Metal Gear Solid: Remote Ops is a fictional video game set by Konami as an April Fool's Day joke. Konami planned a sequel to Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, but later on, scrapped the whole project. Around March 2007, a screenshot of a possible sequel to Portable Ops was leaked onto the Internet, showing Solid Snake, in his Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty attire and wielding a weapon similar to Snake's weapon in the 2005 Tokyo Game Show trailer of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. The screenshot left a lot of questions by gamers about the existence of this possible Portable Ops sequel and the sequel itself being portrayed on the Wii console instead of the Playstation Portable.
Leak
According to The Snake Soup, an Konami insider had leaked a possible description of Remote Ops onto the Internet as follows:
*Metal Gear Solid: Remote Ops
*Release date: Q4 2008
*Platform: Wii
In 2001 players experienced the highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty through the eyes of newcomer Raiden. Now events of the game will unfold through Solid Snake's eyes in this spiritual sequel to MGS: Portable Ops. Similar to Portable Ops, players will control Solid Snake as well as recruit and use their own handpicked squadron. In addition to a full-length single player mode illustrated by Ashley Wood and the multiplayer modes seen in previous titles, the game features unique gameplay elements using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller.
This description also left a lot of questions by gamers, as now it looked highly believable that a Portable Ops sequel was planned and in the development stages for the Wii console.
Konami's response
Ravi Singh, the writer of the Remote Ops news report on The Snake Soup, received a cease and desist letter from Konami concerning the leak of Remote Ops. The letter had asked Ravi Singh to put the news report down and to call a Konami number. He replied on his news-report that he would not do this and asked viewers to Digg the article to anger Konami operatives. Although the screenshot was highly believable, many Metal Gear Solid gamers where amused when first exposed to it. The screenshot itself could be another game, applied with MODs resembling the Metal Gear Solid structure. The item/weapon boxes at the bottom corners of the screen do not resemble that of the Metal Gear Solid series. The area is not an area that would be portrayed in the Metal Gear Solid series, although it could be a multiplayer stage as seen in Metal Gear Online. Snake's stance is a bit different, but if the whole Remote Ops thing was true, his stance could have been controlled through the Wii Remote. The screenshot itself is fake and looks believable, not something a graphics designer could create. This had been concluded that the game could have been a PC game, running a whole range of MODs resembling the whole Metal Gear Solid experience. And also, the red text at the top left of the image makes it look like an MGS multiplayer stage, saying things like Snake Killed Vulcan Raven etc. But one thing that points out it is fake is a minor spelling mistake. The last line says "Sniper Wolf killed (headshot) Meryl Silverburg with PSG1. Sliverburg is spelt wrong, as an H is missing meaning that the game could have been a screenshot of a PC running vast amounts of MODs resembling the MGS experience with the text later on written with an image editor. Later on, Konami classified Remote Ops as fake, an April Fool's joke.
Leak
According to The Snake Soup, an Konami insider had leaked a possible description of Remote Ops onto the Internet as follows:
*Metal Gear Solid: Remote Ops
*Release date: Q4 2008
*Platform: Wii
In 2001 players experienced the highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty through the eyes of newcomer Raiden. Now events of the game will unfold through Solid Snake's eyes in this spiritual sequel to MGS: Portable Ops. Similar to Portable Ops, players will control Solid Snake as well as recruit and use their own handpicked squadron. In addition to a full-length single player mode illustrated by Ashley Wood and the multiplayer modes seen in previous titles, the game features unique gameplay elements using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller.
This description also left a lot of questions by gamers, as now it looked highly believable that a Portable Ops sequel was planned and in the development stages for the Wii console.
Konami's response
Ravi Singh, the writer of the Remote Ops news report on The Snake Soup, received a cease and desist letter from Konami concerning the leak of Remote Ops. The letter had asked Ravi Singh to put the news report down and to call a Konami number. He replied on his news-report that he would not do this and asked viewers to Digg the article to anger Konami operatives. Although the screenshot was highly believable, many Metal Gear Solid gamers where amused when first exposed to it. The screenshot itself could be another game, applied with MODs resembling the Metal Gear Solid structure. The item/weapon boxes at the bottom corners of the screen do not resemble that of the Metal Gear Solid series. The area is not an area that would be portrayed in the Metal Gear Solid series, although it could be a multiplayer stage as seen in Metal Gear Online. Snake's stance is a bit different, but if the whole Remote Ops thing was true, his stance could have been controlled through the Wii Remote. The screenshot itself is fake and looks believable, not something a graphics designer could create. This had been concluded that the game could have been a PC game, running a whole range of MODs resembling the whole Metal Gear Solid experience. And also, the red text at the top left of the image makes it look like an MGS multiplayer stage, saying things like Snake Killed Vulcan Raven etc. But one thing that points out it is fake is a minor spelling mistake. The last line says "Sniper Wolf killed (headshot) Meryl Silverburg with PSG1. Sliverburg is spelt wrong, as an H is missing meaning that the game could have been a screenshot of a PC running vast amounts of MODs resembling the MGS experience with the text later on written with an image editor. Later on, Konami classified Remote Ops as fake, an April Fool's joke.
