Paris, FRANCE – Septebmer 1, 2010 – Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today announced that StarCraft® II: Wings of Liberty™ has sold over 3 million copies worldwide in the first month of its release, building on the game’s momentum as the bestselling PC game of 2010 and the fastest-selling real-time strategy game of all time.*

Epic performance for such a short time. But then again, SC2 is a great game

Read the full press release here (though there’s nothing about the sales after the 1st paragraph): http://eu.blizzard.com/en-gb/company/press/pressreleases.html?100901

As proof of their continued efforts to support the community they have once again secured prizes! With another great turnout expected, don’t waste time to register - [HERE] – The full details of the competition are available on the PolarfluKe website.

When I first placed (1v1) I placed in Bronze. No real surprise there – it was my second day of SC2, and I was terrible at it: I was ranked lower than 60 in my division. I left 1v1 and did other things – challenges, replaying the campaign on Hard, 2v2′s, etc. At that point, people above me literally had double points, games and wins than I did, but after one particular match, Starcraft bumped me up to Silver. Completely unexpectedly.

And this is actually one of the things I love about Starcraft. Unlike WOW, you don’t work on a character. You get achievements and the related points, sure, but those never translate into bonuses in multiplayer games – only rewards. When a game starts, everyone’s on equal footing, nobody has a grind-earned advantage, and your only ace in the hole is how well you play.

While your win/loss ratio might play a part in your ranking and matchups, it seems to me that the deciding factors have more to do with things like APM, build order, economy and army values, etc. Starcraft probably attempts to match you against players that play as well as you do, not players who grind the same amount – that metric tells you nothing at all. Even the “Slightly favored” / “Teams Even” indicators have to do with ladder ranking (and by extension, amount of grind).

So when you’re a bronze player, matched against a higher league, it means that the game thinks you’ll be able to handle it – and if you can prove that, you’ll get promoted. Regardless of how many points you accumulate.

Probably my favorite proof of this is a friend of mine who started SC2 from scratch, with no previous SC experience. After messing around a little he looked up how to do a zerg rush. Then he practiced against the AI, and when he felt he could do it properly, started his placement matches. 5 wins in a row with tight economies and build orders ranked him in Platinum – entirely off one tactic.

So the leagues, the points, the avatar rewards – they mean very little, and you shouldn’t rank yourself based on that. Focus on playing better games, and you’ll climb those ladders.

Winning cover of Zuma's Bastard: Encounters with a desktop terrorist (Two Dogs Books; October 2010

Zuma’s Bastard: Encounters with a desktop terrorist

The judges felt Saaleha Idrees Bamjee bold design not only epitomises the style and content of “Zuma’s Bastard: encounters with a desktop terrorist” – in many ways it represents the edginess of a book that breaks the mould in more ways than one.

This is no ordinary book starring Julia Roberts.

This is Zuma’s Bastard.

Its striking, It is wrong. It is Rolling-Stone, Sin City – an orgy of violence, gore, action, sex and drama – it is politically incorrect comment worth going to hell for.

Yet on closer look – we see the memory sick and Zuma’s bastard is also just a metrosexual after all: a desktop terrorist.
Superbly designed with a cutting edge concept.
That seriously kicked our ass.

But the judges had an incredibly tough time reaching a decision. Not only because of the natural concerns regarding a cover that is meant to showcase political commentary – but because the competition was so damn good.

The shortlist was made up of slick, innovative covers – and they all told the same story – in their unique ways.

It was tough.

And until early this morning, 10,000 word emails were flying around – debating the merits of each of our favourites.

DESIGNER: SAALEHA IDREES BAMJEE

RATIONALE: The concept behind this cover is to put focus on the ‘desktop’ nature of the author’s activism and this is why the sub-title has been typeset in a font similar to the twitter logo. Capping Azad’s gun with a USB drive speaks to the irreverence of his work, as well as further emphasising this idea of desktop activism/terrorism.

