Forza Horizon: My first moments...

So, Forza Horizon...at the moment the first time I'm playing this game, I am totally WASTED and ADDICTED to this game because...well, what can I say? It's a free-roaming racing game set in Colorado, where the festival occurs, jam-packed with half-a-decade-of-cars from around the world, music, and some party people. I really really love this game, makes me want to play some more and more and more and more and more until I had enough.

Here are some of my first moments of Horizon...in photos because photographing the whole progress is much more fun in Horizon...

Horizon starts with the VW Corrado, a beginner car everyone starts with

Mustang vs. Mustang!

An epic trip with a classic Boss Mustang!

Lancer Evolution X is probably one of the best 4WD cars on Horizon

You can go off-roading on Horizon!

The battle of the Brits

Nighttime muscle madness

The crowd loves the SVT Raptor!

It's going to be a photo finish!

Hey! What's Fujiwara's Hachi-Roku doing here?

My first barn find...was a Cuda!

Mr. Bean's car?!

What a spectacular performance!!!

Ladies and gents...I found another barn find!

Pretty cool, huh? There's more to come as I progress....

Anime Saimoe Tournament 2012 update (October 25, 2012)

The quarterfinals for the 2012 Anime Saimoe Tournament have come to a close and can't believe that most characters from Saki Achiga-hen are ruling with an iron fist. Anyway, who's catching up?



(Group A) 10/16:
* Saki Miyanagi - Saki Episode of Side A - 226 (Winner)
Koromo Amae - Saki Episode of Side A - 214

(Group C) 10/18:
* Hisa Takei - Saki Episode of Side A - 317 (Winner)
Yayoi Kise - Smile Pretty Cure! - 305

(Group E) 10/20:
* Yuu Matsumi - Saki Episode of Side A - 271 (Winner)
Sanya V. Litvyak - Strike Witches (movie) - 157

(Group G) 10/22:
* Nodoka Haramura - Saki Episode of Side A - 278 (Winner)
Ako Atarashi - Saki Episode of Side A - 262

(Group B) 10/17:
*Toki Onjouji - Saki Episode of Side A - 583 (Winner)
Akari Akaza - Yuruyuri - 417

(Group D) 10/19:
* Louise de la Valliere - Familiar of Zero F - 293 (Winner)
Hinata Hakamada - Ro-Kyu-Bu! - 258

(Group F) 10/21:
* Kuro Matsumi - Saki Episode of Side A - 213 (Winner)
Kirame Hanada - Saki Episode of Side A - 143

(Group H) 10/23:
* Shana - Shakugan no Shana III (Final) - 263 (Winner)
Sena Kashiwazaki - Haganai - 257

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-10-23/2ch-forum-saimoe-tournament-2012-group-finals

So, we got the final 8. But the question is...who will be the final four? Check back on the 30th!

Let's Do The News! (October 24, 2012)

Hey, I heard that Forza Horizon's finally out in the US while it will be worldwide this Friday.

I know. And hey, while on the subject of Forza....MY SRT8 392's ARRIVED!!!!

(cheers and applause)

The SRT8 392 Bonus Car!!!

Wow! Since when did you pre-ordered Horizon?

About that summer but sadly, at the Gamestop retail instead of online.

You didn't really know that took it long before the SRT8 392 arrived at your FM4, eh?

That's right but since I pre-ordered it on Gamestop, I got some bonuses for use at Horizon.

Oh wait. Since you pre-ordered it at GameStop, you got the 458 Italia and oh wait, since you are a GameStop Power Up Rewards member, you got a 2010 VW Golf VI R, right?

Indeed and since that we got the cars of our dreams, we decided to take a special treat for our newly arrived SRT8 392 by putting this car round our track...

So, what time?

I'd say it's 1:27:287. At least it was a good try while it lasted...

Yeah...

Right, the news, and big news today because XBOX is now launching the Entertainment Experience update...today! Today as is NOW!

