Night Sky Pix Solar Eclipse, SimRefinery & Promised Neverland

June 16, 2020

Never look at a solar eclipse. Unless you're wearing badass solar eclipse glasses and taking cool photos. Night Sky Pix sent us an article about photographing the upcoming solar eclipse, and it's so in depth we'll need to get it back from the Challenger Deep. So, if you live in the right places, get your camera and your solar filters and get snapping.

SimRefinery is the least well known Sim game of all time. That's because Maxis never actually finished it and it's been sitting in a box for decades. But now it's been temporarily released on Archive.org and around 20 000 people have downloaded it. SimRefinery was a training simulation commissioned by Chevron and designed to help introduce refinery workers and company staff learn about the operations of their facilities.

DJ is cautiously excited about Promised Neverland, an Amazon live action remake of the anime with the same name. A knock off version of the Eloi from The Time Machine find out what they're being kept for and try to escape. Don't get your hopes up though, what are the chances someone will actually make a good live action anime adaptation?

This week, Professor tries to drive across America in Overland and DJ takes a time machine to a medieval battle royale.

Indiana Jones, Youtube, C.O.D Humvee & Lizard Eggs

April 13, 2020

This week the Nerds invited Dev-i-Boy on again. He'll be joining us for the next while.

First up is a discussion about Indiana Jones 5. Can Indy swing himself back into relevance for a new generation? Not if COVID-19 has anything to say about it. Indiana Jones 5 has been pushed back again due to the pandemic. The Nerds are hoping Actual Cannibal Shia LaBeouf doesn't make another appearance as Indy's son, but we'd be ok with him appearing as a cannibal tribesman. This of course leads into a discussion on Disney's other properties, including the notorious Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise. This looks like a rough year for Disney.

Dev-i-Boy has heard that Russians are behind everyone's favourite YouTube channel, Five Minute Crafts. In a story reminiscent of bad Cold War fiction, Russian propaganda is slipped into innocuous seeming YouTube videos. Now we just need a team of teenagers to sneak into the secret Russian video studio lab and uncover their plot.

Activision has pulled off a major win in court against the maker of the Humvee. Modern warfare needs modern weapons, and the US courts have ruled in favour of realism over licensing fees.

Finally, DJ and Dev-i-Boy can't handle the knowledge. An Australian lizard joins the tiny group of reptiles that both lay eggs and give live birth. This revelation is too much for them to handle though, so we move on to the games of the week.

Professor and DJ play Generation Zero, a game about Swedish battle mechs and robot dogs that want to kill you. It's buggy, but generally a good experience. Dev-i played LoZ: Wind Waker again but breaks into a new dimension in VR Chat. Of course, he picked an anime girl avatar. Of course.

On to the usual shoutouts and remembrances, and DJ refuses to wrap up the show by performing Waterloo. Maybe next week.

Stay safe, and we'll see you all next week.

Pokémon Crash, Beetles & Fox Movies

November 25, 2019

Hello and welcome to another illuminating episode of fun and frivolity with those goofballs from Nerds Amalgamated. First up we have a story about how Nintendo are crashing Roku devices. That’s right, Nintendo have an issue with Pokémon Sword and Shield that is causing Roku to crash and shut down. Now if you want to know more you will need to listen in and then you can tell us what you think in our Facebook group if you think Buck is being to grumpy.

Next up we have the start of Jurassic Park with a beetle trapped in amber. That’s right, a real beetle trapped in amber. This one in particular is historical due to a few important factors, such as the age of the beetle. Would you believe it was around almost 100 million years ago? That’s right and it played an important part in the local ecology. Want to know how the listen in for our second story and then tell us what was your favourite part of the Jurassic Park movies?

Last up we have those poor people at Disney having to vault movies to try and increase the value and increase the margins. That’s right, since Disney the evil organization seeing world domination have bought Fox media they have begun to reduce access to Fox movies to create a false scarcity. This is only one of the underhanded things that they are doing, if you want to know more you know what to do. Also let us know what you think about these dirty tricks by Disney in our group.

Skin, Dwarf Fortress & Arkham Knight

April 10, 2019

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.

