Another of Valve’s usual Team Fortress 2 auto updates has become active. While most of the little bug fixes are not really news worthy this version sorts out one issue and it’s a big one. It fixes a big that prevented accurate Arena mode user statistics from being uploaded.

If this means that user scores were not uploaded for future record and achievement unlockables then that is a serious issue worthy of note. Considering how many hours it takes or the fluke occurrences that happen to make an achievement and a weapon unlockable it could take months to regain what should already be yours.

It’s a good thing Valve run their own patching service via Steam as by normal means in almost any other game but MMO’s it could take months for enough glitch fixes to come around to make a standalone patch a worthwhile thing to publicise and update with on the companies end. For Team Fortress 2 users the next time you go onto Steam the download will begin automatically and take just a jiffy.

As a big guy we always wondered how our old friend in Valve’s Team Fortress 2 manages to keep in shape and it turns out to be a steady diet of sandviches.

As one of the big announcements to the heavy update for TF2 the sandvich is a health supply which when properly used can provide valuable emergency health. The only downside to this is you must stay in one place for a number of seconds making considerable noise while eating your sandvich. Just like a sitting duck indeed.

If you have Team Fortress 2 you can try out the sandvich right away by downloading the heavy update now.

Let’s face it E3 isn’t exactly what it used to be. The BB’s are no longer there
and everything is on a much smaller scale. There isn’t even any big announcements
anymore all we have are sequels to older titles and even those are ones leaked
before. So does E3 even matter anymore?

More to the point instead of reading endless news posts about possible announcements
and what “might” be announced within the next few days why not try something different
and take some time for yourself. While we might like them to be, games are not everything.

To assist in this we have compiled a few suggestions for things to watch at home, in a cinema and even play that you can do right now and just wait for the E3 results later. It’s much more fun to get the facts and not be let down by wrong “what if” posts online.

What to watch - Home

Big Stan (DVD)

The first recommendation might be a shock to some. Big Stan is the newest movie
starring/directed by Rob Schneider of Judge Dredd/Deuce Bigalow fame.
This one is yet another comedy but about a guy who ends up found guilty in a US
court for minor financial offenses. To avoid being a target in the slammer he gets
a shady lawyer to buy him 6 months to prepare and learn to fight before heading in.

In what comes down to great casting he hires The Master (David Carradine) a hobo
martial arts expert.  Plus there’s the odd one seeing the serious girl who plays
Cameron in Fox’s House (Jennifer Morrison) as the ditsy wife. It’s a laugh out loud comedy with some classic scenes. Even as a prison comedy it’s a great movie that can easily stand repeat viewings. The only problem is the rather obvious ending that anyone can see a mile away.

If in the States you can buy or rent it now, if in the UK it’s not out yet but will be
in August. A little late for E3 but still worth a look.

What to watch - Cinema

The Dark Knight

Not really a shocker I know but lets face it there is no bigger movie this year and none
with better reviews so far. Even though the full release date hasn’t come around yet
there are locations doing early screenings so why not take on Batman. Any sci-fi movie
where an Oscar is recommended by critics has to be something special.

If you want a taster before seeing it why not go and buy Batman Begins on blu-ray
where you get 5 minutes of The Dark Knight at full blu-ray quality to enjoy right at home.

What to play - Home (obviously!)

Team Fortress 2

Even though the game came out last year there have been several updates and additions to make it even more worthwhile to go back and try the game again if you have taken time off. Running around building defenses as an Engineer or emptying a clip as The Heavy in 18 seconds cannot be beaten, even by Crysis. If for some reason you have not tried TF2 or at least any other titles in Valves Orange Box just buy it over Steam and play for some great times and forget about E3.