I Want My 50
I have been playing Halo 3 since launch day and still, to this day, have not got my 50. I have almost 2,000 experience and my highest skill is a 46 in TS. I can’t take it anymore! I have somewhat of an excuse because I never played Halo 2 so I had to jump in deep and got wrecked by all the veteran players that crossed over that night. That shouldn’t be an issue anymore though. While I am not the greatest, I play with 50’s all the time in custom games and online and regularly beat them in BR battles. Usually, I lose because of an AFK team member or someone named yoyokid96 that goes -15. For some reason, it extremely bothers me getting into Halo 3 and seeing my birdy and nub bar staring me in the face.
I am determined! I want my 50! I want to be a general! Give me two weeks. Two weeks time and I will be a general. Wish me luck.
Killzone 2 Impressions
When my PS3 arrived last week the first game that I picked up to play was Killzone 2. My setup at home is pretty nice. I have an HDMI cable running to my 24 inch 1080p monitor and an optical cable running to my 5.1 Astro headset.
When you start the game there is a pretty intense introduction sequence before the start menu that already gives you an idea of what you’re going to expect in the game. Basically, you are a soldier of the ISA which is taking over the planet of Helghan. Just like most first person shooters, you are given instructions by you’re commanding officer to go here, shoot that, blow up this, etc., but it never really gets old. The level design, while very guided, is great and action is always waiting right around the corner.
The weapons in the game are very fun to shoot and fit the usual line up. There are assault rifles, SMG’s, a shotgun and a couple guns that you wouldn’t always expect like a bolt gun and an electrical weapon blaster thingy.
The story, while not the greatest, is engaging and enjoyable. I came attached to a couple of the squad mates because they are quite hilarious and the banter is fun to listen to. The cutscenes and graphics are beautiful and most of the time the cutscene will fade and you’ll be back in control without a loading screen.
The multiplayer, once everything is unlocked reminds me a little of Team Fortress 2 with the class system. One thing that is different about Killzone 2’s gametypes if that they are all in one. About every five minutes the gametype will switch in game. You’ll be trying to assassinate an enemy member one moment and the be told to guard to strategic point on the map the next. This constant change on the battlefield is a lot of fun and forces you to stay on your toes.
Killzone 2 is a must have for ever PS3 owner. The single player is great and the online is just as good. The only complaint I have is that I can’t use my 360 controller because I find it more comfortable. You can’t have everything you want now can you? 
Resurrection & New Beginnings
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If you didn’t already know, my 360 died about a week and a half ago. I was pretty bummed at the time but decided that I would attempt the x-clamp fix that can be found on many websites. I ordered the parts need for the operation so to speak and waited a few days for parts to arrive via the USPS.
The first things I noticed after removing the heat-sinks (stupid x-clamps…) from both the GPU and CPU of my 360 was that the thermal paste seemed to be non-existent. The thermal paste was everywhere except on top of the chips. Using Goo Gone or whatever it was out my tool box and some rubbing alcohol I had successfully removed the deteriorated thermal paste and was ready to apply some new paste. After apply the new thermal paste, I used rubber washers and screws to replace the x-clamps. The idea is that the x-clamps loosen over time and allow the heat-sinks space in between themselves and the chips which causes them to over heat giving you the RROD error. With the washers and screws in place and the new thermal paste applied, you are supposed to overheat your box. Surprisingly, I didn’t have to that. Amazingly, my Xbox 360 has been running perfectly since the fix. Now, hopefully, it doesn’t die in the next month…
My family decided they needed a blu-ray player in the house which prompted a PS3 to be bought. I played through Killzone 2 and am attempting to get through MGS4 so expect a review/summary of both of those coming shortly
A Sad Day
Well, today, I have lost someone very close to me. Someone I have spent countless hours enjoying the company of. We had are rough spots, yes, when I became busy with school or work but I always made time for her. But now, she is gone. Eve has passed away with the common disease know as The Red Ring of Death. 
All hope is not lost! I will repair her. I plan to use the guidance and support of Xbox360Fixit. Apparently, having an upgraded fan and making sure that they are well ventilated is not enough to keep any 360 alive. Maybe I was just delaying the inevitable. I’ll never know…
This is not my video by the way. It just fits the mood. *tear*
Quick Update & SFIV Video
Hey everybody! I just wanted to post an update of what I have been playing and how I’m doing.
