Need For Speed (2015 game)

Need For Speed (PS4)

Need For Speed (XBOX One)

The longest-running hardcore car racing franchise is back and now, the latest Need For Speed game delivers the ultimate definition of car culture where everyone can express their love of cars not as a car enthusiast but as a driver who live out driving as their personal hobby.

Drivers are welcomed in the nocturnal open-world landscape of Ventura Bay as they are free to do whatever the heck they want with their rides. In the new NFS, there are many ways to enjoy Ventura Bay you like as demonstrated by the biggest names in the car culture scene. You can race against your rivals, outrun the cops, perform stunts, customize your ride to make it unique, and form alliances so you'll never race alone.

From Japanese street tuners, European saloons, American muscle cars, to supercars, every car in Need For Speed is unique to the driver and to make them even more unique, they can customize it any way they like.

Yes, customization is mentioned and in Need For Speed, you now have many ways to customize your ride from visuals to performance upgrades. 

On the visual side, drivers can personalize it with body kits, wheels, aero parts, and of course, paint jobs. Although the new feature feels a bit limited, creating paint jobs for their favorite cars adds a nice impression to show the world your favorite car looks like. As for performance, feel free to upgrade whatever suits the situation such as adding more power, making it more driftable, more easier to handle, whatever floats you boat but remember, all cars differ to their performance so experiment upgrading with different rides and find out which setup fits your next race or which is great for escaping the cops.

Thanks to next-generation gaming, the graphics never felt more realistic than ever before and the way you play NFS is nothing like you've ever played before. That's an upside for this game as well as the customizations and many others but the downside goes to the choice of cars. Sure, you might have early access to future machines such as the all-new Ford Focus RS and the BMW M2 Coupe but while the current NFS car lineup is a great start, it feels somewhat lacking. Let's hope some DLC will remedy it but its too early to tell so you have to make do with all the rides offered in-game.

Another downside is when playing off-line, single-player gameplay is allowed but if you want to connect to multiplayer, you need subscription to either PlayStation Plus or XBOX Live Gold to do so, which is kinda lame because we miss the split-screen multiplayer goodness where you and your friends can enjoy this game anytime.

Although this may not be one of the best racing games of 2015, the newly reborn NFS game is a sure fire way to attract car lovers who share their passion for the car culture scene and with car culture is the key essence of this game, this is definitely the NFS game you want to have if you're a series veteran or newcomer alike.

Need For Speed is now available on the PS4 and XBOX One, and coming Spring 2016 for the PC.

F1 2015 - Mexican GP

Photo: Getty Images

After over two decades of hiatus, the Mexican Grand Prix has returned on this year's season and although everything's changed at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, its glorious past still remains the same, even though with numerous F1 drivers who are new to this track.

In the end, Nico Rosberg feels like he's back on the road after his gratuitous win at the Mexican GP, sending his teammate (and rival) Lewis Hamilton to 2nd place, due to downforce problems. That's another 1-2 finish for the Mercedes team. Williams' Valtteri Bottas placed 3rd.

Onto the overall standings, Lewis Hamilton still in 1st place with 345 points while Nico Rosberg, thanks to his win, sent him back to 2nd place with 272, and Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel dropped back to 3rd with 251 points.

The semi-finals of the F1 2015 season will take place in Brazil on the 15th of November.

Let's Do The News! (November 3, 2015)

- ASEAN defense ministers started their two-day talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, following reports of an American destroyer vessel sailed within 12 nautical miles of a Chinese-made island in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea last week. This meeting hopes to gain support for their countries' stances in the ongoing maritime tensions in the South China Sea.

- According to a US State Department spokesperson, the United States will lift sanctions on Iran after monitoring its adherence to the international deal curbing Iran's nuclear development as the relevant nations have started necessary precautions. If the International Atomic Energy Agency verifies that Iran completed the necessary steps, the sanctions will be lifted.

- The first batch of bodies retrieved from Saturday's plane crash in Egypt has arrived in St. Petersburg in Russia. Last weekend, an Airbus A321-200 crashed in the Sinai Peninsula while on its way to the Russian city. Reports told that all 224 people onboard have died.

