Reach

A budget tells us what we can't afford, but it doesn't keep us from buying it.
William Feather

IT IS AWESOME.

And I'm sure everyone can agree.

That is correct. Halo: Reach is here, and I thought I'd do a special post just for it. It deserves it anyway.

Total Rating:  ☆☆☆☆ and a half.

Right. Halo: Reach is a true action game from start to finish, it's entirety detailing the last stand of Noble Team on planet Reach, and their epic struggle against the deadly Covenant force intent on destroying it all. You play as Noble Six, new Noble Team member, same gender as yourself and wearing the same armor as you wish it to be. It's up to you and the rest of Team Noble to fight for Reach. From the beginning. You know the end (at least, I hope you do).

I thought I wouldn't be able to get it last Tuesday, and instead have to wait until this week to get it. Thankfully, my dad helped me out, and I got Reach on Tuesday (yay!).

The controls are a bit changed up (for the third time in the Halo series) but I soon had it down, just in time for the best parts of the game. The campaign is classic Halo bringing itself full circle,  and with plenty of juicy gameplay from beginning to end. Firefight from ODST returns, and that itself has been gloriously redefined. Matchmaking is as good as ever, and new features, such as Daily Challenges and Credits for buying things as well as ranking up, make the replay value incredibly high for a fifth installment in a series. All that, plus the expanded and improved Forge mode, Theater, new maps and gamemodes, and a great Community equals a brilliant game.

Bungie's send-off to Halo is a brilliant closure and I am really happy for them. They wrapped up Halo for them, and now they can move on and make a new masterpiece, as I'm sure they will.

On Blog news:

Do not miss next week's post!!!! It's reveal day, so we get to see all the trailers for things AbstractWorks side. Next Monday everyone.

So yeah, more on everything then. Reach is awesome. Next big game: PORTAL 2!!!!!

Revival

"All glory comes from daring to begin."
Eugene F. Ware



SOMETHING HAS BEEN SET IN MOTION.
Can you feel it? It is a new feeling at AbstractWorks, but definitely welcome.

There was no post last week for two reasons:


1. Labor Day, so my family and I went out in the city.
2. I was hard at work preparing for school.


Well, I've been working hard to make up for that. I've been deep in the Source SDK all week and weekend, recruiting our new AbstractWorks Mapping Crew (www.awemaps.blogspot.com) and working on Forgotten.


At the moment, Forgotten is 15% done mapping wise and only in it's first draft. I hope to get the first draft done quickly, so I may go over the maps to connect them and make them look nice. Tom's joined in after finishing his first map. With his new knowledge of mapping, hopefully Forgotten will get finished sooner. I'll add a few screenshots of the current maps into the post tomorrow.


Rebel's Mind and The Wick are on hold again, as the group is diverting all their effort into a group machinima we are revealing next week. When we release the pilot, I'll begin work on RM episode 1, I promise.

In other news, the popular web series Red vs. Blue finished it's eighth season today. I hope to see the episode after I type this. I'm excited!!! I hear they will be moving on to Halo: Reach now. Speaking of which, it came out an hour ago. I should probably pick up my copy tomorrow.


While we are the subject of new games, I've already preordered Portal 2, which releases February 9, 2011. I absolutely cannot wait for it. Shows how much of a Portal geek I am!


If you've been following Valve related news(www.halflife2.net) then you know Valve has 3 surprises for the coming year. They sure do know how to raise hype. I hope it's Episode 3. I really do.


Well, there you have it. Everything on my mind. Sigh. I need a coffee. I'll wait for morning.


Forgotten screenshots tomorrow.


See ya next Monday(for sure!!!)!


EDIT: Here are some epic screenshots of Forgotten so far.

If you head over to the Forgotten page you will see it is updated! I set up a Mod DB profile for it and updates will come over there as well. I am now going to go get Halo: Reach! Wish me luck!


-Jack

Reconstruction

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." 
Seneca


IT IS TIME TO REBUILD.
Bold letters are great attention grabbers, huh?


Let us look back at Term One. Many Projects were set in motion, but none came close to finishing. The Wick, though it is written to Chapter 8, was never finished typing. Rebel's Mind only got a Test Video. Forgotten was pretty much forgot about. 


Basically, not much progress was made in Term One.


But that was because it was the beginning. And the beginning is always slow.


But that is not the case in Term Two. This is my second chance, and I'm not wasting it.


The definition of the prefix re- is again. So basically, we are going to begin again.


So without further ado, let us find out what will be going down this Term.


Rebel's Mind: This is a maybe, just because AbstractWorks has a machinima we are all producing, and RM is my own project. So if I release it, it will be slow developing.


