Everybody loves a certain level of stability in life no matter how much some may try to convince you otherwise. A good example of this is whenever Facebook makes the slightest alteration to its site everyone immediately freaks out and hundreds of groups are formed in rebellion; yet it doesn't turn back and people grow to like it and soon forget all about previous incarnations. Now Facebook and other sites change very often and we've all come to expect it every few months or so; however there are some sites that just stay their old happy selves... untill now. Thats right, you may have noticed (and if you havnt theres something seriously wrong with you!) that Google has changed!! I must say that for one had to take a few moments in a cool corner of a darkened room to ease my mind into the notion that all websites must evolve at some point. Ok, i may have been hyperbolising somewhat there but it does bring up some interesting questions about the human psyche and how our brain works unfortunately that facinating escapade is not the topic of this post so i shall re-divert (again) back to the topic in question. Personally i like the new look Google, and to be honest it isnt very different from the old one its just streamlined the search, made it easier to filter results with the new handy sidebar and given all the borders and boxes that very Apple look which we all love.
Keeping to the subject of change and, coincidently, linking into my previous Apple reference today saw the arrival of a huge overhaul to Spotify our favourite music resource (untill Roberta graces us with her presence). The thing with the change that most shocked me was the response. I havn't heard a single complaint about any of the changes made just lots of compliments to the player, which i think has now officialy come off its ludicrously prolonged Beta. The first thing you notice after you have downloaded the upgrade is that Spotify have done some deal with Apple as your entire music library and playlists are imported in from iTunes which is a truly brillient innovation, allowing you to add songs you own but have forgotten about to that killer playlist you've been lovingly crafting. Another major new feature is the social side of it, when you start up you are prompted to sync with Facebook so all of your friends with Spotify accounts appear on the Spotify browser so you can click through their playlists and see their most played albums and artists. This adds a whole new level to the whole music sharing vibe allowing you to "subscribe" to your friends playlists as well as share yours through Twitter or a variety of other social networking sites. Ill end that little bit there methinks as i have not had a chance to delve into the new experience any further as of yet.
My final point (if you are still reading i thank you greatly and admire you for not running away from the intimidating chunk of wordage above) is all about the humble demo. With game prices now hitting £40-50 a pop it is more imporatnt than ever to pick wisely or you may as well have thrown those crisp notes into a black hole, as trading it in is just a posh way of saying something i cannot say on here due to some troublesome terms and conditions, code of conduct bollocks. Ho hum, back to the point. This week ive used my revision breaks to catch up on a number of demo's ive had qued up, these include Skate 3, Split Second and Blur (i know this is now over but it links so im including it). Firstly i have to say i was impressed with skate 3; i've played 1 and 2 and they have done absoloutly nothing for me, i have to say i dislike the controls and the realsim for me is tedious. In skate 3 i did have some enjoyment just thrashing about and i feel it is a game that would grow on me eventually, but to be honest im an impatient sort and, as before, much prefer the Tony Hawk series because, lets be honest, who doesn't get a buzz from million point impossible combo's and McTwist's over helicopters and entire buildings??
Next in line is this summers race-game battle. Arcade mario-kart esque Blur or adrenaline pumping Split Second. Having played both i have to say i much prefer Split Second, for those who do not know it is an arcade racer where you earn points for various bits of skillful driving which can then be used to call in "power plays" which alter the track by ranging from a helecopter dropping in a truck or an entire section of the track to be blown away. This then gives rise to a constantly changing track and scraps the monotony of going round the same track over and over. On the bad side, however, the handling is not pretty and this is where Blur takes the cake. Being the latest concotion from the presigious Bizzare Creations (of Project Gotham fame) the driving experience is spot on with the cars handling beautifully. The only problem i have with Blur is that it is just a non cartoon version of Mario-Kart (minus that devil of a blue shell!). In my personal opinion the whole "weapons" idea just doesnt stick. Both are great games but i think Split Second will be the one that makes it into my shopping basket just down to how intense the experience is, how fun it is and how original BlackRock have made it.
So there we have it! Thats todays blog over, i hope you enjoyed it and i hope you read it all (though i do appreciate it was rater long today!!). Anyhoo, im gonna get some sleep as this really is a silly time to be blogging :)
FT
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