Author: michael Page 9 of 58

Christmas Next Weekend

Well, Christmas is almost with us, and this year we are doing a quiet one.

With the loss of Mary, having loved house and money being tight due to stupidly high energy bills, it’s going to be a lot more restrained.

The girls are just getting a book and a donation to a local cat rescue, and I expect the same in return.

The biggest thing I think I have been involved in really is three Secret Santas, one for my game demonstrator friends, which was capped at £5, another for Board Game Geek, which was £35 and a third for Video Game Geek which was £15.

I got my GDN Santee a poster of retro game controllers through the years, my BGG one got a Back to the Future dice game, and my VGG target got Horizon Zero Dawn and Nickelodeon All Star Brawl.

I have gotten my BGG gift which was a copy of Arkham Horror, as I posted the other week, but have yet to hear back about the other two yet.

Hoping I will be feeling good, the past few weeks I have had a horrid cold that just won’t bugger off.

What I Am Modelling

I painted 13 Kruleboyz Gutrippas this week, my first real attempt to get some Kruleboyz done for my Orruk Warclans army.

I then did a quick bit of work on my Sectors for Dropfleet Commander, super simple, but they do the job.

After that I started on some T’au Empire Crisis Suits and a Commander.


So what’s coming up next for me on the painting table?

  1. T’au Crisis Suit Team x 3 & Commander
  2. Imperial Fists Contemptor Dreadnought
  3. Ultramarine Intercessors x 5
  4. Silver Tower Heroes
  5. Blood Angels Repulsor
  6. Templar Brethren x 10
  7. Hobgrot Slitaz x 20
  8. Leagues of Votann Kâhl and Einhyr Champion
  9. The Crimson Court
  10. Ultramarines Lieutenants x 8

What I Am Reading

I finished listening to The Extinction Key by Greg Keyes and it was okay, but the Aconyte stuff is far better.

Speaking of Aconyte books, I just finished Shadow Avengers by Carrie Harris and will have a review up tomorrow.

What I Am Backing

We got our delivery of the Avatar Legends RPG, but the books corners are all damaged as a result of very poor packing and sending it with Evri.

I have reported the issues and hopefully will get a replacement set of books in the new year.

What I Am Cooking

I did manage to cook something for the first time in forever, a batch of my Kansas City BBQ Rocket Sauce, which has been distilled into bottles to give away as Christmas presents to friends and family.

What I Am Winning

I won a coupe of games from Wicked Uncle from a competition on Rachel Bustin’s website, a copy of This or That and a Glow in the Dark Push-n-Pop toy.

These are going into a box of things I have won, to be given next Christmas as presents to friends and family.

What I Am Spending

I grabbed a copy or Arena Mortis for Direchasm to add to my Underworlds collection.

I also bought a pack of UCM Destroyers for Dropfleet Commander, which I plan to build as Vancouver’s I think, the Launch capacity could be rather helpful.

As I mentioned last week, it seemed like the DisplayPort cable for my PC was buggered, so I ordered a new one, after the HDMI cable worked no problem.

And well it fixed the issue, so that’s great.

Another serious issue we have had in the house is Wi-Fi coverage, so we bit the bullet and invested in a mesh Wi-Fi system, the heating system is dependent on Wi-Fi and it just so happens that the boiler is in the part of the house with the weakest Wi-Fi.

So we bought this TP-Link Deco S7 system to replace to replace the Wi-Fi network on the Virgin Media provided router which is to be perfectly honest, pretty dreadful.

And yeah it seems to be fixed now and working wonderfully, it also helped that Virgin Media finally replaced the faulty router we have had to put up with for so long, and combined this has made a huge difference.


Nerdy Musical Advent 2022 – 19th December – Download This Song – MC Lars

I am not sure why we have never featured MC Lars before, but this is a great song from 2006, and its all about the paradigm shift that my generation did in terms of going from buying physical music to downloading it, not always legally.

The video is great and has a lot of fun poking at the styles of the time and the way brands like Apple and Microsoft marketed music services and players at us.

Now I feel very old!


Nerdy Musical Advent 2022 – 18th December – Banned from Argo – Leslie Fish

Lets head right back to the distant past of 1977 for a relatively old but classic piece of Filk, Banned from Argo.

This song was one of the first Filk songs I ever heard and I think I was about 6 or 7 and I thought it was quite funny then, I think perhaps I watched too much Star Trek at that age even, considering that there were only 79 episodes, and we only had very bad copies on a mix of BetaMax and VHS, that was quite a feat!

Anyway enjoy this absolute classic!

I am afraid recordings of this classic by Leslie, are difficult to find online which is a real shame, I hope one day that’s sorted out so we can continue to share this classic!

