Like most big mergers, this one is good for EA, but bad for consumers. Its an economic principle that when you reduce the number of suppliers (EA and Take-Two supply video games), consumers suffer. By removing possible alternatives, EA is making it possible to give less for more. And when I say less, you have to realize whats at stake here.

 

Grand Theft Auto IV, released a little more than a week ago, broke all the records for first day and week sales, bringing in about $500 million in revenue. EA could never hope to do anything like that. So how is Take-Two, a smaller company, able to do so? Because for generations, they have maintained a quality brand, and kept improving on it while gaining loyalty among players. But perhaps most importantly, they have persevered through some fierce opposition. Take-Two has had its advertisements taken down, its games pulled from store shelves, and been hit with more law suits then one could image. And what have they done about it? Absolutely nothing. Nothing but continue to provide us with the most innovative violent games. Those who dont spend their time blowing the whistle on it, appreciate that. In a way, Take-Two is defending out constitutional rights in a time when they are slowly being encroached upon.

 

EA taking over Take-Two would mean the death of games and series'. They simply dont have the innovation to come up with these things, and they're not willing to push the limits. When it comes to pushing the limits of consoles and hardware, I cant think of any EA games that have really done that. Where as Take to, for example in GTA: San Andreas, really took the experience to a new level. Plenty of their games had impressive new features, that at one point may not have seemed possible. The other kind of limit, is that of the public. What would EA do when parents become outraged, or lawyers threatened to sue, politicians started taking action? My prediction would be to fold, stop the game, edit it, water it down, make it bearable to the critics. I believe they would do so, even if it meant quashing some of the creativity from a (very profitable) subsidiary like Rockstar, assuming they left it intact. That is the key problem that would cost them almost everything they could gain from Take-Two. You never hear about EA getting involved in any lawsuits or at the center of any other controversy, because they dont do anything controversial. Not a good quality for hoping to take over such a company.

 

I'm not simply bashing EA here. They have been around a long time, and made some great games. I cant deny that. But I think they are ill-suited to take the helm of a very different company like Take-Two. Just because they are in a position to buy out Take-Two, doesnt mean they are necessarily better. EA is good, but they have never sold 9 million copies in a week. That is why I encourage all customers and shareholders of Take-Two to reject any offer by EA. They just delivered a record breaking game, and if allowed, I feel GTA V could end up doing the same some day, with many more to come.

 

 

 

 

GTA IV: Purchased - 12:20, April 29th. Completed - 9:30, May 2nd.

 

First thoughts: Amazing. The graphics were the first things that struck me. GTA in general has never been known for them, but it was so detailed. The physics were also impressive. You could pick up small stuff and throw it, a lot of the objects were movable, as opposed to previous games where they all were either stuck down or broke into a million intangible pieces when struck, and disappeared. It was a very small touch, but it was noticed. And thats what GTA IV is all about: the small things that make a big difference. I found it awsome that you could lose Niko's hat. (Slightly less awsome that I was unable to pick it up again though, and had to buy a new one each time.) Seems somewhat pointless, but things like that really show through.

 

Playing though, I encountered some disappointments. With as much hype as GTA IV received, that was to be expected, and  it doesnt take away from the experience. Rockstar had promised buildings with complete interiors. They fell short on that one. The apartment buildings had stair wells that went all the way up to the roof (sometimes). Businesses sometimes had a back door to an alley. But aside from that, it wasn't what I expected. I remember somewhere, cops could chase you into a building and you could go out a window on the other side, or down a fire escape. I only found one such building, and it was tied with a mission. The number of buildings you could go in was pretty low too. And you couldn't buy any houses or other properties like previous games.

 

Speaking of being chased by cops, that was different too. The new system was certainly different. Police were a bit less aggressive at 1 and 2 stars, and easier to get away from. However, at 3 and 4, they were nearly impossible to escape. And I never got a higher wanted level than that (except when I tried to visit a child porn website on GTA IV's own web browser. Now thats realism.) Changing outfits didnt get rid of them, and old reliable Pay N'Spray only worked when the cops couldn't see you enter. As for switching cars in a discreet location, I never got that to work either. The cops always seemed to pop up  when you least wanted them to. Swat teams also packed some heavier firepower and more armor. Fighting and escaping from police became less of a fun challenge, and more of a difficult chore.

