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king-candybug-backup · 3 months ago

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Kill Switch: Part Eleven

“Watcha said about Sinistar– How couldja say somethin’ like that?!” She ranted on, tears welling up in her eyes, “You know h-how scared I’ve–” The more she tried to talk, the more choked up she got, and she had to cut herself off to stop from full-on crying. Instead, she turned away from him, indignantly wiping at her face with her sleeves. Whether she’d been hiding her face out of anger, or simply embarrassment to be crying in the first place, he couldn’t quite tell. If anything, King Candy was mostly just baffled that she was this upset over what was, to him, something so trivial. To him, it had been nothing more than an impulsive comment made in irritation. It hadn’t meant anything. … But, to her, he had just dangled the possibility of throwing her safety away on a petty whim. As annoyed as he was at how seriously she was taking such an offhand remark of his, could he really be surprised that a stupid child would be so overdramatic about such things? He took in a shallow breath, careful not to let his annoyance show in the sigh that soon followed. “I didn’t mean it, glitch.” Vanellope still wouldn’t look at him, the smallest hint of anger in her voice when she muttered “Then why’d you say it?” That question had him hesitating to respond truthfully, for the answer was as simple as it was cruel. He wanted to hurt Felix. In that moment, all he could think about was hurting Felix. Unfortunately for King Candy, Vanellope had been caught in that vitriolic crossfire the second she had tried to defend his actual target. For that crime, did she not deserve to face some of his ire? If she had just minded her own business, this wouldn’t be a problem… but, ‘minding her business’ wasn’t in her nature. Nor would she take very kindly to his less-than-amicable reasoning, he was sure. “... I don’t know.” He chose to say instead. “But I didn’t mean it.”

Read the full chapter on AO3!

AAAGGGGHHHH I CAN'T THANK YOU GUYS ENOUGH FOR ALL THE AWESOME FAN-ART YOU'VE SENT OMFGGG!!! 💖💖💖 I've got a LOT of posts to shout out, please go give them tons of love if you haven't already!!! <333 Sorry for making y'all wait so long btw xskdjsdjjd

As usual, we've got @starryside-1's absolutely LOVELY art, both with these drawings of chapter 10, and this post with KCB teasing Ralph lmao

We've also got @caleeeeee and their HILARIOUS videos, this one with KCB and Vanny being silly goobers and this one of KCB and Sinistar and also this lil comic of them, too!

And then there's @cathirae and their absolutely ADORABLE fan-art of the Uno scene HGFDSHDFGCVHG

We also have a few fan-arts of chapter one where Vanny's dealing with injured Candybug and they're all AMAZINGGG, we've got this one by @its-lara, this one by @noirdenwa, and this one by @space-kardi!

Also there's this cool-ass art of Candybug, also featuring Vanellope holding up her silly lil' drawing of him by @amberqueen01!

Next up we have some more epic Sinistar fan-art, this one by @sweet-treat, this one by @space-kardi and this one by @sp1derf1ll3dc0ffin! There's also this awesome art of Sinistar and KCB duking it out by @falconsdump!

And then there's these two INSANELY funny animatics with Vanny and KCB, one with a Game Grumps audio by @aritheunicorn and another one with Llamas With Hats audio by @vinegar-rights! YOU GUYS HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY TIMES I'VE REWATCHED THESE 😭

We also have a couple of AU crossover fan-arts of other people's AU Turbo/King Candy meeting KillSwitch!Candybug lol, this one by @danisha-tdh and this one by @quinnstirrsworld! (I'M SO SORRY AGAIN FOR NOT SEEING THE SECOND POST SOONER AAAA PLEASE KNOW THAT I LOVE IT VERY MUCH I PROMISE 😭💖)

Then there's this awesome art page of some chapter 2 + 3 stuff (LIKE GET A LOAD OF THAT CAGE SHOT C'MON), as well as KCB and Ralph being catty as usual by @peregrinethegryphon!

And last but certainly not least, this hilarious meme redraw with Vanny and KCB by @tofuto-art!

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN SOOO FREAKING MUCH, YOU'RE ALL SO TALENTED AND HILARIOUS AND AMAZING AND I NEED YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT I'M CONSTANTLY GOING BACK TO LOOK AT ALL THE BEAUTIFUL ART YOU'VE BLESSED ME WITH 💖💖💖💖💖

#Wreck It Ralph #turbo wreck it ralph #turbo wir #Candybug #King Candy #king candybug #Vanellope #vanellope von schweetz #KillSwitch #My Stuff #Text Post #IF I EVER EVER MISS ANY FAN-ART POSTS PLEASE NEVER BE AFRAID TO DM THEM TO ME I LOVE SEEING YOUR BEAUTIFUL ART AND SCREAMING ABOUT IT! <333 #ALSO IF I MISSED ANY FAN-ARTS IN THE SHOUTOUT SECTION PLEASE TELL ME IMMEDIATELY DFSGFHFVJ #YOU GUYS SPOILED ME SO MUCH SINCE LAST CHAPTER THAT I'M SCARED I MIGHT'VE MISSED SOMEBODY BY ACCIDENT GHFDHFCJV

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samobservessonic · 3 months ago

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StC Post-Mortems: Extra Life

I received another request for a Post-Mortem, this time from @hikingsuper, about a character who appeared way back in issue 13, just less than 100 issues ago from where I’m at now! But I really liked Extra Life and also the site I get the StC scans from is down rn, meaning I can’t work on the next issue, so let’s take a brief detour to look back

How it started

Extra Life had a single appearance in StC and given that he was created by early writer Mark Millar, who bowed out of writing regularly for the series after issue 16 and only wrote a few single stories after that, he wasn’t ever revisited within the series. I can’t find any real world extra info about Extra Life - Millar is an established comic book writer with a vast bibliography on many different series to his name, so it’s likely there was never anything more to Extra Life than what we saw

In terms of the story he appeared in, Extra Life was an evil being created by Dr. Kintobor prior to Kintobor becoming Robotnik, who Kintobor sealed away in a 1-Up Box. Sometime later, Extra Life would trick Tails into thinking that he was Sonic, so Tails would release him. There isn’t any explanation as to why Extra Life is evil or how Kintobor made him, but it’s really not that deep, so this doesn’t bother me

How it went

…I didn’t plan these sections to work for characters who only have one appearance, did I?

Regardless, Extra Life caused chaos posing as Sonic for a while, before the real Sonic stepped in to fight him. Sally was also in the story a lot, which keeps me happy, and hilariously, she briefly banished Sonic from Green Hill years before Archie would write a story about Sally banishing Sonic lol

How it ended

Punted him into space! They trapped Extra Life back in the box and then Sonic kicked him so hard that he disappeared from the comic for good

Were there any unused future plans from the StC writers?

As I said before, there really wasn’t anything about Extra Life that I could find outside of the book itself. Beyond some speculation about the differences in his writing choices to Kitching’s, Millar’s short-lived run on StC doesn’t have a lot of information out there about it, sadly

What would I personally have liked to see next for him if StC continued?

This is quite a bit ahead of where I’m at in my read-through now, but StC issue 161 features a character called Turbo - an alien who bears some resemblance to the Mobian hedgehog design. Turbo is a nice lad as far as I remember, so since they’re both already in space, the two of them could be good foil for each other, potentially with Extra Life tricking Turbo into helping him and the consequences of Turbo believing him. If we can have “Sonic’s World” stories about characters like Shortfuse and Captain Plunder, then I’d gladly extend that to Turbo and Extra Life as well. I think that in another life (hur hur) this duo could’ve been popular supporting characters in StC

I’m also far from the first person to consider teaming them up, but that just solidifies my belief that the potential is there

What if he was in other Sonic media?

