Who changed my description?

It sure wasn't me. Grr.

Harmony One

I've long been a fan of Logitech and their Harmony remotes. I've had a Harmony Universal Remote for the Xbox 360 for about two years, and I have had no real complaints about it. Just think, a remote that can control my TV, Xbox 360, my AV Receiver, Set Top Box (STB) and DVD player. Normally when I would turn on television, I would press the power button for the TV, one for the STB and one for the receiver. In addition to that, I would have to make sure that the TV and the AV Receiver would have to be in the correct input in order for me to view a picture. So that's at least three presses on several remotes. With the Harmony remotes, the amount of remotes you should use comes down to one, and in most cases, one button press. That one button press will turn on each of your components, and set the components to the correct inputs.

However, my Xbox 360 remote's LCD decided to take a poop on me. On Black Friday, I decided to pick up a Harmony 880 for $100 at Circuit City and would decide that this is the remote for me. However, I was able to pick up a Harmony One for slightly more. So the 880 is going back, and I open this puppy up.

Boy, I was happy when I got this thing working. Touch screen control for the Activities, the ability to set favorite channels and upload the appropriate icons, a rechargable base (so no more batteries), and a feel that is much better than the Xbox 360 remote. Is the cost worth it? Many people say it's not - "It's just a remote." But for me, it is. It gives my wife one touch control, less remotes to fool around with, and a few seconds saved each time when doing different things. Get one. You won't regret it.

Upcoming posts

Since Evo is coming up, and I know many people haven't made their plans yet, I'm going to plan a small series of Vegas Hotel room reviews. I've never been to the Tropicana, so I really can't comment on that. But there are other things out there, a LOT of things out there. Luckily, I've taken pics on where I have stayed.

Look for this soon!

Initial SF4 Gameplay Impressions

From Kotaku:

See Humans Play Street Fighter IV!!

My opinions:
The gameplay looks largely intact. There seems to be EX moves, the standard combos, a dash attack. Gameplay actually looks smooth. I'm sure the speed will be an issue with some. There seems to be a one-level super meter. C. Viper looks to have a reversal type of move.

The game itself looks beautiful. I truly can't wait to see more.

Street Fighter 4 - "New" Characters Revealed

From our fellow bloggers at Kotaku:

Street Fighter IV Welcomes Chun-Li's Thighs, Classic Fighters

The link has a few pics depicting some of the "new" fighters that are going to be in the game. Chun-Li, Dhalsim, Guile, E. Honda, Blanka, and Zangief. I guess the original eight were inevitable, but it's still a little disappointing. Apparently, Feburary 8th is supposed to be a date where we get a new character reveal. I'm looking forward to that.

As the way the game is turning out graphically - let's just say I was extremely skeptical at first. But as characters are being added, it's looking a lot better. I guess I would describe the style as gritty - something a fighter should be.

Mainstream media outlets (outside of gamer websites/magazines) are also starting to get wind of this game as well. Seems like the Street Fighter franchise was lost for a while, but definitely not forgotten as anticipation for this game seems to be really high.

Zune vs. iPod

I am one of possibly many who has both an iPod and a Zune. I picked a new iPod nano online, and had about two good months using that while I work out. The Zune I picked up from Woot.



Well, the new update from Zune came out yesterday, and boy, am I impressed. The Zune interface is a lot smoother, there is added wireless sync support, and the overall look and feel is a lot better. I honestly enjoy the zune better than the Ipod, since it also has a built-in RDS FM tuner (great for the gym).

I have no idea what's going on with the Ipod touch, but from what I hear it's a gimped version of the iPhone...

Street Fighter 4 is coming.

Yes, this post is a bit late. But I should post this, to show I still care somewhat.

I did make a post on SRK (but seems to be deleted) on how the some of the features online should work. There a lot of ideas out there by the community, so it's good to people still caring about a franchise long thought to be in limbo.

Tournament Traveling Tips

Again, Evo will be upon us in the next month. Here is an article that Tony Cannon and I co-wrote 6 years ago. This article was actually published in the now-defunct Tips & Tricks magazine! While it is dated, it still holds very true to those who travel to tournaments and conventions. Yes, there was going to be a part two, but it was never written. Maybe it's time to finish that...

Link: Tournament Traveling Tips

How to shave.

I received a shaving kit recently from my lovely wife for my birthday, and decided to browse for a bit on how to get an excellent shave.

So here are a few things I've learned:
1. Shaving gel/cream in a can is not the best.
2. The disposable razors/cartridges with 2 blades or more are not as good as you think.
3. Getting that excellent shave takes a bit of time.

Link: Mantic59's Shaving Blog

This guy also has some informative videos up on YouTube, be sure to check it out.

