PCs and Powertools

So, I had an overheating problem. I've been driving myself nuts lately; downloading new GPU drivers, reverting to older drivers, clean installing drivers, and attempting to adjust fan speeds...all for naught. No matter, I was still getting massive temperature spikes and as a result my GPU was auto-underclocking when the red line was reached. I just purchased Skyrim, I wanted to play, and now I was angry. I couldn't figure it out for the life of me. I decided that now was no time for caution, so I got brave and decided it was about time I knew my laptop a little more intimately.

Bargain Bulletin - Sins of a Solar Empire: Trinity

If you've never played Sins of a Solar Empire, there's no better time than now to start.  Steam is offering the game and it's two expansion packs for the bargain basement price of $14.99!  The game is an award winner, both literally and figuratively.  I stand by this recommendation.  It's one of the most entertaining and engrossing strategy games that I've ever played.  The offer is only good until the 23rd of November, so download it now. I promise that you won't be dissapointed, and for the price, you can't go wrong.  Also remember, keep your eye on Stardock, Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion isn't far away.

My Triumphal Return to Rome

It's been years since I even so much as looked at my copy of Rome: Total War.  I've been meaning to get back into it again, and now I've found both excuse and inspiration.

The Dawn of Prussia II: The Hand You're Dealt

When we last looked in on my Prussians, they had quickly nabbed the provinces of Saxony and West Prussia, a severe blow to the Polish war effort.  Sharing a mutual enemy, Austria and myself hammered out an alliance, joining our fortunes.  With Saxony in Prussian hands, I could rest easier.  I now had a heartland that could supply the growing needs of the war in the east.  After the shelling that it had endured, it was going to need at least a turn to repair the city and get basic government functioning again.  My western army was ordered to remain garrisoned there for fear of the citizenry rioting if left to their own devices.  Law and order was established with legendary Prussian efficiency, and after the militia was organized the army departed for the eastern front.  On their way east, the officers made certain that there was ample time for a triumphal parade through Berlin.  After a raucous hero's welcome, they resumed hoofing it east, hugging the Baltic Sea coast-road.

Preview - Wargame: European Escalation

Wargame: European Escalation is an upcoming title from Eugen Systems, the people who brought you Act of War: Direct Action, one of the the highest rated RTS titles of 2005, and R.U.S.E, a multi-platform release (including console; I know, just put down your pitchforks for a moment) which has been generally well received.


Wargame is attempting to build on the concept of a large, open-map style RTS that we first saw displayed in all it's glory in the games predecessor, R.U.S.E.  In an interview with RTS Guru, Eugen Systems Creative Director Alexis Le Dressay spoke on some of the influences of Wargame:

The Hornet's Nest

--Sunrise--

Reveille had already been called, morning roll call attended, and most men had already set to frying up some salted pork for breakfast.  A few scattered regiments, most of them new to battle --fresh units that had arrived after Fort Donelson-- were drilling off in the distance.  What ignorant bugler was playing revellie again?  Was he deaf? Maybe dumb. Both, most probably.  An officer was debating with himself,  --as he did most every morning-- deciding whether or not he should bother shaving.  He sighed. He'd rather save the water for his canteen and deal with the itch. An artillerist was just about to worm the bore of his crew's gun again when he heard a familiar, low, rumbling far away.  Every veteran ear in camp perked up.  Sergeants shouted orders, Colonels climbed onto their mounts; most men just grabbed their cartridge pouches and slung them on.  Before the green men knew what to ask, a battery opened fire, plastering the camp with shot and shell.

The Dawn of Prussia

Between a rock and a hard place

When I was deciding what nation to begin a new campaign with, I chose Prussia because I had only played as them once before, and it looked like a challenge. A quick overview of the campaign map shows us that Prussia's starting position is tenuous at best.  Their two small territories, those of Brandenburg and East Prussia do not even share a common border but are separated by the Polish owned corridor of West Prussia.  This meant little room for expansion, that is, without war.  Good thing they're Prussian, war is their business.  The messy entanglement of overlapping alliances and protectorates meant that all of eastern Europe might be at war if any individual attacked another. Saxony was a client of Poland-Lithuania; Poland was allied with Russia and Denmark.  I had trade agreements with Poland-Lithuania, Austria, and Great Britain.

Your Mod is Calling

If you claim to be a gamer, yet you've no idea to what I'm referring, then you've either been living under a rock or you have a dial-up internet connection. 

I'm talking about game modifications, or "mods".  In this case, specifically those of the Total War games.  If you haven't tried one, or have been using one for as long as you can remember, I urge you to expand your horizons.  Try something new; it will enrich your Total War experience by leaps and bounds.  Here are a few suggestions to get you started, and tools to help you along the way. 

The Total War of the Future

As a long-time fan of Creative Assembly's Total War series, I have an intrinsic interest in what direction the developer is going to take following the release of Shogun 2.  Creative Assembly has already admitted that there is another title in development, but of course, the million dollar question is: which game is it?. The possibilities seem endless.

The internet has been a-buzz with everyone's thoughts and opinions on the matter.  Suggestions and ideas range from an era-spanning Civil War: Total War to games set in the fantasy universes of Warhammer and Lord of the Rings.

The Ladies From Hell

I recently dusted off my British grand campaign in Empire: Total War, and decided it was time to get back down to the business of finishing this one.  On a side note, I would like to mention that I don't leave home without Darthmod. I was totally without equal at sea; and this allowed me to slowly but surely pick apart most every other nation's overseas possessions, especially those of France and Spain, piece by piece. I managed to ally myself with the Iroquois against France, thereby assuring me hegemony over all of North America.  I simply got to India first, and sided with the new but optimistic Maratha Confederacy, toppling the Mughal Empire, and earning me the Lion's share of the sub-continent.

When the Spanish were stupid enough to declare war on me along with the French, I robbed them blind, gaining most of the Caribbean and Mexico, along with a significant portion of South America. I took Gibraltar, Sicily, Southern Italy, Sardinia and threatened to invade Portugal who long ago had fallen before I could do anything about it.  I gave them back Sardinia in return for peace; I was sick of the Spanish throwing themselves at my guns.  I also set up puppet states from their former territories to divide the power amongst factions, guaranteeing that they would never again cause me trouble.  I gave much of North Africa to the Moroccan Republic, and I granted Southern Italy to the Italian states, uniting Italy under one flag.