Xbox Live's Agent Superball

Off To Norway..

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:52:00 +0000

Later today I'm off to an airport hotel at Heathrow and in the early hours of Tuesday, I'll be off to Oslo for an Age of Conan event that will be awesome! Hopefully I'll come across some pics that I can post, but as a result of my absence, the site will be inactive from now till Wednesday afternoon. See you all soon!

The Matrix Online Story Summary, 10.1.5 (5/1-5/7) - 05/09/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:52:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9

Friday, May 9, 2008

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//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 10.1, Week 5 Story Summary //

##Connection Established##

Carlyne thanked Zion for their help, saying he was going to leave the Matrix now that Halborn can no longer jack in due to his ship having been disabled, and that he had to leave to take care of certain concerns, one of which was ensuring that Halborn would not be able to return. Carlyne had a similar message for the Machines, saying that he hoped there were no hard feelings. With the intruders and their override routines out of the picture, the Machines mobilized their programs to begin fighting Zion once again.

Cryptos theorized that the override routines had been able to operate by taking advantage of a fundamental vulnerability in the simulation. Having noticed that they had no controlling effect on his own RSI, which is partly Machine code, he declared his intent to begin working on an algorithm capable of resisting the override programs, using his own code as a starting point.

The General reached the Machine no-fly zone on the Earth's surface, northwest of the Machine city, and encountered a heavily fortified facility. Unable to penetrate the facility's defenses, his Sentinels found a data conduit nearby. Tapping into the data stream, they encountered unusual data protocols, only partially matching known Machine formats. Merovingian operatives within the simulation forced their way into highly secured Machine servers, and, after much effort, located a data type similar to what the General had found. Using this new information, the General's soldiers began decoding the foreign data feed, but their transmission was cut off just as they sent back a partially scrambled decoding identifying the data stream as part of a massive system labeled the "Oligarch Network."

Operatives encountered override programs on rooftops across the city, possibly remaining from a last-ditch effort by one of the intruders.

The Exile Rose, having heard that the intruders had left, took a bold trip from her station in Southard to the heart of Downtown with the help of a couple operatives.

Ghost visited the site of Captain Suda's ambush and death at the hands of Cypherites in Widow's Moor. He discussed the possibility of larger motives or relationships behind the recent events surrounding Suda's death, including the actions of the intruders, and the attempted interception of Commander Lock by Cypherite and Machine hovercraft. This discussion was interrupted by an Archivist, who demanded that Ghost and the operatives with him leave the construct, enforcing this command with a swarm of Gargoyles.

Zion operatives pursuing Machine Data Technicians in the Datamine construct crossed paths with Captain Raeder, apparently an officer in the security division of Supersymmetric Research, the company who had owned the artificial island. Raeder rambled on about research, experiments, and bureaucracy while attempting to expel the "trespassers."

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

The Matrix Online Story Summary, 10.1.4 (4/24-4/30) - 05/02/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Sat, 03 May 2008 00:07:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9

Friday, May 2, 2008

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//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 10.1, Week 4 Story Summary //

##Connection Established##

Halborn destroyed a Zionite hovercraft that was following his ship; the crew had tried luring Halborn into scan range at Carlyne's suggestion. Although the crew were killed, Carlyne said that the partial information they'd returned might help him finish a program he'd been working on to eliminate Halborn.

Halborn, angry at finding himself in the middle of a large hovercraft battle after following coordinates given him by Cypherites, demanded to see the Machines again, but the Machines did not meet with him. Halborn took his anger out on Cypherites inside the Matrix, and muttered about operatives being manipulated by someone who knows all about the program he's after.

Machine programs pursued Merovingian operatives and commandos, seeking to prevent further Merovingian interference with Sentinel systems. Although the Machine programs were eliminated in part by taking advantage of one of Halborn's Accelerator programs, the Merovingian declared that Halborn's usefulness to him was at an end.

Niobe led Zion operatives to a Cypherite installation where they'd detected a spike of override activity, and they found Cypherites and Cryptos there, as well as a Decelerator program, which caused problems for Zionites and Cypherites alike, as well as for some Merovingian operatives seeking to cash in on the confusion. Cryptos departed, and the Zionites sealed off the area, but did not, as Niobe had hoped they might, find solid information on a link between the Cypherites and Halborn, which their joint presence at the scene of Commander Lock's transfer had led her to suspect.

Agent Pace and Machine operatives warned Halborn that his ship had probably been compromised by terrorists. Despite an attack by EPN operatives armed with code pulse devices, Halborn thought little of the warning, saying that everyone could go to hell as far as he was concerned.

Cypherites running checks on their computer systems found override programs at some locations. Pluribus Neo, using captured data, made their way to one of these installations as well, where a fight erupted between Cypherites, EPN, and override programs. The Kid defeated the outnumbered Cryptos, and Pluribus Neo managed to gain temporary access to the Cypherite mainframe at the site, but they only had time to extract fragmentary data from it before the Cypherites finally secured the mainframe.