And no, this does not make you less of a man. This also probably doesn't apply to Derek, either.

So Virtua Fighter 5 is confirmed to be playable online...

Link: SEGA ANNOUNCES ONLINE MULTIPLAYER FUNCTIONALITY IN VIRTUA FIGHTER™ 5 FOR XBOX 360

So this IS good news. And I take back the bad, bad things I said about Sega. My nephew loves you, Sega for Sonic. And I love you Sega, for VF5 and online play.

One would think that Sega pretty much had to make this move due to the upcoming Capcom fighter, Tekken 5 being online soon, Soul Calibur 4 and Tekken 6 on the horizon. I can truly hear two camps at this moment of time: the one breathing a collective sigh of relief that the game will be online, and the other already whining about the inevitable lag issues that online play will bring.


Now how about that fighting stick...

So I'm playing poker.

Like viscant, I'm playing some online poker.

But let me tell you my story. One day in January 2004, when the Super Bowl came to Houston, I was letting a friend use the computer while we wait to hit downtown where the party was. He asked to install PartyPoker, so I let him do so. As we are waiting, I noticed that he was playing Texas Hold'em - for real money. So I observed for a bit since I didn't know how to exactly play. Being the quick learner that I am, I picked up the basic premise pretty quickly.

So I decided to not uninstall the program, and actually create an account to mess around with in play money. So I play for a bit, sometimes I'd go to a get-together, and they would have a home game going on. So I would play in those, and although I didn't win, I'd do pretty well.

In addition, I had a roommate for a while who played a lot of online poker, so I'd sit down for a bit and casually observe the games, and noticed that he played 2-6 tables at any given time.

So November 2006, I would go to Las Vegas for a week on vacation. Prior to my trip, I told myself that I would partake in a couple low buy-in tournaments when I was gambling. So I did the appropriate research, and decided to play in just two tournaments - a 9PM $45 a Fitzgeralds, and a 10AM tournament at the Hooter Casino for $25 w/rebuy.

I first went to Fitzgeralds. Went out with 18 players remaining, 30 max. Basically I just got blinded out, by playing too tightly. Strangely, to me, it felt a lot like a Street Fighter tournament, with some of the nervousness around. The next day, I decided to go to the Hooter's tournament. Around 30 people from what I gather. After taking in the rebuy as I ran low on chips, I wound up chopping a pot heads-up. $330 was my payday. I was very ecstatic.

When I got home, I installed Pokerstars, and made my first deposit of $25 and started playing 2NL. A month later, I went back to Vegas for a couple of days, and decided to play in some ring games as well. I played at the Venetian, where I was up about $30 playing 200NL, and down $9 at Caesar's Palace playing the same. This was also the first time at Vegas where my slot play was very minimal.

In addition, I found a place where I can play for free to help me deal with live play and live situations (since gambling in Texas is illegal), and ease the nervousness that once affected me. The same place had a Royal Flush jackpot, which I hit, and bought drinks for everyone at the table. I still play on occasion here to enjoy a beer and have a few laughs.

So my goal this year is such (small goals first, for me): Try to move up to 25NL with the proper bankroll, play live poker when I can when I go to a casino, and of course fix my leaks in my game.

So here I am today, an aspiring poker player. I've moved up in limits at Pokerstars, I'm an overall winning player (live and online), and enjoying it as my new hobby to replace SF tournaments. I do not get to play as much as I'd like, but I am getting better, and realizing at the same time how similar the game can be to playing Street Fighter.

Fighting games and Online Play

Amongst the Fighting Game Hardcore stems a heated argument about online play.
There is a clear line - those who like it and those who hate it.

Those are against it repeatably state a glaring flaw - the latency in fighting games. While I do agree that execution can be critical in high-level matches, some critics go as far as saying that it completely changes the game.



While I am not going to argue with those two critical points, I do believe that all fighting games from here on out should have online play. If you are in the United States or Canada, you'll notice that arcades are far and few between these days. Even if there is an arcade around, there is no guarantee that the local arcade will even get the newest game just for the sake of a few people. By the way, a 4 cabinet setup in an arcade will cost them $70k! SEVENTY THOUSAND! Wow. Just wow...

So what else is there? Consoles and online play. Like it or not, online play is here to stay. We've come a long way, and service keeps improving. Not enough for some of the critics around. Online play allows one to play games in the comfort of their own home. For those who don't like it? Don't play online. Have a getogether. Go find an arcade that does have it. But don't spoil it for others who simply want to play other people.

