VIRTUAL REALITY NEW TELEVISIONS 3D FOOD PRINTERS
PIXELATED A TV, VIDEO GAME, AND TECHNOLOGY PUBLICATION
WINTER 2015
THE 2015
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW
“PRINT IS NOT DEAD BUT IT IS BECOMING MORE PIXELATED”
THE ELEMENTS | -1-
CONTENT
4 One Plus Two and Project Ara by William He
10 CES 2015 by Daniel Mindich
Technology
PIXELATED Charles Cotton Editor-In-Chief
06 Future of Microsoft By William He
07 Cyber Crime By Daniel Jin
08 Reddit: A Guide for the First Time User By Eric Schwartz
Spencer Lerner Matthew Harpe Managing Editors
16 3D Food Printers By Grant Kaufman
Gaming 18 Far Cry 4
Jason Ginsberg Design Editor
By Stephen Angelakos
22 Elite Dangerous and Star Citizen By Henry Hunt 24 Super Smash Bros. Wii U
Neil Ahlawat Daniel Jin Ian Lee Jonathan Lu Content Editors
Keith Renner Faculty Advisor
By Michael Dimitrov
26 Project CARS: What Makes it so Special? By Vaughan Doty
28 Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 By Arjun Swarup
Television 30 Better Call Saul By Yoel Zaid
32 The Flash By Zachary Troyanovsky
34 Empire By Neil Ahlawat -2- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED
14
20
New Television Technology
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
by John Abreu
by Armand Dang
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
W
elcome everyone to Pixelated’s second installment of the
new televisions and new computers to 3D food printers! We have an
year, the Winter 2015 issue! After a successful fall issue,
article on cyber security, an increasingly significant topic of debate, and
we all worked hard on this one to match that and feel that
there are previews of some of 2015’s most anticipated smartphones.
this will not disappoint. Our dedicated team of writers (both under and
As always, those mentioned are just some of the articles; check out the
upperclassmen) and editors have, as usual, put in the time and effort to
table of contents for a full listing.
present the latest news in television, video games, and technology to the Horace Mann student body. Here’s a brief summary of the issue’s
We are all proud to publish this issue, and I’d like to thank the writers,
“greatest hits”.
the editors, and our faculty advisor Mr. Renner who have collectively made it possible. Finally, a special thanks goes to Jason Ginsberg for
For TV, we have reviews of three brand new shows, Better Call Saul,
doing an exceptional job on the layout. That’s all for now; enjoy it!
Empire, and The Flash. Each is well reviewed; so if you’re looking for a new show to watch, read these articles, and find out which might match your tastes. Until next time, In gaming, there are reviews of the newest entries in the Halo and Far Cry dynasties, along with the new Super Smash Bros. game which came out around New Year’s. In technology, there are detailed summaries of products unveiled at
Charles Cotton
CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2015 in all different fields, from
Editor-in-Chief THE ELEMENTS | -3PIXELATED
ONE PLUS TWO AND PROJECT ARA BY WILLIAM HE
L
ast year, the OnePlus One was rated one of the best smartphones in existence. A relatively low price, combined with excellent specs, made it
a top contender and a top choice among phone enthusiasts and casual users alike, even if it was slightly hard to obtain with an invite system that has been
Speakers on the one M8 utilize BoomSound technology
“HTC ONE M8 STANDS OUT AT FIRST GLANCE BECAUSE OF ITS ALUMINUM BRUSHED DESIGN” scrapped in favor of a weekly Tuesday no-invite sale. With the OnePlus One almost a year old, the OnePlus Two plans to bring the phone line to new heights. For inside hardware, there’s a new Snapdragon 810 processor along with 4 GB of RAM, making this phone a powerhouse, as well as an improvement from the One’s Snapdragon 801 and 3 GB of RAM. Coupled with a 3300 mAh battery, 200 mAh more than the One, the Two should offer as much battery life for more power. As for the display, OnePlus CEO Carl Pei stated that the OnePlus Two size would “surprise” consumers, but as of yet, we have no idea what that means. One source claims that the screen will be at 5.5-inches, but with 2K resolution, or 2048x1536 at the minimum, and improvement over the 1920x1080 of the One. Since the display is the same as last year, there’s a good chance that there’s going to be much less bezel on the Two, which would make sense, as screen size versus actual phone size are two different things. For software, OnePlus’ own custom ROM, Oxygen OS, based on the Android 5.0 standard image, is
A OnePlusTwo concept rendering -4- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED
expected to be running out of the box. A Q2-Q3 release date is expected, and the invite
system is still likely. Business Insider esti-
really existed in the industry until now. Rather
mates the cost at around $500, putting it
than picking the phone due to the camera or
at $150 dollars more than the One, but for
any other spec, you get to pick what “mod-
Ara, where you get to build your entire phone
the upgraded specs, this may be worth the
ules” you want on your phone, making the
from a base, and then add the components
extra cost. As of yet, very little is confirmed,
customization and uses of this phone nearly
you want, not what a company dictates for
however, so keep your eyes and ears open for
limitless.
you. It’s an innovative idea, and if successful, it
any new news on it.
If that paragraph didn’t get you excited,
sources, and a lot of labor? That was the whole point behind Project
may be the future of all consumer electronics
Although highly innovative, the OnePlus
then I don’t know what will. If you’re wonder-
phones still fit in with the current smartphone
ing why you’d want to switch out components
norms. Project Ara, currently one of the least
of your phone, I’ll tell you why: so you don’t
Q1 2015, with an entry-level model to be in
known projects in the world right now, is
have you ditch a phone every few years. The
the $50-$100 range. Individuals will be able
attempting to completely revolutionize the
biggest differences between phones are
to set prices for their own modules in the Ara
industry, however. Part of Google’s Advanced
literally always new, better hardware. But not
Module Marketplace, which is where people
Technology and Projects (ATAP) group, this
every person needs a new phone. Maybe you
will buy and sell modules.
design of phone is taking the idea of hardware
just want a new better camera. Maybe the
specs in a completely new direction.
RAM appeals to you. Maybe you need more
companies like Apple and Samsung may
memory space. Maybe you want something
have an even bigger competitor to compete
else. Why buy the whole phone, waste re-
against.
The basic concept behind Ara is the fact that it’s a modular phone, a term which hasn’t
as we know them. Project Ara is expected to be released in
Should this product be a success, top tech
THE ELEMENTS | -5PIXELATED
FUTURE OF MICROSOFT
BY WILLIAM HE
I
n January, Microsoft held a press conference,
pears to be doing well in terms of recognition and
during which they revealed Hololens, and Win-
response.
dows 10.