So, what's new about the XBOX Entertainment Experience?

Says here that the update maintains Microsoft’s “Metro” interface, but adds a new tile called “pins”, which allows you to pin your favorite apps, games, or other items to one easily accessible location. Additionally, the TV and Movie tabs have been combined into one channel.

(wow)

Also, Internet Explorer is added as well!

So that means...we can now surf the net in the XBOX? That's something that the XBOX failed to do in the past, I mean, good job though. This is really the update most XBOX users are dying to have...

Scoop: http://www.examiner.com/article/xbox-launches-new-entertainment-experience-today

Fantastic! And oh...while the the XBOX 360 gained a big update, it seems that its console rival, the Playstation3...

Oh Captain Slow, listen, we heard that the PS3's been hacked again and this time, this is the most serious problem ever faced in a console. It was the LV0 encryption keys that the PS3′s entire architecture is based around were leaked and causing damage to the PS3's security model.

Huh? What's just happened?

Well, there was this hacker group called The Three Musketeers, and no, not the book, and not even the candy bar either. They were responsible for the LV0 keys but they decided that they'll not going to make it public until there was this Chinese hacker group leaked the LV0 keys and was going to charge for further custom firmwares, based off of their work. They decided to release the keys along with a statement decrying the initial leak that allowed BlueDisk-CFW to sell custom firmwares.

Scoop: http://www.gamingbus.com/2012/10/23/playstation-3-firmware-hacked-lv0-encryption-keys-released/

You know what that means?

What?

Uh-oh....

I know. It is an uh-oh...Anyway, there's a new update but it's a mild update.

4.30, right?

Yes. And for this mild update, they are dropping the peculiar program called Folding@Home, which is an app that doesn't make sense at all...

Scoop: http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/10/22/ps3_firmware_4_30_update_axes_folding_home

Indeed and on that bombshell, on that news. Um...Tomorrow, we'll be tackling the results from the 2012 Saimoe Tournament, and tomorrow also, ZOE HD Edition and THE IDOLM@STER SHINY FESTA. Take care!

ZONE OF THE ENDERS ReMIX EDITION

ZONE OF THE ENDERS ReMIX EDITION

With the availability of the Zone of the Enders HD Edition draws near, the BGMs from the two ZOE games get remixed in Zone of the Enders ReMIX Edition.

ZOE ReMIX Edition features some of the handpicked ZOE background musics from the Zone of the Enders and ANUBIS Zone of the Enders (The 2nd Runner) remixed to give you a different ZOE experience at the comfort of your home.

TRACK LIST:

01 Beyond the Bounds feat. K Á R Y Y N - Eshericks Remix -

02 Ardjet - DJ URAKEN Remix -

03 Vacilia County - Wrexx Remix -

04 Chaotic Fight - FIREWORK DJs Remix -

05 Train - Specimen A Remix -

06 City (The Earth Light) - DJ URAKEN Remix -

07 Leo! Leo! - Smooth Remix -

08 VR - Wall5 Remix -

09 ALOIVIA - arousal mix -

10 Final Battle - L.E.D. STYLE MIX -

11 Compression Space - evocation mix -

12 GLOBAL - Wall5 Remix -

13 Factory (Vivid Transparency) - Sota Fujimori Remix -

FOR ENGLISH SPEAKING CUSTOMERS:

http://www.yesasia.com/global/zone-of-the-enders-remix-edition-japan-version/1031012212-0-0-0-en/info.html

The Philippines' 2nd Saint - Pedro Calungsod

San Pedro Calungsod

On October 21, 2012, the Pope canonized Pedro Calungsod as Philippines' second saint since San Lorenzo Ruiz. It was the moment that all Filipinos been waited for because San Pedro Calungsod marks an important chapter to our religion. Being the country's second saint since Lorenzo Ruiz, I was becoming fascinated about the life of San Pedro Calungsod and discovering how did a youth became a saint.