Anyhoos, this geared more towards Sega. HAVE ONLINE PLAY! Namco is coming out with an online version of Tekken 5; Soul Calibur 4 will have it, SF Turbo HD Remix will have it... Why do you hate us, Sega?!?!?!?

Lots of topics, so little time...

So lately there are a bunch of topics that I'd like to blog about, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of time for me lately. I need to make time.

So here's a quick rundown:

ST HD Remix for Xbox Live Arcade - great that they will update the graphics, but what about the sound?

The Houston/Planet Zero/Showdown debacle - I call it a debacle because it has received a lot of negativity in the Fighting Game community. Plus, it hits home for obvious reasons.

Virtua Fighter 5 and it not being online on Xbox 360 - That's a can of worms that needs to be opened. People from both sides of the argument are debating whether a game should be available online, even it could detract on the original gaming experience that the developer wishes to convey.

The fighting game scene's path - It's pretty obvious that we're at a critical junction in the community. What needs to happen?

My path as a poker player - I've moved up in limits recently - does that make me good?

Lots of good stuff to blog about. Stay tuned!!!

Playing poker

So yeah. I'm playing poker online now.

It's funny as I see many similarities from SF land to the land of poker.

Turtle = Tight Play
Rushing down = Loose, Aggressive play
Scrubfests = LOL donkaments

In SF, you have a character to play, with that character having a set of strengths and weaknesses, to best the other character. In poker, you are the character, trying to disguise your strength, and hide your weaknesses while trying to exploit your opponents.

Only thing is, is that poker has tournaments that occur all the time. I wish some company would step up and perform the same. There are a whole lot of us SF, Tekken, whatever fans that would love the same thing. One can argue about the integrity of the game online vs. offline, but when you're alone? Give me lag any day, because in the end all I want to do is beat people and have some fun.

Changed yet again...

Yeah, so it's fixed again. Going to update again in the future.

This is a little better.

New color scheme, and logo. Needs more work, however.

What the? It's been two months.

So yeah, I've been lazy. I recently came from Vegas not too long ago, did pretty well in a NL Hold'em tournament.

I come back, get Gears of War and the Wii for my mom.

Wii is good stuff. It will make fat gamers a little bit less fat. Graphics are disappointing, although Zelda looks good.

Gears of War is insanely fun. Not because it's a shooter's rehash. The campaign mode is great, the online mode is even better. I don't need to go over the stuff, many people know already.

I still need to work on this blog. It's not pleasing to the eye.

This blog is ugly.

I'm going to have to change it. It's too plain, and it's hard to read. Hopefully in a week or two I can get this thing going.

I better make it quick, since I'll be in Vegas in two weeks.

Why You Shouldn't Buy Anything From EA

From Kotaku:

Battlefield 2142 With a Dash of SpyWare

Buggy software on consoles, and now this? If you are too lazy to click and read through, it's as simple as this. EA is installing spyware in conjunction with Battlefield 2142 that delivers in-game advertising based on web browsing habits.

It's already reached a firestorm before I even typed this. This is the last straw, EA. I want to buy a game, not a living advertising machine.

It's bad enough I'm having problems with Madden 07 for Xbox 360. Here are my problems with it.

1. The game crashes seemingly at random.
2. The game doesn't reward achievement levels correctly. I am at Madden gamer level 11, and I still don't have my level 10 achievement!
3. I have to update my rosters EVERY TIME I GET ONLINE.
4. When I do update, I find that the Denver Broncos are rated lower than the Houston Texans!
5. You expect us to pay for a "strategy guide" and for Alternate uniforms and old stadiums, when they were completely free last year?!?

Jeez. I shudder to think what Tiger Woods 07 and NBA Live 07 are like. Doesn't matter. I will not buy another EA game until they remove the spyware crap on BF 2142, and they put out a decent product for their consoles (that does not crash). Here's hoping that MS can get an in-house studio to make an NFL game...

Xbox 360 to Have 1080p Capabilities

Yes, you heard right. Announced at the Tokyo Game Show, Xbox 360s will have the ability to output both game AND movie content (for the HD-DVD add-on) at 1080p via a software update later this fall.

Quote from Shane Kim, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Game Studios:
"If it is running at 720p we will up-res it to 1080p, if it it's already 1080p then we can display it in 1080p," he said. " This is a great example of our console's ability and the great advantage of being a software company."

Of course, movie content in 1080p had to be inevitable with the HD-DVD addon. But with games, it's only a bonus. While it doesn't really mean a whole lot to the current crop of games (and maybe even the next generation), it does send a message to Sony: "Hey, we can do 1080p as well!"

"We believe 720p is the sweet-spot for high definition," says Kim. Keep that in mind, because there won't be a lot of options for 1080p in the foreseeable future.