Nerdy Musical Advent 2022 – 17th December – Letter to SquareSoft – Richie Branson

I think all of us who love videogames, think that the games of the past were much better than those made today, and yeah I think I fall into that catagory.

This is a great Nerdcore wrap by music producer turned rapper Richie Branson of his love of SquareSofts games of the past, and his wish for the old company to return in place of the SquareEnix we know today.


Nerdy Musical Advent 2022 – 16th December – That Doesn’t Make Sense – Whitney Avalon

This is an interesting little song about two parents trying to explain religion to a curious child, and about learning what each faith beleives.

If you know me, you know I am a Baha’i, not a particularly good one, still a work in in progress, but like most others of my faith, I believe that its not immune from criticism and ridicule, and i often find songs like this to be very amusing.

But as we are a relatively small and young faith, we rarely get made fun of!


Nerdy Musical Advent 2022 – 15th December – Xena – Meri Amber

And catching us up, here is Meri Amber, a regular to the Advent with Xena, a song which is about being a strong woman, who get back up even when heartbroken.

And lets face it, Xena was better than Hercules, and in real life Lucy Lawless is the nicer person!


Nerdy Musical Advent 2022 – 14th December – Born Weird – Nerf Herder

In this advent, I have yet to feature Weird Al Yankovich, and today, he only makes a cameo on a song by the incredible Nerf Herder.

This song is a great geek anthem, and is very very relatable!


Controllers Galore!!!

So yeah, I live controllers, especially retro ones, because there is something just right about using ones that are as close to the originals as possible.

So following on from my Mini Consoles post a couple of weeks ago, let’s look at my controller collection!

C64 Joystick

This is the oldest style controller I have, an old school joystick that came with The C64 mini, it’s not the best build quality, but it’s ok.

I heard the individual release is a bit better so I might pick that up.

NES Joypad

The joypad for the NES came from the NES Classic, and it’s a great little controller, the dimensions are just right and the buttons are pretty much identical to the original.

Whilst the NES doesn’t hold anything special for me, cause being British, they were a real rarity growing up, it’s still cool.

When emulating Master System games. It’s my go to controller as it’s as close to that as I have in my collection.

The criticisms I have are that the lead is way too short, and also, the use of a propriety connector means having to use an adaptor,

PC Engine

The PC Engine had a similar controller to the NES and Master System with just two buttons, but the TurboPad had Turbo Switches which gave you additional speed settings.

I got the first controller with the PC Engine CoreGrafx Mini, and a second one from eBay.

Mega Drive

This is the controller that defined my childhood, the good old big 3 button Mega Drive Control Pad.

The Mega Drive was the first console that I owned myself (along with my brother Paul), and this always being back such fuzzy wonderful memories for me.

This came with the Mega Drive Mini, and I have a pair of them, which are just perfect for emulation.

There is also the six button controller, which was a bit smaller, but still great, and ideal for fighting games like Street Fighter II and Eternal Champions.

This one from Retro-Bit is a very faithful replica, and officially licensed, it’s not quite the same as it adds left and right shoulder buttons, but that’s cool, just opens up more options.

SNES Controller

The SNES is another console, that I never had any great nostalgia for, simply because pretty much everyone I knew growing up, had a Mega Drive, and one mad lad with a PC Engine and another whose dad had a Neo Geo.

It’s kind of iconic as it introduced the diamond four face button configuration which most consoles to this day still use, as well as shoulder buttons.

I don’t use this pad as often as I think it deserves, but it’s cool. Came with the SNES Classic and needs an adaptor to use it.

CD32

Ah the Amiga CD32, Commodores last release before they went bankrupt, I knew a lad with one of these, and to be honest, it wasn’t any more advanced that the A1200, but it did have some cool games.

The pad was a bit awkward to use, but this has a slight redesign, which makes it a little more comfortable to hold.

It’s a pretty cool little pad, that came with the A500 Mini, but I haven’t had much of a chance to use it yet.

Playstation

I never really got on with the PlayStation controller, the shape was always very uncomfortable.

My brother Daniel had one, not long before I left home, I instead preferred to play on the N64 and Mega Drive still, and was just starting to get into PC.

This controller does feel right for certain games, such as Wipeout, but it’s never really appealed to me in a big way, but you can’t deny the iconic nature of it.

Tribute 64

The Nintendo 64 was my console of choice during the 5th generation, and it’s controller was something different, it’s like they were absolutely digging deep into the cocaine, to be honest, that’s kind of Nintendo’s approach to all controllers since then!

I never had an issue with the Nintendo 64 Controller, I always found it actually rather comfortable to use.

