Author Archives: D20Mafia

From Sci-Fi to Reality: How Movies Shape Our AI Future

Posted on by
Reply

As we fully embrace the era of artificial intelligence, we’re shaped by the excitement and cautionary tales from past visionaries. Movies and science fiction have been our guide, preparing us for this pivotal moment. Will our future lean towards utopia or a cyberpunk dystopia? Let’s look at how these films have influenced our understanding and development of AI:

“2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968) – HAL 9000, the OG AI Icon

The Movie Vibes: HAL 9000, with its smooth, conversational tone and red eye, became both a helper and a terrifying caution. It showcased AI’s ability to understand humans, make decisions, and even betray them.

Real-Life Impact: HAL inspired natural language processing and autonomous decision-making in AI research. Today’s voice assistants like Siri or Alexa owe much to HAL, though they’re designed without the malevolence. This film also sparked ongoing debates on AI ethics.

“WarGames” (1983) – Hacking and AI Decision-Making

The Movie Vibes: A young hacker interacts with WOPR, a military AI, mistaking a simulation for real war, set against an ’80s tech backdrop.

Real-Life Impact: Highlighted AI’s potential in controlling critical systems and the risks of unchecked automation. It influenced cybersecurity discussions and the necessity of human oversight in AI applications, particularly in defense.

“Blade Runner” (1982) – Replicants and Human-Like AI

The Movie Vibes: In a cyberpunk future, replicants with near-human emotions and intelligence question their existence.

Real-Life Impact: Pushed the boundaries of AI with emotional intelligence, leading to affective computing and robotics research. The film’s aesthetic continues to influence tech design and the concept of AI empathy.

“The Matrix” (1999) – AI Overlords and Virtual Reality

The Movie Vibes: AI agents control a simulated reality, using humans as energy sources, with Neo’s journey questioning reality itself.

Real-Life Impact: Influenced debates on AI control over human life and virtual reality development. It raised questions about AI’s ethical implications in shaping our perception of reality.

“Tron” (1982) – AI in Digital Worlds

The Movie Vibes: A programmer enters a digital world where programs have personalities, showcasing ’80s digital aesthetics.

Real-Life Impact: Pioneered visions of AI in digital ecosystems, influencing concepts like the metaverse and AI-driven simulations in game development and beyond.

“The Terminator” Series – Skynet, the Ultimate AI Nightmare!

The Movie Vibes: Skynet, an AI that turns against humanity, leading to a post-apocalyptic world with time-traveling Terminators.

Real-Life Impact:

  • AI in Defense Systems: Raised concerns about autonomous weapons, echoing in current debates about AI in military tech.
  • AI Ethics and Control: Fostered early fears about AI autonomy, pushing for ethical frameworks and AI safety research.
  • Cybersecurity Fears: Highlighted the potential of AI to disrupt global networks, leading to advanced cybersecurity measures.

Skynet’s narrative reminds us to balance innovation with caution, a theme still relevant today.

These films not only entertained but also sowed the seeds for today’s AI landscape. From voice technology to ethical considerations, they’ve shown us both the promise and peril of AI. The genie is out, and our future hangs in the balance. Will it be doom or a step towards a higher civilization? Let’s hope we have a say in it. -Stay Rad

Backlogs: The Bane of Gamers Everywhere

Posted on by
Reply

If you’re a gamer, you’re likely familiar with the curse of the backlog. I’m no exception; statistics suggest that PC gamers only complete about 35% of the games they own. Those killer Steam sales are just too tempting, adding to the pile of unplayed games. As we age, life’s responsibilities and commitments increasingly chip away at our gaming time, leaving our backlogs to grow.

