Talk Extreme Blog

Pure - An Extreme Sports Game Review

2008-10-06T10:17:39Z

A couple of weeks back the folks over at Pure sent us a copy of the game and between the heads here at TalkExtreme HQ we've all had a play and and have put together our thoughts on the game.

First things first – without a doubt the graphics are pretty slick and that is underselling it. This game's primary plus point is just how good the graphics are. If graphics are at the top of your tree for things you look for then you certainly should read on.

The playability of the game is also top notch. The controls are extremely sensitive and once you get used to it then it really improves the game. You can slide easily and it is a game that if you are a lover of pure racing games then you won't be disappointed but like all games it does have its drawbacks.

The biggest and most blatantly obvious is the fact that you can only play multi-player online. You can't play against a mate or mates in the same room on split screen. That really drags the game down from being one that you can play with your mates to what is essentially a solo effort when you have nothing better to do.

The reason for overlooking this is unclear but it is one that the makers should look at. With several of us in the office having tried it – we'd of liked nothing better than to of sat around on the sofas in our social area and racing each other but that was impossible.

So overall you'd like to say that it is a good game, easy to pick-up, mind-blowing graphics, simple enough that you don't have to read the manual but complex enough that it isn't overly easy. However that big black mark really stops me from eulogising profusely about the game.

Still a good game and if you are into racing games then it'd be right up your street.

Extreme Sports Auctions!

2008-09-12T16:11:41Z

Following on from my previous post, another good website for those looking to pick-up Extreme Sports Gear is TradeExtreme

Similar to another website I've mentioned – Trade Extreme specialises in giving Extreme Sports enthusiasts a place where they can buy and sell merchandise knowing that the people they are buying and selling to and from are people with the same passion as them.

From Sunglasses to Ski Goggles – they have something for everyone depending on what you want. Again they have a very good reputation. When I was surfing around the site I found a racing kite for £2,800 so they have good stuff!

A good place for those who aren't keen on ebay and want to buy or sell goods of an Extreme Sports nature.

Extreme Sports Goods

2008-09-12T15:50:15Z

We all love ebay but sometimes it just doesn't have exactly what you want. This is where specialist ebay type websites come in handy and one of them is Extreme Sports Trader

If you are in need of equipment for Extreme Sports then this is the website for you. From BMX Bikes to Surfboards to all the paraphernalia surrounding the sports. I know a fair few Extreme Sports fends and they all rave about this website.

It is a great place for the starter to get involved. If you don't want to splash out the money on any of the brand new products then buying second hand is the way forward. Most of the items available on this website are from extreme sports enthusiasts so you can be assured that they have been looked after tremendously well.

It is certainly a good website to check out if you are looking for Extreme Sports Gear.

BMX and the Olympic Games

2008-09-04T15:02:14Z

The addition of a new sport to the Olympic Games is a tentative process and many get no further than the initial demonstration period. Popular sports such as American football and water skiing have failed to convince the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of their merits and lasted no longer than a year before being replaced. This year’s Olympic Games welcomes another new sport: one with a distinctly modern image - bicycle motocross (BMX).

Athletes participate in BMX in a plethora of different ways. The sport belongs to the same school of extreme sports as skateboarding, snowboarding and motocross, and the events within the discipline range from simple races to the more dangerous Vert event which focuses on style and skill over time or distance. The sport has become increasingly popular with thrill seekers due to its relatively low cost and the fact that it can be enjoyed on almost any surface. Riders actively seek out new terrain and locations to hone their skills, craft their arenas from the urban environment, and may even make their own ramps and jumps.

The Olympic BMX event is a competition of speed in which a number of competitors (eight during the semi-finals and four in the final proper) race around a dirt track complete with hillocks, ramps and tight corners. As such, the event has much more in common with the high octane world of motocross than with snow or skateboarding. The decision to avoid Vert BMX is a consequence of the amount of amateur riders that choose to specialise in the field which, at present, is very low due to the sport’s inherent potential for career-ending injuries. Beijing’s Laoshan BMX venue became the official venue for the five events contested on the 21st and the 23rd of August. The final was scheduled to take place on the 22nd but was postponed due to a spell of bad weather that made the course treacherous to riders.

