Bradtastica, the collection of coolness

Well, where should I begin…

I kind of totally forgot about Bradtastica.

I guess that that’s what happens with a disability, chronic pain, and very little time using the internet and writing. This website is really a WordPress testing ground for me, because I’ve been writing about apps and stuff elsewhere—my main blog. That reminds me… I’ve changed the name, and I’m consolidating! Superfloo.us is now SaysBrad, and soon, BradChin.com will be different as well.

I have started a few reviews (stored in Writing Kit) for iOS apps, so hopefully soon I can post new reviews.

Hopefully I can edit this site and make it more attractive as well.

Just thought I’d post a friendly reminder here since I’m not sure when I will be able to make time to really analyze games and such…

iOS users: many great apps are available at discounted prices (or free) for Father’s Day. Take advantage of this; I’ve seen some ten dollar apps for $0.99 USD, and you’ll find plenty of freebies.

Unfortunately, searching the App Store from the iPhone or iPad is a little tricky and very time-consuming. This can create a problem and a dilemma; are you going to find what you’re looking for, do you know what’s even available now, and is the discount really worth the time that it’ll take to scour the store page after page?

Fortunately, I have a solution for you. check out AppShopper, a free app that makes sifting through the plethora manageable — even fun! I’m so confident that the app will help you, it’s presently beyond “Bradtastic Approved,” and you’ll thank me later. (If you find some smoking hot deal, please share it with others. You could even list your favorite apps here… particularly games. If you save money you would’ve surely spent, please donate some time or money to wildlife conservation — or better still: gift an app, or send me something cool!) It would be VERY NICE if the App Store came with a shareable wish list feature; that doesn’t (yet) exist, but AppShopper can help. Make a free AppShopper account, and you can store items to a wish list that’ll keep track of favorites or potential future-purchases, and display (seemingly) realtime price fluctuations.

For more iOS info and other things, check out “(not) superfluous.” If you have an iOS device, definitely follow my upcoming posts — I’m going to try and reveal some strategies, usability tips, and other ways to save (or maximize) your money.

CRYSIS 2

Have you seen Crysis 2? I’m not even going to bother specifying a system. I’ve heard that, between the two, the XBOX 360 version looks better than the Playstation 3 version — it’s not likely you’ll notice, though.

Bottom line, if you like first-person shooters, get Crysis. Gamestop is selling used copies for under $50 — that’s a steal for this game. Crysis 2 has some of the most amazing set-pieces I’ve ever seen; forget the next Michael Bay movie, it’s got nothing on Crysis. The world itself is amazing — it feels like nothing in the game exists as an afterthought.

I’m looking forward to other games, and to be honest, Crysis wasn’t even on my radar. I was looking forward to Brink, and Bethesda’s upcoming Rage. [BTW: if you have an iOS device, specifically the iPhone 4 or iPad 2, get Rage HD at the App Store.]

BRINK was extremely disappointing to me. I guess I was expecting more; and perhaps the lack of immediate online play was a factor, but I wasn’t impressed or immersed by the world and story of BRINK. As I was playing and leveling, I just thought of Team Fortress 2. Fortunately, L.A. Noire released seven days later, and took my mind off of the lackluster shooter.

I’ve played a lot of shooter games recently; some first-person, some third-person, and some iPhone games while waiting in the car. I played through the Call of Duty series, Uncharted, Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots, Mass Effect 2, Fallout: New Vegas, and recently, some Red Dead Redemption and Vanquish. I even tried Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days! Gamestop really does have a phenomenal used game policy — I thought Kane & Lynch 2 was terrible.

That stated, Crysis 2 is my favorite, with Borderlands as a close second. I am excited about having all of the Playstation Network features back up, but I’ve had some fun with single-player games — even the shooters. Call of Duty 3 really surprised me with its incredibly long campaign; it felt somewhat nostalgic, I remembered what it was like marveling Goldeneye for Nintendo 64 over one-decade ago.

I suppose that, if games are about relaxation, entertainment, catharsis, and maybe “art,” then it’s reasonable to see Crysis 2 as the ultimate FPS game. While I like the idea of playing through a game like COD: World at War co-op, from start to finish with a friend, it’s unlikely to occur for me because of the hours I keep and play during. With so many new games releasing so quickly, I don’t have time to (and don’t want to) invest 2000 hours in a multiplayer mode. Years ago, when I cherished my SEGA Dreamcast, it surprised me when one great game released each month; that pace seemed to be too fast! With N64, we got a few good games each year — now, we get a great game each week.

I’d need a full-time job reviewing games to review just the good ones.

Since I don’t have that, if you haven’t already, play Crysis 2, add me at Game Center (bradtastic), and thank me later.

