CERN scientists catch-up to Gene Roddenberry

Who would have thought that an ex-cop from Los Angeles could have started, arguably, the most influential sci-fi franchise of all time.  So much so that much of the 'fiction' of Star Trek has inspired scientists and gone on to create science fact. Examples: handheld communication devices, tiny cards holding the entire contents of an encyclopaedia, hand-held 'pads' that you can write on and carry about like a book...the list goes on and on.  Most recently, Nasa has pretty much conceived 'Impulse' drive by activating hydrogen fuel with fission reactors which has already improved fuel burn by 200%.

But the big daddy of them all (no, not transporters) has moved one step closer - at least, in theory.  You may or may not have heard something about neutrinos emitted from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) arriving at a sensor placed over 450 miles away a bit earlier than expected.  In essence, the world has long believed that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light as per Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity.

E=MC² is one of the unbreakable rules of our universe.  It is Mother Nature's recipe for existence and the physical nature of our galaxy and all those beyond.  This was thought to be the rule for everything and scientists were happy with that because the theory works without fail.

Except...it's failed.
...and this time, beyond a reasonable doubt.

According to this article, a second test has concluded that neutrinos have indeed travelled  While this has scientists worldwide scratching their collective heads, it means that it's looking quite likely that E=MC² ain't all it's cracked up to be...or at least, only to a point.  Read further here and you will learn that those pesky neutrinos beat the speed of light by about 6 metres/second.  That might not sound like a big deal but in the world of physics, it's the equivalent of busting into the final episode of 'America's Top Model' and ripping off Tyra Bank's outfit to reveal secret male genitalia.

This new science is both baffling and exciting because it indicates that the entire concept of Warp speed is actually possible and is now scientifically proven.  While this does not mean that there's any danger of a physicist launching your Granny to Alpha Centauri  at 'Warp Factor 5' any time soon, it has unlocked a crucial door to understanding how we might achieve it some day.  (With someone else's Granny, of course.)

Max Payne reboot setting incredible technology bar

A new video from rockstar is showing the world that the upcoming Max Payne reboot is far beyond a simple recapitalization of the series.  Not for a while have I ever been so wowed by game technology; so take a look and prepare to be amazed.

No focus on creepy actor-to-character face mapping this time.  Instead, an unprecedented attention to detail has been applied to create the most authentic and believable combat physics seen. (and possibly the most bloody)    Characters flinch and react to gun hits in realistic ways appropriate to the type of weapon, the angle and position of the bullet hit and the respective position of the character itself.

Huge focus on AI also demonstrates incredibly varied combat ability according to the expected training/experience of the character in question.  Street thugs blaze out in the wide open, gangsters fight with more zeal and special ops apply suitably tactical thinking and positioning.

Max Payne wasn't a game I necessarily had high expectations for.  All changed now.  Can't wait to see how it pans out.

Upcoming Feature - Minecraft: What it can teach us about the Future of Gaming

Hello readers!  It's time for another in-depth feature article as my creative juices flux to a solar maximum as 2012 approaches.   My next feature will discuss the emergence and paradigm impact of Minecraft.  Are you a Minecraft lover? Hater?  Write in and tell me about your experiences, good or bad.  Your quotes may be included in my feature (I shall try to include as many as sensible) so please do go into detail about what you loved, liked, got tired of or just purely hated.

I'm looking forward to reading all of your comments!  Please email me directly or post here in the blog comments depending on how much you want to say.
For longer comments, please direct via email to rabbitcancer@googlemail.com

Video Killed my X-3-6-0 Star

This week's thoughts: I am done with Xbox.

There has been a lot of late that has irked me about Microsoft and it's reversal of good times on the console side of things.  Gold fees went up (I have since cancelled), exclusives had dwindled to nothing but core titles only die-hards care about and Kinect support has been wholly and indisputably awful.

With the dawn of a new Dashboard update looming, I had hoped that my enjoyment would return but this weekend, I discovered something that affected my family and has ultimately poisoned my soul towards the Xbox console beyond anything other than an absolute necessity as my sole gaming machine: Video Kinect isn't available to Silver members.

This became personal yesterday when  I arranged a teleconference with my Father who lives overseas; he enjoys speaking with my daughter who knows his face well through our family television.  It's definitely a positive aspect of Kinect ownership, if nothing else.  Imagine my horror when I launched Video Kinect and received a message that the service was reserved for Gold subscribers only!