- Senator Alan Peter Cayetano files complaint  against DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and NAIA execus at the Office of the Ombudsman over the alleged tanim-bala scam that has been plaguing airline passengers everywhere. This scam involves some security officials who allegedly insert live rounds in the luggage of passengers and ask them for money in exchange of dropping charges of illegal possession of ammunition.

- A crossfire at a nightclub north of Lebanese capital city, Beirut, killed eight people including two officers and two members of a notorious crime family, according to reports,

- Available tomorrow on Forza Motorsport 6 for the XBOX One Console is the eBay Motors Car Pack featuring motorsport legends such as Senna's McLaren MP4/4, Lancia Corse Beta Montecarlo Turbo, Swiss Team MC Trofeo, Holden Torana A9X, Datsun 2000, Mazda SpeedSource Lola B12/80, and rather unique Plymouth Prowler. Car Pass owners can get it for free.

- W Motors, the Arab-based supercar company behind the Lykan Hypersport, is teasing their next supercar prior to Dubai International Motor Show, called the Fenyr Supersport.

- Earlier, a group of hackers, presumably the Hacktivist group Anonymous Philippines, hacked the official Twitter account of Maine "Yaya Dub" Mendoza, Now, Anonymous PH issued a public apology over the hacking of the popular EB presenter, famous for her AlDub antics on TV.

- Nolyn Cabahug, the leading tenor of the Philippines, passed away due to renal failure he was diagnosed six years ago.

TTFN!!!

Let's Do The News! (November 2, 2015)

- 11 people are reportedly killed in a hotel attack in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. Local police say a car rigged with explosives rammed into the hotel's entrance on Sunday and exploded. It is believed to be an attack caused by an Islamic militant group.

- The first-ever Japan-South Korea summit in three years became meaningful as the two leaders, Japan PM Shinzo Abe and South Korean president Park Geun-hye, sought to solve historical issues and improve bilateral ties.

- The Turkish ruling party, AKP, vows to form a single-party government on their own after winning a majority in the country's general elections. They've won 316 seats in parliament, well over the majority.

- US Secretary of State John Kerry met up with his counterparts from five Central Asian nations to discuss ways to combat terrorism. The foreign ministers agreed to cooperate in monitoring the movements of WMDs amid the increasing activities of Islamic State militants infiltrating the region from Afghanistan.

- Two hosts of Eat Bulaga, Joey de Leon and Tito Sotto, got offended by the Filipino Muslim community ever since they wore Arab garbs in the variety show's Halloween special last Saturday.

- Another teaser for the third-generation Buick LaCrosse flagship saloon was showcased prior to this month's LA Auto Show premiere.

- Check out this Amazon Fire TV commercial starring former Top Gear host, now host for Amazon original motoring show, Jeremy Clarkson.

- New Pokemon XY toys on the radar! In celebration of the latest chapter of the XY saga, titled Pokemon XY & Z, Takara Tomy announced new toys based on the latest season. On the Moncolle side, there is now Zygarde Core, Ash-Greninja, and Zygarde 10% Forme. They'll be out this December in time for Christmas. Be on a lookout for the Zygarde Special Pack featuring four forms of Zygarde from the Core, 10% Form, 50% Form, and the Complete Form. They'll be out this December for 3.800 Yen.

There's also a stuffed toy of Zygarde Core itself with a feature that it crawls when you wind up. Available this December for 2,000 Yen.

And now, a little something for everyone. The Pikachu Talk plush where you can talk with Pikachu and it responds with feelings. Want to know what in the world Pikachu says? A special device featuring our favorite archnemesis Meowth can explain what Pikachu says! Yours for just 4,200 Yen when it's on sale this December.

- Seiyuu Miyu Matsuki died on the 27th of October at the age of 38 due to an illness, according to her talent agency. Back in July, she announced that she'll be taking a break from her seiyuu career to focus on treating her pneumonia. Matsuki was known for her roles as Isumi Saginomiya from the Hayate the Combat Butler series, Magical Sapphire in Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya, and many others.