I’ve been writing a lot more. Mostly on my iPad, but I’ve posted some of it at (not) superfluous. I’ve decided to use this blog to continue talking about cool things, but more specifically. Now it’s apps, video games, and the things behind ‘em… meaning some talk about developers, tools, technology, hardware, consoles, etc.

And there’ll be some hot tips and stories along the way as well.

For more on bradtastica…

visit about.

If you want, you can chat with me through Twitter.

Stephanie and I saw Eclipse last night after she got off of work. We went to Century Theaters in Walnut Creek — I’d forgotten to use my prepaid tickets. Two tickets, $21 plus snacks, $18.50 — it’s probably a good thing that movie-going isn’t a normal outing anymore. It’s not cheap going to the theater; with DVDs and Blu-Ray versions releasing so soon after the theatrical release, I prefer to wait most of the time. Beyond that, I have Netflix, and many movies become available as watch instantly… many new releases through Starz Play.

Seeing the movie again has given me the urge to reread Stephenie Meyer’s Eclipse, if for no other reason than to examine the differences and discrepancies. Each Twilight Saga movie has been better than the last, and I’m sure that Breaking Dawn will be an incredible production — I’m wondering about how they’ll choose to portray the many vampire powers. New Moon and Eclipse have done fairly well to portray the speed and strength of the vampires and wolves.

This brings up several things, and some news.

Immediately following the release of the movie Twilight, I purchased the four books of the Saga on Kindle. Now, Amazon has announced that the new Kindle DX (black, with free worldwide 3G) is only $379. I am as excited about getting one of these as I am about the iPhone 4. One of my associates told me that the new retina display is so remarkable, it looks unreal. I like the idea of mobile video chatting and extended functionality.

Thoughts and review, software and Apple products.

I do hope that Apple hurries up with an IOS4 update for the iPad. Although I had considered getting a 3G model, I might wait for the next-gen version. I wish the device had larger storage capacity (for large photos, Sketchbook created artwork, HD movies, music videos) and more memory — currently, if I scroll through Photos too-quickly, the iPad crashes. I also wish that more developers would release apps (specifically, I’d like a iPad-optimized blogging tool for Squarespace and Typepad, MarsEdit or ecto, ThinkFree, Zoho, or Google Documents app and Mariner Software’s Macjournal). The iPad makes for a surprisingly nice reading platform, especially with Zinio magazine reader, iBooks and GoodReader. Although I still prefer reading on the Kindle’s digital paper (I’m not opposed to trying the Barnes & Noble device, nook), I’m not always in well-lit areas, and the option to get some light reading done is wonderful. I hope that Apple chooses to create a “retina display” for their next iPad, along with removable storage and additional battery capacity (extended battery options).

[I also just signed up for the OnLive Founding Members Program Waiting List. I think the service is going to rock. Join OnLive]

About blogging, here and elsewhere.

The iPad is a pleasure to write on. I’ve read several reviews and comments stating that the iPad is about consuming content, not creating it, however, I’ve found that this isn’t the case — at least not for me. With apps like Taskpaper, Notably, Autodesk Sketchbook Pro, HelvetiNote and Penultimate, I’ve composed quite a bit — sketched, drawn, written — and with an ease I’ve never before experienced. With the keyboard accessory, the iPad docks in portrait-view — perfect for writing emails and blog entries. I’ve written this entry on my iPad using the WordPress app.

Forever, is it never?

Earlier today I skimmed an article in Newsweek about immortality and thought that the timing was interesting. No doubt that it has something to do with that movie about vampires that just released, that I just saw… what’s it called, again? If only it were less obscure…

I’d started gathering my thoughts, but by the time I’d thought about writing them at Bradtastic Defined, it was time to leave the house. This timing wasn’t unfortunate; taking the time to collect more of my opinions, impressions, facts and evidence on this topic is prudent, and I’d even consider that seeing Eclipse has enhanced — if not altered — my views on the subject.

Earlier, I’d replied to a prompt at my Plinky — if I had unlimited resources… After having given it some thought, I replied honestly — though I cannot claim accuracy because I’m not sure that it’s possible to know what one would do in an impossible situation until it occurred. Thinking on this now, I sense similarities between the Plinky question and the topic of immortality — both are so incalculably far from our perspective and understanding that it’s unreasonable to assume semi-accurate speculation. We’re simply too far away from either situation.

Even when we ponder immortality in epic stories — novels, tv, movies, games — the undying and undead still perish… vampires, Highlander, planeswalkers… forever is incomprehensible. However, I will try to write about it anyway, at BradChin.com, because I fundamentally disagree with the Newsweek article.

I’m also working on new projects, including new designs for the Marrakech Magic Theater. Please follow superfloo.us for updates!