b I
6 » The Sunday Times
December 5,2010
F you thought the Playstation 3 was only made for your entertainment, think again.Officials from the US Air Force recently unveiled the “Condor Cluster,” a supercomputer powered by 1,760 PS3 consoles. Created by the Air Force Research Lab in
Rome, New York, the Condor Cluster will be used for artificial intelligence research, radar and image enhancement and pattern recognition. The machine operates at a peak of a whopping
500 teraflops and is the fastest interactive computer in the Defense Department and 34th fastest computer in the world. It is also the sixth greenest computer of its kind, consuming only one-tenth of the power of similar rigs. Budget wise, the Condor is about 10 times to 20 times cheaper than comparable machines and only costs at about $2 million. Officials said they used exactly the same PS3 consoles as the ones you can buy from any gaming or retail stores— which were then tweaked to work in conjunction with over 150 high-performance graphics processors.
Blizzard timetable Leaked? A few days before the release of Cataclysm, the
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highly anticipated third expansion for World of Warcraft (WoW), an allegedly leaked image showing Blizzard’s release schedule for the next four years, has also gotten a lot of attention. While the image that appeared on MMOGameSite, could have easily been faked, it does show a pretty realistic schedule for the gaming company.
Based on the timetable, after the launch of
Cataclysm expansion, WoW will be heading off to Brazil in the third quarter of 2011. A fourth WoW expansion is said to be arriving in Q2 2012, followed by a new WoW trading card game. The timetable also shows the tentative date for the World of Warcraft movie in the last quarter of 2012. A fifth World of Warcraft expansion, meanwhile, is set for Q3 2013. Also scheduled in the third quarter of 2013 is the release of a mystery project called “Titan,”
GAME TIME
which might be the rumored massively multiplayer first-person shooter, the company is said to be working on.
Battle.net, a map market for the online
service will apparently launch in the second quarter of 2011, followed by third-party offerings in the first quarter of 2012. After launching Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty in
July, part two, or the Heart of the Swarm, is seemingly set for a holiday 2011 release, while the third one, Legacy of the Void, will be coming in the first quarter of 2013. Diablo III on the other hand will ship in the
last quarter of next year if the leaked schedule proves to be true, followed by two expansions set for a Q2 2013 and Q4 2014 release. Blizzard has already issued a statement
saying: “As always, we appreciate the interest in Blizzard’s current and upcoming games, but we don’t comment on rumors or speculation and we don’t have any new announcements to make.” While the authenticity of the leaked timetable remains uncertain, the launch of Cataclysm is not. On December 7, millions of players will witness the release of a vast, ancient dragon from an interdimensional prison and is out to tear apart the game’s now familiar world into pieces. Deathwing the Destroyer or Neltharion the
Earth-Warder is the father of Onyxia and Neferian—two of the games’ biggest and baddest bosses. Deathwing made his last appearance fifteen years ago in 1995’s Warcraft II, and it looks like he’s spent all his years in hiatus plotting his grand return to seek vengeance upon the entire World—of Warcraft. Besides the return of
Deathwing, Cataclysm brings about many other changes to the game. For one, the game’s level cap will now be raised to 85 from the present cap of 80. Two new playable races—the Goblins for the Horde, and the wolf-like Worgen for the Alliance—also make their debut as well as a host of other game tweaks such as new high-level zones and adventures and a new trade profession to master. ❋❋❋
confirmed that he is indeed considering a game adaptation of the mind-bending thriller—
»horoscope
TODAY’S birthday (12/05/10). The coming year offers you greater control over your path, allowing you to choose both direction and speed. Seemingly feminine concepts merge with your overall idea for change. Compassionate words become a natural part of your communication. To get the advantage, check
the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19)—
Today is a 6—Gather around the table and weave everyone’s ideas into a plan for the day. Short distance travel is a clear option, or an armchair trip with a movie. Taurus (April 20-May 20)—
Today is a 9—Each person restates their creative plan. Seek consensus to accommodate each person’s needs. Then new possibilities for greater results spring into view. Gemini (May 21-June 21)—
Today is a 6—Put your energy into responding to questions and desires of others. You’ll get your own way later. Now satisfy what’s up with everyone else. Cancer (June 22-July 22)—
Today is a 6—If you bring your heart and mind to your work today, you create rapport all around. You don’t achieve final results, yet everyone zips through the creative process. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)—Today is
a 6—Coworkers establish their own desires early in the game. Listen to the practical elements, and then see how they mesh with your imagina- tive plans. Not every piece fits. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)— Today is a 6—Your best bet is to
work from home. Let others do their own thing, so you can pursue artistic or creative interests. Put your passion in your brush strokes. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)—Today is an
8—Your efforts are self-contained, as you complete personal responsibilities and then help coworkers with theirs. Dynamics include independent use of talents. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)—Today is a 7—Imaginative ideas provide a limitless pool for your consideration. Resist the temptation to merely skim the surface. Dive deep to discover valuable ancient principles. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)—
Today is a 9—Best results come from focused effort today. Logic and feelings connect at a high level, allowing innovative productivity to flow naturally. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)—Today is a 6—Multiple imaginative ideas can drain your energy, if you try to do them all at once. Instead, focus on one. The others can wait until later. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)—Today is a 7—Others gather facts while you work primarily with ideas. Original concepts must suit the data to work effectively. Research further to stay on the cutting edge. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)—Today is a 7—Broaden your perspective to include interlocking creative paths. An older person shows you a trick or two. Then you can celebrate results together. BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
THE ANSWER TO YESTERDAY’S CROSSWORD WILL APPEAR ON MONDAY
magazine games • puzzles • crossword Military transforms PS3 into a supercomputer; Cataclysm and Blizzard leaks
but only after finishing the third Batman film. In an article from Entertainment Weekly Nolan said he had always imagined Inception to be a world where a lot of other stories could take place. “At the moment, the only direction we’re channeling that is by developing a video game set in the world,” he said. However, don’t expect the game to be out
anytime soon as Nolan considers it a “a longer- term proposition,” and his focus is still on the Batman movie. Nolan first expressed his desire to create the game in September, and was met with eager anticipation by gaming fans. The Inception game will be the second one based on a Nolan-directed film. In 2005, Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. Interactive entertainment co-published a game based on Batman Begins.
