Is trom an t-ualach an t-aineaolas

WAAAAARGH!

2008-10-06T07:36:00.002+01:00

Tis right, yours truly has once more crossed that deep dark and downright scary line into the world of MMORPGs. This time, however, the game that will be destroying anything I claim to be a social life is Warhammer Online (WAR), the latest offering from the same crowd who brought us all Dark Age of Camelot (DaoC). (Let's see your age show here..)

Being a self-proclaimed fanboy of all this MMO hype, starting a new game is no new thing. I struggled along with the rest of the western world to come to grips with Final Fantasy XI (FFXI), I wiped in a splendid wave of WTF? when Razorgore ran me over in World of Warcraft (WoW), and I'm pretty sure I lost half a year creating characters alone in City of Villains (CoV). Since then, Lord of the Rings Online (LotRO) and Pirates of the Burning Sea (PotBS) have filled the void, and I let my friend test Age of Conan before deciding not to bother (EPIC WIN). Never has a game caught my attention as much as WoW did though, and I think somewhere deep down, I'm happy for that...

(Yes I do hope to explode some heads with excess abbreviating...)

And along comes WAR, the much-anticipated next WoW-killer (I love the irony in that..) and so far........ so good! The launch has been solid, few bugs here and there but nothing game-breaking and already patch 1.01 has been released without a hitch. The servers are a little unbalanced but honestly, from playing on the minority side (Order), it doesn't seem to break mechanics too much. Battles still seem evened out with a good chance of anyone winning.

Which brings us to the battles, the Realm vs. Realm (RvR) combat, the bacon and cabbage of WAR. RvR is what blows this game way above the rest in terms of multiplayer competetive gameplay. You can click a button on the interface that will queue you up for a scenario. Once your queue is up, you're instantly thrown off to a battle against a number of other players in a capture the flag, team deatchmatch style scenario with objectives to complete and hold. Works very like the battlegrounds in WoW. The other type of RvR is open-world, where you're running around minding your own business, and suddenly a zerg of Orcs come running over the hill to bash your measly little brains out. This is always hectic and a helluva lotta fun. The game discourages higher-level players ganking newbies by turning the more powerful ones into chickens. (LINK? Dudes already know about chickens..) Great touch!

Another stand-out point is the Public Quests, open areas in parts of the world are dedicated to these, and just entering that part of the world enters you into the quest. You can keep going, and forget about it (useful if you've already done it) or you can stop, and jump in with all the other players completing it. These are designed with 3 stages, the first is usually a farm (kill 100 goblins, with 10-15 players this doesn't take as long as you'd think), second stage pits you off against some harder, champion mobs, and the last stage is a massive boss battle. Loot is decided by maths so there's no complaining, the quest resets and viola. It is ambitious, but so far, it seems to be working. The loot and rewards are enough to keep everyone interested in completing these, and it's always nice to /cheer with your comrades after toppling a giant..!

Lots of other little things have been added that would really only stand out to long-time players of MMORPGs. For example, the tanks are proper physical entities, players cannot simply run through them, they have to go around. This collision detection is groovy, it gives the tanks some real use in RvR and also gives you a little responsibility in staying alive by knowing where your tank is.

My main gripes at the moment are the server queues, I'm on one of the most populated servers in the game, and sometimes can wait up to 20 minutes to get into game. I understand the Destruction side can look at an hour at peak times. In fairness, we have all had the chance to move to another server for free, so nobody has been ignored on this problem. Also, the music, or lack thereof. It seems like the game is always in silence, and an option to loop music is badly, badly needed soon.

Other than that, I'm sticking my head out for this one. If they play their cards right, this game could easily be the next big one. Let's see where the next patches take it.

Czech Rail

2008-07-29T13:00:00.002+01:00

I've recently had the... ahem, joy of travelling for the second time in my life, with Czech Rail, or České dráhy. The first time was bad, but because it was an international train to Poland, I understood that there may be complications at border checks etc, and thought nothing of it.

This time my journey was a little more complex, but all national. From Jesenik to Praha. Now, I will point out that I think Ionroid Eireann is one of the biggest disgraces to ever shine light on this country, but trains in Czech make good ol' CIE look like God's personal mass transit fleet.

The train from Jesenik to Zabreh na Morave was one car, yes, one car. It was full, of course, full with people, prams, dogs, and I could swear Noah had a couple of horses in the back. It didn't make it easier that nobody could understand the crappy jokes I was cracking in order to stop myself from going postal.

From Zabreh it was a direct train to Praha hl.n and so I thought (ha...ha...ha...) it would be easy from here. Major european capital etc. etc. Think again, the train itself was delayed for 25 minutes (and I think the previous train to Praha from 90 minutes prior was cancelled..) So we had two trainloads of busy backpackers carrying their bloody lives on their back, trying to squeeze their way down aisles in the vain hope that there would be a seat available if they just kept walking up and down. Sigh.

I got a seat fairly easy in the end, but this is because my bag is small and I was easily able to fit in anywhere. I fell asleep, and now that this blog is finished, I never ever ever ever EVER want to hear the muttering of České Dráhy ever again....

