Sims III: first impression(s) [Update 1]

Okay, I got this pirated Razor1911 copy of the Sims III.

[EDIT: As has come to my attention, the Razor1911 copy of the Sims III appears NOT to be the actual final version of the game, lacking major content and being very buggy. That said, please consider the following opinions to be premature - the final review/comparison will commence as soon as I hold my legitimate copy in my very own hands.]

Unfortunately, only the Windows version has been cracked so I couldn't test the Mac version, which apparently runs on an SDL-based Cider/Wine by the way.

[EDIT: The Mac version can be cracked, too: simply open the package contents of the installed game, look for TS3.exe and replace it with the cracked EXE; look for a terminal application called "cider" inside the package contents, double click on it and there you go.]

First, after the lengthy installation, I was amazed how fast the game is loaded (compared to its predecessor). Second, it runs quite well on my 2007 edition 24" iMac.

[EDIT: Loading times under Mac OS X are not so great - quite a difference between Windows and Mac OS X version there.]

Now, the pros and cons...

Cons first:

- boy those Sims are ugly - this is by far the main caveat - for me it was impossible to create a descent looking female Sim

- the voices are awful though the customization options are funny (choose from three kinds of yucky voices and adjust the pitch to your liking)

- though the animations are somewhat more detailed they are ugly, too (e.g. the Sims walk kind of unnaturally, it just looks awkward)

- also, there's much "reposistioning" involved: many times a Sim has to change his standing (just a bit) to start a new animation (e.g. conversations) - something far less obvious in Sims II

- also, they look strange when the just stand around

- it takes "minutes" for them to resolve path crossings (when Sims get in their way) - they resolve them mostly by just standing there looking silly - to the player it's not obvious that they will continue to walk and do their business afterwards - it's kinda creepy actually

- furniture - though more detailed - looks "blocky" and ugly

- overall one gets the impression the graphics engine requires many redraws of everything (I don't know how to describe that), everything is "flickering" a lot - well, at least more than I would want it to

- the interface effects are destracting and - for a Sims II enthusiast - a hindrance as they slow things like customizing furniture down - it's so console like

- also, the games runs itchy and "laggy" when zooming or moving the camera around without really giving a reason, while the camera is still it runs more or less smoothly

Now the pros:

- loading times are very much acceptable

- the new customization tool for furniture, clothes and wall/floor painting is exceptionally great (it reminds me terribly of Spore) - I love this; if we could have that for the Sims II...

- the new game play is somewhat intriguing and offers a new kind of immersion into the life of a Sim (or a family)

- the concept of openess to a city is nice (though my pirated copy has stability problems due to a damaged ISO when viewing the entire city - crashes to the desktop are quite common, unfortunately - I hope this issue is resolved when I get my paid-for copy next week)

Overall, I'm happy I won't actually pay 60 bucks for my game due to coupons 'cause at the first glance, I'm not so sure I'm *not* gonna stick with Sims II for the time being...

Bottom line: The Sims III, well, it needs adjustments (from EAxis).

Prison Break: the 2 extra episodes

=== Spoiler Alert ===

Well, apparently the two straight-to-DVD episodes of Prison Break aired on Sky 1, so I had the opportunity to actually see them.

Those two were quite good though it's getting more and more impressiv how Michael manages to forge an escape plan from any prison in mere hours...remember the first season when it took him months of preparation and a full body tatoo to break out of Foxriver? Well, it had come to days in Sona, days for the break in to get Scylla and now just some hours to get Sarah out of prison.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed watching those two episodes. They adequately filled the gap between the main characters' exhonoration and Michaels death.

Just about another week...

...and I will have Sims 3 in my hands! :)

Right now, I'm having fun playing Oblivion (most of the time) and Sims 2 (sometimes) during my work free days.

I can't wait for Sims 3 - though all those new Sims look kind a "round" (fat) in all the promotional videos and screenshots. Well, let's see how the game looks on my screen on June 4th! :)

24: Not the final season?

Well, the 7th season of 24 was strange, unreal, unrealistic actually, illogical at times and overall it felt like it's the final season of the series. But the creators couldn't let it go, no, they obviously had to put some "believable" twist at the end - I hated the end of the last episode - but that's me.

I hope, 24 is over, 'cause I don't want to watch it any longer but due to some weirdness within me would have to if it would be continued. (Stupid me!)