TTFN!!!

Fourth-generation Kia Sportage

2016 Kia Sportage

Shortly after its debut at the 2015 Frankfurt International Motor Show, this all-new, fourth-generation, Kia Sportage managed to slip in through Korean dealerships following its world premiere to the massive motoring public in Europe and for this new model, this new model claims to be more attractive than the previous model with its new look, new tech, and greater quality.

2016 Kia Sportage

2016 Kia Sportage interior

To getting to know more about the Sportage, first, let's get to know more about its design and for this new model, feels like there's some mixed results involved here. From the front view, it looks like an oversized version of its little brother, the Soul, while the side view looks oddly similar to its previous-generation Sportage, while on the back, it looks like they've stole it from the not-for-Japan Toyota RAV4. The new exterior looks very questionable, right? And now, let's take a look on the interior and some might jump through conclusions that it was plagued by its uniformity that most interiors of present-day Kia models had but take a closer look and be the judge of it. Practicality-wise, the new Sportage promises to be more convenient than the last one thanks to rear folding seats, 1,492 litres of boot space, and seating variations that will accommodate any luggage-related scenarios. It even has high-tech features such as the UVO II telematics system, smartphone connectivity, and a smart tailgate.

2016 Kia Sportage

Bear that in mind that the new Sportage uses the same underpinnings as the latest-generation Hyundai Tucson, meaning that the engine choices offered in the Sportage are the same as the Tucson such as the e-VGT R2.0 diesel engine connected with either a 6-speed manual or automatic as well as the smaller e-VGT U-II 1.7L diesel engine that develops 141PS of power and 34.7kg-m of torque,  mated with a 7-speed double-clutch gearbox. Fuel economy for the 2.0L model is expected from 12.4 to 15.0km/L while the 1.7L model can expect 15.0km/L of fuel consumption, although driver verification is strongly advised to figure out how fuel efficient is these variants.

 

One thing that drivers will notice is the Drive Mode Select button which allows the driver to switch between three driving modes; SPORT, NORMAL, or ECO. When in SPORT mode, it firms up the suspension and makes it sharper to handle but for a car like this, let's call it as sharp as your recently-sharped pencil rather than a knife. Other things you might be keen about are the 4WD Lock button and the Idle Stop and Go system which turns off the engine while pulling at a set of lights.

For added safety, the new Sportage comes with driving aids such as Auto Emergency Brake, Blind Spot Detection, Electronic Stability Control, Lane Departure Warning System, Static Binding Light, and Advanced SPAS which allows this one to park hands-free.

The MSRP for the new Sportage starts at 21,790,000 Korean Won, which sounds like a lot less compared to the Tucson even though they got the same stuff, but anyway, it's a smart buy for a crossover well-tailored for any occasion.

Photo: Kia Motors

Doctor Who S09E07

Two years ago, as quoted by the flashback from The Day of The Doctor, there was a ceasefire agreement that will reconcile both humans and Zygons to prevent further conflicts between them. Now, on this episode titled The Zygon Invasion, the ceasefire broke out and the Zygons unleashed war on Earth that will put everyone on the line, including UNIT and The Doctor.

The Doctor takes on a daring rescue mission to save Osgood and investigate the Zygon presence. Trouble is, there's a bit worse than that and as for Clara...she was taken over by a Zygon who looked like Clara and now...she's bent on world domination.

Let's find out next week as The Doctor faces the most extreme choice of all...

NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW:

Stars of 2015 Tokyo Motor Show

2015 Mazda RX-VISION Concept

The 2015 Tokyo Motor Show runs from now until the 8th of November, 2015 at the Tokyo Big Sight and on this year's TMS, there are some exciting concepts and production cars displayed for the general public not to mention some sporty concept cars that will up the ante for some Japanese carmakers as well as machines that will envision a world of autonomous driving science. So, let's list down the stars of this year's car show...

- Lexus LF-FC Concept - a fuel-cell premium saloon concept might preview a next-generation LS saloon in the foreseeable future.

