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Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
|Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
|LucasArts (PS3, X360)
Aspyr (PC, Mac OS X)
Krome Studios (PS2, PSP, Wii)
n-Space (NDS)
Universomo (J2ME, N-Gage, iOS)
THQ Wireless (iOS, J2ME, N-Gage)
|Haden Blackman
|Isa Anne Stamos
|Cedrick Collomb
|Matt Omernick
|Mark Griskey
|Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
|Action-adventure, hack and slash
|Single-player, multiplayer[a]
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is an action-adventure video game and part of The Force Unleashed project. It was initially developed for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360 consoles and on iOS, second-generation N-Gage, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, and Java-equipped mobile phone handhelds.[1]
The game was released in North America on September 16, 2008, in Australia and Southeast Asia on September 17, and in Europe on September 19. LucasArts released downloadable content for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles.[2] An Ultimate Sith Edition of the game, containing new and all previously released expanded content, was released in November 2009,[3] which also came out on macOS and Microsoft Windows.
The project bridges the first two Star Wars trilogies, acting as an origin story for both the united Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Civil War depicted in the Original Trilogy. The game introduces a new protagonist, "Starkiller", as Darth Vader's secret apprentice, who is tasked with hunting down Jedi while killing rebels and Imperials alike in order to hide his existence from the Emperor, but soon starts to slowly redeem himself to the light side of the Force.
Reviews offered fairly positive responses, praising The Force Unleashed for its compelling story, robust physics, impressive art and soundtrack, while some more negative reviews cited frustrating gameplay. Despite this, the game was a bestseller in the United States and Australia, with over one million copies sold its debut month. As of February 2010[update], the game has sold over seven million copies, and it is the fastest-selling Star Wars video game.[4] A sequel, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, was released in October 2010.[5]
The Force Unleashed is a third-person action game in which the player's character's weapons are the Force and a lightsaber.[6] Developers treated the main character's lightsaber like another Force power, and wanted to ensure "something visceral and cool" happened with each button-push.[6] The game has a combo system for stringing lightsaber attacks and for combining lightsaber attacks with Force powers.[6] Experience points earned by killing enemies and finding artifacts can be used to increase Starkiller's powers and traits.[7] The gameplay is intended to be easy to learn; the development team included "horrible" gamers to help ensure the game's accessibility.[8] Players can casually run and gun through the game, but the game rewards those who take a stealthy, more tactical approach.[8] The game includes enemies that are easy to overcome; game difficulty arises from presenting these enemies in large numbers that can wear down the player's character.[9] Additionally, enemies learn from the player's character's attacks; using the same attack on different characters can sometimes lead to the player's character doing less damage.[10] The enemies, which number over 50, have various strengths and weaknesses; developers faced the difficulty of effectively placing them throughout the game's varied environments.[9]
The Nintendo versions of the game exclusively allow players to use motion controls to control Starkiller's attacks and participate in multiplayer battles. The Wii version uses the Wii Remote to execute lightsaber attacks and the Nunchuk to wield Force powers, and allows two players to fight each other as any of the various Jedi and Sith from the Star Wars universe in one-on-one multiplayer duels.[11] The Nintendo DS version utilizes the touchscreen to execute attacks, where single actions can be executed by tapping a certain region of the screen (with each region corresponding to a particular action, such as jumping or Force pushing), while more advanced attacks can be performed by dragging the stylus across neighboring regions of the screen.[12] Its multiplayer mode allows up to four players who have copies of the game to fight each other.[13]
Set in between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, Darth Vader is sent by Emperor Palpatine to destroy a Jedi named Kento Marek who survived Palpatine's Jedi purge and is hiding on the Wookiee homeworld, Kashyyyk. The Force Unleashed begins with the player controlling Darth Vader as he searches Kashyyyk for Marek.[14][15] After defeating Marek in battle, Vader discovers his child, Galen Marek, who is strong in the Force and raises him to become his apprentice, unbeknownst to the Emperor.
When the apprentice (known in the game as "Starkiller", and whom the player now controls) reaches adulthood, Vader sends him to kill the remaining Jedi as training for his ultimate goal: assassinating the Emperor so Vader and Starkiller can rule the galaxy together. Starkiller travels between missions aboard the Rogue Shadow, developing a close relationship with his crew, consisting of lightsaber training droid PROXY and Imperial pilot Juno Eclipse.[16] Starkiller is first sent to defeat an aging Jedi Master that has his own security force: Rahm Kota. In this fight, Kota sees various visions of Starkiller's future before being blinded by Starkiller's lightsaber and falling to the ecumenopolis of Nar Shaddaa below. He is then sent to defeat an insane Jedi Master on Raxus Prime who has animated pieces of metal to create droids: Kazdan Paratus. Paratus and all of his droids are destroyed, including Paratus's mock Jedi Council. Finally, Starkiller is sent to kill former Jedi Council member Shaak Ti on Felucia. Ti has militarised the local Force-sensitive Felucians as well as influenced the local fauna to attack Starkiller. Ultimately unsuccessful, Shaak Ti prophesies that the Sith will always turn on one another before she commits suicide by jumping into the sarlacc pit, becoming a Force ghost.
Ti's prophecy comes true immediately. The Emperor discovers Starkiller's existence and forces Vader to kill the apprentice; Vader impales Starkiller and hurls him into space, but secretly dispatches droids to retrieve and revive him. Vader sends his apprentice to foster a rebellion among those who resist the Empire, distracting the Emperor so Vader can make his move. Despite being ordered by Vader to sever all ties to his past, Starkiller rescues Juno, who had been arrested and branded a traitor to the Empire. Starkiller proceeds to break into various Imperial facilities and recruit several allies, including Rahm Kota (who had survived his fall after the battle in the TIE Fighter shipyard), Princess Leia Organa, and her father Senator Bail Organa. In the process, Starkiller learns from Kota about the Jedi way, which ultimately leads him into sparing Jedi apprentice Maris Brood, who had succumbed to corruption by the Dark Side after the death of her master Shaak Ti on Felucia. Juno eventually discovers Starkiller is still working for Vader, but after berating him, agrees not to say anything. As a major strike to rally the Empire's enemies and prove the Empire is vulnerable, Starkiller destroys a Star Destroyer facility on Raxus Prime. With Kota's instruction, Starkiller pulls a massive Star Destroyer out of the sky with the Force.
Senators Organa, Mon Mothma, and Garm Bel Iblis meet on Corellia to plan a rebellion against the Empire, but are interrupted when Darth Vader arrives and arrests them and Kota. Vader attacks Starkiller and reveals that he was never meant to overthrow the Emperor; from the beginning, he was the Emperor's tool to expose his enemies, and that Vader's plans to overthrow the Emperor did not include Starkiller. PROXY sacrifices himself to distract Vader and allow Starkiller to escape. Starkiller uses the Force to ascertain the senators' and Kota's location: the Death Star. Upon arrival, Starkiller shares a kiss with Juno before bidding her goodbye. Inside the space station, Starkiller duels Darth Vader and manages to defeat his former master. As the Emperor goads Starkiller into killing Vader, Kota steals the Emperor's lightsaber and tries to attack him, but is incapacitated by the Emperor's Force lightning.
- If the player chooses the light side, Starkiller fights and defeats Emperor Palpatine, but Kota prevents him from killing Palpatine in hatred. The Emperor renews his attack and Starkiller, whilst absorbing it, sacrifices himself by opening his body to the Force, while Kota and the senators escape on the Rogue Shadow. The Emperor and Vader look over Starkiller's corpse, concerned that he has become a martyr to inspire the newly formed Rebel Alliance. Senator Organa and the others agree to proceed with their rebellion and Leia decides to use Starkiller's family crest as the Rebellion's symbol. Outside, Juno talks to Kota, who tells her that among Starkiller's dark thoughts, Juno herself was one bright spot that he held onto right until his death.[17] This is the ending depicted in the novelization and this was the canonical ending until Lucasfilm rebranded the expanded universe into "Star Wars Legends".
- If the player chooses the dark side, Starkiller kills Darth Vader. The Emperor then offers to let Starkiller take Vader's place as his apprentice if Starkiller proves himself by killing Kota. Starkiller instead attacks the Emperor, who effortlessly crushes Starkiller with the Rogue Shadow, severely injuring him and killing Kota, Juno, and the Senators. The story ends with Starkiller's broken body being grafted with armor so he can serve as the Emperor's assassin, though Palpatine assures Starkiller that he, like Vader, will be cast aside when he finds a new apprentice. The Infinities expansion content builds on this ending, though George Lucas confirmed at the time that this ending was non-canon.[18]
Cast and characters[edit]
- Sam Witwer as Galen Marek/Starkiller — The child of two Jedi, Starkiller becomes Darth Vader's secret apprentice and is dispatched by his master to kill the Jedi who survived Palpatine's Jedi purge.[19][20] Although acting as a villain, Starkiller is "really just [a] damaged kid."[21] Developers decided not to give Starkiller a name in the game, but the novelization gives his name as Galen Marek.[22][23] Although Starkiller starts as Vader's apprentice, a focus of the game is to allow the character to evolve into "something more heroic, something greater."[20] Audio director David Collins saw a resemblance between Starkiller concept art and his friend, Witwer; Collins asked for Witwer's headshot and an audition reel, and a few weeks later Witwer sat for a 45-minute audition.[24] Witwer secured the role by demonstrating to developers his deep understanding of the character;[25] in portraying Starkiller, Witwer brought many new ideas about the character and imbued him with a sense of humanity.[21] Developers tried not to make Starkiller so evil that players would have difficulty connecting to him.[21] The Force Unleashed's character's name is an homage to "Anakin Starkiller," the original name of the character that eventually became Luke Skywalker.[26][27]
- Matt Sloan as Darth Vader — Starkiller's master, who discovers Starkiller as a child and trains him.[20] In addition to dispatching Starkiller to kill the remaining Jedi, Vader also presents plans to unite with Starkiller to overthrow the Emperor, although there are "twists and turns" in this scheme.[20] The events depicted in The Force Unleashed are pivotal to Darth Vader's history and development.[28]
- Nathalie Cox as Juno Eclipse — Rogue Shadow's pilot and Starkiller's love interest.[29][30] Eclipse was not originally part of the game; early concepts had the apprentice as an older character who develops a connection with a young Princess Leia.[31] Star Wars creator George Lucas, uncomfortable with this idea, encouraged the developers to create a love interest.[31] The apprentice, who has had limited interaction with women when the game begins, does not at first know how to act around her.[31] Her introduction early in the game allows the relationship with Starkiller to develop, and her inclusion helps "recapture that rich ensemble feel of the original Star Wars".[31] According to Sean Williams, who wrote the novelization, the romantic storyline is the key to The Force Unleashed.[28] The name "Juno Eclipse" was originally proposed as a name for the character eventually called "Asajj Ventress" — it was rejected for Ventress as insufficiently villainous.[31] The Force Unleashed project lead Haden Blackman brought the name back for the mythic quality of the name "Juno" and the duality suggested by an "eclipse."[31] Cox, in addition to strongly resembling the character's concept art, had "integrity and poise" appropriate to Juno Eclipse that helped the actor secure the role.[25]
- Cully Fredricksen as General Rahm Kota — A Jedi Master who provides Starkiller with additional insight into the Force.[30] Developers realized early that Starkiller would require insight into the Force from someone other than Darth Vader; after rejecting the idea of this coming from the spirit of Qui-Gon Jinn or some version of Darth Plagueis, they decided to fill this role with one of Starkiller's Jedi opponents.[31] The character was conceived as a "tough-as-nails" contrast to Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi.[31] Senior concept artist Amy Beth Christianson drew upon samurai influences for Kota's appearance.[21][31] The character changed little after being conceived; Fredricksen's own traits made the character tougher.[31] Fredricksen was the first actor cast for the project.[25]
- Adrienne Wilkinson as Maris Brood — A Zabrak survivor of the Jedi Purge and Shaak Ti's apprentice.[31] The character was originally conceived to become a pirate captain, and Christianson's early art included Brood's lightsaber tonfas.[31] Wilkinson brought strength to her performance, leading to an expansion of the role with more dialogue.[31]
- David W. Collins as PROXY — Starkiller's droid sidekick.[20] Collins said PROXY has C-3PO's innocence but also is "really dangerous."[20] The companion trade paperback describes the conflict between PROXY's primary programming to kill Starkiller and its self-imposed desire to help him;[32] PROXY is eager to please Starkiller, but does not know how dangerous it can be or that there is a conflict between its programming and Starkiller's wishes.[21] Trying to avoid having PROXY's dialogue become too reminiscent of either C-3PO or the villainous HK-47 of Knights of the Old Republic, developers focused on PROXY's friendly naïvety.[21]
- Jimmy Smits as Bail Organa — The Emmy Award-winning Smits voices the character he played in the Star Wars prequels: a Galactic Senator from Alderaan and Leia Organa's adoptive father.[33]
Other performances came from Larry Drake as Kazdan Paratus, Susan Eisenberg as Shaak Ti and Catherine Taber as Princess Leia Organa.[34] In addition to voicing Starkiller, Witwer also provided the voice of Emperor Palpatine.[34] R2-D2 also makes an appearance in the game alongside Leia.