The Wick: I want to get half the book done, no, I need to get half this book done. So expect that to be updated soon.


Forgotten: This is a real tough thing to get around to working on. I have like 3 of the levels made, but I've to busy to really get down and get so deep into Source SDK.


Updates: Every Monday starting Monday, September 6. Expect new content around September 13.


To prove I am not lying when I'm serious this term, here are links to three maps I've produced over the Summer on Source SDK. The first two are really basic deathmatch maps, but the third is all out warfare. Enjoy these and expect more soon, after I help out Cen, Tom, and Dean with mapping and settle into school.


Well guys, I guess that's it. If you are still supporting me, I thank you and hope this Term will a great one.


Remember, updates begin September 6th!


Links:
http://www.garrysmod.org/downloads/?a=view&id=87038
http://www.garrysmod.org/downloads/?a=view&id=108062
http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/143046

Return

Forgotten

by Rosa Lee

If I were Byron would you know my words?
Would you feel the emotions I write?
Or would I be a nameless poet
who has gone into the light?

Would you hold my words close to your heart
as you sit by the fireside?
Would your pain come gushing out in tears
that you'd no longer hide?

Would the things I feel affect you
as they do not do today?
Would I be unforgettable
if a book told you what I had to say?

Or would I still sit on a shelf
and things just go unchanged?
As you wander through my Library of Life
and say that I'm deranged.

Here's a book called, "How I Love You"
and one called, "If I Cry".
You shuffle quickly past this one;
it's labelled, "Inside Me as I Die".

You haven't stopped to read my words
in such a long time now.
I wonder if you will again
or if you remember how.

You see the author's name on these
I'm sure you recognize it.
They are written by someone you loved
for her intelligence and wit.

The name is so familiar
as you stop and turn the page.
Could it be this dead poet's words
are from this day and age?

A face appears before you now
whenever you close your eyes.
Her words are coming back to you,
"Through poems, no one dies."

It's not too late to resurrect me,
from these dusty old remains.
If you would feel my thoughts again
you would understand my pains.

Do you remember me?

I faded into the midst of the world for a time, caught in the joys of living. 

I mean, why would you remember, for as I recall, there was not much I could do before. Why return, you may ask.

Why did I return? Was it because I was fed up with sitting on the shelf? Mingling in the world? Living where others lived?

Was it just my time to return? Or on that matter, Destiny?

I don't know about that.

What I do know is that I've got stories to tell too.

And there isn't anyone who can deny me of that.

Excuses, Excuses

Things I have failed to deliver with due haste:

The Wick, chapter 3
Rebel's Mind, Episode One
Forgotten, an update at least
GDC update

Chance of death: Moderately high

Well, all this can be explained in three words.

OLD LAPTOP BROKE.

I lost all my files, programs, etc. I was going to get it fixed, as it was really only the power then went down, but then the HDD bust so I exchanged it for a new one.

I really wanted the ASUS Republic of Gamers, but it was a whopping $2000!

So I settled on something a little bit betterthan my old ASUS, but not as good as Tom's Republic of Gamers ultimate Gaming PC. A Samsung with i5 processor and Nvidia GeForce plus Cuda. Check it out:

It's a pretty good computer, runs Windows 7, i5 processor=very fast computer.

It's got a Blu-Ray player, runs games smoothly, and, added bonus, a built in Number Pad. I like it a lot, as soon as I get everything back on it(Pinnacle, Dragon, Audicity, etc.) I'll be A-OK for lift off again.

Stupid fan.

I also have some audition coming up, if necissary. I won't say yet, but I need a specific part for the Prologue.

So yeah. GDC update soon. Everything else-------later.

I Forgot....

Okay, I'm sorry about the lack of a GDC update, I'm trying to get Tom to e-mail me them, seeing as I took them on his camera.

THIS post is to show what I happen to be working on.

Take a look:

(There's more, just way too many for 1 post. I'll make a page for it later.

I'm pretty bad with a camera aren't I?)

Anyway, these are screens of my maps for the Nintendo DS homebrew, Still Alive DS. Boring right?

NOT!

I'm actually thinking of working on turning this 2D mappack into a Portal mappack, the way it should be. Though I admit, SDK's are pretty complicated(O_o).

For a good reason, I believe this project deserves it codename, 'Forgotten'.

Drop me a comment on what you think.

UPDATES:
Rebel's Mind out Saturday night/ Sunday morning! Synergy is pretty bad when it comes to machinima, but hey, what you gonna do!

The Wick, chapter 3: Will be out soon, I haven't had time to type it.