EDIT: Actually, I do have to tidy this blog up when I get back to Ireland. THE NIGHTMARE CONTINUES.

Red Light D4

2007-09-23T22:35:00.000+01:00

The residents committee of Mount Street and Percy Place in Dublin 4 are calling on more Gardaí time and resources to clamp down on prostitution in the area. Top of their lists of concerns, as put so wonderfully by a circular from the residents committee:

"These undesirables are affecting the value of property and most importantly making it unsafe for children to play and residents to go about their everyday business without being harasses by prostitutes looking for so called 'trade'."

Garda resources are scarce enough as it is. I know people joke a lot about how these clowns in D4 have no idea what's happening beyond their front door but.. seriously, 'affecting the value of property'.. there are people being stabbed, you know? Worst of all, this made the news.

I think I got a little sick in my mouth...

Ireland's call....?

2007-09-21T22:19:00.000+01:00

World Cups always get me wound up and this years Rugby World Cup is no exception. Just watched our proud Éire get absolutely trampled by an impressive French side. I missed the first half of both of Ireland's first games, so I was looking forward to seeing this. I don't know enough about the game to talk about anything.. so I'll just leave it at that!

Fair play lads, go on mon fils!

Now someone is gonna have to explain to me why Amhrán na bhFiann is not sung at the beginning of the games? I hate sounding like I'm about to, but.. why are they singing a song in English? Yeah, the vast majority of us speak English, but we do have a national language. Our language! The Christian Brothers and Sisters of Mercy might have bate it out of us, but we should at least keep it alive in little things like that. Before I get hysterical...... I'll just say I wasn't really impressed.

Come on Argentina! It's all or nothing now. If only we could use camání...

The cannabis question..

2007-09-18T01:43:00.000+01:00

Time for a rant. Hello to my three regular silent visitors! Anywho.. I'm going to complain about prohibition laws surrounding 'soft' drugs like cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms, and the War on Drugs in general. As a self-proclaimed libertarian I obviously support the legislation of such things. It's a persons choice, and as long as they're using it without disturbing other people or the peace, then I fail to see how much of a difference to society it would make than our friend, Alcohol.

Alcohol is legal, and very much supported and encouraged in modern society. Alcohol is addictive, and long-term usage can result in serious kidney, liver, heart and brain problems. And a hell of a lot more too... I'm not a doctor. One night of heavy drinking can lead to road accidents, violence both domestic and public and of course not to mention the puking and hangovers. But it's ok boy, just use it in moderation alright? Yet if someone smokes a joint, they're a criminal?

Just in case it still hasn't struck you, I'll say it straight out. The laws and a lot of people's opinions on these things are based on stigma. Pure and simple! Jaysis.

Drug dealers and pushers are criminals. A common misconception by the outsider is that we love our neighbourhood dealer. Johnny McScanger and all his worldly charms. Lock the fuckers up for all we care. The only reason they exist is because prohibition gives them a market. The War on Drugs was a complete success! Paddy O'Hondacivic claims the dole, spends his time taking crack and getting his 'friends' addicted, driving three cars whilst I walk to work in a seven year old pair of Dr. Martins for forty hours a week. The power to change that lies in legislation. (although I'd probably still have to walk to work..)

Adults are not criminals if they choose to smoke a joint without disturbing the peace.

Adults are not criminals if they choose to have a few drinks without disturbing the peace.

Open your third eye, maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan. Peace duude. And stop stereotyping, it's an ugly ugly human trait.

For the record, I love beer, I love fags, Is breá liom caife. But I love beer, anyone goin for pints? Tá tart orm, cibé cé olfhas 's é tusa a íocfhas.

Slán go foill.

Lack of updates....

2007-09-09T18:57:00.000+01:00

Yes, well.. who cares? This is because I have nothing to talk about. The world is still silly and fags are still expensive.

'Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste, ná Béarla cliste.'

Call for a Talker's Ban

2007-08-28T00:02:00.000+01:00

Today it was announced in this story, that very soon it is going to become possible for people to use their mobile phones when travelling by plane. After so long, it looks as though the technology is finally here to allow us to chat to Aunt Bridey while several thousand feet in the air.

Slightly off-topic rant but.... most people who know me will know how I feel about Ireland's current smoking ban in the workplace. Yes, about 80% of the population supports it, and yes, all non-smokers now live forever, but I am putting my foot down here.

I'M ON A FUCKING PLANE!

If I am not allowed to light up a cigarette when trapped in a metal tube with infants, grannys and God knows what other monstrosities, then there is no way in hell I'm going to sit back and let some spoiled little brat play the Crazy Frog seven million times on repeat because they're bloody bored.

I am going to e-mail a very long and very stupid complaint to the ComReg fellas and make sure that this is blocked from happening, well... at least until you bloody socialites can reach a compromise with our smoking habits. Yes, you can use your mobile phone on a plane, if I can have a cigarette to take the edge off my desire to choke you with the oxygen mask... heh.. ironic.

There's also concerns about human and enviromental health impact when using a mobile phone. How do all you non-smokers feel about that? YOUR CHILDREN could be getting KILLED by these phones! You must take action now before the entire world has cancer.