Windows 10 is Microsoft’s new operating
the number of smart watches sold in the past year alone.
as I could tell, no apps open in full screen auto-
was considered by many to be a flop, and taking
matically. Gaming may be the exception, but that’s
aspects from older versions like XP and 7, Micro-
pretty untested. As long as you don’t think BIOS is
soft has come up with a new revolutionary browser
a form of plant-based energy, then the Windows
that may be Microsoft’s key to revolutionizing the
10 Technical Preview, with Cortana, may be a good
computer industry.
thing to download for free from Microsoft. Just prepare for bugs and losing all your data, so don’t
start menu. A big aspect that caused many people
do it on your main computer. I haven’t yet on my
to not update to Windows 8 was the Metro Screen;
laptop, but on my desktop, it seems to work fine.
although many people have gotten used to it, this
Hololens was Microsoft’s newest innovation.
screen has been removed. Microsoft chose to re-
While Oculus Rift and Google have gone for virtual
place it with a new mix of the Metro screen and the
reality with the Oculus headset and Google Card-
original start menu. As usual, you always have the
board which utilizes a phone, Microsoft has gone
classic power options button, along with your Start
for a “mixed reality.” Intended for everyday use,
Menu, albeit with a slightly blocky Windows 8’ish
Hololens uses the real world as a backdrop for a
feel. There was, however, one major thing about
head’s-up display (HUD) of notifications, programs,
Metro that people did like; the widgets. Microsoft
and some games, like Minecraft. Some uses of
realized this, and in a stroke of genius, blended the
Hololens that have been shown include Minecraft
Start Menu and widgets together. There’s still an
using tables and the floor, using the wall as a notifi-
app store and all that, but all of that has been re-
cation wall, and playing Xbox games using Hololens
duced to within a Start Menu. On the left, close to
and displaying them on any surface you like. There
the screen border, you’ll have your applications and
is currently not very much information available on
folders, while on the right, you’ll have your widgets.
it, but Microsoft’s Hololens is certainly something
Microsoft’s voice assistant, Cortana, named after
worth paying attention to.
her Halo namesake, has finally appeared, and ap-6- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED
changed slightly to a darker folder color, and as far
system. Building off aspects from Windows 8, what
The first improvement is the return of the iconic
2 mil.
Other than that, the File Explorer image was
CYBER CRIME
BY DANIEL JIN
48%
Global Security Incidents (GSISS 2015)
22%
Global Smartphone Users (eMarketer)
Global GDP (OECD)
21%
I
Security incidents outpace GDP and mobile phone growth The percentage of growth for global security incidents is more than double global GDP and global smartphone users combined.
n 2014, cyber crime exploded. Data
their attacks proved too much for the system
Interview, a film about a plot to assassinate
breaches grew in both size and number.
to handle. This year, many enterprises will
Kim Jong-un. The Chinese government is sus-
Established security measures practically
turn to Automated Incident Response, which
pected to be behind several lesser known but
collapsed. Hackers obtained information
responds instantly to threats, leaving nothing
equally scary incidents. In May, a Pennsylva-
seemingly at their will. Cyber crime is defi-
unhandled. It remains to be seen whether
nia jury indicted five Chinese military officials
nitely on the rise, and it does not seem like
Automated Incident Response is the answer
for various offenses against several American
it will go away anytime soon. We must ask
to the world’s cyber security problems, but it
energy companies. And the U.S. is not even
ourselves, is any of our information really safe
will surely work better than the human-oper-
China’s main target – according to Lt. Col.
in this age? Needless to say, 2015 will be a
ated IDS/IPS.
William Hagestad II, China’s hacking oper-
crucial year for cyber security. Last year, many companies lost data to
Last year, companies also realized that
ations are primarily geared toward Japan,
cloud security was insufficient. Most relied
the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Global
hackers. Adobe, for one, lost 152 million
on the safety features provided by cloud ven-
cyber warfare is very real and must be dealt
records. Ebay lost 145 million. JP Morgan
dors, which usually did not fulfill the needs of
with seriously by the government.
Chase 76 million, Target 70 million, Home
large enterprises. However, a large number
There is no question that hackers need to
Depot 56 million, and the list goes on.
of new startups are creating programs that
be dealt with. This year, there is tremendous
TechCrunch estimates that the amount of
will allow for improved data management
pressure on security vendors to deliver new
money lost to cyber crime last year was in the
and threat analysis, which will undoubtedly
solutions. They will have plenty of resources,
hundreds of billions of dollars. Consequently,
benefit IT departments this year.
though; venture capitalists are more willing
many companies have greatly increased cyber
Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) were
than ever to invest in cyber security. Accord-
security spending. Still, just money won’t stop
a huge problem last year. These attacks allow
ing to Gartner, the global security market will
hackers; the entire system of cyber security is
hackers to stay hidden in a network for an
grow 8.2% this year to reach $76.9 billion and
broken. The Intrusion Detection/Prevention
extended period of time before striking when
will grow to $93 billion by 2017. Innovation
System (IDS/IPS) that most companies cur-
the system is most vulnerable. And not only
is desperately needed, but it will have plen-
rently use was utterly useless last year. IDS/
businesses have to deal with APTs – they are
ty of support as well. So, who will prevail in
IPS detects network threats for the security
often used to steal government information,
2015? Hackers or security? Only time will tell.
operations team to deal with, but the sheer
as well. Most notably, Sony was targeted
number of hackers and the complexity of
by North Korean hackers for making The THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED | -7- | -7-
REDDIT: A GUIDE FOR THE FIRST TIME USER BY ERIC SCHWARTZ
F
or those of you who get your news from social media and are always introduced to new and interesting things by other people, Reddit is a great website to allow you to find new things and discuss your interests with people who share those common interests. The idea behind the site is to be a waypoint on the way to anything and everything on the Internet, which is why the title bar displays the words “reddit: the front page of the Internet.” The layout of Reddit might seem intimidating to the first time user, as it will
intimidation factor in which there are so many options that it seems like you will never find anything. Well, that is partly true. It would probably take months to find every single subreddit because new ones are being added every day, and anyone can make a new one if it doesn’t already exist. Once you’ve made your
MAGNISINTI OMNIM VOLESENIENT VOLUPTATUM VERCHILLANT ULLAM NOS EARUM IPSANT.
just look like a list a long list of links. This, however, is somewhat deceptive because the site is organized through a multitude of smaller categories called
reddit account, you can subscribe and unsubscribe to
subreddits. Essentially if you type reddit.com/r/ and
any subreddit you wish.
add in pretty much anything at all, you are bound to
Now you are probably wondering what goes on
find a subreddit you like. Subreddits are Reddit’s way
these pages. There are two kinds of posts you can
of concentrating a little bit. These are specific sites
make. You can either post a link to something or make
for a specific interest. Every single thing that anyone
a text post where you start a discussion or ask a ques-
might be remotely interested in at all probably has a
tion or something else along those lines. People can
subreddit. Anything from sports to science to music
then comment on these posts as well. This is where
to books and everything else under the sun will have
Reddit gets interesting and potentially risky because
its own subreddit. Once again we come to Reddit’s
people are anonymously posting whatever they want. Standard internet/social media common sense still
Ari omnis
applies here, i.e. don’t post any personal information
Ciis estioss inimod qui bernatur, enis a conseriatur ressimusam qui berem sitasperit, sitiatempos
Many people might be wary of anonymous sites like
since literally anyone with Internet access can see it. these where people can post anything, but there is some regulation in the form of moderators and bots. Moderators are real Reddit users that have juris-
-8- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED
16 Nis porisinis denihicae nistio to idemquo velit que rem ipis et ipis nonsent. Nis porisinis idemquosent.
diction on a particular subreddit to monitor
looking at over your shoulder. But avoiding
and comment karma for comments. The site
posts and remove them as they see fit. Bots
these is as simple as not clicking on them. On
calls it a measure of how much good you’ve
are similar except they are not real people,
all subreddits there are also moderators who
done in the community, but it does not serve
for they are simply programmed to automat-
can remove anything for not following the
any purpose and can’t be redeemed for
ically remove posts that don’t fit a certain
rules of that particular subreddit.