Game planning began in summer 2004.[36] Initially, about six developers started with a "clean slate" to conceptualize a new Star Wars game; the small group of engineers, artists, and designers spent more than a year brainstorming ideas for what might make a good game.[37] Over 100 initial concepts were whittled down to 20 to 25 that included making the game the third entry in the Knights of the Old Republic series or having the protagonist be a Wookiee "superhero", Darth Maul, a bounty hunter, a smuggler, a mercenary, or the last member of the Skywalker family.[8][38][39][40] The decision to focus on the largely unexplored period between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope helped energize the design team.[37] Consumer feedback helped the developers narrow in on seven concepts, and elements from those seven went into The Force Unleashed's overall concept.[8]
Production was greatly aided by concept art, which was intended to visually bridge the two Star Wars trilogies, convey the impression of a "lived-in" universe, show how the galaxy changes under Imperial rule, and to seem familiar yet new.[21][36] An off-hand comment about the Force in the game being powerful enough "to pull a Star Destroyer out of the sky" inspired an image by senior concept artist Amy Beth Christenson that became an important part of the developers' idea pitches and evolved into a major moment in the game.[21] These illustrations also inspired the creation of dozens of simple, three-dimensional animations.[36] Eventually, a one-minute previsualization video highlighting the idea of "kicking someone's ass with the Force" helped convince the designers that The Force Unleashed would be "a great game";[36][41] George Lucas, upon seeing the one-minute video, told the designers to "go make that game".[41] Once the concept was solidified, the development team grew from ten to twenty people.[42] The idea of "reimagining" the Force as "amped up" in The Force Unleashed aligned with LucasArts' overall goal of harnessing the power of the latest video game consoles to "dramatically" change gaming, specifically through the use of simulation-based gameplay.[37]
In April 2005, after several months of planning, the LucasArts team received Lucas' encouragement to create a game centered on Darth Vader's secret apprentice in the largely unexplored period between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, drawing the two trilogies together.[19][38][39][43] LucasArts spent six months developing the story.[8] Lucas spent hours discussing with the developers the relationship between Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine and provided feedback on what Vader would want out of and how he would motivate an apprentice.[44][45] Lucas Licensing reviewed many game details to ensure they fit into canon.[46] Focus group feedback indicated that, while hunting down Jedi at Vader's order would be fun, the character should be redeemed, in keeping with a major Star Wars motif.[8] Although the game introduces new characters, developers felt the presence of characters already part of Star Wars would help anchor the game within the official continuity.[21] Before the game's release, Lucasfilm claimed it would "unveil new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy" with a "redemption" motif.[19][47] The story progresses through a combination of scripted events, in-game cinematics, cutscenes, and dialogue.[44]
During pre-production, about 30 people were on the project team.[42] LucasArts spent several years developing the tools and technology to create The Force Unleashed.[49] Prototyping, level construction, marketing, and public relations took about a year.[8] Until late 2006, the production team was ascertaining "how many polygons, lights, [and] characters" next-generation platforms supported;[42] a year of full production began in early 2007.[8] A series of quickly-produced "play blast" videos helped the developers focus on mechanics, the user interface, and finishing moves.[21] Development of the Xbox 360 version came first; PlayStation 3 development started when the production team had enough development kits.[38] Making the game run on both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 was "a monumental task".[44]
The game is based on LucasArts' proprietary "Ronin" game engine but also integrates third-party technology: Havok for rigid body physics, Pixelux Entertainment's "Digital Molecular Matter" (DMM) for dynamically destructible objects, and NaturalMotion's Euphoria for realistic non-player character artificial intelligence.[38] LucasArts' programmers had to overcome technical hurdles to get Havok-, DMM- and Euphoria-coded components to interact.[14] Developers also had to strike a balance between realistic and entertaining physics.[14] LucasArts initially opted not to release a personal computer version of The Force Unleashed, stating that doing the game well would be too processor-intensive for typical PCs[19] and that scaling down the game's procedural physics for the PC platform would "fundamentally" change The Force Unleashed's gameplay.[50] However, LucasArts later announced Windows and Mac versions of the game, developed in conjunction with Aspyr Media, for release in Fall 2009.[51]
Lacking Havok, Euphoria, and DMM, Krome's Wii version relies on the company's in-house physics engine.[52] Some character animations may be ragdoll while others are preset; in developing the game, Krome tried to blur the distinction between the two.[52] The lighting system in the Wii version is more advanced than that in the PS2 version, which Krome also built; the PS2 includes more graphic details than their PSP version.[52]
ILM collaboration and cast performance[edit]
The Force Unleashed is intended to make players think they are "actually, finally, in a Star Wars movie".[53] It is the first game on which LucasArts and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) collaborated since they both relocated to the Letterman Digital Arts Center in San Francisco, California.[47] This collaboration allowed the companies to co-develop tools to make film-quality effects.[54] LucasArts worked with ILM's Zeno tool framework and helped ILM build its Zed game editor.[55] Lucas said having the two companies working together in the same building was "a great collaboration".[56]
It took Senior Manager of Voice and Audio Darragh O'Farrell four months to cast The Force Unleashed.[57] ILM's face- and motion-capture "CloneCam" technology recorded actors' voice and physical performances.[49][58] This led to a change in LucasArts' casting process: for the first time, actors needed to match characters' age and gender.[58] Actors performed their lines together, rather than in isolation, to better get the sense of their characters interacting with each other.[49] Consequently, the script's dialogue was reduced while reliance on characters' expressions — captured through the CloneCam — increased.[58] CloneCam technology had previously been used in producing the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.[58]
LucasArts music supervisor Jesse Harlin said the music matches the game's motif of redemption and goal of bridging the gap between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope:
We had to make sure that the game's score started off rooted within the Prequel Trilogy feel of ethnic percussion and sweeping themes that spoke to the nobility and grandeur of the old Jedi Order. As the game progresses, however, the Empire gains more control, the Jedi are hunted, and the ordered control of the Prequels gives way to the more romantic temperament of the Original Trilogy.[59]
The game's soundtrack includes material composed by John Williams for the films in addition to material created specifically for The Force Unleashed. Jesse Harlin composed the game's main theme, while Mark Griskey composed the score. Griskey made use of several motifs from the film scores as well as Harlin's main theme.[59][60] The 90-minute soundtrack was recorded by the Skywalker Symphony Orchestra and mixed at Skywalker Sound in Lucas Valley in September and October 2007.[59] During gameplay, a proprietary engine combines "musical elements according to the pace, plot, and environment of the game at any given moment", resulting in a unique musical experience.[60] A promotional soundtrack album was made available online through Tracksounds.com in 2008.[60]
|Track listing
|"The Force Unleashed" (Jesse Harlin)
|"General Kota and the Control Room"
|"Infiltrating the Junk Temple"
|"Drexl's Raiders"
|"Approaching Felucia"
|"The Sarlaac Unleashed"
|"Maris and the Bull Rancor"
|"PROXY and the Skyhook"
|"Juno Eclipse and Finale"
|"Ton'yy Rho's Uglehop" (Bonus Track, Jesse Harlin)
|Total length:
Two weeks after the game's release, LucasArts announced development on two downloadable expansion packs for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game.[61] The first expansion added "skins" that allow the player's character to appear as Star Wars figures other than Starkiller, such as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Qui-Gon Jinn, Jango Fett, C-3PO, Luke Skywalker, Darth Maul, Darth Sion, Mace Windu, Plo Koon, Kit Fisto and Ki-Adi-Mundi.[61] The skins chosen to be part of the expansion were based in part on fans' feedback.[62] The second expansion pack added a new mission that expands on Starkiller's background.[63] Although a moment in the game's main story was considered as a "jumping off point" for the expansion, LucasArts decided instead to make the new mission instantly accessible to players.[62] The mission's location — the Jedi Temple on Coruscant — appears in the Wii, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable versions of The Force Unleashed, but was cut during planning from the PS3 and Xbox 360 platforms.[62]
The Tatooine Downloadable Content, released August 27, 2009, is the first of two expansions that occur in an "Infinities" storyline,[18] an alternate history in which Starkiller kills Vader and becomes Palpatine's assassin.[18][64] The second Infinities expansion, which takes place on Hoth, was originally only available as part of the Ultimate Sith Edition, which also includes all previous downloadable content.[18] However, the Hoth expansion was later made available for download on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live.[65]
1.738 million unit sales of The Force Unleashed across all platforms made it the third best-selling game globally in the third quarter of 2008;[102] as of July 2009, it had sold six million copies.[18] The Force Unleashed was both the fastest-selling Star Wars game and LucasArts' fastest-selling game.[103] The Force Unleashed won a Writers Guild of America award for Best Video Game Writing.[104]
PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC[edit]
The Force Unleashed received mixed to fairly positive reviews. Electronic Gaming Monthly said the game is "ambitious--yet dissatisfying";[100] however, GameSpot said the game "gets more right than it does wrong".[76] GameSpot said the PC port of the game retained all of the game's strengths and weaknesses, but that the port failed to take advantage of the PC platform.[74]
GameSpot called the game's story "more intimate and more powerful" than the Star Wars franchise's prequel trilogy;[76] X-Play identified the game's story as one of the game's "few bright spots" and said the game's visuals successfully convey Star Wars' "classic used universe" feel.[88] GamePro and GameSpot praised the game's art and physics, and GamePro also commended Starkiller's "cool powers".[105][106] IGN praised the game's voice acting, particularly Witwer's performance as Starkiller.[83] The Washington Times identified Mark Griskey's soundtrack as "another star" of the game, and Tracksounds called it "the most entertaining Star Wars score since Return of the Jedi".[33][60] Time called The Force Unleashed the seventh best video game of 2008.[107] The game received GameSpot's 2008 award for Best Use of a Creative License and was nominated for Best Voice Acting.[101][108] Gaming Target selected the game as one of their "40 Games We'll Still Be Playing From 2008".[109]
Conversely, Entertainment Weekly called The Force Unleashed the second worst game of 2008 and GameTrailers called it the most disappointing game that year;[110][111] it was also a nominee for GameSpot's Most Disappointing Game recognition.[112] Official Xbox Magazine cited the game's linear gameplay and lack of multiplayer as reasons the game falls short of being "an all-engrossing Star Wars experience".[100] gamesTM suggested that allowing players to take a hack-and-slash approach means many "will never view the title's full potential".[100] IGN and X-Play criticized some boss battles and enemies' behavior;[88][113] GamePro also faulted "disappointing" boss battles and the game's "uneven" combat.[105] Rather than feeling more powerful as the game progresses, GamePro felt that increases in Starkiller's powers were dampened by increasingly difficult enemy abilities and positions;[105] X-Play commented that despite a good level-up system, Starkiller and his enemies are "pretty much on even ground most of the time".[88] Wired.com, X-Play, and GameSpot criticized the game's third-person camera and the sequence that requires the player to make Starkiller pull a Star Destroyer out of the sky.[76][88][106][114] Wired.com speculated that LucasArts could have recognized the frustration of the Star Destroyer sequence and removed it, but left it in because they hyped the sequence before the game's release.[114] Wired.com and GameSpot further criticized the load times and abrupt gameplay-cinematic transitions.[76][106][114] GameSpot also faulted "loose" targeting and some visual and audio glitches.[76][106] IGN, which also identified problems with targeting, speculated that DMM's processor intensiveness limited its use throughout the game, detracting from players' ability to feel immersed.[113] GameTrailers and IGN were disappointed with the lack of variety within and between levels.[83][115] X-Play, pointing to "Default Text" as the bonus objective description in the Xbox 360 version's final mission and other glitches, said it seems the developers one day "just stopped working on the game".[88] GameSpot cited the port's lack of visual options and poor framerate as evidence the PC edition had been rushed.[74]
IGN described the Jedi Academy expansion as "pretty decent".[116] GameSpot said LucasArts seems to have acknowledged some of the game's criticisms in developing the Tatooine expansion,[64] but IGN called the level's boss fights "a joke" in light of the player's high Force powers.[117] IGN found the level design in The Ultimate Sith Edition's Hoth scenario uninteresting, and called the boss fight against Luke Skywalker tough but "not nearly as fun" as it could have been.[117]
The demo was the fourth most-played Xbox Live game during the week of August 25, trailing Grand Theft Auto IV, Halo 3, and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare;[118] it was the ninth most-played Xbox Live title throughout all of 2008.[119] The week it was released, The Force Unleashed was the sixth most-played game on Xbox Live, and it rose to fifth the following week.[120][121] In its first week on sale in Australia, the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of The Force Unleashed were the top and second-best sellers, respectively.[122] In the United States, the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 version sold 325,000 and 610,000 copies, respectively, in September 2008; that month, the Xbox 360 version was the best-selling game and the PlayStation 3 version was the fifth best-selling game for their respective consoles.[123][124]
