Groov

I highly suggest you fork-out the measly 200 Microsoft Live points it costs for this community game. The demo is available now for free, of course -- give a try, at least. Amidst the shit cluttering Live, games like Groov prove that a little love can go a long way no matter how much funding you have.

Hey Ash, Watcha Playin'?

I'm likin' the state of video game media these days. I don't mean the medium itself, I mean everything surrounding it. From the million-dollar funding media outlets and communities have to the kids in their kitchen using their dad's camera (see: title) there's enough entertainment based on video gaming to make me forget about playing the games themselves.

Thank NGR over at the 1up.com message boards for another great link, as this was found through one of their threads. I recommend watching the entire serious as it is ridiculously entertaining.

The Upbeats -- Nobody's Out There

I've been a fan of The Upbeats since their first appearance in the drum n' bass scene, they being the artists to actually spark a keen interest in the genre and its children. I absolutely loved their self-titled debut album in 2004 and eagerly anticipated their next full-length, original release. Alas, like many DnB artists they seemed to tarry on the side, lending their talents to collaborations here and there and releasing singles to keep my hope up years later, if faint.

Thankfully, those singles did the job (though I must give most credit to the re-playability of their first album.) Sometime over a year ago -- I know, I'm a terrible fan for being a whole year late -- they finally slipped their second LP out behind my back, three years after their initial release. I can, with no exaggeration, say Nobody's Out There is one of the best drum n' bass albums I've ever heard, quite worth the wait.

Maybe it's just me. You know, "to each their own;" unique tastes and whatnot. It's hard to ignore the colourful tones and depth they bring to the genre, one that, save for a few artists, seems largely stagnant; methodical and flat, if you will. "Drum n' bass" is the essence of the genre, literally -- the drum and the bass. With the same, bland repetition heard through the genre for so long, though, the drum and the bass needs more. A unique sound while sampling a variety of ideas is the essence of good music, drum n' bass not immune, and that's what The Upbeats come to offer.

The emotion that seemingly fuels The Upbeats is present throughout the album, from the dark, merciless grunge to the melodious guitar floating through an ambient dream -- the Swedish duo's intensity and love for their music is present in each and every song, an investment needed to keep inspiration running high. Leaving no highs or lows out, Nobody's Out There dabbles in a bit of everything, their misleading elevation with an under-tone of sadness that flows so fittingly in to their darker side. A colourful palette while maintaining a signature style.

Like I said, maybe it's just me. I'm an emotional guy, so I like depth and mood in my music over your typical 'unce' party vibe. It doesn't change the fact that The Upbeats' devotion to their music is from the heart, their creativity raising the bar and hopefully inspiring others to push the genre in the same way; to let their music live up to it's rightful title: art.

Or, you could skip my half-rant and just listen. I implore you go check them out at http://www.beatport.com or your other high-quality music site of preference, though, as Youtube really does not do them justice.

By the way, if you like the album I suggest you buy it, as the video edit of Thinking Cap isn't the full version. Yea, it's got Georgie's amazing voice which is pretty damn important, but it's missing the beautiful acoustic outro.

Oh, Tosan. You So Klazy!

Just thought I'd share.

New PvP Short

Well, still in the process of getting everything installed on my secondary computer; my Wrath of the Lich King disc isn't working so I have to download an ISO of the game... very, very slowly it seems. The good news is that during the wait I decided to put otherwise-garbage level-70 PvP clips to use, making a short video for some editing practice in getting a film cinema look to my editing.

I did alright with the effect -- I know it can be better, and it will be with my next movie. I'll be doing a lot more colour adjusting for the theme and mood I'm aiming for, so there's no room to slack.

Anyway, here's the vid. Keep in mind this isn't prime PvP footage, hence the simple editing I threw together in a couple of hours (yea, I'm still getting used to integrating the basics of Vegas in to a smooth work-flow.)

Watch more video games and play free games at WeGame.

All Moved-In!

So, my room-mate is now done organizing and settled-in and I've got my computer built. I've gotta do a crap-ton of cleaning elsewhere in the "house" (see: shitty basement suite) so I can move stuff out of my room to make space for the new computer-station-thing I'll be machini-making on.

I'm hyped to get to work on it so I can try my hand at something new (to me): straight-up action! I made the decision today to try-out a purely fighting-oriented scene for practice with the model viewer and... well, editing. Yea. One of the biggest factors in this decision, though, is the fact that my room-mate is going to school for post-production audio engineering, the short terminology I'm at a loss for. Either way, he's agreed to be my sound effects bitch and throw everything over-top of my video as one of his school projects. Holla'!

Branching off of that topic, check-out the little screw-around, for-fun band he and his classmates started: http://www.myspace.com/valhallejulah.

Anyone, something a bit more-specifically machinima-related -- where the fuck did wowmodelviewer.org go? I haven't yet set-up the map viewer and need the forums to get it running properly! If anyone actually reads this blog I'd appreciate it if they could share some knowledge, as Icecrown has too many crummy Undead wandering my sets. Little bastards.

Anyway, let's wrap things up with the random embed of the day, something I hope you've already seen. I'm posting it just in case, though, and because I love it -- I've watched it repeatedly it's so catchy, and the music kicks.

Watch more video games and play free games at WeGame.

Oh, Darn.

In hindsight I realized I neglected to have any foresight, it seems. A couple of things are holding me back with my current project; essential things; obvious things:

1. Oh, yea. New Years. My stomach is still in turmoil.
2. what's this SUV full of shi-- oh, yea, new room-mate moving in.
   
3. Setting-up a server usually requires server software.
   

I am not a clever man.

So, I'm going to have to grab me some server software in order to get this server set-up for some un-restricted, clean recording done and it may take me a bit, due in part both the the facts stated above and that I've got an old gaming computer I've been meaning to set-up and use again for various projects. The good news is that once I've got the server set-up it shouldn't take too long to record the footage needed as they're fairly basic shots. My biggest set-back is going to be improvising with some "custom" animations that I'm going to need -- I'll likely be scouring the Model Viewer database for a couple of animations I can rig together to create an illusion.

So, essentially, I'll be making machinima. In other news, ric-a-dic-dic:



Also, if you're in to trance or electronica in general then I suggest you check-out last week's Trance Around the World with Above & Beyond. They did a bang-up job with their recent mix in Singapore and decided to share it with us, for which I am ridiculously grateful.