Hey guys. Today I bring you my first ever (and probably only) exclusive scoop! This relates to Insomniac's next episode of their Full Moon Show podcast. I wrote into Insomniac with the following e-mail:

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From: AJ Gaspar [mailto:[e-mail changed to protect the innocent (me) from weekly "newsletters" (a.k.a. panda pr0n)]
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 6:53 PM
To: podcast
Subject: Episodic content

Dear Full Moon Show,

Congratulations on your great start for season two! This fall can't come soon enough.

I wanted to know what you guys thought about episodic content? Do you like the idea of releasing new single-player missions? Would you ever consider creating one or two new Resistance 1 missions on the PSN to fill in the gaps between the two stories? I would definitely buy. I need a reason to dust off my Bullseye this summer.

Once again, it was a great start to season two and I can't wait to see what you guys may or may not bring to GDC.

Your die hard fan,
Andrew Gaspar

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I received this response:

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From: James Stevenson [jstevenson@insomniacgames.com]
To: AJ Gaspar [INSERT DEWMAN'S E-MAIL ADDRESS HERE!]
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 1:41:30 PM
Subject: RE: Episodic content

We'll discuss this on the next odcast!

JS

---

I will treasure this e-mail and its blatantly obvious typo forever.

Now, what do they mean by discuss? Will they touch lightly on the subject during their normal community segment, or will they make some sort of announcement regarding the issue? I'm guessing the first option is what will happen, but hey, who knows? I really do hope they release some sort of episodic content for Resistance 1 and/or Resistance 2 sometime in their lifetimes. I like the idea of episodic content, but none of my games have ever received it, unless you count the Shivering Isles.

This is dewmandew7, who is tickling without over-stimulating, signing-out. (listen to episode 19 of the podcast for reference)

NOTE: See episode 10 to hear Andrew Gaspar's (a.k.a. dewmandew7) other e-mail that was read and answered on the show.

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UPDATE: They didn't answer my question. :( Insomniac forgot about me...

*cries in room for twenty minutes*

Okay, I'm over it. :P

[video=IiFnxGT85bwIuzLd]

They see me embedding...
They're hatin...
All because I'm too white and nerdy.

[spoiler] I figured out how to do these crazy spoiler things now, too! [/spoiler]

I lose a level and a half just because I quoted and wrote QFT (Quoted for truth). Apparently, I also had five quotes in one post, so I was deducted. However, I should not have been deducted that much. This is rediculous!

Mods... no QFT for you.

Hey guys. Today I bring you my first ever (and probably only) exclusive scoop! This relates to Insomniac's next episode of their Full Moon Show podcast. I wrote into Insomniac with the following e-mail:

---

From: AJ Gaspar [mailto:[e-mail changed to protect the innocent (me) from weekly "newsletters" (a.k.a. panda pr0n)]
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 6:53 PM
To: podcast
Subject: Episodic content

Dear Full Moon Show,

Congratulations on your great start for season two! This fall can't come soon enough.

I wanted to know what you guys thought about episodic content? Do you like the idea of releasing new single-player missions? Would you ever consider creating one or two new Resistance 1 missions on the PSN to fill in the gaps between the two stories? I would definitely buy. I need a reason to dust off my Bullseye this summer.

Once again, it was a great start to season two and I can't wait to see what you guys may or may not bring to GDC.

Your die hard fan,
Andrew Gaspar

---

I received this response:

---

From: James Stevenson [jstevenson@insomniacgames.com]
To: AJ Gaspar [INSERT DEWMAN'S E-MAIL ADDRESS HERE!]
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 1:41:30 PM
Subject: RE: Episodic content

We'll discuss this on the next odcast!

JS

---

I will treasure this e-mail and its blatantly obvious typo forever.

Now, what do they mean by discuss? Will they touch lightly on the subject during their normal community segment, or will they make some sort of announcement regarding the issue? I'm guessing the first option is what will happen, but hey, who knows? I really do hope they release some sort of episodic content for Resistance 1 and/or Resistance 2 sometime in their lifetimes. I like the idea of episodic content, but none of my games have ever received it, unless you count the Shivering Isles.

This is dewmandew7, who is tickling without over-stimulating, signing-out. (listen to episode 19 of the podcast for reference)

NOTE: See episode 10 to hear Andrew Gaspar's (a.k.a. dewmandew7) other e-mail that was read and answered on the show.