- 2016 Toyota Prius - the most fuel-efficient Prius has arrived in Tokyo Motor Show for its fourth-generation, set to be on sale to the Japanese market at the end of the year.

- Toyota S-FR Concept  - A small concept sports car from Toyota showcases just how fun small cars can be.

- Toyota FCV Plus Concept - A fuel-cell concept car from Toyota

- Toyota Kikai Concept - A funky-looking concept car from Toyota features an agnostic common sense of a conventional car.

- Nissan Teatro for Dayz Concept - A concept car fit for the tech-savvy people thanks to its numerous gadgets offered as well as an on-board camera.

- Nissan IDS Concept - A zero emission electric concept car from Nissan showcases the science of autonomous driving.

- 2016 Honda Civic Type R - The Civic is back to the Japanese market only in Type R five-door hatchback form imported from Europe. It will be limited to 750 units when it's available before the year ends. It's powered by Honda's first ever 2.0L VTEC TURBO engine and it's known to be the fastest front-wheel drive car to lap round the Nurburgring.

- Honda Clarity Fuel Cell- Honda's new-generation fuel cell vehicle has been given a name and for this new Clarity, it has a cruising range of over 700km, the best-in-class among all FCVs.

- Honda Odyssey Hybrid - A hybrid version of the latest-generation Honda Odyssey flagship minivan featuring a SPORT HYBRID i-MMD powertrain derived from the Honda Accord Hybrid.

- Mazda RX-VISION Concept - This concept sports car from Mazda previews its newly reborn SKYACTIV-R rotary engine, dedicated to keep the rotary engine spirit of Mazda alive.

- Subaru Impreza 5-door Concept - This concept hatchback from Subaru previews the fifth-generation Impreza in the foreseeable future.

- Subaru Viziv Future Concept - A crossover concept car from Subaru

- 2016 Subaru WRX S4 SporVita - A special edition WRX S4 featuring a special Lapis Lazuli Pearl color and special seats provided by Mario Levi.

- 2016 Subaru Legacy B4 SporVita - A special edition Legacy B4 featuring a special Lapis Lazuli Pearl color and special seats provided by Mario Levi.

- 2016 Subaru WRX STi S207 - A special edition WRX STi with some components derived from its Nurburgring 24 Hour racecar, making it a road going track car that drivers can use it anywhere. Only 200 units will be made.

- Mitsubishi eX Concept - A compact crossover concept car might preview the next RVR.

- 2016 Suzuki Ignis - A new crossover from Suzuki that is set on sale very soon.

- 2016 Suzuki Baleno - A new compact hatchback from Suzuki featuring its first-ever BoosterJet 1.0L petrol engine.

- 2016 Suzuki Alto Works - The legendary Alto Works hot kei car has been revived and it's based on the current-generation Alto. It comes with a turbocharged 660cc engine mated with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

- Suzuki Ignis Trail Concept - A concept version derived from the production-spec Ignis.

- Suzuki Mighty Deck Concept - A concept car which is a modern take on the legendary Mighty Boy compact pickup truck.

- Suzuki Air Triser Concept - A concept minivan from Suzuki featuring a unique door sliding mechanism.

- Mercedes-Benz Vision Tokyo Concept - A concept van visualizes the science of autonomous driving

- 2016 BMW M4 GTS - A lightweight, track-focused version of the M4 featuring the first-ever water-injection system on its 3.0L 6-cylinder turbo petrol engine.

...and many more.

Further checking:

http://autoc-one.jp/motorshow/tokyo/2015/

The #AlDub Halloween Special!

Image: Official Eat Bulaga Facebook page

It's Halloween in the Philippines, and even though everyone's donning their costumes for this time of the year, nothing is more so than a very special Kalyeserye where Alden, Yaya Dub, and the Kalye's Angels brace themselves as they enter a haunted house that Lola Nidora's diary of secrets foretold. A house known as..."Bahay Ni Lola"!

Having managed to brace themselves in fear and a little bit of AlDub Dubsmash chemistry, they've survived and snagged the jewelry box as foretold by a message.