Other platforms[edit]
Nintendo Power praised the story and the number of lightsaber combos but criticized the game's easiness and hack-and-slash gameplay.[125] It also praised the Wii version for its story and Force powers, but criticized the game's lightsaber controls and linear gameplay.[125] GameSpot noticed visual glitches and problematic audio compression that detracted from the Wii version's "mature and exciting" story, adding that the reduced number of Force-manipulable objects helps mitigate the targeting problems experienced on other platforms.[78] Referring to the Wii remote and nunchuck controls, GameSpot also speculated that The Force Unleashed is "possibly the most waggle-heavy" Wii game.[78] Zero Punctuation criticized the Wii version's graphics and compared lightsaber combat to "trying to follow an aerobics routine with both your arms tied to different windmills".[126] The ability to upgrade Starkiller's abilities in the PS2 version, according to IGN, is not as "robust" as it should be, and the game's targeting system is sometimes frustrating.[127] IGN said the PS2's real-time cutscene rendering made Starkiller seem emotionless, and that pre-rendered cutscenes would have been better.[82] GameSpot found the DS version's plot interesting but the storytelling itself "lackluster".[73] While the DS version is easy, with Starkiller killing enemies "like a hot knife through butter", GameSpot said the player's sense of power is not matched by a sense of freedom.[73] GameSpot called the PSP version's camera "unwieldy", but added that smaller and less cluttered environments make the targeting system less frustrating than on other platforms.[77] The Wii version was a nominee for multiple Wii-specific awards from IGN in its 2008 video game awards, including Best Story and Best Voice Acting.[128][129]
In the week of its release, the Wii version was the sixth bestselling game in Australia and was second to Wii Fit among games for that platform.[122] The PS2 version was the eighth bestseller in Australia, and both the PS2 and PSP versions were the top sellers on their respective platforms.[122] The DS version was eighth most sold among DS games in Australia.[122] In the United States, the Wii version sold 223,000 copies in September 2008, making it the ninth best-selling game that month.[123][124] In the United States, the PlayStation 2 version was the 14th best-selling game in September 2008, selling over 100,000 copies.[130]
- ^ Nintendo versions (Wii & DS) only.
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- ^ Casamassina, Matt (2008-07-02). "Hands on: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (DS)". IGN.
- ^ "Back cover of the DS version of The Force Unleashed (UK)". MobyGames.
Caption 3: "Battle your friends with unleashed multi-player action."
- ^ a b c DiGiacomo, Frank (April 2008). "The Game Has Changed". Vanity Fair. Condé Nast Publications. p. 3. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
- ^ Ramsay, Randolph (2008-05-16). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Updated Impressions". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- ^ "A New Chapter: The Story of The Force Unleashed". Star Wars: Force Unleashed. GameTrailers. 2008-06-12. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
- ^ "Starkiller (Darth Vader's Secret Apprentice)". Databank. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2011-06-28. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
- ^ a b c d e Thorsen, Tor (2009-07-24). "Force Unleashed unleashing more DLC, Sith Edition". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2009-07-28. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
- ^ a b c d Gandhi, Mayur (2008-05-16). "The Force Unleashed: Interview with Dan Wasson". NZGamer.com. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- ^ a b c d e f Keighley, Geoff (2008-05-28). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed". GameTrailers & Spike TV. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "A Force Unleashed Interview With LucasArts' Haden Blackman". Galactic Binder. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
- ^ Little Nemo (2008-08-19). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Interview". UGO. Archived from the original on 2009-02-23. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ Williams, Sean (2008-08-19). The Force Unleashed. Star Wars. Del Rey. p. 316. ISBN 978-0-345-49902-8.
His full name was Galen Marek
- ^ Lupi, Andrew (December 26, 2008). "Interview with Sam Witwer". EU Cantina.net. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
- ^ a b c Blackman, W. Haden (2007-09-17). "Casting and Capturing Captivating Performances". Lucasfilm. p. 2. Archived from the original on 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ "Star Wars The Force Unleashed: 10 Things Parents Should Know". What They Play. 2008-09-11. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2008-09-13. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ "Skywalker, Luke". Databank. Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
- ^ a b "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed — Making the Novel". Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2008-08-31. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ Schedeen, Jesse. "Juno Eclipse". The Force Unleashed: Cast of Characters. IGN. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
- ^ a b "A Force Wrecking Ball Pt. 2: The Characters". Star Wars: Force Unleashed. GameTrailers. 2007-09-21. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Blackman, W. Haden (2007-10-31). "The Force Unleashed: Co-Star Evolution". Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2007-11-01. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ Schedeen, Jesse (2008-09-12). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed TPB Review". IGN. Retrieved 2008-09-28.
- ^ a b Szadkowski, Joseph (2008-09-15). "ZADZOOKS: Star Wars, The Force Unleashed review". Technology. The Washington Times. p. 2. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
- ^ a b Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. LucasArts. September 2008. p. 18.
- ^ Rector, Brett (2007-03-16). "Production Diary: The Concept of The Force Unleashed". Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2008-09-15. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ a b c d "Unleashing The Force Part 1: The New Beginning". Star Wars: Force Unleashed. GameTrailers. 2007-05-25. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ a b c "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Postmortem Interview". GameSpot. 2008-09-13. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ a b c d "GDC '08: LucasArts prioritizing PS3 dev, unleashing Force". GameSpot. 2008-02-22. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
- ^ a b Blackman, W. Haden (2007-03-22). "The Force Unleashed: From Concept to Console". Star Wars: Gaming. Lucasfilm. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2011-06-28. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
- ^ Rector, Brett (2007-03-01). "Production Diary: A Tale of Many Storylines". Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2011-06-28. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ a b Rector, Brett (2007-02-22). "Production Diary: How It All Began". Lucasfilm. Archived from the original on 2008-09-15. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ a b c Blackman, W. Haden (2007-03-22). "The Force Unleashed: From Concept to Console". Lucasfilm. p. 2. Archived from the original on 2008-09-27. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
- ^ "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Webdoc #3". GameSpot. 2008-01-25. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
- ^ a b c "Star Wars The Force Unleashed Interview". Skewed & Reviewed. 2008-09-02. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
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- ^ a b "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Continues the Star Wars Adventure". Star Wars: Gaming. Lucasfilm. 2007-02-14. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
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- ^ "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed: Coming to PC and Mac this Fall". IGN. July 24, 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
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- ^ DiGiacomo, Frank (April 2008). "The Game Has Changed". Vanity Fair. Condé Nast Publications. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
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- ^ Rector, Brett (2007-06-01). "Production Diary: The Faces and Voices of The Force Unleashed". Lucasfilm. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
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- ^ a b "Downloadable Content Soon To be Unleashed". Lucasfilm. 2008-09-30. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
- ^ a b c Crecente, Brian (2008-09-30). "New Campaign, Characters Coming to The Force Unleashed". Kotaku. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
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- ^ a b Shaun, McInnis (2009-08-19). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed DLC Hands-On". GameSpot. Retrieved 2009-08-29.
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- ^ a b "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed". Electronic Gaming Monthly. October 2008.
- ^ a b Reiner, Andrew (2008-09-15). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Review". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 2010-08-20. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
- ^ a b c Petit, Carolyn (2008-09-15). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
- ^ a b c VanOrd, Kevin (2009-11-05). "Force Unleashed Sith Ed. Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
- ^ VanOrd, Kevin (2008-09-15). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
- ^ a b c d e f VanOrd, Kevin (2008-09-15). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Review". GameSpot. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-09-15. - PS3 review identical to Xbox 360 review
- ^ a b VanOrd, Kevin (2008-09-18). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-10-06.
- ^ a b c VanOrd, Kevin (2008-09-15). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
- ^ VanOrd, Kevin (2008-09-15). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Review". GameSpot. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
- ^ Casamassina, Matt (2008-09-17). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed". IGN. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
- ^ Roper, Chris (2009-11-02). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - Ultimate Sith Edition Review". p. 2. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
- ^ a b Roper, Chris (2008-09-15). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Review". IGN. p. 2. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
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- ^ Roper, Chris (2008-09-15). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Review". IGN. p. 2. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
- ^ Bozon, Mark (2008-09-15). "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Review (Wii)". IGN. p. 1. Archived from the original on 2008-09-18. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
- ^ "Wii Review: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed". Official Nintendo Magazine. Archived from the original on 2008-10-26. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
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- ^ a b "Nintendo Power". 233. Future US. ISSN 1041-9551. Cite journal requires
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- ^ "IGN Wii: Best Voice Acting 2008". IGN. 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ Matthews, Matt (2008-10-20). "NPD: Behind The Numbers, September 2008". Gamasutra. p. 3. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
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text:
How to Dispatch to a Method in R
A useful tool when dealing with functions in R is dispatching to a method. One thing to remember about functions in R is that one function can give a different result based on the type of value you give the arguments R has a genius system, called the generic function system, that allows you to call different functions using the same name.
Think about data frames and lists. If you print a list in the console, you get the output arranged in rows. On the other hand, a data frame is printed to the console arranged in columns. So, the print() function treats lists and data frames differently, but both times you used the same function.
Find the methods behind the function
It's easy to find out if you used the same function both times — just peek inside the function code of print() by typing its name at the command line, like this:
> print function (x, ...) UseMethod("print") <bytecode: 0x0464f9e4> <environment: namespace:base>
You can safely ignore the two last lines because they are used only by R developers. But take a look at the function body — it's only one line!
Functions that don't do much other than passing on objects to the right function are called generic functions. In this example, print() is a generic function. The functions that do the actual work are called methods.
Use methods with UseMethod
How on earth can that one line of code in the print() function do so many complex things like printing vectors, data frames, and lists all in a different way?
The answer is contained in the UseMethod() function, which is the central function in the generic function system of R. UseMethod() tells R to move along and look for a function that can deal with the type of object that is given as the argument x.
R does that by looking through the complete set of functions in search of another function that starts with print followed by a dot and then the name of the object type.
You can do that yourself by using the command apropos('print\.'). Between the quotation marks, you can put a regular expression much like in the grep() function. In order to tell R that the dot really means a dot, you have to precede it with two backslashes. Don't be surprised when you get over 40 different print() functions for all kinds of objects.
Suppose you have a data frame you want to print. R will look up the function print.data.frame() and use that function to print the object you passed as an argument. You also can call that function yourself like this:
> small.one <- data.frame(a = 1:2, b = 2:1) > print.data.frame(small.one) a b 1 1 2 2 2 1
The effect of that function differs in no way from what you would get if you used the generic print(small.one) function instead. That's because print() will give the small.one to the print.data.frame() function to take care of it.
Use default methods
In the case of a list, you may be tempted to look for a print.list() function. But it won't work, because the print.list() function doesn't exist. Still that isn't a problem for R — R will ignore the type of the object in that case and just look for a default method, print.default().
For many generic functions, there is a default method that's used if no specific method can be found. If there is one, you can recognize the default method by the word default after the dot in the function name.
So, if you want to print the data frame as a list, use the default method like this:
> print.default(small.one) $a [1] 1 2 $b [1] 2 1 attr(,"class") [1] "data.frame"

