News Archive

31-5-03

OFFICIAL OPENING OF SITE!!! TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!!

I now deem this site complete enough to open.

Added some cool links to the video game section including this.

This is a box that contains a PS2, XBOX, GameCube, NES, Atari 2600 and fully functional PC.

In other news, my bro successfully installed a bot on our copy of Half-Life, it makes for some frenzied games.

It seems that I'm only updating the video game section... I'll try and concentrate more on the anime and robot combat sections.

30-5-03

My custom GameBoy has been added to the custom consoles' database. To visit the Custom consoles website, click here. To view my GB directly, click here. Also added a new article in the video game section

28-5-03

Firstly, The Matrix: Reloaded. See it. I was planning on writing a review of it for the site but then I came across the one below at Movie Mistakes.com and it's pretty much my feelings on the film so read it, then go out and see Reloaded. Oh, and I've been told to "Stay to the end of the credits..." Mysterious or what? UPDATE: After the credits, there is a short trailer for The Matrix: Revolutions. Well worth the wait in my opinion. Secondly, My big project I've been talking about is finished, see it here.

The Matrix Reloaded review

Just been to see it (finally out here in the UK), and ohohoho... Never have I come so close to standing up and applauding during a film. A perfect combination of live action and CGI, great background info about the Matrix's history... I can't find the right words. Suffice to say, go and see it now. Right now. I mean actually right now - close the browser and get to a cinema. Ignore any negative reviews (although the negative ones are getting more attention than the positive ones, which are vastly in the majority) - it's on a different plane to the original, so you can't compare accurately. The first one was a landmark, so of course Reloaded won't be covering entirely new territory, because, well, it's not new territory, and it's stupid to expect it to.

What Reloaded does is exactly what a sequel/continuation should do, which is add to the story, open new paths, and yes, blow away previous effects completely, and it manages this perfectly. One critic wrote something along the lines of "the action bogs down horribly between set-pieces", which to me just shows that they were being very narrow-minded in their expectations. Nothing gets bogged down - there's just a lot of this lost art called "plot", which too many action films have forgotten about, and have suffered because of it. Likewise the philosophising - a few people have said that there's far too much intellectual posturing, which is just blatantly untrue. Aside from the meeting with the Frenchman, which concentrates a lot on the significance of choice (and which proves entirely relevant later on), there's nothing remotely mood-killing about the dialogue.

Sorry - this semi-rant was prompted by reading about Laurence Fishburne's negative reaction when asked his opinion of the negative reviews. Mr. Fishburne, I entirely agree. Anything people don't like about this film seems to be largely based on their expectations or lack of understanding, rather than the film's own merits. Expecting more action or less plot, and disappointed? That's your problem, not the film's. Complaining that it starts too slowly? Again, adjust your expectations. It does start relatively slowly, but that's the nature of the plot - writing in a big action scene before we really know what's going on would be far too forced. Likewise the ending - it's been made very clear that the Matrix "trilogy" is more one normal length film and one very long film in two parts than a traditional trilogy, but still some people seem to think that the way it ends is somehow "wrong".

I'm stupidly concentrating on countering the negatives, rather than praising the positives, of which there are many (many, many, many). Even aside from the fight sequences, the visuals are stunning - CGI done properly, rather than looking like a cartoon. All the actors are, of course, top notch, and it's surprisingly funny in places, which the original wasn't, really. All the other amazing achievements, though, pale into insignificance compared to the ridiculous complexity of the fight/action scenes. I sincerely hope no-one even attempts to mimic them, because they're going to fail miserably, and embarrass themselves in the process. The thing which really stood out was that either due to the training, the budget, the CGI, or all four, there was a blessed lack of frequent cutting during the fights - a mark of great direction, but also of putting enough effort into them so that complicated moves could be executed within one shot.

One which sticks in my mind is the fight in the chateau entrance hall - four people cartwheeling/somersaulting/jumping across and around the room, in one wide shot. CGI or real life? Doesn't matter, because it was absolutely stunning regardless. If it was CGI, it was so well done that you couldn't tell, and if it was live action, the co-ordination needed to get four actors positioned properly on wires deserves some kind of special award. The car chase again shows just how much effort went in to making it look right. As far as I could tell, the vast majority, if not all, of the car crashes were real cars really crashing, and they looked GREAT. And as for the "Burly Brawl" - words can't begin to do it justice.

Right, I'm going to try and calm down now. Suffice to say that negative reviewers don't know what they're talking about - it's deep without being impenetrable, perfectly paced, takes the original and expands on it in every conceivable direction (and even a few inconceivable ones), and takes your eyes through such a visual feast that if your pulse isn't racing by the end, you're probably dead.

26-5-03

New article in Video Game section. Below are the first shots from my new project. Can you guess what it is yet?

19-5-03

The Video Game section is up. So all related articles have been moved. There's a bunch of new content in there as well, so check it out and play some games.

17-5-03

Quite a cool (and large) update today, I added a short new article in the Misc. section and a new link as well and a new article in the Robotic Combat. I also spent my entire morning uploading files for the Video/Computer game section that's in development. Whew!

16-5-03

All robot news today, I added a new article in the robot combat section, I also found out today that the new series of Robot Wars is moving to channel 5. This is a huge relief to my fellow nerds and I because no-one was sure if they were going to continue the series. The press release is reproduced below.

All New Robot Wars for Five

Mentorn, the makers of Robot Wars, today announced changes to the programme to coincide with a move to a new channel – and wanted the people at the heart of the sport to know first!

The new Robot Wars will introduce new house robots, new rules and regulations and a fresh look to the series when it moves to FIVE this Autumn.

Steve Carsey, Executive Producer of Robot Wars said: “We have been very happy on BBC Two, which has been the home of Robot Wars for eight series, and we’re extremely grateful to the channel for all their support over the years. But now it's time to move on.”

“We’ve been thinking about making changes to Robot Wars for a while now to make it even more exciting for the Roboteers and fans. So for all the Roboteers out there - the new Robot Wars will be bigger and better than ever before and we’re really looking forward to working with FIVE.”

What This Means For Competitors:

The implications of this change for existing and future competitors are not hugely significant at this point in time.

As always, we will be filming the new series over the Summer months. Dates and venues are to be confirmed. We appreciate that many individuals are unable to make holiday and other arrangements until they are released. With this in mind we will endeavour to finalise all competition details as soon as possible.

We are currently reviewing the competition’s ‘2003 Rules and Guidelines’ and will make them available as soon as possible. Please note that we plan to make a number of necessary changes to ensure the sport’s continued success. However, any significant changes will be made in consultation with the community in a future ‘steering committee’ meeting.

Other changes, including a new look, additional House Robots, arena hazards and revised gameplay are all being explored. All changes and improvements will be designed to create an even more sensational and entertaining competition for the sport’s millions of fans – and of course the competitors.
We will be releasing more information as and when it becomes available.

In the mean time, your patience is appreciated.

Our thanks and best wishes.

Tom Gutteridge, Steve Carsey and Bill Hobbins

15-5-03

As many of you probably know, it was E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) last month. This is where all the video game companies gather to show off all their new technology and announce new projects. The most interesting piece of news I've heard is that Sony have finally decided that they're going to make a hand-held PlayStation. But, don't take my word for it... Click here.