Zionites found and fought Halborn in the Historic District. Carlyne appeared on the scene and distributed instances of a special program to a group of the operatives, saying that if they could hit Halborn with it, it should be able to disable his broadcast signal at the source. The operative Coroebus was able to bypass Halborn's defensive routines and strike him with the program. Halborn fell to the ground, inert. Carlyne said that it looked like the program had worked, although he'd have to check his data before he could be sure.

Merovingian operatives accompanied by Beirn tried to persuade Carlyne to remain in the simulation, entertaining him at Paradise Lost, but Carlyne, although apologetic, was adamant about having to depart, for various reasons, most of which he did not describe.

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

So That's All You Do, Guard This Door?

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:50:00 +0000

You'll have no doubt noticed the new gamertag, it was mainly because some clan members had changed their ones and I got some extra Microsoft points from preordering GTA IV. Now, I bet you are wondering who Agent Superball is. That is if you havent been played the Sam and Max episodic games from Telltale, which are excellent! Here's a pic of Sam and Max with Superball:
He's been very mysterious through both seasons, he worked for the secret service, Hugh Bliss, Jurgen and in 40 years never seemed to age a day, his glasses can also erase quick memories...who knows what we'll learn about him in Season Three, but I'm looking forward to it!

The Matrix Online Story Summary, 10.1.3 (4/17-4/23) - 04/25/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:27:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9

Friday, April 25, 2008

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//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 10.1, Week 3 Story Summary //

##Connection Established##

At Niobe's insistence, Carlyne gave Zion rough descriptions of the advanced ships used by himself and Halborn. Zion captured information from a Machine surveillance database that seemed to confirm the descriptions given by Carlyne; the database also contained a record of a ship like Carlyne's that was present at the Machine city over two years ago.

Halborn demanded the location of Carlyne's ship from the Machines, but they told him their ability to give out such information was restricted, and suggested that he check with the Cypherites--Veil, specifically. Veil told Halborn that she had some interesting things to show him in the Real.

The Merovingian and the General determined that the area to which Halborn had referred, 800 miles northwest of the Machine city, was classified as a "no fly" zone by the Machines, and avoided by their Sentinel patrols, although other patrols were blocking the General's route to the area. Merovingian operatives attempting to disrupt Machine Sentinel control routines found that command protocols given them by the General no longer worked, but the General obtained updated data by capturing a Machine Sentinel, allowing operatives to disable the Machine systems long enough for the General to make his way past their patrols, and continue on his way to the blackout zone.

When Sentinel attacks still proved a hindrance to his progress, operatives got a commando, Lieutenant Petrov, through to a Machine mainframe, where he uploaded his own program into a Machine Sentinel, buying the General time by attacking the other Machines in that Sentinel's squadron.

Cypherites, assisted by a spy named Pernicia, decimated the crew of a hovercraft commanded by Zion's Captain Suda, and captured data that Veil turned over to Halborn. Halborn very pointedly did not invite them along, but Veil intimated that the Cypherites would be flying somewhere with Halborn in the Real.

A further attempt by Merovingian Exiles to disrupt Machine Sentinel routines was overcome by a quick response from Machine operatives, who wiped out the Exile group, found in the vicinity of Pendhurst-Amaranth plaza. Beirn rallied Merovingian operatives, and defeated most of the Machine programs remaining in the area, but faced stiff resistance from the Machinists, and was even forced to reconstruct by the Cypherite operative SaintDaniel.

Halborn attacked a Zionite hovercraft in the Real. One of their crew members, Ramin, managed to jack into the Matrix, where he contacted Zion operatives. With assistance from Ghost, Halborn was called into the Matrix on the pretext that the Machines had agreed to give him the program he wanted. Disguised Zionite operatives stalled Halborn long enough for Ramin's crippled hovercraft to reach safety.

Colt hurried through the city's bars and clubs, apparently looking for his ship's mechanic. Despite help from operatives, he was unable to locate his crewmate, and jacked out after complaining about Commander Lock, and the loss of his old crewmate, Mauser.

Shortly thereafter, EPN and Zion hovercraft transferring Lock from the EPN base in Zion's old city to New Zion were attacked by Machine, Cypherite, and Merovingian fleets. After a prolonged battle, the transfer of Commander Lock from EPN Captain Steelle's "The Hand of God" to Zion Captain RedBindi's "The Titan" was completed successfully, and New Zion prepared to welcome their old Commander to the city.

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

The Matrix Online Story Summary, 10.1.2 (4/10-4/16) - 04/18/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:12:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9

Friday, April 18, 2008

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//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 10.1, Week 2 Story Summary //

##Connection Established##

Halborn attacked one of Zion's broadcast control clusters in the Matrix for reasons that were not immediately clear. Carlyne mentioned that Halborn is probably trying to shut him down by attacking his hovercraft.

Carlyne met with Agent Pace and Machinists, telling them that once Halborn was removed from the Matrix, he'd see to it that Halborn's access was restricted by "the Oligarchs." The Machines moved on to investigate the encrypted codes the Oracle gave to the Cypherites and E Pluribus Neo. Veil said that the Cypherites hadn't been able to crack the encryption, but that they were keeping the file safe outside of the Matrix. Subterfuge by Agent Gray and Machine operatives led Agent Gray to determine that Pluribus Neo were likely to be keeping their encrypted file at their base in Zion's old city.

