Indigo Prophecy (PC) Review @ OCmodshop
OCModshop :: Monday, January 09, 2006
The question of whether or not video games are art? This question has yet to find a definitive answer among developers, writers, or even gamers, although I think most would like to see the medium accepted alongside literature, cinema, and music. One way to reach for that level of expression could be to make games that closer resemble movies. Indigo Prophecy takes that route by focusing on plot, characters, and cinematography, resulting in a spectacular game with a gripping story. This innovative and addictive adventure game gives you complete control over multiple protagonists and it is your job to keep them sane and safe throughout a winding narrative about a murderer, a prediction, and a little thing called the apocalypse.
High Fidelity, High Capacity MP3 Players
OCModshop :: Monday, January 09, 2006
MP3 players have gotten lighter, their sound-quality is better and they have capacities of 20 GB and more. We look at five high-end players from Apple, Archos, Creative, Philips, Samsung and Sony in the $250 and $400 price range to see which ones come out on top.
Xbox 360 Controller and OS-X
OCModshop :: Monday, January 09, 2006
I bought one of these with the intention of having a console quality game controller on my PC and Mac. Thus, knowing that it only came with Microsoft drivers, which only supported rumble using the Xinput API which no games seem to support yet, I also had the intention of finding out how it works to create my own DirectInput/MacOS X drivers.
Media Player Navigation Bar
OCModshop :: Monday, January 09, 2006
Learn how to recreate an MSN-style menu bar in Photoshop
Indigo Prophecy (PC) Review Posted!
Sunday, January 08, 2006
The question of whether or not video games are art? This question has yet to find a definitive answer among developers, writers, or even gamers, although I think most would like to see the medium accepted alongside literature, cinema, and music. One way to reach for that level of expression could be to make games that closer resemble movies. Indigo Prophecy takes that route by focusing on plot, characters, and cinematography, resulting in a spectacular game with a gripping story. This innovative and addictive adventure game gives you complete control over multiple protagonists and it is your job to keep them sane and safe throughout a winding narrative about a murderer, a prediction, and a little thing called the apocalypse.
There is also a downloadable gameplay video at the end of the article.
Digital Bug
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
This tutorial shows you how to draw a quick little bug in Photoshop.
Team Xecuter Updates: X3IR, X3 Config Live Skin, Xbox 360
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
Here is the first official photograph of the new X3 IR hardware. As you can see there is a serial programmer module which enables to ability to update the hardware with new infra red codes via the learning function. The software (X3 IR Manager) is currently at v1.1.6 and tweeks are still bing implemented. You should expect these in stores within the next couple of weeks – remember the first batch of customers will receive an X3 Pro Switch ($20 RRP) completely free of charge as a thank you for your patience and loyalty !
Microsoft Places Big Bet On Multiplayer Gaming
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
Microsoft Corp.’s new Xbox 360 videogame console comes bundled with lots of bells and whistles, such as movielike graphics. But Microsoft’s bid to reshape the videogame industry largely is tied up in one feature: the machine’s emphasis on online play.
Microsoft is making a big — and risky — bet that videogame players will flock to the opportunity to play lots of games against each other over the Internet. The Xbox 360, released in the U.S. last month, lets users play more games online than the original Xbox. It also lets users purchase and download games.
Multiple Lighting Setup with Photoshop
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
The 3 Point Light setup is a kind of “standard” setup that 3D artists use to render their still images of objects.
HD-DVD: Microsoft’s Folly?
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) – As it ramped up the hype machine for the Xbox 360, Microsoft coined a new term: The High Definition Era. Wednesday in Las Vegas, it took the next step, announcing plans for a HD-DVD accessory for the video game machine. Question is: Will the move do any good?
Don’t misunderstand. Microsoft certainly needed to do something to acknowledge the coming improvements in the DVD format – and it was hardly a mystery that it had chosen to take a position counter to Sony’s (Research) Blu-Ray technology.
