YouTube “Dark” God 2015!

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Nerd Eyes Only

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen to the eagerly awaited results of YouTube God 2014! Finally you will know who has been raised to the status of Godhood and who has fallen by the wayside. For those unaware, this is the second year of results for our annual competition deciding who the best producers on YouTube were, finishing with the presentation of our award YouTube God to the ultimate victor.

The victor of YouTube God 2013 was Mister Jesse Cox, who eagerly accepted his title with typical Jesse brilliance, via twitter (as seen below). We were also fortunate to meet Jesse at Cox Con 2014 and gift him with his award in person. At which time he instantly “improved/defaced” it with the word “dark”, reaffirming his decision to be the first and most evil deity in the YouTube pantheon!

Jesse Cox accepting his title with grace and Nerd Eyes Only representative Andrew Hoare after presenting Jesse Cox with malevolence… his award! (Cox Con 2014)

So now what you’ve been waiting for the final results for YouTube God 2014…

5. The Warp Zone

This year, The Warp Zone is back with all our favourites Davis, Schroeder, Ryan, Fish, and Odom. Unfortunately they’ve slid a bit on our since last year mainly due to less consistent production and more variable quality. But definitely still in the running, they continue to make a host of different, weird and wonderful content from let’s plays, to musical parodies, drinking games, to comedy skits and their occasional vlogging content. We hope to see them again next year, hopefully moving up on our list!

Links:
Merchandise Facebook Twitter
Instagram Google+ Channel Link

4. Redshirt Films:

Our first new entry to the competition is Redshirt Films, home of monster-filled mockumentary; ‘I Am Tim’, tabletop gaming comedy ‘Nights at the Round Table’, the Red Dwarf-esque series ‘Away Mission’, and much more as well. This indy YouTube tv show producer based in the UK, looks set to continue making fun nerdy content with original flare for a long time to come.

Links:
Twitter Facebook Official Website Google+ Channel Link

3. Paul, The DIY Guy

In at number 3 is Paul the DIY Guy. Paul makes and instructs viewers on how to craft cool nerdy items. Need a Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy e-reader cover, a TARDIS Magic deck case or a Bob-omb plushie, Paul is your man! Paul can also be seen as the resident DIY guy over at Geek & Sundry’s (another YouTube group) Vlogs channel, links available below.

Links:
Blog Pinterest Instructables
Twitter Nerdcrafting Google+
Tumblr Geek and Sundry Vlogs channel Channel Link
Facebook

2. Jesse Cox

Returning this year at number two, is the “Dark” YouTube God of 2013 Jesse Cox. Continuing where he left off last year, Jesse continues to make great quality and highly watchable content. For a full run down of what Jesse is all about, check him out at his links below or for a quick summary check out his winning description from last years competition here. So now, who is to join Jesse amongst the clouds of mount Nerdlympus? Well…

Links:
Merchandise Google+ Twitter
Facebook Podcast SoundCloud Tumblr Twitch Channel Link Minecraft Server

1. Wil Wheaton, Tabletop

The Geek and Sundry channel’s show Tabletop, hosted by Wil Wheaton, has been one of our favourites. If the rest of G&S’s programming had risen to it’s level, the channel itself might have been this year’s winner. However, it is Tabletop and Wil Wheaton specifically, along with the show’s many other producers and crew, that we are honouring this year and raising to the status of Godhood!

Each episode takes a group of new Tabletop Action Shot people, some of whom are celebrities (including last years Winner), through a new board game for your viewing pleasure. The show is a mixture of dinner for five and a gaming blow by blow analysis program, similar to those broadcast about sports. The game selection has been superb and the constantly changing guest angle makes for interesting and new dynamics in every show.

YouTube God Award After Tabletop’s successful crowd funding campaign, they have decided to create a supplementary Roleplaying game show, as yet unfinished, but we feel the same dynamic as the original show would make for engaging viewing. We also very much hope some of our favourites, Call of Cthulhu, Cyberpunk or anything from the White Wolf universe make it in to the final cut!

So congratulations Wil Wheaton and the Tabletop team, will you join Jesse Cox on the darkside or become our first benevolent YouTube God. Whatever the case we wish you the best and pray you keep up the great work!

Links:

Official Website Geek and Sundry Community Page Twitter
Tumblr Google+ Facebook
Instagram Channel link

Come all ye Gamers, Of Cards and Dice and Tokens!

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Nerd Eyes Only

DIce Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
all the nerds they were stirring, they were rolling their dice…

The Holiday Period is a time of togetherness and what greater way to spend that time than around the gaming table? So here are our top picks for great games to play with your loved ones!

Munchkin

Sometimes you don’t want in depth character roleplaying or a rich back story. Sometimes you just want a giant Broad sword, to kick down the dungeon door, kill the monster, betray your friends and get the treasure. If that’s the case then Munchkin is the game for you! A card based game where you take out all the complex and heavy aspects of Dungeons and Dragons, leaving in the fun of the fight, the treasure and wonderful mechanics to encourage backstabbing. With hilariously designed cards and an open invitation to add your own cards (like those designed by the nerd eyes only team below) Munchkin, including its many expansions, is a fast paced furious game of hilarity and monsters!

