If I could put all the GTA titles in a blender...

I was just thinking yesterday whilst playing GTA III, and with the impending release of GTA V later this year; if I could take all the best elements from the GTA series and whip them all into one great game, what would I get? In fact, in my ideal world; this is what Grand Theft Auto V would be.

So what kind of character would take the lead role? I've always loved GTA III, and without a second thought I'd say it's definitely my favourite from the series. But the character that I always loved the most was Tommy Vercetti from Vice City. Tommy was voiced by Ray Liotta, who did a fantastic job with the character. There's also a big sense of satisfaction that comes from playing as a character who starts out as somewhat of a nobody, then as you play through the storyline; eventually takes over the city. Tommy's humble beginnings in Vice City saw him take part in a drug deal that went sour, leaving him to attempt to gain back Sonny Forelli's money in any way possible. By the end of the game, he'd disposed of Ricardo Diaz, Lance Vance and Sonny Forelli; leaving Tommy as top dog in the city. I'm not sure what it is, but I get a greater sense of power and control when I'm playing as Tommy, more-so than any other character. He feels like a boss; a character that's a born leader.

The 'humble beginnings to top dog' was the template for both GTA III and VC really, though while playing as Claude in GTA III, I didn't quite get the same feeling of 'owning the city' by the end of the game. Maybe it was the lack of a mansion safe house, like Diaz's (or should I say Tony Montana's?) home in Vice City. In addition, other characters in the game refer to Claude as Fido; which is a name usually given to a companion or second-in-command. In San Andreas, CJ was a satisfying main character to play as, however the story line focused more on street gang wars than disposing of top crime bosses. Finally, Niko Bellic of GTA IV isn't a character I was particularly able to warm to.

So where would the setting be? I'd definitely prefer it to be a completely original city, rather than a more-or-less copy of a real city; GTA IV - New York. I thought San Andreas was the best of the bunch, in terms of exploration. There were 3 distinctive types of city, plus countryside and desert land. I remember seeing a new myth appear on the internet every week about something lurking in the countryside or desert, whether it was Leatherface, Bigfoot or the Epsilon Program; and that only made me want to explore the areas more. I'm also in favour of another GTA title that's set in the past. By the looks of the GTA V screenshots so far, it looks like it'll be set in the present time. So that's two in a row now; as GTA IV was also set in the present. So, they've covered the 60's with GTA London, and since covered the 80's, 90's and naughties. Obviously there's a gap in that list; the 70's. I know Driver Parallel Lines was set in the 70's already; and to be honest it captured the zeitgeist very well. But I'd love to see what Rockstar could do with a game set in the 70's; after all it'd probably be even better.

So what about the vehicles? I've always preferred the classic set of vehicles; Sentinel, Cheetah, Infernus etc. A few new additions are ok, but personally I like to see different incarnations of all the names we recongise. Alike to the setting, I prefer to have some originality with the vehicles. All the cars and cities in GTA are based off one thing or another; but I'll always be for 'loosely based' rather than 'exact copy'.

Other stuff. I've heard that Rockstar are omitting all the activities like going bowling or hanging out with friends. All I can say is... THANK GOD! That's where Saints Row gains an advantage over GTA as you're not wasting time playing darts or dinning at fast food outlets. When playing it you're very aware that you're playing a game and that's how I think it should be. Rockstar went down the wrong line whenever they attempted to make GTA too alike to real life. Whether it be going internet dating or simply going for a burger at Cluckin' Bell; it's just an annoyance that you're forced to deal with. Things like that should be dropped in favour of a fun, fluent game.

A few games I've been playing lately

I'll start it off with MediEvil. If you haven't played this PS1 game before, then I urge you to. Due to playing the beta demo a few weeks ago, I had to dig this game out and play through it once more. It may have come in the middle of a few coursework deadlines; but I don't regret it one bit! Also, some smartypants has not only found a full beta version of the game online (maybe the promo release?) but dubbed the full version voices and sound effects onto it too. (The beta version .iso was without sound)

Also, I've been itching to play GTA III again; unfortunately my PS2 library is at my parents' house and I'm stuck here in my GTA-less flat. So, what did I do? Bought the promo version off Ebay. The wisest way to spend a student budget is definitely not spending £20 on a game you've already got. Well, technically it is the promo version; and GTA promos are among the rarest.

As well, I dug out Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Yeah that's right, the first game in the series. With the news of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD releasing this summer, I had go old school and play the first one again. For those of you who don't know, THPS HD will be a combination of Tony Hawk's 1 & 2, with next gen. graphics and gameplay etc. I also found a beta full version of Tony Hawk's 1. Unlike MediEvil where there are just a few differences / beta qualities, the Tony Hawk's beta is full of beta content! I'll be uploading a video of the content soon.

I'll be uploading some footage of Gran Turismo 2000, and an early GT3 demo as well. Plus secret characters from Dynasty Warriors 2 is also on my to-do list.

Gran Turismo 5: 5 Things

I'm going to list 5 things that I enjoyed about the game, and 5 things that could have been improved on.

Ok, so let's start with 5 things that I was pleased about.

