Perspective: Birthdays

Everyday is a special day for someone who was born on that date in an earlier year. Yes, I'm talking about their birthdays. Family and friends come and join in to celebrate someone's special day. Food are always served, gifts are optional. However, the joy of turning one year older may sound fun, but as we grow older, more responsibilities are placed upon us. But that's more fun than being restricted by parents when you were a kid, right?

Hopefully, things will turn out okay. The day may or may not go quickly but overall, I think it will be a great day tomorrow, June 30, 2008. Why? Because I know a special person who is already preparing himself to start out the celebration with his family at midnight.

And that person... is ME!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU~
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU~
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY~
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU~

*blows candles*

Gaming: Cabal Online

Looking at another game from E-Games PH, I stumbled upon their new online MMORPG named Cabal Online. At first I thought that it would another Ran Online type of game but after carefully looking at the classes and the story, I was mesmerized at the features and decided to download the client and try it.

After 5 hours of downloading, 10 parts of the files with each having 1 minute cool down durations per download, I hurriedly installed the game and patched up. Everything went smoothly, and installed several other necessary files such as Direct X.

So here I went, venturing into unchartered territory (first time in the game, I tend to look at everything from the very start.) The first loading screen with Cabal Online logo was slow so my first impression was that it would be laggy and might as well encounter errors. But to my surprise, after that loading screen, from server to character selection to starting out in the game, the gameplay was smooth. I mean, really smooth, little lag, just 1 second after loading from the map, and after that, I'm free as a bird to walk around and do the /dance.

So after a quick tutorial and probably looking around and admiring the scenery, I found myself roaming around doing quests! Yeah, quests! This is a quest oriented game and that is what I found really amazing! From level 1 to level 16, you're being cluttered with quests! Now this is more like it. Spoon feeding a little perhaps on what to do next but what's a MMORPG without roleplaying in quests? If you don't like questing, then you can also go out into the fields and duke it out with monsters.

I'm still enjoying the game, after 5 days of playing. However, I'm kinda sad to see that there are lots of channels per server yet when it comes to peak times, it's hard to connect and continue to play the game. But probably that's another reason why I like this game, this game has potential. More players in the game, the more popular the game is. Unless... wait, unless this game is already filled with bots, then that's another story.

Game: My Mini City

I've seen a couple of people post their links to their mini city and then I thought that it would just be a waste of my time. However, today probably just is different. I don't really know what's happening but I've taken the time to click every link to every mini city found in the forum of RagnaBoards. Curiousity perhaps, but another hobby to add to my collection to ease away the pain.

Introducing to you, My Mini City, an online mini version of the Sims! Quite easy to set up, just go into the site, then input your preferred city name, then choose a location where your city will reside and in a second or so, your city is completely built and ready for you to spread the news of your newfound city.

The links at the left are choices of which part of the city you want to develop. Population, industry, transport, security, environment, and business sectors are there at your disposal as your population increases. You do have control on what people can click on by providing the necessary link so that your city can develop.

People can also interact with each other through the use of the chatbox. And people can see the development of the city during each visit.

Right now, I've founded a city named, "Van de Sarr," which is a special name for me since I was in high school. The history of that name, I'll reveal that some other time. For now, please click on the link so that my city will have a good start. Thanks

http://van-desarr.myminicity.com/

Typhoon Fengshen (Frank)

As I type this update, heavy rains and strong winds is being experienced here, although PAGASA did give out that the signal for this provice is set at signal number 3.

Earlier today, a 2-3 hour brownout happened and the water supply for today is probably closed down due to that loss of electricity to pump the water out. Either that or the technician who turns on the water pump on during the mornings is incapable of doing it due to the weather. I can't blame him/them, I'm also scared to go outside and witness the awesomeness of nature.

But the good thing for this weather, well for me, is that it will be cooler during the daytime and really cold at night, which I favor cold weathers.

You can read the latest updates HERE.

Games: Dragon Cave

Well, being busy with browsing internet and playing online games may sound tiring but that doesn't stop me from getting some side hobbies such as browser games and the likes. Well, here's a browser type tamagochi, which I think it is except that you don't feed it. You keep watch over its lifetime, from an egg to a hatchling to a full grown adult dragon. Not sure if they'll produce eggs if they mate with another...

So here I'll share my dragons with you all.




My Scroll

You can see their current status by clicking on My Scroll. Somewhat a good sight to see you have dragons in your possession and they require little attention. Good day.

Where the Hell is Matt?

