, the Pearl Jam concert in November, and the changing release caledar of games.

Listen to us here!

Oh crap!

PixelCast 5: Tickle My Pixel

Dylan, Tim and I made a second attempt to finish the podcast, and we persevered. Listen to us talk about games we've been playing, comment on gaming news and discuss episodic content.

We were fortunate enough to salvage half of the original recording with guest host, Nathan Cocks from PC Powerplay. Listen to our smooth, chocolatey voices and enjoy.

Download from here.

Podcast Attempt Failed

It's a real shame that the podcast we were recording yesterday afternoon was lost. It's probably a technical hiccup, and not anyone's fault really. When coordinating a recording with four people in separate cities (and different countries for one), there's many things that could go wrong; Sound quality, bandwidth and overtaxing the computers are all possible fault-lines.

We had some really good content in there, and good banter all around. So it's a real shame it's all gone now. We're trying to salvage something, but it looks like re-recording is the only real solution here. I hope we can recapture some of that magic.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2

I picked up Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 because I wanted a game that I could play together with Audrea. I wanted something wasn't too complex yet with enough depth not to be vacuous. And so far, we've been having fun.

As with the previous Ultimate Alliance game, players take control of various Marvel characters stopping a string of villains from dastardly deeds. Over the course of the game, players can upgrade their characters with skills and abilities with experience points gained from trouncing various minions and underlings.

One reason why I'm liking this game so much is that many RPG elements have been removed from the game. And that to me is a good thing. Apparently, this is not a commonly shared opinion. One major problem I've always had with the first Ultimate Alliance was the infinite minute increments that didn't have significant impact on the game. +3% damage for every level increase in the relevant skill? -2.4secs cool-down time? I don't want to deal with that level of tedium. I just want to get into the action as quickly as I can.

Which is why I also appreciate the new in-game levelling system. Instead of having to continuously wait for other players to upgrade their characters, you can now do it on the fly whilst others continue playing. Your character is taken over by the AI while you upgrade.

Visually, I'm finding it much easier to differentiate characters, enemies and background. I had a hard time with UA1, when there were too many clashing colours. But it's easier to follow the action in UA2. The in-game camera does need a little work though; there are multiple times when the camera ends up in the oddest angles, obscuring the vision of the players.

Audrea and I haven't gotten too deep into the game yet. We finished about 3 missions yesterday. But I reckon that we'll be playing this often over the course of the next couple of weeks. I'm finding the improvements in the sequel make for a better playing experience. And the removal of tedious elements helps to condense the fun factor.

Enlisted into the Twit Army

Like so many before, succumbing was the inevitable result. Should I have resisted for so long, knowing it was ultimately futile? Can I pride myself on the fortitude shown? Or do I hang my head low for my failing resolve?

Follow me at Twitter.com/kenleefh.

Life in Melbourne: Progress on the House 3

It's been just over a month since we last saw the house. And the progress that has transpired is quite astonishing. The floors are done, the kitchen is in, and the upstairs rooms are almost completed.

To be perfectly honest, we weren't quite as excited about the house when we saw it last. There was still a lot to be done then, and we couldn't visualise the space. But having seen it again in a near complete stage, we've had our faith renewed.

Things to do done still include wiring, plumbing, toilets, showers, carpets, garage and floor polishing.

Living Room

Kitchen

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2/Study

Life in Melbourne: Royal Melbourne Show 2009

Audrea and I have always been fans of the Royal Shows. We went when we were students in Brisbane. And we continue to go now that we're in Melbourne. Showbags, carnival games, rides, fairy floss and animals. What's not to like?

Pixel Hunt Issue 9

The latest issue of Pixel Hunt is out now. It's really a good magazine, with loads of great videogame content. If you're a fan of videogames, you would be remiss to not check it out. And the price of entry? Absolutely free.

My contributions this issue include:
Op-Ed (Pg 6-7)
The Sims 3 Review (Pg 40-43)
UFC 2009 Review (Pg 47-49)

PixelCast 4: My next episode

The crew at PixelHunt have put together another podcast. Dylan, Tim and I share the games we've been playing, and discuss the use of dialogue in games.

Podcast available here.

Stories: Weakness must hurt

The train chugs along, filled with people on their journey home. A young girl sits, prim and proper in her uniform. She reads from a book, open and resting upon her lap. In the surrounding buzz, she appears calm and serene.

Her skirt hem rests just above her knee, revealing scars etched into her thigh. Among the scars is a word carved into her leg: Weak.