Classic Sonic Games:

I really like StC’s habit of looking at things that aid Sonic and going “What if that was turned on its head?” A category that Extra Life falls into. Yes, we know in the classic games that if you break a 1-Up Box with Robotnik’s face on that you die, but what if it was more of a gamble than that and if you break one with Sonic’s face on you could either get an extra life or have to deal with Extra Life? It could also be fun to make an “easier” version if you play as Tails, where the boxes still appear with Sonic’s face on, so you know that’s the Extra Life that’ll cause you a problem and not an extra life for Tails

How exactly he causes problems could be handled in a range of different ways, mostly focused on attacking the player until he’s dealt with. In my head, I mostly picture this in a classic Sonic setting. I’m sure it could work in modern Sonic as well, but other than Metal Sonic, there are less Sonic doppelgangers or rivals for him to compete with in classic. Not that this has ever stopped the franchise either way

Modern Sonic Games:

Beyond that, I’d honestly rather stick to using the character in settings where 1-Ups are a mechanic, since I think that’s where he’d be the most effective. Maybe have the box he’s stuck in float past as space debris during the Finalhazard fight in SA2 as a callback - that’d be funny!

#sam observes sonic #sonic the comic #stc post mortems #extra life

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randomvarious · 2 years ago

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Chicago House Playlist

Alright, folks, here's something that's been a long time coming: a playlist of house tunes that came from the city that gave birth to the global phenomenon in the first place, and also kickstarted the whole evolution of electronic dance music as we currently know it. When house music began, most dancefloors had moved on from disco to a mishmash of post-disco, boogie, hi-NRG, dance-pop, synthy funk, electro, freestyle, and a whole lot of other stuff, but there was something different that started to brew itself into a movement during the mid-1980s among a predominantly black, gay crowd in the city where disco had first been symbolically murdered in 1979.

And eventually, it became known as house music, named after both The Warehouse, the place that the genre's godfather, Frankie Knuckles, would have residency, and the posters that would be hung up to advertise the venue's events, which referred to 'house parties' and 'house music.' The Warehouse would open up in the late 70s and close in the early 80s, but in 1983, Frankie would open up his own club, The Power House, which would then change its name to the Power Plant, and then change its name again to The Music Box, after another legendary house DJ, Ron Hardy, would take up residency there.

So, a lot of this playlist channels the greatness of some of those halcyon Chicago house days. And so much of it is just pure, primordial dance music bliss; lighthearted, unserious, super fun, revolutionary grooves. There was an amateurishness to a lot of it back then that gave it a significant level of goofy charm, and that's something that seems to have gotten mostly left behind as the music continued to grow into the 90s. Songs like "Move Your Body," by Marshall Jefferson, which opened with this rich and clanging, jauntily unpolished piano rag of sorts, was so infectious, and Curtis McClain's plainly bad, but passionate singing voice that would follow that iconic intro couldn't help but be adored too. And the song on this playlist that currently comes after that one, "Love Can't Turn Around," by Farley "Jackmaster" Funk & Jesse Saunders, is in much the same vein, as featured vocalist Darryl Pandy goes over-the-top berserk to start his second verse, making for another song that you really just can't resist 🥰.

Another total favorite of mine on here is one that was produced by Frankie Knuckles himself: "Let the Music Use You," by the Night Writers, which is a near-eight minute masterpiece that has a divine, string-pad-and-bell-laden beat that immediately shows you why Frankie was revered as such a master of his own craft. And that beat gets paired beautifully with Ricky Dillard's soft and tender, heartfelt vocals too.

And then there's Kevin Irving's "Children of the Night," which features his excellent, soulful voice on a beat that combines string pads with prickly electro stabs, and was made by Larry Sherman, the founder of the most important label in the history of Chicago house itself, Trax Records, which has also caught a lot of flak over the years for its shady business practices.

A couple more notes: first, be forewarned that the track that starts this playlist is another tremendous classic, "Mind Games," by Quest— which features the voice of Liz Torres and some great and dreamy freestyle-type synth work—but even though it's on Spotify, it is, unfortunately, pretty damn scratchy. Luckily, I was able to include a much cleaner version on the YouTube version of this playlist, though 😊. And second, I like to keep these playlists as chronologically ordered as possible, but I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out when Screamin' Rachael's "Bip Bop" was actually made. It has an aggressive male rap vocal on it that's reminiscent of Turbo B's on Snap!'s "The Power," so it could be from that early 90s period, but I really don't know. So I just put it at the end, where it will stay until I one day possibly figure out when it was actually created.

This playlist is ordered as chronologically as possible and links are provided below to songs that have been posted about previously in order to give them more context:

Quest - "Mind Games" Marshall Jefferson - "Move Your Body" Farley "Jackmaster" Funk & Jesse Saunders - "Love Can't Turn Around" On the House - "Pleasure Control" Housemaster Boyz - "House Nation" Ralphi Rosario - "You Used to Hold Me" Night Writers - "Let the Music Use You" Dalis - "Rock Steady" Kevin Irving - "Children of the Night" Bam Bam - "Where's Your Child?" Paul Johnson - "3rd Dimension (Remixed by Armando)" Screamin' Rachael - "Bip Bop"

And while there are some incredible moments in that Spotify playlist, I still have way more Chicago house music to show you in the YouTube version. Some tracks that stand out in this bonus crop are the first one, the silly and campy "Undercover," by Doctor Derelict, which has about 3,500 plays on YouTube across a couple uploads; another one from Frankie Knuckles, which is a rare remix of his very popular "Baby Wants to Ride" that has ~31.6K plays, and features some political opining from vocalist Jamie Principle, and even a detouring interpolation of "America the Beautiful" in its second half (😆); and then one from a later era of Chicago—'99, to be exact—called "Testing & Balancing," by Jimminy Cricket, aka James Curd, that has around 170 plays and liberally samples from Al Green's soul classic, "Love & Happiness."

Doctor Derelict - "Undercover" Jungle Wonz - "The Jungle" Steve "Silk" Hurley - "House Beat Box" On the House - "Ride the Rhythm"Libra Libra - "I Like It" Paris Grey - "Don't Make Me Jack" Liz Torres - "Can't Get Enough" Frankie Knuckles - "Baby Wants to Ride" On the House - "Let's Get Busy" Mister Lee - "Come to House" Jimminy Cricket - "Testing & Balancing"

And this playlist is also on YouTube Music.

So, with the Spotify version of this playlist, we currently have 12 songs that total an hour and 16 minutes, and with YouTube, we're at 23 songs that total 2 hours and 24 minutes. Clearly, there are a whole lot more goodies in that YouTube one.

And if you want a Chicago house playlist that's a bit shorter, I have one that's made of stuff that's solely from the 80s too.

1980s Chicago House: Spotify / YouTube / YouTube Music

Enjoy!

More to come, eventually. Stay tuned!

Like what you hear? Follow me on Spotify and YouTube for more cool playlists and uploads!