A surly Halborn agreed to meet the Merovingian, but refused to discuss his goals, or the program he's been looking for, citing a concern that Carlyne might find a way to use such information against him. Halborn went on to say that he could get rid of Carlyne if he could find his ship; he also mentioned a location "800 miles away" to the northwest, in relation to Carlyne.

Halborn attacked a Pluribus Neo stronghold in the slums, but was repulsed by operatives, although not until he had damaged the file system on the servers there.

The Machines launched a small Sentinel attack on EPN's base in old Zion, in tandem with an attack on a high-ranking EPN hovercraft. Operatives within the Matrix delayed contact between the assailed crew and the Kid, preserving the attack's element of surprise, and allowing Sentinels to capture the craft. Data returned by the Sentinels from the base and the captured ship indicated reinforced defenses at the old city, but a high probability that Pluribus Neo did not maintain a central mainframe there.

E Pluribus Neo located and held Halborn while Carlyne tried to run a trace of his own through Halborn, but Halborn had already equipped himself with a countermeasure to the trace routine. Carlyne said that there were other methods he could try.

Having heard rumors of Commander Lock's imminent recovery with EPN from injuries sustained during the Machine and Cypherite attack that destroyed Zion's old mainframe, Veil led an attack on an EPN hideout, trying to crack their computers to search for more information about Lock. A counter-attack by Shimada and EPN operatives foiled the Cypherite plan, despite Veil's defeat of Shimada during the pitched battle.

The Merovingian and his operatives captured Machine mapping data on the area Halborn had referred to, 800 miles northwest of the Machine city. The data showed that the mountainous region there was avoided by Machine patrols.

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

The Matrix Online Story Summary, 10.1.1 (4/3-4/9) - 04/11/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:53:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9

Friday, April 11, 2008

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//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 10.1, Week 1 Story Summary //

##Connection Established##

Although he terminated the Oracle, his last apparent hope for retrieving the program he craves, Halborn remained inside the Matrix. The Machines asked him to leave, but he refused, hinting that he had a new plan in mind. Meanwhile, Carlyne met with Zion, declaring that he was working on a more direct means of removing Halborn.

Flood ran Merovingian operatives through a review of the Oracle's actions leading up to her termination, concluding that she orchestrated recent events in order to achieve something relating to either to the program Halborn seeks, or to the intruders themselves.

A small group of Zion operatives led by Deffdog rescued two Exiles, Palorina and the Evaluator, from an Exile gang that had kidnapped them.

Machine operatives defended the ZAITSO program from EPN and Merovingians, and succeeded in retrieving information from it relating to a series of mysterious "image fragments." ZAITSO was then sent back to officer SIMLO for repairs.

Ookami and a band of Merovingian operatives hunted for Seraph, Sati, and the Morpheus simulacrum in Mara and Westview, but found their usual haunts abandoned. Finally, at the Abandoned Subway, they found the exiled monitoring program Lo Ruhamah, who spoke of other worlds beyond the Matrix before vanishing herself.

Pluribus Neo operatives found Halborn attacking Carlyne in a building downtown. Operatives restrained Halborn while Carlyne escaped. Frustrated by a barrage of hindering attacks from the operatives, Halborn retreated. Afterwards, Carlyne told EPN that Halborn had tried to run a trace program through his RSI, and thanked them for intervening.

The Architect had a group of Machine operatives brought to the Oracle's apartment, where he questioned them about their outlook on the current situation. The operatives had many questions as to what could be done to solve the threat posed by the intruders, particularly Halborn, but the Architect did not respond to these directly. He did remark that Halborn's "predicament" was the result of a choice Halborn had made a long time ago, overlooking the long-term drawbacks in favor of immediate benefits--a typically human decision.

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

VGR Season Two: Episode 205

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:11:00 +0000

After a short break, the podcast returns for its 5th episode. This time, I talk about the ridiculous Rock Band pricing in Europe, my joy of finally finishing Lost Odyssey and my thoughts on the games I've reviewed this week...

VGR Episode 205

The Matrix Online Story Summary, 9.3.5 – Part 2 (3/27-4/2) - 04/07/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:42:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9

Monday, April 07, 2008

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//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 9.3, Week 5 - Part 2 Story Summary //

##Connection Established##

Players fought off another outbreak of the Smith Virus across the city.

EPN managed to set off a code pulse device in the Zero One construct, for reasons yet unknown. Machine operatives were unable to stop the device's detonation, but, led by Agent Griffin, they removed the EPN operatives from the construct.

Halborn found the Oracle waiting for him on a bench in Debir Court. He demanded that she give him "the program." After she told him that she couldn't help him, he became angry, and threatened her, but she said this was a waste of time. Halborn asked if he would ever get the program. She told him that he wouldn't, and he terminated her.

