GB Studios, Batman & Human Gene Editing

Hi, hello and welcome to another amazing episode from Nerds Amalgamated. Once again we enjoy bringing you this slice of entertainment from the world of the NERD pop culture news, where all are welcome. We pause for a moment to pay our respect to the victims of the cowardly bombings in Sri Lanka over Easter. Also we pause to honour the ANZACs, those individuals who have helped defend Australia and New Zealand for over a century.

            First topic is from the Professor, and it is about an open source game making program that enables the creation of 8-bit type games. Useable on web-browsers and portable devices such as the Nintendo Gameboy (All trademarks acknowledged – so don’t sue us please Nintendo, Buck is still not happy with you). This is looking like a fun way of making your own games and also introducing coding and game development to a new generation.

            Then we look at a birthday celebration for Batman, 80 years old and still giving crime a beat down. Yep, there is a return of the quadrilogy from the 90’s to cinemas. So grab you friends, dig those happy pants out of the cupboard and shake up that hair spray and head on down. You get to see the two Michael Keaton Batman movies, followed by Val Kilmer and then George Clooney. We discuss Bat-nipple gate and how fun these movies were. Plus we hear how tragic Buck was at decorating his bedroom as a teenager.

            Next up we look at further plans to make use of CRISPR for gene editing, this time to prevent hereditary diseases. Say hi to the start of Gattaca folks, we have a group of mad scientists running around with questionable ethics who don’t watch movies. Next they will be telling us about how they want to remake dinosaurs and release them into the wild, like that other movie. Don’t these people ever learn to think about the consequences of their actions?

            We finish off with the usual shout out, remembrances, birthdays and events. As always take care of each other and stay hydrated.

Read More

Skin, Dwarf Fortress & Arkham Knight

Welcome back and hello to the new listeners, we hope everyone is having fun and taking care of themselves. So, this week we find out that there is a new electronic skin developed from the National University of Singapore. We discussed how it can be applied in the real world, trust me this will make you laugh, the possibilities are endless. Although we really like the idea of a window for submarines with a heads up display, that would be cool.  Next up we look at an indie game called Dwarf Fortress from two brothers and how their model might rival the triple A game studios. This is a game that embraces the gaming community and encourages players to develop extra content and share it online. Lastly, we look at the transition of a video game character now appearing in DC Comics known as the Arkham Knight. This not the first time that has happened as Marvel has done it before but obviously DC will do it better. As usual we have the regular list of shout outs, remembrances, birthdays, and events of interest. As usual we have a lot of fun bringing you this latest episode of mayhem, so settle in with a cup of earl grey hot and a biscuit while we bring you some of the news this week in Nerd pop culture. Remember, take care of each other and stay hydrated.

Read More

SpaceX, Game of Thrones & Anthem

In this latest marvellous and riveting episode we are going to first travel into the cold, quiet and overcrowded outer space. That’s right, we are going into earth orbit and visiting the ISS (International Space Station) where Space X has just docked the new Dragon Capsule. This is the next step in a flight to the moon in 2023, still trying to get a ticket if anyone has one. The capsule was only a test with a dummy aboard, and no, not Trump. Next up is the fast approaching final season of Game of Thrones – season 8 – with what is looking like a record breaking battle scene that took weeks to film. This is expected to be more epic than Helms Deep, even the extended edition. Then we look at the fact that Anthem is hard crashing consoles and systems around the world. Cue the music “Queen – Another One Bites The Dust.” That’s right folks, EA has struck again, and this time it gets personal with systems and consoles being bricked by this latest screw up. There is mention of compensation floating around, so hopefully word will spread before too many systems are wrecked. Then we have the games of the week, the weekly shout outs, birthdays, remembrances and events of interest from this week in history. As always we would welcome any feedback, suggestions or whatever. Until next week, stay safe, look out for each other and stay hydrated.