Tales of the Dark Kensai
Tales of the Dark Kensai is a recent fantasy series surrounding the life of a character named Phasmatis Batara Kaerasti. In the first novel, Phasmatis loses his childhood home in a violent invasion and is slowly corrupted by the criminal element of the city. However, with his childhood training Phasmatis fights to retain his principles despite the evils around him, and finds himself faced against monsters and men with villainous intent. He is cursed, and has to wear a mask to keep anyone from sharing his curse. At the end ofOrigin of the Sword Saint Phasmatis abandons his former life to become an esoteric warrior known as a kensai.
In the second tale, the cursed swordsman travels the dangerous land of Afanadar to seek a cure for his blight. Dogged by guilt from his days as an assassin and by old enemies, Phasmatis worries that he has not been able to change his nature, and that the curse is driving him insane. Like the first novel, this is filled with battlescenes that are scrupulously detailed and character analysis that is consistently deep and engaging - on par with writers such as Anne Rice and Steven King. www.publishedauthors.net/secondtaleofthedarkkensai
The third tale somewhat takes its focus off of Phasmatis, though his role is still central to the plot. The kensai and his friends, one of his old mentors Talstran, a gnome from the second book named Gleebeck, and a druid named Gwynera decide to travel into the heartlands of the Tamian Empire to stop a violent war that is devastating the nations. www.publishedauthos.net/darkkensai3
Background:
The notion of the kensai is drawn initially from Japanese mythology, though the series is more rooted in the fantasy tradition, as well as Norse, English and Greek mythology. All three books consider problems of ethics, the problem of evil, theology, romanticism, and other topics of philosophy, as well as exploring the effects of psychological influences on character behavior.
Readers' Opinions:
Negatives:
For those who do not like long descriptions, the Tales of the Dark Kensai may get somewhat tedious at points, though usually the action is fast paced enough to overlook this. The main character's problems may strike the reader as overdramatic or unnecessarily melancholy, though this is balanced by other characters with lighter dispositions, and frequent, well-used humor. The biggest problem with the series is the amount of typos, primarily in the first novel, though a few do appear in the following novels. Also, the books are somewhat expensive.
Positives:
In a genre which is simply saturated, Cirilla manages to put new life into old themes, tackling serious issues that pertain to our society. Each battle seems fresh, and the dialogue, especially when it becomes philosophical and intense, is always incredibly engaging and inspires the reader into thinking.
While it is true that this is published by PublishAmerica, The Tales of the Dark Kensai is a genuinely excellent series which deserves attention and recognition. I do not see why simply having information about the novel poses any legal information, since this is a non-for-profit organization.
Tales of the Dark Kensai is a recent fantasy series surrounding the life of a character named Phasmatis Batara Kaerasti. In the first novel, Phasmatis loses his childhood home in a violent invasion and is slowly corrupted by the criminal element of the city. However, with his childhood training Phasmatis fights to retain his principles despite the evils around him, and finds himself faced against monsters and men with villainous intent. He is cursed, and has to wear a mask to keep anyone from sharing his curse. At the end ofOrigin of the Sword Saint Phasmatis abandons his former life to become an esoteric warrior known as a kensai.
In the second tale, the cursed swordsman travels the dangerous land of Afanadar to seek a cure for his blight. Dogged by guilt from his days as an assassin and by old enemies, Phasmatis worries that he has not been able to change his nature, and that the curse is driving him insane. Like the first novel, this is filled with battlescenes that are scrupulously detailed and character analysis that is consistently deep and engaging - on par with writers such as Anne Rice and Steven King. www.publishedauthors.net/secondtaleofthedarkkensai
The third tale somewhat takes its focus off of Phasmatis, though his role is still central to the plot. The kensai and his friends, one of his old mentors Talstran, a gnome from the second book named Gleebeck, and a druid named Gwynera decide to travel into the heartlands of the Tamian Empire to stop a violent war that is devastating the nations. www.publishedauthos.net/darkkensai3
Background:
The notion of the kensai is drawn initially from Japanese mythology, though the series is more rooted in the fantasy tradition, as well as Norse, English and Greek mythology. All three books consider problems of ethics, the problem of evil, theology, romanticism, and other topics of philosophy, as well as exploring the effects of psychological influences on character behavior.