For emulating N64 games, I chose the Tribute 64 from RetroBit simply because the US B clones from most companies are kinda rubbish and break very easily.

This is a solidly built and comfortable controller and I have to reluctantly admit, just that bit nicer to use than the original.

Saturn

I never had a Saturn, much to my disappointment, but I was a poor child from a poor family, and it was just way too expensive.

But when I did get to play it, oh how I enjoyed it. Virtua Fighter, Daytona USA, Sega Rally, all amazing games, but what the Saturn really excelled at, was 2D games and the fighters was a genre it absolutely slated the competition in.

And it’s controller was absolutely one of the best for fighters ever made, in fact to this day when I fire up Street Fighter V, it’s the Saturn pad I reach for.

This one by RetroBit is frankly amazing, it feels exactly as the original did and it feels great in your hands.

NeoGeo CD

Ah the Neo Geo a wonderful console, one that cost an arm and a leg and the games themselves where sometimes as expensive as one of the other consoles.

But oh the games, games like Metal Slug and King of Fighters were utterly amazing.

The Neo Geo CD came with this pad, it was a cheaper version of the console and more accessible, but wasn’t as good as the original console, but still amazing.

This controller is great, other than it’s lack of microswitches in the joystick, but it’s still a lovely controller.

Xbox Duke

This is my all time favourite controller, it fits my hands oh so well.

This one made by Hyperkin is supercool as it’s as close to the original as you can get, and the centre button is a mini screen that runs through the original Xbox boot animation!

It’s an absolutely cracking modern update of the original and gets more use than anything else, other than my Elite!

GameCube

Nintendo love their cocaine, and they came up with this for the GameCube!

Super uncomfortable and not the easiest to use. For use on my PC I need to use the same adaptor as used for the NES and SNES controllers.

However the WaveBird is actually a lot more comfortable to use, and whenever I play GameCube games, this is the controller I reach for, but I have to mention, it actually belongs to Lindsay!

Again, needs an adaptor to work with PC.

Xbox 360

For many, this is the gold standard controller that all others have to beat, now I agree it’s a great controller, but the D-Pad is kinda sucky.

This particular controller is in desperate need of some TLC as it was attacked by our recently departed rabbit Gandalf, and he loved to eat thumb sticks.

I need to replace the thumb sticks or get some nice covers for them, clean it up, and grab a USB wireless adaptor to use it for the PC.

Playstation DualShock 3

The DualShock 3 is the second PS3 controller, succeeding the SIXAXIS.

In form it’s pretty much similar to the other DualShocks before it, but the position of the analogue sticks and general shape always made it feel uncomfortable.

The batteries in this one are still pretty good, but long term they will need replacing eventually, that was always a major issue for these controllers.

Xbox MadCatz Arcade Joystick

This is a mad joystick, adapting the modern controller configuration into what many people thought was an ugly and uncomfortable mess.

Truth be told, it’s suits old school arcade games very very well, Pac-Man is amazing with this thing, but I would be very reluctant to use it with more modern games.

Xbox Series S/X

I do own an Xbox One controller, but it’s now used solely for use with my iPhone and Xbox Cloud gaming.

But the Series S/X controller is mostly identical apart from a few little changes, like the microtexture on the back, share button and new D-Pad.

This is a brilliant controller and one that I absolutely love using, cannot fault it at all!

I actually own four of the buggers, a black and white that sit downstairs with the Series X, a white one that Megan uses for her PC, and a black on for my Series S.

I also own a third party one, a PowerA Spectra, that I got free with a magazine subscription, this is okay, and has a few rear button, but it’s not the same as the branded controller, just feels a touch cheaper.

Google Stadia

Ah Google Stadia, great technology, but a dreadful implementation that alongside Google’s tendency to shut down a service at the drop of a hat means the service was doomed from inception.

The actually controller is pretty good and when hooked up with a USB-C cable to a PC is excellent.

But with Stadia closing for good in January, the current way it works, only by connecting over Wi-Fi directly to the Stadia servers, I honestly fear that a lot of these will end up as e-waste, unless Google issues new firmware that activates the Bluetooth module.

It’s still a great controller when wired, but most people want wireless, despite the latency.

I am gonna try and add the dark blue version of this to my collection, just cause it looks cool and it’s a half decent controller.

PlayStation DualSense

Ok, so I was reluctant to get a PS5 because I didn’t get on very well with the DualShock controllers, they just never fit my hands very well.

But the DualSense, well that works very well, the analogue sticks are a good distance apart, so the ache in my hands is also eliminated when using it, and the bells and whistles added to this bad boy are great.

I have a white and a black one, and Megan has a white one she uses with her PC.