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

The Matrix Online Story Summary, 9.3.5 (3/20-3/26) - 03/28/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 01:40:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9

Friday, March 28, 2008

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//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 9.3, Week 5 Story Summary //

##Connection Established##

The Oracle crossed a few wires to speak to Zion operatives individually, but was uncharacteristically at a loss for words, saying that she couldn't say what she wanted to say, but that nevertheless she felt she'd made the right choice.

The Machines found code fragments in the override-infested Richland area that somehow had not been affected at all by the fallout from the clash between Halborn and Carlyne. Analysts were able to examine these fragments along with those recovered weeks ago from Exiles, which were written in the Oracle's trademark "intuitive" style, and concluded that the fragments were left over from the process of writing a kill code.

The Merovingian arranged a distraction for Carlyne, enabling the wounded Halborn to bypass him and head for northern Richland, still intent on locating the Oracle.

EPN found the Morpheus simulacrum, and asked him about the mysterious encrypted code given them by the Oracle. The sim told them that she may have chosen them precisely because they are able to choose for themselves. He also suggested that while the Matrix is a system of control, Zion, in opposition to the Matrix, could be considered a system of control as well. This conversation was interrupted by a Cypherite attack led by Veil.

A forecasted outbreak of the Smith virus arrived in the city, its manifestation strengthened here and there by the presence of override programs.

Merovingian operatives attempted to steal some information from E Pluribus Neo, but this was foiled when the Exile contact used by the Merovingians operatives turned the data back over to EPN, apparently in repayment of a favor.

The Cypherites stole information on potentials, among other things, from a Zion system in Richland, although the operation was complicated by attacks from override codes in the area.

Ghost led Zion operatives into Richland in search of the Oracle, but found only override programs and Halborn, who showed his violent impatience at operative interference in his plans.

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

The Matrix Online Story Summary, 9.3.4 (3/13-3/19) - 03/21/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:30:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9
Friday, March 21, 2008

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//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 9.3, Week 4 Story Summary //

##Connection Established##

Zion located Halborn, and communicated his position to Carlyne, so that he could be stopped before reaching his goal: the Oracle. Halborn, still unable to locate her, demanded that the Machines help him locate her, but the Machines claimed that she had been designed specifically to be unpredictable. And the Merovingian, sensing that Halborn was faltering in his search, arranged a strategic planning meeting to revitalize his campaign, but Halborn did not arrive.

Ultimately, Carlyne, with help from Zion, intercepted the isolated Halborn. Operatives from all organizations attempted to interfere or monitor the encounter, but an incredibly powerful override code blast forced everyone to evacuate the area, and overloaded monitoring sensors throughout the district.

The Machines continued working to understand mysterious data fragments they'd recovered several weeks earlier in Richland, possibly connected with the Oracle. An eccentric Machine technician came up with a plan to decode the fragments' unique fuzzy logic routines with the help of unstable code within the Datamine construct. While this plan cost the technician his existence, and did not retrieve a full data set, some information was obtained, and Agent Pace took personal charge of the fragment project.

The Oracle called Veil and Cypherite operatives to a surprise meeting in the One Zero construct, where she handed Veil what appeared to be an encrypted code fragment, and asked the Cypherites to watch over Sati for her. Although very curious as to what the fragment contained, and what was motivating the Oracle to make these requests, the Cypherites agreed to help her.

EPN operatives, removing override programs from Debir Court, were confronted by Seraph, who invited them to step through the doorway at the end of the courtyard. Doing so, they found themselves in the Ashencourte construct, where the Oracle greeted them, giving Shimada a piece of encrypted code, and asking the operatives to watch over Sati. The operatives assured her that they would do what they could to help her.

The next day, Cypherites led to Uriah by Cryptos in order to remove override programs from the Uriah docks ran into EPN, who happened to be holding a meeting in nearby Club Parallaxis. Fighting broke out between some members of the two parties, while others concentrated on removing the programs. With most of the programs removed, concentrated sections of both organizations began a fierce battle that ended when Cryptos, supported by his operatives, who at that point held a numeric superiority at the scene, managed to defeat the Kid. Cryptos called a retreat, declaring the Cypherites' job complete. When his troops rallied, and the operative Tygrius revived him, the Kid led them to remove the last of the override codes in the area.

Searching for Halborn around the site of his clash with Carlyne in the Slums, Ookami suffered domination by override programs infesting the area. Merovingian operatives called in to locate her had to resist her out of control attacks, but, retracing her steps, located Halborn, badly injured and holed up in a decrepit apartment building. When the overridden Ookami found them there and resumed her attacks, operatives asked Halborn if he could remove the overrides on her program; he forcibly rebooted her, saying this might cure her, if she survived the process. Making their way through surrounding override codes and hostile operatives, the operatives led Halborn to temporary security in nearby Club Duality, where Beirn met them, inviting Halborn to hide and recuperate in the safety of the Merovingian's extensive underground network. Halborn insisted that he had no time to waste in getting to the Oracle, but was unable to put up much of an argument in his severely weakened condition, and Beirn whisked him away.

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

VGR Season Two: Episode 204

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:46:00 +0000

After a short break, the podcast returns for its 4th episode. This time, I talk about my hands-on with Age of Conan, my joy of the BBFC defeat over Manhunt 2 and my thoughts on the games I've reviewed this week...