Read More

Episode 54: World Science Festival 2019, Activision & The Wandering Earth

Welcome back for another episode of the ongoing celebration of being a Nerd, the weather in Queensland is starting to cool off a little. It takes an extra couple of minutes to cook your feet on the concrete now. We have another wonderful episode full of fantastic material for everyone, and believe me when I say everyone. Before we go further, we wish to have a moment to farewell the Mars Opportunity Rover, the gutsy little robot that could, and did for 15 years, so long and see you soon. First up Buck is excited to tell us about the World Science Festival happening this year in Queensland. There are events all around the place ranging from Chinchilla (the dinosaur capital of Australia) to the northern coast in Townsville and Gladstone not just in Brisbane. Buck is like a kid in a candy shop trying to work out which events he wants to attend. Check it out there are so many things to do and see it is totally amazing. There are even films being shown at GOMA (The Gallery of Modern Art) that you can look forward to. The Professor has news about the jobs cut at Activision and the ramifications of it. Also a rumour about job offers circulating for the recently unemployed. This is another major studio/publisher that is facing trouble with declines in sales, share price and general profitability. Wonder when they will start to listen to the customers and make games fun again. Also just bring back games with great storylines, not everyone wants to play a battle royale. DJ has found an amazing movie for us to all go and watch, titled Wandering Earth. It is a Sci-Fi from China on a big budget and is looking well worth watching. We will let you know what we think, but remember we encourage you to make your own decisions not just be sheeple and follow mindlessly what some cretin says. We also have the games being played and the lists of shout outs, remembrances, birthdays, events and general banter. Also we are sad to announce that no one was interested in the date with the DJ.

Read More

Episode 50: Home Robots, Uncharted & Linux

We hope everyone is staying safe, cool and well hydrated. Schools are going back soon so watch out for hordes of little people running around the place, so take care and avoid being mobbed by the rapscallions. First up we talk about robots with Washington State University revealing a new care assist robot that helps the elderly and others with remembering chores around the house. Also Spot from Boston Dynamics is planned to be released on the market, so if you want a really cool robot to help around the house there is an option. Next, we discuss the upcoming Uncharted movie ad how cool it is looking. Also is Tom Holland going to be able to play a young Drake in the movie?  Third topic of the week is the Linux sales and the problems it is having with games. We discuss some of the history of games and the need for another independent renaissance in gaming development. Hopefully with focus going back onto games being fun and enjoyable, like Duke Nukem was when it started or Wolfenstein. We have an interesting shoutouts segment with a new arrival at the Cincinnati Zoo, the hunk that is Jason Mamoa and some cool birthdays also. As always we hope you enjoy the episode and are happy to hear any comments, feedback, criticism or even just a hello; until next week, hooroo.

Read More

Episode 48: Welcome to 2019 : New Horizons, Stranger Things & Tattoos in Games

Happy new year, welcome to the first episode of the year; we hope everyone is safe and enjoying themselves. This week we are bringing you stories about the new horizon project with pictures of MU69 or as it has been dubbed, the Ultimate Thule. This could be the perfect piece of real estate for those wanting to avoid those door to door sales people. We discuss the distances to it, the distance the New Horizons travels near the Ultimate Thule, the fact it travels in what is low earth orbit, also the lunar distance just for a laugh.

            Next up is a discussion about the new season of Stranger Things, and we don’t mean the crazy movie named Mad Max Fury Road either. Which Buck says was an ok movie but not a ‘Mad Max’ movie by any stretch of the imagination. We have a laugh of at the poster and the atomic wedgie of one of the kids, ah the eighties and bad fashion, thank goodness it is over. Also once again it appears that Hollywood is copying Australia instead of creating origional IP. It appears that ‘Stranger Things’ is copying the movie and series ‘Puberty Blues’ folks; that’s right you heard it here first.

            Then we talk about tattoos and gaming with the recent lawsuit regarding LeBron James and his appearance in various video games. We then wonder about who owns the artwork on your body. Also the levels of insanity, with people selling advertising on themselves by getting tattoos for organisations such as Golden Palace. Some of these people are all kinds of crazy with where they get these tattoos. Once again, happy new year and keep listening as we approach our first birthday in a few weeks.

Read More

Episode 43: No Propellers, Nintendo & Neon Genesis

So, I was going to be clever and lead in with a Kermit the frog intro and a Fuzzy B Bear joke, but we would probably get in trouble with Henson productions and Disney. So instead, Like sands in the… nope, that’s been taken too. Like a case of athlete’s foot, it is Nerds Amalgamated, here with the latest episode for you all. We hope everyone is safe, with massive fires in Queensland and devastating storms down south, Australia is reminding us of how unpredictable it is. We wish to say thank you to all the people of the various emergency services that are out saving lives in horrendous conditions.

            This episode we start with Buck and a plane without propellers, in fact it is Star Trek inspired as it utilises an ion drive. That’s right folks, a plane that is taking a page out of science-fiction. So, my fellow Nerds, once again a piece of fiction is moving to the non-fiction section of the library, whoop whoop! Buck and the Professor are both excited about this one, and at some point the DJ gets beamed up by Scotty because he fries the Dilithium Crystals. Aww, for goodness sake man, we canna take much more of this…

            While the DJ disappears Buck and the Professor talk about Nintendo closing the Nintendo Creators Program. That’s right, people who show video’s containing images of any games etc have had to submit it to the NCP for authorisation. Out of curiosity am I the only one thinking NCP sounds like OCP from Robocop? My goodness, Nintendo are going to give us Robocop in the future!!! I’ll buy that for a dollar.

