I can't really think of anything to say.

I saw an amusing newspaper board outside a shop today (you know those boards that carry the major headline or whatever, to make you buy the paper?). It read:

"1885 jobs today in the Leicester Mercury."

I think my brain's a bit twisted, because I thought of... chimney sweeps. And people who make hats.

Ah well.

It's been bothering me (ever since I walked past) that I can't remember what people who make hats are called. Drat...

John's car is going to cost about £800 to fix. He's going to end up paying about £400 of that, and the dodgy dealer's paying the other half.

Hmm... what else...

Yesterday I signed up with the BBC's Fightbox competition, just to see what it's like. I read about it in last month's Edge magazine. It's a new TV show, you see. You download the "fightkit", create an avatar (there are various body parts to choose from), and train it. Eventually there'll be qualifying rounds, and the scores will be uploaded to the BBC. The best warriors will get to be in the TV programme.

The programme itself is the interesting part. Your avatar has to compete against a bunch of elite warriors ("sentients"), and when it's broadcast it'll look like the warriors are actually fighting in a studio arena. The warriors are keyed onto an actual set, with an audience, and the camera men will see the warriors and the studio in their viewfinders. They'll be able to film it like an actual sporting event.

So, I was a bit bored (or my brain had melted from doing archaeological illustration for too long, or both) so I downloaded it. At first glance, it doesn't seem all that well done. You put your avatar together, fine, then you have two training arenas to practice in. The first is a combat training exercise, against scary droids with lasers. Straight away I was annoyed by the collision detection. You're pressing forward, and not moving because you're up against the droid, but your punches and kicks don't connect. Why is that? And the thing's so slow. If you want to jump over a laser beam, there's not much chance that you'll make it. By the time the warrior's gotten around to jumping, you've already had a laser through your leg.

The second arena is one with moving columns. You're supposed to jump from column to column, doing laps. I didn't manage to get very far at all... it's all too easy to fall down a big pit of oblivion. I know I haven't always been that good at jumping (Half Life training exercises spring to mind) but I have managed it in the end. I'm not sure I'll manage it, this time around... I wonder if the control aspects are easier with a gamepad? They do recommend using a USB gamepad with it. I could buy one and find out, I suppose.

It's a good idea then, but is the Fightbox software good enough? I don't know. The website's forum was full of people voicing similar concerns, so I know it's not just me. I'd like to know what sorts of scores people are managing - one person kept boasting of his 10K scores. I've only managed 1010 on the combat trainer, although I am improving the more time I spend with it. I don't know whether he was lying, or whether he's rubbish. Probably the latter.

Anyway, I had an e-mail today:

Hi,

I see that you are registered on the FightBox website.

I'm currently trying to compose on-line profiles from the Registered FightBox users.

We are randomly tackling the list of registered users and are keen to have a chat with anyone who is determined to qualify to be on the TV show.

If this is you, send me an email with your telephone number and a current photo of yourself and I'll give you a call soon.

Regards,

Chrissi

I wondered if it was genuine, then I figured it probably was. It doesn't say my e-mail address on the BBC's site, so... I don't think I'll reply, though. I mean, if people are getting 10K+ scores, I'd never be able to compete with them! And with all my misgivings, I might not even stick with the program once the novelty's worn off. Because, even though the collision detection's awful, and my poor avatar keeps getting sliced by lasers, it is a bit addictive. ;)

They must be desperate to ask brand new recruits.

*sigh*

Oh, finally finished that Star Wars prequel novel I was reading. Complex political drama? Maybe, but certainly not exciting. I was getting excited over Bail Antilles. That can't be right. :)

Better go now.

I have been mostly.... WATCHING (TV): neighbours (bbc 1); macgyver (bravo) / READING: star wars - cloak of deception (james luceno); fried green tomatoes at the whistlestop cafe (fannie flagg) / LISTENING: electro glide in blue (apollo 440); tomb raider soundtrack (various) ; grace (jeff buckley); sketches for my sweetheart the drunk (jeff buckley)

posted by Fiery Fred @ 10:35 PM