Inside that jewelry box, there was a message saying that a ring is inside...and it was! Alden grabbed hold of the ring and he was going to wear it on Yaya Dub's finger but then...To Be Continued.

Keep watching Eat Bulaga for more Kalyeserye antics!

Happy Halloween, AlDub Nations!

Forza Motorsport 6: The Infiniti Q60 Concept

Through the coming months in Forza Motorsport 6, there will be content updates that will address some minor bug issues as well as some other improvements that will keep the game running smooth. Aside from the content updates, there will be some surprises in store and this is the first car players got since its first content update, the Infiniti Q60 Concept car.



Premiered at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, the Q60 Concept previews Nissan's luxury brand's two-door four-seater coupe that is set to replace the V36-spec G37 Coupe (known in Japan as the Nissan Skyline Coupe) in the foreseeable future.

Combining striking elegance from its signature design that adorned most Infinitis since the Q50 (Skyline V37) saloon as well as Infiniti's inspired performance courtesy of its next-generation 3.0L V6 twin-turbo engine generating 400HP of power as well as Direct Adaptive Steering that gives full control of the car's tire angle and steering inputs, the Q60 is a vision of a sports coupe that combines the best qualities that makes a sports coupe stand about the rest.



So, what can I say about driving Infiniti's radical concept coupe? Well, for starters, it's not bad when you take it on a track with some normal conditions but when things get wet, you need to be pretty precise because its Direct Adaptive Steering might experience a few kinks when it gets into something wet. Although the sound of its V6 twin turbo engine is what you called artificial, it has enough go juice to keep on going until you hit the brakes. Even when I find it problematic to handle on a wet lap, it;s Direct Adaptive Steering feels very communicative every time I turn this car to the nearest corner. Same thing as experience with the Q50 from a distant past but you get the idea.

Let's give this one a go round the Top Gear Test Track, I presume?



After a wet lap round the Top Gear Track, the Q60 Concept did it in 1:33.099, which isn't so bad for a concept car that will preview the next Skyline Coupe in the foreseeable future.

#BGZombieAttack

On the October 30, 2015 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Zombie attack gags

- Istambay, Istambay Sa Looban, Tigil Muna Buong Sambayanan, Kahit Nasa Mall ka o Tindahan, Ang Albad Di na Ma...KALIMUTAN!!!

- IKAW AT ANG INA takes on...lasing posts.

- Arny Ross takes on Tsugi o Chorva!

- Soaperman and Batnaman take on the burglars!

- Strange things are happening in grandma's bedroom...

- IyoTube in Dessert.

- The Adventures of Redford Jr. and Babaless in...gasoline boy!

- A devil plots something new to lure his victims...but it's not that easy.

Tips during the Undas traffic

Yes, it's that time of the year again when families are going out from their homes and headed straight to faraway cemeteries to pay respect to the departed this UNDAS weekend. Expecting heavy traffic even worse than Edsa traffic, boredom is still the thing everyone can't escape during a long road trip to the cemetery and so is other concerns everyone might face. So, what are the ideal ways to do during the Undas traffic?

1) Pack lots of snacks, meals, and drinks on your trip

The heavy traffic on the way to your cemetery will leave you thirsty and starved on the road. The best thing to do is before you leave your home and to the cemetery is to pack enough snacks and drinks on your trip. Either your mom's fully-cooked meal sealed in Tupperware boxes or crisps such as Chippy, Nova, Ding Dong, Tortillios or whatever junk food you know, make sure you have enough snacks while getting stuck in traffic. Oh yeah, as for drinks, stock up on whatever you want; mineral water, soda, sports drinks, iced tea, whatever drink you want but one more thing; NO ALCOHOL. Remember the whole "don't drink and drive" law.

2) Entertainment

Long traffic usually means boredom for the people heading to the cemetery and the best to do is open up your car's radio and set to FM frequency because everybody needs music. Get it? If radio isn't enough, either your portable TV (if you had one), your MP3 player, or your hand held console would do but be sure that it's fully charged before on the go. If possible, bring a mobile charger with you but make sure your car has enough power to charge your gadgets!