VGR Podcast 204

The Matrix Online Story Summary, 9.3.3 (3/6-3/12) - 03/14/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 20:08:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9

Friday, March 14, 2008

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//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 9.3, Week 3 Story Summary //

##Connection Established##

Halborn searched for the Oracle in the vicinity of Mara while Carlyne, backed by Zion, searched for him. The Machines mobilized their operatives to keep hostiles away from Halborn in order to allow him to complete his task, hoping that afterwards he would leave the Matrix.

The Merovingian conducted his own search for the Oracle, uncovering evidence of a deep-seated plot among certain Exile groups. This investigation, however, was interrupted by Carlyne, who saw it as confirmation of the Merovingian's support for his rival, and severed his connection with the Frenchman.

The pressure-cooker situation around Mara resulted in numerous violent encounters involving operatives, the two wireframed rivals, and their override programs:

- Ghost and Colt, conducting a covert operation in Westview, had to abort and call in reinforcements when the Agent they were fighting became Accelerated by an override program.
- Niobe and Zion operatives battled Halborn, deleting many of his programs in Mannsdale.
- Machinists battled override-supported Zionites at Magog South. While the Machinists fought to hold off the Zionites, Halborn showed up and eliminated the override codes, allowing the Machines to send in Agents to secure the area.
- A large wave of programs, some aligned with the Machines, some with Zion, and some with no operative group, appeared throughout north Richland. Operatives battled to remove them.

Meanwhile, small groups of Machinists located the Oracle in Mara, but the appearance of Seraph, and directives from Agent Gray detailing Machine concerns regarding the overall situation, required the operatives to depart without arresting her.

Shortly thereafter, Merovingian operatives, tracking suspicious movements into the Sakura construct, found EPN soldiers there. A battle broke out, in the midst of which Seraph appeared, proceeding to eliminate many of the Merovingian operatives from the construct, despite the significant support the Merovingians received from their healer, CiaoYun. The survivors found themselves face-to-face with the Oracle, who told them that they might soon find something very valuable, but warned them against trying to use it selfishly.

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

The Matrix Online Story Summary, 9.3.2 (2/28-3/5) - 03/07/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:27:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9

Friday, March 07, 2008

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//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 9.3, Week 2 Story Summary //

##Connection Established##

Halborn demanded to see the Architect, and asked him to name the creator of the biological interface program. The Architect told him it was written by the Oracle. When operatives were asked by Carlyne whether they had seen Halborn, who he is searching for, they were instructed to say "no."

Stonewalled by Zion, Halborn went out on his own to look for the Oracle. After the departure of Halborn, Carlyne contacted Zion, saying that he wants to help them stop Halborn.

Merovingians found Halborn in the process of overriding more Exile programs. He requested information on the Oracle, which the Merovingian was happy to supply.

Searching for the Oracle, Machine operatives recovered data fragments that may have been authored by the Oracle. These fragments were provided by the Exile gang leader Zero, in return for assistance in a business deal with other shady characters.

Cypherites came across evidence of a Machine investigation of override code use in Apollyon, but Agent Pace claimed to be unable to provide them with any information beyond speculation that one or even both of the wireframed intruders was involved. Searching further afield, the Cypherites found code overrides in use in the One Zero construct, and neutralized them.

A member of the Archivist society polled operatives in the new Datamine construct on their opinions of the area. Malphas wondered if there was another motive behind the recent increase in Archivist Society activity besides their usual profit-making from archived historical data.

Carlyne was invited to a Merovingian meeting at the Jade Room. He mentioned to the Merovingian that he'd heard Halborn was asking questions about the Oracle, but the Merovingian assured Carlyne that his primary interest was in aiding him against his rival. To demonstrate this, he had operatives guide Carlyne to override programs placed by Halborn in Murasaki.

Colt led a search by Zion operatives for the Oracle in Mara, to contact her about Halborn. Mara gang boss Owl Bangheart, whose gang had been suffering from code overrides in the area, told the operatives that the Oracle hadn't been around lately, but that he'd seen Seraph disappear through a doorway. Operatives located Seraph in the system of white hallways branching off of the White Lotus Hotel's side entrance. Seraph said that the Oracle had expected something like the current situation, and that this was not the right time to meet her. He added that others would be trying to locate her as well, and that the Oracle would not be able to avoid them all without help.

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

The Matrix Online Story Summary, 9.3.1 (2/21-2/27) - 02/29/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:58:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9

Friday, February 29, 2008

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//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 9.3, Week 1 Story Summary //

##Connection Established##

With Sister Margaret's help, Cypherites searching for the Oracle found Seraph, who alluded to a widespread plan, and said that others would be called upon to help at the right time.

A second wireframed man appeared, confronting and fighting the intruder in Westview. According to their monitored conversation, they appeared to be at odds over the acquisition of something.

Halborn, known until now only as the "intruder," complained to Zion that the other man, Carlyne, whom he has known for some time, is a practiced liar. Carlyne, on the other hand, visited the Machines, telling them that he wanted to help them by removing Halborn from the Matrix.