Yeah... I really dislike non-smokers. You would too if you lived in Ireland. If you do live in Ireland... shut up.

And on a serious note, it's funny how this sacred "health" goes out the window when a universal (like a mobile phone... the whole world uses them now) is involved. Arn't you all trusting this new technology a little too easily? If it fails, the concequences are a lot more than a nasty cough.. and if I die because of someone talking on a mobile phone, then I will make that person's afterlife a living hell.... or something.

I think you can hear my heart break..

2007-08-25T20:53:00.001+01:00

This folks, is a short video I took of the saddest moment of my existence. It's the closest you'll ever get to seeing my tears. I had to get the last bus from Lowlands, which meant leaving early, to get home for work on Monday... I know, work. I hate the place even more for this.

You can hear TOOL playing in the tent as I'm leaving, they start off Schism, and at that point... if you listen close enough, you can hear my heart breaking. Most will say my better judgement came through, and leaving to go to work was the responsible thing to do.. Now that it's all over, I can safely say my worse judgement came through.

People will BLEED for this.

Brendan McCann - Serial Planning Objector

2007-08-25T00:11:00.000+01:00

At home here, in my shanty little hometown of Waterford, we have an unusual problem with one of our local residents, and Green Party member, Brendan McCann. This might not interest a whole lot of people, but I think it's a story worth telling.

Basically, McCann has objected to every (and I mean every) proposed large-scale development in Waterford City for the last couple of years. He has been dubbed by the media as a "Serial Objector" or various other nasty names, and has single-handedly held back the growth of the town through numerous appeals to An Bord Pleanála.

McCann has found a way to wrap the planning system around his little finger and is using it ruthlessly. The City Council and the local media are raging over the objections, but in the long run.. there is nothing they can do about it. Brendan McCann is within his rights as a citizen and we all have to sit back and accept that until he either gives up or gets bored. In one way... it's kind of admirable.

But then there's the question... what exactly is his agenda?

Brendan himself has failed to comment on any of this, but now has (unfortunatly for him) made his way into the public eye, and probably has a few questions to answer. The entire city is looking at you McCann, what's your game? Some people say it's a Green Party tactic to concentrate growth in (only) four major cities (Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Galway) and others think he has his own personal agenda.

Personally, I think he's a space alien from Mars sent to destroy Waterford City because of some admin error which labled the town as important... but my opinion doesn't really matter.

Lose the turban, Sikh

2007-08-24T02:03:00.000+01:00

This week, the Garda Síochána reconfirmed their ban on serving officers wearing a turban as part of the uniform. They argue that the wearing of a turban may affect the perception of the force as being impartial. The Commissioner feels that such variations may present an image that the public would not want...

Interesting that Noel Conroy feels he can tap in to the very minds of the public, but this comes across as almost blatant racism. At a time when gun crime in Limerick is soaring out of control, and drugs run the underground society, I don't think we should start getting petty about who and who not can join in our Guardians of Peace.

One has to wonder if this comes down to Irish pride? (no.. not the slice pan) Is this all the fault of some stubborn person, or group of people, who can not see the very clear discrimination in the current policy? Not being able to see and amend our outdated polices seems to be a crippling and very quickly growing scar on the face of modern Ireland.

A turban is sacred to a Sikh, it forms a huge part of their religious practice and it is mandatory for them to wear one. I fail to see exactly what part of the Garda integrity is under threat from allowing a religious devotee to wear a turban as part of their uniform, and I hope in the coming weeks my views will be reflected in that of the Irish public.

Times move on, not everyone who wears a turban is a terrorist. Not long ago, most people would have considered our Irish accent as a 'mark' of terrorism. Tiocfaidh ár lá. Think about that.

Video Games and Idiots

2007-08-23T20:28:00.001+01:00

It's really very popular to hate video games right now. The lads at IFCO have laid down their very first prohibition notice in Ireland for Manhunt 2, and yanks like Jack Thompson would have us believe computer games are controlling our minds. It's become the new craze, and in my opinion, blame tool for some major problems in today's society.

If a kid is capable of killing another person in a way that resembles a game or not, there is much MUCH more going on in that mind than a simple video game addiction. Isn't that blindingly obvious? It seems like a cop out, that people can't face up to the fact that the kids in question need help and are not getting it. Blame video games. Maith go leor...

I'm personally not too upset about the banning of the game, even though it does show how dangerously close to a conservative society we are continuing to get. What bothers me is that serious social issues in society are being passed off, and blamed on completely ridiculous things, and with the media whipping everyone up, driving the bandwagon, nobody is the wiser.

What happens when people run out of things to blame?

Is SMDF really dead..?

2007-08-23T07:45:00.000+01:00

It's like Elvis. Yes it's dead, just the Vegas tributes exist these days. I barely conjured enough effort to drag myself off here to a quiet part of the internet. If you're reading this, rest assured I'm squinting at you from my dark corner.

If you don't know what SMDF is, great! I'm Jim, 22 from Ireland. A culchie livin' like a towney and somewhat proud of it. I like posting stuff, so there ya go.

Slán go fóill.