Hello Again

Hey its Ky.
I have to say GDC rulz!
I had serious doubts about it,but man!
I got a new game everyones happy.
Anyway, who is excited today.
Rebel's Mind will be here soon, along with the Wick (finally)
Be sure to check it out, oh and here are my newest chapters

Chapter 6:http://www.scribd.com/doc/27695691/Red-Pool-Chapter-6 

Chapter 7: http://www.scribd.com/doc/28244532/Chapter-7-I-Just-Stared-at-The

Rebel's Mind Test Video Part 2

Here it is!

I hope this subdues the craving for the real series coming March 20th, because it was a LOT of work to do.

EDIT: OMG. What a surprise. YouTube RUINED the quality somehow. I"ll post a HQ video in a couple of hours.
2ND EDIT: The new video(in HD) is below. Not so happy with it, but I took all the bad things from these test videos and comments from viewers, so the final product will DEFINITELY to be happy about.

Here you go!

Hello All

Hello all here on Jack's Blog. This is Ky, Abstract's friend.

Anyway I would like to let you know that I will be contribute to Rebel's Mind.

One of the Rebel vantage point will be from my thoughts.
Yeah so....(punch)

Make sure to check out The Wick(below), Rebel's Mind(below), and my gruesome story Red-Pool(http://www.scribd.com/doc/27429748/Red-pool-chapter-1-5).

Hope you like all of it!

-Ky

-See ya

GDC 2010

Hi all,

Great news!

Tom and I are going to GDC 2010!!!! That's the Game Developer Conference, for those who don't know.

We are definitely going to be looking out for all the new games coming soon, we don't know who'll be there, but it should be great.

We'll try to take as many photos as possible, but don't expect a lot. Though we will describe it all in GREAT DETAIL.

Ky may go with us, depending on if it's possible.

GDC 2010- March 9, 10, 11
http://www.gdconf.com/

Check back soon!

EDIT: Ky can't go, but Tom and I will definitely keep you guys updated.

Both Sides of the Coin

This is an update on both The Wick and Rebel's Mind.

Rebel's Mind:

New test vid this is week. This one will be closer to the final, testing voice and getting final criticisms before the final product. My friends LuigisNo1 drew this for me:

Like? No like? This may be the title or at least, an edit of this. Tom makes his debut in about a week. He's excited.

The Wick:

Chapter 3 comes out this week. Mon, Tues, or Wednesday, depending on when I can get time to balance both sides of the coin. 

Meera's finally on her way. She'll be heading toward the Nevada border, in let's say, a stylish fashion. She gets another companion and, there's more to her mission....

Hang in there, it's coming.

Rebel's Mind Test Video

Here it is!!!!! It took FOREVER to upload, but as CyhAnide says, "That's YouTube for ya."

Feel free to tell me how horrible it was here or in the comments section. I could use some constructive criticism.

Rebel's Mind Opinion

Its Dean-

Hello I'm Dean. I am here to tell you a little things about Jack's piece of work Rebel's Mind! I am also going to be helping Jack and company do their great work on great machinima. As me being one of the rebels I think the video will be a slam hit. Because as I look at Jack and co. work it looks great! Well there is a great test video coming out next week so watch it.

-Dean
-Is Out

The Wick: CHAPTER TWO

This was another all-nighter!!! To find it, click on the link 'The Wick' at the top then scroll down pass the logo and summary to find chapters! Chapter 2! Hope you enjoy!

The Wick: CHAPTER ONE

Here it is!!!!!!! I worked all night getting it typed, and it's over on The Wick page. It was far too long to post here on the Home page!!!!! Enjoy and hope you check back next week!

Rebel's Mind Update

Yay! Yay! It's a Rebel's Mind update!!! That means people here for The Wick, wait until next week.

Well, I can safely say, no Rebel's Mind until March.

I promise to have it out before March 20. Any later and you can arrest me or take my colon or something.

Tom posted on the blog, I see. He was kind of vague, like James Bond with a banana for a gun, but he's a pretty cool guy. Cen is trying to get on to the blog and Ben has not checked his e-mail......

I was thinkin about doing something to get some hype but I fall down short to just taking little shreds of it and making a trailer, maybe. Most likely just what I have so far or something. Any ideas let me know.

I am also in the works of creating a title screen, most likely either the Combine superportal or an SMG. I have no clue to this yet, seeing as the characters are each a lot different...

Thanks for your support guys, though you're probably getting ready to beat me to death with a crowbar(0_O)

I'm going to see the Percy Jackson movie this weekend with friends. It's better than see Taylor Lautner work it with Swift!

I saw the new Freeman's Mind!!! Ross has done it again!

EDIT: I have created a title screen!!! Review it please! Now on Rebel's Mind page!

