I covered GunSmith already from its appearance at the E3 Microsoft conference, but a quick reminder paired with the official announcement video couldn’t hurt. GunSmith still gives you total control over customizing every aspect of the weapons in your arsenal from the furniture to the internals using voice and movement commands. Various keywords act as shortcuts that allow you to skip directly to certain attachment options or even auto-create a firearm based on what your mission requirements are. There’s also an in-mode firing range where you can test your newly-constructed weapon, all controlled using the Kinect sensor. Although there’s no announcement on whether the Kinect sensor will have a purpose in Ghost Recon: Future Soldier outside GunSmith, this is a nice exclusive bonus for those with Xbox 360s.
Archive for June, 2011
GunSmith For Kinect
Monday, June 13th, 2011King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia: Dark Lord Of The Sith
Sunday, June 12th, 2011In this blast from the past (2007, to be a bit more exact), the Welsh Guard Band protested the Royal visit of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia by playing the Imperial March from Star Wars. Abdullah was none the wiser, but you can bet there was more than one person in the crowd snickering as he passed by. There is a longer version of the video with a more in-depth look as to why his visit was contested, human rights violations being a primary reason, but this heavily condensed version shows the best part.
Glock Gen 4 Design Meeting
Saturday, June 11th, 2011Even the most hardcore Glock fans have to admit the Gen 4 is… more than a little lacking. This video explains why. My favorite line: “No. The Austrians like physical punishment for any mistake with their grip.”
Ninja Glock
Friday, June 10th, 2011Presenting the Ninja Glock, which is about as deadly and multi-purpose as a Glock will ever get. It’s extremely concealable, comes with a hydration pack, a set of Nunchaku, hand grenades, a spare ninja hood, and a survival knife. The attached scope lets the user see into the future and the past and has a variable optic of three to seven miles while the LED halogen bulb features an output of one million lumens, making it brighter than the sun. A spare tool kit and replacement parts are included inside the infrared module, and the red laser button controls a typhoon you can unleash on your enemies. Include a 1000 round ‘clip’ and the Glock’s ability to successfully cycle all kinds of ammunition from wooden to atomic to solid plastic, and you come to a pretty obvious conclusion: the Ninja Glock is the future of sidearms everywhere.
I sure can’t wait to get my hands on one. 😉
BLADE Show – Final Reminder
Thursday, June 9th, 2011
The 30th annual BLADE Show will be held at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia this year from June 10th to 12th. Hosted by BLADE magazine, BLADE Show is the largest combined show of handmade, factory, and antique knives, with over 700 tables and around 175 factory booths and products. Also available is the first ever Tactical Gear Expo, which features manufactures, dealers and suppliers of tactical firearms, tactical knives, and tactical gear. The best part is you get access to both shows with a single ticket. Combine this with special guest appearances and events and you have the makings of the best BLADE show yet!
I’ll be walking the show tomorrow, so if you’re attending, be on the lookout. Hope to see a few readers there!
Visit bladeshow.com for more information on the upcoming expos, including the event schedule and list of exhibitors.
Art of Innovation by Geliographic
Thursday, June 9th, 2011
This is one of a series of Still Lifes by Moscow-based studio Geliographic, who does illustrations on demand. All intended messages about the prevalence of firearms in modern society, or other interpretation of your choice, notwithstanding, these are some very detailed and beautiful paintings. I think the time will be soon I’ll have to make a commission.
Charlie Sheen WINNING at Call of Duty: Black Ops
Thursday, June 9th, 2011By now, Charlie Sheen’s epic [drug and booze fueled] rants about how incredible he is are far from current events. Still, they match up perfectly with online gameplay from Black Ops, since it’s not uncommon to hear trash talk of this magnitude from the various randoms met in open lobbies. Awesomely funny stuff.
Blackwater – The Video Game
Wednesday, June 8th, 2011E3 is happening right now, so it’s only expected that a lot of new video game information would be coming out, but this is something I couldn’t have foreseen in a million years. 505 Games is publishing Blackwater, which will take place in a fictional North African town. As a Blackwater operative, you and your team will battle two Warlords’ factions in “an intense, cinematic shooter experience” for the safety of the town. The game is being produced with consultation from Blackwater founder Erik Prince and former Blackwater members, who are ensuring “… accuracy of moves, gestures, and gameplay.” In addition, the game will also feature a selection of officially-licensed weaponry. To be honest, 505 Games isn’t the most… high profile publisher, so I’m not expecting anything amazing. Plus, with all the bad vibes associated with the Blackwater name, I’m surprised anyone would even want to develop a game based on it.
Kinect Gunsmith For Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier AKA Some Really Nice Gun Pr0n
Wednesday, June 8th, 2011In a surprising but completely pleasant turn of events, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier is one of the few games I’ve seen so far that really makes good use of Microsoft’s Kinect peripheral for Xbox 360. To be specific, Future Soldier has a Gunsmith feature that fully interacts with Kinect, through both movement and voice commands. It allows you to completely customize any weapon in your arsenal from optics to the furniture to the internals to suit your in-game needs. Besides this, you can also actively test you combinations via a virtual firing range, using motion controls to move your character and fire your weapon. Come Future Soldier’s release, it looks like my Kinect sensor will finally have a purpose besides collecting dust.
