What is not to love about GeForce as a PC Gamer? We love it all, right? 

But wait! There is more! Last year I took the leap into something very impressive and new called the  NVIDIA GeForce Experience. In a nutshell "GeForce Experience automatically keeps your drivers up to date and your games optimized". It is connected to my Steam account where most of my PC games are purchased from. However, it automatically detected all games installed on my Laptop and PC and set each one (that is on their specific list) for optimization. The supported gaming optimization list is growing daily. When you jump from game to game as I do, you have to take time to tweak the game graphics and so much more before you can even begin the play. This program does that for you, and it keeps your drivers, including 3D, up to date. As a person who owns 100s of PC games, this is as good as it gets! 

In a recent update I downloaded today, it offered a Beta program to broadcast live to Twitch, where I have had an account for many years. I find this exciting because let's face it, live streaming can be a pain unless you are on a console gaming, in which case they make simplistic RCA cable hook-ups for HD recording and streaming. I know, I have these easy cables. PC is a whole different ball game though, especially if you want your face in the corner of your live streaming game or recording. I will say this, they have made it much easier over the last 10-12 years, but still, not an easy task.  

The one year anniversary of the release just passed in January and it was officially released in May. I have been using it since that time and the updates are phenomenal. They are not backing down one bit. 'For these PC newcomers, and for existing players, configuring PC games was a daunting task due to acronym-laced settings menus filled with dozens of options, and undocumented detail levels. With a single click, GeForce Experience solved this age-old problem, automatically configuring games to give players the perfect balance between performance and image quality, based on their specific system specifications.' DAUNTING. 

This is a true game changer that everyone has been waiting for. 
Want some of the action for your GeForce? Go here: GeForce Download. 

You can find all of the NVIDIA videos on their channel on YouTube or you can simply visit their page which I also linked above for a quick rundown video of features. 

The question is this: do you have NVIDIA GeForce? 

Source: NVIDIA

I've tried posting this a few times. The first issues involved uploading the video directly to this site instead of YouTube, which is a whole beast of a blog in itself. Thanks, Google+, you're a gem.  Then the text color appeared black, which matched the background making it impossible to read. Tonight I went back in this post and did the trusty old copy and paste into notepad to make the text color pop up correctly. Here is my general issue: I usually blog from the iPhone/iPad app because I am never home. Like I stated before, it has a few bugs to work out...and they will be worked out soon! 

Back to the goodies...
I got in line at my local store about 10:30pm and waited anxiously for midnight to roll around with all the 15-25 year old boys for this big, bad Xbox One because that's my gig. This specific Xbox One is a "Day One Special Release" with a limited amount available for purchase. The store I was at only had 9, as with the other stores, so that tells you where I was in line. I got the fourth one. I so deeply wish I didn't have blogging issues because I made this teaser soon after arriving home along with a detailed talking walk-through of my unboxing, first voice/hand commands and gameplay thoughts of Call of Duty: Ghosts. Now it seems ridiculous because everyone else already unboxed it and posted their Xbox One video.


Here you go! It is a simple 34 second video, a teaser as stated. Should I even bother splicing, dicing and posting the talking walk-through? Maybe. I know one thing for sure! I really want to show you the voice commands in action because they take lazy to a whole new level. 

Click the photo to take you directly to the original command sheet, which may be much larger. 

Hello, Strangers! Remember me? I've fallen behind on my blogging because of some minor bugs that are being worked out by some spectacular people who host my space at Weebly.

It happens.

Life still happens.

Great things still happen.

Life is still grand!

My world still rotates on a gravitational field built on scifi, gaming and zombies!

I have so many updates for you including books, comics, new TV series, new movies, new cosplay I have put together but haven't had the opportunity to wear, games (PC and console), new apps, iOS7, iPhone 5, places I've been, physical changes (HAIR!!) and more.

Mostly, this beautiful Xbox One: Day One Special Edition, which I have not opened. So be prepared for the unboxing, initial thoughts, first gameplay with Call of Duty: Ghosts and more.

I look forward to jumping back in here and telling you where I've been lately! Here are some hints on a few things I will be sharing.

LL&P!

I absolutely love a good indie game with a GREAT back story for its development, which you can read in the paragraph below. Evoland is my new happy place. It takes me from my first pixel gaming experiences back in the day, like Zelda, Mario, Final Fantasy and even Pong, to full blown modern graphics all by earning it with rewards. It is easy to play getting more complicated along the way, continuously fun to play and has very addictive gameplay. All things I look for in a game, no matter what the genre. 

