Sunday, May 15, 2011
Sony rebounding.
It looks like Sony began bringing its network back up which is nice. I'm curious to hear how all this downtime has affected them and what kind of losses they are looking at. Either way it's great to see all current and former Planetside players getting 45 days of free play time as a part of Sony's Welcome Back Program. I'm expecting to see a lot of old familiar faces logging in soon. It looks like Sony did something right by hooking up their subscribers of past and current games. I'm not sure how things look on the PS3 end, but on PC I'd say they've done alright.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Military Wifes and Mothers, a quick Happy Mothers Day
I wanted to quickly say Happy Mothers Day to those separated from their loved ones. I know it's not easy being away from those you love for a year or more at a time. Even a few weeks can hard. You're the toughest women out there.
For those that haven't been privileged to see a redeployment ceremony, I encourage you to do it if you have the opportunity. I'll leave everyone with a great video. I'm sure many have seen it. For everyone else, get out your tissues.
For those that haven't been privileged to see a redeployment ceremony, I encourage you to do it if you have the opportunity. I'll leave everyone with a great video. I'm sure many have seen it. For everyone else, get out your tissues.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Curious aircraft abandoned in the hunt for Bin Laden
I have some sort of background in military aviation. My father is a retired Naval Aviator who flew F-14s (the jets you see in Top Gun), and I am in the Army Aviation world myself. I'm not here to discuss the capabilities of the aircraft that was unfortunately left behind in the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden. If I were to do this, I would be speaking nothing but lies and making drastic assumptions which would make me stupid for even opening my mouth/typing. However, from my perspective as a soldier I will say the way this "discovery" has been handled irritates the hell out of me.
I don't support the idea that our government should lie to us, but when it comes to new technology known only to those that use it, I should NEVER see it on national news without our military's approval. Our news stations would rather compromise national security for more viewers than keep their mouths shut, and this disgusts me. Unfortunately the consequences will inevitably end with soldier's lives. It doesn't matter if it happens today or ten years from now; it will happen. We see it time and time again. Every piece of information the insurgents get is used against us. Last year several soldiers were killed on a routine patrol because one of them foolishly announced on facebook his team was headed out. The enemy narrowed him down to his facebook and used it again him and his unit. Now his buddies are dead, and I promise he would do anything to get them back. That's just one example. Regardless, we are being countered by our own military tactics in Afghanistan on a regular basis because our enemies are studying us and picking up any useful information they can get. National security should not be toyed with.
Every time I see this picture I cringe. Covert operations are conducted day and night across the world. Our military is in places that you, I, and our nation's leaders will never know about. Releasing images of our premier stealth helicopter on international news accomplished nothing other than informing foreign countries that we possess next generation helicopters. Our enemies now know without a doubt that radar is no longer effective in detecting some of our rotary winged aircraft. They will adapt and move on to other methods of detection, and that will get somebody killed down the road.
Too many people, journalists in particular, are ignorant when it comes to fighting a war. Unfortunately many of them have blood on their hands without being aware of it. Ignorance truly is bliss.
I don't support the idea that our government should lie to us, but when it comes to new technology known only to those that use it, I should NEVER see it on national news without our military's approval. Our news stations would rather compromise national security for more viewers than keep their mouths shut, and this disgusts me. Unfortunately the consequences will inevitably end with soldier's lives. It doesn't matter if it happens today or ten years from now; it will happen. We see it time and time again. Every piece of information the insurgents get is used against us. Last year several soldiers were killed on a routine patrol because one of them foolishly announced on facebook his team was headed out. The enemy narrowed him down to his facebook and used it again him and his unit. Now his buddies are dead, and I promise he would do anything to get them back. That's just one example. Regardless, we are being countered by our own military tactics in Afghanistan on a regular basis because our enemies are studying us and picking up any useful information they can get. National security should not be toyed with.
Every time I see this picture I cringe. Covert operations are conducted day and night across the world. Our military is in places that you, I, and our nation's leaders will never know about. Releasing images of our premier stealth helicopter on international news accomplished nothing other than informing foreign countries that we possess next generation helicopters. Our enemies now know without a doubt that radar is no longer effective in detecting some of our rotary winged aircraft. They will adapt and move on to other methods of detection, and that will get somebody killed down the road.
Too many people, journalists in particular, are ignorant when it comes to fighting a war. Unfortunately many of them have blood on their hands without being aware of it. Ignorance truly is bliss.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Planetside Video - Crescent Fresh
I'm surprised at how many former Planetside players found my last blog, so I figured there might be enough interest generated for people to check out a PS video I recently released.
I hope it brings some nostalgia along with it for those former players. For everyone else, you probably won't understand half of what you are watching. Sorry!
Be sure to watch it in 720p.
I hope it brings some nostalgia along with it for those former players. For everyone else, you probably won't understand half of what you are watching. Sorry!
Be sure to watch it in 720p.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
SOE, Planetside, Sony, and "Planetside:Next"
Since 2003 I will never forget the first game that truly had my attention for years at a time. This game was Planetside. Developed by Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) after being picked up by a private developer, the game was the first true MMOFPS (Massively Multiplayer First Person Shooter). Imagine a game with hundreds of players fighting each other over massive continents where the players are piloting aircraft, manning armored vehicles, infiltrating bases, and being heavy foot grunts... all at the same time. Also there is not one single NPC in sight.
That is Planetside. Yes, the game is still around, but for the few that were privileged to play the game during it's prime, nearly every one of use can ramble on and on about how awesome and unique it was.
When John Smedley announced a sequel to Planetside was in the works, I flocked back to the original along with hundreds of other players, all eager to relieve the game while we waited for the sequal. We all had our doubts due to previous bad experiences with SOE, however a beta date was in the back of all our minds. The beta is a couple months late now, and SOE had massive layoffs. On top of that, mid development, it was announced some of the planetside engines needed an overhall. That's not a good sign so late in the game.
Of course it gets worse. Sony announced to the world that millions of user's information had been stolen by a hacker shortly after 200 SOE employees lost their jobs. The result? It can't be good. Even Sony's stock has declined sharply in the past weeks.
It's not looking good at all, but Planetside:Next, I hope you come out afterall. We've been waiting for years. GG SOE. GG.
That is Planetside. Yes, the game is still around, but for the few that were privileged to play the game during it's prime, nearly every one of use can ramble on and on about how awesome and unique it was.
When John Smedley announced a sequel to Planetside was in the works, I flocked back to the original along with hundreds of other players, all eager to relieve the game while we waited for the sequal. We all had our doubts due to previous bad experiences with SOE, however a beta date was in the back of all our minds. The beta is a couple months late now, and SOE had massive layoffs. On top of that, mid development, it was announced some of the planetside engines needed an overhall. That's not a good sign so late in the game.
Of course it gets worse. Sony announced to the world that millions of user's information had been stolen by a hacker shortly after 200 SOE employees lost their jobs. The result? It can't be good. Even Sony's stock has declined sharply in the past weeks.
It's not looking good at all, but Planetside:Next, I hope you come out afterall. We've been waiting for years. GG SOE. GG.
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