3 Australian sporting events you need a big TV to watch

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© Photographer: Andrew Taylor | Agency: Dreamstime.com

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of a big game on a bigger screen; short of cinema tickets to view the Grand Finals season on the silver displays, the best seats in the house are often those in your own lounge room, where you can move about as you need to, without disturbing anyone else in the process. Beer, popcorn and scantily clad babes during the half-time show, all you need now is a couple of pizzas and a fresh pint in your hands to cool your fingertips and calm your spirits. It’s not over until it’s over and these five Australian sporting events should be entered into your spectator calendar in 2014. Get your mates together, pick up a couple of kegs, order a feed and get ready to witness a modern legend, as national greats take the stage and make your wallet a few dollars heavier.

The State of Origin

Contact football is a staple of the eastern sea-board, the ultimate contact sport played out of the green as two teams determined to be the best of a the bunch, by trial and birth, battle it out for tradition and a trophy. Sure to get your blood boiling, the game attracts a manifold of fan types, from avid lovers to random punters, it’s a fine way to spend a night or three, spurning your opposition and flying the Blue or Maroon loudly and proudly, though not too assuredly, if you’re surrounded by competing team supporters. Don’t take it too seriously and enjoy the athleticism and showmanship of some of the League’s best players.

Bathurst

Nothing beats the lingering odour of burned rubber flying through the long, sweeping Chase chicanes, as engines rumble and drivers prepare themselves to conquer the Mountain in the Bathurst 1000. Mount Panorama is a test of wills and endurance, as drivers chase the privilege of possessing the Peter Brock Trophy and the eponymous title of King of the Mountain, a honorific bestowed on those who nimbly navigate Hell Corner, the brutal Cutting bend and a variety of straights designed to test wits and driving of those who dare to challenge the circuit. Settle in with friends and family, turn the air conditioner on and feel free to yell at the television; it’s an Australian tradition.

The Melbourne Cup

Running horses and racing jockeys, the Melbourne Cup is the day that stops at least half the nation, as workers and leisure seekers line up at the TAB, enjoying a lucky punt and a shot at guessing the trifecta. Some insist there’s a science to the form guide, and while the formulas have yet to be faithfully tested beyond the whims of doubtful bookies, every event is subject to its own urban legends and rituals. Instead of braving the crowds and battling your way to the bar, crowd around your LG Smart TV for the best picture possible, jumping up and down with a few mates as your horse strides into first place and wins by a nose.

Do you have a favourite Australian event we’ve skipped over here? Let us know in the comments below!

Duty Calls - A parody to first person shooter games

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I found this little gem and thought it too good to NOT post it.

If you've ever played a first person shooter game and found it the same old thing, you'll love this video as much as I did.

First person shooters are becoming boring.  I'm hoping someone changes it up soon. Perhaps Duke Nukem Forever when it comes out?


Anyway, enjoy!

- tork

Rift: Planes of Telara Review

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This is a follow-up to my question is it worthwhile playing Rift?

So I've just finished up for the night playing Rift: Planes of Telara. Got a good 2 hours in on the Beta run.  Played in PvE (Player versus Environment). Here's what my first thoughts were.

• Man, these controls are difficult to get used to.
• Hmmm, do I have to click this guy to start a quest?
• Argh! Where's the 'target nearest enemy' button?
• Man, I'm having a bit of trouble facing my opponent.

As you can probably guess, I was playing solo.  Even though a few buds were online, they are too levelled up to bother joining them.  Solo is fine, for now.

But WOW, the graphics are really good.  Your main character isn't as sharp as I'd like it to look, even though it is early and not fully kitted out, it still doesnt look as sharp as Warhammer Online did.  But the environment is great.  I wish I got a screenshot when I was standing on a ledge, over-looking a large valley.

Here's one (check out my over-sized novelty sword hehehe):  

I've been playing as the Warrior and it's been fun.  I would have liked an AE class though (AE stands for Area of Effect, where your character can call an ability that causes damage to a greater area). I have no idea if I get AE abilities as I level up, but this would have be good to be able to easily find out.  It probably is if I went searching harder.