Readers' Opinions:
Negatives:
For those who do not like long descriptions, the Tales of the Dark Kensai may get somewhat tedious at points, though usually the action is fast paced enough to overlook this. The main character's problems may strike the reader as overdramatic or unnecessarily melancholy, though this is balanced by other characters with lighter dispositions, and frequent, well-used humor. The biggest problem with the series is the amount of typos, primarily in the first novel, though a few do appear in the following novels. Also, the books are somewhat expensive.
Positives:
In a genre which is simply saturated, Cirilla manages to put new life into old themes, tackling serious issues that pertain to our society. Each battle seems fresh, and the dialogue, especially when it becomes philosophical and intense, is always incredibly engaging and inspires the reader into thinking.
While it is true that this is published by PublishAmerica, The Tales of the Dark Kensai is a genuinely excellent series which deserves attention and recognition. I do not see why simply having information about the novel poses any legal information, since this is a non-for-profit organization.
Jim Melvin is a writer of epic fantasy. He has written a six-book series entitled The Death Wizard Chronicles.
Melvin was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on Aug. 26, 1957, but he spent the majority of his life in St. Petersburg, Fla. He currently lives in Clemson, S.C.
Melvin was a journalist for the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times for twenty-five years (1978-2003). Since 2004, he has been a full-time novelist.
Melvin's influences include J.R.R. Tolkien, Stephen Donaldson, Steven Erikson, George R.R. Martin, and Terry Brooks.
References:
External links:
Melvin was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on Aug. 26, 1957, but he spent the majority of his life in St. Petersburg, Fla. He currently lives in Clemson, S.C.
Melvin was a journalist for the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times for twenty-five years (1978-2003). Since 2004, he has been a full-time novelist.
Melvin's influences include J.R.R. Tolkien, Stephen Donaldson, Steven Erikson, George R.R. Martin, and Terry Brooks.
References:
External links:
Tear trough filler rejuvenation
Technological advances in imaging techniques have led to greater insight into the physiology of facial aging. We know that atrophy, loss of facial volume and tissue elasticity, bone resorption and gravitational forces all combine to age the face. In the mid-face, loss of volume accentuates the bony orbital anatomy, leading to exposure of the infraorbital fat pads and accentuation of the tear trough depression. The descent and attenuation of the skin of the inferior orbital rim also contributes to the development of predominant lower eyelid tear trough hollows.
Surgery to address tear trough hollows is not always appropriate and counseling patients on the choice between surgery and other, less invasive techniques is a challenge to ophthalmic plastic surgeons. Although use of dermatological fillers in other areas of the face is well-documented and associated with high patient satisfaction, their use in the tear trough hollow is a relatively new procedure. Greater understanding of the role that volume loss plays in facial aging, together with a growing patient preference for more conservative options for rejuvenation, has led to consideration of soft tissue augmentation for the treatment of prominent tear trough hollows.
The published use of fillers in the tear trough hollow has been confined to nonanimal, stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) to date. Its lack of immunogenicity, together with its stabilizing and hydrating properties, make it an ideal agent for use in this area of the face. Its duration of effect (6-12 months) is comparable to that achieved in other areas of the mid-face.
Reports of successful use of dermatological fillers in the tear trough hollows as a better alternative to blepharoplasty, the traditional approach to eyelid rejuvenation, continue to emerge. As an outpatient procedure for tear trough hollows that offers immediate cosmetic results, a reduced risk of complications and minimal recovery time it is one of the most exciting treatment options in aesthetic medicine today. The use of fillers also means that the option of surgery is retained for a later stage.
The technique used in the Orbitofacial clinic orbitofacial.org seating the patient upright with the head firmly resting against a solid headrest and asked them to look upwards in order to accentuate the appearance of the tear trough deformity and lower eyelid fat pads.
Standing at the same side to be treated, and using the standard 30-gauge needle supplied with the product on a luer-lock vial, the needle shaft is placed anterior to and along the infraorbital rim with the tip directed medially. Noting the position the tip would reach, the skin along the tear-trough was then gently stretched perpendicular to the direction of groove and the needle inserted transcutaneously. It is advanced in a sub-orbicularis plane, along anterior and just inferior to the inferior orbital rim, until the tip reached the pre-planned location. Small aliquot volumes of nonanimal, stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA ) are then injected into the preperiosteal space, deep to the orbicularis just inferior to the orbital rim with the needle-bevel face-down towards the bone. The needle is slowly withdrawn and further aliquots are injected along this tract, in the same plane and at the same time as it is withdrawn. The filler is introduced by using a serial puncture technique in this manner. Before each injection, the bevel-down needle-tip is lifted slightly away from the bone in order to confirm a deep sub-orbicularis location and minimize the risk of injection into a more superficial subcutaneous plane. At each site, approximately 0.1 ml of filler is injected. The needle is withdrawn and the filler moulded to achieve a desired contour and reduce any prominent localised lumps.