anything. Similarly, there are achievements
criteria or to also post things
Posts are organized using a simple system
that you can unlock from various things that
at given times. You have to be
of upvotes and downvotes. Reddit encourag-
also serve no purpose whatsoever. Reddit
careful of any posts marked
es you to upvote anything interesting and rel-
Gold is a premium service that can be bought
NSFW as this stands for “not
evant, but it says that the downvotes should
and gifted to people, and it gives you a few
safe for work” (or school as
be used only for posts that are completely
extra features that, in my opinion, are far too
the case may be), meaning
irrelevant as opposed to just a dislike or
minor to justify spending real money. All in
that you should be careful
disagree button. That being said, most people
all, Reddit is a place in which anyone at all can
about opening these types
will still wind up using it as a dislike button
share anything they think is worth sharing or
of posts because they may
anyway. Reddit also has some rather useless
their own thoughts and ideas. It seems scary
contain content you might
incentives in the form of karma points. You
at first, but if you give it a chance, it will be
not necessarily want people
get link karma for upvotes received on links
worth your time. THE ELEMENTS | -9PIXELATED
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW 2015
BY DANIEL MINDICH
CES, the Consumer Electronics Show, held its annual event from January 6th to 9th this year. In the show, there were many new innovations, including lots of computers, laptops, TV’s, Virtual reality devices, drones, cars, wearables, and many more things for all sorts of people ranging from hard-core PC enthusiasts to audiophiles and beyond.
Computers The Alienware 13, 15, 17, and the MSI GS30 Shadow are all ultra-light gaming laptops, that feature an external graphics card housing that allows the laptop to be ultra-portable, and when at home have a top-of-the-line graphics performance that can blow an Xbox One or PS4 out of existence (or at least graphics-wise). While the Alienware computers come with a mobile graphics card inside of the computer and feature this external housing, the Shadow doesn’t; it includes an integrated graphics card, so when using this laptop away from the base, the performance will not match up in games. All of these laptops have a port at the back for PCIe, which connects the laptop to the graphics housing. This allows for a portable laptop to have the graphics horsepower of any graphics card you can find. This would allow you to use only one computer and not need to have both a portable laptop and a high-end PC with completely different files. While these may seem really cool, in reality the user is still bound to his or her desk in order to have the desktop-level performance. It would be a better experience to have a desktop and a laptop rather than a hybrid of the two that is also hard to move like a desktop. Rather than this, if you want performance on the go, I would suggest a high-end laptop, or if you really like this kind of setup, a desktop and a small laptop is the right way to go.
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MSI GT80 The MSI GT80 is a new laptop by MSI that has been leaked months before its official announcement. This beast of a laptop weighs just more than 10 pounds and has 2 of the best mobile graphics card available in the same computer (2 980m’s in SLI), plus a mechanical keyboard with Cherry Brown Switches. MSI plans for this laptop to be easily upgradable for the next two generations of graphics cards, so it is built to last. This laptop, with its immense weight is obviously something that you won’t be bringing this places daily, so this is more for people who will use this as a desktop replacement but may bring it to their homes if they live in more than one place.
Intel Atom Compute Stick The Intel Compute Stick uses Intel’s new quad core Atom Chipset, in order to make a pocket sized desktop computer. It connects to a monitor or TV via HDMI. The device could be a contender to Apple TV’s and the Android TV’s like the Razer Forge (also featured at CES 2015) or the Sony Bravia because it can run a full version of Windows 8.1 or Linux, can connect to the Internet in order to watch Netflix, and has local storage. All that is needed to use this is a monitor that has an HDMI port, and an USB- or Bluetooth-connected keyboard and mouse, and then you are good to go.
Virtual Reality - OSVR When I pay attention to CES, I always like to look at the new innovations with Virtual Reality. In past years, things like the Oculus Rift and the Avegant Glyph have made appearances. All of these appeared again this year, along with a new one – OSVR. OSVR stands for “Open Source Virtual Reality.” As the title suggests, it is a completely open source hardware and software Virtual Reality system. The OSVR is trying to do to with Virtual Reality what the open source Android did to the smartphone. It would make the new type of technology easy to make and edit for both users and companies, who could make their own products based off of it or make software for it, helping the VR technology reach it’s potential in everyday media and speeding up the development and sophistication. THE ELEMENTS | -11PIXELATED
Ultrahaptics Ultrahaptics is a technology that projects a “tactile feeling” onto your hands without use of a glove or any other attachment to your body. It uses ultrasound to create the feeling of the feedback on your hand. It produces different sounds into the air so when you touch an intersection of the ultrasonic waves; it would actually feel like you are touching a small buzzing of an object, just like how some phones today make a small vibration when you touch one of the backlit buttons. While now this is just a nifty object to have been invented, in the future, it could make holograms or 3D models easy to control.
Dash Dash is a pair of wireless in-ear earbuds with a built-in storage for music, a heart rate monitor, and other fitness-related monitors. They are very small and relatively unnoticeable while still looking great. They aim to be fitness oriented, so they track your heart rate, speed, duration of exercise period, and even more cool and useful sensors that can be used to improve your exercises.
Drones CES this year showed a lot of drones, from clearly professional ones that can shoot 4K videos from up to 2km away with a battery that lasts 2 hours, to consumer-centered small drones with an 8-minute battery and a worse camera, to a wrist worn selfie-centered drone that was written about in a previous and amazing article. Parrot, a drone-centered company, has made a few drones that can appeal to major hobbyists or curious consumers. One of their drones, the Parrot Bebop, has a really great 1080p Camera that can move up to 180° and a built-in WiFi hotspot. They also made a much more consumer-based drone with an 8-minute battery that can take pictures and videos from its downward-facing camera. This is a great invention and can help popularize drones for everyday life. Both of these products definitely have potential.
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Mercedes-Benz Concept Car Mercedes-Benz showed off a new concept car called the Mercedes-Benz F015 self-driving car at CES 2015. The car looks very futuristic, has a silver finish, and looks a bit like an updated DeLorean. As the title states, this car can drive itself. The interior of the car looks like a luxurious living room with comfortable seats that swivel to look to the center of the car. Although it is self-driving, there is a steering wheel that the driver’s seat can swivel to. This car is also a hybrid, it has a battery, and it promises to deliver zero emissions. Mercedes Benz doesn’t plan to mass-produce this car, but they are just trying to display their concept.
THE ELEMENTS | -13PIXELATED
NEW TELEVISION TECHNOLOGY BY JOHN ABREU
E
very year at the Consumer Electronics Show, or CES, new televisions and technologies are announced with higher resolutions, better contrast ratios, more connectivity, and new features.
