Sibelius 6 - Update

First, I'll get the Sibelius 6 upgrade for free (Thank you Sibelius Software!), 'cause I've purchase the version 5 upgrade just 2 days short of the free upgrade period. Fortunately, I found this info in the Sibelius 6 upgrade FAQ on www.sibelius.com 'cause when I ordered my upgrade on the phone they told me there was no way for me to obtain one for free.

Second, having played around with Sibelius 6 Demo I've began to really like the new stuff (magnetic layout and such). Also, I already found myself in a situation where I could have really used this new "versions" feature!

Can't wait till I hold my copy of Sibelius 6 in my hands.

Sibelius 6

I've been a Sibelius fan from the very start (having purchased the education version of Sibelius 1.4 many years ago). Being a composer and arranger I've been using this application on a daily basis ever since.

Now, there's Sibelius 6 available and yet again Sibelius Software manages to introduce new amazing features and even more helps musicians with their compositional creativity.

Reading the „What Finale users say about Sibelius” section on www.sibelius.com I came to a realization: the difference between Finale and Sibelius is just like the difference between Windows and Mac OS - just like clumsiness and elegance - time consuming manual driven learning curve and intuitive ease of use - no wonder I prefer Sibelius.

Sims III Review (Update)

Well, I haven't played Sims III since my last blog entry - that says it all, doesn't it - go figure!

Sims III: It finally arrived

Well, my first impression being spoiled by the leaked "pre-release" of the retail game, I was eager to give the real thing a try - hoping for the best.

First and foremost: no crashes whatsoever with the retail version (apparently, as I had hoped, those annoying CTDs (crash to desktop) I experienced with the leaked version occured due to a corrupted data file - what a relief!).

Second: Anything else, most unfortunately, still stands.

The Sims are ugly as hell, so is most of the in-game furniture. Sims still "collide" an awful lot, leaving them just standing there for seconds before moving on, etc.

Also, many tiny little things from the Sims II are missing like animations nobody actually cared about until realizing they're now missing: getting in a car, getting the toothbrush from the medical cabinet, getting a pan from the counter cabinet...stuff like that...all gone.

Well, I've been able to create two not-so-ugly Sims and've been playing them since I got the game (though I was away for the weekend and couldn't go on "testing").

After all, for me as someone who LOVES the Sims II and has been playing that game from the beginning through ALL the expansions and stuff packs, Sims III leaves many things to be desired. There's missing content (BIG issue there!), missing (cute) animations and overall not-so-pleasing graphics even with all option sliders at max.

If one's new to the Sims, get the game, see if it's fun - but wait till the price drops a bit.

If you're a Sims II fanatic, stay away from it and wait for the Sims IV, 'cause the Sims III is definitively NOT worth its money.

At the moment, I'm thinking about selling my game on ebay if I can't get my self to really like it within the next three weeks...

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! :)