The Merovingian met with both men, assuring them of his full aid in their fight against the other.

In a later meeting with Machinists in the Government Building, Carlyne told them that Halborn is searching for what he's called a "biological interface program" because his real body is essentially dead, and Halborn hopes the program will offer a remedy for this condition. Meeting with the Cypherites, Carlyne apologized for the problems caused by override programs, and said that he hoped he wouldn't be needed at all to remove Halborn, but that Halborn's override activity appeared to be reaching a dangerous point.

Halborn, meanwhile, frustrated by his failure to locate the interface program, even with the assistance of Merovingian operatives, decided that he would have to go back to the Machines and ask them who made the program.

The busy Carlyne continued his rounds, encountering E Pluribus Neo, again mentioning Halborn's critical condition in the real world. He said that his main goal is to get Halborn out of the Matrix, and that that would benefit him in certain ways; he also mentioned that he was curious to see if the interface program Halborn wants really exists, or if it is just a figment of Halborn's desperate imagination.

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

MXO Cinematic 9.3

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:33:00 +0000

MXO Story Summary, 9.2.5 Part 2(2/14-2/20) - 02/22/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:55:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9

Friday, February 22, 2008

##Establishing Secure Communications Link Please Wait....##
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//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 9.2, Week 5 Story Summary Part 2 //

##Connection Established##

Eliminating some override programs in Downtown, Ghost and other Zion operatives encountered the intruder, who began asking questions about the relationship between Neo and Trinity. Those present were not interested in giving him the information, and he left frustrated.

In Westview, Zion operatives eliminated one of the intruder's Accelerator programs that was overriding the Demon Legion gang in Sobra Shores. The zealous redpill Father Jonas led the Brethren and other Zion operatives to the gang's leader, Jezebeth, who helped track down the Accelerator.

Merovingian operatives found Persephone contemplating one of the intruder's Decelerator programs on the top floor of a building downtown. Persephone stated her opinion that the intruder was an empty shell of a man, saying that he would not, for instance, have used his abilities to defend someone, like the assembled operatives defended Persephone against marauding Zionites.

Shimada and other E Pluribus Neo members went after a Machine installation in downtown, trying to obtain data relating to the "biological interface program" the intruder has mentioned being interested in. EPN was tipped off to the existence of the information by a hacker, Piqo, who found a reference to it in a two-month-old Machine data archive. An overwhelming security counter-attack by Agents at the site prevented EPN from retrieving any data, however.

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

MXO Story Summary, 9.2.5 (2/07-2/13) - 02/19/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:13:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9

Friday, February 19, 2008

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//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 9.2, Week 5 Story Summary//

##Connection Established##

Hypatia had been imperfectly restored by her loyal Bookwyrms after her termination by the intruder, so Machine operatives saw to the job properly, removing the code overrides from her routine with a clean kill.

Agent Gray, still recovering from an encounter of his own with the intruder's termination routine, facilitated a meeting between the intruder and the Architect, with Agent Pace and a senior operative also in attendance. The intruder demanded a "biological interface program," saying he knew that it existed. The Architect confirmed this, but denied having created it, and told the intruder that the only surviving copy was removed from the Matrix, as the intruder himself had witnessed. The Machines hoped that this information would inspire the intruder to leave the Matrix.

Zion searched Wright Research in the hopes of finding something about the "biological interface program" the intruder has mentioned wanting, but even though interface technology was one of Danielle Wright's areas of particular expertise, nothing promising turned up at the Wright facilities. The intruder didn't seem surprised by this, hinting that the program wasn't written by a human.

The Merovingian, deciding to procure the mysterious program himself, checked with possible Exile sources, such as Persephone and Silver, but came up empty-handed. Asking the intruder, who they found surrounded by dead N30 AG3NTS, to provide more information about the program, operatives were told that programs made by the Exiles in question were nothing like what he wanted, and that he was certain the program is somewhere in the Matrix. The intruder also mentioned something about someone else having "taken the other one."

The Kid helped operatives Demedrian and Tsusai clear powerful override programs out of Ikebukuro, although the task was complicated when engagement protocols were overridden. The Kid also encountered operatives in Stamos, where he was wondering about recent activity in the area. While talking, an override routine hit the area, and the group was unexpectedly attacked by N30 AG3NTS.

Others had also taken an interest in the Morpheus simulacrum's recent Westview activity. Agent Pace led a search for the sim in Westview, but when operatives attempted to hold the simulacrum for questioning, they found themselves pushed away from him. Agent Pace ordered the sim to surrender, but he fled across the district, eluding pursuit. Before fleeing, the simulacrum said something about "the watchers."

Veil, in the company of operative Fyror, tracked the simulacrum down to a ramshackle building, and asked him what he was up to. The simulacrum responded with a quotation from an ancient source, which included references to certain omens, and "the teaching of the watchers."

