Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (Movie)

Written by:

Al Reinert, Jeff Vintar

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Directed by:

Hironobu Sakaguchi

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Release Date:

2001

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I've been writing about video games for a long time now, over five years in fact, and it's starting to become a dull routine for me to be honest. I need to widen my scope, pick a new subject, try something different! I mean I'm still fascinated by games and I always will be, but I have a very slight obsession with science fiction as well and it'd be nice to shift gears and focus on that for a while.

So this week on Sci-Fi Adventures, I'm writing about a science fiction movie! Because I do that now.

Speaking of trying something new, 'Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within' was the debut movie from Square Pictures, the video game company's new computer animated film division. And it was also the last, because it bombed so hard. They'd would only work on one more project, the 'Final Flight of the Osiris' short for the 'Animatrix', before being shut down. I guess if you keep using 'Final' in your titles it will eventually come true.

I'm not sure the movie failed because it was based on a video game though, because I've seen this before and I know full well that it ain't based on any 'Final Fantasy' games I've played. But this isn't a case of a movie studio taking a brand name and doing their own thing with it, as it was conceived and directed by 'Final Fantasy' creator Hironobu Sakaguchi himself! His very first film in fact, and also his last.

Despite its utter failure, Spirits Within was a pretty important milestone in cinema, as it's the first full-length 'photorealistic' motion captured animated movie. A proper big-budget serious cartoon aimed at adults starring humans, four years in the making! To give it a bit of context, it came out 6 years after Toy Story (the first full length CG movie) and around the same time that 'Final Fantasy X' hit the PlayStation 2. So yes, it really is 15 years old at the time I'm writing this.

(I'm basically going to go ahead and spoil this entire movie one scene at a time now, so please stop right here unless you're okay with that).
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Not All Pet Sitting Companies Are Alike

By:  Laurie Brzostowski, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake.


I understand, as a pet owner myself, what it takes to trust someone to come into your home and take care of your home and your pets.  All of our pet sitters are strictly screened to make sure they are the best of the best.  We do phone interviews, face to face interviews, reference checks, background checks and "field" training.  It takes a very long time to the find the right people to do this job.

However, as a pet owner it is your responsibility to also check and make sure you are hiring the right person to take care of your home and pets.  Here are some tips to help you make the right decision in choosing a pet sitter for your home and your pets:

• Make sure you call and compare different pet sitting businesses.  Don't just call around and base it all on cost.  The old adage "you get what you pay for" does go along way in who you hire.  The cheapest pet sitter out there may not be the best pet sitter out there.
• Are they bonded and insured?  This is very important, it protects you and it protects the pet sitter.
• Do they have a backup system, this means are they the only pet sitter or do they have a staff. This is also very important in case the primary sitter/walker goes on vacation, falls ill, etc., you can then have the backup put into place.
• If they do have a staff do they run background checks on the staff?  Also very important since these sitters will be entering your home.
• How do they schedule the visits and what is included in the visit.
• Ask for references from the pet sitting company, talk to their other clients. 
• Ask the pet sitter to text or email you every day while you are gone.  We text and send pictures after each visit or once per day based on what the client wants.
• Make sure you meet the pet sitter before you go away.  If you are not comfortable with that person then do not hire them.  If the pet sitting business has other pet sitters available, ask that you meet another sitter that does make you comfortable.  If none of them make you comfortable, then hire another pet sitting business.  It is your home and your pet and you should do what you think is right.  We understand.

If all of this still does not make you comfortable, then by all means, hire a friend, a neighbor or a family member, but make sure these people also don't mind coming to your house early in the morning, again in the afternoon, and again at night and on weekend or Holidays.

We are professional pet sitters, our business name and reputation are on the line so we all make sure we do what is right by making sure you and your pets are taken care of and loved while you are away.

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Frost Byte (Amiga) (For real this time)

Developer:

JJ & DJA

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Release Date:

1988

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Systems:

Amiga, Atari ST, ZX Spectrum, CPC, C64

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This week on Super Adventures, the long awaited 'screenshots and writing' part of my Frost Byte article! Only five years late.

It took me a while to figure out exactly what I was doing with this video game website of mine. I eventually realised that people are happier when there's a 'Read on' button they can click to satisfy their curiosity, but for the first few weeks I'd occasionally post a single title screen or screenshot I liked and then call it a day. So this grumpy cyclops has been staring out at people from my site with basically zero context since Feb 4th 2011.

But I can now reveal that this is a port of a 1986 ZX Spectrum game, brought to the Amiga by someone called J. Jameson. I could also make a joke about him being Spider-Man's bastard of a boss at the Daily Bugle, but I'm one 'J' short. They have the optimal number of 'J's to be porn star Jenna Jameson though.
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Spring Safety Tips For Your Pets !

By: Laurie Brzostowsk, President, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake, IL

Woo Hoo !!  Spring is finally here.  We started seeing some awesome weather last week, however, today we are a bit chilly here in Northern Illinois.  But as far as I am concerned, Spring is now upon us and I am so happy.  It was a very long cold winter.