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Hubs didn't get home from doing chores at the farm until 3pm today. No Sunday breakfast or lunch for us, but instead we had a very, very late brunch. It was a simple, but fabulous menu of Asparagus Popover, toasted Cinnamon Raisin Breakfast Bread (courtesy of Sara Lee), and fresh squeezed orange juice. Comfort food on a cold day On My Plate.
(adapted from Every Day with Rachael Ray)
1 pound asparagus
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup milk
4 large eggs (room temperature are best)
1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese (or Swiss)
Preheat oven to 425.
Bring about 2 inches of salted water to boil in a medium saucepan.
Trim the asparagus and cut into thirds.
Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook about 3 minutes, until tender-crisp.
Drain and rinse with cold water; pat dry.
Meanwhile, in a medium cast-iron skillet add the butter.
Place the skillet into the oven to melt the butter.
In a medium bowl, microwave the milk on high for 30 seconds.
Whisk in the eggs, flour, salt, and pepper.
Arrange the asparagus in the hot cast-iron skillet and pour the batter over the top.
Sprinkle with half of the cheese.
Bake until puffed and golden, 18-20 minutes.
Top with the remaining cheese. (Serves 4)


text:
Hi there, me again.
I've developed my "heavy" database application as far i've got. Its useable now, but there is one thing that i could not realize: I want to have a second database called "jobs.pdb" - is it possible to have a second database ? I've seen a lot of other applications which use two or three databases, OrbForms only allows me to set one database in the Application preferences, so i'm not sure. If it's possible: I want a "simple" drop-down menu which shows me all records in the "jobs.pdb". If somebody can i provide an example for this i would really appreciate it!
Thank you for your support. - zyzix