3) Servicing

Your car is nothing more of a traveling companion when you need it so it's best to service it before you go. Make sure the parts are working fine as well as the lights, the brakes, the oil, and the electric supply. Oh and if you're brave enough through the high gas prices, be sure to full tank your car. It maybe an expensive solution but if you're not into driving, seek public transportation or hitch a ride with a buddy.

4) Internet connectivity

 A long road away from home usually means one thing, you can't do internet because you're miles away from your home's broadband but not to worry. If you brought your laptop and any other Wi-Fi capable gadgets, make sure that you have a mobile Wi-Fi with you. Make sure that it has enough load (or charge) in order to go internet surfing while on the move. Oh yeah, if you guys made it to the cemetery, be sure to check in from your Swarm! Your friends will notice that you came from a long trip this Undas!

5) Defense

A long trip can be somewhat risky because there are some jologs wanted to steal your ride or doing some kind of a Mad Max-style of attacks. Defensive driving may be unnecessary in an event like this but this can save you and your family from bad people trying to hurt you on your way to the cemetery. If you have long objects surrounded on your car, these can make a vital defense in case some crooks approached you with a gun pointing at you. Keep Calm and Aim for the Head. Time to say rest in peace, crooks!

6) Don't let the kids say "Are We There Yet?"

If you had kids with you on your trip, then you're in bad luck because the only question kids will tell you on your way to the cemetery is the dreaded ARE WE THERE YET? Tell your kids no, stop asking questions, and ask them to play with their toys. Silence is virtue on this trip.

7) Do your All Saints Day...at home

If you're not in the mood to travel, why not do this at home? Make a faux tombstone (out of your cardboard) and be sure to have candles so you can pay respects without travelling through the long traffic!

So there you go, these are the best ways to kill your boredom when the annual heavy Undas traffic kicks in. Have a nice road trip this All Saints' Day!

Let's Do The News! (October 30, 2015)

- The top leaders of China's Communist Party have decided to end the one-child policy in an effort to maintain stable economic growth as they've ended their Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee on Thursday, discussing their new five-year basic economic plan to be implemented next year. This means that an average Chinese family will now allow themselves to have at least two children.

- It's been 72 hours has passed since the Afghan quake that killed 387 people and injured 2,400 others and emergency workers are rushing their search and rescue operations in the mountainous areas affected by the M7.5 quake.

- North Korea will hold their first convention for the ruling Worker's Party in May of next year, it's their first meeting in less than four decades, state-run media reports.

- An arbitration court in The Hague has decided to hear the case of China's territorial claims in the South China Sea. The Philippines filed a case with the Permanent Court of Arbitration, arguing that China has sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea violates the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

- A US military aircraft carrier scrambled out four F-18 fighter jets to intercept an approaching Russian military aircraft, identified as two Tu-142 bombers, during a joint naval drill with South Korea. A department spokesperson state that they didn't see an approaching Russian aircraft as a threat but it's rare to see this one occurred.

- The Letran Knights are named as the NCAA Season 91 champions, putting an end to San Beda Red Lions' five-year reign and its decade-long title drought after a score of 85-82, in overtime of the winner-take-all Game 3.

- While we are excited for the 2016 reboot of The Powerpuff Girls (trust me, the new reboot looks exactly the same as they were in the late 90's), they're partnering up with, and we're not kidding, Love Live! School Idol Project for a special exhibit at the Parco Museum in Shibuya this November 20th and then tour other Parco museums across Japan until February 2016.

- A more powerful 2016 update on the Hennessey Venom GT hypercar will be unveiled at this year's SEMA SHOW. For this update, the twin-turbo 7.0L V8 engine now produces 1451hp, E85 Flexfuel compatibility, and 25psi boost. 0-60mph in 2.4 seconds, 0-100mph in 4.4, 0-200mph in 12.8 seconds and it can go all the way to its projected 280mph top speed.

- Following the success of the Heneral Luna biopic movie, actor Paulo Avelino is set to star on a Gregorio del Pilar biopic titled Goyong.

TTFN!!!