With Spring coming all of us are now "coming out of the woodwork"... LOL !  Going on walks with our doggies, starting to plant flowers and bushes and other spring time activities.

Spring is a glorious time but we always need to make sure our pets are safe.  Below are some Spring Safety Tips for your pets.  For more tips, please go to www.aspca.org.

• Easter Treats and Decorations Keep Easter lilies and candy bunnies in check—chocolate goodies are toxic to cats, dogs and ferrets, and lilies can be fatal if ingested by our furry friends. And be mindful, kitties love to nibble on colorful plastic grass, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting and dehydration. Moreover, while bunnies, chicks and other festive animals are adorable, resist the urge to buy—these cute babies grow up fast and often require specialized care!
    
• Screen Doors  Many pet parents welcome the breezy days of spring by opening their windows. Unfortunately, they also unknowingly put their pets at risk—especially cats, who are apt to jump or fall through unscreened windows. Be sure to install snug and sturdy screens in all of your windows. If you have adjustable screens, make sure they are tightly wedged into window frames.
    
• Car Rides  While every pet parent knows dogs love to feel the wind on their furry faces, allowing them to ride in the bed of pick-up trucks or stick their heads out of moving-car windows is dangerous. Flying debris and insects can cause inner ear or eye injuries and lung infections, and abrupt stops or turns can cause major injury, or worse! Pets in cars should always be secured in a crate or wearing a seat belt harness designed especially for them.
    
• Spring Cleaning Spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition in many households, but be sure to keep all cleaners and chemicals out of your pets’ way! Almost all commercially sold cleaning products contain chemicals that are harmful to pets. The key to using them safely is to read and follow label directions for proper use and storage.
    
• Home Improvement Projects  Products such as paints, mineral spirits and solvents can be toxic to your pets and cause severe irritation or chemical burns. Carefully read all labels to see if the product is safe to use around your furry friends. Also, be cautious of physical hazards, including nails, staples, insulation, blades and power tools. It may be wise to confine your dog or cat to a designated pet-friendly room during home improvement projects.
   
• Gardening  Pet parents, take care—fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides keep our plants and lawns healthy and green, but their ingredients aren't meant for four-legged consumption and can be fatal if your pet ingests them.  Always store these poisonous products in out-of-the-way places and follow label instructions carefully. 
    
• Poisonous Plants  Time to let your garden grow! But beware, many popular springtime plants—including Easter lilies, rhododendron and azaleas—are highly toxic to pets and can easily prove fatal if eaten. 
    
• Allergies  Like their sneezy human counterparts, pets can be allergic to foods, dust, plants and pollens. Allergic reactions in dogs and cats an cause minor sniffling and sneezing as well as life-threatening anaphylactic shock. If you suspect your pet has a springtime allergy, please visit your veterinarian as soon as possible.
    
• Insects  April showers bring May flowers—and an onslaught of bugs! Make sure your pet is on year-round heartworm preventive medication, as well as a flea and tick control program.
     
• Out and About  Warmer weather means more trips to the park, longer walks and more chances for your pet to wander off! Make sure your dog or cat has a microchip for identification and wears a tag imprinted with your home address, cell phone and any other relevant contact information. 

Spring is a wonderful time of year.  Let's just make sure that "everyone" enjoys it.

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How to stop your dog biting the leash while walking

By: Laurie Brzostowski

 

At Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care in Round Lake we walk A LOT of dogs.  A couple of our pet clients are really hard on a leash. They bite the leash, they tug on the leash and all of that takes away from focusing on the actual walk.  Here is some information to help if you have dogs that bite or tug on a leash.

Dogs can have a hard time controlling their excitement during walks and sometimes act out towards the leash.  The main reasons for leash biting include excitement, frustration, or boredom.  Quick behavioural correction is they key to changing unwanted leash biting habits.

1.  Begin the walk in a calm manner

Excited dogs are more likely to get distracted and start biting the leash.  Try to keep the preparation for a walk calm and controlled.  Ask your dog to ‘sit and wait’ and do not make a big deal of bringing out the leash.  Speak in soft, soothing tones. 

If dog starts to bite the leash, you should immediately remove the leash from the vicinity.  Wait several minutes until your dog has calmed down before approaching with the leash again.  This exercise should be repeated until your dog accepts the leash in a calm manner.  Dogs will quickly learn that leash biting prolongs walk time.

2.  Redirect your dog’s attention

Another technique is to redirect your dog’s attention onto something else when they bite the leash.  The best way is with a basic obedience command such as ‘sit’.   Provide positive reinforcement for each successful command to keep them focused on you instead of their leash.

Some dog’s will feel calmer if they have an object to carry during walking.  If this is the case, it can be helpful to provide a stick or toy for them to carry instead of the leash.

