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Torchlight II

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Well fellow action RPG fans, get ready for Torchlight II. The game will feature the highly demanded multi-player co-op mode that will allow you to play with your friends on the Internet for free with an all new matchmaking service. You will also be able to play using a LAN connection.

Torchlight Screenshot Ember

 Torchlight II is set in a much larger open world environment that features level randomization, hub towns, and weather effects. The game will also come with an editor to allow users to create their own mods.

There are four new classes, the Outlander,the Embermage, the Berserker, and the Engineer. Once you pick a class you will be able to choose from many different weapons. There are three new weapon types, Cannons, Fist Weapons, and Great Weapons. All of these weapon types are useless of course without some enemies to destroy and Torchlight II is loaded with new enemies which drop a ton of loot.  You will undoubtedly find your self running out of space rather quickly and you will have to make some tough choices on what loot to keep and what loot to toss.

Torchlight II Screenshot Frost

I really love the artistic style of Torchlight in general and Torchlight II, with it’s many new lands to explore and new UI,  looks really polished and even better than the first game. The team at Runic has made the UI more user friendly which should make it easier for new players to get into the game. Pets will also make a return and become even more useful then ever before as you wander deep into the new world.

Torchlight II will launch as a digital download from Runic Games, Steam, Perfect World, GamersGate, GameFly, and GameStop on September 20th, 2012.

Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes

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Konami has shown off the goods and the latest edition of Metal Gear “Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeros”, looks stunning. The game is set to be an open world experience but you will remain in stealth. Snake is back and in the demo shown by Konami, he is infiltrating a U.S prison in Cuba. Game designer Hideo Kojima mentions that this release is a prologue and not Metal Gear Solid 5. The game is built around the Fox engine and from what I can see, it looks absolutely amazing. The details of the game are still very hush hush but we will be keeping up on the latest news and will post new information when it becomes available.

For now you can check out the video of the demo below.

The Inspirational Fun of DIY Electronics

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From making your own radio to creating your new robot best friend, do it yourself electronics are just plain fun. Sensors, capacitors, diodes, motors,L.E.Ds, and many other components can all be tied together using either a breadboard or a piece of wood and some screws, all to create something awesome with your own two hands. DIY electronics not only can be rewarding and fun but can also get your mind thinking in a “engineering mode”.  When you gain a deeper understanding of how electronics are put together, you can begin to imagine putting something together that maybe someone else hasn’t.DIY electronics on breadboard

There are a few different ways that you can begin building electronics but if you are just starting out you may want to pick up a hobby or project kit. You can purchase labs with snap circuits or you can jump right into it and grab a breadboard and look up some schematics. Electronic kits are available from many different vendors online and a simple google search will most likely get you where you need to be. Radio Shack of course still offers many kits online as well as in store.

Robot kits are one of my favorite ways to build.  From solar powered grasshoppers to robotic mini-tanks, your options seem endless. Many robot kits will even allow you to use programming language to set up how your robot functions.

DIY electronics are also a great way to challenge the minds of your children. I remember my father bringing home one of these kits when I was just a kid and I spent many summers working on all of the projects in the book. When I finally reached the last page of the particular project I was working on and flipped the switch, it was awesome to see it all come together. It was such a great feeling to know that I put it together myself and it works!

If you get really good you may even be able to repair some of your stuff. Remote stop working? Television on the fritz? Maybe even repair that old iPod you have laying around. Heck, knowing what you’re doing can save you money in repairs. Just remember that opening up and attempting to repair home electronics usually voids the warranty, so only do this if you are really sure of what you are doing or if you don’t care about what you’re trying to fix. As always be sure to practice safety when working with electronics and use common sense. Always make sure that the power source is disconnected before beginning any work.

Tools play an important role in working with electronics and you should look into buying an electronics tool kit that usually includes things like the following.

  • 5 pc file set
  • PLCC extractor
  • 3 pc soldering aid set
  • 6″ tweezer
  • Brush
  • 6 pc precision screwdrivers
  • Screwdriver handle w/drivers bits
  • IC extractor
  • Mini-flashlight
  • Utility knife
  • Anti-static strap
  • Soldering iron
  • 7-in-1 tool
  • Mini-hammer set
  • 3 pc soft screwdrivers
  • 7 pc folding hex key set
  • 3 prong holder tool
  • 5″ cutters
  • 6″ adjustable wrench
  • 5″ long-nosed pliers
  • 8″lineman’s pliers
  • 4.5″ flat-nosed pliers
  • 4.5″ bent-nosed pliers
  • De soldering pump
  • Solder core
  • Heat sink

If you are interested in picking up this hobby or if you already enjoy this hobby but you are looking for resources, you can find some great tutorials,projects,vidoes, and an online store for electronics here.

 

Guild Wars 2 Stops Sales Due to High Server Load

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ArenaNet_LogoIn a recent Facebook post, the ArenaNet team mentions that in order to prevent players from experiencing issues while playing the game, they have temporarily stopped all first-party sales of Guild Wars 2 via guildwars2.com.

However, you can still purchase boxed versions of the game and digital versions from other retail partners.

I guess that having an issue where you need to halt sales due to the immense popularity of your game isn’t such a bad thing. With game sales well over a million, the game has clearly generated a solid fan base. Once server activity is under control game sales will resume.

You can read the original post here.

Harvard Scientists Work with Cyborg Tissue

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Cyborg TechnologyScientists at Harvard are hard at work using nano-wires that reach into tissues and and read electrical signals created by cells.  The idea is to merge nano-electronics with living tissue in a way that you would barely be able to tell the difference between the living tissue and the electronic components. This could lead to major advances in medical science and provide us with amazingly precise information about cell structure and how each cell interacts with each other.

Harvard’s scientists are also trying to create a ‘Cyborg Tissue’ by  integrating nano-electronic device arrays with synthetic tissue. Basically, innervating it or supplying the synthetic tissue with nerves. Imagine how this could be tied into human tissue and how we might somehow be able to have cyborg hands or limbs that can transmit the sensation of touch to our brains. The possibilities seem endless and the research is inspiring to say the least.

Is anyone else hearing terminator music in their head?

For more information about this research head here.