Datablitz picks of the week ‘Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II’ (Wii) The Star Wars Saga continues with Star Wars:
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The Force Unleashed II, the highly anticipated sequel to the fastest-selling Star Wars game created, which has sold more than 7 million copies worldwide. In Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, the world was introduced to Darth Vader’s now fugitive apprentice, Starkiller—the unlikely hero who would ignite the flames of rebellion in a galaxy so desperately in need of a champion. In the sequel, Starkiller returns with over-the-top Force powers and embarks on a journey to discover his own identity and to reunite with his one true love, Juno Eclipse. In Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, Starkiller is once again the pawn of Darth Vader—but instead of training his protégée as a ruthless assassin, the dark lord is attempting to clone his former apprentice in an attempt to create the Ultimate Sith warrior. The chase is on— Starkiller is in pursuit of Juno and Darth Vader is hunting for Starkiller. With all-new devastating Force powers and
the ability to dual-wield lightsabers, Starkiller cuts a swath through deadly new enemies across exciting worlds from the Star Wars films—all in his desperate search for answers to his past. Challenge your friends to a four- player Force showdown on Wii in chaotic fighting game-style combat. ❋❋❋
‘Splatterhouse’ (PS3) (Mature) Metal heads, horror freaks and hardcore action
‘Inception’: The Game Filmmaker Christopher Nolan
gamers, unite! Rick Taylor and the Terror Mask are back, tearing, cutting and beating their way through inhuman abominations and hordes of the undead in a tale of love, mutilation and near-insanity. A wall of metal tunes underscores blood-soaked battles with massive bosses, brutal weapons, over-the-top gore and real- time regeneration. And while your ears are ringing, a new Splatterkill System lets you get your hands bloody! The Classic Franchise Returns—An innova-
tive reinvention of a classic category-killer with an original storyline inspired by Gordon Rennie (Necronauts, Judge Dredd). Classic enemies
have evolved into horrific monsters of radical proportions and shocking detail. Splatterhouse pulls no punches and takes gore and shock value to the next level with physics- driven fluids and organ parts flying in all directions. Use Rick’s deep set of moves, improvised weapons, environmental attacks, and unique enemy AI to obliterate enemies at each turn and utilize the combo system to open up gruesome Splatterkills, which destroy your enemies with gory and cinematic effects. ❋❋❋
For all your PC gaming needs drop by Datablitz’ branches at SM, Robinsons, and Ayala Malls. You could also call (632) 734- 5058; (632) 733-8477; (632) 7348 or check out their website at
www.datablitz.com.ph. Send your questions and comments on anything gaming to
eduyisgood@gmail.com or
gamexads@yahoo.com. Check out my
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11 2 Series no.05
eduysblog@blogspot.com for the latest gaming, pop, tech, and music news, and follow me on
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CHALLENGEof The Times BY CELSO BINAMIRA-GO BERINGUELA
Solve and arrange five (5) consecutive numbers into the given figures. Every three (3) numbers lying on the two (2) diagonals [forming the multiplication sign; TIMES or X] should have the same totals. Four (4) arrangements are needed. Given as clues is the Common Total (CT) (at the center) and other numbers to help you solve the puzzle.
24 35
53 42
»Sudoku 11
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Series no.04 BY MICHAEL MEPHAM
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit
www.sudoku.org.uk.
Solution to today’s puzzle will be published tomorrow.
32 54
45 23
ED RICHELLE UY
Solution for yesterdays puzzle.
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