To learn more about San Pedro Calungsod, you can visit the official website at: http://sanpedrocalungsod.com/?page_id=628

GOD BLESS SAN PEDRO!

Forza Horizon

Forza Horizon Limited Collector's Edition

When racing video game enthusiasts think about "Forza", they all know that this is a GT-beating racing game that is all focused on circuit racing and the finest selection of cars. This is it, what you're looking up here is the first ever Forza video game that is truly...just another free-roaming game where you are free to drive your car wherever you want, whenever. When we said free-roaming, I mean yes. This is the first free-roaming Forza game set in Colorado. Welcome to Horizon. Forza Horizon.

There was a festival coming out in Colorado and Horizon is all about the celebration of cars from different decades and because this is a free-roaming game, it's freedom to drive wherever you want, when you want it. Unlike previous Forza Motorsport games, the car list of Forza Horizon are handpicked by the staff deciding that only the best cars of the Forza franchise are welcomed, especially the 2013 SRT Viper GTS. Aside from the handpicked selection, there are new cars never before seen in Forza games such as the Ford Focus RS500, the all new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, classic Cinquecento Abarth, all new 2013 BMW M6 F13 Coupe, 2012 Nissan GT-R Black Edition (yes, really), 2013 Shelby GT500, Mercedes S65 AMG, and (since you've asked for it), a 1965 MINI Cooper S! There are 127 garage cars in Forza Horizon, plus Barn Finds, Unicorns, and DLC cars.

Apart from this free-roaming, there are new stuff that were never before seen in the Forza franchise such as...driving by nighttime and driving offroad! Offroad driving? Driving at nighttime?! Oh yes! It's possible in Horizon! Also, aside from races, there are some epic races where you can race against the helicopter or a jet! I know it's hard but you guys can do it. Don't give up!

Graphics-wise, well, thanks to the UK-based Playground Games, Forza Horizon delivers the best graphics of any other racing game and all that dynamism a fludic beauty really shows just how cool Horizon can be. It is truly breathless to see how Colorado is thanks to such graphics and what's amazed fans is the music. There was dubstep, rock, club, everything that was curated by BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank. Of course, if you are not satisfied with the music offered on Horizon, you can turn the radio off. Simple as that.

However, there are a couple of problems on Horizon. Sure, Horizon features the most of the upgrade components for each car as in FM4, which can be saved as Setups.  Tuning specific settings (gear ratios, etc) is not available in Horizon. Sadly, Forza Horizon does not have an Auction House like the one in FM4. Simple as that, but there are some good stuff going on in Horizon such as Car Clubs, storefronts where you can buy tuning setups, designs, and vinyls, and hey...DLC Packs coming. If that wasn't enough, there's going to be a Rally Expansion this December. No details yet but this expansion adds more challenges on Horizon.

It is simply one of the best racing games of 2012 and to be honest, Horizon is all work and play where you can take your car, no matter what kind, all over the Colorado rockies and finding that sweet spot to take pics. It's more fun having multiplayer in Horizon and more importantly, this game is where all cars live. It is truly a celebration you really don't want to miss and hey, everyone's invited to the party.

LIMITED EDITION

The Forza Horizon Limited Collector's Edition is a must have for the Forza aficionados worldwide. With this LCE, not only you'll become a VIP on the game, you'll also get perks such as...

• Five Car VIP Pack (2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder, 2011 Koenigsegg Agera, 2011 Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, 2012 Pagani Huayra, 2011 RUF Rt 12 R)

• Special recognition in the community as a VIP member with VIP icon affixed to their Gamertag in “Forza Horizon”

• VIP Rivals Mode Events: VIP members will have access to exclusive Rivals Mode events in “Forza Horizon”

• Exclusive in-game gifts from the Forza Motorsport community team

• Expanded Storefront: VIP members receive extra slots for things like photos, liveries, videos, etc. 