Operation Geronimo Stealth Helicopter Model
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011
Dragon Models Limited, a popular Chinese toy company, is offering a 1/144 scale model of the stealth helicopter used in the raid on UBL’s compound. Highly detailed with distinct edges and angles and a modified fuselage, nose and tail, each set come with two helicopters, allowing modelers to recreate the raid themselves. No word on whether the Chinese government was using these models as the basis of their own soon-to-be-announced stealth helicopter program, but I wouldn’t find that the least bit surprising. It’ll be available in the States this July.
MW3 Rant Time
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011Yes, we all knew this was coming.
It’s time to play a really great drinking game callled ‘Spot The Inaccuracies’! It’s quite simple really: watch the vid, and every time you spot something inaccurate (compared to reality) with this demo of MW3, take a shot of your favorite brain-killing alcohol! The best part is it doesn’t take the entire vid to get drunk off your ass, just every damn firearm featured. To be a bit easier on all those involved, let’s ignore how painfully unlikely a Russian invasion would be, and just stick with stuff like:
– Why is Delta doing this mission? An operation like this would most likely be handled by DEVGRU.
– Why are Delta operatives using the MP5? They stopped using that years ago! The HK416 called, it’s feeling unappreciated.
– Are those dummkopfs at Infinity Ward, and Sledgehammer Games, still calling the AKS-74U the AK-74U? The later doesn’t exist! It’s just one more letter, dammit! Fix that ****! Also, it’s a carbine, not an SMG, so take 2 shots.
– Speaking of which, why are the Russians using P90s?
– Whatever else you can find. Might be a wee bit inebriated by this point…
Basically, they crapped on the guns again. Big surprise. Even without a full weapons list I already have enough ammunition to complain until release day. Still, there’s a good 6 months or so before the game is released. Maybe we’ll see some unexpected changes, but I highly doubt it. I still be buying this game, though. For all its faults, MW3 looks like a decent source of mindless action.
Modern Warfare 3 drops November 8th, 2011 for all major consoles and PC.
Today Is The 67th Anniversary Of D-Day
Monday, June 6th, 2011Operation Neptune is the largest amphibious invasion in history, where over 160,000 allied Troops, 5,000 ships, and 13,000 aircraft supported the operation to secure the heavily defended 50-mile Normandy coastline. The term ‘D-Day’ refers only to the first day of the operation, which started June 6th, 1944. While over 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded in taking the beach, which was divided into five sections: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword, a remaining force of over 100,000 Allied Soldiers survived to continue the invasion. Operation Neptune was the first stage of Operation Overlord, the codename for The Battle Of Normandy, which kicked off the invasion of Nazi-occupied Western Europe during WWII by Allied Forces.
AK-47 Guitar
Monday, June 6th, 2011Cesar Lopez sure plays a mean Kalashnikov. I wonder what it would cost to have one of these made? I’m not a very good guitar player, but it would make for an excellent conversation starter.
Xploderz
Monday, June 6th, 2011
If you’re looking for something other than your standard Super Soaker for hydro-based Summer fun, then look no further than the Xploderz series of toys. Instead of a stream of water, Xploderz fire ‘H2Grow technology’ gel pellets, which also make an excellent alternative to potentially harmful paintballs. Depending on the model, these pellets can be fired up to 85 feet from a 50 round top-loading ‘Ammo Clip’. If you like to keep extra pellets in reserve, the ammo depot accessory allows you to make and hold up to 500 rounds. Currently, four Xploderz guns are available: XBlaster 200, Face Off 400, XStormer 1000 (seen above), and XRanger 2000.
Xploderz
The Flamebone
Sunday, June 5th, 2011This is a homemade flamethrower trombone. It’s made from plumbing, torch, and compressed air parts while still being able to play, features a 21 foot range with a concussive wave of 150 feet, and can be heard from 2 blocks away. Gentlemen, I believe we’re looking at the future of High School marching band competitions.
If Hollywood Went LEGO
Sunday, June 5th, 2011
Created for NextMovie by artist Old Red Jalopy, this is one of ten posters depicting the top Summer movies in LEGO form. Besides Transformers: Dark of the Moon, there are also posters for Thor, Bridesmaids, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, The Hangover 2, X-Men: First Class, Green Lantern, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Captain America: The First Avenger, and Cowboys & Aliens. Pirates of the Caribbean I could imagine, given there’s LEGO sets available now, but Bridesmaids? That would be an interesting experience.
The rest of the posters.