text:
Arezzo Natur
- Remove this product from my favorite's list.
- Add this product to my list of favorites.
Stone effect vinyl
The vinyl will be cut to the length you require(in full metres). Please choose the required width and use the Quantity box below to specify how many metres you need (max length in one piece is 15m).


text:
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia College women's basketball program and head coach Maurice Smith announced the signing of Brandi McKinney Thursday.
A graduate of Warren Central High in Indianapolis, McKinney comes to GC after two seasons at Wabash Valley College, a two-year school in Mt. Carmel, Ill. She has plans to major in physical therapy or sports management.
"We are very excited about the addition of Brandi McKinney," said Smith. "She is a very talented basketball player who will make a significant contribution. Brandi comes from a program with a great winning tradition, and she will be an important piece that will certainly make us better. Her ability to score off the dribble and shoot it well will be a great asset to have. We are delighted to add a high-quality student-athlete like Brandi our program."
A vital member of back-to-back conference champions for Wabash Valley, McKinney helped head coach Zach Loll pick up regional Runner Up honors in 2011. McKinney was invited to the NJCAA All-Star Game in Pensecola, Fla. as a sophomore, tallying 22 points and 10 rebounds per contest. In her freshman season, she averaged 27 points and five boards a game.
McKinney played in two all-star games in high school, posting 21 points and five rebounds per game in her senior season. Under the guidance of head coach Michael Brooks, McKinney helped her team to take a 2010 Sectional Championship.
The youthful Bobcats spent the 2011-12 season without a senior, and finished 4-22 with a 2-15 Peach Belt Conference (PBC) record. Shanteona Keys (Roswell, Ga.) became just the second PBC Freshman of the Year in school history, and added All-PBC Third Team honors as well. The Bobcats return 10 players from last year's squad.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at www.twitter.com/BobcatSports and www.facebook.com/gcbobcats for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit www.GCBobcats.com for more information.


text:
Springbar Tents:
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text:
12 years after, WTC debris still sifted for remains
NEW YORK — Loved ones of the 1,100 people whose remains haven't been found since the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center are watching with interest as more debris from the site is sifted for bone fragments and other human remains.
Since April 1, workers in New York City's Office of Chief Medical Examiner have been spending weekdays at a landfill on Staten Island sifting through construction debris from the twin towers.
They are searching for bone fragments and other remains from the day when two hijacked commercial jets hit the buildings, taking the lives of almost 2,800 people. It is the fourth time the medical examiner's office is going through debris taken from the site, now home to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
Since the last examination in 2010, workers have been collecting debris from the site that might contain human remains. This time, the search uses a technology that provides a more complete profile from DNA, the medical examiner's office says.
Workers found 53 possible human remains last week, according to Ellen Borakove, director of public affairs for the medical examiner. The sifting process is expected to continue for about two months.
Mary Fetchet, head of VOICES of September 11th, a support group for survivors and those who lost loved ones in the attacks, praised the medical examiner's office. She said newly retired medical examiner Charles Hirsch had shown compassion.
Hirsch, who was in office when the attacks happened, often consulted with families on the identification process and gave them options on how and whether to be notified if remains were identified, said Fetchet, whose son, Bradley, died in the World Trade Center.
Some families ask not to be told if additional remains are identified, she said. Fetchet says her family has been notified five times.
According to the medical examiner's office, 2,753 people who were in the World Trade Center area died in the terror attacks. Of those, 1,634 have been identified; 1,119 have not.
Almost 22,000 individual remains have been recovered and about 14,000 of them identified. DNA is the most frequent method, followed by dental records and fingerprints.
Phase I of the recovery process began right after the attacks. Medical examiner employees, some sobbing while they worked, set up shop in the street. Phase II began in January 2006 and ended in December 2007; Phase III ran from January 2008 and ended in June 2010.
Tim Sumner, co-founder of 9/11 Families for a Safe & Strong America, said the support group's members, many of whom have relatives whose remains have yet to be identified, were under the impression that debris was being sifted all along.
"We wonder why there was an actual hiatus in the sifting operations," Sumner said. "We were led to believe that as they collected these materials, they would be sifted." He added, "These people ... will never have that moment to have that closure and, to some extent, regroup mentally."
The work is done in phases, as construction debris accumulates, because the medical examiner's office needs enough material to study, Borakove said.
Speaking of the of survivors who have been waiting nearly 12 years to learn whether loved ones' remains have been found, Sumner said, "I don't envy them."