3.  Deter your dog from biting the leash

Directly hitting or punishing your dog may cause them to associate the punishment with you personally.  Indirect punishment tactics, however, can work well in some cases.  Indirect punishment refers to the use of a deterrent such as a spray bottle of water or shaking a can of stones (for dogs that don’t like the noise) whenever your dog bites the leash.

Another option is to make the leash undesirable for your dog.  Consider trailing a different type of leash, such as chain, which generally does not feel comfortable in a dog’s mouth.  A bitter tasting chewing deterrent can also be applied to the leash.

Walk time can be frustrating when you have a dog that bites the leash.  Though once the behaviour has been successfully corrected, you can look forward to many stress free and enjoyable walks with your dog.

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3rd Klagenfurt Game Jam

From April 15th until the 17th, the 3rd Klagenfurt Game Jam will happen. Klagenfurt is an Austrian city and gathers people who likes games and wants to create, test and talk about them.



What is a game jam? It is a gathering of game developers for the purpose of planning, designing, and creating one or more games within a short span of time, usually ranging between 24 and 72 hours. Game developers are generally made up of programmers, game designers, artists, and others in game development-related fields. The term “game jam” is a composition of the words “game” and “jam session”.

Starting on Friday, the topic will be revealed to all participants at the same time and random groups will brainstorm games. Then, after the ideas are pitched, the teams will emerge around ideas and games will be created. Finally, on Sunday, the projects are presented to a jury and the most awesome project will be awarded with a prize.

Parallel to the game jam, there will be lectures about the gaming universe. With great honor, I would like to share that I was invited to give a lecture about game design process and business model. I’ll talk about my new game ROCK FLICKZ developed by SIOUX, the keynote is entitled “The Rock Flickz Case - using a mobile game for music advertising, entertainment and business model”. Looking forward for this great meeting!



Click here for the official site and here for the complete program.

#GoGamers

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Prey (PC)

Developer:

Human Head

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Release Date:

2006

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Systems:

Windows, Mac, Linux, Xbox 360

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This week on Super Adventures, I'm having a go at Prey! I've already played Doom 3 and Quake 4, so I figured it was about time to give the third id Tech 4 game a go.

Prey was going to be 3D Realms' cutting edge graphical showcase, a game designed from the ground up to require a 3D card! It was originally intended to come out in 1998 you see, as a competitor to games like Unreal, Half-Life, Turok... Daikatana and Duke Nukem Forever.

The advanced 3D game engine was going to support things like area sourced coloured lighting, reflections, dynamic shadows, and dynamic portals. This portal technology was actually a clever way to divide the levels up into smaller areas of geometry so the processor only had to think about one room at a time, meaning higher polygon counts at faster framerates. Though by 1998 the developers were also showing off proper Portal-style placeable tears in reality, and there was much hype.

But then 3D Realms went and pulled a '3D Realms', scrapping all the work they'd done so far due to issues with the technology and starting over with a different engine. The project fell dormant until Human Head took over in 2001, and in 2002 they licensed the shiny new id Tech 4 engine (with its working portal tech) and spent four years putting together an entirely different Prey with it. Which was then completely overshadowed by Portal the following year. Alas.

TECHNICAL BOX

Before starting it up, I created an autoexec.cfg file and typed in a couple of lines to hopefully turn off the mouse acceleration and smoothing:

seta m_accel "0"
seta m_smooth "0"

(Click images for slightly bigger screenshots).
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PRESS RELEASE: Snaggle Foot Round Lake Adds Monthly Dog Walking Packages

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care-Round Lake Illinois has added Monthly Dog Walking Packages.

Round Lake Beach, IL,  March 15, 2016 --(PR.com)-- Today, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care, an Award Winning pet care provider in Round Lake, Illinois, announced today they are adding Monthly Dog Walking Packages to their outstanding menu of pet services they provide pet owners in the Lake County Illinois area.

"As a dog owner, I know how important it is to make sure that my animals are well cared for and adding Monthly Dog Walking Packages provides clients with affordable options for mid-day dog walks," says Laurie Brzostowski, owner of the Round Lake Beach franchise.

Pointing to the extended work hours, longer commutes and more business travel with which pet parents are struggling due to a challenged economy, Brzostowski holds great significance in being able to provide services which she believes help people relax and not worry as much about their beloved family members.

That attention features one-on-one interaction with a true pet lover, cheerful walks, long belly rubs, and superior care from a bonded and insured professional trained in animal first aid and CPR. The company's comprehensive offering of services and thoughtfully designed customer service embodies the commitment to extraordinary service.

You can give your puppy that extra potty break she needs, ensure that your pet gets their medicine in your absence, order a Snaggle Foot pet taxi, even arrange for plant care and mail retrieval, and then take care of the bill conveniently from your computer.

"Our pets are family members and I want to make sure that pet owners know that we care for their pets as much as we do ours."


You can read the online version of this press release at: http://www.pr.com/press-release/662571

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