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rlyc00l · 1 year ago

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BL2 AU: Rhys travels to Pandora for a simple job: take a train to Lynchwood, pick up an artifact, return to Helios. Only, he finds himself unwittingly caught in a trap that wasn't meant for him. Now stranded on Pandora alongside six Vault hunters, he has the choice between fighting Hyperion alongside them or dying horribly. Lucky for him, Handsome Jack is always looking for opportunities. All Rhys needs to do is a little bit of spying, maybe a teensy bit of sabotage, and then he's home free with a huge promotion and maybe like ten turbo-mansions. The Crimson Raider cause is doomed anyway, and Rhys is a pro at ignoring his conscience. Not that there's much conscience to ignore when you're betraying a group of murdering Vault hunters. At least, he's confident he won't have any internal conflict about screwing over that selfish jackass of an assassin.

Hey guys I went ahead and uploaded the first chapter of a fic I've also been writing alongside P0is0ned. This is one where I try to be CONFIDENT and not be a perfectionist. So I might update it a little more frequently? I mentioned this idea before but I think it would be interesting to have these two meet when they are both at their worst. Zer0 before discovering the magic of friendship and a Rhys who totally buys into Hyperion bullshit. (Also, I like writing the BL2 Vault hunters in general and IDK I just wanted to write about BL2 I have a lot of thoughts and headcanons.)

EDIT: As ff.net is perpetually broken, the chapter's also under the break!

———— The train was mostly empty when Rhys boarded, aside from the Hyperion soldiers that boarded at the same time as him. Rhys had offered them a cheery greeting, and been mostly ignored as the soldiers filed back into another car, somewhere behind them. One had stopped, asked him “You sure you’re in the right place?”

“This is the train headed to Lynchwood, right? Jack sent me on a job down there.”

“Yeah, well, keep your head down. Stay out of the other cars,” the soldier said, before following the others.

Technically, Jack hadn’t sent him, Vasquez had. But it was always better to invoke Jack’s name, and Jack had given Vasquez the job. Vasquez had simply passed it down to Rhys, and no one outside of Security Propaganda knew who the hell Vasquez was. If you said a job came from Jack, no one questioned it. No one except Vaughn and Yvette.

“Are you sure Vasquez isn’t just sending you down to die on Pandora?” Yvette had asked as the three took their lunch break the day before.

“It’s a peace offering! He knows I’m a threat, so he gives me the prestigious-yet-inconvenient job so I feel like I owe him. If he wanted me dead, he’d throw me out an airlock.”

“I dunno, Rhys,” Vaughn said, mouth still half-full of hamburger. He swallowed. “He’s thrown a LOT of people out of airlocks, they say at a certain level you reach your allotted murder-limit. Now, send a guy down to the death-planet…”

“Yeah, seriously, Rhys, you know there’s a war going on down there? And the entire planet is populated by bandits? And man-eating monsters?” Yvette gestured with her fork as she spoke. “Is he even giving you a gun or something?”

“No, Yvette, because I won’t need a gun. I looked up the route, it’s extremely safe. I’ll mostly be on a Hyperion train, there will be soldiers guarding it, it’s fine.”

Now, watching Pandora pass out the train window, he was feeling pretty confident that his reasoning had been accurate. He’d boarded at a Hyperion military post in the Highlands, its lush green landscapes a far call from the wastelands heaped with trash featured in propaganda videos. By now that green had given way to barren desert, but still not a single bandit in sight. At one point the train passed a pack of oversized skags, and later he was pretty sure he saw a body, but maybe it had been a weird rock. Ocassionally there were remnants of Atlas and Dahl’s failed attempts to colonize the planet. Broken-down buildings, being retaken by the elements. Obviously those two hadn’t thrown enough resources at the place. Jack was going all the way. Yvette would probably note that he’d be safer if he shuttered the window, but hey, it wasn’t often he got to see an undeveloped alien planet, and the glass was probably bulletproof. Rhys was starting to get the sense that Handsome Jack had ensured that Hyperion’s propaganda greatly exaggerated Pandora’s general awfulness–not that he blamed him. How else was he supposed to convince the investors? Not to mention it was a fantastic motivator for the workforce. Still, Rhys was almost disappointed. He’d wanted to see something impressive, have some good stories for when he got back to Helios. This place was just a lot of empty desert, ripe for development. At some point, the monotony lulled him to sleep, head propped against the window. The glass was cold when he woke suddenly. Outside, the desert was gone, replaced by ice and snow. It took Rhys a moment to realize that the sound he was hearing wasn’t the train, but nearby gunshots. Gunshots that didn’t fade out at the train moved. Well, shit.

He shuttered the window, hunkering down between the seats. It had to be a bandit attack, bandits were no match for Hyperion soldiers. Just had to wait it out.

Yvette had given him a stun rod before he’d gotten on the shuttle. “It’s better than nothing,” she’d said. He clutched it now, wishing she’d hooked him up with something more powerful.

Minutes passed, and the shooting went on, accompanied by indistinct yelling. Still, no one boarded his car. He wondered what bandits would do to him if they found him. They didn’t have a reputation for letting people live, except to torture them. Maybe, if Rhys stayed here, waited to unleash the stun rod until the last second, he could catch them by surprise. Then it was a matter of getting a gun from one of them, diving back behind the seats (Were those bulletproof, too?), and taking down the rest of them. They’d be lined up, it had to be easy, right? He hadn’t ever touched a gun, but they didn’t seem that complicated. Right?

His planning was interrupted by a deafening boom, and the next he knew he was flying through the air. He hit the ceiling, hard, and he knew nothing more.

It was dark when he woke, cold, hurting all over, and tasting blood. Part of him was afraid to flick on his palm flashlight, so he first tried to take stock mentally. He could only hear his own breathing, now. The gunshots had stopped. He wasn’t sure what that meant for him, but he was starting to realize that the train had crashed, or been derailed, or something. Which, maybe meant he didn’t have to worry about bandits anymore? Or, they’d be in at least as bad a shape as he was. Hopefully.

That led to the question of how bad a shape he was actually in. Okay, first, the blood taste. He ran his tongue around his mouth, finding the place he’d bitten the fleshy side, hard. Well, at least that wasn’t gonna kill him. His face stung, but in the carpet burn way, not the “there’s shrapnel imbedded in your cheeks” way. He had an agonizing headache, but maybe this was one of those times where you’d worry more if it didn’t hurt. His ECHOeye seemed alright, at least.

Fingers checked out, both flesh and cybernetic, though when he tried to make a fist on the flesh side he found himself letting out a string of profanity. Fine, okay, he hurt his wrist. No big deal. His cybernetic arm was fine aside from an ache at the connection point, he wouldn’t be helpless. His legs were good, at least. And his torso…Well, it sort of hurt to breathe, which wasn’t ideal.

Better get it over with, then. He turned on the flashlight and sat up with a groan to get a better look at himself. Sure enough, his wrist was swelling, and bruises were starting to form all over, but there wasn’t even close to as much blood as he’d expected. So, yeah, he probably wasn’t in immediate mortal peril.

He turned his attention to his surroundings. In front of him were the rows of seating, the entire car had fallen sideways and he was sitting on what had been the wall. Snow drifted in from some broken windows above him. He realized how cold he was, now. He hadn’t packed much of anything, it was supposed to be one night, he’d counted on there being a Quick-Change machine.

Okay, fine, Rhys had seen all those border planet survival shows, you had to be proactive in these kinds of situations. First, figure out where he was, maybe find one of those soldiers, if they’d survived. He rose, broken glass crunching under his feet as he walked unsteadily across the car until he found the roof hatch. It only opened part way when he turned the handle, getting caught on the snow bank the car was half-buried in. It was a little brighter outside the car, a combination of Elpis’s light and a number of small fires revealed silhouettes of the train wreckage.