 

A big factor in GTA has always been the humor. Innuendo, double meanings, plays on words, obscene references. Liberty City was full of them, and this was even magnified by the internet. Maybe not the most practical thing for GTA, but they made good use of it. All that stuff about uploading resumés and getting jobs online, was again only featured in one mission. But some characters stayed in touch via e-mail, such as Niko's mother, as well as some very realistic spam. The internet also turned out to be Niko's main way of finding a date. Welcome to the 21st century. But for the most part, the internet was full of humor. Tons of popular websites and products where made fun of. Im sure Rockstar even upset a number of people by poking fun at Apple (iFruit) and Unix (Eunix). Get over it, its not just a game about shooting and killing, it requires a sense of humor as well, and thats all there is to it.

 

The pedestrians and the AI were much improved. No two people looked alike from what I could tell. They were smarter too. And just the visual effects when Niko bumped into them or knocked them down was very realistic. You could hear peoples conversations, and even their annoying cell phones ringing. The police were smarter too. They could use cover, and sneak around behind you, and do all kinds of stuff. The controls were different as well. They took some getting used to though. They were changed to include the new cover system, which was very good, though I didnt use it much simply because I was not used to it in GTA. But enemies used it, and they used it well. It made them quite hard to get at. The new aiming system was also rather good, but not without its downsides. If there's a guy hiding behind a wall, and one above thats shooting at you, you cant easily target the one thats shooting, and its also hard to go into manual aiming. I like the controls from San Andreas better, but I have to give Rockstar credit for redesigning them. Playing on the PS3, I also had the option of using Sixaxis for some things. The only problem was, it was rather difficult and thus pointless. I remember standing flinging the controller every which way trying to get Niko to reload, when one button would have accomplished that. To ride a motorcycle the correct way, the control hard to be held in an awkward flat position. It was a nice attempt at including the feature, but I think playing was easier without it.

 

I would say there was 2 stars in GTA IV. The first one was not Niko, but Liberty City. It was a very tasteful (or tasteless, depending on how you look at it) parody of New York. And it was vast and detailed. I was hoping I wouldn't see so many façades of buildings that were just textures like the same bunch of generic businesses plastered over blocks and blocks of Vice City, San Andreas, and the former Liberty City. But I didnt see quite so much of it repeated over and over, and I was quite surprised when I shot at or punched one of these textures and got glass-like noises and white/clear bits coming off. Maybe they couldn't come up with something original and detailed for every building, but that was definitely a nice touch. While Liberty City was very large and impressive, there were times when it was just too much. The map would likely take half an hour or more to drive from one end to the other, but who wants to take half an hour just to drive somewhere? My preferred method of transportation became the taxi. All you have to do is select your destination, push a button, and in seconds, you're there. Though the cars were also more realistic. They all handled quite differently, but much like real life, I found a lot of different 4 door cars that all looked very similar. I liked it better when all the cars were unique enough where you could tell them apart. You could also take damage in cars by getting shot or crashing into things. Crash hard enough, and Niko even goes through the windshield. The only downside was, the city was so vast, I often got bored before I got where I was going. This was a serious short coming when it came to free-roaming replay value.

 

The 2nd star: Niko and the rest of the characters, coming together in a beautiful plot. In the beginning, the turnover rate for Niko's bosses was rather high. A couple missions for each one, and... Im not going to ruin anything for anyone, but dont get too attached to anyone. There were times where things seemed a bit random or dis-coherent, like when somehow I ended up doing missions for an aspiring rap star, or an Irish gang, but Niko made it very clear to all his employers that he was only working for money. It would have been nice to stick with a certain more relevant group for a while. The whole Eastern European character just doesnt seem to fit in getting so involved with the Irish, or an Alderney wannabe mafia family. But loyalties truly do not exist in GTA IV. That's as much as I can say without spoiling anything. The difference between GTA IV and others, is definitely the main character. I didnt feel so much like I was Niko Bellic, but more often, I really felt for him. He is quite a tragic character. In other GTAs, you fight your way to the top of a city or gang or criminal empire, and generally end with a satisfying victory. Not GTA IV. You dont become a big boss, you dont run a gang, you dont end up with a huge mansion, or anything grand like that. One of your enemies even goes without being dealt with. At the end of the game, you're still Niko Bellic, an Eastern European immigrant with a sad story. And at the end of the final mission, Niko is anything but happy. There's two endings, both of them almost equally depressing. I have my preference for one, neither one is very uplifting. There are also choices through out the game. You can choose to kill a character or let them live, and sometimes you get to choose between killing two characters. Over all, I cant see where the choices made a big difference though. There's one where you can money or something else from it, one of them effects some conversations on the drive back, the rest dont seem to matter either way. Though there is a final choice where the missions branch out into two endings. The final mission is very similar in both, but the end result is a bit different. If I had to classify GTA IV into a genre, it would definitely be a drama. Its not like a typical video game where you could call it a shooter or an RPG or action. Its a full blown drama.