• Expanded MyForza Gallery Space: VIP’s can store an additional two videos and/or Big Shot images in their MyForza Gallery on www.forzamotorsport.net

• Custom-designed Steelbook packaging 

• Horizon Festival ticket to access exclusive Xbox LIVE content 

• Day 1 Add-on Pack (Ferrari 599XX Evo, Gumpert Apollo Enraged, Alfa Romeo 8C Spider, Lamborghini Aventador J, 1957 Chevy Bel Air, and 2013 Mustang Boss 302)

• Horizon Accelerator Token Pack 

• Five exclusive LCE Car Pack liveries

Let's Do The News! (October 22, 2012)

And now the news and I have a big question for those regarding yesterday. Has any one of you been in the Walang Hanggan thanksgiving concert? Raise your hands...

(audience raising hands)

I couldn't car about it...

What's the matter? You haven't been at the party? That party yesterday was even aired on ABS-CBN yesterday...

I know but I'm kinda late because of some important stuff to do...

What important stuff?

Spoilers....

Spoilers.

(audience laughing)

Oh come on...Perhaps you hadn't saw Donya Margaret, who was Helen Gamboa by the way, doing the Gangnam Style in front of the audience, especially Vice Ganda, who was part of the party, didn't you see it coming?

Ahem....It's more fun relieving a veteran actress' humble beginnings and poking fun that she does it all...

Yeah, not bad indeed. That party is star studded with the heroes and villains of Walang Hanggan ranging from Marco (Richard Gomez), Emily (Dawn Zulueta), Manang Henya (Susan Roces), Donya Margaret (Helen Gamboa), Tomas (Joem Bascon), Nathan (Paulo Avelino), Joanna (Melissa Ricks), Katerina (Julia Montes), Daniel (Coco Martin) and so much more, especially the bastard Miguel

(audience laughing)

There are guests as well.

Well, the thing is that for the past 10 months, Walang Hanggan is probably one of the best ABS-CBN masterpieces of 2012 and since it's going to end this Friday, this drama is always been a magnum opus of famous ABS-CBN dramas such as Tayong Dalawa, 100 Days to Heaven, Mara Clara, and many others. Even when the story ends, the loyalty still going on strong. Cheers!

(cheers and applause)

Ahem, bad news.

What?

It's Matt Evans, the dude who was Pedro Penduko. We heard that he's arrested after he allegedly assaulting his live-in partner and her brother. That was shocking. I heard that while I was watching The Buzz...

Scoop: http://www.interaksyon.com/entertainment/matt-evans-arrested-for-alleged-assault-on-live-in-partner-her-brother/

Wonder what just happened?

That happened when Matt Evans turned 24. It was a fine party for him until the worst happened. What he did was he attacked his girlfriend and then he threatened him with a knife but his girlfriend smacked him, she called the cops and arrest him...What bad luck indeed for that actor....

Yeah, I know. This is somewhat worse than a fistfight at the men's bathroom...

(audience laughing)

So, I think it's almost time for Richard Hammond's Crash Course Season 2, right?

Yes indeed, it's on this Monday at BBC America! Don't miss it...

Excellent!

(audience laughing mockingly)

Oh guys. Hey now! We just heard that the Index spinoff titled To Aru Kagaku no Railgun is getting renewed for a second season under the title TO ARU KAGAKU NO RAILGUN S. Further details will be announced at an upcoming issue of Dengeki Daioh this October 27.

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-21/a-certain-scientific-railgun-anime-gets-2nd-season

Yeah! Delighted to say that Biribiri's back with a vengeance and her friends.

A ha! And also, The basketball lolicon anime titled Ro-Kyu-Bu, is also getting renewed for a second series!

(audience applause)

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-20/ro-kyu-bu-anime-gets-2nd-season

That's brilliant! Both of these are getting renewed and hey! I think that's pretty impressive.