Earth Portal Photoshop Tutorial
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
In this tutorial l will show you several techniques that are used to create nice abstract effects that can be used as banner backgrounds, signature backgrounds, calendars.. The list goes on and on. These are tricks that not many people are aware of for some strange reason, that is until now
Create a torn paper edge effect using Photoshop
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
Learn how to create a torn edge effect for photographs in Photoshop
Moore: Xbox 360 HD-DVD for movies, not games
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
Microsoft VP says external next-gen format drive will play video only and says no 360 with an internal HD-DVD drive is planned. Microsoft has been a driving force behind the new HD-DVD next-generation optical disc format. But the Xbox manufacturer surprised many when it chose to package the Xbox 360 with a normal DVD drive rather than an HD-DVD drive, especially because Sony has announced that the PlayStation 3 will feature Blu-ray, a competing format.
Xbox 360 ATX power supply
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
Reader Ran Mokady took a pretty big gamble with this project, but didn’t really have any other choice: his power supply was broken and he couldn’t get a replacement. He ended up replacing it with a standard ATX power supply. Follow along for all of the details.
For anyone who is having problems with their Xbox 360 power supply, or who (like me) have managed to end up with a burnt out PSU and can’t get a replacement, here’s how I managed to run the console off a standard ATX computer power supply.
Adding a tattoo in Photoshop
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
The tattoo will adjust to the womans body, this step is not so important in this image, but becomes very important when dealing with larger tattoo on large pics.
Now, give a very small Blur on the tattoo layer, Filter > Blur > Gaussian, I used 0,2 px.
Selective Dessaturation with Masks
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
Learn various ways to selectively desaturate using masks, brushes and gradients.
Flash Photography Tips and Techniques
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
Flash photography is the use of a camera flash bulb in a variety of possible situations where there doesn’t seem to be enough light. The most common use of flash photography is group portraits at gatherings where there is not enough light to take a satisfactory exposure.
But there are many other situations where the flash could be used such as: fill-flash situations when the background is brighter than the subject, using the flash to light up a room and creating better coloring, or using the flash to freeze a moving object in a dark situation.
Xbox Live Leaderboard problems
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
We are currently experiencing an issue with some of the leader boards and stats for Xbox 360 titles. We have identified the issue, and are working on resolving it over the next few hours. Until this issue is resolved, there will be some leader boards and stats issues….thanks for your patience as we work through this. Now would be a good time to work on the campaigns of some of those single player games you have
Photoshop Glamorous Effect Tutorial
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
I will show you several techniques to improve your pictures and make them glamorous. You can use this photo of Alyssa or your own.
Connect your 360 to HDTV Wirelessly using UWB
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
Pulse~LINK will showcase its Gigabit-rate CWave Ultra Wideband (UWB) platform featuring wireless and wired High Definition audio/video connectivity, HD gaming, and multimedia PC applications at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show, January 5-8, in Las Vegas.
Demonstrations include the industry’s first wireless DVI/HDMI equivalent; ultra-low latency wireless HD gaming between an Xbox 360 and a HDTV; wireless PC to HDTV Flat Panel connections; and the first ever UWB over coax solution capable of supporting IEEE 1394 S400 (400 Mbps) throughput for whole-home connectivity.
Colorizing a Black & White photograph
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
In this tutorial you’ll learn how to colorize a black & white photograph. The trick is to select a particular area of an image with a similar shade of color and then colorizing that area using color range.
Glassy Text
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
This tutorial goes over how to create some crisp glassy-looking text.
Creating a header for a website
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
In this tutorial we’ll create a header graphic for an imaginary wildlife photography website.
In a new file fill the background layer with a green to dark grey gradient.
More New Content on Mimesis
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
More content has been added to Mimesis(info) – a content distribution app for legal modded game content: [QUOTE]
Uber_n00b is a madman! Thanks to him we have another set of packages up tonight, check them out below and enjoy. If you see Uber_n00b in the forums be sure to thank him for all of his hard work.