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The Captains Regent of San Marino visit Ferrari
There have always been strong links between San Marino and Ferrari. In fact, it was the Imola circuit, named after Enzo Ferrari and his son Dino, that hosted the 26 editions of the San Marino Grand Prix, which counted towards the Formula 1 World Championship, and in addition, when still Team Principal of the Scuderia, Jean Todt was made an honorary Ambassador of the Republic.
That close relationship was renewed yesterday afternoon when the Captains Regent, Their Excellencies Teodoro Lonfernini and Denise Bronzetti, visited Maranello. The highest authorities of the San Marino State visited the production facilities where the Ferrari road and Formula 1 cars are made. During the visit, the Captains met the Scuderia Team Principal, Stefano Domenicali.


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It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?"—Thoreau FACING 20 By Michael N. Chetkovich As Haskins & Sells rounds out its seventy-fifth year, the calendar reveals the Nineteen Seventies stretching out ahead of us, unexplored, a bit mysterious, challenging certainly and even in some ways frightening. One is reminded of the old Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times"—for interesting times they will be. And one knows that to those for whom challenge means opportunity, "living in interesting times" is a blessing and not a curse. At such a point we must consider thoughtfully the unfolding picture and what it holds for all of us connected with H&S. Thinking and planning ahead are nothing new for most of us. But the rapidity of change in our environment demands that we think and plan ahead today on a scale to which we have not been accustomed in the past, even as we recognize that our plans are more susceptible to change than ever before. Only if we look at the future as clearly and objectively as possible may we expect to meet the Michael N. Chetkovich, Executive Office partner, has been designated as Managing Partner to succeed John W. Queenan in June 1970. challenges which lie ahead, to respond affirmatively to change and to progress as a vigorous and constructive enterprise. For we live in a time that is without precedent, a time when change is taking place at an incredibly accelerating rate. One can have no confidence that past patterns necessarily provide guidelines for what will occur in the future. In the period just ahead we may easily find that some of the best trained, most productive people in our present day society will be unable to keep up with the times, because their orientation is outmoded so swiftly. In Horizon magazine a few years back Alvin Toffler, who was an associa-ate editor of Fortune, wrote an article called The Future as a Way of Life. In this article he coined the term "future shock" to express an idea similar to the "culture shock" which anthropologists have called the bewildering effect that immersion in a strange culture has on an unprepared visitor. Toffler describes future shock as "the dizzying disorientation brought on by the premature arrival of the future." He warns that unless intelligent steps are taken to combat this disease, many people may find themselves increasingly disoriented and therefore progressively less competent to deal rationally with their environment. We are experiencing this future shock, the result of the enormously accelerated rate of change which, in effect, superimposes a new culture on an existing one. And unlike an instance of culture shock, one cannot return to the culture he left behind. Change, of course, is not new; it is an old and continuing phenomenon. But what is new is the tremendous acceleration in the rate of change in today's world. Tomorrow is here, it seems, before we have closed the door on yesterday. The late Dr. Robert Oppenheimer put it pretty
Object Description
Facing the 70's
Chetkovich, Michael N.
Accounting as a profession
Economic forecasting -- United States
|Personal Name
Chetkovich, Michael N.
Haskins & Sells. Executive Office
H&S Reports, Vol. 07, (1970 winter), p. 20-21
|Originally published by: Haskins & Sells
|Copyright and permission to republish held by: Deloitte
|PDF page image with corrected OCR scanned at 400 dpi
|Deloitte Digital Collection
|Digital Publisher
|University of Mississippi Library. Accounting Collection
|Date-Digitally Created


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For faculty teaching medical anthropology courses this fall, the following materials may be helpful. I collected these lists with the assistance of Andrea Sankar, co-editor of Medical Anthropology Quarterly, and Janet Dixon Keller, editor of Ethos, in order to save teachers time as they refresh their thinking about these oft-taught topics. Where possible, I linked to the source materials.
Note: In the case of AAA journals, content will be freely available for September, October, and November of 2011. AAA members always have access to these articles amid the half-million full-text items available freely to AAA members on AnthroSource.
Each discussion node includes textbook materials, videos, articles and ethnographies.
- Introductions to Medical Anthropology
- Explanations of Health/Wellbeing and Disease/Illness (list includes a section on medical ecology and a section on ethnomedicine.)
- Healing
- Body and Embodiment
- Food, Nutrition, Diet, Growth
- Reproduction, Reproductive Health (this also includes a separate list on Gender and Health)
- HIV and Infectious Diseases
- Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug
- Mental Health
- Organ Transplants
- Inequality and Structural Violence
- Public Policies and Institutions of Care
- Research Methods
I'd be interested in your comments about the lists and any thoughts about medical anthropology classes you've taken or taught. Post your thoughts by leaving a reply (bottom) or tell me if you'd like to see any other lists developed by taking the poll.


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Made of 100% solid oak, this 6ft dining room table is made with only the finest seasoned and kiln dried wood. It's then buffed to show the natural grain and finished with a clear lacquer to protect and preserve its traditional beauty.
This table will comfortably seat 6-8 people. Together with the Lola bonded leather chairs you'll have the perfecting seating arrangement to entertain guests.
The Lola chairs feature fully sprung and padded seats for the ultimate in comfort seating, whilst the curved back design adds a modern flare and style to the design. The Lola chairs are available in black, brown, ivory or burgundy
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|We are confident that you will be delighted with your furniture. However in the unlikely event that you are not, you have 14 days starting from the day after delivery to decide whether or not you wish to return your order for a full refund. If you wish to return your order to us your refund will be processed in full within 30 days of receiving the goods at our warehouse. If you wish for us to arrange collection on your behalf please see our return carriage costs. The return carriage costs will be deducted from your refund. We kindly ask you to return the item(s) in the same condition they were received in and in the original packaging. If your order is delivered damaged or faulty you should notify us immediately by calling our customer services team on 0121 667 2128.