PROFILE:
Saaleha Idrees Bamjee is a freelance wordworker/print designer/ idea girl who’s in to writing, rhyming, blogging, paper-crafting, cooking and peaktime-traffic-karaoke. She blogs at www.saaleha.com and works at www.colournoun.co.za

Visit the Zuma’s bastard Facebook fan page

Interview with the Daily Maverick

“…overwhelming energy and flawless stage performance…” – Jurgen Von Wechmar – Sunset Recording Studios

Since their arrival on the SA music scene three years ago, New Holland has become synonymous with high-energy shows in packed out venues. They have toured South Africa extensively, playing to massive crowds at all the major SA music festivals. They were nominated for a 2010 SA Music Award, their video for “Freedom!” reached number 1 on the MK Top 10 chart where it remained for 10 weeks altogether, spending two weeks at number 1. More recently the band have been in studio, working on their third album – due for release in 2011 and will have a brand-new single out in September.

This Saturday they’ll bring yet another one of their high-energy, feel-good shows to the The Assembly on Saturday, performing with Third World Spectator & Red Huxley before they set out on a 10-date nationwide tour in September.

I have a double ticket to give away, all you have to do is tell me why you’d like to go and it’s yours!

Kids these days. They all seem to be ridiculously talented. Take Richard Jay for example, this 17 year old rising British pop star writes all his own music, plays, sings, records and produces it all himself. His is making great waves in the music industry with his “blend of pop, electro and heartfelt balladry”. Richard decided to start making music as “it’s a passion, that’s the best way to describe it. I got my first guitar when I was about 5 and I remember writing songs, well kind of songs, about being a cowboy, you know just being the general cool kid that I am” he laughs and says “when I turned 13 it just turned in to this thing where I completely fell in love with music, my mum booked me in to a recording studio for my birthday and I went in totally unprepared and came out with this cool (at the time) song which is now very cheesy looking back on it.” The story of how he shot to fame is an interesting one. He admits it “was weird when it first started happening” He elaborates “I got played on 2 radio stations in a week and I was just kind of shocked! I remember getting a phone call from a friend screaming “you’re on the radio!” and then a day later I got an email from the BBC saying they were playing one of my songs on BBC Northants, it was then that I just got this huge response from everyone, the station told me they were flooded with emails from listeners asking for more details about me… I’d just love to say thank you to those people. My Myspace suddenly had more than 80,000 hits in about a week and it was then that interest from other people in the industry began coming in. It was so surreal…”

Calvin Harris and Dallas Austin called Richard “one of the most notable new pop talents to look out for…” He feels “it really is an honour to be referred to like that and I am such a huge fan of both of them” As for the raised expectations regarding his music he says ” I’m sure some people would expect more but I think as long as you’re making music with the best intentions and you’re making music that means something to you, people are going to respond well to it…. or at least I hope so.” Richard featured in the new Converse shoes global initiative campaign in which they promote new young upcoming talented artists He explains of it “it’s been quite a cool experience, it was the first time I actually got paid for an interview so I was like “yeah!” but it’s been a great way of getting people to notice me and my music.” He writes, produces and records his tracks, he explains “I love being in the studio. I feel like I have to be involved in every part of the production as every part effects the total outcome of the sound, so it’s a great feeling when the song’s done.” As for off the wall antics in studio he explains there aren’t any “not really” anyway He adds “I just really like to focus on the task at hand so once I’m into the music that’s it. He is working on new material and constantly spending time in the studio, he explains “there’s a certain mind set I get into where I have to do a song, but I can come back to the same song a few minutes later and hate it and be like ” what was that? ” and start all over again.” He is also “hopefully working with some awesome and talented artists very soon.”