The Merovingian sought information on the simulacrum's activities as well, with Flood sending operatives, led by Ookami, to question two prominent Westview Exiles: Indigo and Amber. Indigo claimed to know nothing about the simulacrum's activities, calling it an outdated reject. Amber mentioned that the simulacrum had been in contact with many "gutter" people in the area, similar to the "riff-raff" who often associate with the Oracle. Various conspiracy theories were discussed, but Flood dismissed them as paranoia.

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

VGR Season Two: Episode 202

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:27:00 +0000

The second show of the new season is a little on the shorter side due to the lack of news this week, but might be worth listening to...and dont forget to enter the Lineage II contest, free stuff up for grabs!

VGR Episode 202

Show notes

As promised, here are links to parts I mentioned in the show:

Xbox Originals Story

This Week's XBLA Games

Win Lineage II Prizes

Remember guys, I need your feedback and requests to improve the show and the site! Post on the forums, bring it back to life!!

MXO Story Summary, 9.2.4 (1/31-/06) - 02/08/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:41:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9

Friday, February 08, 2008

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//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 9.2, Week 4 Story Summary//

##Connection Established##

The Kid contacted Zion with details on the surface lab in which EPN found Commander Lock: the structure showed signs of damage from Sentinels, and a Zion "lightning gun"; Mauser's fingerprints, and traces of his blood, were found inside. The lab equipment was entirely wrecked. Tyndall sent Zion operatives to capture Machine logs of Sentinel activity at the site, but no records of any such activity were found.

The Machines found an intruder-spawned "Terminator" program behind the deaths of many System Agents. Fortunately, operatives were able to eliminate the program.

The General helped Merovingian operatives recover some of his data that had been captured by the Machines, but his data on Sati appeared to be missing. After consulting with the intruder about the Sati question, the intruder, hearing that Sati was only out of the Matrix once, as a stored computer program in the General's base, decided that she couldn't be what he's looking for, which is something he called a "biological interface program," adding that if the Merovingian could obtain one for him, he would make him "king of the Matrix."

Machine operatives looking for the intruder tracked him down in the vicinity of the Metacortex building. The intruder exhibited anger and impatience, and was unwilling to answer questions put to him by the operatives. When Agent Gray intervened, asking why the intruder skipped the meeting that had been arranged with the Architect, the intruder used an override code to terminate Gray, then told operatives that the Machines were still "jerking his chain." Agent Pace appeared on the scene, despite operative warnings, and told the intruder that the Architect would await the meeting, saying that the intruder would be able to terminate the Architect himself if he found the meeting displeasing. The somewhat mollified intruder said that he'd see about it.

Zionite operatives were called in after a report of the intruder near the Chelsea Convention Center, where they found him fighting overwhelmed Bookwyrms. The intruder cut through the Bookwyrms in the Center to reach Hypatia, and demanded that she give him a biological interface program. When she said that she didn't have such a thing, the intruder terminated her. Wandering through the building's lobby, he said something about being "trapped," before appearing to jack out.

Operatives identified contact between Seraph, Morpheus, and Lo Ruhamah. Morpheus was seen with Ruhamah at the Abandoned Subway.

A confused computer hacker named "Murphey" dressed as an Agent and went "on patrol" around parts of Richland and Downtown, occasionally saying odd things, even long binary numbers. Agent Griffin appeared on the scene and informed operatives following Murphey that Murphey was believed to have located a large cache of the intruder's override programs, but that a close examination of the programs had unhinged Murphey's mind. It was hoped that an analysis of Murphey's utterances would reveal the location of the dangerous programs. This was achieved by 0uranos, who located the programs in the building housing the Deus Lounge.

Beirn submitted himself to examination by the intruder at Club Cyclo. The intruder detected the Machine cheat codes in Beirn's system, and was only convinced that Beirn was not a Machine after subjecting him to various override codes. The intruder invited Beirn to try his cheat code abilities on him, and Beirn was surprised to find the intruder immune to them. The intruder questioned the General about the origins of the cheat codes, but eventually dismissed them as irrelevant to his search.

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

MXO Story Summary, 9.2.3 (1/24-1/30) - 02/04/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:45:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9

Monday, February 04, 2008

##Establishing Secure Communications Link Please Wait....##
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//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 9.2, Week 3 Story Summary//

##Connection Established##

Zion's Commander Lock, guarded by EPN and recovering in the old city, sent a message to Zionites with the story of his rescue from the Machine attack on Zion by Mauser, who took him to an abandoned lab facility on the surface, and tended to Lock's injuries until being killed while leading Sentinels away from his position.

Overhearing this story, the intruder expressed surprise that Mauser had a gun effective against Sentinels. Colt was expanding upon this by describing how Neo could zap Sentinels with his bare hands when he was suddenly interrupted by the intruder flying into an inexplicable rage, saying "They WERE lying!"

After this, powerful override programs created by the intruder began to appear around the city, including Accelerators, and the newly encountered "Decelerator" and "Runtime" programs.

Zion, attempting to track down the intruder and convince him to exercise more discrimination in his attacks, ran afoul of Cypherites out to shut down the intruder's programs before they could endanger citizens. When a group of Zionites organized by Ghost finally caught up with the intruder, he accused them of being involved in a cover-up with the Machines, and attacked them.