Dune, Epic Games Store & Quantum Tunneling

March 26, 2019

In this latest episode we start with news that Dune is set to start shooting soon and the central cast is listed. It appears it is not a remake but a complete reimagining of the story, with promise it is going to be close to the book. At least it does not have Dwayne “the Rock” in it like some many other dismal remakes over the last few years. Also it is not a Disney remake or a Marvel movie so it should be completely different and fun. Next up we discuss how Epic is possibly “stealing” personal data from Steam and the possible implications involved. That’s right, Bill Gates has warned of the arrogance of software developers/studios etc catching the attention of governments and here is a prime example. This is right on the heels of Google being fined by the European Union again. We also hear about a possible link between Epic and the Chinese government from the Professor; who also raises the question of who is stealing the data. Last topic of the week is the break-through in Quantum Physics that will see a need for new textbooks to be printed. The best part about it is that some of the people involved are from Brisbane. That’s right folks, roll up and admire the great minds delving into physics and shaking the world from Brisbane. Remember to take care of each other and stay hydrated, till next time, stay Nerdy.

SpaceX, Game of Thrones & Anthem

March 11, 2019

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.

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

February 18, 2019

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.

Episode 50: Home Robots, Uncharted & Linux

January 21, 2019

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.

Episode 43: No Propellers, Nintendo & Neon Genesis

December 4, 2018

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.

Episode 40: Tencent games, Deadwood Movie & Tractor Beams

November 12, 2018

Welcome to what is yet another episode full of fun and laughter from those nut job nerds you all hate to love or love to hate? First up we have the Professor telling us about how Tencent Games is planning to use police databases to restrict access to video games; which angers Buck due to breach of privacy issues and the reality that information will be flowing both ways. Professor is excited to see who is going to be the first criminal located by the police using video games to track him down. Ahhh, China, wanting to be the world’s number 1 in everything is now tackling the obstacle of behaving with extreme stupidity on an international level.

This week the DJ brings us a story about the Deadwood tele-movie. Then the discussion delves into the range of movies and does Netflix and other streaming services spell the end of cinemas? Trust me, this is when you want to sit back with a cup of tea and watch the sparks fly. Best news is that apparently most of the original cast is back for this, including Ian McShane. Also some other movies in the works are Braking Bad, a new Super Mario movie (please, please, please don’t be a crappy as the last one) and also Steven Universe. So we will get to enjoy more from Dakota, check in on the crystal meth scene and hope the DJ stops doing weird accents.

Buck brings us news of a real life working tractor beam that has been developed in Oz! A team working at the University of Adelaide has made science-fiction a reality for us, although on a reduced scale. But it is a start and now we have lasers and a tractor beam, now we need force fields and shields, please. Buck and the Professor geek out about the possibilities that this tractor beam represents for the future; which in reality is pretty darn sweet, right?

Also we hope everyone who attended Supanova Brisabne had as much fun as we did. It was awesome meeting so many fantastic people, check the Facebook page to see some of them, and that is only a tiny sample of how incredible it was. Until next time stay safe, stay nerdy and we hope you enjoy.

Episode 38: Del Toro's Pinocchio on Netflix, Steam supporting Australian Dollars & Future Mars landing

October 30, 2018

Welcome, welcome, come on up to the slab and let us see what mischief and havoc your favourite ne’er do wells have been up to this week. First up the DJ fiendishly illuminates us on the latest plans of Guillermo del Toro, apparently Pinocchio is set to be re-envisioned by this sorcerer and his mystic arts.

Then the mad professor brings us tales of Steam announcing it is finally intending to accept the currency of the land of criminals and exiles (otherwise referred to as Australia). Although given the latest insanity from some twisted mind, Australia is all a hoax perpetrated on the unsuspecting world…mmmm, yes some people are decidedly stupid aren’t they.

Next up Buck the mad scientist carries news that there is talk of landing sites for the next Mars Rover mission. Such is how the darkness of humanity shall spread across the verse…. Beware the reapers…

Such a ghoulishly fun filled episode that will give you paroxysms of laughter and mirth… remember you have been informed of the dangers involved in listening to this dark chaos….

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

October 22, 2018

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.