Further aliquots are injected along the tear trough groove with progressively less volume required when approaching the region of the lateral canthus. If a residual hollow remained following injection of the first `layer’ of filler, then a second injection is delivered in the same plane but superficial to the first layer. Care is taken to inject anterior to and not above the orbital rim, avoiding placement of significant filler in the preseptal lower eyelid location. Moulding or massaging of the product with the thumb is carried out where smoothing of irregularities over the bony rim is required. Botulinum toxin treatments given during the same session are limited to placement along the brow and lateral to the lateral orbital rim, just inferior to the lateral canthal angle (orbicularis oculi raphe) in order to reduce the likelihood of a significant effect on the tear trough hollow treatment. Patients are advised to avoid exercise for 24 hours and direct pressure on the lower eyelid region area for 72 hours. Regular ice packs and analgesia are recommended. Patients are also advised to expect swelling for 1 to 2 days and the potential for an increase in bruising over 24 hours. Antibiotic or antiviral prophylaxis is not routinely used. A 4-week follow-up is scheduled after treatment or sooner, if any concerns arises.
Although this region of the bony orbital rim is considered free of significant vascular structures, there is a risk of retrograde embolization when using fillers. There have been no reports of visual loss associated with occlusion of the ophthalmic artery with the use of NASHA in the tear trough hollow; however, there have been reports of such problems with other fillers, including micronized dermal matrix, bovine collagen, and autologous fat and silicone oil. These reports serve as a reminder to avoid injecting close to the angular and infraorbital vessels in all patients.
The complex contours and anatomy of the periorbital region present a challenge for soft tissue filling. The skin is extremely thin over the bone and any irregularities caused by injecting too superficially or over-correcting can be obvious. Similarly, superficial injection can lead to greater visibility of inflammation or the bluish-grey pigmentation seen with some fillers.
Also, occasional contour irregularities can and do occur. Massaging with the thumb can smooth out any “lumpiness” or, if the patient is unhappy with the result, the filler can be dissolved using hyaluronidase. Conservative use of hyaluronidase is always available to reduce “lumpiness” and over-correction. The need for hyaluronidase appears to reduce with experience and the author currently advises patients of a 10% chance of requiring this.
Credits
Details on this page have been contributed by Raman Malhotra Raman Malhotra Site:
He has expertise in orbitofacial surgery (specialist plastic surgery in the eyelid and orbital region of the face).
Mr Malhotra has expertise in both surgical and non-surgical approaches to orbitofacial rejuvenation including modern techniques for cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) and small incision forehead and browlifts.
Other areas of expertise include skin cancer management in the eyelid region with modern excision and reconstructive techniques, watery eye disorders, thyroid eye disease including orbital decompression, facial palsy rehabilitation and orbital tumours.
For further information on Tear Trough Rejuvenation / Tear trough fillers/ Facial contouring in the eyelid region please contact Mr Malhotra at
Technological advances in imaging techniques have led to greater insight into the physiology of facial aging. We know that atrophy, loss of facial volume and tissue elasticity, bone resorption and gravitational forces all combine to age the face. In the mid-face, loss of volume accentuates the bony orbital anatomy, leading to exposure of the infraorbital fat pads and accentuation of the tear trough depression. The descent and attenuation of the skin of the inferior orbital rim also contributes to the development of predominant lower eyelid tear trough hollows.
Surgery to address tear trough hollows is not always appropriate and counseling patients on the choice between surgery and other, less invasive techniques is a challenge to ophthalmic plastic surgeons. Although use of dermatological fillers in other areas of the face is well-documented and associated with high patient satisfaction, their use in the tear trough hollow is a relatively new procedure. Greater understanding of the role that volume loss plays in facial aging, together with a growing patient preference for more conservative options for rejuvenation, has led to consideration of soft tissue augmentation for the treatment of prominent tear trough hollows.
The published use of fillers in the tear trough hollow has been confined to nonanimal, stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) to date. Its lack of immunogenicity, together with its stabilizing and hydrating properties, make it an ideal agent for use in this area of the face. Its duration of effect (6-12 months) is comparable to that achieved in other areas of the mid-face.