As to what he would you like to achieve in the music industry, it’s a simple case of “world domination!” He laughs and continues “I’d like for people to respond well to my music and be like ‘yeah this is something different, this is cool’..” He recently played at The Umbrella Fair and as for a standout moment that happened where “some guy was reaching up to me, either trying to reach me or trying to steal my laptops” he laughs and adds “so I reached back and almost pulled him on stage. The end was great, people were dancing and it was just a great moment and a great feeling to give people that enjoyment. “His favourite thing about performing has to be “the reaction from the crowd, that’s the best thing there is when performing, as long as it’s a good reaction it gives you a real high and it’s just the most amazing feeling!” Last but not least, what one thing would he like people to know about him is that “I’m a Batman fanatic! He pauses and adds “That’s probably more of a weird fact; I grew up on those movies, if you ever want to buy me a present, make it Batman related!” Jay is set to go places! Keep an eye out for him.

My interview first appeared on Musical Mover & Shaker!

So I’ve got just about 6 weeks left of uni for this year then examines but believe it or not I’ve already  thought about plans for my upcoming 3 month holiday which is:

To work at one of the Big Four accounting firms (IDEALY), namely KPMG, Ernst and Young, Deloitte & Touch and PricewaterhouseCooper. I have to admit though, my initial plan was to work in a mall but then Ash said and I quote, “Dream big.”, so here I am dreaming- BIG!

I’ve done some research on these companies and I can’t tell you how fascinating it is sho. My desire to work for KPMG is waving, working for Ernst and Young seems so attractive at the moment. Their web page talks about developing your career and student involvement and opportunities…sign. Then there’s Deloitte and Touch…one of my life champions Ferdi Garzindam did his articles there and worked at the same company and if that’s the type of leaders D & T produces then well, E & Y might just take second place. PricewaterhouseCooper well, the company’s name is interestingly different, exotic and I like it. I never heard of the company before until now because I was obviously TO SET ON KPMG that I didn’t allow myself to make a well informed decision or to see the splendour of these other companies. PwC seems like a fantastic company, I would love to work for them. Their web site mentions students who haven’t graduated yet and it goes on about job shadowing and how to become a CA…Sign ha wonderful stuff and a tough choice. Oh well, I’ll work for whichever one willing to hire me.

With all that said, I am sad to inform you that this is my last blog post….as an eighteen year old. Yes I’m turning nineteen on Saturday, my last year as a teenager, hopefully I’ll be able to post some embarrassing pics of myself on the big day. I should make the last year memorable don’t you think, like indulging in some risky behaviour you know, live closer to the edge like sitting in the front row during a lecture or singing out loud in the shower or just in public…nah sounds a bit too risky for my liking, I mean what if something bad happens, I’ll think of something else, something more tame.

Until then…It’s been real

I’ve grown up with Land Rovers, and I’ve been terribly fond of them. They took us to holiday destinations up rocky paths, muddy mountains and riverbeds deep and wide. To this day, when I get in one, I immediately get a relaxed feeling like I’m going on holiday. Land Rover, however, realized that they needed more people getting this type of holiday feeling, and created a smaller entry level Landy, a soft roader, but with all the Land Rover pedigree and good bits. Well the first incarnation of the Freelander had the pedigree, but sadly, no good bits

The only bits it had, either broke, or feel off while you were sailing down the highway. It was a terrible car, and did the brand more damage than good. I’ll give it to Land Rover, they were having a rough marriage with BMW, one which turns out was just a gold-digging (read: Land Rover offroad bits) BMW sleeping in the same bed as the English to get some valuable and much needed 4-wheel drive bits and gizmos. Once she’d gotten all she needed, the divorce was swift. However this terrible marriage sprouted the bastard child Freelander series 1. It should’ve been thrown out with the bathwater at first glance, but wasn’t.

None-the-less, I can tell you up-front that they second incarnation is much, much better. It probably would have gotten a lot more attention had it not been for the first born being such a hooligan child that nobody wanted to know anything about. Series 2 is a total redesign, and you can see this the first time you get in. Quality was the main focus, and they did an excellent job at getting perceived quality up. Fit and finish of all interior paneling is excellent, as well as choice of materials. While we’re inside, let’s carry on. Seating for 5 is good, seats being fairly comfortable and in the HSE spec, electrically adjustable with memory function on drivers side. HSE spec does make this car very easy to live with. What say you, makes me say this?