I wonder if she has cut herself. I wonder why.

PixelCast 3: My first Podcast

I just recorded my first podcast with members from the Pixel Hunt crew. I had loads of fun recording it. You should go check it out, and I hope you'll enjoy listening to it.

We talked about Batman, games we've been playing and things we're looking forward to.

Listen to it here.

Life in Melbourne: Progress on the House 2

Since we last saw our home about 7 weeks ago, there has been some progress made. We're still months away from completion, but it's all shaping up. We even got to pick kitchen colours! How terribly exciting yet mundane at the same time.

Living/Dining Area

Kitchen

Exterior

2009: A Big Year So Far

Only half the year has gone, and it has been extremely eventful. I can't remember a time when things were as crazy.

• My older sister got married in February
• I got married in June
• I got laid-off in July
• Got a new job in August
• Audrea and I bought a house
• And I just found out that my older sister is pregnant, and I'm gonna be an uncle soon

Everything is just happening all at once. It's pretty exciting, really.

Life in Melbourne: Skiing at Mt Buller

We went skiing for the very first times in our lives today, and we loved it. For Audrea, it was her first time seeing snow as well.

It was hard going at the start, as always when learning new things. But we both picked it up fairly promptly. We could move a distance without falling over, and we could do a simple stop and turn. Not bad for first-timers.

Of course, we didn't escape completely unharmed. I'm sure we'll be sore all over when we wake in the morning. And I've got blisters around my ankles where the ski boots dug too deep. But it well worth the battle scars.

Ken & Audrea's Wedding Photos

Photos from our wedding on 14 June 2009.

Busy weeks, an injured hand and The Ghostbusters

It's been a very hectic couple of weeks. There's a mountain of work to be done, and there's more coming on. The events calendar is pretty light for the next two weeks, but there's more to do about work systems and new projects. I'm in the midst of writing a proposal for a new project, as well as having to do an intensive cleanup of our contacts database. In addition, I've got my annual review coming up. I'm hoping that not only will I continue to have my job, I'll get a pay raise too.

I injured my hand recently, so that's a bummer. It's been hurting for over a month now. The doctor says that the tendons in my left wrist is probably inflammed, so rest and pain medication are the best things for it. It also means I have to reduce my playtime with videogames. Grasping the gamepad, and manuvering the thumbstick seems to be exacebating the problem.

I did have time to give Ghostbusters: The Videogame a good play through. And I've got to say that the game is living up to expectations in some respects, and disappointing in others. It's very much the Peter Venkman character in the movies. Eminently charming but ultimately lacking in some substance. The writing is very funny, making me laugh out loud on multiple occasions. And seeing the original cast reprise their roles elicits a strong feeling of nostalgia. And catching ghosts are quite a blast. The primary problems I have with it are that some parts of the game are terribly frustrating. Especially so when facing the swarms of tiny ghosts that overwhelm you. With the movement and controls feeling a little sluggish, facing those swarms gets really old really fast. The overall story of the game stretches the Gozer theme from the first movie a little too thinly as well. I'll get back to it soon, as I'm wanting to play with the multiplayer mode.

Mechwarrior 5? Hells yeah!

I've just got another reason to be excited. By all accounts, this will be a series re-boot. It'll bring the game back into the gritty, more simulation-like gameplay that characterised the earlier games in the series.

I wasn't a fan when the game took a turn for a more arcde-like style with Mechwarrior 4, and the Mech Assault games on the Xbox. So I'm really excited.

In the clip, you'll see the Warhammer, Jenner and Atlas (my most favorite mech). I'm not sure if the video is from actual gameplay though I doubt it very much.

Life in Melbourne: WWE Raw Live Tour

I am so excited. I managed to snag myself a ticket to the WWE Raw Live Tour here in Melbourne. It's happening next Tuesday, 7 July 09 and I just can't wait.

It's been so long since I've watched a pro-wrestling show. The last time I went to one was in 2007 with my cousins. And I think that was a disappointing show overall. The shows in Singapore are always a sideline, and not part of the canon.

I've got much higher hopes for this one. I think it one of those massive ones, where the storylines are actually impacted. And I'm expecting loads of fireworks, the massive screens, all sorts of placards, the works.

Life in Melbourne: Progress on the House 1

A couple of months back, I took a photo of the plot of land that would become our home. Construction has since begun, and we were extremely excited to see the progress that has been achieved.

Take a look!