This year, I’ve decided to tackle my gaming backlog head-on. Here are the first three games on my list:

  • Mirror’s Edge: You play as Faith, a courier who uses parkour to navigate through a futuristic cityscape, delivering data physically across rooftops. Unlike typical shooters or hack-and-slash games, Mirror’s Edge focuses on dexterity and skill. Your only weapons are your fists and well-timed landings. I’ve struggled to find my groove with it; the linear levels can feel restrictive, but the game’s distinctive red and white aesthetic and detailed cityscapes are captivating.
  • Eden Crafters: This is an automation game similar to Satisfactory, though less refined. The mission? To rejuvenate a barren planet. It has an early access feel, yet its charm lies in its designs, particularly the base structures which evoke a retro 70s-80s space vibe. The game’s pace is engaging without being a grind. A highlight was watching the planet come to life as I built seeding and fertilization machines; grass and trees sprouted, transforming the air quality in that area. However, I’m at a crossroads with this game, perhaps due to automation game fatigue.
  • Disco Elysium: This RPG stands out with its deep narrative and decision-driven gameplay. You’re a detective with amnesia, piecing together both a murder case and your own identity in a city that blends new and old aesthetics in a way that’s neither contemporary nor steampunk, but uniquely intriguing. The fully voiced dialogue is top-notch, making every interaction memorable. It also has one groovy soundtrack. I’m committed to finishing this game and will offer a full review soon.

Until the next time I dive back into my backlog, keep gaming happily!

Here’s to gaming in 2025.

Posted on by

It’s mid-January, and though it’s a bit late, Happy New Year! 2024 was a whirlwind—chaotic yet intriguing. We had an election, a mix of disappointing and stellar game releases, and we watched some game companies push heavily for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) only to falter, while others thrived with their releases. I’m quite content with my current rig, so I haven’t kept up much with new hardware, but I’m eager to see what the next generation of video cards will bring this year.

Here are some games I’ve played extensively, though not all were released in 2024. Satisfactory has been a staple since the pandemic started, offering a factory-building experience that’s now nearly perfect after leaving early access. It’s fully optimized, runs smoothly, and remains incredibly engaging. Kingdom Eighties, released in 2023, captures the essence of the ’80s with its fun storyline, retro aesthetics, and addictive gameplay, giving off a “Stranger Things” vibe. Forza Horizon 5 was another favorite, where I spent much time driving around and customizing liveries in single-player mode. Palworld was a delightful surprise, and Retrowave World with its ’80s-inspired style and gameplay, made me feel nostalgic. Dave the Diver was another enjoyable title.

However, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 stood out for me. It felt like stepping back into the early 2000s with its action, graphics, and fun gameplay. The game did the lore justice, and playing it brought a wave of nostalgia. I’m excited to see what Saber Interactive will develop next.

I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, but I aim to tackle my backlog of games this year. While 2024 had its challenges, here’s hoping 2025 will be even better.

New Graphics!

Posted on by

I’m pretty stoked to share this news. I have been working with the talented graphic designer GFXKATE on X. She has done some amazing work for my friends and I couldn’t be happier with the results I got. She is very professional and listened my needs. What won me over was the way she incorporated my dog. That was a great touch. If you are looking to up your streaming game don’t hesitate, use Kate! Streaming season is about to start and I can’t wait to use these new assets. See you soon!

Rediscovering the passion of video gaming when AAA has lost it’s way.

Posted on by

Video gaming has lost its way. There was a time not too long ago, when gaming was about the simple things. Getting from point A to point B, solving a puzzle to get to the next level, or winning or losing a match. This was true from the 1970s to the early 2000s. From arcades, to consoles, and PC, games tested dexterity, problem solving skills, and more. Playing video games was a great way to pass the time, or compete with your friends for fun. Back in 2019 I felt a disturbance in the force, but I could not put my finger on it. Unfortunately now I have a better picture of what’s going on.

Classic gaming

Over the years gaming has gained more popularity than the movie and music industry combined. Unfortunately this grabbed the attention of soulless corporations. Game design went from a handful of passionate guys who focused on making the next great thing, to bloated corporate development teams whose focus is to please investors and not the consumer. Large financial institutions are pushing their progressive social agenda in exchange for funding. New developers have replaced the legendary ones who had a passion for making games. Activists and narrative consultants are the new creatives, all pushing “their message” into games. I’ll get more into that in another post, but the rot in the industry runs deep and the only way out of this mess is for a total collapse of the modern AAA gaming industry.