This may sound random but since life is so random that you cannot predict what's going to happen in the near future, probably I'd like to share a youtube find that I stumbled upon, which I thought was inspirational and moving in a sense that this guy just went around the world just to make this video happen.

Here's the clip:




My first impression, why was a guy dancing around in the middle of a town? But then when the music started and various places were shown with people running to join him, that's where it all starts. If you still cannot feel the energy and passion from the clip, then probably you need to watch it again and after that, it's up to you if you can see that.

This clip just made my day.


For more information about him, you can visit these sites (posted along with the description on the left side in youtube)

www.wherethehellismatt.com
www.stridegum.com

Ragnarok: Mail System

Despite the fact that the mail system was removed recently by LU due to the mail spam automatic DC of the recipient which hindered their gameplay during siege time. For more information about the incident regarding the bug abuse of the mail system, click HERE.


A brief overview of the mail system introduced in the Hugel episode:

You can access your Ragnarok in-game mail through the many Mailbox NPCs located throughout the major cites of Midgard. They are usually located near Kafra Girls and they cost a small amount of zeny to access. Simply click on t to open your mailbox.

You can read mail by clicking on the subject of the mail in your inbox. The name of the sender is on top, the subject at the bottom. In the example below, the sender is AuctionManager and the subject is Auction. Unread mail is marked with a yellow mail envelope icon to the left.

If you click on the name of the sender, you will open up the Write Mail page and you will be ready to send a mail to the sender.

You can receive items and zeny from other players through mail. One kind of item can be sent for each mail and items may be stacked if they are the same type. If you receive items/zeny through your mail from other players or from the auction house, simply click on the zeny/item in the lower right of the mail window to claim the item. From here you can Return the mail with all the attached zeny/items, Reply to the mail, or delete the mail via the Remove button.

Finally you can write your own mail to other players and you can even send them zeny/items. Click on the Write tab or reply to any of the mail sent to you. Make sure that the character name is typed in exactly the way it should be or you might send it to the wrong person. Type in the subject of your mail and then you can type your message in the large space in the middle. You can attach zeny by clicking on the Zeny AMT button, typing in the amount of zeny you wish to send and clicking on the Ok button that appears before sending your mail. To attach an item, simply drag the item to the box in the lower right beside the word Zeny. Click on the Send button and your mail is sent!

Source: http://ragnarok.levelupgames.ph/episode14/mailbox.html


With the Mailbox NPC gone, poor owl, there's no possible way to send mail to another player and have a bot abuse its bug. A slight detail that might have been forgotten. You can still send mail to ANYONE in the server as long as you have a party. How? Here's a quick demonstration.


























This can also be done using the Friend List Window. The reason why I knew about this beforehand was while leveling, you'd get overweight due to picking up loots and overtime you need to go back to town, which is time-consuming since there's no butterfly wing in Valhalla. So I discovered this by sending most of the loots through the mail system to my other account containing my OC/DC merchant and pick it up later after power leveling.

I do hope that this bug abuse of the mail system be resolved as soon as possible, since Agit Lords is quite a big deal when it comes to fair sportsmanship.

Gaming: Dracula's Riddle

More of an online puzzle mind-game where it tries to make you use your mind, eye for details, and common sense. These types of online game or riddles, whatever you want to call them, but I'd still call it a game since you do progress in terms of level and there's a certain rule that you need to apply in order to go to the next riddle. Going back, these types of games are for those who like to challenge themselves and spent time on solving riddles, much more like people in CSI episodes or any fact-finding solve the mystery and find the solution at the end type of genre.

But with Dracula's Riddle, there's somewhat of a mysterious horror theme added to it. More on tackling Dracula, mythology, and other forms found in horror/mystery series. Images make it more interesting to play, the text are somewhat a giveaway sometimes to the answers, but most of it are used as clues. Sounds and files are also incorporated for you to download (it is virus free, the reason why this has become a popular one) and movie clips that are needed to be watched in order to get the answer. Yes, some are a bit creepy but was there any daring adventurer who went into great depths to get his/her answer or goals without facing creepy or hard situations? Very rare I guess, but a daring player must face their fear. I still have some nights where I had nightmares just by listening to a portion of the sound file that needed to be played. I still can see a still shot of a part of a movie clip that creeped me out. But after awhile, it just grew up on me and I moved on. Fears are part of life, so if you don't take it now, the question would be when? hehehe

