Uxi

More of that duel on the Invisible Hnad footage DOES exist, though likely not to the effect the novelization went to (which IIRC was based on an earlier form of the script). We have footage from Dooku's dialogue, for example on the Ep3 console game (I have the Xbox version), that didn't make the theatrical cut, for example. Have to wait to get our ueber-Blu-ray boxed set with extended cuts and deleted scenes from all 6 movies, I suppose. Did you catch Star by Star, Warmaker? Probably one of the best books in the NJO, particularly in how it covered the larger strategic conflict, but also the tactical scale conflicts such as the Battle of Coruscant and the Black Bantha nebula.

Ah yeah, I LOVE the Xcom games. UFO Defense is still my favorite but the graphics are kinda dated. I love teh concept of the GeoScape and always hoped we'd get a new Xcom game with something like Google:Earth for the Geoscape and allow multiplayer. I always thought multiplayer games would work great and something the size of Google: Earth for a Geoscape could allow a huge number of players who would represent "secret agencies" of various countries. Then you could have a toggle for computer controlled aliens or not. I can imagine playing a big 64-player game with all kinds of factions, carving up the globe like Risk. I have Apocalypse working on my XP machine without Dos Box. Can't remember how I did it as I did it a LONG time ago. Good improvements were that you could finally tie equipment to your characters (I always had a rank based structure for armor. Rookies got nothing! Squaddies got personal armor (the plain armor). Sergeant's got power armor and captain's took Flying armor. As my inventory and wealth expanded, I eventually trickled down and sergeants would get flying armor (Marsec for Apoc), squaddies would get the plain power armor, rookies would get personal armor. Anyways, I hated on UFO Defense when my bases would get invaded and i have to spend 30 minutes equipping all my guys according to my scheme. Leaving your Commander unarmored and having em get killed was always a bummer! I'm about getting played out of Rome: Total Realism (I've chewed up the Ptolemies and have pretty much taken all of Asia Minor from the Selucids - damned phalanxes have made it slower going than I had hoped - i always win, but my sacrificial phalanxes always get badly mauled and my princpes are getting worn down by attrition). Getting ready for my final pincer move on Jerusalem from Egypt and Antioch... Once I'm done with that, I'll most likely go back to Apoc.

I wish we could get a new TIE Fighter game... in my dreams it would be based on the NJO and let you fight the Yuuzhan Vong choosing from XJ3 X-wing's, Series 2 E-Wing's, Chiss Clawcraft, and TIE Defenders. Speaking of which, I got the Action Fleet TIE Defender off Ebay a couple years ago for the outrageous sum of $80. I love that damned thing, though. I have it on a tiny display shelf in my office with the TIE/ln, Vader's TIE Advanced X1, TIE Interceptor, and Darth Maul's TIE/Sith Infiltrator concept for Ep1...

Spiderman 3 trailer is awesome. So is MK2.

Wonder if they can do something with Superman Returns. :ph3ar:

Go to the Rebelscum customs forum... I'm sure I already saw this done...

I would probably get AC6 for my 360 if it doesn't come out on PS3. OverG fighters blew chunks.

Demo for AC4 is up on PSN. Pretty neat. I've been contemplating getting this and the demo might push me over the edge...

I think I had most of these toys. I remember Lion-o, the tank, Cheetarah, etc. I don't think I had any of the bad guys, though, except the wolf guy...

Yeah I have an X35/X36 (the older all black one before they went to silver/neon/transparent plastic). Anyways, got everything set, including the throttle, which eluded me for some bit. Now I"m enjoying fragging Cylons. Gonna have to register and hit a game online.

I did the first 3 missions. Pretty cool. I need to figure out how to map my Saitek a bit better to my liking. I'd also like an external view control, as well.

Anyone get the game going yet? D/L now...

Sounds to me like they're doing a new bluetooth module and are using that as an excuse for a slight bump in HD. I think the iPod analogy is probably very appropriate. I'm planning on putting a 120GB in there, and cloning my nearly full 60GB iPod to it as an another backup point.

Wait for the PS3 version? MMm... Zephyr/360 Elite?

This was a pretty good episode... at least once the Lee Matlock stuff was done. Baltar's cultists are all fairly attractive females? Hopefully they're actually hermaphrodites or syphillis carriers or something and he finally gets his due. The spoilers spoiled the "return" of Starbuck, but I think I would have been expecting it anyway. January 2008? WTF?? Hopefully I can have everything on HD DVD by then...