Many of the new TV’s showcased at CES are intended to set new standards and differentiate themselves from the competition, exam-
ples of this being 4K and higher, OLED, Curved, and Quantum Dots. CES 2014 was the year of the 4K Television, evidenced by the increase of UHD TV sales as well as the implementation of many new mediums to record content for these new TV’s. Today we see 4K televisions costing as little as $1,000 as compared to $150,000 just one year ago. CES 2015 saw the introduction of Quantum Dot displays to the consumer market. Quantum Dots are a new kind of backlighting that can be applied to current LED technology. Current backlighting technology works through shining white light through red, green, and blue filters hence the RGB color scale. However, quantum dot backlighting promises to show colors by shining pure colorized light as opposed to filtered white light. This results in a much brighter and energy efficient image with richer colors and a wider color gamut. Many CES attendees reported that these claims were in fact true but not very noticeable in the techology’s current form. We will likely see more Quantum Dot televisions within the next year, similar to the Ultra HD television trend. Speaking of Ultra HD televisions, 4K displays have become a standard in the consumer market as they’ve been implemented in televisions and computers for over a year now. This has prompted consumer tech manufacturers to surpass 4K and introduce 6K and 8K
10 Million -14- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED
displays at CES 2015. These even higher resolution displays are truly remarkable, although they currently lack any content to truly appreciate the improved picture quality. This is partially the reason why 4K is not yet the industry standard and why 6K & 8K displays will not see mass appeal for another decade or so. Many companies are setting industry standards for televisions through improving our current TV’s as opposed to increasing resolu-
Nis porisinis denihicae nistio to idemquo velit que rem ipis et ipis nonsent. Nis porisinis denihicae nistio to idemquosent. Pariandendae occulpa dollum ad eosant, volenisquo quunt, sam el mos mos ad
Magnisinti omnim volesenient voluptatum verchillant ullam nos earum esciist ipsus adic te sed magnime ndipisciamet est, sit volorit alicae et doles atur, ipsant. Or alitem rem aritae nonsediti dolescia ditis as autaerioriam
curves outwards. These new Curved TV’s promise a more immersive experience and better viewing angles as “The Curve” gives the perfect view from every seat in a room. However, these advantages are very niche because you need to be sitting within 30 degrees of the screen to truly appreciate the heightened sense of immersion; the current
“Nis porisinis denihicae nistio to idemquo velit que rem ipis et ipis nonsent. Nis porisinis denihicae nistio to idemquosent.”
tion. A prime example of this is OLED televisions which generated a large amount of press at CES 2015. This is because OLED displays
price bracket of these new displays doesn’t justify the gains. Inter-
have substantially improved contrast ratios as well as the color gamut.
estingly, companies like Samsung and LG have designed adjustable
OLED does not require any backlighting because each individual
displays that can function as both curved and traditional flat displays.
pixel in a display generates its own light, so blacks are just turned
Nonetheless, these adjustable displays are also very highly priced at
off pixels, and whites are just pixels turned on 100 percent, making
the moment.
OLED displays significantly more power efficient. However, the lack
CES 2015 saw the popularization of many new technologies that
of backlighting means that OLED displays are not as bright as LCD
are soon to be in our living rooms. Some of these include Ultra High
and Quantum Dot displays.
resolution displays (namely 4K and higher), Quantum Dot displays,
Meanwhile, many televisions manufacturers are aiming to change
OLED backlighting, and Curved TV’s. Many of these technologies are
the way we view televisions through changing the shape of our TV’s
not widely known in the consumer market due to their increased pric-
as opposed to the quality of the image. This new form factor is the
es or lack of implementation, but they will likely be setting new stand-
Curved Display, which is exactly what it sounds like: a display that
ards and joining the likes of Full HD and 3D, those which many of us already boast in our living rooms and on our smartphone screens. THE ELEMENTS | -15PIXELATED
A
t CES 2015, an abundance of products were introduced to
3D FOOD PRINTERS BY GRANT KAUFMAN
the public. Like any other CES event in the past, there were some products that blew the minds of many, but others that
were more of a letdown. Out of all of the new food related technologies that were introduced, including the ChillHub Smart Fridge and the CocoJet, one in particular caught the eyes of many. This item was the 3D food printer. The 3D food printer, also known as the XYZ 3D food printer, is able to print different shapes of food by imputing pre-made designs from
BYuser YOEL ZAID the web or from a USB hard drive. The also has the option to
easily choose a pre-set food shape from the printer itself. As of now, this food printer only prints deserts such as chocolates and simple cakes. In the near future, it may be able to print real foods such as pizza, but there is one key downside to it. Once the printer finishes the final product, the user must either heat it up or cook it in some fashion
-16- | PIXELATED THE ELEMENTS
Will a new centralized replay system improve the NHL? The costly change may set a new standard for other
The creators of the XYZ 3D food printer didn’t have to worry about transitioning from a standard plastic 3D printer because it works just like their older Da Vinci AiO 1.0. Much of the software and hardware shared similar features inside each printer. The only obvious change was that instead of turning plastic into 3D objects, the XYZ 3D food printer turns raw ingredients into uncooked food. Some basic ingredients that are available for the printer include: chocolate, dough, or a combination of solid items. The final products, as of now, can be either cookies or decorations on cakes. Like I mentioned earlier, though, other foods such as pizza will be up for grabs in the future.
Once the printer becomes
printer would be in the comfort
that are able to print fully cooked
available to consumers, it will be
of your home, but it may seem
meals. As of now, the food print-
put to use in all kinds of scenar-
a bit pricy to some at around
ing race is just beginning. In other
ios. For example, in the future, it
$2000.
words, we may see food printers
will be used to supply easy and
XYZprinting, the company in
in the future that are able to print
convenient food for astronauts
charge of making the XYZ 3D
fully cooked meals with all of the
while in space. This will eliminate
food printer is striving to release
appropriate nutrients for a given
the existing problem of meals in
the printer as soon as possible
person. Who knows, only time
space. The XYZ 3D food printer
in order to beat other compe-
will tell! The XYZ 3D food printer
could possibly be used at small
tition that is sure to provide a
will be available in the second
coffee shops or restaurants to
challenge. To some consumers,
quarter of 2015, and it will most
supply simple deserts and meals.
the XYZ 3D food printer will be a
likely cost about $2000.
Of course, the most convenient
letdown because it is far from the
place to put the XYZ 3D food
utopian vision of food printers
Several sources believe that Apple will release the next iPhone in two sizes: 4.5 inches and 5 inches, both of which are increases from the current iPhone screen size.
THE ELEMENTS | -17PIXELATED
FAR CRY 4 BY STEPHEN ANGELAKOS
Bea que nonsequi odia cusciendae arum qui cumque velenis re aut pre volectem eum venimporem as modia volupti osamus.
F
-18- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED
ar Cry 4 continues the trend in the Far Cry
ia and on January 22, 2015 for Japan. Far Cry 4
series while bringing some new features to
offers two types of game modes, offline and CO-OP
the table. Far Cry 4, like the other games in
action. The offline campaign takes place in a country
the series, is a first person shooter with open world
named Kyrat, located in a region of the Himalayas.
action. The game was published by Ubisoft, and
You play as a character named Ajay Ghale who was
developed by Ubisoft Montreal; for those of you
born in Kyrat, but whose mother took him away
who aren’t familiar with Ubisoft, they are a French
to the United States when he was young. After his
video game developer and publisher. Far Cry 4 is
mother’s death, he returned back to Kyrat to fulfill
available on various different platforms such as:
his mother’s wish, which was to “take me back to
PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One,
Lakshmana”. This quote is prompted in the open-
and Microsoft Windows. The game released on
ing scenes of the game, and for your information,
November 18, 2014 for USA, Europe, and Austral-
Lakshmana is a location in the country of Kyrat. Ajay
brings his mother’s ashes back
their ammunition bag to carry
to Kyrat and finds himself in the
more ammo, among many more
middle of a civil war to over-
available upgrades. I personally
throw a dictator named Pagan
enjoy this feature as it allows
Min. The name of the rebel group
the player to aim toward a goal
against this tyrant is called the
in upgrading pouches, instead of
Golden Path, created by Ajay’s
just focusing on completing the
father.
story line missions.
Aside from all the commotion
Like I said earlier, the game
between Pagan and the rebellion,
offers offline and online playa-
there are many ways to upgrade
bility. The online play consists
your character, Ajay Ghale. The
of CO-OP capabilities, allowing
open world offers many missions
you to play missions with others
that require you to travel around
who have the game. The ability to
the entire map. You can upgrade
play the campaign and different
your artillery by purchasing new
missions with friends who also
guns with the profits that you
have the game makes the online
generate from prior missions.
capabilities very useful.