Despite the dangers associated with the sport, American rider, Donny Robinson, believes that his involvement in BMX racing removed him from other, less desirable theatres: ‘You’re so focussed, […] you couldn't ask for anything better as a kid. And our sport's a little cooler.’ Robinson claimed a bronze medal in the men’s BMX final on Friday while British rider, Shanaze Reade, missed out on the podium after taking a tumble in the final. She escaped with minor injuries but was relegated from the competition. The two gold medallists were Anne-Caroline Chausson from France and Latvian rider, Māris Štrombergs.

BMX replaced the long-established time trial cycling event, effectively closing off an avenue of competition to make way for a niche (but very popular) alternative. The inclusion of snowboarding (since 1998, although the events have been altered subsequently) and BMX racing among long-established sports such as boxing and swimming may mark a move towards a more commercialised Olympic games where appealing to a younger, more ‘modern’ audience is paramount for the continuing success of the IOC and of the Games themselves.

Perhaps the most important question to ask of a new Olympic sport is: will it survive the four year hiatus and return for a second run at London 2012? BMX racing received a great deal of media attention over the last two weeks and was lauded as a thrilling spectacle by Reuters, the BBC and Sky Sports who thought that the event was a far-cry from the more disciplined sports that have graced the Olympics for hundreds of years. The success of BMX racing is an important step forward for extreme sports and the IOC may yet welcome skateboarding, surfing, gliding, or other niche events into the Olympic family.

Written by Chris Illingworth

Pure - An Extreme Sports Game

2008-09-01T11:08:19Z

Are you interested in a computer game where you can ride quadbikes all over the gaff? If the answer is yes then please read on...

"We expect Pure to set a new standard for off-road action sports that delivers adrenaline-inducing vertical experiences with spectacular aerial tricks and intense wheel-to-wheel racing," said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios in the Press Release. "Pure will appeal to a wide audience based on the game’s jaw-dropping aerial tricks, breakneck racing and vast environments."

"The studio continues to be advised throughout development by Wes Miller, pro rider and the founder of H-Bomb Films, known for showcasing his team’s incredible stunts. Miller has been involved with development to assure the game adheres to the sport’s culture and authenticity but still allows creative liberties."

"Black Rock Studio, formerly Climax Racing, is known as a leading developer of racing games, including its critically acclaimed work on the best-selling franchises Moto GP and ATV Offroad® Fury. The studio and its products have won or been nominated for dozens of awards, including winning four IGN Best of Show awards at E3 2006."

Sounds good doesn't it? How about some screenshots?

If you are interested in the game then check out its website and the trailer is over here on YouTube.

It looks a good 'un and I look forward to its release.

Filthy 48 - Chicksands

2008-07-07T15:53:39Z

Filthy 48 round two was held at Chicksands at the weekend. Filthy 48 is a series of mountain bike and BMX events held around the UK over the year to bring together riders and to basically have a good time riding together.

I arrived at Chicksands at about mid-day and met a couple of friends there that I ride with down south. 24seven had brought demo bikes which you could try out before you buy. All you do is give them your bike to look after, have your picture taken and away you go on an awesome 24seven ride.

That day the 24seven bikes were so popular you were lucky to get a go on one. I rode there for about six hours throwing down some big tricks for the crowd over the big jumps. It so cool getting cheers and claps for your tricks. It makes everyone ride so much better when every one encourages each other.

I threw down back to back flips for the first time so I was fairly pleased with that. I also pulled a barrel roll x-up and a backflip no-hander. The guys from 24seven were throwing out t-shirts and free stuff to people doing good riding.

This is great, although it’s only a small thing, but it gets kids to compete with each other and push them selves to do better. These guys are the future of mountain bike dirt jumping so we much encourage it. Some poor kid apparently broke both his arms. It was such a shame after such a great days riding.

Find out more about the day and about future rounds at www.filthy48.com