Dewmandew7's HO (Humble Opinion): PSP2 Predictions

We all know PSP2 is coming sooner or later and I took it upon myself to discuss possible and probable features of Sony's next handheld.

The PSP2 will be somewhere between the Wii and the 360 in technical prowess.

1. There will be a higher resolution screen (duh). Probably at least 480p and it will keep the 16:9 aspect ratio.
2. Video out will be available from the start and a key part of the system.
3. PSP2 will contain the Emotion Engine or use emulation allowing for the playback of PS2 games, just like the first PSP played PSone games.
4. There will be backwards compatibility with PSP games, as well.

There will be no UMD drive.

1. Instead, a 30 GB flash drive (like an iPod) will take its place.
2. There will be a memory stick port. By the time PSP2 comes out, 16 GB memory sticks will probably only be about $50 or less.

All games for the PSP2 will be downloaded.

1. A new Playstation Store will be available on PSP2, PC, and PS3.
2. All PSP2 games will be purchased from the online store.
   1. This leads to cheaper games, as developers are selling their products directly to the consumer and will not have to worry about going through retailers, meaning more profit for the devs. Also, there will be no manufacturing costs, either.
   2. Most games will be no more than 4 GB of data.
   3. All games can be backed up to your PC, allowing you to easily swap games on the fly and not have to redownload a game you deleted for another.
   4. All games will be $40 or less.

1. Back catalog games
   1. All PSone games will be playable on PSP2, and will remain compatible with PSP and PS3.
   2. PS2 games will become available for play on PSP2 as well as PS3.
   3. PSP games will be ported to the Store for digital download. All current PSP games on the Store will be playable on PSP2, and many other noteworthy PSP classics will become available as well and be playable on both PSP and PSP2.
2. Movies
   1. Don't have much to say, but hopefully by the time PSP2 comes around, the video download service that was promised for PS3 a while ago will be available.
3. Music
   1. See above.

Design

1. The design will keep the basic shape of the previous model.
2. Two analog nubs (if Sony didn't add a second, they'd be stupid)
3. Four trigger buttons (I'm still trying to figure how that would work... maybe they could be like the B button on the back of the Wiimote and be slightly inset as well)
4. The nubs will be slightly raised to allow for clickage (L3 and R3)

Other Possible Features

1. Sixaxis
2. Dual Shock 3 / Sixaxis support (so you can play wirelessly when using video out)
3. Uses PSN just like the PS3, meaning your username will transfer over.
4. Possible Home designed specifically for PSP2.
5. Enhanced Remote Play functionality.

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So, those are my predictions. What do you think? Am I being completely retarded, or do you think this is the basic design that Sony will use for their PSP2. Please comment, but first read...

Dewmandew7's Gaming Update - 1/21/08

I have finally gotten into Super Mario Galaxy. I have unlocked all five domes and now I just need to get to 60 stars so I can go and fight Bowser and save Princess Peach. (If you thought that was a spoiler, well :P). I can see why this game got GOTY now. The design of the levels, the music, everything comes together in such a polished and sylized way. My only regret is that the game started out kind of bland, though now that I have progressed further in the game, the first few stars are easily ignored.

I've also been playing a lot of Oblivion. I made a new character named Bilbo Baggins. He's more of an assassin than a thief, but who cares if I stay true to Bilbo's character. :P I'm ashamed to admit it, but I have the game set all the way to easy. This makes it incredibly easy to assassinate people in the street. The guards are so dumb. There will be people just standing in the middle of the street. I get somewhere where nobody can see me and shoot them with an arrow for 3x damage. Sometimes I can even sneak up behind them and stab them. The guards will walk past me as I loot the fallen body and just stare. :lol: Dumb ***es.

Call of Duty 4 is still fun. I played a bit tonight. I did a little bit of Old School (my favorite playlist), but then went and did some Team Hardcore when some friends of mine from school got on. I need to play some more to get good, but it's definitely a game that I will be playing until Call of Duty 5.

I tried to play some Warhawk. I haven't played in forever and I decided I would give the game a second chance. I patiently waited through the update and got into the game. Of course, whatdoyaknow... I could not connect. I thought that Sony/Incognito had solved this problem. Whatever. I'm done with Warhawk now.

I plan on buying Burnout Paradise this weekend. I loved the demo and I can't wait to take down my friends online. If you're buying the game, add me! PSN: dewmandew7.

Well, that's all. Before you comment, please read my second draft of my Snowmen descriptive essay.