* AIOFPM v3.0.1 (StarWars: Knights Of The Old Republic)
The All-In-One Force Power Mod is a compilation made from several major mods including new force powers, items, and merchants.
* Carth Romance Fix (StarWars: Knights Of The Old Republic)
An alternate romance to Carth and the female Revan which vastly improves the original.
* Tomb King’s Robes (StarWars: Knights Of The Old Republic)
The first time you enter the desert on Tatooine Tomb King will be behind the sandcrawler. Defeat him and claim his robes.
* Evil Temple (StarWars: Knights Of The Old Republic)
Allows the player to enter the Rakatan Temple with any party members and allows Juhani to join the dark side afterwards.
* SaD Map Pack One (Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow)
Created by a variety of authors, this is the second map pack from the Team SaD. These maps was ported to the Xbox by [SaD]Dietz.
[/QUOTE]
Creating a CD/DVD Logo in Photoshop
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
In this tutorial we’ll construct a CD and create a logo out of it.
Circumvent The Xbox Live Demo Download Region Lockout
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
Fight Night Round 3 hit the marketplace today for demo download, but alas, it seems the French have not been included for some reason. Now, this may seem unfair, but we have a nice little workaround for you, or for anyone who wants to download a foreign demo. Let’s jump right in, it is simple as pie.
First off you should go to the passport site : http://www.passport.com/. Make sure you are not logged in, and click on the “create hotmail account” link. Now, here is the important part, the site will ask you where you are from, select either Japan, the US, or Europe. Remember, this is the country where the demo is available, not where you really live! You will require some information regarding those countries so Microsoft will allow you ro register the e-mail address.
Photoshop Tip: Steal Color from Anywhere
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
In previous versions of Photoshop, you could click the Eyedropper tool (I) on any color within your image, and it would steal that color and make it your new Foreground color. The only drawback was you could only steal colors from within an open document window. Back in Photoshop 7.0, Adobe cut the Eyedropper tool loose from the chains that bound it, and now as long as you click within an open image first, you can drag right out of your image window and sample a color from, well, anywhere. That includes sampling colors from other applications, Photoshop’s own Toolbox and menu bars, and even your computer’s desktop pattern. Just remember to click in your image first, and then drag the Eyedropper to a new world of color delights that dare not speak its name.
Creating a website template
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
This tutorial shows you how to create a Photoshop template for a website.
Inputs outputs and headaches
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
Undoubtedly many of the gifts our readers gave and received yesterday were home theater related, as consumer electronics topped the most wanted lists of many shoppers and recipients alike. Now if you received a DVD player and or CD player, the hook-up on those is pretty self explanatory. But what about something a little more complicated, say a surround sound receiver for example?
XBConnect running on WinXP 64
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
The first 64 bit compatible tunnel is finally a reality. I have just finished playing my first game of Halo on XBConnect and WinXP x64. Performance is what I expected and it runs real nice. While still alpha, I will be releasing this version to all XBC Pro users and any x64 user out there. Drop me an email at tod@xbconnect.com and I’ll get you in the queue.
The Pointlessness of Current Videogame Journalism
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
I hate the videogame press. There, I’ve said it – after you don’t know how many false starts trying to weave that statement into a cleverly constructed sentence, I’ve just said it outright – I hate (…the majority of…) the videogame press.
Being a part of said clique the feeling of eating my young is beginning to set in as I write this, but whilst reading various magazines and online publications for reviews, previews, features and editorials lately I’ve had a nagging feeling at the back of my mind which burst forth one morning into a revelation: I don’t like what I’m reading one bit. And consequentially and rather unsettlingly, I don’t much like most of what I’ve written in the videogame press in the past, particularly in the area of reviews and previews.
Converting Day into Night
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
This is the finished product from this tutorial, a night picture. I’m going to show step by step how to do it.