Munchkin Play sets
Munchkin Deluxe Card Game
Munchkin Color Card Game
Munchkin Zombies Card Game
Adventure Time Munchkin
Munchkin Cthulhu Card Game

– Nerd Eyes Only Home Made Munchkin Cards –

Gloom

A card based game like our previous selection but with an entirely different flavour. Gloom, with it’s beautiful art style and brilliant layering mechanic on transparent cards, is a game where misery really does love company and the winner is the first one to murder their family. Gloom is a game where you tell the tragic story of a number of bizarre and Gothic families. Place your story cue cards upon the characters to ensure your family’s miserable death and to save the other families from theirs. This is definitely a game improved by a vivid imagination and a flare for storytelling, the key is to invest and enjoy!

Gloom Play Sets
Gloom Second Edition Card Game
Cthulhu Gloom Card Game
Gloom Second Edition Expansion: Unwelcome Guests
Gloom Second Edition Expansion: Unfortunate Expeditions
Gloom Second Edition Expansion: Unhappy Homes

Themed Monopoly – Star Wars, WOW, Doctor Who

Obviously Monopoly is a classic Christmas time sink and occasional family feud impetus. But now with the huge numbers of nerdy variables; one can breathe life into the old game and enjoy a horde of new features and board tiles. Each new version allows for a world of new play in Azeroth, Middle Earth, The Land of OOO, a galaxy far far away, or in a big ball of timey wimey stuff.

Monopoly Play Sets
Marvel Comic Books Monopoly
Adventure Time Monopoly
The Hobbit Monopoly
DC Comics Monopoly
Star Wars Monopoly
World of Warcraft Monopoly
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Monopoly
Doctor Who Monopoly
The Transformers Monopoly
Street Fighter Monopoly

Zombie Dice

It’s the Zombie Apocalypse and you, a newly minted member of the undead horde must with your pals search out some juicy juicy Braiiiiiiins….However, this new world of the undead is not without its trials and tribulations. Shotgun toting survivors and those too fast to catch, plague your shambling moments and you must eat 13 Brains to survive this day. A ridiculously simple game that does not belittle the joy that can be found by playing it. Zombie dice is at its core, just a cup of dice. However it is also a game of great versatility and accessibility for any number of players. The dice represent survivors of the zombie apocalypse with three possible outcomes; a Juicy Brain for the player, an escaped victim and an empty belly or a shot gun blast to the face! Each player takes turn to roll dice until one player wins by collecting 13 brains. One can save the brains you get or continue to roll until you either win or receive three shotgun blasts, at which point you lose any brains you’ve collected and have to start again on your next turn. Quick and easy to set up and play, this is probably the best game on our list to start any gaming session.

Zombie Dice play sets
Zombie Dice
Zombie Dice Deluxe
Zombie Dice : School Bus
Zombie Dice Bag
Zombie Dice: Brain Case
Cthulhu Dice

Card’s Against Humanity

Another game whose simplicity hides a huge amount of fun, is Cards Against Humanity, a deck of cards used essentially to play a fill in the blank game with a twist. Now to make this very clear, this a game that can be wholly unsuitable for children depending on those playing and the cards you choose to use. At its heart it as a game meant for adults. Now that the disclaimers are out of the way, we can get on to the good stuff! With an incredible variety of card options, the game works to create the funniest, most disturbing and truly horrific sentences known to man. Helped along by the option to add in your own cards and a army of expansions this game will raise eyebrows and bring you to fits of laughter.

Cards Against Humanity decks
Cards Against Humanity
Cards Against Humanity: Second Expansion
Cards Against Humanity: Third Expansion
Cards Against Humanity: Fourth Expansion
Cards Against Humanity: Fifth Expansion

Fiasco

This selection is an odd one to explain, especially as the end of the game, and pretty much the purpose, is to end in a calamity or “fiasco” for the players. A roleplaying game based around a series of story twists dictated by the game mechanics and the choices of the players. It is a game where all the players start out with hopes and dreams and live to see them trashed by the end of the game!

Buy it here – Fiasco
Check out more Information here
Find supplementary downloads here

Elder Sign

Elder Sign is a cooperative card and dice game, based on the world of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft. Players randomly select their own monster (known as an Ancient One) to fight against. The aim of the game is to get elder sign tokens to “seal” or imprison it and avoid doom tokens which will awaken it to our world. Each player chooses an investigator to play as, each with unique abilities. Players take turns exploring a randomly generated room. If a player succeeds at completing all of the tasks in the room they are exploring, they obtain a reward, if they fail they receive a penalty. Rooms are explored until either the Ancient One is “sealed” or “awakened”. If the Ancient one is awakened, the investigators must fight it to defend the world, optimistically with next to no chance of success. Its is a game of anticipation and fear that embodies the feel of the literature it mimics perfectly!

Elder Sign play sets
Elder Sign: A Cthulhu Dice Game
Elder Sign Expansion: Unseen Forces
Elder Sign: Omens

Betrayal at House on the Hill

Betrayal at House on the Hill is a horror game where tiles are laid by the players to procedurally generate a new house to explore with every game. Characters enter the house and search the rooms for dangers, traps, items and omens until someone triggers the haunt (any of a number of scenarios outlined in the written material). At this point one of the players number (also unknown to said player until this point) is revealed as a traitor, with his own evil goals contrary to that of the other players. He or she must then seek to complete said goals with a host of new abilities and helpers. The rest of the team seek to stop them. It is a game with huge “replayability” and a wonderful way of bringing people together, especially against the new enemy in their midst!

