According to 1UP.com, Envisions Computer Entertainment is going to be releasing a new gaming system in the fourth quarter of 2006. It goes by the name of “Evo” and is a machine that consolidates your computer, media center and games machine all into one unit that snuggles up to your television.

The game will connect to their exclusive download service, and be able to take games and store them on the whopping 80GB hard drive that comes standard. Its basic specifications include:

Sapphire RADEON HDMI X1600 128MB DDR3 memory 80GB hard drive wireless controller As for the controller shape and the prospect of any exclusive games, I have yet to read anything. It seems that Evo is merely trying to fill the gap of a cheap gaming computer, rather than a console. The price tag on the beast is $679, placing it well above the PS3 in price. So, it might be safer to market it as a computer rather than a console (unless the intend to help Sony look like a financially sound purchase).

Since getting a copy of Grand Theft Auto III from Binkle’s computer one evening back in the winter, I’ve had a craving to get the rest of the Grand Theft Auto titles into my collection of PC games (where they will sit with Max Payne and Indigo Prophecy). However, I’ve encountered a problem.

My former copy of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City has disappeared. It was on my hard drive, and on a disc called “Binks Amazing CD”, but both have vanished. As for San Andreas, I tried to get it from Binkle, but he’d deleted it. I tried to download it, but BitTorrent informs me that - at my current speed - it will be full downloaded in 3017 days. So, in almost a decade, when Grand Theft Auto XI is on store shelves, I should be able to play Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on my computer.

Stupid technology. I definitely don’t want to buy San Andreas again though…

According to some screenshots in Famitsu magazine, the new Pokemon games for the Nintendo DS - Diamond and Pearl - are going to be Wi-Fi compatible thus allowing Pokemon players to compete with their assembled team of critters with people around the world.

To be blunt, I think this is an interesting step for Pokemon if handled correctly. Now, to be fair, I haven’t played a Pokemon game since I was addicted to Pokemon Yellow on my Gameboy Colour, but I can see some good and some bad coming from an online Pokemon game.

On the one hand, you have the opportunity to battle and trade with a large assortment of “trainers” from around the world, making the game an experience that does not lose value after you’ve completed the main storyline’s various gym matches.

On the other hand, multiplayer matches could become redundant and unfair. If every trainer is merely packing a team of Lv. 100 Pokemon X (a hypothetical powerhouse Pokemon), then the game will become extremely tiresome. With a lot more evening out of different Pokemon’s abilities, and more focus on strategic planning, Pokemon Diamond (or Pearl) might be a game I’d add to my library (despite the amateurish RPG nature).

It will be interesting to see some screenshots and gameplay videos as we get closer to the Japanese release date in September and - hopefully - an announcement of a North American release.

Apparently, an industry insider leaked the information that Nintendo will try to shoot for an earlier release date than the typical Thanksgiving period where they launched the Gamecube. They must be looking at the poor showing of the Gamecube (which was their fault, and had nothing to do with system specs or the launch window), and deciding that earlier is better.

Apparently, they are either going for a September or an October launch, which will be hitting us during our Canadian Thanksgiving.

Should be interesting. I wonder what the price will be. Perhaps I can trade in some stuff (old Gamecube, old DS, PSP) to get that sweet sweet machine. I mean…I’ll have it to play my Gamecube games, and any Wii games that interest me.

We’ll see though.

Yeah. I still have no freakin’ idea what I’m going to change though. I’ve been contemplating going back to the two sidebars, or perhaps having single entries on the front page with a side bar (on the right) and a “bottom bar” which would contain things like the “Now Playing” and “Project: Library” stuff.

Anywho, I guess we’ll see how it goes. I’ll have to start drawing up some sketches based on what I need…and try to fit that with what I know how to do.

I prayed to God that they wouldn’t re-enact UEFA 2000, where they lost to France in the semi-finals. Unfortunately, they did lose to France just as they did six years ago.

In both instances, Zidane scored his goal off of a penalty kick.

Portugal played quite poorly though. Maniche’s shot from 30 feet out was amazing, and I almost felt like that was going to be Portugal’s goal of the game. But, unfortunately, it sailed a little high of the crossbar…and I was sorely disappointed.

After France’s penalty kick, I figured Portugal wouldn’t come back. France had kept Brazil from scoring…and I didn’t think Portugal had a chance.

They only got two or three chances after that. The most amazing one was Ronaldo’s free kick that bounced out of the French keepers hands, and Figo head-butted it. Unfortunately, it sailed over the crossbar as well. I was amazed because it seemed to be such a prime chance for a goal, and I’m sure Figo is currently beating the shit out of himself for screwing it up. God knows the rest of Portugal would beat the shit out of him if they had the chance. :P

The other chance was Meira’s. He was a defender, but in the last minutes of the game, he came up to play forward. He had a prime chance to get a shot on net, but - again - it sailed over the crossbar (an apparent theme for Portugal).

Oh well…there’s always…2010….

I’ll almost be done university…