Tech Menu in Photoshop
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
Creating a Tech Menu in Photoshop
HD-DVD ups the ante
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
Toshiba America Consumer Products announced it’s first two HD-DVD players will ship in March for $500 and $800 respectively, much lower than the previously announced $800-$1200 dollars. With a announced price as low as $500.00 its conceivable street prices could come in even lower, making HD-DVD players a must have item, to go along with new HDTV’s. Sony (Blu-ray) on the other hand still expects their players to retail in the neighborhood of 1000.00 USD.
The Slim Devices Squeezebox3: A Product Review
OCModshop :: Sunday, January 08, 2006
“What if you could have a device that could play MP3s from your PC? Hardly innovative, right? Well, what if it could interface with your PC wirelessly? A bonus, certainly, but still no big deal. But what if the player could be controlled from any PC on your network? What if it could play dozens of compressed, uncompressed and lossless file types? What if it could interface with the Internet directly without the PC for playing Internet radio streams? What if it could be used as a wireless bridge? What if its features greatly expanded as the PC software evolved? And what if the device was built with very high-end audio components for superior sound? Would you be interested?”
Evercool LGA775 CopperMan heatsink
Friday, January 06, 2006
There are not alot of heatsinks for the Pentium 4 LGA775, as the mounting method is very specific. Any 775 heatsink must be attached to a metal brace on the underside of the motherboard. This mechanism prevents the motherboard from warping with tension, and ensures that relatively flimsy plastic pieces will not break. This ensures a high-quality and sturdy mounting method. Evercool has manufactured a new LGA775 heatsink called the CopperMan, which is constructed completely of copper and looks to be a high-performance contender for Pentium 4 LGA-775 processors.
There is a basic formula to determine a copper heatsink’s potential: weight, surface area, and airflow. Heatsinks with thick fins do not have as much surface area as a sink with the same weight with razer-thin fins. Air can blow over more surface area, removing more radiated heat. The thin fins of the CopperMan already promise high-performance heat removal.
GeForce 7800 GS on eBay?
OCModshop :: Friday, January 06, 2006
“It seems that the lucky owner of this card is selling it on eBay. As you probably have already read in other websites, NVIDIA has stated that there will not be a GeForce 7800 GS PCI Express. But that’s not preventing them from releasing an AGP version of this card. Especially now, after GeCube announced the availability of ATI Radeon X1600/X1300 AGP series.”
CES 2006: Samsung Digimax i6
OCModshop :: Friday, January 06, 2006
“For more than a decade, manufacturers of consumer electronics have been round the table talking about ways to bring television, audio and video systems together with other electronics such as personal computers, gaming consoles and the internet in an effort to allow consumers to experience a flawless flow of data, video and music anywhere. We have yet to see much development on this with portable devices because the industry has not been able to find common platform, party due to the slow adoption of high-speed Internet connections.”
Evercool LGA775 CopperMan heatsink
OCmodshop :: Friday, January 06, 2006
There are not alot of heatsinks for the Pentium 4 LGA775, as the mounting method is very specific. Any 775 heatsink must be attached to a metal brace on the underside of the motherboard. This mechanism prevents the motherboard from warping with tension, and ensures that relatively flimsy plastic pieces will not break. This ensures a high-quality and sturdy mounting method. Evercool has manufactured a new LGA775 heatsink called the CopperMan, which is constructed completely of copper and looks to be a high-performance contender for Pentium 4 LGA-775 processors.
There is a basic formula to determine a copper heatsink’s potential: weight, surface area, and airflow. Heatsinks with thick fins do not have as much surface area as a sink with the same weight with razer-thin fins. Air can blow over more surface area, removing more radiated heat. The thin fins of the CopperMan already promise high-performance heat removal.
Read the CopperMan review here
Maxtor DimondMax 6B200R0 200GB HDD
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Everyone has their own opinion on hardware these days. Hard drives have been one of the few components that most people have brand loyalty to for years and years. I have owned Western Digital and Samsung hard drives, but I had larger storage needs and needed a little more space. I decided to try a new brand, and this can lead to a change in brand loyalty. I chose a Maxtor due to their reasonable price and quality.
