New PVP Maps in World of Warcraft

Yes, it bothers me that raiders in World of Warcraft get new content every few months while pvpers get new content every few years. An admin of the MMO Champion BBS made a post yesterday about panels hosted by Blizzard staff at the World of Warcraft Invitational. Seems that there will be a new map with lots of siege engines (no word on whether or not they're engineers only), and it looks like the shredder will be back, as well as active versions of the inactive decorative ones we see scattered around the game world.

If they're going back to day-long battlegrounds, why don't they restore Alterac Valley to its former glory? If it doesn't take a day to play this new map (the ONLY new map in 2 years), how much time will players actually have to get and use these new toys? Will it be worth it to get them, or is it easier/faster to win the battle without them?

A long, detailed list of developer notes (the blue section) is included in the BBS thread, so go have a look-see. It covers not just the new battleground but also arenas and some general questions.

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Freebie Friday Music

I'm going to do something a little different this Freebie Friday--variety being the spice of life and such. Here's some video game music that was made freely available to me at one time or another, mostly from demos or as downloads from the developers. I don't think video game music is appreciated very much on its own, but good music is good music no matter the source. So, yeah, this week, I'm not sharing something I made, but something I really like that I want to share with you. I'll only be keeping this download available this week, so grab it while you can.

You can download this week's Freebie part 1 here THIS WEEK ONLY! And part 2 here.

Peace out!

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$80 Spore Galactic Edition from Gamestop

Via Ars Technica and Shack News, Gamestop will feature a special Galactic Edition of Spore for $80 that comes with the following additional material:

UNIQUE GALACTIC EDITION CONTENT

• 'Making of Spore' DVD video
• 'How to Build a Better Being' DVD video, by National Geographic Channel
• 'The Art of Spore' hardback mini-book
• Fold-out Spore poster
• Premium 100-page Galactic Handbook

Personally, I am more worried about getting the game as soon as it's available. That means within a day of release. For certain games, for me, it's important I have them right away or I feel like everyone else is having fun but me.

I ordered Spore Creature Creator (CC) through Amazon and it's not going to arrive until Friday. It got delayed (by Maxis, if I understand it right) and now it's sitting in the delivery hub. Waiting. Biding it's time. Plotting unspeakable evil. I'm not going to order anything important through Amazon again.

I ended up getting the CC from the direct download with EA. I don't think saving the $5 on the actual game is worth it at this point. Not only is it taking forever to get to me, but a gallon of gas is $5. I'm saving a lot of gas in shipping or driving out searching for it just by using the direct download. Is the $80 Galactic Edition worth it? You tell me.

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A Hero Is Gone

RIP George Carlin. As versatile as they come, George even hosted Shining Time Station (Thomas the Train Engine in the US) in the 80's, as you can see here.

You're right, George. We don't need anyone to tell us who our heroes are. But you were one of mine.

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Spore Creature Creator Tips

I hope everyone is having fun making creatures with the Spore Creature Creator! Even if you can't/won't get the priced one, the free one is very worthwhile. You'll have hours of fun, I guarantee it. Be aware that it contains SecuROM, however.

To help with building complex creatures, I'd like to link you to a great creature creation tips forum--the Spore Hints and Strategy Forum at the EA BBS! It's given me some great advice and taught me a few things, and may be able to help you, too.

Update: There's also an advance video on You Tube by Theresa Duringer of the Spore Team.



I'm posting up an excerpt from the CC read me file in case someone lost theirs or can't find it. It's got great information on how to build amazing creatures. Keep building some wonderful creatures! Post links to them if you feel like it.

=============================
Readme for SPORE™ Creature Creator
©2008 Electronic Arts Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MAXIS™ 6/01/08
Version 1.0
Controls and Shortcuts
===================

- Editing -

Left Click to select and move parts.

Left Click to move the arrow-shaped handles on the currently
selected part, which changes its shape.

Left Click and drag parts off the creature to sell them back.

Mouse over a part or a spine segment and use the mousewheel to
scale the size. Or, select the part, and use the up and down
arrow keys.

Hold Alt while clicking and dragging a part to copy it. On
Mac systems, use Option instead of Alt.

Left Click and drag directly on the spine to change the spine
shape. Use the arrows to length or shorten the spine.

Left Click on the torso skin (not the spine) to move it.

Hold Control while dragging a limb segment to attach it to
another limb.

Hold Tab when a part is selected to reveal additional rotation
handles.

- Camera -

Left Click on the background moves the camera around.

In test drive, mousewheel zooms the camera in and out.

In build and paint modes, shift and mousewheel zooms the
camera in and out.

<> Rotates the camera
+ and - Zooms in or out

- General -

Control-N Start New Creature
Control-Y Redo
Control-Z Undo
Control-S Save Creature
Control-H Toggle whether the UI is hidden
H or ? Bring up or close the Spore Guide
B Bring up the Sporepedia™


Mac OS X:
This game contains features that require a right mouse button.
If you have an Apple Mighty Mouse, you can enable the Right Mouse Button
in System Preferences->Keyboard and Mouse. Change the
"Right Click" drop down to Secondary Button.

As well, most PC USB mice are supported on the Macintosh.
The Left and Right mouse buttons are detected and work
correctly on these mice when first plugged in.

If you have an Apple legacy single button mouse, or a Mac Book Pro
with only a Track Pad, you can emulate a right mouse button by
holding down the Command key while clicking the Mouse Button.

Cheats
------

To enter cheats in the game, first open the command console by
simultaneously pressing ctrl-shift-c. Press the enter button
to close the command console. Some of the cheats that can be
used here are as follows:

help: lists all the cheats in the game.
help [cheatname]: displays specific information about the cheat.
quit: quit game.

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