He had to wriggle and clamber his way out, managing to get snow up his sleeves and down his shirt before tumbling down the bank into a foot of snow.

As he pushed himself up, he found himself facing a…glowing blue line? His eyes followed it up to the hand that held it, and the strangely featureless owner of that hand. He blinked, taking a moment to put it together.

Oh. A sword. A bandit holding him at swordpoint.

He barely managed a “D-don’t.”, knowing he should probably beg for his life. He was finding he didn’t have the energy for begging, though. Snow was already melting through his pants.

The bandit leaned in closer, not taking the sword from his neck. The light of the blade reflected on the dark surface that should have been their face. A helmet with a dark visor, Rhys realized—or maybe they were a robot, but they seemed to be shivering too, just a little.

“You are no soldier.” Their voice was deep, nearly monotone. “But you are Hyperion. / You have ten seconds.” “Ten…? F-for what?” He started to rise without thinking, only to be prodded by the point of the sword.

“To explain yourself. / Jack had someone set this up. / You’re the last one here.” “Look, I…I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s freezing, my head’s killing me, can we just…Not do this?”

They prodded him again.

“I-I mean, I was here for a business deal. I didn’t…”

The figure lowered their sword. A red, glowing “:\” appeared in front of where their face should have been, and Rhys found himself wondering if he was hallucinating this entire thing. “You got on the train / Meant as a place of slaughter, / Just by accident?”

Slowly, things were coming together. God, if he survived this, he was gonna never live it down. “I swear, I-I had nothing to do with this, I was told to get on this train, take it to Lynchwood. I was supposed to buy an artifact.”

The emoticon was replaced by a question mark, but they lowered the sword. Rhys didn’t move, lest he provoke them. “Get up, or you’ll freeze,” they said, turning away. They limped as they walked.

By the time he was on his feet, they were gone, only leaving footprints and an occasional spot of blood. He hesitated. Helios hung indifferently above him, framed with curtains of green auroras. He could just find one of these little fires and sit down next to it for however long it lasted, and hope for rescue. Except, a middle manager didn’t warrant a rescue, once the fire was out he’d just freeze to death. That, or Pandoran wildlife would get to him first.

Following that stranger might mean being stabbed, but maybe they knew where to find shelter. He got up, and followed their prints with his palm flashlight, hoping the snow wouldn’t bury the trail before he caught up.

He passed smoking wreckage and the corpses of soldiers. Wind bit at him as he walked, and he held his vest close, for whatever difference it made. Snow clumped up on his socks and the bottom of his pants, even as he tried to step in their prints. He tripped and stumbled a few times, there was trash everywhere, much of it hidden beneath the snow.

Just when he was starting to resign himself to a cold death in a frozen trash heap, he saw distant lights. As he neared the word “Welcome” lit up one letter at a time, over and over. Again he wondered if he was hallucinating. Was that a symptom of hypothermia? But the footprints continued in that direction, joined by more tracks. Other survivors.

As he got closer, he found that the sign was outside a structure built of snow and defunct Claptrap units. He opened the door. There was a short hallway, built of ice and more dead claptraps, and ending in a warm glow. Fire.

He came out into a low-ceilinged room with six people and a broken–but still functioning–Claptrap. Before he could process exactly what he was looking at, five of them were pointing guns at him.

He held his hands up, trying to inch towards the blazing furnace. “Please—Please don’t kill me. I-I-I–just, I’m trying not to free-freeze to death.”

His eyes found the one who’d threatened him earlier, they were the only one who wasn’t pointing a gun at him now. But they didn’t come to his defense, either. They only watched him, arms crossed. Or, he assumed they were watching him, they could have just as easily been intently ignoring him.

When nothing happened for a moment, he took the last few steps to put himself near the fire. It was hard to care about getting shot when you were so goddamn cold. There were at least six dead bodies already beside the fire, but he couldn’t make himself care about that either.

“That’s a Hyperion uniform.” The speaker was a Dahl soldier–marked by metal implants in his brow. He cocked his gun.

“I uh, I’ve got nothing against Dahl,” Rhys tried.

That earned him a snort.

Right, yeah, they’d all arrived at the same conclusion as the first one. “I had nothing to do with that, with the train, I-I was being set up to die back there, just like you.”

“What’s happening?” The eyeless claptrap demanded. “I can’t see–!” A high-pitched bleep censored out the last word.

“The mortar meat is too stringy! Where’s your pain stick?!” The masked man who looked straight out of Jack’s anti-bandit propaganda waved his gun as he spoke, then lowered it suddenly and gave a shrug.

“Big guy’s right, he’s obviously not a soldier,” the blue-haired woman said, following his lead. Her tattoos matched her hair, and his first thought was “siren”, which almost seemed too absurd, out of six in the universe, why would one be here, in this weird corpse-shack?

“Neither is Jack, and I mean, look at him,” said the pigtailed redhead, making a wide gesture at Rhys with her robotic arm– a much more primitive model than his. She looked too young to be here, he was pretty sure that was a high school uniform.

“I uh, I don’t have the kind of power Jack does, even if I wanted to kill you? Could-could you at least put down the guns, for a second?” His head hurt too much to be dealing with this, he just wanted to sit down and relax for a minute or two. “That Claptrap is a Hyperion robot, right? Arguably more Hyperion than I am. And considerably more annoying.”

“FORMER Hyperion robot!” the Claptrap addressed the wall. “Jack discontinued and destroyed my product line! I am a free robot now!”

“I saw we kill ‘im already. The guy, not the robot.” The short, weirdly muscular man spoke up. “Then get this bullymong.”

“You’re actually going to kill an unarmed man just for a label on his shirt?” the maybe-siren asked.

“Yeah, really? I-I have… several broken bones, too, I think. If that makes any difference. And, if I uh, if I had anything to do with this, I definitely would have avoided hurting myself this bad.” He looked to the one with the helmet, pleading. They’d seen him in the snow, they’d judged him innocent.

“Hurry and decide,” they said, not even turning their head to look at him. “I am eager to move out. / And kill Handsome Jack.” There was something strange about how they talked, Rhys was realizing. Measured, concise, short…

“What, you wanna freeze to death out there?” the soldier asked. “I’m not heading out until morning.”

They crossed their arms, a red “:\” passing over their visor. “Fine.”

“Oh come on, you already decided not to kill me, earlier! Could you at least back me up?”

This time they did look at him. “I have no stake, here. / And you are clearly dead weight. / You’re doomed regardless.”

“Your bones are made of toothpicks and my molars are SPOTLESS!”

“Yeah, alright, good point, I think?” the soldier said. We can always shoot him later, right? Once he’s earned it.”

The short man shrugged. “Yeah, whatever.”

“Fine,” the redhead said with a yawn. “If he kills any of you in our sleep, that’s not on me.”

At that, the group dispersed throughout the shack, finding comfortable spots, as if Rhys were suddenly of no more importance than one of the corpses by the fire. The maybe-siren hung back for a moment.

“Here,” she said, handing him an insta-health. “If you try to screw us over, I will liquidate your brain with my powers.” Okay, definitely-siren, then. “But for now, I’m not big on killing unarmed men.”