Shortly after Cypherites removed a series of the dangerous programs from Downtown, including some around the Government Building, Agent Gray called upon Machinists to eliminate Agent programs that had been turned against the System by Accelerators.

The Merovingian, following evidence suggesting that the intruder may have been interested in the Oracle's ward, Sati, sent operatives to question the intruder about the girl, but was unable to locate him. Flood directed an attempt to kidnap Sati without the intruder's input, but the operatives sent into Mara found only Seraph, who warned them that Sati would not be found while certain conditions persisted.

Another attempt to locate the intruder, assisted by one of the General's Elite Commando reconnaissance programs, succeeded in finding him, and convincing him to meet the General, although the intruder appeared to be unfamiliar with Sati's name and significance. Her role in causing the Machines to attack the General's Stalingrad base caught his attention, but not to the point that he was willing to pursue her himself. Instead, he suggested that the General recover his own data on the Exile from the Machines, and asked to be kept appraised of any progress made in that regard.

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

VGR Season Two: Episode 201

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:02:00 +0000

The podcast is back and it has two interviews for you! Conflict Denied Ops team member Terry Watts, and a roundtable with the Tomb Raider Underworld team. Enjoy!

VGR Episode 201

Show notes

As promised, here are links to parts I mentioned in the show:

Tomb Raider Underworld Screenshots

SAW Videogame Announced

This Week's XBLA Games

Win Lineage II Prizes

Remember guys, I need your feedback and requests to improve the show and the site! Post on the forums, bring it back to life!!

MXO story summary, 9.2.2 (1/17-1/23) - 01/25/2008

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 23:55:00 +0000

ZionOS ccc9

Friday, January 25, 2008

##Establishing Secure Communications Link Please Wait....##
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##Secure Link Established##

//Incoming Transmission//
//Transmission: Story Summary//
//ID: Chapter 9.2, Week 2 Story Summary//

##Connection Established##

Cypherites hijacked the Zion hovercraft Juggernaught, whose captain, Cinquez, they accused of the murder of bluepills who refused the red pill. Taunted by Cypherite operatives in the Matrix, Cinquez learned of the hijacking and managed to jack out and detonate the hovercraft, killing all on board.

Hunting through Machine systems, Merovingian operatives found a partial note of a meeting between the Machines and the intruder that took place before the intruder entered the Matrix, in which the intruder appeared to have referred to the General's old "Stalingrad" base. The Merovingian called a conference on the subject with operatives and the General, in which it was decided that the presence of Sati at Stalingrad at the time of the Machine attack may have been what attracted the intruder's interest.

Machine operatives managed to reach the intruder and get him to agree to a meeting. At the meeting, he was surprised that Agent Pace was female, but grew angry when she said the Machines did not have what he was looking for. The intruder demanded to meet with the Architect, and Agent Pace said this would be arranged.

Zion found the intruder taking code readings in the slum building where Neo was awoken by Morpheus.

EPN followed an emergency beacon to a wrecked surface facility above Zion, where they found Commander Lock, weak and recovering from wounds, but conscious. They evacuated him to the old city.

Tailing the intruder, EPN found him examining upper floors of a skyscraper in Center Park. Comments by the intruder suggested that it was the spot where Trinity hacked the Machine power grid and received a fatal gunshot wound from an Agent, before being caught and miraculously revived by Neo. The intruder did not offer an explanation of his presence there, but it appeared to have something to do with the object of his search. He also mentioned that he didn't want operatives knowing what it was, because they might want it too.

//Datastream Closed//

##Connection Terminated##

Podcast To Re-Launch Next Friday

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 20:15:00 +0000

Good news folks. I'll be re-launching the podcast next Friday, I would have done it today if it wasn't for a few niggling problems with my audio equipment that I've just ironed out. But that means double interviews for you! Yes thats right, my first show of Season Two will have interviews with a member of the Conflict Denied Ops team and a few members of the Tomb Raider Underworld team.

Another plus is that it gives me a little more time to prepare the show, so if any of you have any idea of what the theme music should be, let me know...I'd appreciate some input. Anyway, hope you like the news and hope you can give me some feedback!

WIN! Lineage II – The Kamael Goodies

noreply@blogger.com (AdamVGR) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:04:00 +0000

To celebrate the launch of Lineage II: The 1st Throne – The Kamael for PC (priced at £14.99, and available at retailers from 1st February), publisher NCsoft is offering browsers the chance to win copies of the game, together with a range of specially made goodies, specifically:

2 x copies of the game
2 x Key Rings
2 x Standees
2 x Poster A
2 x Poster B
2 x T-Shirts

The Kamael introduces for the first time an entirely new playable race to the world of Lineage II, additional and evolving pets to train and fight alongside characters, fortresses to lay siege to and terrifying, high-level zones to conquer. This coupled with incredible visuals and modified gameplay makes this expansion the largest in the game’s four-year history.

All you need to do to win is answer the following question:

How many years is Lineage II set before the original Lineage?:

A)10 years
B)200 years
C)150 years

Once you have your answer, simply email me at adam@vg-reloaded.com to enter, its that simple! Good luck!