For an off-the-shelf retail drive the Maxtor Diamondmax 6B200R0 is well packaged and easy to use from the start. The Installation guide is well organized and uses illustrations to aid the novice user. Overall the drive is worth the $100 price tag, especially since the drive has bonus 16MB cache. The drive would make a wonderful addition to any system needing extra storage space, or as a primary drive. This drive has surprising performance, and I shall not be wary of buying another Maxtor drive (well, soon to be Seagate)!.
Maxtor DimondMax 6B200R0 200GB HDD
OCmodshop :: Thursday, January 05, 2006
Everyone has their own opinion on hardware these days. Hard drives have been one of the few components that most people have brand loyalty to for years and years. I have owned Western Digital and Samsung hard drives, but I had larger storage needs and needed a little more space. I decided to try a new brand, and this can lead to a change in brand loyalty. I chose a Maxtor due to their reasonable price and quality.
For an off-the-shelf retail drive the Maxtor Diamondmax 6B200R0 is well packaged and easy to use from the start. The Installation guide is well organized and uses illustrations to aid the novice user. Overall the drive is worth the $100 price tag, especially since the drive has bonus 16MB cache. The drive would make a wonderful addition to any system needing extra storage space, or as a primary drive. This drive has surprising performance, and I shall not be wary of buying another Maxtor drive (well, soon to be Seagate)!.
Sharkoon Red Shock Cooling Review on Technic3D
OCModshop :: Wednesday, January 04, 2006
SteelSeries SteelSound 5H Headphones Evaluation @ techFEAR
OCModshop :: Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Summary: “Gamers’ headphones require three things to compete: Long-term comfort, impeccable sound, and a quality microphone. The SteelSound 5H headphones may have addressed all three. Read on to find out.”
Article: Enemy of the State of Privacy
OCModshop :: Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Article Quote: In the 1998 movie, “Enemy of the State”, actor Will Smith’s personal privacy is invaded by his own government using high technology devices planted in his home, office and even on his person. Sounds far fetched? The technology does exist to do everything portrayed in the movie and much more. The only difference between the movie and real life is that unlike the movie where government agents physically entered the home and office of Smith, this is not necessary to breach the privacy of any citizen.
Peter Jackson’s King Kong (PC) Review at OCmodshop
OCmodshop :: Tuesday, January 03, 2006
My neck ached when the credits started to roll. Of course, it had been hurting already for a while. More than three hours after it started, the new King Kong movie was over and despite its monstrous length, at no point had I wished it would hurry up and finish. I was having too much fun with the thrilling action and engaging story. With that in mind I have to ask how the video game version, while having such a short length, manages to become boring? Although Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie (insert your own lengthy-title joke) innovates in many ways and offers a fair share of thrills, it ultimately grows stale and leaves much to be desired.
A tie-in it remains, though, and you therefore play as the reluctant script-writer-turned-hero Jack Driscoll, and, less often, as the gigantic ape that prefers blondes. Your progress is saved at closely placed checkpoints that reload quickly if you die or fail an objective, allowing quick access to any part of the game. Altogether, there are 40 episodes, the majority of which are first-person shooter sequences starring Jack.
At the end of the article is a downloadable video showing off the gameplay and graphics.
read about the 8th wonder of the (gaming) world
Peter Jackson’s King Kong (PC) Review at OCmodshop
Monday, January 02, 2006
My neck ached when the credits started to roll. Of course, it had been hurting already for a while. More than three hours after it started, the new King Kong movie was over and despite its monstrous length, at no point had I wished it would hurry up and finish. I was having too much fun with the thrilling action and engaging story. With that in mind I have to ask how the video game version, while having such a short length, manages to become boring? Although Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie (insert your own lengthy-title joke) innovates in many ways and offers a fair share of thrills, it ultimately grows stale and leaves much to be desired.