I know. Pretty impressive. Now, I think that's the news and oh, the Rurouni Kenshin live-action movie, we all know that this was already shown in theaters in Japan back in summer and then expanded worldwide. Word from the net is that this live-action adaptation is going to show in theaters all over the Philippines this December. The film will begin screening at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City, Megamall in Mandaluyong City, and North Edsa in Quezon City on December 5.

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-20/live-action-rurouni-kenshin-to-be-shown-in-philippines-in-december

Yes indeed and for those who want a taste of Hiten Mitsurugi, which was Kenshin Himura's signature attack, you guys can't wait to see it.

That's right, Captain Slow...

(audience laughing)

Should we do the Gangnam Style?

Uh....yes. Right after my potty break...

(audience laughing)

Forza 4 Head To Head: Track-day Ferrari ballers

Track-day Ferrari racers

I've already tested the F40, F50, and the Enzo Ferrari and I have to say that these hyper Ferraris really are nothing more than horses bolted with some blasters at their backs and they came faster than the announcer would speak who would have won the bet. What about these track-only versions?

The F40 Competizione, F50 GT, and the FXX, those three track-only stallions that you can't use it on the road and you can't race it on a particular race series? Those million dollar toys are hyper when it comes to speed and extremely brutal when you hear their exhaust notes. For me, I think it was the F50 GT because that noise really is the same as a baby crying uncontrollably. It reminded us like the baby we have in our home. E he he he....

Anyway, which one is the best? Let's start with the F40 Competizione.

The Competizione is a race-spec version of the F40, which only 10 units were made while the first two are dubbed as "F40 LM" and the remaining 8 being F40 Competizione. It was developed out of the Maranello car company's GTO Evoluzione project and it should theoretically have been suitable for a wide range of racing series. However, with the demise of Group B and sports car racing in crisis during the late 1980s, Ferrari customers were left with very few options for their cars. A lone F40 Competizione was on display at the Automobile Museum in Turin.

Across the line in 1:13.152.

Now, the F50 GT...

The GT version is a race-spec version of the F50 that should have been intended to use in the BPR Global GT Series but sadly, they didn't put it to production and only three cars were sold to the public; the prototype and two assembled specially for prominent customers. The 4.7 V12 engine produces about 750bhp of power and 519Nm of torque. It can go 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 235mph.




The F50 GT crossed the line in 1:10.8.

And now, the FXX.


Based on the Enzo Ferrari, the FXX is a racing-spec version of the said car that has some of the new developments from Ferrari and its suppliers. Priced at $1.8 million, this car is allowed for special track-day use and after that, the owners are entitled to be briefed by Ferrari on the car's performance. Ferrari's sister company, Maserati, has developed a similar car, the MC12 Corsa.

It uses the same V12 as the Enzo but with increased size to 6.3L so it produces 800PS of power and 686Nm of torque. It also comes with other technological features such as traction control, anti-lock brakes, and a rear view camera in place of the rear view mirror because of the lack of the rear window.





In the Series 13 opener of Top Gear, Michael Schumacher, in The Stig's outfit, drove his special FXX (black without a stripe, having red trimmed wheels, matte rather than chrome exhaust tips, and his personal logo stitched on the racing seats) and lapped the Top Gear Test Track in 1:10.7, therefore resulting him to show himself in front of the audience and to Jeremy Clarkson.

Weird...it appears it did it in 1:13.315, less than the time set by Schumacher....Hmmmm....Is it because his FXX's different than the other FXX's?! Never mind...

Forza 4 Head to Head: X5 M vs. X6 M

The BMW X5 M...



...and the BMW X6 M...



...both of these are crossovers that were beefed up by BMW's M division...what? M SUV's?! Really? They made some high performance crossovers? Whoa...That's kinda strange but yes, they're true. They really were the first ever high performance sport utility vehicles from the BMW M division and both of these do come with xDrive all wheel drive system and a twin turbocharged 4.4L V8 engine that churns out 555PS of power. However, what's the difference between these two? Let's find out. First up, the X5 M.

