Making Unreal, Real

When I think back to when I started gaming graphics weren't just a non-factor, they weren't really even talked about.

Those old Spectrum 48k graphics were utilitarian at best, just to give you a great example here is the visual majesty of Horace Goes Skiing, starring the eponymous Horace the... well, I have never and probably will never understand what dear Horace is, but he did find himself in an interesting collection of activities...

Obviously those didn't stay for too long and I've had some jaw dropping moments over the years, Gran Turismo's Deep Forest Racetrack with its cliffside track, the first appearance of the T-Rex in the original Tomb Raider and more recently the sunset over the Ocean in GTA V are just a few, something I've been known to just stop and take photos of.

So, why this meandering trip down memory lane? Well, it's because I've just been to Paris in a YouTube video, only despite what your eyes might try to tell you, this entire apartment de Francais was created using the new Unreal 4 Engine, so just bear in mind as you start watching that all of this is wireframes, textures and clever coding... then just forget all of that and delight in the journey.

Now just tell me you wouldn't be happy to just wander around that apartment all day until you needed a nap in this bed?

Obviously a demo is a lot different from a game and it might be a while before we see graphics like that in a real game due not only to size restrictions but also performance as I doubt that would look quite so smooth with an invading zombie apocalypse or gang battle sapping the fps but... just wow.

I think we can say for certain, that in the coming years we're going to see one of two things... stunning looking games that are indistinguishable from reality, or the Matrix.

Oh, and finally... just for comparison here's some rendering done with the very first Unreal Engine, developed in the late 90s and first used in, unsurprisingly, Unreal in 1998.

Which leads me to a final thought, back in 98 that was absolutely astounding, so what will gaming look like in another 17 years?

Free Delivery by Cupid!

While I hate to fall into the trap of Commercially Approved Romance day we are soon to be upon that time that make rose growers and Hallmark shareholders so deliriously happy, Valentine's Day.

So, rather than getting the love of your life the obligatory box of chocolates and bunch of flowers that says "It was the 13th of February and the only place open was the petrol station" why not get them some Geek Tragedy clothing, with FREE standard delivery between now and the 2nd of February?

Redeeming it is easy, just spend £30 or $30 in either of our stores, then when you get to the checkout click to add a coupon on the right hand side and use:

European Shop: ALL4LOVE

http://www.ageektragedy.co.uk/uk/

Rest of the World Shop: LOVE15

http://www.ageektragedy.co.uk/us/

Then see the delivery costs fly away like Cupid on a rush order.

Remember, we ship everywhere so check the delivery pages!

Best wishes,

Andy

PS, if you're going to be alone on International Abuse the Singleton Day, why not buy yourself something instead?

Something Old, Something New....

It's finally here!

Yes, after weeks of slaving over a hot Dreamweaver I am proud to announce the all new and improved Geek Tragedy Version 4.01 is now LIVE!

Hopefully you should already have spotted a few of the newer items, but here's a quick roundup!

• New clean design - No more clutter, no more confusion, just clean, simple and easy navigation so you get to find whatever you desire here.

• Easy location switch - Using one of my quick location switches (on the top left or right hand side) you can now move swiftly and effortlessly between the UK and US versions of our site without ever losing track of where you are. Instead of being sent back to the index, you'll be transported directly to the same page on the other side of the digital world!

• New social connections - You're already reading one as I have resurrected the Geek Tragedy Blog and will be using it to let you know about sales, special offers, news and my own thoughts on anything geeky!

• Added stick droids!

That's not all though, as the upcoming month or two will bring a pouring of new things here on Geek Tragedy!

New Products - Loads more clothing items will be added to the Geek Tragedy Collection giving you an even wider choice of clothing with my designs on!

New Ranges - Baby Geek and Geek Tragedy Accessories are both in the stages of being put together as complementary shops to GT, keeping the tiniest of geeks clothed properly, and giving you a choice of accessories like hats, bags, mousemats and more!

New Designs - Now the site is done I can turn my attention to the 917 designs I have sat in my to do folder!

...and MORE - If that's not all we have lots more plans of things coming your way, including a chance for you to use our designs to make your own items all by yourself in your browser! Stay tuned in the next few weeks!

So, thanks to everyone for visiting Geek Tragedy, and I hope you find exactly what you need!