Busy

Well I have hit busy season. This time of year is usually just insane and tends to remain that way right through to after Christmas. In past years, this time of the year has meant kids birthdays, basketball and cubs/girl guides. This year we are adding another basketball team that I am helping coach, a basketball team that wants me to play for them and a new job that is an hour and a half commute away. I usually referee right through the basketball season also but I am wondering if I will have any time left to do that. Oh well, you only live once and even though we are all busy at least the family is busy together.

Move over Olympics

San Francisco hosted the World Cyber Games October 6-10. Games from Counterstrike to Starcraft were played by players from all over the world. Canada scored a silver in "Halo". A total of 20 players made the trip for Canada. There were over 500 players there. The winners took home not only a nice medal but also some cash. Next year it is in Singapore. Start practicing.

Rome wasn't built in a day

A new game called Rome: Total War (RTW) came out a couple of weeks ago. If this came was crack, I would have to check into a rehab centre. It is a truly magnificent game.

Box Art

Posted by Hello

The game is set in ancient Rome from about 270 BC and you take the role of one of the ruling families of the time. Your goal is simple. Conquer Rome and become emperor. But that only covers one aspect of the game. You may also replay historic battles or jump on-line and battle other players. There is so much to this game that after a solid week of playing I have only scratched the surface of the game.

RTW is a Strategy game. You will need to build cities and command troops in battle. The battle field is varied and tactics are very important as everything effects the outcome. Sheer numbers do not necessarily win the day. Weather, terrain, and morale will all play a part in the outcome of the battles.

Visually the game is beautiful. You can zoom into each battle and witness the carnage of the battles as horses trample infantry and war dogs chase the faint of heart from the field.

If you like war simulation or real time strategy games then I highly recommend this game. It has that special game quality that seems to force you to take "just one more turn". Then when you look at the clock you can't believe you have been playing for hours that seems like only a few minutes. There is a learning curve (as there is with most games of this nature) but it is well worth the time and effort.

Blinded by the light

So the big presidential debate went down last night. Didn't watch it and didn't really care who won. But what I did get a kick out of was all the preparations that went into the whole event. Apparently there was a 32-page document that had to be agreed to covering everything from the temperature of the room to the height of the podiums. There was also some heavy discussion concerning timing lights. These are the lights that let the participants know time for their comments has expired. Apparently these lights were "distracting". Ok. Am I the only one who sees the irony in the fact that someone running for the job that basically gives them the power to wipe out the world finds flashing lights distracting? I can see the news story now:

Several large countries wiped out. President claims distraction involving flashing lights. The President said "Well, I thought two flashes meant fire a warning shot over Korea. But it really meant take a clear shot at Europe. So the missiles were fired at Europe. Sorry, my bad."