What's in the Box?

I found this really cool video on YouTube, complete with a thrilling mystery around it. I was interested, so you might be, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU_reTt7Hj4&feature=player_embedded
For info on the mystery, check out here:
http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/03/18/whats-in-the-box/

For the official site of weirdness:
http://www.whatsinthebox.nl/

Good luck solving that!

Hello I Am a Banana

Hi i am Tom and I will be on Rebel's Mind as myself. I will post here time-to-time and can't wait for you to see Rebel's Mind. It may feature me sometimes, so be sure not to miss THOSE episodes if you want quality work.

Things you should know about me:
1. i have a steam login here: http://steamcommunity.com/id/gemsamtommy
2. i love to read
3. i love to watch movies on the weekend




ring ring ring ring ring ring ring banana phone!

The Wick (in a corny summary)

Here it is!!! The first summary for The Wick, though it's REALLY corny and kinda stupid. Kinda suckish at summaries as I once said. Here it is:

Meera Flame has always wanted to stand out in the ruined wasteland world. She wants to do something to make herself known, be it saving a little child from some the alien creatures of the endless nature that have come to our world with an alien force known as Epitaph. But instead, she, like the rest of the of humanity and aliens, is trapped under the steady iron fist of the corrupt government CANDLe.

Then she gets the chance for her dreams to come true: to be the first girl to successfully make it through the Lands to Russia, where the Wax is located, the keeping place for a powerful object called the Eternal Flame, which Meera must deliver.

In her grueling 9 month journey from California to Russia, Meera must go up against uncomprehendible odds with Console 309 and her friend Rolph Voil as she faces hardship, betrayal, destruction, passion, wonders, and rebellion. Along the way, she may learn that following your dreams begins with a single step.

Like it? I hope so. I am now forward marching into The Wick!!!! I hope you liked this sneak peek, cause more's a coming!

Updates to You From Me

Ok here's some news on Freeman's Future.

After some talk with CyhAnide and Corky064 (makers of Chell's Mind and Felix's Mind respectively), my friend and I have decided to do the machinima with a new title and story. Instead, the plot goes as follows:

Gordon gets tired of saving the world, so he hires two of the rebellion's finest to get the job done and save the world from Combine doom and total destruction. The Mind series will be from one of the rebels perspective (maybe switch off or do two sides to the episode) and take from HL2 or EP2.

On The Wick:

I'm looking for my imaginatin journal, so when I find that out I'll post some of it.

Raindrops Keeping Fallin'

drip drip drip drip drip


I don't know who made our Mother Earth sad, because she wasn't this morning. Actually, I thought the bay area was finally drying off but I guess this afternoon the clouds couldn't hold it any longer.

drip drip drip drip drip


My dog is currently tearing up a tennis ball as I'm in the car. Eight months old and teeth like...like...well, like an American Bulldog. I'm on my way to my friend's house for the night. My mom is going to take the dog home with her.

The Wick is about to be written, just ending the thought process. Freeman's Future is like 40% ready. Actually the script's done, buy filming needs to be done with the audio. So, actually, probably just 15%.

drip drip drip drip........
drip

Getting the Rhythm

Well today I was noticing that all the stories out there have there own, well, for lack of a better word, rhythm.

Like LOTR had a swift but still well-flowing rhythm and Harry Potter had a funny, but sometimes very serious flow. So I"m trying to find my story's rhythm.

If you think about it, life isn't all that different. It's got goods and it's it got bads, but the flow is still pretty even and rhythmic.

Just for your information: no chapter 1 of The Wick yet. I'll just give you some key stuff: aliens, rebellion, corrupt leaders, future, blah, blah, blah.

Freeman's Future will be in production when my Fraps works.

New Upcoming: FREEMAN'S FUTURE and THE WICK??

Well, I'm planning on a new Mind series entitled Freeman's Future telling the story of Gordon and Alyx in Half-Life 2: Episode Two. As soon as I get my Fraps to successfully download it will be recorded and the voice is finished it'll be done. My voice is a bit high-pitched, so I'm planning on negative reviews by other Mind-ers and so I sigh. If I can figure out a way to figure out a way to modify my voic e a little, I hope it will be okay. There is a kind of twist to it, I hope people enjoy it.

The Wick is a story I plan I telling here on the blog as well as on my other accounts on Max-Dan-Wiz and Fan-Fiction.net. It's a major sci-fi, but I'm terrible at summaries, so I'll leave it to chance if you read it.

Hope you keep with me and enjoy my upcoming works!!! I just really want to put my self out there in this vast, kalidoscope-like world!!!

Awesome to Live in the USA

Love America people!!!