Buy here – Betrayal at House on the Hill

Happy holidays everyone, hope you have as much enjoyment with these games as we did. Any alternate game suggestions are most welcome, so feel free to leave them in our comments section below!

London Film and Comic Con 2014 (Gallery)

Gallery

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Nerd Eyes Only

This gallery contains 48 photos.

The Nerd Factor

Posted on July 6, 2014 by Nerd Eyes Only

If your looking for some fun talent shows that are actually worth watching then today we have something for you….

Jim Henson and the company he founded are most famous for the creation of the Muppet’s but also for being the foremost puppeteering company in known history. In the new show created by the Jim Henson company, “Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge.” A group of Creature Creators compete against each other to create puppets and animatronics such as those found primarily in science fiction and fantasy. Actress Gigi Edgley who played Chiana on Farscape, serves as the show’s host. The judges evaluate the creature designs on the Henson Sound Stage every week and the contestants are eliminated one by one by Brian Henson. The winner getting $100,000 and a contract for working at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.

The judges are made up of Brian Henson, Chairman of The Jim Henson Company, writer, film director, and puppeteer most notably to us the puppeteer that brought Hoggle to life in Labyrinth. Fabrication specialist Beth Hathaway who worked on Jurassic Park, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and The Walking Dead
and Production designer Kirk Thatcher who worked on Return of the Jedi, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, and Gremlins. Throughout the series the contestants are also Mentored by Peter Brooke, Julie Zobel, John Criswell.

The contestants at the start of the show are as follows:

Robert Bennett – Sculptor for Walt Disney Imagineering from Orlando, Florida.
Chaz Vance – Special-effects and entertainment designer from West Falls, New York.
Tina Roland – Freelance effects artist from Hollywood, California.
Josh Smith – Creature costumer and prop builder from Minot, North Dakota.
Ivonne Escoto – Freelance special-effects artist from Los Angeles, California.
Lex Rudd – Puppet and creature costume-maker from Guerneville, California.
Russ Adams – Special-effects artist and creature creator from Ogden, Utah.
Jake Corrick – Student and sculptor from Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania.
Melissa Doss – Housewife and freelance special-effects artist from Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
Ben Bayouth – Freelance special-effects artist from Woodland Hills, California.

There appears to be no sensible way to watch the show in the UK at the moment. Although it may air on Syfy a lot later at some point. If somehow you are unaware of Creature shop at Jim Hensons work be sure to check out Farscape, Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal for awesome examples of their work!

For more info check out the show’s page here: http://www.syfy.com/creatureshop

If your in the mood for more nerdy talent show stuff you can always try the penny arcade comic version, strip search. Available entirely on their YouTube channel here. While living in a large pineapple-themed house, a group of artists are given a series of challenges in each episode ranging from creative to legal to physical, with the winner(s) of each receiving a prize. The winner of the last challenge each day must choose two of the artists to go head-to-head and compete to stay in the game. The chosen must then meet the Penny Arcade creators, Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, and before them they draw two random ideas written on scraps of paper then have to create an original comic strip based on the selected concepts. The winner goes back to the house to continue competing while the loser is eliminated.

If you would like to get an idea for the contestants work before or after watching the series, the contestants for this show are as follows:

Abby Howard, Junior scientist power hour webcomic artist.
Alex Hobbs, Wanderlust Kid.
Amy T. Falcone, CLique refresh.
Erika Moen, Freelance cartoonist.
Katie Rice, Skadi.
Lexxy Douglas, Freelance illustrator.
Mackenzie Schubert, Webcomic artist.
Maki Naro, Sci-ence.
Monica Ray, Phuzzy Comics.
Nick Trujillo, Mynt condition comics.
Tavis, Thunder skull press.
Ty Halley, the secret life of a journal comic.

Hopefully we have given you a new worthwhile replacement for the other seemingly talentless, talent shows that plague television these days. If you have any suggestions of similar concepts that we or others may be of interest as always you may leave a comment or send us an email at contact@nerdeyesonly.com.

Nerd Design Ltd

Posted on June 1, 2014 by Nerd Eyes Only

Loading Wall Decal Available here.

So your a Nerd and you’ve got a new room/place to decorate, there’s so many choices, so many things to think about, how much is too much and what should you do? Have no fear we have the answers! Here is a definitive guide to helping you deck out your new Nerd pad,from the slightly nerdy to the fortress of Nerditude!

First things first you need to start with a theme, that can be as basic as a colour scheme or as complicated as genre themed house or individual rooms. But the basis for any design project is the colours and themes that will dictate the finer details. The other thing to consider from the beginning is minimalism versus clutter. Will your nerd articles highlight a functional space or overrun it, both are good options but you need to decide before you start.

Left: Comic Strip Wall Art. Top Right: Loading Wall Decal, Available here. Bottom Right: Pacman Vinyl Art Posted here.

Now we move onto the fun stuff inspiration for your own designs…

Walls

First things first you need to decide what you want on your walls. Obviously you can go as basic as possible with a neutral colour of paint or plain wallpaper, have everything stand out from them or you can go a bit more adventurous.

Posters and art are an obvious choice for things that can change as you need them to. You also have the choice of using frames or going for the teenage loft feel using blue tack or thumb tacks. A good option can be making your own posters or signs by printing strait from your computer. For example there is a sign found in The Stanley Parable game which reads “NO DANGER, Nothing in this room will kill you.” a pretty easy sign to mock-up on the computer and quite funny to boot. If you haven’t played the Stanley parable I heartily recommend it, you can purchase it easily from steam here.

