Saturday 12 January 2013

Final Fantasy XI, Part 2 - Adventurers of Vana'diel

The playable races of Final Fantasy XI, from left to right: TaruTaru (Male and Female), Galka, Elvaan (Male and Female),
Mithra and Humes (Male and Female).
 
«Final Fantasy XI» is set in the world of Vana'diel. As an adventurer of Vana'diel, you live a highly subsidized existence. For instance, one of your perks is free housing courtesy of your starting city. You also get to stay in rent-a-rooms in other cities, ironically without having to pay rent. Adventurer perks further include housekeeping in the form of a Moogle, a tiny bat-winged plush-demon who is somehow always waiting for you wherever you are staying, having already brought with it all your stuff. This adorable creature is as such more magically potent than any monster you will encounter on your adventures, and is therefore potentially the most dangerous creature in the world.

Tuesday 8 January 2013

Is the «Piston» Steam Box a viable gaming PC?

The much anticipated Steam Box is finally revealed at the International Consumer Electronics Show 2013 in Las Vegas. It is named «Piston» which is actually quite clever, as pistons are important parts in a steam engine, and are presumably also on speaking terms with other mechanical components like valves.

The question is: Will it be any good? More specifically, is it possible to pack a gaming PC into the small form factor of Valve and Xi3's rather snug looking design prototype? The answer depends on how you define the term gaming PC.