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San Diego State lost the game. But it won the recruit.
Four-star prospect Winston Shepard, a 6-foot-9 guard/wing/post from Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev., called Coach Steve Fisher on Thursday morning and orally committed to the Aztecs. The blockbuster commitment came just hours after the Aztecs lost 77-67 at Viejas Arena to New Mexico, the only other school Shepard has visited.
"I just felt comfortable with Coach Fisher and the staff," said Shepard, who can't sign a binding letter of intent until April. "I had a great visit. I could really see myself fitting it with the guys. The things that I do best I felt like would fit in – ballhandling, passing, playing multiple positions, playing defense, attacking the rim.
"It's a great fit."
Technically, McDonald's all-American forward Evan Burns was the highest rated prep player to join SDSU, but he first committed to UCLA and switched after encountering academic problems. Shepard, then, would be the highest rated men's basketball recruit to make the Aztecs his first choice.
Rivals.com ranks him 40th nationally (slightly higher than Kawhi Leonard was in 2009), while ESPN gives him a 94 scout grade and ranks him 53rd overall. Positionally, Rivals calls him the class of 2012's 10th-best small forward; ESPN has him as the No. 12 small forward; Scout has him as the No. 9 power forward.
He ultimately may be neither of those positions. Some see him as playing multiple perimeter spots and running the point at 6-9 in much the same way Jalen Rose did for Fisher back in his Michigan days with the "Fab Five," which turned out to be a major selling point.
"That was probably one of the single biggest factors, how his game was and how my game is similar," said Shepard, who also had Connecticut, St. John's and Oregon in his final five. "The common thing is Coach Fisher. He always gets the most out of his players … From the time my recruitment started, I said I don't want to be just a 3 or a 4. I'm able to dribble, pass, shoot, score, defend, rebound.
"I feel Coach Fisher will let me do all those all those things. I can wear multiple hats. I think the beauty of that is it's better than, all I can do is score 20 points."
What does versatility look like in numbers? In his last two games with Findlay Prep, he's averaging a triple double: 18 points, 12.5 rebounds and 10 assists. In Findlay's 73-61 win against Las Vegas Bishop Gorman last month, Shepard was the primary defender on 6-6 Shabazz Muhammad -- considered the nation's No. 1 recruit -- and limited him to 19 points (eight in the first three quarters) on 9 of 26 shooting.
Shepard adds an exclamation point to an Aztecs recruiting class that on paper might surpass the 2009 group that included Leonard and Chase Tapley plus transfers Malcolm Thomas, Tyrone Shelley and Brian Carlwell. And that class was regarded as the best in school history.
Also coming next fall are highly regarded freshmen Matt Shrigley of La Costa Canyon High and Skylar Spencer of L.A. Price High. Sophomore transfers J.J. O'Brien of Utah and Dwayne Polee of St. John's are eligible at the start of the season, and James Johnson of Virginia at the semester break in mid-December.
This, after assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Justin Hutson, who helped assemble last season's 34-3 team, left last spring to become the associate head coach at UNLV. Former Aztecs guard Tony Bland replaced Hutson over the summer and quickly established himself among the West Coast's top recruiters.
"I really started considering them when Bland got there," Shepard said. "He's the one who recruited me. Tony, I can relate to him on and off the court. He's a great guy. He played for Coach Fisher. He can understand what I'm going through and what I need. He's also a big-time workout guy (with NBA players), so he can help me get to where I want to go."
There could be more, too. Former St. John's commit Norvel Pelle, a 6-10 center considered an NBA prospect, is at a California junior college trying to gain NCAA academic eligibility and has been linked to the Aztecs. So have several other high-profile players expected to transfer from major programs this spring.
The Aztecs, however, are currently out of scholarships for next season and adding anyone else would be contingent on someone leaving the current roster first.
Shepard visited SDSU two weekends ago and was at Viejas Arena for the 83-73 win against TCU. At the time, he said he intended to take three more recruiting trips and make a decision in April.
"I planned to take all five," Shepard said. "But after the SDSU visit, I really didn't want to take any more."
His only other trip: to New Mexico in the fall.
Findlay Prep had a game Wednesday night, and Shepard said he didn't watch the unranked Lobos beat No. 13 SDSU on its home floor.
"I saw the score, saw they lost," Shepard said, "but that didn't have too much effect on me or make me think twice."


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Department of Revenue News Release
December 09, 2010Bowling Green License Office Contract Now Up for Bid
JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Office of Administration has begun to accept management contract bids for the closed Bowling Green License Office.
Interested citizens or groups will have until 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011, to submit their bids to operate the Bowling Green License Office. The license office was closed Monday after the Missouri Department of Revenue exercised its option to cancel the contract with the former office agent.
A copy of the RFP that bidders will use to develop their bids can be viewed at https://www.moolb.mo.gov/. To review an RFP, select "Guest" on the home page, click on "Open Bids By Agency," then scroll through the list of bids until the appropriate bid is located. The Bowling Green bid number is B3Z11094. Additional information regarding the bidding process can be obtained at http://oa.mo.gov/purch/vendorinfo/DORoffices.pdf or by calling the Office of Administration at (573) 751-2387.
Prospective bidders can also tour the closed Bowling Green office to get an idea of how an office is set up for customer service. The office will be open only for the purpose of interested bidders inspecting the facility from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21.
Until the Bowling Green License Office reopens, citizens living in the Bowling Green area have several other offices where they can conduct license office transactions. These nearby locations include Elsberry, Hannibal, Louisiana, New London, Troy and Vandalia. A full list of license offices, their hours of operation, contact information and driving directions to the offices is available at http://dor.mo.gov/offloc/.
Many Pike County citizens can also renew their license plates online at www.plates.mo.gov. Pike County citizens that have a Personal Identification Number (PIN) on their license plate renewal information mailed to them from the Department of Revenue are eligible to use plates.mo.gov. Citizens who have collegiate, military or specialty organization license plates can't use plates.mo.gov.
Citizens with questions about driver license transactions may call (573) 751-4600, and questions about license plate renewal or other motor vehicle-related transactions can be answered by calling (573) 526-3669. Many questions can also be answered by going to the Department's website at www.dor.mo.gov.
The Missouri Department of Revenue is now on Twitter! To follow the Department on Twitter, go to http://twitter.com/MoRevenue.


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In a year of impressive milestones, the University of Houston has - for the first time in its history - received more than $100 million in private support from businesses, corporations, alumni and friends in a single year. Accomplished in the throes of an economic downturn, the record was achieved on the strength of support from more than 25,000 donors to the university during that same period.
"We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming display of generosity of all of our donors and the Houston community, whose gifts are responsible for this record-breaking year," said UH President Renu Khator. "This is an exciting time for the University of Houston, and our expectation is to keep this positive momentum going over the next several years as we continue our progress toward Tier One status. The continued support of our donors will be vital to achieving that goal."
During the 2010 fiscal year UH received more than $102 million in private support, smashing the previous high of $87 million raised in 2000. Last year, private support totaled $73 million.
These donations support a variety of efforts across the university, but most fall into any one of three categories: research activities, scholarships and academic support. Examples of philanthropy in action at UH include:
- TierOne Scholarships - a distinguished, high-profile award program intended to attract highly qualified students to the University of Houston, demonstrating UH's commitment to keeping top talent in Houston and Texas
- Enhanced student experience - as outlined in a nine-point Strategic Plan for Student Success that includes building an exceptional living-learning experience; offering educational programs that offer students unique global, research and service-learning experiences; and instilling a culture of excellence in student support and services that promotes student success
- Cluster hires - an initiative to recruit new faculty in new and emerging academic disciplines that cross traditional departmental and college lines
- Support for key initiatives in energy, health and the arts - strengths of the university that will serve as pathways to achieving Tier One status
Every dollar raised is significant as UH pursues Tier One status, Khator said. The broad base of support UH now enjoys under her tenure - as evidenced by the jump from 19,000 donors to the university when she was hired in 2007 to the 25,000 now contributing - demonstrate that the Houston community is responding to her bold vision to attain Tier One status.
The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University are the only public Tier One universities in Texas. Tier One designation as a nationally competitive research university would make UH eligible for millions of dollars in state funding. The designation would boost UH's efforts to compete with other states for the best and brightest students and faculty, spur economic growth, sustain an educated workforce and support innovative research.
"To achieve the vision of Tier One status, the continued loyalty and generosity of our donors are essential. This new standard for philanthropy at the University of Houston must be sustainable. That is our challenge if we are to fulfill our potential as an institution," Khator said.
The fundraising record, which includes an all-time high in alumni participation, is one of a series of recent milestones for UH. Others include:
- An enrollment record of 38,850
- a record for research expenditures of $99 million
- record-high enrollment in The Honors College
- the highest six-year graduation rate in its history
- the addition of four members of the National Academies of Science/Engineering to the faculty
- continued development of the Energy Research Park
- new student housing and remodeled dining facilities marking the continued evolution into a residential campus
"The University of Houston is making tremendous progress, and it's an exciting time to be a Cougar!" Khator said.


