Oct 2, 2013

Battlefield 4 Beta Impressions

I expected absolutely nothing from BF4, and yet I'm somehow still disappointed!

Awful (and somewhat strange) performance issues? Eh, I suppose that'll probably be fixed out of beta. I could actually believe that. I'll give the apologists that one.

But the netcode somehow being even worse than in BF3? That's just downright impressive. I'd let that slide too, since... beta... but it NEVER got fixed in BF3, so... I'm not exactly hopeful. Not only is getting shot a full second around corners even with a low ping still a thing (when it's not in any other online FPS I've ever played), but now you also have this fun effect where it feels like it takes 12 bullets to kill anyone, but you die in 2. BF3 didn't have that one, so thanks for adding it!

The map in the beta is an absolutely awful clusterf- in both modes. I guess maybe the other 9 will be better, but this isn't exactly a good impression if this is the direction you're going for map design.

The gameplay is even more focused on hyper-ADD-sprinting around shotting fast than BF3, which is... pretty impressive considering BF3 was already pretty damn braindead.

The UI is improved in some ways, but other aspects are even less functional than BF3, so I guess... I guess a pass there, overall?

The worst part is that I can't name a single feature or addition that significantly increases the value or enjoyment of the product that isn't something that was CUT from the series for BF3. Adding back in features that you cut for no good reason doesn't really count as new.


Jun 12, 2013

Xboned: Microsoft Have F#$*ed Up Bad

I made a Vlog today about how messed up the Xbone is. Here's the video:


What I wanted to do in this post was clear up what I said about cloud computing in the video, since I didn't cover this very well. So here we go:

Repurposing The Blog

When I started this website back in late 2010, I was mostly planning to do text content. Reviews, culture rants, stuff like that. I had no real plans to move into video and I certainly didn't think I'd end up with people who actually pay attention to the things I do of their own volition. I pretty much only make videos now, though, and while I've gotten some use out of the email addresses associated with owning the domain, I don't really use this site for anything anymore. BUT NOW I WILL.

I realised late last year it's kind of pointless just linking back to my YouTube videos on an external site when everyone's going to watch them on YouTube anyway. And there's no point spending the time maintaining the site if I'm not doing something that actually has some kind of value to somebody.

So here's the new plan: Use this blog as a blog (shocking, I know). I'm planning to restructure this site around posting up additional content surrounding the core of what I produce, the vidya. Mostly this'll entail only updating every now and then, when I actually have something additional to say about one of my videos. When I upload a Vlog I might put up some more detail about a topic in text over here. When I upload short video reviews I can give more detail about the game in text. Maybe when I finish an LP I'll have some reflections on it to make. You know, things in addition to just the videos you probably already saw on YT and that might actually be interesting to people. And of course I'll link back to the website in the relevant videos so that people who mostly just follow through YouTube (pretty much everyone) know that there's more to be known if they're willing to read for a couple minutes.

This'll be starting to happen very soon. In fact I've got some additional explanation I want to do about a video I'm uploading right now. But won't really come into full-swing for a couple more weeks, when my exams are done.

Who knows, I might also post random crap from my real life that people might find interesting.

Like some kind of... blog. Or something.

Prepare your body.