If you are particularly artfully inclined wall art is a great option, like the comic strip art shown in the picture above you can change the whole feel of a room and make a truly unique and personalised addition to your home. If you are not so inclined and don’t have a artistic friend who owes you or oodles of cash to hire a professional, have no fear there are other options for a similar feel. For example many different nerdy stores offer a wide range of stick on wall art decals and nerdy themed wallpapers to cover all your walls or just the odd one to highlight a space.

Floors

The conventional choice for your floors is obviously carpet. Same as the walls you can go plain and comfy or tie it in to the colour of other articles in your room. Or you can go for a more adventurous or complex design in and of itself. If you have wood or tiled floors or have decided that is the way you want to go it gives a few extra options to consider. The most obvious being rugs of every description that can tie a room together or be features in there own right. Also like the walls one can go arty with floor murals and If you happen to have a staircase to decorate, one can try options such as seen in the picture below, or some devising of your very own.

Left: Space Invader Staircase, Posted here. Middle Top: Totoro Bed Available here. Middle Bottom: Prop Gun Decorations, Information available here. Right: Book Spine Staircase, Information available here.

Furniture

An easy option when dealing with furniture if you’re a dab hand with a needle is to reupholster with nerd themed bed sheets that can be picked up relatively cheap. Obviously you have the option to display all your best bought nerd goodies and even the option to buy new ones to be added to the collection. For help on this you can go to our other piece on nerd shopping found here.

The specifics for nerd furniture includes the gaming chair, the snack ready cooler or mini fridge. Then there are bed and Bedding to consider. In the bed department the key thing other than the obvious comfort is under bed storage be that draws or an improvised system to allow a great resource for storage and easy access to your goodies like games and movies in the bedroom. Obviously bedding comes in a wide variety star wars,Asian influence and just plain old black as a few examples.

Storage is massively important but particularly shelves, as a nerd one has undoubtedly collected a horde of figures, toys, models, Books, Games and Movies all of which find there best home on the humble shelf. Book cases, wall shelving and internal cupboard storage can all be great choices and offer yet another surface to decorate with your own individual nerdy flair(see book shelves pictured below for inspiration). Book ends especially allow you to create an instant nerd image with little cost e.g AT AT book end pictured below.

Top Left: AT AT Bed, Posted here. Bottom Left: DIY TARDIS book shelf. Top Right: AT AT Book Ends Available here. Bottom Right: Nerdy entertainment centre, Posted here.

Electronics

This next part is key to the home of any true nerd and that is the Tech. One must have the best Sound system with sub-woofer,wifi as standard, large flat screen TV, Gaming consoles and if you’ve got the cash a master race PC and some kind of wall projection system. A few other things to think about are wireless HDMi emitters to stream straight to your big TV from your PC for the purposes of gaming and Netflix. Make sure you have good wire organisation and ways to hide the accumulation of wires that come from owning all the tech to be a modern day nerd. To top this off you need a cool Entertainment centre to hold all of your cool gadgetry and also Sound Proofing to save from waking ones neighbors or room mates.

Windows

Windows while being a key feature of many rooms and the source of much needed natural light for the often house bound nerd (especially once you have completed setting up the parts of our last section) work as great places to show off your nerd as well. Curtains, Blinds and all kinds of hanging nik-naks can make it a window into your nerdy a soul as well as your room. Like on your walls decals are a great choice and a window sill makes a great shelf for added storage.

Left: Dalek Fridge Decal Information available here. Top Middle: Harry Potter Ministry of Magic Toilet Decal, Information Available here. Bottom Middle: Enter Key Door Mat – Available here. Top Right: R2D2 Gaming centre, Picture/ Information here. Bottom Right: Gundam Room and Blind, Information Available here.

Bathroom

In the bathroom there is less to think about as generally it is considered a more utilitarian space. Chances for personalisation only really come in the form of the Shower curtain, Bath Mats, types of storage, porcelain/enamel/glass art or decals and the occasional nerdy themed toiletries e.g. Darth Vader bubble bath if you are that way inclined. But obviously all it really needs to do is function as a bathroom at the end of the day.

Kitchen

The Kitchen like the bathroom is a more functional space and so has less maneuverability for design. However, how you decorate your Storage, or White stuff fridge, microwave etc can lend a hand whether in specific nerdy design or colour coordinated with other more nerdy rooms. There is also obviously a host of nerdy to buy Utensils, cutlery and china available across the web.

Top Left: Arcade Light Switches Information Available here. Bottom Left: Lightsaber Candlestick Available here. Top Middle: Lightsaber Lighting, Posted here. Bottom Middle: Thor Mjolnir Night Light, Avaialable here. Right: Han Solo in Carbonite Light Switch, Information Available here.

Lighting

For a nerd lighting is also a key part of the decoration process, not only for it’s own design opportunities but so one can comfortably read comic books and game neither in the dark or under glare. A simple design point is the coordination between light switches and plug fittings, key to making the house look cohesive. One can also get inventive here as seen in the Han Solo in Carbonite and arcade button switches above. There is also the opportunity to go out of the box with the lightsaber or mjolnir lighting (again seen above) with very little work or more simple with nerd themed lamp shades or candelabras.

Garden/Outside

Granted not everyone has the advantage of a garden or outdoor space and many do not consider it in the design process. But here are a few ideas we came up with to inspire you to Yoda green thumbs.