“Thanks.” He took the syringe, feeling strange about using a random needle on Pandora, insta-health or not. Still, he was in enough pain to jam it into his arm, gritting his teeth as bones realigned. “So, uh, hi. I’m Rhys.” He offered his freshly healed hand and his most charming smile–he’d better ingratiate himself with these people, fast. “I guess we kind of got off on the wrong foot, thanks for uh, sticking up for me.”

She looked at him, then at the hand, but didn’t take it. “Maya,” she said. “And I can’t say the others were entirely out of line, considering who you work for.” “Worked for. I think trying to blow me up was Jack’s way of firing me.” Always better to invoke Jack’s name. “Might have been a little too vocal in criticizing his policies on Pandora.” He’d heard of people who criticized Jack’s policies, Jack dealt with those hands-on, but bandits didn’t know that.

She raised her eyebrows. “Well, good to hear. Perhaps you can do something worthwhile, now.”

“Worthwhile, like?”

“Tomorrow, we hunt down the bullymong that tore Claptrap’s eye out. Supposedly, he can get us into Sanctuary. We’re going to kill Handsome Jack.”

#zerhys #borderlands 2 #tales from the borderlands #fanfiction #still looking for alternative fic sites? Should I like. just start posting straight to tumblr?#decepti0n

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things-about-cars-in-posts · 2 years ago

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So, there's many of you now. I know we're in the How Sweet It Is Not To Know Follower Counts website and I do cherish that, but still, more people than ever in my life clicked a button that in some capacity says "I care what this dork has to tell me" and I want to acknowledge and celebrate that - especially now that this growth seems to have settled into its rhythm.

Spot when @identifying-cars-in-posts reblogged my pinned, lol.

So, for my 100th post, I felt like celebrating our love for reaching round numbers. And little in the automotive world represents it more iconically than what reigned supreme above all cars in the 1980s.

Porsche started out as an engineering firm, whose most notable contract was what would become known as the Volkswagen Beetle (and boy what a story that is). The first car of its own was the 356 seen below - a sporty body laid over Beetle underpinnings and thus still mostly made by Volkswagen. But by God, they were going to run with that recipe and perfect it 'til the sun burst.

Meanwhile, in England, a chap called Colin Chapman decides the next of his company's track cars will actually be drivable on the street, to need no trailer to go race. Thus the Lotus Seven is born and sold in kit, which avoids high taxes on the exporting of cars to the US (but those taxes would have remained had they been sold with assembly manuals… so they were sold with disassembly manuals for you to read backwards. No, seriously.).

The Porsche 356 kept getting less and less Volkswagen and more and more Porsche until in 1964, the year of the Beatles, the year of the Stones, the stone-age Beetle was left behind for good with the Porsche 911 (seen below), a blank-canvas take on the same recipe of an air-cooled rear boxer engine powering the rear wheels of a squished-Beetle-shaped sportscar. 'Twas good.

In 1973, Lotus was doing pretty well for itself. The Seven's whole 2500 sales had carried it through producing a number of other models, and a few were even in production concurrently - a lineup! Exciting stuff! Well, that and an F1 team so successful its Wikipedia page features the section "Domination in the 60s and '70s". The exciting opportunity to move upmarket, with bigger models with AC and automatics and all that bougie shit, pushed them to move away from the image of scruffy old kit car makers, ceding the Seven's production to the last two dealers that sold it, main one being Caterham Cars.

The 911 headed into the 80s old enough to drive, and Porsche's plans considered it at the end of the line, with staff already mourning it. But then the yankee at his third week as CEO saw those plans (which to Germans are basically scripture), said "to hell with that" and extended that line off the chart. Literally. He went to the lead engineer's office and physically took a marker at a development chart. They all secretly liked that.

Still, it was clear the game was changing - intercoolers, all wheel drive, active suspension... how hard could the 911 layout go if it didn't stick to its simple air-cooled roots? Well, Porsche resolved to find out by filling it with the cusp of automotive advancements and then some. And I do mean filling - a chassis that didn't even need space for a radiator was suddenly tasked with storing it, two turbos, two intercoolers, and a good half dozen oil pumps.

Yeah good luck with that, buddy. Oh, and materials? The body was kevlar, the frame was aluminium, the floor was Nomex (ever even heard of Nomex???), the wheels were magnesium and the spokes were hollow!!!! You could blow into the spokes!!! And don't get me started on the technology! Variable height, an all-wheel-drive system that distributed torque at will, electronics galore... As you may be able to guess, development was… complex.

At one point a test driver was doing 180km/h (112mph) to go get the car un-on-fire-d, and that's just one of the plenty horror stories. Hell, work started in 1983 to create a car for Group B and took so long that when said rally series died in 1986, production was just starting. Not that development would stop at the start of production, either - the first cars just got updated when the owners took them in for their service. (Can't blame them, I fix wording in weeks-old posts...) But however long it took, the resulting Porsche 959 answered the originating question "How hard can this chassis go?" with a resounding "Hard and then some".

It was comfortable and refined enough to be driven every day, but so capable it extended the limits of the concept of production car. Put it this way: it reached car people's favorite round number, 100km/h (to yankee doodles, 60mph) in 3.6 seconds. The second fastest production car did so in 4.6. That's one second of margin in a race that ends in five. Oh, and if you want to put it another way: the 959 was the first production car to ever surpass 300km/h, let alone come 1 shy of the mythical 200mph (322km/h).

Meanwhile, the handful of chaps at Caterham was still producing the Caterham Seven. It's the Lotus Seven (specifically the third revision, from 1968), but I guess in '83 the engine changed. We were saying?

They couldn't sell the 959 stateside for lack of crash test data, and America's ban on importing foreign cars under 25 years of age had no exception. That is, until Bill Gates wanted a 959 so bad he spent 13 years getting an exception passed. That's how hot this car is.

And yet, this record-breaking, boundary-pushing, master-of-all-trades hypercar sits atop the 80s automotive landscape engulfed in shadow. But how? Why? Because it failed to contend with the greatest automotive headache: humans. It was planted, practical, reliable, predictable - docile, domesticated, amicable. Perfect. But these are not meant to be cars, they're meant to be posters. And you don't get posters of what is perfect, but of what excites you. And what excites us is the visceral, the raw, the uncompromising - the wild, the feral, the dangerous. And, of course, reaching round numbers. What excites us is a lot more like the first production car to break 200mph, the Ferrari F40.

Remember how the 959 was being developed for Group B racing and then the series died? Well, Ferrari got screwed over too, with the 288 GTO Evoluzione they were developing (seen here to the right of the base 288 GTO) suddenly having no reason to be.

The lead engineer then asked Enzo Ferrari to let him turn that weekend project (literally, they couldn't spend work week time on it) into a road car to celebrate their 40 years. Enzo, nearing the end of his days, thought "Ah, what the hell, let's leave with a bang", so they set off to build what would become the anti-959. Not anti as in response, but as in antithesis. Where the 959 was an attempt to modernize the noisy, unrefined, old-school 911 -to make a supercar "tested for everyday usability to the most strenuous standards", by Porsche's words- the F40 was a reaction to, per Ferrari's words, "customers saying Ferraris were becoming too plush and comfortable": "nothing but sheer performance. Not a laboratory for the future, as the 959 is. Not Star Wars."

To exemplify: left is the 959 - note the leather and electric seats, right is the F40, note the string you open the door with.

The F40 was noisy, crashy, torrid, and the turbo lag painstakingly smoothed out in the 959 here kicked you in the back like a locked door. It would rip your head off the moment it sensed you didn't know what you were doing. But it was more exciting - to look at, to hear, to drive. And that's what won people over - including the buyers, which were near four times as many as Porsche's despite the price tag being double.