I’m currently playing through FFIX using EPSXe which is a pretty awesome PSX emulator. Setting it up can be a little difficult but once you do it is a breeze from there. The Final Fantasy games have a slight problem with the emulator so they lag randomly during certain parts of the game. So far, I am really enjoying it. The story telling is great and it just has that feel to it that makes all Final Fantasy games special. I am the type of guy that when given the chance to change the names of characters leave them exactly as the game wants because it just bothers me if I change them. I changed one of the characters’ names and it has been bothering the whole fourteen hours that I have played the game! Ugh! So annoying… I think I might have OCD.
If you ever feel like playing an old game for free… I would definitely recommend it. I still have two disks to go though. Keep that in mind.
I also have been playing a lot of Street Fighter IV. I even ordered a Mad Catz SE stick which was ridiculously hard to get… curse Mad Catz. Honestly, I am not that good but I want to get better. I admire the depth the game has. At the moment, I am maining Akuma and my secondary is Ryu. Both shoto/fireball spamming characters but I don’t mind. Some people give me crap for it online though. I think they are just jealous. haha
Here is a short video of two player matches I had some random guy. It is kind of funny.
Besides playing games, my life has been kind of sucky lately. Nothing seems to end up the way I want it and no one is happy with me. The virtual world keeps me sane.
Teagab Productions: A 60 Second Film
I was having fun last night toying around in Sony Vegas and attempted to edit some of my Halo 3 clips together. Key word in the last sentence? Attempted. Hopefully you’ll find it mildly entertaining. Also, something happened to the audio… and I have no idea what caused it. I’ll try to fix that for next time. Make sure to watch in high quality!
Quick Dazzle Test
I ordered a Dazzle video capture device about two weeks ago and am starting to record some clips from Halo 3 that I really like. The quality is pretty good for SD but when you upload it to youtube it looks terrible unless you watch in high quality.
Here is a quick test capture I did. I am on the back of the mongoose while my friend Nazgul11 is driving. The other guy? He’s a noob.
My plan is create a small montage with the clips edidted together in Sony Vegas. Its all new to me so it might take a while or I could give up somewhere before the end. Hopefully I won’t though.
Left4Dead: I Wish I Had Been Left Earlier
I downloaded Left 4 Dead tonight off of Steam (my favorite way to buy PC games) and was quickly filled with joy. I’ll be honest, I like survival games of all kinds. Whether it is a point and click web browser game to freeze tag… I love them. Well, Left 4 Dead is absolutely amazing for the 2.6 hours that I have played so far. I have completed 2/4 chapters of the campaign and playing a handful of both the versus and survival gametypes.
Supposedly, each time you play through a section of the campaign it will be different each time. If that is the case, I will not get tired of it for a while. I love how the game forces you to act as a team. If you even slightly begin to wander off from the rest of the surviors – BAM! A hunter jumps on you and slowly claws you to death as your squad is busy elsewhere.
I play most of my games on the 360 so getting used to the keyboard and mouse for more than average computer needs took a little getting used to but it is growing on me the more I play. My 360 has superior graphics over my current rig but maxed out graphics at a lower resolution still look very good. The art style of the game really draws you in and creates an intense atmosphere. It isn’t like F.E.A.R. but it is pretty close.
If you don’t have this game and have either a PC or a 360 – I highly suggest you do so. I regret not buying it earlier and getting the sale on Steam.
A Quest For Justice
YouTube – NEW: HEINEKEN WALKING FRIDGE COMMERCIAL.
For someone who has been wanting a portable fridge for his room, this makes me want one even more. If this is ever invented, you can bet your top dollar that will I buy one. Not because I am lazy but because I like to pretend to be lazy everyone once and a while.
Pimp my 360? I never knew.
Well, my warranty has finally expired for my 360 and I have not had one case of the RRoD. While I find this very comforting, I also find it very scary. Is my 360 about die on me right after the warranty? Has it turned against me? I am not going to wait to find out.
With some extra Christmas money I ordered a few parts to trick out and hopefully help my 360 live to a pleasant elderly age.
Have you noticed how your 360 sounds like a space launch when you turn it on? The fans that shoot air out the back of the system are one reason for this. So, I ordered a quieter and more effective fan set which also have blue LED lights. 
It also monitors the temperature of the CPU and GPU and will adjust the fan speed accordingly.
Second, I ordered replacement 360 case. It is black and has transparent X’s on the sides which also have blue LED lights. 
(I like the color blue) I am thinking of trying out other things if I don’t screw up these two changes.
From the pictures below, you can see my 360 taken apart. It overall has a very simple design. You can see the fans I plan on replacing, the DVD drive and the rest of the inner workings.