Well… the following are all standard: Leather seats, full satellite navigation with touchscreen interface, 6disc CD changer linked to an Alpine 10 speaker system with sub (Excellent system btw). A very nice addition is earphone jacks in the rear for rear passengers to listen to something else the car has on offer should mom and dad be stuck on Neil Diamond. Leather steering wheel, armrests, and rubber floor mats as an extra set. Another very nice addition is the dual sunroofs as standard.

So it looks better inside, and certainly isn’t a Fiat Multipla on the outside. Land Rover aligning all rover looks with the Range Rover exterior.

The engine is competent, very much so in fact. It pulls with a fervor I haven’t seen in other petrol Landies…strong and determined. However it isn’t exactly a hot hatch. The 3.2litre straight six (171Kw and 317Nm at 1700RPM) is not my ideal choice of engine. To say it guzzles petrol, is like saying there’s a small problem of corruption in Africa. This thing burns fuel at the rate BP pumps it into the Gulf of Mexico. Seriously not ideal when travelling into Africa. It is, however, very nippy in city traffic, much more so than the 2.2 diesel.

So it’s not a Prius when it comes to economy… how’s the handling then? Well, it is, in my books, the most competent small SUV on the market, so ride height is quite substantially raised to overcome those ruts and rises. Wheels are at the very extremities of the car, to keep the nose and end from scraping on up and downhills in the rough. All this, which contributes to great off-road driving, makes for a rather wallowing ride. It’s not terrible, but if anyone has driven an oldschool Caddilac – it rides nearly the same. When really pushing into corners the front washes wide before the ESP realizes and reigns you in, but this is only when really pushing hard. Overall it’s a really comfortable drive.

My only real gripe would be the steering, which is exceptionally sensitive. A glance in the direction of the wheel and it throws the car on its head. Slightly over-assisted I’d say, especially at highway speeds, where you literally can throw the car on its roof if you’re not careful.

Pricing, well, it’s not exactly cheap, current pricing is R462,000. It compares in pricing to the BMW X1 (which won’t come even closely speced), Subaru Forester, Mazda CX, Honda CR-V2.2 Diesel…none of them closely capable off-road.

Overall I’d probably opt for the diesel, even though it’s not as nippy in city traffic, it’s just more frugal and a better option off-road. Considering the competition, I’d definitely still opt for the Land Rover. It always gives me that holiday, go anywhere feeling, more so than any of the competition can ever dare to imitate.

We’re used to warning labels on cigarette packs: Smoking may harm your unborn child (or something like that… what? you want me to walk to the shop to check that? …fine) Pregnant? Breastfeeding? Your smoking can harm your baby.

We’ve grown accustomed to food labels: Beware of the nuts (hey. no one sells nuts around here… give me a break, or a kit kat)

But these warning labels take it to another level: This article is based on an unverified, anonymous tipoff. Or: Journalist does not understand subject they are writing about. Or: This article contains unsourced, unverified information from Wikipedia.

Journalism warning labels!

Perhaps a label adapted for use in South Africa might read… This article was produced in a newsroom, and may contain traces of information. No?

The label inventor might stand in line to be our next ‘tenderpreneur’ (man made rich by the South African government, or, according to Wikipedia, a politically connected person who uses ‘influence to secure government tenders and contracts’) Oh, hang on a minute. You can download the labels for free.

Though perhaps the ruling party will just go with its media tribunal idea instead.

I would go for the warning labels. After all, reading can be dangerous to your health. People have a right to know sh*t like that.

Spread the word. Download the journalism warning labels here

The Open Society Monitoring Index (OSMI) was recently launched at the University of Cape Town. My notes on what Dr Max Price, vice chancellor of UCT, and Dr Mamphela Ramphele had to say:

Dr Max Price:

Initially Max talked of the challenge to define openness, and how OSMI meets this daunting task, introducing a measure for openness. An open society allows us to challenge even the ‘holy cows’, and creates a space in which all things can be open to questioning. Crucial to this, is participation. Although the foundations for an open society are present in law, the primary threat to an open society lies in low citizen engagement.