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These standalone enclosed meters are designed for retrofit applications or new metering installations where mounting space is limited or not available within existing electrical distribution equipment. Suitable for service entrance applications where energy supplier verification monitoring is required, the meters are flush-mounted on the enclosure door and include all inputs/outputs factory-wired to terminal blocks. According to the company, no separate source control voltage required for applications below 265VAC. Additional features include optional control power transformers for applications above 265VAC and 600V-rated power voltage terminal block.
For more information, visit www.eaton.com/powerxpert.
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Located in historic New Braunfels, Voss Farms offers the best of both worlds—small town living next to the big city of San Antonio. Convenient to IH-35, Voss Farms' new homes are close to Randolph AFB, north San Antonio employers and even south Austin. This community features many amazing home designs to choose from through The Barrington & Watermill Collections of new homes. Our beautifully decorated model is open daily for you to tour and meet one of our New Home Consultants. And because Lennar offers Everything's Included homes, our home designs at Voss Farms, include all of the energy features, appliances, and luxury designer upgrades that you have come to expect from Lennar.
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Maura Holden was born in 1967 in Philadelphia PA. She spent most of her childhood absorbed in a multi-dimensional daydream, which formed the foundation of her visionary quest as it continues today. By dreaming, drawing and water-coloring continually throughout her youth, Maura was able to present her first solo show at age sixteen, in the family home, with a large body of detailed paintings and drawings of inner landscapes populated by spirits and supernatural beings. Thanks to her mother, who organized everything, the show was packed with enthusiastic people who bought all the art; Maura bought an expensive dirt bike, and every time she jumped a curb she enjoyed the sensation of her visions manifesting abundance and adventures.
Though Maura's very early work was definitely fantastic – heavily influenced by Max Ernst, Dali, and her own mystical dreams – she did not anticipate the full flowering of her visionary kinship until seeing the art of Ernst Fuchs. This profound event occurred when she was twenty-four, at a party, where someone handed her a book of Fuch's art. From the moment she held the book, Maura has been a devoted fanatic, more influenced by Fuchs and his lineage than by any other branch of painting.
Maura has never had formal painting instruction but has learned from friends, and pieced together her own education from a combination of book research, experiments with art materials and techniques, looking at other artists' work, and a lot of time at the easel, becoming one with the paint.
In 2002 Maura had her first solo gallery show, "Carnivorous Architecture", at Gallery in the Woods in Brattleboro, Vermont. The show brought Maura a small flurry of recognition, leading soon afterwards to a year-long group show, "High on Life", at the American Visionary Art Museum, followed the next year by another, "Golden Blessings" at the same museum. Her contribution of five paintings to the first of these shows brought many new friends and connections, and Tom Patterson, the curator of "High on Life", later went on to write a feature article about Maura and her work for Raw Vision magazine, issue 56, Autumn 2006.
Maura's involvement with AVAM and Tom Patterson linked her to the Outsider Art movement, whose artists she regards affectionately and belongs with familiarly, since she is self-taught and a part time eccentric recluse.
In 2003 Maura participated in the Society for the Art of Imagination's "Brave Destiny" show, at the Williamsburg Art and Historical Society. This started her in the direction of the Visionary Art movement.
It would be years, though, before Maura unfolded further in the public sphere. Around this time, she embarked on an experiment in consciousness, when she repaired to a hermit's cabin in Westminster West, Vermont, and began a new body of work. There, for three years, she lived without electricity or running water, secluded in the forest, meanwhile making a fair number of shamanic journeys and beginning new paintings. This period constituted a death and re-birth for her, a breaking down of old structures, a passage from one kind of consciousness to another. She lost her identity, it seemed, and merged with the forest's myriad woven sound and sentience. This state of suspension in nature helped her let go of outworn thoughts and begin fumblingly to manifest a new kind of vision. The realms of Earth-aliens, faeries and the geometry of plants and minerals began to replace the ruinous anthropomorphic cities of her earlier period. A new outlook began to take root.
In 2006 Maura's mother gave her a computer and Maura built a primitive website for her art, thus linking with the international Visionary community. In 2007 her work appeared in "Metamorphosis – 50 Contemporary Surreal, Fantastic and Visionary Artists" published by Jon Beinart. In 2008 her work was featured in "The Invisible College" issue 4, created by Gwyllm Llwydd. Laurence Caruana published Maura's artwork and a short story, "The Cosmic Mountain" in "The Visionary Revue".
Around 2007 Maura became pen pals with Laurence Cauruana, at first corresponding with him mainly about philosophical, spiritual and aesthetic ideas. Their friendship became more personal over time, eventually leading Maura to gain a strong attraction to the Visionary Art community and the idea of participating more directly with her peers. In 2011 she joined Laurence, Amanda Sage and Andrew Gonzales in teaching the "Visions in the Mischtechnik" seminar, in Tori Superiore, Italy, where she lead a drawing intensive. During the seminar Maura became friends with Andrew Gonzales and Amanda Sage, and even finally met with her idol, Ernst Fuchs, exchanging words of respect and a wonderful hug. She will be returning to teach at the seminar in 2012.


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Mayor's Office
A member of Nebraska Task Force1(NETF-1), the Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR) based at Lincoln Fire and Rescue (LFR), has been activated to respond to the disaster in Haiti. Dr. Ed Mlinek, an emergency physician at BryanLGH, is the Medical Team Manager for a 24-member Incident Support Team (IST). He is now on his way to Homestead Air Force Base in Florida and will be sent to Haiti from there. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has three ISTs, with members from across the country.
NETF-1 has not been deployed to Haiti. Assistant Fire Chief John Huff, the Program Manager for NETF-1, also serves on the IST that is being sent to Haiti, but he was not activated for this response. He said NETF-1 is not on stand-by status at this time, but he is in close contact with FEMA as operations in Haiti continue.
Four USAR task forces are now in Haiti - one each from Virginia and California and two from Florida. In addition to activating the IST on which Mlinek served, FEMA today mobilized six additional USAR teams - one each from Ohio, New York, Virginia and Texas and two from California.


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Papi's power propels Sox to comeback win in Detroit
DETROIT -- With Mike Napoli back in the lineup behind him, David Ortiz was going to get something to hit when he came to the plate with two on in the ninth inning Sunday night.
And he hit it a mile.View Full Game Coverage
DETROIT -- With Mike Napoli back in the lineup behind him, David Ortiz was going to get something to hit when he came to the plate with two on in the ninth inning Sunday night.
And he hit it a mile.View Full Game Coverage
Ortiz's three-run homer to right off a Joba Chamberlain breaking ball gave the Red Sox a 5-3 win over the Tigers at Comerica Park as Boston snapped a five-game losing streak
"We needed a win," Boston manager John Farrell said. "There was no doubt about it."
Nor was there any doubt about Ortiz's blast, his 19th at Detroit's home ballpark, the most by any visiting player in Comerica Park history.
"I should come and play in this division, don't you think?" Ortiz joked after the game.
For a while, it seemed as if the same fate that befell John Lackey in his last start would find him again Sunday. Like his previous outing, he threw solid eight innings. But even though he allowed only two earned runs, Lackey was in line for the loss until Ortiz silenced the crowd.
But Lackey's performance was overshadowed by not only Ortiz, but Brock Holt, as well. The 25-year-old logged four hits, made a massive run-saving catch in the third and started the game-winning rally in the ninth with a single.
Farrell had to figure out a way to get Holt into the lineup as his leadoff man, so he stuck him out in left field.
Even though Holt hadn't played outfield in the big leagues, Farrell figured his athleticism should make him serviceable. If all else failed, at least Jackie Bradley Jr. was there in center field to help Holt cover the large Comerica Park outfield.
Holt didn't need Bradley Jr., but, Sunday night, the Red Sox needed Holt.
Boston opened scoring in the third inning with a sacrifice fly off the bat of Dustin Pedroia that scored Bradley.
The Tigers countered in the bottom of the frame with an RBI single by rookie Eugenio Suarez. Holt saved the inning from turning into a big one for Detroit when, with two outs and a man on first for the Tigers, he made a running catch in deep left field that prevented Ian Kinsler from an extra-base hit and the Red Sox from relinquishing their lead.
Detroit went ahead, 2-1, in the fourth with a pair of base hits from its two biggest sluggers. Miguel Cabrera -- who later exited the game with left hamstring tightness -- led off the inning with a double, and Victor Martinez singled him home.
But Napoli, in his first game back from the disabled list, tied the game in the sixth inning with a solo shot off Anibal Sanchez. The Tigers' starter hadn't given up a home run since Game 5 of last season's American League Championship Series, when Napoli got the better of him.
Working deep into counts early, the Red Sox ensured Sanchez's outing would be a short one, getting to a Detroit bullpen that has had its share of woes this season. By the fourth inning, Boston had touched Sanchez up for as many hits as he had allowed in each of his last three starts. Napoli's sixth-inning homer came on Sanchez's 101st pitch of the night.
Holt tripled down the right-field line in the seventh inning, after Sanchez exited the game. Pedroia walked on four pitches to bring up Ortiz, who flied out to deep center field to end the threat.
The missed opportunity came back to haunt the Red Sox. In the bottom of the inning, Xander Bogaerts fumbled a sharp grounder at third base, allowing the Tigers to put two men on with no outs. The rookie Suarez picked up another RBI with a base hit to left.
In Lackey's opinion, Ortiz's game-winning smash of the hanging breaking ball from Chamberlain was a product of Napoli standing in the on-deck circle.
"Are you kidding me?" Lackey said. "They wouldn't have thrown one near the strike zone if that dude wasn't standing on deck."
Farrell said that "Mike Napoli's presence was definitely felt here tonight."
With nowhere to put Ortiz, Chamberlain was forced to attack him head on. Ortiz won the battle, sending Boston off to Baltimore with a much-needed win.
"We have that sense pretty much every time he hits," Lackey said, when asked if he saw the game-winning homer coming. "He's special. It's funny, you almost expect it."
When the Red Sox won five consecutive games at the end of last month, a three-run home run by Ortiz against the Braves started the streak.
"Hopefully this gives us the same kind of boost and jump-starts us once again," Farrell said.
Matt Slovin is an associate reporter for MLB.com.