1. The number of cars in races was increased. It was about time that the 6-car race became extinct. From Gran Turismo to Gran Turismo 4, all we knew was races that consist of 6 cars. Now, finally we get to participate in 10 and even 12 car races. Much improved.

2. Desired car brand licensing. Again, Yamauchi listened to the fans and gave us numerous new companies including Ferrari and Bugatti. Though it's disappointing to see that RUF still replaces Porsche.

3. Graphics. If it's one thing that Gran Turismo 5 succeeds at, it's graphics. The game looks great.

4. Types of races. It's good to see more types of races being acknowledged, rather than just a standard lap race. There are challenges where the player has to overtake all the other cars in 1 lap, and also time trial challenges.

5. The tracks. It's great to see tracks like Monza and the Nurburgring being added. Most players will never drive those tracks in real life, so it's nice to get as close to that as possible. Although some tracks that players have been asking for, for a long time; still haven't returned. *cough*RedRockValley*Cough*


5 things that could have been improved.

1. B-Spec Mode. It was introduced in Gran Turismo 4 as a way of giving the player a break during Endurance races, whereby the computer would drive for you. In Gran Turismo 5, A-Spec mode (where the player drives) and B-Spec mode are entirely seperate. B-Spec mode becomes its own entity, quite like a Football Manager game; instead the player's role is more like a team boss. The problem this causes is that the player can no longer use B-Spec in A-Spec mode endurances races. Can you imagine completing the 24 Hour Endurance race without it? Yes you can take breaks but, any way you look at it; you've got to complete those 24 hours all by yourself.

2. Damage. I mentioned how good the graphics are, but the same can't be said for the new addition of damage. It's hard to shift one pixel, let alone cause any major damage. Newton stated that 'every action has an equal and opposite reaction', well not on Gran Turismo 5... No matter the force of the shunt, the damage received does not represent the severity of the accident.

3. Racing series. Nascar is a disappointment - especially at Daytona. Formula 1 is a disappointment as the only licensed F1 team is Ferrari. The rest of the field is made up of stock Formula Gran Turismos.

4. Too many laps! On Gran Turismo, the longest race was 60 laps of Grand Valley. Now we have races that last 24 hours... I get bored before it's anywhere near finished.

5. The A.I. This is the cherry on the shit sundae. The A.I. simply isn't good enough. The biggest challenges on the game are probably time trials. I want a challenging race, with good A.I., like on Gran Turismo 1. This is what happens in an average race in GT5. The player overtakes the other cars on the first lap... and stays there for the rest of the race.

(Extra) 6. Prize cars and cars at the dealership should be kept seperate! Remember what the prize car was on GT2, for getting all Gold on Special License? The '99 Toyota GT-One TS020. That was the only way to unlock that car. I remember spending hours working on my times, just to try and get it. Finally, I was able to reap the rewards and drive that car. Now, either the license prize cars can often be won or bought elsewhere; or they're not worth winning at all. On GT4, one of the prize cars was the Ford Model-T. Just simply not worth the effort... Also, many times; a prize car won on a lengthy championship or race can be bought or won elsewhere. It's soul destroying when you've just completed a championship that's taken a fair amount of time; and winning a car that you've already bought.

Sheffield's Christmas Celebrations Reach Climax

(Written last December)

Twelve-thousand visitors entered Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens this weekend to attend ‘A Magical Christmas’, which ran for three days from the 9^th to the 11^th of December. The event is supported by Sheffield City Council and this year helped to raise funds for St. Luke’s Hospice, with any surplus used to sustain Sheffield’s parks. Kevin Cheetham (correct) of Sheffield City Council said: “we just go through the charities and try to share the help out. This year it’s St. Luke’s.” Two years ago a similar number of guests attended, however last year’s celebration was cancelled due to the three feet of snow that Sheffield was blanketed by.

Lately, Sheffield has really come alive with Christmas Spirit as the city welcomed stall holders from across Europe to participate in the Christmas Markets attraction in the precinct and Peace Gardens. Sharrowvale Road is also hosting a Christmas market of their own, and several businesses on Eccleshall Road have put up miniature Christmas trees above their shops; in a similar fashion to the nearby quaint village of Castleton.

‘A Magical Christmas’ gives the public the chance to see the gardens after dark, lit up by no more than festive fairy lights and tea lanterns. The pavilion’s interior has also been decorated with yet more illuminating displays, accompanied by homemade fairies and mythical scenes. Any parents who expect a kids’ convention would be pleasantly surprised to find craft stalls selling jewellery and Christmas decorations, complemented with the temptation of a jacket potato rather than burgers or hotdogs. “I had lovely jacket potato with chicken korma!” commented happy customer, Rebecca Harper.

Meanwhile, children were treated to steam train rides and the chance to see Santa Claus before Christmas Eve. Saint Nick was present on all three nights, though unfortunately Santa’s Grotto is still based in the North Pole. “It’s just a quick appearance from Father”, said Kevin Cheetham (correct), “he’s very busy, he’s got a lot to do, it’s only two weeks ‘til Christmas; so he’ll be busy wrapping presents and filling his slay up.”