Duke Nukem Forever Soundboard
Saturday, June 4th, 2011
If you own an iOS device (iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad) then over 25 phrases from the ultimate alien ass-kicker himself are at your command, via the official Duke Nukem Forever Soundboard. Although one of the most definitive Duke quotes of all time, “It’s time to kick ass and chew bubblegum, and I’m all out of gum”, isn’t a part of this official soundboard from 2K Games and Gearbox, other notable quotes like “Hail to the king, baby” and “I’ve got balls of steel” are in full use, along with many brand new to DNF. The very best thing about this app, however, is its absolutely free, so go on and download it ASAP. Plus, as with most soundboards, you get an unintended source of constant hilarity: using it for telephone conversations, laughing in the background while whomever is on the receiving end is continuously confused at the strange responses you offer through Duke’s voice, although I don’t actually condone that sort of activity.
TakTik LunaTik Woodland Camouflage iPOD Nano Watch
Friday, June 3rd, 2011
The common iPod may be slowly dying off, but if you happen to have a Nano 6th Generation, then you may have found its second calling. LunaTik offers a number of premium conversion kits for turning an iPod Nano 6th gen 8/16GB into a dedicated primary wristwatch, although the classic TakTik is my personal favorite, for its woodland inspired camouflage pattern, which due to the manufacturing process is unique for each watch. The kit itself features an anodized housing made from aerospace grade aluminum, solid steel hardware that is PVD plated, and straps made from high grade silicone rubber. The result is a fairly inexpensive digital watch with a number of useful features.
LunaTik Instructions, Assembly & Tips from Visere on Vimeo.
Hat Tip: Blog.PredatorBDU
Loyalty To The Duke Has Its Rewards
Friday, June 3rd, 2011Duke Nukem First Access Club members really do get all the best perks.
First, The exclusive DNF demo was up for grabs just hours ago. After getting my code, I anxiously awaited for the hefty 1.53 GB file to download to my Xbox. What followed was a brief but satisfying tribute to those old school ‘Build engine’ FPS, full of fast-paced action, awesome one-liners, fun weapons, and crude humor; in other words, an extremely deserving sequel to Duke Nukem 3D. My favorite loading screen help message was something along the lines of ‘Grabbing a turd from a toilet won’t decrease your Ego, even though we really wanted it to’, and the first weapon you get a hold of, the Devestator, has a 69 missile capacity. Remember, crude humor.
Another awesome perk for being a part of the FAC is getting the first multiplayer add-on pack for free. First Access Club members who register their codes before 11:59 PM (time zone not given) on June 9th in Europe and June 14th in the USA will later receive a code to get the first Premium multiplayer add-on pack for DNF, tentatively priced at $9.99, or 800 Microsoft points. Although the contents of said pack aren’t reveled yet, likely bonuses include new maps and/or accessories for your in-game Duke MP avatar. I guess it pays to be loyal, especially for a game 12 years in the making.
Duke Nukem Forever drops June 10th in Europe and June 14th in the USA.
BLADE Show – Second Reminder
Thursday, June 2nd, 2011
The 30th annual BLADE Show will be held at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia this year from June 10th to 12th. Hosted by BLADE magazine, BLADE Show is the largest combined show of handmade, factory, and antique knives, with over 700 tables and around 175 factory booths and products. Also available is the first ever Tactical Gear Expo, which features manufactures, dealers and suppliers of tactical firearms, tactical knives, and tactical gear. The best part is you get access to both shows with a single ticket. Combine this with special guest appearances and events and you have the makings of the best BLADE show yet!
Visit bladeshow.com for more information on the upcoming expos, including the event schedule and list of exhibitors.
Cold Steel Gladius Machete
Thursday, June 2nd, 2011Cold Steel offers their own take on the iconic Roman Gladius. Made from 1055 carbon steel, the blade is a full 19″ of hand sharpened wickedness, perfect for both piercing and slashing. This Gladius features an extra wide full tang and the handle is made of high impact Polypropylene, with the classic guard and ball shaped pommel. It also comes with a cordura sheath and belt loop, in case you need your blade at your side, or you happen to be putting together a modern spin on the classic Legionary uniform.
Where Is Zombie Cookie Monster Now?
Wednesday, June 1st, 2011
For those who forgot, I held the first ever ‘TFB Caption Contest’ and the winner was announced last month, the awesome fellow posing in the pic above, Mr. Shane Sasaki at a recent tactical shotgun class. Thanks for spreading the word of TFB and SSD, Shane! For everyone else, stay tuned, as you never know when I’ll pop up with something else cool to give away.
Just An Excuse To Watch Women Dancing In Camouflage – Mild NSFW
Wednesday, June 1st, 2011The song is Everybody by Rudenko, but honestly the music isn’t the reason this vid was posted. It’s really because of the interrogation being performed on that captured soldier, by attractive dancing women… Actually, it’s only because of the attractive dancing women. Enjoy!
Backyard Safari Camouflage
Wednesday, June 1st, 2011
Backyard Safari Camouflage is effective scrim covering from a surprising source, a collection of outdoor gear and toys meant for use with children. Available in two seasonal colors, this scrim is 5×8 feet with a unique, stretchable die-cut design. It’s made from sturdy rip-stop nylon and stands up to wet weather. Great for use as a tent cover, sun shade, blind, or for building a shelter, along with its obvious use as environmental camouflage. It’s pretty cool to see playthings with more practical applications.