            The DJ returns to tell us about how Neon Genesis is coming to Netflix, and some other items that are going to be live action remakes. Let’s hope they don’t screw these up like they did with Deathnote and Full Metal Alchemist. Rest assured though, if they do screw it up we will tell you about it and make more terrible puns. At this time we wish to say thank you to our listeners who have been with us each week, you are why we do this.

Read More

Episode 37: Red Dead Redemption 2, Subterranean drones & Live Action Aladdin

In the latest episode the Professor talks to us about the Crunch time the developers put into finishing Red Dead 2, and we discuss the realities of 100 hour work weeks. The discussion evolves to including 4 day work weeks and the world’s demands for everyone to work harder. It may sound like a heavy topic but it is important to be aware of what is happening and take care of your health; also there are some funny points when Buck starts to ramble and carry on (the old fart).

Next topic is how an Australian team is developing drones for use in mapping subterranean areas for exploration and rescue. This is so cool and Buck is excited about the entire concept, particularly the fact it employs LIDAR technology as opposed to RADAR to avoid the complications inherent in sound wave technology.

DJ brings us news about the live action Aladdin remake from Disney, and gives us the trailer and the cast list also. It won’t be the same without Robin Williams as the Genie, but hopefully it will be great. The Professor and Buck are sceptical about the movie, particularly with who is playing the Genie. Buck is hoping the music won’t be changed. Let us know what you think about it and what your favourite Robin Williams movie was.

Once again thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy what we do, if there is a particular topic you would like us to discuss drop us a line and we will see what we can do. If you have any requests of any kind or suggestions we are always glad to hear from you, we are on Twitter and a range of social media, otherwise, catch you later on the next exciting episode.

Read More

Episode 36 : Influenza, Star Citizen, Dr Who & Attack On Titan

So those crazy blokes are back and bringing you some news, some fun and something to laugh at. This week we take a look at how cities affect influenza (the flu for those envisioning some major plague outbreak). With research discussing how the size, lay out and other variables affect the severity. Strangely enough it appears being a Nerd who likes to spend time inside on a computer etcetera helps to protect you from the flu.

                We hear the latest on the saga of Star Citizen, and yep, Buck still thinks it might be a Ponzi scheme. But he is getting old and cranky so who knows, maybe he just needs to get more fibre in his diet. We hear about the talent line up used in voice actors for Squadron 42 and that they apparently do have some playable content, not just artwork.

                The Professor and Buck get excited about Dr Who, although the Professor decides he is sold that the lady dr. is in fact a lady. Well, you listen to it and you will be just as confused as I was, but guarantee you will laugh.

The DJ tries to tell us about the latest news from Attack on Titan, which is apparently on hiatus at the moment, although he couldn’t tell us why, but he dropped out for a bit, but heads up, the word is that it will continue.

                In Games the Professor has been playing with Zombies in an anime looking world, and it is very cool for as it is an RTS. This is a game that is definitely recommended as a fun way to spend some time. After all, everyone loves to kill Zombies right? Buck is still running around Skyrim and tackling the Gecko infestation, we might lose him if we aren’t careful, that game is way too much fun. The DJ has been playing Path of Exile again and loves the game but is scared of the massive skill tree.

Read More

Episode 35 - Nobel Prize, Infinitroid, Venom, X-men Dark Phoenix & Totoro beer

In another episode from those kooky clowns at Nerds Amalgamated you will get to have a laugh listening to some news about the Nobel prizes for medicine among others. Then a look at Infinitroid – the game that never sold any copies, and looks like a lot of fun. If you are looking for a fun game to play try and find it and let us know what you think. Then the DJ talks to us about Venom, Buck calls it hippie non-sense, the professor tries to stay awake. Then because he is making up for lost time the DJ tells us about another delay for Dark Phoenix which is also delaying other movie releases. Then the best news from the DJ, Totoro beer is now a thing, so next time you want to sit down and watch some anime and eat ramen you can also drink Totoro beer. Life is getting better every day.

                In games this week Buck goes old school with Vikings: Battle for Asgard, which is actually a fun game worth taking a look at. The professor is playing Rainbow Six Siege, and loves every second of it, anyone else out there playing this? Let us know and tell us about you most epic battles. Finally the DJ is playing games again, this week he has been playing Path of Exile, a MMORPG free on steam. This takes the direction that Diablo should have gone and is an amazing experience, highly recommended by both Buck and the DJ.

                Also we are now available on Spotify for those looking for more ways to listen to us and keep up to date with the boys. As always feel free to hit us up and give us suggestions, make requests or whatever, we enjoy hearing from you all.

Read More