Pixelated Winter 2014 2015 issue Draft

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.

-10- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED

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.

-12- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED

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

1957 Oficid quaerferum doluptin nonsenis anti imus, oreptis om.

-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

1976 Oficid quaerferum doluptin nonsenis anti imus, oreptis om.

1985 Oficid quaerferum doluptin nonsenis anti imus, oreptis om.

2004 Oficid quaerferum doluptin nonsenis anti imus, oreptis om.

2008 Oficid quaerferum doluptin nonsenis anti imus, oreptis om.

2014 Oficid quaerferum doluptin nonsenis anti imus, oreptis om.

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