Each weapon is designed in dif-
One downfall I should point
ferent ways, such that the player
out of Far Cry 4 is the fact that
can decide to run in and shoot, or
it is VERY similar to Far Cry 3. If
be sneaky and get the job done
you were to play Far Cry 3, you
without others’ knowing Ajay
would have the same experience
was even there. There are mul-
as actually playing Far Cry 4. The
tiple attachments that you can
crafting abilities are the same,
place on the guns, such as differ-
and the hunting is the same.
ent scopes, silencers, extended
The only notable difference is
magazines, and many more!
the plot in both of the games.
As you progress in the game,
Personally, I enjoyed FC3 a lot,
you pick up a lot of items. Far
so that is what inspired me to
Cry 4 offers a crafting feature,
purchase, and yet again, enjoy
which allows the player to
FC4. If you are looking for exten-
upgrade their weapon holster to
sive changes and a redesigned
hold more guns, their wallet to
gameplay, you won’t get that in
carry around more money, and
Far Cry 4.
THE ELEMENTS | -19-
HALO: THE MASTER CHIEF COLLECTION BY ARMAND DANG
The BBC show tracks the detective mysteries of a modern-day Sherlock Holmes in 90-minute episode installments
-20- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED
T
he Halo franchise has
2’s campaign mode is however
made history by inspir-
somewhat slow and has been
ing millions of people to
known to lag at times, as there are
buy consoles just to play it. Halo
occasional frozen enemies and
is exclusive to the Xbox and The
sometimes long loading screens
Master Chief Collection only
pop up before cut scenes, inter-
platforms on the Xbox One, as a
rupting the pace of the game. The
first person shooter game. The
cut scenes, however, are flawless;
collection consists of four games;
they were extended by Blur Stu-
Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2
dio using computer-generated
Anniversary, Halo 3 and Halo 4,
imagery and provide for a much
the first of the three planned in-
more modern looking Halo. Halo
stallments from 343 Industries
2 runs two graphic engines at
(343i). All of the games received
the same time just like its prede-
a graphical update for the release.
cessor Combat Evolved. You can
Access to the Halo 5: Multiplayer
switch between the 2004 and
Beta is also included. Each of the
2014 graphics at the push of a
games retains its original game-
button, enabling you to see how
play, multiplayer and story mode.
the game has evolved. The game
Halo 2 Anniversary is the star of
includes six remakes of the Halo
the show, with an exclusive re-de-
2 maps. It was announced that
sign of its audio and visuals. Halo
a remake of Halo 3: ODST and
Benedict Cumberbatch as computer scientist Alan Turing in The Imitation Game,
one more re-mastered Halo 2 map would be released as downloada-
series slowly started to decline. Others say that 343 saved the Halo
ble content for the collection sometime in 2015. Halo’s soundtrack has
franchise. No matter what they say, all Halo fans cannot dispute the
always enhanced the experience for Halo players. Halo 2’s soundtrack
fact that the Halo: Master Chief Collection is indeed worth its price.
was re-mastered and it sounds bigger and fuller while still remaining
This game is a great deal for $60 because you are getting four
true to the original. The sound of the weapons has been replaced with
games for the price of one, and eventually five once Halo 3: ODST
beefier, more aggressive versions. The battle rifle and sniper in par-
is released. Halo: Combat Evolved is as good as ever with its great
ticular have a satisfying wallop while the sound of the overcharged
campaign and co-op mode, but does not provide any online play. Halo
plasma pistol and the musical energy sword can prove to be annoying.
2 does have online play and even though it is faulty, it is being fixed
Although the story mode and sound track appear excellent, Halo 2’s
as new updates are released for the game. The collection includes
multiplayer modes proved to be unreliable and bug ridden after the
Halo 3 and Halo 4, both of which have online modes that are as good
release on November 11, 2014. Many parties are separated online,
as ever. Halo 3 remains a great game, especially since it has the best
there are extended wait times, some groups are put into the wrong
campaign mode. It does however feel its age because it does not have
map or multiplayer mode and there are often uneven team pairings.
the newly polished graphics that Halo and Halo 2 have, nor does it
343 Industries does plan on fixing the bugs in future updates
have the advantage of being the newest game like Halo 4. Halo 4
Now, let’s discuss the company behind the Halo franchise: 343 in-
does have a terrible story mode but compensates for it with its great
dustries. The Halo franchise was originally started by Bungie and was
multiplayer co-op modes. Although Halo: The Master Chief collection
meant to be a trilogy. Bungie and Microsoft had a disagreement and
has its faults, it is a great reminder that Halo succeeded not because
Bungie started working with Activision instead. Microsoft, not want-
of hype or flavor of the month popularity, but because of timeless first
ing to end one of their best exclusives on Xbox, created 343 Industries
person shooter deign. With excellent stories, great maps and amazing
(named after a character in the game, 343 Guilty Spark) to continue
graphics, Halo holds up well against modern shooters.
the Halo franchise. Many Halo fans say that after Bungie left, the Halo THE ELEMENTS | -21PIXELATED
ELITE DANGEROUS AND STAR CITIZEN BY HENRY HUNT
I
n 1984, the game Elite was published
success of CIG’s (Cloud Imperium Games)
is actually, in terms of size, a 1 to 1 copy
by Acornsoft and developed by Frontier
Kickstarter launched one of their own. Fron-
of our Milky Way. Supposedly, if every
Studios. It was a major innovator in early
tier Studios’ Kickstarter did not see nearly the
person in the world logged on right now
gaming. Not only was Elite the first space sim,
success of CIG’s; however, they have raised
and played continually, it would take
the first game to feature an open world, and
two million dollars to date. Regardless, these
around 10 thousand years for someone
the first game to use procedural generation,
two new space sims seem to have revived
to have gone to every Star System in the
it was also one of the first games to ever have
what was an entirely dead genre.
game.
3D graphics. Both critically and commercially the game was a huge success receiving an
Elite: Dangerous
•
High Scientific Accuracy: Aside from
average score of 93 from magazines of the
Elite: Dangerous saw it’s official release at
the game’s allowing you to break the
time and selling 107,898 copies (huge sales
the end of last year on December 16th; how-
speed of light, the gameplay is very accu-
for the time). Needless to say, Elite led to
ever, the game does not yet seem to be com-
rate in terms of the forces acting on it’s
many sequels including Frontier: Elite II, and
plete. It is missing multiple features that are
stellar bodies. For example, the space
Frontier: First Encounters. But with success
supposedly be added after launch including:
stations that many humans of the Elite:
comes competition. In the year 1990, Wing
•
the ability to walk on Planets
Dangerous universe inhabit rotate at the
Commander was released as the sole compe-
•
the ability to walk around your ships
right speed necessary to create enough
tition to Elite in the space sim market. These
•
the ability to walk around stations (com-
centrifugal force to simulate the gravity
ing in patch 1.1)
of Earth.
two gaming series were in harsh competition throughout the 90’s. However, in the early
•
Multi-crewed ships
2000’s space sims fell out of favor, mainly due
•
Only 15 of the 27 ships planned to be in
to the rise of first person shooters.
•
A Dynamic Economy: Elite: Danger-
the game are currently in it.
ous, instead of setting a flat price for
In 2012, Chris Roberts the head developer
•
An offline mode
items like you might see in other RPGs
of the Wing Commander series announced on
•
The ability to capture and build stations
like Skyrim, uses a supply and demand
(coming in patch 1.1)
algorithm to calculate the cost of goods.