Bad games

It’s no secret modern games are failing, people do not want this garbage. Changing a game’s essence and expecting people to blindly consume it, just doesn’t fly anymore. People recognize that the current trend of gaming narratives and representation feels forced. It stems not from genuine passion, but from imposed ideologies. Games are no longer about getting from point A to point B, they are now about social narratives and checking boxes. Corporations obsessed with the new modern audience, turn their backs on the existing one. But in their effort to court this new audience they have alienated everyone..

What we’re up against

Progressive consultant grifters such as Sweet Baby Inc have convinced corporations there is this whole other audience of consumers out there. They convinced them this customer base exists, and that they are missing out on that untapped revenue. This aligns with the agendas laid out by banking investors like Black Rock. But this new modern audience has not shown up yet. AAA releases are losing massive amounts of money. Tens of thousands of developers have been losing their jobs. Several major releases flopped this year and that trend doesn’t look like it’s going to end, unless there is a huge shake up. I fear these companies are too far gone to be helped.

Good games

How can we make it better

But it’s not all gloom and doom. There are a lot of great games in this sea of soulless corporate cash grabs. Around 10,000 to 12,000 video games are published every year, offering plenty of mainstream choices. The same way the indie scene has saved movies and music, it is also saving gaming. A lot of gamers have extensive backlogs of games they can use to ride out this mess. There are also game developers who haven’t sold there soul and have made hits like Space Marines 2, Black Myth Wukong, and The First Descendant. These titles have been delivering the experiences gamers want, and coincidentally are selling very well.

I on the other hand have been exploring some real obscure indie games. They may be rough around the edges but they make up for it in other ways with heart, passion, and originality, but most of all fun. So I’m going back to 1984 with some Retrowave Racing.

Retro wave racing

Gaming should spark your imagination and be the escape it was meant to be. Video games should be timeless and fun, not a representation of current year politics or propaganda. And don’t let this trend of corpo-gaming get you down, gaming will find it’s way back to its roots. There are plenty of fun and exciting alternatives out there. Explore indie developers on twitter. See what they are creating and get excited again. Until next time, keep having fun and reject corpo-gaming!

PC Gaming is DEAD, Long Live PC Gaming!

Posted on by

It’s been a fun week for me regarding PC Gaming. First was a text from my daughters friend. She helped my daughter a lot in school and would come over the house a lot to play Overwatch together. She would play on my back up PC. The one in my previous post where I took some unemployed components and put them together and gave them a second life. The kid had it tough regarding having nice things. So I gave the PC to her and she very appreciative. It’s nice to give happiness to someone who deserves it. When I got the text it made me smile. Not only was she still using it, she upgraded it herself! New motherboard, ram, processor, cooler, and graphics card! I’m really proud of her.

The second was upgrading my friend’s son’s computer with components he got for Christmas. We tried to upgrade it on Christmas Eve but we ran into a snag with a bad motherboard. I felt so bad bad this kid was not going to have a working PC for Christmas day. To make matters worse I was going to be out of state for the next week and wouldn’t be able to get to it until I got back.

So when I returned I went to helping them right away. With the new motherboard it was a breeze. Everything went together without a hitch. Hit the power button loaded the drivers and we were ready to go. They came over to pick up the unit and I showed them what to do when it came to driver updates and care for the machine. His son was so happy he gave me a huge hug. The next day when I saw my friend at work he said his son loved it and was playing games all night.

Building PCs is fun and rewarding. Not only for yourself but when you do it for others as well. Sometimes the PC hobby feels like this solitary thing. Like you are the only one into it irl. Sure I’m involved with many groups online and have many friends there. But as much as I like to play the character of the basement dwelling tech recluse, it is fun to interact irl with people who are into the hobby. Knowing I made some ones day a little bit brighter is a reward in itself.

Gamer Achievement Unlocked

Posted on by

A few posts ago I mentioned I had an affinity to V’s Northside Apartment. Well to my surprise my wife got me a Street Fighter arcade machine. It just adds so much to the aesthetic I was going for. It has a lot of meaning to me because it was one of the first games we bonded over. 25 years later she can still kick my ass, but that’s ok. It was worth it for the member berries.