Reports of successful use of dermatological fillers in the tear trough hollows as a better alternative to blepharoplasty, the traditional approach to eyelid rejuvenation, continue to emerge. As an outpatient procedure for tear trough hollows that offers immediate cosmetic results, a reduced risk of complications and minimal recovery time it is one of the most exciting treatment options in aesthetic medicine today. The use of fillers also means that the option of surgery is retained for a later stage.
The technique used in the Orbitofacial clinic orbitofacial.org seating the patient upright with the head firmly resting against a solid headrest and asked them to look upwards in order to accentuate the appearance of the tear trough deformity and lower eyelid fat pads.
Standing at the same side to be treated, and using the standard 30-gauge needle supplied with the product on a luer-lock vial, the needle shaft is placed anterior to and along the infraorbital rim with the tip directed medially. Noting the position the tip would reach, the skin along the tear-trough was then gently stretched perpendicular to the direction of groove and the needle inserted transcutaneously. It is advanced in a sub-orbicularis plane, along anterior and just inferior to the inferior orbital rim, until the tip reached the pre-planned location. Small aliquot volumes of nonanimal, stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA ) are then injected into the preperiosteal space, deep to the orbicularis just inferior to the orbital rim with the needle-bevel face-down towards the bone. The needle is slowly withdrawn and further aliquots are injected along this tract, in the same plane and at the same time as it is withdrawn. The filler is introduced by using a serial puncture technique in this manner. Before each injection, the bevel-down needle-tip is lifted slightly away from the bone in order to confirm a deep sub-orbicularis location and minimize the risk of injection into a more superficial subcutaneous plane. At each site, approximately 0.1 ml of filler is injected. The needle is withdrawn and the filler moulded to achieve a desired contour and reduce any prominent localised lumps.
Further aliquots are injected along the tear trough groove with progressively less volume required when approaching the region of the lateral canthus. If a residual hollow remained following injection of the first `layer’ of filler, then a second injection is delivered in the same plane but superficial to the first layer. Care is taken to inject anterior to and not above the orbital rim, avoiding placement of significant filler in the preseptal lower eyelid location. Moulding or massaging of the product with the thumb is carried out where smoothing of irregularities over the bony rim is required. Botulinum toxin treatments given during the same session are limited to placement along the brow and lateral to the lateral orbital rim, just inferior to the lateral canthal angle (orbicularis oculi raphe) in order to reduce the likelihood of a significant effect on the tear trough hollow treatment. Patients are advised to avoid exercise for 24 hours and direct pressure on the lower eyelid region area for 72 hours. Regular ice packs and analgesia are recommended. Patients are also advised to expect swelling for 1 to 2 days and the potential for an increase in bruising over 24 hours. Antibiotic or antiviral prophylaxis is not routinely used. A 4-week follow-up is scheduled after treatment or sooner, if any concerns arises.
Although this region of the bony orbital rim is considered free of significant vascular structures, there is a risk of retrograde embolization when using fillers. There have been no reports of visual loss associated with occlusion of the ophthalmic artery with the use of NASHA in the tear trough hollow; however, there have been reports of such problems with other fillers, including micronized dermal matrix, bovine collagen, and autologous fat and silicone oil. These reports serve as a reminder to avoid injecting close to the angular and infraorbital vessels in all patients.
The complex contours and anatomy of the periorbital region present a challenge for soft tissue filling. The skin is extremely thin over the bone and any irregularities caused by injecting too superficially or over-correcting can be obvious. Similarly, superficial injection can lead to greater visibility of inflammation or the bluish-grey pigmentation seen with some fillers.
Also, occasional contour irregularities can and do occur. Massaging with the thumb can smooth out any “lumpiness” or, if the patient is unhappy with the result, the filler can be dissolved using hyaluronidase. Conservative use of hyaluronidase is always available to reduce “lumpiness” and over-correction. The need for hyaluronidase appears to reduce with experience and the author currently advises patients of a 10% chance of requiring this.
Credits
Details on this page have been contributed by Raman Malhotra Raman Malhotra Site:
He has expertise in orbitofacial surgery (specialist plastic surgery in the eyelid and orbital region of the face).
Mr Malhotra has expertise in both surgical and non-surgical approaches to orbitofacial rejuvenation including modern techniques for cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) and small incision forehead and browlifts.
Other areas of expertise include skin cancer management in the eyelid region with modern excision and reconstructive techniques, watery eye disorders, thyroid eye disease including orbital decompression, facial palsy rehabilitation and orbital tumours.
For further information on Tear Trough Rejuvenation / Tear trough fillers/ Facial contouring in the eyelid region please contact Mr Malhotra at