In an episode of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson reviewed this one and as we thought that this one will make mince meat out of sportscars, we were wrong. When we saw a drag race between the X5 M and the Jaguar XKR, this is a bit of a suicide. Even though it has launch control for the X5 M that propelled this mammoth for a quicker 0-60 time than the XKR, the XKR's top speed blasted the X5 M because the X5 M's heavy and enough said. Sure, the X5 was made for offroading but thanks to this M version, the offroad fun was gone and....how can I say it? Never mind, let's start the clock!



The X5 M did it in 1:27.110.

And now...the X6 M...

When Jeremy Clarkson tested the original X6, he kinda disliked it. Even though he traveled around the world, from Australia just for the glove compartment, Spain just for suspension, the Alps just for offroad, and Hong Kong for some metaphors, he really really disliked it and perhaps that money that was used to spend it on the X6 should be spent for a summer holiday at Barbados. Now, in the M version, this has the same issues from the normal except that it was spiced up a bit. Like the X5 M, it do comes with a 4.4L V8 turbo engine so, nothing new here. For a car that was known to be a Sport Activity Vehicle, this is rather pointless. Think about the design, this car was made from a world to a world that doesn't exists anymore, like the skyscraper from Hong Kong, the one Batman jumped on....Remind you of any?

Start the clock!




The X6 M crossed the line in 1:27.608. Almost a few milliseconds slower than the X5 M but more importantly, both of them are rather pointless. What you see that these cars used to be a good cars for offroading but it was beefed up so it can no longer go off the road. What's this? SUVs that claim to be supercar SUVs? O ho ho ho ho....No. I should better go to sleep rather than driving these two again...AM I BOVVERED?!

ABT tunes the seventh Golf

ABT Golf 7

No kidding. They've done it again. The tuning commenced on the latest, seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf and it's all thanks to some German tuning firm, ABT Sportsline.

In addition to a wide body kit developed for this generation as well as the available 18 or 19-inch rims, the engine choices on the new Golf were tuned specifically from ABT. So on the 1.2 TSi engine, this beefs from 85 to 105PS. On the 1.4 TSi engine, the power output is bumped from 140 to 165PS. And on the 1.6 TDi, this goes from 180 to 210PS.

Scoop: http://www.auto-news.de/tuning/anzeige_Abt-Sportsline-tunt-den-neuen-VW-Golf-Die-glorreiche-Sieben_id_33090

Renaultsport Clio III Phase One gets life anew by Cam Shaft

Cam Shaft Clio RS

What you're looking here is an old, third generation, Phase I, Renault Clio but it has been modified by Cam Sport. An old Clio has been spiced up a bit with something matte, something green vinyl, and something green rims that made it more sleeker and sexier and every angle but sometimes it is a bit nasty.

Power output is now 225PS thanks to some optimization on the car's computers, K&N Sports Air Filter, and Supersprint 100-cell sport catalysts and exhausts. Also, the brakes used on this modified Renault Clio was been derived from the hot Megane.

Scoop: http://www.auto-news.de/tuning/anzeige_Cam-Shaft-powert-den-Renault-Clio-R.S._id_33095

Platinum Motorsport's Phantom Conquistador

Rolls-Royce Phantom Conquistador
by Platinum Motorsport

Right, some tuning news and this time it's Platinum Motorsport, the guys that brought us that modified Continental GT on FM4 a couple of months ago. They're releasing their latest creation based on the ultra-luxury, ultra-expensive, fun for rappers, Rolls-Royce Phantom sedan fitted with the Mansory Conquistador body kit and a 26 inch Gionelle Santorini wheels. Those rims are huge and this modified version would be a perfect fit for the most notorious drug lord in the East Coast!

If all goes well, they'll be making four of these Phantom Conquistadors.

Scoop: http://www.gtspirit.com/2012/10/20/rolls-royce-phantom-conquistador-by-platinum-motorsport/