Overall, it looks like it is going to be a fun game to level up.  Can't wait to find out what the PvP is like (Player vs Player).  I do really like the amount your can train in your soul tree to gain abilities and specialities.  It seems like it has a lot of depth. I would think there would be a lot of unique characters of the same class.  This what I see as the best part of the game.

So to summarise, in my 2 hours first impression, I want to play more. Give me more!!!  It looks like it is going to be a good MMORPG.  But, it is still in Beta and there aren't as many people online at the moment as there will be.  Saying that, there were no bugs and no latency playing from Australia on a North American server.

Can't see myself buying it at the moment, there still is a lot to learn on how the game works before I buy.  Still yet to see my first Rift open in the sky, so I wanna learn what that is all about! :-)  

Hopefully this post will get a bit of awareness for the game and get some Aussie servers.  Perhaps too the team at TRION worlds can give me a free copy *begs*

Rift: Planes of Telara - An exciting new MMORPG, but try before you buy!

- tork

Is it worthwhile playing Rift?

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Today, I've landed myself an invitation to have a go at the BETA for a new upcoming MMORPG called Rift.

Trailer looks great, action scenes sound awesome.  It looks graphically fantastic and I can hardly wait.

But am I going to be disappointed just like I was with my first MMORPG Warhammer Online, a game where there were so many bugs and a crap end game? I haven't played a massive multiplayer since. Do I want to spend hour after hour chasing creatures for loot, levels, and attacking other online players with satisfying final blows?

The answer is "hell yes". Rift looks like the game for me.  After a few hours on Beta, I will put up a review.

But, do I have the time to be able to play online gaming, now that I am a soon to be parent? There are more important things coming along now than trying to keep up a character's level to join my guildies.

Do you always have to give up the things you loved when you become a parent for good?  Love to know how other parents have kept on gaming whilst having kids.  There is no pause button in online gaming when a kid starts crying!

Baby is going to be the most important focus point in my life, and I have the feeling I am not going to give a shit about any online games after little squirt comes along, hehehehe.

But for now, Rift Beta. Perhaps a year after it comes it out I'll be ready for gaming again and will know for certain if they game is any good :-)

Still undecided though whether or not it is worthwhile playing Rift..

- tork

Top 5 Immersive PC Games

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Hi readers,

I've created a new page.  My Top 5 list of my most immersive PC games.  Read it via this link here, then return to this post to provide a comment of your own list, or whatever comments on the list that you want to make!  I mean, only if you want to, of course.


Happy reading!


- tork

Call of Duty: Black Ops - Zombie Co-op

Just wanted to let you guys know what I'm currently playing.


As a PC gamer, I've had my fair share of the COD series.  They have been very good in my opinion, but they are starting to become a bit too movie like than game like.


Anyhoo, had my first go with my guild buddies at the Zombie Online Co-op that COD has.  Sounded very cool without opening it up.


*SPOLIER ALERT*





So you play as four dudes (FYI - JFK, Nixon, Fidel Castro, and another which I am sorry to the Americans, that I am unfamiliar with).  This is on the map called "FIVE"


Zombies crash through windows in the oval office, crash through doors.  They're coming in all over the place.  After about 5 waves, it starts to get too much.. ARGH!!! So you have to run away downwards into a nearby elevator to tackle more zombies.


Anyway, it is very hard.  With four of us, it is way way too hard.  I am tempted to search online for a walkthrough helping hand instruction, but instead I am venting on me new bloggy with my first gamer post.


I am stating this now; if you enjoy playing zombie games, dont play this one!!


COD, stick to fighting the Ruskies and the Germans etc.  You do that great.  
I want to keep playing so very bad the Zombie bit, but, in my opinion, the area to run around in is just too tiny and you have to be very particular in everything you do in the game.  I cant be bothered, sorry.


Vent complete.  Perhaps in a few days/weeks I'll try to read a review/walkthrough and try again online with randoms.  But my buddies have just gone back to the game Killing Floor, or Killing Room (whatever its called), never to return!  Havent got that, so its off for tiddlywinks for me instead.


- tork