Ignition Deck, a site for crowd funding video game projects, and Kickstarter, another crowd
This means that the economy is actually
funding website, that he planned on making a
With so many basic features missing I don’t
changing depending on what players are
new space sim titled Star Citizen. Frontier
really consider this a full game at this point.
doing. For example, when most players
studios recognised its old foe and began de-
Despite the setbacks, Elite: Dangerous shows
are logged out, like at noon on a Monday,
velopment on its answer to Star Citizen titled
a lot of promise. I have tested out the game
the price levels will change to reflect de-
Elite: Dangerous. Within a month Chris Rob-
myself and can vouch that the space combat
creased demand.
erts and his studio’s (known as Cloud Imperi-
feels solid and is a lot of fun. The graphics are
um Games) Kickstarter page had raised over 4
not the greatest I ever seen, but considering
million dollars toward the making of this new
that it is an open world game, they are decent.
particularly unique, but the sound in this
game. Evident here is not only many people’s
There are also a number of ways in which
game just makes things feel satisfying
interest in space sim, but also their willing-
Elite: Dangerous is quite unique:
(like the rev of the engines or the explo-
ness to put down money on these games even before release. Frontier Studios, seeing the -22- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED
•
Sound Design: I don’t know that this is
sion of an enemy ship) It does however •
Vast Size: the galaxy of Elite: Dangerous
show their attention to detail.
Star Citizen Star Citizen, despite being in development for a year longer
•
In July: The Alpha of the full game
than Elite: Dangerous, is still behind in its overall development.
Currently, they are in a kind of public pre-alpha state. The way
This system of releasing the game allows for those supporting
they are releasing the game is through a system of modules.
the game to play the parts that are finished without the parts that
These modules are essentially different pieces of the final game.
are still in development, or broken. Star Citizen will come out
For example, back in August of last year, Star Citizen released
sometime in 2016 for PC only..
there dogfighting modules which was the space combat in the game. Currently they have released the dogfighting module and
Conclusion
the hanger module. However, they have already scheduled the
As this age old rivalry rekindles and more details get released
releases of the remaining modules all the way up to the release of
on both games, there is no doubt that space sim will move back
the final game. Here is their current schedule:
into one of the main focuses of the gaming community. The large support in crowd funding for these games shows that there is a
•
In March: Planetside / Social Module
high demand for space simulation of this type, now it is just a mat-
•
In April: First Person Shooter Module
ter of the supply.
THE ELEMENTS | -23PIXELATED
SUPER SMASH BROS. WII U
focus on knocking opponents off the stage
“
character with a ranged Neutral Attack. Excit-
have earned on special event matches. The
rather than depleting their life bar, to the 30
ingly, Mew Two has also been scheduled for
higher the difficulty of these matches, the
years of gaming history has helped keep mul-
a DLC release in the spring of 2015, bringing
higher the payout.
tiple generations of gamers, including myself,
him back for the first time since Super Smash
However, not all of the new game modes
coming back for more. Take a look in our senior
Bros Melee (2001). SSB4 also offers a bunch
are as good. Smash Tour, where players take
study room, for example, and you’ll see exact-
of new game modes, as well as the return of
control of Miis and play what is pretty much
ly how popular the Super Smash Bros. fran-
old favorites. The most sensational of these
a board game was quite disappointing. As
chise is. SSB4 establishes itself as the perfect
is 8-player smash. In this new game mode,
your Miis move across the board they collect
follow up to these massively popular games.
up to 8 players can play on massive, specially
characters and power ups and have small,
designed stages such as The Great Cave
relatively quick battles in preparation for a
BY MICHAEL DIMITROV
T
here is no doubt that Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is one of the biggest releases of the year. Critically ac-
claimed, SSB4 sold roughly 490,000 units in its first weekend, making it the fastest selling Wii U game in the U.S. As of January 2015, the game has sold over 1.3 million domestically. These figures are well deserved, as SSB4 does nearly everything right. This easy to pickup, hard-to-master franchise has long been known among the gaming community as one of the best, if not, the best, fighting games since its original 1999 release on the Nintendo 64. Everything from the game’s
It boasts a roster of 51 characters, 12 more
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-24- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED
1964 Oficid quaerferum doluptin nonsenis anti imus, oreptis om.
Agnis invelia qui intesedior seque pratis. Pel ea volupta sperspicium harum.
than Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Although
Offensive. This game mode really captures
some were disappointed to see characters
exactly what makes Smash Bros. so great, bat-
such as Lucas, Pokémon Trainer, and Solid
tling it out with a bunch of your friends, with
Snake go, the roster has been freshened and
extremely detailed and unique characters, on
diversified with the inclusion of characters
gorgeous stages. Another new feature is Spe-
such as Mega Man, Little Mac, Duck Hunt,
cial Orders, a single player game mode where
and Pac Man. Mega Man is actually the first
players can spend the Smash Coins that they
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1985 Oficid quaerferum doluptin nonsenis anti imus, oreptis om.
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RATING: 9.0
final battle. This game mode sounds fun in
the GameCube controller still remains most
the issue. This makes it extremely difficult for
theory, but in reality, it really takes away from
people’s first choice, and it is the best option,
most people to be able to use their favorite
the Smash Bros. experience, as all the battles
which leads me to one of the only tarnishes
choice of controller.
are extremely short and random, removing
on an otherwise perfect game. Unlike the
the element of skill Smash Bros. is known
Wii, the Wii U does not directly support
game is, as previously iterated, gorgeous;
for. In terms of online play, SSB4 succumbs
GameCube controllers, making it necessary
stages are colorful and captivating, while
to the same issues all Nintendo multiplayer
to purchase a $20 GameCube controller
characters are portrayed in incredible detail.
games seem to suffer from. When it works,
adaptor. Regrettably, Nintendo grossly un-
SSB4 looks simply stunning in 1080p, and
it’s great, but because the connection type
derestimated the demand for these adaptors,
even during 8-player smash on the most CPU
is peer to peer, if you or your opponent has a
making them only available with a pre-order
intensive stages, I’ve never seen the FPS fall
weak Internet connection, there will be quite
of the game. Some third party vendors were
below 60. SSB4 utilizes the Wii U’s hardware
a bit of lag.
selling adaptors for almost $150 during the
very well. All in all, I have to say that almost
SSB4 also features a plethora of controller
In terms of graphics, everything about this
weeks after the game’s release. Not only this,
everything about SSB4 is excellent and ex-
options including the Wii U gamepad, the
but the GameCube adaptor only works on
tremely well executed, and there is definitely
classic Wii remote, the Classic Control-
SSB4, which makes it difficult to justify the
enough content to keep players coming back
ler Pro, the Wii U Pro Controller, and the
purchase of one of these adaptors. As of yet,
for more.