I completely understand that Microsoft needs to value-add their services, but it is for pure, unadulterated, bone-headed greed like this that we in Britain can get the BBC iPlayer on every console and device imaginable apart from the Xbox 360.  The iPlayer is a video replay service that MUST be free to all U.K. residents as we are taxed for the cost of the BBC.  We could have had iPlayer on the 360 years ago but Microsoft refused because (wait for it) they wanted to reserve the iPlayer function for paid subscribers only.  That's right - Microsoft wanted to charge for access to something that is supposed to be free under law.  The BBC Trust, the agency that oversees BBC activities, was forced into a corner and was obligated to refuse so not to violate the BBC charter.  Since then, the iPlayer has appeared on Playstation 3, Wii, Android, iPhone, PC, Mac, television-equipped bananas, etc.  (ok...maybe that last one was a lie)

This time, Microsoft owns the service so I suppose they should call the shots as they see fit, however, the service in question is already offered to millions of Windows users worldwide under a different incarnation vis-a-vis 'Live' Messenger Video Calling.  In fact, this is what my Father uses on his end via his laptop and webcam.  He pays no monthly fee for that.  Why should I?   Surely, as a console owner and not merely a Windows 7 owner (I have two licenses, in fact) I have invested far more into Microsoft's holdings through my purchases of the Xbox 360 console and the Kinect device.

No.  Apparently not.  Microsoft has made it clear that none of my investment matters.  What they consider a free product for all of their Windows users is subject to their annual pound of flesh from Xbox owners.  No Gold membership?  No luck, pal.

Unfortunately for them, this is the straw that broke the camel's back.  As such, I can speak objectively about Microsoft's contributions to the gaming world but I cannot, in good faith, recommend their console products or services any longer as I feel that there is simply much better and customer-centric offerings available on the market without the need for subscription fees.

Apart from the U.S. which seems to get all of the online 'goodies', in this day in age when there is far more available on competing consoles and PC-based services (including from Microsoft itself, I might add) Xbox 360 ownership becomes a Martyr's venture.  Only the most pure of fanboyism could possibly justify staying loyal the Xbox cause.  Well, they are welcome to it.

My Elite is approaching 4 years and is getting louder as the days go on.  I suspect there's not much left in the old girl (although she has served me well) and had always assumed that should she conk before this gen is over, I would likely replace her with a shiny new 'S' model.  That position has now, regrettably, changed.

Should my 360 die, I will not hesitate to scrap up as many pennies as possible with my remaining Kinect and small library of games towards the purchase of a Playstation 3 system.  As an owner of the Original Playstation system, I have nothing but fond memories and looking back, I feel that my hard-thought decision to go with Xbox was the wrong one taking all into consideration.  So with that, farewell Xbox.  My customer loyalty just RROD'd.

The Sound of Skyrim

Bethesda has released this rare insider's view on one of the less exposed aspects of modern gaming: The Music (and sound). Mention gaming music 25 years ago and most people would have started the familiar 'do...do do' imitation of Super Mario Bros. famous 8-bit tune.  Mention music nowadays and you (hopefully) will get a variety of opinions about what is the best and how the music influenced a given gamer's feeling or emotion towards a game.

The Elder Scrolls series most certainly obtained recognition for this advancing craft (pun intended) of intelligent scoring; where music style and variety underpins a given moment or mood in a game according to what the player is doing or where the player has ventured.  Skyrim promises to take this craft to the next level.

Do check out the video and the various faces behind the scenes, particularly the musicians, who contribute to this very important element of games.  It's a rare opportunity also to see one of the great Shakespearean actors, Christopher Plummer, work his magic on a voice-over that will soon be imprinted on the ears and minds of millions of lucky gamers all over the world.

First Skynet...next? Why the T101, of course!

Not that I'm obsessed with futuristic miltary tech these days...it's just, there seems to be a lot of it coming out of the woodwork lately. (begs the question as to what contract tenders are being offered behind the scenes right now)

So here's another neat/weird/scary/omg-its-head-is-a-warning-light-like-the-Robocop-prototype example of what developments are making press.  The headliner is Boston Dynamics, a 'friendly' company that does robotic-type stuff.

We've seen it all before a.k.a. that little Honda guy...but wait, no you haven't.  Check out the video on the source article and you may just feel a hair standing up on the back of your neck.  This time, the robot is seemingly all-too capable of pretty much any typical human movement and at speed.  There are safety tethers present but throughout the video there's almost zero tension on them meaning that this prototype is the closest thing we've seen yet to a fully-operational bi-pedular machine.  Machine for what? -well that's the real question.  The U.S. Army (contract behind the prototype) claims it's for situations too dangerous for humans such as chemical attacks, firefighting, etc where the 'Petman' would be used to exercise search and rescue functions in such conditions.

Yeah.....right.

I just hope it's not addicted to 'Nuke.'