A tie-in it remains, though, and you therefore play as the reluctant script-writer-turned-hero Jack Driscoll, and, less often, as the gigantic ape that prefers blondes. Your progress is saved at closely placed checkpoints that reload quickly if you die or fail an objective, allowing quick access to any part of the game. Altogether, there are 40 episodes, the majority of which are first-person shooter sequences starring Jack.
At the end of the article is a downloadable video showing off the gameplay and graphics.
read about the 8th wonder of the (gaming) world
OCZ Gold pc3200 XTC GX Review
OCModshop :: Monday, January 02, 2006
“OCZ has recently re-launched a few products in their Gold line with new innovative heatspreaders. We were fortunate to get a chance to look at the XTC heatspreaders closely, and evaluate the pc3200 GX XTC, the baby brother to the pc3500 GX that was reviewed recently.”
OCZ Modstream 520W @ Hardware Asylum
OCModshop :: Monday, January 02, 2006
“So let me get this out of the way first: this powersupply is gorgeous. Drop dead gorgeous. The graphite-metallic paint is astonishing, with a reflection so faultless you could probably pick your teeth with it, should you ever feel the need. Beyond said matters of hygiene, the Modstream 520 also employs a large and quite quiet 120mm fan with blue LED backlighting. Not entirely passe yet, the effect is pleasing to the eye and more importantly, showers the rest of the case with the cool ambiance. ”
[BoPC] BoPCNews – Swiftech H20-Apex Reviewed,
OCModshop :: Monday, January 02, 2006
“Performance wise it’s probably one of the best kits I’ve tested so far. It’s hard to compare each new kit with each other since computer hardware is ever evolving, kits either have a gpu block with it, or one for the chipset, or a different radiator. But looking at these temperatures, you can clearly see it’s really doing it’s best keeping that trustee old p4 cool.”
Kameo: Elements of Power Review for the Xbox 360
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Taking place in a mythical land, Kameo places the player smack-dab in the title role of Kameo, a headstrong princess who must roam the countryside rescuing the elemental creatures that she can transform into. The land is alive and brilliant with creatures working and doing their business just as one would expect even as war is occuring. As headstrong Kameo, your initial offensive to save your family led to a world class butt-whoopin’ by Thorn. But now with the help of the good wizard Ortho (who has placed himself into a magical book called the Wotnot) and the repulsive yet helpful Mystic, Kameo has a slim chance to save the kingdom.
Kameo has everything we want in our adventure games. With it’s grand overall mission of saving the kingdom broken down by continually rescuing the elementals that in turn allow us to move the game forward. It makes for the kind of play that begs us to keep playing rather then turning off and going to bed. Plus those occasional action sequences that the player must complete in order to help turn the tide of war only add to the game’s depth and versatility. I smell a franchise title here and I suspect that Kameo 2 is already in the early stages of development.
At the end of the review is a downloadable video that demonstrates sample gameplay.
Kameo: Elements of Power Review for the Xbox 360
OCmodshop :: Sunday, January 01, 2006
Taking place in a mythical land, Kameo places the player smack-dab in the title role of Kameo, a headstrong princess who must roam the countryside rescuing the elemental creatures that she can transform into. The land is alive and brilliant with creatures working and doing their business just as one would expect even as war is occuring. As headstrong Kameo, your initial offensive to save your family led to a world class butt-whoopin’ by Thorn. But now with the help of the good wizard Ortho (who has placed himself into a magical book called the Wotnot) and the repulsive yet helpful Mystic, Kameo has a slim chance to save the kingdom.
Kameo has everything we want in our adventure games. With it’s grand overall mission of saving the kingdom broken down by continually rescuing the elementals that in turn allow us to move the game forward. It makes for the kind of play that begs us to keep playing rather then turning off and going to bed. Plus those occasional action sequences that the player must complete in order to help turn the tide of war only add to the game’s depth and versatility. I smell a franchise title here and I suspect that Kameo 2 is already in the early stages of development.
At the end of the review is a downloadable video that demonstrates sample gameplay.