Nintendo GameCube controller. However,
Nintendo has not done anything to resolve THE ELEMENTS | -25PIXELATED
PROJECT CARS WHAT MAKES IT SO SPECIAL? BY VAUGHAN DOTY
P
roject CARS (Community Assisted Racing Simulator) is a realistic racing simulator produced by Slightly Mad Studios and scheduled for release
for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows computers on March 17 in North America (March 20 in Europe and Australia, and March 21 in the UK; there also may be releases in the future for the Wii U, Oculus Rift, SteamOS platforms, and Sony’s Project Morpheus). At first glance, Project CARS may seem like another standard racing game, but what differentiates this game from other wellknown racing simulators, such as Forza or Gran Turismo, is its unique community created content. The gaming community has been there throughout the majority of the development of the game, from fulfilling the original funding requirements to developing it in the first place (though since then Bandai Namco Games has taken up the position of publisher), to creating the very content which will be seen in the completed project.
real world names for licensing reasons. On those tracks
Community assistance is very rare in the case of major
you can currently race with 67 different cars, with almost
releases, but it seems to have paid off in the case of this
anything, ranging from touring cars to Formula 1 cars
game, as Project CARS is almost fully completed with
available to you; each individual car has its own distinct
all of its intended content having been included in the
textures, dynamic tire physics simulations, and handling,
game. The game development’s progress can be shown
making it feel as if you are actually racing inside the car
through the many Alpha pre-releases that donators and
you had chosen, and making some cars better than others
pre-orderers have received. While for some people just
in certain tracks and racing conditions. I say “racing
having the opportunity to work on a game is pay enough,
conditions” because the complete game will feature a dy-
others may feel as if they need something to compensate
namic weather system, with certain conditions affecting
for their work. As a result, people who contributed to a
both the track and the cars that race on it. What really
specific aspect of the game’s development will be com-
separates Project CARS from other racing simulators
pensated and will receive a percentage of the total game
is the “choose a path” play-style, where, upon selecting
sales profits for the first 3 years it is available in stores.
career mode, a player will start small but as one advanc-
Content-wise, the game has a lot to show for. It boasts
es, he or she will be able to choose what kind of tracks on
an impressive 52 tracks from all over the world on which
which to race and what cars to drive, molding their racing
you can race, though some tracks do not use the official
career from the very beginning. Because of this unique
-26- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED
136 Oficid quaerferum doluptin nonsenis anti imus, et recae soloreptis exces et om.
gameplay feature, a player can start as a humble kart racer, then become anything they want— from NASCAR driver to Formula 1 superstar— it’s all up to the player. This game is a new concept— a game created almost exclusively by the community and for the community the entire way, from funding to content creation to gameplay. It has many impressive features to show off, particularly those very realistic ones such as dynamic weather and groundbreaking tire simulations (as well as the 67 different cars and 52 tracks mentioned before). Though this game might not be the biggest hit in the local video game store or online marketplace, it will certainly be a milestone for racing fans who have been waiting for a multi-platform game like this. Project CARS will certainly revolutionize racing simulations, and it may even make us think twice about community assisted development on a broader scale.
Ustis audanit officid quaerferum doluptin nonsenis anti imus, et recae soloreptis exces et omnimi. THE ELEMENTS | -27PIXELATED
FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S 2 BY ARJUN SWARUP
F Numbers Th new film hopes to follow the success of past Cinderella films
ive Nights at Freddy’s 2 is an indie survival horror
to keep them out. The cameras use power as well, and
video game developed by Scott Cawthon. The PC
if the player runs out of power, then the animatronics
version was released via Steam on November 11,
can enter the office and attack the player. The player has
2014 while the mobile version for Android and Windows
no defense against the animatronics, so power acts are
Phone were released on November 13, 2014 and De-
needed to get through the game.
cember 5, respectively. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 sports
FNAF 2 follows a lot of the same game me-
six all new enemy characters as well as updated ver-
chanics as the first game with added features, such as six
sions of the four enemy characters from the first game.
additional animatronics. There are no doors, and instead
The original game, Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF)
of door-lights, there is a simple flashlight. There is also
is set in Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a family restaurant
a music box that the player must constantly wind-up,
based loosely of off Chuck E. Cheese. You play as a
or else the animatronic named the Puppet comes and
guard named Mike Schmidt, who recently started
kills the player. Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza is also much
working the night shifts, and Schmidt’s job is to guard
larger and contains many more cameras increasing the
the establishment by keeping an eye on things from the
difficulty even more. All the new elements make the
security cameras. As you progress through the game, the
game much harder and far more frustrating, but the new
previous guard dubbed by the Internet community as
challenges provide a gameplay that is also addicting. For
“Phone Guy” leaves messages to help Mike adjust to his
me, the part of FNAF 2 that makes it such a captivating
Projected total Domestic Gross
new job. FNAF features four animatronic characters that
horror game is the plot. Without giving anything away, I
entertain the kids: The titular Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie
can honestly say that FNAF 2 has one of the best stories
15
the Bunny, Chica the Chicken, and Foxy the Pirate Fox.
I have seen in any horror game.
1634
year the folk story of cinderlla was first published
$210m
Number of film and television Cinderella adaptations
There is also a fifth un-named animatronic referred to as
on gaming networking platforms, like Steam and Desura,
to Freddy Fazbear. Golden Freddy rarely appears, but if
but on actual game review sites like IGN and Metacritic,
he does, you automatically lose and the game quits.
it has average ratings. Metacritic, for example, gave it
In the messages left by the Phone Guy, he explains a
three out of five stars, which isn’t bad, but it is hardly a
feature that the animatronics have called night-roam-
great review either. FNAF 2 is mostly criticized for the
ing mode, a feature that allows for the animatronics to
overwhelming amount of difficulty that the six additional
wander the restaurant at night. The animatronics motors
animatronics and the increased amount of tasks provide.
lock up if they are turned off every night, so they are
Despite this, I think that the addictive gameplay added
left on to prevent any damage. If the animatronics roam
with the creepy plot make this game one of the better
outside the night-guard’s office, the player can close
and more unique in horror game history.
the doors and activate their power hungry door-lights -28- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 has been given rave reviews
“Golden Freddy” because of his color and resemblance
THE ELEMENTS | -29-
BETTER CALL SAUL BY YOEL ZAID
I
n July 2012, Vince Gilligan hinted at a possible spin-off of the popu-
Numbers
lar TV show Breaking Bad. By April 2013, the series was confirmed
Selma was released to commerate the 50th anniversary of the march
and was titled Better Call Saul. AMC premiered Better Call Saul
on February 8th, and it set the record for the most views of a scripted series premiere in basic cable history with a total of 6.9 million viewers. The show is focused around small-time lawyer James McGill, better known as Saul Goodman the sketchy criminal lawyer on Breaking Bad. James McGill is portrayed by Bob Odenkirk, known for co-creating and co-starring in the HBO sketch comedy show Mr. Show with Bob and David. In Breaking Bad, Saul Goodman was largely comic relief. With that being said, and along with the fact that Odenkirk has a background in comedy, it was unexpected that Better Call Saul was created as a drama instead of a comedy. The producers considered making the show a half-hour comedy, but they decided to stick with what they knew best, that being drama. In October 2014, Odenkirk described the show as “85 percent drama. 15 percent comedy.” After watching the first few episodes that description is a perfect sum-
-30- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED
$20m
mary of the overall tone of the show. The series opens with a black and white scene of Saul Goodman working at a Cinnabon acting extremely paranoid. The last time Goodman is seen in Breaking Bad is when he gets into a van and disappears to let the heat
Production Budget
die down that was hanging around
$47m
identity of Heisenberg. Based on the
Domestic Gross
2
Oscar Nominations: Best Picture and Best Original Song
him with the police’s discovery of the opening scene and Breaking Bad’s past tendencies to start at the end, Better Call Saul will document how Goodman got into the situation in which he was at the end of Breaking Bad. The rest of the episode shows the exploits of Goodman; however, his name is not
Goodman it’s Jimmy McGill. Just
show, you might be disappointed
fans of Breaking Bad would love
cessful Breaking Bad, like some
like Breaking Bad, which followed
with Better Call Saul. However,
to watch unfold on screen. Some
other spin-offs.