Door mats are very easy to spray a design on all you need is a stencil and a can of black spray and sealant. For an example of how to do this check out this instructional video on sword and stitches here for a Hadouken design. Although we could come up with no ideas for how to nerd pimp a washing line, we’re sure its possible and if you come up with one we’d love to hear it. Obviously you also have your choice of furniture and garden decorations e.g Gnomes or lighsaber garden lights. All that is really needed to finish it off is a patio heater to keep you warm a BBQ to keep you fed and to make sure you can access the Wi-Fi from outside!

Well that’s it from us hopeful you will draw inspiration from our attempt to help and will create new feats of crazy nerd decoration we never imagined. Good Luck!

Left: Harry Potter Bedroom, Posted here. Middle: Star wars Art Available here. Right: Star Wars Bedroom, Posted here.

Helpful Links/Ideas

Amazon
ThinkGeek
Ebay
DIY’s on YouTube (e.g Swords and stitches, Paul Mason, Two broke geeks).
Ikea hackers – A large set of clever ways to assemble otherwise mundane furniture.
Nerd Design Pinterest – a collection of nerdy themed design idea photos.
ETSY – A web shop for handmade awesomeness.
Nerd Eyes Only shopping guide – our guide for buying nerdy on the web.
Charity shops – a great place to pick up all sorts of cheap design pieces.

Rise Nerds The Revolution Is Upon Us…

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Nerd Eyes Only

If you’ve followed our yearly Comic Con Blog or the career of Zachary Levi, Star of Chuck, then you are probably aware of The Nerd Machine and Nerd HQ. If you are not however, Zachary Levi and co-founder David Coleman began the nerd machine website home of cool nerd Swag, articles and the start of a Nerd Revolution (Nerdolution). Subsequently it evolved to include Nerd HQ, the con(NERD HQ) inside the con (San Diego Comic Con) which began offering unprecedented access to favourite stars and other cool nerd stuff. And it was all in an effort to raise money for the charity Operation Smile, which offers safe, effective reconstructive surgery for children born with facial deformities such as cleft lip and cleft palate.

For every year Nerd HQ has been going, they have provided full videos of their panels and events(which can be found on their YouTube channel here), which were also streamed live worldwide. Nerd HQ was made up of Signings, photo booths, panels, gaming and auctions. But now the convention needs your help!

And to explain exactly how you can help here is the man himself Zachary Levi…

You can Click on this link right here, to donate and help support a great convention that in turn also supports an important charity. “All contributors will be part of the #NerdHQArmy, an exclusive email list that will receive updates, photos, videos and much more throughout our event planning process that can’t be found anywhere else. Your name will also be placed on our “Nerd HQ Wall of Honor” at the event and on our contributor page on http://www.thenerdmachine.com. But most importantly, for your contribution, you will receive our eternal gratitude, loyalty and our pledge to bring you the best Nerd HQ ever!”

If you’re still not convinced here are a few things that may help persuade you, If you’re not resident of the United States, Unfortunately there is no Nerd HQ for example in our native land of the UK or anywhere else,but success might encourage expansion. And finally to give you an idea of what your money would be going towards here’s a quick clip of footage from Nerd HQ 2013. I hope you agree to support this worthy cause and support Nerd HQ and The Nerdolution!

Mysterious Musicians and Where to Find Them!

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Nerd Eyes Only

One thing that is genuinely prescribed to be too cool to be nerdy, is music. However as a lover of strange mixes of music and obscure artists, I feel it fits within the purview of our mandate. So here’s just a few different artists that you may or may not have heard of and hopefully you’ll find yourself a cool new favourite.

Outasight

Richard Andrew, better known by his stage name Outasight, is an American singer and hip hop artist from New York. Though he is considered a Pop artist, he draws influence from other genres such as hip hop, classic rock and soul. We originally came across him through YouTube.com/RayWilliamJohnson on YouTube, who early on in his vlog series used Outasight’s track, Good Evening (dream Big), as an outro. To give you a feel for Outasight, here’s a music video from his very own YouTube channel: YouTube.com/IAmOutasight.

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Amazon Link – Outasight Album – Nights Like These

Jon Huertas

You almost definitely know him from the hit Comedy/Crime drama Castle with Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic, as Detective Javier Esposito. But you probably don’t know his musical repertoire. Although to this day Huertas has not released a massive amount of music more is coming all the time and going from strength to strength. Here’s a little taste of him from his own Youtube channel, Youtube.com/jonhuertas:

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Amazon link – Jon Huertas – Champion

Akala

Akala, born Kingslee James Daley is an English rapper, poet, and journalist. Originally from Kentish Town,Camden, London, his older sister is rapper/vocalist Ms. Dynamite. Known for his intelligent and thought provoking lyrics as well as being able to knock out a great tune, he has also done a lot of good work within inner city initiatives. Your taster for Akala is probably his most popular song named “Shakespeare” :

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Amazon Links – Akala Album – It’s Not A Rumour, Akala Album – Freedom Lasso & Akala Album – Double Think.

K’s Choice

Actually stumbled upon this natively Belgian band as a single track on the Buffy the vampire slayer soundtrack, called virgin state of mind. From then on I was hooked to the eerie melodies.Here below is the very track that introduced them to me, hopefully you will be equally hooked by it!

All Thanks to YouTube user GraveyardSymphony for this video.