Had the 959 lost then? Well, not quite. Enter the 959 S. Doing away with much of the 959's luxuries, like adjustable suspension, electric windows, AC, central locking, and even backsea- wait, the 959 had BACKSEATS???? Holy FUCK why does no one talk about that??? Take the family on a trip to 300kphville! I was saying. They schlapped some bigger turbos on too and power went from 444hp right past the F40's 470hp to a healthy 508, that propelled it over what any roadgoing F40 ever managed at 211mph, or 339km/h. Presumably for bragging rights.

And I want to stress, these were titans clashing here. This was leagues beyond what other production cars could even comprehend. Again, the 959 hit 100km/h in 3.6 seconds. The F40 held a record by taking less than 16 seconds to go from 0 to 160km/h(100mph) and back to 0. This was witnessing superhumans fighting through the clouds.

And then in 1992, the two chaps that 'developed' Caterhams (i.e. banged new ones together in the shed) told the chap they worked for "Hey, let's make one that's really barebones and fast", rang up their ol' mate (and ex-F1 racer) Jonathan Palmer to ask to lend a hand, and bought some of the 250hp engine that powered the Vauxhall (British for Opel) Cavalier GSi in the British Touring Car Championship.

Thus, the Caterham Seven Jonathan Palmer Evolution - a raw, uncomfortable, uncompromising beast that went fast as all fuck. Now, if you don't know Sevens you may think "Ah, so just like the F40, what with its handcrank windows and the string to open the doorlatch and all". And to illustrate how far off that is: in the Seven the windows were sown on and you latched the door yourself with a press button.

And that's the standard version which had windows and doors. The JPE didn't.

The JPE had a carbon tub you were meant to call a seat, the controls, a rev counter and a tach that didn't even bother reading until 30mph, and fuck you. And this one is not even as barebones as the JPE got: this one is painted.

So while the F40 went from 1,250kg (2760lb) to 1370kg (3020lb) when adjusted to comply with US regulations and the 959 went from 1450kg (3200lb) to the lightweight S version's 1350kg (2975lb), the Seven JPE weighed 1170. As in 1170lb. 530kg. Read that again if you need to, but it had about half the power of those two and considerably less than half the car to move. And so, in January 1993, this thing -this '50s coffin with a Vauxhall engine banged together by one guy in a shed- took the Guinness World Record for fastest car to 100km/h with a time of 3.46 seconds - and the 0-160km/h-0 record with 13.1 seconds. Close your eyes and picture that.

Yet the Seven JPE is hardly known to anyone but the most hardcore of enthusiasts, and owned by barely four dozens of 'em. So did it, perhaps, ultimately lose? Not at all. In fact, none of these cars did.

Every 959 cost Porsche twice what they sold it for, but the project proved the 911's layout could stand the test of time, and its development gave Porsche technologies it gradually infused into the 911 keeping it relevant, competitive, and most importantly alive to this day.

And I think we can safely say that when Enzo Ferrari died in 1988, a year after the F40's launch, his wish to leave with a bang was perfectly fulfilled - so much so that the F40 is commonly regarded as the peak of his legacy.

And the JPE was simply the greatest Seven ever - the most raw, thrilling, pure automotive experience the streets had ever witnessed. If driving a fast car was like biking down a hill, the Seven JPE was skydiving. Hell, it was the cover car of éX-Driver, an anime about a team using old-school sportscars to rescue haywire autonomous vehicles!

Not that culturally relevant but MAN was it cool as a kid. I need to hang those damn posters one of these days. I was saying.

These are three success stories in three radically different ways. Because, as much as I've made this post all about the numbers, sometimes it's not about that. Sometimes it's about making a show, leaving a mark, being spectacular. Sometimes it's about pushing yourself to achievements you can take pride and inspiration from. Sometimes it's simply about having fun seeing just how far you can really go. Sometimes it's about deciding what you want to be and make a new favorite version of yourself, that is the best it can be at what you care the most about. And for some that may result in less popularity or success or impact or legacy than others, but those are just some of the things you can work towards. It can be okay to just work towards having a blast. Hell, those madmen at Caterham used to stay after work to build themselves track cars, race them the next day and put ‘em back in the workshop after racing them, and the company survived to this day. Because, yes, they're still around - and their new lineup topper gets to 100 in 2.8. Windshield still optional. Well, at least there's headrests now. And a wider version, for the concrete possibility that you physically don't fit.

Never change, Caterham, because you certainly never have.

Links in blue are posts of mine explaining the words in question - if you liked this post, you might like those!

#this was meant to also celebrate 300 followers #i am just that slow at writing stuff #porsche 356 #porsche 911 #porsche 959 s #ferrari 288 evoluzione #ferrari f40 #lotus seven #caterham seven jpe #vauxhall cavalier gsi #round numbers

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hexsisters · 1 year ago

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PINNED POST <3

Hello hello! my name is Pinkie and I've roleplayed on tumblr for a long time. Had some ups and downs, moved to twitter mostly, but I'm ready to get back into tumblr rp!

My interests are...

Splatoon

World of Warcraft

Just Shapes & Beats

Sonic the Hedgehog

Wreck it Ralph

MLP:FiM/My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

LPS/Littlest Pet Shop

Bendy

FNAF

NSR/No Straight Roads

Undertale/Deltarune

Gravity Falls

My Singing Monsters

That said, I've only picked a handful of my twitter portrayals to feature here on this blog.

Those muses are...

Cubic Hex (JSAB)

Cube Hex (JSAB)

Cyan Hex (JSAB)

Blixer Fresh (JSAB)

Topaz Fresh (JSAB)

King Candy/Turbo (WiR)

Rouge Swoon (Monster OC)

Pyro Cybrid (Cybug OC)

Stella Nightstar (WoW OC)

#ooc #pinned post

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virtuallytenaciousblaze · 1 month ago

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Discovering the Heritage of Eastern Efficiency Cars By Means Of Opportunity

Japanese functionality autos have actually taken a considerable particular niche in the motor vehicle globe, captivating lovers and casual chauffeurs identical. Coming from the well-known Toyota Supra to the famous Nissan GT-R, these motor vehicles exemplify not merely technological innovations however likewise a social phenomenon that has actually formed auto past history. In this post, our company will definitely explore centered right into Exploring the Tradition of Oriental Efficiency Cars Via Time, covering their advancement, vital models, design developments, and also the aftermarket lifestyle neighboring them.

The Progression of Oriental Efficiency Cars A Quick History of Japanese Automotive Industry

The account of Eastern performance autos begins post-World Battle II when Asia's motor vehicle business resided in its own early stage. The 1950s saw producers such as Toyota and Honda become famous gamers. Early versions were mostly designed for usefulness rather than velocity or even performance.

The Surge of Athletics Cars in Japan

By the 1960s, a shift developed as Oriental manufacturers started explore sportier concepts as well as performance enhancements. The Toyota 2000GT ended up being Japan's very first correct cars, catching international interest and putting a criterion for potential models.

The Golden Age (1970s - 1990s)

During this time, producers like Nissan, Mazda, and Subaru offered powerful motors and evolved technologies such as DOHC (Double Overhead Camshaft) setups that enhanced functionality. The intro of turbocharging additional increased electrical power outcomes across different models.