Here's the second draft of my article. I've tried to clean up some ugly sentences and be more descriptive. Tell me what you think. Please, be critical. I want to get an A on this assignment. You guys are my secret weapon:

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Andrew Gaspar

Mrs. Marquardt

Adv. English II

23 January 2008

Snowmen

What has three body segments, wears food on its face, and perishes in weather above thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit? Why, snowmen, of course! These glorious symbols of winter have been constructed by many skilled artisans over the ages. The construction of these beautiful creations has always been an enjoyable group activity. Snowmen are majestic creatures that have been built by many over the ages and have cultures that much mirror our own.

A standard snowman has a very basic composition. He usually has three body segments with arms as thin as twigs. This condition keeps snowmen from building any magnificent structures, though natural selection is sure to kick in sooner or later, right? As for their faces, most snowmen are outfitted with vegetables for noses, with eyes and mouths made of ancient fossilized plants. They are vested in very plain clothes, usually a plain black top hat with a cotton scarf. They may appear ordinary, but their diet isn't.

So, I suppose you are wondering what the diet of these creatures consists of. Well, the snowman's main source of nourishment is the chemical H2O, in its solid state and in a powdery form, of course. This chemical, which is the same substance the flesh of the snowmen is mainly comprised of, tastes much like water, though various pollutants such as animal waste and road salts can distill the normally plain taste of H2O. Thankfully, as long as snowmen eat untainted snow, they do not have to worry about the petty problem of BO that we humans possess. Nonetheless, many snow-women have had problems with this form of nutrition. You see, this chemical, or "snow" in snowmen slang, is converted immediately into fat as soon as the snowmen absorb it into their body. However, they do have a method of removing this excess fat, though the process is quite dangerous.

The snowpeople's - for the PC - main form of removing unwanted weight is referred to as "melting" by the kids. "Melting" involves being exposed to large amounts of UV rays from the sun. These rays will cause a physical change in a snowperson's body, indiscriminately changing "snow" into a liquid form which will usually mix in with the solid snow and create an unattractive physical condition called "slush". Also, severe melting can lead to complete deterioration of the snowperson's body, resulting in irreversible death, leaving only the snowperson's nose, mouth, arms, and eyes behind. This horrible method of weight loss is popular in the southern reaches of snowman land, though not all parts of the snowmen population are the same.

Snowmen thrive best in northern areas. Popular trends have influenced many snowpeople to move south. However, these snowpeople will only survive for one season, maybe one and a half. Also, thanks to horrible birth control methods, more and more snowchildren are being raised in environments inhospitable to them. However, up in the northern areas of Canada, Russia, and Greenland, as well as far down south in Antarctica, snowmen can survive for hundreds of years. These areas are by far the more desirable locations to live and raise a family for snowpeople.

The snowman is a beautiful creature of nature. Despite having some problems concerning weight and heat control, the snowman is a plain creature with very simple desires, though they are truly some of the most remarkable of God's creations. Hopefully you'll be able to meet one of the older and wiser ones someday. The snowman is a creature with a society that much mirrors our own and have been built by many over the ages.

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Fin. Please comment.

So, our first writing assignment in Advanced English II (Literature and Composition) is a descriptive essay... this is mine. What do you think? Please comment on possible revisions and changes that could be made to the paper. This is only my first draft. I will eventually update with my second draft and final draft, but I would just like to get some initial peer-to-peer feedback. Now, he's my paper in all of its MLA formatted glory:

---

Andrew Gaspar

Mrs. Marquardt

Adv. English II

January 15, 2008

Snowmen (working title)

What has three body segments, wears food on its face, and perishes in weather above thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit? Why, snowmen, of course! These glorious symbols of winter have been built by many over the ages. The construction of these beautiful creations has always been an enjoyable group activity. Snowmen are majestic creatures that have been built by many over the ages and have cultures that much mirror our own.

A standard snowman has a very basic composition. He usually has three body segments with very thin arms. This condition keeps snowmen from building any magnificent structures, though natural selection is sure to kick in sooner or later, right? As for their faces, most snowmen have vegetables for a nose, with eyes and mouth made of ancient fossilized plants. They usually wear very plain clothes, usually a plain black top hat with a cotton scarf. They may appear ordinary, but their diet isn't.

So, I suppose you are wondering what the diet of these creatures consists of. Well, the snowman's main source of nourishment is the chemical H2O, in its solid state and in a powdery form, of course. However, many Snow-women have had problems with this form of nutrition. You see, this chemical, or "snow" in snowmen slang, turns right into fat as soon as the snowmen absorb it into their body. However, they do have a method of removing this excess fat, though the process is quite dangerous.

