The Cerebellum

Shadow Complex is the latest game from the Xbox Live Summer of Arcade series, and is an Xbox exclusive title. Release date: Aug 19, cost 1200 Microsoft Points, only through Xbox Live. I give it a buy, 4.5 of 5 stars.

This game takes the standard 2D side scrolling and adds a new dimension — targets down-range (which takes a bit to get used to). No load screens, which means you can travel from one side of the map to the other without the convenience of a loading screen to make a beer run. Don’t let that fool you into thinking the map is small, as you progress through and new areas open up you wonder how much more game area is there? Sometimes the size of the map can be a pain, especially with it setup so you have to go back through areas at a later time. I found myself trying to get to or on an area that is not accessible, and then finding out I need to a weapon to remove a blockade (with the flashlight on them they are orange, (gun) green, (grenades) purple, (foam) red (rockets) and blue (friction dampener).

The story goes — never-mind if you want to know about the story your not here to play an arcade game — I do recall something about the group wanting to start a civil war and attack San Francisco. The opening sequence is you controlling an operative in an armored suit — with all the weapons loaded up — which gives you a chance to get a feel for what is to come throughout the game. When the game starts in earnest, it’s you with a flashlight chasing your girlfriend into a cave, when she disappears and all you find is her backpack that’s when it gets going. Continue reading

Is it time to be concerned? A recent report found that hackers are now attacking the Windows based operating system of ATM’s. The most shocking to me was finding out that there are a large number of ATM’s that use Microsoft software. TG Daily has more quotes and a detailed analysis of the malware.

“Trustwave’s SpiderLabs performed the analysis of malware found installed on compromised ATMs in the Eastern European region. This malware captures magnetic stripe data and PIN codes from the private memory space of transaction-processing applications installed on a compromised ATM. The compromised ATMs ran Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system.”

Is it time to be concerned? A recent report found that hackers are now attacking the Windows based operating system of ATM’s. The most shocking to me was finding out that there are a large number of ATM’s that use Microsoft software. TG Daily has more quotes and a detailed analysis of the malware.

“Trustwave’s SpiderLabs performed the analysis of malware found installed on compromised ATMs in the Eastern European region. This malware captures magnetic stripe data and PIN codes from the private memory space of transaction-processing applications installed on a compromised ATM. The compromised ATMs ran Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system.”