 

That being said, id like to address the critics. Grand Theft Auto IV is not a game. Sony and Microsoft will tell you that their consoles are not mere toys, but entertainment and media outlets. Thinking about video games and consoles should not conjure up mental images of cute characters and little children. Much like TV or movies, there is a range of content, not all of which is suitable for minors. I find that most of the parents and other concerned groups railing against GTA IV do not understand it. Sure, the game is a bad influence, and not for children, and there's quite a bit to complain about. But at least get your facts straight. Its not about killing prostitutes or glorifying criminal acts. There are choices to make, and consequences, much like in the real world. The developers tried hard to make GTA IV realistic. You can get drunk in the game, but its not some kind of mini-game where thats the point. You can go out drinking, and you have to decide how to get home. It even hints that you should take a cab, which is good advice. In real life, thats what one should do, and if anything GTA IV realistically reinforces that. Being drunk makes it hard to walk straight, hard to drive, and if you do drive, you can get pulled over by the cops. Am I talking about real life or GTA IV? Both! Id much prefer if all the kids out there learned this way, by getting Niko Bellic drunk, trying to drive home, hitting some pedestrians and getting hauled off to jail by the LCPD than going out and trying it on their 21st birthday in the real world, and experiencing the real consequences. There is not some great revelation that young people experience on their 17th or 18th birthday, that suddenly makes them mature enough to know right from wrong and be able to handle violent material. GTA IV is no worse than what you see on TV or in the movies, or online, or in real life. Its also no easier for minors to acquire than a porno, a violent film, alcohol, or any of the other vices of this world. We have freedom of expression in the United States, and that should not be pushed aside as a replacement for good parenting. Good parenting means teaching children right from wrong, and giving them the understanding they need to make such decisions on their own in the real world, and to keep those decisions separate from their experiences in games, the internet, television, etc. It does NOT mean shielding them from everything that could possibly be considered inappropriate or a bad influence. To ban, block or otherwise obstruct the legal sale of Grand Theft Auto IV, to consumers over the age of 17 (thats the rating, disagree? Take it up with the ESRB, not Rockstar), makes about as much sense as trying to outlaw all violent or sexual moves, television shows, adult films, alcohol, weapons, and even sex itself. To do so would go against many of the rights guaranteed to us by the US Constitution, and by effectively eliminate young children in time (unless there's a big increase in popularity of test tube babies), and eventually our population. All of the parents, lawyers, activist groups, and anyone else who wants to stop GTA IV, are obviously not mature enough themselves to handle its content, and I'm not sure how they handle living in the free world.

 

In conclusion, while I must say Grand Theft Auto IV had its share of little disappointments, it made up for it in sheer detail, quality, content, and humor. Much like GTA 3, it is hailing a new generation of entertainment, and is unlike anything ive seen before. Unless you are strictly morally opposed to the graphic content of the game, I encourage you all to go out and buy it. Its well worth it, and is the Grand Theft Auto experience to its fullest, and pushed to new limits. Like all of its reviews ive seen before, I have to give it a perfect 10 / 10. If you took the time and actually read this article, I (Rysc, aka Red Valdez) appreciate it.

 

 

 

 

*the following strategies also work at school in most cases. Also good ideas if you intend to get fired*

 

 

So, what do you do when your bored at work? Heres some suggestions:

 

1. Play with office supplies - you'd be surprised at what you can with the basic things in every office: paper, rubber bands, paper clips, staplers, pencils, and the like. Use your imagination, weather you want to pretend to be MacGyver or just get some target practice, you have everything you need. Im not gonna list all the things you can do, but classics like the paper airplane or paper football can keep you busy for a while, or try bending a paper clip into a triangular shape, then pushing down on it with you finger; if done correctly, it will spring several feet in the air.