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Amazon Link – K’s Choice – Virgin State Of Mind

Ghost of the Robot

Another Buffy related find is the band Headed by James Marsters, mostly known as Spike from aforementioned TV show, Ghost of the Robot. Known for their unique rock style music, they are based in Southern California. Here is a live recording of a personal favourite “Goodnight sweet girl” from their Official YouTube /gotrmusic.

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Amazon Link – Ghost of the Robot Album – Mad Brilliant

Danilo Alimo

The last on our list of mysterious musicians and where to find them is something quite different. Predominantly just music without lyrics the YouTube user DrastyAlimo plays the guitar and makes some of the most beautiful music I have ever listened to. A large amount of it has been created as fan made versions of songs played and written by the fictional hero Kvothe of Patrick Rothfuss’s Kingkiller chronicle novel series. The best of which is “The Felurians Song” which is embedded below:

The Tomorrow People Today!

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Nerd Eyes Only

When the rumors surfaced that an American network was going to do a remake of the classic 70’s children’s TV show “The tomorrow people” the first thing to come to mind was shock, then excitement, and then dread. Now the first few episodes have aired in the UK (Broadcast by E4) and a bunch more state side (Broadcast on the CW), It seemed only fair to sit down and write about and compare the new series with its older progenitor.

The original Tomorrow People was a children’s television program that ran on the ITV from 1973-1979. The Story followed Stephen an ordinary schoolboy who collapses on a London street under the mental strain of “breaking out”. A process where the powers of an evolutionary advanced strain of people (Called the tomorrow people/Homo-superior) start to develop. Existing tomorrow people John, Carol and Kenny help him through this process and then they come up against the mysterious villain of the piece Jedikiah, who serves the even more malevolent and enigmatic Cyclops.

The trailers for the new season looked painfully like One tree hill/The OC with super powers, luckily it’s not as bad as all that. Again the lead character is Stephen older and with his own new rag tag bunch of tomorrow people rallied against Jedikiah. But this new series clearly aimed at the teen/twilight market as opposed to being children’s TV like the original.

During the pilot I wondered why the lead had been cast whose acting rises to only passable in all that I’ve seen of the series so far. But i guess when only five minutes in to the first episode one sees the pretty boy hero shirtless and tied to a bed Its a case of looks over substance. As we’ve started talking about some of the bad i’ll get all of that over with and then we can talk about what is good about the series.

In the pilot their is a painful Darth Vader force choke scene of a school bully by Stephen as he “broke out”. The scene just felt like a giant cliche not helped by serious overacting. Also not a fan of the clumsy love story so far, the obligatory love triangle of the twilight generation is telegraphed from episode one and is horribly predictable. Early on our protagonist, Stephen, who I guess we are supposed to route for makes it hard to do so. The Stupid “I’ve known about all this powers thing for three seconds but i’m gonna start giving dumb orders” is just annoying and typified by a decision join super crazy death squad ultra by pilots end.

Now that were done with the bad, here’s the good, and there’s a lot of it actually which has kept me from dropping the series, thus far. The idea of having the Tomorrow people learning focus for powers through martial arts was very cool. A scene within the pilot of two new recruits going against each other until one accidentally teleports made me sit up and pay attention and ultimately stop from turning over. However while this is a cool premise that is held up throughout the series so far the caliber of martial arts ability in the cast is very mixed.

Aaron Yoo who plays Russel Kwon the more anarchic member of the Tomorrow people is easily a favourite character and stands out both in his performance and in the writing of his character. I also quite liked the female lead Cara Coburn played by Peyton List but my appraisal of her performance may be biased by here being insanely attractive. The jewel in rough is Mark Pellegrino who plays Jedikiah, probably best remembered for his awesome portrayal of Lucifer within Supernatural. Although to date we haven’t seen too much character progression for him. His performance is another reason to give the series chance.

Gone are the flares and dodgy haircuts of the original, a word you could definitely use to describe the new series is “slick”. Done away with, are the much more theatrical sets and costumes, and the low production values that typified the original and other productions of the era like Doctor Who. TIM is back as the Tomorrow people’s fix all A.I. computer and as Russel Kwon puts it “he’s like our Hal but not evil.” Unfortunately it doesn’t look like we will see TIM whipping up Steak chips and ginger beer from thin air, but i think that was only important to me anyway.

Personally I find the CGI shimmer when characters are using Telekinesis off putting, and would be better if it didn’t exist at all. But otherwise the three powers of the original Tomorrow People (Telekinesis, Teleportation and Telepathy) come across well. “Breaking out” seemed a much bigger deal in the original series like mental/brain static. Where as in the new series, it seemed they just needed to give Stephen his powers as quickly as possible so as to move on with other parts of the plot. Which I imagine as the series continues will be more complicated and similar to other contemporary shows.

In summary the new Tomorrow People is not the original by any stretch of the imagination, but then that is to be expected. Although there is plenty to grumble about, it also has a lot of potential as well. It’s not a new Heroes and it probably won’t rank in the league of Firefly, but it is definitely worth a watch. It will be interesting to see if the series can hold the attention in the long run and whether they will throw in any references to the original. Talking of which I leave you with a video of the cool seventies opening credits of the original, which sadly do not make a return, so you can bathe in the nostalgia.

All thanks go to TheRageTV on YouTube, for this video.

Check out the original again on DVD from Amazon: The Tomorrow People – The Complete Series [DVD]

Who will be YouTube God?