The snowpeople's - for the PC - main form of removing unwanted weight is referred to as "melting" by the kids. "Melting" involves being exposed to large amounts of UV rays from the sun. These rays will cause a physical change in a snowperson's body, indiscriminately changing "snow" into a liquid form which will usually mix in with the solid snow and create an unattractive physical condition called "slush". Also, severe melting can lead to complete deterioration of the snowperson's body, resulting in irreversible death, leaving only the snowperson's nose, mouth, arms, and eyes behind. This horrible method of weight loss is popular in the southern reaches of snowman land, though not all parts of the snowmen population are the same.

Snowmen thrive best in northern areas. Popular trends have influenced many snowpeople to move south. However, these snowpeople will only survive for one season, maybe one and a half. Up in the northern areas of Canada, Russia, and Greenland, as well as far down south in Antarctica, snowmen can survive for hundreds of years. If you ever take a vacation to one of the many snowtowns that became wildly popular in northern Canada in the 19th century, you may want to visit some of the snowelders and receive some of their wisdom. The wisest of them, however, are found in remote regions that are inhospitable to human life.

The snowman is a beautiful creature of nature. Despite having some problems concerning weight and heat control, the snowman is a plain creature with very simple desires, though they are truly some of the most remarkable of God's creations. Hopefully you'll be able to meet one of the older and wiser ones someday. The snowman is a creature with a society that much mirrors our own and have been built by many over the ages.

---

P.S. Should I just leave the title as "Snowmen", or should I change it. Any suggestions?

Resistance 2 has been confirmed release with plenty of details in an IGN article!

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Resistance 2 Announced Eight-player co-op, 60-player matches and so much more is coming this fall. by Greg Miller

January 11, 2008 - When the original Resistance: Fall of Man launched alongside the PlayStation 3 in 2006, its status as a best seller was all but guaranteed. The game looked good, played well and offered the kind of online firefights the Sony fan base was clamoring for. Thanks to map packs and a devoted following, Resistance is still running strong on the PS3, but as more and more FPS games hit the console, gamers are starting to want more.

They'll get it this fall.

Resistance 2 is official after Sony announced the title in the latest issue of Game Informer, which should be hitting subscriber mailboxes anytime now. In the cover story, Sony spills the beans on all sorts of nifty gameplay features and functions.

Yeah, this is from Fall of Man, but we wanted to remind you of how the bad guys look.Just what is in there? Let's take a quick look ...

• The game will feature the standard single-player campaign as well as an eight-player online co-op campaign that's objective-based. Two people can still work together locally.
  
  
• Ready to beat each other senseless online? Resistance 2 will feature 60-player matches set in the United States.
  
  
• Sorry, Rachel; the campaign will pick up from Fall of Man's epilogue and stick solely with Nathan Hale as he copes with getting shot down in Iceland, escaping to the states and joining the "Sentinels" program.
  
  
• There will be ****s. Characters will start out from one of three basic templates -- a "tank-****" soldier rocking a chain gun, a "Special Ops ****" that seems like a sniper or a medic whose "Medicator" gun will hurt enemies and heal allies -- and go from there.
  
  
• When you and a team of friends head into battle, there will not be a selectable difficulty. Insomniac will be auto-scaling the challenge to the skill of you and your squad. When you jump into a random online match, you'll be teamed with partners and opponents who are around your personal level.
  
  
• "Personal" is going to be a big word in Resistance 2. The game will have dedicated servers for gaming, community and stats as well as gamer profile pages on myresistance.net. In-game, the setup will be completely open when it comes to clans and parties -- the era of invites has come to a close.
  
  
• Vehicles are in the game, but Insomniac wouldn't let on about their role.
  
  
• The game's set in the '50s, but expect a more modern U.S. landscape as well as a focus on the aerial side of the Chimeran attack.
  
  
• The game's AI has been overhauled -- they have improved routines and detachable armor pieces -- and boss battles will be more important than ever.
  
  Exciting, no? We'll have more info on Resistance 2 as it becomes available, but for the full scoop, check out Game Informer's February issue.

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w0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000t!!!!!* Booyah!!!! Are you ready!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?

*Webster dictionary's word of the year

P.S. Please read 1 as 2 and 2 as 1 in my last blog. :)