Livestream, Sound, and Event

Finally got the USB sound card I ordered so now I can work around my broken microphone jack and get some sound when we stream MHP3. I worked out some bugs with it and played around with the resolution and bitrate, so now we have decent quality overall. The video itself is a bit fuzzy, but it doesn't lag up as much as it used to - as least thats what I think.

If you go on the Livestream page you can see there's three tests. The first had the original resolution (4:3) and 400kbps with keyframes every 2 seconds. The second has the native PSP resolution and 500kbps with keyframes every 1 second. The last has the same settings as the second, except the resolution was doubled.

If you wanna take a look at the second (the best one in my opinion...) you can follow the link here:

MHP3 Audio Test II - Jinouga

I will be attempting to stream tomorrow [Dec 21st, 2010] around 1PM Eastern time. Hopefully my internet won't crap out and my computer's video card won't crash like it did the last time we tried to stream... We'll be on US AdHoc Party, so feel free to join us if theres room. Upcoming Events has been updated.

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Mmm, Mmm. Them Chaps...

Definitely did NOT have this conversation with Black...

Going to be out for a few days. So heres a comic. Also took like 10 minutes to make. Maps are a little delayed due in part to playing the game on AdHoc Party... but oh well. It seems that there are other sites with maps already, and we have the ones that are up now, so it basically just boils down to aesthetics. Seeing as most people just want functional maps, I think that desire has been fulfilled. But for those that are looking forward to the higher res maps, they will be up.

Additionally Black promised the first game review soon. So I'm going to mention that to put some pressure on him  : D

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First Final-Version Map Posted in the Map Section, Livestream Reminder

Its about 48 minutes later than promised (from my timezone at least), but progress is progress either way. I like the way the new version of the maps came along. Much cleaner, smoother, and easier to read.

The next few maps should be up over the next week or so. Once they're all done, they'll probably go onto GameFAQs unless they have some policy over there that would ban us or something for posting it. I'm going to read up a bit on that since 'them mod ain't none bit too friendly'.

Also a reminder to all you folk who would like to watch MHP3 streaming on Livestream / would like to play with us on AdHoc Party... We'll be streaming/on AHP around 1pm Eastern time tomorrow [Dec 12, 2010] for like, 9 or 10 hours. Cause we feel like it. The event is still on the side of the page in the Upcoming Events Section. So unless you've never noticed it or forgot it was there, take a look now (and also see any other interesting upcoming events)

In conclusion: watch HawkBlog Livestream, check out new MHP3 resource maps. Oh. Also give us your thoughts concerning the new maps in the poll on the sidebar if you haven't already. Feedback helps, and according to what the polls say at this moment, we're doing something right.

So thank you for supporting us and thank you for using HawkBlog.

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Fashion Tips by Le BlaqueHaque

What is the latest fashion craze sweeping the world? Now I, Le BlaqueHaque, will be modeling what is soon to be the fashion of the decade if not the century. I give to you...

The Fur Sock.

If you want you, to be the best you, get Fur Sock today.

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I Said I'd Do Something With Red Dead....

This is 90% of what I do in this game

 This comic was kinda half-assed. It's more of a test than anything really... I'm still playing around with style and whatnot.

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Monster Hunter Livestream Updates and Map Preview

Theres a few news announcements, for Livestream primarily. Tomorrow [December 7th, 2010] we will be hosting an event while we hunt Giant Jho. So for those of you who don't have MH Tri, or just want to watch us get nommed by a huge dinosaur. Come watch at HawkBlog Livestream at the noted time.

Also this Sunday [December 12th, 2010], we will also be hosting a (mostly) all-day MHP3 streaming session. Whether or not will be on Ad-Hoc Party is to be decided, but an update will notify if we will, so if you want to join us, you can. We can play with US and EU.

See the Upcoming Events Section for full details.

NOTE: All times (unless for some reason Google calendar converts them to your timezone) are EST TIMEZONE.

Finally, as I said earlier, we have a new layout for the resource maps. Its much cleaner and much nicer to look at than the grainy old ones that we screencapped from the game. It will also be available in resolutions near 1024x1024. So its a huge improvement in terms of detail and clarity. Heres a preview:

Click Image for an Enlarged View

As you can tell, its been stylized to look like an actual map. I worked to try to preserve the map's geometry so its comparable to the in-game map. Also note that the water is colored for easy looking (and point finding). These should start going up over the next few days, and finally end up on GameFAQs.

Please take a second to answer the poll to the right to let us know what you think about the map!

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New Map Layout Has Been Finalized, and Announcements

As the title suggests, we have picked a new layout and overall design of the maps, for increased legibility and clarity. Expect much higher resolution images with easily discernible icons for quick and easy use.

It takes about an hour or so to convert each map to the new layout, and a half hour or so to transcribe the gather locations, so it will take some time. Also there will be another run or two for each map as a quality check, so I put the ETA at sometime this coming Saturday, Dec 11th.

Also the next MHP3 livestream event may also be this weekend. I will need to check with Black on it, but if all is well, we'll be duo-ing some guild missions while still doing the same monster/weapon request format (or at least I probably will). Either way, I did my Jinouga urgent earlier and now have access to more monsters. So that will also be a viable plan in case Black cannot join for guild quest fun.

Additionally a new reviews section may be going up sometime soon. As soon as I scrape up some new HTML to supplement what we have right now that supports drop down menus for the nav bar. We'll see.

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What to Do Next...?

So the first scheduled stream was a great success. A good many people showed up and our jolly crew discovered and saw many-a-thing in MHP3. But the question remains: what to do now?

I was thinking maybe doing something with Red Dead. Either just doing some good 'ol zombies or maybe doing a short video about shoving hookers  into table/innocent bystanders into oncoming wagons/inventors who construct gliders near dangerous cliffs... oh the possibilities! I did rent Epic Mickey, but have yet to try it. I've heard mixed reviews, but we'll see. Mayhap I'll do a review of it.

Either way, Black should be coming up with something soon. At least thats what I think he said. I'll have to ask him. Once finals are over, I will be able to add a large amount of content, so that will be good. Until then, check back every so often to see if theres anything new!

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MH Portable 3rd upcoming Livestream Event! [Finished]

Monster Hunter Portable 3rd is here... and working! Green light for this game so expect coverage soon. I'll probably do a little beforehand as to skip the boring tutorials and get myself back into the swing of things.

Either way, definitely going to go hammer as always, dabbling in duals since I really liked them in the demo.

You know what, I decided right now I'm Livestreaming it this Saturday [Dec 12/4/2010] probably around 6PM Eastern time. Details are in the Upcoming Events section. Come check it out!

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