Frankly, all this terrorism stuff that 24 thrives on is kind of over, at least it's not as present in our minds (at least not in mine) as it used to be after 9-11 for example. So it get's old, uninteresting, boring...

Prison Break: The End

When Prison Break's first season aired, it was a blast - undoubtably the best series of the year. Well, the second season and even the third one had its moments, but none was such intriguing like the first one. Then there was a (in my opinion totally unnecessary) fourth season - and there it went down the drain: the series got worse with every episode: dialogues were stupid, logic was lacking - you name it...

Now, it's come to an end (finally) and I have to admit, though I first had trouble understanding the creators' decision to end the show like they did regarding the main character, I now think I get it and overall the final episode wasn't that bad. The final scene was done quite nicely and even triggered some emotional reaction.

Nonetheless, Prison Break is over. The first season I enjoyed most - what a show! - the second and third ones were "watchable", and, well, let's not talk about the fourth one... ;)

Lost: The Incident - Season 5 Finale

Just one word: incredible!

I thought season four's finale was amazing, too - but this one tops'em all.

Actually, through the last few episodes, I had the distinct impression the show's going to end with season five, but as always, there are now more questions than answers and again, I can't wait for the next season to start.

This show just keeps getting better and better.

Paper Notebook - a must see!

Geekologie posted this amazing YouTube video portraying the "usage of a paper notebook" made by Dutch artist Evelien Lohbeck.

It's an absolute must see: Paper Notebook on YouTube

Microsoft's new anti-iPod-ad

This is a response to that: Microsoft Ad on YouTube

Well, first of all, if you listen to music on a subscription basis, well, then by all means jump on it. I don't know whether Microsoft's offer is expensive compared to the (subscription) competition and actually, I don't care (see below).

Second of all, you can easily fill your iPod with about 50 bucks worth of movies, no need to buy 30,000 songs. And what about freebies? There IS music and movies in the iTunes store that can be "purchased" for free.

Also, I for one would never use any music subscription service 'cause that's not the way I listen to music. I like to have my collection of some special songs and (mostly) classical pieces that were sold on CD long before MP3 was invented. But that's me - I don't listen to radio, too - not ever.

And what about Apps? The iTunes app-store is a great thing and my iPhone is filled with apps and yes - Microsoft obviously can't even imagine that - they take up space on the device.

But hell, if you like Microsoft's products then use them - I turned my back on them about two years ago (after sixteen years of good and bad times with DOS and Windows) and never regretted it!

Kung Fu Panda - not bad

Just watched Kung Fu Panda and have to admit that the movie's quite good.

The title made me not want to see this one, but the guys at DreamWorks did a great job combining funny dialogues, really cool action and technically stunning 3D animation into one feature length experience.

It's definitively going to be part of my DVD collection.

Is the Science-Fiction genre dying?

Are there any new (good) Sci-Fi tv shows running or upcoming?

With the end of Star Trek: The Next Generation way back then followed by Deep Space Nine and Voyager - and well, Enterprise - the cancelations of Farscape and Futurama, the finales of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis and this year's "demise" of Battlestar Galactica, there's nothing left - as far as I know.

Well, okay, there's Eureka, and Lost, and Heroes - which are kind of Sci-Fi...but really, where's the good space exploration stuff?

German the American way

It's always funny to hear American actors speak German phrases in tv shows.

Some are doing quite well actually, but most of them just don't get the proper pronounciation.

Well, apparently, proper German is quite difficult to speak if you're not a native speaker - also, the writers should try to understand that in German there's a difference if you say "Get in the car!" to one person („Steig ins Auto!”) or to more than one person („Steigt ins Auto!”).

Nonetheless, as a "German native" I'd really prefer to (just once in a while) see Germans referenced in American tv shows without making them the bad guys, without making them bavarian accordion playing nazis! Just for once! Please!

You must realize, WWII was last millennium - most of us don't even have relatives who can tell us about it any more - and in only one single "state" in Germany people wear "Lederhosen" and play German folk music on the accordion! All the others don't!

Lost - it's getting better and better

I have to admit, when this whole time travel idea was first introduced in Lost I was quite sceptic - this was a little bit too far fetched for this kind of TV series I thought. But now, it's getting better and better, and even more twisted with each episode. I love it! :)