the transformation of a high
if you’re looking for a new TV
new additions to the cast include
school chemistry teacher into a
show to help you cope with your
Michael McKean as Chuck
disappoint with Better Call Saul.
huge drug dealer, Better Call Saul
Breaking Bad withdrawal, you
McGill (Goodman’s brother who
For those who disliked the slow
will most likely follow the trans-
will not be disappointed with
is forced to leave his job at his law
pace of Breaking Bad, Better Call
formation of a moral small-time
Better Call Saul.
firm Hamlin & McGill), Patrick
Saul picks up the pace leaving
Fabian as Howard Hamlin (who
viewers constantly wanting more.
lawyer into a successful criminal
Better Call Saul does a great
Overall Vince Gilligan does not
lawyer, with a large emphasis on
job with combining the cast of
is hated by Goodman and is
Better Call Saul feels familiar in
the “criminal.” Based on just the
Breaking Bad with some new
co-founder of Hamlin & McGill
a way that it doesn’t feel like a
opening scene and the first epi-
faces. It introduces Goodman
along with Jimmy’s brother), and
carbon copy of Breaking Bad, but
sode, it’s obvious that Vince Gil-
and Mike Ehrmantraut (a former
Michael Mando as Nacho Varga
more like a standalone television
ligan is exploring similar themes
Philadelphia police officer that
(an ambitious criminal with some
show executed in a similar style
in similar ways as he did in his
works as a private investigator,
familiar family ties). All of which
as its parent material.
huge hit Breaking Bad. With that
cleaner, and fixer for Goodman
feel like their own character, and
being said, if you were hoping for
on Breaking Bad) as complete
not as an attempt at recycling
a brand new groundbreaking TV
strangers, a relationship that
characters from the already sucTHE ELEMENTS | -31PIXELATED
THE FLASH BY ZACH TROYANOVSKY
he Flash follows CSI investigator Barry Allen (Grant Gustin)
T
The Flash appeals to all audiences: it reaches out to newcomers to
who is struck by lightning during a particle accelerator explo-
the DC universe with its comedic scenes and numerous love interests,
sion, granting him super speed which he then uses to protect
and for the devoted DC fans, there are tons of hidden DC comics East-
his city. Gustin was previously known for his role as Sebastian Smythe
er eggs and new impressions of classic comic book villains like Captain
on the Fox series Glee, so his new role as the fastest man alive is whole
Cold, The Pied Piper, Heat wave, and others. The newest superhero
new experience; so far he’s gone above and beyond the expectations
television show on the CW started off its first season with a record 4.8
set by the 1990’s TV iteration of The Flash. Even though Arrow (The
million viewers, proving to be a successful follow-up to the CW’s first
CW’s other superhero show) still holds the ratings record of the two,
superhero show, Arrow. The show’s ratings flew even higher after its
no one has any doubts The Flash will soon surpass its sister show pure-
first official crossover with Arrow, which producer Marc Guggenheim
ly because of the show’s makeup; the two shows have almost exactly
has announced to be an annual event following the two episodes’
the same premise and more or less the same episode structure , but
having the highest ratings on each of their respective shows.
what sets The Flash apart from Arrow is the comedic angle the show
The first season of the Flash centers on the origins of Barry Allen
uses to portray the Scarlet speedster. The Flash brings a light-heart-
as the flash, and notable DC comics’ Super villain The Reverse-Flash
ed perspective to the DC film/TV universe going completely 180
(Tom Cavanagh) and many other minor DC villains redone in a more
from darker films like The Dark Knight or Man of Steel or even Arrow.
modern and less cartoonish style. Both CW shows stem from one
-32- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED
“2014 IS GOING TO BE A GAME CHANGING YEAR FOR THESE NEXT GENERATION CONSOLES WITH NEW, UNBELIEVABLE TITLES BEING RELEASED AS THE YEAR GOES ON. ”
superhero protagonist but the
how the two shows cross-over
real main characters of the shows
so commonly, it seems difficult
in both cases are the support
for anyone to only watch one of
group for the hero. In The Flash,
them. After the widely successful
the facility that caused the par-
mid-season finale, a Supergirl
ticle accelerator explosion now
TV series (what will be the third
helps Barry Allen fight crime and
member of this superhero uni-
improve his speed. One of the
verse, along with The Flash and
main attractions to DC comics
Arrow) was announced for fall of
fans for this new show was its
2015. The Flash airs Tuesdays at
shared universe with Arrow,
8 on The CW. Be sure to check
which accounts for a large per-
it out!
centage of its viewership. Seeing
THE ELEMENTS | -33PIXELATED
EMPIRE
BY NEIL AHLAWAT
Blizzard’s newest game gives players the chance to take on the role of their favorite Blizzard characters in this online multiplayer battle arena game.
F
ox’s new drama, Empire, is about a family-run hip-hop label and is the latest series to have enveloped its own music into the show, similar
to the wildly popular Glee and Nashville. With an ensemble headlined by Terrence Howard and starring Taraji P. Henson, Empire’s success hinges on being able to consistently produce good music. Fortunately in that category, the show has so far been able to provide excellent and original hip-hop songs executed with intense vocals as well as pop twists sure to excite viewers and listeners alike. Additionally, producer Timbaland, known for working with artists from Jay-Z to Nas and producing a number of hits such as Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River,” acts as a musical director and songwriter for the show, adding professional touches to the music, which is available on iTunes. Supported by musical strength, Empire could still ben-
-34- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED
efit from investing in its subplots,
executive working for the com-
Henson, who dazzles in her leop-
of the characters stay intact. In
which, while mildly interesting,
pany, Jamal, the most talented
ard print dresses and showcases
order to be more compelling, the
fail to engage the viewer enough.
musically, and Hakeem, the
a flamboyant attitude, perfectly
show’s writers must introduce
youngest. All three sons, how-
fitting the personality of her
new storylines and delve deeper
the CEO of Empire Entertain-
ever, have their flaws in the eyes
character and stealing the show.
into the ones that already exist.
ment, the fictional label in the
of Lucious. Andre suffers from
After committing a crime that
While there still are a number
show, who has risen from a drug
anxiety attacks and is married to
provided the initial seed money
of question marks, Empire is a
dealer on the streets to a music
Rhonda, a white woman, whom
for Empire Records, Cookie
show that’s certain to entertain,
mogul, his backstory being one
Lucious doesn’t fully embrace,
comes back looking for her share
succeeding, at least, with its
that mirrors the life of Jay-Z. The
while Jamal is gay, something
in the company and to find the
music. Soon, hopefully, Empire
show’s main plot revolves around
Lucious has never been able to
lost bond with her sons. On the
will be able to find its tempo and
Lyon’s A.L.S. diagnosis, which
accept. And finally, Hakeem, the
surface, these characters seem to
not only draw in viewers, but
sets off a competition among his
frontrunner of the three, argu-
be interesting; however, in seven
keep them.
three kids to determine a prede-
ably because Lucious sees his
episodes so far, their develop-
cessor to inherit the company.
younger self in Hakeem, is brash
ment hasn’t gone far enough. The
There’s Andre, the oldest son, an
and capricious. Lyon’s ex-wife,
same subplots are explored con-
ivy-league educated corporate
known as “Cookie” is played by
tinually, and surface-level images
Howard plays Lucious Lyon,
THE ELEMENTS | -35PIXELATED
-36- | THE ELEMENTS