My Grandparents Celebrate 70-year Marriage

(Written last November)

Frank and Doris Riddell, aged 94 and 91 of Woodley, Stockport celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last weekend. The couple married on November 8^th 1941. In the same year, Frank who was in the Lancashire Fusiliers was sent to India and Burma; not returning to his wife until after the Second World War was over.

Frank played football for Northwich Victoria and was due to sign for Manchester City before he was called up to the army. During his time fighting abroad, he would often send money and luxuries like bananas back to Doris. He said: “I enjoyed many aspects of army life, but it was hard of course to be separated from my wife for such a long time. I think we have made up for it now though.”

After Frank returned from the war, he found work at Crown Wallpaper and the couple moved to nearby Romiley, and started a family soon after. The Riddells later moved to Woodley, where they still live today.

As well as their three children, they are succeeded by their four grand-children and five great-grandchildren; all of whom made the journey to celebrate their Platinum wedding anniversary with them. Frank and Doris also received a celebratory card from the Queen, and they’ll receive another if they reach their Oak Anniversary. (80 years.)

Frank summed up their seventy years together by saying: “there is no particular secret to being married for so long, we just put up with each other. We have had a very good life and travelled about a great deal.”

Rotherham risk move to New York

This will be the last season that Rotherham United play their home games at Don Valley Stadium. Scheduled to be completed by the 11^th July, The Millers will relocate to the New York Stadium, in the heart of Rotherham. The ground is named after the local area, as in the 18^th century, steel was exported to America to build fire hydrants in New York. The ground will cost £20 million pounds and will have the capacity to seat an initial 12,000 people, with the possibility to expand in the future.

Described as a “soulless venue” by press officer Matt Young, Don Valley Stadium sits in the heart of an industrial estate. However Rotherham’s new ground is located “in the heart of the city” and is part of the plan to “bring the team back to the town.” However, with Rotherham currently averaging an attendance of 3,706 for their home games; 12,000 seems a long way away. Due to the new location, the club believes that they can attract average attendances of “8,000 people in the first year”.

Darlington F.C. opened the Darlington Arena in 2003, which was built to seat 25,000 fans at a cost of £18 million pounds. The club is now in administration and last season, recorded a mere average home attendance of 1,886. “The chairman wants promotion next season” says Matt Young, “or the manager will be under pressure.” But The Millers would surely need to attain promotion twice in order to achieve the 9,500 average attendances that local rivals Barnsley and Doncaster enjoy in the npower Championship.

At Rotherham United’s first home, Millmoor; the never finished ‘Main Stand’ still lies in a half-built state. The stand would have been able to seat an extra 4,500 fans, all seated and covered, and was due to be completed during the 2006–07 season. But this had still not come to fruition by the time Rotherham United entered administration in March 2008, and the ground became disused.

At a cost of £20 million pounds, it seems like no expense will be spared in the construction of this “iconic” new stadium. Assistant press officer Ben Shepard noted its “sloping design” and the New York Stadium will even contain “poly-carbonate in the roof to keep in the atmosphere.” In short, this is a big statement from a club who want to achieve big things. But as Rochdale A.F.C. have proven, a promotion can take as long as 41 years.

FIFA 12 - A Revised Look (Continued)

6. Player Ratings

Is it me or have players' ratings steadily got more and more stingy over the course of the series? In FIFA 2003, (bearing in mind that players' ratings are out of 10 rather than 100) many players have a lot of 8s and 9s amongst their stats. In FIFA 2005, a lot of players have stats in the 80s. However in FIFA 12, most players' stats are mainly 70s and less, outside football's most well-known players. I've ended up downloading a lot of players for my teams from the Creation Centre, as they actually have some decent stats!

E.A. keep putting new teams and leagues in every year, (with the exception of FIFA 12 which had leagues TAKEN OUT!) but some are completely redundant as none of the teams have any half-decent players. The Irish League is a prime example; there's barely a player with any decent stats over 70. But the Irish League has produced a few decent players lately; like Seamus Coleman and James McClean to name two. Bottom line: E.A., just be a bit more generous when deciding on players' stats.

And what happened to finding hidden gems? Yes there are still a couple but there's no one like Matteo Brighi in FIFA 2003 or Alessandro Parisi in FIFA 2004. (Parisi had 100/100 for shot accuracy and shot power) Sure, it's not too realistic; but where do you draw the line between fun and realism? For me, one of the things I look forward to most on a new FIFA title, is looking for relatively unknown players, who have some good stats. Maybe they're young and up and coming; or late bloomers perhaps that just came good last season. I feel that this just isn't there in FIFA 12.


7. Manual Shooting

Just a bit more on shooting. Manual shooting shouldn't be mandatory for scoring goals from far out. It's too difficult to score screamers when the shoooting aids are on. (Yes, I said aids.)


8. Players finding space

Again, another short recap. I can't stress enough how terrible the players on this game are at making runs and finding space.

Here's the best video I could find of examples of good runs and players' ability to find space, from the past FIFA titles: