I’m still playing GTA IV a fair bit. I’ve got 64% complete which isn’t bad considering I’ve not actually gone overboard with the hours playing it.. Haven’t really delved into the online play yet because I’m saving it until I’ve at least completed the main story missions (I’m on the last one). There’s a slight concern that I’ll get bored after finishing the main missions but I suppose I can always do it again but make all the different decisions. Fun fun fun. Not to mention I’m looking forward to actually just roaming the city doing random stuff - which leads me to this post here.

I stumbled on this flickr set called ‘Sightseeing in Liberty City‘ which does a great job at highlighting the level of detail R* put into recreating New York for the game. It’s ridiculous. Makes me yearn even more for a trip to the Big Apple. I’ll get there sooner rather than later. Til then I’ll stay rocking the threadless tee. Anyway, look at the flickr set. It’s good.

I’ve been slacking with this here blog lately.. but with good reason. And those reasons are about to increase so I wouldn’t expect a plethora of posts anytime soon.

Primarily, this time of year at work is technically known as a nightmare. With just over two weeks to go ’til the BA Interactive Media Production 3rd year major hand-in, students are understandably getting a bit twitchy.. I’m not sure that now is a good time to mention that at this point before my own major hand-in, I’d finished my project but I’ll do it anyway. Blah. I’m sure they’ll pull it out of the bag.. have a look at pixelpier to see the showcase details and come along.. it’ll be fun.

I’ve also been spending a little bit of time trying to redesign this site ready for the May 1st Reboot but now there’s only 3 days left, it’s not looking like I’ll manage it this year. Alas. It’ll be a June reboot instead. More on that as and when.

Finally, as of tonight, GTA IV will own my life. Sad, but true. It’s pretty much the only reason I wanted a 360 and I’ve been waiting for it for soooo long now. There’s been plenty said about it at loads of other places so I wont dwell.. besides, must dash and pop a cap in some online asses.. ooohhh yeah!

I rarely have time to play games online these days but when I do, it’s uberfun and always make me wish I was a student again, without a job and with broadband. And then after getting slaughtered several times in a row, I’m glad that I actually have other things to do, because it’s really not healthy to spend so much time shooting at people online is it(?)

Anyway. So I don’t spend too much time playing games nowadays, but I do have an Xbox 360. And Halo 3. In the first few months, I’d only played about 20 matches online and I felt bad about that because really, what’s the point of having Halo if you’re not playing online? So I thought I’d give Xbox Live a whirl for a bit and see if it’s worth it longterm. I played a bit last night and quickly realised that I’m not actually very good. Thanks to the amazing (and really, it IS amazing and probably deserves a whole ‘nother post) level of information that Bungie record about your games, you too can see how bad I currently am at Halo. I believe that some people might say that I get ‘pwned!!!!!’ frequently. I wouldn’t say that. That’s not how I roll. Ph33r |\/|y 1337 sk1llz! n00b.

I also played a bit on FIFA 08, which I appear to be better at (see here) but still, the long periods of having not played any games at all have taken their toll. I swear I used to be good at this type of thing. Blah.

So yeah. Feel free to step to me on Xbox Live see if you can hang with the big dogs. Word the fuck up.

(Or just add me as friend and let me win a few times..)

I haven’t really played Halo since some frenetic multiplayer games many years ago in my first year of uni (which were fucking great; 4 on 4 capture the flag, trying to take a peek at the other teams screen to see where they were sniping you from etc. Brilliant.), and Halo 2 completely passed me by but the next game is definitely getting my attention. The various adverts(/promo things) have been rather good, but the new site is stunning. Have a look. Super smooth tracking around a super detailed model = super nice experience. I really like the snippets of information from ‘veterans’ of the war too.. It’s engaging and does a great job of building up the whole Halo mythology.

I don’t want to sound too ‘geekish’, but it does look spanking. Yet another reason to splash out on a 360 (along with GTA4 and Call of Duty 4). I dunno why I’m holding out really..

There’s a new official trailer (and teaser site) for the next installment of GTA here: http://www.rockstargames.com/IV/index2.html. And it looks very good..

Some screenshots taken from the trailer are below, and Rockstar claim that all the footage is from an actual console (be it PS3 or XBOX 360). The only reason I bought a PS2 way back when was so I could play Vice City and this could the clincher for me getting one of the next-gen consoles.. I’m not a big gamer type but I do so love the GTA series, and this (I’m sure) will be no exception. Good stuff.

Doesn’t that just look fucking stunning?

This is a really really REALLY quality looking game.. done to promote milk. As if milk needs more promotion.. Surely most people are aware of the moo juice by now(?)

Still, the game is great. Go forth and play and appreciate the fine work.

http://www.gettheglass.com/