Xbox Elite Series 2

The most expensive controller I own, although paid for with Microsoft Rewards, this is an incredible piece of tech, that just oozes indulgence.

I am glad I have it, and it’s my daily driver for using with my PC.

The package is great, it comes with a charging dock, rear paddles (which I don’t really use), and various options to customise the D-Pad and thumb sticks.

Then throw in the software customisation, and you have one amazing package. My pal Graham scoffs at the idea of paying so much for a controller, but I really do think it’s well worth it.

Switch Pro

The Switch Pro controller, is, well it’s a Xbox style controller made by Nintendo for the Switch. I am not sure how else to put it.

It’s comfortable, especially when compared to the JoyCons in the handgrip, but to be honest, I expected way more for the money I paid.

It’s perfectly serviceable, but that’s about it, I expected more, but it’s Nintendo so I should have prepared myself for disappointment.

SN30 Pro

The 8BitDo SN30 Pro is my controller of choice for a lot of retro games, and if I have to travel and want to play games on the laptop, this is the controller I take.

It’s a weird mashup of a SNES controller and a DualShock, but doesn’t perform too badly.

It’s pretty good, and I cannot complain about it, as I said the compact nature makes it great for travel.

What Do I want to Add

There are three controllers I want to add, but I am want good prices, I am not gonna shell out a fortune for them, if I can help it.

I want an Nvidia Shield Controller, a Steam Controller and an Amazon Luna Controller, but the only source for these are on the secondary market, and the prices can go quite high, so it’s waiting for the right time and a good price before jumping in and buying them.

Retro Bit have a Big Six Mega Drive controller on the horizon, which might also be tempting, and they have spoken in the past of doing a modern USB version of the Dreamcast controller.

Hyperkin are also working on a modern Xbox 360 controller, so I think that’s on the agenda as well, to replace the existing original one.

What I Am Modelling

I painted this Tactical Squad for the Imperial Fists

I now have some Kruelboyz Gutrippas on my desk!


So what’s coming up for me next?

  1. Orruk Gutrippas x 12
  2. T’au Crisis Suits x 3
  3. Imperial Fists Contemptor Dreadnought
  4. Ultramarines Intercessors x 7
  5. Silver Tower Heroes
  6. Blood Angels Repulsor
  7. Templar Brethren x 10
  8. Hobgrot Slitaz x 20
  9. Leagues of Votann Kâhl & Einhyr Champion
  10. The Crimson Court

What I Am Reading

Still listening to the Doctor Who Monthly Range, and I knocked down The Apocalypse Element and The Fires of Vulcan.

I did finish off Sanguinus: The Greatr Angel by Chris Wraight, which was a wonderful book, first time I have read a Primarch book rather than listening to it.

I also read some shorts, Transplants by Rob Young, Aria Arcana by Peter Fehervari and Confession of Pain by Jon Findall.

I am currently reading Shadow Avengers by Carrie Harris and listening to Marvel’s Avengers: The Extinction Key by Greg Keyes.

What Video Games I Am Playing

Played a little bit of Darktide, that’s a really fun game to play. And my wonderful friend who already had the game for themselves, gifted me the copy they got with their 3070, to play with my 3070.

And I played some God of War as well, really enjoying that game.

I was having some issues with the screen cutting out when playing games, but after some experimentation, turns out the issue was the Displayport Cable, so I have ordered a replacement!

What I Am Winning

I had won a pair of tickets to see Black Panther: Wakonda Forever on Wednesday from TFM, but Lindsay was rather unwell so we never got to see it.

I also won tickets to see The Amazing Maurice from Sky, and myself, the girls and Megan’s mum Jane were supposed to see it Sunday morning, but we were all down with colds and sniffles.

What I am Spending

Grabbed this Elgato Wall Mount to put the webcam on for my painting area, cause it was a pain in the bum the way it was previously attached on to the Multi Mount that has the overdesk camera.


Nerdy Musical Advent 2022 – 13th December – Now Is The Time – The Doubleclicks

I am sorry I was ill for a few days and as such didn’t get the advert sorted out, so you are gonna get three over the next 24 hours, starting with a frequent flier here, The Doubleclicks with Now Is The Time.

Its a great and rather inspiring song, and I think it kind of really encourages you.


Nerdy Musical Advent 2022 – 12th December – Still Alive – Jonathan Coulton

This is a great song from Portal 2, now here is an awful confession, I haven’t played either Portal Game, but I did buy them in the 2021 Christmas Steam Sale and intend to play them soon.

But I have both soundtracks and love them, especially JoCo’s musicial contributions!

Anyway, this is JoCos version of the song with Sara Quin from his album Artificial Heart.


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