Iconic Designs that Molded the Legacy Nissan GT-R: The Godzilla of Functionality Cars

The Nissan GT-R is actually arguably some of one of the most revered titles in auto past history. With its origins in the overdue 1960s, it acquired famous standing with the R32 production in the late 1980s. Geared up with a RB26DETT engine, it was actually a game-changer on each roadways and also racetracks.

Key Features: All-wheel travel (AWD) Twin-turbo inline-six engine Advanced aerodynamics Toyota Supra: A Symbol of Energy as well as Precision

Another titan within this portion is actually the Toyota Supra. Its blend of reliability and also tuning ability made it R33/R34 Custom Fuse Box Cover a preferred among fanatics. The fourth-generation style (A80) is actually specifically remarkable for its own robust 2JZ-GTE engine with the ability of managing huge electrical power upgrades.

Key Features: Inline-six turbocharged engine Rear-wheel ride (RWD) Exceptional aftermarket support Honda Civic Type R: The Hot Hatch Legend

The Honda Civic has actually changed from a modest portable to an icon in motorsport cycles. Particularly, the Style R variant highlights lightweight concept combined along with high-revving engines.

Key Attributes: VTEC technology Sport-tuned suspension Aggressive styling Engineering Innovations in Oriental Functionality Vehicles DOHC Engines: A Video Game

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miloscat · 6 months ago

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[Review] Zool Redimensioned (PS4)

A retro revival done right.

In 1991, the successful Sheffield-based dev house Gremlin Graphics released a mascot platformer starring a gremlin ninja on the Amiga. It was popular enough to score a quick sequel (contracted out to short-lived studio The Warp Factory), followed in the pipeline by a boatload of ports to other contemporary systems. Zool burned bright but burned out fast and within a few years he was just another forgotten 90s mascot.

Fast forward nearly three decades and Gremlin Graphics is no more. One of its successor studios is the prestigious Sumo Digital. Sumo operates a graduate programme for young devs to get a foot in the door, called Sumo Digital Academy. The Academy works on smaller projects and can then release a commercial product to be proud of while gaining valuable experience. One such project is a remaster/remix/rework of Zool… specifically the Mega Drive version, which is in many ways more fully realised than the Amiga original.

Recently on stream I covered the Mega Drive Zool, as well as the Master System and Game Boy conversions, as well as the sequel on Amiga CD32 and Jaguar. Ostensibly this was to assess the games as Sonic clones or competitors, which is a comparison sometimes made online. From my experience (and briefly checking the Amiga and SNES versions) the Mega Drive is maybe the most Sonic-esque with what I feel is slightly more emphasis on inertia and slopes, but it’s not really trying to be a clone.

The Amiga feels like a good home for it, with its British/Euro sensibilities: loads of items to pick up, secrets to find, and a quirky setting. Zool can slide and spin jump to attack enemies, which are a bit like Sonic’s spin attack, but mostly you’ll be mashing the attack button which fires projectiles. He can also climb walls; this is a feature backported to most of the post-Amiga conversions [except the GB version] from the sequel, as originally he could only cling and wall jump.

As you venture through surreal worlds heavily themed around eg. sweets, or toys, or power tools you’re aiming to grab a certain percentage (depending on difficulty setting) of all the myriad pickups scattered around before the exit will unlock. The levels can get pretty varied, with verticality, branching paths, and exploration involved; the Master System version in particular pulled some clever tricks. The worlds end in a boss fight with an appropriately themed nasty, with highlights including a punk banana in fruit world or a nightmarish clown in funfair world. The fights themselves are universally underwhelming though, and after the final boss (a flying cactus), the game ends abruptly without a confrontation with the purported big bad Krool.

And so we come to Redimensioned. As retro remakes go, this makes a lot of changes to make the game more palatable (and less crushingly difficult), while keeping the original level design and graphics. The biggest change is zooming the screen way, way out, which I absolutely adore. It’s a game changer for a game which felt originally felt cramped and brutal in dealing out damage. They’ve also added a double jump which feels natural and lovely, letting you cover more of this wide open screen and aiding in the platforming.

It’s clear they’ve re-examined the game and made big tweaks in the name of modernity and accessibility without being precious about it. There’s a new tutorial level that also ties into the story nicely. You have 5 hit points rather than 4, the timer has been eliminated, and I’m pretty sure enemies drop health refills more often. You don’t even need to get an item percentage to exit a level anymore! Lives are still a factor but thanks to the changes I had over 30 to spare by the end of the game. There’s also some nice assist options like invincibility, infinite jumps, and turbo fire if needed. Or, if you prefer a more authentic experience, there’s a mode that requires items, removes the double jump, and you can even adjust the screen size.

The game feels modern in other ways too, like the level select. This also displays new badge rewards for getting all the big item pickups, and doing deathless runs and speedruns. The new bestiary adds some lore as well as cheekiness, and the PS4 release saw the addition of a party mode (also added via update to the Steam version). This is a local multiplayer-only thing which has three different minigames in single-screen arenas, while you’re assaulted by the game’s bosses. It seems like it could be a laugh with the right group.

There are a few small things missing; the original had an arrow point you to the goal, but it’s not as necessary with the improved screen real estate. Gone too is the bizarre Chupa Chups branding that permeated world 1; their logo was slapped all over the original game (even more so in the sequel), in a way that never really felt natural.

The biggest change to the game’s content is the boss fights, which have all been reworked in some way. The screen size changes the feel of this fights and they’re not as brutal, but to compensate they have inventive new attack patterns or phases, like the jackhammer coming back for a surprise second round, or the toy robot summoning waves of enemies during the fight. These are great but even better is the ending, which sort of has a proper throwdown with Krool finally! Ok, so he’s just a pair of eyes in the background but it gives the game more of a real conclusion at last.

This redo retake is built directly on the Mega Drive version, which is probably the right choice with its expanded features and lovely crunchy soundtrack… but I was hoping that the other versions would get a nod in some way. I think they all had unique level designs! The sequel is also ignored entirely, sadly. I was hoping for at least a playable Zooz (the female equal partner from Zool 2), but no. Not even in the party mode which instead puts funny heads on multiple Zools.

I do really love how much they were able to smooth out this kind of creaky game and make it feel fresh while in turn giving it a lot of respect. I just always want more from these retro rehashes, but the scope of this was taking what’s likely the best version of Zool and rethinking it, making it the best it can be within the bounds of that specific version. And I can respect that.

#zool #zool redimensioned #sumo digital #review #ps4

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badtasteaquarium · 11 months ago

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tairsu...

i'm not really a tails guy (i say as i've written a couple of features for him)--i think it's mostly because i've really soured on the kid genius trope over time. i think every fandom space where there's been a kid genius i've taken delight in aging them up with the rest of the cast. anyway! both tails here are around 18-19; late teens, compared to the mid 20s of pretty much anyone else. (if i don't mention ages, just assume "young adult") (if i try to actually timeline this i'll REALLY get lost in the weeds so we'll go with a "dude trust me" on this)

both A and B are super turbo nerds. sonic and tails is peak jock/nerd friendship. as you can see in the design, A embraces the pilot aspects of things, really likes to fly and chart maps and follow where sonic travels. he wears the bomber jacket and goggles but he's STILL a turbo nerd. he's wearing a calculator watch and still has every gadget under the sun.