Posted on January 11, 2014 by Nerd Eyes Only

Welcome to the very first Installment of You Tube God. Here you will find a rundown by Nerd Eyes Only of the very best YouTube had to offer from 2013, ending with the presentation of the title “You Tube God” to the greatest of all. To start here a a few people deserving of special mention who did not quite make it into the prestigious top 5. Many could have easily made it in but in the end a choice had to be made. There is not the proper time to look at all of them in detail here so go check out their channels for yourself just add their /username’s to the end of http://www.youtube.com or click on their links below.
Honorable mentions –

Andre/Black Nerd – /Blacknerdcomedy, /andre, /swordandshell
Boogie2988 – /boogie2988
Crendor/Eric- /wowcrendor, /coxncrendor, /crendorirl, /goodnightcrendor
Brooke “Dodger” Leigh – /dexbonus, /presshearttocontinue
Digital Commanders (Ted, David & Chadwick) – /digitalcommanders
Geekocracy – /Geekocracy
Geek & Sundry (Felicia Day & Wil Wheaton) – /geekandsundry /geekandsundryvlogs
Katie Wilson – /LegendOfKatie
Kev Jumba – /kevjumba, /Jumbafund
Lucah/Reese- /lucahjin,
Natalie Tran – /communitychannel
Nerdist (Chris Hardwick) – /Nerdist
Paul Mason – /allhailskippy
Polaris/The Game Station – /thegamestation /Polaris
Ray William Johnson – /RaywilliamJohnson, /Breakingnyc, /runawayplanet
Rosanna Pansino – /RossanaPansino
Red Shirt Films – Channel Link
Smodco internet television (Kevin Smith) – /seesmod
The brothers Riedell – /thebrothersriedell
Total Biscuit/John Baines – /TotalHalibut
Wizard of the coasts/Dungeons and Dragons – /DNDWizards

So now that the failures to win this prestigious award have been acknowledged, here is what you have been waiting for the Top 5! Four runners up and the Nerd Eyes Only champion and newly titled YouTube God!

Top 5

5. wong fu productions – /wongfuproductions /ISATV /morewongfu Made up of Wes, Ted and Phil, Wong Fu Productions started out as a group of guys from a San Diego University who wanted to make movies. Their Channel has produced a number of short films, Skits and a very popular vlog series called Wong Fu Weekends. They also launched The organisation ISA (International Secret Agents) with the band Far East movement, an organisation that furthers the cause of asian Americans in the entertainment industry and now has it’s very own YouTube channel.

Links:

Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/wongfuproductions
Twitter – https://twitter.com/wongfupro
Instagram – http://instagram.com/wongfupro
YouTube Channels – /wongfuproductions , /morewongfu , /isatv
Main Website – http://www.wongfuproductions.com
Merchandise – http://areyouaniceguy.com/

4. Penny Arcade – /pennyarcadeTV

The YouTube arm of the successful web comic creators Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins. Penny Arcade is one of the few web comics to turn what they love into a business, and now they also run conventions called PAX(Penny Arcade Expo) on both sides of the USA and in Australia. Their channel hosts a wide variet of content including: Penny Arcade the series, a reality show of their own devising that looks at working at Penny Arcade, Strip Search, A apprentice style game show with the prize being a slot to work in their company. The channel also hosts a number of other creators content like “shut up, sit down!” and Extra Credits.

Unfortunately if rumors are to be believed, the penny arcade YouTube channel looks to be going away but all the cool content they made up till now should still be available on the penny arcade site.

Links:

Twitter – https://twitter.com/PA_Megacorp
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Penny-Arcade/19103799704
YouTube Channel – /pennyarcadetv
Main website – http://www.penny-arcade.com/

3.Yogscast Lewis and Simon

The spear head channel of the Yogscast organisation run by Lewis and Simon the companies Creators. Their channel is focused almost entirely around creating Minecraft based content, singled out by the pairs sense of humor and sense of fun. The Yogscast is also made up of a bunch of other Yogscast channels on YouTube(Listed below), they also annually do a Christmas live stream over December for charity and have produced their own game, Yogventures, and merchandise.

Links:

Main Website – http://www.yogscast.com/
Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/yogscast
Twitter – https://twitter.com/yogscast
Merchandise – http://yogscast.spreadshirt.com/

All the Yogscast Channels –
/YOGSCASTLewis&Simon, /YOGSCASTHannah, /YOGSCASTLalna (aka Duncan),
/YOGSCASTSjin, /YOGSCASTSips, /YOGSCASTRythian,
/YOGSCASTNilesy, /YOGSCASTMartyn (InTheLittleWood), /YOGSCASTStrippin,
/YOGSCASTZoeyProasheck, /YOGSCASTPanda, /YOGSCASTParv,
/YOGSCASTRidgedog, /YOGSCASTKim, /YOGSCASTZylus,
/YOGSCASTDaveChaos, /YOGSCASTWill, /Area11 and /HatFilms.

2. The warpzone – /thewarpzoneThe warpzone made up of Davis, Schroeder, Fish, Odem and Ryan. Along with a number of rarely appearing other friends make fun nerd related parody fun. They make a host of different weird and wonderful content from let’s plays, to music parodies, to drinking games and comedy skits. They’ve even been known to make a podcast or two.