 

2. Computer Games - Not much beats a good old game of solitaire. Every office/cubicle/desk has a computer: your gateway to entertainment. You can find some online games, read celebrity gossip, email your friends, play hearts, and so much more.  Just 1 problem, getting caught. It happens to the best of us, chances are your not gonna get fired for it,  so just act like you wont do it again. A good way to avoid getting caught is to open another Internet Explorer window and leave it. When somebody pops in, instead of suspiciously closing everything you were doing, just pop open the other window with your homepage, MSN, or a company page, and act like you were just getting ready to do something.

 

3. Take a walk - Just stroll around the office for a while. You can wander aimlessly for a very long time, just remember to hit certain points so it looks like your going somewhere. Some must stop places include the bathroom, watercooler, copy machine, vending machine, and break room. Stop and chat with everyone you run into and can stand talking to, anything from a simple "hi, how are you" , a more detailed "what did you do last weekend?" or even some business related talk. In an average sized office, you can waste at least 20 minutes doing this. Important advice tho: dont avoid your boss, if you do they will think that is your objective and want to know what you've been up to. If your reading this guide, chances are your day has been slightly less productive than could be expected.

 

4. Fake Work - If you've been doing 1 - 3 too much and are now being scrutinized or just want to look like your hard at work to impress your boss or say... an auditor?  Put a spreadsheet up on your computer, grab a pen and some paperwork, and proceed to daydream. It will be almost impossible to tell weather your hard at work, or about to doze off. Some pen motion helps too, just wiggle it around, no need to write anything. Want the whole office to know your working(when your not), heres what you do: ask questions, ask where things are, ask people in the office, ask other associates on the phone, email or Instant Messenger. You already know the answers to most of the questions you will ask, and probably dont care less, and I bet it just annoys coworkers, but they will all know your working hard(even if your an idiot who must be told the same things over and over)

 

5. Disturb Coworkers - Trying to be annoying can be fun. So, grab your phone, set the ringer to high and put the speakerphone on. Turn the volume on your computer up so the whole office can hear the ping of every email you receive or error in Windows. Stand over peoples shoulders while they work. Throw stuff over the cubicle walls. Tap your pencil on the desk. Have an radio on or alarmclock ready to go off. Email the person sitting right next to you. Interrupt coworkers on the phone. Steal someones lunch from the fridge. By the end of they day, you will be thoroughly entertained and significantly less popular around the office.

 

6. Snack Time - This one is best pulled off during lunch hours or coffee breaks. Spend the lunch/break doing whatever you feel like, until it is almost over. At the time your lunch/break should be over, go get something to eat or a cup of coffee. Return to your office a few minutes late, and enjoy your lunch. Congratulations, you just managed to cut your lunch out of company time. Its ok, everybody knows the least productive hours are between noon and 2PM.

 

7. Office Pranks - Classic office gags are usually apreciated and a great way to waste time. Some of my favorites include glueing a quarter to the floor near the soda machine, leaning a cup of coffee against the bathroom door, re-aranging a coworkers desk, or telling someone that somebody wanted to talk to them when they didnt really.

 

8. Causing Chaos - Warning: these following tricks can seriously disrupt office functions. Office Printers sure are unreliable, eh? Heres a way to put one out of commission for the rest of the day. Open Microsoft Excel and go to cell IV65536, type a period in the cell. Push print. What this does is tell the printer basically to print almost 40,000 sheets of blank paper. Your not wasting ink or paper, but this will inevitably overload the printers cue, making it impossible to cancel the print job. Dont want to completely suspend office printing? You can also turn the printer into a virtual timebomb. Open the paper tray and slightly crumple or fold a sheet and stick it somewhere in the middle. When this page is pulled into the printer, it will become jammed. Ok, not a serious problem, but it can be frustrating and depending on how much printing your office usually does, it can cause a bit of a backup. Same thing with a stapler, stick something in that doesnt belong and the staples will become jammed creating an inconvinience for an unsuspecting coworker. Its pretty funny when something goes wrong, so if you see an oportunity and are bored enough, make an 'honest mistake' that will require someone else to fix

Basically this entry is for all the advertisements I dont wanna cram into that little bar on the side of the main page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also on this page, I would like to thank Arky3k for his generous contribution of the Snowy MSN Messenger Logo

I think its really great

The year is 1609 in Moscow, Russia. After an economic depression, Boris Godunov commissions the "Ivan The Great" Belfry to be built.

 

The timeless idea that Government Spendings would jumpstart the economy is born!