B is about the mechanic side of things, more of a tinkerer, both with gadgets and with computers. robotics club type. she made a knife robot in school, only slightly by sonic's suggestion. she likes indulging her girly side too! if she's not working on something (which is a lot) she'll like. wear a dress. it's hard to make sonic or knuckles do that. while sonic always looks a little awkward, knuckles ends up being smoking hot, which gives her Unwanted Attention that she solves by Punching People. rabble rouser. anyway this post is about tails.

B is wearing a little kitsune necklace, A has the tails logo everywhere. i don't know if i want to insert my "tails has an unrequited crush on sonic" manifesto in either of these universes. i'm leaning A for that. (B has enough going on in her life)

anyway, they're both cute! wanna be helpful. i think B has to take some charge when shit hits the fan during black doom issues. i'm debating a forces arc in a universe that tails might take charge in. also while i don't love doing name changes, i think a miles vs. miley thing would be cute for these two. haven't given a ton of thought to why they would be nicknamed tails though. perhaps they're just big furries. fox lovers. losing the plot a bit here but take them

#vibe sketch series

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govindhtech · 11 months ago

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The Intel Core i9-14901KE for Content Creators and Gamers

Intel Raptor Lake processors

Intel stealthily launched the “14001” series of 14th-Gen Raptor Lake Refresh processors. The chips lack Intel’s current microarchitectures‘ Efficiency cores (E-cores) and have just Performance cores (P-cores). This new CPU series is aimed for embedded applications and includes Intel’s first overclockable embedded processor, the Core i9-14901KE.

Intel has stealthily introduced 14th-Gen Raptor Lake Refresh processors ahead of its Arrow Lake-S desktop CPUs. The unusual 14001 series chips have just Performance cores (P-cores) and no Efficiency cores (E-cores) like Intel’s latest architectures. These CPUs, designed for embedded applications, have an intriguing overclockable top model.

The downside is that these CPUs are embedded (soldered-in). They are not user-replaceable and must be purchased with an industrial motherboard. This makes them unattainable for most fans and consumers.

The new E-core-free portfolio from Intel includes three Core i9 models, two Core i7 models, and four Core i5 models. The flagship Core i9-14901KE appears to be an overclockable K-series chip, a rarity for embedded Intel processors.

This series is Intel’s first E-core-free series since the 11th generation, departing from their hybrid architecture plan. Intel can reuse Raptor Lake dies with damaged E-cores but otherwise working components.

New processors have benefits. They eliminate hybrid architecture difficulties like workload scheduling between core types. Many applications don’t need E-cores and work best with six to eight physical cores of any type.

Each Core i9 model has eight Raptor Cove P-cores, 16 threads, and 36MB L3 cache. They differ mostly in clock speeds and power targets. The top-tier Core i9-14901KE has a 5.8GHz turbo clock, 3.8GHz base clock, and 125W long-term TDP. The Core i9-14901E decreases long-term power usage to 65W with a minor performance trade-off, while the 45W variant is the most power-efficient.

Like the i9, the Core i7 has eight cores and 16 threads, but lower speeds and smaller L3 caches. Core i7-14701E and TE run at 65W and 45W, respectively. The worst Core i5 versions have six cores, 12 threads, and 24MB L3 cache. The Core i5-14501 and Core i5-14401 series match their desktop equivalents. Boost clocks and integrated graphics performance differ most.

Intel UHD 770 Graphics with 32 execution units are on all versions except the Core i5-14501. The Core i5-14501 series uses 24 execution units for UHD 730 Graphics.

Intel’s surprising revelation shows its capacity to innovate inside product lines, potentially opening new markets for specialised computer solutions.

The i9-11900K is a good CPU for Intel E-core sceptics. Amazon.com currently sells it for $260.

Intel’s most recent portfolio of 14th-Gen CPUs represents another step forward in chip technology. The overclockable Core i9-14901KE is one of the best of them, providing both pros and hobbyists with great performance and versatility. This post explores the capabilities, features, and potential of the Core i9-14901KE, emphasising the reasons it represents a noteworthy upgrade to Intel’s CPU lineup.

Introducing the Core i9-14901KE

Among Intel’s latest E-core-less CPUs, the Core i9-14901KE delivers optimal performance for demanding applications. Its ability to overclock, which boosts performance, makes it stand out.

Design and Execution

The high-performance Core i9-14901KE uses Intel’s 14nm production process to skip E-cores and use P-cores. Perfect for 3D rendering, video editing, and gaming, this architecture prioritises processing speed and power.

Important details:

Speed of Base Clock: 3.7 GHz

Peak Turbo-Boost Speed: 5.3 GHz

Number of Cores: 10 P-cores

There are 20 threads.

20 MB of L3 cache

Thermal Design Power (TDP): 125 watts

Core i9-14901KE Potential Overclocking

One of the most attractive aspects of the Core i9-14901KE is that it can be overclocked. By adjusting the CPU’s parameters, enthusiasts can unlock more performance by reaching faster clock rates. With the help of its Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU), Intel offers strong overclocking support. Users may tweak voltages, clock rates, and other settings to achieve the ideal compromise between performance and stability.

Cooling Factors

To handle the higher heat output from overclocking the Core i9-14901KE, efficient cooling solutions are needed. It is advised to use specialised water cooling loops or high-quality AIO (All-in-One) liquid coolers to maintain ideal temperatures and guarantee dependable operation during demanding workloads.

E-core-less Design: An Innovative Approach

The Core i9-14901KE‘s decision to forgo E-cores is a reflection of Intel’s strategy emphasis on optimising both single and multi-threaded performance. This CPU provides improved performance for programmes that benefit from higher clock speeds and more core counts by allocating all resources to P-cores.

Benefits of Architecture Without an E-Core:

Better Single-Core Performance

P-cores perform better for single-threaded applications since they are designed for high clock speeds and minimal latency.

Improved Multi-Core Efficiency

Since every core is high-performance, multi-threaded programmes may take advantage of the entire processing capacity without having to deal with the mixed workload that E-cores handle.

Simplified Power Management

Power delivery and thermal management are simplified in the absence of E-cores, which may result in more reliable performance under load.

Comparing and Observing Actual Performance

The Core i9-14901KE has shown considerable performance gains over its predecessors, according to early benchmarks. The CPU shows excellent single-core and multi-core results on artificial benchmarks, indicating its potential in practical applications. Benchmarks for gaming demonstrate notable gains in responsiveness and frame rates, especially in CPU-bound a game.

Productivity and Content Creation:

Professionals and content makers should use the Core i9-14901KE for software development, 3D rendering, and video editing. It reduces rendering times and boosts productivity in demanding processes due to its high clock rates and core count.

Harmony and Prospective-Looking

PCIe 5.0, DDR5 memory , and enhanced networking are supported by Intel’s Z790 chipset in the Core i9-14901KE. Build a cutting-edge system using the newest technology to future-proof your investment.

Upgrade Route and Duration

Users may anticipate continuing compatibility with new technologies and updates because to Intel’s commitment to maintaining the 14th-Gen platform. Because of this, the Core i9-14901KE is a wise option for anyone wishing to construct a high-performance system that will last for many years.

Conclusion: A Novel Standard in High-Efficiency Computing

A new benchmark in high-performance computing is set by the overclockable Core i9-14901KE, which provides unmatched power and versatility. Its E-core-less design and strong overclocking potential set it apart as a top option for professionals, gamers, and enthusiasts looking for extreme performance. With its dramatic advancement in CPU technology, the Core i9-14901KE promises outstanding performance for a variety of demanding workloads, demonstrating Intel’s continued innovation.