Enough of life experiences and on with this Dracula's Riddle review. I'm progressing with my girlfriend with this since we both like these types of games. We work together and then just laugh out loud after getting the answer after several hours of thinking of the riddle where the solution was just under our noses. If you have time, I'd like to invite you guys to just try this out. The site is www.draculasriddle.co.uk, you can start at level 1 or you could continue playing at some certain level if you know the link to that level. I'd recommend you do try this without searching for the answer or hints from others. May be practice for those who like a challenge of mind-boggling riddles or may be useful in improving your detective skills and help in your field and/or career. Well then, I'd be better of going to sleep now, been busy with it as well as other games. If I have time, I'd probably write another post with hints on levels that we've passed through, currently we're on level 19: Second Hall. We're on no rush to finish it, it is after all, a good mental exercise. Good luck!

Movie: Hancock (trailer)

A hard-living superhero who has fallen out of favor with the public enters into a questionable relationship with the wife of the public relations professional who's trying to repair his image.

- imdb.com

Another superhero movie with a comedy twist. Not the typical movie for a superhero but since Will Smith is in it, I gotta see this. The trailer does show some funny and damaging scenes, probably the reason why I'd like to watch it. Enjoy.

Movie: Wanted (trailer)

I've decided to make all movie posts into one with an exception of watched movies will have a review and the movies to be watched will have a (trailer) at the title. This way, my blog will be more organized and nothing will be left out or hard to find. Anyways, this movie was previewed 3 months ago at the cinemas where I and my girlfriend watch and I'm still waiting for this movie to be shown. Here's a brief summary from imdb.com and the trailer.

"Wanted" tells the tale of one apathetic nobody's transformation into an unparalleled enforcer of justice.

My expectations would be that this will be a great action movie, Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman as part of its cast, although I don't really know the main character (actor). This movie will be part of my "movies to watch" list.

Movie: 21

I've gotten a chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy this movie at Robinsons Metro East. Great mix with a large Coke Zero! Anyways, here's the movie plot enough to not spoil the movie, coming from imdb.com, "'21' is the fact-based story about six MIT students who were trained to become experts in card counting and subsequently took Vegas casinos for millions in winnings." Now, I'm fond of casino movies but this one has pulled its strings and entertained me throughout that I watched it the second time around.

My say on the movie, it was well done. The twists at the end was spectacular. Actors were well-picked. Another good movie to watch. Enjoy the trailer. ^_^

Crazy Kart published by Level-Up Games

CRAZY KART PHILIPPINES
Game Type: Casual
Genre: Racing (Cute)
Developer: Shanda (China)
Publisher: Level Up Philippines
Business Model: Free-to-Play (Item Mall)
Game Features
Free-to-Play
Medium System requirements (to be announced soon)
Individual or team-based race battles
Easy to learn
Easy to control (with drifting)
Lots of Cars to choose from
Personalize your avatars
Bet your points on races
Fun to play
Official Site: http://www.crazykart.ph


An online multiplayer racing game with anime looking graphics, no wonder this game became popular. Probably the first online racing game to be launched in the Philippines, I think this will prove to be success since majority of the people are into the mood of burning out tires, drifting their way into victory, and the thrill of winning after betting a lumpsum of money (based on what they did say on the teaser site, I conclude that this may happen). I'm going to try to be one of the closed beta players and how to share my racing experiences in this upcoming game.

Be There - Funky Munky

Be There, a new innovative web browser site introduced by Level-Up Games PH. It's more of a collection of flash games where gamers come in, log into their account, and play for fun. There's a multi-player portion of the site, where you can duke it out and beat other players. This reminds me of kongregate.com, yet this site does need some finishing touches, as well as more features. First time I've tried it, most of the games aren't that top-notch. I'd rather play in miniclip.com. Just wanted for others to know that this exists. Maybe, just maybe, in the near future, when I do come back to play, they've added more features such as badges for points. As for the meantime, I'd be playing in kongregate.com. No offense but there's more work to be done on Be There.

Here's a list of what should be improved on:

• When playing a game, it takes you to a page where there's no menu or back button to go back to the games list so that you can try out other games. Players would not want to be stuck on that game after they've completed or got sick of playing the game.
• The welcome message. Funny Munky is probably monkeying around with the computer typing that message. Who would read a message where there's no paragraph that welcomes the player? I mean, the message contains all the necessary greetings and tips for the new registered player but who would read a long message filled with sentences? I'd bet people would get bored reading the first 3 or 5 sentences and just close the message and go directly to the games list. Here's what it looks like:



Well, it is still in beta stage. I guess I'll just wait for it to blossom since it's just started to grow.