Bringing us into the present moment, he briefed the audience on the media tribunal. He explained that in its current form, the proposal calls for an appeal structure to be appointed by parliament. The structure would have the power to imprison journalists, and ban them from publishing.

Of course, he continued, a reliable and trustworthy press is important! So, then, he asked, what are the arguments against the establishment of a media tribunal?

1. There are other (existing) laws against defamation (that relate to natural persons, therefore not relevant for a political party)
2. The most common form of media regulation is self regulation via press council structures – adopted by democratic countries worldwide
3. Handing over the role of press ombudsman to the state would create a conflict of interest

He went on to say that the government’s argument for a media tribunal is that the press writes ‘dirt’, and that the ruling party wants its own voice to be heard above all other voices. And that, he said, is an ideology that is antithetical to the open society. He reminded us that it was none other than Nelson Mandela who had once said ‘No single person or party can claim to have a monopoly on the truth’.

A parliamentary media tribunal, he warned, would sound the death knell to the free flow of information. A free press, on the other hand, would continue to confront citizens with realities they might otherwise choose to ignore. It would ensure citizens could not just put their heads in the sand.

A ‘wait and see’ approach to this proposal would not be sufficient. Instead, he urged that we become activists again, and take heed of the warning that apathy is the greatest threat to an open society.

Dr Mamphela Ramphele:

Mam looked around the room and smiled. Many familiar faces… Struggle activists have just been woken from their sleep! she began.

The greatest threat to an open society, she told the audience, is inaction. According to the Freedom Charter, the people shall govern.

She wondered whether South Africa would have the spirit to drive democracy, and to lead the way, for Africa? Human rights would have to be an everyday staple, leaving no room for xenophobia, or state oppression. It was crucial for the state and the people to trust one another, she continued. Creating an open society was an underlying principle in our constitution.

Stepping into the current situation, she focused on the protection of information bill, which at first seemed to have a ‘comforting ring’ to it. Upon closer inspection however, it appeared that fear of punitive measures would inhibit the media. And, she warned, that people could only govern with access to information, and freedom to express themselves.

She asked us to imagine what might happen, if we did not find out about corruption… She insisted we should not listen to the story that the protection of information bill or a media tribunal would help with delivery (quite the opposite!). An open society would struggle without information, and suffer when government acted without inclusivity or accountability. She described the current political environment as unpromising.

Gratitude for liberation should not be unending, and did not require unthinking support for the ruling party. The liberation movement, she reminded us, had been composed of ordinary people. These people had survived only by resisting and by rebelling. So there was no debt owed to the ruling party. Rather, she said, it is the ruling party that owes the people.

In a truly open society, she emphasised, the people are the ultimate guarantors of freedom.

The gap between the rich and the poor was growing ever larger in South Africa, she went on. Elite enrichment, conspicuous consumption, opulent lifestyles could only be considered vulgar, an affront to the struggle, and the poor. Self-aggrandisement whilst the people were growing poorer was misplaced. She hoped that this was not what South Africa would be known for.

The oppressed, she warned, could readily turn into oppressors, unless new shapes of leadership emerged. The recent journalist arrest [wa Afrika] had brought to mind the apartheid regime’s ways. How, she asked, could we forget, so quickly?

An open society, she repeated, would be blinded without information, and voiceless, when the rule of law was suspended. A term like ‘national interest’ (as in the current protection of information bill) was far too broad, and would allow for unnecessary classification of information.

In closing, she praised the OSMI barometer, as an instrument that could be used by the public, to hold all accountable. Citizens, she said, should engage anew. An open society, would require a multiplicity of voices. The quality of our democracy would depend on the activity of citizens:

Her hope?  That the people shall govern, once more.

Mamphela Ramphele in her own words

A brief on the proposed protection of information bill and the media tribunal.

What do you think? (above) is a display at the Maropeng Visitors Centre on what makes us human.