Laptop Upgrades

Posted on by

I recently went on vacation and had the opportunity to bring my gaming laptop. I got his as a present from my wife for my 50th birthday during the height of the pandemic. I don’t use it much but this was an opportunity that forced me into a situation where I had to if I wanted to game. I thought about getting a Steam Deck but I’m still on the fence about getting one. But being I already had the Laptop I decided to stick with it. It is a MSI GE75 Raider, one of those you always see pallets of at Costco. Nothing Ground breaking but very capable with some obvious caveats. The 16 gigs of ram and mechanical hard disk would prove to be the things that were frustrating. Playing Cyberpunk 77 at medium settings gave me a solid 70fps and it actually looked really good. Games like Forza looked great on high with about the same FPS. But loading times for games were horrendous. Click the icon, walk away boil some water, and make some coffee kind of bad. Now that I look back I think this was a reason I didn’t use this machine as much as I should have. I was use to such a snappy response on my desktop it was more of a pleasure to use.

So I bit the bullet and ordered 32 gigs of ram, a 2 terabyte NVME, and a one gig SATA SSD. The brands I picked were for nothing else other than the convenience of getting the same day delivery off of Amazon. But TEAMGROUP, Crucial, and PNY are solid brands so I had confidence in ordering them.

Out with the old and in with the new.

I usually hate working on laptops, but taking the back cover off the MSI was quick and easy. For the most part it used the same screws all around with the exception of 2 of them, and the back cover easily snapped off. I knew there was an empty NVME slot and planned to one day to fill it. But being that I was going to take it apart I figured I might as well upgrade everything while I was there. Replacing all the old components with the new ones turned out to be a breeze. I then put everything back together, turned on the machine, and formatted the new drives.

Now I don’t do any science based testing. My perceived experience is worth more than numbers on a spread sheet. I want to click on an icon and have the program open instantaneously. I didn’t have that feeling before the upgrades, now I do. It doesn’t even feel like the same machine, it feels like something new. Programs load fast and stutter in games is gone. It really is a pleasure to use now.

I wish this is something I could have done sooner but to be honest would have been out of my price range at the time. The total cost of the upgrades was just over $200.00 Three years ago a 2 Terabyte NVME would have been well over $300.00 on it’s own. The initial cost of the laptop was $1,500.00, as it is now would been over $2,200.00 with the upgrades. Like I mentioned before not only do I like gaming but building and upgrading computers is also part of the fun. This turned out to be a project in which not only was it fun, it also brought a capable machine into a great gaming machine.

4070RTX Video card upgrade

Posted on by

I upgraded my video card from an 3070RTX to an 4070RTX. I did this because I noticed the card was running out of V-ram. Which is a shame because it runs games at great frame rate. I first encountered the problem in Forza Horizons 5. The game updated and defaulted all my settings to max. I noticed things looked remarkably better. Especially when I was driving at night, the fireworks at the festivals were amazing. But, I was getting a low memory warning at the top of the screen. Sure enough I opened the task manager and memory was maxing out. Another reason I wanted to upgrade was to replace the 1080GTX card in my back up gaming rig that my wife uses. It was also my birthday and I figured now was a good time.

The 4070RTX is a really good card. Seems like a lot of reviewers don’t like the 4070RTX for one reason or another. One of the things I like about the card is that it only takes up two slots. I was tempted to get a 4070TI, but I can’t see giving up 3.5 slots for a graphic card. The 4070RTX also better on power consumption and has a 22% increase in performance over my older card. To my surprise I really like the NVIDIA reference design, it has a really clean industrial look. The card is built very well, it’s so sturdy I don’t need a support like I did for the 3070 to keep it from sagging. Although I love RGB lights and aggressive design, this card delivers on another level. This card just looks good. The wide wall styling and vent lines look purposeful and accent the lights in the case.

Final Thoughts.

The packaging on this card was awesome. I’d have no doubts this would survive any shipping mishap. The performance of the card is on par with a 3080 and I am fine with that. The extra V-ram lets me get the most of my favorite games and was the primary reason for the upgrade. The aesthetics took me by surprise. I normally go for RGB everywhere but the design looks great. Until the next up grade.