"Evoland is a game and a story. The story of action adventure gaming as seen in the Zelda or Final Fantasy series, starting with the early age of action RPGs, when a few pixels were enough to make us dream for hours. New players will discover a bit of video game history and a very fun gameplay, and veterans will also enjoy a host of references to legendary titles scattered along the game. Evoland Classic was originally created by Nicolas Cannasse for a Ludum Dare competition in about 30 hours. Turns out the game won the first place (out of around 1400 games) and quickly reached over 300 000 players within a couple of months. With such a great feedback from our community and given our love for the original concept, we decided that Shiro Games should work on a bigger and more refined version of the game.
The game will enhance and continue the story started in Evoland Classic, taking you further along the history of action adventure gaming, adding collectible items, new monsters and bosses, and more importantly new play styles and full 3D environments!"-Evoland Website

Here are reviews found on Steam, where you can get this game for a mere $10.00 for hours of amusement.

“If You Like Final Fantasy Or Zelda, You Need To Play Evoland”
Kotaku

“Evoland is a fascinating study of the adventure game genre, and surprisingly funny at the same time.”
Wired

“Evoland's elements form a love letter to some of the most venerated games in their respective genres, and it's surprising just how well the shifting gameplay types work together”
Destructoid

“Evoland is a fantastic advert for indie gaming. It's creative, unique, highly entertaining and wonderfully nostalgic. This is a must-play.”
eGamer

This photo is self explanatory as stated above. You start the game out in a beautifully black and white retro world, unlocking colors, dimensions and graphics along the way, and eventually you have a full blown weapons, chests to open along the way, and a monster boss filled game plus so much more. 


Below is a short video trailer with gameplay. There are 3 options to purchase the game through Shiro Games, all for $10.00. Steam offers it, Gog.com offers it and you can buy it direct for your PC from Shiro Games using PayPal. 

Down to the nitty-gritty. You can play the original game free on their website within the browser. Be very aware, this is not the version that is available now, it is the game built in 30 hours that caught on and lead to the upgrades. You can support them by adding a Like on their Facebook page and getting this small indie company and their developers more attention that they so deserve. That is free and easy enough, right? You can also follow them on Twitter if you wish. I have found a simple retweet can help many great causes and/or help bring attention to things that you enjoy. 

Now shew! Go support something worthwhile, affordable, awesome and full of addictive fun for all ages! 

I have an addictive personality. It protrudes and oozes from this very spot on the internet. I have bought the whole app store out along with iTunes. I have more comics than I know what to do with. My bedroom has been overrun by action figures. I can't get enough of the convention life and cosplay. I wait in line at midnight like a child for the newest video game releases that I consider "very important games of the year". I marathon tv series. I mean marathon tv series, like sit down for a weekend, don't sleep and watch a whole series. The list goes on and on.

What don't you know? I'm obsessed with my spin bike. I bite my fingernails. I am a workaholic. I have a car obsession. I have more tee-shirts than most tee-shirt stores. Again, the list goes on and on. True, much of this can all be summed up in one medical term: OCD.

Why am I telling you this? To prepare you for my newest addiction. Steam. http://store.steampowered.com/

Yes, Steam has been around for many years, but recent improvements have managed to draw me in. The best way for me to sum up Steam is it's a social gaming site where you can buy deeply discounted games. Steam is free, fun and it allows you to connect and track your games and achievements along with friends. I strongly suggest you take your PC for a drive. There is nothing better than the graphics and game-play of a PC game.

Some benefits:

-It's FREE....until you start buying games at up to 75% off.
-You get your own social page where you can add friends, chat, leave comments, and play multiplayer games together with Steam chat or talk in-game.
-There are workshops that show you how to make mods on games, like Skyrim.
-They frequently offer free weekends to try out the newest, best games.
-Unbelievable amounts of extra DLC (downloadable content) for games you will never get from a console game.
-I'm there, look me up Jenocidal Steam.

The list continues.

Apparently this blog doesn’t update by itself.

I have been preoccupied lately. Not to mention the stupendous restraint I have when it comes to holding onto my procrastination.

Work: What the hell is up with work? I put in a transfer many weeks ago. I requested the following locations: San Diego (general vicinity) or Seattle, WA (general vicinity). My current employer does have locations in both areas. Where do they decide to send me? San Francisco, CA. The one place on earth I never want to live again. I have been there, done that and I never wish to do anything but visit. I, of course, had to turn that location down and put in paperwork for yet another transfer to the same areas I requested previously. After I got the news for San Francisco, I was beyond pissed. I took the day off, drove four hours one way to the main offices and gave them the ultimatum, send me or I will go my own way without them. I am not sure where they will find someone that has no life and is willing to put in 16-20 hours a day in a moments notice. Good luck with that guys. End work rant.