One VERY important thing to consider is that the PS2 is STILL selling strong (360 was in THIRD place as PS2 was #2 in Febuary according to VG Charts trailing the Wii by only about 50,000 units), though obviously trending down. Sony does NOT want a mass migration to the PS3 at this point in time when they can still milk the PS2 goose, whose expenses have been recouped years ago and is pure profit for them right now. Combined PS2 and PS3 sales still has Sony #1 for game consoles by a not insignificant margin... Meanwhile, Blu-ray components get cheaper every month... The price is Sony's to drop at their leisure. The timing wil be tricky and they'll want to aim it at a time that they can begin writing off the PS2, which is probably about 10-12 more months IMO. Here's an article that captures it perfectly: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=23708

Got 1.6 last night. Synched up my MX5000 bluetooth keyboard and mouse without a hitch. Now that the USB dongle doesn't bother me. Oh well. Did some browsing, too and can't say I really noticed the changes on the browser, though I did play with zoom a bit. Browse MW'ed a bit. I definitely hope we can do custom keymappings / keyboard & mouse configs (page up/down/home/end in the web browser at the very least, as well as mapping the other L1/L2/R1/R2/R3 keys, etc). I also did some folding@home briefly, too. Maybe this weekend I'll leave it on so I can monitor it (I've never had a hint of heat / loud fan issues, but want to be there to periodically check up to make sure everything is kosher). I also tested auto-play and popped in Motorstorm and a couple movies (Stargate, Crank, Casino Royale) and it worked great. Then tested background downloading and grabbed the trailers for transformers and shrek3 (got the notifications during Stargate IIRC). Very neat.

These last couple episodes have absolutely sucked. At least in Maelstorm I had Viper eye candy to watch. This one? Blecch! Is the next one gonna have a space fight in it?

Got the Blu-ray today at BB (they price matched frys.com for $22.99. :D ). I didn't get the car, though. Excellent PQ and another incredible uncompressed PCM track (sounds absolutely incredible from my Denon 4306). I had actually missed this in theaters and then learning the Blu-ray was coming out so fast made me realize I didn't have to tolerate the nasty crowds or pay boku bucks at a specialty theater. My own setup does far more justice to most material than the theaters anyways. I liked the more realistic angle, but the opening montage was pretty weak. I'm used to Bond opening montages being great home theater demo reel material and action packed.

I've bought one set on DVD and will buy the Blu-ray, if/when it comes out. I won't buy another DVD release just like I only bought one release on VHS (the THX set).

Carthaginian Elephants gave the (pre Marius) Roman legions a helluva time until Zama. Publius Cornelius Scipio finally figured out and implemented an effective strategy at Zama though, and they were never really used quite effectively against the legions again.

Saw the IMAX showing yesterday. Very cool movie. Not completely accurate, but I wouldn't expect any cinematic representation to be. I've been loving my Rome: Total Realism mod for Rome: total war and have been playing it extensively for months. The subject of the phalanx comes up much and i'll paraphrase from the FAQ at their forums: The Greek City States used a Doru (7-9 feet) in their Phalanx, as did the various copies made by the barbarians, whereas the Macedonian and Hellenistic kingdoms used the Sarissa, a pike 14-18 feet long. My Roman Legions always crush the phalanx. Set the unit taking the brunt of a phalanx to loose formation and count on them getting a bit mauled (typically I'll use either another mercenary phalanx, some Italian spearman, or maybe a unit of Legionary Hastati, but never Gauls or Iberians or Illyrians who'll panic). Then send some other units quickly to flank the edge most phalanx (I almost exclusively use Legionary Principes for this, though sometimes barbarian cavalry). I've just conquered Greece (Sparty and Corinth put up the biggest fight. I had Athens isolated for some time and my spies opened the gates for me anyway, though I still had to fight through some elite hoplatai at each gate) and have been carving up Macedonia... Once I'm done there, though, Carthage is gonna see some legions! But anyways, I was pretty disapointed with 300's showing of the phalanx. Leonidas tells quaismodo how important it is, etc and you see it employed briefly in the first charge and from there on they don't use it at all.

I love my PS3 and definitely recommend one, Casca. I use it as a Blu-ray player just about every day or two and before Motorstorm didn't have the need to buy a game as I posted on the last page. Home looks very interesting. I'm not as interested in it's pseudo-social/myspace type aspects but sounds like a great way to one-up both the 360 Achievements & Mii.

I thought Flyboys was a pretty good movie (I got the Blu-ray just for the 'biplane pr0n' ) but was pleasantly surprised that the plot wasn't as vapid as I was expecting. The whole romance angle was a waste, but I enjoyed the rest very much. 300 looks like it'll be great. I'm taking the day off and catching an IMAX showing tomorrow afternoon.

I haven't bought a game since launch ( when i got 2) and have since received 2 as gifts. I will be getting Motorstorm (at least) this month... I use my PS3 near daily, though mostly for Blu-ray but occasionally PS2 or demos. I'll say again that I LOVE LPCM!!!