Links:

Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/TheWarpZone
Twitter – https://twitter.com/warpzonetweets
Google+ Page – https://plus.google.com/u/0/+TheWarpZone/posts
Instagram – http://instagram.com/warpzonegrams
Merchandise – https://www.districtlines.com/the-warp-zone

1. Jesse Cox – /Jesse cox /omfgcata /coxncrendor /Polaris (Formerly the Game Station) And here is our winner…He started out making World of Warcraft Cataclysm videos, hence the original name for his channel being OMFGCATA. He then progressed into gaming let’s plays of all sorts, he also is a regualr co-host on the cooptional podcast (previously the gamestation podcast) on the YouTube polaris network. Also with his friend Crendor makes the sometimes infrequent but always hilarious CoxnCrendor in the morning Podcast, a Solo vlogging/q&a series called “revenge of the q&A” and the RPG makers Series of minecraft content. All of which he creates with efusive charm and a great sense of humour. He is here as our winner and official ” YouTube God” basically because there is no one else we have come across that so consistently turns up with the funny and the quality. Congratulations Jesse!

Links:

Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/TheJesseCox
Twitter – https://twitter.com/JesseCox
Tumblr – http://doingitwrongandlovingit.tumblr.com/
Twitch Channel – http://www.twitch.tv/shaboozey
CoxN Crendor podcast – https://soundcloud.com/coxncrendor
Minecraft Server – https://shaboozey.com
Merchandise – http://www.rodeoarcade.com/collections/omfgcata

Nerd Xmas Stocking

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Nerd Eyes Only

As nerds we are marked by fanatical love of all sorts of things and how better to express and show off that love than shopping for stuff. Clothes, figurines, toys, tech and art, all sorts of stuff to enrich our lives and enhance one’s nerd cred. But times are tough Christmas is racing towards us and with limited funds where is the best place to fulfill your nerd cravings and spend your cash? Have no fear we are here to help with our suggestions for the best Nerd shopping on the web!

I know it should not be worth mentioning an obvious first stop for anyone searching to buy things, but we had to start with amazon. It is especially worth noting the masses of stuff available there second hand at ridiculously cheap costs, as well as a place to find items from other places on this list. Now that’s over with let’s move on to more interesting fair.

http://www.amazon.co.uk

If you are unaware of think geek shame on you although based in the USA, with all the shipping costs that entails, it is a one stop shop for a huge store of nerdy things of every description. Also if you find something you like on their site there is every chance you can find it cheaper elsewhere like our first suggestion above.

http://www.thinkgeek.com

Etsy is a mixed bag in oh so many ways but it hides treasures a plenty if you’re willing to seek them out. Literally everything you can think of from toys to art to full accurate movie costume replicas. We challenge anyone to spend a few hours on Etsy and not come away with a lighter wallet and arms full of swag. Here are some suggestions we came up with for some of our favourite Etsy stores.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Hx5Designs (Nerdy Shirts, Mugs etc)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MovieGunsInc (Movie Guns Prop Replicas)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AltClick (Nerdy Art)

Dave’s Geeky Hockey Jerseys is exactly what it says on the tin. It provides a score of designs of nerdy hockey jersey’s. What Designs are being sold go on a shifting pattern with peoples Interest, so if a particular design catches your eyes tell them so it can be in a future sale.

http://www.geekyjerseys.com/store.php

Basically Volante design make cool Assassin Creed style coats. They do a bunch of designs in a bunch of different colours, to help pull together a Cosplay, look suave or if you just need a place to hide your wrist blades!

http://www.volantedesign.us

Motorbike’s are cool and so are super heroes, Bounty hunters etc, UD replicas brings these things together in a explosion of coolness. Selling Motorbike related paraphernalia all with nerd themes. The one thing here is as with any Bike wear, it’s expensive but if you want to push out the boat, I can’t think of a better way.

http://www.udreplicas.com

If you’re looking for something from a particular franchise then the best place to stop is it’s own themed web store. Most big franchises, Doctor Who, Star Wars, Star Trek etc. have there own little corner of the web.These themed stores might not always be the cheapest but it is usually the best place for a one stop shop for all kinds of stuff, also chances are they “have the droids you’re looking for”

Examples http://www.hbouk.com http://www.starwars.com/shop/ http://www.startrekshop.co.uk/default.aspx

Mother’s Basement is a great place to find Figures toys and collectibles. From movies to comic books and TV to gaming. Focused on memorabilia and collectors items. Based in Staffordshire, UK but available worldwide.

http://MothersBasement.com

Nerdoh is a original nerd inspired design label providing mostly t shirts but all kinds of clothes. Designs focused on movies, games, computers, comics as well as all the new fangled gadgets and nerdery of today.

http://www.nerdoh.co.uk

GameTee is a great place to get rather unique game related clothes, posters and accessories and also a fair few of your favourite YouTuber’s branded gear. On that note another great place to get you favourite YouTuber’s stuff is Rodeo Arcade.

http://www.gametee.co.uk

http://www.rodeoarcade.com

For the ladies out there, one can find all sorts of asorted ladies geekery at heruniverse.com. They focus specifically on the girl nerd market so a great place for them to shop or to shop for the Nerd/Gamer girl’s in your life. They have a particular focus on Cosplay but mostly sell themed jewelry and clothes.

http://www.heruniverse.com

Well that’s our top List of Internet Nerdery and where to find them, any suggestions for places we’ve missed would be very welcome! We hope you have a very merry Christmas and a stocking filled with goodies! Happy Holidays!