Health: I had shoulder surgery not too long ago and I reinjured it in Joplin, MO during the initial search and rescue from the tornado (see previous blogs). Surgery is in my future again. One year, maybe sooner, I will realize I am not 20 years old anymore and give up the longboarding. But, it seems to be the only form of exorcise I actually like. Everything is telling me to stop, so you don’t need to tell me anymore. 

Personal life: Ziltch. Nodda. I would love to say I have this great personal life full of exciting updates. Yeah, no. However, I am currently working on that. <insert golf claps here> With the big ziltch of a personal life, I am free to do other things. Okay, not really. But I will update you on my “favorite things of the month” now.

Comics: I am still obsessed with Dark Horse and Top Cow. What I started reading that is *new* for me: Hellboy and Mr. Hyde (Dark Horse). Berserker (Top Cow), which is fucking brilliant.

Berserker!

TV: Since Netflix came out with Star Trek, I really haven’t watched anything new. Some of you know I watch one reality series, Big Brother, which started last night. There is nothing better than watching strangers bang or masturbate in a pool box on the live streams. Oh Howie, you Beefcake! Speaking of naked, the biggest, most bad ass show on TV is Game of Thrones! Joffrey, DIE. If you haven’t watched this series, you are missing out on excellent writing, brilliant film work and acting that will make you cry. Seriously, make it so. Oh, read the books first. As with anything, the books are always better!

Games: I am only playing Call of Duty (xbox) and Minecraft (PC) currently. Do I have tons of other games? Yes. On iPad I am playing Order and Chaos. This game is amazing. It is very similar to World of Warcraft, only better because it travels with you. The graphics and gameplay are both amazing. My iPad fun game is Call of Mini: Zombies. It is a FPS (First Person Shooter) that is so smooth and bloody, I can’t seem to put it down. The consistent in-game upgrades make me want to play more.

That is all for now. I am taking photos of my cosplay for San Diego Comic Con, but full on photos will have to wait. I know I promised an update and you will get one. SDCC is so close I can taste the first edition comics now.

The freshest photos I have of myself (taken this past week).

Geek SQUEEEEE! Call of Duty? Beta Testing? I am there!

BOOM!

Headshot.

DOUBLE RAINBOW!

What can I say about iPad 2? It has set my LOL-OCD-ADD into full rage mode. I've literally forgotten about my laptop and netbook. Yes, I'm blogging from the iPad right now. Go Posterous app!

I am a long time fan and a long time member of the "AT&T Rapes My Wallet Monthly" crew. After much debate and research, I opted for the Verizon iPad. They have more data plans available at better pricing and they have better service in rural areas. Did my research pay off? Only time will tell. I am 100% satisfied with the service they have offered and provided thus far.

In other news:

Where have I been? You can always find me on Twitter being a geeky numbskull (@TrekJen). Or you can also find me with a bloody nose from walking into walls from my newest gadget anywhere there is wifi and 3G. *Coming to a town near you this summer

I've jumped back into the world of XBox. After weeks of going without online competition from the hacking of Playstation/Sony, I broke down. If I didn't just get Mortal Kombat for PS3 and get denied my online skull smashing of little boys, I would have held out longer.

What I've occupied my time with:
-Book I'm reading: Darkness Under the Sun by Dean Koontz
-Album I'm playing the most: Hot Sauce Committee Part Two by the Beastie Boys
-Games I'm playing the most: Force Unleashed 2 (Xbox, just started the game)
Minecraft (PC)
Socom (PSP)
Mortal Kombat offline mode (Playstation 3)
Battlefield Bad Company 2 (iPad)
Star Trek Online (PC) (barely playing because it needs so much time)
-TV show I'm watching: Lost (Yes, again, and I'm behind on everything else)
-New comics I'm reading this month: All the Star Trek elder TOS spin off series by IDW (finally) and this doesn't include my weekly pick ups at the store.
-Best movie I've seen this month: Thor
-Worst movie I've seen this month: Green Hornet
-What I'm eating the most: Red Vines
-My beverage addiction of the month: Snapple Green and Black Raspberry Tea
-What I've ordered online the most this month: Ript Teeshirts (I'm horribly addicted)
-Times have I taken my longboards apart: 23 (since I can't ride right now, it's only logical)

I just found out today that the leak we all heard about last week from GAME site is true. Of course, the flyer announcing this has since been removed. Activision and Microsoft will be dropping the $15.00 expansion pack May 3 for 360, PS3 and PC. This is the best kind of accidental leak ever. Below is the flyer that "accidentally" popped up on the site. 

From here it looks like the new maps are as follows: Zoo, Hotel, Convoy, Stockpile, Co-op Zombie Mode. 

Thank you GAME. I knew I loved Australians for some reason.